Part Two

Three against the Galaxy

CHAPTER SIX

The stars were beautiful that night. In fact, Leia realized, everything seemed beautiful since she had embraced the mystical power called the Force. Two years had passed since the day that changed her life in ways she never thought possible. Leia Organa, former princess of Alderaan, was now a Jedi Knight. Or at least she was training to be one under Mara Jade. No, Leia wasn't a knight yet and, she felt, far from it. But the Force was with her, every step of the way, offering her enlightenment that she never imagined. This life seemed so alien, yet so comfortable at the same time. The Force was strong in her family, Luke had told her. In time, he had assured, she would use it as he had. It seemed so impossible that night, everything he said seemed so, but here she was…a Jedi in training as Luke had once been. When she had heard that she might one day wield the same power that Luke had, she had never dreamed that it would be for the soul purpose of opposing him. That was her purpose, Mara had repeatedly told her in the beginning. She was the very last hope for the galaxy. Mara lacked the power to take on one of Leia's family members, let alone both. And that was the other dilemma. Mara thought it possible that soon Leia could be strong take on Luke if need be and eventually be powerful enough to stop him outright. But Vader was a different story. He was strong beyond anyone's estimates, including the Emperor's. He would only grow stronger now that he was reunited with Luke. Could he be stopped in time? That was one thing that was against Leia and Mara. Leia had to be ready before the two Sith found her and eliminated her from the equation. She was the prey of two tenacious hunters who would not stop until she was either dead or with them. Leia saw the two alternatives as one and the same. Leia understood the pressure Luke had once dealt with. He had been the Alliance's only hope.

Now Leia wasn't sure the Alliance still existed. Mara had told her that the imperial scuttlebutt had been that the rebellion against the Empire was long over. With the failed destruction of the Death Star, no one dared to stand against Vader and Luke. But in Leia's heart of hearts, she knew that couldn't be possible. As long as people longed for freedom and justice, the Empire would never be safe. The spirit of the Alliance was in the hearts of millions and no Death Star could ever smite that. The Alliance soldiers were survivors and Leia couldn't bear to think they could be truly defeated. They were out there, somewhere; Leia knew as much. And they would be gathering strength as they always had. Leia felt she would go insane if she ever believed otherwise.

How she longed to be amongst her friends. She had missed them for so long that at times Mara commented that it was impeding her growth as a Jedi. If only they could leave and find the Rebels. Then Leia could get the peace of mind she so needed. But Mara had explained time and time again that that just couldn't happen right now. They were safe here on the planet of Phorliss; as safe as two people wanted by the Empire could be on an imperial world. It was with staunchest convincing that Mara made Leia accept the idea of hiding on a planet controlled by the Empire. For one, it was backwater with no real importance save its space ports. And an imperial ran world was the last place anyone would look for the pair. But there were also the draw backs. Leia was too well known around the galaxy to leave the forest that Mara's cruiser rested in. Mara, relatively unknown to the Empire, could walk around with near impunity. This was required for them to get supplies, money, and food. The stripped down parts from the stolen shuttle had gone along way towards securing their finances but Mara insisted on working as a waitress at a space port bar. She said that if they both hid in the jungles all day long, the Imperials could get the drop on them and they'd never even know it was coming. Leia could do little to disagree.

And so it was nearly every day. Leia would spend the time relatively alone, with only the company of See-Threepio and Mara's assistant droid Kay-Three. It was a constant trial of Jedi exercises and physical endurance. Not only did Leia have to know the ways of the Force, but also the ways of the Jedi Knights. That required her to always be at peak physical ability, even more so then she thought she had been. Where once was the athletic princess of Alderaan was now replaced by the increasingly agile and powerful Jedi in training. Before Leia could do minor gymnastic feats if her concentration was high. Leia now found herself doing leaps and bounds she never thought possible for human beings.

Leia chuckled slightly. It was becoming harder and harder to deny that she was going to be a Jedi sooner or later. That was if she could avoid the blade of her father and brother. To that end she had begun some three months ago her instructions in the ways lightsaber combat. Leia was only in the beginning stages of building her own weapon, but was left Mara's new weapon to train with. Mara did not have the power in the Force to confront Vader and Luke like Leia did. To even the playing field, Mara had begun practicing Jar'Kai, the ancient Jedi art of wielding two lightsabers at one time. To compliment that, she had built a second lightsaber to train with. However the weapon was left to Leia whenever she needed practice.

The saber was an awkward weapon to use in the hands of someone taught to use a blaster to defend herself. Indeed it was most unlike the fencing swords Leia had toyed with in her defense classes on Alderaan. Everyone plays with toy swords as kids, pretending to be swashbuckling heroes of the ancient stories. It gets in one's head that they can handle a lightsaber if ever one got his or her hands on one. That was what was meant when they say that a lightsaber is more dangerous to an unskilled user than to anyone it's wielded against. A lightsaber hilt weighs around a kilometer. It seems to get in the mind that with the blade, made of pure light, extended, that the weapon would take on more weight. An unskilled user would over compensate because of this fallacy of logic. No, the lightsaber arts were unique, as Leia had learned. Not a form of power and strength, but of agility and grace. Mara had pressed this into Leia many times before allowing her to so much as touch a lightsaber. When the time came Leia couldn't help but feel trepidation at having the blazing weapon in her hands. And waving the blade around had felt so strange and alien, yet at the same time, almost instinctual Indeed the Skywalker blood was in her.

Leia chortled again. Mara had said the result of her training would decide if that blood would stay in her.

Jade had assured Leia that she was making great progress in her lightsaber training and would be ready to wield one by the time her own was finished. Leia could only hope that she was right. As of now she still felt much more comfortable with her blaster at her side then she did the lightsaber. A blaster may be random and clumsy, but for now it would get the job done if needed.

Leia patted the gun on her hip as she looked up at the sky again. It was getting relatively late. Mara was usually home by now. But Leia didn't fret. She understood Mara's personality completely. The woman, despite all her efforts to train her prodigal apprentice, was a loner. She seemed most at ease when she kept to herself. Leia had no doubt that that also factored into her decision to go off into the city to work. She had a reason for being late, whatever it was.

Mara Jade slowly sipped at the tumbler of Phorliss brandy. She set the half empty glass on the empty bar and leaned back on the stool. The tavern was closed now. Had been for about an hour. The tables had been cleaned and the floors mopped. On the other side of the crescent-shaped counter the massive Houk owner and bartender, Gorb Drig, stood counting the day's finances.

Mara took another drink. So this was the life of the Emperor's Hand now, she thought; Jedi trainer by day, waitress by night. Palpatine would be rolling in his grave if he had one. But that fact didn't matter much to Mara anymore. It had taken a while, but over the last two years the strange Jedi ghost known as Yoda had rid her of any loyalty to the Emperor. No, Mara wasn't the Emperor's Hand.

Hell, she thought. The Emperor doesn't even have hands anymore.

What had once been a lie to convince Leia to join her was now true. Mara was a Jedi Knight, as proclaimed by Yoda some time ago. Mara saw it as more of a field promotion than a genuine one. In fact her own training as a Jedi was yet to be complete. It was an odd set up. Yoda was nothing but a spirit. He had the knowledge to train Leia as a Jedi Knight, but lacked the physical body to do so. But Mara all ready knew the Force and how to use it. Yoda merely needed to guide her into training herself. And then Mara would go and instruct Leia. A simple plan that might prove to be in vain.

Organa had the power, there was no mistaking that. But Mara had long ago realized that the idea of her ever being more powerful than her father and brother was ludicrous. In a few short years, Leia was supposed to be strong enough to topple Darth Vader? There was a slim chance with Skywalker, but Leia could never defeat Vader. And neither could Mara for that matter. Jade had stressed these concerns to Yoda more times then she could count. But the tiny Jedi Master of old had yet to loose faith. Mara supposed that that was a good thing. At least someone was being optimistic. And for all Mara knew, maybe Yoda was right. He was the Jedi Master, not her. If anyone could say that that Leia had the potential to defeat Vader, he could. It was clear that Yoda's understanding of the Force matched, if not rivaled, that of Palpatine.

"Nothing is impossible when dealing with the Force," Yoda always said. Not very reassuring, but Mara could never think of anything to rebuke that statement. Nevertheless, it was going to take a true miracle for things to work out the way the Jedi Master hoped it would.

Gorb Drig lifted his bulbous light green head. "A good haul today, Chiara."

Chiara Lorn. That was the name that Gorb Drig knew her by. One of Mara's many aliases in her career as the Emperor's Hand. Though that career was dead now, the need for alternate identities lived on with greater force than ever.

"Business has been on the up and up in the last few months," Drig said with a smile, dividing up the money for Mara's share. "We'll be able to get the renovations this place has needed. That'll bring in more business. That means more money. Soon I'll be able to hire on a few more hands here. Yeah…" Drig moved the imperial credit chits across the counter to Mara. "Here, a little something extra for being such a great employee."

Mara took the money with a smile. "You're too generous, Gorb. Surely you can use the extra money yourself. After all, I just work here. But you have to pay to keep this place running."

"Oh, don't worry. It's nothing that I can't spare. Things are good under the Vader economy, eh?"

Mara forced a smile. "Yeah, I guess so."

Little did Drig know that his humble waitress had aspirations to destroy Vader. Mara had always wondered what he would think. Gorb was no imperial, despite the fact that he owned a cantina on an imperial world. He was just a simple business man, trying to make his way in the galaxy. Mara wouldn't be surprised if Drig actually despised the Empire; perhaps enough to be a Rebel sympathizer. But it all didn't really matter. There was no need to drag Gorb into the mess, regardless of whether he wanted to or not. But Jade couldn't help but wonder.

"In fact," Drig continued, "with the increase in crowds, we're going to need an extra set of hands to keep up. So starting tomorrow I gotta start a search for another waitress"

"As long as it doesn't put a dent in my wages, Gorb, I'd appreciate the help."

"Good. Good. I can only hope that we can find someone as talented as you are."

Mara finished her drink and Gorb swept it up. "Well, I guess I'll shove off now, Gorb."

"You know you're always welcome to stay here as long as you wish, Chiara."

Mara patted his scaly hand and got up. With a smile she said goodbye and left for the night. Her senses were alive with strange activity. The prospect of the new server had sent a ripple through the Force. It was strange that something so inconsequential would trigger that. Mara would be on her guard about this that was for sure.

"Madame Director, there is a gentlemen here who says he has an appointment."

Ysanne Isard, the Director of Imperial Intelligence, grinned at the sound of the voice coming from the intercom on her desk. The desk, like the office itself, was large and spacious. It denoted just how important Isard's role as the Director of Intelligence was. Courscant was a planet of over a trillion residents. Because of that, space was at a premium and in general was not superfluously wasted. All the more reason the immense wood paneled room was kept so Spartan. With the Dark Lord spending most his time on his precious Death Star and Lord Malice patrolling the galaxy, Isard was essentially the ruler of the capital. A fact she loved more than anything else.

Pressing a finger on the intercom switch, she replied, "Send him in."

Isard sat back in her chair and steepled her fingers. The door some meters away slid open with barely a noise and Isard's visitor stepped in. A middle-aged, balding man dressed almost completely in black, save for crimson-red shoulder pads. A thin leather strap laced his eyes, seeming to block out his vision. From the corners of his mouth and outlining his chin were lines of mysterious tattoos that hinted to his true nature. His hands were cast in long gloves of jet black that were echoed by the lower half of his body. His like colored belt was plain, yet oddly appeared to be missing something.

Isard gave him an insincere smile and directed him to take a seat in front of her desk. The man gave a military bow that Isard knew to be equally insincere and took his place.

"It is an honor to be in your presence, Madame Director." The man told her.

"Likewise, Lord Jerec. I'm glad that you found the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me."

"One is never too busy for Director Isard, Madame." Jerec countered.

Isard leaned forward and rested her hands on her desk. "We both understand the frivolities of small talk, so excuse me for getting to why I brought you here."

"Yes," Jerec smiled in concession. "I never have been one for small talk."

"I have been looking over your record…quite impressive." Isard said slyly, picking up a sheet of flimsiplast. "You're currently governing over the planet Sulon, it says. I understand that you're in control of great wealth and are in the process of procuring a variant of our command ships. Planning to go the way of the warlord, Jerec?"

"I have pledged my life to the service of our great Empire, I assure you Madame. That is merely a rumor, spread by my political enemies." Jerec suppressed a grimace. Isard seemed to know everything. The purchase of that Super Star Destroyer was to remain a closely guarded secret. Someone would die for letting that slip. "I assure you, I have no plans to procure such a ship," he lied.

"Really?" Isard said in mock surprise. "Interesting…I find that quite difficult to believe."

Jerec looked as shocked as a man with no eyes could. Just how much did the leader of Imperial Intelligence know?

"You see, we have something in common." Isard sat back again in her chair.

"Do we?"

Isard grinned, this time sincerely. "We are bound, you see, by our hatred for the Dark Lord, Vader."

Jerec sat up as straight as possible. "Madame Director, you speak heresy! Whoever spreads these heinous lies surely deserves death. You must know that the Dark Lord would strike you down himself for such traitorous speech!"

"Yes," she laughed. "I do. But I also know that Vader has been a thorn in our collective sides ever since the inception of this great Empire. He is a loose-cannon who does what he sees fit. Vader has no interest in the good of the Empire. But for those matters neither do you, so I won't bore you with my patriotism."

"Madame Director, this is an outrage! I will not sit here and let you falsely accuse me of being a traitor!" Jerec shot up to his feet.

"You will sit, Jerec," Isard said firmly. "I have a story to tell you."

Jerec balled his fist, but held his anger in check. He was eager to hear why the Director had called him from the Outer Rim to the capital. He had never liked the Director, but turning her in to the proper authorities could wait. Perhaps, in gratitude, the Dark Lord would appoint him the new Director in Isard's place. That would go far to solidify Jerec's power base. Nevertheless, he would wait to hear why he had been bothered.

"I am sure you are high enough in the Imperial hierarchy to know that the late Emperor Palpatine was indeed a Sith Lord. No mere politician who had the uncanny ability to over throw a deep rooted government," she began. "The Emperor has had three apprentices in his life time. The first was a Darth Maul. A mindless killing machine who would do whatever his master wished. But of course he was bested by the late General Kenobi."

Jerec sat back again, confused.

"It was not long after that the Emperor recruited a disillusioned Jedi Master Dooku, the count of Serenno. He of course is better known for leading the Confederacy during the Clone Wars. As Darth Tyranus, Dooku was a rather capable apprentice to his master. He was a powerful Jedi and an even more powerful Sith Lord. But he was no match for the power of Anakin Skywalker and his tenure as a Sith Lord was…cut short. And Skywalker took his place as apprentice under the name Darth Vader. Does this sound familiar, Jerec…?"

"I know this tale...but I fail to see what it has to do with me." Jerec said with all his previous diplomacy gone.

"Many know that story," Isard continued. "But only a select few know the whole story."

Jerec put his hand to his chin, "By all means, Madame Director, inform me off the real story." Jerec was sure that his cockiness would do well to hide his growing fear. Isard was hitting dangerously close to Jerec's closely guarded secret. But there was no way she could know the truth, no one did.

"In due time. I have here with me two biographies. Both have some very interesting information," Isard told him. She picked up another sheet of flimsiplast and pretended to study it. In actuality she knew exactly what it said. "This one is about a Jedi of the Old Republic. Born sightless, but strong enough in the Force to overcome his handicap. A Knight during the Wars, he actually avoided the conflict due to an assignment looking for rare artifacts beyond the Outer Rim. When he returned, the Jedi were all but extinct. He was recruited by a High Inquisitor Tremayne to be an agent of the Empire. He accepted, of course and became one of the fabled Dark Side Adepts—'Dark' Jedi working under the Emperor and Darth Vader to help hunt the surviving Jedi and maintain order. Do you know of the man whom I speak, Jerec?"

The man balled his fist and attempted to quell the fierce rage inside him. He gave the director a lethal smile. "It is foolish of me to think any information would slip your grasp, Isard." His smile faded and his brows furrowed. "But given this knowledge, it seems you are a fool to tempt my anger!" As if the man had cast some form of ghastly spell, a glass statue at the end of Isard's desk shattered into a million pieces…oddly enough Isard was not the least bit phased.

"Perhaps…however the Dark Side Adepts do not exist!" Isard replied with a mocking grin that was impossibly more devilish than the previous one. "It is a fairy tale told to the Imperial elite to keep them in line. The idea that super-powered beings lay in wait to rectify any incompetence."

Jerec leaned forward in the chair, "Then how would you care to explain my power?" Jerec called the power of the dark side within him subtly focusing it on Isard's throat. But like a menacing phantom, a vise grip formed around the man's invisible hands, holding them away from the imperial director with great ease. Not only was this opposition mysterious, but its power far exceeded Jerec's. He looked—as much as an eyeless man could—in astonishment at the unremarkable event. The power was not Isard's—no…it was someone, something else whose power allowed it to mask itself…

"In due time, Lord Jerec, your question will be answered. But allow me to answer your first question now. You see you are not a Dark Side Adept, and long has it been since your days as a Jedi of the Old Republic…yes. You were about twelve when he took you. He took you away from the Jedi Order and promised you power you could only dream of. I suppose you could not be blamed…for how could a mere child, though trained as a Jedi, resist the charisma of Count Dooku? Yes, how could such a powerful Jedi Master as Dooku become but an apprentice once again? He tried to trick the trickster. He learned the ways of your dark side from Darth Sidious and passed them on to you. And when the time was right, the two of you would kill Palpatine and take his place as the heirs to the Sith. But your training was piecemeal at best. Dooku had little time to feign the Emperor's game and instruct you. Your training lapsed over the years, but you and Dooku were bound and determined to succeed. And perhaps you might have...if not for our common enemy…" she smiled. "Yes, Vader killed your master, didn't he? Took away all that you had fought for. And no one even knew you existed anymore. Your training was never quite complete. But what you do know of the dark side is fueled by the rage you feel whenever you hear the name Darth Vader."

"It appears you have all the facts, Isard," Jerec growled. "What is your intention, hmm? Blackmail?"

Isard gave an innocent look. "Not at all, Lord Jerec. I simply point out how useful a man you are. Understand I want you to help me…if you do the reward will be substantial to say the least."

"Isard, you are the least trustworthy being on this planet. I suppose you think you have be in your trap…but understand that we are bound in our heresy against Vader's empire. If you mean to expose me, you leave yourself just as vulnerable. Our fates are intertwined."

"Exactly," Isard said with delight. "Which means we can trust each other. Now are you ready to hear my vision?"

Jerec was silent, his sense alive, searching, waiting for any sense of danger.

"Together, we can destroy Vader's empire!"

Jerec scoffed. "And rebuild Palpatine's in its place? Your devotion to that fool is something we do not share."

Isard dismissed the comment. "No, Lord Jerec, together we will build our own empire. The two of us together. Collectively we have the ability to topple Vader and take control!"

Jerec was silent, in contemplation. "Just what is it you think I have?"

"The same thing I have…power. While mine is purely political, you have access to the vary power Vader wields. Which will be important to our success."

"You think I can move against Vader and Malice? Even I am not so vain as to believe that. Which leaves me to why I must turn down your offer, Director."

"Really now?"

"You see, just recently I have uncovered a certain…key to defeating Vader. I had intended to use it against the Emperor, but our Dark Lord took care of that for me. When I have this power to destroy Vader and his son, I will rule! I don't need you."

"I see." Isard leaned forward. "I must say that the tale of the Valley of the Jedi is an intriguing one."

"What! How could you know about that? Only a handful of beings in the galaxy know of its existence!"