Disclaimer: George Lucas owns Star Wars; Timothy Zahn owns Mara Jade. No money is being made off their use. Chapter Two title c/o Matthew Sweet.

Rating: PG

And Mara Makes Three
Chapter Two: Behind the Smile

It was amazing how quickly children could grow. It seemed like ages since the Empire had been founded; in reality, it had only been three years. Yet watching Mara walk around, five years old and full of ideas and questions, seemed impossible.

Vader stood on the bridge of one the Empire's many Star Destroyers. Another planet, somewhere out on the edge of nowhere, was still having delusions of freedom. Perhaps the news had never reached them about the corruption and delinquency in the former Republic. No matter, Lord Vader would show them the error of their ways.

"Lord Vader?" asked a man from behind him. Vader tried to sigh, but his mask regulated his breath for him. In two steps, the man in black turned around and looked down at the captain who had interrupted his thoughts.

"My lord, I was asked to inform you that Mistress Jade has just awoken from her nap. She has been fed, but she is under the impression that you are going to be training her today."

Vader smiled beneath his heavy mask. She had an incredible memory, for someone so small and innocent. He hoped she would maintain that memory as she became more useful to him.

And the Emperor, he reminded himself.

"Very well, Captain. Have Mistress Jade escorted to my exercise room, and make sure she cannot reach any of the weapons."

The man nodded curtly. "Yes sir, thank you."

Vader turned back towards the viewport for a brief moment. Mara had much to learn before their arrival at the Rim. Turning quickly on his heel, he left the bridge. The men in his path scurried to get out of his way. No one ever knew if he was just in a hurry, or was genuinely angry. Vader liked it that way.

****

Mara climbed up on the railing, looking out towards the planet. Vader wanted her to understand that brute force was sometimes the best way to get an idea or opinion across. This planet, the name of which Vader hadn't even bothered to learn, was not important enough to be worth saving. It would serve as a good example to other upstarts, although that number shrank every day.

"Can I give the order?" she asked, eyes still fixed on the red and blue ball that hung before them. Vader could easily hide his surprise, but couldn't quench the pride that flared up briefly.

"Not this time, Mara," he rasped, so impressed that she had not flinched since the first moment they had met. Grown men were often shaken by his voice. "You should stay close by, however; watch how quickly this government comes to our side."

With the wave of a hand, a young man began flipping switches and turning dials. The hum of the ship got louder, and Mara started to turn herself over the railing, trying to see the weapon itself warming up. Vader wished he could have laughed.

A red beam suddenly shot out from underneath the ship, startling Mara so much that she almost fell onto the deck. The beam scorched through the planet's atmosphere, and made a great hole in the middle of the central continent. Vader wished he could have heard the sounds of rock and trees exploding. He wanted to see the looks on people's faces as the beam came down towards them.

"Lord Vader," the captain said from across the bridge. "The planetary government wishes to negotiate their entrance into the Empire."

Vader turned toward the young girl, whose eyes were wide with fascination and just a dash of horror. "Was anyone hurt?" she whispered, afraid someone nearby would think she was weak.

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter, Mara. Our goal was achieved."

She nodded, and then smiled her little girl smile. That smile always seemed a little too knowing. "Good."