Sorry for the long delay, but I finally got past the writer's block for a bit! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Star Wars.

Chapter Six: Return to Exile

Rogue Squadron had returned, again bringing no news of Imperial ships waiting for them. Aliana was uneasy, though; it seemed that every time she went out on a recon flight or as an escort the Imps appeared out of nowhere. There must be a double agent in the fleet, she reasoned, but kept her suspicions to herself. She pretended to ignore the looks thrown her ways, and the whispers as she passed. Of course the other Rebels would suspect her: she was new, she had no past, and for all they knew she was a fugitive, or worse. Noran Murandos tried to defend her, but she refused to let him.

"All pilots, report to stations! We are under attack! I repeat, we are under attack!"

Aliana grabbed her helmet and bolted to her fighter: the Alliance had allowed her to continue using her ship for engagements. Running through the preflight sequence, she uttered a quick hope for good fortune.

"The Imperials seem to be finding our ships too easily," Nadine glowered. "There must be a spy in our ranks."

"Who, though?" Ackbar pointed out. "We are hard-pressed to even fight this war, let alone root out a traitor."

"I can think of one person who would fit the bill perfectly. The Denevan woman."

"Lady Aliana? Are you mad?" Mon Mothma exclaimed. "She is the epitome of Denevan honor and loyalty, and she hates the Empire for killing her family."

"She could also be a clone putting on an act. The point is, we don't know anything about her. And on every mission she goes out we always get attacked. She has to be the leak." Nadine was adamant in his resolve.

Aliana spun her ship into a barrel roll, dodging Imperial blaster fire. She had a TIE on her tail and was having difficulty shaking it. Suddenly one of the X-wings flew past and blew the ship out of the sky.

"Figured you could use a hand," a familiar voice came over the COM, one belonging to someone she'd tried hard to avoid.

"Thanks. I owe you one now." Aliana hoped the boy didn't recognize her voice, otherwise she'd be in for a world of trouble. The Skywalker boy would probably ask a lot of questions, and she couldn't risk giving him the answers.

They finished mopping up the last of the fighters, while the larger ships handled the Imp cruisers. Aliana turned her fighter to the docking bays, planning on making a full inspection of her ship stem-to-stern; it was too much of a coincidence that they were attacked in force every time she flew.

"General Nadine! One of the fighters is taking off without clearance!"

"Which one?" Nadine barked as the young officer handed him the report.

"The Denevan, sir."

"Sithspit! I knew she wasn't on the level. Get her back here!"

"It's too late, sir. She's entering hyperspace." Sure enough, the streaks began forming around the fighter, and the Denevan princess disappeared.

"Admiral Ackbar? Lady Aliana asked me to leave you with this," Noran whispered, handing the Admiral a sealed envelope. Oddly enough, it was written in the language of the Mon Calamari.

"Noran, do you have any idea why your princess would act the way she has?" The young man shook his head.

"She doesn't always share what's on her mind, but I know she rarely acts without a reason. It's not her style." Noran looked troubled. "I heard the rumors, and I refuse to believe them, she's no spy. Maybe she left her reasons with you."

After the young man left, Ackbar opened the letter. Inside were more Mon Calamari letters, penned in a strong hand.

Admiral Ackbar,

I write this for you, knowing you to be a trustworthy individual. I dare not leave this with any of the others, for fear they will dismiss it as a traitor's diversions. Yes, I have heard the rumors, but I know why they have spread and will do nothing to refute them as yet.

No doubt you are also troubled with the increase in attacks on the fleet. I suspected that there was a double agent amongst you before, and my suspicions have been confirmed. No doubt he was content to remain silent and inactive until I signed on with the fleet; once he realized who I was, he must have decided to divert any suspicion to me. What better way to create a smokescreen for your activities than to divert speculation to an unknown?

After this latest attack, I took the opportunity to examine my fighter carefully. My fears were confirmed: someone had planted a tracking device on my fighter. As long as I am amongst you I am a danger, until I remove the device. Whoever attached it knew what they were doing, they did it in such a way that only an expert can remove it. It will take me some time to remove and disable the device, and until I do I cannot remain with the Alliance.

I understand my disappearance will only lend credence to the rumors of my being a spy. Unfortunately, there is no other way. I hope we meet again in more favorable circumstances.

Aliana Calion, Princess of Deneva

Ackbar blinked his enormous eyes in puzzlement. Aliana had had good intentions, but had only made things harder on herself. Deciding to show the letter only to Mon Mothma and General Nadine, he shook his head. Aliana is a strong woman, for a mere child, he thought. Privately, he wondered where she would go after the war was over.