Author's notes: (dramatic music in the background) The CONFRONTATION is here! Mwahahaha! So I have to pull Mara back into the DS a little. Just so you guys know, writing the Emperor is great fun. In the movies, he's actually not my favorite character, but I think he might become one once I finish writing this. It's the standard come-to-the-Dark-Side conversation. Hope you enjoy it – I did my best not to make it too easy for Palpy. Remember though – Mara isn't a Jedi yet. She's been under this guy's influence for years. That's why she… well, see for yourself.

Doreen – Many thanks. I do try to make my characters realistic. Read on.

Urazz – She'll be okay, don't worry. Here you go.

Sithspawned– from a certain point of view, young Padawan. From a certain point of view. :) I hope so too, by the way. Thanks and read on.

Maralove – Assassins usually don't get very emotional about their victims… so I can understand that. Here you go.

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Chapter XI

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I had to clench my fists to stop my hands from shaking. It just seemed impossible that I would be going through this kind of situation for the second time over a span of two days. There was no escaping this confrontation sooner or later, I knew that very well, but I would have preferred the second option. New Jedi powers or no, this wasn't a battle I could win.

"Your mind was sealed off from me, but not by you. Who was the Jedi?" the Emperor inquired, surprisingly curiously. I suppose he assumed that I had killed Yoda.

"It was the Jedi Master Yoda, Master." I replied, calming myself a bit. He wasn't angry… or he didn't seem to be.

"Indeed? And now he is dead." That was not a question. "I knew it would be truly powerful one, when he was able to hide from me for so long… no matter. But Skywalker still lives."

I didn't like the tone at all. There was only one way to get out of this – play it safe. Like Vader often did. The Skywalker brats were more useful alive – all of them. "The apparition of Obi-Wan Kenobi revealed there was more than one Skywalker left. And one is very close to you." I almost snarled that, without intending to do so.

I could sense that he smiled, even though he was many parsecs away. He must have realized why I was so snappish. "So he has told you the story of Anakin Skywalker. I sense your anger, Emperor's Hand."

"You say that as if I were the only Hand. I know that's a lie." I gritted my teeth. "My life is but to serve you… but I will not be your pawn, like the Jedi were. Or like Vader is now. I'm your servant, not your puppet." I didn't even realize with how much defiance I must have said that.

"Yoda has shown you the ways of the Sith." Yeah, why wouldn't he? "How amusing. The Jedi were always too paranoid about their best students turning to the Dark Side simply because of greed for knowledge." Well, when you're one of the last semi-Light Force users in the galaxy… I suppose they can make a little exception. "In the end, it didn't help them after all, did it? Are you saying you are one of them now, Mara?"

One of them… a Jedi. Ridiculous. And… natural at the same time. "I… see through their eyes now."

"And what do you see?" Why do I get the feeling this was working to his advantage?

"Dreams." was my nervous reply.

"An accurate description. Visions that could never be spread beyond their enclaves." Palpatine voiced, with the persuasion that made him a master politician. "Reality is different. We are the reality. The Sith. The galaxy is united."

"But not at peace."

A chuckle. "Mara, Mara. I see they have poisoned your mind with those meaningless codes about peace, harmony and serenity. Tell me now, why was the Republic defeated?"

I didn't need time to think about the answer. "Because of stagnation. The Senate grew complacent, the Jedi stopped evolving."

"You have learned your lessons well. But from me, or from that fool of a Jedi?" Cringing was inevitable. "Attempts to seal your mind away are useless, Jade." I figured out that much. "You're not strong enough… not yet. I can see the Jedi teachings behind your angered thoughts. Converting another Jedi to the Dark would be amusing, to say at least."

"I'm no Jedi." I said flatly. Whether it was a lie or not, I'm unsure.

"But Skywalker is. Almost. And you have gained influence over him." What? "Bring him to me." So I wasn't supposed to kill him anymore? Well, I suppose that's good.

"He will come alone. He wishes to come to Endor with the Rebels."

There was a moment's pause, during which I wondered what he was thinking. Of course he knew of the Rebel strike – it was all according his plan. The Jedi foreseeing seemed to be practically infallible. "Lord Vader has been seeking him most fervently. But the boy will come to him… you will see to that. You will see young Skywalker´s fall. And any doubts the old fool planted into your mind will be vanquished."

"What happens if Vader will choose to join with his son?"

Laughter. "Do you really believe I'd be as naïve as to disregard the possibility? His loyalty is questionable even now. He will also be tested when they fight each other again." A cruel smirk formed on my face. Subconsciously, I knew the very same expression was on the Emperor's face right now. "We shall see who thrives… and if they both choose foolishness," My eyes lit up. "I will be prepared."

"What do you command of me?" I asked, still smirking.

"Come to Endor with the Rebels. Make sure Skywalker seeks out his father – don't waste time finding out the Rebels´ plans. Once Skywalker is one of us, the Rebellion will be crushed. Perhaps it is fortunate that you failed to kill him on Tatooine." Yes. Perhaps it was the will of the Force.

Unsurprisingly, I was dismissed and left to my thoughts. I watched the hangar with less interest now. Did I just lie to the Emperor without him noticing, or return to the Dark Side without wanting to? Oh, how I hate uncertainty.

With the corner of my eye, I saw Solo talking about something with Calrissian, occasionally looking at the Millennium Falcon. I doubted Solo would lend his personal ship to someone – I mean, I would never let anyone even touch my ship.

I suddenly felt somewhat misplaced. This wasn't the kind of atmosphere I was used to. This friendliness or whatever it was. I'm a cold-hearted person, and I know it. And the people around me, the Imperials, were also cold. Sure, I could act cheerfulness very well, but it almost always made me feel sick. This felt so… natural. And then those memories of… of goodness and kindness and… Damn that little green imp!

I sprang to my feet. I had to get myself to think about something different than all those thoughts of honor and noble acts.

"Hey Jade!" I turned around to see that Solo and Calrissian have finished their conversation. I was supposed to go with Solo's team, and it seemed that they were ready. Since I was a fair distance away, I jogged to them – he might be a Rebel, but technically, I was one as well, so I had to obey a superior. Technically.

"I'm ready, general." No sarcasm at all.

He rolled his eyes. "Fancy titles are annoying. Just call me Han."

"Well, I prefer to go by with Jade, but I guess since I'm with the "happy little family" now, you could call me Mara." I grimaced at the Imperial shuttle. "Are we going with that tin can? These Lambda class shuttles are about as fast as your Rebel X-wings. Translation: sluggish."

"Yeah, they could never match with my baby." He said, nodding longingly in the Falcon's direction. Pilots do get personal about their ships – I'm no exception – so I could tell without the Force he wasn't happy with the prospect of leaving the Falcon behind. Rusty old Corellian corvette it might be, but it still is his ship.

"If it makes you happy, Vader hates it." I noted, matter-of-factly as I examined the ship from afar. It definitely was the one and only ship that helped blow up the first Death Star. It looked it, too.

Solo turned his head to me, genuinely surprised. "Vader? As in Darth Vader? You know, tall guy, black armor, weird breath mask, the official Imperial mascot? He hates my ship?"

I chuckled slightly – amusing description, really. And highly accurate. "Yeah, him. He was piloting the main fighter of the convoy trying to kill Skywalker. You almost blew him up. Shame that only almost."

"And he hates my ship because of that?"

"Sol-" the pointed look he gave me stopped me. "Han. Apart from almost killing him, you cost him his arm." I always liked to make fun out of that little punishment. I doubt it hurt Vader that much, though – he must be used to losing limbs, by now. "Don't think the Emperor showed him mercy when he screwed up his assignment just because he's the big bad Dark Lord. Oh yeah, and you saved Skywalker a couple of times, too."

"That explains why he was so keen to torture you and then freeze you on Bespin." Calrissian noted. "Imperials don't take defeat well… I guess you'd better watch out who you shoot down next time."

"Yeah. So I can get a clear shot." Solo joked. He was cocky on the outside, but otherwise, he seemed to take that advice to heart. I'd do the same thing in his shoes. Pissing off a Sith Lord when you're not a Force user yourself is a bad idea.

"I gotta go. Take care, ol´ buddy. " Calrissian noted, shooting me a wide smile and wandering off. Solo choked with laughter, so I glared at him.

"You got a problem, Solo?" I asked, folding my arms once Calrissian was out of earshot.

Solo grinned brightly. "I think he likes you."

"I think I'm gonna vomit." I said, miming said action for a moment.

"Just don't ruin his illusions too soon, okay? At least, not until I'm there to see it." Solo amended, still grinning. Some friends those two must be. "But kidding aside, we really gotta go. The others are already in the ship." He gazed at the Falcon once more, but shook his head. The grin was gone.

"Heads up, Solo – even if you don't see her again, she'll be remembered." I grinned too. "Ready to save the universe again?"

He seemed to brighten up slightly, "Yeah, probably." I wasn't sure to which query he replied, but the answer was satisfying – we could finally move from the spot. "Let's get that tin can fired up."