Rebel Force_ Target Part 15

"I can," Leia drew a deep, shuddering breath. Maybe it was time to take her own advice. She'd kept her feelings-her pain-locked up for so long. Maybe just saying the words out loud, just telling someone about what she had lost, maybe that would help salve the wound. "I can know, because...because of Alderaan."

Her voice caught on the word.

Elad's expression didn't change. It was as if he'd known this moment would arrive. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She had already decided on her answer, but was surprised to find how deeply she meant it. "Yes."

X-7 confirmed that his encrypted communication line was secure, then activated the transmission. The others were all in the main hold, so there was no risk anyone would overhear.

"I've gained the trust of the Rebels," he informed the Commander. It was a relief to drop the hearty heroism of the Elad persona and relax into the blankness of his true self.

"The goal is close at hand."

"Excellent," the Commander replied. "I expect you to secure the information about our target as soon as possible. Time is of the essence."

"I may already have a lead."

"Keep me informed," the Commander said, and signed off.

X-7 decided to join the others in the main hold. No need to sequester himself anymore, now that their leader had accepted him.

More than accepted him, he thought with cool pleasure. Sought comfort in him.

Friendship. He had done well in his formulation of the Tobin Elad ident.i.ty. As predicted, the wounded, n.o.ble warrior was exactly the person Leia wanted in her life. Even if she hadn't realized it until "Elad" appeared.

These humans were all so trusting, X-7 thought in disgust. So eager to believe in what they saw on the surface. They believed in the bond that drew them together. They thought it made them strong. And maybe it did. But their secrets kept them apart.

And that made them weak.

They may have fancied themselves as cautious, but it was a joke. They looked at X-7 and saw what they wanted to see-what he he wanted them to see. wanted them to see.

For Han, he would be a brother in arms. The bounty had been a nice touch, X-7 thought, congratulating himself on constructing such a thorough false ident.i.ty. Kenuun had done him a true service by digging into "Elad's" records. There could surely be no faster way of gaining Han's trust.

For Leia, he would be her equal, the bold warrior as committed to the fight as she was.

He would be what she wished Han Solo could be-a secret she hid even from herself.

But there were no secrets from X-7.

For Luke? For Luke, he would be a confidante, the one man who believed he would achieve his Jedi destiny.

And this was no act: X-7 believed. He had seen Luke pilot that Podracer-he knew what the boy was capable of. And if Luke was his target, well...a Jedi Knight would make a formidable adversary. But by his own admission, Luke was no Jedi. Not yet.

X-7 stood silently at the edge of the main hold, un.o.bserved. Observing.

Watching as Leia and Han peered at a datapad, bickering loudly over its contents.

Watching as the Wookiee played a game of dejarick with the golden protocol droid, growling whenever it fell behind.

Watching as Luke-expert pilot, aspiring Jedi, possibly the Rebellion's great hope- fumbled with his lightsaber. The blue beam flashed as he struggled to deflect shots fired by the astromech droid, missing one after another. A moment later, he stumbled over his own feet, toppling backward and landing on the floor in a heap.

X-7 rarely experienced emotions. But thinking of these pathetic humans believing they were a match for any of their enemies-much less an enemy like him-X-7 allowed himself a genuine smile.

This is going to be even easier than I thought.