Chapter Eighteen:
Luke sat back at long last after hours of work and viewed his finished project with an air of finality. A warm, satisfied smile lit his face as he gazed upon the fully assembled droid.
Now all Luke had to do was activate the droid and make sure she worked. Luke had given the droid a female personality, but was hesitant to name her yet, wanting to see her respond to him first.
With a deep breath, Luke flipped her activation switch, lowering the panel that hid it once he had done so.
He was gratified to hear the nearly silent whir of the droid's servomotors and other systems activating for the very first time.
The head was still the angular, conical shape reminiscent of an old Trade Federation battle droid, but with smoother lines. Her tri-part body was connected with flexible wiring tubing that was also sturdy enough to protect the circuitry within. A pair of arms extended from the shoulders to end in four-fingered hands that could shift into a hold-out blaster on one arm, and a knife in the other.
Also in the right arm was a data port connector like Artoo Detoo had. And instead of legs, Luke had used powerful repulsors to let the droid move around. The entire droid wasn't much larger than a four-year old human child and he liked it that way.
"All systems active," the droid's smoky female voice said as her photoreceptors lit up properly and focused on him. "Ready for service, Master."
Luke smiled. "Activate program 2187-Skywalker."
The droid was silent for a few seconds while she processed his request. Then, "Hello, Master Luke."
Luke nodded. "What is your function?"
"I have multiple functions: human relations, guardian when needed, piloting, companionship, data gathering, repairs on mechanics and other basic functions."
"Excellent." Luke praised, and then spoke in a softer voice. "But for now call me Velius."
"As you wish."
He heard boots approach and glanced back to see Han and Chewie arrive, though they stopped in surprise to see Luke's floating droid. Luke smiled softly at the two and then turned back to his droid, eyeing her with a good feeling.
"Now you just need a name," Luke murmured. He'd given it some thought, and now his list of candidates floated to mind, though he kept coming back around to one.
"Nella."
The droid paused, her head tilting curiously. Luke had given her some personality software, not wanting her to just be a mechanic, but something more of a friend like Artoo.
"I am Nella."
"It means light." Luke supplied.
Han and Chewie approached then and inspected the droid for themselves. "You do really nice work, Kid," Han said. "You could have a future in droid building if you don't find anything else to do."
Luke laughed quietly. "Thanks Han."
"We're almost to our reversion point, so strap in," Han instructed.
"Alright."
00000
Calan, despite his best efforts, shivered from the deep cold of space as he watched Zolar and his pirates pilot them towards some planet he'd never known existed. Calan had heard of the outside galaxy, but had never left his homeplanet.
And while he wasn't opposed to sightseeing, never had he imagined it would be as a slave he would 'see' the galaxy.
Zolar was speaking to his people in what Calan assumed was the cockpit, and from his literal pet cage bolted to the deck near one bulkhead, Calan was powerless to do anything but watch.
Just as he had been unable to do anything but scream and watch as his mother and sister got further away from him. He still recalled Kiida's broken screams as she'd begged for him. Calan, being only eight, already missed his mother terribly, and wished there was some way he could go home.
At some point Zolar returned to the lobby where Calan was being kept, and as he settled at the table nearby, Calan watched him for a moment. The man took out a blaster of some sort and began the process of stripping and cleaning it.
Though the sight did pique Calan's interest, he spoke in a timid voice. "Why did you take me?"
Zolar barely glanced his way. "Because your mother harbored the murderer of my men."
"I don't know what 'harbored' means," Calan said, earning himself an annoyed look from the man. "But my mother was innocent! She didn't know that guy was going to kill your friends! Please, she didn't do anything wrong!"
Zolar snapped to his feet, and his lash of fury shocked Calan back against the wall of his cage. "That idiot killed my best friend!"
Calan shook with fear, eyes wide as the Vurk stormed across the space to hover dangerously above the child. Calan hunkered down as far as he could while the alien continued to rant.
"He killed Prand, he killed several of my men on Delrakkin, and then he went on to murder three more of my best people in your mother's home!"
Zolar slammed a fist onto Calan's cage and the child whimpered. "You are now my slave; it's a fair exchange for the lives of three good men. Now shut up and only speak when given permission to, understood?"
Calan, too afraid to cross the man, only nodded.
"Good."
Calan saw the white Twi'lek woman who'd grabbed him appear then. "We revert in two hours."
"And then we will find a way to bring this boy down once and for all," Zolar rumbled, returning to his blaster.
00000
Hours of the night had been passed in tears, wandering her apartment aimlessly or just staring without seeing at the cityscape beyond her many windows. Those had been hours in which Leia had constantly mourned her lost father-figure. And she wanted for noting more than to honor his memory, his last request. But how?
A plan had begun formulating in her mind halfway through the night, and the more she'd sat upon the idea, the more it had called to her.
Now, Leia sat stoically in her office, watching with hard eyes as her mother spoke in a press conference. Bail's funeral had been arranged to be held on Alderaan, and Leia would be there if it killed her.
"...has been confirmed that Senator Organa was in fact a leading member of the Rebel Alliance. We believe his death was to negate any chance by his own traitorous people that we could regain our missing prince," Padmé was saying on screen.
Anger bubbled in Leia. She wasn't naïve: she knew Padmé was behind the fiasco with Bail, and she had meant it to be a lesson to Leia. The young woman knew without a shadow of a doubt that Padmé had been behind the assassination. Leia could feel it in her gut and in the Force, but she didn't have proof.
As Padmé continued to drone on about how they would find the missing prince and assured the galaxy that Bail's family was in fact innocent— Leia snorted at Padmé's obvious attempt to single Bail out from his family as if he'd been hiding his actions— the princess stewed in thoughts of revenge and hatred of the woman before her.
When she caught herself at some point, Leia shut off the screen with an audible sound of disgust, standing and moving to the window. She stood there for a long while, staring off into space as her mind worked.
Be strong Leia... Bail had urged in his final hours.
Leia closed her eyes against bitter tears. She would not go Dark on Padmé, but Leia would not just sit back and watch Bail's killer get away with this. Something shifted in Leia then, and she stood straighter, her resolve hardening as her decision was made.
Padmé had meant this as a 'lesson' to her daughter... well, the mother was about to get a taste of her own medicine. Padmé had taught her daughter well, after all.
Turning from the viewport, Leia grabbed up her Artoo-specific datapad and called for the droid. While he was in transit, Leia sat at her computer and did a thorough search of the data she had already collected for the Alliance, finding the shipment that was closest to her timeline.
Finding it, Leia downloaded all pertinent information and then erased her search from the databases.
Artoo arrived then, with Damielle allowing him entrance. Leia was too busy in her mission to notice how Damielle wasn't acting like herself.
She dismissed the redhead and knelt before Artoo. "I need your help, Artoo."
The blue and silver astromech beeped and whirred and Leia managed a tiny smile for him. "I need you to deactivate the tracker and other systems on my personal ship that my parents can activate..."
Leia trailed off. "Wait, that won't work..."
Artoo turned his photoreceptor closer towards her, bleeping curiously. What won't work?
Leia stood, pacing some and putting a hand to her chin. "I don't want my parents tracking me, but I also can't deactivate my ship's tracker completely or they will know something is off."
You need a second ship. Artoo supplied.
Leia looked to the squat droid. "Yes, but where will I get a clean ship in such a short space of time?"
From the abandoned collection in the warehouse, Artoo replied.
Leia blinked. "But won't it be missed?"
No. Artoo answered, somewhat sadly. None of those ships are inventoried regularly, and one of them is actually scheduled to be permanently scrapped. It will suit your needs, and I can have it waiting for you somewhere.
Leia was already nodding slowly. "Have it meet me on Alderaan, I am going to Bail's funeral, and I need to leave from there to meet some... friends."
Artoo beeped. It will be done.
Leia smiled now and placed a gentle hand to his dome. "How can I ever thank you?"
What are you planning to do, exactly? Artoo inquired.
Leia glanced out the viewport. "What I should have done long ago."
Artoo eyed her for a moment, and then bumped her leg gently. Please be careful, Mistress Leia. I will help however I can, but I don't want you to get hurt.
Leia patted his dome. "I promise to be careful Artoo. Just have my ship ready, and send the data to my 'pad."
I will.
Leia waited until the droid was gone before she returned to her desk and activated her comlink. Putting in a specific set of codes, Leia waited for the recipient to answer.
She kept her face calm as Darth Vader appeared before her on the desk.
"Leia, what is it?" Vader asked.
"Father, forgive me, but I wanted to request time off for a... personal matter," Leia answered with the perfect blend of subservience and firmness.
Vader studied her. "I heard about Bail Organa," he finally said. "I am... sorry. I know he was a good mentor of yours. A friend."
Leia dipped her chin somewhat. "He was. I... I would like to attend his funeral, pay my respects. Please, Father."
Vader looked away, considering, and Leia wondered what was going on in his mind. Finally he sighed.
"I grant your request." Vader glanced off-screen and then looked back to her. "Be careful, Daughter."
"I will, and thank you." Leia bowed her head as the man signed off.
Leia, almost not believing her luck, packed a few belongings and then made for her door. She did pause long enough to instruct Damielle to tell Padmé where Leia was going to be and that Vader had allowed it.
Then she left the apartment. It was of little surprise to find Sergeant Quane outside her door, and he blinked in surprise to find her with a bag in hand.
"Princess, are you going somewhere?" Quane asked mildly.
"Yes," Leia replied succinctly. "I have been allowed a trip, granted to me personally by the Emperor. You are not to interfere. I can take care of myself, Sergeant."
The man hesitated. "Princess..."
"The transmission is recorded on my personal comm. in my office if you need proof." Leia cut him off. "Good day, Sergeant."
She felt his shock at her behavior, but didn't dwell on it. She made haste for her ship and took off before her mother could find out and ruin this trip too.
When she achieved hyperspace Leia only then sat back with a sigh.
00000
When the Millennium Falcon exited hyperspace, Luke was rewarded with a beautiful view indeed. He'd heard of this planet, but had ever had occasion to visit before today.
"What is Takodana like?" Luke asked curiously, unable to contain his need to know. He was able to momentarily push his worry for Leia to the back of his mind and focus on the green and blue orb before him.
Nella hovered unobtrusively in the background, observing the interaction of those around her.
Han chuckled knowingly. "It's densely forested with large lakes and sports a temperate climate. But we aren't here to sightsee, so be careful not to stare when we get to our destination."
Luke eyed the smuggler. "And where, exactly, is that?"
"Maz's place. She's run this watering hole for a long, long time," Han spoke while he and Chewie brought the ship into the atmosphere. As they flew over the landscape Luke felt his breath momentarily stolen away. "But though this may seem odd, this place is neutral ground. No politics are allowed in Maz's place, and if you have business with someone in there, you take it elsewhere."
Luke nodded almost absently. "Why are we seeing this Maz?"
"She can help us... get some work," Han muttered.
Luke frowned at his demeanor, and was about to ask when the man finally landed and stood.
"Let's go."
Chewie made a peculiar noise and Luke gave him an odd look, but the Wookiee passed him by and that left the young man alone in the cockpit, save the droid.
"Nella, please remain onboard," Luke instructed.
"Yes, Master Velius." Nella replied, and Luke gave her a small smile.
Then, with a sigh, Luke lifted the hood of his new jacket— he'd really taken a liking to it— and joined the pair outside.
Han secured the ship and they all made their way down a shore towards a towering building that looked like it had been built centuries ago. Flags of all kinds hung in an open-air courtyard that led to a double-set of wooden doors. Some of the banners fluttered in a faint breeze, and Luke allowed himself to breathe in the fresh air, relishing the warm sunlight on his face.
Then the doors were opening, and despite himself Luke felt the slight shiver of foreboding. Swallowing nervously, Luke stepped in behind the smugglers and did his best to blend in.
He put his training to use and let his eyes roam without staring, taking in any details he could while Han and Chewie occupied themselves with finding a seat.
Music wafted towards Luke along with smoke and the scent of alcohol. Small groups of people sat about game tables of different kinds, while others sat in various stages of comfort about food tables, nursing drinks or enjoying the company of the other sex.
Luke took note of the many species of aliens present, some of which he'd rarely seen before. Of course, living on Coruscant there was a plethora of aliens, but there was also a level of bias among the humans there that Luke hated.
Luke also saw that many eyes had slid toward he and his companions despite what Han had said and Luke had to force himself to not shift in place.
Then, almost as if a thunderclap had happened within the building, a voice rang out clear as day, cutting through the din like she owned the place.
"HAN SOLO!"
Luke really felt the eyes on them now, and he waited tensely for someone to try something, but to his immense relief no one did. Luke sighed despite himself when the cantina around them returned to its previous state.
But now Luke was presented with the most curious sight. A woman no taller than a human child just into their tenth year approached, her orange skin leathery and showing age. Upon her eyes were a set of goggles that seemed to enlarge her gaze, and Luke could sense something about this woman that had him both wary and somewhat comforted.
Han muttered something to Chewie and then waved, coming forward also so as to meet the lady halfway. "Hello Maz."
Luke did a double-take. This was Maz?
"Han Solo, are you bringing trouble into my home?" Maz asked in a voice that told Luke she really was in charge here.
Han sighed. "Good to see you too, Maz."
The woman rolled her eyes, and smiled at Chewie. "Hello there, Chewbacca. Are you still hanging around with this fellow?"
Chewie nodded, and Maz snickered. Then her gaze happened upon Luke and she tilted her head curiously.
"And who is this?" the woman asked, coming forward and looking Luke up and down.
Luke shifted despite himself.
"This is a new friend: Velius," Han informed the woman. "He's learning the art of smuggling."
At that Maz snorted in amusement. "Smuggling? An art? Please."
She eyed Luke again and the young man was shocked to feel a certain aura of the Force about her. But clearly she wasn't a trained Force-user... so just who was this woman?
Maz studied Luke for a moment more before something in her gaze changed and she waved them deeper into the room. "Come, eat. You must be hungry... and I know you want something from me. Again."
Han and Chewie followed, with Luke moving at a slightly slower pace. They ended up at a table in the back, and Luke sat in the seat facing the door. Maz brought them food on serving platters a little later and only when she put an empty plate before the young man did he realize just how hungry he was.
"This is for us?" Luke clarified.
"Yes," Maz answered, a wry grin on her face. "You must eat real food while you have the chance. I am impressed you have survived this long on these two's cooking skills."
Chewbacca let out an indignant growl and Han glared at Maz, who only laughed.
Mouth watering, Luke thanked the woman and grabbed at some of the meat. He took a few other things as well and downed them with all the eagerness of an eighteen year old. And it was good food...
But Luke's relaxed state of being stuttered to a surprised halt at what Maz spoke next.
"Are you here to get Jabba's crosshairs off your backs?"
Luke looked up and to his right where Han sat, even as the man's face paled. Chewie pounded a fist on the table, startling Luke further and he managed to swallow his current bite without choking.
"Jabba's after the two of you?" Luke asked incredulously. "Jabba the Hutt?"
Han shot Maz a dirty look and then turned to Luke. "You know of anyone else with that name?"
The young man blinked... and then sat back, his food now forgotten. "That shipment... it was to earn money to pay off Jabba, wasn't it?" Luke felt a wave of fear for his new friends. "That's what you two were really doing that day."
Maz eyed the trio as Han debated whether or not to answer. "You didn't tell him."
"Well, we didn't exactly know he had put a target on our backs," Han snapped, but Luke could hear the dread in the man's tone.
[But we did,] Chewie corrected softly. [We knew if we missed that job we'd be in hot water.]
Luke glanced about them with a new awareness, and saw that more than one person was now still discreetly eyeing Luke and his companions. But though a few stares passed Luke, they didn't seem to recognize him.
Luke recalled the memo he had deleted from the Lando character and swallowed. His friends were in grave danger because of Luke... first with this flyer they were unaware of, and now Jabba...
"You are safe here, young man," Maz murmured, catching on to Luke's worried disposition. "What happens outside these walls, however, I cannot vouch for."
Luke returned his attention to her and was alarmed to find her leaning more heavily in his direction. Luke trembled just a tiny bit, and a sweat broke out on the back of his neck.
"What are you looking at?" Luke whispered when he could take it no longer.
"Your eyes..." Maz responded, her stare so intense Luke had to avert his gaze.
Luke frowned at his plate and then felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Maz, that's enough. Leave the poor guy alone, will you?" Han chided mildly. "He's been through more than you know."
Luke didn't feel Maz's eyes leave him for a few more intense seconds and then the pressure was gone. Luke almost sagged with relief. He stared at his plate and then returned to eating to hide his discomfort while Han and the others continued talking.
"Jabba has set a hefty price to your heads, Han." Maz informed the man. "Considering the reward amount, you must owe him a lot."
"Yeah..." Han sighed, running a hand over his chin. "We need a way to get that money and pay him off so he'll get off our backs."
"I do not think it will be so easy anymore," Maz said. "He wants you more than his money anymore it would seem."
Luke tried to follow, and to not judge the smugglers. It wasn't the end of things that Han and Chewie hadn't told Luke their predicament. And Luke hadn't exactly been forthcoming about his own issues, had he?
The young man stiffened when he heard Leia's voice whisper at him again.
Luke...
His head shot up, and he looked about almost frantically, but though he didn't see her, he heard her again.
"Luke..."
Unable to help it, Luke sank back into a vision...
Leia was sobbing, her hair a mess and her nightgown sitting twisted over her frame. She looked towards him with puffy eyes that were red from crying.
Her face was ruddy, but when she looked to him, Luke felt her sense of betrayal that he wasn't there for her in her hour of need.
"Luke... I need you... where are you?"
Leia's voice cracked and she hugged her pillow to her chest. "Please... come home... I need you... Luke..."
Luke gasped back to full awareness and in the same instant shot up from his seat at the red-hot anguish that her betrayal stung him with. His haste to escape it sent him over the back of his chair, toppling the furniture with him as he landed in a tangle of limbs and furniture.
Breathing hard, Luke struggled to reorient himself in reality even as a few people came to stand over him. Luke saw them and blanched.
Rising swiftly to his feet, Luke feigned nausea and took off blindly, ending up down a set of stairs that went underground. No one followed him, thankfully, and so Luke was able to stop at a halfway point, panting.
He leaned an arm up against the doorjamb nearest him and placed his head in the crook of the elbow.
00000
Deep in the shadows, a figure in armor watched as the commotion occurred, and with a predatory smirk, the figure left in the confusion unnoticed. He made his sure way over to the Millennium Falcon and set a black-market tracker in a hidden location.
With an air of anticipation, the bounty hunter walked away.
00000
Leia stood in the line of assembled guests beside her friend Winter, who had her head bowed mournfully as Bail's casket was pulled through the silent streets by two white beasts of burden reserved for such occasions.
Leia lifted a wet face and looked upon Bail Organa's still face as he passed, promising him silently that she would carry on his work until the Rebellion won, or Leia died trying. She watched patiently as the procession filed past and then whispered words to Winter before she bowed out gracefully.
As promised, Artoo had gotten the second ship to Leia on Alderaan, though she was surprised to see it had been he who personally piloted the ship. He wheeled down and whistled at her as she approached the ramp.
Where are we going?
Leia considered, not worried at all about Artoo's companionship. "Tatooine..." she murmured, allowing the Force to direct her. "Set course for Tatooine."
00000
"I know who you are."
Luke spun with a startled gasp at the sudden voice, gaze finding Maz's almost immediately. Luke quivered, backing away from her.
"You wear that disguise, but I can see it's really you... it's finally you." Her voice dropped to a bare whisper. "After all this time... I never would have guessed he meant you. And of all people... why didn't I see it before?"
"Who are you, and how do you know who I am?" Luke asked fearfully, missing her statement's awkward meaning. "Are you going to turn me in?"
Maz held out a hand in a peaceful gesture. "Calm down, young man. I am not here to harm you. I want to help you."
Luke stopped moving, frowning. "H-help?"
Maz approached slowly. "Look at me, Luke."
At her use of his true name, Luke gaped momentarily. But then something in him whispered trust and he slowly sank to a kneeling position before the woman. Hesitantly, Luke met her gaze.
"I want you to really look at me," Maz told him gently. "With your eyes."
Luke considered, and then carefully removed his contacts to reveal his true blue eyes beneath the brown lenses he'd been wearing.
Maz held his gaze anew now, and Luke let her.
"I see in your eyes years of pain, loneliness... fear. You hate what you have become under Vader, but you do not know how to take a stand against him." Maz touched his face, and a few rogue tears escape his control.
Luke felt an unexpected measure of comfort at the... motherly touch upon his face. When had Padmé ever touched him like that? Only when Luke had been a toddler, and never again since his training had begun in earnest.
He only now realized just how deeply he'd missed that.
Leaning into her needfully, Luke whispered back. "I don't know who I am... I know what I have been made into... but I... I'm lost."
Maz nodded slowly. "I see that. And I think I can help you. Or I know who can. Close your eyes, Luke."
He did as instructed and waited patiently to learn where this was going.
"Now, look into yourself. And don't just look into your mind; no, you must gaze into your heart, and to the very core of yourself." Maz continued.
Frowning somewhat, Luke hesitated. "My core?"
"Yes. The center of your being."
Luke considered, wondering if he was brave enough for that. "What will I find?"
"Only you can answer that, my child," Maz answered patiently. "But there you will find your answer."
Luke flinched. "I don't think I am ready for that answer just yet."
"Maybe not... but when you find it, come back to me and I will guide you to the next step." Maz pulled away and Luke replaced his contacts, blinking moisture into his eyes.
"How do you know me?" Luke asked again.
"Through a friend." Maz patted his hand. "But I will not send you to him until you are ready. You must be fully dedicated to that path first."
Luke tilted his head, a new question coming to his mind. "How do you know the Force?"
Maz smiled softly. "I am nearly a thousand years old, Luke. I grew up knowing the Jedi and the Force, though I am hardly a Jedi myself."
Luke's eyes widened. "You know of the Jedi?"
"I do, but I am not a teacher. That will be my friend's role." Maz glanced back, where Han— whom she'd asked to wait— was now coming down, unable to hold back his worry any longer.
"Think of what I have said," Maz told Luke softly.
"Wait," Luke hurriedly whispered before Han could arrive fully. "I've been having visions. How do I know if..."
"Kid, are you alright?" Han asked, breaking the moment.
Luke sighed deeply. "Yes, sorry, I... something frightened me."
Maz straightened. "Velius, an answer to your last question I don't really have, except to think about why you'd be having these visions. Maybe therein lays the answer."
Luke tilted his head, not really sated with the answer, but he supposed it was better than nothing. "Thank you, Maz."
"Kid, we need to go soon, we're starting to get many a dirty looks up there." Han grouched, and with that he began to tug Luke up the stairs.
Luke, knowing what Han didn't, pulled his arm free and walked on his own. "Alright, let's go."
So caught up was Luke in thinking over his conversation with Maz that he didn't notice the slight shiver of warning that travelled through him, mistaking it as a chill of cold instead as Han and Chewie piloted the ship away.
00000
Three people sat in a hut that nestled the edge of the Jundland Wastes on Tatooine. A sad air was present as they too mourned the loss of a dear friend.
"Bail will be sorely missed," Mon murmured, gazing at clasped hands that rested in her lap.
"He was a good friend, and an excellent strategist," Admiral Ackbar agreed in his gravelly voice.
Though they were holding a moment of honorary silence for their fallen comrade, it was a curious one.
Their third party member had been abnormally silent, and Mon eventually looked up at him. "General, may I ask just why you keep postponing the start of this meeting?"
The man was gazing out the small window near his door, and then turned with a small sigh. "I feel now that we may begin."
General Hurst took his seat at the small table and held their gazes. "As you are no doubt aware by now, the Alliance has been painted as kidnappers. The Empress has released a statement to the public that we are responsible for the disappearance of Prince Luke."
Mon frowned. "How is that possible?"
"It works in the Empire's favor, actually," Hurst answered. "They can paint us as not so noble while the Empire goes on hiding the real reason behind Luke's absence."
"We have not kidnapped the boy, nor do we know anything about his absence," Ackbar stated. "But the public will not see that after Bail's death."
"Empress Vader spun his assassination— for we all know it was that— to her advantage, and gained favor for the Empire in the process." Mon sighed. "It's a perfect political move, and now the Alliance will have a harder time looking like a good thing if we are shown as kidnappers and murderers of our own people."
"Indeed," Hurst said calmly. "The public was told that we had our own loose end taken care of, as Lady Vader put it. Our recruitment numbers may lower drastically after this."
"For a time," Ackbar disagreed. "Then we will let this pass and, with more success on our end, we will regain support."
"But that will take time," Mon argued. "Not to mention Intel we don't have access to. We cannot find any new shipments because the Empire got really quiet about those kinds of things months ago."
To the alarm of Ackbar and Mothma, a noise grew overhead until a large cloud of sand was kicked up outside.
"A ship?" Mon asked warily. "Landing in this exact spot?"
Hurst was looking out the window. "I believe an opportunity has just arrived, Mon."
With that he stood, walking outside while the other two traded looks and then shuffled out of sight.
00000
Leia, who had followed the Force in where to land, had been a little wary at first on the directions given her. But once the small structure came into view, complete with three small, separate ships, she relaxed a bit more.
But she still had to convince these people to trust her.
Leia's gaze lifted when she felt a gentle probe to her spirit, and she was rewarded with the sight of a man in a hooded robe gazing at her landing ship in utter calm.
The brunette frowned curiously, but didn't comment as she landed the ship and let Artoo shut it down. Leia rose from her seat, checked her gear, and then exited the ship via the lowering ramp.
Leia walked toward the house with more confidence than she felt, eyes holding that of the figure awaiting her. When she stopped three paces away from him, she had to wonder at why this man seemed... familiar.
"Princess Leia, this is an... unexpected surprise." The man's voice was calm, and yet she heard the gentle power behind his words. This man wasn't someone to tangle with, but she also knew instinctively he wouldn't harm her.
Leia lifted her chin. "I am here to offer something to the Rebellion."
The older man tilted his head. "How can we know you mean us no harm?"
Leia thinned her lips, but then pulled out her lightsaber and blaster and held both out to him. "Take these. I come in peace."
Again he studied her, and Leia felt another gentle probe to her spirit before the man smiled minutely and turned.
"Come, we must get indoors." He walked back inside, and Leia hesitated only a moment before she followed.
Inside she had to allow her eyesight to adjust, but she didn't need eyes to feel the shock in the room from its two other occupants.
"Princess Leia?"
Leia turned her head to meet the gaze of Mon Mothma. "It's me, Senator."
Her gaze travelled to the Mon Calamari man beside the senator. "And you are?"
"Admiral Ackbar," he answered, the other's bulbous eyes regarding her openly. "Why are you here, Princess?"
Leia glanced at the robed man, who had lowered his hood now. "I come with a gift, and a request."
"Go on." The robed man invited.
Leia took a breath and met each of their gazes firmly. "I wish to become a member of the Rebel Alliance."
Glances were traded and then Mon stepped forward. "Forgive me, but we have been trying to get you to help us for... a long time now. Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Because before I didn't have the proper motivation," Leia responded. "I do now. My mother had Bail murdered. I know this but can't prove it. And I will not just sit back like a licked puppy and let her get away with it."
Before they could question her again, Leia went on. "I will not stay with the fleet. Instead I will be a double agent, giving you what information I can and helping however I am able to without giving myself away to my parents." She produced a datachip. "To prove my intentions, here is a supply run you can intercept and raid. A trio of Imperial Corvettes will be taking a shipment of medicine, food and weapons along the Permelian Trade Route in three days time. You can intercept them at Roche and commandeer the ships or just take whatever cargo you can get your hands on. Just try to minimize innocent casualties."
Leia stood back from the table, and after some silence the robed man took her offering and looked at the data with his own datapad. The trio of Alliance High Command members huddled together and conversed for some time, while Leia tried repeatedly to place the robed figure.
When the threesome turned back towards Leia, she saw Mon smiling. "Welcome aboard Leia. Bail would be proud of you."
Leia managed a small return smile. "I would hope so."
Ackbar and Mon traded looks with the robed man and then the two left to begin preparations.
Leia stayed put, unable to contain her curiosity any further. "Are you the mysterious General Hurst, by any chance?"
His lips lifted somewhat. "That is the name I go by, yes."
Leia had heard of this man, and how he was one at the front lines whether on the ground or in the air, though he was mainly a ground-forces man.
"Pardon me, but that name... doesn't fit you." Leia stepped closer, narrowing her eyes to study him more in depth.
"You are perceptive," Hurst said without ire. "Tell me, who do you think I am, then?"
Leia glanced downwards and only then saw the lightsaber hanging from his belt. And beside it was a gloved hand. One gloved hand. Leia reached out with the Force, trying to place this man.
"You know the Force; I can sense your mastery of it... but your face... I've seen it somewhere," Leia whispered.
"Your father's memories, perhaps," Hurst supplied, an old pain flashing through his ice-blue gaze. "He probably never spoke well of me, even after all we'd been through together."
Leia's eyes widened and she finally did recall something that had slipped once when she'd connected with Vader in her first few lessons of the Force.
That of a kind-faced man with auburn locks and facial hair that was always well groomed, as well as blue eyes that spoke of the gentle giant within... and the snippet of a voice that had instantly put Leia at ease.
"Obi Wan Kenobi?" Leia breathed, daring to hope.
A warm smile graced the elder man's face and he nodded. "It is I."
Leia gaped, unable to help it. "I... I thought you were..."
"Dead?" Obi Wan supplied knowingly. "That is actually for the best. I go by Hurst now, and have been working with the Rebellion since you and your brother were little."
Leia sat, overwhelmed. "I can't believe it."
Obi Wan sat beside her, not judging. "Very few know who I am, Leia, and it needs to stay that way. Most people in the Rebellion only think I am a rogue Jedi who came out of hiding. It is for their protection. Your father hates me with a passion, and if it was discovered someone was working for me— and in the Rebellion nonetheless— it would not end well for that person."
Leia nodded mutely.
Obi Wan sighed softly. "I have done my best to keep an eye on you and Luke... from a distance of course, but I've watched you two grow. And I will support you and Luke both in whatever I can help with."
Leia bowed her head. "Luke... what will become of him?"
"His road will not be an easy one, I fear, nor will yours, Leia. But in the end it will the two of you that this galaxy needs." Obi Wan placed a hand on her knee. "You are now taking your first steps into a much larger world as Luke did. And when he needs help from us, I will speak to High Command for him."
Leia looked to him and then nodded. "Alright, thank you."
She sighed, rising. "I need to head back now. I can't be gone too long or my parents will know seething is wrong."
Obi Wan held out a small comlink. "Here are my personal codes if you need me. Don't be afraid to use them, but don't be alarmed if I don't answer right away. I may be busy."
"I trust you," Leia said. And she did.
With a nod and a raise of his hood, Obi Wan led her outside and the two parted ways.
