Seconds anyone?

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"Good morning Mr. Lars," the guarded smile of Connah Kelson, Aram's petite, graying wife, greeted him at breakfast as she set a plate full of devarian sausages and Sononin sweetcakes--a particular favorite in Kruall--on the polished metal table in front of him. "I hope you slept well."

Luke saw his warped, distorted features reflecting back at him from the table as he took his seat. It looked about how he felt this morning. "Fine," he answered. "Thank you." He picked up a utensil and stirred his food around the plate. He should try and eat something, but he just didn't have much of an appetite.

"Aunt Connah--I can't button my collar," a frustrated child's voice entered the kitchen behind Luke. "Can you help me?"

"Oh, Benjamin," she sighed. "You can't wear this shirt to school--it's filthy!"

"But there weren't any others in my drawer," the boy protested. "We can wipe it off."

"Did you comb your hair?"

"Forgot."

She sighed again. "Well, you're running out of time--sit down and eat."

A little boy about seven years old, tousled curly red hair falling over his eyes, came to the table, grinning shyly at Luke as he gingerly placed a handful of miniature toy speeders on the table.

The Jedi smiled back. "Hi, Benjamin."

"Hi."

Connah set a plate in front of the boy, shoving aside the toys. "Hurry and eat," she told him.

Benjamin didn't seem to hear her as he held up a toy swoop for Luke's inspection. "See this one? It's my favorite-it goes the fastest."

Luke took it carefully, examining the toy with interest. "It's very nice," he smiled, handing it back. "How does it work?"

"Benjamin--you're going to be late for school. Eat your breakfast."

The boy pointed to a small switch on the side. "You push that button."

"Aram will be back in about an hour," Connah said, addressing Luke now. She was busy at the counter, stirring a bowl of thick batter as she spoke and though she did not meet his eyes, he still got the same impression as whenever he spoke to her. She did not like him, and despite her husband's confidence, did not trust him. "He had to leave early this morning for something. He said for you to just get started on the rest of yesterday's orders."

"I have to be careful about pushing the button because it goes so fast," Benjamin was still telling Luke, illustrating animatedly with the toy swoop. "Once, I let it fly across the classroom at school and it hit the holoboard and I got in trouble and had to stay after school."

Luke nodded at both of them.

"Mr. Bengally was mad at me 'cause you're not supposed to take toys to school. Because, you see when I do this--"

He didn't have time or the need to finish the sentence, for when his finger pushed the button, the miniature speeder shot from the boy's hands like a bullet or a particularly large, black insect and flew across the room, landing with a plop in the batter Connah had been stirring.

Benjamin's eyes went wide with equal amounts of laughter and trepidation as his aunt fished the toy out of the bowl.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Connah. I didn't mean to let it go."

Luke tucked away a smile, pretending instead, that he was eating and had not noticed what was going on.

She looked appropriately stern. "Haven't I told you a hundred times not to fly your toys in the house?"

"Sorry," the boy repeated meekly.

"Now eat your food," she ordered, handing back the swoop. "You're going to be late."

Benjamin sat back down at the table, aiming a triumphant grin furtively at Luke as he pocketed his toy. Luke smiled back.

He checked his chrono. "Well, I'd better get started on those droids," he excused himself, standing up. He hadn't eaten much. He just wasn't hungry. He nodded politely at Connah. "Thank you for the delicious breakfast."

*********

"You have failed me, Mara Jade."

His voice was the purposeful grating of sandpaper on her ears; her master was willing her to hear in his harsh reprimanding tone his displeasure, his annoyance, his growing anger--and perhaps the most painful for her to face-- his disappointment in her. Mara endured it silently, her head bowed, eyes cast down at the stone floor, flinching inwardly at the words of disappointment that came from the one single person in the galaxy she desired to please.

"I'm beginning to think that perhaps Skywalker and his feeble Jedi parlor tricks have really gotten the better of you," Palpatine remarked. "Such a gross failure on your part is very.upsetting." He seemed to choose his words carefully, watching her closely for a reaction.

Mara didn't move. She knew the Emperor was probably well aware that she had allowed Skywalker an easy escape from the Conquerer. How could he not know? He knew her thoughts, and for the past couple weeks, those thoughts were haunted by the wrenching pain she remembered in Luke's eyes--the chained bird wanting to be free; the noble young man who had been manipulated all his life because of his incredible potential; someone who stood up for his ideals--even if those ideals and his stated distinction between good and evil still seemed foreign to her; someone who could be so strong and foolishly brave but was terrified of what he himself was capable of; someone who's concerns for himself couldn't be farther from his own mind, but who's fear for his friends' safety haunted him night and day. Palpatine knew that she had come from viciously hating Luke to grudgingly admiring him. She was weak and he was disappointed in her. Deep down, his words hit their intended mark, and she again felt the deep, lingering pain of another failure. There was once a time when she executed and performed her missions flawlessly, emotionlessly. It seemed now that she was falling; losing her rigid control.

"Alas, you are not rid of our young Jedi yet, Jade," Palpatine cut into her thoughts. "I want this fiasco rectified as soon as possible. I want Skywalker found. And you will put forth your complete effort in this search."

Mara didn't have to be looking at Palpatine to recognize the dangerous warning in his voice. With an effort she swallowed, working moisture into a dry throat and raised her eyes to meet the fierce yellow gaze in the dark shadow of the black cowl of the robe. She nodded, feeling truly repentant.

"Yes master."

"You will work and cooperate with Lord Vader in helping to locate our young Jedi. Vader has a headstrong streak in him that occasionally needs disciplining. You will watch him closely. You will also work with him. His bond with young Skywalker is particularly strong and should aid in locating the Jedi more quickly."

Mara frowned at this turn of events. She would be working with Vader? Was this the punishment she was to endure for her most recent failure?

"Master?" she asked carefully.

His laugh sent shivers down her spine and she lowered her head, suddenly worried that her cautious question might be misconstrued as disrespect. "Of course I know your dislike for Lord Vader. I know you prefer to work alone. If you wish to do so again, you had better cooperate on this mission with Vader and locate Skywalker."

Palpatine knew better than anyone the worst way to punish her for her mistakes. Teaming her up with Darth Vader would not only be torturous to her, but would doubtless provide him with ample entertainment in the absence of Skywalker as he watched them both squabble. He would be very amused.

Of course she couldn't object, as much as the idea of working with Vader revolted her. Her tongue was thick in her mouth and her throat was very dry. She knew better than to protest her master's instructions.

"I will do as you command," she said hoarsely, bowing again. She cleared her throat and raised her head to meet his gaze once more, openly showing him her resolve. "And I will not fail you."

Palpatine's yellow eyes stared back at her, through her. He sat unmoving, poised, coiled like a snake, making Mara feel as transparent as glass.

"See that you don't."

******

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