Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I'm writing this for my enjoyment and the possible enjoyment of others.
A/N: It's been a while since I last updated this; well here is the rest of the story. Thanks Culf for pointing out my typo. Review and tell me what you think!
Making a Lightsaber
Chapter Seven
Mara looked over that rail of the balcony as the new day began. As dozens of air-speeders went by she scanned the area with the Force for anything unusual. It was a chilly night but she was starting to get use to the fact that nights on Courscant were always cold. She had been at the palace for a while now and nearly everyday had been about preparing to be trained. Preparing seemed the only thing she was doing since the Emperor rarely was even in the same room as her. Mara missed the assistant who had helped her adjust to this new life. She was always nice. Yet so many exciting things had in the past few days that she forgotten that she had once been homesick. After trying to sense anyone out of the ordinary in the speeder traffic below she finally gave up. The Force powers that the Emperor claimed she had never seemed to work when he wasn't right next to her.
"So is he here yet?" a voiced asked behind her.
"Nothing." Mara replied. "Looks like your dad isn't here to pick you up yet."
"I'm sure he'll be here any moment. Want to meet later today or tomorrow?" Princess Leia asked. "That was a nice sleepover."
"Right!"
"So how did you get here Mara?"
"I was from some where else." Mara started. "It's hard to remember for some reason. But I hope I begin my training soon so I can get something to do besides listening to meetings and studying everything."
"What kind of Training?"
"I'm suppose to have lots of potential or so the Emperor says. I trust him but I just....."
Before she could finish her sentence she was interrupted by something ringing. Mara reached into her pocket and got out a small comlink, several lights were blinking on the small device. The comlink had been given to her months before and it made it possible for the Emperor to communicate with Mara any place she went.
"Mara I want you to go to my throne room right now"
Mara winked at that command. It looked like she might be in trouble.
"Okay I'll be there My Emperor," she replied in the most serious voice she could muster.
"See you later Leia."
Mara Jade walked through a large corridor part of the palace. The Imperial palace was as busy as always with officers and political officials all doing their own duties. She wondered how strange it might have been to see a six year old walking at where they worked. Most of them were human but she recognized a few aliens who all wore either a uniform or robes.
There seemed to be more stormtroopers on duty then normal. All of the entrances to the palace were protected by guards with blasters which was a little unsettling. Mara felt the lightsaber's weight on her belt. She wondered how dueling someone felt like, since she only heard about the Jedi and their swords of light in stories. She wondered if Darth had been a Knight before. Finally reaching the most heavily guarded elevator in the palace she brought out her ID card.
As the elevator moved closer and closer to the Emperor's throne room, Mara glanced at the two very tall Royal Guards that stood besides her. They had not moved or even made a sound in the last few seconds and she was getting nervous.
"How have you two been doing? I'm sorry I don't know your names."
The two men didn't reply.
"Okay..." Mara answered quietly.
As the elevator finally stopped and the doors opened, she quickly got out. Mara had only been to the Emperor's throne room on a few occasions, the last time when it almost fell apart. She was surprised that everything had been either repaired or replaced. There were three men in the center of the room. The Emperor sat at his favorite chair while Darth Vader and some green skinned alien stood before him.
"......and I want security to be increased before the Jedi is brought to the palace. Remember that they are dangerous. Thank you Prince Xizor for this piece of information. Your late Mara."
"Sorry"
Mara jumped and sat on the arm of the chair. She wondered why she had been called here. The man dressed in black didn't seem happy to be here.
"Now for the last thing of the day. I would like to announce two things. Prince Xizor will be staying at the palace for the next few days to help handle this Jedi problem. "
For the first time since she arrived Darth Vader stepped forward.
"Why would we do that my Master? I am perfectly capable of...."
"Silence my apprentice. Prince Xizor has provided us with valuable information and we must be grateful. He will enjoy everything we can offer him in the palace."
"Understood Master." Vader uttered.
"Good my apprentice. You have done a good job these last few days watching Mara. But I need you to do one more thing. I want you to train her until she will be able to pass my tests."
"uhh..."
"What is it Vader?" Palpatine asked.
The Sith Lord was silent for a few moments. He was obviously thinking of what to say or to change what he was about to say. Mara looked at him with interest. She had grown to like being under his care since she had first met him a few days ago. She was happy that she would be able to be around him for a while longer.
"Nothing my master. I only ask for your permission to punish her if she doesn't follow my requests."
Mara fell off the chair in surprise. Did she hear what she thought she just heard? She quickly got back up rubbing her elbow.
"Of course my apprentice. This is the end of the meeting for today." The Emperor waved.
While Vader nodded at the older man. Mara looked around to see if she could make an escape. However even though she knew she could run fast there was only one exit and Vader was in front of it. Things didn't look good. She was frozen but managed to look up in fright as someone very tall stopped before her.
"Hi Darth, about what happened yesterday..."
To be continued....
