9
CHAPTER SIX
Mara stared out the window of the air taxi. The bright lights in the night sky on Coruscant illuminated the majestic city. Gazing upon the metropolis at night always gave her a sense of peace. However, tonight, that feeling was absent. Mara was still thinking about the treaty and the impending visit of the Duke and Duchess.
She was not alone on her trip back to her apartment complex as she agreed to let Lando share the ride with her. He was headed to the transport area for a journey to the other side of Coruscant as he was to meet with a group of associates in the morning. They were planning to open a new resort and casino. Mara paid little attention to what he was saying regarding his new business venture.
"This new resort is going to be like no other in this part of the galaxy," Lando beamed excitedly. "This is perfect for the single person who wants to get away for a few days, a couple who wants to have romantic vacation, or even for a family who wants to spend time at the beach or go sailing or whatever. We will be the first resort to have a casino for kids from 1 to 17 with age-appropriate games. Leia joked that I'm trying to get the young ones hooked on gambling."
He chuckled and looked at his friend. Mara stared out the window, with no expression on her face. Lando leaned close to whisper in her ear.
"I'm going to wire it with explosives and blow the place up."
"That's nice." Her monotone, different response made Lando burst out laughing. He was amused, not offended.
"You didn't hear a word I said," he chuckled.
"Sorry," Mara shook her head. "My mind was elsewhere."
Lando shifted in his seat to sit closer to her. He had a sympathetic look on his face. "You were thinking about him, weren't you?"
Mara nodded slowly. "Yes, I was. Thanks for not saying anything at dinner."
"It's not my place to say anything," he responded softly.
"Have you seen him recently?" Her question was casual, but she was curious. Sebastian had not escaped her mind ever since she had been in the Jedi meditation.
"I saw him about a year and a half ago on Cazla 4," he began. "We were both staying at Fesne Hotel and Casino. I was there to meet a business associate, and he was there on some official government business."
"What did you discuss?"
"It was a very brief meeting. It was more of a 'hi, hello, how are you, sorry I've got to go' conversation, no more than that."
"Oh," Mara could not hide the disappointment in her voice. "Was he alone?" Mara cringed. Why did she say that?
"He as surrounded by his staff." A small, sly smile formed on his face. "But I did see him talk to that new holographic actress, Mesa Dasten."
"HER?!" Mara's eyes widened as she stared at him in shock. "He was seeing her?"
"I don't think it was a date. It looked more like a holo-photo op."
"Good," she folded her arms in disgust. "He can do better."
Lando pressed his lips together, for he could barely suppress his amusement. "What do you have against Mesa Dasten?"
"Nothing. I just think he can do better. I don't think she's that good of an actress." Mara made a face. "Luke thinks she's very talented, but I think the only two talents she has are those on her chest."
Lando roared with laughter. "I never thought I'd hear Mara Jade engage in catty gossip. You sound like one of those rich, society women who do nothing better to do than shop and indulge in expensive lunches."
"Yeah, well, I have my moments." She gave him a sly glance, just like the one Luke had given to her earlier that evening. "I guess I like to be a woman of mystery." Mara smiled as she remembered how Luke had said the same thing to her.
Lando smiled at Mara's joke, but then he turned serious. "Mara. I know the Duke and Duchess will be happy to see you. They hold you in high regard. But you have to say something to Luke and Leia."
Mara nodded slowly. She agreed that her friends needed to know about that part of her past, so they would not be caught off guard. But how much should she let them know?
"And" he paused. "You may have to address the rumors."
"Rumors?" Mara's eyes narrowed. "What rumors?" She asked through clenched teeth.
"That you and Sebastian were more than just friends."
Mara cringed. "It was not a torrid affair."
Lando gently took her hand. "There's the possibility the gossip could resurface. You need to be prepared for that."
The anger went out of her eyes. Her face softened as she thought of a man who, until just recently, had dominated her thoughts. A warm smile crossed her face as she remembered how kind and loving his family was to her.
"The Duke and Duchess made me feel like I was a part of their family. At first, I thought it was because I saved their son and brought back the treasures. But the longer I stayed, the more I realized they genuinely loved me."
Tears formed in her eyes. "It was the first time I had ever really known what it was like to belong to a family."
Lando reached into his pocket and pulled out a silk handkerchief. "So why did you leave?"
Mara dabbed her eyes. "I cared for Sebastian. He was intelligent, handsome, warm, funny, everything a woman could want. He brought out a side of me that I never knew existed. You could say that he was the first man I ever loved." She paused, and then shook her head.
"But I wasn't in love with him."
Lando hugged her, and she responded in kind. He had never known her to be this vulnerable before.
"He tried to convince me to stay, that maybe my feelings would change, but I just didn't think that was right. I couldn't do that to him. You understand, don't you?"
"Of course, I do. I think any man would be happy to have you as his partner, whether it be a king, a prince, a duke, rich businessman, or…even a Jedi Master," he said with a wink.
"Farm-Boy!?" Mara laughed as she playfully punched him on his arm. "Very funny, Mr. Calrissian," she sarcastically replied. "You should try your hand at comedy."
"Maybe if this casino thing doesn't work out, I might just do that." Lando paused. "I guess you never forget your first love."
Mara pulled away with a look of shock on her face. "What's this? Lando Calrissian is an expert on love. Will wonders ever cease?" She playfully teased her friend, but underneath she had a genuine affection for him.
"Let's say I'm an expert on being a good friend. And I do care about you."
The air taxi landed in front of her building. Before she embarked, she leaned over and kissed Lando on his cheek.
"What's that for?"
"For being my friend, thank you. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Mara."
Mara smiled at him as she got out of the vehicle. He watched as she walked to her building before disappearing inside.
Lando settled back into his seat as the air taxi departed. "Luke," he uttered under his breath. "Be happy Sebastian isn't coming. Otherwise, you might be in for a little competition."
"You're hopeless!"
Leia angrily paced the living room floor, shaking her head in disbelief. Luke sat on the couch with a look of disappointment on his face. He had agreed to go back to the Solo residence to say good night to the children and to 'discuss' the events of the evening. Han sat on a couch across from him. His eyes followed his wife's movements as she moved back and forth.
"I can't believe it. You practiced all week to ask Mara to the Ball. What happened?"
"I don't know," he wailed in agony. "I was all set to ask Mara, but she looked at me with those beautiful emerald, green eyes and I lost my nerve."
"You lost your nerve?" Leia exclaimed, hand on her hip. "How could you? You're the one who blew up the Death Star, defeated the Empire, and established the Jedi Academy. You have completed several missions, yet you lack the courage to ask Mara Jade to be your consort for the Celebration Ball?"
"I can talk to her as a friend or a student, but…" he stammered. "Oh, I don't know. When it comes to anything more, I have a tough time, that's all."
"How can that be? Mara is my best friend." Leia shook her head. "Okay, I understand that when I first met her, I didn't like her, mainly because she tried to kill you." Leia raised her hand to her eyes and rubbed them with her thumb and forefinger. "If I thought she was still a threat, do you think I would allow her to be near us, to have her near my children?"
Leia turned to her husband. "Han, don't you think that if I thought Mara was still a threat, do you think I would allow her around our children?"
Han was about to answer when his wife cut him off. "Of course not! She's changed, and for the better, I might say. I'm proud to call her my friend. Mara is a beautiful person, and for my life, I can't understand just why you can't ask her out?"
"Sweetheart," Han interjected in a soft, loving tone. "Mara's different from your average woman."
Leia slowly turned to face her husband. Her steely gaze made Han squirm in his seat. It reminded him of when Darth Vader confronted him back in Cloud City.
With her hands on her hips, she slowly walked to where he sat. Leia stared down at her husband, like Vader had done years earlier. "Explain, please." The exasperation in her tone only made him squirm even more.
Han cleared his throat. "Mara's a very unique woman," he began. "She's just different, just well…" Han stammered before his voice trailed off. The ominous glare from his wife made him squirm in his chair. He looked to Luke for help but to no avail. Instead, Luke shrugged his shoulders, a feeble look on his face.
Han waved his hands wildly as he tried to find the right words. "Mara's just…well…" A silly grin crossed his face. "Mara's just being Mara, that's all." Han cringed. He hoped that his attempt at humor would lighten the mood. Instead, it only made things worse.
"ARRGH!" Leia threw her hands in the air. "This is ridiculous."
"You know my history with women. I'm not that good regarding relationships," Luke explained. "Maybe the old order of the Jedi was right. No personal attachments."
"If that were the case, you and I wouldn't be here," argued Leia. Her eyes widened in shock. "Don't tell me you're still in love with Callista, are you?"
Luke waved his hand at the mention of his old flame. "No. That ended a long time ago."
"Then what is it?" Leia had reached her breaking point. She was desperate to get to the heart of the situation.
"Sweetheart."
Han's soft tone made Leia glance over to him. He had a compassionate look as he motioned with his chin to Luke. All anger and frustration disappeared. Her face softened when she finally her brother's pain. How could she have been insensitive to him when he was in turmoil?
Leia sat next to her brother, taking his hand into hers. "I'm so sorry to be so hard on you, Luke. You are disappointed and I'm only making things worse. I want to see you happy, that's all." She sighed. "I guess I shouldn't interfere in your life."
"I thought it was my kid sister's responsibility to stick her nose in my business," Luke responded, a weak smile on his face. He knew that she cared for him. His joke caused her to punch him in the arm playfully.
"Senator Organa-Solo, Senator Organa-Solo!"
Threepio hurried into the room, frantically waving his arms. "Senator Organa-Solo. A terrible problem has arisen that requires your immediate attention."
"What is it Golden Rod?" Han sarcastically responded. "Someone hung the New Republic banners upside down again?"
"This is no time for levity, General Solo." Threepio's harsh response shocked everyone in the room.
"What is it Threepio?" Leia asked.
"A crisis has developed," the droid's grave tone was cause for concern. "The Archduke Al'Guion is on the hologram. He is distraught and must speak to you immediately. HE'S NOT COMING TO CORUSCANT!"
"What?" Leia jumped out of her seat. "Oh no," she wailed. Leia ran into her study, Luke, Han and Threepio behind her.
"Archduke Al'Guion, what is it?" Leia asked breathlessly.
The Duke was visibly upset. He tried to be formal, but the cracks in his demeanor were visible to everyone in the room. "Forgive me for calling at such a late hour, Senator, but everything has been happening so fast; I am still in shock."
Leia patiently waited for the man to regain his composure. She also tried to remain calm, waiting to hear what he had to say.
"I have some terrible news." He cleared his throat before continuing. "My wife, Selah, and her handmaiden, Aoife, were returning from Trelansen in the Fourth Sector of Qui'Tan. There was a malfunction on the ship. They crashed upon landing. She and Aoife were the only two survivors."
"Oh no," Leia exclaimed.
"She just came out of surgery, but her condition is still critical. Aoife is still in the operating room. As you can see, it would be unwise of me to leave her now. I hope you understand."
"I do," Leia was sympathetic and reassuring as she clearly understood his pain. "I am very sorry to hear about the Duchess. My thoughts are with you and your family."
Leia turned to Han with tears in her eyes. She extended her hand to him, and he responded in kind. They both understood what he was going through.
"Since I will not be there, I have sent my son, Sebastian, in my place. He is presently on his way to Coruscant. My son has full authority to represent me and the Qui'Tan System. He will arrive on schedule."
Sebastian.
The sound of that name gave Luke an uneasy feeling. Anger, envy, suspicion, and jealousy swirled inside his consciousness. Why would he have these feelings towards a man he had never met?
The evening was getting worse for Mara. She had relaxed in the bath, dressed in her favorite nightdress, enjoying a cup of Cavilian tea. She hoped to get a good night's rest. Instead, a call from her friend Karrde had disrupted her plans.
"You can't be serious?"
"Yes I am."
"Why me?" Mara whined. "Do you hate me that much?"
"It's not my fault you're the best in the business."
"Oh, HA-HA-HA." Her sarcastic reply only made Karrde smile. "What about Darlen? She's a good pilot. She can handle something like this."
"Yes," Karrde nodded in agreement. "But she's on another assignment. Besides, the Ultans specifically asked for you. They feel safe when you transport them and their cargo, especially after you outran those pirates."
"Oh please," Mara shook her head in disbelief. "Those so-called pirates were a bunch of incompetent low-level thieves who couldn't get their act together. It wasn't difficult to lose them."
"Ever since then, they hold you in high esteem. They think of you as a daughter."
Mara rolled her eyes. "Lucky me," she uttered under her breath.
"Remember, the Ultans are from the Calaxia. They're like the Wookies. They take their honor code seriously. I would only as if it was necessary. They are paying three times above the average we charge. All the credits from this assignment are yours.
Mara sighed. The credits were insignificant. She was tired. But, Karrde was a good friend, and she usually did not mind helping him out when needed.
"I'm part of the Jedi Honor Guard to welcome the Duke and Duchess from the Qui'Tan System," Mara explained. "I have to be back in time for that."
Karrde's face brightened. "That's wonderful, Mara. I know they will be happy to see you."
"Yeah, well..." Her voice trailed off. She was trying not to think about them, at least for now. If she helped her friend, she would not miss any classes since she had only one that day, and the rest of her studies were strictly independent. It would give her time to think about what to say to Luke and Leia.
"Okay, Karrde," Mara sighed, resigned to help. "Tell them I will meet them tomorrow around ten at Jade's Fire to transport them back to Calaxia."
"Yes, but…."
Mara's eyes narrowed. "But what?"
"I told them that you would stay for dinner."
"KARRDE!" Mara threw her head back and screamed. "Why did you do that? Do you hate me that much?"
Karrde laughed. "They want you to meet the family," he responded simply. "They think highly of you. I didn't think you'd mind."
Mara heaved a heavy sigh. "Okay," she agreed. "But let them know I must return for the ceremony."
"Thanks, Mara. I owe you one."
"Damn right, you do."
"'Bye Mara."
An hour later, after having her tea, Mara felt more relaxed as she got into bed. As she drifted off the sleep, she reached out to the Force. Moments later, the sounds of ocean waves, and the smell of tropical flowers brought back memories of her time on the Qui'Tan System.