He stood in the shadows, a midnight blue cloak wrapping his entire body. This wasn’t the best part of Coruscant, but it had what he needed. He was nervous. "Why me," he asked the darkness.
"You know the answer to that," a voice said in his head.
He sighed and fidgeted a bit. He hated undercover work, but the voice was right. He knew why he was doing this.
"You may dress as if you should be here, but your stance says otherwise," a sultry voice said to him.
He forced himself not to jump and turned towards the human woman who now stood beside him. Her beauty stunned him. She was a little taller than he was and slight of build. Her long, black hair was braided and pulled over her left shoulder. She wore black body armor and did not seem to carry any weapons. "You must be who I’m looking for," he said.
"Depends on what you’re looking for," she said with a grin. Her teeth were pearly white and he swore she had fangs. "Why don’t you pull down that hood so we can chat face to face."
He was hesitant to lower his cover. Slowly, he raised his hands and pushed the hood back to his shoulders. His dark hair was ruffled and the beard on his chin looked only days old.
"There, isn’t that better? Now, what is it you are looking for?"
"It’s actually ‘who’ I’m looking for. You wouldn’t happen to be the assassin known as Ivy, would you?"
She grinned again. "Oh, you are looking for Ivy. I could be her." She ran a finger along his cheek. "Why would someone like you be looking for Ivy?"
He swallowed hard. The toughest part of this mission had finally arrived. "I need her services as an assassin."
"Then you have come to the right place." Ivy deftly pulled a rifle from her back and pushed the barrel up under his chin. She ran the cold steel down his throat seductively. "For I am Ivy, and for the right price, I will be at your service." Her ice blue eyes pierced through his consciousness.
He took a tentative step back to put some space between them. "Good. I believe I can find the right price." Though I wish I didn’t have to, he thought.
"What is it you wish of me, then?"
"I have heard you diligently served the Empire."
"At one time, perhaps. Now, I work for whoever pays the most. The Empire is almost completely gone."
"Yes, but many of their desires have not." How can I say such things?
That seemed to intrigue her. "And what may that be?"
"The removal of a thorn."
"Please, do not keep me in suspense. Who is it you wish me to exterminate?"
"Leia Organa-Solo." He winced inwardly as he said her name.
She looked at the man as if he had just slapped her. "You must be joking."
"Don’t think you can handle it?" How did I ever let him talk me into this?
"Of course I can handle it," she said regaining her composure. "My question is why?"
"To start the downfall of the New Republic. Without Organa-Solo, they will begin to fight internally and the Empire can come reclaim their home." His mouth soured as he said the words.
"Fair enough. How much?"
"Name your price. But this is for Leia only. Leave the rest of her family alone." At least he let me have that contingency.
She named a price, which he promised and gave her part up front. He gave her a mail address she should use when she was about to make her strike, so he could let the Empire know to be ready to charge in. With a smile on her face, she thanked him and disappeared.
Wedge leaned with his back against the transparisteel wall. He closed his eyes and shuddered as he thought of what he had just done. He had just sent an assassin to kill Leia.
"You did well," a voice said from beside him. It was the same as the one he had heard in his head earlier.
He opened his eyes and looked at the black-cloaked figure. "Tell me again, why did I do this?"
Luke pulled his hood down. "You did this for me, and for Leia. I need to test her abilities."
Wedge nodded solemnly. He had just put a mark on Leia’s head because Luke had asked him. What was wrong with this picture? Jedi are strange creatures.
Luke grinned. "You realize that you are also calling your sister strange."
Wedge blushed. Luke had read his thoughts. He was right. No matter, this whole thing felt wrong somehow. "I just have a bad feeling about this."
"Not to worry my friend. She is my sister, after all." Luke grinned, took his friend by the arm and led him away.
Wedge absently tapped his pen on the desk. He was supposed to be going over tomorrow’s duty roster, but his mind was elsewhere. This whole Leia thing had him bemused. He couldn’t understand how sending an assassin to kill her would test her Force abilities.
The knock on his door jarred him out of his reverie. "Come in."
Tycho Celchu entered with a pile of data cards in his hand. "Here are the recent graduates from the academy. I thought you might like to look them over."
Wedge sighed and took the cards from his XO. "Thanks Tycho."
Tycho paused for a moment before Wedge’s desk. "You ok?"
He was sorting through the cards absently. "I’m fine," he said without looking up.
Tycho watched him curiously as he began sorting the cards by color. "Are you sure? You’re sorting the cards by color, Wedge."
He looked down and saw what he was doing. "I can’t get anything past you."
The blonde man smiled and sat down. "Nope. You never could."
Wedge sighed again. "I’m in a rather sensitive predicament. I’m not sure what to do."
"Confiding in friends usually helps me."
He smiled. "True." He looked down at the cards in front of him. "How to word this." He ran a hand over the cards to mix them up. "I’ve found out about something, but I’m not sure how to handle it."
Tycho waited patiently for his commanding officer to continue.
Wedge looked up at him. "Aren’t you going to ask what it is?"
The other man smiled. "Well, if it’s something I should know, I’m sure you’ll tell me."
He shook his head and grinned. "Ok, you win. Well, I found out that a death mark has been placed on someone very prominent in the New Republic."
"Ok," Tycho responded carefully. "Do you know who this person is?"
He nodded slowly. "It’s Leia."
The blue eyes opened widely. "Really? Wow. Who would be stupid enough to do that?"
Wedge swallowed hard and lowered his head. "I don’t know, but from what I’ve heard, they hired one of the best assassins in the business."
Tycho whistled low. "That’s not good. So, what were you planning on doing? Tell Luke? Tell Leia?"
Wedge’s head snapped up. "I could never tell Leia. I don’t want to frighten her. I was thinking of maybe getting someone to watch her, you know, quietly."
"Why not use the Wraiths," Tycho responded matter-of-factly.
The Rogue leader’s eyebrows rose at the suggestion. "That might not be a bad idea."
The members of Wraith squadron filed into the briefing room. They each were surprised when they saw Wedge huddled with their Commander, Garik "Face" Loran, at the head of the room. Chatter immediately filled the room as everyone voiced their speculations. They quickly ceased talking when they heard Loran’s shrill whistle.
Wedge stood and addressed his former squad. "It’s nice to see everyone again, though I wish it was under better circumstances. It seems there has been a mark put out on Councilor Organa-Solo’s life." He swallowed back his admission to being the one who placed the mark.
"Any ideas of who might have placed the mark," asked Kell Tainer.
"The only thing we can think of is perhaps it is a former Imperial wanting to stir things up. This is going to be a volunteer mission. I can’t make any of you help."
"And why is that," asked Face.
"It’s because I’m doing this outside of protocol." That drew a murmur from the group. "I came across this information and felt I couldn’t trust anyone with it."
"I take it that the Councilor knows nothing," said Shalla Nelprin.
Wedge swallowed again. "No. She has not been told."
"Why don’t you tell Jedi Skywalker. Couldn’t he just concentrate and know who wants to kill his sister?"
Wedge sighed. He already knows, he wanted to say. "No. He is not very strong in precognition."
"What about Kelly," asked Tyria Sarkin. "Her powers are much stronger."
"Yes, but she doesn’t know Leia as well as she does you."
Tyria nodded in understanding.
Wedge breathed a sigh of relief. There was no way he could allow Kelly in on this. She would kill Luke and me for certain. "We will need to watch Leia without her knowing."
Face looked his crew over. Everyone seemed ready to get to work. "When do we start?"
Wedge entered the foyer of Leia’s offices. He was surprised that they were empty. "Hello, anyone here," he asked hesitantly to the room.
Winter emerged from Leia’s office. "Can I help you? Oh, Wedge! It’s good to see you."
He smiled and took her hand. He pulled her into a light hug. "It’s good to see you too. Is Leia here?"
She took a step back from him. "No, she had a Senate meeting this morning."
"Good. I have a favor to ask of you. And it has to do with Leia."
Winter raised an eyebrow and waited for the Corellian to continue.
Shalla watched the dignitaries file in and out of Councilor Organa-Solo’s office all day. She had lost count of how many different species she had seen. Leia certainly was a popular person. Its no wonder a former Imp wants her dead. Her death would probably begin a whole new war in the New Republic. An internal war that would divide the galaxy once again.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes. Her replacement should be here soon. That would give her time to go check something that had been bothering her all day. She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Elassar standing above her. "How many times have I told you not to do that," she queried.
The Devorian smiled, his sharp teeth gleamed like pearls. "Oh, at least a thousand. I’ve come to replace you." He squatted down beside her. "You look like you need the rest."
"Yeah, well, it’s been boring. Nothing happening yet."
"I get the feeling that you are not telling me everything."
She looked at him sternly. "Nothing is happening."
Elassar threw his hands up in defense. "Hey, I didn’t say it wasn’t. I only thought..."
"Quit. I’ll let Wedge know if there is anything else to worry about."
He quickly saluted. "Aye, aye, ma’am." His mouth spread into another toothy grin.
Shalla snorted and gathered her things. As she picked up her macrobinoculars, she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. It was the same shape she had been noticing all day. She stood and looked directly towards the shape. Nothing. It was gone. "See you later, Elassar," she said to the Devorian as she stepped back into the small office.
Shalla stretched her weary muscles as she exited the office building. This gave her the chance to scan the area. She saw nothing out of the ordinary and began walking off in the direction she last had seen the figure.
The street was crowded. Most people didn’t even look at her, or anyone else for that matter. This was the kind of crowd one could easily blend into. But that was exactly what she was looking for, someone who looked like they were blending into the crowd. Her eyes darted from person to person, evaluating each one.
She kept her search to the main thoroughfares near the Councilor’s building. There were beings of all sorts around. This made her job a bit harder in that she wasn’t familiar with all species.
A sudden movement towards an alleyway caught her eye. She immediately turned towards the alley. Glancing at the nearby buildings, she noted she was between the Councilor building and the former Imperial Center. She must be completely stupid or extremely smart, she thought to herself. The Imperial Center is now the home of the New Republic Intelligence.
It took a moment for her to realize she had referred to the assassin in feminine terms. She wondered why she would do that. Her eyes searched the alley and saw nothing.
She was about to turn around to leave when she felt the sting of the neurolizer in her chest. A tall shadow fell over her as the darkness swallowed her.
"What were you doing in that alley anyway," Wedge asked Shalla as he handed her a cup of caf.
One of General Cracken’s people had noticed her body and sent someone to check. She came to right as they got to her. She was escorted back to the Wraith’s base where Wedge immediately pulled her into his office. "I thought I had seen something when I came out to the street."
"Shalla, they found you on the opposite side of the Council building from where you were posted." Face looked sternly at his Lieutenant.
She sighed and sipped the caf.
Wedge was a patient man. It was a good thing when dealing with stubborn Lieutenants. He walked back behind his desk and sat. "We can wait here all evening if we have to, Shalla," he told her.
She looked him in the eyes. He saw how reluctant she was at revealing her information. "I had noticed something earlier in the day and was going to check it out."
"What was it," asked Face.
She turned to her superior. "I don’t know. I never got a good look at it."
"So what was it you were following into the alley?" Wedge questioned her further trying to draw the information from her.
"It may have been the assassin, or anyone else. I guess she caught me following her. I took a neurolizer to the chest."
"She?"
"I think it was a she. All I ever saw were shadows. Whoever it is, they are good."
Wedge nodded. He knew exactly what she had seen. It had to be her. Neurolizers are her specialty. The gnawing in his stomach resurfaced. He still felt like this had been a bad plan from the beginning. "Would you expect the Empire not to hire the best?"
"True," she replied.
"What did you tell the NRI people who found you?"
"That I was dive-bombed by a hawkbat and it hit me in the chest, knocking me down." She looked up at Wedge. "Sir, I’d really like to go get some rest and resume my search in the morning."
"Of course. This time take backup with you, ok?"
"Yes sir," she said as she stood. "Any suggestions?"
Face spoke up. "Take Kell or Runt with you."
Shalla nodded and walked out the door.
"Do you think she’s not telling us everything," Face asked after the door closed.
Wedge clasped his hands before him and leaned on his desk. "No, I think she told us everything she can remember. She is really lucky whoever it was didn’t kill her."
Face paled at that thought. He had lost squad members before, even in that way. But Shalla was different. She is the last person he would ever expect to be killed in such a manner. "I’ll make sure more than one person is looking after her."
"You do that. At least now we know we’re looking in the right place."
She opened the door to her room. It was sparsely furnished. The only indication that someone lived there was the pile of take-out food containers. She slipped her sniper rifle from her back and took off the armor jacket. Next, she undid the belt at her waist that held her Neurolizer and extra packs for her rifle. There also was a vibroblade hidden in a sheath on the back of the belt.
Ivy flopped down into the large, comfortable chair that sat in the corner next to the window. She picked up a carton from the side table and shook it. Empty. She tossed it against the opposite wall then put her head in her hands. What is wrong with me, she thought.
She pulled her hands from her face and looked at them. They looked so old. True, she was getting on in years. She was now in her late thirties. Few people lived this long in her business. Now was not the time to concern herself with aging. It was time for concentration. She had been sloppy and therefore was spotted by someone.
And I didn’t kill her.
The words echoed through her head. She has refrained from killing before. This was different. This was someone she should have killed. Why didn’t she? Why did she only stun the woman?
Her thoughts haunted her as she fell into a deep and dark sleep.
Leia was standing at the window looking out at the city as Winter entered. She quietly placed the datachips that needed the Councilor’s signature on the desk, then turned to leave.
"Winter?"
"Yes Leia?"
Leia turned to look at her friend. Winter had always been by her side, or so it seemed. Ever since she first started to come to Coruscant, before the Rebellion, before the New Republic, when Palpatine was still in power, Winter was with her. She was her confidant. Her best friend. The one person she could always count on. "Cancel all my afternoon appointments. You and I are going out."
Winter looked at her curiously. "If that is what you wish, consider it done."
Leia smiled at the confused look. "I’m being spontaneous, Winter. We need some time off and I am in the mood to go shopping."
Having known her for so long, Winter knew that wasn’t all going through Leia’s mind. She just smiled and went out the door. Once in the outer office, she pulled a comlink from her desk. She spoke into the microphone. "The bird is about to fly." She turned it off and replaced it in her desk.
Ivy lowered the macrobinoculars from her eyes and smiled. Leia had just canceled all her afternoon appointments and was going out. Perfect. She was sure Leia would not let her guards go with her. Moving to a public comm station, she sent a message to her Imperial contact. The time is now.
Piggy Sa’Bring almost fell from his chair when the comm station lit up. He listened to the message. "The bird is about to fly." He quickly pushed another button and began to speak. "We have movement about to happen. Get to your stations."
Dia Passik returned the comlink to her pocket and quickly picked up the small bowl and sign she had placed on the street. She noticed that there was about fifteen creds in the bowl. Not bad for half a days work, she thought with a grin. She dumped the contents into her pocket as she pulled her cloak on. Dropping the bowl and sign, she slipped into the dark alleyway.
Tyria Sarkin didn’t have to turn on her comlink. She already knew they were about to go into action. Sometimes she cursed her Force sense. This time, however, she appreciated it. She turned and ran down the stairs to the lobby to take up her position.
Shalla scanned the buildings around her. She was sure the assassin was here somewhere, she just didn’t know where. She jumped slightly when Kell tapped her on the shoulder. "She’s moving," he said. She nodded and the two Wraiths slipped into the shadows near the Council building.
A lone figure stood above them all, watching, waiting. He smiled as he saw them all getting ready for battle.
THE TIME IS NOW.
Wedge read the message over again and still could not believe it. Everything was finally happening. He was positive he wouldn’t like the outcome. He had to do something.
"Wedge, there’s a call for you." Tycho’s voice piped through his comm station.
"Who is it?"
"Kelly."
What does she want, he wondered as he turned on the vid.
"Veggie? Is everything ok?"
"Everything is fine, Princess. Why do you ask?"
"I got a sense of great turmoil from you. What’s going on?"
He closed his eyes. There was no fooling a Jedi, especially if she’s your sister. "It’s nothing I can’t handle. Don’t worry."
Her image crackled and faded in an out. "Damn sun. Sorry about the connection. Well, if you are sure you’re ok..."
"Positive. Thanks for calling, though. You helped me to make up my mind."
"Make up your mind?"
"I’ll tell you later. Take care." He reached over and switched the vid off. Yes, she had helped him make up his mind. He reached over, grabbed his blaster holster and strapped it around his waist.
They had lunch at their favorite restaurant, Memories of Alderaan. Afterward, they did some window shopping. They laughed and giggled like schoolgirls. Leia was so relaxed.
They were standing in front of a dress shop when Leia suddenly got very quiet. "What is it," asked Winter.
"Someone is following us."
Being Intel trained, Winter knew not to look. "How do you know?"
"I feel a sense of darkness."
That had to be the assassin Wedge mentioned.
"But, also a bit of distress and confusion."
That was nothing like an assassin. Winter was confused.
"Come on," Leia said as she grabbed her arm. She pulled her around the next corner.
"What are they doing," asked Kell. "They just ducked around a corner." He rose to follow them.
Shalla scanned the area. "Wait," she said grabbing his arm. She watched the corner carefully. There! "She’s behind them. Let’s go." She stood and took of, not bothering to see if Kell was following.
Ivy slipped around the corner. She stayed against the wall and quietly moved forward. Darkness enveloped the end of the alley. She cursed herself for not bringing her infrared goggles. About halfway down, she froze. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
From within the darkness, a form moved. Then a light ignited. A green blade illuminated the slight form of its wielder. Ivy’s heart jumped into her throat as she realized it was Leia. She kept her eyes glued on the blade.
A movement in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Pulling her launcher from her back, she shot a neuronet at the larger of two forms. She dropped the launcher, pulled out her rifle and fired at the other form. The blue bolt shuddered through a dumpster.
Shalla moved when she saw her prey turn. She grimaced when the net captured Kell. That’s going to sting. The woman pulled something else from behind her back and fired towards her. She dove behind a dumpster and pulled out her blaster. The shot shook the dumpster.
Ivy cursed and ducked behind a pile of boxes. She was trapped. A lightsaber to one side and a blaster on the other. Scanning the area didn’t reveal any other escape options. Tears filled her eyes as she realized she was doomed. I can’t believe it’s going to end like this. She closed her eyes and prepared to meet her maker.
She snapped her eyes open when she felt the hand on her shoulder. A cloaked figure stood beside her. She was positive he was Death himself. "So, this is the end," she said.
"No," he replied shaking his head. "I can’t let this happen." He pulled down the hood of his cloak.
"You’re General Antilles," she said in shock. "Why are you helping me?"
"Because it’s my fault you’re in this mess."
She looked at him curiously. Change the hair and add a beard and you had the man who hired her for this job. "But why?"
"It’s a long story," he said over his shoulder. He walked out to the middle of the alley with his hands up. "Don’t fire."
"Wedge?" Leia lowered her blade. "What are you doing here?"
"Um, protecting a would-be assassin." Wedge blushed.
"She can’t be an assassin. She had the chance to kill all of us, but didn’t. I sense much confusion within her. Maybe at one time she was what you say, but not now."
Ivy stepped forward with her hands before her. She looked over and saw the woman she had shot with the neurolizer holding a blaster aimed at her head. "You are right Councilor," she said. "I have never had feelings like these before. I always knew my mission and followed it to the letter. This one, somehow, was different."
"That is because your values have changed," said a voice from above. A dark, cloaked figure nimbly dropped to the ground.
Leia was as surprised as Wedge when she recognized the voice, though Wedge seemed to grimace a bit more. "Luke, what are you….." She stopped as her brother lowered the cowl of his cloak and turned to her with a smile. Her face became stern. "This was all your doing?"
Shalla was confused, but lowered her blaster as Luke nodded. "Yes, it was my idea," he said. "It was a test."
"A test," queried Leia. "You hired someone to kill me as a test?"
Wedge winced at Leia’s harsh tone.
"You were not the only one I was testing," Luke said in his normal even tone. He turned his eyes to meet Ivy.
Her brow furrowed. "Me? You were testing me?" She looked confused. "Why?"
"I have been watching you for awhile now. The first time I saw you, I felt a spark of the Force come from you. It is buried deep within you."
She held up her hands in defense. "Wait a minute. Are you trying to tell me that I might be Jedi material?"
The Jedi Master nodded. "It is quite possible, however it is slim."
"No, no, no, no." She shook her head. "There is no way. I could never be one of those."
"But you have just proven you can. You have had many opportunities to kill any one of us, yet you haven’t. You have gained a conscious, Mira Keraton."
Her mouth dropped open in shock. "How?"
"Like I said, I have been watching you for a while. I will not go into other details with the present company. They need not know what I do."
During the conversation, Shalla leaned to Wedge and whispered in his ear. "If what he’s saying is true, she would a valuable asset to the Wraiths. We haven’t had a marksman since Donos went to the Rogues."
"Yes, but learning about her skills should be her first thought. She should come with me to the Academy."
Shalla glared at the Jedi Master for having listened to her.
"Wait," Mira said raising her hands to belay any further conversation. "Don’t I get a say in this?"
"Of course you do," Luke responded.
"I have a suggestion." All eyes turned to the Rogue and Wraith commander. "The Wraiths are in need of a marksman. Tyria could work with her on her Force abilities."
"But she is only an apprentice herself."
"Yes, but she knows enough to help Ivy understand the Force."
Luke closed his eyes for a moment then nodded. "Yes. I agree. Being among those who have had similar problems to hers would help also."
"What do you mean," asked Ivy.
"The Wraiths are made up of misfits who just can’t get along with anyone else," Shalla said. "Basically, we’re not the best pilots, but have other skills to offer."
Ivy nodded slowly. "Ok. I’ll do it. I’ll do anything that will keep me fed."
Wedge smiled and extended his hand to the woman. "Welcome to the Wraiths."
Epilogue
"You wanted to see me, sir," asked Flight Officer Mira Keraton from the doorway to Wedge’s office.
He looked up and smiled. "Yes, please come in and have a seat."
The woman moved like a cat and quietly sat in the chair before his desk. He noted that she sat up straight as if she would bolt out the door if needed. It was taking a long time for her to trust everyone. "What can I do for you?"
Wedge stood and went to shut the door. He felt her eyes upon him at all times. Returning to his desk, he sat and propped his elbows on the edge. He clasped his hands together. "Mira, I just wanted to thank you."
A shocked and confused look crossed her face. "For what?"
"For not telling anyone that I was the one who hired you."
"But you weren’t," she said rather matter-of-factly. "Skywalker made it known in the alley that it was his doing."
"Yes, but..."
She raised a hand to stop his protest. "I know all the stories. You and Skywalker have been friends since Yavin. Obviously, he asked you to be the go-between because his face is much more easily recognized than yours. I knew from the beginning you weren’t capable of hiring an assassin." She let a smile cross her face. "You look too innocent."
Wedge blushed. "Well, thanks anyway."
"I should be thanking you. I like this getting to eat every day thing."
He grinned. "That is nice, isn’t it? I think you’ve made a pretty good addition to the New Republic."
