Fire.

I was fire.

The flames had consumed me. No longer did I have any identity except agony, a creature of flame. The scorching, withering heat licked at me, devouring everything that I had ever been or ever would be.

Pain was everywhere and nowhere, my every cell alight with invisible flames. I scratched and beat at them and rolled around to snuff them out… all to no avail. It didn't end. It would never end… Then, suddenly!—the flames snuffed.

And every time the fire went out… the voice asked me to betray my parents, my people, and the Alliance. It had started out gently, coaxing me to reveal the location of the Death Star plans—

But on my continual refusals, the voice soon turned as cruel as the pain itself. The voice made logical arguments. Above all, he promised that the pain I begged to end would end—if only I told him what he needed to know.

I nearly did. But every time, images of my mother, or my father, or my people, or the Alliance floated just enough into the surface of my consciousness to give me the will. The will to fight on. They were all my people, every one of them, rebels and Alderaanian alike.

"No!"

I chose my people every time.

…~oOo~…

The doctor stayed quiet as she tended me. Finally, I broke the silence. What did I have to lose at this point?

"How can do you this? How can you serve this?" I knew that some who served the Empire truly believed in it, for whatever reason. Believed they were doing the right thing. But how could you, when you saw a nineteen-year-old girl tortured? How could someone, anyone witness such a thing or its after-effects and still go on serving?

Apparently, some people could. The woman's dark eyes narrowed. "You're a rebel," she uttered simply. "You are destroying the peace the Emperor gave us."

Keeping on with my denials seemed pointless. No rescue had come. Might none come at all…?

Agony echoed in my memory, and I felt a trembling.

Could I resist again?

But I summoned up the nerve to say, "You have no right to accuse me of such terrorist activities. How dare you?"

The door sprung open then, saving me from further combatance with the Imperial doctor. Vader swept in, cool and calculating. "Well, doctor?" he asked.

"She's fine," the doctor said, "except for that she's been tortured."

I gave a short laugh at that. It was a new one. If I ever got out of this, I'd have to share it around.

I went ignored, naturally. "Excellent," said Vader evenly. "Come with me."

Not again. I'd hardly had any time to feel even a semblance of stability return after the initial torture. More already… I wasn't prepared. I wasn't ready to resist. Panic made me flush hot and then cold; I recovered myself in an instant. I could do it again. I must. Everything and everyone relied on me now.

The doctor eyed me, as if wondering if I required help getting to my feet; she didn't offer. I threw myself up, ignoring the hint of dizziness and nausea that rushed through me. Rolling my shoulders back, I marched over to Vader.

I couldn't show fear. I wouldn't show fear. In the end, Vader remained a big bully. Bullies needed victims.

I refused to be one.

…

Of course, Vader wasn't the only member of the upper Imperial ranks who liked bullying. When he led me into the nerve center of the Death Star, bewildering me (why would they show me this?), the questions died in my mind once I saw the figure standing in the center. He awaited me, as if an attendant at court. Thin and sharp, like a needle carved from bone, Grand Moff Tarkin turned around to meet my gaze.

After three years of cat and mouse, here we stood, finally. Possibly—finally and forever. "Governor Tarkin," I greeted with saccharine sweetness. "I should've expected to find you here holding Vader's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought onboard." I mimicked his posh aristocratic accent to mock him further.

In return, he offered me one of his bloodless smiles. "Charming to the last." His cold fingers caressed my chin, lifting it up. "You don't know how hard I found it signing the order to terminate your life."

My heart gave a thud. My stomach gave a churn. So much for rescue…

I ripped my chin from his grasp. "I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself," I returned boldly.

There. His eyes flashed. Petty victory surged through me. "Princess Leia, before your execution," he went on, "I would like for you to be a guest at a ceremony that will make this battle station operational."

You mean after you fired on Jedah, and Scarif, already? Feeling insecure about your new toy, Tarkin?

"No star system will dare oppose the Emperor now."

I shook my head. Still he didn't understand. "The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."

"Not after we demonstrate the power of this station. In a way, you have decided the planet that will be destroyed first." The dark black view screen turned opalescent, then clear, providing a view out into the space beyond. Not the outer rim, anymore. Not Tatooine. Another planet.

A soft green and blue sphere that bobbed in the center of the view screen. Planets looked so strong and yet so fragile from this great distance, I thought wonderingly… in the heart stopping moment before I recognized the world. Alderaan. My home.

Which was when Tarkin ruthlessly concluded, "I've decided to test this station's destructive power on your home planet of Alderaan."

The regal, defiant facade shattered. "No! Alderaan is peaceful! We have no weapons! You can't possibly—"

"You would prefer another target? A military target? Then name the system. I grow tired of asking this, so it'll be the last time. Where is the rebel base?"

I can't tell him the truth, I thought frantically. I'd long discovered I couldn't be overwhelmed by fear so long as I had something to do, but this was something far beyond fear. This was my home, my world, my parents, my people… There were billions down there. Yet I didn't for a moment doubt Tarkin's declaration of intent.

Old information, I realized. The truth. He might know if I'm lying. So, I won't lie.

"Dantooine," I uttered, turning my face downwards as if in shame. Trying to hide how all the color had drained from it. "They're on Dantooine."

Tarkin was victorious. "You see, Lord Vader?" he bragged. "She can be reasoned with." Then, to the officers gathered around: "Continue with the operation. You may fire when ready." "WHAT?!"

"Oh, you're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration, but rest assured: we will deal with your rebel friends soon enough."

"No!" I cried, lunging forward to do something—do anything—to stop this—

The various male and female officers pulled levers and depressed buttons with the same cool efficiency as their commanding officer, and varying lights turned red and green. The sick ozone scent of the recirculated air congregated in my nostrils, feeling like it was strangling me. Vader's hand clamped around my shoulder, pulling me back, holding me in place. The floor vibrated beneath my feet. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end—

Then, a beam of sickly green light shot from the core of the Death Star and blasted Alderaan to so many glowing bits of rubble.

…~oOo~…

A/N: Ugh. Poor Leia. Things will be tough for the next few chapters as we see the after-effects of Alderaan's destruction on her. It wasn't something ever explored in the films, and it needed to be. So… buckle in, all.

But this arc will conclude on a hopeful, if still tragic note.

Thanks so much for reading! If you liked reading, please follow, favorite, or review, because the encouragement really motivates me.

Until next time,

Rivkah