Heart's Destiny

CHAPTER 6 “I feel much better, a little sore still.” Luke noticed the wound on her belly was mostly healed; he must have done something right. He didn’t know exactly what he’d done, or if Jedi were able to heal others, but this was the Force and if the Force was the energy that flowed through all living things and bound everything together, it would not be a surprise that it also could restore someone’s health. “Something smells good in here,” Mara commented. “I hope you like my cooking!” He cheerfully offered, carrying a set of plates full of food and placing them on the small table in the dining area. “I’m famished!” Mara admitted. Nothing would help her on the road to recovery more than a hearty meal. The food was actually really good. Luke was really surprised with the results of cooking with unfamiliar ingredients. Mara was frankly all too glad to be away from Imperial Centre for more than one reason. But she couldn’t help but think that she was imposing upon Bren Whitesun, taking him away from vital professional, if not personal matters. Not one to hesitate, she voiced her concern. “I hate to think I’m keeping you away from something you should be doing. You don’t owe me anything. I am grateful you saved me back there and brought me to this safe location, but really, if you need to leave, I can more than likely find transport off-world in a week or so. I’m not without … contacts.” She held Luke’s gaze, waiting for his expression if not his words to clue her in to his genuine feelings about the situation. Luke gazed back at her and with his usual candid honesty he just answered, “I made every arrangement so I could stay with you.” When Celina didn’t say anything, then he realized that had come out too straightforwardly, “I was worried about you! And I’ve been wanting to 47

HEART’S DESTINY spend some time with you… I want to know you,” he admitted. “No one’s ever put themselves out for me that way,” Mara mused out loud. She didn’t like the idea of being under obligation to anyone, but somehow, with Whitesun, it was different. “If you want me to leave, I can leave,” he offered. Luke didn’t want to impose his presence upon Celina, if she needed some space he’d give it to her. She flashed one of her rare smiles. “No, I wouldn’t want to put a crimp in your plans.” Luke just smiled and continued eating. The next following days would surely be interesting and he was looking forward to every minute of it. * * * A magnetic storm had every ship grounded. No incoming or outgoing traffic would ever make it through the powerful storm the sun in the system was raging on the small moon and planets below. This was a common phenomenon in the area and locals were all too used to it. When Mara asked how long it would last, the vendor at the small general store in town just stifled a laugh. From the looks of it, this would last a while. There was not much to do around, so Luke and Mara had contented themselves with taking long hikes around the area and having long conversations. These conversations had turned more and more personal to Mara’s surprise, but this didn’t bother her. Luke felt glad he could talk about things he hadn’t told to anyone, with the exception of Han and Leia perhaps. Luke felt thrilled at having this beautiful woman by his side. From the small things she’d revealed about herself, he could tell she was strong, independent and incredibly loyal. He also felt this unique connection, as if there were ties between them that join them in ways he could not 48

CHAPTER 6 explain, in ways that felt right for unknown reasons. But amongst all these things he could pick up, he could tell she was keeping something from him… But his natural optimism told him that surely she’d come forward with it when she felt sure; in their short time together, he’d come to understand that Celina was someone who always did things on her own terms. Mara had grown to like Bren Whitesun. She could tell he was a good man, kind, generous, brave, too idealistic for her taste. Still, something told her he was hiding vital information from her, something important, and this kept her on her toes. Yet, she liked to have him around. And here they were tonight, sitting outside in the porch of the small cottage; looking up to the heavens, watching magnetic waves wash over against a black sky covered with countless tiny bright dots of stars. They had found a good lookout spot sitting next to each other on the steps of the entry. “The power of the cosmos never fails to amaze me!” Luke said, taking another sip of the hot beverage he held in his hands. A few years back he would have never imagined he’d have the chance to witness other displays of natural marvels other that the double sunrises and sunsets of Tatooine and the beauty of its desert, isolated landscape, to which he’d had grown so accustomed to that he’d stopped wondering. Mara had to agree the view was majestic and lovely. He noticed her shiver slightly and asked, “Are you cold?” Mara shook her head. The air wasn’t particularly chilly, either. So, what was behind her sudden tremulousness? Luke set the mug he held in his hand next to him on the steps and moved closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Even though she wasn’t cold, Whitesun’s arm around her did feel cozy. He didn’t say anything. With soft eyes he admired her beautiful features… her mouth inviting. Bewitched, slowly he came closer and 49

HEART’S DESTINY kissed her softly. Mara wasn’t one for spontaneous impulses, but she was caught up in a maelstrom of emotion. There was nothing more than Celina in that moment. Luke felt submerged in the feel of her lips, on her returning his kiss. The feel of her fingers digging softly into his hair, the palms of her hands sliding down his chest and going around his waist… In return, he held her in a tight embrace, pressing his body against hers. Soon their exchange became more desperate, passionate. It was evident they were both aroused. They broke their kiss, both breathing deeply. Should they stop? Something pressed in the back of Luke’s mind. He didn’t want to listen to that nudge, this time he wouldn’t let his insecurities make him hesitate. Ignoring it he kissed her again and as he did, he noticed her opening to him; in her kiss, he could feel she had reached the same resolution. Mara liked to believe that this was just going to be sex with a very hot man, but deep down she knew thinking like this was just fooling herself… Bren was different, she could feel it in her bones; her danger sense didn’t flare up when near him, on the contrary, he made her feel safe, calm… Her sense told her that this was crazy, but she didn’t care, she’d live in the moment for once. Breaking their passionate exchange, they looked at each other. A silent agreement had been made. Luke stood up and offered her his hand. Mara took the hand he offered and let herself be pulled up towards him, losing herself in the ardent gaze of his blue eyes. Both walked inside the house, this time resolute to put their fears aside and let themselves follow the command of their desire. * * * 50

CHAPTER 6 Days had passed and these together had turned into a full week. The storm was breaking havoc with comm signals too, so they’d been uncommunicated. Celina was more than recovered now, and although Luke could tell she was enjoying their time together just as much as he was, he noticed she’d turned restless. For this reason Luke had decided they should spend their day by the lake just down the hill. They swam in the lake, ate their homemade lunch, conversed about many trivial and not so trivial things, passionately made love under the trees. It was a perfect day. Luke watched Celina put her clothes back on. “I wish for this to never end,” he told her, “I wish we could just… go.” “Speak for yourself,” she re-joined with a laugh. “Part of the appeal lies in knowing it cannot last.” He caught the piece of clothing she tossed at him, meaning “get dressed and stop being silly.” Luke obediently got dressed too. “As nice as this has been,” Mara continued, “There’s no reason for us to stay much longer.” When Celina sat back by his side, Luke reached out and kissed her deeply, showing just how much he felt for her. “You’re amazing!” He told her, “I want you in my life forever!” Both knew they had to go back to their lives, to their duties. For a moment Luke wished he could leave everything behind and stay with her, and he wished she could do the same too… but he was fooling himself, that could not be, at least not until the Empire was defeated and the war was over. “Forever? That’s quite the shift from a couple weeks isn’t it? Especially since our lives take us in completely different directions,” Mara echoed his thoughts. The rest of their afternoon went by relaxed and quiet. Hand in hand, they took a walk around the lake. On the way back, a pile of sandy 51

HEART’S DESTINY brown branches and long lines of dried grass caught Luke’s attention. He inspected the materials, “This gives me an idea!” Luke said with a spark in his eyes. Once back to their spot by the lake just down the house, Mara watched Luke work on some rudimentary set of traps to be placed in the water of the lake and left overnight to catch some fish. She felt delighted at his resourcefulness, growing up in a farm had really taught him ingenious things. The afternoon was dying out and it was getting chilly. “I’m heading back,” Mara said, feeling a nice blend of relaxed and energized. “I’ll join you in a few minutes,” he told her. Luke accepted the kiss she gifted him and watched her walk towards the cabin, staying behind to finish with his traps. By the time Luke finished his handiwork the sun had set down and the light was dying out. He felt happy thinking that surely the next morning the traps he’d just set would be filled with fish, and he’d be able to prepare a good meal out of them. He knew his time with Celina on that moon was soon coming to an end, it was just a matter of a few days, so he’d make the most out of it while it lasted. Contented, he walked back to the cottage. When coming near, Luke frowned at the look of the house from the outside. All the lights were out… Strange. Were the automatic systems in the small cottage malfunctioning? He’d have to speak to the owner about it. He crossed the entrance threshold. Luke came inside the house to find himself staring to the barrel of his own blaster. “Celina?” He uttered when recognizing who was holding the weapon, “What’s this?” “Shut up! And put your hands were I can see them,” Mara commanded. Slowly Luke did as he was told. Raising his hands at shoulder level, 52

CHAPTER 6 he watched her carefully, looking for an opportunity. “Now step back very slowly,” she instructed, he was standing just too close to her. Luke made the gesture of giving a small step back, but then in one quick move sprang towards Celina and got a hold of the blaster. During the wrestle the weapon fired, the shot hitting the ceiling without doing any harm. He managed to pull the weapon off her hands but losing it seconds later when she turned and kicked it off his hands. Weaponless, both wrestled with one another. The small space inside the cottage soon turned into a wreckage. The young pilot used his own strength with measure, just enough to block her attacks, enough to hold her down, he didn’t want to hurt her. Luke felt confused, he didn’t understand! What was going on? Although he was bigger than her and physically stronger, Celina was an extremely good fighter and excellently trained by the looks of it. Every time he pinned her down, she found a way to break his lock and counterattack with viciousness and precision. Luke didn’t exactly realize how he got to the moment when he was on his knees, struggling to get air into his lungs. Celina had some sort of bar pressed against his throat, her full weight on top of him. He had his fingers wrapped around the ends of the bar, trying to release the pressure, but she had such a good hold of the weapon that his efforts didn’t help much. He couldn’t see her, but could hear her ragged breath behind him as she exerted all of her strength on her hold of him. Luke struggled to breathe, the pressure kept steady at his throat, he was starting to see black and soon he’d pass out, or worse. Then the pressure subsided completely. Mara had come to the cottage to find that the magnetic storm had passed and used that moment alone to check on her comm and report back. The update she got turned out to be the most upsetting news she’d ever get. These involved news on the status of the Rebellion, 53

HEART’S DESTINY with several images attached. The main piece of information was the disclosure of an image of the face of the Rebel Pilot who destroyed the Death Star in the Battle of Yavin. A face accompanied by a name. The information was disclosed with an incredibly high sum as a reward for his head, preferably alive. Mara’s heart stop beating… She could not believe her eyes when looking at the profile! The shock she felt was soon replaced by cold fury, her unmovable loyalty towards the Empire kicking in automatically. And she knew what she had to do. While holding her enemy in her deadly grip, Mara’s mind rushed with mixed emotions and thoughts. She had him, it was just a matter of keeping the pressure and he’d be done for. The most wanted enemy of the Empire gone… forever. And she released him. Luke fell to the floor coughing. At being released from the deadly hold, he fell forward on his hands; too weak to hold himself up, he rolled on his back, lying on the floor desperately gasping for air… Unable to stand up, he pushed himself away from Celina, just enough to get a good look at her. As his breathing steadied, he just looked at her in befuddlement. There she was, standing high in front of him. One hand holding the deadly object she’d used as a choking weapon, her other hand free, loose at her side. “You’re him!” She was panting heavily, an expression of shock and disgust on her face, her eyes sparkly with tears she did not dare to shed, “You’re Luke Skywalker!” Luke felt a pang of pain, the look in her eyes was unbearable to watch. Somehow she’d found out about who he really was… but this was not reason enough for her to have tried to kill him! Unless… and suddenly it all clicked, “You’re with the Empire!” He told her in a raspy voice. “I’m not just with the Empire!” She spat, “I am with the Emperor!” Mara showed pride in her stance, “I am the Emperor’s Hand.” Luke had never heard that title before, but the way she’d said it 54

CHAPTER 6 denoted rank, power, allegiance… Slowly Luke got up and sat on the nearest piece of furniture, his hand still on his sore neck, “So all this time… You’ve only been hunting me down?” He said, honest hurt showing in his eyes. Their kisses, their intimacy… Was it all a lie? “No,” Mara interrupted his line of thought, “All this time I thought you were Bren Whitesun,” she just said. Despite the seriousness of the situation, a wave of relief washed over Luke. So, concerning what they’d shared… She’d been honest with him all this time! “Celina is not your real name, is it?” Luke asked. “Mara Jade,” she revealed. For some silly reason she felt she owed him that. Luke would never forget that name. “Mara… Everything I’ve told you… About what I feel… It’s true.” Despite everything, Mara believed him, infuriatingly so. Her professional detachment was severely lacking. “You’ve put me in a terrible bind, Skywalker,” she confessed. “I cannot pretend none of this happened.” Her gesture took in their surroundings, implying all that had happened between them. “I don’t care! We’ll find a way around this!” He told her with the firmness the truth in his heart commanded. “You’re not my enemy! You’re the woman I love.” Love? Mara thought. There he went, being flamboyantly effusive with his turn of phrase. Did he even know what love was? She was certain she didn’t. But she could not deny she was unaccountably moved. When sensing her letting down her defences, Luke moved towards her and held her tightly. He felt her melt in his embrace and return it, this made him breathe out in relief. For as long as she’d be willing to make things work, together they’d find a way. He’d lost so much to the Empire already, his family, his friends… He would not let it take her away. He was not sure on the how, but he was certain they’d be all right. Mara could not suppress a smirk as she caught the tendrils of Luke’s 55

HEART’S DESTINY thoughts and the upsurge of his mood. “Ever the optimist,” she teased but without rancor. She didn’t have the heart to squelch his hopes and never would she admit she shared them. 56

Chapter 7 L uke could not sleep. Lying on his bunk, he blankly stared at the metal ceiling of the dark, confined space of his sleeping quarters. Things with the Empire had gone more and more sour. After several Rebel hit and run attacks on strategic Imperial targets, the rage of the Empire had become very evident. The prize for his and other Rebel leaders heads had risen considerably, and it did look like Darth Vader had become obsessed with finding him in particular – this definitely gave Luke the creeps, it was never a good idea to become a Sith Lord’s fixation. And for this and many other reasons, there had been enormous Imperial retaliation, way too many on sight executions of Rebel supporters, and everyone was scared. But instead of bending into submission, more and more systems were starting to raise their voice, feeling hopeful and endorsed by the Rebel efforts. Despite the growing support, the Alliance was not yet ready for a final show down. A new secret planet had been found, suitable to lay dormant while things came all together. This meant they’d go into hiding now, for and undetermined length of time. And this also meant that once they’d established the base in this new location, only the Force knew when he’d be able to see Mara again. 57

HEART’S DESTINY In his mind, Luke pictured the night their true identities had come out in the open. After the waves of emotional shock had washed over, they had had the chance to set a few things straight. “What now?” Had been Mara’s outspoken question. “We go on,” Luke had stated, “Just like before… You’re not an Imperial, I’m not a Rebel… We’re just two people who’ve met and are crazy about each other. When we’re together lets just be us!” Mara had rolled her eyes, but had said nothing; in his sense, Luke could feel that she was in with his proposal. Eight months had passed after that reveal. They had managed to find each other for several brief encounters after that. His birthday had passed too, without Mara in it. Then, their Anniversary – or as Luke liked to call it. It was a bit over a year since they first met and Luke had made a big fuss about it, taking the opportunity they were together around that anniversary to do something special. But as time went by, their times of reunion had grown even more scarce, just as his own relevance as one of the Empire’s most wanted had grown exponentially, making these encounters more and more dangerous. It had been two months since their last time together, and Luke wondered what Mara might have been doing, if she was safe. He’d know if she wasn’t, wouldn’t he? They had this inexplicable connection… a bond in the Force. It was strange and surprising, and had been quite exhilarating to discover it. They had managed to keep their relationship a secret and somehow keep it as simple and neutral as possible. Luke wondered what kind of harm their predicament would do to their relationship, or even to each of them individually. What if the leaders in the Alliance found out? What would this bring down on him? Could his relationship to Mara be considered as traitorous? But his own safety was not what really worried him. It was Mara’s. What if the Imperials found out? What would this bring down on her? Imperials weren’t known for being merciful. One thing he was sure of though: 58

CHAPTER 7 he’d never, ever, do anything that would hurt Mara and would certainly go to great lengths to protect her. After two months of carrying out flying missions, a last-minute onplanet mission had come up, and he’d been assigned to it. And this time Han and Leia were also on this mission. If he could only squeeze some time to send Mara a message and see her one more time before going underground. So his mind had kept him busy and the chance for sleep soon went out the window. The soft chirping of R2-D2 coming out of his charge up mode gave Luke the signal that it was time to leave to Ord Mantell. * * * Mara had returned to Imperial Centre and told the Emperor she had had a run in with Moff Wardell’s goons. “He won’t get off lightly. I gave him a warning the last time we met; this time, his luck has run out.” It was a matter of professional and personal pride to Mara to take care of the recalcitrant Moff. She had been busily scouring the Mid Rim and Core systems for any Rebel activity of note. She kept asking herself what she’d do if Luke surfaced in any of the hot-spots. It was a question she still didn’t have an answer for. She had amazed herself, to be sure, agreeing with his plan to continue meeting one another and to put their professional selves and duties aside. If someone had ever told her even a scant few months ago that she would do such a thing, she’d have laughed them into Wild Space! * * * Han hated to admit it, but he was torn between more than one 59

HEART’S DESTINY unexplainable emotion. On the one hand, he was glad to have Leia along. She was fierce and more than capable in a battle, even when the odds seemed stacked. She kept a cool head and a steady hand. But (and this was the frustrating part) he had this urge to protect her, to keep her safe. This fact he dared not admit to the lady in question. She’d freeze him with a glower or cut him with her laser-sharp wit. Not that he didn’t enjoy their verbal spars. Leia’s sudden, thoughtful comment drew him out of his musings. “Luke seems distracted lately, ever since he came back from Yalorum, as a matter of fact. He won’t tell me, even though I’ve asked if something’s wrong.” Han could tell she was genuinely concerned. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that too,” he replied. Han would’ve thought that Luke was crushing on Leia if pressed at one point in time, yet when he studied the nature of Luke’s interactions with Leia, there didn’t seem to be anything of the romantic about it, but it did appear Luke was mooka-eyed dreamy over someone. Who could it be? “His work and loyalty haven’t suffered actually,” Leia continued, “But I’ve noticed he’s not completely focused.” “Maybe it’s the uncertainty and the rushing from one mission to the next with a bounty on your head with no time to breathe. Don’t forget he went from backwater to neck deep in adventure in under a minute.” Leia considered. “You might be right.” She herself had literally had no room to properly mourn her devastating losses. It was at that juncture that they reverted to real space at Ord Mantell and the object of their discussion joined them. “Well, it’s show time,” Han quipped in typical fashion. He’d keep an eye on Luke and a second eye on Leia, whether she needed it or not. The moment he entered the cockpit, Luke noticed Han and Leia were in a certain mood, a feel he always got when his friends were worried 60

CHAPTER 7 about him. Maybe they were picking up on more of what he’d thought of at first. “Are we all set?” He asked. He knew they all were, but asking this helped him to put his mind back on their mission. Leia answered, “Things are all arranged, as we discussed. We each do our part as quickly as possible and get out of here before anything can possibly go amiss.” “I’m fine with that,” Luke agreed. Leia glanced at Luke keenly, her prior exchange with Han uppermost in mind. “How are you Luke? You have seemed a bit preoccupied lately?” Her question confirmed Luke’s suspicions. Leia was worried, and surely Han was too; he’d been distracted, pensive, unable to hide his concerns about Mara, his longing for her. There was no way his friends would know the real reasons for his behaviour, and probably they were imagining all kinds of wrong scenarios, but clarifying that would mean he’d have to reveal his relationship with the precious redhead, and he was just not ready yet to do that; too much depended on it, primarily Mara’s safety, so he’ll keep this relationship hidden for as long as needed, even if this meant keeping things from Han and Leia. He gave them both a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. Just nerves.” That seemed as good an explanation as any, and understandable given the crucial nature of the mission. Chewbacca eased the Millennium Falcon on the assigned platform to their fake ship’s ID and markings. Rebel intel had got to know of an obscene amount of credits in aurodium ingots the Empire was physically moving to a more secured facility. This had been utterly welcomed news since the Alliance had been suffering for funding for a time now and immediately a plan for action was concocted. The most notable thing about this particular shipment was that these were credits that had formerly belonged to the Alderaanian principality, assets that had been seized by the Empire once Alderaan was gone. Thus Leia was key for their retrieval. 61

HEART’S DESTINY The mission was simple. Leia and Han would have access to the main vault, safe passage would be granted courtesy of a Rebel infiltrate. Once in the vault, Leia would use her biometric registries to code green access and R2-D2 would change the previously assigned shipping codes to ones that would give them possession of the automated air-cart. Luke’s job was to take possession of this cart holding the credits and fly it to the Millennium Falcon. The plan was short and simple; the challenge was on keeping it that way. * * * Han should have known that things were going too smoothly. The tech end of the situation went without a glitch. They were about to make their expeditious way back to the Falcon when a smoothly satisfied and sarcastic voice stopped them. “Well, if it isn’t the ever-elusive Solo! This is my lucky day! I’m going to be ridiculously rich after this bounty…” “In your dreams, Skorr,” Han retorted. Leia gasped. She had never doubted Han’s claims that he had a ridiculously high bounty on him, but to actually have someone show up to claim it… She was astonished to find that the snaffu in the mission didn’t worry her half as much as Han’s safety. Artoo was unobserved as Han and Skorr traded glowers. Scurrying around the unwelcomed attacker, Artoo sent a high voltage shock into the bounty hunter’s thigh which made him yelp and drop his disguised weapon, which Han snatched up and stunned him with. “He’ll be out for a few hours. We’d better make tracks while we can,” Han said urgently. Leia remarked, “I’m glad we were able to switch codes before he showed up. There was a time lock-out. If the proper authorization 62

CHAPTER 7 wasn’t provided in that interval, the computer access would lock down and set off all kinds of alarms.” Han hurried Leia through corridors and doors, making haste towards the MillenniumFalcon, he had a feeling that Skorr might have had a backup plan of some sorts and the savvy bounty hunter might have just sent in the Empire an invite to join in. * * * Luke paced the platform, looking just like one more pilot waiting for their flight to be loaded and lined up for delivery; trying to blend in amongst the group of tired out cargo pilots, too bored and too submerged in their own affairs to notice the presence of the newcomer. Luke had a fake ID and paperwork on him that had allowed him to enter the premises and to be used again when his cargo arrived. It was taking longer than expected to hear back from Han and Leia, and Luke started to worry. What was going on? This didn’t feel all right. “Threepio! Get ready to move when I tell you,” Luke advised his companion, a sense of urgency already getting under his skin. Once Han gave him the signal, they’d have to move fast. “Han! Do you copy?” Luke’s voice cracked in the commlink, “I’m in position.” There was an ominous silence. Had the code-substitution gone awry somehow? Well, he’d have to trust the legendary Solo’s Luck. Han and Leia made it back to the Falcon in record time. As soon they were aboard, Han answered Luke’s urgent call. “We ran into some unwelcome company,” was his cryptic reply. “Send a signal when you have the cart secured.” Things on the platform seemed to be working normally and soon Luke had his target located. The unpiloted cart containing their bounty slid out of the cargo facility led by the automatic rail it was attached to. 63

HEART’S DESTINY It was left alone, no pilot seemed to care about the new arrival, which meant that Han and Leia had been successful at changing the cart’s credentials and it was now free for him to take it. Luke felt a Force nudge that intuitively told him there was no time to waste. “Get on the cart now and start the engines!” He ordered Threepio. “But Master Luke! The shackle has not detached yet!” Threepio observed in worry. The shackle kept the flight-cart attached to the rail, and the vehicle would not go anywhere if it was not off. “Do as I tell you! I’ll take care of it,” Luke reassured, lightsaber already in hand. He’d had to enter the facility unarmed, but lightsabers were already forgotten, unknown weapons, and he’d been able to smuggle it in with him. Then, a sudden internal alarm made his body tense, the threat confirmed seconds later by Threepio’s screeching voice. “Stormtroopers!” The droid shouted in alarm, already sitting at the cart’s controls. Luke searched his surroundings. There were six of them, at the far end of the platform. Blasters in hand and already shooting. On reflex, he ignited his weapon just in time to see blaster bolts bouncing from the white-blue blade, his movements guided by the surge of Force energy he felt running through his entire being, amazed at how fast his hands and arms had moved; his hours and hours of practice with a remote were really paying off. Everyone on the platform ran for cover, the ricocheting bolts forcing the Stormtroopers to take cover too. This gave Luke extra precious time he needed. Without hesitation, he raised his weapon high with both hands and in one powerful move he landed the blade on top of the rail’s shackle, cutting cleanly through it and freeing the cart from it. “Get us out of here, Threepio!” He yelled to the droid, “Lift her off!” A bit too clumsily, the droid hit the thrusters and the cart lifted off; this 64

CHAPTER 7 made Luke lose some balance, forcing him to hold on to the small ship’s landing skid for heart-stopping moments. Once in the air, awkwardly he made his way inside the confined cockpit. In there, he took control of the vehicle to Threepio’s relief. The cart was Luke’s, all he had to do now was to get to the MillenniumFalcon fast, wherever it might be, and in one piece. Ah! There it was… Luke found the Falcon’s unique signature and Han’s and Leia’s Force presences, and used both strategies to reach the freighter in good time. * * * The Executor had followed a circuitous trail to Ord Mantell. Bounty Hunters were scattered all over the Galaxy looking for precious Rebel targets. One of them had led the Empire here. Standing in the main bridge of his flag ship, Darth Vader oversaw his crew’s manoeuvres, he was pleased that soon his quarry would be his. This time, the Emperor’s Hand was with him, sent to accompany him by the Emperor himself. Although he disliked the woman, under such orders there was no way he could have objected to her presence. Mara felt Luke’s presence as soon as they arrived in-system. She cloaked hers hastily before it could give her away. If he was apprehended, what could, should, she do? That was a question, a quandary, she had dreaded the entire time their clandestine relationship had been going on, but the ever-optimistic Luke had never given it a second’s thought! Feeling the Dark Lord standing next to her, she strengthened her shields in the Force so he would not pick up on her rambling mind. It seemed that as used as she was at keeping a cool head under any circumstance, Luke Skywalker succeeded at making trash of all of her composure. 65

HEART’S DESTINY A Bridge Officer approached Admiral Sandar and murmured something to his ear. When the exchange was done, sharply the Admiral approached the Sith, “My Lord, we’ve got an incoming ship with altered markings, it fits the description of that of the Millennium Falcon.” “Very well, lock on that target and bring it in intact. Do not disappoint me, Admiral,” Vader’s menacing voice warned. * * * Chewbacca roared an acknowledgement after listening to Han’s rant. Luke had successfully landed the cart with their bounty inside the Falcon’s cargo hold in mid-flight. How the Kid had pulled that one out was something Han would have to ask him, later. For now they had to get away from the menacing and imminent approach of the Executor, Vader’s personal ship. There was no doubt that their party had certainly turned into high priority targets for that son of a slorth of a Sith to have bothered to come down here himself. Too busy to panic, Han executed his most clever escape manoeuvres, while Luke and Leia had taken places in the Falcon’s turrets. “Watch out … there’s a shot coming at the aft turret!” Han warned. Leia retorted, “Don’t bother telling me the obvious, just concentrate on plotting a successful jump out of here.” ‘And hope the hyperdrive cooperates’, she added silently. Avoiding tractor beams and a swarm of TIE fighters was already taking a toll on the Falcon’s deflector shields and scarce crew. And then, there it was! Their clearance. Without any second thoughts, Han pressed the hyperdrive switch. * * * Without any warning, the dish-like Corellian freighter, making an act of disappearance, slid behind the curtain of hyperspace. 66

CHAPTER 7 There was absolute silence on the bridge of the Executor. All the crew minimizing themselves as tiny mice trying to hide from their predator. The Sith Lord stood still, the mechanical breathing of his mask the only sound. Abruptly he turned, his long cape swirling behind him. Mara followed the dark Force user with her gaze. No doubt Vader was extremely irritated at having her witness this failure. * * * “Yahoo!” Was Han’s cry of victory as the Falcon slipped through the Executor’s defences and made it into hyperspace. “Great bit of timing,” Luke commented as he and Leia joined Han and Chewy in the cockpit. Leia smirked, wondering not for the first time if Han liked pulling it that close on purpose. “What, nothing to say, I’m surprised?” Han commented, casting a look Leia’s way. “I do not want to inflate your ego with a show of gratitude,” she rejoined, and he laughed, feeling inexplicably rejuvenated by her remark. “Let’s take this back to Hoth!” Luke cheered. “We actually got the much-needed funds!” “And stuck another one to the Empire,” Han added. As the Falcon slipped out of the system leaving the Imperials behind, Luke felt a surge of relief. There had been a moment when he’d sensed something, someone, Mara specifically but even as he had reached for her, the sensation had vanished. It must’ve been his imagination, he thought. Or had Mara been aboard the Executor with Vader? This thought made a chill run down his spine. He truly wished she hadn’t been there. If she had been, how would this affect their next encounter? He wondered. Would she even want 67

HEART’S DESTINY one, or feel it advisable to continue even in the deepest secrecy? The thought of never seeing her again made his gut twist. 68

Chapter 8 L iving on that “ice ball” – just like Solo liked to call Hoth, brought tremendous hardship and disadvantages. There was not much hope any of the inhabitants of the Rebel Base would ever get used to the harsh cold. The young, recently appointed Commander of Rogue Squadron made a round in the hangar, checking on the status of the airspeeders assigned to the Rogues. It was the end of the day and the Base was pretty much getting ready for the habitual night’s lock down. The lights in the hangar were already dimmed, and apart from a few repairs droids, the place was let pretty much empty. Luke paced around the last airspeeder, parked next to a set of large crates containing spare parts and equipment. He thoroughly followed the established protocols for ship inspection, his mind focused on the task at hand. Then, a warm wave of Force energy soaked his entire being… Just like if a curtain had been pulled, a familiar presence invaded his senses. “Mara!” He whispered. There she was, standing between the large crates. Dressed in the creamy-white uniform of the Base personnel. Stepping towards her hiding spot without hesitation, he met her. 69

HEART’S DESTINY Enthralled by the surprise of finding her there, Luke reached out, both hands on her cheeks, bringing them into a passionate kiss. In return, she wrapped him in a tight embrace, answering his kiss with her own strength of passion. Luke could not believe she was there! It had been three months since they’d last seen each other. Had something gone wrong? Luke asked, as the cold air created vapor with his words, “Are you all right? I’ve been so worried about you!” “I’m fine,” she just said. It was surprising and oddly gratifying that he was more concerned about her safety than of the fact that she’d found the Rebel Base and infiltrated it. Then she noticed something, “Your face!” She said in worry as she passed her fingers across a visible scar on his left cheek. “I had a run with a wampa,” Luke shrugged, “It’s nothing.” Although she’d never seen one in the flesh, Mara knew how big and vicious those creatures were, so this certainly hadn’t been just nothing. Then her mind focused back on what she was here for, “I had to warn you!” “We already know, we found the probe,” Luke interrupted, trying to reassure her. The Rebel Base was already getting ready for a defensive assault and evacuation. They couldn’t know when the Empire would make its move, so things had to be decided and done quickly. They would evacuate as soon as the weather permitted it. But for now, Luke felt elated. Mara being here to warn him told him more than anything she could have ever uttered about what she felt for him. Then, he remembered, “Where you at Ord Mantell?” He asked. She nodded. “For brief moments… I felt you!” He revealed in amazement. “This is how I found you… That feeling led me here,” Mara referred to that inexplicable connection they shared, a connection that appeared to be growing stronger with time. 70

CHAPTER 8 Luke felt even more happiness at this admission. “Where’s your ship?” “My ship is hidden on the other side of the mountain riff. I just joined the latest group of enlistees that arrived on planet and have been here for two days,” Mara explained, “Waiting for the right moment to approach you.” To think that Mara had been at the Base for the past two days, working like a regular new recruit, being patient to find her opportunity… It only told him of how determined, focused and well-trained Mara was. And in all that time, she had not turned them in. Her feat also told him how good Mara was at cloaking her presence in the Force from him. “I have warned you, now I must go,” Mara stated. “What?! You can’t go back to your ship at night!” Luke warned her. There were just a few hours left of daylight and the mountain riff was hundreds of klicks away. “You’ll have to wait till morning,” he severely stated. He was right, daylight was pretty much gone and she’d never make it back to her cloaked ship on time. “Stay with me!” Luke insisted. Wedge Antillies and a team of engineers had gone out in an insulated mobile lab to get samples of the terrain, so Luke had the sleeping cabin all to himself, “My roommate is out on an assignment and he won’t be back until tomorrow.” Mara smiled, the idea of spending time with Luke sounded very appealing… But she’d done what she’d come for and her presence was a danger for him. “Please?” He implored. The Imperial assassin sighed in defeat. How to say no to those earnest blue eyes? * * * Mara felt glad of being in a smaller, more confined, thus warmer space. 71

HEART’S DESTINY She was left alone; Luke had gone out to get them something to eat. His new position as an Official of the Alliance gave him a few privileges he never used, he liked to continue thinking of himself as one more of the boys; but tonight one of these privileges meant that he could take food to his quarters. The cabin’s narrow door slid open, to reveal a happy looking Luke carrying a couple of metallic boxes, surely containing the day’s menu. “It’s nothing fancy, but we’re lucky to have a good cook at the Base,” he extended one of the boxes to Mara. Mara sat on his bed, and Luke took the one across from it. They chatted while they ate. Suddenly, Mara tensed. Soon, Luke knew the reason for her tension, someone was approaching the cabin’s door. In one quick move, Mara ran towards the ‘fresher unit and locked the door behind her. The cabin’s door slid open to reveal a dark haired, grinning young man. “Hello, Luke!” “Wedge!” Luke greeted; a bit stupefied. Antillies and the engineering team had come back early. “Everything went fine?” “Sure! We got everything we needed in record time and decided it would be best to get back to the Base as soon as possible after General Rieekan announced the preparations for our evacuation,” Wedge offered his explanation. “Yeah! That’s… sensible,” Luke lamely added, he was getting nervous. “I desperately need to get cleaned up!” The young Corellian pilot added. In one desperate move, Luke stepped right in front of Wedge, blocking the way to the ‘fresher. Wedge looked back at Luke with an appalled look on his face, “And what is up with you?!” The dark-haired man questioned his friend when picking up on his nervousness. 72

CHAPTER 8 “Nothing! I’m fine,” Luke quickly answered, “It’s just that… Would you mind sleeping with Hobbie?” He sheepishly asked his friend, keeping his voice low. What?! Suddenly a knowing look appeared on Wedges face. Of course! Luke had a girl in there with him! Wedge laughed. “You rascal!” He said, just loud enough so Luke could hear him. He was delighted with his friend’s boldness. In his opinion, this was just exactly what Luke needed to get out of his gloomy funk. “No problem! The cabin is all yours!” Quickly, Wedge sorted out a few things out of his side of the room, “I’ll just take this… and this… Ready!” He headed to the door and it slid open. Before crossing the threshold Wedge turned around and making a gesture with a finger across his lips he told Luke, “And my lips are sealed.” “Thanks, Wedge,” Luke smiled. He really had good friends. Inside the cramped ‘fresher room, Mara could only hear whispers. What was going on? “Okay,” came Luke’s relieved voice from the other side of the door, “you can come out now.” She emerged and smirked. “What was that?” “Wedge came back early but he’s going to bunk with another pilot.” This left them alone once more, free to enjoy their meal without any more interruptions. * * * That night, as they fell asleep, both laying next to each other in the same bunk, Luke held Mara in his arms with protectiveness, almost feeling possessive… He kept her close, his face dug in her hair. In the dark of the small cabin, he could feel her breathing evenly, sleeping peacefully and not recoiling from his embrace. Luke felt troubled. As the recently named Commander of Rogue 73

HEART’S DESTINY Squadron, he’d lead the air defence against the Empire while the Rebels evacuated any time now. And what of Mara? Would she make it safe out of there? What if she was discovered? He should ask her to stay, to join them, to request asylum… But something deeply told him that this was not a question for him to ask to or for her. She’d have to make her own decision, in her own terms. And what if she decided to stay with the Empire? This would only add to all the things the Empire had already taken from him. * * * Mara woke up at the feel of a tender kiss on her temple. “It is morning already?” She asked sleepily, with unspoken regret. In the dimness of the room, Luke held her close to him, stuck in the moment of the feel of the warmth of her body. Too many emotions welling inside, feeling them almost choke him. “I had better leave while the coast is clear,” she said. He didn’t want to let her go! If things could only be different… but he was just fooling himself and avoiding the inevitable. “I know,” Luke finally acknowledged, a tinge of unease in his voice. They both got ready, jumping back in their snow clothes. It was time. “I love you, Mara,” Luke said looking into her eyes, “Just know that.” Mara said nothing, but stepped forward and held him in a fierce embrace. They held each other, feeling built-up apprehension. Would they see each other again? Knowing that they should not be seen together, following her far behind, Luke escorted Mara to the west entrance of the Base. This pointed towards the mountains and was the least used, Luke was sure 74

CHAPTER 8 it would avoid any undesired witnesses. Once at the threshold of the large door, he watched her silhouette blend in with the white snow of the landscape, until she disappeared from his sight. The sun was just coming up behind the riff, and the first bright rays of light shone against the white snow. It would be a sunny clear morning, and this would help Mara cover her trail faster. Still connected through their Force bond, he followed her presence into the mountains as he made his way back inside the Base. Once Mara reached her hidden survival pack and automated snowslider, it took her a bit over three hours to reach her ship, a slick Imperial Phantom class starfighter, heavily modified and equipped with the most sophisticated equipment and cloaking devices ever made. A soft and warm mental farewell came from Mara. Skywalker kept his side of their Force bond open. He was at the briefing room when he felt her presence disappear, knowing she’d made the jump into hyperspace. Mara was safe. Now Luke had to get ready for a perilous mission of his own, to defend the Base and cover his Rebel comrades as they made their escape from Imperial troops, if these showed up before expected. Something told him this was exactly how things were going to play out. As soon as the weather made it possible, the Empire would certainly show at their door. 75

Chapter 9 T he Emperor’s Hand had been extremely busy after coming back from her secret escapade to the Hoth System. Mara’s summons from the Emperor had increased considerably. Not he only charged her with the usual missions of “persuading” and straightening back Imperial Officer’s and Moffs, dispatch antigovernment spies and tax evading Landlords; lately she’d been assigned missions in civilian territories, dealing with civilian targets. What was she even doing there? Why were Imperial resources wasted on this? This was a job for the local law enforcement organizations, not the Imperial Army! On one occasion, almost a mass execution took place right before her eyes. In the nick of time, she had stopped the senior officer of a Stormtrooper platoon from giving the order. The inhabitants of a small town had been rounded up in the main plaza, children and the elderly included. Captain Zabris had gone mad! Why would they go after civilians when it was obvious that they knew nothing about what they were asked about? It was basic interrogation training! And this had not been an isolated incident either. Talking to different Officers, she soon learned of other similar events that had not been stopped. As soon as she’d come back from this mission, she’d gone to the 76

CHAPTER 9 Emperor with this, telling him about the extreme measures that some of his Senior Officers in the Military Forces were taking against the civilian population. The Emperor hadn’t seemed affected by the report of her findings, and he hadn’t assigned her with putting those Officers back in line, even though she’d expected it. The Emperor’s apparent lack of interest on this matter had made Mara feel as if she’d been kicked in the gut. The things that Mara had discovered while mingling with the general population, what went around in casual conversations, the information she got by simply asking around while posing as one more civilian. It didn’t take long for Mara to put two and two together. The Empire had turned against its own people. This saddened her deeply, made her feel her life had been invested in the wrong side of things. How would she ever atone for something like that? But she must carry on, she was a trained soldier and had a duty to fulfil. Today, Mara Jade found herself aboard the Chimaera, Admiral Thrawn’s Imperial I-class Star Destroyer. She’d just finished one more mission in a never-ending list of assignments, and since the ship was in the system she’d been kindly invited by its Senior Officer to stay with them while her ship was resupplied and readied for her next mission. Thrawn never did anything out of altruism, Mara knew. That evening, while accepting a dinner invitation in the Senior Officer’s dining hall, Grand Admiral Thrawn accosted Mara and said, “Darth Vader and now you have been acting most inexplicably. Ever since the failed assault on Hoth and its immediate aftermath, as a matter of fact.” Mara scowled. “As to the Dark Lord’s motivations for his darker moods, I am not his therapist or confidante. You’ll have to ask him yourself. As for my own, I’m not in the habit of spilling all. If there’s an official need to know, fine. But just to satisfy some nagging bit of 77

HEART’S DESTINY curiosity …” “I merely hope your efficiency is not going to suffer,” Thrawn interjected. “It would take a great deal for that to happen!” Mara retorted. “After being around them all these years, I’ve come to learn a lot of things about human behaviour,” Thrawn offered in his calm voice, “I have learnt that for humans, love is a great deal. It is most interesting what love makes men and women alike do, they tend to deviate towards very foolish things.” For a moment, Mara felt her heart thud in her chest. How could he know she had feelings for someone? That was impossible! She had not told a soul! Mara held the Chiss’s icy gaze, unmoved; only offering back a tight smile. She’d heard of Thrawn’s exceptional ability to read other’s behaviour and come to accurate conclusions; she did her best to offer him with nothing, just as she’d been trained to do. “You shouldn’t worry, Admiral, I don’t believe Darth Vader’s actions are spurred by love,” she added sarcastically, aiming the conversation towards the Dark Lord. “It is of general knowledge that Lord Vader is in pursuit of some important Rebel targets as we speak,” Mara said matter-of-factly, “And I’m sure that he’ll know how to deal with that with his usual efficiency.” Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s red eyes narrowed. “Of course,” he politely said, “We all know how effective the Lord Darth Vader is with his methods.” Dinner continued without any more uncomfortable exchanges. When she excused herself, Mara occupied one of the chambers destined to provide accommodation to first rank Imperial Officers, just as it ought to be provided for the Emperor’s Hand, and Thrawn knew better than to forget that. Housed in the safeness of her sleeping quarters, Mara felt glad that she’d be gone in the morning. That night, Mara dreamt. She dreamt of Luke. She saw him training in a swamp, beside a tiny green creature. The demands of such 78

CHAPTER 9 training were strenuous. Suddenly she felt him in distress, desperate, in emotional suffering. Mara woke and sat up; her brow was wet with perspiration. That’d been an extremely vivid dream! The certainty that it hadn’t been just a dream but a warning rang in her mind. She’d come to accept and trust the strong connection she and Luke shared. This made Mara decide to act immediately. Luke needed help, and she would provide it. She’d leave the Chimaera, now! * * * The hyperspace travel counter reached zero, and Mara pulled the lever. That nasty dream with Luke in it was what had brought her here. In her dream, he’d been in distress, desperate, in emotional suffering. The certainty that it hadn’t been just a dream but a warning, enhanced by the strong connection they shared, led Mara to act immediately. Luke needed help, and she would provide it. Mara was able to justify keeping “tabs” on Vader. The Emperor was more than a little frustrated with the Dark Lord’s resounding lack of success. She’d left the Chimaera under the basis of monitoring Vader’s activities. In doing so, Mara was able to follow the trail to Dagobah. Mara had kept her destination a secret. Before making the final hyper jump in Dagobah’s direction, she’d checked her ship for bugs or trackers thrice! Before her, she saw a greyish-green ball of mud of a planet; it was such a small world that she could not find marked in regular Imperial navigational charts. She’d had to use all of her connection to the Force to find Luke’s Force signature in this place, to program the hyperspace jump and hope for the best. With great care and expertise, Mara made her landing without any 79

HEART’S DESTINY incidents. After doing a quick reconnaissance flight, she’d been able to find a solid enough patch to land her ship safely amongst the swampy terrain of the planet. She’d just followed her Force intuition and hoped she’d landed on the right place. Mara climbed down the service ladder of her Phantom class starfighter with determination, ready for anything. When reaching out using the Force, she only felt the residuals of Luke’s presence; he’d been there all right, but it was obvious that she had barely missed him. That was a disappointment. Together with Luke’s residual energy, she also sensed a cloaked presence… It wasn’t malevolent. She knew very well what malevolence felt like. This was more the sense of someone wanting to stay concealed. I know you’re out there,’ Mara sent through the Force. ‘You know I’m not your enemy, whoever you are. But I urgently need vital information.’ Nothing. Mara started to think she’d come all that way for nothing. “Strong in the Force you are,” a voice behind her stated. In one quick move, Mara turned around, her blaster already in her hand. She turned to find herself face to face with a small creature of a species she could not recall. Green skinned, pointy eared, large eyed, small and hunched. It didn’t look threatening, but one could never know. “A rare talent, your skill for communication is,” the stranger stated. “This gift, not many before you had it.” What was this creature talking about? She possessed a gift for communication? She’d always thought it was the Emperor’s power which allowed her to hear his voice throughout the reaches of the Galaxy… But now that she stopped to think about it, she was able to do the same with Luke… So it was really her who could do that? “A deep connection you have… to the one just gone,” the newcomer continued unabashed. 80

CHAPTER 9 Mara knew who he was referring to, and also intuitively knew there was no point on denying it. “We’re good friends,” she answered, putting away her weapon. “Friends you say?” The other laughed in the crackly voice of his, “Mmh! I think the power of your feelings you underestimate!” He finished pointing at Mara with his cane. She didn’t like that this green creature seemed to read right through her. “A long way you’ve come,” the creature told her, “Return you must now.” Was this green gnome dismissing her? “How should I call you?” She asked trying to keep the conversation going. “Yoda, my name is,” he answered. “I’m Mara Jade,” she offered in return. She didn’t stop to puzzle how she gave her name so easily. “A pleasure it is to meet you.” The creature’s eyes twinkled, as if it knew something Mara didn’t. This Yoda didn’t carry a lightsaber, still his ragged clothes closely resembled Jedi robes, worn out by the passing of time. If this was a Jedi as she suspected, he must have gone in hiding over forty years ago, during the Jedi Rebellion. To have survived all this time in such a hostile environment was something to praise. But what amazed Mara the most about her new acquaintance was the overwhelming Force power he irradiated; way too different of that of the Emperor. She should better just ask, “Are you a Jedi?” Yoda just nodded. “I didn’t think there were any of you left,” she carefully added. “Survive, some of us did,” Yoda countered. “Are you a Jedi Master?” Was Mara’s next obvious question, her demeanour remained all business, military like. “That… I am.” 81

HEART’S DESTINY So Luke had come to train, to learn from this strange alien creature. “And the first one of the new Jedi, your friend is,” Yoda revealed. The first of the new… Mara thought about that for a moment. Although they had not spoken openly about it, Mara very well knew that Luke trained in the Force… But if Luke became a full-fledged Jedi, would this turn them into natural enemies? Would that make their life together even more difficult? “Well, he’s gone… So there’s not much point in me staying any longer.” “Strong in the Force you too are,” Yoda stressed. “Don’t try to recruit me, I’ve already had enough of that,” Mara dismissed. “Careful you must be,” Yoda warned, “Of meddling not with events that are not yours to change.” What was this Yoda saying? Was he implying that she should leave Luke to face whatever lay ahead on his own? Yoda nodded to her when sensing her conclusions. There was no way she was going to leave Luke alone! “A choice you will make… and in doing so, destiny served will be,” Yoda told Mara. Mara looked back at Yoda, an inquisitive look on her face. What was this presumed Jedi saying? One single choice of hers could or would change fate? “What are you talking about?” “In time, you will know,” he cryptically answered. “Can you see the future?” “The future, the past, the present… Relative they all are,” Yoda cryptically rumbled, “Always only now there is.” This Yoda had a point. The only time one could make any choices was in the present, and these always shaped ones future, for better or worse. “Well, on that we both agree.” “Mmh…” Yoda nodded. “There’s a strong light inside you, that you must know.” 82

CHAPTER 9 Mara stared back at Yoda with suspicion. He seemed to very well understand the inner struggle she was currently fighting with. All the things she’d come to learn about the Emperor, about the truths of his Empire… And she’d been a fool. Too invested, too immersed in the Emperor’s game to look up and around, and notice. Where did that leave her? What did that make her? “You’re just as optimistic as he is,” she snorted as she recalled Luke’s unabashed positivity. “What it is in plain sight, I only state,” Yoda answered back, kindness in his words. “I don’t believe in coincidences… so it cannot be one that we’ve crossed paths.” Mara said. “Maybe we will again?” “Again, we shall never meet…” Yoda declared, “The Force, may be with you, Mara Jade.” This said, the small Jedi Master turned around and walked away with short, uneven steps, assisting himself with his cane, leaving Mara standing alone in the middle of the swamp. “Cryptic, yet somehow profound,” Mara observed. Back in her craft, Mara puzzled over the details of her dream and pulled out all the data about cities around clouds. Soon, the information popped up on her screen: Bespin. That was where Luke had gone to. Huge urgency took hold of her, Luke needed help and she should rush to his encounter… Then Yoda’s words came floating back into her mind. He’d warned her about not interfering, to let things be. She felt wary of the creatures words, but perhaps she should trust them. The Emperor’s Hand also recalled her latest conversations with Grand Admiral Thrawn. The Chiss Admiral was suspicious already. So perhaps she shouldn’t risk it! With a deep pang in her heart, she decided to leave Bespin alone. She’d trust the Force and most of all, she’d trust Luke. In that moment, she decided she’d also keep her encounter on Dagobah a secret from everyone; something told her that a great deal 83

HEART’S DESTINY depended on that. Bracing herself, she started the engines of her craft and levelled it towards the skies. It was time to go back to her Imperial duties. * * * Months had passed. Mara had continued carrying out missions directly assigned to her by the Emperor. She was back tracking traitors and rogues within Imperial ranks. It appeared that after her report of abuse of power by several Imperial Officers, she’d been pulled out from every mission that involved civilians. Mara was no fool, and had come to the conclusion that the Emperor needed her alive, and would not risk having to order her execution for not abiding orders if she refused to strike down a civilian target. The Emperor was no fool either. Nevertheless, Mara had kept her own account of events outside “Imperial-land”. Using her prolific net of contacts, she’d come to learn that more and more systems were ready to leave Imperial rule. In was obvious that Luke and his Rebel Alliance’s actions were weakening the powerful Empire. Many times the idea of defecting and joining the Rebels had come to her mind, but then she had second thoughts, telling herself that she could help more from the inside. Mara consoled herself thinking that at least by keeping herself working within Imperial matters, she was able to stop crooked Imperials from doing any more harm. Mara had also noticed that since that abuse of power incident, she’d been kept out of the loop by the Emperor on purpose. She could tell Palpatine and Vader were preparing for something, but what? She’d searched within Imperial intel on any new projects to find that she’d been denied access; and this only meant one thing: this new project of theirs consisted on something the Emperor very well knew she would 84

CHAPTER 9 oppose. Around the Emperor, Mara had kept acting as the ever-faithful Emperor’s Hand. Carrying out his orders without objection. Yet, she avoided Grand Admiral Thrawn as much as possible. It was easier for her to pretend around the two dark Sith by shutting down her Force sense, but it was an all too different matter when being around the Mitth’raw’nuruodo. No Force power could shield her from his inquisitive gaze and sharp intellect. Although she’d managed to keep her cover so far, she very well knew that Thrawn’s suspicions of her grew with each encounter. News about an imminent Rebel incursion in the Kuat Imperial shipyards reached the Emperor and everyone within the Imperial Forces were on edge. When the Emperor summoned her for a private audience, Mara little guessed what the mission would be. It took all her control not to react when he said coolly, with no room for question or protest: “You will kill Luke Skywalker!” Mara kept her shields in place. She knew the Emperor could tell she was doing it but not why. She merely gave a subservient nod and departed. She had to find Luke and warn him. In her quarters, she did a data search in the open to track the whereabouts of the Rebels and Luke in particular. Not much came back. She’d had to try harder and design a detailed plan. Mara then tried using her Force sense… Reaching out to Luke, she found his location. Her green eyes glowed with relief. She would go to wherever Luke was but as to carrying out the Emperor’s mandate, for the first time in her career, she was determined not to succeed in the specifics. 85

Chapter 10 T he double sunset of Tatooine made its waning dance, undisturbed as it had done over millennia. A lone figure stood still before two sets of unmarked, makeshift gravestones. One placed next to the other, their bases buried in desert sand. Luke Skywalker stood before the graves of his aunt and uncle. Following the whispers in the Force, he’d come back to Tatooine, to old Ben’s abandoned desert hut, searching for something not really clear to him. In there, he’d found some books containing information on the Jedi, and to his surprise, detailed diagrams on lightsaber construction. The Force had definitely led him back there. The Jedi in training had followed those diagrams to the dot and had successfully built a brand new lightsaber, attuned to his own energy after hours and hours of meditating over the synthetically manufactured green crystal, one that had produced a pristine white-emerald coloured blade. Today, he’d taken time to go back to the Lars farm, his former home. The place where he’d grown up. He visited the graveyards of his aunt and uncle, the resting place where he’d put their charring bodies to rest almost four years back. He vividly remembered that moment… His silent crying, his utter rage, while he dragged the remains of his aunt 86

CHAPTER 10 and uncle over the sandy ground; his eyes clouded by smoke, grief and tears. Luke could still smell charred skin and he was not sure he’d ever forget that scent. He was here to pay his respects to the people who had cared for him. Moments before, Luke had ventured inside the ruins of his former home, following the echoes of embedded energy of his life there. He’d touched the walls of crumbling clay, walked through deserted narrow corridors and small vaulted rooms, stepped on worn down steps… It had been comforting somehow. He’d been loved in this place. After his fateful encounter with Darth Vader at Bespin several months back, his life felt in turmoil. On that tragic day he’d lost his dear friend Han, his hand, his lightsaber, his dreams about his father, his identity, his peace. He wondered if he’d ever recover. Now he understood his aunt and uncle’s reluctance to talk to him about his father. They knew who Anakin Skywalker had become. Beru, Owen, Ben, Yoda… They all had been lying to him his whole life. Perhaps trying to protect him from the abominable truth. But how had that helped? There was no way to soften a blow like the one he’d been given by his father himself. Luke still held to the hope the dark Sith had lied, but the more he searched into his feelings the more the cruel confirmation came ringing back: Darth Vader was indeed his father. After being rescued by Leia, Chewie and Lando in Bespin, he’d spent most of his time on rehab, adapting to his new cybernetic right limb, and had dedicated all of his free time to training himself in the arts of the Jedi. Following everything Yoda had taught him back in Dagobah, Luke was determined to be ready for an imminent encounter he dreaded. Facing Darth Vader again was inevitable, just like the sunrise and sunsets of Tatooine’s suns were. He knew it in his soul it would come to that, sooner or later. 87

HEART’S DESTINY Knowing this fate had marked him forever. Of late, he spoke less and listened more. He mostly kept to himself, busy with his self-training. Without even noticing it, his choice of clothes had changed too, perhaps mirroring his internal state, mourning the loss of his old self. Dressed in all-black garments he’d attended Alliance briefings and walked Rebel dreadnought’s corridors, people recoiling from his presence. He’d been thinking about Mara too. Everything between them had been silent, laying dormant. He had not seen her since Hoth, and he wondered… It’d been almost a year. The way things were, he’d not even made the effort to actively arrange a meeting, it would be just too risky. And if they met… What would he tell her? Their relationship was complicated as it was. What would happen if she knew he was Vader’s son? Mara was an Imperial. She would accept him, wouldn’t she? But then, what did this make of them both? At times, Luke could feel the echoes of Mara’s mind across the Galaxy, but he’d kept his side of their bond closed and would open it now and then just enough for her to know he was still alive. He would feel the warmth of her thoughts floating back into his mind, but was careful of not letting anything of his current emotional state seep back, he didn’t want to burden her. He even wondered if he’d ever dare to fully open his side of their bond to her again. And if when he ever did, it wouldn’t be too late. He wanted so desperately to see her, but dreaded it at the same time. Would she even like what he’d become? And this was something he knew he’d have to face too. Telling Mara the truth, and telling everyone else in his life the truth about his origins, was something that needed to be done. Luke shook his head, that could wait; for now all his efforts must concentrate on getting Han back. Leia was suffering, he knew; and he didn’t like that. Lando had come back with reliable intel pinpointing Han’s location at Jabba the Hutt’s Palace, here on Tatooine. He’d only 88

CHAPTER 10 had to wait for Leia and Lando’s arrival and they would put their rescue plan into motion. Safely retrieving his friend and making Leia happy was all that mattered now. And after that, he’d go and find Mara. * * * Luke was nowhere to be found. Mara had only felt brief brushes of his Force sense too sporadically, as if he only wanted to let her know that he was all right, but not staying open enough to give her a chance to follow his trail. When she’d come to learn of the events at Bespin, it was obvious that Luke would try to get his friend, Solo, back. Since she could not track Luke, then all she had to do was to track the whereabouts of the mercenary Boba Fett. The Mandalorian scum had delivered the carbonite frozen body of Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt, the main underground landlord of Tatooine and the surrounding systems. After carrying out intense intel searches, bribing contacts and paying attention to what was going around concerning the Rebels, Mara had finally pinpointed the time frame of Luke’s next move. Planning way ahead of Luke’s arrival, Mara had infiltrated Jabba’s Palace by taking a position as one of his dancers. Being there earlier would give her the advantage of getting to know the facilities and her surroundings, also the opportunity to make acquaintances with key staff and learn that place’s daily routine and how it was run. The thing with sentient beings was that they always established routines, even without noticing it; and Mara knew very well how to use these patterns of behaviour to her advantage. Mara was a professional. Just like with everything else she did, her dancing skills were top of the line and this had won her Jabba’s favour. The Hutt kept asking her back in his Throne Room to perform regular routines, so her days had passed posing as one of the stellar dancers. 89

HEART’S DESTINY Being stellar also meant that she was left alone and was granted a few privileges, like sleeping quarters of her own. Too scared of enticing Jabba’s wrath, nobody would ever think of messing with her. This had worked perfectly for Mara’s true intentions, leaving her enough time alone to study the premises, make preparations and trace her escape route to be used when the time came. As far as the Emperor was concerned, the reasons for her being there were to execute his last order: to kill Luke Skywalker. What Palpatine didn’t know was that Mara’s plan was a very different thing all together. Just as Yoda had warned her, she’d remain nonintrusive. She’d monitor Luke’s actions and would have minimum intervention; she would only act if the young Jedi’s plans failed. For that she already had everything in place, and if it came down to that, no one in the Palace would ever know what hit them. While following her everyday schedule as a favoured dancer, she interacted with the dwellers of the palace, gathering information with exquisitely trained subtlety. She familiarized with everyone’s faces and duties, so it was not hard for her to spot the arrival of the newcomer. “And who’s that, Tabeka?” She asked the Cerean bartender while nodding towards a man wearing an animal hide armour and a mask of gondar tusks that partially hid his face. “That’s Tamtel Skreej,” Tabeka provided. “ He’s come to work as one of Jabba’s bodyguards. He survived the trials and all!” Mara was impressed; she’d heard of those trials. And felt even more impressed because she exactly knew who was underneath that mask: Lando Calrissian; doing infiltration work as she was. The Emperor’s Hand smiled; if Calrissian succeeded at remaining undetected, he’d be the wild card in the game, the one who would be in a position to change the odds in the blink of an eye. His presence only meant that it wouldn’t be long for things to start moving. The rescue of Han Solo was a foot. 90

CHAPTER 10 Days later, one event sprang things into motion. Through the gossip going around in the palace, Mara got to know about the Wookie Chewbacca who’d been brought in by a mercenary named Boushh. This all had ended up in giving Jabba an addition to his slave harem. The redhead knew who this new slave girl was, Leia Organa, former Princess of Alderaan, and one of Luke’s closest friends. Their attempt of rescue had failed; Solo had been thrown in the dungeons with the Wookie, and the Princess was now forced to lay in chains on Jabba’s throne. But Luke had not made his appearance, and Mara instantly deducted that his intervention was key to the hole plan. It wouldn’t be long until the Jedi knocked at Jabba’s door; in the meantime, she better keep an eye on Leia. * * * Since the day she’d been made a slave, Leia spent her days sitting on Jabbas throne chained by the neck to it, or isolated in a small stinky room. The Princess had endured awful things before, the highlight had been being interrogated by Darth Vader himself, but being forced to wear a skimpy slave girl outfit was really humiliating, not to mention the wreckage the cold and the dampness of the Hutt’s palace were doing to her body; humans were definitely not fit for this kind of environment. But Leia was determined to endure this too, and get Han back no matter the cost, and then she would make Jabba the Hutt pay. Without warning, the door of her cell opened and a pair of Weequay guards entered her tiny room and bound her wrists, then urged her to go outside. Walking one in front and one behind her, the guards led Leia down a set of darkened corridors she didn’t recognize, this was not the way to Jabba’s Throne room, she was sure of it. This made the Princess feel restless… Something felt really wrong. 91

HEART’S DESTINY “Where are you taking me?” She asked, her regal composure making her words sounding more like a command. The Weaquay didn’t answer, whether they didn’t understand Basic or they simply didn’t care. Moments later, the guards stopped before a rusty door and knocked. The door slid open to reveal a large disarranged room that served as some sort of barracks, sleeping quarters for palace personnel. The stench in the room made the Princess wrinkle her nose. The guards led Leia to the far end of the room, where another door awaited. The second door slid open and Leia entered. The smaller room was occupied by at least six goons of different species, a couple of filthy humans were distinguishable amongst them. Leia noted that those were the same group of thugs that had been eyeing her since she’d been taken prisoner. The goons had been eyeing Leia for days now, and every time this happened, it had made her feel awfully uncomfortable. It looked like they had finally decided to act on their lust. “Our date has arrived!” One mockingly announced. “Come here slave girl, you are going to show us a good time,” a second goon told her with a lecherous look on his face. “I think we can take this off you,” he gestured as he removed Leia’s bindings. Without any weapons, Leia was completely vulnerable, she knew. Quickly she looked for options… It was an enclosed space, so there were no routes for escape; handling eight armed enemies, larger and meaner than she was, was an impossible task without a weapon. There might be no way out of this, but she would not go down without a fight. Brashly, one of the goons approached Leia and tried to grab her by the arm. Leia stepped back and instinctively hit him hard on the face with her right fist. The hit was unexpected, and the goon’s face turned to the left with the impact, making him yelp in pain. The rest around him laughed. 92

CHAPTER 10 Leia felt she had communicated a clear message, but she knew they would be even more determined. On their second try, two of the thugs grabbed Leia’s arms. She could not break free from their hold, but this time, with great agility she levelled herself on their hold and kicked the approaching goon in the groin, making him fall squirming in pain. The rest didn’t laugh this time, instead they bellowed in anger, it was obvious their prey was just too feisty. In the meantime, having heard rumours of what was being surreptitiously planned from whispers among the staff, Mara stealthily approached. She watched approvingly as Leia proved she wasn’t easy pickings. The leader of the group approached the Princess and hit her hard on the face, the blow making her fall. Before she could stand up, a second blow to the other side of her face made her fall on her back, she tried to get up to not succeed. Disoriented, Leia couldn’t get her bearings… Then, she felt the barrel of a blaster pressed against her temple… This was it then. Maybe it all had been planned to dispatch her without that many witnesses. The sound of someone barging in the room made everyone look up and for a moment keep their attention away from the Princess. This was the chance Leia needed. Sliding underneath and in between the legs of the thug that had been pointing at her with the blaster, Leia grabbed a nearby long rod. Once on her feet, Leia turned around and hit the goon on the head, knocking him out. ‘This is more like it!’ Seven more to go. Leia braced herself to continue fighting. Everything happened in a blur. A few un-aimed blaster shots sprawled on the walls, but the new arrival seemed to be taking care of everything and didn’t look like she needed any help. It was a woman dressed in an electric blue dancer’s outfit, her long silky red hair twirling with her speedy fighting 93

HEART’S DESTINY sequences. Leia took note of the redhead’s precise, expert moves, using her smaller size as an advantage. Leia heard bones cracking and goons falling silent to the floor with a thud. One by one, each goon got took out. Just after a few moments, all that was left was silence and limp bodies on the floor. The Princess stood with the rod in her hands as defence, she wasn’t yet sure of the newcomer’s intentions. “Are you all right?” Mara asked, still panting. It looked like the Princess only had a small cut on her head. “Yes, thanks to you making short work of them,” Leia answered. “Glad I got here before those Gundarks got busy.” “That makes two of us,” Leia said, the adrenaline in her body making her shake a little. Everything had been so quick and violent. “I figured we girls have to stick together,” Mara delivered, her words infused with more meaning beyond what Leia could understand. “Can I have your name?” Leia asked. “Arica,” Mara just said, her senses still in full alert. “You’ll have to show me some of those moves sometime,” Leia tried to make conversation, this woman really intrigued her. Mara didn’t say anything and just eyed the Princess. Being a Rebel, Leia Organa was her natural enemy, but she was Luke’s dear friend; and beyond whatever this meant in the political and personal arena, she would never, ever, let a woman succumb to any male violence, not if she had a saying on it. Mara took note of Leia’s extremely skimpy outfit, a lot skimpier than hers. Jabba was definitely pushing the greatest humiliations he could think of upon the Alderaanian Princess. Maybe he had even orchestrated for this incident to happen. “Just watch and learn,” Mara finally said. She had a feeling Leia would do just that if the situation arose again. Hopefully, it wouldn’t before 94

CHAPTER 10 they were all long gone. Leia smiled, even more intrigued by this cryptic, lovely lady. She had moved with the elegant grace of a dancer and the agility of a warrior. The door in the room opened, and Bib Fortuna – Jabba’s marjordomo, appeared. The tall Twi’lek looked around with surprise. “What happened here?” He spat in Ryl, his mother tongue, while a look of disgust and clear disappointment plagued his alien face. “They’re just taking a nap,” Mara explained in sheer sarcasm. They were taking a nap, all right, a permanent one; those goons were dead, she’d made sure of that. Bib Fortuna gave the dance girl a suspicious look but said nothing. The two girls weren’t armed, and those goons very much could have killed each other in a brawl over anything. With just a nod he signalled to Leia to follow him. Without a word, the Princess followed the majordomo, her stance tall and proud. Before exiting, she turned to Mara, “See you around, Arica.” Mara simply nodded. Two Gamorrean guards were already at the main door to escort Fortuna and the slave girl. Mara stayed behind, watching as Leia was taken to Jabba’s Throne Room and wondering how long it would take for Luke to arrive. * * * Standing by the sail barge’s open deck, Mara held the rail tight with one hand. At the sight of him, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Being extremely careful, she shielded her presence from him. Dressed in all black, he walked the plank with steady steps and stopped at the edge… and then he made a salute gesture with one hand. Then, the flight of a lightsaber desperately looking for his master’s hand. 95

HEART’S DESTINY When realizing what was happening, Mara remembered Yoda’s words: “A choice you will make… and in doing so, destiny served will be.” If she wanted to complete the mission the Emperor had placed upon her, all she had to do was to use the Force to call in the flying weapon and grab it… It would be so easy! With this dooming Luke and his friends forever. Perhaps she could then go back and report a successful mission to her Master, and go back to her old life, leaving behind this ridiculous love story she’d been leaving for almost two years. She could just go back to being numb and to not caring for anyone anymore, reclaim a simpler life. But the feelings that dwelled within her being were larger than any practical thinking. Her heart was certain, she would never do anything to hurt Luke Skywalker. She loved him! Yes! As surprising this realization was for her, she finally openly admitted it: she was completely and absolutely in love with that man. Amongst the chaos that had been unleashed once the weapon reached the young Jedi’s hand, Mara watched him cut through dozens of enemies. He moved fast! Old Yoda had done a very good job with his student. Then, as if in a momentary daze, he stopped and turned to look to where she was standing… In the distance, his shock of surprise was very evident. ‘Mara?’ He sent out through their Force bond. ‘I’m here…’ She briefly answered back, ‘And I love you!’ Their exchange was brief, seconds really, but full of meaning. Soon the attack of another wave of guards took all of his attention. There was nothing left for her to do there. Mara turned around. “Careful you must be, of meddling not with events that are not yours to change.” Yoda’s warning words rang in her mind as she followed her well-planned escape route. Now she had to go back to her Master and report her failure. 96