The Planet Ralltiir, in a Galaxy Far Far Away

[likes_scoundrels]

That there was a blockade around Ralltiir when Leia arrived on the Tantive IV wasn't surprising. But what was was what the pilot announced as they reached the surface of the planet. "They've posted a guard at our boarding lock, Princess."

"What?" Leia said. "Patch me through to whoever's in charge." She waited until the connection was made, then said haughtily, "This is Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan. Who's responsible for this outrage?" Princess tended to work better than Senator in a situation like this, she'd found.

"A delight to hear your voice again, Your Highness," came her answer. "Lord Tion here."

Leia was glad the transmission was only audio so Tion didn't see the look of disgust on her face. She'd met him before, and he'd made his romantic interest in her abundantly clear. Even her father being labeled a traitor hadn't scared him off. "I command an explanation for this, Lord Tion," she said icily.

"I would be honored to explain," Tion continued. "I'll send my personal landspeeder for you."

"My own is being lowered now, thank you," Leia said, managing to keep her tone polite.

"Then I await you with great anticipation," Tion said, then signed off.

Tion was waiting for her with a squadron of stormtroopers at the ready, no doubt to impress her with his power. "And here she comes, the shining jewel in the Organa crown," Tion chuckled to himself, unaware that Leia could hear him. She only barely refrained from rolling her eyes.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Tion said, taking her hand and bending over it to kiss it.

She yanked her hand back. "Lord Tion, I demand to know the meaning of this."

"Your Highness, may I say while I regret that circumstances require this inconvenience, I'm delighted to see you again," Tion said.

"My ship was intercepted on her approach and forced to land under escort," Leia bitched. "The Tantive IV is a consular ship on a diplomatic mission. You have no right to do this."

"Perhaps your captain here, Captain...."

"Captain Antilles, Lord Tion," Antilles said.

"Antilles, yes, perhaps he'll be good enough to explain to you what cooperation the Empire may command when emergency powers are invoked," Tion said.

His condescending attitude was making her want to punch him. "Emergency powers for what reason?" she demanded.

"When peace and stability are threatened," Tion explained patiently, "it's the Emperor's duty to intervene to ensure his subjects security and well-being."

"Well being?" Leia scoffed. "They're the ones you're arresting."

Antilles stepped forward. "Your Highness, in view of the uncertain situation here, I think we should depart Ralltiir as soon as possible," he advised.

"A sensible attitude, Antilles," Tion said. "It speaks well of your loyalty."

"How long will this 'state of emergency' exist?" Leia said, ignoring Antilles's attempt to stop her from talking herself into trouble.

"Until certain troublemakers have been sifted from the general populace," Tion said smoothly. "Now, just what was your purpose in coming here, Your Highness?"

"A humanitarian gesture, Lord Tion," Leia said. It was well known that Ralltiir was in need of aid due to the unrest.

"I'm afraid you have to be more precise," Tion said, lifting a hand to place it on her shoulder. "I ask in my official capacity now."

Leia brushed his hand away. "The Tantive IV was to delivery medical supplies and spare parts to the High Council of Ralltiir," she explained.

Tion frowned. "Pity to say, the High Council no longer exists -- either as individuals or as a political entity. Your misguided charity would have gone to traitors."

"Surely you don't think the entire population--" Leia began to protest.

"Enough of them were sympathetic to the Rebel Alliance to require purification here," Tion said. "The Empire will exert close guidance over them for their own safety."

"With a starfleet blockade?" Leia said. "With impressment gangs and interrogation centers?"

"I recommend great care in choosing your words, Princess," Tion said, his expression growing hard. "I have a high regard for your family -- your mother's side, of course -- and -- if I may say so -- for you yourself. But there are certain things which even an Organa may not say with impunity."

"Her highness was expressing understandable distress at the situation, of course," Antilles quickly explained.

"Of course," Tion said. "You'll pardon my candor, I'm sure, your Highness. Perhaps I was too severe."

"It was nothing," Leia said dismissively.

"You're too kind," Tion sighed. "You know, seeing your lovely face puts it in my mind to take your mother up on her long-standing offer and spend some time on Alderaan."

"Lord Tion, this would hardly be the time..." Leia protested.

"Any time is the time to visit Alderann," Tion said. "How can one not enjoy a planet where peace and beauty are common preoccupations, and art and learning the popular pastimes?"

"We also follow current events, Lord Tion," Leia said dryly. "After this you may not be so welcome--"

"Now, now, Princess Leia," Tion chuckled. "I'm a soldier and statesman in service to the Emperor. Besides, my visit would give us a chance to become...better acquainted, you and I."

Leia was going to need a shower after this conversation. Ew. She took a step back. "Since we can't deliver our relief supplies, I intend to raise ship immediately, Lord Tion."

"And deprive me of your company so soon?" Tion pouted.

"I see no reason to remain," Leia said simply.

"Well, I should search your ship," Tion said thoughtfully. "Procedure recommends it. Unless of course the Princess would care to dine with me this evening?"

Noooooooooooooooo. But Leia kept the emotion from her face. "I suppose that could be arranged," she said reluctantly.

Fortunately, the sound of blaster fire nearby put an end to the conversation. After a few moments Tion received a report. "There's an ambush on the space field's southern perimeter! The firefight's still in progress, sir!"

"Commander, send in one of our reserve companies," Tion ordered. "I want prisoners! And have Lord Vader meet us there!"

Vader? Leia felt a surge of fear. He was the last person she wanted to run into here.

"Princess Leia, you'll have to return to your ship, for safety's sake," Tion said to her. "This is but a foolish rebel gesture -- doomed to failure, of course. We've got the entire city well under control. I'll leave an escort here for you."

"I have my own, thank you," Leia said, gesturing to Captain Antilles and the other members of the crew of the Tantive IV who had accompanied her. She drew back to stand near the captain. "We have little choice but to go back to the Tantive IV," she murmured.

"And if Lord Tion searches her cargo?" Antilles asked.

"Medical supplies and technical equipment are all he'll find," Leia said confidently.

"Combat-type medi-packs and three surgical field stations?" Antilles pointed out. "Spare parts and power units suitable for military equipment?"

Leia heard a faint voice from behind them before she could answer. "Your Highness...I must speak to you...."

She turned to see a wounded man staggering toward her, hand clutched to his stomach. "Summon a medic from the Tantive IV," she quickly said to Antilles.

"No, no time...have to talk," the rebel said. "That attack...a diversion so I could get...through to you. Information...I absorbed it under hypnotic imprint.... We can't...can't talk out here. Imperials might hear...."

"Imperials?" Leia said, looking around to make certain there were none lingering nearby. All the stormtroopers had left with Tion. "There are none nearby."

"They're setting up a total surveillance system in the city's administration center," the rebel said. "As soon as they get it energized...they'll be monitoring any conversation that's not shielded."

"More stormtroopers!" Antilles said urgently, pointing out some drawing near.

"Quickly, hide him in the speeder!" Leia ordered.

"Your Highness, that puts you in too great a danger--" Antilles tried to protest.

"No greater than yours," Leia insisted, directing her crew to place the injured rebel in her speeder and cover him. Then she froze as she saw the dark figure accompanying the stormtroopers.

"Darth Vader!" Antilles exclaimed.

"Even Lord Tion has an Imperial watchdog over his shoulder," Leia said, trying to remain calm.

A moment later Vader was looming over her. "Once again you appear where rebel activity is rampant," he said. "First your father betrays the Empire, not this. You should be more prudent. You might come to harm some day."

"If you're looking for Lord Tion, he's out on the spacefield's southern perimeter," Leia said, ignoring the threat. She refused to cower or allow any of the nervousness she felt now show on her face. "I believe he's awaiting your arrival."

"It occurred to me to wonder why those traitors would throw their lives away on a useless gesture," Vader said.

"Perhaps they hoped to steal a ship," Leia suggested.

"Or to divert us," Vader said.

"You'll excuse us, Lord Vader," Captain Antilles said, stepping closer to Leia. "But it's my duty to get the princess back to the safety of the Tantive IV."

"Stand where you are, Captain," Vader said. "Your ship and cargo, your vehicle and your own persons -- even yours, Your Highness -- are subject to search, here and now."

"Ours is a diplomatic mission of mercy," Leia insisted.

"An imperial decree of special emergency outweighs that," Vader said. "You're under our jurisdiction."

Bitch, please. "Lord Vader, the Imperial Senate won't take this lightly," Leia snapped. "And any decision to search our ship rests with Lord Tion -- he's in charge here."

"And so he is," Vader conceded. "Yes, we'll make this completely legal -- and then see just what it is you're concealing. And I wouldn't try to raise the ship. The fleet has orders to fire -- without warning."

If looks could kill, Vader would be dead now, and Leia would be very happy. But she drew away with Antilles and waited, trying to figure out a way out of this situation, running over possible solutions in her mind. Then something occurred to her. "That's it!" she murmured.

"What?" Antilles asked.

"The surveillance system!" Leia exclaimed.

"Your highness, I don't under--" Antilles began.

"Is it active yet?" Leia asked. "Can you tell?"

Antilles contacted the ship to scan the area. "It's going online now, Your Highness," he said.

"No, Antilles, let them search my ship," Leia said, waiting a few seconds for the surveillance system to come online. She knew Tion would use it instantly to eavesdrop on her. "It will solve my problem."

"And, ah, how is that, your highness?" Antilles said, playing along.

"Lord Tion is attractive, but he's too forward -- too confident," Leia said. "He needs to be taught a lesson. If he searches the Tantive IV, he'll anger my mother, and I'll be able to keep him at arm's length a little longer."

"And if he doesn't order a search?"

"Then...I'll know he's a gentleman," Leia said, adding a little sigh at the end of her words, though she was thinking "Ew."

Ten minutes later, Tion had returned. After a discussion with Vader, he approached Leia. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave, Your Highness. For your own safety. I'm sure you understand."

"And my ship?" Leia said sweetly. "Will you search it?"

"There's no need," Tion said. "Safe travels to you, Your Highness. I hope to see you again soon."

"Thank you, Lord Tion," Leia said, giving him a grateful smile. "I hope so as well." But it wasn't until they were safely aboard the Tantive IV with the wounded rebel soldier and leaving the Ralltiir system that she allowed herself to relax. That had been far too close. Her father -- both of them -- weren't going to be happy at all.

[NFB, of course. From the Star Wars Empire comic #5 "Princess...Warrior, Part 1" and the Star Wars Radio Play episode 2, "Points of Origin." Which kinda got jossed by "The Force Unleashed" so I had to tweak some things, SIGH.]