Leia Organa held her arms folded against herself as Wedge Antilles reported the loss of the Ghost Crew. A Rebel cell on Lothal, they had been an important asset to the Rebel cause. The Jedi Kanan Jarrus especially. Darth Vader's involvement was no surprise. But Wedge spoke of a new inquisitor that had been with the Sith Lord. Inquisitors could usually be dealt with. However Leia was not so sure about the new one. The inquisitor that tracked down the Ghost Crew and, according to Wedge, had a very personal hand in killing the padawan Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren.

Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Rebellion leadership were equally concerned about the news.

"There isn't a lot we can do about it." Leia finally spoke. "We can mourn and remember the dead. But we need to keep moving. We've lost footing on Lothal. We can retreat now or we can try to fight."

"Lothal was never ours." Mon Mothma said forlornly. "The Ghost Crew kept that planet. But with them gone I am afraid we will have to abandon Lothal and it's resources. We have spent too much time there and gained far too little."

"Then what do you propose we do?" Leia asked.

"We must call the cells in. The Rebel spies have gained possession of the previously rumored Death Star plans. Leia, is your ship ready?"

"It is."

Mon Mothma nodded. "May the Force be with us."

The meeting was concluded. Leia and Obi-Wan filed out with the rest and stopped in the corridor of the Mon Calamari flagship.

"What do you make of Darth Vader and that inquisitor?" Leia asked in a hushed tone.

"I think we must be more careful." Obi-Wan said. "The rebels on Lothal had become careless and far too sure of themselves. That is how we get killed. Remember that Leia."

"Yes, Master." Leia took a deep breath. "I wish there was more of us."

"As do I." Obi-Wan smiled sadly and squeezed Leia's shoulder. "How have you been holding up?"

"I'm okay." Leia returned the smile. "I must be going now. I'll see you soon."

"May the Force be with you, Leia."

~~~

Spy work was Leia's forte. Obi-Wan believed her greatest strength was in the Force. But Leia saw it differently. The Force was a powerful tool. Yet she preferred to put her trust in people, in those who fought and died by her side. They had far more to lose than the Force ever would. Rebel spies spent months infiltrating an Imperial network and had finally found the plans of a once rumored super weapon. It was called the Death Star. The plans had been taken and Leia was in route to pick them up on the desert planet of Tatooine. While the Hutts controlled that territory it was seldom visited by the Empire. Leia and the Rebels hoped for an uneventful retrieval. There was no reason for it not to go down that way. Leia remained vigilant nonetheless.

Leia's droid companions Artoo Detoo and See-Threepio were waiting for her in her cabin aboard the Tantive IV. Threepio immediately showered Leia with anxiety driven ice breakers. Leia gently hushed the droid. "Calm down Threepio. We have a lot to prepare for and not much time to do so. Why don't you stay here where it's safe until the mission is over?"

Threepio sagged in relief, then stiffen abruptly. "But what of you Princess?" He asked with such concern. "You are far more important than I. I would gladly risk my memory banks for your safety."

Leia chuckled. "I appreciate it. But don't worry, Artoo will be with me. You're our backup."

Threepio tilted his shiny head, then nodded. "As you wish, Princess."

"As you were." Leia grinned and ushered Artoo out of the cabin. They headed to the cockpit.

~~~

Luke could not help the withering look he directed at his father. "I am greatly offended." Luke said, acting mature while fighting the greater urge to cross his arms like a pouty child.

"You shouldn't be." Darth Vader said. The baritone in his vocal modifier did little to convey his emotions and to most it was quite hard to gauge Darth Vader's responses to anything. But Luke had no such struggles. His father was being patient. And perhaps even indifferent.

"I want to go with you. I tracked down those Jedi myself." Luke pressed. "I killed one of them. But a measly rebel conspiracy needs you? Why not me instead? Why do I have to stay?"

"Because the Emperor wills it."

Luke bristled at the continued indifference his father showed behind the skull mask. "I am tired of lessons, Father. I am sick of sitting around and doing nothing."

Darth Vader brushed past Luke, putting away the tools he had used to fine tune his lightsaber. "You have public duties now. I had been assured by your teachers that you would understand that."

"I am meant to be out there!" Luke snapped. "I won't be confined and let the inquisitors do the dirty work. They are incompetent and weak."

"On the inquisitors you are corrected." Darth Vader relented. "But it is not I who is keeping you here. If you feel so passionately on this subject then perhaps you should bring it before Darth Sidious."

Luke bit his cheek. He knew he could not change the Emperor's mind. He had to accept his new place. He turned on his heel and left, not looking back once to spare Darth Vader a farewell.

Rounding a corner in the corridor Luke finally exhaled and slumped against the wall. Ten years of training on Mustafar. For what? Papers and ballroom dancing? Darth Vader should know better. It had been nearly a week now since their arrival and Luke knew only the boredoms of an Imperial Prince rather than the exciting adventures of the alter ego Sith Assassin. Luke preferred that version of himself. He had the title of Darth yet had done nothing more to keep it than killing a mere padawan. Luke's hand lingered on the unused lightsaber hanging from his belt. The damn thing had been taken apart and put back to together more times than it had been used.

"Well don't you look miserable."

Luke straightened and raised an eyebrow. Mara was leaning against the corner, a slight grin on her face.

"Thanks for noticing." Luke crossed his arms and gave the woman a once over. He had not seen Mara since the ball. "Long time no see. Inconveniences?"

Mara chuckled. "You remembered me."

"Of course." Luke tilted his head slightly. "Why wouldn't I?"

Mara shrugged. "Not many care to."

"You make quite the impression."

"Always." Mara pushed off the corner and rounded Luke, coming to lean against the wall beside him. "What's got you down Blondie?"

Luke snorted at the name. "Nothing."

"When people say nothing that's a sure fire way to know it's something." Mara pointed out.

Luke rolled his eyes. "It's none of your business." He said.

"That's no way to treat a friend."

"You're pretty annoying for a friend."

"You think I'm pretty?" Mara asked, practically glowing with mischief.

Luke groaned. "Okay fine you win!"

Mara laughed and edged a little closer as if they were about to share a secret.

"Darth Vader is being sent to investigate a rebel conspiracy. I am to stay here until the Emperor says otherwise."

Mara frowned. "You're more of an action person?"

"Yeah."

Mara smirked suddenly. "Come with me." She grabbed Luke's arm and started to tug him down the hallway.

"What for?" Luke asked, though he did not try to resist her pull.

"You need to learn the subtleties and advantages of nobility." Mara made a grand gesture at Luke. "In other words, you need a puppet or two."