Chapter 26

The cloaked Dagger-class ship departed from the private landing platform, bypassing the ship monitoring system. It was a small, one person fighter, shaped similar to a Geonosian fighter, except it formed a dagger at its front, earning its name. It was fast and maneuverable, and because of its small size, only a little larger than a Geonosian fighter, it was hard to hit, but it was still deadly none the less. It even came with a cloaking device, for short time use. It was the perfect vessel for the new Emperor's Hand.

Mara Jade had felt her husband's death in the Force, and if she had been the woman she once was she would have grieved. But she was not the woman she once was; she was so much more. Her master had opened her up to a new life, one of living for oneself, and living her life to the fullest. She did not have to worry anymore about helping others anymore or dealing with other simple minded beings. She could do whatever she wanted. And she had the power to do it with.

She remembered how everything used to be, when she had power. Her master reminded her of that. Her master had given her power back, the power that she gave up when she officially stopped being the Emperor's Hand, even when she had been a smuggler. And it was all thanks to her master, and the power of the dark side. Her new power thrilled her, and made her see the error of her former ways, as being a Jedi.

But she was the Emperor's Hand, and she had to obey his commands. It was the least she could do since her reawakening. She owed her master, in a way, her life. And her master had already given her her first mission, no sooner than she had pledged loyalty to him. The mission would be an easy on, clean and effortless, and she looked more forward to it with every passing moment. Her ship, the Wraith, specially prepared by her master for her, shot off into hyperspace. Her master had known that she would need the ship. He had known everything.

And the sooner she got to her destination the better. Her target was waiting, and did not even know what was about to happen. But it was best that she got there as soon as possible. The longer she took the harder it would be to accomplish her task, and she did not want to fail her master on her first assignment. She dived into the Force and relished the soon to come moments. She heard her master's voice in her head, giving her the command of who she was to kill.

Leia Organa Solo.

-

Darth Fier knelt down beside the holoimage of his master. He was still in the facility on Mustafar, and was awaiting his master's next orders.

"It is done, then?" Darth Nexus said.

"Yes, master." Fier said.

"Good, my apprentice," Nexus said. "You have done very well. Now you have fully embraced the teaching's of the Sith."

You mean I hadn't before? Fier thought contemptuously to himself over his master's remark.

"You were once weak, but now are stronger than ever before."

"Yes, master."

"Our enemies are moving against us," Nexus said. "But their efforts will be in vain. Our newest recruit shall see to that."

"Are you sure that is wise, master?" Fier said. "She is has only recently adopted our ways. Is she not susceptible to turn back?"
"You worry too much, Lord Fier," Nexus said. "She will not turn back, and will remain loyal to us to the end. I have foreseen it."

"Very well, master." Fier said. "What will you have me do now?"

"Return to Coruscant," Nexus said. "Insurrections from the various planets have been put down and our fleets will be arriving soon, to secure Coruscant to our liking."

"What of those fleets that have not been loyal to us from the beginning?" Fier asked. "Those that are still loyal to the former Galactic Alliance? They may move against us."

"Some may," Nexus agreed. "But any attempt on their part will be crushed. You will see, Lord Fier, that fear can be a great motivator."

"Yes, master." Darth Fier said.

"Return to Coruscant, Lord Fier," Nexus said. "And soon this will all be over."

The image faded away, leaving Darth Fier more alone than ever.