Bloodline

by Claudia Gray

So much for the supposed “equality” of the office arrangements; status could be carved out of any substance people desired—and in Leia’s experience, they always did desire.

She was the kind of pretty that wasn’t merely seen—instead it hit you like a tidal wave.

This woman was so far out of Joph’s league that even a crush was impossible. It would’ve been like getting lovesick over a sunset.

Leia had watched as Luke slowly overcame his grief for Obi-Wan Kenobi and his aunt and uncle, while learning about gunnery, ship repair, and countless other things from Han. The sarcasm and wit Han used disguised his concern from Luke, and even Leia took a while to realize that Han was looking out for her, too.

“Sabacc, if you don’t mind.” Their smiles sharpened, the telltale sign of those who expected to make some money in short order. Sabacc was notoriously tricky, and the odds were always in the house’s favor. But few sabacc players had learned the game from Han Solo and Lando Calrissian.

“He’s the type they liked to recruit. The Empire, I mean. Casterfo is just the sort of person they promoted in their ranks. Privileged and proper and self-important.” Nobody spoke. Greer figured the others, like her, had no idea what to say. “I can just see him in an Imperial uniform,” Princess Leia continued. “And I think that’s how he likes to see himself.”

A tyrant can make anything seem to be ‘the will of the people.’

Casterfo hadn’t asked them to vote for anything, only to vote against a despised, deadlocked bureaucracy.

She ran for the cockpit, where the pilot was so hard at work he didn’t even turn around. “Sorry I’m late, sweetheart,” said Han. She slipped into the empty copilot’s chair beside him. “Honey, you’re right on time.”

She realized, then, something she had never fully understood before. She’d always wondered what had led her father to turn to the dark side, to become Darth Vader. She’d imagined it came from ambition, greed, or some other venal weakness. Never had she considered that the turn might begin in a better place, out of the desire to save someone or to avenge a great wrong. Even if it led to evil, that first impulse might be born of loyalty, a sense of justice, or even love.

“The sun is setting on the New Republic,” Leia said. “It’s time for the Resistance to rise.”