That was my one great talent, you see - I could hear his call from anywhere in the Empire, and report back to him the same way.

I served him all over the galaxy, doing jobs the Imperial Fleet and stormtroopers couldn't handle. 'That's how I was known to his inner court: as the Emperor's Hand. 'I was his hand, Skywalker,' she said, her voice remembering. 'I don't think it was a serious offer,' he murmured. Yes, Vader had indeed suggested such an alliance during their Cloud City duel. Unconsciously, Luke flexed the fingers of his numbed artificial hand. What, you don't think he knew Vader had offered to help you overthrow him?' 'And only when Vader had you standing right there in front of him. 'Only because I failed,' she ground out, her throat muscles tight. He hadn't killed the Emperor- Darth Vader had done that - but Mara didn't seem inclined to worry over such subtleties. Luke swallowed hard, the pounding of his own heart the only sound. 'Yes, ' she said, her voice a snake's hiss. 'And your master,' he said quietly, 'was the Emperor.' but even as he gazed into that tortured face, he knew with sudden certainty that is was. Luke stared at her, an icy shiver running up his back. My master sent me to Jabba's to kill you, not recruit you.' Vader was a fool, and skating on the edge of treason along with it. 'Vader knew I'd go there to try and rescue Han, and he sent you to capture me.' and suddenly, all the pieces fell together with a rush. There were all sorts of possibilities for this one: bounty hunter, smuggler, quiet bodyguard for Jabba, spy for some rival criminal organization. 'You weren't a dancer, though,' he told her. Mara was still waiting, daring him with her expression to figure it out. But her piloting skills, her expert marksmanship, her inexplicable working knowledge of lightsabers - those most certainly did not. Her slim figure, her agility and grace - those certainly could belong to a professional dancer. I was a dancer at Jabba the Hutt's palace the day you came for Solo.' No, we didn't actually meet but I was there, if you'd bothered to notice me. See all, hear all, know all, understand all.

'You don't have the faintest idea who I am, do you?'

Mara jade michael a stackpole