"What do you mean?" she asked.

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Reia sighed frustratedly. "I don't know...the thought keeps bothering me....and I can't stop thinking about them...I feel like I need to go out there for some reason.." she turned to look at her. "Tell me I'm crazy."

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"You're not crazy..." she said, a smile on her face.

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Reia smiled and shook her head. She looked out the window again and asked, "Then what should I do?"

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"What does your heart tell you?"

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Reia thought for a moment. That wasn't something she was used to listening to...she always thought with her brain. She sighed. "I think I should go...but after I'm sure that Alderaan is safe."

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She smiled and said, "Listen to your heart...rather than your mind..."

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Reia shook her head frustratedly. "I <i>can't!</i> Even if I wanted to, I don't know how!" She turned to leave the room.

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"Reia." Eljaraj stopped her friend. "JUst do what yo think you should do..I won't stop you."

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Reia shook her head and walked out. "I'm staying - I have to." She had now blocked out anything she felt - for the sake of Alderaan and its safety. Or perhaps she was merely afraid....afraid and not willing to admit it - wanting only to stay in her arena where she knew she was safe.

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Eljaraj sighed and looked at Maraj. A day later, Eljaraj was heading toward Leia's room. Maraj had left earlier, and the young Jedi wanted to visit her cousin's daughter.

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Reia sat in the same Control room, eyes constantly on diagrams and charts. She sat continually with her chin in her hand, looking more like Obi-Wan Kenobi than she realized...or would have liked. She deliberately immersed her mind in this crisis...it was all that mattered right now.




Right?

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Eljaraj looked asher comlink beeped. "Lady Eljaraj...where is Reia?"

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Reia sighed and put her forehead in her hand. She was tired...not just physically tired, but something inside her felt like she just needed rest...pure rest...free of any worries...but that was something she wouldn't let herself do. She got up and walked to another monitor, looking over a technician's shoulder. The pilot had reported in - the ships were only cargo ships bringing food shipments. They were still on pins and needles about when to expect the Empire.

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Reia sighed and put her forehead in her hand. She was tired...not just physically tired, but something inside her felt like she just needed rest...pure rest...free of any worries...but that was something she wouldn't let herself do. She got up and walked to another monitor, looking over a technician's shoulder. The pilot had reported in - the ships were only cargo ships bringing food shipments. They were still on pins and needles about when to expect the Empire.

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"Probably checking up security, Viceroy." Eljaraj replied. "Well, can you tell her I need to talk to her?" "Yeah, I will." "You come too...it concern's Vader's arrival.

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