[Short Stories] - Dark Emperor 1(14)

Mara posed confidently in her jet black skinsuit, giving him the inventory. “Modified slugthrower with neural inhibitor darts,” she began, patting a blaster like weapon in her right leg holster. “Wrist laser gauntlets,” she continued, holding up her slim arms. Then she took a large twin barreled rifle from her back. “Prax energy rifle: a rapid fire blaster and a grenade launcher. But instead of grenades, it has electronet canisters.” Indicating her equipment belt, she concluded, “One magnaharness, some syntherope, and a medpac. Plus a good old fashioned throwing knife.”

“Do you believe your equipment will save you?” Vader asked her.

“I believe in myself,” she said seriously. “The rest are just tools of the trade.”

Satisfied, Vader gestured for her to follow, and they walked off into Coruscant’s underground.

The mid levels of the city’s architecture were gloomy and ugly. Decay was evident here, in contrast to the gleaming top world. Exposed supports and enormous pipes dominated the scenery. Vader found the industrial landscape distasteful, but he knew it was attractive when compared to the dark and feral levels deeper down. Looking at the mold, rust, and flickering lights, he wondered about the infrastructure of the planet he would inherit. Perhaps, once the Rebel conflicts died down, resources could be diverted to improving it. It might even be possible to reclaim much of Coruscant’s lower regions.

This was also where the transport and delivery thoroughfares were. Long tubes, tunnels, railways, and pipes moved resources, food, and water to where it was needed in the vast metropolis. It had been Mara’s idea to use the produce movers to approach Boda’s building in secret, rather than flying in on a conspicuous shuttle. Because Boda’s rooftop greenhouse had once been one of the thousands that grew food for Imperial Center, the food transport network was still hooked up to his building. By riding in an empty produce bin, they could pass under the city to the sub levels of Boda’s skyscraper. There, they could access the two freight lifts that rose up the sides of the building and provided the only ways in or out of the greenhouse level. A satellite report had revealed someone moving around in the greenhouse, indicating that their quarry was at home.

It was a good plan, and it fit Vader’s personal needs as well. Vader now suspected that the real reason for Mara’s presence was to watch over him for the Emperor. The fact that there were two lifts would give him an excuse to split up their team, in order to cover both entrances at once. He hoped to temporarily lose Mara Jade, so that he could finish off Boda alone. Perhaps he would claim that Boda jumped from the roof to avoid capture, and without any witnesses, that would be that. The Emperor might suspect the truth, but without proof, Vader would be safe.

The only unknown factor was Boda himself. How had he survived when Vader had stopped his heart, all those years ago? And how could Vader stop it from happening again? And what had Boda been doing for eleven years? It was a disturbing set of questions. Yet, if Vader could simply have Boda dead, the answers could never be found for all he really cared.

The swift ride in the temperature controlled produce bin took Vader and Mara steadily north, giving the girl a chance to check all her weapons carefully. Vader watched her as she verified the charges on her blasters, examined her dart gun and grenade launcher, and adjusted her wrist lasers. He had to admit that despite her youth, she was a formidable figure. If Vader had ever had a daughter, he would have wanted her to be as competent as this girl was.

“The Jedi may have powers you are unprepared for,” Vader commented as she finished.

“So you keep saying,” Mara replied. “Tell me what to expect, then. We’ve got time.”

“Indeed,” Vader said, trying to ignore the automatic and probably unconscious lack of respect the teenager displayed. It would be a pointless waste of time to correct her every time she failed to address him properly. “I can tell you some few things, but only hard experience can teach you the true intricacies of the Force. Although the Jedi limit themselves to the lesser skills of the light side, Ashka Boda may have many ways to defend himself. He could tear that rifle out of your hands at a distance. He may sense your approach and be ready with his lightsaber. With it, he could stop your blaster fire or reflect it back at you. He could try to touch your mind and manipulate you into making a mistake. Remember, the Jedi have no code against killing in self defense.”

Mara thought for a minute, then shrugged. “All right. It sounds like it’s crucial that I get the drop on him. That’s okay. I’m good at that.”