A Jedi's Return
Chapter 14
PG
By Maara
Mara sat in the passenger area of the stolen Imperial shuttle, still trying to figure out just how she ended up fighting with the Rebellion rather than against it.
Only five hours earlier, they had rejoined the fleet. As they entered the meeting in the conference room of the main battle cruiser, Luke characteristically, as Mara was quickly learning, had immediately volunteered to join the command crew penetrating the shield on the forest moon of Endor, which defended the Death Star. Mara had hung back along the edge of the room watching as Leia flung her arms around Luke in. The princess pulled back to study him, sensing Luke had a lot on his mind, but let it drop for the moment. Mara turned to find Mon Mothma watching her, knowing Leia had informed her about the assassin. She wondered just how things would progress from here.
Coming along side Mara, Luke placed a hand on her shoulder, jarring her from her thoughts. "You ok?" he peered at her, a concerned look on his face.
"Yes, just lost in thought." Mara nodded towards Han and Leia. "So, you're going with them?" She tried to hide her uneasiness, but Luke caught a flash of emotion from her before she raised her barriers.
"I would like you to go with us." Luke dropped his hand from her shoulder and leaned against the wall. "But Mon Mothma would like to speak to you first."
"Why does she want to see me?" Mara asked, even though she knew the answer.
"Leia discussed your situation with her and I think she may have some questions of her own."
Mara just nodded, "When do we see her?"
"Whenever you're ready." Luke wanted to ease some of the pressure off her, give her a little time to adjust. But as he watched her, her ability to adapt and her resolve, as always, amazed him.
Mara blew out a breath, attempting to calm herself. "Ok. Let's go."
Luke led Mara down the long corridor towards Mon Mothma's offices. As they approached the door, Luke stopped and turned to her. "Are you ready?" he queried, but he could feel her pushing aside her nervousness and preparing herself for what would happen next. And again he found himself filled with pride for her remarkable inner strength.
"Yes." Mara nodded as she spoke. Then a thought occurred to her. "Are you going in with me?"
"Do you want me to?" Luke asked. He would go in if she wanted, but he knew Mon Mothma wanted a few moments alone with her.
Mara thought a moment, then looked up at Luke, "I think maybe I need to see her alone."
Luke smiled, "I think that would be best, too." He sensed Mara bracing herself for the meeting and tried to lighten her mood a bit. "Don't worry. She doesn't bite."
Mara smirked at him playfully, her eyes glowing. "I'm surprised you don't think I might bite her."
Staring at each other in silence, her spirit was contagious and they both burst into laughter. A moment later the door slid open and Mon Mothma stood there, watching them attempt to get their laughter under control.
"Am I interrupting something?" Mon Mothma asked trying to keep the amusement from her face.
Luke cleared his throat, "No ma'am. I'd like you to meet Mara Jade." Luke turned to look at her a moment, "She's a good friend of mine."
"A pleasure Mara. Please come in." Mon Mothma stepped back and waved her in.
"I'll see you later." He nodded to Mara and Mon Mothma, then turned to leave them to talk.
Mara stepped inside, following the older woman to the couch in the spacious office. "Please Mara, sit. Make yourself comfortable."
Mara sat and waited for Mon Mothma to begin asking questions.
"I guess you know that Leia has filled me in on your situation." She began, "I thought it would be better that no one else know for now, but eventually it will come out." She stood off to the side looking down at Mara. "I like to get to know those who join our cause. It is, after all, a dangerous situation and I think it would be better if you didn't worry about how I felt about you being here." She moved to sit across from Mara on the sofa. "It's easier to concentrate on what needs to be done if there are no extraneous thoughts weighing you down."
Mara looked over at the rebel leader, not believing what she was hearing. Didn't she question whether or not having Mara here was a good thing. Stunned Mara voiced her thoughts. "Don't you want to ask me questions or interrogate me regarding the Emperor or his plans? I would think you would want me to prove myself?"
Mon Mothma smiled at Mara. She had deliberately started out on this tack to test Mara. She reacted as she had hoped. "No Mara." The older woman sank back into the couch. "I talked at great length with Princess Leia. She would never have brought you here had she had any doubts as to your sincerity. Besides, Luke Skywalker is a Jedi and I trust his judgement implicitly." She smiled at Mara, "I do have questions." Her gaze softened a bit, "I believe you have a lot of information to offer. I also understand that you were under the Emperor's control, so everything you have to say may not be easy. We will not discuss anything overtly painful unless you wish to do so."
Mon Mothma leaned forward to look into Mara's eyes. If Mara didn't know any better, she would have thought she was trying to read her mind. "I pride myself on being a very good judge of people." She balled up her fist and placed it firmly on her stomach. "I listen to what my gut tells me. I have learned to listen to it. On the odd occasions that I didn't listen to it, I regretted it immensely."
Mara looked at her with a newfound respect. She was a very intelligent woman and seemed to be very determined and would, no doubt, do whatever she had to do to accomplish her goals. Mara didn't flinch from her gaze, only intensified her own. "What does your gut tell you about me?"
She leaned back in her seat once again, holding Mara's gaze. "My gut tells me, that you are no threat to us here. My gut tells me, that I can trust you to a point." Clasping her hands together in her lap she continued, "It also tells me that I could learn a great deal from you."
"I am no threat to you or your cause. In fact," here Mara paused a moment "I want to help in some way." Mara let her gaze drop. "I have spent my life working and training, to do what the Emperor bid of me. Then I find out that everything I believed in and loved was a lie." Mara brought her gaze up once more, a fire of determination shining in her eyes. "He has to be stopped. I can't let him do to someone else, what he has done to me."
Mon Mothma sat and contemplated what she had said. She felt bad that this lovely young woman had endured so much at the Emperor's hands, but saw strength in her that could only have come from adversity. "I believe you Mara." She got up and went to a small cooling unit in the corner. "I had this placed in here so I could have some sort of refreshments during meetings or whatever work I had to do while in here. That way I didn't have to leave to get something. It is convenient sometimes." She opened the door and peered inside, "Would you like something to drink?"
Mara smiled at her. "Yes, thank you. Water would be great."
Mon Mothma pulled out two bottles of water and headed back to the couch, handing a bottle to Mara. Sitting down she continued, "Now, if you don't mind, I do have some questions to ask you."
"No, I don't mind." Mara took a long drink of her water, settling back to have a long talk with the leader of the Rebellion.
Later that night after Mara left Mon Mothma's office, Luke approached her. "How'd it go?"
"Pretty good I think." Mara smiled at him. "I like her. We had a very long talk and I think we understand each other."
"Good. Are you hungry?" Luke asked, "If you're going to go to Endor with us, then we need to eat now before we have to go."
"Yes, I'm starved." Mara hadn't thought about eating until Luke had mentioned food to her.
Luke inclined his head, indicating that she follow him, "Come on. Let's go eat."
They spent the next half an hour discussing her talk with Mon Mothma, simply enjoying the time together. Too soon it was time to stow their gear and board the shuttle.
Mara came back from her reverie as she felt the ship jump to hyperspace. Leaning back in her seat, she decided to meditate in order to relax herself. She closed her eyes and let herself fall into that place that Yoda taught her to find within herself. Soon the swirling color patterns entered her mind once again as a vision floated through her mind. A vision of Luke, writhing in pain on the floor, blue lightning coursing over and through him. Too quickly, the vision passed and Mara stretched out with the Force, trying to get it back.
Mara was jarred out of her trance as the shuttle came out of hyperspace, surprised to discover that so much time had passed. It only felt as if a few minutes had gone by. She was shaken by the vision she had seen of Luke in pain. Her mind barriers firmly in place, she thought about what she had seen and remembered Yoda's words that the future was always in motion. She knew that many things could change that future, but knew she had to do something or Luke would die. It could mean an end to her own life, but if that was what was to be in order for him to live then so be it.
Mara sat up in her seat as she realized just how much she cared for Luke. He was the only person who gave her his trust. Gave it completely and without hesitation. And he was always one hundred percent honest with her. No one had ever been that way towards her. Even Leia and Han had not completely trusted her until Luke championed her. Mara just hoped that, when the time came, she could be there for him.
Once on Endor, they traveled through the forest of tall trees on their way to the bunker to deactivate the shield generator so the fleet could destroy the Death Star. On the way, they spotted speeder bikes and took cover in order to investigate. Chewie and Han went off to capture the storm troopers and continue on to the bunker. Of course, Solo stepped on a stick, drawing the unwanted attention of the storm troopers and pandemonium ensued.
Luke, Leia, Mara and the troops with them all converged on the storm troopers and quickly gained control. Not before Leia and Luke jumped on a speeder to chase two more storm troopers on speeder bikes. Mara saw another speeder bike and jumped on, following after them.
From a distance, Mara saw Luke jump onto a speeder behind a trooper then throw him off into a tree. She was far enough back to see two more storm troopers fall in behind them and start shooting.
Mara accelerated and went after one while Luke took the other. Luke had been knocked off his speeder and quickly dispatched the trooper with his lightsaber. Mara circled around to pick him up, when a shot came through the trees and hit the back end of her speeder, knocking her off. Mara landed roughly and was knocked senseless.
When Mara finally came to, she realized Luke was gone. He probably never knew she had even followed him. Mara sat up and saw, in the distance, a landing platform. It was completely out of place in the forest of tall trees. Suddenly, Mara knew that she had to get on board one of the departing shuttles. It was time for her to face her destiny, so Luke would survive his. Mara made sure her barriers were tightly in place and set off to find a way onto that shuttle.
As Mara made her way silently through the forest, she spied a stormtrooper not too far ahead of her. Now it was time to put her training to good use. Opening her barriers slightly, she sent a mental message to Luke, letting him know she was ok and telling him not to worry. As she threw her barriers back up, she felt Luke objecting, but cut him off, knowing she was doing what she had to do. It was hard enough to say good-bye, but she didn't want to give him a chance to talk her out of it. She hoped that she would see him again when this was all over.
Turning her attention back to the stormtrooper, Mara moved towards him. He was not much of a challenge for Mara and she knocked him unconscious quickly. Looking around she set to work, donning the uniform for her trip to see the Emperor.
TBC…
Chapter 14
PG
By Maara
Mara sat in the passenger area of the stolen Imperial shuttle, still trying to figure out just how she ended up fighting with the Rebellion rather than against it.
Only five hours earlier, they had rejoined the fleet. As they entered the meeting in the conference room of the main battle cruiser, Luke characteristically, as Mara was quickly learning, had immediately volunteered to join the command crew penetrating the shield on the forest moon of Endor, which defended the Death Star. Mara had hung back along the edge of the room watching as Leia flung her arms around Luke in. The princess pulled back to study him, sensing Luke had a lot on his mind, but let it drop for the moment. Mara turned to find Mon Mothma watching her, knowing Leia had informed her about the assassin. She wondered just how things would progress from here.
Coming along side Mara, Luke placed a hand on her shoulder, jarring her from her thoughts. "You ok?" he peered at her, a concerned look on his face.
"Yes, just lost in thought." Mara nodded towards Han and Leia. "So, you're going with them?" She tried to hide her uneasiness, but Luke caught a flash of emotion from her before she raised her barriers.
"I would like you to go with us." Luke dropped his hand from her shoulder and leaned against the wall. "But Mon Mothma would like to speak to you first."
"Why does she want to see me?" Mara asked, even though she knew the answer.
"Leia discussed your situation with her and I think she may have some questions of her own."
Mara just nodded, "When do we see her?"
"Whenever you're ready." Luke wanted to ease some of the pressure off her, give her a little time to adjust. But as he watched her, her ability to adapt and her resolve, as always, amazed him.
Mara blew out a breath, attempting to calm herself. "Ok. Let's go."
Luke led Mara down the long corridor towards Mon Mothma's offices. As they approached the door, Luke stopped and turned to her. "Are you ready?" he queried, but he could feel her pushing aside her nervousness and preparing herself for what would happen next. And again he found himself filled with pride for her remarkable inner strength.
"Yes." Mara nodded as she spoke. Then a thought occurred to her. "Are you going in with me?"
"Do you want me to?" Luke asked. He would go in if she wanted, but he knew Mon Mothma wanted a few moments alone with her.
Mara thought a moment, then looked up at Luke, "I think maybe I need to see her alone."
Luke smiled, "I think that would be best, too." He sensed Mara bracing herself for the meeting and tried to lighten her mood a bit. "Don't worry. She doesn't bite."
Mara smirked at him playfully, her eyes glowing. "I'm surprised you don't think I might bite her."
Staring at each other in silence, her spirit was contagious and they both burst into laughter. A moment later the door slid open and Mon Mothma stood there, watching them attempt to get their laughter under control.
"Am I interrupting something?" Mon Mothma asked trying to keep the amusement from her face.
Luke cleared his throat, "No ma'am. I'd like you to meet Mara Jade." Luke turned to look at her a moment, "She's a good friend of mine."
"A pleasure Mara. Please come in." Mon Mothma stepped back and waved her in.
"I'll see you later." He nodded to Mara and Mon Mothma, then turned to leave them to talk.
Mara stepped inside, following the older woman to the couch in the spacious office. "Please Mara, sit. Make yourself comfortable."
Mara sat and waited for Mon Mothma to begin asking questions.
"I guess you know that Leia has filled me in on your situation." She began, "I thought it would be better that no one else know for now, but eventually it will come out." She stood off to the side looking down at Mara. "I like to get to know those who join our cause. It is, after all, a dangerous situation and I think it would be better if you didn't worry about how I felt about you being here." She moved to sit across from Mara on the sofa. "It's easier to concentrate on what needs to be done if there are no extraneous thoughts weighing you down."
Mara looked over at the rebel leader, not believing what she was hearing. Didn't she question whether or not having Mara here was a good thing. Stunned Mara voiced her thoughts. "Don't you want to ask me questions or interrogate me regarding the Emperor or his plans? I would think you would want me to prove myself?"
Mon Mothma smiled at Mara. She had deliberately started out on this tack to test Mara. She reacted as she had hoped. "No Mara." The older woman sank back into the couch. "I talked at great length with Princess Leia. She would never have brought you here had she had any doubts as to your sincerity. Besides, Luke Skywalker is a Jedi and I trust his judgement implicitly." She smiled at Mara, "I do have questions." Her gaze softened a bit, "I believe you have a lot of information to offer. I also understand that you were under the Emperor's control, so everything you have to say may not be easy. We will not discuss anything overtly painful unless you wish to do so."
Mon Mothma leaned forward to look into Mara's eyes. If Mara didn't know any better, she would have thought she was trying to read her mind. "I pride myself on being a very good judge of people." She balled up her fist and placed it firmly on her stomach. "I listen to what my gut tells me. I have learned to listen to it. On the odd occasions that I didn't listen to it, I regretted it immensely."
Mara looked at her with a newfound respect. She was a very intelligent woman and seemed to be very determined and would, no doubt, do whatever she had to do to accomplish her goals. Mara didn't flinch from her gaze, only intensified her own. "What does your gut tell you about me?"
She leaned back in her seat once again, holding Mara's gaze. "My gut tells me, that you are no threat to us here. My gut tells me, that I can trust you to a point." Clasping her hands together in her lap she continued, "It also tells me that I could learn a great deal from you."
"I am no threat to you or your cause. In fact," here Mara paused a moment "I want to help in some way." Mara let her gaze drop. "I have spent my life working and training, to do what the Emperor bid of me. Then I find out that everything I believed in and loved was a lie." Mara brought her gaze up once more, a fire of determination shining in her eyes. "He has to be stopped. I can't let him do to someone else, what he has done to me."
Mon Mothma sat and contemplated what she had said. She felt bad that this lovely young woman had endured so much at the Emperor's hands, but saw strength in her that could only have come from adversity. "I believe you Mara." She got up and went to a small cooling unit in the corner. "I had this placed in here so I could have some sort of refreshments during meetings or whatever work I had to do while in here. That way I didn't have to leave to get something. It is convenient sometimes." She opened the door and peered inside, "Would you like something to drink?"
Mara smiled at her. "Yes, thank you. Water would be great."
Mon Mothma pulled out two bottles of water and headed back to the couch, handing a bottle to Mara. Sitting down she continued, "Now, if you don't mind, I do have some questions to ask you."
"No, I don't mind." Mara took a long drink of her water, settling back to have a long talk with the leader of the Rebellion.
Later that night after Mara left Mon Mothma's office, Luke approached her. "How'd it go?"
"Pretty good I think." Mara smiled at him. "I like her. We had a very long talk and I think we understand each other."
"Good. Are you hungry?" Luke asked, "If you're going to go to Endor with us, then we need to eat now before we have to go."
"Yes, I'm starved." Mara hadn't thought about eating until Luke had mentioned food to her.
Luke inclined his head, indicating that she follow him, "Come on. Let's go eat."
They spent the next half an hour discussing her talk with Mon Mothma, simply enjoying the time together. Too soon it was time to stow their gear and board the shuttle.
Mara came back from her reverie as she felt the ship jump to hyperspace. Leaning back in her seat, she decided to meditate in order to relax herself. She closed her eyes and let herself fall into that place that Yoda taught her to find within herself. Soon the swirling color patterns entered her mind once again as a vision floated through her mind. A vision of Luke, writhing in pain on the floor, blue lightning coursing over and through him. Too quickly, the vision passed and Mara stretched out with the Force, trying to get it back.
Mara was jarred out of her trance as the shuttle came out of hyperspace, surprised to discover that so much time had passed. It only felt as if a few minutes had gone by. She was shaken by the vision she had seen of Luke in pain. Her mind barriers firmly in place, she thought about what she had seen and remembered Yoda's words that the future was always in motion. She knew that many things could change that future, but knew she had to do something or Luke would die. It could mean an end to her own life, but if that was what was to be in order for him to live then so be it.
Mara sat up in her seat as she realized just how much she cared for Luke. He was the only person who gave her his trust. Gave it completely and without hesitation. And he was always one hundred percent honest with her. No one had ever been that way towards her. Even Leia and Han had not completely trusted her until Luke championed her. Mara just hoped that, when the time came, she could be there for him.
Once on Endor, they traveled through the forest of tall trees on their way to the bunker to deactivate the shield generator so the fleet could destroy the Death Star. On the way, they spotted speeder bikes and took cover in order to investigate. Chewie and Han went off to capture the storm troopers and continue on to the bunker. Of course, Solo stepped on a stick, drawing the unwanted attention of the storm troopers and pandemonium ensued.
Luke, Leia, Mara and the troops with them all converged on the storm troopers and quickly gained control. Not before Leia and Luke jumped on a speeder to chase two more storm troopers on speeder bikes. Mara saw another speeder bike and jumped on, following after them.
From a distance, Mara saw Luke jump onto a speeder behind a trooper then throw him off into a tree. She was far enough back to see two more storm troopers fall in behind them and start shooting.
Mara accelerated and went after one while Luke took the other. Luke had been knocked off his speeder and quickly dispatched the trooper with his lightsaber. Mara circled around to pick him up, when a shot came through the trees and hit the back end of her speeder, knocking her off. Mara landed roughly and was knocked senseless.
When Mara finally came to, she realized Luke was gone. He probably never knew she had even followed him. Mara sat up and saw, in the distance, a landing platform. It was completely out of place in the forest of tall trees. Suddenly, Mara knew that she had to get on board one of the departing shuttles. It was time for her to face her destiny, so Luke would survive his. Mara made sure her barriers were tightly in place and set off to find a way onto that shuttle.
As Mara made her way silently through the forest, she spied a stormtrooper not too far ahead of her. Now it was time to put her training to good use. Opening her barriers slightly, she sent a mental message to Luke, letting him know she was ok and telling him not to worry. As she threw her barriers back up, she felt Luke objecting, but cut him off, knowing she was doing what she had to do. It was hard enough to say good-bye, but she didn't want to give him a chance to talk her out of it. She hoped that she would see him again when this was all over.
Turning her attention back to the stormtrooper, Mara moved towards him. He was not much of a challenge for Mara and she knocked him unconscious quickly. Looking around she set to work, donning the uniform for her trip to see the Emperor.
TBC…