The Rebel Faction

"Well, I am sorry to dissapoint you, but this bridge is quite boring" Leia said as she led the way. She grinned.

"And personally, I prefer way on <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> this<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> ship. Exciting means trouble, of course"

They stepped through the blast doors to the bridge, and not two steps in Leia spoke in a good natured yet mock complaining tone.

"Are we there yet Captain?"

A greying middle aged clean shaven man with his hands clasped behind his back turned to greet the newcomers. He put on a showy expression of admonishment.

"You should know the answer to that question, young lady" He responded.

"I'm not really all that young anymore, I'm afraid..." Leia said with a sigh.

"True, true" The man said thoughtfully, and then his eyes settled on Amalia.

"Ah, company?"

"Yep" Leia nodded.

The man surprised Amalia by taking her hand and bowing elegantly, kissing it.

"Ah, the lovely Amalia, I've heard much about you, it's a pleasure to have you on my..."

"...Garbage scow..." Leia cut him off.

"Heeeyyyy..." He said, and wagged a finger at her.

She cleared her throat.

"Anyways..."

Leia gave Amalia a good natured mental jab in the ribs.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I have known the Captain for a long time Amalia, we have this same conversation every time I step foot on this bridge... it's just an odd little ritual... fun, and a constant.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"Reversion in 5 Sir" an officer attending a station nearby announced.

"Very well" the Captain said, and turned away from Amalia and Leia with a respectful nod so that he could go about his work. Leia meanwhile ambled over to the Command chair and dropped into it, throwing her legs up over one arm of it so that she rested in it sideways. She studied Amalia.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> You think negative thoughts, have a negative air. What bothers you?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> No. It is because people care about you and want to hear about you.... me included.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Leia sighed.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> There is little that I hide from you Amalia. I notice that when you look at me, you always are looking for weaknesses, something you can help me with, for what in your mind would be a "for once".

I was brought up to be, I was trained, I have always been, for it is my role and I like it that way, the one who gives all but takes little, attends to others but is rarely attended to herself. Your help and support to me does not come in the form in which I have given to you and you wish to return, it comes from your simply being here.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

She locked gazes with Amalia, an expression of earnesty on her face.

"I can't explain it any better than that. That has always been me, and probably always be me in this known universe."

She smiled, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Hey, I was brought up as Royalty, who ever said I was easy to live with?"

Leia picked at the arm of the chair in which she sat with a long fingernail, then as if decisively, she sat up straight and turned so that she could fully face Amalia again. She found herself staring at Amalia's back.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I don't think you deserve it.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Amalia paused in her walk. Leia continued.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I think I do.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

All of Leia's will suddenly was bent into an impulse towards Amalia, one which made her turn around... and look Leia in the eye again. Probably the only thing that Amalia had reacted to in that impulse was not it's command, for it lacked any command at all, but it's deeply rooted plea.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I think... I am afraid to do what you ask. Every time I do go through with giving myself to somebody else... I lose them. Forever.....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

This time it was Leia who broke the eye contact, she averted her eyes to the ground...


And blinked away a tear which rebelliously formed in her eye.

Leia sighed and shifted again in her seat.

The bridge crew was finishing their countdown, and she diverted her attention to watching the turmoil of hyperspace reorganize itself into familiar pinpricks of light.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I don't just block it from you when I do that Amalia, I block it from me too. It helps me get by,<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> she offered, though it seemed more like an admittance than a statement.

She turned to look at Amalia again.

"But I will remember..."

She nodded.

"And I shall use...."

The crew had been smartly ignoring the half vocalized and highly unfollowable conversation the two Jedi had been having, but now the Captain interrupted it to announce to Leia;

"We're here, Ma'am."

Leia merely nodded in acknowledgement, and he left them to themselves again.

"So, here we are...."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> And hopefully, we will be more than just here...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->