CHANGE OF HEART PT. 2
A short time later they were in the black of space as Solo repeatedly veered out of the path of TIE fighters. She had to grudgingly admire his skill in operating a ship this size. She gasped in surprise as a streak of green laser fire glanced off the edge of the viewport.
‘That was a bit too close,’ Solo murmured reaching for the hyperdrive levers.
Mara waited for the stars outside to blur as the ship jumped to light speed. The only thing that happened was a strained whine as the ship remained exactly where it was. Chewbacca howled in disbelief as he threw himself out of the co-pilots seat and lumbered down the hall to the engine compartment. The falcon began weaving evasively again as Mara noticed Leia Organa flick a glance at her an amused smile playing at the corner of her lips. She had a feeling this was not an uncommon occurrence on this ship. Her attention was jolted as the ship shuddered after a muffled thud hit the hull. Mara gazed out the viewport to see a field of different sized brown rocks flying around them. She could not believe he had been careless enough to fly them straight into an asteroid field.
‘Perfect,’ she heard Solo mumble as he surprisingly increased speed into the field. Mara shook her head wondering if he was insane.
As he veered towards one of the larger asteroids Mara had a fleeting idea of what he had in mind. After all, the star destroyer couldn’t follow them into an asteroid field. The sharper more abrupt manoeuvrability of the TIE fighters also made them high risk for flying through a field of rocks.
0(0(0(0
Approximately one hour later they were back out in space after an unpleasant encounter down the gullet of a cave dwelling monster. The SSD Executor still sat stationery on the edge of the asteroid field, while fighters were put at risk. Han did some extraordinary evasive flying then sent both women aboard screaming as he dived headfirst toward the viewport of the massive ship. At the last moment he pulled up sharply before soaring over the top of the ship. Mara saw the startled faces of the bridge crew before they passed out of sight. A few minutes later the Millenium Falcon was locked onto the side of SSD tower looking for all the world like the biggest and ugliest mynock. Mara suppressed a smile, if nothing else could be said about Han Solo, he certainly had more nerve than an aching tooth.
0(0(0(0
The following weeks brought Mara into closer contact with the rest of the rebellion. It also gave her the opportunity to gain an outsider’s perspective of the actions of the empire. For the first time in her life she began to question her own loyalties. She began to understand what it was like to live like these people being hunted down like animals. All because they chose to disobey an autocratic ruler.
It was in this frame of mind she found herself in her quarters one night. Unexpectedly a voice spoke in her mind.
*Jade it is time for you to return*
Mara hesitated, wasn’t this what she had been waiting for?
*Are you sure master?*
She could almost feel his swell of anger at her response feeding through the force, *Are you actually questioning me hand?’
Mara hurriedly replied, *No master*
The anger in her mind dissipated, *There is no need for you to remain, construction has begun on the new death star and this insignificant rebellion is about to crushed*
Mara sat in silence for a moment images of what were now her friends being vaporized by hugely powerful laser cannons filling her mind.
The emperor was silent for a moment then in an icy voice continued *Jade I do hope there is no doubt in your mind where your loyalties lie*
Mara could not help hesitating again, before she could frame a reply suddenly her throat constricted as if gripped by an invisible hand. Her head swam and white spots danced before her eyes. She gasped in shock. The pressure released suddenly and she fell forward gasping. *No master* she felt her voice sob in her mind.
*Good I will see you without delay*
Before she could stop herself she spoke, *But what will I tell them?*
Another silence greeted her response then *Them? I assume you mean the rebel scum you have been with residing with these few weeks. I repeat are you in any doubt where your loyalties lie?*
*No master* Mara replied hurriedly worried the pressure on her throat would resume.
The connection broke and Mara found herself gasping in relief. What was wrong with her, isn’t this what she wanted to go back where she belonged?
End of part two... Sorry LJ wouldn't let me post the whole thing at once..