Author's notes: Sorry for the long break, I had no ideas.

Urazz – thanks. Read on.

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Chapter VI

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The flight to Dagobah was short enough – the Sluis Sector was quite close to Tatooine (Arkanis Sector, just to be proper). I kept a fair distance between Skywalker and myself – I actually took a shorter route, just to keep at least a few parsecs between us. I could afford it – the homing beacon was secure. And I knew his destination.

Dagobah was known for only one thing – marshes, swamps and all the nasty critters that were there. A Jedi could have chosen a better accommodation, really. But I was at least grateful that I didn't have to go to Myrkr. Still, I didn't like the prospect of having to crawl through the mud. If it wasn't a direct order from my Master, not even a hungry horde of nexus chasing me would persuade me to do this.

I tried to detect the slimy greenish rock for Force Sensitivity. A whole lot of creatures lived there, but none of them was that strong in the Force. But I sensed strong darkness from one part of the planet... drawing me to the spot. I figured if I'm supposed to wait for Skywalker for the next few hours or more, I should prepare my camp. Fortunately, I knew the planet's climate – otherwise I would have crashed pretty badly, I'm sure. The landing wasn't all smooth, but I can fly anything. For the first time, I actually appreciated the TIE fighter I was piloting – it was small, so it got around the trees just fine. It took me some time to find a spot that wasn't an obvious swamp (and TIE fighters usually don't land on ground – they use the special hangar equipment in order to keep the wings undamaged. Lucky I was smart enough to pick one with short bent wings.)

I got out of my TIE and observed the surroundings. I immediately came to the conclusion that I don't like the planet. So, I have to find Yoda. Great. You know, those records about his greatness are really cool... except they don't bother mention what species the guy is!! That was absolutely frustrating! And, of course, no holographic references, either. All information about the Jedi was wiped out. Thanks so much, Vader.

The only thing that struck me as logical was to find that source of darkness. The fact that I have no idea what it is or whether a certain Jedi Master wouldn't go for my throat once I get there really pissed me off.

Blasters wouldn't be much good against all the vines and plants around me. My TIE was now secured – locked and coded with the newest imperial sequences – so I wasn't really afraid about anything happening to it. I took out my lightsaber and began making a route to the point I was drawn to. It was no easy task – I'm no weakling, even though I'm not the tallest person in the galaxy. I do a lot of physical working out, but even with a lightsaber, this was exhausting.

Finally, I sliced my way to a clearing. Panting slightly, I realized I had to sit down. These two Jedi have proven themselves far more trouble than they're worth. My senses kicked in, suddenly. Something was here. I... couldn't place the feeling. It felt like...

"Hello." an elderly voice said from behind me. Before it finished the word, I was already on my feet, blaster pointed at the source of the response. The creature (whatever it was) seemed to be only two feet tall, green, with pointy ears and deep eyes. It carried a walking stick and was dressed in rags.

When it saw my blaster, it raised its arms defensively. "Away with your weapon. I mean you no harm." It peeked from behind its hands, "Know you, I do not. What brings you here, I am wondering."

I tilted my head to the side, "What's it to you, greenie?"

The creature shook its head, "Live here, I do. Uncommon, visitors are."

My blaster remained in position as I sensed the creature out. It seemed harmless, but looks could be deceiving. Somehow, it seemed to notice my attempt. It chuckled.

"Untrusting, you are."

"In my experience, there's no such thing as trust." I snapped, but lowered my blaster, holstering it once more. "I'm looking for someone."

"Looking?" The creature repeated, excitedly. "Found you have someone, hmm?"

I snorted, "I'm not looking for conversation. I'm looking for Yoda."

"Yoda?" the imp asked.

"Yes, Yoda. Jedi Master, or so I've heard."

"Ooh. Jedi, you are?" it asked.

I grimaced, "Not exactly."

"Then why you seek Yoda?"

"My Master sends a message to him."

The creature's excitement didn't seem to fade – evidently, it never heard of Emperor Palpatine. But... "Ah. Your master, servants he needs to talk to friends?"

"You're a little too inquisitive for your own good, greenish imp." I growled. I was really irritated by the conversation now. But then I stopped. "What are you? I can sense..." I stopped. The thing was Force Sensitive! My lightsaber was immediately in my hand. "Identify yourself or I'll destroy you in the name of the Emperor!"

The creature, which by now I have assumed was Yoda, lowered his head and shook it sadly. That was it. Jedi Master or no, he was going down. I swung my saber at the creature – an attack that it dodged with ease. Another attempted attack was avoided with the most acrobatic move that consisted out of flips and somersaults. Suffice it say that I was stunned enough to stop attacking. And I felt my lightsaber fly out of my hand, ending up deactivated in the creature's hand.

My eyes narrowed as he examined the weapon, "Well crafted, this weapon is. Construct it, Vader or the Emperor did?"

"Neither. I'm fully capable of constructing a lightsaber myself, thank you very much." I hissed.

Yoda shook his head, "The Dark Side in you, I sense. Taught by the Emperor, you were."

"How can you tell?" I asked suspiciously.

Yoda chuckled slightly, "A Force bond in your mind, there is. Binding you to him." I sensed something in the back of my mind... but it wasn't the bond... "Shielded it, I have. While here you are, contact him, you cannot."

I didn't have to guess whether he was telling the truth – I tried to call my Master several times before he shielded our bond completely, but something kept blocking it. What did the imp want? If he wanted to kill me, he would have done it already.

"Correct, you are." I jumped. Clearly, he was reading my mind. Bugger. He smiled, "Know why you came, I do. But allow you to kill him, I cannot."

"Well then we really do have a problem." I hissed. "Because I have to kill him. It was a direct order."

"Try you may, but strong he has grown. Defeat you, he would." Yoda noted calmly. "Strong in the Force, you are. Train you, I could."

Now I snorted. What was the guy thinking?! I came to kill him and his brat – end of argument! I didn't come here to learn about some ancient Jedi ways that don't work either way!

"Headstrong, you are." Yoda commented, "But unleash your full potential, Palpatine would never allow. A threat to him, you could become. Efficient, you are. Vader's place, you want. Soon, Palpatine´s throne, desire you would."

I tried to block him out of my mind. So what if I wanted to get higher on the food chain? It was the way of the Sith.

Yoda suddenly chuckled, "Even of the Sith, little you know."

I give up. I really give up. That thing thinks he knows me better than I do! Fine. Let's see what he has to say. I can still kill him later... but the fact that I was forcibly separated from my Master frightened me slightly. I never felt like this, this... alone.

"A Jedi is never alone." Yoda noted. I looked at him once again. "Who I am, you know. What your name is, young one?"

"They call me Emperor's Hand."

"Then I will call you Mara Jade." He noted, smiling slightly.