mara jade (autoplay)

The Emperor raised her to believe her Force abilities depended on him.

“I’m concerned about one of your fellow Hands. My master has sensed it too—there’s dark intent in her.“

Leto Moonspinner was one of the younger Hands, barely into adulthood when the late Emperor had been destroyed. She was unfocused but strong in the Force, and ambitious—even having openly expressed her distaste for Jade’s position of favor.

New to the ways of the Sith as Regulus might be, he knew exactly how one who coveted the position of Sith Apprentice went about claiming it. A reckless Dark Side user with a thirst for more power than she’d been given likely had designs on either Regulus’s life or his father’s.

At the very least, there was a good chance she had it out for Jade. Regulus found that prospect surprisingly troubling.

Even so, some would say Jade had made herself indispensable for the same purpose. And who would be better suited for an inside investigation?

“My master and I will be away from Imperial Center for some time, in the Outer Rim. Keep a close watch on Moonspinner—I want to know what she’s planning.”

Regulus frowned behind his cowl, unsettled, even still, by the orders he found himself having to give. He threw his mental shields up quickly, lest Jade scent weakness—but the discomfort was still there.

It is not the way of the Sith to be forgiving.

Moonspinner had been on her mind too, she had come to sense her bitterness on her own, but had not wanted to complain. Pettiness hardly had a place in the workings of the Empire, and Jade had worked hard to master a sense of calm whenever the other Hand had been nearby. The last thing she wanted to do was jeopardize trust that she had spent the last year earning from the Emperor and from Regulus.

Still, sometimes she would fantasize about laying that little bitch out in front of everyone.

And even more alarming was the prospect that Leto might make an attempt on the Emperor or his apprentice. Something that would upset everything they had been working toward. Though Mara told herself, best as she could, that she wouldn’t shed a tear for either of them. She knew deep down, it would be upsetting, at the least.

“I understand,” She said calmly, tasting blood from biting her cheek to keep herself in line. “You and the Emperor needn’t worry, I will find out what’s going on, and deal with it accordingly.”

                  I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh.