Mon followed Cutter's X-Wing through the narrow passages of the Star Destroyer's underbelly. She knocked off two transmitters from her ship and scraped the head of her poor droid on the corridor. In response it whistled loudly. Cutter's ship sailed through the pipes with ease.

"Steady, Carrots, we're almost there."

His voice did steady her. She pushed far from her mind his assurance that he was not in love with her. She wasn't sure she believed him. She couldn't decide if she wanted to believe him or not. That was a conundrum for another day, if they lived. Mon fully expected not to step off the Star Destroyer.

TIE fighters swarmed into the tunnels. One of them took a shot at Cutter and missed, but the shot grazed the wing of Mon's fighter. She cursed and the controls shook.

"Don't panic. Hold it together and follow me."

He tried to hide it but she could hear the fear in his voice. What had he said about X-Wings? One shot and you're toast. Mon rarely ate toast but she caught the drift of the metaphor.

Thinking of toast kept her nerves calm as she held onto the steering. Cutter aimed for a small corridor just beyond the main engine. As they flew past Mon cursed their luck. One shot at the engine tower and the ship would come down.

Cutter's X-Wing entered the corridor. The space was too narrow and both wings exploded from the body of the ship. Mon fought the urge to close her eyes as her ship did the same. The impact slammed her body against the controls. The steering column jabbed painfully into her abdomen.

Glass from the cockpit window showered her. She lost consciousness. When she opened her eyes she could smell burning gas. She was still inside the X-Wing.

She heard a voice and blinked several times until her vision cleared. She looked up to find Cutter standing above her. He had a gash on his arm that was bleeding.

The shot of blaster fire brought her back into the moment. She unstrapped herself from the cockpit and slipped out. Her abdomen sent blinding pain through her body but she ignored it. She reached for her gun and followed Cutter and he dove for cover behind the burning rubble.

She shot two Stormtroopers before she made it to his side. An endless number of white armored troopers funneled into the hallway. Mon scanned the area. Most of them were coming from the level above, via a open doorway that lead to the catwalk.

"Cover me."

Before Cutter could object she tore across the hall to the control panel. Blasts flew all around her but she succeeded in cutting off the flow of the Stormtroopers with a single shot to the door controls. She crouched behind the wall and returned fire. She and Cutter managed to take out all of the troopers in the area.

When the sound of blaster fire quieted Mon ventured out from behind the wall. The two X-Wing's were still on fire. She wondered how long before the fuel cells blew. Cutter reached her. His eyes held concern.

"Carrots, you don't look good."

It was then she realized something cool and wet covered the side of her face. She touched her cheek and looked down to see red covered her fingers. Her head throbbed but she didn't care. Nothing mattered now but completing the mission.

"If you help me push the ship around we might be able to destroy the main engine column."

Cutter slipped his blaster back into his holster.

"And ourselves in the process. You really hate life that much?"

"I hate the Empire that much," she spat at him through clenched teeth.

She moved to the bow of the X-Wing and Cutter followed. Together they pushed the ship until the forward guns were pointed out the bay and at the large blue lit column. She went to climb into the cockpit but Cutter stopped her.

"Give me one minute."

He disappeared off the end of the platform. Mon found a shattered piece of glass and looked at her reflection. Blood trailed down her face from a gash on her forehead. She ripped a piece of cloth from some fallen debris and cleaned up her appearance. The head wound wasn't life threatening but it didn't matter. It would be over soon.

She suddenly wished for a transmitter. She wanted Organa to know what happened here. He could use it to... what did Riggs say? Rally people to the cause.

Mon unzipped the top of her suit. The heat from the fires in the corridor made was nearly unbearable. She saw Cutter bend over one of the fallen Stormtrooper and take something from his belt.

"After you shoot run over here as fast as you can."

She didn't know how but she sensed Cutter was trying to save their lives. Mon didn't climb the full way into the cockpit. She leaned over the side and pushed the fire button. Shots zipped down the hallway and out toward the engine. The shots missed by inches. The firing array was damaged so there was no point aiming.

Mon tired the shots again. This time one of them pierced the side of the engine column. She waited a split second to see if the single shot was enough. The metal of the engine tube cracked and it fell downward. Blue fire shot out in all directions. Cutter waived Mon over with urgency.

When she reached him he wrapped one arm around her waist. With his other hand he shot something up the engine room. The wire traveled upward as the explosions grew larger. When the wire clicked and tightened so did Cutter's grip around her. She moved her arms around his neck.

"Hold on." He pushed the trigger on his belt and they flew upward as fast as the wire. Mon looked down below. An enormous ball of gas followed them up.

They reached the end of the line Cutter swung them inside another platform. Mon rolled across the floor but got to her feet quickly. She punched the controls and the blast doors clamped shut severing the wire attached to Cutter just as the gas explosion reached them.

The contained blast rumbled behind the doors. The ship shook.

"The docking bay is just ahead. Let's steal a ship and get out of here."

Mon hesitate as he neared her.

"What?"

She grabbed his uniform by the lapel pulled his lips to hers. There wasn't time for a passionate kiss like before but it was heartfelt.

"Thank you for saving my life."

Cutter grinned and touched her chin.

"If that's the thanks I get I'll be sure to do it more often."

He wrapped his hand around hers and then ran down the corridor until they reached the docking bay. News of the engine failure must have already reached the soldiers because Stormtroopers and officers scrambled in every direction. Mon and Cutter hide behind crates and they scanned for a ship to hijack but no one paid much attention.

Alarms rang throughout the ship and Mon noticed several abandon posts. Perhaps the Empire didn't have the hold over men Palpatine seemed to think. Cutter changed sides. Maybe others would see the Empire for what it was. Mon felt something inside she hadn't in a long time. Hope.

Mon hid a grin every time she saw Cutter admiring his slightly scored but no worse for wear Imperial shuttle. He was admiring it again when Matches came running toward them chattering a parsect a minute.

Mon picked up on something about a ship that just landed. She reached for her blaster but Cutter stayed her hand.

"The ship's crew is lost in the jungle. Matches says they are looking for us. They are part of the resistance movement. They want to talk to our leader."

Mon looked at Cutter but he and Matches both looked at her.

"I'm not your leader."

"Bring one of them to us," Cutter said. Matches spoke into a transmitter and Hunt answered in the affirmative.

Mon waited in the temple thrown room with Cutter and Jeanida until Hunt and Matches finally appeared. The kept a bag over the head of the captive and his hand were tied behind his back.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Cutter asked. Hunt pushed the captive down to his knees. Mon cringed at the use of unnecessary force but let the action slide.

"Please. Please, we heard about what you're group did. The destruction of a Star Destroyer has made you famous. We want you to join us."

Mon recognized the voice from the very first words. Cutter looked to her and she nodded. Matches removed the bag and revealed the refined features of Bail Organa.

"Our movement is small but with you..." He stopped short with he saw Mon. She lifted her fingers.

"Untie him, Hunt."

Hunt sneered but obeyed.

Organa stood up and rubbed his wrists.

"I should have known. The biggest impact in the resistance movement to date would be headed by Senator Mothma."

Mon gestured toward the seat across from her at the round table. Organa came up the steps and she sat at the same time he did. Jeanida was already seated. Cutter hovered nearby but Matches and Hunt left.

"Nice place. Well hidden, off the Empire's radar. It would make a great base of operations."

"What do you want?" Her tone received a sharp look from Jeanida.

"Originally we came to ask your sect to join us but seeing that it's you." Organa leaned forward. "Help me recruit, Mon. Help me unite them. Don't forsake your seat in the Senate. It's not too late."

Mon leaned away from him. She lifted her chin.

"I've already given my answer on that subject."

Organa shoulder's dropped. He looked to Jeanida.

"Can't you talk some sense into her?"

Jeanida started to answer but Mon cut her off.

"Why would I give up making a difference here for a comfortable political seat where words mean nothing?"

Organa turned around and addressed Cutter.

"She doesn't really believe that."

Cutter held up his hands.

"Don't look at me. She calls the shots around here."

Mon silently thanked Cutter for his support.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do but our small group is be better off alone."

Jeanida sighed and got up from her seat.

"That's it!" She stormed off.

Organa watched her go then turned back to Mon.

"There's nothing I can do to change your mind?"

"Nothing."

Mon found a quiet nook in a jungle draped stone courtyard after Organa left. From her perch she could see out of the jungle of Yavin 4. She soaked up the sun and let the sound of clattering birds relax her. She carried with her the weight of her decision to leave Organa and the Senate to its fate. She convinced herself she made the right choice.

"You look like you need a friendly ear." Riggs voice brought Mon out of her dark thoughts. The woman leaned against the stones next to Mon.

"What's wrong, sister?"

Mon decided not to talk to Jeanida about her cares and she wasn't likely to share anything with the stranger.

"Bet I can guess."

The assured tone of the Tholothian amused Mon. She removed her legs from the nook and gestured for Riggs to sit.

"It's Cutter, isn't it?"

Mon held back a grin. The former Imperial Officer was the last thing on her mind. She welcome a change of subject even if it was a subject just as difficult as the one she pondered.

"Here you are this elegant, rich, famous Senator from Chandrila, incidentally, where Cutter's extended family now lives. Did you know that?"

Mon shook her head. Listening to the pleasant voice of the Tholothian put Mon at ease even if the subject was upsetting.

"Here is Cutter, this uncouth smuggler and officer from the wrong side of the galaxy. I bet you think you can't be together. That's what's bothering you."

Rather than insult the woman by telling her she couldn't be more wrong as to the cause of Mon's distress she didn't say a word.

"My advice to you is, go for it."

She leaned to the side and bumped Mon's shoulder with her own. Mon grinned at her enthusiasm but still remained silent.

"Hunt and I have been together for ages. We live dangerously. Either of us could go at anytime but I tell you it's been worth it."

Mon watched Riggs' profile as she talked about the man she loved. It was nice to see a couple that had come through the last years unscathed.

"I'd rather live with him for two seconds then try to get through this life without him."

She glanced at Mon.

"I know it's not easy. It's hard to admit your feelings, especially to such stubborn men like Hunt and Cutter. I want to have a baby and I'm as yellow as the underside of a Hutt about talking to Hunt."

Riggs dropped her eyes toward the ground. She kicked at a lose stone.

"But, it's when we take the greatest risk that we get the greatest reward." She turned to Mon. "Besides, think of this, if you waste your life alone because you're afraid of this Empire tearing your life apart then I say to you they've already won. The only real way to beat them is to be as happy as you can for as long as you can."

Mon absorbed the words like the warm sunlight. They were gentle and pretty and made her want to bask in them forever.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Riggs looked at Mon with the anticipation of hope.

The expression that annoyed Mon and usually drained all her strength. For some reason Riggs' look only made her feel at peace.

"I think you'll make a wonderful mother."

Riggs' beam stretched from ear to ear. She laughed and squeezed Mon's shoulder.

"And someday our kids will play together in a free galaxy."

Riggs walked away with a skip in her step. Mon smiled. She knew such hopes were as fleeting as the rays of the sun.

Mon almost never slept well. It was the same nightmare each time. Some innocent planet enslaved or thousands being slaughtered all the while the same menacing face hovered in the air. Palpatine.

Mon woke to the sounds of movement in her dark room.

"Sorry about this, Carrots."

Cutter pulled her from the cot and tossed her over his shoulder like a rag doll. Her stomach was still bruised from the crash in the X-Wing but he didn't know that. She cried out in pain and irritation. Her struggles to break free were unsuccessful. She considered injuring him to break free but she decided to wait until his true purpose revealed itself.

She didn't have to wait long. He boarded his black paneled cargo ship and the landing platform closed behind him. By the time he set Mon down they were already in flight. She immediately jumped out of the seat and rushed to the cockpit. Jeanida was flying. C-J7 sat next to her.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Kidnapping you." Cutter reached across her and grabbed a glass of water from the dispenser.

Mon ignored Cutter's flippant remark and kept her focus on Jeanida.

"This won't take long. We're going to see an old friend of mine. One I hope will be able to talk some sense into you."

Jeanida spoke without turning around. Before Mon could reply the ship jumped to hyperspace. Mon stumbled backward and Cutter reached out to balance her. He succeeded but his water spilled all over her.

Mon growled at him and locked herself in one of the compartments. She didn't move until the ship landed. It was a rocky landing. All kinds of loose equipment bounced around. A pot hit Mon on the head which soured her mood even more.

Someone banged on the compartment door.

"Carrots, you better come out or Jeanida is going to get really upset and frankly, that scares me."

Mon inhaled and opened the door.

"Where the hell are we?"

She pushed past him and walked down the extended landing plank. Her boots submerged in water and she took a step back. She bumped into Cutter's chest and he grabbed her arms.

"Landing in the swamp was not easy."

He let go and jumped over the stream. He offered his hand to Mon and she took it. When she was safely on the shore she looked around. The sky was covered with a grey mist, no stars or light broke through. The air was thick and tasted like sweat and mold.

"Where are we?"

"Degobah," Jeanida called from up ahead. "Follow me."

"Jeanida said her friend lives here? What kind of friend lives in a mynocks infested hole like this?" Mon snapped.

Cutter shook his head. Mon took his hand to avoid stepping on anything that might bite back. Jeanida made a path through what looked to Mon like endless jungle. To her surprise they rounded a thick tree and came upon a small hut in a clearing.

As they neared Mon thought her eyes deceived her. Out of the hut stepped a little green creature with large ears and a gnarled walking stick.

"I knew you would come."

Jeanida bent down to one knee.

"Master Yoda."

Mon blinked back tears that threatened. A Jedi, alive. Not any Jedi, perhaps the most beloved.

"You okay?" Cutter asked.

Mon wiped the tears from her eyes. She inhaled.

"Fine."

"Wise to bring strangers here, it is not, young Jeanida."

"This is no stranger, Master Yoda, this is Senator Mothma. You've met her before."

Yoda took a few steps toward her. His wrinkled lips pressed together.

"No, stranger this is. Unsure of her destiny, of who she is."

Jeanida looked to Mon.

"It's why we've come."

Yoda broke eye contact and Mon was relieved. She didn't like facing the wise old Jedi on her best day but now he saw through her as if she was made of glass.

"Yes, come, come. Eat you must."

Jeanida followed Yoda to the hut. Cutter leaned down close to Mon's ear.

"We came all this way to see a little green guy that talks weird? Am I missing something?"

Yoda appeared in the window close by Cutter. He jumped back in surprise. Yoda dropped an axe out the window.

"Chop me some firewood, you will."

Cutter looked to Mon and she nodded. He shrugged picked up the axe and headed toward the jungle.

"Good man he is. Like him I do."

Mon steeled her resolve. She sensed it would be a long day. She joined Jeanida near the entrance to Yoda's hut. He brought them two steaming bowls of food, though in Mon's hand it was more the size of a small cup.

Yoda took his own bowl and climbed up on a rock across from the two of them. He blew on it and then took a sip. Mon did the same. The taste that meet her lips was one of the most disgusting she'd ever experienced and she had sampled cuisine from across the galaxy. All of her political training was required to keep her from spitting it out.

"White robes of Chandrila I see not."

Mon swallowed. When she felt the liquid would stay down she replied.

"I'm no longer a Senator."

"Your title matters not. Hope that your robes bring, it is."

Mon shook her head.

"There is so little hope in the galaxy now, Master Yoda."

He took another sip of his soup. Silence fell over them. Mon waited for more words of wisdom from the Jedi master but he seemed content just to drink his nasty dirt water concoction.

After an hour Cutter returned with an arm full of fire wood. He stacked it near the entrance to Yoda's hut. He removed his jacket and sweat made a stain on the front of his grey shirt. He made several trips back and forth, piling the wood and retrieving more. The whole time Yoda watched him.

The situation began to bore Mon and she nearly volunteered to help when Yoda finally spoke.

"Call this former Imperial Officer by what name do you?"

Cutter finished the last of the wood and walked over to Yoda. He wiped his hands on his pants.

"Cutter Mills. Nice to meet you."

He stuck out his hand. Yoda took it with both of his and look inside and then underneath. When he found nothing he pushed the hand away. Cutter frowned. Mon thought Yoda was putting on an act, though she wasn't entirely sure. He was very old.

"Come closer, Cutter Mills."

Cutter gave Jeanida and Mon a look that seemed to ask for help. He bent down and Yoda looked into his eyes. After several awkward minutes Yoda's lips pressed together.

"Yes, you will do."

"Uh-huh." Cutter ran a hand through his damp hair. "If you all will excuse me, I'll head back to the ship and see we are ready for takeoff in the morning."

He left before Mon had time to object.

"Go, he must. Uncomfortable he is here." Yoda chuckled.

Mon found nothing funny about the situation. She respected and revered the Jedi master but he was starting to get on her last nerve.

"Dark it will be soon. Start a fire we will."

By we, Yoda meant that Mon should start a fire. It took her over an hour to light it. She knew Yoda had far more advanced means than banging two rocks together even though he insisted he didn't. She almost called his bluff by asking where his lightsaber was but thought better of picking a fight with a Jedi master.

Darkness descended and Yoda watched the fire in silence. Jeanida yawned and Yoda told her to go inside the hut to sleep. She obeyed. Mon waited impatiently for her turn to be excused. The unexpected kidnapping really proved to be completely pointless.

"Know how I met Jeanida, do you?"

Mon was half asleep when Yoda spoke. She shook her head though at the moment she really didn't care for a history lesson.

"Padawan to me her son was. Killed by the Empire. Slaughtered like many good friends."

Embarrassment overcame Mon. She'd known Jeanida for years and not only didn't know the woman had a son she had no idea her son was killed by the Empire.

"If the Jedi couldn't stop Palpatine what chance do the rest of us have?"

Yoda hummed to himself as if he agreed. Hardly the lesson in hope Mon expected.

"Powerful Sith Lord Palpatine is."

Mon sat up against the rock. At least Yoda was offering interesting information.

"I knew it. I knew there was an evil lurking inside him."

"Trust your instincts you should, Mon Mothma."

Right then her instincts told her to ask the Jedi master what she should do. She stubbornly ignored the prompting.

"As I did in the Senate? I might have stopped all this from happening."

Yoda sighed. It seemed the swamped sighed with him. A hush came over the creatures in the dense jungle.

"You could not have foreseen this. You could not have stopped it. Blame yourself you must not. Find courage, you will."

Mon clenched her teeth. The rage in her heart ignited again.

"All want is to see Palpatine dead."

Yoda closed his eyes. Mon felt an overwhelming peace creep into the jungle like the evening mist. The force reached inside her heart. The force calmed her rage. She felt tears come to her eyes. Yoda opened his.

"Chosen you the force has, for a destiny only you can fulfill."

Mon couldn't look at him. She refused to let him see the emotion his word brought to her eyes.

"Tell you, I will. The force will triumph over the dark side. Balance will be restored. Make the way for this to happen, your destiny. Be strong, you must. Have hope. The Senator they need and Senator you are."

Mon nodded and she wiped the fallen tears from her cheeks. Leading the rebellion would be the hardest thing she would ever face. Year after lonely year now stretched before her just like the years behind her.

"I don't want to, Master Yoda, but I will."

Mon waited until she thought she was strong enough to stand. Once on her feet Yoda spoke.

"My company you keep a moment longer."

Mon was feeling emotionally drained and eager to get a good night rest before the insanity of the rest of her life began. She moved to the rock next to Yoda's side.

Yoda clasped his small hands together.

"Face this burden alone, you should not."

Mon didn't see any other way she could face it, except...

"Will you come back with me?"

Yoda's eyes opened wide. He nearly fell off the rock. Mon helped balance him.

"Stay here, I must. One more visitor will I have here, before my time."

Mon didn't understand what he meant except that he would not leave the foul smelling swamp.

"Another visitor?"

Mon wondered if he meant another Jedi.

"A good man. Stand by your side, he will."

Her heart sank when she realized Yoda was referring to Cutter. Or was he? She couldn't be sure. Yoda turned to Mon. His eyes pierced her once again.

"Why deny yourself this love?"

Mon had now heard everything. A Jedi Master giving her relationship advice? What next, self-centered Bothans joining the resistance?

"It could never work. You know what this galaxy does to families. Look at the Skywalkers."

Yoda's expression turned solemn.

"Concern yourself not with the Skywalkers. Look to your own heart. Wise it is."

Mon ran her hands up her arms. A cool breeze was settling into the swamp.

"I do love him, Yoda, but I'm afraid I will pay a high price for it."

"See the future none of us can." He turned and poked her leg with his walking stick. "Take a chance, I would."

She smiled at him and she thought he smiled back. It was hard to tell under all the wrinkles.

"Goodnight, Master Yoda."

For the first time since the Wookie slaughter on Kashyyk, Mon Mothma found her way to an uninterrupted night sleep. No dream of Palpatine. She opened her eyes in Yoda's small hut with a new found sense of purpose.

Her eyes meet with his green face looking down on her. Yoda was a scary thing to see first thing in the morning and Mon jolted out of bed. Yoda took a step back and put his hand on over hers.

"Tested you will be. Pain for you, there will be. Great pain."

Mon tossed back the covers.

"You couldn't have told me that last night before I made my decision?"

Yoda frowned.

"Sensed it only now, I did."

Mon took Yoda's head between her hands and kissed him between the ears. She had never seen the Jedi master so surprised.

"You are a light in the universe, Master Yoda."

He hummed.

"Light you are too," he said with a chipper inflection.

He went to pantry and filled their satchels with all kinds of food Mon had no intention of eating. She and Jeanida bid him farewell and made their way back to the ship.

Jeanida wrapped her arm around Mon's.

"So? Did this help you?"

"In all the years past, and all the years to come, I doubt I will ever find another like you, my dear, dear friend."

Jeanida stopped but Mon took a few steps before she realized the aid stood still. Jeanida used the rim of her sleeve to dab her eyes.

"You will lead the resistance and continue on as a Senator?"

"A resistance now, but Organa and I will see it become a galactic rebellion."

Jeanida's eyes widened at the word rebellion.

"I like the sound of that."

"I want you by my side for the duration."

"I will be, my brave and wise girl."

This time Mon wrapped her arm around Jeanida's as they walked back to the ship.

Cutter met them in on the platform. His eyes travelled over Mon.

"You look different."

Jeanida squeezed her and then disappeared inside the ship. She wondered if her aid and Yoda and talked about Mon's relationship with Cutter or if Jeanida instinctively excused herself.

"Should I set a course home?"

Mon stepped inside the ship. Cutter raised the ramp. Water drained from the metal and fell into the swamp.

"No." Mon kept her eyes on the water. "I have a meeting to attend on Coruscant."

Jeanida and Mon exchanged a look. Mon could see understanding wash over Cutter's features. Whether he was pleased or not she couldn't tell.

"Contact Hunt and the others. Have them rondevu with us after the Senate Session."

She rallied her courage and looked Cutter in the eyes.

"I'm going to ask them to join me. If he will still have me, I'm going to help Senator Organa start a rebellion."

Cutter frowned. He looked down at his brown boots and then back up.

"That will put your life in danger every nano second of the day."

The concern in his voice made her as, what had Riggs said? As yellow as the underside of a Hutt. She remembered her friend's other words.

"If I live in fear then the Empire has already won."

Mon didn't feel up to a conversation with Cutter about how she felt about him so she left him alone in the aft of the ship.

Jeanida found her a few moments later. The aid quietly stepped over the threshold of the meeting area. She carried something between her hands.

"I've been waiting for the right time to give this to you."

Jeanida held up a silver necklace. A relic of Chandirla even older than the one Mon destroyed when she took off her Senatorial robes.

"I can't accept this."

Jeanida put the heavy chain into Mon's hands.

"It belongs to the champion of freedom."

Mon squeezed it tightly.

"I will treasure it."

She put the chain in a compartment in her belt, unwilling to keep the precious metal any further from her than that.