Mon Mothma answered first. “Princess Leia?”
“Yes—hold on, I’m getting my mom—” Queen Breha shimmered into holographic form in the office, wearing the exercise gear no one but her family would ever see her in. Before her mother could even ask what was happening, Leia blurted out, “The Empire knows about Paucris Major.”
Her mother blanched so visibly it was clear even via holo. Mon Mothma’s voice was sharp. “How do you know this?”
“I didn’t go snooping, I swear—”
“It doesn’t matter if you did!” Breha said. “How do you know?”
“Tarkin called me to his office. Acted like it was this friendly mentoring thing, but he was sounding me out. Saying things that suggested I’d inherit the throne soon.” Her mother’s hand went to her own throat, a sight that seared Leia almost past endurance. “Then he was naming far-off systems like it was random, but he named Paucris. He was looking directly at me. I’m positive he did it to rattle me. There’s no way that’s a coincidence.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Mon Mothma sounded as though she’d aged years in mere seconds. “We have to send a messenger to warn them—we can’t trust droid probes with this, and we hardly know who to trust until we’ve patched Winmey’s leaks—”
“I can’t leave Alderaan,” Breha said. “We’re holding a medals ceremony in only a few hours.”
“Nobody cares about the medal ceremony,” Leia began before her mother cut her off with a gesture.
“Of course nobody cares about that, sweetheart, but if I suddenly cancel a public event, word will travel back to the Empire. For all we know, they’re already prepared to strike. We can’t run the risk of tipping them off, or else they’ll pounce before we can evacuate.”
“I have a meeting with one of the grand admirals this evening,” Mon Mothma said. “Princess, you must go, immediately.”
As much as she’d hoped to do for this movement, as often as she’d begged to help, Leia hadn’t expected to be called on for anything as urgent and serious as this. Yet she understood instantly. A senator or a queen would be missed; an apprentice legislator would not. Leia already had all the information necessary to complete her task. And their trust in her was absolute.
“I’ll leave right away,” Leia promised. “Is the Polestar on Coruscant?”
“It’s here on Alderaan.” Her mother swore, which under other circumstances would’ve been shocking. “You’ll have to hire a ship. An independent freighter, the type not to ask too many questions.”
That sounded intimidating, but Leia nodded.
Mon Mothma added, “As tight as time may be, you should stop somewhere along the way and change ships. We don’t want anyone to be able to track your movements directly.”
“Got it,” Leia promised. “I’ll need credits.” The funds necessary to hire at least two freighters went beyond even the generous stipend she had on Coruscant.
“I’ll personally bring you an untraceable credit solid,” Mon Mothma said. “Where are you?”
“Dad’s office.”
The only goodbye that followed was the click of a voice link deactivating. Leia refocused on her mother, who had sunk into a chair, her hands woven through her loose hair. Breha said only, “I’m not even going to ask how you know about Paucris.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Leia admitted.
“You realize that the Empire could be moving in on our base there even now?” Her mother was shaking so much that it was visible even through the blur of the holo. “You realize the danger you’re in? I can’t let you go unless I know you understand, completely.”
“I understand.” Yet she wasn’t as afraid as she’d been in Tarkin’s office. She’d come to realize that she would never be overwhelmed by fear as long as she had something to do. Leia’s mind raced ahead to the journey, the message, to all the details that would carry her onward and keep her from imagining her arrest by the Empire and the horrors that would surely follow. “I’m all right, Mom. I’m ready.”
“Yes, I think you are.” Breha blinked fast. It hit Leia that her mother knew both her husband and her daughter were in imminent danger, and yet there was nothing she could do but perform her duty, wear her crown, and smile. It seemed unbearable. Yet she lifted her hand as though she could touch Leia’s face and said, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Instantly the holo went dark. Leia understood why. Extending the conversation would only have tormented her mother. It was better to focus on what had to be done. The Apprentice Legislature didn’t have another session for a few days—she’d turned in her proposals early, as usual, so that deadline didn’t matter—Harp had invited her over to watch some holovids tomorrow, by which time Leia would either be back or in prison—
“Kier,” she whispered. He would still be waiting for her in their family’s apartments, in suspense. When she snapped open a new holo-channel, he appeared in front of her almost instantly; he must’ve been waiting directly in front of the camera. “I’m all right,” she began. “But I think Tarkin’s on to my parents. I have to go to the Paucris system, right away.”
“Wait, what?” Kier put his hands out as if he could dam the flood of information. “You have to go where?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Really she shouldn’t have burdened him with that information in the first place, but everything was happening so fast. Leia continued, “Just cover for me if anyone asks, okay? Tell them I had to go home on short notice.”
“Leia, this sounds bad.”
She nodded. “It could be. But maybe—maybe I’ll be in time.” Holding her hand out, much as her mother had, she said, “I’ll talk with you soon.” Please, let that be true.
Kier looked like he wanted to argue, but he also knew when arguing with her would prove useless. “Soon,” he repeated. “Promise?”
“Promise.” With that, she shut off the holo, leaving herself alone in unnatural stillness for a few breaths. It was almost long enough for fear to creep in—but then Mon Mothma rushed through the doors, white robe fluttering, more flustered than Leia had ever seen her before.
“Credit solid,” Mon Mothma said, breathless. “Linked to banks so obscure even Palpatine doesn’t have their information, and adequate to cover the cost of ten ships if you need them.”
Leia took the gold-striped solid and slipped it into one of the secure pouches at her belt. “If two ships won’t do it, eight more won’t help.” It was gallows humor, but it helped her smile.
Mon Mothma paused, still winded, obviously searching for wisdom or at least helpful advice. Then she shook her head, put her hands on Leia’s shoulders and spoke the only words that mattered. “May the Force be with you.”