Chapter 23
It was very difficult, but Mara was able to open her eyes. Pain wracked throughout her entire body every time she moved, even the slightest bit. She looked around at her surroundings, only seeing the faintest glimmer of light. She was in a small, dark cell. She tried to move her hands, but realized that she was chained against the wall, her hands above her head, preventing her from standing up. Mara tried to use the Force to open the locks but was too weak. She remembered the moments right before she passed out: T'rssk being shot down, the blue lightning, the troopers in white armor, and the man's eyes. She shuddered at the thought of them.
"You're awake," a voice said in the darkness. If not for Mara's training she would have screamed.
"Let me go," Mara said, mustering all the strength she could just to speak.
"And why would I do that?" The voice said again and a figure stepped out of the darkness and into the light. It was the cloaked man. Darth Nexus. Fortunately for Mara his eyes were closed. "You have impressed me, Master Skywalker. Others would have fallen to my powers, yet you have not."
"Why don't you just kill me then and get it over with?" Mara asked contemptuously.
"Why should I?" Nexus asked. "You are my prisoner, you are of no threat to me, and I can do whatever I want to you."
Mara spat at him.
"Now, now, Master Skywalker, is that any way to treat the person that saved your life?" Nexus said. "The clones wanted to finish you off, but I brought you here so you may regain your strength."
"And for what purpose would that be for?"
"To help me, of course." Nexus said.
Mara laughed. "You're crazier than I thought, even for a Sith," Mara said. "Why in the galaxy would I help you?"
Nexus smiled. "You laugh now, but you do not realize what I can offer you."
"And what could that be?" Mara said derisively.
Nexus leaned down closer to Mara. "I can give you back your old power."
"What are you talking about? Mara said, a lump forming in her throat.
"Do you not remember, Mara? Do you not remember what you once were?" Nexus said.
"What are you talking about?" Mara asked.
"You were the Emperor's Hand," Nexus said. "You once held one of the most powerful roles in the galaxy. You personally answered the Emperor himself, and you had the power to do anything behind you. Now look at you. The Jedi have made you weak, you've forgotten what kind of power, authority, you once had."
"I haven't forgotten," Mara said. "But I am no longer that person anymore. I stopped wanting to be that person, and I willingly gave up my power."
"And you have never missed it?" Nexus said. "Are you truly content with living your life as it is now, burdened by others, not able to do what you want for yourself?"
"I help those in need," Mara said. "I am happy with my life."
Nexus smiled. "You're lying," He said. "I sense the darkness lurking within you, Mara Jade Skywalker, and with my help I can bring it forth. I have the power to give you anything you want, and all you have to do is become my new Emperor's Hand. Take up the title you once wore, and the galaxy can be yours."
"I'll never join you," Mara said. "You can't tempt me with your lies."
"You don't have a choice," Nexus said. "You will join me, or you will die."
Nexus's eyes opened, but Mara did not scream. Instead her world dissolved away, and all she could do was stare into his eyes. It was a dark chasm, with no end in sight, and Mara was falling into it. Mara gasped, and tried to grasp at the darkness, for something to hold on to, but there was nothing. She continued to slip deeper into the darkness, and soon she was completely eclipsed.
Mara opened her eyes.
"Now, my loyal servant," Darth Nexus said. "Rise."