The Adventures of the Crimson Hawk, Part 3

Leia's suite was twice as big as her room at home in Aldra House. The walls were a soft pale pink, with pink and pale gold drapes and a soft pink and gold canopy bed with a mattress she sank into when she sat on it. The thick furnishings were all upholstered in the same pink and soft gold, with ruffles that cascaded to the floor. The view from her massive French windows showed clear to the harbor. Delicate vines and flowers were painted all along the walls, and even up to the ceiling. The latest in gas lights stood by her bed and on the beautifully carved antique writing desk, covered by stained glass.

There was little time to admire the view or explore the house. No sooner had her trunk and suitcases been brought up and stowed in the roomy closets and dressers than it was time to enjoy the pleasures of the bath. Aldra House had bathrooms, but they were small and musty, added as afterthoughts. It certainly didn't have a bathroom as large, or a tub as large, as the one Leia enjoyed. Sabine, the maid she'd seen earlier with the red-orange hair braided with purple and blue ribbons, scrubbed her until her delicate skin showed pink and her velvet-brown hair glowed warmly in the oncoming twilight.

Her mother came in just as Sabine was finishing her hair. “Leia,” Breha said, “you look amazing. Young lady,” she smiled as the girl, “you have an artist's touch. My niece looks simply ravishing.”

“Thank you, miss.” The girl had a slight Irish lilt to her youthful voice. “I'm hopin' to make enough money to attend an art school and become a real artist me'self someday.”

“Keep doing good work like this, and I might see if I can lend you a hand.” Leia's hair had been swept into elegant braids and ringlets that cascaded down her back, with amaryllis tucked into the crown. Her white gown had a bustle trimmed with lace and ruffles and a lacy wrap with silk flowers flowing like a waterfall to the frilly skirt. The sleeves were all puffs and organdy frills.

Leia grinned. “You don't look bad yourself, Aunt Breha.”

“Do you like it?” The small, dark-haired duchess turned around in her equally fancy turquoise gown, with it's black ruffles and over-skirt. “I had it made just before we came here. It's my first time wearing it.”

Sabine smiled. “Oh, it's lovely, Your Grace. You wear it very well.”

“Thank you, Sabine. That will be all.” Breha nodded at the girl. “I can take it from here. We'll likely need your services later, after the ball.”

“Yes, miss.” Sabine bowed quickly and hurried out of the room. Leia swore she saw her looking furtively down the hall. She met a tall boy with short, blue-black hair and a stable boy's livery before hurrying off.

Aunt Breha smiled. “Ahh, I believe our little Sabine has a suitor. Not a bad-looking boy, if a bit wiry.”

Leia shook her head as she removed a locked box from her trunk. “Didn't look like a romance to me. They were awfully serious for young people in love.”

Breha chuckled. “Young people tend to be serious when they're in love.” She pulled the string of pearls and the dainty pink cameo across Leia's neck and added pearl and gold drop earrings. “There. Now you'll be the envy of every girl at the party.”

“I don't want to be the envy of anybody.” Leia rolled her eyes. “The only reason I'm going at all is to talk to Mon Mothma and find out more about the situation with the roads and the taxes.” A hint of a smile played on her lips. “And to see Luke, of course.”

“Of course.” Breha gathered her black lace fan and handed Leia her pink one. Leia swept a frilly white silk parasol into her hand. “We must discuss those bandits with Govenor Tarkin. I appreciate their aims, but not the way they're going about them.”

“I don't know.” Leia sighed. “The Crimson Hawk may have been a rogue and a scoundrel, but he never really hurt us. And at least the money will hopefully be going to the poor.”

Breha couldn't help her smirk. “I think you're quite smitten with him. I saw the way you looked at each other on the road. You had a real spark.”

“Me?” Leia tried to hide her blush. “He was the one who flirted first, and badly, I may add.”

Breha's smirk widened. “You didn't need to reciprocate, dear.”

“Please.” Leia stood abruptly. “There's no room in my life for scoundrels.”

Her father poked his head in. “I hope you're not talking about me, dear.”

“Of course not, Bail!” Breha swept over to her husband. “We were talking about the Crimson Hawk. Leia and I were wondering what he looks like under that mask.”

“I'm sure he's just an ordinary fellow trying to make a living.” Bail gave his wife a small kiss. “Are my two favorite girls ready to go downstairs? Mon Mothma's guests are waiting for us.”

“Of course, Uncle.” Leia took her uncle's right arm, while Breha claimed her left. “We have the best-looking escort at the party.”

“In this old thing?” Bail wore a fine suit of soft cornflower blue, with a dove-gray cravat and high top hat. “Haven't worn this in years, but it's too warm for my good uniform.”

“You look fine. So much less stuffy than some of those old officers.” Breha kissed his cheek again. Bail blushed, prompting a giggle from Leia.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Mon Mothma's ballroom was small but elegant, wide half-circle windows offering sweeping views of the riverfront. The room was decorated to be in tune with the river and cliffs, with its soft tan and brick-red walls and looping trim and bottle-green chairs and lounges. A crystal chandelier sparkled in the vaulted ceiling. It was also filled to the brim with people in fancy gowns in shades of white, pink, and lavender and men in dark, sober suits or the gunmetal gray uniforms of Coruscant.

Leia picked out Sir Benjamin Kenton right away. He was chatting with Mon Mothma and another woman. She was small, but attractive, with thick braided hair dyed blue at the ends. She was dressed in the soft woven caftans of the African lands. Her reddish, freckled skin was enhanced by gold circles and dots all along her temples and brow.

“Bail!” She waved her hand at the two. “There you are! I thought you'd never come.”

“Leia!” The woman in the caftan reached over and gave her a big hug. “I'm so glad all of you are finally here. I was hoping you'd come. All this coronation business will be a lot more interesting with you and your uncle to argue it every step of the way.”

Mon Mothma smiled. “I see you already know Lady Ahsoka Tano, the best reporter the Theed Daily Star ever had, and an old and dear friend of mine. I've been arguing with her since she was apprenticed to Rex Fettson, the paper's top crime reporter.”

“I'm sure you'll do plenty of arguing yourself, Ahsoka.” Leia looked her over. “That outfit is amazing. It's so dramatic! Where did you buy it?”

“Went to visit family in Nigeria. They insisted I bring something back from the old country.” She turned to the Grand Duke and Duchess. “I'm glad to see both of you, too. We didn't know if you'd be able to come, what with all the unrest in Naboo and Alderaan's neutral stance.”

Bail picked up three glasses of white wine from Cedric's tray as he passed. “We've seen some of that 'unrest' first hand. We encountered bandits on the way here, and we read about the destruction of the Erso Shipyards and the delays with the new airships.”

Ahsoka's eyes roamed around the room, making sure no one heard what she said, before continuing in a softer voice. “There's a reason the launch of Vader's airship fleet has been delayed. They've had problems with 'accidents.' Machines breaking down or being blown up, equipment going missing, crystals being stolen. If it was just one or two incidents, it would mean nothing, but it's happening at least once a day now.”

“I've heard about this.” Sir Benjamin shook his head. “It is an experimental craft. Accidents are likely to happen.”

Mon Mothma narrowed her eyes. “I've told Vader he needs to increase factory safety. He says it would cost too much. They're spending millions of credits on this new process for curing khyber crystals as it is.”

Cedric rushed over, his narrow cheeks pale. “Senator Mothma, Governor Tarkin has arrived. I'm afraid he brought that terrible Baron Vader along. Shall I send them outside? I don't want Vader destroying any of the good china because someone said unkind things about his mother.”

“No, Cedric.” Mon Mothma sighed. “I invited them. I'm sure Tarkin will keep Vader in line.”

Leia couldn't help shuddering as the duo strode into the room, ignoring Cedric's nervous announcement. “Hello, Senator.” The Baron gave them a small bow. “Duke, Duchess.” He turned to Sir Benjamin. “Kenton. I'm surprised to see you here. I heard you fled to the Tatoonie badlands after the Jedi Guards were...disposed of.”

Sir Benjamin remained cool and calm, but Leia could see his color rising under the silvery beard. “I came back a few years ago to manage a local shipping company. We're delivering some of your khyber crystals tomorrow, in fact.”

Leia craned her neck, trying to look for her new friend. “Where are Mr. Skywalker and Mr. Solo? They said they'd be here.”

“Oh, they'll be around a bit later.” Sir Kenton shrugged. “They had a few last minute details to take care of at our workshop in Corellia Manor.”

“You're all invited to the official launching of our newest military marvel tomorrow, the Death Star, at the fair at Naberrie Palace.” Governor Tarkin barely nodded at Sir Kenton. “We would be honored if you and your employers would come. Solo Shipping did haul the lion's share of the crystals, despite all the inconveniences on the roads. We're holding a tour of the gondola, so the general public can see what their tax dollars have bought.”

“Inconveniences on the road!” Breha fluttered her fan. “We had a close encounter on the road with your Crimson Hawk. He was a vulgar young man. He even had the effrontery to seduce my niece in front of us!”

Leia rolled her eyes. “I don't know why you're worried. He did a very poor job of it.”

“There's something about that outlaw.” The Baron's mechanical voice sounded thoughtful. “The way he's able to anticipate our every move. We've twice been close to discovering his hide-out, only to learn it's been abandoned or they were never there to begin with. It's uncanny. Almost as if he was one of the Jedi Guards.”

Bail's face fell. “You forget, Baron, that I was friends with many of those guards and with Queen Padme before her untimely death.” The Baron let out a hiss when Padme was mentioned, but otherwise said nothing.

“So was I.” Mon Mothma's coppery brow darkened. “Queen Padme and Baron Skywalker were two of the most beloved rulers Naboo ever had. The Jedi were the Royal Family's personal guards and the guardians of the land.”

“The Jedi Guards.” Breha sighed romantically. “How I do miss them. They kept peace in the Alliance for a thousand generations.”

“Until the Naboo Royal Family was murdered, and they turned on the people.” Baron Vader's hiss was rather smug. “I myself aided in destroying many of them, before they could wreck further havoc.”

Leia noticed that Ahsoka had vanished, well before Vader's arrival. Sir Kenton was also long gone. She didn't see him in the hall he'd been looking towards. She sidled up to Vader, trying to block their exits. “I'm sure you're very proud of yourself.”

Baron Vader's hiss became more of a growl. “We think the Crimson Hawk is either a former Jedi Guard or is working with former guards to create anarchy. They've already rescued dozens of Wookie laborers from the camps in Sullust and Arkansis and have stolen thousands of dollars worth of gold and jewelry on the roads. We know there's at least two groups out there devoting themselves to overthrowing my master. Rest assured, my men and I will make sure that neither group succeeds.”

“How do you propose to do that?” Leia snapped. “You can't even find the Crimson Hawk!”

The Baron fixed his goggle-like eyes to stare at Leia, adjusting the sickly green right lens. “I'll be increasing both the rewards for the capture of the Crimson Hawk, the Golden Eagle, and both rebel groups, as well as the patrols on the road and in the factories. There will be no one to stop us this time!”

Even as the words left Vader's respirator, the brilliant lights from the gas lamps and chandelier suddenly flickered, then went out. Leia directed a smirk at Vader. “Except that.”

“I'm going to find out what's going on.” Mon Mothma made her way through the crowds to Cedric, who had joined several other, larger men in waiter's costumes at the gas lamps. Vader stomped after her, demanding that the lights be turned on immediately, or there would be hell to pay.

Breha giggled as her husband pulled her closer to him. “Bail, please! I know we're married, but this is a bad place for that!”

That was when Leia heard gasps and squeals around the room. Light, leather-clad fingers deftly removed her pearl necklace and earrings. She felt someone's breath over her bare shoulder. “You're the most beautiful, most spirited woman I've ever met,” the breath whispered. “Meet me at the stone bench under the flowering cherry trees in the garden in twenty minutes.” Soft lips gently placed small kisses along her shoulder. “I'll tell you what I can there.”

“The Crimson Hawk.” Leia turned around, her parasol at the ready. “What...”

But there was no one behind her. Breha let out a wail as a diminutive figure removed her black crystal beaded necklace with its turquoise drop pendant and her turquoise bracelets and combs. Leia swore she heard the thief say “I'm sorry, Duchess. Really, I am. I don't mean to hurt you, but we need this money.” Hands the size of beef steaks yanked off Ahsoka's beaded necklaces and wide gold hoop earrings.

A tall man with brownish-red hair sticking out of his hood tugged at Golden Eagle's yellow sleeve. “Come on, kid. We have to catch up with the others, before Tarkin figures out what's going on.”

The Baron was way ahead of him. Leia noticed six men in the white and black uniforms of the Coruscant Army making their way through the room carrying candles. At least twenty more surrounded the perimeter. Leia poked several men in the rear, pushing them out of the way.

“Find them!” Vader demanded. “Find them and bring them to me at once! They'll be taken to Plageius Square and hung!”

The lights came back on...just in time for Leia to hear a strange sound, like a flash of light, and hear soldiers scream as a bright blue light sizzled through them. The Golden Eagle's weapon was glowing with an unearthly blue fire. A wire on his back was attached to a pack covered in bubbling cobalt tubes.

The Crimson Hawk was also engaged in a duel, his ordinary metal dueling sword silvery against the moonlight. It was unmistakably them. They wore the black vests and red and gold blouses she'd seen them in earlier, their faces still covered by masks and goggles.

“What do you think you're doing?” The Hawk watched in shock as Leia hurried up to them, brandishing her parasol.

“Somebody has to save your skins!” She brought the steel shaft down on a soldier's shoulder, enough to stun him. Another soldier got jabbed hard in the side. “Get out of here, you two!”

“Hawk!” Vader brandished a heavy vase. “You and that apprentice of yours will hang before the night is over!”

“The night ain't over yet, Vader! I'll see you in hell!” He turned to Leia as the ladies gasped at the language. “See you in ten, Your Worship?”

She rolled her eyes at his smirk. “Keep talking like that, and you'll never see me again.”

“I doubt that.” He kissed her hand. The Golden Eagle blew a kiss to one of the men running in the opposite direction. Breha, Ahsoka, and Bail joined Leia as the Hawk tossed a steel rope onto a tree limb. They swung off the balcony before the soldiers could hurry over with their muskets.

Tarkin glared at Leia. “Your Grace, you saw those men. You aided them. You were an obstruction to justice!”

“I did no such thing.” Leia glared at him. “I wanted my pearl necklace back. That belonged to my mother.” She pulled out her fan. “My goodness, isn't it hot in here? I must go outside for a bit of air. Would you excuse me?” She ducked away from Tarkin before he had the chance to ask her any more questions.

Fortunately, she managed to slip into the garden without further comment. The soldiers barely noticed her. They were too busy looking for two men in gold and red blouses and black vests.

The gardens seemed to go on forever, winding around Chalindria Court like a grand maze. The flowering cherry trees were well away from the house, closer to the cliffside, with a fine view of the river and the surrounding homes. The stone bench was nestled under the largest of the trees, over a bed of fuzzy green moss.

She'd only been there a few minutes when she heard rustling leaves. Her eyes flew upward...just in time to see a red and black blur tumble head-first from the branches. “What an entrance!” Leia knelt beside him, ignoring the dirt stains she was getting on her white gown. “Are you all right?”

“Sure.” He dusted off his tight black trousers with the red stripes. “I've made worse entrances.”

Leia looked over her shoulder. “First of all, I want my necklace back. Second, you need to get out of here. They're probably combing the gardens for you. If they catch you with me...”

The moonlight illuminated the string of pearls with the cameo on the end that dangled in his hands. “Is this what you were askin' about?” His voice had a vaguely Irish lilt that sounded exceedingly fake. “I don't mind givin' it back. We got plenty of other treasures tonight.”

He rubbed her hand, much as he had earlier that day. “Why are you doing this? Who are you?”

“I'm no one. All I'm doin' is helpin' a friend.”

“Why did you want to see me again?” Leia frowned. “I'm the enemy. I know you're a thief, taking money from nobles. Isn't there another way to help out?”

“The money has a purpose.” He stroked her cheek. “Most of it goes to releasing Wookie slave laborer from the labor camps. The rest goes into a secret project of mine.”

“Secret project?” Leia raised her eyebrow. “Vader's working on a 'secret project,' too. Do you know anything about that?”

“Aye, lass, some. We keep an ear open when we're in town. We have connections.” He smirked. “Vader intends those khyber crystals for something big. There's more to that airship of his than transporting troops.”

“Khyber crystals...” The young duchess gave him a smirk of her own. “You'd seem to know something about those. The Golden Eagle's sword was made of khyber. The way it glowed...”

“Right again, lass. Me boys n' the Eagle n' I have been workin' on a process that, if heated long enough, will allow them to be used to cut any surface, run any steam-powered machine.” He grinned. “Including an airship. It would cut delivery times in half and be able to carry people to any destination, even across the sea, to South America or the US.”

“Vader has his own airship,” Leia went on. “We know it's not going to befor pleasure cruises, that's for sure.”

“Aye, lass, there's the rub. We don't know what it is for yet.” He stroked her cheek. “We have a good idea, though, especially after the destruction of the Erso Shipyards. No regular gunpowder could cause so much damage so quickly.”

“And what then?” She wished she could touch his cheek, but it was covered by the thick black mask. All she could see were his moist pink lips, a scar slashing underneath. She'd seen that scar somewhere before, she knew. “You could get killed, or end up in jail.”

“That's only if they catch us, sweetheart.” He gently pulled her closer. “Don't you worry your smart head about us. We know every nook and cranny and back alley in Naboo. Vader will never find us.” He added, almost to himself, “We'll be leaving soon, anyway.”

Their heads were almost touching. “I'll never see you again,” she added before thinking.

“Aww.” The smirk returned. “You're fallin' for me, sweetheart.”

“No, I'm not. I'm...” He pulled her into a kiss before she had the chance to finish. He tasted...surprisingly sweet, like ripe strawberries, freshly picked on a sunny day. His skin smelled of sweat and oil and chemicals.

Even as they pulled away, she heard the Baron and his men crashing through the garden. “Crimson Hawk...” Her dark eyes opened to an empty stone bench. Only moonlight was there now, illuminating where the Hawk had sat before. The leaves above her rustled, and she heard faint cursing, just as Vader and his men hurried by her.

“Duchess,” the Baron snapped, “what are you doing out here? All guests were told to remain in the ballroom until the miscreants were found and arrested.”

“We were?” Leia opened her fan, flapping it hard and fluttering her eyes. “It was so beastly hot in that ballroom, I simply had to get a breath of fresh air. Anyway, what are you doing here?” She gave him her sweetest smile. “Perhaps you're meeting a beautiful woman for a romantic rendezvous?”

“Several reliable witnesses told us they saw you sneaking about with papers in your bosom, talking to a man in a hood.” Vader crossed his arms. “There's some truth to this. I can sense it. You're blushing, Your Grace.”

“I am?” She only fanned herself harder. “It is rather warm tonight.”

Vader tilted his one round lens towards her, looking like a menacing pirate in a round patch. “We distinctly heard a man's voice.”

“That was me. I do very good male voice impressions.” She stood, shaking off her dress. “Really, gentlemen, all this interrogation is completely unnecessary. I shall complain to my uncle about it when we return to the main house.”

Vader ignored her complaints. “Men, search the area. Don't rest until you've found those masked menaces and brought them to me.” He turned on his heel to Leia. “You're hiding something, Your Grace. I will find out what it is. I have my ways.”

“I've heard of your 'ways.'” Leia fluttered her fan. “Torture, murder, and worse! I'm getting hotter just thinking about it. I'm going back towards the main house. Perhaps,” she tapped him on the shoulder with her fan, “there will be cooler heads there.”

The moment Vader turned his back and went after his men, Leia hurried to the tree. She scanned the branches for any sign of the Crimson Hawk, but her view was obscured by pink flowers rendered a soft lavender in the moonlight. The leaves no longer rustled.

She was about to turn back when she stepped on something hard. A golden chain was caught on her heel. Her fingers twined around a man's gold chain, an intricately-carved wooden eagle pendant dangling on the end. The clasp of the chain was broken. The girl suspected it had fallen from the Crimson Hawk's neck when he'd gone back into the tree. She saw it under his vest when they...

Leia shoved it into her breasts. She couldn't let Baron Vader find it. It would be evidence of the Crimson Hawk's presence here.

The young duchess gently touched her lips and blushed all over again. The glow she felt when the Hawk kissed her was evidence enough.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

For the next few hours, Leia tried to have a good time. Her aunt fluttered around her when she got back like she'd been assaulted. “Aunt Breha, I'm fine.” She held out her necklace. “The thieves must have dropped this. I found it out by the lily garden, near the front entrance.” She made sure to give a location that was as far away from the cherry trees as possible.

Henry and Luke finally appeared around the same time she returned to the ball. Both wore simple suits, Henry's white and black with a red blouse, Luke's white with a yellow blouse. Henry leaned heavily on the tallest, hairiest man Leia had ever seen. His thick arms and legs strained the fabric of the tight black and white valet's uniform. “Duchess Organa,” Luke said, “this is Henry's valet, driver, and manservant, Charles Bacca. Charles, this is Duchess Leia Organa of Alderaan.”

Henry patted Charles' back. “He's also my mechanic, chief bottle washer, first mate, and best friend. We've known each other for years, ever since my days at sea.”

“And proud of it,” he might have said. It was hard to understand him, with his thick native accent. “I've known Henry since he saved me from slavers when he was in the Coruscant Navy.” He nodded at the waiters serving drinks and hors d'overs. “I'll get you settled down here, then see if I can find something for myself.”

Henry nodded. “See if you can grab some for me, too.”

Luke smiled. “I'm going to find my friend Wedge. You met him earlier, Leia. He doubles as a waiter and house boy for Senator Mothma and for us when the yacht isn't in use.” Luke's blush and his starry eyes gave him away. “We sort of...we're very good friends.” The dreamy look on the boy's face made Leia suspect they were a lot more than “just friends.”

Charles gently lowered his crippled employer onto a plum-colored velvet bench by the window. “Here ye go, Han.” He placed a pillow behind his back. “Nice n' comfy. I'm gonna go see if I can find us some vittles.” He bowed for Leia, towering over her even when bent over. “Nice to meet you, miss. Do you want anything to eat?”

Leia shook her head. “Nothing for me, thank you.” She settled down on the bench next to Henry as Luke went off to talk to several young men in the crowd. “Look,” she began, “I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot this afternoon. My aunt should have been more considerate.”

“That's all right, Your Worship.” He smiled at her. It was a genuine smile, and it lit up his whole face. “What brings your family to Naboo? Checking out the new airships?”

Leia shook her head. “No, we're just here for the Diamond Jubilee events and coronation.”

“Ah.” Henry took what appeared to be champagne from a waiter as they passed him. He handed one glass to Leia and sipped the other. Leia couldn't help noticing that his black bow tie was askew under white jacket and red shirt and his face was red with perspiration. The gold-rimmed glasses nearly hung off his nose. He wiped his brow. “It's too damn hot for May. I need to start putting more ventilation in my workshop.”

“Is that why you were late?” Leia sipped her champagne. It tickled her nose as it passed through her red lips. “What are you working on?”

“A method to break down khyber crystals so they can be melted and heated. The resulting liquid boils more rapidly than water. Engines powered by khyber crystals would run at least six times faster than those that run on coal or wood.” He pulled out a pencil from his pocket and started sketching blueprints on his damask napkin.

“When concentrated, they can cut through any kind of solid matter. Old Man Kenton was a Jedi. He says that's how they made their electrical swords, the ones that could cut through anything.” He grinned. “The steam is also light enough to possibly power airships, stronger ones than Vader's.”

Leia raised an eyebrow. “I've heard people talk about airships in Alderaan. Vehicles that can fly like balloons. I've seen small balloons for two or three people, but not the larger ones.” She leaned her chin on her hand. “I'd like to fly in one someday. I've always wanted to see the world like a bird does.”

Henry sipped his champagne. “When we finish the Falcon, you'll be one of the first people who get to ride it. I'm hoping to make a whole fleet like her. She'll cut shipping times in half.”

Mon Mothma joined them, sipping champagne. “Hello, Mr. Solo. Didn't expect to see you here. I know how you feel about parties.”

“I wanted to apologize to Duchess Organa for my outburst earlier.” He gave her his most charming smile. “Luke's been pushing me to get out more. I've been...busy...with work.”

“Are you going to attend the Lothal Art Exhibition on the grounds of Nabarrie Palace tomorrow?” The older red-headed woman put the glass back down on a passing tray. “I'm hoping to find some new artwork for the hallway in the west wing myself.”

“Yeah, I'm going.” Henry shrugged. “Charles, our handyman Rusty, and I have a booth demonstrating our new steam engines and the blueprints for the Falcon. Luke's gonna be involved in the fencin' exhibition. He n' Ol' Kenton have been training for weeks.”

“I would love to go to the Exhibition.” Leia smiled. “I remember it from when I was younger. They always have woodcarvers and painters and fencers and riflemen showing off their skills, and there's the exhibition hall. Some of these people do amazing work.”

“It really is wonderful. Last year, Ahsoka and I bought three lovely paintings for the day parlor and some beautiful wood carvings to send to her family in Nigeria.” Leia noticed that Mon Mothma's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. “Speaking of Ahsoka, you might want to come and visit us in the day parlor after the party's over. We have...something we need to discuss.”

“All right.” She turned to Henry as Mon Mothma went off to chat with her aunt and uncle. “You know, Henry, you two missed all the excitement. We had a visit from the Crimson Hawk and his men.”

“I know.” Leia raised an eyebrow as he gulped his champagne rather quickly. “Cedric told us the moment we arrived. Ol' Goldenrod was never good at keeping his mouth shut.” The tall businessman shook his head. “That fool's gonna get himself killed one of these days, pulling stunts like that.”

“I agree that the balcony incident probably wasn't the best way to leave.” Leia put the empty wine glass on a side table. “He says he's giving the money to the peasants. I heard he's rescued people in trouble, too. What he's doing is crazy and illegal, but at least it's something.”

“So what is that going to get him?” Henry leaned further over her, waving his hand dismissively. “A one-way ticket to a firing squad. I doubt he's any more noble than I am. What good will it do him or the people of this country if he gets caught?”

Leia raised her chin. “How would you know what the Crimson Hawk's like?”

Her companion shrugged. “We're have a lot in common. We're both profiting off of the fat cats and looking out for number one, and we take care of our own.”

“Would that 'own' include Luke?”

“Charles, the old man, and the kid are the closest thing I have to family.” Henry played with the stem of his glass. “I took them in when they didn't have anywhere else to go after the kid's family was killed.”

Leia nodded. “I can understand that. My aunt and uncle are the only family I have.”

Henry gave her that little smile and held up his nearly empty glass. “Here's to family, then.”

“Here's to the people we love.” Leia clinked glasses with him as Luke arrived, his gentle, tanned face flushed. Leia could see Wedge Antilles off to one side, his own uniform jacket on backwards, buttoning his trousers. Luke waved to him, his face dreamy. Wedge waved back. The black-haired captain's grin told Leia everything she needed to know about where Luke had gone to.

A handsome young blond man in the stiff gray uniform of a Coruscant military officer bowed before Leia as Luke sat down between her and Han. “I must say, you are the fairest flower at this entire gathering. May I have the honor of requesting this dance?”

Leia gave him a wan smile. “Certainly.” He took her slender hand and whisked her off into the waltz sweeping around the ballroom.

Luke couldn't help noticing the look of longing in Henry's hazel eyes. “What do you think of her, Han?”

“I'm tryin' not to, kid.” Henry gave Luke the famous smirk. “I don't know. You think a duchess and a guy like me...”

Luke gave him a watery grin back. “No.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

Leia crept across the halls. It was well past midnight. The party was over. Most of the guests had gone home. Henry, Charles, and a still-distraught Luke had left over two hours before, Henry promising to see them them at Nabarrie Palace the next day.

As she got closer, she heard voices in the day parlor. To her surprise, several people were still awake. “Hello, Lelita.” Her uncle sat in the big wing chair by the fireplace. “Glad you finally got away.”

“Leia.” Mon Mothma's green eyes were deadly serious. No trace of the smiling woman in the blue gown at the party remained. “What we're about to tell you is in strict confidence. It cannot go outside this room.”

Leia sat down, frowning. “This is about the rebels, isn't it?” She turned to her uncle. “Is that why we're here? I wondered why you took such an interest in the coronation. You hate Palpatine and everything he stands for.”

“Leia,” Mon Mothma continued, “what do you know about the destruction of the Erso Shipyards and the thefts at the Khyber Crystal factories?”

“Only what was in the papers.” Leia raised her eyebrow. “Does this have anything to do with the rebels in Coruscant and Naboo?”

“It has everything to do with it.” As Leia looked around, she recognized other people, many of them quite prominent in Coruscant society, others servants or people in work uniforms. “Welcome to the Rebel Society. We're here to stop Palpatine from committing further atrocities in Naboo and around the Alliance.”

“Good.” Leia sat up straighter. “I want to help.”

“I knew you would, Lelita.” Bail sat next to her. “That's the real reason we're here.”

Ahsoka was perched on a couch to her right. “It was our people who stole Baron Vader's blueprints, Leia.”

Leia frowned. “And most of them died.” She looked up at Ashoka. “What happened to them?”

“Destroyed.” Mon Mothma's voice was soft. “The remains of four of the six were found among what very little was left of the Erso Shipyards in Scarif City.” Her eyes roamed to Bail. “They not only killed civilians, but their own people. General Orson Krennic was one of their top military advisers. Galen Erso was a local scientist and shipbuilder who was forced to work for them several years ago. He designed many of the Naboo Empire's fastest and strongest war ships as well as the Death Star Airships.”

“We have to find out more about the planned airship fleet. I don't think the Death Star Airship Line is merely for transporting soldiers across the sea.” Mon Mothma turned to Bail. “I'm asking you to do something very risky, Bail.”

“I'll do it.” Leia spoke up before her father could. “I'll get the plans.”

Mon Mothma's lips were a thin line. “Are you sure you can do this, Leia? You'll have to insinuate yourself into Naboo society. It may be dangerous.”

“I'm a woman, and a socialite.” Leia held her parasol tightly. “People look at me and don't think twice. I'm in the perfect position. I can listen in without attracting too much attention.”

“I agree.” Ahsoka nodded. “Leia's small, but she's tough. I know she can take care of herself.”

Her uncle sat down next to her. “Leia, you know what this means. Vader is a dangerous...er, person. Or whatever he is now. Trials are rare in this country, and usually swift.”

“Uncle Bail, I want to help.” Leia took his hand. “I want to make a difference.” She gave him a small grin. “I was planning on doing some investigating of my own anyway. Vader has to be stopped, before anything else goes up like Scarif did.”

“Very well.” Mon Mothma waved her hand at the river glistening in the moonlight outside her window. “Lothal will be a wonderful place to start. Tarkin gave us the perfect in with the ship demonstration. You'll know Rebel Society members by the words 'May the Force Be With You.' The old Jedi saying.”

Leia nodded. “I won't fail you. I've done some similar work for Uncle, listening at parties and conversations.”

Breha took her niece's hand. “Just be careful, dear.”

Leia hugged her. “I will, Aunt. Don't worry.”

Mon Mothma nodded. “Let's all get some rest. We have a big day ahead of us.”

Bail accompanied his wife and niece to their rooms. “So much for our quiet little vacation and discussion about the road situation.”

“I'd rather have the excitement.” Leia's dark eyes happened to slide to the window. She could see a cylindrical brick building through the window, its ivy-covered brick just barely peeping out through the trees. The lights were on in the windows. “That must be the workshop Luke told me about.” She pointed a pale, slender finger at the sight. “They seem to be up awfully late.”

“Henry is probably working on his new invention.” Bail smiled. “He told me about it at the party. Sounds rather ingenious. I'd rather have the khyber crystals cured the old-fashioned way myself. I heard they could be a bit...unstable...when not done by hand.”

“I'm sure we'll hear about it when we meet them tomorrow.” Leia sighed. “I hope we do see them. I did like dancing with Luke tonight, and I had a nice conversation with Henry. We only argued two or three times.”

Breha put an arm around her niece. “Did any of them seem...interested?”

“Auntie!” Leia sighed. “It's only been a day. Give it time.”

“That's right, Breha. The girl has important work to do. We're going to be here all summer.” He put his arms around the two women who meant the most to him. “We have all the time in the world.”