Author's Note: Thank you to all who have takent the time to read my story. I'm also very grateful for your feedback.
Chapter Three: Unlikely Allies
Mara punched some codes into her computer and was given permission to dock on the enormous vessel. Once aboard, she set out to find the intended party she needed to see. She was mildly surprised, as she walked unhampered through the corridors, how easily she had gained access to what she assumed would be a highly secure vessel. Perhaps she had been expected.
She found him standing alone in a large conference room as if waiting for her. He stood with his back to her, gazing out the unusually large window port at the many stars beyond. He seemed calm, but as she entered the room unannounced, she couldn't help worry that perhaps this hadn't been such a good idea after all. As she drew nearer to him, he turned casually to her and said, "Ah, Miss Jade, this is unexpected. The Emperor's Hand is paying me a visit?"
Mara took a deep breath and began, "I've just returned from the Dagobah system. I went there to kill your son." All pretense of politeness gone as Darth Vader glared at the young woman before him, mentally visualizing squeezing her heart in his head.
Although Mara could not read his thoughts, she new enough to quickly add, "I didn't find him." Vader seemed to calm slightly, but Mara knew her life was still in danger. She continued before he could silence her for good. "I did find a jedi master named Yoda. He sent you his regards."
Vader could not hide his surprise from the force sensitive one. "So, Yoda is alive and has begun my son's training."
"Yes, Yoda is alive, but not for long. It seems as if it is his time to move on from this world; I saw it in his eyes."
Vader eyed the woman suspiciously. Why was she here freely giving him this information. Although he had some regard for the woman's abilities, he usually found her overconfidence in herself annoying. She thought too much of herself. She thought she was able to dube anyone into believing her. He was not anyone. "So why are you here and not groveling at your master's feet?"
Mara continued unaffected. She had known Vader all her life and was use to his verbal barbs at her servitude. Others feared Vader, and although she knew he could easily kill her, she did not fear him. That point in itself greatly bothered Vader, much to Mara's amusement. "I've come to talk with you. Palpatine doesn't know I'm here."
Slightly impressed she would refer to the Emperor by name and not title he replied, "I don't believe you, Mara Jade. When have you ever acted on your own thoughts?"
"He knows of your plan to join with your son and overthrow him. That's why he sent me to Dagobah. He wants Skywalker dead before he is an issue."
The anger returned to Vader with vigor. The Emperor had lied to him. He had no intention of bringing his son into the Empire. Vader had been fooled. Palpatine had known all along of his plot of betrayal. Vader had to act quickly. He again watched to woman in front of him. She was obviously part of Palpatine's plan to trap him and would have to die. For some unknown reason that saddened him a bit. Still he couldn't resist toying with the young woman who had become his nemesis over the years. First he would play along with her, make her think he believed her story. Next he would trick her into giving away her motive. Finally he would do away with her.
"Why would you tell me this Mara? The Emperor would kill you for your betrayal." He questioned anticipating her pleasure in believing Vader was dubious of her intentions. But, her next words shocked him.
"I think we've been pit against each other far too long, Lord Vader." Mara said evenly sensing Vader's surprise at her verbal show of respect. "For years he ingeniously tricked us into hating each other. Think of all the times he praised one in a way that belittled the other. We continuously fought for his attention and competed to show who was the more valuable servant, the most loyal. Palpatine enjoyed this strife between us, because it made it unlikely that we would align ourselves against him."
Vader was greatly impressed that Mara had finally figured out what he had known all along. He had given up hope she would ever come to the realization that the old despot had been controlling her all along. And because of this, Vader began to wonder if perhaps Mara Jade were sincere in her visit to him. Still he needed to be cautious.
Vader decide directness would be the best approach. "Are you insinuating you want to become my ally against the Emperor?"
Mara returned his directness, "Actually, I was insinuating I become your student." She held her breath. Everything hinged on Vader's decision.
Vader was incredulous! Was she trying to trick him into admitting he was ready to commit treason? If so, she was playing the part admirably, he had to give her that. But still, too much was at stake. How could he believe one he had mistrusted for so long. Another thought came to him. Yes, the Emperor was crafty. It would be just like him to send the girl to Vader to entrap him, knowing that if Vader were innocent, he would kill the girl for her blasphemy. A cold realization hit Vader as he imagined the lengths the Emperor would go to trap him, even killing his most trusted hand.
Mara stood in uncomfortable silence watching as Vader struggled with his decision to believe her. A sense of foreboding pressed upon her mind, the need for urgency. She had to do something, and something quickly, to make Vader believe her. Something that he would know the Emperor would never allow her to do no matter what the mission. The idea came to her, and without contemplation, Mara kneeled before Vader and spoke earnestly, "My offer is sincere---Master."
Vader is struck dumb at her visible show of humbleness. Before he could speak she continued. Vader could sense the pain in her words. "Palpatine murdered my parents. He stole my life and made me his slave. I have served him without question, with complete devotion my entire life. I would have died for him, but it was all meaningless. I don't matter to him; I'm expendable. I will serve him no more."
Mara hesitated briefly to allow her words take root in Vader's mind. She continued with vigor, "And what of you, Lord Vader? How much have you sacrificed for him, your wife, your friends, your freedom? Now he wants your son as well. How much more are you willing to give him. How long will you continue to be his slave?"
After a pause Vader responded, "And so thought you would ask me to train you. Why me?"
"Because you were a jedi once. Surely you still remember how to be one."
Had it not been for his helmet, Mara would have seen his mouth drop open in shock. "Am I to understand, not only do you expect me to train you in the ways of the force, but as jedi and not a sith?"
"Yes, Master...Skywalker," she replied softly.
Vader turned away without corrrecting her use of his former name, silently wondering if that part of him is truly gone after all.
Mara continued, "Palpatine would never suspect the two of us joining against him. He is overconfident. He is too occupied with the rebels and your son. He won't see this coming."
Vader said nothing and Mara rose and walked behind him tentatively placing her hand on his shoulder. "I will be a good student. You know I will. Then, we will face him together as we should have long ago."
Vader turned to the woman, "What's in it for you?"
"Freedom."
"And for me?" He asked.
"Redemption," she replied
Vader stared at her for a long moment before he spoke. "All right Mara. We will begin your training this evening. But if I find you are deceiving me, you will beg for death before I finish with you."
Mara's only response was a brief nod. She promptly left the room and, once outside, released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
Chapter Three: Unlikely Allies
Mara punched some codes into her computer and was given permission to dock on the enormous vessel. Once aboard, she set out to find the intended party she needed to see. She was mildly surprised, as she walked unhampered through the corridors, how easily she had gained access to what she assumed would be a highly secure vessel. Perhaps she had been expected.
She found him standing alone in a large conference room as if waiting for her. He stood with his back to her, gazing out the unusually large window port at the many stars beyond. He seemed calm, but as she entered the room unannounced, she couldn't help worry that perhaps this hadn't been such a good idea after all. As she drew nearer to him, he turned casually to her and said, "Ah, Miss Jade, this is unexpected. The Emperor's Hand is paying me a visit?"
Mara took a deep breath and began, "I've just returned from the Dagobah system. I went there to kill your son." All pretense of politeness gone as Darth Vader glared at the young woman before him, mentally visualizing squeezing her heart in his head.
Although Mara could not read his thoughts, she new enough to quickly add, "I didn't find him." Vader seemed to calm slightly, but Mara knew her life was still in danger. She continued before he could silence her for good. "I did find a jedi master named Yoda. He sent you his regards."
Vader could not hide his surprise from the force sensitive one. "So, Yoda is alive and has begun my son's training."
"Yes, Yoda is alive, but not for long. It seems as if it is his time to move on from this world; I saw it in his eyes."
Vader eyed the woman suspiciously. Why was she here freely giving him this information. Although he had some regard for the woman's abilities, he usually found her overconfidence in herself annoying. She thought too much of herself. She thought she was able to dube anyone into believing her. He was not anyone. "So why are you here and not groveling at your master's feet?"
Mara continued unaffected. She had known Vader all her life and was use to his verbal barbs at her servitude. Others feared Vader, and although she knew he could easily kill her, she did not fear him. That point in itself greatly bothered Vader, much to Mara's amusement. "I've come to talk with you. Palpatine doesn't know I'm here."
Slightly impressed she would refer to the Emperor by name and not title he replied, "I don't believe you, Mara Jade. When have you ever acted on your own thoughts?"
"He knows of your plan to join with your son and overthrow him. That's why he sent me to Dagobah. He wants Skywalker dead before he is an issue."
The anger returned to Vader with vigor. The Emperor had lied to him. He had no intention of bringing his son into the Empire. Vader had been fooled. Palpatine had known all along of his plot of betrayal. Vader had to act quickly. He again watched to woman in front of him. She was obviously part of Palpatine's plan to trap him and would have to die. For some unknown reason that saddened him a bit. Still he couldn't resist toying with the young woman who had become his nemesis over the years. First he would play along with her, make her think he believed her story. Next he would trick her into giving away her motive. Finally he would do away with her.
"Why would you tell me this Mara? The Emperor would kill you for your betrayal." He questioned anticipating her pleasure in believing Vader was dubious of her intentions. But, her next words shocked him.
"I think we've been pit against each other far too long, Lord Vader." Mara said evenly sensing Vader's surprise at her verbal show of respect. "For years he ingeniously tricked us into hating each other. Think of all the times he praised one in a way that belittled the other. We continuously fought for his attention and competed to show who was the more valuable servant, the most loyal. Palpatine enjoyed this strife between us, because it made it unlikely that we would align ourselves against him."
Vader was greatly impressed that Mara had finally figured out what he had known all along. He had given up hope she would ever come to the realization that the old despot had been controlling her all along. And because of this, Vader began to wonder if perhaps Mara Jade were sincere in her visit to him. Still he needed to be cautious.
Vader decide directness would be the best approach. "Are you insinuating you want to become my ally against the Emperor?"
Mara returned his directness, "Actually, I was insinuating I become your student." She held her breath. Everything hinged on Vader's decision.
Vader was incredulous! Was she trying to trick him into admitting he was ready to commit treason? If so, she was playing the part admirably, he had to give her that. But still, too much was at stake. How could he believe one he had mistrusted for so long. Another thought came to him. Yes, the Emperor was crafty. It would be just like him to send the girl to Vader to entrap him, knowing that if Vader were innocent, he would kill the girl for her blasphemy. A cold realization hit Vader as he imagined the lengths the Emperor would go to trap him, even killing his most trusted hand.
Mara stood in uncomfortable silence watching as Vader struggled with his decision to believe her. A sense of foreboding pressed upon her mind, the need for urgency. She had to do something, and something quickly, to make Vader believe her. Something that he would know the Emperor would never allow her to do no matter what the mission. The idea came to her, and without contemplation, Mara kneeled before Vader and spoke earnestly, "My offer is sincere---Master."
Vader is struck dumb at her visible show of humbleness. Before he could speak she continued. Vader could sense the pain in her words. "Palpatine murdered my parents. He stole my life and made me his slave. I have served him without question, with complete devotion my entire life. I would have died for him, but it was all meaningless. I don't matter to him; I'm expendable. I will serve him no more."
Mara hesitated briefly to allow her words take root in Vader's mind. She continued with vigor, "And what of you, Lord Vader? How much have you sacrificed for him, your wife, your friends, your freedom? Now he wants your son as well. How much more are you willing to give him. How long will you continue to be his slave?"
After a pause Vader responded, "And so thought you would ask me to train you. Why me?"
"Because you were a jedi once. Surely you still remember how to be one."
Had it not been for his helmet, Mara would have seen his mouth drop open in shock. "Am I to understand, not only do you expect me to train you in the ways of the force, but as jedi and not a sith?"
"Yes, Master...Skywalker," she replied softly.
Vader turned away without corrrecting her use of his former name, silently wondering if that part of him is truly gone after all.
Mara continued, "Palpatine would never suspect the two of us joining against him. He is overconfident. He is too occupied with the rebels and your son. He won't see this coming."
Vader said nothing and Mara rose and walked behind him tentatively placing her hand on his shoulder. "I will be a good student. You know I will. Then, we will face him together as we should have long ago."
Vader turned to the woman, "What's in it for you?"
"Freedom."
"And for me?" He asked.
"Redemption," she replied
Vader stared at her for a long moment before he spoke. "All right Mara. We will begin your training this evening. But if I find you are deceiving me, you will beg for death before I finish with you."
Mara's only response was a brief nod. She promptly left the room and, once outside, released a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.