Mara was furious. How dare he?! How dare he push things into her mind like that?! He shouldn't even be able to do that! He should be too weak, and besides she had learned from Palpatine himself how to shield her mind from the likes of Skywalker and his kind. Stupid jedi!
Mara wanted to punch something, preferably Skywalker. Her hands had curled into tight fists and her nails were digging into her palms. Stupid jedi! He should have been too weak for this! I shouldn't have let my guard down! Mara was berating herself for Skywalker's success in sending a mental image to her. She had been trained better than this. It's all a lie anyway. What he shared can't be true. I know he's lying. Stupid, lying jedi!
But still ... he shouldn't have had the strength to even push anything into my mind, let alone create an altered version of what happened. Not in the state he is in. But it has to be a lie. It is a lie. Mara didn't want to believe Skywalker's version, because if she did then she had to admit that what she had always thought was the truth was actually a lie, and it would mean Skywalker hadn't been lying the last few days when she questioned him. Which also meant that he really was Vader's son.
A shiver went through her and she slowed down. Could he really be Vader's son? It would explain why Vader had suddenly betrayed the Emperor after all the Emperor had done for him. But it was ridiculous. Skywalker was a rebel and a farmboy, and surely Vader wouldn't have let his son be raised like that. Unless he didn't know about him, a little voice said.
Mara stopped in her tracks. It actually made sense, and she didn't like that at all. Skywalker being Vader's son was the only thing that made sense in why Vader had suddenly betrayed the Emperor after more than twenty years of faithful servitude. And if she had to be honest it didn't make sense why Skywalker would even try to lie about that. It was not like Vader was in any way popular with the rebels.
Mara thoughtfully stroked her chin. Could Skywalker be telling the truth about him and Vader? If he did everything made so much more sense. Especially why Palpatine had wanted him so badly. The son of Vader ... Yes, he would indeed have been quite an asset. Mara had witnessed his power for herself and there was no denying it; Skywalker might not be the most trained jedi the galaxy had ever seen, but he was certainly powerful. Very powerful.
She lightly licked her lips as if she could taste the power. Could that power be used to the Empire's advantage? To her advantage? It would be tough, she knew that. In order to get to Skywalker's power she would first have to get to the man and he was not an easy mind to break. But it could be done, she was sure of it. Sooner or later he would break and then – then she could either kill him or build him up again to serve the Empire! YES! It was a possibility. It might not be as satisfying as killing him, but it would be extremely satisfying seeing the rebels' reactions when their 'great hero' suddenly turned on them.
Mara smiled to herself. Yes, Skywalker's power was worth the effort of trying to get to it. The son of Vader ...
Mara was jolted out of her thoughts by the realization that she had left the lighting on. She turned on her heels and ran back to the cave. If he had died she wouldn't even get the chance to take advantage of his power for the good of the Empire. Stupid! I shouldn't let my anger get the better of me! I don't want him dead yet!
She skidded to a stop when she reached the opening to the cave and pressed the button to stop the lighting. Silence. She looked at the limp form hanging from the chains. Was he still alive? Or had his body given up? It would be a disappointment if he had died already. Mara cautiously went nearer him. He didn't react. Then she lifted a hand and hesitated for a moment before she held it against his throat to check for a pulse. She held her breath. There! There was a pulse. It was slow and unsteady, but it was there.
Mara removed her hand, a little impressed. He had survived a relentless round of torture and the lighting being left on for longer than ever before. He was still breathing despite all he had been through, despite the fact that he was physically much weaker than when he was captured. He is either too stubborn or too strong to simply die. Or both. A little smile crept over her face. Yes, she would really have to get to that power of his. If she could find a way to harvest it she could bring the Empire back to its former glory.
Smiling tightly to herself, she grabbed hold of him and dragged the unconscious jedi back to the stone slab. She would give him some water and then she would start working on a plan to get to all of that power. It wasn't fair the rebels were the only ones who got a piece of it, after all.
§ §
Leia forced herself to take a deep breath and relax her shoulders. She had become so tense over the last days that her body was starting to hurt. I really need to regain my focus; I can't work like this. She massaged her temples trying to get the light headache to disappear.
"Are you okay, Leia?"
Leia looked up from her desk. Winter was looking at her with a concerned expression, and in her hands she carried a tray with food and water.
Leia shook her head. "Not really, Winter. Luke is still gone and I just want him back. I can't concentrate on my work. Or anything really." She forced herself to take another deep breath.
Winter put the tray down on the table and laid her hand on her arm. "Leia, stressing yourself out won't help anyone. I miss him too and hope he returns safely to us soon, but we have to trust in General Cracken and his people."
"I know," Leia said with a sigh. "But it's easier said than done."
"Of course," Winter added, "trusting in them doesn't mean we can't do our own to help."
Leia looked at her quizzically. "Oh?"
"Just because they are doing what they can, doesn't mean we can't add them. For example by going over all the information available and looking for clues ordinary people may not notice." Winter's expression was one of innocence, except for Leia who knew her too well. Winter had her own plan and she was letting Leia in on it.
Leia smiled tightly. "I see. That is a good idea, Winter. I think we should definitely help in any way we can." Yes, only someone with your perfect memory can possibly hope to see the little hidden clues other people miss. "You get started on that. Anything you need from me?"
Winter nodded. "Access to the holovids and database," she said with a straight face.
Leia nodded slowly. The access had been severely restricted to avoid the information spreading; barely anyone had access to that horrible holovid and the data pertaining to Luke's capture and torture. Just thinking about it made her cold inside. Of course Winter would need her to gain access. "I'll see you get access. Meanwhile just continue with what you are already doing."
Winter nodded. "Of course, Leia." She let gave her arm a squeeze and let go.
Leia looked at the tray in front of her. She hadn't realized she was even hungry until now. "Thanks, Winter. For everything." She looked her in the eyes, knowing Winter would see her honesty and remember it forever.
Winter smiled. "Anytime, Leia. Enjoy your lunch."
Winter left the office again to do whatever she had planed to do, and Leia started on her lunch feeling a bit better than before. Yes, Luke was still missing, but now Winter was going on the case and no one knew just how incredible Winter's mind was but Leia and, of course, Cracken. Maybe we really will find Luke and that crazy woman and then everything will be all right again.
Leia ate her lunch with a renewed sense of hope, determined to get Winter full access to the NRI's data within the hour.
§ §
Oh. I'm still alive. How disappointing. At least I think I'm still alive. If this is death then Death is cruel. It has no business being as painful as life.
Luke slowly drew in a breath, feeling the soreness and pain spread even by that simple motion, but his lungs and brain were thrilled by the oxygen. Oh yeah, definitely still alive. Death can't possibly be this cruel. He slowly exhaled and breathed in again. Then he decided unconsciousness was better than consciousness, and slipped into a healing trance.
§
Mara returned to the cave with a jug of protein enriched water. Better not let him die now. She didn't want him to get too strong, but considering how weak he was by now it was probably a good idea to give him a little extra protein. It wouldn't be enough to give him enough strength to fight back, but it would keep him alive.
He lay still on the slap exactly as she had left him and for a moment Mara wondered if he had died at any rate. She put the jug down on the floor next to him and checked for a pulse. There. Still alive. She smiled tightly. The pulse was slow as was his breathing, but it was there and it was steady now. Amazing. Even after all of this he is still fighting. She could see he had lost weight; he was much thinner than he had been when she first brought him here and undressed him, but he still had some strength left.
She poked him lightly in the chest. "Wake up, jedi. Water for you." He didn't react. Mara poked him harder. "Come on, jedi, I know you are alive. Wake up." He still didn't react.
Mara frowned. He had a steady, but slow, pulse, but he wasn't reacting to her poking even though at least the last one should have been painful enough to get a reaction and there was nothing.
She looked at him thoughtfully. He didn't seem aware she was even there. She tried another poke. Still nothing. Mara studied him. She had heard about the jedi of old being able to heal themselves by going into special trances and when they did nothing could disturb them. It looked like this might be the case here.
She let a hand run over his abdomen. There was absolutely no reaction to her touch. She had never learned healing herself and she had heard it was one of the harder things to learn if you didn't have a natural affinity for it. And yet he seems to have learned it. In fact he seems to be rather good at it. The warrior has learned healing. I wonder what else he can do? Mara, of course, had heard all the rumors and hear say about him, but she knew most of it was just that; rumors. But now she wondered just how much of it was true and what he could become if he got the time. He's so strong and powerful. I have to find a way to get that power, to use it for the Empire. Vader was incredibly strong and if he is really Vader's son then it seems he has inherited his strength. Inherited ... Something changed in Mara. If it could be inherited like that then ... Her breath caught. Then it would be so simple to get his power. All she really had to do was to get pregnant. And then she could bring the child up as a proper Imperial. Of course, I don't have the knowledge of the Force he do, but once he breaks I can turn him into an Imperial, too, and then he can teach the child. Yes. Yes, it's perfect! The rebels won't know what hit them. She smiled coldly. She wouldn't kill him; she would break him and build him back up as a loyal Imperial, and then he would help her get the Empire back to its former glory. He was already hers and she could do what she wanted with him. Whatever I want ... She let her eyes travel lower. She might as well get started on her new plan now. It would take some time at any rate, both to break him and to get pregnant.
She flipped the loincloth up and stroked him. What would he think of this? He'd probably protest. She snorted gently to herself. As if it mattered. He would learn his place soon enough and then she could start rebuilding the Empire, a proper Empire.
Oh, that's interesting. He doesn't react to anything, but his body do. Her smile deepened. It was really too easy. Mara made a quick decision and started stroking and touching him in earnest while loosing her own clothes.
For a brief moment she hesitated. She hadn't been with anyone for a long time; it was not something that was on her list of important things, but something that could be a distraction and she tried to avoid distractions. Well, if you want something, sometimes you have to let yourself risk a little distraction. Mara cast another look at his face; he still seemed completely unaware of what she was doing. Okay, no hurry then; he'll probably be out of it for some time still to come while he heal. I have time to prepare.
Mara turned around and walked out again. I don't want him to find out just yet, so I'll need something to clean up with. And a lubricant; don't want to hurt myself just to get pregnant.
She walked the short distance back to her simple quarters. There weren't much in them; a bed, a trunk, a simple table with a chair, a tiny kitchen unit, and a small refresher unit had been installed in an alcove. She quickly found some oil and a towel. Maybe I should do a quick change as well. My clothes aren't practical for this. She walked over to the trunk, opened it, and pulled out the only thing without pants. Her heartbeat was faster than usual. Relax, Mara. He's chained up, weak, and completely out of it. Even if he should wake up, it's not like he can do anything to you. Bolstered by that thought, Mara changed clothes, took her things and went back to the prison cave.
She peeked around the corner. Still out of it. Good. Then she walked in briskly and continued where she had left off; she stroked him until he was hard then applied some oil in a businesslike manner. She swung a leg over him so she rested on her knees and shins. Okay, she thought taking a deep breath. Here we go.
First she tried finding the right angle by wriggling around a little, but when she didn't seem to have much luck with that, she grabbed hold of his penis to try and steer herself into the right position. There. Okay, easy now ... Mara gasped a little as pain shot through her. She held still, taking some deep breaths, forcing herself to relax. When was the last time? It must have been a long time ago. She had never enjoyed it, but she had never done it for pleasure either. She knew some people apparently enjoyed sex a lot, but Mara didn't get it. She remembered when she had first had sex; it had been on the Emperor's order, of course, telling her she needed to learn not just how to flirt, but also seduce in order to obtain her objective. Mara had hated it; the guy had apparently enjoyed himself, but Mara had vowed that she would rather knock a guy unconscious than have sex with him. And now I'm doing both. Well, at least he can't do anything to me. The thought had barely formed before she looked sharply at his face. Was there a reaction? The last thing she needed was for him to wake up now and attack her.
She stared intently, but he didn't seem to notice. Mara relaxed again. Easy, Mara, he's still out of it. She tried pushing down a little, experimentally. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't as bad as her first try. Okay, nice and easy, I have time for that. At least I hope I do.
Mara kept staring at his face, paranoid that he would wake up and attack her while she was vulnerable. Little by little she slid down all the while watching him for the slightest reaction.
Okay! That wasn't so bad. It's a lot easier when I'm the one in control. A little smile appeared on her face again. So far, so good. She had control of this.
Very carefully she started moving again; it still wasn't pleasant, but it could be worse, she mused, and had been in the past. And considering she was doing it to both avenge the Emperor and bring the Empire back to its former glory with the help of a strong child, she could take a bit of pain.
How many times will I have to do this to succeed? Is it hard getting pregnant? Mara honestly didn't know. It had never been something she had thought about before since having a family didn't figure into an assassin's life, and so she had never needed to know.
Mara slowly increased the speed of her movements. It was getting easier and no longer as painful. I should just have knocked him out; then maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. Of course, the Emperor might have been mad if I had done that. I don't think that would have fitted with the lesson in seduction. How long do I have to continue before he cums, anyway?
She tried getting some indication by staring at him, but realized it probably wouldn't work since he had so far not responded to anything she had done. At least with the others it had been pretty obvious. She sped up.
Come on, jedi. How long do I have to keep going? She kept watching him for any reaction, any sign he was waking up, not able to truly relax. She was too close to him, too vulnerable like this. He might be weak, but she knew he still had strength left in him, that he still had some fight left in him. Someone as powerful as him could be dangerous even in a weakened state. Palpatine hadn't been physically strong, yet nobody had doubted his strength or what would happen to anyone who crossed him.
Mara's legs and knees were starting to protest and she finally just stopped, resting against his thighs and hips. Well, it isn't difficult anymore. I just hope it was enough. She let herself rest for a moment before pushing herself up again, and on protesting legs and knees got back on her feet. She felt something trickle down her leg and felt a little thrill at seeing his cum. I did it! I actually did it! If her knees hadn't been so sore from resting on the stone she could have done a little victory dance. Instead she picked up her towel and swiped away what was running down her leg and then him. It's probably best if he doesn't find out yet; he might prevent it from happening again and I need to be sure I get pregnant. At least now I know I can do it and how it do it. Mara looked at him for a moment. Maybe I should get him a bit of food, too. He hasn't had any solid food for the last few days.
Satisfied with her work, she put the loincloth back in place, picked up her things and walked back to her quarters. She would keep watching him from there through the surveillance system and see just how long it would be before he came to. But first a bit of food for him and then some for me. I'm starving. She laughed softly to herself.