[Short Stories] - Dark Emperor 1(34)

But he would not die today.

Vader stepped out of the shadows, seeming to emerge from thin air. “Boda!” he boomed. “I have come for you!” His black cape billowed out around him as he took four swift steps towards the Emperor’s body, activated his crimson lightsaber, and hurled it blazing through the short distance. The lightsaber made a circle of red and white glare as it spun three times through the air. The blade stabbed into Boda’s breast, and the man threw up his arms, impaled. He gave a strangled cry as the saber fell downwards, slicing him apart as it dropped to the broken stones. Boda’s corpse fell back onto the ruins of a marble bench, as the weapon flew neatly back to Vader’s hand. The Dark Lord deactivated it, and clipped it to his belt. For a long moment, Vader stood silent, breathing mechanically. It was over at last.



The morning light shone through the circular webbed window behind Palpatine’s throne in the undamaged audience chamber near the base of the Imperial Palace. Vader and Mara stood in the soft glow, where they had met two nights before, having been summoned before the Emperor. It had been a long night, and both of them had forsaken sleep to remain in the thick of the chaos left by Boda’s attack. Vader’s armor and cape were still in disarray, and Mara still wore her black flight suit, which was at least two sizes too large.

Fire fighting teams had swarmed over the Palace all night, and now that the sun had risen, towering Construction Droids ponderously removed the rubble. One of the forty story high machines could be seen through the window behind the Emperor, removing and recycling shattered building materials.

Vader decided that his Master looked none the worse for wear, despite all that had happened. Palpatine even seemed to be in a generous mood, which made Vader suspicious. Given that his orders had been disobeyed, his Master could have been angry. Or, given that his life had been saved, perhaps his Master had little choice but to seem grateful. Vader could rarely fathom the Emperor’s mercurial temperament.

Vader himself was quite satisfied. He had killed Boda without bringing down the Emperor’s wrath, and kept the man’s knowledge from being revealed. At least the status quo had been preserved, as well as his chance to inherit the Empire.

“Lord Vader, Mara Jade,” the Emperor addressed them. “I have summoned you here to discuss the events surrounding the dark Jedi’s attack. I assure you that the damage done to my person was of no consequence…thanks to you, Lord Vader. But what happened to me reflects our lack of knowledge of our opponent. Although he was far from being immortal, he had considerable power. The price of our ignorance has been much destruction and loss of life. And because even I found this foe to be a challenge, I am forgiving you both for your considerable mistakes. See to it that you perform with more competence in the future, however.” The Emperor managed a smile. “There, you see Lord Vader? I can be reasonable…from time to time. And who is more deserving of my good graces than the servant who saved my life, and the servant whose actions saved most of my Palace? In the end, you have both served me well.”

Vader and Mara bowed to their Emperor. The Dark Lord was relieved at the speech, yet he sensed a certain artificial quality to it. Surely, the Emperor must be experiencing some frustration at having been outmaneuvered by Vader. If so, he was hiding it well.

“Lord Vader,” said Palpatine, “I wish you to organize a study of the species of moss that Boda used as an explosive. See to it that we learn where it came from, and whether it can be used as a weapon. Perhaps it can be genetically engineered to be useful to us. After all, we must salvage something from this disaster.”

“Yes, my Master.”

“And Mara Jade,” Palpatine continued, “remain here with me to discuss an additional task I have for you.” He turned to Vader. “You may go, Lord Vader.”

Vader glanced at Mara. She seemed to be full of pride and satisfaction at receiving the Emperor’s thanks. No doubt, being restored to his good graces had been an immense relief to her, as it should have been. Just as Vader’s positive and negative actions had balanced out, so had Mara’s, saving her career as Vader had hoped. Satisfied that he had achieved what he wanted with both the Emperor and Mara Jade, the Sith Lord turned and descended the stairs. He walked down the long hall to the turbolift, leaving behind the throne he hoped someday to claim.

When Vader was gone, the Emperor leaned in close to speak with Mara. “I know you are in need of rest, Emperor’s Hand, but I require you to return to Vantos Boda’s home, and seek out an important object.”