Traits Of Descent

Chapter Five

Rhen Var spaceport

Luke and Corran met Mara Jade in her newly acquired star ship, the Jade's Fire. Luke had seen it before on a trial run she gave him a few months ago. He was positive that she made modifications to it, legal and illegal. since his tour that she couldn't wait to brag about. There would also be modifications that she would rather keep hidden. They each sat in what would have been the lounge area in most models of the same ship. There was no such luxury in Mara Jade's personal ship. There wasn't even any food. Luke had to bring along his own rations since he had been starved. Luke shared with Corran some of the rations. Mara sat opposite them and touched no food.

Corran began. "All right, what do you know about Skarce Voxan?"

Mara replied, "He's a legend in the world of assassins. His techniques were famous. Palpatine even incorporated some of his methods into my training regime."

Corran gnarled, "You mean like how to mutilate your targets while they're still alive?"

Mara shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "Not those methods. Voxan used infiltration and evasive maneuvers that are still being used today. I knew him by reputation. I still use his layers of channels for my own funds."

Luke questioned, "And that's all public knowledge?"

Mara stated, "Not exactly. When Palpatine took over as Emperor, he obtained possession of the Old Republic's records and data. That included large files on Skarce Voxan, who it seems they were about ready to hunt down and bring to justice."

Corran added in, "But a little war broke out that scattered what was left of the Jedi to the far corners of the galaxy."

"And nobody cared after that."

Luke speculated, "I'm sure Palpatine used Voxan to his advantage."

Mara corrected, "No. Palpatine may have adopted Voxan's techniques but he would have never used him on an actual job. That's what I was for. Besides, the Emperor already had a right hand assassin at his control."

Luke muttered in agreement, "Vader."

Mara went on. "Palpatine wasn't vain enough to hire a finely tuned serial killer. Voxan was a loose cannon that Palpatine would have never been able to control. Voxan's results were too messy and public. He drew too much attention to himself. Palpatine didn't want that kind of exposure."

Corran sniffed. "Of course not. He wanted to do all the major killing himself."

Mara grumbled. "I'm not defending his actions, but contrary to popular belief, Palpatine wasn't as sadistic as the galaxy believes. He did have his moments with certain traitors."

"He blew up a planet of several million of people, Mara," Corran countered.

"That wasn't Palpatine's decision. Tarkin was acting on his own. He was more sadistic than Palpatine was with that weapon. Palpatine wanted to test it on a uninhabited system first. He was certainly not on Voxan's sadistic level." She paused and uttered, "There is a saying among assassins. Violence perceived is violence achieved. If your target thinks you're going to inflict extreme pain on them then they will believe it will come and you get whatever results you need out of them. Voxan threw that philosophy out. When I did a job, it was professional and quick. I didn't stay to torture my targets for hours on end like Voxan did."

Luke could tell Mara was getting edgier than usual and he changed the subject. "Were there any cases involving Voxan after the Clone Wars?"

Mara took a moment and answered, "No. He essentially disappeared after that."