Jedi Council Forums - Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU -- {Updated March 4!} Complete.)

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Author	Topic: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU -- {Updated March 4!} Complete.)
obaona Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 1/6/05 12:44am Subject: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU -- {Updated March 4!} Complete.) - Date Edited: 3/4/05 5:09am (22 edits total) Edited By: obaona
	Thanks for clicking. Title: Drive You Mild Summary: How do two powerful, individualistic people who were formerly enemies unite? Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade. Genre(s): Romance, political intrigue, drama. Author's Note: Cover art. Many thanks to Gabri for encouraging, thwacking, and threatening to chain me to my computer throughout the writing of this fic, as well as getting me to write it in the first place. The original idea of 'how does arranged marriage work, anyway?' really spawned out of control, but your glorious feedback kept me going. You then topped it off by beta'ing the whole thing in less than a week. You seriously rock, and this fic would not exist without you. The title - well. Drive You Mild is the title it started off with, and I can't imagine calling it anything else. I spent a year writing this story, and I personally consider it to be my masterpiece - the absolute best fanfiction I have ever written. It's long, complex, but, I hope, worth it. It's epic on a personal scale. Since I wrote the story before posting, updates should be fairly regular (unless I find plot holes in the meantime ). I hope you enjoy, and here's the first post. Oh! One last thing. This is my 100 fanfiction. Feedback is, as always and for eternity, adored. The heavy cloak blocked everything out; it was dark, and all that could be heard was the high whistle of the fierce wind – and all that could be felt was the warmth of the cloak and the harshness of the sand. At the Battle of Corunlder the Rebellion suffered a massive, debilitating defeat. It is imperative to understand the political landscape that caused such a battle to happen in the first place; in hindsight, the Rebellion’s success was not likely and it was a bad tactical move. However, Emperor Vader had just died and his son, Luke Skywalker, was young and untested at only nineteen years of age. It seemed a ripe time to deal the Empire a substantial blow by destroying one of their major shipyards. The new, young Emperor had anticipated such a tactic, however, and with the advice of his military advisors and his own brilliance, the major blow became a major defeat. Surprise was lost, and the anticipated chaos of succession never occurred. In the first true act of his reign, Emperor Skywalker proved his ability to end the war his father had fought, and the war the first Emperor had propagated. --- Annals of the Empire, Vol. III. The place was incongruously known as the Porch, but when one looked at it, it could hardly even be called a room. The ceilings extended a dozen meters in height, with converging arches. The windows were visible as such only by thin, decorative lines spun through them. It was decorated in a lush red, and all of the furnishings were older than the occupants. “My lord –” “My decision is final,” Luke Skywalker said bluntly. He wasn’t even facing the man behind him – he was staring out at the Imperial Gardens. They surrounded the Imperial Palace on Coruscant, muffling the hustle and bustle of the city-planet. They had every plant imaginable, procured from all corners of the galaxy and perfectly attended. This particular view had a sparkle of blue and violet plants set among dark green, lush leaves overlooking a pond with an unusually natural appearance. Luke heard the sigh. “Very well,” Luke said dryly, “if it makes you feel better, present your arguments,” he said with a casual hand wave, meeting the dark brown eyes of his advisor. His advisor was an older man, well into his sixties. Kejal Mauwel had a distinguished appearance – white hair shorn short and a gravely chiseled face with dark eyes. Before Luke he had served Darth Vader, Luke’s father, and had done his job well; so well that when Palpatine was dethroned and executed, he took the place of Palpatine’s old majordomo. Besides his duties in that position, he had often advised his masters in everything imaginable. First Vader, and now his son. Ignoring Luke’s tone, Kejal launched into the explanation of his position. “It makes no sense to parley with the Rebels –” “New Republic. Might as well get used to it, Kejal.” “The New Republic. They have amassed an army in the previously Unknown Regions, yes, but it is still no match for the Empire and you, my lord.” “But they would cost us dearly,” Luke said with an upraised eyebrow. “Perhaps, my lord. But the fact remains – this manner you have chosen to cease hostilities makes no sense,” Kejal said. He stood stiffly, in a militarily correct posture, while Luke slouched in a comfortable armchair beside a huge floor to ceiling window. The rich colors contrasted with the more natural colors of the garden outside. Luke didn’t react to the blatant criticism – he looked out the window again. But he was listening. “It implies a long-lived effort at unification between the Empire and the New Republic, my lord. There is no reason for such, and to do so would undermine the Empire’s power.” He paused, and sighed again, his favorite method of chastising Luke. “Your father –” “My father is dead, Kejal,” Luke said fiercely, turning to stare into Kejal’s eyes. His gaze was so intense Kejal dropped his eyes. Luke calmed, realizing that Kejal must be truly worried to mention his father after all this time. “I must act as I see fit, not by my father’s memory. I must adapt.” He waited a moment for Kejal to look at him again. “You will not refer to my father in such a manner again.” “Yes, my lord.” Kejal paused. “If I may, my lord, what is your reasoning behind this move, then?” “It is not easy to explain, Kejal,” Luke said lowly, his intense persona fading. “I have seen something in the Force. We must prepare – we must be ready. We can’t afford to fight the New Republic, though I doubt they realize such.” Kejal looked at Luke curiously. “If it is a crisis in the future which worries you, my lord, why have the Jedi not sensed it?” “I don’t know. But they haven’t, and regardless of their knowledge or lack thereof, I must go by what I see.” He put his elbow on the sidearm of the chair, and propped up his chin with his fist. “She will make a good match, Kejal. She was born an Imperial, though she is one of them now, and that will make the Imperial people soften to her. They will think her misguided, perhaps.” “She is also a Jedi and the leader of their navy,” Kejal pointed out. “Which makes her acceptable to the New Republic as the liaison between us, because they will trust her,” Luke said mildly. “By marrying her, I will have shown the galaxy that I am no longer willing to continue this war, nor many of the things the Empire has done. Moreover, she will keep her position in their military forces, but she will still be my consort. It will at least distract against any attempts by them to attack the Empire.” He shrugged slightly. “It will balance out well enough with my power as Emperor.” “It will also create a power struggle between the two of you, my lord. She will be in charge of amassing and maintaining an army to use against you, but must still be loyal to the Empire as your consort. You will cease hostilities and open trading routes, true, but she will still be forced to serve the Empire in some sense. I do not see how one can keep such a contract.” Luke looked at him. “Then let us hope that Mara Jade is a reasonable, intelligent sort, Kejal.” After the massacre of Rebel forces at Corunlder, the Rebellion retreated into the Unknown Regions, forming a government and people largely militaristic in origin. Emperor Skywalker chose not to attempt a strike in regions they were unfamiliar with to rid the galaxy of the Rebels; it was considered a surprising decision. Conjecture quickly ceased, however, when the Emperor kept Rebel forces out of the Empire with as much diligence and dedication as his father had. The Rebellion was permitted to exist outside of the Empire, but any attempt by them to enter the Empire was harshly punished. Speculation existed that the Emperor was, for reasons unknown, pushing the Rebellion into becoming a stable, independent government. Some believed this was so that the Rebellion could be more easily dealt with later; more wild speculations also abounded. --- Annals of the Empire, Vol. III. The area was not the Old Republic Senate by any means. For one thing, it was much smaller – the room held a few thousand at the most. The seats were, however, arranged in a circle with the seats rising upward with each row so everyone could see and be seen. Mara Jade sat in one of those seats, watching the discussion. Her red hair was, as usual, tightly braided, and she wore the crisp black and gold New Republic uniform casually and easily. The hairstyle threw her sharp cheekbones in relief, made her features seem more severe. She was a naturally beautiful woman, but seemed to be almost working against that in her appearance. She was expressionless as she listened and watched the discussion, the picture of Jedi serenity. “We cannot be seriously considering this offer,” Senator Kelwesh called out. “It’s ludicrous!” “On the contrary,” Senator Bel Iblis, a man from Corellia, said as he rose. “It makes perfect sense.” There was a babble, but he continued on, overriding them with his strong voice. “He does several things at once. By taking one of our most famous heroes – the destroyer of the Death Star – as his consort, he immediately downgrades our cause with the public at large even if he does follow through with the ceasing of the Sedition Act. The trade agreements make us seem unreasonable if we don’t comply, and to top it all off, he wishes Jade to remain commander of our Navy, leaving us vulnerable through her. Then he turns on us, and we’re completely destroyed – and more importantly, our cause lost.” He sat down. “I disagree,” Bail Organa proclaimed. “Emperor Skywalker seems more amiable to the New Republic than Vader ever was. He has let us continue here in the Unknown Regions largely without any harassment, even those of us with family within the Empire. This could be an honest offer.” “Then why the marriage to seal the contract? A hostage?” Bel Iblis demanded, glaring at Organa. “I would agree that something else is going on, but I am not sure that is what you claim,” Organa replied, folding his hands in front of him. “And it may be as it would appear – that he wishes true peace between us.” He rose, and looked out at the small senate. “I urge you all to consider this well. Vader may not have taken down the sedition laws, the strict control and lack of true democracy, but he took away the slavery and rampant killing of citizens. Skywalker has shown himself even more inclined towards such over the past decade since Corunlder.” He sat down. The voices rose again, but this time no strong one came out into the forefront, taking control of the situation. Mara was familiar with that happening and stopped paying attention, instead focusing on the other three Jedi also present: Mace Windu, Yoda, and Adi Gallia. They glanced at her as well, and with a discreet wave of Adi’s hand, they left. Murmuring an excuse to Commander Del, sitting next to her, Mara got up and left the room to join them. Adi and Mace were waiting for her, hands in their robes. “What do you think?” Mara said without preamble. “The Council believes the Senate will come to the conclusion that such an agreement, even if intended to be a trap, could be beneficial to us if we’re careful,” Mace said. “Even if it is as Senator Iblis claims, this will strengthen our resources and might even make the Imperial citizenry more sympathetic if we are seen as possible allies.” Mara nodded. She had suspected the same thing. “The question is, are you willing?” Adi asked, touching Mara’s arm gently. Mara looked down, then met her old Master’s eyes. “I will do what I feel I must. As I’m sure Emperor Skywalker is.” Mara shrugged. “It’s a contract, not love. I must admit I am surprised – the idea of arranged marriage is a very old one, hardly in use.” Adi nodded. “It seems odd to us, as well. You are a Jedi; he may wish an heir.” “I don’t think so,” Mara said, shaking her head. “Skywalker’s mother wasn’t Force-sensitive and he came out a plenty powerful Sith Lord. He knows that.” “Nevertheless,” Adi said severely, “you cannot forget what you are, and what he is.” Mara nodded. “I won’t, Masters.” She looked to both Adi and Windu, and then bowed. They responded in unison with a nod of acknowledgement. Adi smiled at her for the first time. “We’d better get in there to calm matters down. No doubt they’ve gotten into a flurry of arguments already.” “I swear they enjoy it,” Mara finished with a smirk. Adi stepped forward and lightly hugged her old Padawan. “Whatever happens,” Adi murmured, not having to complete the phrase, laying her hand on the side of Mara’s face briefly. Then the Jedi Master in Adi returned, and she nodded solemnly at Mara. Windu had waited patiently, and they went back into the Senate chambers together. Mara stayed a moment, gathering calm and composure. She wondered what the terms of the marriage contract would be – Skywalker had spelled out the contract between the New Republic and the Empire, but not their marriage contract. And that was what made her nervous. If she agreed to do this, she would probably be doing so before ever seeing it – theoretically, no doubt, she could back out, but that wouldn’t happen. Wondering anew why in the galaxy Skywalker was even bothering with the New Republic, Mara went back to the Senate chambers. -----signature----- MS Word is designed by sadists with masochists in mind. - teh atty my recent Atton (KOTOR2) fic: http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/30335989
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Gabri_Jade Title: Fan Fiction Archive Editor Emeritus Registered: Nov '02	Date Posted: 1/6/05 12:48am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	I personally consider it to be my masterpiece - the absolute best fanfiction I have ever written. Amen to that. Absolutely thrilled to see this on the boards, oba. I heart it so. -----signature----- Evil Twin of LadyPadme This concept of "wuv" confuses and infuriates us! - Futurama All I can do is be me. Whoever that is. - Bob Dylan Serendipity (Leia-Mara vig) - http://boards.theforce.net/b/b1/30178069 !!11!1eleventy
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Jesina_Dreis Registered: Nov '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 12:55am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	Very cool...quite the untraditional AU I hope you plan on putting some more background into this about how all of it happened. The background story looks like it will be just as interesting. adds to favorites Waiting for more! Jes -----signature----- Stay safe, Ev Big sister to valin_halcyon Rest in Peace, Jeremy http://www.heatherjanes.com http://z9.invisionfree.com/downtime
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AvenKiel Registered: Oct '03	Date Posted: 1/6/05 1:39am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	Oh, it's soo good!! I can't wait for more! hop Mara Jade- calm jedi? serene? accepting an arranged marriage? what? This is going to be realllyy interesting!! Since she was raised differently in this fic, will she still have the same fire and ice kind of passion? I'm sooo intrigued!! Great job! -----signature----- I'm a naughty little Kitty... Meow! Grilled Cheese..... mmmmmmmmm..... http://www.livejournal.com/~jediliz/ I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't dance , sing and hop around all day, I'd probably die. Death from fidgeting!
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RannOrgana Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 1:47am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	I LIKE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep going this is interesting Just a quick question is Luke a Lightsider or a darksider? from the way he's keeping his birth name i'm assuming he's a lightsider. Also where's Leia? Rann Organa -----signature----- I cannot corrupt that which is by nature already corrupt - Rob Zombie http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17828754/?0 - Shining Light ANH AU
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RedGold Registered: Nov '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 4:47am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	Oh... this looks interesting... I think I'll stick around and see what happens... -----signature----- Legend... Recluse... Forgotten... Will one day return... http://www.starwarsfanfic.com
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HandofSkywalker86 Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 5:58am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	It looks very interesting. The backstory is probably going to be even moreso. Lookin' forward to new chapters. Hand -----signature----- Champion of the 2nd installment of 2005 Jedi draft RPG Character: Arjin, Seth Anjrel, GS-01 GDG 4 life
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DarthIshtar Title: Former CR Registered: Mar '01	Date Posted: 1/6/05 6:26am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	obaona, you know i love ya to pieces, right? Let's see what I like about this story: The advisor. Creative character, nice type to offset Luke because he seems kinda like a shadow of what Luke used to be. Luke. He retains a lot of his character, but has a chilling edge to him slightly. I'm dying to see what exactly his real motivations for picking Ms. Jade are. Mara/Mace. YAY! You got my two favorite Jedi to come together and they seem to complement each other nicely. -----signature----- "I feel like a more down-to-earth Pink 5 when I'm writing Leah. Same attitude, less lip gloss." ~Me on how to get in the right mindset for Twilight fanfic.
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Jedi_BMK Registered: Sep '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 9:10am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	Intriguing. I'm already hooked. More please. I can't wait to find out how all of this Emperor Skywalker, Jedi Knight Jade stuff came about and where you're going with this. My head is spinning with possibilities. And it took a year to write. It must be good if you were willing to spend that much time on it. -----signature----- Destiny of the Skywalkers II: Splintered Paths OT AU (L/M H/L A/P) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28042042/
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Jedikma Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 9:45am Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	LMAO Your thoughts on arranged marriages spawned out of control just like my obsession with "illicit" relationships and Jedi. Funny how that works. So far this is fascinating. Luke is a Sith Lord and Mara a Jedi--trained by Adi Gallia. She seems much more stoic so far, which makes me wonder if there is somewhat role reversal of the two characters. That is to say Mara will be more like Luke as we know him and Luke more like Mara. Can't wait to see where you take this story. Oh, I loved the cover art. -----signature----- Twice in a Lifetime 7/31 http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/16813029 A Quiet Afternoon http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/23305946 follow up vig to: A New Order http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17525231
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StarFighter5 Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 1/6/05 12:39pm Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	This is what I read at SJRS. I remember that this post really got my attention. Can't wait for more! -----signature----- "I hope I slept with you to get the job. if not, then who the hell was that guy?" - Carrie Fisher "Now that I'm a pez and a lego, I shall want for nothing else." -Jeremy Bulloch "Thank you for going to the movies. Especially mine." - George Lucas
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Mira_Jade Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 1:03pm Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	OMG, this story is going to be so cool. What a major plot twist. After writeing 100 stories, how can you still come up with ideas like this? -----signature----- E-sib to the utterly adorable and inspiring Jade_eyes!! . . . because Squee!s are better in pairs.
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EmilieDarklighter Registered: Jan '02	Date Posted: 1/6/05 1:32pm Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	Woohoo! I'm so glad this is finally going, oba-girl! I'm in for the long run, no doubt! Been waiting for this one forever... -----signature----- Master of Jedi_Emeritus Former Padawan of Gabri_Jade Little sister to Gabri_Jade and LadyPadme 25 Rules for Successful Writing http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28400222/p1/?2
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RannOrgana Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 4:03pm Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	SJRS?????? does anyone have a link to that? Rann Organa -----signature----- I cannot corrupt that which is by nature already corrupt - Rob Zombie http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17828754/?0 - Shining Light ANH AU
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Mirax-Jade Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 1/6/05 4:15pm Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	Yay another oba fic! And it's your 100th! Congrats!! I cannot wait for more. So...er...more. soon. -----signature----- www.livejournal.com/users/wild_n_kayzie be still my heart, this could be a brand new start, with you www.milliways-bar.livejournal.com
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Smuggler_Shidakis Registered: Jul '04	Date Posted: 1/6/05 4:42pm Subject: RE: Drive You Mild (L/M, massive AU --- Emperor Luke Skywalker, meet Jedi Knight Mara Jade.)
	Oh, wow. This looks awesome. I love the role reversal with Mara as the Rebel hero and Luke as the bad guy. I particularly enjoyed this: “My feather is dead, Kejal,” -----signature----- K/J = Dark Lady of the JCC \| Master to Darth-Wanderguard Adopter of Rosh_Penin Désolée, mon président est un idiot. Je n'ai pas voté pour lui.
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