Uninvited Guest (V)

 "That was low of you," Jade hissed as soon as we were outside. "So many years..."

"You're welcome," I said, noting that Rukh was squatting next to the stormtrooper squad leader. Great.

The soldiers, surrounding me and my companion in two short columns, began to escort us to our shuttle.

"What?" the girl was confused. "What are you talking about?"

"It seemed to me that words of gratitude came from your lips for helping to determine your loyalty, Hand of the Emperor," I said. "Or has a well-fed and carefree life among smugglers washed out of your mind everything for which you served the Emperor?"

"The Emperor is dead," Jade said with pain. "And the Empire I served no longer exists. There are only power-hungry politicians left who only dream of declaring themselves the next emperor."

"I remember that in the past you destroyed such unwanted elements," I remarked. "Why did the matter arise after Endor?"

"The Emperor gave the orders," she said in a peremptory tone. "No one except him has the right to this. No one even from the high imperial command knew me by sight. No money, no livelihood. I had to survive as best I could. I'm surprised you didn't have any problems identifying me."

"You're not the only one with a good memory." "You attended a secret ceremony dedicated to my attaining the rank of Grand Admiral," I reminded her. "It's hard to forget something like that."

Mara fell silent.

"The Emperor's death broke me," she said unexpectedly.

"As sad as it is to admit it, yes," I agreed. "So it's up to you to decide whether to return to the fold, or continue to pick up crumbs for Karrde, playing a game with him, the purpose of which is to find out about your past. I'm sure he won't be happy with what he gets."

"Thanks to your hints, he won't have to rack his brains for long," Jade said. "We could save ourselves time and just add the 'service' in clear text."

"And that's what I did," looking at Jade, I saw her biting her lips. A sign of indecision. There was a struggle within her. "Trust that can be broken by a few vague hints is worth nothing. You have nothing to do with these people."

"You're wrong," Mara objected. "I am grateful to them for a lot."

"Any gratitude has its limits," I said. "Especially with those who hypocritically declare neutrality but work hard for those who, in his opinion, are the future. I suspect that you were not aware of the situation with the Malice Destroyer."

"You knew that for sure," the woman said. "Don't consider yourself smarter than others, Grand Admiral. Just because the Emperor favored you does not mean that I was not trained to resist your genius."

"I'll take this into account," we approached the Lambda. The stormtroopers, at my command, deftly returned to board the ship. "You can make a choice here and now, Hand of the Emperor. Come with me and together we will make the galaxy better and cleaner."

"Great offer," Mara grimaced. "But I'm happy with what we have now. My obligations to the Empire are fulfilled. You are a man of honor, Grand Admiral. You will understand me."

"Disappointing," I said, heading up the ramp. Stopping, I turned to her, remembering something from the plot of the trilogy. "You lied to me about something, Mara Jade. You still haven't fulfilled one order."

"Which one?" the red-haired girl asked.

"The Emperor's last order," I said calmly, looking at how the young girl's face turned pale. "Luke Skywalker is still alive."