A Journey of Discovery -- Book One:  Pendulum
Chapter 5

By Michele
See Chapter 1 for disclaimer
Rated PG-13

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"Whew!"  Luke blew out a weary breath.  He'd been exercising 
nonstop for the past two hours, methodically working through his 
usual routine.  His strength and endurance would have to be at 
peak form to make it off planet, and to keep up with Mara.

Mara... He lay back on the plush carpet, smiling slightly to 
himself.  Mara...  He was still finding it hard to believe she was 
coming with him.  Or rather, he was going to follow her.  Was 
going to trust her to lead them both to freedom.

He was contemplating which drill to begin next when a familiar 
presence, and voice, flitted through his mind.

*Ready or not, here I come.*

Luke jumped up, reaching his entry door just as it slid open.  He 
caught sight of Mara Jade standing right behind Captain Herkin, an 
amused smirk playing across her lips.

"You're early," he blurted, ignoring the scowling officer.
 
"You're sweaty," she grimaced, but with a teasing sparkle in her 
eye as she brushed past Herkin and swept into the suite.

"I was exercising," Luke explained apologetically, snatching the 
towel he'd left draped over the back of the couch.  "I wasn't 
expecting you this soon."

"Apparently," Mara snorted.  She ran an appraising eye over the 
tank style undershirt and loose-fitting pants Luke was wearing, 
smiling as he wiped perspiration from his face and muscled arms.

"I should go take a quick shower," he offered.

"Don't be in such a hurry," she purred, coming closer and running 
her fingers through the damp curls clinging to the back of his 
neck.  "I was thinking we could find an activity in which we could 
both work up a sweat."

"What did you have in mind?"  Luke was finding it harder and 
harder to convince himself this was all just an act.  He was about 
to reach out for her when she abruptly pulled back and spun toward 
the entertainment console.

"Since I'm not exactly dressed for calisthenics, perhaps a 
different type of workout."  She turned back to face him as an 
easy melody filled the room.  "How's this?  Or did you want to 
start off with something jazzier?"

Luke's hopeful grin quickly dissolved into a disappointed frown.  
"I'm not a dancer," he pointed out emphatically.

"We'll see."  Mara tossed his towel aside and positioned his hands 
on the slim waist of her chromasheath dress.

"You sure you don't want me to shower first?"

"I'm sure."  She inhaled his musky scent appreciatively.  "You've 
gotten a lot sweatier than this with me," she teased.

"That was different," he murmured, trying to keep up with her 
graceful steps.

"Relax," Mara advised, faintly amused at his efforts to overcome 
his awkwardness.  "Let the music flow through you."  *Just as the 
Force flows through you,* she added silently, giving his hand a 
squeeze before continuing aloud.  "The Imperial Court does hold 
balls from time to time.  You need to be prepared."

Luke nodded.  It wouldn't hurt to know how to dance.  Perhaps 
someday soon the Alliance would be holding a victory ball.

They danced for more than an hour, Luke gradually becoming more 
proficient as they progressed through a variety of rhythms. 

"You're an excellent dancer," Luke observed, stepping back as she 
executed an intricate pirouette.

"I've had extensive training," she explained, spinning to a halt 
in front of him, eyes shining with gaiety.

"I think you're a natural," he objected.  "I can tell you enjoy 
it."

"I do," she agreed.  "It keeps me in shape."

"It does indeed," he complimented her, his eyes wandering over her 
trim figure.

"Flattery is always appreciated," she laughed.  "Now, you 
mentioned something earlier about bathing?"

"I said showering, but a bath is appealing, too."  He bent to pick 
up his towel when she sprinted past him.

"In that case," she called, "last one in is a rotten Hbuuga egg."

"Hey!"  Luke scrambled to follow.  "No fair.  You've got a head 
start."

"Don't pout!" she chuckled, as they raced headlong into the 
refresher.  "It's unbecoming a future Sith ..."

The 'fresher door slid shut behind them, and Mara leaned panting 
against a wall.  "... or a future Jedi Master."

Luke rested his hands on his knees, slowing his breathing.  "I'll 
never be a Master."

"Someone will have to be, eventually," she reasoned, reaching over 
to turn on the water valve.  "If not you, then who?"

Luke stared mesmerized as Mara slipped out of her shimmering 
dress, revealing a lacy bra and panties.  He would NEVER get used 
to this.

"Hmmm?" she prompted.

"I don't know," he muttered, trying to recall what they'd just 
been talking about.  "You?"

"Oh, sure," she chuckled sardonically.  "From Emperor's Hand to 
Jedi Master, in one fell swoop."  She cocked an eyebrow as he 
stood near the tub, still clothed.  "Am I going to have to pull 
those clothes off you?"

Luke thought it best not to even answer that inquiry.  "I could 
use the shower, while you bathe."  

"Oh, for Sith's sake, Skywalker," she groused.  "Are we going to 
go through this every day?  Get in.  We've got escape plans to 
hammer out."

Luke stripped down to his undershorts, resolutely ignoring her 
roving gaze, and slid quickly down to his shoulders in the 
bubbling water.  

"We'll have to cloak ourselves in the Force," Mara stated matter-
of-factly.

"Cloak ourselves?"

"I thought you were a trained Jedi.  Don't you know anything?"

"I never finished my training," Luke admitted.

"Oh, well, that's just great."  Maybe she would make Jedi Master 
before him after all.  

Luke was beginning to recognize the coming of Mara's pouting 
grimace even before it appeared on her face.

"Focus on your presence," she began, as though talking to a child, 
"and build a shield around it.  A barricade between yourself and 
the outside world."

"How did you learn this?" Luke asked.

"The Emperor taught me.  Sometimes, in my line of work, I'd have 
to sneak up on a Jedi."

Luke gave her a look that suggested he didn't care to hear the 
rest.  Another reason why he didn't sense her at Jabba's, no 
doubt.  "Can you just show me?"

"All right.  Close your eyes.  Feel my presence."  Mara could feel 
Luke tentatively reaching out for her mentally.  His touch felt 
warm, comforting.  Once again, Mara was reminded of how different 
he was from the Emperor.  She glanced at his serene face and shook 
her head.  Now was not the time.

"Now," she went on, "follow how I construct a barrier between us."

Luke obediently followed her directive, methodically assimilating 
her manipulations of the Force.  He opened his eyes abruptly, and 
turned sharply to his right.  Mara now sat on the opposite side of 
him.  He hadn't even heard her move through the water.

Mara arched one eyebrow.  "Impressed?" she smirked, as she moved 
back to her seat.

"Yes," Luke admitted.

"Okay.  Now you try it."

Mara thought that Luke started to say something at her words, but 
he clamped his mouth shut and just nodded.

Mara closed her eyes and waited.  She wondered how long it would 
take the upstart would-be Jedi to learn this skill.  Suddenly she 
realized she could no longer detect his presence.  She was further 
startled to feel warm breath on her cheek, and a voice whispering 
in her ear.

"Sense me?"

Mara's eyes flew open, and Luke sat back on his haunches, 
grinning.

She narrowed her eyes.  "Well, well.  The Jedi can flirt."

The grin abruptly left Luke's now-reddening face, and he scrambled 
backwards to his former perch.

"Sorry," he muttered, not looking at her.

"You...did well," Mara acknowledged, carefully hiding the mixed 
feelings of admiration and jealousy that filled her.  It had taken 
her weeks to learn this skill to her own, and Palpatine's, 
satisfaction.  "I couldn't sense you at all.  You sure you haven't 
done this before?"

Luke merely shook his head no.

"You're a quick learner then."  As Luke didn't seem inclined to 
reply, she continued.  "Now that we know we can both cloak 
ourselves, I guess we can continue with our plans."

Luke shook off his chagrin, and joined in the discussion.

More than an hour later, with a combined total of twenty wrinkled 
fingers and twenty wrinkled toes, Mara and Luke reluctantly 
climbed out of the tub.

"I really enjoy your visits," Luke admitted quietly as he reached 
for some towels.  "I wish you didn't have to leave so soon."

"All right.  I'll stay awhile longer."  Mara grinned mischievously 
at his unabashed smile.  "But, not in this wet underwear."  She 
nodded across the small room.  "You've got a drying machine over 
there.  I'll just throw my things in."

Mara was expecting her companion to once again flush with 
embarrassment, and he didn't disappoint.  

"Uh,... uh,... okay."  He quickly handed her a large bath towel.  
"I'll ... uh ... change in the bedroom."

"In front of all those holocams?"  Mara laughed at his worried 
expression.  "The techs will be selling a copy of that holo to 
every female in the palace.  If it wasn't that I'm supposed to be 
getting the live show in here, I would even consider shelling out 
a few credits myself."  Stars, he was fun to bait!

Oh, for the love of ...!  "Fine," Luke snapped, wrapping his towel 
around his waist.  "I'll go get some dry clothes while you ... 
whatever, then I'll come back in here to change."

"Sure thing," she winked, provocatively slipping one satin strap 
off her shoulder.  Luke was out the door in a flash, Mara's 
musical laughter floating out with him.

When Luke reentered a short time later, clutching a fresh set of 
clothes, Mara was just tucking in the towel to cover her generous 
curves.  Luke stood there a moment, unsure of how to proceed.  Was 
she just going to stand there and watch him?  Maybe he should take 
his chances with the holocams.

Mara let him fidget nervously a few moments, then took pity on her 
modest companion.  She strolled toward him, then paused to pat his 
arm solicitously.  "I'll be right back," she whispered before 
continuing out the door.

This would be a whole lot easier if they weren't both so timid, 
Mara thought as she casually wandered out to the common room, 
looking around for some excuse to be out there.  For all her 
taunting, she wasn't any more eager to completely strip in front 
of another person than he was.

Now dressed in a clean set of exercise clothes, Luke turned from 
adding his wet shorts to the drying machine when he felt Mara 
return.  Seeing her hands full, he hurried to help her.

"What's all this?"  Luke asked, taking a bottle of wine and two 
glasses from her grasp.  Mara knelt down on an area rug, setting 
down packages of pastries and other delectable fare.

"A picnic, I believe it's called," she returned flippantly.  
"Though I've never been on one."

"But where'd you get it?"  Luke was sure he couldn't have 
overlooked a repast of this sort concealed in his suite.

"You have room service."  She laughed lightly.  "Didn't you know?"

Luke thought a moment.  "You went to the door dressed like that?  
Can you imagine what the guards must think we're doing in here?"

Mara could hardly hold back the tears of laughter.  "That's the 
whole idea, silly!"

Luke shook his head in exasperation as he poured them each a glass 
of wine.  "That's it, make fun of the poor Jedi."

"Hmmm."  Mara sipped slowly.  "Sometimes, I almost wish we could 
hide in here forever."

"I know what you mean," Luke agreed quietly.

"We could, you know," Mara looked at him.  "All you have to do is 
just ..."

"No," Luke bit out emphatically.  "I won't join the Empire."  He 
gazed at her emerald eyes.  "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No," she conceded, reaching over and clasping his hand.  "I've 
made my decision."  As if suddenly realizing how tightly she was 
clutching him, Mara let go and sat back.

"I'll bet you didn't have any picnic with your other guest 
yesterday," she joked in an effort to lighten the mood.

"Hardly."  Luke leaned back against the nearby wall, pulling his 
legs up to his chest and swirling the wine in his glass.  They 
both lapsed into silence, each lost in their own thoughts of 
Vader's visit.

"I was so sure, Mara."  

Mara looked up, startled by his abrupt statement.  "Sure of what?"

"I was certain I could turn him back to the Light."

"Who?"  

"My father," he answered, with a look that implied 'who else?'.  
"He was once a powerful Jedi Knight.  Still powerful, of 
course..."

"Your father was a Jedi?"  

"Anakin Skywalker," Luke murmured absentmindedly, his thoughts 
already racing ahead.  "I need to be able to confront him away 
from here.  Away from the Emperor's influence.  After we escape, 
perhaps Palpatine will send him after us.  If I could only meet 
with him alone again, there could still be a chance ..."

"Hold on."  Mara put a hand on his arm to halt his babbling.  
"Your father works for the Empire?"  This was getting more 
confusing by the minute.  How much else had been omitted from her 
briefings?

It was Luke's turn to look completely bewildered.  "What kind of a 
question is that?"

"The kind of question that implies I don't know what in kretch 
you're talking about.  The kind I expect an answer to."  Her voice 
rose impatiently.  "Who in blazes is this 'father' of yours?  Some 
general, or admiral?  I've never heard of anyone else with your 
last name."

Luke sat forward in amazement.  "You mean to tell me, all the time 
you spend with Palpatine, and he's never told you?  Even when he 
sent you to Jabba's?"

"My patience is wearing thin, Jedi."

"Vader."

"What about Vader?"

"Darth Vader ... is my father."

Mara felt like a stun blast had hit her full force.  Jerking back, 
she wrapped her arms around herself.

"I just assumed Palpatine had told you," Luke continued, almost 
pleading for understanding.

"It must have slipped his mind," she muttered.  She glanced at his 
gentle face, so full of anxiety at the prospect of being shunned 
by her.

"Who else knows about this?" she demanded.  "Who have you told?"

"Only Leia."

"The princess?  Why would you ...?"  She stopped, seeing the scowl 
forming on his face.  "Oh, never mind.  You're very close to her, 
aren't you?" 

"As close as two people can possible be, I suppose.  She's very 
important to me."

Mara pushed down her flush of resentment that the beautiful ice 
princess would be the one person in which he would confide.  "And 
you trust her to keep your little secret, then?"

"Yes, but ..."

"Surely you're not planning on revealing to your Alliance that 
their revered hero is really a son of a Sith."

Luke frowned.  Was she being literal, or using an oath?  "I 
haven't really decided yet when I ..."

"When?!  Never, that's when!"

"But ..."  Luke sat back, lowering his eyes and absently brushing 
crumbs off his lap.  "I don't like being dishonest."

"Do you like being branded a possible 'like father, like son' 
outcast?  Don't you think some of your Rebel cohorts would 
consider you too much of a risk to keep around?  I, for one, 
wasn't planning on announcing my current occupation as soon as we 
arrive at your headquarters."  She gave him a pointed look.  "Or 
were you going to introduce me as your friend, the Imperial 
assassin?"

"No, of course not," he bit out.  Was he destined to spend the 
rest of his life concealing truths?

Mara compressed her lips in a tight, straight line and stared at 
her companion.  "At least promise me this," she finally said.

Luke looked up, waiting.

"That you won't say anything about Vader without discussing it 
with me first."

"All right," he acquiesced quietly.  He had to admit, Mara did 
have a better, more levelheaded grasp on things like this than he 
did.  And Leia should certainly have a say in the matter, too.  He 
didn't even know if she had told anyone they were siblings.

"Good.  Now, I suppose I should be going.  It's getting late."  
Mara began gathering up their picnic containers.

"Here, let me take all this out to the other room," Luke offered 
quickly, "while you ... uh ... get dressed."

Mara nodded, handing him the empty glasses she was holding.  This 
latest revelation still swirled in her mind as she watched him 
exit.  If Skywalker crossed to the darkside, would he become just 
like his father?  Could Vader have once been a brave, morally 
upright Jedi like Luke was now?  What happened?  What could she do 
to make sure history didn't repeat itself?  And what other secrets 
did he harbor, waiting to be discovered?


                       * * * * * * * * * *


It was late the next morning when Mara Jade once more knelt before 
her Master.  She was much more self-assured on this occasion, 
carefully concentrating only on her simulated relationship with 
Luke.

"You have disappointed me once again, Mara Jade," Palpatine began 
without preamble.  "Disturbing reports have reached me this 
morning."

What?  Does he suspect something?  Mara hastened to bury her 
treasonous thoughts.

"Black Nebula is still thriving," the Emperor continued, his 
rising voice testifying to his growing irritation.  "Dequc is 
still alive."

Dequc?  How?  "But, Excellency, I took care of ..."

"You 'took care' of an imposter!" Palpatine snarled, yellowed eyes 
blazing out from under his ebony cowl.  "You rushed the mission, 
and did not bother to verify your victim's identity."

"But I ..."  Mara's thoughts raced to recall the details of her 
research for her previous assignment.  Could she have made a 
careless mistake?

"Silence!" the despot snapped, having no patience for excuses.  "I 
have dispatched another agent to dispense with Dequc.  One who 
hopefully will act upon my orders in a more prudent manner."

"Jade has performed admirably on her other missions, my master," 
the third person in the chamber suddenly spoke up.  "After she 
succeeds in turning Skywalker, a petty criminal like Dequc will be 
of little consequence."

Palpatine glanced at his servant in mild surprise, both at his 
boldness in interrupting, and at his unexpected words.

"She is a valuable asset to the Empire, as my son soon will be," 
the Dark Lord continued smoothly.

Mara resisted the compelling urge to stare wide-eyed at the Sith 
Lord.  Darth Vader?  Speaking up in her interest?

"Yes..." the Emperor replied slowly, steepling his fingers 
together in thought.  "Quite so, Lord Vader."  He turned and 
studied the cowering young woman carefully.  "Now, I will hear 
your progress on your current assignment," he said at length.

Mara drew a breath, knowing instinctively her master would never 
again discuss the botched mission in her presence.  "Much has been 
accomplished, your Excellency.  Skywalker has grown to trust me 
implicitly."

"Excellent.  And your carnal relations with him?"

"We are ... very compatible."  Mara raised her head, a slightly 
distracted expression appearing on her face.  "I believe we ..."

"We 'what,' child?"

Mara quickly lowered her head in deference.  "I apologize, your 
Excellency, I spoke out of turn."

"Complete your thought, Mara, or I shall rip it from your head."  
Palpatine glowered at her impatiently.

Mara swallowed, then gathered her composure.  "I believe Skywalker 
and I were destined to be together.  We are soulmates."

The Emperor was quiet a moment.  I am doomed, thought Mara.  But 
Palpatine then erupted into a cackling of maniacal glee.

"Exactly as I have foreseen."  He turned to his dark lord.  "I 
believe you will soon have a new daughter-in-law, Lord Vader." 

Mara risked a glance at Darth Vader out of the corner of her eye.  
She did not feel the customary chill pass through her, however, as 
Lord Vader tilted his helmeted head in her direction.

Palpatine rose and stepped closer to Mara, touching her face in a 
gesture of tenderness.  "And then, grandchildren," he rasped, 
lowering his wrinkled hand toward her abdomen, his Force probe 
snaking through her body.  "Yes, a product of such a union would 
be a great boon to the future of the Sith order." 

Mara stifled the feeling of repulsion that filled her.

"Perhaps one is already on the way?" the Emperor continued.  
"Mara?"

"I do not know, your Excellency.  It is too early for me to tell."  
Mara kept her stare fixated on an intricate section of the floor's 
mosaic pattern.

Palpatine considered her response as he slowly returned to his 
throne.  His voice changed dramatically, becoming harsh and 
unforgiving.  "You are not expecting a child yet, Mara Jade.  Do 
not pretend to be unaware of your deficiency in that regard."  He 
stared at the top of his servant's bowed head.  "Perhaps a less 
unconventional location for your copulations would be more 
conducive to a pregnancy."

Mara remained silent, not daring to object even though she dreaded 
hearing her Master's next words.

"You will spend the night with Skywalker, in his bed, not in the 
refresher.  You will continue to encourage his conversion to the 
darkside.  Now go.  But remember this, Mara Jade," he hissed 
cruelly. "If Skywalker does not turn, he will be put to death.  
And you, my Hand, if you are not carrying his offspring, will join 
him in execution."

Palpatine swiveled his throne to gaze out at the midday sun, 
barely visible through the city's perpetual haze.  "Escort Mara to 
her quarters, Lord Vader," he ordered brusquely.

Mara thought she almost, almost caught a flicker of surprise from 
the normally impassive Dark Lord.  This was most unexpected.  
Darth Vader was rarely reduced to escort duty.

"As you wish, my master."  Vader nodded, then gestured for Mara to 
precede him from the throne room.


Mara walked silently beside the towering figure of the Dark Lord, 
wondering what thoughts he was harboring.  Thanking people was not 
something to which she was accustomed.  Nevertheless...

Vader did not falter in his step when the young woman abruptly 
spoke.  "Lord Vader, I am grateful for your words to His 
Excellency on my behalf.  I ..."

"I spoke only the truth," the Sith interjected, ignoring her 
attempt at showing appreciation.  He paused, then continued 
conversationally, "You were not startled when my relationship to 
Luke was revealed, nor when His Excellency pronounced your fate 
should Luke not turn.  I take it, then, my son becomes quite 
talkative when you and he sequester yourselves in the refresher."

"He shares a great deal with me."  Mara tried to affect an 
indifferent air that she was in no way feeling.

"He is too trusting for his own good," Vader said evenly, his 
mechanical wheezing assaulting Mara's senses.

"Luke is a caring and compassionate man," she responded, still 
looking straight ahead.

Vader walked on, not replying.  Mara took a deep breath, and dared 
to continue.  "He cares for you a great deal."

This time Vader paused, turning slightly.  "He should concentrate 
on his own well-being, and yours.  There will be no salvation for 
either of you if he does not choose the correct path."

"Unless I carry his child, of course."

Darth Vader made what Mara could only describe as a snorting 
sound.  "I do not foresee that occurrence in the near future."

Mara sucked in a breath.  Did he somehow know they weren't ...?

"I know my son better than you think."  Vader resumed his measured 
step.  "This little charade you and he are engaged in is only 
prolonging the inevitable."

The Dark Lord stopped as they reached Mara's quarters, and turned 
to her almost hesitantly.  "I have been given the assignment of 
overseeing the executions, should you fail, as proof of my loyalty 
to the Emperor.  This is a role I would not relish."  As he began 
to leave, he added,  "Double your efforts tonight, Mara Jade."

Mara stared as Darth Vader strode away, his black cape swirling 
behind him.  Luke was right, she thought, though she never would 
have believed it until this moment.  There is good in him still.


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