Chapter Twenty-One:

Darth Vader lifted his head at the bounty hunter's words. "You know where he is?"

Fett's helmet tilted some. "Currently in hyperspace, but once he reverts, I will have a fixed location. I bugged the Falcon."

Vader considered this new turn of events. "Then we must begin preparations immediately. Once the Prince is in my care, you may do whatever you wish with the smugglers."

Fett's head bowed. "As you wish. However, if I may make a suggestion?"

Vader lifted a brow. Fett was indeed a brash man to think he could give the Emperor suggestions out of the blue like this. However, given the man's ability to find Luke— if Boba was telling the truth, and Vader's gut told him the other was— he was willing to allow this one thing.

"You may speak," Vader replied.

"Solo and the Wookiee will be desperate for work; to try and earn funds to pay off Jabba. Why not set up a false job and be waiting for them at the rendezvous point?" Fett said.

Vader considered, approving the sound logic. "You may be on to something, Bounty Hunter. What do you believe would draw them out?"

Fett considered. "They would never transport slaves, and spice would be too obvious after the Jikati fiasco... so weapons. Jabba would love to get his hands on some pretty artillery... or..." Fett paused, considering something that had just come to him. "Jabba is also a collector of rarities: the finest silks, rare items of historical significance, that sort of thing. He likes to add to his treasure trove."

Vader held up a hand. "We will stick with weapons. I do not feel like feeding a Hutt's ego. We will make preparations. Come."

"As you wish."

00000

Derek "Hobbie" Klivian almost couldn't believe what he was seeing, and he had helped to bring it about.

Not only had the Rebellion just cashed in on a treasure-trove of supplies ranging from food and medicine to weapons, but the Rebellion had also managed to commandeer two fully operational Imperial cargo ships. Those vessels would come in handy in more than one way: they could either be retrofitted into Alliance craft, or they would be kept as Imperial vessels to be used for sneaking into Imperial territory.

The supplies, on the other hand, would keep the Rebellion fed for weeks now at least, and Hobbie had to wonder how Alliance High Command had gotten so lucky. Where had the intelligence for this hit come from? Surely it had come from an informant, because the way the shipment had been organized by the Empire— with only one ship of the three for protection— meant that it had been intended to be a secret.

Few would have known about the shipment, let alone it's route and such. But who could have access to such information?

Beside him, Wes Janson elbowed his best friend in the side. "I know what you're thinking. Don't go looking a gift eopie in the mouth there Bud. Let's just be glad we can have piping hot caf again in the mornings without it being rationed to barely acceptable portions!"

Janson's ecstatic grin was infectious, and the thought of a mug of the caf indeed brought a smile to Hobbie's face. "I can't wait 'till morning now!"

Janson snickered. "Well then, the sooner we finish unloading the crates, the sooner we can get it to the mess hall... and then they can start brewing brown perfection!"

Hobbie rolled his eyes, but the pair walked over to pitch in, lifting crates and stacking them with the others of their kind by content. Soon all of the Rogues— recently returned from a sweep of the fleet's position in case the retreat had been followed— were helping the ground crew, and the moving of crates went swiftly.

When Rogue Squadron had finished their work the officer on duty whistled for everyone's attention. "Why don't we take advantage of this victory and brew up some of this caf tonight?!"

Cheers rang all throughout the hangar, and Hobbie wasn't shy about voicing his own assent. The Alliance had been running dangerously low on the stuff, so much so that some ships were out entirely.

Hobbie shuddered at the thought, even if their own ship— Home One— had been rationed to preserve what was left. Thankfully pilots and officers got first dibs since they had to be the most awake.

One perk of flying, Hobbie mused.

The mass of bodies heading for the mess hall was likely a sight to see, but Hobbie didn't care. All he could think about was fresh caf, warming his hands as he held the mug in his cold grip.

00000

Luke lay in his bunk, one leg dangling over the edge as he was lost deep in thought. Han and Chewie needed funds, and while Luke had the money, he felt that he needed to preserve his finances for some other time.

So how else to get the amount needed?

Luke still felt that his earlier vote to take back some of the spice they'd given the Jikati Pirates would be their best bet. It wasn't like the pirates had paid them for it anyway, so technically it was still Han's, right?

Luke didn't know, nor did he care. He was willing to get it even if Han and Chewie didn't back him on it. It was the least he could do for the heap of trouble the pair were in thanks to Luke.

He sighed deeply and ran a hand over his face. Now he just had to find a way back to Delrakkin.

Nella appeared, her head tilting in a display of concern. "Master Velius, are you alright?"

Luke peeked out at her from under his arm that he now had slung over his face. "Yeah, just thinking."

"Does a human normally display stress when thinking?" Nella asked.

Luke couldn't help but snort softly at her innocent question. "Sometimes, Nella."

There were times his droid reminded him of a little child: eager to learn all about the big galaxy all around her, and yet not old or mature enough to understand it all right away. But she would, with time and experience. One only had to look at Artoo Detoo for proof of that.

The reminder of his faithful friend back on Coruscant brought a pang of sadness to Luke's heart, but he was interrupted by Han's voice over the intercom.

"Hey, Kid, we're coming out of hyperspace in one minute."

Luke nodded even though he was alone and he hoisted himself up. "Let's get to the cockpit."

Luke and Nella made it to the indicated space just as Han was counting down. Luke got his straps on seconds before the reversion, and then the mottled starlines became pinpricks of light. Luke's attention was also drawn almost instantly by a planet growing ever larger in the viewport.

"Where are we again?" Luke queried, glancing at the navicomputer over Chewie's shoulder.

"Ord Mantell," Han replied.

"Ah." Luke took in the grey and brown orb, noting the terrain that was essentially all mountain chains. The atmosphere had a pink tinge to it thanks to near-constant clouds of the same color. But the air was breathable, and thus Luke wasn't worried.

He spied two of the planet's three moons, and then turned his attention to their approach. "What's here that we need?"

"A place to lie low and hopefully find work." Han grunted as he flew them to a spaceport.

"Are you sure we should land in town when you two are wanted?" Luke asked pointedly.

Han threw him a look. "We're using a different transponder code, marks the ship as the Lucky Gundark, and Chewie and me can wear disguises."

Luke nodded slowly, only then noting that Chewie had indeed changed his fur color at some point. Luke grimaced at his lapse in attention on that one. Han didn't seem to have changed into anything yet, so Luke figured he would once the Falcon had landed.

As the ship came in closer, Luke retreated aft to retrieve his new jacket, donning it and lifting the hood. He could use the Force to blur or shade his face if he needed to should anyone happen to see past the hood.

Luke was aware of the ship settling down as Han landed at last. Then the engines shut off and Luke heard the tick... tick... of the mechanics cooling down after having run for so long.

Luke gestured to Nella and she came forward. "You get to come along this time."

Nella hummed in pleasure. "Thank you Master Velius."

Luke smiled softly and then moved aside as Han appeared, disappearing into the captain's cabin for a time before he reemerged with black hair and brown eyes. He was also sporting different clothing that wouldn't mark him as Corellian right off the bat.

"You ready to go Velius?" Han asked.

"Yes."

Han nodded, and then glanced at Chewie. "You will have to stay clear of me, or our disguises will mean nothing. Velius, would you mind letting Nella go with Chewie, and you and I can team up?"

Luke inclined his head. "That's fine. Nella, stay with Chewie."

"As you wish." She answered, floating over to Chewie's side. "What do I call him if I need to?"

Luke lifted a brow at Han, who considered. "Call him Lowbaack. And I'll be Kyle Fitari. Velius and me will leave ten minutes after you two."

"Understood," Nella responded, and she left the ship with the Wookiee.

00000

Leia took a deep breath as she piloted her small Artoo-commandeered shuttle into the private bay on Home One she had been directed to. Just before leaving Tatooine, she had been given a special code that would admit her onto the Rebellion's flagship. This was her first trip to the Rebel Fleet, however.

Leia was more than a little nervous, but she was determined to go through with this. She had asked for an audience with the Rebellion so she could openly tell them what was happening, and her meeting would be broadcast to all Alliance people wherever theey were in their bases or ships. How this would go remained to be seen, she knew, but Leia wasn't about to back down now. Along the way here, she had dressed in a simple white senatorial gown that would hopefully convey her true intentions.

Her ship settled to the deck and Leia sat back as it cooled down. A soft beep from beside her drew Leia's attention to the blue and silver astromech who had accompanied her.

"Well, here goes nothing," Leia murmured to him. "Do you think they'll accept me or try to skin me alive for being who I am?"

I don't think you give these people enough credit, Artoo replied mildly.

"But I am Imperial royalty, their enemy..." Leia retorted, noticing the arrival of General Hurst, or Obi Wan, as he was known to only a select few.

Just be who you are, and don't expect their loyalty right off the bat. Artoo counseled. Ask for a chance and continue to serve them, tell them the truth and you'd probably be surprised who will align with you.

Leia smiled softly at him. "Thanks Artoo."

With that she stood, squared her shoulders and donned a hooded robe to hide her identity until it was the right moment. With Artoo behind her, Leia walked down the ramp and bowed slightly to Obi Wan who returned the gesture with a gentle smile.

"Welcome, Princess," he greeted her.

"Thank you General," Leia answered. "Is everyone assembled?"

"Yes, as you requested." Obi Wan placed a kind hand to her shoulder before they began walking. "This won't be easy for you, but I believe this is the right choice."

Leia nodded as they began to walk along the halls, and it didn't take long for her to admit that she rather liked the smoother, softer lines of the Mon Calamari cruiser they were on board. It was much homier than any Imperial ship Leia had been on.

Padmé may have been Empress, and her husband may have allowed her to choose many things about the Empire, but Vader drew the line at her interfering with the Imperial fleet's appearance, Leia knew.

"I want to be honest with them from the start." Leia continued to look about discreetly as they conversed. "I don't think they will believe me at first, but I've brought more information with me to pass along."

She handed Obi Wan another datachip, and he nodded, placing it in his datapad. "I'll have it looked at, thank you."

They walked for a while more before Obi Wan stopped at a set of double doors. He motioned for Leia to wait there and entered without her. Leia caught a glimpse of the masses within the assembly hall and she called upon her extensive training to remain calm and collected. Leia cracked the door open and listened as Obi Wan spoke.

"We have been granted a marvelous opportunity, and you all know I would never willingly endanger the lives of anyone in this Alliance by bringing a traitor into our midst. However, this person will cause concern for many when their identity is revealed."

There was a pause and Leia heard soft murmuring. Artoo lovingly bumped her legs from behind and Leia patted his dome affectionately.

"That being said," Obi Wan went on, "I would ask that you allow this person to speak all that is on their mind before you pass judgment. Give them a chance before you pass them off as a liar. I trust this person, and would ask you to try to do the same, but at your own pace."

Another moment of quiet punctuated with whispers and muttered conversation occurred, and then Obi Wan returned, gesturing for Leia. She and Artoo entered, and Leia felt the attention instantly zero in on her.

She held herself regally, but not haughtily. She needed to project confidence yet humility while not coming across as having a holier-than-thou attitude. Leia was led to the stage, with Artoo rolling up the small ramp and coming to stand beside her once Obi Wan gave her the podium.

Leia took a deep, steadying breath and stepped up to the microphone. Without lowering her hood, Leia looked out over the crowd, taking them in while she still could without them reacting to her identity.

"Thank you for allowing me to address you. I know that for many of you the Empire is a thing to be hated and despised. And while there are those among the Empire who are deserving of such animosity, I would also ask you to remember that there are those who are not like that. The Empire has families and innocents under its care also. It's not the fault of the citizens that their Emperor and Empress are so... corrupt." Leia placed her hands on the podium.

"I grew up in the Empire, and while I knew much of what the military and other leaders did was wrong, I was too afraid to speak out against them. I have lived richly, yes, but only in material wealth. With the exception of a brother, I have not known love from my family for many years now. It has been only control, cruelty and the realization that I am more a tool than a child to my parents."

Leia felt the confusion and wariness all around her, and she knew she would have to reveal her face very soon. "I had been in talks with the late Senator Organa of Alderaan about the Rebellion, but it wasn't until his death that I was motivated into action. I was the one who gave the Alliance the information on the Roche supply run, and I am ready and willing to give up more intelligence as I come across it. I will also fight with you wherever and whenever I can. However, I will also remain on Coruscant, as I cannot just leave without garnering instant suspicion."

Leia closed her eyes. "I will thus become a double agent, playing the Empire while living in their midst. I will be your inside person, but I am more than ready to fight alongside you if you would let me. I do not expect or ask for your instant acceptance of me, but I would beg you to give me a chance to prove myself to you."

Leia paused and allowed her voice to become firm and solid for her next declaration. "I am deadly serious. I will fight with the Alliance and help protect it as much as I can."

Leia prepared herself. "Please do not immediately dismiss me because of who I am. I am a victim of the Emperor and Empress also, and I would ask you to remember that. But I offer myself to you, and whatever services I can perform."

With that, Leia finally removed her hood and stood tall and determined in the spotlight.

Dead silence reigned for the space of several heartbeats as those assembled realized who stood before them. One could have heard a pin drop in the abrupt void of sound. Leia felt sweat bead on the nape of her neck, but she remained calm and prepared for the reaction.

It began as a dull roar, but swiftly the noise rose in decibel as the assembly came back to life. Leia was immensely relieved when, instead of shouting at her, several hands went up demanding attention.

Leia pointed to the first one she saw. "Yes?"

"How do we know this isn't a ploy?" the woman demanded. "You are Princess Leia Vader. Why should we give you a chance?"

"I know it was just one mission, but I am the one who pointed the Alliance to Roche. You all did the work, true, but you would not have known of that shipment if not for me." Leia met her gaze calmly. "I also brought a list of more supply depots the Alliance can make possible use of, and if needed I will assist in said raids."

"And why would you turn on the Empire? On your own parents?" a pilot asked, his orange flight suit half off.

"Because I am tired of living under their constant, controlling thumbs." Leia's voice was more than a little bitter. "I am not so much a daughter to my own mother as something to flaunt and control. I will have no more."

"What good in a fight will you be?" someone else asked, their disbelief obvious.

"I am well versed in combat, and though I am not nearly as natural a pilot as my father or brother, I am able to fly," Leia answered. "I can hold my own, handle a multitude of weapons, and am trained in many other areas."

"Are you sure you won't change your mind?" a mechanic challenged.

"Absolutely not." Leia affirmed with fervor.

"And why not?"

Leia's eyes lit up and a few people stepped back. "Because my mother murdered Bail Organa; a father-figure and my best friend next to my twin!" Leia pounded a fist against the podium. "I will not just sit back and allow her to get away with that! I will allow Bail's legacy to live on, and I will bring his killer to justice. But that will take time, and if I must do it without your help, then I will. But I want to be a part of this Rebellion, and I vow to do all I can to help you."

She was greeted with another round of whispers before a pilot with dark hair stepped forward. "I'll give you a chance. If you are indeed serious, then I agree that a double agent with access to the Imperial Palace is too good an opportunity to pass on. I say we let Princess Leia have her chance."

The group of orange-clad men around this pilot sounded their assent and Leia's heart warmed. She felt her throat close some when Mon Mothma and the rest of Alliance High Command stepped up to back Leia.

"We fully support the Princess, and until she proves a traitor, we will not treat her harshly," Mothma said clearly. "She is still a princess, and thus will be treated with due respect, but you may interact with and trust her. I trust her with my life."

That created a stir— Mon Mothma did not give her trust easily— and then people began to nod, and when no one objected, Leia smiled.

"Thank you for the opportunity. I won't let you down." She promised.