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Author	Topic: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 11 is up! 12/23
madman007 Registered: Aug '07	Date Posted: 6/25/08 8:43pm Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 4 updated 6/23
	Part 5: From A Different Point of View Jacen Solo marched into the tapcaf with a certain determination. As he strode past the few customers inside, he scanned their faces to memorize them and checking them off one by one. As he came closer to the bar, Mara slowly unhooked her lightsaber from her belt and obscurely placed it in her bag on the ground at her feet. She was still hidden inside of the Force. It was amazing and scary to her at how much easier that method had become. Holding up the guise of Mary Jane Skyler, however, took more effort. Still sitting next to her was Didi–Death–her usual pale skin and black clothing was gone. In their place were the dirty rags of the drunk Didi had disguised herself as. The “drunk” attempted one more try at “Mary”. That was all the ‘tender would put up with. He came over at once and scolded. “That’s it. You’ve been haggling this poor woman since she came in. She doesn’t want to be bothered. Or didn’t you get that clue the first ten times she said no? You’ve had enough Corellian Ale in you to knock down a gundark. So, I’m telling you kindly–leave!” The drunk, Didi, stumbled off the bench and slurred, “A thoushand pardonsh, shir.” He managed to walk away to head towards the exit when he turned and addressed the ‘tender, “Hey, your name is Mortimé, right?” The ‘tender reeled back in extreme suspicion and asked with squinted eyes, “How do you know my name?” The drunk smiled and calmly replied, “I know. Be seeing you soon, Mortimé. Like next week.” He looked at “Mary”. “Take care there, miss. I’ll see you too. Someday.” He turned and walked past Jacen, who paid him no mind. The drunk said in passing to him, “Hey there, killer.” The drunk left the building and Jacen continued his mission. He approached the bar and the ‘tender asked him for his drink order. Mara could hear him subside the request and proceed to ask about a certain someone he was looking for. Jacen described Mara to the ‘tender but Mortimé wouldn’t commit to give any information. You naive boy. There is no ‘tender in the galaxy who would be willing to give information without a hefty price tag. After much coaxing, and the fact that if he didn’t order a drink he would have to leave, Jacen ordered an Ilusian wine. He received his drink and sat at an angle of the bar bench that would give him full view of the entrance. He spotted her looking at him, and for a second, she thought he made her. She could feel his determination that gave him less concentration to ponder who she really was. He hadn’t even reached into the Force to check for anyone with Force potential. Oh, Jacen, showing your biased nature. What happened to you? She made the first move, acting like a lonely single woman scouting for possible male partners. She started speaking in the dialect of the person whom she was emulating. “Hey, honey, what’cha up to?” “I’m searching for someone, miss.” Miss. He still can’t see me. Hah! How’s that for revenge for me falling for a Force image. “Well, who ya lookin’ for? Maybe I can help. Hympalia City ain’t no huge place.” “I can see that. I’m sorry, but where are you from? I can’t place your accent.” “Why, it’s my own. If you must know, I’m originally from Coruscant. Those Vong critters forced my family out and we ended up here.” “And yet, you escaped Vong imprisonment or worse.” She leaned into him and whispered, “My daddy was an Imperial operative back in the day.” “What day?” “Why, the Empire, of course, silly.” “Where’s your family now?” “Oh, they’ve all gone to a better place. Just lil ol’ me now.” She took a sloppy gulp of her Fogblaster. “By the way, my name’s Mary.” “Chief of State Jacen Solo. A pleasure. So, you haven’t seen who I'm looking for either?” “Can’t say I have. Who is she?” “If you must know, she is my Aunt.” “Uh huh. And you’re looking for her in a remote tapcaf here on Kavan?” Jacen replied, “Her craft was damaged and she abandoned it on top of the ridge near that old factory. I caught up with it and she disappeared.” “If she was a close relative you’d be able to get her on a comlink. Right?” “Excuse me, what was that last word? Rat?” “Right.” “Right. Yes...well, her comlink was damaged too.” “Her comlink was damaged,” she repeated. “Lemme get this straight. Your Aunt’s ship malfunctions. She lands at the abandoned factory, where it’s just outside of the comm array to contact any help from Hympalia Control. Instead of waiting for her nephew to help her, she wanders off a few kilos to Hympalia City. Sounds like she don’t want to be found.” “You have no idea.” “Is she a few rolls short of a ronto dinner?” Jacen actually chuckled. “I was going to say eccentric, but that works too.” “Eccentric. That means she’s crazy with a lot of credits.” She took another gulp of her drink and flat out stated, “So, you’re actually chasing her, huh?” “I see you don’t miss much.” “I have my daddy’s eye for detail. So, what’d she do? Forget your Life Day present?” “That is none of your business.” “Oh, no sir. You came in here and involved us by askin’ about her. Us Hympalia folk like to know what our visitors are up to. Ain’t that right, Mort?” Mara purposely timed the question when Mortimé was too busy filling several ales to answer her. She shrugged and said, “Eh, he’s busy.” Jacen shifted in his bench as he nursed his wine. She took that moment to really put him on the spot. “So, what’s it like bein’ a Jedi?” Jacen snapped, “How did you know I was a Jedi?” “Your saber hooked to your belt is showin'. And just look at how you’re dressed. You look like the second coming of Vader. Hey, wait a minute...you’re that GAG officer who broke into all those homes on Coruscant against their will to find Corellians.” “It was for the greater good.” She retorted, “Whose good was it greater for? And ain’t your daddy Han Solo? He’s Corellian. If that ain’t the pot callin’ the kettle black...” Jacen’s voice was on edge now. “Yes, he’s Corellian. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s also a fugitive.” “Ah, duty before family is it? My daddy was in an organization that had that unofficial motto. It was called the Empire. Maybe you’ve heard of it.” “I don’t like your tone, Mary.” “Oh no, I have a different opinion than yours. You gotta kill me now, right?” She gave a heavy sigh and reflected, “Same old threats of violence. Just like Palpatine.” “Palpatine was a madman.” “And you ain’t?” Jacen frowned. “Some of my family think so.” He gulped his wine to finish it. “Family, huh? You got any children?” “One. A daughter. Allana. She lives on Hapes.” “Ain’t that sweet. You got a holo?” As he reached inside his black cloak, he answered, “Always keep it with me.” He revealed a holo and set it on the bar top. She glanced at it and saw little Allana. Mara had seen her before, but that was when she only knew her as Tenel Ka’s daughter. Now that she knew her full parentage, she could see the resemblance in her face with her father. The hair’s structure was all Tenel Ka, but the color was Skywalker blonde. How can he do this to this little girl? As if in answer, she looked over at Jacen’s expression. She was on the verge of tears because she had seen that look of fatherly love on Luke when Ben was born. “Aw, she’s cute. You taking care of her?” “Whenever I can.” He removed the holo and returned it to his cloak pocket. “Whenever you can? Spoken like a dysfunctional father. What, you see her on the weekends?” “Again, not that it’s any of your business, but I do try to see her when my time permits. The Chief of State position tends to take up much of my time.” Mara noted the sadness in his voice being the same as Leia’s when she was Chief of State. That certainly did not excuse Jacen for his actions or his delusional dream that he will be Sith to save his family. Though, the sadness and the love he showed for his daughter gave her a different perspective. Jacen, like his grandfather, was being manipulated into becoming a Sith by making him believe he can save his family. Like Death said, Jacen believes. Past experiences had shown her that someone who believes that hard is difficult to dissuade. Why had Lumiya choose Jacen? Simple. She used his time with the Yuuzahn Vong and Vergere for five years against him. Jacen had always had an alternate view of the Force. He had believed in his philosophy so deeply that he shunned using the Force for a time. Just like Ben had. To what end did Lumiya mean to accomplish was unknown. Was it petty revenge for Luke shooting her down and turning her into a half-human decades ago? Mara mentally shrugged but was determined. I will find out. Not today. Mara had never sustained a Force image for as long as she had up until then. It was taking its toll on her psyche. She needed to end this conversation now. “Well, hun, I’ll get out of your hair. Just do yourself a favor and remember this. There is no greater purpose than living for your family.” She climbed off the bar bench and picked up her bag before she laid a few credits on the bar top. “I’ll see ya, Jacen Solo.” Once she was back outside, she quickly found a vacant alley which led to an area that looked like an altar that was getting a renovation. Construction equipment and droids were lying dormant in various spots. The area was deserted, which meant either the employees were off that day or they were taking an extended lunch period. There were slabs of stone that acted as seats before the altar and she chose one to sit and rest. She let go of Mary Jane Skyler’s image through the Force, but she still stayed hidden inside of it. Relief flooded her mind as the strain of keeping up the Force image started melting away. She could relax. Not for long. “There you are,” Jacen Solo announced. She immediately recalled the image of Mary. “Don’t bother...Aunt Mara.” Coming Soon: Part 6: Too Many Battles -----signature----- It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. - Barack Obama
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DaenaBenjen42 Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 6/25/08 9:15pm Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	Like Death said, Jacen believes. Past experiences had shown her that someone who believes that hard is difficult to dissuade. True. There’s a difference between having an idea about something and having a belief. The idea, you can change, but the belief? Not so easy. “There you are,” Jacen Solo announced. She immediately recalled the image of Mary. “Don’t bother...Aunt Mara.” Oh dear… Wonderful, well done post. -----signature----- "Say it with me now. Postcard. Zoo. Not. Shopping." master to jackyyy17, micky-nikki & Trimaj e-sis to BrightFeather All cats are leopards after dark.
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Jaina_and_Jag Registered: Apr '03	Date Posted: 6/25/08 9:21pm Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	Great post! I loved "Mary" and Jacen's convo. Interesting to get an "outsider"'s perspective. “There you are,” Jacen Solo announced. She immediately recalled the image of Mary. “Don’t bother...Aunt Mara.” Uh-oh!! What a cliff-hanger!!!
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PonyTricks Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 6/26/08 7:12am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	Uh, oh. I was wondering if Jacen caught Mara's little mistake, early in the conversation... “Chief of State Jacen Solo. A pleasure. So, you haven’t seen who I'm looking for either?” “Can’t say I have. Who is she?” “If you must know, she is my Aunt.” - SHE? Jacen never said he was looking for a woman! Mara, Mara.... - It's little things like that that trip a person up. -----signature----- Brain: Now, Pinky, if by any chance you are captured during this mission, remember you are Gunther Heindriksen from Appenzell. You moved to Grindelwald to drive the cog train to Murren. Can you repeat that? Pinky: Mmmm, no, Brain, don't think I can.
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Myriad_Daydreams Registered: Jun '07	Date Posted: 6/26/08 7:41am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	Mara was a hoot acting as mary But then the end... now I'm worried! Can't wait for the next post -----signature----- "I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love, than a success at something you hate." -- G. Burns
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dm1 Registered: Jun '04	Date Posted: 6/26/08 9:07am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25 - Date Edited: 6/26/08 9:09am (1 edits total) Edited By: dm1
	PonyTricks posted: Uh, oh. I was wondering if Jacen caught Mara's little mistake, early in the conversation... “Chief of State Jacen Solo. A pleasure. So, you haven’t seen who I'm looking for either?” “Can’t say I have. Who is she?” “If you must know, she is my Aunt.” - SHE? Jacen never said he was looking for a woman! Mara, Mara.... - It's little things like that that trip a person up. He never said to her, but she was right (rat?) there when he described Mara to the bartender... She does have ears... Still, he must have suspected something, as he found her immediately after she left, or did he sense her when she relaxed her guard? In either case, this isn't good. I hope her family is coming soon, really soon. Hey, PT, I like that idea of a "Groundhog Day" for Jacen. It sounds like something you would do, with your own special twist! He should be forced to go back and try it again until he gets it right! -----signature----- Internet Mom to HSG! Hey, HSG, watch those explosives, be careful!!
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dancing_star Registered: Feb '07	Date Posted: 6/26/08 10:06am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	As if in answer, she looked over at Jacen’s expression. She was on the verge of tears because she had seen that look of fatherly love on Luke when Ben was born. “There you are,” Jacen Solo announced. She immediately recalled the image of Mary. “Don’t bother...Aunt Mara.” Yikes. Wonderful job!! -----signature----- Merry Christmas!!! God bless America and our troops. "The LORD gives strength to his people. The LORD blesses his people with peace." Ps 29:11 ~~~ http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/29615415/p1/?2
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PonyTricks Registered: Jul '03	Date Posted: 6/26/08 10:25am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	dm1 posted: He never said to her, but she was right (rat?) there when he described Mara to the bartender... She does have ears... Still, he must have suspected something, as he found her immediately after she left, or did he sense her when she relaxed her guard? In either case, this isn't good. I hope her family is coming soon, really soon. Hey, PT, I like that idea of a "Groundhog Day" for Jacen. It sounds like something you would do, with your own special twist! He should be forced to go back and try it again until he gets it right! - You're right! My bad! - Mara would have overheard the conversation! Sorry! -----signature----- Brain: Now, Pinky, if by any chance you are captured during this mission, remember you are Gunther Heindriksen from Appenzell. You moved to Grindelwald to drive the cog train to Murren. Can you repeat that? Pinky: Mmmm, no, Brain, don't think I can.
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Jade_eyes Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 6/26/08 11:22am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	As dearest Irish says, holy guacamole!!! EEP!!! The king of evil cliffs!!! Loved their convo!!! Mara's great at being Mary LOL Definitely can't wait for more and the title for the next chapter -----signature----- I dedicate every num yummy love ballad to Mara/Luke as I completely melt Insatiable mush addict ginchy & IJJ: yours especially Certified Squee! maniac
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Irish_Jedi_Jade Registered: Jul '07	Date Posted: 6/26/08 7:11pm Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	Madman, woot! That was awesome! But oh dear, now I'm worried! Is she going to be ok? bites nails Can't wait for more!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huggles! Irish -----signature----- "Merry Christmas." "And a Happy go to Hell." ~House, M.D. Season 3: exactly my thoughts after the holidays working in retail. ~**~ Don't forget me...no matter what.
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VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 6/30/08 7:46am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	How did I get behind??? Anyway, catching up and loving it! -----signature----- Someone who loves me carries an M16. My baby boy wears combat boots.
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Maul Brady Registered: Mar '99	Date Posted: 7/2/08 1:47pm Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	Most excellent posts! Didi's philosophies are so well written. Can't wait for more!! -----signature----- Anakin Solo Day : October 30, 2006 President of the "Tenel Ka sure has a lot of fun wink wink" Social Club. I WON'T LOOK AT SACRIFICE SPOILERS, I WONT LOOK AT SACRIFICE SPOILERS I WONT LOOK AT SACR----aahhh my eyes!!!!!!
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madman007 Registered: Aug '07	Date Posted: 7/2/08 10:36pm Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 updated 6/25
	DaenaBenjen42 - There’s a difference between having an idea about something and having a belief. The idea, you can change, but the belief? Not so easy. Yes, I try to give Neil Gaiman's Death my own words but I still put his spin on her. You may just have something of a foreshadowing there, 42 (btw, I know the source of that number - the answer to everything!). Then again, as Yoda says, the future is always in motion. Kinda like my writing. I like to keep 'em guessing. Jaina_and_Jag - Interesting to get an "outsider"'s perspective. Yet, Mara is still pondering the correct way to interpret that perspective. I try to shed the idea of those who say Mara is a glorified "mary sue" - which is the reason I came up with her alter ego's name on Earth. C'mon, fess up, people, you saw through that, right? PonyTricks - Ah, young Padawan, read everything you must to notice the details of my work. Sometimes you have to read between the lines. Myriad_Daydreams - And here y'all thought I couldn't bring Mary back when Mara went back to her world. Never doubt me! dm1 - Thanks for setting PonyTricks straight, and kudos for noticing my details. Still, he must have suspected something, as he found her immediately after she left, or did he sense her when she relaxed her guard? In either case, this isn't good. I hope her family is coming soon, really soon. Actually, you may not realize what actually tipped him off. It's subtle. And his family is on the way...soon! dancing_star - Thank you for noticing the gentler side I gave Jacen. Yes, he wants to be Sith, but there in the holo is the reason why. Ok, it's a wacked up reason, but it is a reason. Jade_eyes - Mara certainly knows Mary. Hmmm...King of Evil Cliffs. Maybe we need another category in the Awards? Irish_Jedi_Jade - You can't be worried! Unlike some profic writers who shall be nameless, I will never kill off Mara Jade! Hope you have some nails left by the end, Irish. Some twists are about to turn ahead! VaderLVR64 - How did I get behind??? Umm, let me guess....busy? It happens. No matter. The words will always be here. Anyway, catching up and loving it! Bows to the fan fic Master! Maul Brady - Didi's philosophies are so well written. Great! Good thing they're mine, too! Thanks to all who are following! And on a further note - thanks to all who nominated my epic, though it didn't get qualified. In my eyes, the response I've received makes it qualified enough. A huge THANK YOU to all! And I am working on the next post. Soon! -----signature----- It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. - Barack Obama
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madman007 Registered: Aug '07	Date Posted: 7/5/08 11:55pm Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 5 replies
	Part 6: Too Many Battles The two of them stared at each other in anticipation of each other's sudden action. Jacen's right hand was poised just above his lightsaber on his belt under his black cape. Mara's saber was still inside her bag which she kept close by. She had an idea that would make her use the weapon in her mind first. She asked him, "What tipped you off?" Instead of speaking his reply, he flipped a small piece of metal which tinged when he threw it at her. She caught it and saw that it was the credit that she paid her drink with. An old New Republic credit. Sithspawn! Jacen's voice turned cocky. "As far as I know, no woman from Kavan would be in possession of a credit that was minted a decade ago in the Core systems. Interesting accent you had. Was that one of your characters from your Hand days?” "No, I modeled her after a friend of mine I made recently. Did you just take this from the bar?" "I paid him in Hapan credits. With a large tip." "How generous of you," her sarcasm was at its maximum. "So, what now?" "You have become a liability, Mara. You know about Allana." "And why is that a secret? Oh, yeah, because it would be an embarrassment to both the Galactic Alliance and the Hapan court." "Tenel Ka could lose her status as Queen Mother." "And you would lose all credibility as the GAG leader. Guess you should've thought of that before you hooked up with her." "Perhaps. It doesn't change the fact that there is too much at stake." "To do what, Jacen? Rule the galaxy? You keep saying you're not like Palpatine, but that's exactly what he set out to do when he became a Sith Lord. The difference is he had ten times more planning than you have." "He made mistakes. As did Vader. It's the reason they're both dead." “History lesson, Jacen. Vader is the reason Palpatine's dead. If he hadn't have acted then, Luke would have died in front of him and the galaxy would still be under the Emperor’s rule of terror." Jacen said smugly, "You would still be the Emperor's Hand." The remark was meant to be demeaning with the scorn he put behind his words. Mara chose another way to reply. "Yes, I would have. My next mission at that point would have been to eliminate your parents. And I would have succeeded." Though she put enough confidence in her voice, she still shuddered inwardly at the notion that in the millions of alternate planes of existence that Didi had mentioned, there was one where the situation she just described would be reality. Jacen sighed. "Maybe back then you would have. In today's generation you are an anachronism. You've outlasted your usefulness." "Is that reason enough to kill me?" Jacen shouted back, "You came here to kill me!" Mara grinned. "The thought had occurred to me at one time. Then I had a rather long epiphany." Jacen reached for his lightsaber and unhooked it off his belt. "I had one too. The more I thought about it, the more I see that Lumiya was correct. You are the perfect sacrifice. So, I would defend myself if I were you." "Why should I? If I start fighting you, then you would be defending yourself. That doesn't exactly follow any definition of sacrifice that I know of." Jacen did not reply as he started circling around her in a defensive stance as if she were to attack at any moment. Little did he know, that wasn't Mara's initial plan. After a few minutes of him circling her as she just glared at him, he cried, "Why won't you defend yourself?" "Because that is what you need me to do. If I am to be your ticket so you can become a Sith Lord, I am not going to make it that easy for you." "That is very unwise, Mara. This could be so much easier if you just give in. You've done some great things in your life. You've had a rough time, I know. Perhaps it's time for you to let go." "Stop that right now, Jacen Solo. I've watched you grow up. We've trained together. Hell, we even fought a war together. Is all of that worth throwing away so that you can become Sith?" Jacen hesitated for a hair of a second and admitted, "Yes." "Then I feel sorry for you. If you do this, you will shame the Solo name for generations to come. Your parents will never forgive you, if they haven't already after you shot at them. Not to mention your twin sister who you brought up on treason charges. What is your daughter going to say to her Daddy Sith?" She paused for effect and asked, "What would Vergere say?" Jacen snapped, "This has nothing to do with Vergere! Other than the fact that she taught me a different way to look at the Force. This is the only way to bring peace, Mara. The galaxy is in shambles now. It is the only way to gain control. Yes, the cost is great. It has to be if the galaxy wants order." She allowed him to ramble in hopes he could hear himself speak and listen to the nonsense he was spewing. It didn't work. He was as determined to bring his cause to reality as she was as the Hand in focusing on missions. In that way, she and Jacen were similar. They both believed hard that they would succeed. Her pacifist move had worked only one other time with another who almost became Sith. Jacen caught her remembrance. "I am not Kyle Katarn, Mara. I will not simply lay down arms just because you won't fight me." She cursed silently at allowing him to hear her thoughts. She went with the argument. "I don't see how Kyle was any different. He immersed himself in the Valley of the Jedi and gained Dark Force power." "The Valley's power is artificial. It only lasts for so long." "It still let him see the Dark Side. It lured him, just like Lumiya is luring you. I stopped him. I forced him to act against his friend so he could become Sith. And I did it by not fighting him." Jacen chuckled. "Congratulations on adopting your husband's philosophy." "This was years before I ever considered Skywalker a friend. Kyle was partly involved in my own training and I owed him that. I gave him the choice of his friend or the Sith. He chose. Anakin Skywalker was told he could save his wife from harm if he became Sith. And he chose. Now, here you are being told that a sacrifice is needed for you to become Sith. If I am to be that sacrifice, then choose, Jacen Solo." By this time, Jacen had stopped circling and came to rest about a meter before her. He lowered his blade and his head. He took several moments to contemplate his thoughts and then he finally stated casually, "Ok." Mara was anticipating his Force leap at her and she ducked under his swinging blade and rolled to her left where her bag was. She called her lightsaber to her right hand with the Force and ignited it as she flipped into a defensive stance of her own. "All right...Plan B," she quipped. Jacen swivelled on his feet to face her with his blade at the ready. She did the same. Jacen began a quick series of thrusts that Mara parried easily. She eased their direction towards a large crane-droid sitting dormant next to a scaffolding. When she found her chance, she thrust at Jacen's weak left side but he parried it just in time. He actually turned his parry into an attack back at her. She also parried in time and her momentum pushed her back into the open construction area. Again, the two were facing each other anticipating each other's move. She circled around him so that the crane-droid would be behind her. It was time to put the scaffolding to good use. When the crane was directly behind her, she did a Force leap backwards and landed softly on the main body of the crane. The look on his face told her he saw an advantage over her and she soon found out what it was. He used the Force to swing the huge crane arm in her direction. It was too much bulky permasteel to simply jump over. When she tried to duck under it, she lost her balance and fell off the crane sideways into the scaffolding. She managed to avoid hitting the flexicrete blocks that made up the scaffolding and she landed on her side using the Force as a cushion. She could still feel his elation at her struggle to get up. She then heard a vibration above her and she saw that pieces of the flexicrete were breaking apart and falling toward her. She quickly rolled into the main area and within seconds the flexicrete slab landed in a dusty crash in the same spot where she had just been. She got herself up and was once again poised for his next attack. "You're not bad...for a Solo." He replied proudly, "I'm also part Skywalker. You, on the other hand, are a Skywalker in name only." She emphatically stated, "You forget...I'm all Jade." She immediately charged at him for which he was prepared to meet her frontal attack. Except that was not her intended target. Instead, she performed a vertical leap over top of him and managed a twist in mid-air that would make a professional dancer jealous. As she went over top of him, she struck a feint at his head in which he prepared to meet. She retracted the blade from his head and his swing met air. Once she was back on ground again on his opposite side, she made a downward arc at his backside and it caught half of his black cape. It was sliced in half. His next mistake came when he pivoted his right foot to her side which met with the end of her blade's arc. It burned a tear in his shin. He yelped in pain and dropped his lightsaber, but he didn't fall to the ground. She then aimed the tip of her lightsaber directly at him. He stood before her erect on his bad shin as if there was no injury. He called his lightsaber to his hand and said, "You forget that I embrace pain." He reverted back to duel mode and was ready once again. "You know you cannot defeat me." "That won't stop me from trying." He immediately went into a series of hard thrusts at such a quickened pace that Mara was barely able to parry. In her youth she would have owned Jacen's attacks. At six decades old, keeping up with him was becoming problematic. She tried to react to a riposte from him that she foresaw going to her right. It wasn't until she had shifted her body to block him when she realized he stopped in mid-swing and reversed direction to catch her left side. Her left arm was in the blade's path and it caught her wrist...and severed it. The pain was immense and she screamed as she dropped her lightsaber before she fell to the ground. She grasped her left arm which was now missing a hand. She had not gone through unspeakable torture as Jacen had during his extended time with the Yuuzahn Vong. The pain was too much for her and even comfort in the Force could not subside it. Her cries echoed in the vast vacant construction area. This is it. Again. I must be destined to die here on Kavan. She remembered Death's words that haunted her. There won't be a third time. She continued to scream. That was Jacen's cue to begin his spiel. It sounded strangely familiar to her. "I'm sorry, Mara. Had to be you. Thought it would be Ben. Now, I see that it's you. I will immortalize his love." "What...in the kriff...are you...talking about?" she asked through gritted teeth. "The prophecy. It's my destiny to become Sith and bring order and justice. I have to kill you to do it. You’re going to save so many people, Mara. This is not a waste. That is the price–” “Oh, shut up! I’ve heard all of this before from you. It’s time you get some new material. I’ve heard Palpatine talk like that.” She strained to stand up yet still clutching her injured arm. Since the wound was cauterized by lightsaber there was hardly any blood that escaped. She stood in front of Jacen. “Let me tell you now that you are no Palpatine.” Jacen started to look confused. “What do you mean you’ve heard me before. This is the first time I’ve confronted you.” Mara slowly built up a small bout of laughter underneath her pain. She considered. Why not make him more confused than he is? She opened up to memories of what she experienced during her last month and a half. Mobile, Alabama. Mary Jane Skyler being inside her mind while Mara took over her body. Mara driving Mary’s black Mustang. The visit to Evergreen Stables to watch the horses run wild. Her ability to use the Force through Mary to slow down a bullet shot at her by the drug lord Carlos. After those images, she projected in her mind the scenes from Jacen’s first time he killed her. She replayed the scene of the labyrinths not far from where they were now. She replayed the fight between them with her firing her blaster at him while he was trapped, yet blocked the shot anyway. The scene of them in a close grip of each other, as if they were bullies on a schoolyard. She showed the small Force image he formed to distract her enough to thrust the poison dart into her thigh. And finally, his sadistic grin as he watched his Aunt Mara slowly fade away and die just before she said her last words. You think...you’ve won. But Luke will crush you...and I refuse...to let you...destroy the future...for my Ben. She knew he would be watching the images she presented him inside her mind. The evidence was his look of utter confusion. That was all the satisfaction she needed. She began to give him an explanation, but not a full one. “We’ve done this before, Jacen. You managed to kill me.” “No. That was a vision.” “Wrong. It actually happened. My guess is that reality is still playing out. Though it’s without me. Because of you.” “That’s not possible. I have never seen that place in your mind. Where were you?” She shrugged her shoulder which brought on a fresh dose of pain in her arm and she tried to say casually, “In a galaxy far away.” Jacen’s concern turned into a scowl. “It doesn’t matter. Real or not, I will kill you. I will become Sith. Your death will allow me to do that.” Suddenly, something lifted him upwards and he was catapulted into the air and forced backward into the crushed scaffolding. In that instant, she felt it. She turned to where she had entered the construction site to see the red-haired form of her son standing there calmly. Ben Skywalker announced, “Guess again, Sithboy!” Coming Soon: Part 7 - All In The Family -----signature----- It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. - Barack Obama
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Irish_Jedi_Jade Registered: Jul '07	Date Posted: 7/6/08 12:17am Subject: RE: The Purpose of Mara Jade Skywalker Vol. III - Part 6 posted 7/6 <