Reece was speaking again, Mara barely hearing the first few words; "...immediately- command protocol; group three-nine-nine-six."
"Acknowledged; wait." The voice was unidentifiable, filtered as it was through a comlink. Mara waited in silence, part of her not wishing to know more, uncertain now what she should do.
How could Luke do this- to her, to Palpatine. How could he jeopardise everything he had built here for... for what? She wasn't even-
"Commander Reece." Vader's bass tones were unmistakable, even on a comlink.
"Lord Vader- you are in a secure location?"
"Yes."
"I'm charged to pass on a message from The Heir, my Lord; he asks that you remain at Tingarn Barracks tonight. He will make his way..."
"I am scheduled to return to the Palace- to remain would be problematic."
"I appreciate that, my Lord, but The Heir was insistent that this was imperative. He wishes to speak to you in person about the morning's... event. I believe he feels it to be time-sensitive."
"Where is he now?"
"On his way to Mosiin Barracks. He intends to fly from there to Tingarn tonight using- "
"Out of the question. The risks are too great."
There was a world-weary tone to Reece's voice now, as if this was far too regular-an occurrence in his own opinion as well as Vader's, "Indeed, my Lord; however, he would not be dissuaded."
Somewhere in the back of her head, the professional agent in Mara silently noted the familiarity to the exchange, the sense of prolonged association which indicated a long-standing situation.
"............ Very well. I will remain at Tingarn. Inform him to contact me on a secure channel when he departs Mosiin and again when he nears Tingarn Barracks. I will arrange for a secure landing site outside the Barracks and meet him there."
"Thank you Lord Vader; I'll inform The Heir shortly."
There was the slightest pip as the channel closed, then a moment's silence, Mara still hidden bundled against the door in shock, her hand to her mouth.
"I need to find out which 701st unit is accompanying The Heirwhich units are accompanying The Heir." Reece's voice grew nearer as he approached the office door, "If I need to tag on one of the Echo flights I need to do it now before it looks inappropriate."
"Wouldn't it be better to do it from here?" Hallin's voice too grew closer.
"No, if I do it, it needs to be through official channels- I need to be in the Staff Wing for that."
The exit door slid open, Reece's voice cut off as it slid noiselessly closed behind him.
Mara stood for a long time in the dark of the tiny room, bewildered, wounded and outraged in the same moment, thoughts buzzing, hands shaking against the adrenaline of conflicting emotions and loyalties...
.
.
.
Waiting on the wide expanse of the black-tiled landing platform, hair whipped about by the high wind on top of the Main Palace, Luke gazed dispassionately out over the distant, haze-obscured spires of the city, thoughts still on the impenetrable Force disturbance that morning.
He glanced easily over to the distant guards just visible at the Tower entrances, all blue-clothed Palace Guards here on the open roof. They stood to smart attention, part-obscured by the utilitarian lines of the Lambda-class shuttle, wings folded up though its engines were active, awaiting Luke's permission to take off. To the far side of the platform, adding their own noise to the boom of the shuttle's engines, were six Interat-TIE's from the 701st, his close escort, though he knew that two squadrons were active and ready to launch from the Palace Barracks below when the shuttle was finally airborne... which would be as soon as Mara returned.
His thoughts went to Reece's question earlier; how would he sneak leaving the Barracks overnight past Mara? What he needed was a reason to keep her busy overnight at the Barracks, away from his empty quarters... or better still, not to have her go- to leave her here somehow.
He frowned, looking again to the flight-ready I-TIE's; if he just left now... No; she'd just get in an I-TIE and follow- and be fuming into the bargain when she landed. Which might not be such a bad thing... an argument might-
Mara practically burst out onto the massive granite landing platform seconds later and he turned to face her as she walked clear of the collonade, knowing instantly that something was very wrong.
She stormed over, eyes ablaze, shouting over the thrum of the engines, so furious that for a few seconds she couldn't string her words together. "What... just... what the hell did you think you were doing!? How long did you think you could get away with it here of all..."
Luke strode quickly out to grab her by the top of her arm, yanking Mara forward with enough force to shock her into momentary silence as he hauled her roughly back over behind the shuttle, where he knew the all-pervasive surveillance wouldn't have a clear line of sight.
She tried to yank free of him, fuming, but he kept a tight hold as he spun her about to face him, his tone low and quiet and very serious.
"You'd better get a grip right now because you don't want me to shut you up."
His tone gave her a split-second's pause but she wouldn't back down, head shaking. "You've crossed the line. I know all about your little clique- about Reece and Hallin... and Vader. I know you're going to see Vader tonight.
Luke remained silent for long seconds, eyes locked on hers, jaw clenched, thoughts buzzing-
When he finally spoke his voice was muted; hard and resigned in the same moment. "Well congratulations Mara- welcome to my life... have you told him yet?"
She knew exactly who Luke meant; "No I haven't told him! Stars, he'll rip you to pieces, you realise that!?"
Luke set his head on one side, tone sarcastic, "No, that hadn't occurred."
"Don't- don't even start..."
"Don't what? What the hell am I supposed to do Mara- you tell me? I can't stay like this forever; I can't keep doing whatever he orders... I won't."
"He gave you one inflexible order- would it have been so hard to keep?"
Momentary confusion shadowed Luke's eyes and thoughts alike as he ran quickly back over her words in his mind- 'I know about Reece and Hallin... I know you're going to see Vader tonight.'
That was it! That was what she knew- all she knew! He'd thought she'd uncovered the insurrection when all she knew was that he secretly met with his father, and Reece and Hallin were aware of it.
The momentary burst of relief evaporated in a second at the realisation; she may not think him capable of more - didn't want to think it - but if she told Palpatine even this much...
He'd know... he'd know what Luke was doing. Or rather he'd suspect and for Palpatine that would be enough. He wouldn't care if it was true, or why.
Mara tried again to twist free but he held on to her, aware that even though they were hidden from the security lenses, the noise of the multiple engines drowning out their voices, he was still in deep trouble. He had to calm her down- talk her down.
Should he lie? It would be so much easier- she'd want to believe him; she always had.
As if hearing his thoughts she bit out, still livid, "You lied to me."
And he had, so many times. It had been so easy... and he knew why; "You lied to yourself Mara. I only let you."
She stilled, fiery temper shocked into momentary consideration and he shook his head, tone softening. Could he trust her? Should he? The Force was like a wind at his back, pushing him on...
So why did he hesitate?
Do it...
"You keep on telling me you want me to trust you, you want me to let you in... well now you're in."