MARA JADE:

THE EMPEROR'S EMBRACE

by PJ

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Age 12:

"Mara! Mara, where are you?"

"Here, Mama!" called out the young girl, craning her head back toward the open hatchway.

"Get off the ramp! One of the loaders might step on you!" admonished Rohini Jade, rushing down the boarding ramp to pull Mara to her feet.

"I was just watching!" protested Mara.

"Then please do it from a safe distance, we're about to leave anyway," said the short blonde woman, tugging Mara back into the freighter.

"Did you find her?" inquired Balen Jade, his eyes scanning a cargo manifest.

"Yes, sitting on the boarding ramp while the loaders were still working."

"Mara, that was foolish," frowned Balen reprovingly.

"Sorry, Papa," murmured Mara, lowering her face.

"As long as you're alright," smiled Balen, kneeling down to hug Mara.

"I'm okay! I saw some neat aliens!" giggled Mara, clinging to her father's torso.

"You can tell me all about them at dinner," chuckled Balen, kissing his daughter's fiery red-gold hair. "Now go to the cockpit and strap into your chair."

"Okay!" smiled Mara, rushing across the deck toward the cockpit.

"You're too easy on her, Balen," remarked Rohini.

"She's young and curious," replied the tall man. "Leave her be."

The Jade Fire roared away from the planet, its quad engines glowing with blue flame as the ship left the planet's gravity well.

"Coordinates set for Hyperspace jump," reported Rohini from the co-pilot's seat.

"Preparing to jump," replied Balen, reaching for the Hyperdrive levers. The man's right hand stopped just above them, he turned his chair to face Mara's.

"Would you like to do it, love?" smiled Balen.

"Sure!" grinned Mara, clumsily unbuckling herself from her chair and moving to her father's side. She laid her small hand on the levers, Balen placing his warm palm over her knuckles. Mara gently pulled back on the rods, laughing with delight as the Jade Fire flashed into Hyperspace.

While Rohini sat at a diagnostic console, Balen walked towards Mara, who sat at the game table, nodding off with her stuffed wookiee wrapped inside her thin arms.

"Time for bed," said Balen, picking Mara up and carrying her tenderly to her cabin. Mara rested her head on her father's chest, listening to the strong beat of his heart, enjoying the feel of his strong arms holding her against him. Balen entered Mara's bedroom, lowering her onto her bunk, tucking a warm blanket over her small body. Mara gazed up at her father with sleepy eyes, smiling.

"I love you, Papa," whispered Mara.

"And I love you, Mara, more than anything in the galaxy," smiled Balen before he kissed his daughter's warm forehead. "Get some sleep."

Mara rolled onto her left side, holding her wookiee close. Balen watched Mara fall asleep, reluctant to leave his precious child. Sighing, the freighter captain left Mara's room to check the ship one more time before seeking his own bed.

A deafening crash jerked Mara awake. She whimpered softly, hugging her stuffed wookiee close. The cabin shuddered again, the sound of tearing metal making Mara's small belly clench.

"Papa!" gasped Mara, sliding off her bunk, squeezing her toy in a death grip while she stumbled to the cabin hatch.

Within the hatchway, Mara slammed against the edge when the freighter tilted to port. Red alarm beacons lit the passageway, the howl of sirens assaulting the young girl's ears. Mara's mother sprinted down the passage towards the cockpit, her blonde hair wild around her head.

"Stay in your room!" snapped Rohini as she walked past her daughter.

"Where's Papa?"

"In the cockpit!" called out Mara's mother, disappearing around a bend in the passage.

"He might need me!" said Mara to her wookiee companion, tentatively following her mother to the cockpit.

"Shields down to thirty percent!" reported Rohini while laser fire lit up the forward view port.

"Did you send the mayday signal?" asked Balen, angling the Jade Fire away from the much swifter pirate vessel.

"Yes, but I think they're jamming us!" replied Rohini, her next comment cut off by another teeth-rattling hull strike.

"Can we jump to Hyperspace?" demanded Balen.

"Hyperdrive's taken too much damage," said Rohini with a shake of her head.

"Damn it!" swore Balen, just before all the consoles grew dark.

"What's happening?" asked Rohini in a quavering voice as azure lightning played across the view port.

"Ion Cannon, all our electrical systems are knocked out," seethed Balen through clenched teeth.

"Papa?" whispered Mara in a terrified squeak from the cockpit hatchway.

"I told you to stay in your room!" said Rohini.

"Your mother's right, Mara," smiled Balen weakly.

"I'm scared!" wept Mara, rushing to hug her father.

"It's okay, I'm here," murmured Balen into Mara's hair, clutching her tightly.

The loud sound of grapples attaching to the Jade Fire echoed through the ship's interior. Rohini tossed Balen a blaster pistol before brandishing her own blaster rifle.

"We should get her into one of the ventral cargo compartments," suggested Rohini.

"I'll do it, then join you near the exit hatch," replied Balen, rising from his chair and firmly pushing Mara ahead of him.

Mara stood near the cockpit hatch, watching her mother and father kiss passionately.

"I love you, you scruffy space tramp," smiled Rohini, touching Balen's chin with one delicate finger.

"I love you, my fierce valkyrie," grinned Balen, kissing his wife again warmly.

Rohini gave Mara a tight hug, then raced down the passage to the exit hatch. Balen picked Mara up and sped towards the cargo deck.

"Who are the bad people?" asked Mara, tears welling in her large green eyes.

"Space pirates. They want to steal our cargo," replied Balen, sliding down a ladder to a lower deck.

"Will they go away after they take our cargo?"

"I hope so, Mara, I hope so."

Balen entered a cavernous cargo bay, making his way past large plastic cargo containers to an open space on the deck. He was just pulling open a deck panel when there was an explosion from above, followed by an exchange of blaster fire.

"Rohini," murmured Balen, his eyes burning.

"Mama?" inquired Mara softly.

"Climb down there," ordered Balen, lowering his daughter into the small space built inside the deck.

"I don't want you to leave me!" sobbed Mara, clutching stubbornly to Balen's arms.

"It'll be okay, honey, I'll be back to let you out soon!" promised Balen, hot tears slowly dripping down his cheeks.

"Don't leave me!" repeated Mara, hugging her father.

"I love you so much!" choked Balen, squeezing his daughter against his chest.

The aft bulkhead exploded, showering the cargo compartment with debris. Masked forms poured out of the breech, rifles leveled in front of them.

Balen kissed Mara's forehead, releasing her into the deck space before turning to face the invaders.

The pirate in the lead removed his breathing mask, revealing a pale white Twi'lek with a severed right head tail.

"Who are you?" demanded Balen, standing stiffly in front of his adversary.

Hedeon, known as Hedeon the Cruel," replied the Twi'lek, bowing mockingly. "You have the honor of being my latest victim. I'll be taking your cargo and any members of your crew that I find…desirable."

"What have you done with my wife?" snarled Balen.

"She proved a tenacious opponent. My men were forced to kill her in a blaster exchange," said Hedeon, his lips curling into a malicious smile.

"Just take my cargo and go!"

"I will, but what have we here?" purred Hedeon, crouching low and peering behind Balen at Mara.

"She's my daughter, you will not take her!" snarled Balen.

"Over your dead body, hmm?" grinned Hedeon.

"Yes!"

"As you wish," replied the Twi'lek, drawing his blaster pistol and firing in one smooth motion.

Mara watched with wide, disbelieving eyes as her father stumbled backward, falling heavily to the cold, metal deck.

"Papa!" screamed Mara, hopping out of the deck space and kneeling next to her dying father.

"Mara," whispered Balen, blood trickling down his chin. He raised a quivering right arm to stroke Mara's warm red-gold hair with his hand.

"Papa! Don't die!" wept Mara, tears falling from her eyes onto her father's cheeks.

"I love you, I'll always love you," coughed Balen, caressing Mara's left cheek.

"I love you, too," murmured Mara, covering her father's cool hand with hers.

Balen Jade smiled gently, his own tears mixing with his daughter's. The man's hand became cold, falling down to rest on the deck.

"Take her," ordered Hedeon.

Two masked pirates rushed forward, seizing Mara's thin arms and dragging her toward the breech in the bulkhead. Mara screamed, struggling violently, dropping her stuffed wookiee as she was taken from her father and the only home she had ever known. Hedeon looked down at the abandoned stuffed toy, then kicked it into the open deck space.

Mara sat on the filthy bunk in her cell, the small square room reeking of urine and other foul aromas. She held her short legs against her chest, shivering with fear, her heart still aching from the death of her parents. The cell hatch slid open, allowing harsh white light into the room, blinding Mara.

Hedeon stood in the door, drinking deeply from a bottle of wine.

"You are a pretty little thing," growled the Twi'lek, licking drops of wine from his pale lips.

Mara stared at the alien, her small breasts pumping, her belly filling with acidic terror.

Hedeon walked into the cell, the hatch hissing shut behind him, plunging the tiny room into darkness again. Mara heard Hedeon gulp down the last of the wine, then there was the shattering of glass as he threw the empty bottle against the left-hand wall. Clammy hands groped at Mara, tearing her nightshirt apart.

"No!" screamed Mara, pounding at the Twi'lek with her small fists.

Hedeon chuckled, slapping Mara hard across the face. The young girl fell onto her right side, her left cheek flaming as Hedeon reached between her slim legs and ripped her panties off.

"I'll break you in right, bitch," breathed Hedeon, wine-laden air washing across Mara's horrified face while the cruel man pushed her legs apart, his weight crushing down on top of her.

"Please, no!" sobbed Mara just as Hedeon shoved his thick cock into her virgin pussy. Mara felt the long shaft slide into her vagina, then she winced with sudden pain when something tore inside her.

"Nice and tight," groaned Hedeon, thrusting roughly into Mara, his cold hands mangling her tiny breasts.

Mara closed her eyes, tears slipping down her face as Hedeon raped her, his cock pounding over and over between her thighs, his hard palms sliding across her tits and smooth, firm stomach. Hedeon cupped Mara's small buttocks, raising them into the air, the young girl's legs flopping against the Twi'lek's hips as he thrust into her again and again. Mara's young pussy became hot, strange fluids started dripping out of her small, pink slit. Hedeon's cock seemed to fill Mara's belly, she felt it pulse and expand inside her vagina, pressing against the glistening walls of her sex until she thought it would rip her apart.

Hedeon grunted like an animal, ramming himself into the helpless young girl, holding her crotch up with his left arm while caressing her heaving belly and warm little tits with his open right palm. Hedeon's thrusts became faster, his cock slamming into Mara's sore pussy harder and harder. Mara screamed, her hips shuddering as Hedeon climaxed inside her, filling her young womb with his hot, searing cum.

The Twi'lek gasped for breath. He grabbed a handful of Mara's hair, pulling her face towards his shivering cock.

"Suck it."

Mara whimpered, gazing up pathetically at Hedeon until he slapped her again.

"I said suck it, little bitch!"

Mara hesitantly covered Hedeon's prick with her small, soft lips. Hedeon grunted in satisfaction, placing his left hand on the back of Mara's head and pushing it forward. Mara moaned in protest as Hedeon's cock slipped down her throat, choking off her supply of air. The young girl could taste the Twi'lek's foul semen, it covered her tongue and slipped down her tiny chin.

"Lick it with your tongue," ordered Hedeon, pumping his meat back and forth between Mara's lips.

Mara obeyed, caressing her captor's cock with her tongue, stroking every thick vein, then rubbing around the base of the bloated head. Hedeon groaned deeply with ecstasy, digging his sharp-nailed hands into Mara's warm red hair, thrusting smoothly inside her wet mouth. Mara could feel Hedeon's cock engorging, ready to vomit a second stream of sticky milk. The Twi'lek pulled his member out of Mara's young mouth, grunting while he squirted his cream all over the girl-child's lovely face and chest. Mara coughed, trying to remove the remnants of cum inside her mouth.

"Taste it," grinned Hedeon, stroking Mara's sweat-slick hair roughly.

When Mara didn't obey, Hedeon slapped her, making her sob softly.

The Twi'lek ran his finger over Mara's tiny breasts, gathering a generous portion of his semen. He placed the tip of his finger against Mara's trembling lips, urging her on. Mara tentatively opened her mouth, licking Hedeon's cream from his long digit.

"Good girl," laughed Hedeon, hugging Mara against him, pulling her head back by her hair so he could kiss her tender, cum-stained lips.

Mara followed Hedeon down the richly carpeted hallway, her green eyes straying to the immense cityscape to her left. Transports blanketed the sky, a never-ending river of flying craft. Mara tugged on the purple halter top Hedeon had made her wear, it was so tight against her breasts she could barely draw in breath. The girl blushed again as she looked down at her body, at her bare stomach and legs. Skintight pink latex shorts just barely covered her crotch and her taut ass. Pink ankle boots were topped by white socks that went up to mid-calf. Mara's red hair was allowed to flow freely across her bare white shoulders, a single small braid running down the left side of her head and adorned with tiny bright pink bows.

"My lord," bowed Hedeon with no trace of mockery, pulling Mara to his right side.

"Hmm, I feel power in her," murmured a male voice.

Mara fearfully raised her eyes, to see a black-robed, hooded figure standing in front of a huge, circular window.

"Does she please you?" asked Hedeon.

"Yes, she does. What is the child's name?"

"Mara, Mara Jade," replied the nervous Twi'lek.

"Mara," smiled the man beneath the heavy hood. "I will take her, you will find the amount you requested in your account."

"Thank you! Thank you, lord!" gushed Hedeon, backing out of the room, bowing the entire time.

"Welcome, young Mara, I sense that you will serve me well," said the robed man, indicating a seat for the girl to sit in.

"What is your name, sir?" asked Mara hesitantly, sitting gingerly on the edge of the seat indicated.

"I am known as Darth Sidious, but for the rest of your life, you will call me Master," chuckled the man, sitting behind an ornate desk to regard his beautiful, young possession.

Age 14:

Mara fell back from Ysanne Isard's foot swipe, the flat of her opponent's left foot smashing into her chest. Mara hit the mat floor, rolling quickly back onto her feet, raising her arms to block a series of punches from Ysanne. The raven-haired girl smiled coldly, kneeing Mara in the belly, then punching her with a vicious uppercut. Mara slammed onto her back, wheezing as Ysanne fell on top of her, straddling her brazenly. Ysanne grabbed a fistful of Mara's sweat-slick hair and thrust the palm of her right hand into Mara's sternum. Agony exploded within Mara's small chest, she fought to keep breathing while Ysanne looked down at her, her eyes bright with maliciousness.

"Enough," said Sidious, moving away from one of the training room's padded walls.

Ysanne rose up from Mara's prone form, stiffening to attention as the masked Sith Lord approached her.

"You fought well, Ysanne," praised Sidious, smiling approvingly.

"Thank you, Lord," grinned Ysanne, bowing respectfully.

Sidious' hand moved in a blur, smashing into the side of Ysanne's face. The girl crumpled, her left hand pressed against her bruised cheek.

"But you forgot that this is a training exercise, your last blow was excessive."

"I'm sorry, Lord," murmured Ysanne, her eyes becoming moist with tears.

"Your task is complete. Return to your barracks," dismissed Sidious.

"Yes, Lord," acknowledged Ysanne, struggling to her feet.

The Sith Lord watched Ysanne depart before turning to face Mara.

"You were sloppy," observed Sidious, bending down to help Mara to her feet.

"I hesitated too long, and gave Ysanne the momentum," groaned Mara, rubbing her aching chest.

"I trust you won't make that mistake again," smiled Sidious, summoning a nearby towel with the Force and handing it to the young girl.

"No, Master," grinned Mara wanly, wiping her damp hair with the towel.

"Bathe, then return to my quarters. We will work on your levitation exercises until your sleep period."

"Yes, Master," nodded Mara.

The hot water soothed Mara's tired flesh as she stood beneath the shower spray. She wiped her right hand through her thick, red-gold hair, moaning with pleasure.

"I had you, bitch," hissed a voice behind the naked girl.

Mara spun, then flew back as Ysanne rammed into her, pushing her back onto the water-slick wall tiles. Ysanne snatched Mara's wrists, thrusting them up on either side of her head upon the wall.

"You're nothing but a slut for him! I will be his right hand!" sneered Ysanne before she kissed Mara violently. Mara groaned in protest, pushing against the other girl's binding hands. Ysanne licked Mara's lips, then slapped her hard, knocking her to the floor. Ysanne dropped onto Mara, holding the girl down with her body as she wrapped her fingers around Mara's wrists and licked her tender nipples. Mara moaned weakly, her nipples hardening from Ysanne's warm tongue. Ysanne filled her mouth with Mara's right breast, sucking it intently. Mara struggled ineffectually beneath the stronger girl, her pussy growing warm.

"Umm, you are a little whore," grinned Ysanne, pressing her right hand between Mara's slender legs, caressing the girl's moist slit.

"Stop!" gasped Mara while Ysanne licked up the side of her neck.

"No," giggled Ysanne, stifling Mara's protests with a long, hot kiss. Ysanne squeezed Mara's right tit while continuing to finger the aroused girl's glistening cunt.

Ysanne ran her lips between Mara's tits, then down her quivering belly to her crotch. Mara moaned loudly when Ysanne pressed her cruel face against a shivering pussy. Ysanne lapped up Mara's sex, purring with pleasure as she tasted the girl's honey. Mara arched her back, her breathing harsh, her thighs quaking while Ysanne probed her vagina with an agile tongue. Ysanne moaned softly, sucking on Mara's labia, her right index finger stroking Mara's stiff clit. Mara panted for air, her breasts pumping, her stomach tightening just before her orgasm struck. The soaked, naked girl gasped when the ecstasy blossomed within her, releasing a river of honey through her cunt into Ysanne's thirsty mouth.

Ysanne pulled away from Mara, sliding across the slippery shower floor to sit against the far wall. The girl spread apart her luscious legs, beckoning to Mara.

"Suck me, whore," grinned Ysanne.

Mara crawled obediently to Ysanne, leaning down between Ysanne's thighs to lick the girl's cunt. Ysanne moaned, raking her right hand through Mara's shining hair, thrusting her pussy against the girl's soft lips. Mara licked Ysanne's clit over and over, making the girl shiver in bliss. She rubbed her lips within Ysanne's cunt, her tongue flicking inside the young woman's vagina, caressing the throbbing, moist walls. Juices started to flow from Ysanne's pink hole, slipping over Mara's cheeks and chin. Mara eagerly devoured Ysanne's musky honey, her small hands stroking over the creamy flesh of Ysanne's firm thighs.

Ysanne gasped, pushing Mara's head against her pussy, her hips jerking as she orgasmed. Mara moaned as a flood of nectar splashed across her face and slack lips.

Ysanne pushed Mara away like an unwanted toy, rising imperiously to her feet to stare down at the outstretched girl. Snorting with disdain, Ysanne left Mara in the shower, the gleaming water cascading over Mara's flushed skin.

Age 15:

Laser fire cris-crossed in front of Mara's cockpit, prompting her to take her TIE Fighter into a lurching dive to port. The agile starfighter screamed past stationary laser batteries, speeding through the chaotic training course. Laser turrets tracked Mara's fighter as well as the dozen other TIEs making their test runs. The Force warned Mara that one turret was about to fire upon her. She jerked her piloting stick back and to the right, and her fighter turned to starboard, rising up as a stream of green laser bolts sizzled through the space she had just vacated.

"Nice dodge!" observed a voice through Mara's flight helmet.

"Thanks!" grinned Mara, deftly evading bright salvos from two laser turrets in front of her.

Another TIE flew forward to hang close to Mara's starboard wing, matching her movements.

"What's your name?" inquired the girl's unexpected wingman.

"Mara Jade. What's yours?" asked Mara through clenched teeth while she ducked beneath a hail of laser bolts.

"Paien," replied the young man, rising above Mara to dodge a line of fire that just barely missed the underside of his cockpit.

"Nice to meet you," grinned Mara, just before the general comm channel hissed to life.

"Flight test is complete, you may now begin combat exercise."

Mara smiled eagerly, re-directing power to her weapons and hurling forward. The TIE's twin blasters spat green darts at a floating battery, ripping it to pieces. Paien remained close to Mara, destroying the targets that she couldn't get to in time.

"Isn't this sweet?" sneered a voice over the comm.

"Ysanne," snarled Mara, spotting the hated girl's position on her short-range scanner.

Green laser bolts seared the upper tip of Mara's port wing as Ysanne destroyed a battery, the debris scratching across the sphere of Mara's cockpit module.

"Hey!" protested Mara, diving beneath the battery's remains.

Ysanne's harsh laughter mocked Mara as the older girl's TIE slashed past.

"Intelligence people are all assholes," remarked Paien softly.

"No argument from me," agreed Mara, resuming her firing run on another blazing battery.

"My squad is going out after the training exercise, want to come along?"

"Sure," replied Mara, her narrowed green eyes reflecting the light of her fighter's laser blasts while another weapons battery died beneath her onslaught.

Mara swayed to the deafening music, flashing laser lights caressing the latex-covered curves of her breasts and hips. The beautiful young girl placed her right arm around Paien's waist, circling him, teasing him with the closeness of her lithe body. Paien grinned, inhaling the heady perfume of her red-gold hair, his left arm closing around her slim waist, tugging her towards him. Mara let him draw her near, her small buttocks rubbing against his crotch, her left palm sliding up and down his left thigh.

"Damn, you're hot!" breathed Paien inside Mara's left ear.

Mara smiled, briefly pressing her left palm over Paien's crotch before moving away, rolling her hips, her tight buttocks hypnotizing the love-struck boy.

"You're a great dancer," gasped Paien, trying to catch his breath as the couple took a short break in a nearby booth of the club.

"I was taught by the best," smiled Mara, sipping from a fluted crystal vial.

"Can I see you again?" asked Paien, his eyes wide with hope.

"Maybe," purred Mara, mischief in her sensual eyes.

The Mantooine Minuet played softly within the arched gallery. Sidious held Mara's right hand, his other hand rested lightly on Mara's left hip. Sith and girl danced gracefully, sedately across the polished marble floor, gentle light from Coruscant's towers pouring through the gallery's tall, narrow windows. The music reached a gentle crescendo, then faded away. Sidious and Mara stopped moving, the girl gazing up into her master's eyes. The Sith raised his right hand to stroke Mara's warm left cheek, then touched her soft lower lip with his right index finger.

"Thank you for dancing with me, young Mara, I know you had a busy day."

"I will do whatever you require of me, Master," replied Mara, her green gaze adoring.

"My loyal Mara," smiled Sidious. "I heard that you met a young man today."

"Yes, his name is Paien. He's a TIE fighter pilot, still in training, though," murmured Mara, lowering her eyes, her face blushing hotly.

Sidious watched Mara closely, then pulled away from her.

"You better get some rest," said the Sith, striding out of the huge, dimly lit gallery.

The Republic warship slipped out of Hyperspace, advancing toward the heart of the star system.

"Fighter wing Alpha, launch and recon the area," ordered the wing commander over the vessel's intra-ship comm.

Mara was running across the flight deck, tucking her ponytail of red hair beneath the collar of her flight suit before slipping her flight helmet on. As she reached the belly hatch of her TIE, a voice called out to her.

"Hey, Mara! Watch yourself!" grinned Paien, waving his right hand.

"You too!" smiled Mara, blowing the boy a kiss before ascending into her ship's cockpit.

The TIE squadron flew past a small moon orbiting the system's sixth planet. The squadron commander had the fighters arranged in a wide screen formation, sensors alert for any sign of attackers.

"There have been reports of pirates operating in this system," whispered Paien over the comm.

"Stay alert," warned Mara, licking dry lips.

"I've got a ship emerging from the third moon!" alerted a pilot on the squad's right flank.

A long, knife-shaped vessel blasted away from the grey-hued moon, veering to port directly into the squad's path. There were multiple flashes from the ship's hull, just before missile lock alerts started screaming.

"Everyone break!" shouted the squad leader, before a proton torpedo smashed through the undercarriage of his fighter and gutted it.

TIE fighters flew in all directions, two more exploding from missile hits.

"Should we head back?" asked Paien, his voice on the edge of panic.

"No!" retorted Mara, thrusting her control stick forward, charging the advancing pirate ship. Red laser fire blossomed from the bow of the pirate vessel as Mara dove forward, her own twin blasters spitting green flame. The TIE's laser bolts splashed against the pirate's shields, but the starship continued to move forward, undeterred. Paien joined Mara, adding his fighter's laser fire to hers. The pirate's shields flashed, then faded briefly. Mara smiled wolfishly as she flew over the pirate ship's hull, slashing it with emerald spikes. Paien whooped in excitement behind Mara, blasting large pieces of hull plating away from the listing vessel. Mara and Paien roared away from the pirate ship just before it exploded into an expanding cloud of red gas and jagged metal.

"That was so intense!" laughed Paien as he stumbled into Mara's cabin behind her. Mara giggled, placing the wine bottle lip against her mouth and gulping down more of the sweet liquor. She fell heavily onto her bunk, her skin hot, her brain fuzzy from the wine. Paien sat down next to her, snagging the bottle to take another drink. Mara looked at Paien with a languid smile and bleary eyes.

"Did I ever tell you how cute you are?" whispered Mara, leaning against Paien's right shoulder, her breasts soft upon his limb.

"Uh, no," stammered Paien, blushing furiously, gazing down into his lap.

"Make love to me," sighed Mara, hugging Paien, pushing him down onto the bunk.

"Mara!" exclaimed the boy while Mara gently bit her tongue, her fingers having trouble unfastening Paien's flight suit.

Mara stifled further protests with a long, sensual kiss. Paien stopped struggling, he lay back as Mara tugged off his suit before shrugging out of her own. Mara slid her right hand down Paien's smooth chest, her lips warm and sweet from the wine she had drank. Paien draped his right arm around the back of Mara's neck, his left hand stroking her right hip.

Mara placed her left breast against Paien's lips. He obediently licked her nipple, hardening it before wrapping her warm tit with his mouth. Mara moaned softly as Paien sucked gently on her breast, his tongue flicking up and down her aching nipple. The naked girl reached down with her right hand, enfolding Paien's cock with her fingers, massaging it slowly. Paien groaned, wrapping both strong arms around Mara's waist, switching his lips to the girl's other small breast. Mara sighed, her breath quickening, her lips shivering as she stroked the boy's member, the shaft hardening within her warm hand.

Mara positioned her crotch over Paien's erect penis. She lowered herself onto the boy's prick, guiding it into her cunt with her hand. Mara moaned sharply when she felt Paien's cock slip inside her, filling her tight, wet vagina. Paien groaned softly, gazing up at Mara's lovely face, his hands fondling the girl's silky tits. Mara began pushing forward with her hips, driving Paien's cock deeper into her belly. She rested her hands on Paien's chest, sweat beading over her hot, white flesh. Paien rammed Mara's pussy, gritting his teeth together as her vagina tightened around his shaft. The naked couple writhed together upon the small bunk, their grunts of exertion reverberating through the tiny cabin. Mara's thrusts became faster, she panted like a runner as she rode Paien's body. With a squeal, Mara climaxed, hot nectar dripping from her shivering cunt. Paien orgasmed a moment later, shooting a thick stream of white milk into Mara's womb.

Mara relaxed over Paien while she kissed him affectionately. Paien returned Mara's embrace, hugging her tightly.

"I love you," murmured Mara, staring into Paien's eyes.

"And I love you," smiled Paien, raising his mouth to taste Mara's warm lips again.

Mara and Paien stood near the landing ramp of the shuttle, Mara with a duffel bag slung over her left shoulder.

"I'll see you back on Coruscant," said Mara before she kissed and hugged Paien good-bye.

"I'll be there," grinned Paien, reluctantly letting Mara go.

Mara smiled softly, then walked up the ramp into the waiting shuttle. Paien backed away from the ship, watching as it rose into the air, spun, and blasted out of the hanger bay. Wings unfolding, the shuttle disappeared into Hyperspace, taking Mara away from him.

"We've got a second pirate ship in the system, it just came out of the shadow of the third planet," said the new squad commander inside Paien's helmet. Alpha squad left their base cruiser behind as they sailed towards the pirate vessel.

Paien charged his blasters, wiping his palms over the legs of his flight suit. The TIEs drew closer and closer to the pirate ship, a massive, wedge-shaped craft painted dull black.

"It's raised shields!" reported one of the TIE pilots.

"Break and attack!" shouted the flight commander.

TIEs screamed forward, laser cannons flashing at the pirate vessel. The pirate starship rocketed toward the fighters, laser batteries spitting ruby shards. Three fighters exploded from direct hits, a fourth losing its starboard wing and spinning uncontrollably into the pirate ship's shields, where it flamed apart. Paien gasped within his helmet, drawing a bead on the pirate ship and opening up with his lasers. Green blasts smashed against the pirate's shields, then a screen of red beams raced toward Paien. The boy swirled hard to port, his ion engines screaming in protest as he tried to out race the pirate assault. The cockpit rocked sickeningly when the starboard wing disappeared, only a smoldering stump remaining. The TIE started to yaw to port, diving inexorably into the void. Paien tugged back on his flight stick, blissfully unaware when the second wave of laser blasts tore into his cockpit.

Mara Jade stood on the summit of the tower, her red-gold hair fluttering wildly in the strong wind. She gazed out at the city that spanned all the way to the horizon, ships filling the sky like a plague of locusts. A single tear glistened beneath Mara's right eye, but her face was an icy mask, devoid of all emotion.

"Thinking about jumping?" inquired Sidious, approaching Mara from behind.

"No, that would be foolish," replied Mara, lowering her face.

"And wasteful," added the Sith, standing to Mara's right. "I take it you loved the boy?"

"I will never love anyone again," swore Mara fervently.

"Perhaps," smiled Sidious. "Would you like your present now?"

"What present?" retorted Mara with a grief-filled sigh.

"Today is your sixteenth birthday, I think you are ready for my gift."

"What is it?"

"I know the pirate who owned the ship that killed your lover, it is the same pirate who killed your parents and sold you to me."

"Hedeon?" gasped Mara, her green eyes burning with hate.

"Yes, I know where his bases are, who he deals with. I will give that information to you."

"Why now?" asked Mara, her breathing heavy and harsh.

"Your training is nearly complete. Now you must learn to harness the Dark Side, and the best way to learn is to embrace what you feel right now...hatred."

Age 18:

Hedeon's two men fell to the floor, their chests smoking from fatal blaster wounds. The pale Twi'lek fled through the roughhewn passage, his lungs burning, his right palm slick around the butt of his blaster pistol. Green blaster bolts followed Hedeon, then one smashed into the back of his left shoulder, making him crash into the right-hand wall. Hedeon screamed maniacally, spinning to unleash a wild barrage of blaster fire down the dark passage.

Silence fell upon the tunnel after Hedeon's last shot. He peered down into the darkness before turning away and running towards the passage's exit. He slapped the hatch release, glancing uneasily behind him as the portal cycled open. Hedeon hurled himself through the open hatch, smashing the panel that would close the door. The Twi'lek gritted his sharp teeth, watching the passage while the hatch slowly sealed shut. The door froze, prompting a frightened grunt from Hedeon. He hit the door panel again, but nothing happened. Boots echoed from the dark passageway, becoming louder and louder as their wearer approached.

"Bitch!" spat Hedeon, leaving the hatch to enter the main passage of his ship, locking the hallway door behind him. The Twi'lek raced down the passage, his legs pumping as he sped toward the bridge. He hurled through the open hatch, sealing it securely before hopping into the pilot's chair. Hedeon brought the small ship to life, its engines thrumming soothingly through the bulkhead. Sub-light engines screamed as Hedeon flew out of the small asteroid base's hanger, a trail of blue fire dissipating behind him.

Hedeon slumped back into his chair, gasping with relief. The Twi'lek's eyes widened when he felt a blaster muzzle touch his right temple.

Mara Jade caressed her pistol's trigger, blasting Hedeon's brains across the port bulkhead.

Mara piloted her ship down into Coruscant's orange sky. The sun was just setting as the girl landed on a reserved pad, the craft touching down without a single vibration. Sidious waited near the lift doors as Mara approached them.

"Did you find him?" inquired the Sith, following the lovely girl into the lift's compartment.

"Yes, he's dead," replied Mara without emotion, pressing the button for her private apartments.

"Did it make you feel good?" smiled Sidious.

"No. I feel empty now," murmured Mara, avoiding the Sith's narrowed eyes.

"Then let the Dark Side fill you, young Mara," purred Sidious.

The black-robed Sith checked in on Mara the next day, finding her in the workshop.

"What are you working on?" asked Sidious, walking to Mara's side.

"My lightsaber," replied the girl, hunched over her worktable.

"You believe you are ready?"

"Yes, Master."

"I will await you on the dueling floor," said Sidious, leaving Mara to her labor.

Mara entered the long, rectangular room wearing a tube top and tight grey shorts. Sidious wore loose, black pantaloons, a matching tunic, and black leather gloves. Mara took her place facing Sidious on the far side of the dueling strip, her new lightsaber held tightly. She activated the weapon, and a sizzling violet beam extended from the hilt. Sidious snapped on his lightsaber, a bright silver blade hissing forth.

The two duelists brandished their lightsabers, staring at each other, the only sound in the room the soft hum of their blades.

Mara charged forward, raising her weapon, her face contorted into a ferocious snarl.

Sidious parried her powerful downward swipe cooly, ducking from two more slashes before attacking with a horizontal cut to Mara's chest. Mara slipped back, countering the Sith's snake-swift lunges, searching for an opening. Sidious dropped his guard, allowing Mara the chance to stab her lightsaber viciously. Sidious smiled, knocking the girl's blade aside, kicking her legs out from beneath her. Mara rolled away, smoothly rising back to her feet to block a slash from the Sith. Master and student exchanged a dozen blows, Mara landing a kick against Sidious' right ribs. The Sith grunted, falling back as Mara pressed her advantage, forcing him back with one quick swipe after another. Mara jumped into the air, spinning end over end to land behind the Sith. She smashed her left foot into the small of his back, then lowered her lightsaber, the humming tip almost touching Sidious' throat.

"Yield?" smiled Mara, breathing deeply.

"I yield," grinned Sidious, flicking off his lightsaber.

Mara helped her Master to his feet, turning off her own weapon.

"I could feel the hate within you. You used it well, your training is complete," announced Sidious.

"Thank you, Master," bowed Mara formally.

"I have a mission for you tomorrow, but you may have tonight for yourself. Well done, my young Mara," nodded Sidious before he departed.

Mara clipped her lightsaber to her belt, then picked up a towel to dry off her sweat damp hair. Flush with victory, the girl left the dueling room for her quarters.

Damp from her shower, Mara walked naked to the large window that looked out across the city. She reached out to touch the cool glass with her left palm, beads of water sliding down her breasts and sleek legs. Moving away from the window, Mara crawled onto her massive, four-poster bed, reclining on her left side, idly rubbing her long, red-gold hair with a towel. She tossed the towel onto the floor, cradling her head with her left arm upon a soft pillow. She closed her eyes, touching the Force, letting it wash over her.

A hand pressed against Mara's stomach, slipping up her torso to her right breast. The fingers caressed her soft mound, while her Master's nude body moved next to hers. Mara covered Sidious' hand with her own, her mouth trembling softly as Sidious kissed the side of her graceful neck. He planted kisses along her creamy right shoulder while his hand roved down to her pussy. The Sith stroked Mara's clit, his fingers gentle and deft as he massaged the delicate nub until it stiffened with arousal. Mara groaned, snuggling her body next to her Master's, her ass rubbing against his crotch.

Sidious pried open Mara's cunt with his fingers before sliding his stiff prick into her warm slit. Mara shuddered, licking her lips as she felt her Master's cock probe deeply into her stomach. Sidious scratched Mara's small bush of red pubic hair while he shoved himself back and forth within her squeezing vagina, his thighs slapping against her firm buttocks. Mara held onto Sidious' fondling hand with both of hers, her pussy shivering with ecstasy, sticky honey trickling between her tightly pressed thighs. The Sith's thrusts became stronger, he hugged Mara's ass to his crotch with both arms, grunting while he rammed up into her belly. Mara closed her eyes, lost in overpowering lust, the Dark Side singing in her blood as she writhed against her lover.

Sidious stabbed into Mara one last time, groaning into her right ear as he released his seed into her melting vagina. The Sith tilted Mara's face to the right, then covered her panting mouth with his lips, flicking his tongue over hers. Mara returned her Master's love, moaning while she sucked on the Sith's cool lips. Sidious held Mara possessively, waiting until she fell asleep before leaving her bedroom.

Mara gazed down at the curve of Coruscant's surface as the planet rotated beneath her ship. She checked over her controls, guiding the swift craft away from her home, out into the vast expanse of open space. The girl gently lowered her right hand over the Hyperdrive levers, remembering when she had first performed the motion with her father. Smiling softly, Mara slowly pulled back the controls, and the Jade's Fire screamed forward into Hyperspace.

~~~~~~