General Madine and Commander Blake were expecting them as Han and Leia arrived at the Command Centre, hot and out of breath. Madine had called up a holo-image of the surrounding terrain on the central console, complete with the mountain range, the valley beyond and the base location. Leia went straight to the console.

"There." She pointed to the position of the outpost. "I'd say about the size of a small hanger, maybe 30 or 40 men if it's fully manned, and a landing platform beyond, large enough for one or two ships." It was an educated assessment as they hadn't seen that many men but a fair one based on Leia's experience of Imperial stations. As she described it, a tech officer entered the details and a representation of the outpost appeared on the map.

"You're sure they're Imperials?" Madine enquired. He knew he didn't really need to ask her that but he needed it to sink in to his own mind that there was an Imperial platoon on the same planet.

"We've observed six storm troopers outside with the transports but didn't see any more. It's a sure bet there are more inside though." Han confirmed.

"We need to send in a squad," Leia continued. "At this stage it's too risky for air assault and we don't have the ships at the moment anyway. We'll need to send them round through the East or West pass." Leia indicated the route on the holo-map. "It will take longer but the way we just used, the troops would certainly be seen before they got close enough." Her suggested route was entered into the computer by the tech officer and appeared on the map as she spoke. "The outpost has sensors so, whatever we do, those will need to be disabled as a priority." The general nodded.  "The East pass should afford some cover until the men are close, then we could send in drones to knock out the sensors on that side. It will be more risky where the pass widens though. They'll have to cross quite a bit of ground with little or no cover."

Leia spoke quickly, her mind running through the best routes, the best strategy, her tactical mind racing. She looked concerned. "I don't really want to risk the squad on such a loose plan, General. We haven't scouted that area completely yet but, at the same time, we can't leave the children to the Empire and we don't have long before the ship arrives that could be taking them off-world. We may already be too late." Leia was calculating the time it would take to travel the extra distance through the pass, the risks of the ill-conceived tactics, the possible reasons behind the capture of children. Battle strategy was normally her strength and it went against her better judgement to follow through with this. She ran a hand over her hair then placed both fists on the edge of the console, biting her lower lip, her sharp eyes surveying the terrain for a better solution. There didn't seem to be one.

"It's the only way round without ships," Han reassured her. "They'd be seen going over the top." She looked grim. She didn't want to send ships at this stage, however few they had. Troops were the only option.

"I know. It just feels too rushed, too risky. I feel like I should be going with them." She continued to stare at the console, it's green hue accentuating the consternation on her face, as General Madine ordered the squad to depart.

"You're better off here. At least until we know what we're up against." Han tried to sound like he was talking sense but knew she hated risking lives on a bad plan that she wouldn't undertake herself; knew she would risk her own life first. "We can't do much for the moment. Why don't you get some rest. I'll go and make sure Chewie has prepped the Falcon in case we're needed."

"General Solo is right, Senator. You haven't had much rest. We will inform you as soon as is necessary," Blake confirmed. Leia looked at them both blankly, and then, what they had said filtered through the thoughts of battle. She turned to Madine.

"Call me when they reach the pass." She turned on her heel and left the Command Centre. Madine looked at Han.

"She'd fight every battle herself if she could," he noted. "Been the same since she was little," he informed him. Madine and Mon Mothma had been close allies with the Organas for many years and Han knew Madine was very protective of Leia.

"Tell me about it," he agreed. He turned to Blake. "Make sure she rests. She's had hardly any sleep." Blake nodded and Han left for the landing platform to find Chewbacca.

#

Blake left the generals and battle chatter behind, making her way through the base corridors towards the princess's quarters to ensure she was able to rest. She enjoyed her job. Despite warnings from counterparts in the military that becoming a personal aide to one of the New Republic senators would be boring, she had found it anything but so far, but then, she had deliberately orchestrated her career decisions to get her to this point - to work for Leia Organa.

Bored with the prospects of a career in animal husbandry or agriculture in the Alderaanian mountain village where she was born, she had travelled to the capital to join the academy, studying politics and taking every opportunity to demonstrate her knowledge to her superiors. Proud of the leadership of Viceroy Bail Organa and the example he set in the Republic Senate, she watched the rise of young Senator Leia Organa with fascination. With determination and application to her career she won a position on a trusted team running missions for the Viceroy on behalf of the Rebel Alliance, one such mission she had been on when Alderaan had been destroyed. Listening to stories of Leia's dedication to the Alliance and her war record, she resolved to work hard to become part of Leia's team and mentioned her name as often as she could, volunteering for any missions she thought might get her closer to being posted near the front line.

It was both a pleasure and a surprise when Blake was told she had been personally selected by the princess to interview for a position on her staff. She wasn't aware that the princess had any idea who she was but, since getting to know her better, realised that Leia made it a personal duty to carefully review the career records of all Alliance personnel both for security reasons and to identify specific talent.

She had only ever seen the princess from a distance on Alderaan and, since then, only on holo-vid reports, so it was with great trepidation, she recalled, that she entered Leia's office, having waited so long for this opportunity, not knowing quite what to expect from Leia's reputation as a fierce taskmaster. The small but neatly presented younger woman all in white behind the desk was yet another surprise.

She remembered that Leia had risen to shake her hand, thanking her for coming and had moved round to the front of the desk to eliminate any separation between them. A friendly move that Blake had appreciated. Leia had asked her questions about why she had joined the military, about her career so far, going into detail about specific missions and demonstrating that she had extensive knowledge of Blake's record, looking occasionally up from Blake's report data on her pad to study her face and listen carefully to her answers. She was thorough. She had then moved on to more casual questions about politics which Blake realised later in the conversation, were a measured test of her political leanings and her knowledge. In fact, towards the end of her interview, the princess had made an error when discussing a point of Republic law. Blake had politely corrected her but, looking at the princess's stony expression, thought that this was when she had ruined her chances of getting the job. The princess turned and put her data pad down on the desk, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

"I would like to offer you a job, Blake," she had said to her.

Stunned, Blake had replied,

"On your staff, Ma'am?" The princess smiled warmly.

"Not just on my staff, Blake. I would like to offer you a job as my personal aide, if you are willing to accept the position." 

Blake had been speechless for a few seconds, kicking herself afterwards for embarrassing herself. She had been offered her career goal and more.

"I would be honoured, Ma'am," she replied eventually. The princess had looked humbly at her.

"The honour is mine, Blake. Your record is exemplary and your knowledge invaluable, and I need someone brave enough to correct me when I am wrong." She had shaken her hand again. "It's a challenging job but varied so I hope it will suit you for a while."

Varied and challenging it had been, and Blake was not disappointed. The princess kept her busy but didn't work her any harder than she worked herself and always treated her with respect, as an equal, a confidant. She had equal respect for the princess; a kind, plain-spoken, unpretentious but exacting woman, and from that respect came endless loyalty, something shared by all the princess's staff.

She smiled to herself with pride as she paused now outside Leia's quarters and rang the door chime.

"Come in, Blake," Leia replied as if she could see through the door. She smiled as Blake entered, and offered an explanation. "Han sent you, didn't he?"

"Yes, Ma'am," she admitted. "But I would have come anyway. It's been a while since you had a proper sleep. I wanted to check if there was anything I can get done to give you the opportunity to rest." Leia smiled.

"I knew he would. He does fuss. There's nothing pressing at the moment. No doubt you'll check on the messages from the Senate and let me know if anything requires urgent attention. Otherwise it can all wait."

"Yes, ma'am." Blake hesitated and Leia spotted her reticence.

"What is it, Blake? Out with it," she encouraged.

"Your sleeping pattern is still erratic. Would you like me to speak to the med team and get you something to help?" Leia shook her head.

"No thank you. It will just make me groggy if I have to get up in a hurry. I'll go without for now." Blake looked dubious. "Don't worry. I promise I'll see someone when all this nonsense dies down, if I still need to," Leia assured her. Blake nodded.

"I'll leave you to rest then." She turned to leave.

"Blake?" Leia called after her. "Thanks." Blake nodded respectfully and left.

#

Leia hadn't realised just how tired she was but, barely in her chambers alone but a few minutes after Blake had left, she must have fallen asleep because she was now being woken by the sound of her door chimes being urgently rung. It wasn't that the noise was particularly loud but she had woken with a start and was beginning to feel that cold, shaky feeling that occurred after too short a nap.

Lying flat on her back on her bed, still fully clothed, she half remembered thinking she would just rest her head a moment. Instead, according to the florescent white readout on her bedside environment monitor, it has been a couple of hours. It was a reasonable rest for her; she never got more than two or three hours sleep at a time. She was plagued with nightmares every sleeping moment of an experience four years ago; of torture and the destruction of Alderaan. The kind that woke her suddenly with tears on her cheeks, sometimes shouting out, always struggling for breath and covered in sweat. She was quite glad, for all she wanted him beside her, that Han hadn't spent a whole night with her to witness it. He might wonder what he'd got himself into. Still, two hours; a reasonable nap, just not quite enough for her to feel refreshed.

She sat on the edge of the bed.

"Come in," she called wearily but loudly so as to be heard from the bedroom and through the main room. The door slid open and C-3PO entered, looking around for a moment before spotting her through the doorway.

"Oh, my apologies, Your Highness. I had no idea you were sleeping," he fretted.

"It's alright, 3PO. What is it?" 3PO stepped forward a little.

"General Madine has requested you join him in the Command Centre. Shall I tell him you are indisposed?" Leia had to smile a little at his terminology.

"No, 3PO. That's alright. Tell him I'll be there shortly." Leia rose and went to her refresher unit to splash water on her face. 3PO nodded jerkily, his stiff limbed gait turning him round and the whirring of his servos fading as he left the chamber. Throwing on a jacket to ward off the cold shivers that came with tiredness, she quickly made her way to the Command Centre where General Madine was waiting to greet her.

"The squad are making their way through the pass now." They both stood to view the progress on the holo-map. "They should be able to see the outpost in approximately 15 minutes." Leia nodded. She was feeling tense again and began to pace, her arms folded across her middle. Waiting for an update made time seem to pass too slowly.

"Pull up an expanded view, please," she instructed the tech officer opposite her, and he obliged, displaying a close up, more detailed view of the pass with accurate positions of each squad member.

Luke and Han arrived in the Command Centre and came to stand by the central console, studying the little red lights of the squad movements. As he watched, Luke got a cold, sinking feeling and glanced over at Leia, who hadn't acknowledged their presence since they arrived. She was engrossed in the holo-map. She pointed suddenly. "There. What's that?" She had noticed a blip appear on the map a little ahead of the squad.  Not flickering.  Not human.  A blip that appeared when weaponry was detected. At the same time, the comms went berserk as the sound of the squad commander's voice echoed round the cave room from various comms stations at once, interspersed with static interference.

"We're taking fire!" he shouted. "Two turrets either side of the pass!" The sound of the heavy proton guns could now be heard along with shouts and screams as the squad sustained losses. One by one the little red flickering lights were being extinguished. This is what Luke had felt, just before Leia had spotted it and the troops had experienced it.

"Pull them back!" Leia ordered, slamming her fist on the side of the console in frustration. "How did we not pick up those guns before now?" she exclaimed.

"Pull back!" Madine gave the order to the commander.  More gunfire. Leia looked at him, deep concern screwing up her face.

"We're pinned down!" the commander's voice again over the comm. "The guns are incessant! We have no chance of moving positions. We need back up now," he reported.

"They need air support. They know we're here now, so we've blown the chance of surprise." Leia was decisive. She knew it was going to be a slim chance as most of the ships were on escort missions too far away to make a difference. "How many ships do we have?" she asked Madine.

"Only three fighters in a condition to fly. Another undergoing emergency maintenance. But the pilots have just returned from long haul and are in no condition to go into battle."

"It's up to us then." Madine stared at her trying to calculate whether he had understood her correctly.

"Leia, we can't risk you." Leia wasn't about to entertain an argument.

"We have no choice. We are so thin on the ground, we all need to muck in. Besides, they'll be killed if we don't do something quickly." She turned and pointed at Luke. "Luke, I'm going to need you." She set off running out of the room.

"Wait... Leia!" Luke shouted as he ran after her. Han looked quickly at Madine.

"Shouldn't you stop her?" he quizzed urgently. Madine shrugged sardonically.

"If you want to try, Solo, go ahead. You're probably the only one who would get a response." Han considered that for a moment.

"Yeah, you might be right but it wouldn't be a good one." He left the command centre at a brisk run.