Star Wars_ Rebel Force 2_ Hostage - Alex Wheeler [32]
Doesn't the galaxy deserve a new generation of champions?
" That's what they have us for, " Obi-Wan always says. " Until they're older. Until things change. "
Until the Emperor is not ruthlessly seeking out and murdering all Force-sensitive children, he means. Until teaching them the ways of the Force is not a death sentence.
And, the thought that is on both their minds, though neither will speak it aloud: Until we are sure they will not be like their father.
Looking down at Leia, Ferus now understands he will argue no more. Leia might be the key to defeating the Empire—but for now, she is a little girl. Ferus knows he will not risk her safety for anything. Not for the Force, not for the fate of the galaxy. He will save her from the truth about herself, until he knows she is strong enough to survive it. He will always save her.
Nothing matters more than that.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
She woke up in the back of a large speeder truck, her wrists and ankles bound. J'er Nahj leaned over her, dabbing a drop of blood off her forehead.
"Good," he said softly. "You're all right."
"Hardly," Leia said dryly, struggling into a sitting position.
A man she'd never seen before was at the controls.
Kiro Chen lay on a seat just behind him, his head on Halle Dray's lap, his eyes closed.
Halle chewed on her lower lip and stroked his hair, never taking her eyes off his face.
Leia was on the floor of the speeder, just behind them, propped up against the back door. If she could find a way to open it and slip out…
"Not a good idea," Nahj said. "At the speed we're going, you'd be killed before you hit the ground. Just sit tight, Your Highness. You'll be all right."
"Don't waste your breath," Halle said. "She's not worth it. Look what her friends did to Kiro!"
"They were just defending themselves," Nahj pointed out. "He'll be fine."
Halle whirled around to glare at Leia. "He better be."
"He wouldn't be here right now if he hadn't betrayed me," Leia pointed out. She realized this plan must have been a long time in the making. Had Kiro been planning it from the beginning; when he first contacted General Rieekan? Had it all been a trap, designed to snare her? And she'd walked right into it, blind to the possibility that one of her own people could betray her.
"No, he wouldn't be here right now if you hadn't betrayed us," Halle snapped. "None of us would. You put these events in motion, Princess. Whatever happens next, just remember that."
"Nothing's going to happen," Nahj said. "We won't harm you."
"Don't act like you feel sorry for her! After all the pain she's caused?"
I've done nothing wrong! But Leia couldn't say the words out loud.
Beside her, Kiro stirred. "Don't," he murmured.
"It's okay," Halle said, in a soft voice that made her sound like a different person. "They can't hurt you anymore."
"No, I mean, don't yell at her like that. She means well."
Halle shook her head. "You're confused. You don't know what you're saying."
Kiro sat up, shooting Leia an apologetic look. "I'm not confused."
"So you're taking her side now?" Halle asked. "You want to call it off?"
Kiro hesitated, then put an arm around Halle. "No, this is the right move. I trust you on that. But there's no reason to make it harder than it has to be."
Leia's heart thudded. "Make what harder?"
"Look at it this way," Halle replied. "You claim you'd do anything to help the survivors of Alderaan?"
"It's not a claim," Leia shot back. "It's the truth."
"Then you should be happy to sacrifice yourself for the greater good."
X-7 was finally alone. Leia's bumbling friends had split up to search for her. X-7 had volunteered to cozy up to Prime Minister Manaa and Deputy Minister Lyonn, in case they knew anything. But helping Leia was of no concern to him. All his efforts to break through her guard had proven useless. Maybe with her out of the