Beyond - Legends Betrayal (Luke, Mara, Karrde, Leia, Han and others)

All of this new post was AWESOME!

Mara dressing up making troopers walk into walls!

Karrde enjoying a 500 credits bottle of alcohol on Luke’s tab!

The dancing & bonding was well described. I liked that they finally are seeing & growing their unique connection.

Now they are off to see Vader for bond info.. can’t wait!

 

Thanks for reading. I thought it was about time these two kids got together.

Thanks. I'm feeling okay for a person who sees the family doctor or a specialist about once a week. I am hoping all my aches and pains are not serious.

Thanks! This is a short little post. I have been working a lot and on my off days I see doctors. I think I am just getting old and my brain refuses to accept that I can't do the things I used to do when young.

I have an idea of what Darth Vader is going to tell them. Although this is an AU I am going to try to throw in some canon aspects.
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Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle en route to Coruscant

Mara and Luke changed into clothing more appropriate for a meeting with the Emperor, left messages for Karrde and Commodore Vanto and took Luke’s private shuttle to Coruscant. As soon as they were in hyperspace Luke unbuckled his crash webbing and turned to Mara sitting in the copilot seat. “How much did you see?”

She looked at him questioningly. “What do you mean?”

He chewed the bottom of his lip before taking a long calming breath. “You told me you saw my family life and the kiss Leia gave me…what else did you see?”

She smirked. “Are you asking if I saw teenage Luke standing in front of the ‘fresher mirror, butt naked and flexing his muscles?”

A blush heated his face. “You saw that?”

Mara broke out laughing. “No, I just assumed all young men have done that at some time in their life.”

He huffed. “Mara, that’s not funny. Come on, how much did you see? I’d like to know if my entire personal life has been exposed to you.”

She thought about it. “It appears that some of your stronger memories were revealed. I guess getting kissed by a real live princess made an impression on you.” She shifted in her seat. “Don’t worry, I didn’t see anything humiliating.” After a long pause she added. “Did you see anything embarrassing from my life?”

Luke thought about it for a second and then chuckled. “You cry every time you watch the holodrama ‘The Secret Desire of Commander Dristig’.

She glared at him for a moment before smiling deviously. “And so do you!”

They both broke out in laughter.

“I can’t help it. It’s a sad love story,” Luke admitted before they fell into a long awkward silence.

“Do you think it happened because of physical contact?” Mara finally asked. “It didn’t occur before we started dancing.”

Luke shrugged. “It could be. Or the power might just be growing. It started with you hearing me through the Force.”

She unbuckled her crash webbing and stood. “Do you want to experiment?”

His brow rose. “Experiment?”

She held her hand out to him. “Let’s see if physical contact causes these images.”

He looked at her hand cautiously. The connection they felt earlier was alarming enough for them to get into a shuttle and travel to see his father. He wasn’t sure encouraging further bonding was prudent. “Ah, to what end?”

She looked at him confused. “To see if it is physical contact that is causing these…visions of the past. If it is due to contact…then we could simply avoid each other. Problem solved.”

Luke looked away, sad that she wanted the problem resolved in that manner. “Is that what you truly want? To walk away and pretend we never met each other?”

She dropped her hand and gazed at him for a long moment. “I don’t know what I want.” She looked down at the deck. “I enjoy your company…and I wouldn’t mind spending more time with you…but I want it to happen on my own terms. I don’t want a Force-arranged relationship.”

Luke nodded. “That’s understandable…but in that case, I don’t think we should do any experiments. We could risk making the bond stronger. That could be very risky, because…” He paused trying to think of the correct way to explain what he was thinking. “Because, what if our Force connection becomes overwhelming in its power.” He stared at her intently. “I have to be honest, what happened between us was intoxicating…it made me want to be with you…to be connected to you. It could become addictive. What if we can’t break away from its pull?”

“You think we could become addicted to each other?”

“It’s possible.” He chuckled softly. “They don’t call me Supreme Commander for nothing.”

She let out a sarcastic snort. “Listen…the Force, or at least I assume it is the Force, showed us a glimpse of each other’s life, but that doesn’t explain this pull we have to each other. If I was shown glimpses of Emperor Palpatine’s life, there is a very good chance that I would be filled with revulsion. Knowing a person doesn’t equate to attraction. Something else must be involved.”

“Doesn’t equate to attraction? So, you admit you’re attracted to me?” A broad grin blossomed across his face. “Maybe that is the unknown factor. We both are interested in each other and the visions just gave us a nudge in the right direction.”

Mara’s cheeks flushed. “Maybe…I’ll admit you’re a handsome and likable man…but that’s why I want to figure out what is happening and why. No matter what explanation your father gives us, we have a choice to make. Do we part ways or go forward and see what happens between us?”

“I’m all for us going forward.” He stood and held out his hand. “It is against my better judgement, but if you want to explore this…this thing that is happening to us, then I’m game.”

She started to reach out her hand but then paused. He thought she was going to pull back, but after a second she extended her arm the rest of the way and grasped his hand in hers. He was expecting a rush of images or a crack of energy but was almost disappointed when nothing happened. “Well, that was underwhelming.”

She smirked. “I guess you’re not so supreme after all.”

He stepped forward until he was only a hands length from her. “We were dancing prior.” His voice took on a teasing tone. “Maybe we need body-to-body contact to get things started.”

“Who’s tempting fate now?” She lifted her gaze and stared into his blue eyes before she stepped forward and brought her arms up and around his neck. “Okay, I’ll go along with your premise.”

Mara pressed close, her warm body leaning into his. Luke closed his eyes and took in a shuttered breath as a jolt of sexual energy rocked him to the bone. He knew it wasn’t the Force at work this time, but simple male hormones. His arms circled her waist as he pulled her snug to his body. There was no music, but their lower bodies swayed in unison. Heat curled in him, threatening his control. “Mara,” he whispered. He was going to tell her they should quit before things got out of hand, but his body protested any caution that his brain demanded.

“Luke,” she moaned as she leaned into his embrace. It was a sound that he only heard in his dreams. As he felt his desire for this woman magnify a thousand-fold, he began questioning his belief that he was only experiencing the manifestation of attraction and male hormones.

His breath whispered over her neck. “Mara, we need to stop. This is too sudden; I think the Force is at work.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. We are two people attracted to each other and both of us have been lonely for a very long time.”

“Mara,” he moaned. “If it is the Force at work…you’ll hate me at the end of the day.” He closed his eyes knowing he didn’t have the will to push her away. His eyes flew open when he felt her lips on his and his brain went into panic mode. He wanted to pull away. He absolutely knew he should stop this before they crossed a line that they shouldn’t, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. His desire for her was overwhelming any caution. His eyelids fluttered closed, and with a sigh he gave in to the pleasure she offered.

Mara’s luscious lips wandered over his jaw and then collarbone before she pulled away and drew in a ragged breath. “First off…wow! That was…that was amazing. Second, no visions. I guess physical contact is not the trigger for the Force bonding.”

As she broke contact and stepped back, he stared at her slackjawed. “What?” he managed to whisper, his voice taunt with need. “This was an experiment?”

She looked at him confused. “I asked you if you wanted to experiment.”

“Experiment in holding each other…but you went way beyond that.” He couldn’t believe she would get him all hot and bothered and then just end things so abruptly. Before he could formulate a cohesive response, she reached up and cupped his face between her hands.

“This is a good thing. This means we are in control of our destiny.” Her hands moved from his face and down the front of his Imperial uniform before resting on his hips. “Our fate is in our hands. The Force may have given us a peek of each other’s lives, but it’s not controlling us.”

Luke took a long calming breath as he willed his body to cool down. “That’s wonderful Mara,” he said tersely, unable to hide the frustration in his voice. “That means we can go back to being platonic friends.”

“After that kiss?” She shook her head. “That sparked something in me that I haven’t felt since…well, I never really felt that way since…ever.” Her expression turned to worry. “Unless that’s what you want…to stay platonic.”

“No! I’ve been trying to woo you for months. Why would you think I want to stay just friends?”

She flashed a shameless grin. “I think we are now beyond friends.”

Luke's eyes widened. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

She snaked her arms around his waist and drew him closer. “I think maybe we should repeat the experiment to ensure the accuracy of our findings. Let's start with a kiss."

Luke smiled as he lowered his mouth gently to hers. He wasn't sure where this scientific experimentation might lead, he just hoped they didn't regret it in the morning.

 

Sizzly scrumptious! I think the unanimous conclusion is that the experiment is resoundingly successful.

 

This update was awesome!

The tension, the experiment and finally a kiss! All brilliantly written.

Finally!

Thanks for sharing this. Look forward to more!

 

Thanks! It is about time those two crazy kids got together.

Thank you! Yeah, FINALLY! Those two took their sweet time.

Thanks everybody for reading. I have been very busy lately and don't have much time to write. I thought I would do a short post and write more later when I have time.


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Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle en route to Coruscant

Mara was impressed with Skywalker’s custom-built Lambda-class shuttle. Three-fourths of the rear passenger section of the ship was stripped out and replace with a private cabin complete with a full-size bed, closet and a latrine with toilet and a fully functional water and sonic shower.

She was currently lying in bed listening to the soft snore of the man lying next to her. Their last few hours together were mind-blowing…almost magical, but after taking some time to think about what they have done she was getting worried. She didn't regret making love to the Jedi. He was a handsome man and eager lover capable of anticipating her every need and desire. They had the most amazing chemistry together...and that is what made her uneasy. She knew Luke believed this magical night of love making would change everything. He probably expected her to quit working for Karrde and run off with him and become Mrs. Mara Skywalker…and she didn’t want to see the disappointment in his face she when told him that wasn't going to happen.

She spent almost two decades under the control of a Force-user. She didn’t want to be tied down to another. She liked her freedom and anonymity. If she openly dated Skywalker, her life would become public fodder. She blew out a breath, frustrated that she was stuck with Skywalker for another day before arriving on Coruscant. If this happened on the Redeemer she was sure she would have snuck out of his cabin and blasted off on the Wild Karrde as soon as he fell asleep.

“Good thing we aren’t on the Redeemer,” Skywalker muttered half awake.

She turned in bed and glared at the man outlined in the dim light. “Get out of my head, Skywalker!”

He rolled over, the sheet falling down to his waist exposing his well-toned bare chest. “Mara, I am not in your head. You’re in mine. You’re projecting.”

When she didn’t respond he reached out, his hand skimming down her side before resting on her hip. “You don’t want to stay with me?” he asked sadly.

She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s just not a decision I want to make right away. Normal people date and the relationship evolves naturally. You warned me that we might become addicted to each other and you were right. What happened last night wasn’t simply the joining of bodies. I could feel your essence in the Force running through my body. It was like we were joined spiritually.”

“And that’s a bad thing?”

“No, not if it happens naturally. This is going way too fast.”

He sighed deeply. “So, instead of going back to ‘just friends’ we are…what?”

She thought about it. “Lovers that are taking it slow. I don’t want to quit my job to be the Supreme Commander’s wife.”

That got a laugh out of him. “I haven’t even asked you to marry me and I’m getting rejected.”

“You thought it,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Get out of my head, Jade!” Luke shot back before chuckling darkly. “Don’t get yourself all worked up. We had sex…which may have been a bit premature in this stage of our relationship, but what is done is done.”

“True,” she whispered before smiling reminiscently. “And it was done so well. Kriff, I must be addicted because I wouldn’t mind having it done to me again.”

“I think we’ll be safe from addiction if you use your sexy Supreme Commander in moderation.” Luke grinned as he reached around her waist and pulled her snug against his body. “They'll be no doubling up on doses in the morning if you miss your nightly prescription of hot farmboy turned seductive Imperial.”

She made a face. "Ack, is that your idea of pillow talk? That almost made me cringe."

He gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, I haven't had many women on my pillow to practice." He nuzzled her ear before pressing a line of kisses down her neck. “Don’t worry, Mara. We’ll go as slow as you like.”

She leaned into his embrace as he molded his rock-hard body to hers. “No pressure?”

“No pressure at all,” he reassured her before he began a tortuous trail of kisses along her jaw line and neck. When his mouth brushed against her ear he whispered. “I’ll let you set the pace.”

“Maybe a little faster,” she moaned as her hands plunged into his hair and pulled his head closer until their lips met in a searing kiss. As he savored the taste of her lips, Luke could feel the invisible threads of the Force binding them together tighten ever so slightly. He was positive Mara was his one true love. He only hoped she would eventually come to the same conclusion. Until then he would let her set the pace for the relationship and enjoy what she was willing to offer.

 

Sexy, sexy, sexy!
I hope Mara comes around
Great update!

 

“I think we’ll be safe from addiction if you use your sexy Supreme Commander in moderation.” Luke grinned as he reached around her waist and pulled her snug against his body. “They'll be no doubling up on doses in the morning if you miss your nightly prescription of hot farmboy turned seductive Imperial.”



Mara's instinctive slow down this is moving too fast; I like my freedom, don't want to be tied down.... is very much in character. Luke's tone is wistful and teasing, lovably so.

 

Great post!

I liked how Mara was torn, she didn't regret sleeping with Luke but the thought of their relationship becoming so serious so soon (and possibly hindering her independence/career) freaked her out. Very understandable.

Haha! Poor Luke he'll have to tread slow and steady to convince Mara to commit to him in marriage.

Enjoying this!

 

Thank you. I am glad you like it. I hate writing love scenes. Ginchy or Trace used to be my stunt double when I needed those things written. lol!

I think Mara is going to start to see the futility of attempting to slow things down. She might as well go with the flow...for now.

Thank you for reading. Those two are deluding themselves if they think they won't end up married. Afterall, Jedi_lover is writing this story. I rarely do sad endings.


This is another short addition to the story before they get to see Emperor Vader.

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Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle en route to Coruscant

Mara was nervous and that was one feeling she absolutely abhorred. She wanted to blame Skywalker for her case of the nerves, but she knew that was unfair. Her uneasiness was because she was now facing a situation that she was not trained for…romance. She felt highly unqualified for the task and exceedingly vulnerable. Those unwelcome feelings seeped into her brain and woke her up hours before the end of the rest cycle. Knowing sleep would continue to elude her, she quietly rolling out of Skywalker’s bed and slipped into the cabin’s ‘fresher to shower. When the water reached the desired temperature, she stepped in and relished the feel of the hot water loosening the knots in her muscles.

Another reason for her disquiet was the upcoming meeting with Darth Vader. Luke was accustomed to being around the Sith Lord, but she was sure she would never feel completely comfortable around Emperor Vader. It was bad enough that she was traveling to Coruscant to ask for guidance from the most dangerous and hot-tempered man in the galaxy, but she knew that she would never be able to hide from Vader her growing affection toward Luke. Darth Vader would sense through the Force that she had fallen in love with his son…and that might bring some very unwanted attention onto her. It was obvious that Vader was protective of Luke. What if he didn’t approve of their relationship? She doubted he would do anything outright if he did not condone the relationship…but she wouldn’t put it past him to hire assassins to take her out of his son’s life, if he so desired.

She placed her hands against the shower wall and leaned forward, allowing the stream of water to flow over her hair and down her back. Why did she have to fall in love with Skywalker? This just made her life more complicated. She never loved anybody before…so why did it happened now?

She felt a spike of emotion coming from the other room causing her to groan in frustration. She knew he sensed her thoughts. She hadn’t verbally expressed her love to him in the last two days, but the joyful emotion she now felt exuding through the Force let her know he heard her inner voice loud and clear. She wasn’t surprised when his nude form slipped into the shower with her. He pressed his body against her back and snaked his arms around her waist pulling her close.

“I missed you,” he said as he ignored the spray of water to place kisses along her neck and shoulder.

She turned around in his arms and pulled him out of the direct blast of the water. “I’ve been gone for about five minutes.” She raised an eyebrow waiting for him to ask her about what he sensed in the Force, but he only stood there looking sexy and with a very goofy look on his face.

She rolled her eyes as she pushed him away. “Don’t hide the fact that you heard my thoughts.”

He was trying his damnedest to keep that grin in check, but he couldn’t manage it. “Mara, you know I don’t eavesdrop.”

She sighed. “But sometimes I project my thoughts and you just can’t help it.”

He still didn’t admit why he was so happy. He reached out and grabbed her hips with firm hands and pulled her against his body. “Is there something you want to tell me?” His expression was one of innocence.

She shrugged nonchalantly. “I can’t think of anything, off hand.”

His eyes narrowed as his hands went from her hips to dip down and clasp her buttocks. “Nothing at all?”

Mara gave a mock expression of deep thought before shaking her head. “Nope, nothing comes to mind.”

He nipped lightly on her earlobe making her shudder. When he rubbed his open mouth against her throat her knees began to get weak. “Really?” he asked again. “Nothing?”

He moved his hands up her back before his mouth consumed her in a rush of frantic kisses. When every cell in her body erupted with need, he released her and stepped back, making her moan at the loss of contact. “I guess I’ll leave you to your shower, then.” He wasn’t mad, she could feel his amusement through the Force. This was a ploy to get her to admit the words she felt but was reluctant to verbalize.

As he moved to exit the shower, she reached out and caught his hand in hers, pulling him back inside. “Damn it, Luke. You are going to finish what you started.”

She saw a twinkling in his deep blue eyes. “Why would I want to do that?”

She gave him an expression of aggravation before turning off the water. “Because I love you. That’s why. You know it, I know it, and I might as well say it out loud.”

Joy burst forth from him in a brilliant glow of love. He stepped forward and caressed her tenderly before he lowered his mouth gently to hers. Mara was lost as the kiss touched her deeply, spilling through her very soul. After a prolonged moment they broke apart to get some air. He smiled at her lovingly. “I love you too, Mara.” He took her hands in his and pulled her out of the shower and led her to his bed.

She broke free and tried to reenter the ‘fresher. “I need a towel. I’m wet.”

“Yes, you’re wet.” He caught her around the waist and gently guided her toward the bed. “And that’s because I am a skilled moisture farmer.”

She rolled her eyes at his cheeky comment. “That line did make me cringe.”

He laughed as he lowered her onto his mattress and crawled onto the bed next to her. “I told you pillow talk was never my forte.” He smirked brazenly as he ran a hand down her side. “But why don’t you give me thirty minutes and I can demonstrate a few of my strengths.”

She surprised herself when a girlish giggle escaped her lips. “How about I give you an hour and you can exhibit all of your many talents?”

“That definitely will take more than an hour,” he teased.

“Well, that is something you are going to have to prove.”

“Challenge accepted,” he whispered huskily as he lowered his lips to hers.

 

SQUEE! STEAMIFIED reader here! First word to last.

 

**sigh** I love sexy-Luke in all of his forms!

 

Well that settles it. No one, and I do mean no one, matters the art of being derpy and sexy at the same time like Luke Skywalker. No wonder he's everybody's favorite farmboy.

 

Edit: Oops.

 

Well.. that was very sweet & hot!

Yay, they finally admitted their feelings!

Great mush, wonderful update, look forward to more.

 

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the update!

Thank you. I really enjoy writing their relationship.

I like that: Derpy and sexy. Luke will forever be a farmboy at heart.

Thank you! I am glad I finally got to get those two crazy kids together.

Here is another short update. Thanks everybody for reading.

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Imperial Palace, Coruscant

“My father is not going to kill you,” Luke assured Mara as they walked arm-in-arm down the palace halls to Emperor Vader’s throne room.

“Maybe not,” she whispered. “Maybe he’ll only lock us in a room until we provide him with a grand-sith.”

Luke chuckled. “For an average person, confinement and unlimited conjugal visits with someone that is extremely sexy, doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Maybe not for you.”

A grin slipped across his lips. “I was the sexy one in that scenario.” He laughed when she pushed him away in a huff. “I’m joking.”

As they neared his father’s throne room the number of Imperial officers and Stormtroopers passing through the corridors increased. They all gave him a wide berth until they came to the throne room door where two red armored Royal Guards stood at attention.

Mara and Luke stopped in front of the men flanking the door and Luke smiled as he recognized the guards through the Force. One was Sergeant Matta, a former Death Trooper, who was tasked to train Luke in hand-to-hand combat. The other was Corporal Dyer, a skilled pilot who taught Luke how to fly a Tie-Fighter. “Morning Gentlemen, nice to see you two again. Is my father in a good mood today?”

The taller man shrugged his armored shoulder. “We’re alive, sir, so he’s not in a foul mood.”

Luke laughed at the joke…or at least he thought it was a joke. Before he could respond the guards opened the double doors and announced their arrival. “Your Highness, Supreme Commander Skywalker and Master Trader Mara Jade have arrived.”

Luke turned to Mara and gave her a reassuring smile before they entered. His father was not on his throne but standing in front of a holoprojector analyzing what looked like detailed interior schematics for a starship. He flipped off the projector and turned to face Luke before speaking in a deep, baritone voice. “I was told you wished an audience, but there was no indication as to why?”

Luke halted a few meters from the Sith Lord and untangled his arm from Mara’s before smiling at his father. “Must a son have a reason to visit his father?”

Emperor Vader approached. “A good son doesn’t, but you usually have a reason.”

Luke broke out in a wide smile as he closed the distance between them and gave his father a friendly hug. The Sith Lord raised his arms in surprise before giving his son a tentative pat on the back. “That’s enough,” Vader grumbled. “Your head almost hit the buttons on my chest plate. You want to turn off my ventilator?”

Luke took a step back and shook his head. “Why do you have buttons on your chest armor that can turn off your life support?”

“I didn’t make the suit; I just wear it.” Vader groused while observing his overly exuberant, smiling son. “Why are you in such a good mood?”

Luke blushed not wanting his father to know his disposition had something to do with the mind-blowing sex he had for the last couple days. “I ah…” Luke gave a furtive glance to Mara before continuing. “Mara and I had a change in our relationship…for the better.”

When Luke didn’t elaborate Vader asked, “Can I assume congratulations are in order?”

Luke stared at his father dumbfounded. It wasn’t a stretch for his father to assume he and Mara were having a sexual relationship, but why would he congratulate Luke about that? Did his father believe he was a virgin until now? He opened up his mouth to say something but Mara’s voice in his head silenced him. ‘He’s asking if we are engaged to get married! Not congratulating you on getting laid!’

“Oh,” Luke said out loud before regaining his wits. “We’re not engaged or anything. Our relationship is not that far along. We just started dating.”

Vader made a humping noise. He gazed down at Mara. “I’m glad to see that my son has put your skills to good use.”

Luke could feel the shock and then anger building up in Mara. He was confused by her reaction at first, but he quickly cleared up the misunderstanding, “Father is referring to your help with my response to the Rebel’s propaganda.” Then through the Force he finished his sentence. ‘He’s not thanking you for kriffing his son.’

“Oh,” Mara whispered before smiling at the Sith Lord. “You’re very welcome, Emperor Vader.”

There was a long pause between the three before Vader spoke again. “I sense you are communicating through the Force.”

“Yes…and that is what we wanted to talk to you about.” Luke turned to Mara. “We’ve experienced a type of Force bonding. We can not only talk to each other, but we often can see each other’s thoughts. Sometimes it is like we are one person.” Luke paused as the memory of the last time it occurred swept over him giving him a shiver. “Can you tell us why this is happening?”

Luke took a step back as he felt anger building up in his father. “I am not doing this to you. I promised I would not interfere in your life and I have kept that promise!”

“Whoa, wait, wait, wait!” Luke said quickly, trying to quell his father’s anger. “We didn’t even know that was possible. We thought it was some strange occurrence in the Force.” When he felt his father’s anger diminish Luke ventured a question. “Can a Force user do that?” He pointed to Mara. “Could somebody manipulate us into having this bond?”

Luke heard his father take a long mechanical breath before he walked over to his throne and sat down heavily. “It is possible, but it is a Sith skill.”

Luke gave a sigh of relief as he approached his father. “Then it must be the Force, because you are the last of the Sith and you said you’re not doing this.” When his father didn’t respond Luke continued. “You are the last of the Sith, right?”

“That is debatable.”

Luke’s brow went up. “How so?”

Vader looked down at the floor. “I never felt my master’s death.”

Mara walked up next to Luke. “I told you. I didn’t feel his death either.”

Luke threw up his hands exasperated. “Really? He’s dead. A Force-user can’t live in a vacuum.”

“His body may be dead,” Vader said slowly, “but there is a belief that powerful Force-users can maintained his or her conscious even when release to the flow of the Force.”

“Like a ghost?” Mara ventured.

Luke’s eyes went wide. He never told anybody about his visits from his former master. He also never questioned Obi-Wan’s ability to manifest as a spirit. Did the Sith have the same capabilities? Even it they did, what harm could the spirit of Palpatine bring upon the living, unless…, “can a dead Sith’s spirit possess a person?”

“It is possible,” Vader admitted. “Emperor Palpatine was strong in the Force…and he was an apprentice to the late Darth Plagueis. Palpatine and Plagueis studied Force-bonding and transferring consciousness into another body. Unfortunately, if Palpatine perfected this skill, he did not pass that knowledge on to me.”

Mara gazed at Emperor Vader in shock. “Do you think Palpatine is alive and trying to create this bond between me and Luke? And if so, why?”

“The Emperor was fascinated with something called a dyad in the Force.” Vader paused in thought before continuing. “His Master, Darth Plagueis, attempted to form a dyad with Palpatine, who was his apprentice at the time, but that failed. When I was a young Jedi, Chancellor Palpatine discovered that many on the Jedi Council believed I was the prophesied Chosen One. He thought he could form a dyad with me if I could be turned. He manipulated my fall to the darkside, but, once again, he failed to form a Force bond with me, his apprentice.” He stood and walked toward Luke and Mara. “If he lives, he might attempt to form a bond between you two and then take possession of one of your bodies.”

Mara made a face. “Ugh.”

“Yeah,” Luke agreed. “But we don’t know if he lives or not. We may be getting worried over nothing.”

Vader turned and walked to the back of the throne room gesturing for Mara and Luke to follow. To Luke it looked like his father was walking toward a bare wall, but as he neared a hidden panel slid open leading to a dark corridor. As Luke followed his father into the hidden space, he noticed Mara was no longer next to him. He stopped and looked back to his lover. She was standing at the entrance with a haunted look on her face. “Mara?”

She took a shuddered breath. “I can’t go in.”

Luke was confused. “Why not?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know...I just can't.”

Vader doubled back and stood next to his son. “Palpatine must have given her a command to never enter his private domain. It is buried deep within her subconscious.” He glanced over to his son. “I am curious as what other subliminal commands the Emperor might have immersed within her brain.”

“Can his commands be overridden?” Mara asked nervously. “And does the fact that I still obey mean Palpatine’s alive?”

Vader moved past his son and approached her slowly.

“Father…” Luke became worried. If Vader saw Mara as dangerous—an agent of Palpatine that could be activated—would he kill her? “Don’t hurt her.”

The Sith Lord looked back to his son. “Don’t you trust me?”

Luke’s mouth opened and then closed not exactly sure what to say. After a moment of consideration, he opted for the truth. “Umm…I trust that you will do whatever you believe is best for you and possibly me, but that doesn’t mean she’s safe if you see her as a threat.”

“You are correct, but I do not see the Emperor’s Hand as a threat just yet.” He turned his attention back to her. To Luke’s relief she did not show any aggression toward his father but stood motionless and silent. “If the command was to not enter without the Emperor’s permission, we may be able to override. If the command was to not entire unless Emperor Palpatine allowed it…it may take more time purging that command from your head.”

“Okay,” Mara said softly. Her voice was steady, but Luke could feel her anxiety increasing as his father neared her. “Is this going to hurt?”

“No.” By now the Sith Lord was only an arm’s length away from her. “Do you recognize me as the rightful Emperor of the Imperial Worlds? Do you pledge loyalty to me, Emperor Vader?”

Mara looked up and gazed at the Dark Lord questioningly before realizing Vader’s intentions. “I do.” She dropped to a knee supplicating herself before the Emperor. “I am a loyal imperial and recognize your sovereignty over the Imperial worlds.” She cast her eyes down. “What is your bidding, Emperor Vader?”

He motioned with his hand for her to rise. “As Emperor I am ordering you to enter my private domain.”

Mara rose to her feet and slowly walked to the secret entrance. She hesitated long enough to take a deep breath before he stepped forward and crossed the threshold. She turned and smiled at Luke. “I did it.”

“Don’t be too pleased,” Vader said as he walked past to lead them deep within the hidden chamber. “Once inside, you are not going to like what you see.”

 

WOW! I never saw this coming! And not just what I'm quoting here, but the whole reveal.
What an unexpected turn of events you are giving us here!
How is this going to play for Luke and Mara?
Can't wait to read what you’ll give us next.
Great update!

 

*munches popcorn*

 

Fascinating ... the whole entire thing about dyads etc. Glad the transfer of 'allegiance' seems to have overridden the vestiges of the implanted command not to enter.

 

Thanks! I'm glad you liked that turn of events.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

I am not a fan of Disney canon, but I guess a Dyad is similar to Luke/Mara's Force bonding, so I am throwing it in.

Thanks everybody for reading.


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Imperial Palace, Coruscant

Vader led them down a long, dimly lit corridor. Mara was familiar with most secret passages within the Imperial palace, but this particular clandestine passageway was unknown to her. She found it amazing that Emperor Palpatine was able to place a ‘Do Not Enter’ suggestion in her brain when she didn’t even know this place existed. Vader was right to wonder what else the Emperor did to her. It had become apparent that she was subject to at least one Force suggestion, and also a memory rub after it was lodged into her brain. Did she have some hidden last command tucked in a corner of her mind just waiting to be activated?

As they silently moved down the hall, she scrutinized her surroundings. The passage was fairly new construction, probably no more than twenty years old. Unlike the diamond inlaid marble tiles found in the oldest parts of the palace, these floors were made of a special duracrete that mimicked the look of black onyx. The walls were of the standard imperial design: dark grey, metallic with translucent wall panels located every five meters or so. There were no doors along the corridor, just a long hallway ending with a turbolift. As they arrived to the end of the corridor the lift doors silently slid open. They entered the small enclosed area and the Emperor turned and pushed a lone button on the control panel. Obviously, this was a dedicated turbolift going down, but to where she didn’t know.

She looked over to the Sith Lord and wondered what he meant by ‘you are not going to like what you see’? She had a thousand of questions she wanted to ask, but she reigned in her curiosity. She knew Emperor Vader was not the type of person to field queries. She would just have to wait and see. She glanced over to Luke who was standing between her and his father. Mara could sense he was a little concerned for her safety and probably positioned himself to protect her if Vader suddenly had a dark side epiphany and decided she should be killed. She mentally scoffed. Farmboy wouldn’t stand a chance against his father in a real fight, but it was a sweet, albeit hopeless, gesture on his part. All she could hope for was this fatherly love Luke professed his father had for him was extended to her as a courtesy to Luke.

Either the turbolift was slow or they were going deep into the bowels of Coruscant. She figured the latter. If Palpatine had a secret hideout it would be deep enough to withstand a planetary bombardment. After a very long descent the doors opened. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see, but it obviously wasn’t a medical facility/laboratory.

“I thought this might be Palpatine’s bunker,” she said in surprise as she stepped off the lift with Luke and his father. She turned to face Lord Vader. “Obviously, I thought wrong.”

“I was just as confused when I first came here with a squad of my best troopers.” Vader led them past long tables cluttered with centrifuges, microscopes, refrigeration units, microbiological incubators and other precision instruments. “I had seen the Emperor retreat through the passageway, but I was also forbidden from entering…until I became the Emperor.”

The place was empty. She couldn’t tell how long it had been abandoned since small cleaning droids scooted across the floors and levitated over equipment sucking up dust and debris. As she followed Vader around the corner she sucked in a breath.

Cloning cylinders!

“This was a cloning laboratory,” she whispered. “Who was he cloning?”

“Who do you think?” Vader ran a gloved hand over a smashed cloning chamber. The transparisteel tube had carbon scoring and also what looked like telltale lightsaber strikes through it. The droids had cleared the rubble off the floor, but the destroyed units were never replaced. “Emperor Palpatine had five clones of himself in various stages of life floating in these tubes.” He turned and gazed at Luke and Mara. “I had my men destroy the laboratory and imprison the cloners. Under interrogation it was confirmed that he intended on taking over one of his clones upon death.”

“But you killed them,” Luke asked his father. "The clones, that is."

“I killed all of them here. It is unknown if more laboratories exist scattered among the galaxy.”

Mara walked past the cylinders to a backroom. When she opened the door, the lights flicked on automatically. “These weren’t for cloning.”

Luke walked over to what she was looking at. In the room was a medical birthing chair with stirrups. Mara turned and gaped at Vader. “Was he impregnating women? Or was he stealing newborns? It was one or the other because I know he wasn’t running a kriff’n woman’s health center.”

Vader chuckled darkly. “According to one of the scientists, he was experimenting on pregnant women. The cloners weren’t certain what he was doing but reported that he would simply stare or lay hands on the women’s extended bellies for up to an hour.”

“He was doing something with the Force,” Luke ventured.

“Yes,” Vader said. “Most likely he was attempting to manipulate the midi-chlorians count of the fetus…possibly attempting to grow his own version of the Chosen One…since I wasn’t the answer to his Dyad quest.”

Luke shook his head in confusion. “I am not quite clear as to what exactly is a dyad and what the hell are midi-chlorians?”

Vader slowly turned to face his son. “The Jedi believed midi-chlorians were needed for a person to touch the Force. The more a person had, the stronger they were in the Force. They were believed to be microscopic symbionts located within our bodies…possibly sentient.”

Mara laughed thinking it was a joke, but immediately realized her mistake when she felt a spike of irritation from the Sith Lord. Vader was dead serious. “Sorry…the concept that we have intelligent organisms living in our bodies seems…fantastic.”

Vader walked over to the birthing chair and looked down upon it. “I thought the same. I…I dislike the idea that something is controlling me. I had the highest Midi-chlorian count the Jedi Council had ever seen…over twenty thousand. That is why they thought I was the prophesied Chosen One.”

Mara walked around the chair, studying it. “What was the prophesy?”

“The Chosen One would bring balance to the Force by destroying the Sith.” Vader lingered in thought. “I often wondered why the Emperor, knowing the prophecy, decided to risk turning me?”

“He was neutralizing a threat,” Mara offered.

“Possible.”

“Wait,” Luke said while rubbing his temples. “Do you mean to say the Jedi thought there were little intelligent creatures in our body controlling us? How would these creatures come to a consensus as to what to make us do? It would have to be like a hive-mind? Like the mythical Killiks?”

“The Killiks weren’t mythical,” Vader assured his son. “They disappeared, but they were once real. But no, I don’t think they are like the Killiks, but perhaps something similar to the Taurills.” Vader fell silent before he stalked out of the room. “Discussions on the nature of the Force can wait. The point is Palpatine intended to possess a body after his death…and I believe at least one clone escaped.”

Luke followed his father out of the room. “Why do you think that?”

“During my interrogations it was revealed that the women were impregnated by one of Palpatine’s clones. A failed clone…one that was not a Force Adept. The cloners said he could be found in the Imperial harem, but when I went there he had escaped along with the women.”

Mara groaned. “So, there is a Palpatine clone wandering out in the universe and who knows how many little baby Palpatines.”

“There’s an Imperial harem?” Luke muttered before being elbowed by Mara. He looked at her sheepishly. “Sorry, it is just a surprise.”

She shook her head in frustration before her eyes went wide. Her gaze shot up to the Sith Lord. “Emperor Vader…when did Palpatine start this breeding program?”

A cold chill ran down her spine as she felt Vader hesitate to answer. She had seen holovids of Palpatine in his youth on Naboo. He was a handsome man, with cleft chin and fiery red hair. “Is he my father? Do you know?”

Luke gazed at his father looking pale, waiting for an answer.

“No, he is not. The program started a few years after you were born.”

A pained expression crossed Mara’s face. “Palpatine said he didn’t know my age. I don’t know how old I am, so how would you know?”

The Sith Lord took a deep mechanical breath before turning to the Emperor’s Hand. “You are approximately three months older than my son and the Emperor is not your father. That much I can tell you.”

She looked at him stubbornly growing furious that her past was hidden from her for so long. “How do you know that much?”

“Because not all the younglings within the Jedi Temple died during the purge. The ones too young to have been indoctrinated by the Jedi were brought to the Emperor to serve him.”

As he gazed at her she thought she felt a bit of remorse from the Sith Lord leaking out through the Force.

Vader let his words sink in before continuing. "Before Palpatine became Emperor, you, Mara Jade, were destined to become a Jedi Knight.”

 

The plot thickens......

 

Greatly!!! Palpatine's schemes turn and twist!

I find it cool that Mara is one of those who would've eventually become a Jedi, making this path something she could consider for more than one reason.

 

I had to give myself some time before commenting to give my mind a chance to wrap around the concept you explore here
It is so interesting and so plausible! WOW!
Can't wait to see how all this unravels.
Great update!

 

Thanks for reading!

Palpatine was a psychopath. If you ever read the book Darth Plagueis it tells how young Palpatine slaughtered his entire family for profit and political gain.

I am not sure how Mara would take the news about her being at the Jedi temple. Prior to finding out, she probably believed Palpatine killed her parents to get to her. Now there is a possibility that her parents handed her over to the Jedi...which might make her feel unwanted. Or, perhaps the Jedi forced her parents to give her to them...making her dislike the Jedi more. It is a conundrum.

I hope I don't disappoint. I don't plot out these things and write whatever comes to mind...which apparently is the approach Disney has been taking lately, so I am in good company.

Thank you all for reading and taking the time to comment.
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Bulk Freighter Wild Karrde currently berthed within the ventral docking bay of the Star Destroyer Redeemer

Talon returned to his ship’s cabin with a towel wrapped around his waist and holding two cups of caf. He closed the door behind him and stopped to gaze at the beautiful nude woman lying belly down on his bunk. After a long moment she turned her head to look at him. “What are you staring at?”

He grinned widely as he moved forward to hand her a cup. “My dear Karrina, I’m gazing lovingly at your back dimples. I find those lower back indentations above your perfectly formed bottom…absolutely mesmerizing.”

“Why, thank you Captain Karrde.” She looked him up and down appreciatively. “And I find your bilateral inguinal crease particularly sexy.”

His brow furrowed. “My what?”

She cocked her finger indicating for him to move closer. “The inguinal crease runs from the right and left iliac spine to the pubic bone.” She ran a finger from his hip to groin. “It makes a ‘V’ shape.” She grinned lovingly. “A pharmacist does have to know something about anatomy and physiology.”

He chuckled as he sat down on the bed next to her. “I didn’t know there was an official name for that. I just called it my groin cleavage or sometimes my happy trail to paradise.”

“Groin cleavage? That’s a new one.” She shook her head in disbelief before sitting up and sipping her caf. “I’ve really enjoyed our time together.” She looked at him sadly. “The Redeemer arrives at Corellia today. Will you be leaving?”

“I have a job.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I was able to stay as long as I did because your ship was going in the same direction that we planned to travel.”

“Yeah.” She averted her eyes and tried to hide her disappointment. “I’ll miss you.”

“Hey,” Talon took her cup out of her hands and placed it on the end table along with his. “I’m going to see you often." He leaned in and gave her a long passionate kiss before pulling back to gaze into her wistful hazel eyes. "Your Supreme Commander is smitten with my second-in-command. I’m sure he will make sure we make frequent supply runs to his flag ship.”

“What if Jade decides to marry him? What if they go off to live in the Imperial Palace?”

The thought that Mara Jade might leave his employment never crossed his mind. “Oh.” He didn’t like the thought of losing his best employee, but at the same time he couldn’t help but want the best for his friend. “I’m sure Commodore Vanto will continue to order items we can provide for his crew.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

Talon smiled at his lover. “If Mara leaves my employment and Vanto no longer orders supplies through my organization…well, then there will be a job vacancy that I need to fill.”

She looked at him blankly.

“You! You could become part of my crew,” he explained.

She shook her head. “My college was paid for by the military. I have a six-year service obligation of which I have only done two. I will be under Imperial contract for the next four years.” She reached down to the floor and retrieved her civilian tunic she discarded the night before in the heat of the moment. “Besides, I’m a pharmacist. What would I do as a crew member?” She pulled on her clothing and then looked at Talon waiting for an answer.

“Well,” he said slowly. “We often smuggle pharmaceuticals.”

She gave his shoulder a playful shove. “Be serious.” She picked up his boxer briefs and tossed them in his direction before hunting down the remainder of her clothing.

“I am serious. Haven’t you heard of pharmaceutical representatives? I can adjust my business plan for pharmaceutical sales and delivery.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You’d do that?”

“Yes.” He sighed deeply knowing he was rushing things...but he had never felt this way about a woman before. She was special. So much so, he was ready to rearrange his entire life to spend more time with her. “Either that, or I’m going to have to join the Imperial Navy.”

“Oh no.” She walked over and ran a hand over his bearded face. “They would make you shave, and you look way too sexy with that beard.” She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “We have four years to think about the future. I have an obligation that I must complete unless the military starts offering early outs for Navy downsizing.”

"You're right." He pulled on his trousers and tunic before wrapping Karrina in his arms. “Are you getting any shore leave while in orbit? I have to go down to the planet to pick up cargo, but we can stay for the day if you want to do some bar hopping.”

“Yes, I would like that very much.” She leaned in hugging him tightly. “How about we meet tonight. There is a club called the Hard Nights Tavern. It is a few blocks from the Imperial Training Center. It caters to Imperial service members, but they don’t mind the occasional sexy smuggler.”

Talon smiled broadly. “It’s a date then.”

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Imperial Palace, Coruscant

“If the clone that escaped wasn’t a Force adept…can Palpatine use him…you know to occupy his body,” Luke asked his father after they left the laboratory and returned to the Emperor’s quarters. The Sith Lord’s apartment was sparse with most of the space occupied by a black metallic meditation chamber that allowed Vader to survive without his helmet. Luke had never been inside the chamber and had yet to glimpse his father’s true face. His father never offered to show Luke…most likely because he was seriously disfigured in his fight against Obi-Wan.

Other than the meditation pod there was a couch and a few chairs along with a long conference table with a large holoprojectoer in the center. The first time Luke entered the apartment he went to the kitchen and found no plates, pots or utensils. There was also no food or beverages in the cooling unit. It was a stark reminder of his father’s grievous injuries. Darth Vader would never eat normally. All sustenance was provided by a feeding tube that pumped nutrients from a storage container underneath his armor. Luke didn’t know where his father went to replace the nutrients and he never asked. He really didn’t feel comfortable discussing his father’s bodily functions when it came to the suit. Luke did notice that after that first meeting together, the Emperor stocked beverages and nonperishable food for his son.

Luke and Mara were currently sitting on the lone couch while Vader occupied a large cushioned chair.

“It is doubtful that the clone’s body would be of any use to him. The only thing it was good for was carrying on the Palpatine line. More than a dozen women were impregnated. The Cloners said most of the offspring had mediocre Force abilities.”

Mara shifted in her seat. “Where are the children now?”

“It has been over twenty years since the first were born; they are no longer children.” Vader turned to Mara, his ominous black lens focusing on her, pinning her to her seat. “You grew up with some of them. Inquisitor Valglorius, Imperial Guardsman Ratten, Agent Kanonfort. The remainder didn’t have much Force potential and were placed as Imperial Stormtroopers or Tie Fighter pilots.”

Luke looked at his father questioningly. “Did they know they were related to the Emperor?”

“No, and most are now dead by the hands of the rebels.” Vader leaned back in his seat. “There are a few younglings born a year or two before Palpatine’s death. They were adopted out to families. They were deemed ‘unsuccessful offspring’ by Palpatine. They were not Force adepts.” Emperor Vader fell silent for a long moment before continuing. “I considered tracking them down and…eliminating them…but…” He looked over to Luke. “But I know that would meet your disapproval and jeopardize our relationship.”

Luke’s brow went up in surprise. “Thank you, father.”

Vader’s discomfort could be felt through the Force. He wasn’t used to being merciful and he especially was not accustomed to gratitude. “Much has been taken away from me. I will not lose my son…not again.” Vader took a deep mechanical breath before awkwardly shifting in his seat. He looked down at the floor and then back to Luke and Mara. “So…you and the former Emperor’s Hand are now dating?”

Luke cleared his throat before answering. “Yes.”

“After she kidnapped and tried to sell you to the highest bidder?”

Luke looked over to Mara and gave her a nervous smile. “What can I say, Father, I like dangerous women.”

“You may have gotten more than you can handle.” Emperor Vader gazed at Mara Jade for long pause before chuckling. “Mara Jade is the most dangerous woman that ever served the Empire.”

“So,” Luke ventured. “Are you saying she could do better?”

Mara bit down on her lower lip, wondering if this type of banter was the norm between Luke and Vader.

“If Palpatine put a command deep into her subconscious to kill you or me…she could be very dangerous.” He turned to face Mara. “But Palpatine always underestimated you and your power. I do not believe you will harm my son. I can sense…” Vader took in a deep breath and let it out. “I can sense you are both protective of each other. And there is that bond. I wonder…” Vader trailed off leaving the sentence unfinished.

“Wonder what, Father?”

The Sith Lord straightened in his seat. “I wonder if Palpatine was wrong in thinking he would be part of the prophesied Dyad. Perhaps the Dyad is here, now, within you two.”

Luke looked over to Mara and back to his father. “Does that mean I’m the Chosen One?”

“No!” his father shouted adamantly. “I am the Chosen One. It was the Jedi who were confused as to how the prophesy would play out. If Palpatine does live I will find him and destroy the last of the Sith.”

“Aren’t you Sith?” Luke questioned his father.

“Obviously not! A true Sith Lord would be tracking down baby Palpatines and Force choking them!” Vader made a wide gesture with his arm. “I have created homeless shelters, free undergraduate college education, and Galactic Health Care! Do you really believe that is the work of a Sith!”

Mara looked back and forth between the two men but remained silent. obviously not wanting to get into an argument between the two Skywalkers.

“No, Father," Luke said slowly. "You are a changed man. You are as formable as any Sith but with a soul. You are a man I am proud to call my father.”

Luke felt his father become guarded and he realized he shouldn’t have had this conversation in front of Mara. It embarrassed his father. He was relieved when the holoprojector beeped indicating an incoming message.

“Projector on,” the Emperor commanded and a holographic image of Commodore Vanto appeared.

“Emperor Vader,” Vanto said, his voice strained. “There has been a rebel attack on Corellia. A Rebel Dreadnaught-class heavy cruiser came out of hyperspace and hit the Redeemer with quad ion cannons temporarily disabling our weapon systems. They then utilized a dorsal superlaser to destroy the Imperial Training Center. By the time our systems came back online they had made the jump to hyperspace. Grand Admiral Thrawn will be joining us within the hour and will take command and organize our response.”

“Where did the rebels acquire a Dreadnaught? We supposedly destroyed them all in our last conflict!” Vader bellowed as he rose out of his seat.

“Unknown Emperor Vader. None of our Dreadnaughts are missing…and the ship appears to be an older model…possibly from the Galactic Republic era.”

“Clone War Dreadnaughts do not have dorsal superlasers capable to destroying planetary targets,” Vader pointed out.

Luke could see Eli Vanto swallow hard. The man had to know Darth Vader was capable of Force strangling people across the vastness of space. “Your Highness, the superlaser could have been retrofitted onto an older ship.” There was a pause. “Do you have orders for me Emperor Vader or should I continue to wait for the Grand Admiral?”

Vader shook his head, obviously frustrated. “Get me a casualty report and any information on the rebel ship. Send hourly updates to my intelligence division.”

“Yes, Emperor Vader.” Commodore gave a curt nod of his head before the signal disconnected.

Before the Emperor could say more Mara’s commlink beeped. She gave a cursory glance at the scrolling text before doing a double take. “Oh kriff.”

Luke felt her shock through the Force. “What is it?”

When Mara faced Luke, he immediately knew the situation was bad…Mara was crying. “It’s from Aves. The Wild Karrde was on Corellia when the rebel assault happened. Talon was meeting his lady friend near the attack site and they are currently missing…they may be dead.”

 

I loved the section with Karrde. I like him very much and love how you write his romantic side
This is getting more and more interesting
It was a great read
Thanks for the update! Can’t wait to read more

 

Tickled with the scene between Talon and Karina as they tentatively plan options just in case and then was intrigued by the talk between Luke and Vader discussing the fate of the clones, as well as who is the Chosen One etc. Luke and Vader's relationship is fascinating as they are apparently at ease enough to banter.

The news from Vanto! Worrisome indeed that Talon and Karina are missing.