Anne called out to Lord Vader telepathically, but then concentrated on Mara Jade. She was in pain, deep spiritual pain; she was forced to watch as the storm troopers raided her house, she was only six years old. She was being held by her mother who had a rifle pointed directly at her head. Mara screamed as the trooper shot her mother at point blank range. A tall dark figure entered the ransacked house and she felt his cold presence and his intense anger. Young Mara was not aware of whom it was that just sent twenty or so men flying in many different directions. The one that had shot her mother was choking as the big dark man continued to close his hand into a tight fist. The leader was dead and the dark man gently picked her up and as glass and wood from furniture snapped and broke. It was a strange sight to the villagers who saw Lord Vader carrying a young red-headed child away from the carnage.

"Lord Vader is your savior; the Emperor only wants to use you to murder. I am not afraid to die, Mara. He has only lied to you. I can heal your heart and your mind, but you will have to fight against the Emperor's hold on you."

Mara dropped the knife and cried, "I had forgotten. What kind of person forgets her own mother?"

"One that has been brain-washed, Mara, join me and I will complete your training." Lord Vader replied.

Mara Jade nodded, "Yes, Lord Vader, I will join you."

Anne and Mara followed Lord Vader into his private rooms; they were dark of course, with very little creature comforts. "Please sit."

Lord Vader motioned to the cushioned floor mats that were solid black velvet. Black candles were lit and strong scent of floral musk surrounded them.

"I've never been in here before, father."

Lord Vader didn't reply and instead sat across from the two girls. Anne gently knelt beside Mara Jade and placed her hands on her head. Lord Vader blocked their presences in the Force, so even the Emperor wouldn't see or feel them in particular Mara Jade.

Anne saw multiple flashbacks, it also appears that Mara Jade had witnessed a few of Anne's beatings at the hands of the Emperor, both girls were crying as the flashbacks were continually healing. Anne found the controlling command that the Emperor had placed deep in Mara Jade's psyche, it was the order to murder any or all of Anakin's Skywalker's offspring, specifically Anne and Luke Skywalker. With some of Lord Vader's assistance they were able to completely break the bond with the Emperor. Mara Jade cried with strong relief and immediately collapsed.

"You've done well, my daughter."

"Is she going to be okay?"

"Yes, she will need some rest as will you. Ascaron will be joining us for dinner and I've sent him on another mission."

"Father, will the Emperor hurt her again?"

"Unlikely, but she will be sent away once her training is complete."

"Where will you send her?"

"She will go with my son."

Mara Jade awakened early evening she felt like a heavy stone had been lifted and thrown off her young shoulders. She dressed in a black pair of slacks and red shirt. Ascaron and A' Marie were already eating when Mara was gently pulled into an embrace, "Feeling better, young one?" Lord Vader asked.

"Yes, milord, thank you."

After dinner, Ascaron said goodbye to both girls to start on his new mission to find Luke Skywalker, Lord Vader's son. Mara knew that the next few months Lord Vader would be working almost exclusively with her, training her not only in the Jedi arts but in the Sith ways as well.

XxX

Luke Skywalker was working on his X-wing, when a new crewmember was introduced.

"Luke?" Leia called.

"Yes, Leia?"

"We have a new member for your squadron, his name is Ascaron."

Luke smiled and offered his right hand, "Nice to know you, Ascaron."

"It's an honor to finally meet you." Ascaron noted Luke's bright blue eyes and his farm boy innocence.

"I have a younger brother who learned of your exploits aboard the Death Star, he would love to have your autograph." Ascaron lied, he knew that Lord Vader would want proof that he was with the rebels.

"I'm not that famous."

"It would mean a great deal to him." Ascaron stated.

Luke sighed heavily, he really wasn't used to this whole idea of being famous, and he was trying to remain incognito. Luke signed the data pad and returned to fixing his X-wing.

Ascaron had to work very hard to gain the trust of the squadron, but Luke was actually quite nice to work with, he didn't know it of course, but in a lot of ways he was exactly like Lord Vader in his managerial style, but fortunately that didn't include force-choking people who displeased him. Luke didn't hover over his team and pretty much let them do as they pleased as long as they didn't show up drunken or disorderly. Rogue Squadron was a tightly knit unit that supported each other and loved each other like brothers. Ascaron was proud to be part of that unit.

XxX

Mara Jade had finally learned to use the Force to walk stealthily throughout the Executor without being noticed, it was her final test. Of course the only person she couldn't ever seem to sneak up on was Lord Vader. He always knew, always. It was rather annoying; she even tried it when he was fresh out of the shower. She had nearly paid with that with her life when a red lightsaber was found to be at her throat. The Dark Lord was none to amused, particularly all he had on him was a black robe and a portable oxygen case. She had to thoroughly clean Admiral Piett's quarters as punishment. Her knees still hurt from all that scrubbing. But in an odd way it was worth it, she saw his naked face and his dark blue eyes that quickly turned to yellow with red highlights; when his anger was brought into play. Mara avoided Lord Vader as much as possible after that incident. Although, it was very difficult as he had a tendency to appear wherever she was. "Young Mara, I do not hold grudges against you. You can stop this running and hiding." Lord Vader stated as she was about to run out of the room.

"I thought you were still angry with me." Mara Jade noted softly.

"No, young one, if I were you would know it. Just learn that I need my privacy at times and I am not use to people seeing me without my mask. I am not as attractive as I once was." Lord Vader stated.

"Your eyes give you away, milord."

"Soon you will be given the lightsaber trial, relax for now and go spend some time with Anne while you still can."

"Thank you Lord Vader." Mara ran out of the room this time to catch up with Anne.

Eventually Mara Jade was rewarded with a dark purple crystal to create her own lightsaber, she was locked in Lord Vader's meditation room and for three days and four nights she finally had it assembled.

Ascaron was contacted and Mara Jade would be taken to planet of Hoth, the new rebel base. Lord Vader wouldn't attack as of yet, he would wait at least a year or two.

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, real life interfered with my ability to post updates and was the major cause of my writers' block. But good news my friends, I have a new vehicle it's a 03' Pontiac Montana (mini-van) in dark red. My other car, may it rest in peace died two weeks ago. Thanks for hanging tough and I hope you enjoy this update.—Darth Gladiator45