A/N: I do not own Star Wars: Tales, and the saga.
This is a pilot. So please review.
Star Wars: Rebel Princess
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
Alderaan. 5 BBY.
Freedom.
That's what Princess Leia Organa, a beautiful girl in her early teens, felt as she was riding a Thranta, a flying manta ray-like animal, high above the ground on the skies of her home planet Alderaan. Holding to the Thranta, Leia observed the terrain of Alderaan from above; the grass plains, steppes and the long, low, snow-capped mountains. The rising Alderaan star was making the whole landscape look even more beautiful. As long as she could remember, Leia loved her home planet dearly. No wonder it was called the "Shining Star" of the Core Worlds.
However, as she thought about the beauty of dawn, Leia suddenly remembered something urgent – she was supposed to return to her home, the Royal Palace of Alderaan, by sunrise. Leia immediately directed the Thranta straight to the palace. She prayed the gods that her absence wasn't discovered and that Winter Celchu wasn't caught.
Winter Celchu was her best friend. Being the daughter of Sheltay Retrac, one of her father's senatorial aides. Leia was definitely glad to have Winter. To the girl, she was like sister. Despite having silver hair, Winter somewhat closely resembled Leia. This led to Winter disguising as the princess during the night while Leia was out riding on Thrantas.
"Are you sure this is gonna work?" Winter asked with doubt as she held the brown wig while Leia stood on the balcony that night.
"Of course it will. Trust me." Leia assured her friend. Nodding, Winter began putting on the wig, while Leia jumped onto the saddle, riding off on the Thranta.
"Don't forget to be back by sunrise!" the silver-haired girl yelled.
"Sure, sure." Leia answered. "Let's roll!"
But she forgot, and now she had to hurry before her absence was noticed. Landing the Thranta at the kennels, Leia quickly ran off to the palace. She was wearing white clothing and her brown hair was loose. Entering the palace, she began sneaking towards her chambers. Thankfully, it was empty. Well, almost empty. Hearing voices, Leia peaked and spotted her father, Bail Organa, conversing with an Imperial officer in his late fifties.
"It is a um… honour to have you stop by, Governor Tarkin." Bail Organa greeted the guest, though it was very clear that he was despising this man. The Imperial Moff of the Outer Rim stood tall and firm in his grey uniform, his once auburn hair had greyed as he was around 60 years old.
"Yes." Tarkin answered. "I'm quite sure. It is important to…"
"Princess Leia Organa!"
Both Bail Organa and Wilhuff Tarkin and Leia heard the voice. Leia mumbled as she instantly recognized who it was. Turning around, she was right as there stood a woman in her middle ages wearing an orange dress with golden elements and her hair held in a cone-shaped style.
Of all her tutors, to Leia there was no one more annoying than Madame Vesta. The headmistress of Alderaan Select Academy for Young Ladies, where both Leia and Winter studied too, was well-known for her strictness. "A Rancor of Nanny", Leia called her, who, in Leia's opinion, for some reason thought "real ladies" could walk with books on their heads.
Obvious that she was caught, the girl came out of her hiding and approached the adults, her head lowered.
"And who is this young lady?" Tarkin asked with curiosity.
"Oh, this is my daughter, Leia."
"The princess? Charming girl, I'm sure." the Moff commented as the old woman joined them three.
"I apologise, Viceroy," she told Bail. Tarkin assumed that she was a tutor to the daughter of Bail Organa.
"No worries," Bail assured her before introducing the guest to his daughter. "Leia, this is Moff Tarkin, the governor of the Outer Rim territories."
Leia immediately realised who this man was. Her father spoke of him a lot, and none of it was good. She heard the Moff owning a Wookie slave in his home on Eriadu. She looked up to see Tarkin grinning at the young girl. Leia instantly felt as if death was staring at her in the eyes.
"Get a bit of a beating, did you?" Tarkin asked her playfully.
"This ain't nothing, you should see your Wookie!" the girl rudely answered him, glaring at him. Tarkin's smile immediately disappeared.
"I'm grooming her to take my place in the Imperial Senate." Bail explained.
"Perhaps you should wean her first." Tarkin told him, earning another glare from Leia.
Leia then walked away when Bail called her. "Leia, where are you going?"
"Just watering the plants." She simply answered.
Sometime later, Governor Tarkin was leaving the palace, marching towards the speeder where a female officer waited for him. Standing at a balcony above the entrance, Leia grabbed a water balloon and dropped it on Tarkin, hitting the governor's head. The female officer gasped when she saw that.
"Charming." Tarkin muttered as he stroked his soaked hair, somehow controlling his rage. As he left, Leia felt no regret in committing this act. The princess believed that Governor Tarkin represented everything that was wrong with the Empire. She was very disgusted when she heard he had an alien slave. How could the Emperor allow slavery? What kind of galaxy was this? And what could she do to change it?
Feeling the freshness of the water, Leia sighed as she was upset that her bath was over. Standing up, Leia walked out of her bath tub, allowing the maids to dry her hair and her bare skin with towels. Still barefoot, Leia exited the bathroom and returned to her bedchambers where her paternal aunts were waiting for her.
There were three sisters of Bail Organa; Rouge, Tia and Celly Organa. All three of them were fans of elegant dressing and appearance, having native roses on their hairs. It was said that they were the best models of Alderaan, and that meant, that they believed that it was their duty to best prepare Leia to any important events such as parties. Right now, they were doing the same, fixing her hair and having her wear the various dresses they brought to see which of them looked better.
"Ow!" Leia scowled, sitting wrapped in a towel, as Rouge was combing her hair.
"Sit still, young lady," Rouge told her. "Senator Beruss of Illodia is visiting Alderaan today and as the host's daughter, you must look gorgeous."
"Like a true lady." Celly added.
"Gods, you sound like Madame Vesta." Leia groaned.
"Oh, I still remember how you embarrassed her with that performance of yours," Tia chuckled, causing Leia to giggle too. It happened two years ago when Leia was twelve. A concert was held at the Alderaan Select Academy for Young Ladies. Madame Vesta personally held it.
"Thank you girls. That was wonderful!" Madame Vesta complimented back then to a trio of girls who have just finished performing a ballet dance on stage. The audience was applauded until Vesta raised her hands, wordlessly asking for silence and attention. She was holding some small cards which she began reading.
"And now," she announced, reading. "Princess Leia will perform the dance of the… Twi'lek slave girl. Oh dear…"
As if on cue, Leia ran out onto the stage, wearing a reddish-purple exotic, if not skimpy dress with a golden crown and a golden collar and chain. Her brown hair fell to a single braid. The audience, and especially Madame Vesta, gasped as Leia began performing an exotic dance.
"You almost gave Madame Vesta a heart attack." Tia reprimanded Leia. "Why did you do that anyway?"
"Well, I wanted to show them that there's more to the galaxy than elaborate dresses and fancy parties."
Leia sighed as she drank some of her drink while inside a crowded hall of the palace. It was another day, and another ludicrously expensive party. Leia wondered how her father justified these things when there were so many people in the galaxy who were hungry and suffering. The girl wondered that shouldn't they be helping them somehow.
Wearing a white dress of thin silk, with her hair held in a high braided bun, Leia saw her father, and her mother Breha Organa talking with some of the guests. Their family droids, C-3PO and R2-D2, were also present, assisting in serving the guests with drinks.
Taking a sip, Leia heard nearby laughter and saw some of the girls, also in their teens, wearing elegant dresses. Slightly curious, Leia approached the three from behind, only to be angered by what they were saying.
"Can you believe that my servant girl actually wanted to try on my dress?" one of them, with auburn hair and aqua blue dress, asked.
"P-p-please!" a blonde girl mimicked the servant, mocking her. The two girls bursted in laughter at this.
Leia decided to speak up. "Seeing that you could probably feed her entire family for a year with what it cost, I bet it would have made her day."
"Oh, please," the blonde repeated that word once again and rolling her eyes, talking to Leia. "It's too much good for someone who washes my underclothes."
Leia supposed there were all sorts of ways to handle a situation. She wondered if her ways would be unfitting for a 14-year-old. Still, she did what she intended; she spilled her drink straight at the blonde's purple dress, spoiling it.
"Guess it's a hand-me-down now." Leia coldly told her as the girl gasped in shock and humiliation. Leia then proudly walked away, not noticing the smiles on the faces of Bail and Breha. Walking among the crowd, Leia found her friend Winter with her mother.
"Hey, Winter." Leia called out to her.
"Hi, Leia." Winter answered, before looking at the three girls with whom Leia spoke. "I see you had some fun."
Leia rolled her eyes. She really despised the spoiled, foolish and arrogant bratty daughters of their other elite families of Alderaan. She was definitely glad to have Winter. The silver-haired girl was like a sister to her. Leia knew that her parents and aunts loved her, but at times the young princess felt as if she was an outsider to her own family.
But despite her friendship with Winter, Leia still wished she had a brother or sister of her own. Someone she could truly feel close to. Sometimes, Leia felt like a part of her was missing.
Just then, Leia felt as if there was some disturbance. She didn't know why, how or what, but she suddenly felt suspicious when she saw her father being called and left the hall. As if following instincts, Leia followed Bail, who was heading to a floor underground. Curious, Leia followed him down. She soon found him entering an office. Hiding, Leia peaked as she saw Bail having two holograms of Senators Mon Mothma and Garm Bel Iblis of Chandrila and Corellia. What Leia heard next shocked her.
"Rebellion is the only option, Bail." Mon Mothma talked via hologram. "It's been leading to that ever since the Ghorman Massacre."
"Hiding Palpatine's adversaries on Isis only helps so much. The Empire must be stopped!" Garm added.
"Then perhaps we should meet in person and discuss this further," her father answered.
Leia continued to eavesdrop with interest. Her hatred for the Empire continued to grow. Their treatment of non-human species and women was atrocious and their desire to control every form of expression was appalling. But a rebellion? Leia never would have imagined, and that her father was going to be a part of it.
Trying not to reveal herself, Leia decided to do whatever it took to restore the freedom the Empire was systematically taking away, and help her father in restoring the Republic.
"I'll make you proud, father." Leia Organa whispered before returning to the banquet.
That night, while sleeping, Leia dreamed of her mother. Her true mother. She appeared as a beautiful young woman with brown hair, just like Leia's. She was very beautiful, and kind… but sad. For some reason, unknown to Leia.
Coruscant.
Colonel Wullf Yularen of the Imperial Security Bureau exited his Lambda-class shuttle at the landing bay of the ISB directorate. Flanked by a couple of Imperial soldiers, the veteran officer marched towards the building. He passed the reception, while the other ISB officers and troopers saluted him. Some with high respect, some with fear.
Only an ignorant did not know who Wullf Yularen was. Everyone, especially on Coruscant, knew him. An old officer from Corellia, Yularen proved himself as a talented naval commander, especially during the Clone Wars, serving Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. He and the young Jedi brought many victories to the Republic.
Once the Republic was replaced by the Empire, Admiral Yularen served in the Imperial Navy during its first major campaign, the Reconquest of the Rim, fighting Separatist holdouts and pirate gangs. His last military campaign was against the Zygerrian Slave Empire one year after the end of the Clone Wars when the feline slavers began raiding nearby Imperial worlds for slaves.
Shortly after the columns of clone troopers marched across the cities of Zygerria, Yularen retired from the navy and joined the newly-found ISB. Despite holding the rank of colonel, Wullf was a member of Emperor Palpatine's inner circle, even back then, during the days of the Republic. This added respect and fear of the veteran officer.
Stroking his white moustache, Wullf Yularen approached the conference room where a meeting was being held today. Giving his black kepi to the aide, Colonel Yularen adjusted his hair before entering. The other members of the meeting were already present. These were high-ranking officials of both the Imperial Intelligence and the Imperial Security Bureau. All of them, just like Yularen, wore their standard white uniform with black trousers and boots, except for one person – Director Armand Isard. The tall Human male who had black hair with a white stripe was the director of the Imperial Intelligence. Aside from his subordinates and the ISB officers, his uniform wasn't white, nor grey, but fully crimson red, with a black belt and black boots and the insignia plaque (two rows of six cubes; top red and bottom blue) of the director on his chest.
Next to Armand Isard was Yularen's superior, Central Commander Sollaine. Just like Armand he was tall, and had black hair, but he wore the usual white uniform of the ISB he led while his hands were replaced by prosthetics. However, apart from Yularen and Isard, he wasn't that close to the Emperor as they two were.
Acknowledging of his presence by his colleagues, Colonel Yularen took a seat. Only one member was absent, and he perfectly knew who it was. Ten minutes later, a young woman of around 25 years old came in. Her hair was similar to the hair of Isard, black, but with a white stripe. She wore her standard Imperial Intelligence white uniform with the insignia plaque of senior agent.
"You're late, Agent Isard." Armand reprimanded her.
"Had a mission to complete, sir." The woman answered, though Yularen noticed that she almost said father. Everyone knew her. It was the Director's daughter, Ysanne Isard. Once she sat, the windows were shut, filling the conference room with darkness. Yularen wasn't surprised. He was this was going to happen since this meeting was a secret. Shadow stormtroopers, who were counted as the elite soldiers and had the standard stormtrooper all black, were guarding them outside.
"Since everyone is finally here, we may begin." Armand Isard spoke again as the hologram of the Senate Dome was displaced, slightly illuminating the room. "Last night, I and Colonel Yularen were summoned by the Emperor. We are now entering a new era, an era where the last remnants of the Republic must be swept away. The last remnant is the Senate itself. It must be dissolved permanently."
"That's impossible, how will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?" Lieutenant-Colonel Oniye Namada, a female ISB officer, asked.
Colonel Yularen answered her question. "The regional governors will have direct control over their territories."
"It must be dissolved by the time Governor Tarkin and Chief-Engineer Lemelisk have completed their special project." Sollaine added.
Armand Isard nodded in agreement before he continued. "In order to dissolve the Senate permanently, the Emperor needs good reasons to commit such risky act. This is where the forces and resources of both the Imperial Intelligence and the Imperial Security Bureau come in." Sollaine adjusted his collar with one of his prosthetic hands. "We need to find anything on the senators that would be the official reason of the dissolution. In other words, we need to prove of the senators' treason against the Empire."
It was then Yularen who continued from them on. "Fourteen years ago, during the final months of the Clone Wars, a group of senators did not welcome the increase of back-then Chancellor Palpatine's powers, and formed the Delegation of 2000. After crushing the Jedi rebellion, some of these senators were interrogated. Some were arrested and executed for treason," the colonel pushed one of the buttons displaying the two senators of Mon Cala; Mon Calamari Meena Tills and Quarren Tundra Dowmeia. "However, some senators have not shared their fate, and we have reason to believe that they hold anti-governmental ideas, sympathise the rebellion, or even worse, support it."
"The Delegation was found by three senators," he showed the hologram of Padmé Amidala, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma. "These are Senators Amidala, Organa and Mothma of Naboo, Alderaan and Chandrila respectively. With Senator Amidala having passed away shortly after the end of the war, we must now first of all, concentrate on these two."
"Bail Organa was an outspoken critic and opponent of Palpatine within the Senate," Namada added. "He may be supporting, or even, leading the rebellion."
"Alderaan is a neutral and peaceful world! There are no insurgents there!" one of the officers objected, earning a glare from Yularen and Isard.
"Still, we must be vigilant." Colonel Yularen stated. "From this day on, special task forces, detective units and spy networks shall be activated to keep an eye on them."
"The dissolution and the purge of the Senate must happen, no matter the cost." Armand added. "We must watch them, day or night. Not only them, but on their surroundings; their offices here on Coruscant, their homes, their families, friends, lovers, and so on."
Colonel Wullf Yularen nodded. Shortly after the dissolution of the Delegation of 2000, he participated in their interrogations, searching for traitors. Now, he would finish this mission.
Bail Organa's ship, the Tantive IV, landed on one of the landing platforms within the Senate District, surrounded by numerous infamous sites; the Imperial Royal Palace and the Executive Building, the 500 Republica, the Senate Dome and last, but not least, the Jedi Temple. Once a symbol of justice and goodness, housing the noble Jedi Knights, it now stood as an abandoned, smouldering ruin.
Despite this, however, the Senate District, like the rest of the planet-city, was full of life, even if it was mid-morning. The streets were filled with pedestrians, people of various races and species, speeders raced pass them, while ships and TIE fighters zoomed above them in the sky. Following her father, 14-year-old Princess Leia Organa looked around in awe. Bail chuckled, amused by his daughter's excitement. It was her first trip to Coruscant, and it was clear she was infatuated with it.
"Father, please," she begged. "Let me explore the city, just for a little while. I promise to be back in plenty of time before the reception."
Bail sighed as he knew he should have expected this. "Leia, this is your first time on Coruscant. I don't want you to go off on your own." He told her. "This is a very large and dangerous city. You can go exploring as long as you take two guards with you."
"But father, I want to go by mysel-"
"Two guards or no deal, Leia. Take it or leave it." Bail firmly told her. Leia sighed in defeat, it was pointless arguing with her father in this case. As usual, Bail Organa wore a light blue turtleneck long-sleeve sweater with very thick, chunky ribbing and dark blue semi-fitted pants with black boots with an ankle strap. One top he wore dark blue mid-calf-length loose robe of a velveteen-like fabric with wide long sleeves that had four light-blue long decorative rectangles.
Leia on the other hand, wore a white dress-tunic which had a boat neckline and wide sleeves, while also wearing ballet-flat shoes. Just like her father, she wore a blue loose robe of velveteen-like fabric on top of her dress. Her brown hair was worn loose.
Accepting the terms, Leia watched her father being joined by his aides Davim Cross, Sateen Vestwe and Sheltay Retrac along with Captain Raymus Antilles, while two guards joined her. The two wore the standard uniform of the Alderaan Royal Guard; accurate white blast helmets with blast visor up, white button down tunic with pockets, cobalt blue pants, dark grey belts and black boots. Each of them had a blaster pistol held within the holders attached to their belts. The three jumped onto one of the nearby speeders.
"Go ahead," Bail told her. "But be back by the afternoon! We must be at the Imperial Palace by early evening."
"I will father, I promise." Leia told him just as the speeder left the platform, leaving Bail to watch as his daughter began exploring the city with her two guards.
Leia smiled as she observed the streets of Coruscant, while the speeder paced swiftly through the traffic of speeders. The 14-year-old princess was so excited about Coruscant that she nearly fell off from the speeder when she was leaning to have a better look, only for one of the guards to quickly catch her before it was too late. Her loose, brown hair waved due to the speed at which their vehicle travelled. Leia wanted to take a look at the abandoned Jedi Temple, since father told her many great stories about the Jedi and their role as keepers of peace and justice during the era of the Republic, but it was locked down, with thousands of stormtroopers guarding the area. Still, she enjoyed the rest. The Imperial capital was full of life, even more than the capital of her home planet.
After a long time of amazement and exploration, the speeder stopped at the princess' request when they reached the slums of the city, which were on the surface, rather than in the lower levels of the city. Eagerly jumping out of the speeder, Leia observed the surrounding area, which seemed to be somewhat of a market place. Most of the people here were non-human alien species and if there were any humans, these were usually stormtroopers patrolling the area. The two guards quickly caught up with her. She finally turned to them.
"Let's stop for something to eat." Leia told them before nodding at a restaurant. "That restaurant over there looks good."
"Maybe we should look for a place in a batter area, your highness," one of the guards suggested. He and his partner were obviously wary of this district, as they stood closer to the princess, their hands holding their blaster holders, ready to draw out their firearms.
"Nonsense." Leia brushed it off. "This is fine."
It was at this moment she heard a ruckus going on nearby. Leia looked and saw a couple of stormtroopers harassing a Caamasi in reddish robes who attempted to enter the café. The alien tried to negotiate peacefully, begging, while the two stormtroopers behaved aggressively towards him.
"Please, I do not want trouble." The Caamasi explained. "I merely wish to purchase a meal. I am sure there is no harm in that."
The stormtroopers, however, did not seem to share his views. "Like I said before, move along!" one of them told the alien. "This is no place for you. Your kind belongs elsewhere."
"See here. There is no need for force. This is not fair! All I want…"
"Enough!" one of the stormtroopers yelled before hitting the alien with the base of his blaster carbine. Once the Caamasi fell onto the ground, the stormtroopers then proceeded to beat him. The whole sight disgusted Leia as she dashed towards them.
"No!" she cried. "Stop! How dare you? He did nothing wrong! Leave him alo-"
"Imperial business. This is no concern of yours." one of the stormtroopers brushed her off. "Now move along and let us do our job."
"My father is in the Imperial Senate! I doubt that he will tolerate…"
It was at this moment, the stormtrooper aimed his E-11 blaster carbine at the teenage princess and Leia found herself staring into its blackened muzzle from close enough to kiss it.
"I said move along," the stormtrooper added, his carbine directed at Leia. The two members of the Alderaan Royal Guard approached just in time. One of them gently grabbed Leia and began to pull her away from the stormtroopers.
"Your highness, please, we must get back to your father." They begged while Leia glared at the Imperial soldiers in white armour.
"Get her out of here or we'll throw her in a detention cell too," the stormtrooper threatened as he lowered his E-11. Nodding, the Alderaan guards dragged Leia away while the stormtroopers were cuffing the Caamasi who gave Leia a surprising look with some despair.
"This is outrageous!" the girl protested. "My father will put a stop to this, I promise you!"
The guards finally loosened the grip when they were far away from the stormtroopers. "Let me be!" she growled at them. "I think I've done enough sightseeing for today. Let's go back."
The guards acknowledged and together they set course for Cantham House, the embassy of Alderaan.
Taking off her blue robe, and wearing only her white dress, Leia literally stormed into her father's office within the embassy, passing Davim Cross, Sateen Vestwe and Sheltay Retrac as they were leaving. She would usually get a reprimand from Madame Vesta, but the girl didn't care. Entering the office, she found Bail sitting on one of the chairs, holding a datapad, while the landscape of Coruscant was seen through the window behind him.
"It was awful, father. They beat and arrested without a second's hesitation!" Leia complained to her father. "I just couldn't stand there, I had to do something."
Bail sighed as he lowered his datapad. "I know, Leia," he answered. "But putting your own safety at risk is not the best way to resolve a situation. This is the Imperial capital. You must be careful here. Palpatine has spies everywhere, and my diplomatic immunity may not protect you if you go too far."
"Palpatine is a bully." Leia told him as she groaned in frustration. "I knew he was xenophobic, but after today, I realise that he's dangerous too. I can't believe one could turn a blind eye to such injustices."
"I think I should speak to the Emperor tonight about this." Leia additionally declared.
"Leia be reasonable!" Bail told her, as he stood up. His voice was full of concern and fear. "You will soon take my place in the Senate. There you will at least have a forum to voice your concerns, as well as the power to do some good. Confronting Palpatine will only place yourself as well as Alderaan in serious jeopardy."
Leia stood firm. "I don't want to hide just because some dictator has an army of brutes at his beck and call," she stubbornly told her father, her voice filled with determination. "I refuse to be silent, father! I will talk with Palpatine tonight."
"Enough, Leia." Bail told her with an angry tone. "You have never met the Emperor before, and I can assure you, he is no a flexible or reasonable man."
"But father…"
"Leia, the matter drops here," he cut her off. "Now go and get dressed or we'll be late."
Leia just rolled her eyes and left the office in frustration and anger. She decided to speak up to the Emperor, no matter what.
Despite the numerous lights hanging on the ceiling high above, it was still slight dark while the sky outside reddish as the sun was setting down. The grand reception room hall of the Imperial Palace was crowded.
Princess Leia Organa followed her father, still wearing the same dress and the blue robe, but this time her hair was tied in an elegant ponytail. She looked around. The hall was filled with various high-ranking military officers such as governors, generals and admirals. She saw an balding and obese grand-admiral with a handlebar moustache, whom she learned to go by the name Zsinj. The girl passed Grand Admiral Zsinj with disgust as he roared with laughter during his conversation with another Imperial officer.
However, once she passed one high-ranking military man, she ran into another one, and to her frustration, it was Governor Tarkin.
"Moff Tarkin, you remember my daughter Leia." Bail greeted him.
"It's Grand Moff now, viceroy," Tarkin corrected him, holding a wineglass filled with red wine. "And yes, how could I forget? The troublemaker."
"I apologise for my previous juvenile behaviour, Governor Tarkin." Leia responded to that. "I've a learned a lot since then."
"Well, I hope you do not plan on being such a thorn in the side of the Imperial Senate."
"We all want the same thing: to defend the rightful freedoms of all sentients, don't you agree?" Bail spoke as he took a glass of cocktail from a waiter.
"Of course, your highness," the Moff answered. "Everyone should get what they deserve. I must take my leave now. But I'm sure I'll have a chance to visit your planet again soon."
Smiling to Tarkin, Leia immediately wiped that smile out of her face once Governor Tarkin left. Bail Organa did the same as they continued to observe the attendants. Other than military officials there were politicians and governmental officials. Both Bail and Leia were forced to greet people such as Sate Pestage, Sly Moore, Mas Amedda and other members of the Imperial Ruling Council. Many senators were also present.
"All this pomp and blatant vulgarity." Leia muttered in disgust. "All in the name of currying favour with Palpatine, it's appalling."
"The Empire is mired in blatant displays of power and hierarchy. Displays like this are designed to clearly cement his power to those who would be foolish enough to have any doubts about who they should be loyal to." Bail waved at the whole crowd as he answered.
Just as he finished, everyone's attention turned to an incoming guest. Leia immediately saw that it was the Emperor, as a company of the royal guards in their red robes and pikes surrounded him, with Darth Vader following him. Leia was one of the people most eager to approach him.
"I know what you're thinking, Leia." Bail whispered. "Please don't do anything we'll regret later."
"I won't, father. I promise."
Leia finally managed to see the Emperor when he and his entourage made their way towards father and daughter. Leia froze in horror once she saw him. During her childhood, she saw numerous holograms of Palpatine before he became emperor; a man in his sixties, which would make him in his eighties by now. But what stood in front of her was terrifying.
The Emperor was wearing pitch black robes, his head hooded while he leaned on a cane. His whole face was disfigured, while his eyes were yellow; dreadfully glowing yellow eyes. Not being able to move, Leia watched him. However, what dreaded her more was what the Emperor represented. She didn't know how, but she suddenly felt pure darkness radiated out from the Emperor. She felt how evil he was, and that there was nothing but pitch black within him.
"Senator Organa." Palpatine spoke, his voice bringing Leia more dread. "I see you have brought your daughter with you."
"Yes, your excellency," her father answered. "May I present you Princess Leia Organa."
Leia shivered from fear and coldness when suddenly, Palpatine grabbed for her chin, observing her young face of a teenage girl.
"A plucky little thing, isn't she?" he spoke, his question being rhetorical. Leia stood in fear, her eyes suddenly catching the sight of Darth Vader, who stood there in silence, his raspy breathing filling her ears for now.
"You have your father's fire," Palpatine spoke again, finally releasing the poor girl. "I look forward to seeing your pretty young face in the senate."
"Th-Thank y-you, y-your excellency," Leia answered, trembling.
"Excellent." Emperor Palpatine answered, chuckling as he, Darth Vader and the red guards left the two alone. Bail immediately approached his daughter.
"Leia, are you alright?" he asked with concern and panic. Leia did not answer, instead, she fearfully looked back at the entourage.
"He was so… evil. Father." Leia finally answered. "As if he was pitch black inside. Just overall darkness."
Bail immediately wrapped his hands around the girl. "I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way." He told her. "Confronting Palpatine would have been a futile gesture, Leia. He's too powerful. He would have to be powerful to frighten someone as strong as you, Leia."
"I will take your place in the senate, father." Leia told him, looking up to her father. "I know I can make a difference there, or at least try to. I will make you proud of me."
"Oh, Leia." Bail genuinely smiled at her. "You already have. There are many ways of making a difference. Most are made quietly, through more… underground means. Sometimes differences are made one at a time, and are so small they do not register with everyone. Yet can have profound reverberations."
"What do you mean father?"
"I made some inquires and tracked down the detention centre your Caamasi friend was taken to. I arranged for a release." Bail explained, watching as Leia's smile beamed. "You can go make sure it's all taken care of. See that's he released and makes it home safely. Take your guards only, I don't want you travelling alone."
"Thank you, father, for making me proud." Leia genuinely answered. She hugged her father, who kissed the girl in the forehead.
Adjusting her blue robe, Lei smiled as she saw the Caamasi finally exiting the detention centre. Just like last time, two guards in white flanked her. The Caamasi seemed to remember Leia as he was immediately surprised to see the princess.
"I'm sorry you had to suffer like that." Leia immediately apologized. "Coruscant seems to represent what the entire galaxy is becoming, I'm afraid."
"Why did you risk your own safety to help me?" the alien asked with disbelief. "You don't even know me."
"Because every life has value and is deserving of preservation." Leia answered. "I came to Coruscant thinking it an exotic, enticing place. Instead, I've found that its exterior beauty hides a very ugly truth. We are not all bad. I intend to prove that first impressions can be misleading sometimes."
"Indeed they can," the Caamasi answered. "But in this case, you have proven to be as kind as you are brave. It will be long remembered by myself and my people."
"Thanks."
"By the way," the Caamasi then added. "I am Egi'ros Akala."
"Leia Organa."
Akala smiled. "Very nice to meet you, Leia Organa."
The two then shook hands. Once assured that Egi'ros was safe and sound, Leia and her guards returned to Cantham House. Leia instantly noticed that the embassy was filled with a few guests. The princess immediately assumed that these were senators. She instantly recognised Senators Mon Mothma and Garm Bel Iblis. There were also a female Pantoran, a young man with brown hair in his early thirties, and a very young woman with a yellowish dress. Bail Organa was conversing with them when he spotted her.
"Leia," he called for her daughter. "May I present my fellow senators. This is Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila."
"How you've grown, Leia." Mon dotted her, causing the girl to blush.
"This is Senator Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." Leia spoke as the Corellian kissed her hand.
"Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora."
"Me and your father worked together for a long time." Chuchi told her.
"Senator Lux Bonteri of Onderon."
The young man also greeted her politely. Finally, Leia was introduced to the young woman in yellow.
"And this is Senator Pooja Naberrie of Naboo."
"Naboo?" Leia asked. "The home-world of Emperor Palpatine and Senator Amidala?"
"Yes, Senator Amidala was my aunt." Pooja answered.
"Oh, my condolences," the girl told her. Suddenly, a voice was heard behind her.
"Senator Organa?"
Both Leia and Bail turned and Leia was immediately alerted. In front of her stood an Imperial officer in white. It was clear that he wasn't young. He had white hair and moustache, while wearing the uniform of the ISB.
"Colonel Yularen?" Bail asked shocked. Leia looked at her father, who seemed to know this officer.
"Senator Organa, it is a pleasure to see you back in the capital." Yularen answered. "Please forgive me for coming uninvited, I just wanted to visit an old acquaintance of mine."
"Yes, I remember our time on Christophisis." Bail spoke. "Thanks to your efforts, the Separatist blockade of the planet was broken and you allowed the passage of ships carrying humanitarian aid."
Wullf Yularen nodded in admittance.
"Leia, may I present you Colonel Wullf Yularen," her father introduced.
"It's a pleasure, your highness." Yularen told her as he kissed Leia's hand too.
"Same, colonel." Leia simply answered. It was clear that both Bail and Yularen knew each other very well, even better than Tarkin, and the officer seemed to be friendly. Despite this, Leia felt the wariness her father felt and agreed with him. The least thing they needed now was an ISB officer nearby.