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That's correct.

[She hears Qui-Gon's comment about Palpatine's behavior, certainly, but thinks there's little sense in responding to it. There's no point in consoling him for not seeing it. In other situations she would take it upon herself to do that, but not when when Emperor is involved. No, there was no way to know how far he would go, but as far as Leia cares, that absolves no one of the responsibility for his rise to power.]

Obi-Wan has said he was also a Sith Lord, but that's not my area of expertise.

[Not that she feels Qui-Gon needs to know much about the Sith, or at least he doesn't need to hear that from her.]

The fact is the Republic and the Jedi were both destroyed by Darth Vader and Palpatine.

[That's fine. In Qui-Gon's eyes, neither her nor the Order deserve absolution from their inability to uncover the presence of a Sith Lord from as close to under their collective noses as one can get. He won't search or ask for anything close to it.]

What about the Senate? Did it also cease to function?

There was a Senate, but it's not as if it functioned as a proper governing body. Palpatine disbanded it a few years ago, but it's not as if he needed to do it officially.

[since after all, the Senate couldn't do much to reign in Palpatine's power, and largely served mostly to fool the majority of the galaxy that they had some input in the galactic government. The temperature cools slightly as Leia's focus shifts from Vader to the Senate, because while still personal, the Senate isn't as sensitive a subject. Not in the same way Vader is, at least. Her time as a senator feels like an entire lifetime ago, something she feels half detached from at this point.]

[Oh good, it feels and sounds like they’re treading into a slightly more comfortable direction. Qui-Gon continues to move along this path, taking a sip of his tea while he considers Leia’s words further.]

[Palpatine’s movements, heartbreaking and ruthless as they may be, make a certain sort of sense and work as a testament to his almost overwhelming guile. Make the galaxy into a dictatorship one step at a time—anything too sudden would spark more revolt than could be contended with. Not that Qui-Gon doubted any rebellion to Palpatine’s madness. The people of the Republic, such as it is, loved their freedom.]

What about resistance against his takeover?

I'd think that's obvious. Not everyone took his takeover sitting down.

[Many people did, others were already in league with him, and yet others saw the rebels as the ones who were the problem here, not the empire. But that's not what he asked about, as much as she'd be fine with talking more about the rebellion in theory. Specifics, not as much, because that's still something she refuses to talk much about on principle.

Her own tea still goes ignored as she continues, preferring to talk without the false pretense that they're here for a casual chat.]

The Empire did what it could to quash signs of rebellion in some systems, but the Alliance as a whole I doubt they took seriously until the past few years.

[The teacup makes a soft thunk as Qui-Gon places it back on the table, lacing his fingers in thought.]

And what changed to make them take the Alliance seriously?

We destroyed their new weapon, among other things. They were certainly more determined and willing to devote resources to stamping us out after that.

[It's said simply, very nonchalant, as if it's not actually more complex than just destroying the Death Star. The Death Star was a big part of it, yes, but the fallout and increase in defections as a result of Alderaan's destruction was also involved. She knows there's no way for Qui-Gon to know what happened, especially if his only source was Obi-Wan, but she's not sure just how in-depth he wants to get with this explanation.]

[The way Qui-Gon's eyebrows arch shows that he is very much interested in the details. The idea of war is never welcome, especially for a keeper of the peace, but rebellion against an oppressive regime is nothing to discard. It was, however, a crime that it was necessary in the first place.]

[He can't help smiling just a bit, almost as if in congratulations.]

That must have been some weapon.

[Leia doesn't return Qui-Gon's smile, her expression remaining aloof and unreadable instead. It's not that she's not happy the Death Star is gone, because she is, but despite her initial lack of professionalism when the first was destroyed, there's a time and place for celebrating that. A conversation about the future with essentially a stranger is not that place.]

It was a monstrosity that should never have been built in the first place. [you know, like the Empire itself.]

Planetary destruction is something no one should have power over.

You'll find no argument from me.

[Where Leia remains aloof, Qui-Gon allows himself to show the emotion underlying his words. In a normal negotiation, it would be a disarming tactic to make his opponent lower his or her guard. However, he's not in negotiations with Leia despite what the atmosphere (literally) may suggest. He's just here to find out some information and legitimately get to know her better. He doesn't blame her for having her guard up, however. He may as well be a stranger to her, and one who's dredging up some not so great topics at that.]

[It's hard to get mad when he takes that perspective. Thanks, Jedi Code, for helping with that whole refraining from judgment thing.]

What part did you play in the rebellion, if it's all right to ask?

It is.

[Mostly because the way things were now, it's common knowledge throughout the galaxy just how involved in the rebellion she is. Having a death mark and a large imperial bounty on your head tends to do that. Though she does agree to answer his question, it doesn't change her posture or expressions any. She doesn't trust Qui-Gon enough or know him well enough--even with Obi-Wan's praise--to let her guard down and actually relax around him, instead using the well-practiced facade she's worn often in the past.]

My father was one of the founding members of the Rebel Alliance. I assisted in lower-risk missions when I was younger, until I took over his seat in the senate and gathered intelligence for the rebellion. But as things are now, I work with High Command, planning missions and supply runs and providing my input where necessary.

[and also where it's not necessary. She can't help it.]

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