Home 
::: Contents
::: Features
::: Reviews
::: Galleries
::: Archive ::: E-Mail
|
Paul Edmund Norman's Monthly Online Story Magazine June 2005 www.gatewaymonthly.com |
|
|
STAR WARS: DARK EMPEROR by Brendon Wahlberg EBONY AND JADE
Soon, Mara landed the airbus on
top of the enormous ImpSec building. She leaped out of the pilot seat and ran
down the steps to the roof. Vader took her place at the poorly maintained
driver's controls, and lifted off again the moment Mara was clear. He could see
her out the window being surrounded by security forces, but he knew she would
be able to handle herself. The Sith Lord aimed the sluggish
public vehicle at the Imperial Palace, swearing by the Force that when this was
all over, he was going to find this particular airbus, and remodel it with his
lightsaber. The bus was unimpressed by his threats, and as it crawled towards
the Palace, Vader could physically sense the dwindling of precious time. Mara held herself steady and
proud as she faced a stern and haughty Captain of Imperial Security. She was
surrounded by Stormtroopers, and her ride had just departed. She knew she must
look like a mess, with her weapons lost, her hair filthy, and her black
skinsuit ragged with tears. But she faced the Captain's sneering disdain,
holding on to her dignity as if it were a rope, and she, suspended over a
chasm. She was still the Emperor's Hand, at least for now. As yet, there were
no real consequences to Palpatine's displeasure with her, and she intended to
take full advantage of her position while it lasted. "What have we here?"
asked the Captain of Security in clipped tones. "Were you kicked off of
that bus, or is this some sort of prank? Either way, you'll regret your choice
of destinations. This is a restricted area, and the penalties for trespass are
very harsh indeed." Mara looked him straight in the
eye, her own expression as grave as she could make it. "Don't be mislead
by my appearance, Captain. I'm an agent of the Emperor on a vital assignment. I
need a fueled TIE fighter released to me at once." Some of the Stormtroopers
emitted muffled snickers. The Captain frowned at them, then glared down at
Mara. "This is not amusing me. You are in serious trouble here. Now tell
me your name and show me some identification at once. I don't have time for
this juvenile nonsense." Mara smiled tightly. "I'll
show you some identification. Give me your data pad. Program it to accept the
security code for the Emperor's covert agents. And do it quickly. The Emperor
will not be pleased if you delay me." The Captain continued to frown
deeply, uncertain now what to make of this. After a few moments, he grumbled in
irritation and punched a few commands into his data pad. Reversing it, he
handed it to Mara. She took it gracefully, and quickly entered her security
code, which identified her as the Emperor's Hand. The security program
confirmed her code, and flashed its acceptance on the small screen. She handed
it back to the Captain with a small flourish. He stared at the readout, then
stared at her. Abruptly, his resistance crumbled. "Very well...this seems
to be in order...and it instructs me to supply you with whatever you shall
require." He stared straight ahead, looking over the young assassin's head
to avoid her satisfaction filled face. "A fueled TIE fighter, as
fast as possible," she repeated. "Fully charged weapons, of
course." One of the Stormtroopers in the back
quietly commented, "She could use some clothing, too..." "And a vacuum-sealed flight
suit," Mara added to the Captain. "In my size." She smiled in
the trooper's direction. The Captain briskly gave the
orders, and ImpSec personnel scurried to make her fighter ready. He stayed with
Mara while she waited, a grain of suspicion remaining in him. She pretended not
to notice as he called up her detailed image on his datapad, and checked her
identification numbers against the list of rogue agents. Finally, he sighed.
"What is your mission...what did you say your name was?" "I didn't say," Mara
replied. "And my mission is classified. However, I can tell you that you
did the right thing here. What I'm doing is very important." "Yes, well," he said
uncomfortably, "it's not the usual kind of occurrence around here,
Miss..." "Just call me the Emperor's
Hand," Mara said with a small smile. Home ::: Contents ::: Features ::: Reviews ::: Galleries ::: Archive ::: E-Mail
|
::: Actions Open Story Archive ::: Actions Open Gallery Archive ::: Actions Open Features Archive ::: Actions Open Reviews Archive
|