Mara Jade Volume 1

7.

I paced back and forth in the room where the rebels had given Diego and I so that we could sleep. I was waiting for him. Luke Skywalker. The one I was sent to chase after. My stomach was in total knots.

"Just because you pace back and forth does not mean Skywalker will come any sooner." Diego teased, letting out a soft laugh.

"Don't poke fun." I warned as I gave him a quick glance as I stopped pacing.

"Well you are making me dizzy." Diego simply said.

"My pacing makes you dizzy?" I asked as I crossed my arms and looked at him.

"Yes, it does." Diego answered.

"Okay, I'll stop." I softly said.

"Good." Diego sighed. 

"Diego!" I screamed out as I watched a bright red lightsaber glow through Diego's chest and he fell to the ground, coughing and I ran to his side, tears falling down my cheeks as I sat beside him and I held onto him. 

"M--Mara, y--you must g--go." Diego softly coughed. 

"Diego, no," I softly cried as I touched his face. "Diego, stay with me!" I cried out. 

"Mara, I..." Diego softly murmured, coughing some more. 

"Mara!" I heard Diego say loudly as I was snapped back into reality and I flinched and looked at his wide, scared and concerned eyes.

"Yes?" I murmured softly, blinking.

"Are you okay?" Diego asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes," I half lied. If you want to keep Diego alive, you must put your faith in me. Palpatine's voice echoed in my mind once again. I was not sure if this was a memory this time or him contacting me through our minds. "I am alright, I promise." I finished the half lie.  

"You don't seem fine." Diego responded.

"Earlier you said you needed to tell me something." I said, trying to change the subject.

"What do you mean by that?" Diego chuckled, crossing his arms.

"We got busy but you said you had something to tell me." I answered.

"I don't think it matters, Mars." Diego said with a lazy shrug.

"It matters to me." I assured him.

"Mars?" I heard Leia's voice and turned to see her in the doorway and her face was full with confusion as a tall man with light brown hair and brown eyes stood beside her. 

"Mars is a childhood nickname." I answered nervously.

"Oh, I see." Leia mumbled to herself as she slowly nodded, looking as if she was chewing on what I had just said to her. "That is clever, I suppose." Leia commented.

"Hey there, I'm Han Solo," Han introduced himself with a wide cheeky smile as he walked into the room. "The best pilot in the galaxy." Han chuckled, offering his hand to Diego.

"Nice to meet you," Diego greeted as he took Han's hand and shook it. "I am Die-- Jacen." Diego lied.

"Nice to meet you too, kid." Han responded, giving a warm smile, clearly not catching Diego's mistake.

Thank the stars! I thought to myself, smiling.