Dark Agent

Dark Agent

Chapter 2

Han grumbled as he exited his bedroom. For the first time in months, he and Leia had the apartment to themselves. Chewie had taken the kids to visit his family. Now, someone was interrupting his evening with his beautiful wife. The buzzing and pounding at the door continued as he entered the living room.

“I’m coming! Someone had better have a damned good reason for coming here in the middle of the night!” Han yelled as he opened the door. “Mara? What’s wrong?” he demanded when he saw her pale faced and trembling.

“Han…I…Luke…” Mara stuttered.

“Mara!” Han cried as he caught her when her legs finally gave way beneath her.

Han swept her into his arms and carried her into the apartment. He called for Leia as he sat the trembling woman on the sofa. Leia came rushing from the bedroom wearing only a bathrobe.

“Han what is…oh my star! Mara are you alright? What‘s wrong?” Leia asked worried as she rushed to the woman’s side.

Mara tried to find her voice, but couldn’t. As Leia put her arms around Mara, Han headed for the kitchen. He returned a few minutes later with a glass of the strongest Corillian whiskey he had. He figured Mara would need it. Mara gratefully took the glass and polished off the drink in one big gulp.

“Thanks.” Mara said.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.” Leia questioned as she stroked Mara’s hair.

Mara quickly told them what happened with Luke. She also told them what she felt right before she ran from his apartment and at the gym. Leia and Han were completely speechless at Mara’s tale.

“As I was leaving, I felt a sure of pure rage coming from him. I’ve never felt such unleashed rage from him before. Not even in the heat of battle.” Mara sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair.

Han got to his feet and moved to the window. “Are you sure it was Luke and not a clone? Sith knows it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been up against a clone of Luke.”

“No Han, it was Luke. When we first started sparring at the gym, everything was normal. No clone would have the bond Luke and I have.” Mara answered.

“What do you think caused this?” Leia wondered.

“I don’t know. It was as if someone or something was controlling his mind.” Mara answered.

“What! No one can control Luke! He’s too strong!” Han yelled.

“Han, calm down. We need to be level headed right now. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s not entirely implausible.” Leia replied calmly.

“Leia, on his way back from Yavin IV, did he stop off anywhere?” Mara asked.

“I don’t think…wait! He stopped off on Karythia to pick up some documents for me from the prime Minister there.” Leia stated.

“Then something happened there. I need to know what.” Mara said.

“How do you plan to do that? You said yourself you couldn’t feel him.” Han inquired.

************************************************************************

Han and all of Rogue squadron slowly entered Luke’s apartment. Near the door were several shattered glasses and vases. When Mara had told him her plan, Han was worried, but knew there was no other option. The group found Luke standing in the middle of his living room waiting for them.

He was wearing his customary Jedi blacks. On his face was the coldest smile Han had ever seen. His lightsaber was resting in his left hand. When Han looked into his best friend’s eyes, he immediately felt what Mara had. Luke’s eyes were filled with coldness, darkness, and pure rage.

“I was wondering when you would get here.” Luke said, his voice void of emotion.

“Luke, don’t do this. Just come with us quietly.” Wedge replied.

“Come on kid. Don’t make this any harder than it has to be.” Han pleaded. ‘Please Luke, don’t make us do this.’ he added silently.

Luke began laughing. His laughter sending chills up the spines of Han and the Rogues as they surrounded Luke. All at once, they began firing their blasters which had been set for stun. Luke managed to block them all, except two well placed blasts from Han and Wedge. Luke dropped to the floor.

“Forgive me kid.” Han whispered as he knelt beside him.

Ten minutes later, Han and Wedge had Luke at the medical center, strapped to a bed. The doctors had immediately come in and sedated him. Leia and Mara stood next to the bed. Both women hated it had come to this.

“Master Skywalker will remain sedated until we wake him.” the doctor assured them.

“Thank you.” Leia nodded as she kept her eyes trained on her twin.

“What now?” Han asked as he wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist.

“I try to reach the real Luke.” Mara answered.

Mara moved closer to the bed and took Luke’s real hand in hers. After a few calming breaths, she reached out to the Force. At first she felt and saw nothing, then she felt and saw Luke. She let out a relieved sigh.

*Luke.*

*Mara? Thank the Force I didn’t hurt you. Are you alright?*

*You scared me, but you didn’t hurt me. I need to see your memories from Karythia. Whatever has happened to you, it started there.*

*Mara, I’m so sorry…*

*Later Farmboy. Show me your memories so I can help you.*

Luke nodded. Suddenly, Mara found herself on Karythia. She watched as Luke exited his X-Wing. She followed him as he exited the hanger. The streets were full of happy people, human and alien alike.

Luke caught a speeder taxi. Mara committed everything she saw to memory as they sped through the busy streets. So far nothing felt or looked out of place. A few moments later they arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Luke paid the driver and got out. He paused and looked up at the building. Even Mara had to admit the massive marble building was quite beautiful. Just as Luke moved foreword, someone bumped into him.

“Oh I’m so sorry.” the man said.

“It’s alright. I should have been paying more attention. No harm done.” Luke smiled.

The man nodded, returned the smile, and walked away. That’s when Mara saw it. Luke rubbing his left arm.

*That’s it!* she exclaimed.

*What did you see?* he demanded.

*That man that bumped into you. He injected something into arm. Whatever it was, that’s was causing all of this.* she explained.

*What now?* he asked.

*Now, we find a way to get you back to normal. Just be strong. You‘ll be with us soon.* she answered.

*Thanks Mara.* he nodded.

*Save it Farmboy. You can thank me in person.* she smiled. The last thing she saw and heard was Luke’s bright smile and his baritone laughter.

“Mara? Did you reach him?” Leia questioned as she steadied Mara.

“Yeah. He was able to show me his memories. On Karythia, he was injected with something. That’s what’s causing this.” Mara said as she slowly sat down in the chair next to Luke’s bed.

Han immediately sent for the doctor. Mara got her bearings as the doctor drew some of Luke’s blood to be tested. Using the Force like that had left her feeling drained. After they drew the blood, Han and Mara left the room so Leia could have a few moments alone with Luke.

“Fight this Luke. We can’t loose you. The kids need their uncle. Han and I need you to keep us sane. Mara needs you too. You two belong together. Come back to us brother.” Leia whispered as she stroked his hair.

T.B.C