A/N: Thanks for the reviews...and to Sexy Scottish Accent...(LOL) yes...I do work in an ER, for animals. I love it, even with the long hours on my feet! ...:)

Part XXI

Palpatine knew that upon his arrival, Lord Vader would not be there to greet him. Or at least he surmised as much. Having given no forewarning that he was on the way, the Dark Lord would not have had much time to prepare to receive his Master. Of course, the other reason Vader would be conspicuously absent, was the fact that he was trying to find some way to hide his son. The Emperor was well aware that his Second-in-Command was unsure just how much he knew...whether or not he was aware that Luke was on board. He felt Mara Jade slip into procession behind him as the simpering figure of a lowly Captain approached them. Where was Piett? Probably shaking at Vader's side like some cowering lap dog, licking his Master's boots in the hopes of a scrap or two. What had Vader promised Piett? Palpatine turned down the corners of his mouth. He would enjoy crushing the Admiral at a later time...for now, he had more important concerns.

Behind him, Mara stepped lightly...moving like a shadow in his wake. She was single-minded and completely focused on finding Skywalker. He grinned inwardly. If she had only a glimpse of the plans which he had for her and Skywalker...well, everything in its own time. His dark dreams would have to wait, for now.

"Your Highness, we are honoured and pleased you have seen fit to grace us with a visit." The simpering Captain was espousing some useless prattle, all lies. Palpatine was tired of waiting, his desire to end this and start a new dynasty was foremost in his thoughts. "Enough, Captain. I know you have no true joy in having me aboard. Tell me...where is Lord Vader?" The breach of etiquette displayed by the Dark Lord at not attending his Master's arrival was an extremely callous act. The Captain knew this.

"Your Highness, Lord Vader is taking care of a few loose ends concerning a group of Rebel Alliance pilots and Officers which was brought on board after the attack on the Iskander base. We have only recently taken them into custody, Milord." The Captain was unable to stop the tremor that ran through his voice. Palpatine chose to ignore it.

"I see, Captain. And tell me," he paused in his progress to address the boy fully, "is the Jedi Luke Skywalker among them?" Trap baited and set...

And sprung...he'd caught himself a rat. The terror which had seized the Captain was physically evident now. He shook, slightly, and a bead of sweat had appeared on his forehead. Mara snorted and looked away, bored. She was tired of his teasing. But Palpatine was waiting to hear what sort of lie the man would say next...it was lecherous, this devotion to Vader.

"I am not aware of any man of that name, Milord. But we have only just begun to question them...it is possible that he is here." A shakily exhaled breath, the Captain was beginning to think he maybe had pulled the wool over Palpatine's eyes. But you can never deceive the deceiver...not beat the master of deception at his own game. He had given away the fact that Skywalker was on board the Executor the moment Palpatine had set foot upon the planking. Fortunately for the Captain, the Emperor was willing to play along, for now. His own plans still needed to be finalized, and the charade of simple little visit must be kept up.

"Inform Lord Vader I wish to see him immediately. The prisoners can be questioned later. Do not keep me waiting, Captain." Palpatine's voice was low, graveled, but without that honeyed tone Mara was so used to hearing. A chill took her, and she thought it mush be the coldness of space, the frigid air in the landing dock...she hoped so. She could not face the other option...that it was the sharp edge of doubt once again invading her mind. Her Master's voice brought her abruptly back to the present.

"Jade," he spoke quietly, his visage hidden from her by his dark cloak. He was contemplating her, and she was unnerved. She brought up her shields again, quicksilver mind barriers, and bowed to him.

"Are you certain you are aware of what lies before you?" There was a warning note in his voice...he trusted no one.

She knew how to answer him, what he needed to hear. "Give me free rein, Milord, and I will prove to you my certainty." Her green eyes flashed, and he saw what he wanted in them.

"Go then, and bring him to me."

She needed no other encouragement. Her black boots made no sound as she made her way out of the landing dock, intent on Skywalker like a vornskr on the hunt. It didn't take her any time at all to find him. The single man stationed by his quarters was a pale attempt at protection, but Mara could see the value in keeping the room low key...why beef up security outside a room that was supposedly not holding Luke Skywalker?

He was standing near the view port, that self-righteous Senator from Alderaan at his side. Mara had never seen Skywalker in the flesh, and she took the opportunity to observe him unnoticed. He was shorter than she expected...which hardly mattered, as he was taller than she was. His hair was different, too. It was no longer the sun-kissed colour of the sands of Tatooine, but had deepened, as if the discovery of his parentage had outwardly darkened him as much as it had inside. And when he turned at her voice, the purity of his blue eyes stuck her...and something in her shifted. It was as if many portals had lined up, for just an instant...and she was able to glimpse far further than she'd ever been able to. Mara did not know what it meant, but she knew that her destiny and Skywalker's were linked somehow, more intricately intertwined than she would have thought possible. She could see the same realization flicker through his eyes, though it only lasted a moment.

Back to business. Take him to Palpatine. They were moving down the hall now, and Mara could not shake the powerful feeling of doubt again. That feeling of being overtaken by her uncertainty. Scarlet blossoms cracking the edifices upon which she based her beliefs. White blossoms and green vines twisting around the stone foundation of her devotion to the Emperor. Over and over she saw those Khayrian statues overrun with new life...sat in the gardens again. She had to master these thoughts...needed to conquer her misgivings. Besides, what kind of life awaited her outside of the Empire? What did she gain by sympathizing with Skywalker? These were questions she did not want the answers to. Mara wasn't ready to face the truth of her doubts...that her whole life quite possibly had been a lie. And Skywalker could see right through it. That angered her...and she used it to centre her purpose.

The Skywalker orphan had found his Father...and she was fatherless.

Skywalker's Father cared for him, enough to commit treason...hers had obviously not cared for her at all...he'd abandoned her, hadn't he?

Skywalker had become the centre of Palpatine's life...she'd always been on the periphery.

She hated him. She hated him and she would use that hate to burn out all thoughts of doubt and confusion. The hate would see her through.

Mara had to believe it.