WHAT CHOICE REMAINS

Authors: Co-written by rhonderoo and Jedi Trace

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Lucasfilm, Ltd. No money is being made and no infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Feedback is always appreciated.

CHAPTER FOUR

Mara Jade bowed briefly and then held herself upright. The fact that she did not address him formally was not lost on Emperor Palpatine.

"I have an assignment for you," he began slowly, voice grating in the hollowness of his chamber. "You have heard communications regarding a potential Force-adept named Luke Skywalker."

"I have heard of him, yes," she answered smoothly.

"He has returned to his home planet of Tatooine. You will find him at the palace of a Hutt crime lord named Jabba." He pressed a key on the console beneath his fingers. "The coordinates have been sent to your private files."

The Emperor settled back into his throne, "Go to Tatooine and kill Luke Skywalker."

Startled, she opened her mouth only to close it again as she sought the proper words with which to question the Emperor. "Of course," she hesitated. "But what of the plan for Lord Vader to recruit him?"

"Lord Vader's opportunity to convert the boy has expired," came the curt response. "I will not allow Skywalker to become a Jedi. You will ensure that he doesn't."

Turning away, he discharged her simply, "Go."

"Yes, Master."

The phrase lingered in the air as the door closed silently behind her.

Master

It was a lie, of course. The Emperor knew of her true allegiance. The deception had amused him briefly, but Skywalker's emergence would not permit the tolerance of further distractions.

The girl's devotion to Vader was unfortunate and her attempt on Skywalker's life would be their unraveling. Lord Vader would destroy her, just as Prince Xizor had met his untimely demise during an ill-fated attack against the would-be Jedi.

The Emperor gazed out of the viewport and sneered as much as his gnarled features would allow. The loss of a Hand was of no consequence to him. He had others.

His servants' pathetic charade had continued long enough. And now, it would end.