Beyond - Legends The Blood of the Hand (Mara, Luke, H/L, & more) Author's Note 04/05

She's evil, evil, evil...!

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Seriously, I'm very sorry for your loss. I hope you and your family are enduring this in the best way possible.

 

Well, Sly did learn from the best.. ol' Palpy...

 

Great update..

 

Ohoh... I've got a bad feeling about this...

Nice to know you're back!

 

oldjedinurse: Excellent update, Miranda!

Thank you, my Beta-fantastic. It's fun writing for an audience (instead of just writing for me now). hehe

JadeLotus: Great post! I fear what will happen in Sly Moore gets her hands on Mara. And I loved seeing Pellaeon.

Thank you so much JL! There will be some surprises in store for our favorite redhead. Pellaeon is always fun to write. But I'll give his character a twist in this story. No more hints. (j/k)

jade51999: Great Post, thanks for putting it up!
Sure thing! Thanks so much for stopping back to read.

Golden_Jedi: She's evil, evil, evil...!

Indeed, she is. Muwahaha

RedGold: Well, Sly did learn from the best.. ol' Palpy...

Yes, Palpy is the epitome of evil.

VIII: Great update..

Glad you liked it. Thanks for reading!

Jadie: Ohoh... I've got a bad feeling about this...

Yes, some dark times are ahead.

Nice to know you're back!

Thank you!

******

Thank you all again for the response and well wishes.

 

A shorty, but a goody! I am really enjoying this fic, more so then I thought because of these character aren't really in my liking-range, but you pull them off in a very interesting way. Keep it rolling!

 

Briman: A shorty, but a goody! I am really enjoying this fic, more so then I thought because of these character aren't really in my liking-range, but you pull them off in a very interesting way. Keep it rolling!

Yup, that's me...short n' sweet. Happy to expand your reading into your not-so-regular characters. Thanks for the encouragement.

Everyone...Thank you for helping this story reach over 50 posts!

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[b]CHAPTER 5[/b]

[i]Mara Jade escorted the Emperor to his personal shuttle. The lights of Coruscant's cityscape glimmered around them.

"You have done well, my Hand," came Palpatine's voice.

"Thank you, Master."

"Young Skywalker will be no match for you."

"He will die, my Master."

"Contact me when you've destroyed him," the Emperor commanded. "I will be overseeing the final work on the Death Star."

"Yes, Master."

The hairs on Mara's neck began to tingle their warning sense, and Mara spun around.

"Excellency," Mara said as she scanned the landing platform for signs of danger. "I strongly urge you to board your ship at once."

The Emperor snickered. "And miss all the sport?"

Then it happened. She saw nearly a dozen stormtroopers race out of the darkness, all of their blasters set on the Emperor. Eyes sparking with action, Mara charged out to meet them. She ignited her violet-white lightsaber, deflecting blast shots as she closed the distance between herself and her adversaries. With a last leap, Mara impaled one with her saber and then cast it out to stab two more men in a silent fury.

The night was set ablaze by the confusion of rapid shots and vehicle lights that whirled around them. The remaining imposter troopers tried in vain to reach Palpatine and bring him a swift death.

The Emperor's Hand knew their mission would be unsuccessful. This was what she was trained for, what she lived for. The Emperor didn't need anyone to defend him, a very fact that seemed to escape the Rebels. Mara knew Palpatine to be an extremely capable fighter. Yet the Emperor gave only a small few the honor of defending him. This honor was the very life force that kept Mara's heart beating, that gave her life meaning. Failure wasn't a word to be found in Mara Jade's vocabulary.

Rays of traffic lights danced over Mara's face while her cloak whirled and followed her every movement. With her lightsaber in one hand, and blaster in the other, Mara leapt, spun, turned and somersaulted. In the wake of her attack, man after man fell to his knees, rolling lifelessly onto their backs.

Mara closed her blade, and as curiousity set in, she slowly kneeled at the side of one of her victims. Her hands were steady as she removed the helmet, and a lifeless face with blank brown eyes gazed up at her.

The Emperor let out a cackle, which Mara had come to recognize as his laugh. "Pathetic Rebels."

Mara rose and without looking back, finished her walk with Emperor Palpatine. They reached the shuttle when the Emperor slowly ascended the ramp, and said, "You have grown strong Mara Jade."

Mara bowed her head. The ramp closed and the ship lifted off, the wind tugged at Mara's cloak and hair. Once more the Emperor's Hand was left alone to do her Master's biding. [/i]

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[i]Hell's flames licked at Mara's soul. Pain seared through her muscles. Her blood raced and burned as it coursed through her veins. Bright orbs blinded all her vision and Mara tried to scream.

Past the anguish and misery, a soothing voice called to Mara.

"Rest, child."

Mara struggled.

"Rest," the voice repeated itself. "You've had a busy day."

The hurt still remained, but Mara slowed her abrupt breathing, lost in the voice that had spoken to her.

"You've been chosen," the voice continued, "because you are strong and have potential to do great things. The Emperor has granted you a huge gift."

One last serge of pain tortured Mara. And then it was all over.[/i]

******************

It was close to dawn

 

Yeeks! Now that was just creepy!

Mara is not going to like having voices in her head again!

 

Hm, I really liked thoose nightmares, wy aint mine like that??
Anyway good update..

 

No wonder Mara is always so cranky... she never gets enough sleep! hehehe

 

My condolences to you and your family, Miranda.

Excellent chapters! I loved the Mara-defending-Palps fight. Great action and these lines were *perfect*:

Yet the Emperor gave only a small few the honor of defending him. This honor was the very life force that kept Mara's heart beating, that gave her life meaning. Failure wasn't a word to be found in Mara Jade's vocabulary.


And I am dying to know what this part is about:

"You've been chosen," the voice continued, "because you are strong and have potential to do great things. The Emperor has granted you a huge gift."

Will we get to read more about that?

 

On my... that was fantastic!

That Sly Moore is creepy...

 

Excellent post!



I've always thought Mara would be plagued by nightmares ... this is a creepy one!

oldj

 

jade51999Yeeks! Now that was just creepy!

Ooo! This may sound weird, but I'm so happy you found this chapter creepy.

Mara is not going to like having voices in her head again!

Nope, can't say she'll be happy with that. Thanks for reading.

VIII: Hm, I really liked thoose nightmares, wy aint mine like that??
Anyway good update..

Aww, you should be happy that you don't get Mara's nightmares. It takes a lot out of poor Mara. Although she tries to hide it. Thanks for stopping by!

RedGold: No wonder Mara is always so cranky... she never gets enough sleep! hehehe

Yes, our dear Miss Jade is certainly sleep deprived. Thanks Master!

Jedi Trace: My condolences to you and your family, Miranda.

Thank you for your warm thoughts Trace.

Excellent chapters!Thank you! I loved the Mara-defending-Palps fight. Great action and these lines were *perfect*:

Yet the Emperor gave only a small few the honor of defending him. This honor was the very life force that kept Mara's heart beating, that gave her life meaning. Failure wasn't a word to be found in Mara Jade's vocabulary.

I was worried about how that would read. I'm thrilled it came off well and that you liked it. *blushes at 'perfect'*

And I am dying to know what this part is about:

"You've been chosen," the voice continued, "because you are strong and have potential to do great things. The Emperor has granted you a huge gift."

Will we get to read more about that?

Ooo! So happy you picked up on that. Yes, you'll find out what that snippet is all about.

Jadie: On my... that was fantastic!

Why thank you sooo much, Jadie.

That Sly Moore is creepy...

She sure is.

oldjedinurse: Excellent post!

Thank you oldj!

I've always thought Mara would be plagued by nightmares ... this is a creepy one!

Yay! Another 'creepy' vote! Poor Mara. But there's a saying like, "whatever comes your way wouldn't, if you couldn't deal with it." That's how I think of our beloved Mara. That's also why Mara is going to go through a lot. Muawhahahaa. But she'll pull through ok....I hope.

 

Wonderfully written chapter!

Loved Mara in Emperor's Hand mode.


"You've been chosen," the voice continued, "because you are strong and have potential to do great things. The Emperor has granted you a huge gift."

For some reason, this reminds me of that scene in The Island, where they are brainwashing all of the clones. Great little tease of what might have happened to Mara in the past.

 

Creepy indeed! Voices don't mix well inside the heads of others, especially with Mara. Good chap, Miranda

 

oooooh, those nightmares are really creepy...

 

JadeLotus: Wonderfully written chapter!

Thank you, JL! It was fun to write...although I felt bad for poor Mara. Afraid more wicked things are in store for her.

Loved Mara in Emperor's Hand mode.

There's no messin' with the EH.

"You've been chosen," the voice continued, "because you are strong and have potential to do great things. The Emperor has granted you a huge gift."

For some reason, this reminds me of that scene in The Island, where they are brainwashing all of the clones. Great little tease of what might have happened to Mara in the past.

Hmm..The Island. Was Ewan McGregor in that? I think I remember seeing huge advertisements for it, but nothing else. Clones? Brainwashing?....eeekk sounds an awful like Mara's past.

Briman: Creepy indeed! Voices don't mix well inside the heads of others, especially with Mara. Good chap, Miranda

Ooo! Another 'creepy'. Thanks so much, Briman.

Golden_Jedi: oooooh, those nightmares are really creepy...

Yay! Mission accomplished. Thanks so much.

Thought I'd give a little something/something to hold you over....

Upcoming character teaser:

Making their way through the landing bay the smell of oil and hydro fluids filled the air around them. Sparks flew off the ships that were being maintenanced and the noises of alien languages bounced off the walls. They were passing the belly of a New Republic transport cruiser, when Mara eyed a familiar sight. As the sleek curve of the hull began to taper upward, Mara saw polished black boots, a well-toned body dressed in a black flightsuit, and the silver hilt of a lightsaber dangling from a belt.

Hmmm...wonder who that could be?

 

Oh, I know! It must be Kyp, right?

(Oh, by the way, in your preview ... 'site' should perhaps be 'sight'?)

 

Thanks for catching that Rosh. Not all of the new chapter has been beta-ed, and unfortunately that one slipped through my review.

Yeah, it's Kyp, all right.

{edit} my mark ups stink.

 

UP!

 

Briman: UP! Wow! My first "UP!". Very cool! Thanks so much, Briman.

********

Hope you all enjoy this long chapter update. Makes up for the short Chapter 5.

I will try to update with a new installment every week. Longer chapters are ahead.

As always, thanks for reading.

<3, Miranda

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[b]CHAPTER 6[/b]

The view from the [i]Lady Luck[/i] was breathtaking. Like a thin veil of smoke, the slumbering sky began to awaken and broke to reveal daybreak's brilliant golden hue. Reflections bounced off the chrome and metals of the skyline that scattered the Coruscant horizon. Out in the distance, past the Imperial City, the sun's long rays brushed the far reaches of the Manarai Mountains.

"Good morning, beautiful." Lando teased Mara as she sank down into the co-pilots seat.

"Lando, this little jaunt that Karrde sent me on isn't over yet," Mara said as she rubbed her eyes. "I still have plenty of time to pummel the cockiness out of you."

"I call it charm," Lando smiled. "How did you sleep?"

"Very well," Mara lied while entering the landing coordinates into the navicomputer.

Lando made a face and his nose crinkled.

Mara sensed Lando's uncertainty and turned to face him. "What?" Mara's brow furrowed.

"While the [i]Lady Luck[/i] is a big ship, Mara, noise still does travel."

"What are you getting at, Calrissian?" Mara asked.

"You haven't had a sound sleep in the two weeks we've been headed here," Lando said as he brought the [i]Lady Luck[/i] to follow in line with the rest of the never-ending traffic. "Something's been eating away at you, if not in your waking life, then certainly in your dreams."

Mara stared at Lando as he pushed the tired engines to pickup, urging the starship to flow with the quick pace of the city commute.

"While you may be a good actress Jade, you haven't fooled me," Lando said.

"I'm not trying to fool anyone," Mara said impatiently. "Between the maintenance of your ship, worrying about the Mines, searching for Jorj Car'das, and wondering if I'll be able to keep Karrde's Smugglers' Alliance together, I get very little rest these days."

"You know there's a remedy for that?" Lando said as he flashed Mara his best smile. "Company."

"Ugh," Mara snarled. "I should have left you down there in the Spice Mines of Kessel," Mara said as she flicked various flight controls. "You would have filled those spiders appetites up with your gigantic ego. Then at least two of my problems would have been solved."

*************

The [i]Lady Luck[/i] gave a slight bump as it docked inside a hanger that was surrounded by a cluster of massive buildings.

"Alright," Lando said as he got up and eagerly rubbed his hands together. "Let's get this show on the road."

"Calrissian," Mara said as she stopped short. "Don't get any funny ideas. Karrde agreed with you on us posing as a couple to find Jorj Car'das, but [i]I[/i] get the final say on how things are approached on that front, regardless of you having that beacon Skywalker found."

"Funny ideas?" Lando frowned. "Me? Never."

Shortly before the destruction of the Sun Crusher and Exar Kun's defeat, Talon Karrde approached Mara to help in his search to find his former boss and associate. After Lando Calrissian obtained a beacon that Luke Skywalker had found in the soil and sludge of Dagobah, he learned it had belonged to Car'das' ship. He had heard about Karrde and Mara's quest, and seeing the connection, offered his assistance. It was Karrde who suggested that Lando and Mara put up the front of being a couple, simply because they were already business partners and had plenty of resources for an undercover search. Begrudgingly Mara consented to the arrangement but this hadn't been the first time she regretted the decision. She always worked best alone. Calrissian was quickly becoming more of a hassle than a help.

Shaking her head Mara walked in front o

 

"Lando, you sure know how to pack lightly," Mara joked sourly as Lando picked up a hover cart to tote his many parcels. "You pack more like a high class Coruscanti woman."

Hahahaha...
Great update

 

Uh oh. Is that the force talking or Sly Moore?

Creepy Creepy.

P

 

Wonderful interactions between all the characters!

And yeah... is that a plot I smell?