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

Great update!

 

Brilliant update, Miranda! You got the tension between Mara and Luke down pretty well, and more banter between her and Lando is always fun to read about. The ending was especially interesting, Luke's meditation revealed some horrid things, I think. I appears an old enemy is still alive. They'd better watch out.

Great update!

 

Ooohh.....creepy! *shivers* If I were Luke, I'd be tempted not to meditate any more with voices like that.

 

I really like this chapter. I particularly love what you're doing with Mara!

Excellent job!

oldj

 

VIII: "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

Thank you, VIII. I'm glad I got a giggle out of you.

jade51999: Uh oh. Is that the force talking or Sly Moore? Hmmm...I wonder?

Creepy Creepy.

Always happy to see a "creepy". Hopefully, I'll be sending more your way.

RedGold: Wonderful interactions between all the characters!

They always seem to have such a great chemistry and banter when they get together, don't they?

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

Aww, thanks! Too kind of you, RG.

Golden_Jedi: Great update!

I'm glad you clicked back. Thank you.

Briman: Brilliant update, Miranda! You got the tension between Mara and Luke down pretty well, and more banter between her and Lando is always fun to read about. The ending was especially interesting, Luke's meditation revealed some horrid things, I think. I appears an old enemy is still alive. They'd better watch out.

Great update!

Thanks for your kind reply, Briman. Indeed; Something wicked this way comes....(hmmm...sounds familiar. ) But we'll just have to keep reading (or in my case, writing) to find out.

Jedi Trace: Ooohh.....creepy! *shivers* If I were Luke, I'd be tempted not to meditate any more with voices like that.

Bad for Luke, good for us. hehe I'm so happy it gave you shivers, and another creepy? I'm honored. Thank you so much, Trace.

oldjedinurse: I really like this chapter. I particularly love what you're doing with Mara!

It was fun to write and work with you and RG on. Learning lots! Mara is a pip, isn't she?

Excellent job!
Thanks!

Thank you all for stopping back and reading.

 

"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 love your Lando/Mara interaction.

It was lovely to see Luke there as well. Hasn't he learnt by now that asking Mara to train is not the best way to get her to spend time with him?

Excellent chapter.

 

Interesting that the Dark Side knows when it's beaten on the turning front, but what a chilling rejoinder!

 

Argh! Matey's it Pirate Day! Yo Ho Ho and a Bottl' of Rum!

Eh ehmm....sorry 'bout that.

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[b][color=teal]JadeLotus[/color][/b]: [i]I love your Lando/Mara interaction. [/i]

[color=teal]Thank you! They're always such fun to write. I know when I get to them, it's going to flow very naturally. It's the rest that I have to dig deep to find. [/color] [face_wink]

[i]It was lovely to see Luke there as well. [/i]

[color=teal]Have no fear. Luke will be sticking around for a better part of the story now. Along with some other familiar faces.[/color]

[i]Hasn't he learnt by now that asking Mara to train is not the best way to get her to spend time with him?[/i]

[face_laugh] [color=teal]You'd think he'd learn by now. But nope.[/color]

[i]Excellent chapter.[/i]

[color=teal]Thank you so very much. I'm very happy you enjoyed it.[/color]

[b][color=limegreen]Rosh Penin[/color][/b]:[i] Interesting that the Dark Side knows when it's beaten on the turning front, but what a chilling rejoinder![/i]

[color=limegreen]A new reader! Wow-Welcome! I'm so grateful for your R&R. The Dark Side has other plans for our heroes. Glad you liked it. [face_happy] [/color]

 

Great story.

 

This is a good fic, so you get an UP for all your efforts

 

Sorry it took me so long to reply, Miranda, but my life is kind of a mess right now...


Wonderful chapter, as always. And I'm eager to read what will happen in that meeting with Leia...

 

Darth_Garak: Great story.
Thank you so much for R&R! Always happy to see a new face.

Briman: This is a good fic, so you get an UP for all your efforts

Brilliant! Thanks for the UP. Glad you're nejoying it.

Jadie: Sorry it took me so long to reply, Miranda, but my life is kind of a mess right now...

Aww Jadie. I hope everything turns out fine. I'll be thinking of you. You waited for me, so I'm here for you...not going anywhere.

Wonderful chapter, as always.

That's so sweet. I'm glad you stopped back.

And I'm eager to read what will happen in that meeting with Leia...

It'll be interesting.

A/N: Hoping to update early this week. Still ironing out the 'kinks'.

 

Another big thank you to all the readers out there. Enjoy Chapter 7! <3

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[b]CHAPTER 7[/b]

Mara Jade gazed up at the mighty structure that rose in front of her. Dwarfing all other buildings surrounding it, the ancient Central Gathering Hall had been one of Coruscant's gems for three millennia. Tonight it would play host to another historic moment. While Mara hadn't been more than an acquaintance of the newly-elected Chief of State Leia Organa Solo, she did admire the Princess's strength, and thought she would be a fine choice to lead the New Republic.

It was hard to go anywhere on Coruscant without some recollection taking hold of Mara's senses. During her days serving the Empire, Mara had attended quite a few events at the Hall. She sometimes posed as a dancer or a courtesan. Remembering each event so vividly she felt as if she were still living it. With a inner sigh, Mara pushed away the past as heels clicked on the marble stone steps and she continued to climb up into the present.

Mara followed a New Republic official as he directed her toward the reception of representatives. The glowing, polished walls reflected Mara's elegance. For the occasion, Mara had her red-gold mane tamed into a ladylike coif. Holding her hair in place were four glittering marquis-cut emeralds that had been loaned to her for the affair. Mara had never been one to accessorize, with the exception of a handy blaster or lightsaber, which she had checked in at security. The delicate sage green fabrics of satin and chiffon molded to her curves and swept down to the floor, leaving her shoulders bare. With a dignity that masked her apprehension, Mara clasped her hands behind her back and waited alone at the threshold.

"Mara?" A voice came from beside her.

She turned to see Talon Karrde standing next to her. It was the first time Mara could recall seeing her boss looking so debonair.

"Karrde, I really don't need an escort," she smiled, secretly feeling touched at his gesture.

"Consider it my payback for dragging you into all this."

"I don't know," she shook her head warily. "You still owe me big for including Calrissian in the other mess."

"Well," he laughed. "Perhaps this could just be part of a very large down payment." Karrde offered Mara his arm.

"Perhaps," Mara said as she gratefully accepted it.

"This way," the official said, beckoning to them.

"Looks like we're up," Karrde said, his tone betraying his appeared calm.

"Can hardly wait," joked Mara.

Through the imposing entrance way, music began to grow louder and louder. Beyond the reception area, tables, and dance floor, a one hundred piece orchestra sat on the dais and soared in musical momentum. Beat-to-beat, arm-and-arm, Mara and Karrde descended the grand staircase and waited to greet and pay their respects to New Republic dignitaries.

The queue moved surprisingly fast. Smiles and introductions were exchanged, along with the usual 'How do you do's?'. Mara passed by a collage of faces, some familiar, others not. Her hard exterior was unbreakable, still her squirming insides knew the truth. It wasn't hard for her to imagine how uncomfortable Karrde must have felt. Risking a side glimpse, she silently eyed the bearded man who gently escorted her, his arm wrapped around hers.

Talon Karrde must have sensed Mara's eyes on him and glanced back at her. The humorous thing about people accustomed to bluffing is they can often tell when they, themselves, are being duped. Sharing a tight grin, they both knew exactly what the other was feeling. It was a secret kept locked away from the rest of Coruscant, hidden behind controlled façades.

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

Councilor Borsk Fel'ya glared out past the line of approaching representatives. His long snout crinkled with loathing as he saw Mara Jade, former agent of Emperor Palpatine, make her way past him. This was [i]supposed[/i] to be a new era for the New Republic. However, certain people in positions of power were stuck in past alliances. Fel'ya beca

 

Mara's cool... as always...

and that inner voice of hers gets around... mmuuwwaahahahah

great interactions and descriptions, I do love your style

 

Wondergul chapter, Mir!
I loved the atmosphere of it...

 

Wohoo... Borsk made an apperance, The only Star Wars character I both love and hate..

Great update...
Keep it up.

 

Great chapter! I loved all the descriptions of the Hall and Mara's memories of her previous life.

"And how did you find the Chief of State's speech, Emperor's Hand?" Borsk Fel'ya asked over his desert.



It's official - the furball has a death wish.

And you stopped there? You've been taking evil cliffy lessons from your master, haven't you?

 

Cool chapter. I love Mara fics.

 

Geez! That was so cool!!!

I loved when Mara reflected on Leia's words. It was so subtly done and it worked so well!

I hate that Fe'lya Bothan!!! Mara handled him quiet well, but there are limits...

So... I guess Luke'd better find an excuse to get outta there, because a drank Mara is an easy prey for a certain spooky alien...

 

Not much of a Mara Jade fan, but the way ouy write her makes me want more, and more! That voice is an awesome little plot point you got going, I'm actually enjoying it. As always, great update.

 

Loved that chapter.

The inner voice--the not standing up as a Jedi (she's not there yet) and wow talk about evil Brosk man! I hate that guy! Felt bad when he died in NJO but still! What a Jerk!

Excellent job

Oh--and I forgot, I'm not sure if you got the latest Star Wars Insider but there was a bit on Sly moore and I thought i'd recount it here.

The question was: What can you tell me about Palpatine's aides, Sly moore and MAs Amedda? They're always seen stainding with Palpatine on the SEnate Podium or in his office but Sly Moore never speaks or does much of anything: Amedda just seems to let out a few lines here and there and than just stnda around. Is there emore to them than meets the eye?

Answer: There is, given that we now know they've know of Palpatine's true identity. Thus they were active accomplices in the Sith rise to power but they're not warriors on part with Sidious' apprentices. Sidious's ascent was political, thus he neede servants capable of ddeftly wielding political power not Force powers.

Sly Moore is more than just an aide. As an Umbaran, she has the ability to influence others. It's not a Force talent but something psycholchemical. Its unknown how many politicans or Coruscant powerbrokers caved to Palapatine's ambitions thanks to a well-placed word from Moore-she doesn't say much, but when she does, she can be very compelling.

(There's more to the answer but on Mas Amedda so I decided to stop typing)

hehe
Anyway--i just wanted to let you know that your story has me reading up on this mysterious charachter
Excellent post

 

RedGold : Mara's cool... as always...

She's a lot of fun to write. Helps cut down on therapy costs. JK!!!

and that inner voice of hers gets around... mmuuwwaahahahah

It sure does. Haunts her all the time.

great interactions and descriptions, I do love your style

Why, thank you, Master. I have great mentors to look up to in learning.

Golden_Jedi: Wondergul chapter, Mir!

Thank you!

I loved the atmosphere of it...

I'm so glad. The descriptions are probably what took me the longest on this chapter. I hoped it would read well. Very happy it worked for you.

VIII: Wohoo... Borsk made an apperance, The only Star Wars character I both love and hate..

Yay! Yes, don't we all love-to-hate that Bothan?

Great update...
Keep it up.

Thanks! I hope not to disappoint you.

Jedi Trace: Great chapter! I loved all the descriptions of the Hall and Mara's memories of her previous life.

Thank you! While the descriptions took me some time, Mara's memories came easily. If it's not one thing, it's always another, right? heheh

"And how did you find the Chief of State's speech, Emperor's Hand?" Borsk Fel'ya asked over his desert.

It's official - the furball has a death wish.

Yes. Let's face it. Fel'ya's a complete idiot.

And you stopped there? You've been taking evil cliffy lessons from your master, haven't you?

Yes...*tries to look innocent* . I need to keep you guys reading and guessing after all.

Thanks a bunch, Trace.

Darth_Garak:Cool chapter.

Thanks for stopping back!

I love Mara fics.

I do too! She is great fun to read and write.

Jadie:Geez! That was so cool!!!

Geez! Thanks!

I loved when Mara reflected on Leia's words. It was so subtly done and it worked so well!

"Blushing; in 1-2-3 seconds......*

I hate that Fe'lya Bothan!!! Mara handled him quiet well, but there are limits...

I thought I'd hate writing Fel'ya. Turns out, the white fluffball is a lot of fun to pen. Who would have thought that?

So... I guess Luke'd better find an excuse to get outta there, because a drank Mara is an easy prey for a certain spooky alien...

Hmmm....

Briman: Not much of a Mara Jade fan, but the way ouy write her makes me want more, and more! That voice is an awesome little plot point you got going, I'm actually enjoying it. As always, great update.

Glad to open you up to Mara's character. That's a great compliment in itself. Thank you very much.

jade51999: Loved that chapter.



The inner voice--the not standing up as a Jedi (she's not there yet) and wow talk about evil Brosk man! I hate that guy!

Glad you picked up on Mara refusing to stand with the rest of the Jedi. WOOT!

Felt bad when he died in NJO but still! What a Jerk!

Wait...Fel'ya dies???



(Just kidding!) Sorry, I'm cruel. He is/was a jerk. Have to make him a complete idiot to make him even more of a redeemable character.

Excellent job

Thank you.[

 

Excellent chapter, Miranda! I especially love Mara - she is perfectly in character and the insight into her psyche was great in reaction to Leia's speech.

Interesting that Luke was so disappointed that Mara didn't stand with him. But I guess we all know why

 

Hmm, Borsk. I'd check under your speeder before you leave tonight.

And under your bed.

And I'd check the lightswitch too.



Ol' Fuzzy never learns, does he?

Mara handled herself very well, though! And Luke still needs a good kick.

 

I´m starting to think that´s impossible...