Star Wars: The Alderaan Affair/Part XVII - Removing A Mask

Leia sat at a table with her father and mother, preparing her for senatorial school on Coruscant. She sat with her mind on other matters though, having had another dream about her family all being incinerated after a blast from the mysterious round object. Worse part was that she herself was watching the blast from space, as though she was firing it. What exactly was the thing anyway? What did it represent, if anything? A looming threat of attack from something beyond the reach of the galaxy? The Empire itself?

“Leia?” Said Breha, slightly shaking Leia's shoulder. “Alderaan to Leia.”

“Oh, uh, sorry...” Said Leia, blinking and giving her head a shake to help focus. “I was just uh...”

“Leia, please.” Said Bail, reaching out a hand and placing it on hers. “We must finish this enrollment documentation for the Senatorial program on Coruscant. You'll be attending it when you turn sixteen, as you know.”

Leia mumbled under her breath about not wanting to go, to which Bail responded by sighing deeply and standing. He walked over to a window and looked out upon his city and the sweeping plains around it. He noticed that a storm seemed to be building up over them. Breha finished up the remaining questions with Leia and sent her to bed. Breha stood and joined her husband at the window as Leia left in silence and put an arm around his waist. He smiled and returned the gesture by placing his own arm around hers.

“Truth be told Bail, she'll be a fine Queen someday.” Said Breha. “She's fair, and not afraid to speak her mind.” -	Leia stared into the mirror of her bathroom, sweat dripping from her face. She had just experienced the realest dream she had ever had. She was standing face to face with Darth Vader, one of the galaxy's most dangerous individuals, second only to perhaps Palpatine himself. In the dream, Vader was standing over her, as she clutched Epin's limp form, with the red glowing weapon she had seem him hold during Imperial news casts. Vader had just killed her mother and father, Epin, Winter and another person, whom she couldn't identify. Their bodies mangled and some even dismembered. She wasn't sure what significance this dream held, but it was more than she wanted to think about right now. Awaking just as Vader's saber was about to cleave through her, she had rushed into the bathroom to vomit. She took a few sips of water from her cupped hands before splashing the rest onto her face and neck. She sighed and decided to take a shower to relax her muscles a bit.

After showering and changing into fresh clothes, Leia felt somewhat better. She went to the window of her room and sat on the small seat like protrusion and looked at the farmlands. Leia wondered what Epin might be up to at this early hour, as she hadn't seen him since his injury and wanted to spend a bit of time with him. She imagined that he was probably resting his ankle and sleeping soundly at home in his warm bed, untroubled by nightmares of the violent deaths of his friends and family. She thought about all this and the prospect of meeting Emperor Palpatine and soon becoming a senator as she watched the downpour outside. -	Wiping mud from his eyes as he got to his hands and knees, Epin crawled a few more feet before finally collapsing on the rain soaked ground. He had been going for almost an entire day without any sort of a rest, as Kreia had told him he was not permitted to until he was able to scale the mountain on his own without falling. His body ached with fatigue and his eyes were drooping from being awake and active so long without any proper break or even sustenance. Although he hadn't necessarily finished his task of putting the rocks back into the mountain, as they had repeatedly fallen back out after mere minutes when Epin released them from his grip, Kreia had said that what he had done was fine and the exercise was complete. Leaning on his elbow, he took a few handfuls of water out of a small puddle at his side, then flopped onto his back to let the downpour of rain wash the dirt, mud and blood off of him.

“What are you doing?” Said Kreia, appearing at his feet. “You have not completed your assigned task. You haven't reached the summit.”

“I just can't go on.” Said Epin as he took deep, gasping breaths. “It's too much, I'm not...”

“Listen.” Said Kreia. “I want you to attempt a new technique. Focus on your legs and jump while releasing a burst of energy towards the ground. Aim for the large rock that is jutting out from the side just ahead there. And then as you come down, do the same thing in order to slow your descent, though be cautious that you don't do it too early.”

“Kreia, I can barely crawl and you're...” Said Epin, struggling to get to a knee.

“You want to win don't you?” Taunted Kreia. “Right now, your opponent is probably beating some other fool, not giving a damn about you. Is that what you want, to be forgotten or do you want to strike them down and prove who is superior? If only your dear father could see you now.”

This seemed to stir Epin and he forced himself to his feet, falling once before finally making it. He braced himself for the jump and leaped into the air, but far from landing it, he slipped on the wet rocks as he came down and smacked his head. The rock seemed to have dislodged from his weight coming down on it so fast and hard. Head pounding, he drew in his breath, he tried the healing exercise again, but the weight of him hitting the rocak as he slipped seemed to loosen it even further. He sat, blood trickling down his head from yet another gash, with his back against the mountainside as Kreia's voice came into his head.

You are finished already? She said in a mocking voice. The purpose of this exercise is to teach you patience and foresight. By using The Force to sense danger, in this case represented by falling and unstable rocks, you can react to dangers faster. And in the case of the mountain, there are many places where it could give way or collapse, so it's excellent practice. Something you need if you're to stand against your opponent.

Epin began to laugh out of sheer exhaustion. As he did this, the rock finally gave way under his weight and he tumbled down even further, coming to rest laying face down in the mud. Laying in the pouring rain, he wondered what Leia was doing at this moment. Probably sleeping in her warm bed in the palace, free of burdens. -	As Leia stepped out onto the landing platform on Coruscant, she saw the many ships and low atmosphere craft that were shuttling in and out of the capital. The planet was, for the most part, one gigantic city with buildings actually being built on top of each other. The further down you went, the older, and more dangerous, the city became. Leia wondered how many people were on the planet. So many just rushing along, not stopping to enjoy their lives, or take in any of life's many sights, sounds and smells. She thought that coming from a planet like Alderaan had something to do with her enjoying the smaller things in life. They had arrived late at night, as this was the specified time that was appointed for Leia to meet Emperor Palpatine. Bail began to walk toward a large, domed building, which Leia guessed was the Senate itself, and as they made their way into the building, Bail halted as he spotted someone. Leading Leia over to the woman, he greeted her with a hug and kiss on both cheeks. The woman looked to Leia and smiled.

“Ah Bail, this is Leia then?” She asked, extending a hand to Leia.

“Yes!” Exclaimed Bail, placing a hand on Leia's shoulder. “Leia, this is Mon Mothma, a longtime friend of your mother and I. She will be assisting you during your studies, so feel free to ask her anything.”

“Hello ma'am.” Said Leia, shaking Mon Mothma's hand. “It's nice to meet you.”

Mon Mothma had auburn colored hair, blue eyes and looked to be middle-aged. She was dressed in a white robe and was wearing long, sparkling silver necklaces and small golden earrings. She motioned for Bail and Leia to follow her as she moved into the building. The trio stopped to talk at the entrance of the main corridor to Palpatine's office.

“Is Emperor Palpatine available?” Asked Bail. “I understand Leia is supposed to meet with him before entering the Senate itself.”

“No, not at the moment, he's meeting with Governor Tarkin.” Said Mon Mothma. “He should be free soon however, he is eager to meet the Princess.”

“Is...uh, is Darth Vader here as well?” Asked Bail tentatively, looking down at Leia with some concern.

“Um...yes, he is.” Said Mon Mothma, taken aback by Bail's odd behavior. “Listen Bail, can we speak while Leia is seeing Palpatine?”

“Yes, of course.” Said Bail, turning to face her. “On what matter?”

“Oh, just the stars, you know.” Said Mon Mothma, giving him a significant look. “A certain star in particular.”

“Right, I hope they aren't getting too bright for your eyes.” Said Bail, laughing, trying to maintain his composure, as he thought he knew what this was going to be about.

Just then, a door could be heard swishing open and the three turned to look down the hall, seeing two figures exiting Palpatine's office. One of the men was Governor Wilhuff Tarkin, a thin and grey haired man with blue eyes, dressed in a grey Imperial officer's uniform. The man walking alongside him caused Bail Organa's stomach to plummet and his knees go weak. Darth Vader strode up to the trio as Tarkin gave a hurried greeting and left. Vader's slow, mechanical breathing made Bail's skin crawl and he felt himself starting to sweat as Vader stopped a few feet in front of the trio. Bail would never get used to seeing the man in his full black armor and mask. Vader himself stood a bit over six and a half feet tall and was one of the galaxy's most feared men. The most intimidating thing about facing Vader was the fact that he was unreadable. You could never know what the man was feeling or thinking, or even guess due to the mask and synthesized voice. But, despite all these things, it was Vader's steady mechanical breathing that would always unnerve Bail the most.

“The Emperor will see you now.” Said Vader, in that deep, flat, mechanical rumble.

“Oh...Okay...” Said Leia, looking at Bail, who nodded once.

Leia began walking down the corridor while Vader stared at Bail a few more seconds before briefly turning his head to Mon Mothma. Bail swallowed as he emptied his mind and worked through the simple thought exercises Ben had taught him, that would aid him in case Vader decided to read his mind. Though, of course Bail was no Jedi, and if Vader wanted to know something he wouldn't find it difficult to get it. These exercises were a deterrent, not protection. Abruptly, Vader turned and followed Leia.

“What did you need to speak with me about?” Said Bail, when Leia and Vader disappeared behind the closing door. Mon Mothma motioned for Bail to follow her outside. When she was confident they wouldn't be overheard, she spoke.

“Bail, the project is still in development, but the station itself is nearly completed. It is mobile, and it has moved at least one time that we know of.” Said Mon Mothma. “It is uncertain if the station's main weapon is able to do what it was designed for. It was tested recently, and it was only able to crack the planet's surface, that's the one instance we know that it was moved.”

“For all intents and purposes Mon Mothma, that's the same thing it was designed for.” Said Bail. “That world is most likely uninhabitable, correct?”

“Yes.” Said Mon Mothma simply. “It has no atmosphere anymore, so its surface is basically uninhabitable.”

“Hmm.” Began Bail, seeming to ponder something. “Either way, you lose a planet, not a pleasant outcome no matter what you are faced with. Though this way, perhaps you might have time to evacuate the planet. They don't seem to have perfected the main weapon.”

“Bail, we've lost contact with our informants on the station.” Said Mon Mothma in a troubled tone. “We can't keep sending people to die.”

“I know that.” Said Bail, frowning. “But we absolutely cannot allow that thing to move around unchecked, we must find out if there's a way to destroy it. Is there anyone we can contact?”

“Yes, I've been in talks with people I believe will aid us.” Said Mon Mothma. “I think it may be time Bail.”

“No.” Said Bail quickly. “We need to gather more support, it'll be another couple years I feel before we can fully come out into the open. Until then, we have to just keep doing what we've been doing.”

“How much longer can we hold Imperial forces with just hit and run tactics Bail?” Asked Mon Mothma, slightly angered.

The pair talked more on the subject while waiting for Leia, but dropped it when they arrived back inside the corridor. When Leia finally emerged from Palpatine's office, she hurried to where Bail and Mon Mothma were standing. She seemed tense and nervous, as though she was under interrogation and motioned to Bail and Mon Mothma that she was going outside as she rushed past. Mon Mothma looked at Bail with sympathy and concern for Leia as the two followed Leia outside.

“My skin crawls seeing him on the holo screens and in the Senate.” She said,signaling to Bail she would hang back as he went to talk with Leia. “I imagine it's something else to be alone with him. And with Vader to boot.”

“Leia?” Said Bail, coming up alongside Leia, who was bent slightly over a railing, looking pale. “What's wrong?”

“I...don't want to talk right now, please.” Said Leia, cupping a hand to her mouth. “Just leave me alone.” She wretched slightly, coughed, then bent down and spat over the railing.

“Leia...what?” Said Bail, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You need to tell me if I'm going to help.”

Leia jerked away and walked several feet away to sit on a bench. “Just, I want to go home, please dad.”

“Leia, you need to stay for the...” Began Bail, but Leia cut him off.

“Right, I need to stay for some stupid senate garbage.” She snapped. “That's all you and mom ever seem to care about. Whether or not I'm doing what's proper, or expected of me.”

“You know that's not true.” Said Bail, hurt by Leia's words. “How can you possibly say such a thing?”

“Do you have any idea what I just went through?” Said Leia, turning to face him. “No, you don't, you weren't in there.”

“If you'd talk to me about it, maybe I'd be able to help.” Said Bail, his temper rising somewhat. He loved Leia, but how could she suggest such a thing?

“Just forget it.” Said Leia in a huff as she sat down on the bench again. “Just let me go to sleep so I can be up tomorrow to present myself to everyone.”

Leia spoke the last few words with a sneer on her face and a mocking tone. Bail looked around, as though he hoped someone would tell him how to handle the situation. Leia was supposed to remain here with Mon Mothma for a time and get some preliminary tutoring to prep her for Senator-ship in the future. But out of all the people on the platform, nobody came to help him, or even glanced in their direction. He sighed, frowning as he turned to Mon Mothma, intending to ask her opinion on the matter and whether he should just take Leia back to Alderaan. Mon Mothma spoke no words, she just smiled sadly and nodded her head, seeming to know what he was going to ask her. He reached for his comlink to tell the pilot the would be returning shortly and to ready Leia's quarters. -	A few days after returning home, Leia decided she would go and see how Epin was doing. She found his homestead apparently empty however, as there was no answer at the door and the Lanmaws' speeder was missing as well. As she returned from the farmlands, Breha told her that Epin had actually come looking for her and had said he would be waiting by the lake when she returned. As the lake came into view, she spotted Epin standing by the lakeside, looking out over the water, his cloak flapping slightly in the light breeze. Leia walked over and stood next to him. It was a clear afternoon and the sun shone brightly in the sky.

“I just went looking for you at your house but nobody was home.” Said Leia. “But Mom said you came looking for me.”

“Yeah, I was going to meet you halfway, but I had stuff I needed to do in the city.” Said Epin, starting to walk along the lakes edge. “You know, talking to stores about buying animals from us and things.”

“It's great to see you, I like your hair Ep.” Said Leia as she followed alongside Epin as he walked, pointing to his long hair.

“Yeah, it's good to see you too.” Said Epin as he reached up and ran his hand swiftly through his hair with a chuckle. “And yeah, I haven't really had time to have it cut. Where did you go anyway?”

“To Coruscant.” Said Leia, a chill running over her, despite the warm weather. “For some kind of senatorial tutoring. I met Emperor Palpatine personally, you know, as part of my schooling.”

“Yeah?” Said Epin, interestedly. “Must have been something.”

“He was...” Said Leia, searching for the right words. “Ep, I felt sick when I was in his office with Darth Vader.”

“Darth Vader too!?” Said Epin astonished. “Wow, I bet not many people can say they met both The Emperor and Darth Vader at the same time. But what do you mean you felt sick?”

“I don't know what it was, but I wanted to throw up while he was talking to me.” Said Leia, closing her eyes and remembering how she felt. “I felt icy cold, and yet I was sweating like it was really hot. He kept asking me questions about my dad and what he does, who he meets, you know like he suspected him of something illegal. He never broke eye contact with me, like he was reading my mind or something.”

“Man.” Said Epin. “Sounds scary. I don't know what I'd do if I was alone with The Emperor and Darth Vader.”

“He's a horrible man to be around, Palpatine.” Said Leia. “I can't imagine what kind of power he has if he's stronger than Vader.”

“Did he do anything else?” Asked Epin.

“No, he just talked a lot about what it means to serve The Empire.” Said Leia. “You know, stuff like what would I do for it, how I would maintain order in the galaxy. Anyway, I don't want to think about that again. It's bad enough I have to go back when I'm sixteen to start senate school. But listen Ep, I had another dream before I left.” Said Leia, laying her head on his shoulder. “It was...the worst one I've ever had. I was physically sick when I woke up.”

“What happened?” Asked Epin. “Was it another about Alderaan?”

“People died.” Leia said. “My Mom and Dad and Winter, people I love.”

Leia didn't want to alarm Epin by telling him she had dreamed his death. What's more, she didn't want to tell him that she loved him, not yet. She wasn't even sure it was love, as she had nothing to compare it to, having had no other boys in her life, but she knew she liked him a lot, and he, her. At this point Epin reached for her hand and the two continued their walk hand in hand.

“How's your leg?” Asked Leia. “I was wondering how you were doing.”

“It's fine.” Said Epin. “Healed up.”

“What about your mom and dad and Rena?” Said Leia.

“Oh, well uh, fine I guess.” Said Epin, halfheartedly.

“Well haven't you been home?” Asked Leia, slackening her grip and breaking his own on her hand. “You said you were in the city doing errands right? So that was a lie huh?”

“It was a lie yes, but you don't understand, I can't go back Leia.” Said Epin, looking ashamed under her gaze. “I never want to go back.”

“But what about your family?” Said Leia. “They miss you.”

“No, they don't Leia.” Said Epin, looking away from her. “At least my father doesn't. I don't know about Rena though.”

“Your mom does, I saw her actually.” Said Leia. “She's looking for you Ep.”

“I don't care.” Said Epin, angrily, balling up his fist and fully turning away from her. “I don't ever want to go back.”

“But why?” Asked Leia, moving forward and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Listen, let's not talk about this.” Said Epin, reaching for her hand again. “I haven't seen you in a while, I don't want to be upset.”

“So you want to just forget it?” Said Leia, pulling away and waiting for him to look at her before continuing. “Just wipe it under the rug? If something is bothering you, let's talk about it.”

Epin gazed into her eyes for several minutes before finally speaking. “Being born into a family, doesn't make you part of a family.”

“Huh?” Said Leia, tilting her head slightly and making a confused face. “What are you talking about?”

A tear rolled down Epin's face. He tried to hide it by looking away, but she had seen it and this time she reached for his hand. She moved closer and with her other hand, moved his face back toward her. As they looked at each other, another few tears leaked out, which Leia brushed away with the same hand.

“You know you can tell me.” Said Leia softly.

Epin swallowed hard before speaking. “He...used to hit me. My father.” He said. “I never knew why Leia, he just would talk down to me all the time. And whenever I would do something he didn't like, he'd take out his anger by smacking me around. It was like that for as long as I can remember. No matter what I did, he was never satisfied, always thought I wasn't man enough. There was one time, he left me on the side of the road after he...well...”

Leia's watched him with her lips slightly parted. “Oh...Epin...” She sniffed.

“That's why I left.” Said Epin, closing his eyes and taking a long breath. “Because, the last time there was an argument, the house got wrecked up. My mother and father went at each other, even my sister...”

“But you can't just run away from this forever.” Said Leia. “Go to the police or...”

“Yeah right Leia.” Epin said, becoming stressed, his voice starting to shake. “They never gave a damn in the past, never came to help. Nobody came. Nobody helped, everyone in the farmlands is probably scared of my father, seeing as they never did anything even when they watched him do it.”

“So you're just going to let it all go!?” Asked Leia. “Let him get away with treating you, your mother and your sister like this?”

“I...” Epin stammered. “I'm...afraid...”

Epin fell to his knees and hung his head. Leia after a moment, knelt down in front of him. She watched him for several minutes as he sat with his eyes closed, sobbing silently. She would've never guessed that Epin was dealing with something like this. He seemed to be happy on the outside, but she'd be stupid to not understand that appearances aren't always what they seemed. Right here was proof. She herself was another example, a princess that appeared happy and content, but on the inside feeling she was not entirely thus. Leia sat with Epin until he had calmed himself and was ready to talk again.

“But what about food and a place to live and...” Asked Leia cautiously, but Epin quickly cut into her sentence.

“The Manka.” Said Epin. “I've made some money, I'll be fine for a while if I keep it cheap.”

“So you're just going to fight your entire life?” Asked Leia. “That's what you want? To beat yourself and others around for a career?”

“No, of course not.” Said Epin. “It's just a good way to make money, that's easy. I don't want to stay on Alderaan forever, I want to see the galaxy!”

Leia shook her head. “I don't like it Ep.” She said. “It's dangerous, I hated seeing you injured like that.”

Epin registered that she had said she herself didn't like it, rather than just a simple 'you could be hurt'. He took a moment to enjoy the feeling it gave him, that she was genuinely concerned for him. After a moment, he pointed to the sky.

“I haven't even been back there since I lost, and anyway all of life is dangerous.” Said Epin. “A starship could fall from the sky and crash into us.”

“That's a bit extreme.” Leia said, though she smiled. “You're right, of course.”

The pair halted along the water's edge and sat down, removing their shoes and placing their feet into the lake. The water was cool against their skin and they relaxed a bit, gazing out onto the lake, where someone in a boat was fishing towards the middle of it. The sky was clear and birds were singing as they flew overhead and flitted between the trees.

“So what do you think about them?” Said Leia,   “The Rebellion.”

“I've never really thought much about it to be honest.” Said Epin, taken off guard by this new topic. “I mean they're fighting for freedom I guess.”

“You guess?” Said Leia, eying him from the corner of her eye.

“Well think about it, I mean we don't get much Imperial activity here do we?” Said Epin. “So it's hard to tell who's right or wrong you know.”

“I don't know Ep.” Said Leia,   “I mean, I've heard my dad talking about some of the things he's heard about them. Like freeing slaves and fighting against injustices on other planets. That's something you can get behind.”

“Yeah, it is.” Said Epin. “But, I mean, yeah, they're trying to make the galaxy better for everyone, but they're also making the Imperials more tightfisted.”

“That's true.” Said Leia, nodding her head slightly, in agreement. “I mean, how long until we see Stormtroopers here?”

“Thinking of joining up?” Epin asked, splashing his feet in the water.

“Dunno.” Said Leia playfully, leaning back on her hands and kicking her own feet. “Thinking of coming with me?”

“Hmmm....Maybe.” Said Epin, poking her in the shoulder and smiling. “Why, are you afraid I'd find a new best friend?”

“Hmm.” Leia said as she halted her splashing, putting her chin into her hands with a pout as she leaned forward, pretending to be upset. “I guess I would be sad, but I could find someone I'm sure. I mean, who wouldn't want to have a Princess as their friend?”

Epin snorted, halting his own kicking and flopping onto his back. “Ah well, that's that then isn't it?”

“Oh, stop it.” Said Leia, smirking to herself as she scooped up some water in her hands. “Come on Epin, if you're going to get heated, I'll need to cool you down!”

“Hmph.” Said Epin. “And how will you do...?”

Epin suddenly felt water splash down onto his face. Sitting up with a splutter, he wiped the water away and turned to see Leia with a mischievous smile on her face. He raised an eyebrow as she smirked at him. She raised her head to look up at the sky.

“Odd weather isn't it?” She said innocently. “Not a cloud in sight and it's raining.”

Epin calmly removed his cloak and set it aside, before turning back to Leia with a smile. She smiled back, tilting her head to the side, as though contemplating him. After a few seconds, Epin grabbed hold of her arm, attempting to bring her into the water with him as he slid forward into it. Though Leia seemed to have anticipated this and leaned to the side while giving him a push and wrenching her arm free. Epin splashed into the water and when he came up, spitting water out of his mouth, Leia was waiting for him. Laying on her stomach at the water's edge, her chin laying on her folded arms and a playful smile on her face.

“It's not polite to shove you know.” She said with a grin.

Alderaan Affair

Part XVI - Part XVIII