PROLOGUE:

Instead of meeting in the command room with the round table, Princess Leia sat at the rectangle table in a smaller meeting room. She knew Mon Montha's strategy was to intimidate, put her in a position that made her feel less than her colleagues, and though she was the youngest member of the High command, the princess refused to fall prey to the older woman's tactics. Across from her sat the members of the High Command on Home One: Mon Montha, General Dodonna, and Admiral Akbar. Although Leia, too, was a member of the High Command, used to debating tactics, planning battle strategies, and delegating tasks for the good of the Alliance, her agenda today strayed far from the demands and decisions required by the High Command.

Mon Montha, with her hands folded regally on the table, looked down her nose at the princess and frowned. General Dodonna pulled on his beard and kept his eyes from the princess. It was hard to read Admiral Akbar's large eyes traveled around the room and settled on Leia, but his aquatic features were hard to read, though she doubted he felt any different than his colleagues. Leia felt like a child sitting there in front of these members of the High Command instead of one of their peers as she had been since her father perished on Alderaan. And perhaps her decision was interpreted as childish and selfish by her peers, but their disapproval and reprimands would not affect her decision.

"I'm taking a leave of absence." A statement, not a question. The princess lifted her chin and pressed her lips together.

Mon Montha exchanged looks with Admiral Akbar. "You have obligations to this Alliance," Mon Montha reminded her. "What about your commitment to our cause?"

Leia's large brown eyes glanced at Akbar and then met Mon Montha's steely blue eyes. "That commitment has not changed."

"This is a crucial time for the Alliance," Dodonna pointed out.

"Your timing *suck* couldn't be *suck* worse," Admiral Akbar added.

"You were trained for this all your life, and now you want to abandon the Alliance when we have the opportunity to go on the offensive against the Empire? It may be are only chance to end this war. You've been an integral asset to the Rebellion." Mon Month placed his hands on the table with fingers spread wide and leaned forward to emphasize her point. "What would your father think?"

Leia's breath caught in her throat, and she narrowed her eyes at the woman. Then in her mind, she could see the firm look on the face of the man who spent time with her as a child, General Carlist Reikken's. She heard his words from her childhood, Control your temper, Leilila. The princess released her breath. "My father would never leave a man behind in battle."

"Yes," Dodonna agreed. "But Han Solo wasn't lost in a battle. His past just caught up to him."

Leia's cheeks flushed red, "And that wouldn't have happened if Captain Solo didn't risk his life to get me off of Hoth."

"He was *suck* never a member *suck* of the Alliance," Akbar pointed out.

Leia inhaled and exhaled before speaking, "But he spent three years serving this Alliance risking his life on dangerous missions for you." Even though he believed the rebellion was doomed, Leia kept that thought to herself. "Maybe he never officially joined, but for all he's done for us, he deserves our help."

Mon Montha looked at Dodonna and then turned her eyes on Admiral Akbar.

"We should be sending troops to free him from Jabba the Hutt," Leia added.

Mon Montha pressed her lips together. "We've already had this discussion when Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian return with the news of Captain Solo's whereabouts." She sighed. "We don't have the man power."

"And that's why I have to go."

"You, Calrissian, and Chewbacca, are no match for a warlord," Dodonna pointed out. "It's a suicide mission."

The princess looked down at her folded hands resting on the table. Her knuckles were white. "Captain Solo thought the same thing when we attacked the first Death Star yet he came back and helped Luke destroy it."

"I assume Commander Skywalker is with them." Mon Montha raised an eyebrow, "that that's why he went AWOL."

Leia raised her eyes and said nothing. Maybe she should have gone AWOL as well.

"Our only Jedi," Mon Month shook her head. "He was needed here and he just leaves us."

"He'll return," Leia said, "just as I promise to do."

"The fleet will *suck* be amassing in Sullust. The attack *suck* on the Emperor's new battle station *suck* will commence soon once the *suck* Alliance has amassed at Sullust."

Leia looked down at the table. "I know." The princess then looked up at Akbar. "Once we recover Captain Solo, I will return and fulfill my duties."

"What if you fail?" Dodonna asked.

Anxiety pounded against Leia's ribs. "We can't fail," she quietly said though she didn't mean to say it out loud.

"It's a possibility," Dodonna's voice was as quiet as Leia's, and sympathy colored his words.

"Your decision is clouded by your emotions," Mon Montha accused. "You've never let your emotions get affect your decisions, not even after Alderaan."

A silence fell over the room at the mention of Alderaan. The princess never stopped to mourn the loss of her world when she returned to Yavin. She took on missions, tired herself out on the bases between Hoth and on Hoth. She had controlled her emotions; she was afraid she would break if she didn't. Then Han didn't give her a choice on their trip to Cloud City. He had helped her grieve and opened her heart.

"You've *suck* lost your perspective, Your Highness."

"There are consequences to your actions." Mon Montha's steely blue eyes stared into Leia's.

"All actions have consequences." Leia lifted her chin.

"You will no longer be a part of the High Command."

"I know." Leia's large brown eyes met Dodonna.

Looks of shock and surprise spread across the High Command's faces. Mon Montha showed no emotion.

"You can't change my mind." Leia stood up. "I am going to rescue Captain Solo even if it costs me my life."