PROLOGUE
She could feel him there – still standing behind her. She saw the signs of flickering light around the corner. "Please, Emperor, wait there and I will get the guards to escort you."
Mara called on the Force to enhance her vision, but the darkness persisted. She carefully walked forward and around the corner to see a large fire around thirty meters away. Her hand reached down to find the slit on the side of her gown. There would be a cleverly concealed hold out blaster strapped to her thigh.
"Why are we here, Mara Jade?" the Emperor asked. Mara stared at the fire in the distance as she groped the side of her leg – unable to find the opening to access the blaster.
"Something is wrong, Emperor. We should go back inside – I… I think you are in danger," Mara insisted.
"Why are we here, Mara Jade?" the Emperor asked again. This time, his voice was slightly less Palpatine and a little more Sidious.
"I don't know where–"
"Do you believe I do not know? Did you believe I would not find you?"
Don't think it or say it, Mara Jade silently warned herself. Even as she did, she spoke the words. "D'Qar, Master,"
The warmth she was feeling from her Master had chilled. Mara slowly turned to find Emperor Palpatine only a few meters away. Where it had been dark, she could now see him clearly. He still wore his lovely blue robes. His eyes were still blue.
"How did you come to be on D'Qar, My Hand? How did you come… to join the Jedi?" The voice was now wholly Sidious.
"Master, I have not joined the Jedi. I merely saved one's life as it benefitted me in my service to you!" Mara exclaimed.
"You rescued him, brought him here, and met Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Did you kill him?" the voice of Darth Sidious spit, emphasizing each syllable in Luke Skywalker's name.
"I was forced to save Jedi Solo," Mara said. The softened expression of the Emperor was fading as the sharp features and cold stare of the Sith Lord emerged. "I had no choice! Master, I was on a mission for you. My only loyalty is to you!"
The grey-blue discs in Palpatine's eyes turned to pale yellow.
"Did you kill Luke Skywalker?"
"I uncovered the Jedi's secret base. I did it for you – for the Empire!"
Pale yellow turned to a boiling, golden glow.
"Stop this treachery and betrayal!" Darth Sidious snarled.
Mara was reaching out in the Force, trying to grasp the receding edges of her Master's warm affection. The chill that enveloped her was excruciating. "I would never betray you, Master. Nothing and no one will ever matter to me – only you." The ragged edges of his lips turned upward as he raised his arms. Withered hands remained hidden inside the sleeves of his cloak.
"Then you will avenge me, Emperor's Hand. You will kill all of the Jedi and those in league with them."
"Master, there are… Younglings," Mara lowered her head and prepared for the wrath.
"Yes, yes, I see that there are. A little one – a Dathomiri. He is young and can be of great use to us. You may keep him until I am ready." The harsh, sharp cackle that followed caused Mara to take a step backwards.
"Master, I would do anything you ask of me, but… I cannot murder children. Please, do not ask this of me," Mara pleaded, lowering to one knee and bowing her head in deference.
"Children? They are Jedi! They are Jedi! You are the Emperor's Hand. You must turn them… or you must kill them." Mara Jade looked up to see the face of Darth Sidious, a face she had known her entire life, but somehow seemed entirely different. He was not looking at Mara. His gaze was fixed on something in the distance. Mara turned and saw Luke Skywalker with the Jedi sitting beside the fire. It was the ceremony.
"Will you obey your Master? Will you prove you are worthy of my trust?" Mara gasped as the warmth returned. She was filled with the reassurance of complete acceptance and belonging. The absence for those few minutes was more intolerable than every physical pain she had ever experienced combined. She turned back to face her Master.
Mara's thoughts were jumbled. What was I thinking? I was… empty? Was I breathing? Was I… was I dying? A new wave of desperation consumed Mara.
"Master, please forgive me. I was confused and… I have no excuse. Of course, I will obey you. I am your most loyal and trusted servant."
"Then tell me, Emperor's Hand. How will you obey me?"
"The Jedi… the Jedi must die," Mara said. "I will not fail you, Master."
"We shall see. But your past actions cannot be ignored. Your insolence… your betrayals – they cannot go unpunished." Sidious raised his arms higher and his hands were now exposed. The impact of the Force lightening sent Mara airborne.