Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens the Weapon of a...

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imprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybe

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DesignedbyJasonWojtowicz

ISBN978-1-4847-2500-9

VisittheofficialStarWarswebsite:www.starwars.com

Contents

Prologue

PartOneChapter01:RedSquadrontotheRescue

Chapter02:TheCalloftheForce

Chapter03:TheHand

oftheEmpireChapter04:ReturntoDevaron

PartTwoChapter05:VisionofthePast

Chapter06:IntotheWoods

Chapter07:TheLostTemple

Chapter08:TheLivingForce

PartThreeChapter09:TheWeaponofaJediKnight

Chapter10:TheSecretoftheForce

Chapter11:ImperialAttack

Chapter12:TheScavenger’sStaff

Chapter13:MyAllyIstheForce

Epilogue

AbouttheAuthor

Alongtimeagoinagalaxyfar,faraway.…

TheREBELALLIANCEhasdestroyedtheEmpire’s

dreadedDEATHSTAR,butthegalaxyremainsconvulsedbycivilwar,andtheImperialstarfleetishuntingtherebels

throughoutthegalaxy.

LUKESKYWALKER,the

pilotwhodestroyedtheDeathStar,isnowhailedasahero.

ButLukeseeksonlytosupportthefreedomfighters,servingtheRebellionbehindthecontrolsofhisX-wing

fighter.

EvenashefliesalongsidethepilotsofRedSquadron,LukefeelsstirringsinthemysticalenergyfieldknownastheForce.Andthisfarmboy

turnedfighterpilotbeginsto

suspectthathisdestinyliesalongadifferentpath.…

JESSIKAPAVAcouldn’tstopstaringatherX-wingfighter.

Shepushedherblackhairoutofhereyesandsighed,forcingherselftoturnaroundsoshecouldnolongerseethecompact,deadlystarfighterwhereitsatonitslanding

gearinthecenterofthehangar.HerfellowpilotsknewshewantednothingmorethantogetbackintospaceasBlueThree.

ButJessikawasondroiddutythatweek.Herjobwastoinventorythebase’sastromechsandmakesuretheywerereadyforduty—programmingupdated,flightinstrumentstestedandconfirmedasoperational.Itwasn’ttheworstjobinthe

squadron—assistingthemaintenancetechswithafuel-systemcleanoutwasmuchdirtier—butJessikawassureitwasthemostboring.

Herdatapadbeepedforherattention,andshelookeddownatitwithasigh,thenatthecone-headedR4unitrollingbyonitsthreestubbylegs.Thedroidwaspaintedinagreen-and-whitecheckerboardpattern,probablytheworkofabored

techwithtimetokill.“Youthere,droid,”the

youngpilotcalledout.“Needyoutoholdupasecforoperationscheck.”

Theastromechwhistledmournfully,nohappierthanJessikaabouttheneedforaninspection.Butitcametoastopandpoppedopenapanelonitsdometoexposeadiagnosticsport.Jessikaaimedherdatapadattheportandthepadblinked,

beginningtoexchangedatawiththedroid’ssystems.Shesatdowncross-leggedonthehangardeckandresignedherselftowait.

“Excuseme,butmightIbeofassistance?”avoiceaskedbrightly.

Jessikalookedupintotheexpressionlessfaceofaprotocoldroidwithagoldfinish.Itwasanoldermodel—practicallyanantique—withonearmcladinred

platinganddozensofdingsanddents.

“Idon’tthinkso,butthanks,”Jessikasaid.“It’sdroidduty—thediagnosticsprogramprettymuchrunsitself.”

“Butnotterriblyefficiently,”saidthedroid,soundingdisappointed.“Butwherearemymanners?IamSee-Threepio,human-cyborgrelations,atyourservice,Miss…?”

“Pava.JessikaPava.BlueThree.”

“Itisanhonortomeetyou,MissPava,”Threepiosaid.

“CallmeBlueThree.”“Oh.Asyouwish,Miss

—Imean,BlueThree.AsIsaid,perhapsIcouldbeofassistance.IjustinstalledaveryexcitingnewTranlangdatabaseandamfluentinnearlysevenmillionformsofcommunication—including,

ofcourse,therelativelyprimitivelanguagesspokenbyastromechsanddiagnosticsreaders.”

TheR4unitsquawkedindignantlyatThreepio.

“Insultyou?”Threepiosaid,drawingbackinsurprise.“Ididnothingofthesort,youhypersensitivelittledustbin.Yourmethodofcommunicationisprimitive—Iwasmerelystatingafact.Why,youdon’tevenhavea

propervocabulator.”TheR4unithonkedand

swiveleditsdometostareattheprotocoldroidwithitssingleelectroniceye.

“Don’tmove,”Jessikasaid.“You’llbreakthedatalinkandthen—”

Herdatapadbeepedplaintively.

“Nowwehavetostartallover,”shesaid.

TheastromechhootedaccusinglyatThreepio.

“Myfault?”Threepioreplied.“Don’tberidiculous.Shetoldyounottomove.BlueThree,mightIsuggest—”

“Youknowwhat,See-Threepio?I’vegotthis.It’sasimpleprocedure,really.I’msureyouhavemanymoreimportantthingstodo.”

“Youwouldthinkso,giventhatmyspecialtiesincludecommunicationsandprotocol,”Threepiosaid.

“ButitsohappensIhavecompletedallmytasksfortheday.IwasgoingtosuggestthatthisR4unitmightbenefitfromamemorywipe.Whentheystarttakingoffenseateveryhelpfulsuggestion,it’softenasignoffluxinthemotivatorcortex.”

TheR4unitblewanelectronicraspberryatThreepio,butthistimeremainedstillwhilethediagnosticprogramran.

Jessikarolledhereyesasthegoldendroidcontinuedtochatteraway.

“Why,IoftentoldMasterLukethatArtoo’sbehaviorwouldhavebeenimprovedbyamemorywipe.HiseccentricitieshavebeenmorethanIcanbearfordecadesnow.OnetimewewereonadiplomaticmissiontoCircarpouswhen—”

“DidyousayMasterLuke?”Jessikainterrupted.

“IndeedIdid,”Threepiosaid.“MasterLukeSkywalker.Doyouknowhim?”

“DoIknowLukeSkywalker?”Jessikaaskedincredulously,scramblingtoherfeet.“OfcourseIknowhim!Well,Imean,I’venevermethim,buteverybodyknowsLukeSkywalker.HedefeatedtheEmperor,andtheysayhe’sthebeststarpilotinthegalaxy.”

“You’dhavetoaskArtooaboutthat.ThoughImustwarnyouthatArtoohas,shallwesay,aninflatedviewofhisownaccomplishments.Imyselffindspacetravelmostunpleasant—”

“Wait,doyoumeanArtoo-Detoo?”Jessikaaskedinamazement.“TheastromechthatassistedSkywalkerwhenhedestroyedthefirstDeathStar?”

Threepiocockedhis

goldenheadslightly.“Well,yes,”hesaid.

“ArtooandIhavebeeneyewitnessestomanymomentouseventsduringtheGalacticCivilWar,thoughhewasusuallyoffsquabblingwithacomputerwhileIwasperformingsomevitaldiplomaticservice.WithregardstotheDeathStar,Artoowasinoperativeatthecriticalmoment.Sonotevenhecantrytotakecreditfor

theoutcomeofthatmission.”Thedatapadbeeped,

indicatingthediagnosticsprogramhadfinishedrunning.Jessikaignoredit.

“TellmeabouttheDeathStarmission,”shesaid.“HowdidSkywalkerwindupdestroyingit?”

“Itwouldbemypleasure,BlueThree,”Threepiosaid.“Thoughthatadventurebeganinratherdreadfulfashionforme.Wehad

crash-landedonTatooine,withArtoopursuingasecretmissionfortheAllianceinhistypicalstubbornmanner.Ifnotformyadvice,hemightstillbewanderingthatdreadfulDuneSea—”

“Onsecondthought,whydon’tyoutellmethatonelater?”Jessikaaskedhastily,sensingthisversionwasshapinguptobemostlyaboutThreepio.“Tellmeadifferentstoryaboutyourmaster—one

thathasn’tbeentoldamilliontimesalready.”

TheR4unitchirpedinquiringlyather,andshepatteditsdomeabsentmindedly.

“Yourprogramsareuptodate—reporttothedroidpool,”shesaid,turningbacktoThreepio.

“Therearesomanystories,”Threepiomused.“Wheretobegin?Iknow—ArtooandIwerepresent

whenMasterLukefirstusedalightsaberinbattle,notlongaftertheBattleofYavin.”

“Tellmeaboutthatone,”Jessikasaid.

“Verywell,”Threepiosaid.“ItallbeganabovetheplanetGiju,withamissionforRedSquadron.…”

LUKESKYWALKERsensedtheTIEfightertwistingforashotathisunprotectedsternevenbeforeArtoo-Detoosquealedawarningandhissensorsbeganflashingred.

Lukedidn’tknowhowheknew,justthathedid.His

handswentautomaticallytothecontrolyokesofhisX-wingfighterandhauledthembackandtotheleft,sendingthecraftspinningtoport.Laserfirestitchedspacewherehisfighterhadbeenamomentbefore,leavingLukeblinkingfromthebrilliantglare.

“Isawhim!Isawhim!”LuketoldArtooevenastheX-wingcompleteditsrollandlockedontotheImperial

fighter’stail.LukemasheddownthetriggersandtheTIEeruptedintoaballoffire.Luke’sX-wingshotthroughthecloudofdustandgas,shudderingslightly.

FromthedroidsocketbehindLuke’scockpit,Artooletoutasquealofannoyance.

“Itwasnottooclose,”Lukesaid.“Youkeepthefighterflyingandletmeworryaboutwhattodowithit.”

Lukeopenedupthethrottleanddodgedapairoffreighttenders,theirionenginesglowingabrilliantblue.LikemanyotherstarshipsabovetheplanetGiju,theywereracingawayfromthespacelanesasfastastheirenginescouldtakethem,desperatetoescapethefirefightthathadsuddenlyeruptedbetweenthreerebelX-wingsandapatrolofTIEfighters.

Luke’seyesjumpedtohislong-rangescopes,notingthepositionofthetwogreenarrowheadsonthescreen.ThosetwosymbolsrepresentedtheX-wingspilotedbyRedThreeandRedLeader.RedLeader’sX-wingwasinthelead,protectingatransportcarryingundergroundrebelleadersbeingevacuatedfromGijuaheadoftheEmpire’sagents.RedsThreeandFive—

WedgeAntillesandLuke—wereintherear,keepingtheTIEsbusy.

WedgehaddriftedtoofartoportforLuke’sliking;ifhisfellowpilotranintotrouble,Lukewasn’tsurehecouldgetthereintimetohelp.Andtherewasnoshortageoftroubleupthere—theEmpirehadapparentlysenteveryfighterithadinthesystemtoengagetherebelraiders.

“Tightenitup,Wedge—we’reeachother’sprotectionouthere,”Lukewarned.

“Gotcha,Luke,”saidWedgeAntilles.“Iwaschasingabandit.”

“Anddidyougethim?”“Hiswingmandid—flew

rightintohimwhenIcameupontheirflank.”

“Thatcounts,”Lukesaid.“Lesschatter,

gentlemen,”saidthecool,clippedvoiceofRedLeader,

knownoutsidethecockpitasCommanderNarra.“Withallthistrafficoutheretherearealotofplacesforenemiestohide.Youneedyoureyesaswellasyourinstruments.”

“Copy,RedLeader,”saidachastenedLuke.

Narrawasaveteranpilot,tappedbyAllianceHighCommandtoleadRedSquadronafterthedestructionoftheDeathStar.TwelveRedSquadronpilotsfromthe

rebelbaseonYavin4hadheadedintospaceinX-wingstotrytodestroytheEmpire’sbattlestation.Ofthetwelve,onlyLukeandWedgehadreturnedalive.NarrahadaskedthemtocontinuetoflywithRedSquadron,whilemakingitclearthatneitheryoungmanshouldexpectspecialtreatmentforsurvivinganencounterwiththeDeathStar,eveniftheydiddestroyit.

WhichwasfinewithLuke;hissuddenfamemadehimuncomfortable.Justafewmonthsbefore,he’dbeenafarmboyonTatooine,fixingvaporatorsandtinkeringwithskyhoppersandlandspeeders.Nowpeopletreatedhimlikesomekindofhero—butheknewbetter.Hewasjustakidwho’dmadeamillion-to-oneshot,guidedbyamysteriouspowerhebarelyunderstood.

LukeknewhehadskillwiththeForce,theenergyfieldcreatedbylifethatboundthegalaxytogether.Andnowheknewhe’dinheritedthatabilityfromhisfather.Luke’sUncleOwenhadalwaystoldhimthathisfatherhadbeenanavigatoronaspicefreighter,butthathadbeenastorymeanttoprotectLuke.BenKenobihadtoldhimtherealstory:thatLuke’sfatherhadbeenaJedi

Knight,agiftedstarpilotandacunningwarrior.ButBenhadalsotoldLukethathisfatherwasdead,betrayedandmurderedbytheSithLordDarthVader.AndVaderhadstruckdownBenaboardtheDeathStarjustdaysafterhe’dstartedtoteachLukeabouttheForce.

SoLukehadskillwiththeForce,yes.Butwhatgoodwouldthatdohimwithnoonelefttoinstructhim?

“Youinthere,Luke?”askedWedge,echoedbyaninquiringbeepfromArtoo.“Thebosswantsustoturntopointtwo-two.”

“Right,right,”Lukesaid,mentallykickinghimself.NoneofhismusingsabouttheForcewoulddohimanygoodifhegothimselfkilled—anddaydreamingduringafirefightwasanexcellentwaytodothat.

Lukebankedtostarboard

untilhisfighterwasonthecourseNarrawanted.Aheadofthem,alineofbulkfreighterswascuttingacrossthespacelanes,theirbowsturningeverywhichdirectionastheirpilotstriedtoavoidacollision.TheungainlyshipsremindedLukeofaherdofbanthashuddledtogetherforprotectionagainstpredatorsbackhomeonTatooine.

“Getbehindme,Wedge,”Lukesaid.“We’llscootand

shoot.”“Rightwithyou,”Wedge

said,hittinghisretrorocketsanddroppingasternofLuke’sX-wing,thenacceleratinguntilhewasflyingpracticallyonhistail.AnyinboundenemieswouldbeabletotargetonlyLuke’sfighter,withWedgescootingupanddowntoemergefromcoverandfireattheirattackers.Itwasatrickymaneuver—bothpilotshadtoknoweach

other’stendenciesincombat,butmorethanthattheyhadtotrusteachothercompletely.EvenamonthbeforeLukewouldn’thavedaredtotryit,butsincethenhe’dflownnumerousmissionswithWedge.Theycouldnowflyinperfectformation,anticipatingeachother’smovementswithoutspeakingaword.

“Artoo,switchthedeflectorstodoublefront,”

Lukesaid,ignoringtheastromech’ssulkybeepthathe’dalreadydoneso.

Herolledacrossthetopsideofoneofthebulkfreighters,thendovebeneaththenextone,jukingandweavingtothrowoffanyImperialthatmightbetryingtogetabeadonhim.Ahead,threeTIEswheeledthroughspace,greenfirelancingoutfromtheirblastercannons.Laserfiresplashedagainst

Luke’sshields,whichflaredwiththeimpact.LukebroketostarboardwhileWedgebroketoport,theircannonsspittingenergy.OneoftheTIEsvanishedinafountainoffire,whileanotherlurcheddrunkenly,onesolarpanelbentandsprayingsparks.ThethirdTIEwasrising,upandawayfromthefight.

“Wedge!Down!”Lukethrusthisstick

forward,throwingtheX-wing

intoadivethatslammedhimbackinhisseat,gruntingwitheffort.Laserblastsburstallaroundhim,dazzlinghiseyes.Hedodgedleft,thenright,ignoringArtoo’sflurryofprotests.HehadnotimetopeerathisreadoutandseeifWedgewasstillalive,orifhisX-winghadbeenturnedintoasuperheatedcloudbythequartetofTIEsthathadbeenlurkingintheheartofthefreighterconvoy,waiting

toambushthem.“Howdidyou—”Wedge

began,thenstopped.“Youknow,forjustanhourI’dliketoknowwhatit’sliketoflywiththeForcewatchingmyback.”

“It’salmostasgoodashavingyouwatchingmyback,”Lukesaidwithagrin.“Nowlet’smakethempayforthatlittletrick.Artoo,dialuptheinertialcompensators.”

Lukeslewedhisfighter

aroundinatightturn,grimacingatthesoundofsomeoverstressedsystemgroaningintheportwing.Wedgefollowedhim,weavingaroundLuke’sX-wingandfillingthespaceaheadofthemwithdeadlyspearsoflight.TwolaserblastsrippedoneoftheTIEsinhalf,whileanotherflewtooclosetoafreighter’senginewashandtumbledoutofcontrol.

“Twoleft,”Lukesaid.“I’lltaketheonetoport.”

Heopenedupthethrottle,andthedistancebetweenhimandtheTIEaheadbegantoshrink.Tostarboard,hecouldseeWedge’sfightermatchinghismaneuver.TheTIEdodgedineverydirection,thepilot’sdesperationincreasinglyobvious,butLukehungrightonhistail.

Andthen…whatwasthat?Itfeltlikesomething

wasinhismind,somethingelusive.Likeawordhecouldn’tquitecalltomindeventhoughitwasonthetipofhistongue.ArtoowhistledurgentlyandLukeshookhishead,tryingtochasetheoddfeelingaway.Thereweremorepressingmattersathand.

Wedgerolleddownandright,thenupandleft,bracketingtheTIEinhissights.Amomentlaterthe

Imperialfighterhe’dbeenchasingwasabrightcloudintheirwakeastheycontinuedtoraceupandawayfromGiju.

“Youneedalittlehelpthere,RedFive?”Wedgeasked.

Lukesmackedthesideofhishelmet,annoyedwithhimself.Heneededtofocus.

“I’vegotit,thanks,”hesaid,rollinghisfightercompletelyoverandblasting

theTIE’sstarboardpaneloffwithavolleyofshotswhileflyingupsidedown.HebroughttheX-wingrightsideupasthecrippledTIEtumbledpasthim,thecockpitoscillatingwildlyarounditsremainingsolarpanel.ThenLukesettledhisX-winginbesideWedge’s,theirwingtipsjustmetersapart.

“Iwasjustasking,”Wedgesaid.“Noneedtogetfancy.”

Artoosquawkedderisively.

“Niceflying,”Narrasaidintheirears.“Thepackageisclearandcalculatingthejumpintohyperspace.Activateyourscatterprotocolsandwe’llmeetattherendezvouspointat2300hours.”

“Copythat,boss,”Wedgesaid.“Activatingprotocolnow.Seeyouontheotherside,Luke.”

AmomentlaterNarra’s

X-wingvanishedintotheinfinityofhyperspace,followedbyWedge’s.

“AccessthejumppatternforDevaron,Artoo,”Lukesaid.

Rebelprocedurewasforeachpilottofollowarandomlychosenzigzagpaththroughhyperspace,makingseveraljumpstofoilanyImperialsthatmightbetrackinghisorherfighter.Thatway,iftheworst

occurred,onlyonefighterwouldbelostinsteadofawholesquadron—ortheentirerebelfleet.

ArtoobeepedatLukethathe’daccessedthecoordinatesandlockedthemintothenavicomputer,thenfollowedthatupwithafusilladeofhootsandwhistles.Lukeglancedathisscreen,wherethelittledroid’scommunicationsweretranslatedintolanguagehe

couldunderstand.“I’msuretherewillbe

patrolssearchingforus—theEmpire’sfloodingsectorswithwarshipsinresponsetoanythreat,”Lukesaid.“That’swhywefollowscatterprotocol.”

LukemissedwhateverArtoowhistledinresponse—thatfeelingwasbackinhisheadagain,likeavoicewhosewordshecouldn’tquitemakeout.Heknewit

wastheForce.Butthistime,itwasn’tassistinghisactions.Instead,itfeltlikeitwastryingtogethisattention.

“What’sthat,Artoo?Yes,I’mfunctioningnormally.ButyoucantakeoverflightdutiestillwegettoDevaron.”

Artoobeepedquestioningly.

“I’mfine,pal,”Lukesaid.“Honest.Buttakethestickanyway.Iwanttotrymeditatingwhilewe’rein

hyperspace.MaybethatwillhelpmefigureoutwhatitistheForcekeepstryingtotellme.”

OUTSIDELUKE’SCOCKPIT,hyperspacewasanever-changingtunnelofbrilliantlight.Inside,therebelpilothadhiseyesclosedandwasbreathingslowlyinandout.

Duringtheirbrieftimeasmasterandstudent,Ben

KenobihadtaughthimthebasicsofJedimeditation,warninghimthatopeningaconnectiontotheForcewassomethingeventheeldestJediMastersstudiedoveralifetime.Luke’sfirstlessonhadcomejusthoursafterthemurderofhisauntandunclebystormtroopers,whenLukeandBenhadstoppedforthenightontheirwaytoMosEisley.

Benhadtoldhimtofocus

onwhateveremotionswereuppermostinhismind,beinghonestwithhimselfaboutthefeelingshewasexperiencingandhowtheywereaffectinghim.Andthen,onebyone,hewastoleteachemotiongo,likepouringoutacupofwater.Thegoalwastomakehimselfanemptyvessel.Onlythen,Benhadsaid,wouldtheForcebeabletofillhim.

Whatemotionswashe

feeling?Lukeconsideredthequestion.Hewasexcitedaboutthesuccessfulcompletionoftheirmission—thatwasinhismind.Andhewasanxious—theForcewastryingtotellhimsomething,buthehadnoteachertohelphiminterpretitsmessages.

WhathadhappenedtoBenKenobi?TheoldJedi’sbodyhadvanishedthemomentDarthVader’slightsaberbladetouchedhim,

leavingnothingbutdustyrobesonthefloor.Lukehadcriedoutingriefandrage,firingatthestormtroopersandVader.Butthenhe’dheardBen’svoiceinhishead,tellinghimtorun.He’dheardthatvoiceagainabovetheDeathStar,urginghimtolettheForcetellhimwhentotakehisshotatthebattlestation’svulnerablethermalexhaustport,insteadofusinghistargetingcomputer.

Buthehadn’theardBen’svoicesince—andhefearedheneverwouldagain.

Lukepushedthethoughtgentlyaway.Don’tcenteronyouranxieties—keepyourconcentrationhereandnow,whereitbelongs.Benhadtaughthimthat,too.

Heexaminedeachemotioninturn—firsttheexcitement,thentheanxiety—andthenheimaginedhimselfpouringthemout,to

vanishamidthewhirlingtumultofhyperspace.Foralongtime,hesimplysatinthecockpitandlethisminddrift.

Therewasgreengrassunderhisfeet.No,notgrass—stones.Hewasstandingonflagstones,buttheyweresoovergrownwithgrassthatatfirsthe’dthoughthewasstandinginsomekindofmeadow.Treeshadgrownupthroughthestones,formingagladeinwhathadoncebeen

acourtyard.Heheardwaternearby.

Heturnedandsawafountain,surroundedbystatuesofpeopleinrobes.Theywerefacelessandwithoutlimbs—they’dbeenshearedoffbyenergyweapons,thesurfacesblackened.Thefountainwasdestroyed,too—butwaterstillburbledupfrominsideit,spillingoutthroughthebrokenwallsandacrossthe

glade.Somethingmadea

strangenoise,alittlelikethelowingofabanthaoradewback.Amongthetrees,birdsandinsectsflittedbetweenbranches.Beyondthemstoodagroupofhornedanimals,theirsidesgrayandscaly.

Herealizedhislightsaberwasinhishand.Andthenhesensedsomethingelse.Helookedupandsawthree

remoteshoveringnearby—remotesliketheoneHanSolohadkeptforblastertargetpracticeaboardtheMillenniumFalcon.

Three?Hecouldn’tfendoffthree—hehadenoughtroubleanticipatingtheactionsofjustone.ButtheForcewasverystrongthere.Hecouldfeelitallaroundhim,alivingthing,likewindorrain.

Anditwastellinghimthat

somethingwasn’tright.Thehornedcreatures

werepawingatthegrass,mutteringindistress.

Andthenhecouldfeelit.Somethingdarkandwickedwasnearby,bentonhisdestruction.

Heslippedonalooseflagstone,nearlyfallingtohiskneesbeforeherecoveredhisbalance—

—andfoundhimselfgazingintotheinfinite

kaleidoscopeofhyperspace.Hewasbreathingheavily,herealized,andsweatwasrunningintohiseyesbehindhisgoggles.

Artootootledsomething,andLukeglancedatthetranslationonhisscreen.

“Iknowmyheartrateisup—Icanfeelthatmyself,”hesaid.“ButI’mokaynow.ItwastheForce.Itwasshowingmesomething—avision,Iguessyou’dsay.”

Butwhatdidthevisionmean?He’dbeenpracticingwithhislightsaber,inaplacewheretheForcesurroundedhim.Yethislifehadbeenindanger.Ifonlythevisionhadlastedamomentlonger,perhapshemighthavelearnedwhatitmeantinsteadofhavingtoguess.

HisscreenlitupwithaseriesofmessagesfromArtoo.

Lukelaughed.

“IagreetheForcewouldbemoreusefulifitgavemeanactualmessageinsteadofrandomdata,”hesaid.“Butthat’snothowitworks.I’lljusthavetokeepmymindopenandhopethenextthingittellsmeiseasiertounderstand.”

Arefuelingstationhungabovethemottledgreen-and-yellowsphereofDevaron,its

navigationallightsblinkinggreenandredagainstthestars.LuketookbackthecontrolsfromArtooandguidedhisX-wingdowntowardthestationandthepittedbulkofanancientfreighternestledagainstit.

ArtootweetledhappilyandLukenodded:hissensorsshowedtwoX-wingsattachedtothefreighter’sunderside.

“LookslikeNarraandWedgebeatushere,”hesaid.

“Approachingstarfighter,identify,”saidasternvoiceoverthecomm.

“LittleBrotherFivecominghometoMama,”Lukesaid.

“Acknowledged,”thevoicesaid,itstonemorefriendlynow.“Nicetohavethefamilybacktogether.”

LukeeasedtheX-wingbeneaththefreighter,goosingtheretrorocketsasaflexibledockingtubedescendedfrom

thelargership’sunderside,likethequestingtentacleofsomegreatbeast.ThetubelockeditselfovertheX-wing’scockpitanddroidsocket,clampingtight.OnceArtootweetedthattheyweresuccessfullydocked,Lukepoppedhiscockpit’scanopyandclamberedupaflexibleladderinthetube,wavingtoArtoowherehewaitedinthefighter’sdroidsocket.

Heemergedinthe

freighter’smainhold,whereNarraandWedgewerewaitingforhim,theirflighthelmetsundertheirarms.

“SorryI’mlate,”Lukesaid,relievedtofinallyshedhisownhelmet.He’dspentmuchofhischildhooddreamingaboutflyingafighterindeepspace,yetsomehownoneofthosefantasieshadincludedthefactthathelmetssmelledawful,leftyousweaty,and

gaveyouaheadache.“You’renotlate,”Narra

said.“TheAlliancehasassignedyouamorecomplicatedscatterpattern,withadditionaljumps.”

“Flyboyslikeusareacreditadozen,”Wedgesaid.“Heroeslikeyougetspecialtreatment.”

Wedgegrinnedtoshowhewaskidding,butLuke’sfacefellanyway.Hislifeshouldn’tbemoreimportant

thanthelivesofhisfellowRedSquadronpilots.

NarraclappedLukeontheshoulderandsmiled.

“Youwon’tlikethisspecialtreatment,son,”hesaid.“Ordersdirectfromthefleet—MonMothma’saskedyoutoretrievelogsofImperialcommunicationsthatwereinterceptedbyseveralrebelcellsalongtheShipwrights’Trace.”

Lukegroaned.Allhe

wantedtodowasflyhisX-wingagainsttheEmpire,notfetchdatatapes.Buthecouldn’tignoreanorderfromtheAlliance’sleader.

“ThoselogscouldgiveusapictureofImperialoperationsontheentiretraderoute,”Narrasaid.“Thinkofitasyourchancetoseethegalaxy,LieutenantSkywalker.Themissiondetailshavebeenloadedintoyourastromech.He’sonhis

waytoDockingBay12todopreflightonyourY-wing—you’llbeflyingY4,oneofthetwo-seatmodels.”

Lukescowled.TheY-wingswereungainlyfighters,slowerandlessmaneuverablethanX-wings.Andthetwo-seatconfigurationsuggestedsomeonefromtheAlliancewascomingwithhim—hehopeditwasn’tsomememberofthediplomaticcorpswho’dspendthejourneypracticing

speechesandgettingspacesick.

Thedoorstotheholdopened,andadroidwithgoldplatingwalkedstifflyintothehangarbesideadullgraysupervisordroidwithredphotoreceptors.

“Idon’tknowwhythisissodifficultforyoutoprocess,”See-Threepiosaidangrily.“Asatranslator,myskillsareessentialtothesuccessofthismission.That

meansaweeklyoilbathiswellwithinallowableregulations,andthequalityofthelubricantusediscriticallyimportant.”

Thesupervisordroidgrumbledsomethingasittrudgedalong.

“Thenyouneedtohaveyourcalibrationrechecked,”Threepiosaid.“TheoilyouhaveonboardmightdatebacktotheFirstCoruscaniMigration.Ifitgotany

sludgieritwouldactuallybesolid.”

“Goodluck,Skywalker,”Narrasaidwithasmile.Lukewasn’tsurewhetherhewasreferringtotherecruitingmissionorthechancesofsurvivingThreepio’scomplaints.

“Yeah,Luke—enjoyyourflyingbrick,”Wedgesaid.

ThetwoRedsturnedaway,butthenNarrastoppedandlookedoverhisshoulder,

hisexpressiongrave.“WatchoutforImperial

patrols,Skywalker,”hesaid.“Devaron’slightlygarrisoned,butit’snottoofarfromGiju.WejustembarrassedtheEmpire—Iwouldn’tbesurprisediftheythrewadragnetoverthisentireregion.”

Lukenodded,thenturnedtowhereThreepiowaswaitingwithill-concealedimpatience.

“Nicetoseeyouagain,Threepio,”hesaidtothegleamingdroid.“Whatwereyousaying?”

“IwasexplainingthatI’vepreparedadossierforeachofourthreestopsonthismission,MasterLuke,”Threepiosaid.“I’mparticularlyexcitedtovisitWhiforla11.Whiforla-songisoneofthesixmillionformsofcommunicationinwhichIamfluent,andamongthe

mostcomplex.Icaninstructyouintheproperflutingforceremonialintroductionstotherebelleadersthere,thoughasahumanyourvocalrangewilllimityoutobasicgreetingsandcongratulationsonasuccessfulmolting.I’mafraidthiswillforceustocuttheexchangeofwellwishestolessthananhour.”

“Thatisashame,”Lukesaid.

“Oh,Iquiteagree,Master

Luke,”Threepiosaidbrightly.“IthoughtonthewaytoourdockingbaywecouldstartpracticingthefirstofthefourWhiforlanflutingforms.”

Thecorridorsoftherefuelingstationwerefilledwithamixofspecies—hornedDevaroniansrubbedshoulderswithgreen-skinnedDuros,whilediminutive

AleenadodgedmassiveHerglics.TheblankwallswereinterruptedhereandtherebywindowsrevealingDevaronbelow.

Lukehadshedhisflightsuitandputonayellowjacket,blackshirt,andbrowntrousers—thekindofclotheswornbyspacersacrossthegalaxy.Hisblasterpistolsatsnuginaholsteronhiship,whilehisfather’slightsaberhungbeneathhisjacket,

concealedfromview.Lukestiffenedashe

spottedaquartetofstormtroopersmarchinginhisdirection,ledbyanofficerinanolive-greenuniform.Thespacersinthecorridorgavethetroopersawideberth,shrinkingfromthemwithfearfullooks.

“Ohmy,stormtroopers,”Threepiosaid.“Asdangerousfugitiveswe’llsurelybecapturedandsenttosome

terribleprison.Ihopeit’snotthe—”

“Shh,”Lukesaid.“There’snoreasontosuspectusofanything.Rememberourcoverstory—we’rehyperspacescouts.Honest,hardworkinghyperspacescouts.”

ButLukehadtofightdownasurgeofangeratthesightofthetroopers’gleamingwhitearmor.BackonTatooine,soldierslike

thesehadkilledhisauntanduncleandturnedtheonlyhomehe’deverknownintoasmokingruin.Andthey’ddonesimilarthingstocountlessotherfamiliesonthousandsandthousandsofotherplanets.

Hekepthisexpressionblankashewalkedpastthetroopers,withThreepioclankingalongbehindhim.He’dalmostrelaxedwhenheheardtheclipped,coldvoice

oftheofficer.“Youthere!Halt!”Lukestoppedandturned

slowly,hopingthetrooperswerestoppingsomeoneelse.Buttheofficerwaslookingrightathim,fingerpointedaccusingly.

“Handoveryouridentification,”themansaid.

Lukecarefullyreachedintohisjacketpocket—thestormtroopersmighthaveitchytriggerfingers,andthe

deathofacivilianonarefuelingstationwouldrequirenothingmorethanareporttobeburiedinabureaucraticarchivesomewhere.Heextractedhisidentificationandhandedittotheofficer,whoseeyesjumpedbetweenitandLuke’sfaceasThreepiofidgetednearby,hisservomotorswhining.

“Yourpurposehere?”theofficeraskedasheslid

Luke’sIDthroughaslotinhisdatapad.

LukewisheddesperatelythathehadBenKenobi’sabilitytocloudmindswiththeForce.ButthatknowledgehadvanishedalongwiththeoldJedi’sbody.He’dhavetohopethattheAlliance’sslicershadcreatedafakeidentitygoodenoughtofooltheEmpire.

Well,hecouldrelyonhopeandabitofacting.He’d

seenHanbluffhiswaypasthisshareofImperialpatrols,afterall.

“Hyperspacescout,justlikeitsaysthere,”Lukesaid,tryingtopackabitofCorellianblusterintohisvoice.“We’rerefuelin’beforeweheadouttotheWesternReaches.Friendofafriendfoundanol’shiplog,see—ashiplogwiththecoordinatesofaTibannagasdeposit.Interstellargas—thereally

purestuff.”Luketoldhimselftostop

andblinksuspiciouslyattheofficer.

“Butdon’tgojumpin’myclaimnow,”Lukemuttered,shakingafingerinwarning.“Wouldn’tbeproper.”

“Wehavenointerestinyourlunatictalesaboutspacegas,”theofficersaid.“Andwhereisyourscoutship?”

“DockingBay42,justdownthehallhere,”Luke

said.“Boughtmeaconvertedstarfighter—CloneWarssalvage,modifiedforlonghauls.She’satoughol’gal—rodeoutameteoritestrikeintheLowerFloraCloudwithjustacoupleofdents.LowerFlora’swherewegotjumpedbySikurdianpirates,youknow.Say,youfellasmindtaggin’along?Wecouldthrowascareintothembandits—”

“Bequiet,”theofficer

snapped.“IamanofficeroftheGalacticEmpire,notsomescruffymercenaryforyoutohire.”

“Itwasjustasuggestion,”Lukesaidplaintively.

TheofficerglaredatLuke,theneyedThreepio,whofidgeteduncomfortably.

“Andwhatdoesahyperspacescoutneedwithaprotocoldroid?”

“Oh,thisonecantalktoanything—he’sprogrammed

withaboutamillionstrangeWildSpacedialectsandoldtradelanguages.”

“Sixmillion,tobeexact—”Threepiobegan.

“PlusI’vemadeafewspecialmodifications,”Lukeinterrupted.“Eventaughthimtocookanot-badpotofchubastew.Noneedforthatlook,sir!Chubasain’tjustHuttchow,youknow.That’sanunfortunatemisconception.See,whatyou

needtodoisseasonthem—”Theofficerhelduphis

handforsilenceandthrustLuke’sidentificationbackathim.

“Carryon,”hesaid.“Butremember,it’sthedutyofeveryImperialcitizentoreportsuspiciousactivity.Inanyregion.”

Lukenoddedandtheofficersignaledtothestormtroopers,whomarchedaway.

“Thankgoodness,”Threepiosaid.“I’mnotprogrammedtoresistinterrogation.”

“Iwasn’tlookingforwardtoiteither,”LukesaidasheandThreepiocontinuedtowardthedockingbaywhereArtoowaswaiting.

ThenLukestoppedatoneofthewindowsoverlookingDevaron,Threepionearlyplowingintohim.

“MasterLuke,whatisit?”

Lukedidn’tanswer,continuingtostareatDevaron.Someoneorsomethingdowntherewascallingtohim.

“Sir?Areyouquiteallright?”

LukeshushedthedroidandreachedoutwithhismindinhopesoffiguringoutwhattheForcewasaskinghimtodo.WasDevaronwherehewassupposedtogo?Wasitsomehowconnectedwithhis

vision?Buthecouldsense

nothingelse.Heturnedawayfromthegreen-and-yellowplanetwithafrown.

“Weneedtogettoourfighterifwe’retomakethefirstrendezvous,”Lukesaid.“Andwewouldn’twanttokeepArtoowaiting,nowwouldwe?”

ASHISY-WINGFIGHTERclimbedawayfromtherefuelingstation,LukeglancedbackdownatDevaron,hopingforsomenewsignalfromtheForce.HewasstillstaringatthejunglesfarbelowwhenArtoobeepedtogethisattention.

“Sorry,Artoo,”Lukesaid.“AccessthejumppatternforWhiforla.”

“Spacetravelusedtobesomuchmorecivilized,”Threepiogrousedfromwherehesatinthetailgunner’sbubblebehindLuke.“Onecouldsimplytravelfromplacetoplace,ratherthanmeanderingaboutlikeaPurcassianrivereelduringspawningseason.”

“Well,amorecivilized

galaxyiswhatwe’refightingfor,”LukesaidastheY-wingrocketedintohyperspace.

“Ihadn’tthoughtofitthatway,”Threepiosaid.“IforonewillbemuchmorecomfortablewhentheRebellionwins,then.”

Onthisflightthechurninginfinityoffaster-than-lighttravelbroughtLukenocomfort—hisanxietiesseemedtopressinonhimdespitehisattemptstoempty

hismindofthem.WhathadtheForcebeentryingtotellhimbackthereaboveDevaron?Shouldhehavewaitedforthestrangefeelingtoreturn?

PerhapstheForcewastryingtotellhimthathewassupposedtobelearningtocommanditspowerinsteadoffetchingcommunicationslogs.LearningthewaysoftheForcewaswhathisfatherhaddonewithhislife—and

thelegacyBenKenobihadpreservedfortwodecadesonTatooine,passingitalongwiththelightsaberthatLuke’sfatherhadwantedhimtohave.AndtherehewasworryingaboutproperWhiforlanfluting.

WhatiftheForcewastryingtostophimfrommakingamistake?

Therebelscatterprogram

broughtLuke’sY-wingoutofhyperspaceintheTertiaryUsaitasystem,whichwaslittlemorethanasparsecollectionofdustandrockaroundareddwarf,markedbyanavigationalbeaconlefttherethousandsofyearsbeforebyalong-deadRepublicsurveyteam.

Itwasalonelyplace—butnot,asitturnedout,anemptyone.

“Unknownfighter,thisis

theKreuge’sRevenge,”avoicesaidinLuke’scockpit.“Thisisarestrictedsystem.Shutdownallflightsystemsandprepareforinspection.”

“Artoo,calculatethenextjumpandgetusoutofhere!”Lukesaid.

Artoowhistledanacknowledgment,andLukethrewthecontrolyokehardright,grimacingathowsluggishlytheY-wingresponded.Hissensorscope

litup,andhiseyestookintheinformation:threeTIEfighters,backedupbyaRazor-classfrigate.

“Ohno!”squealedThreepio.“We’reindanger!Artoo,dosomething!”

“Hangon,Threepio,”Lukesaidsternly.

HeturnedtothenavigationalheadingArtoogavehimandopeneduptheY-wing’sthrottle,tryingtocoaxeverybitofspeedoutof

theheavyfighter.ButmomentslaterbrilliantflashesoflighteruptedaroundthemandtheY-wingshuddered.

ThethreeTIEsracedoverhead,andLukesqueezedthetrigger,pepperingthemwithlaserfireastheywheeledaroundforanotherpass.

“Howlong,Artoo?”heasked.

Artoowhistledand

hooted.“Aminute?”Threepio

shrieked.“Whatdoyoumeanyou’retriangulatingourposition?Thisisn’tthetimeforstargazing,youmiserablelumpofcircuits!”

LukerolledtheY-wingtoport,eyesjumpingfromhislong-rangescannerstotheTIEsanglinginonhim.HetriedtosummontheForce,toletitguidehishands.ButThreepio’schatterandthe

flashesoflaserfirekeptthrowingoffhisconcentration.TheY-wing’sstarboardshieldsflaredastheTIEs’lasersstruckhome,andalarmsbegantoblare.

“Artoo,divertthepower,”Lukesaid,hammeringattheImperialfighterswiththeY-wing’sturretguns.ThemoremaneuverableImperialswerewheelinginalldirectionsnow,swoopinginontheirslowertarget.

Focus,Luketoldhimself.UsetheForce.

HerolledtheY-wingovertostarboard,tryingtoprotectthevulnerableshield,andmasheddownonthetriggers.OneoftheTIEsvanishedinacloudofflames.Butalmostimmediately,anotherfighterstreakedupfrombeneathhim,itslasercannonsrakingtheY-wing’shull.Thestarboardshieldflickeredanddied—andwithit,Lukefelt

hisconnectiontotheForceslipping.

Thefrigatewaspepperingthemwithblastsnow,too,bouncingthefighterupanddown.Lukesqueezedoffaflurryofshotsatoneoftheremainingfighters,forcingitspilottoabandonhisattackrun.ButhiswingmantookadvantageofLuke’sdistractiontodropbehindtheY-wing.GreenflasheslitupspaceastheTIEfighter’s

blastsrippedthroughthestarboardengine.RedlightsblinkedfranticallyonLuke’scontrolpanel.

“Trytoincreasethepower!”heyelled,firingdesperatelyatthetwofightershuntinghim,andweavingleftandrightinanefforttothrowofftheImperials’aim.

Thestarboardengine’spowerlevelsclimbed,thenplummeted.Laserfireknockedthefightersideways.

TheTIEthathadhitthemstreakedawayfromtheY-wing,cutright,thenturnedandracedbacktowardthem,aimingatthebatteredfighter’sdefenselessstarboardside.

“Thisistheend,”Threepiomoaned.

LukefiredattheTIE,buttheImperialpilotrefusedtodeviatefromhiscourse.Hekeptcoming,waitingtolineuptheshotthatwoulddestroy

theengineandleavetheY-winghelplessinspace.Luketriedtoturnaway,butthefighterwasbarelyresponding.

I’msorry,Ben,hethought.I’msorry,Father.Itriedmybest.

Hebracedforimpact——andwasshovedback

intohischairastheY-wingshotintothesafetyofhyperspace.

Artoobeeped,perhapsa

bitsmugly.“Well,youcertainlytook

yourtimeaboutit,”Threepiogrumbled.

Asthetwodroidscontinuedtheirlong-runningargument,Lukeexhaledinmingledgratitudeanddisbelief.Buttherewasnotimetowaste.TheY-wingwasbarelyflying—they’dbeensavedbythetougholdfighter’sabilitytosoakupdamage,buttheyneededto

findaspaceportinwhichtomakerepairs.Andtheyneededtodoitquickly.

LukerejectedArtoo’sfirstchoiceforastarport,thenthenextthree.AllwereeithertoofarawayortightlycontrolledbytheEmpire.

“That’senough,Artoo,”hesaid.“We’regoingbacktoDevaron.”

Artoowhistledanobjection.

“But,MasterLuke,our

mission—”Threepiobegan.“Sendanencrypted

messagetothefleet,”hesaid.“TellthemI’llresumetheretrievalmissionafterwerepairourfighter.”

Artoostartedtohootathim,butLukeshookhishead.

“No,mymind’smadeup—takeustoDevaron.”

That’swheretheForcewastellingmetogo,Lukethought.ThistimeI’mgoingtolisten.

THEY-WINGFLEWLOWoverthethickjunglesofDevaron,aribbonofsmoketrailingfromitsdamagedengine.Lukehadshushedthedroidsandsoughttoclearhismindofdoubtsandquestions,lettingtheForcedirectthefighter’sflight.Ithadguided

himintotheatmosphereonthefarsideoftheplanetfromthecapitalanditsImperialgarrison,thenacrosstheoutback.Belowhim,thejunglewasbrokenbyoutcroppingsofstonethatrosehighabovethesurroundingtrees,crownedwithenormousvinesandcreepers.Thelightofthelate-afternoonsunturnedtheriversintothreadsofbrilliantorangeandpink.

LuketurnedtheY-wingtostarboard.Aheadwasanotherpairofrockypillars.…No,thatwasn’tcorrect,Lukesawnow.Thiswassomethingdifferent.Therockypillarswereartificialstructures—towersmadebyintelligenthands.

Lukeeaseduponthethrottle,andsomethingbeganbanginginsidethebatteredengine.Thetopsofthetowerswerejagged,stabbing

intothesky,andtheirsideswerepockedwithcraters.

That’sblastdamage,Lukethought.Fromheavyweapons.Theyreallytookabeating.

“Artoo,lookforaplacetosetdownnearthosetowers,”Lukesaid.“Thisiswherewe’resupposedtogo.Iknowitis.”

Artoohootedurgently.Lukeglancedatthescreenandfrowned.

“Iunderstandyoucanbarelykeepthefighterintheair,”hesaid.“Butthisisimportant.”

“MasterLuke,areyousurethat’sthewisestchoice?”Threepioasked.“Artoosayshecanlandourship,butdoubtshecangetitairborneagain.Wemustfindaplaceforrepairs.”

Lukesighed.Threepiohadapoint.SurelytheForcewasn’ttellinghimtomaroon

himselfinthemiddleofthejungle.

“You’reright—itwillhavetowait,”hesaid.“Scantheareaforsignsofsettlement—andlistenforactivityonImperialcommunicationschannels.”

Thetownwaslittlemorethanaclusterofbuildingsatopaplateauinthejungle,withalandingfieldwhosesingle

beaconwinkedinthegloomofdusk.Amassivespireofbaregraystoneroseahundredmetersintotheairononesideofthetown,crowningasteep,forestedslope.Ontheothersideoftheplateauthetreeshadbeenclearedandthehillcarvedintoterracedfarmers’fields.

Lukeflewlowoverthetown—hisfighter’sdatafilesaiditwascalledTikaroo—andpeereddownatthe

landingfield.“Imostlyseeatmosphere

fliersdownthere,”hesaid.“NosignofanyImperialships.Butthereareacoupleofstaryachtsparkedofftotheside.ThatonelookslikeaSoroSuub3000.That’saprettyfancyshiptofindnearafarmtowninthemiddleofnowhere.”

“Perhapsthelastharvestwasparticularlyrewarding,”saidThreepio.

Lukeshookhishead.“Farmersdon’tspend

theircreditsonstaryachts,”hesaid.“Theysavetheirmoneysotheydon’tstarvewhentheyhaveabadyear.”

Artoohooted.“Oh,switchoff,”

Threepiosaid.“Likeyouknowanythingaboutagriculture,youoversizescrewdriver.”

Lukedecidedthatsolvingthisparticularmysterywould

havetowait—hischoicewastosetdowninTikarooorcrashinthejungle.HeactivatedtheretrorocketsandsettheY-wingdownwithajolt,followedbyahissofcoolantventingfromsomepuncturedreservoir.

Theairwaswetandripewithvegetation.Lightspilledfromtheopendoorwayofasquatbuildingattheendofthelandingfield.Lukedescendedfromthecockpit

andpattedtheY-wing’shullgratefully,thenstrolledacrossthelandingfieldasthedroidsextricatedthemselvesfromthefighter.

ADevaronianmalemethimatthedoor,wipinghishandsonarag.Behindhim,ateenageDevaroniangirllookedupfromaclutteredworkbench,scowlingbeneathherpolarizedgoggles.

“Name’sKorlMarcus,”Lukesaidafteratense

momentinwhichhecouldn’trememberwhatitsaidonhisfalseidentification.“I’mahyperspacescout.MydroidsandIranintoalittlepiratetroubleacoupleofsystemsover,andweneedsomerepairs.”

“I’mKivas,”theDevaroniansaid.“That’smydaughter,Farnay.Letmegetalightandwe’lltakealookatyourproblem.”

Kivasfetchedawork

light,andLukefollowedhimacrossthelandingfield,wherethedroidswerewaiting.

“Hello,sir,”Threepiosaid.“IamSee-Threepio,human-cyborgrelations.Andthisis—”

“Noneedtobesoformal,Threepio,”Lukesaidhastily.“Letthemanwork.”

KivasletthelightplayovertheY-wing’stwistedhullandpeeredintothe

cratersblastedintoitsplating.Theholesinthestarboardenginewerefringedwithbeadswherelaserblastshadliquefiedthemetal.

“Piratetrouble,eh?”hesaidwithasmirk.“ShouldprobablyreportthattotheImperialgovernor.”

“Iprobablyshould,”Lukesaid,givingThreepioawarningglance.“DidImentionIhavecredits?”

“Alwaysgoodtohear,”

Kivassaid.“IcanrepairthiswithwhatIhaveintheshop.Butitwilltakethreeorfourdays—andsixthousandcredits.Allinadvance.”

“Sixthousand?”Threepiogasped.“MasterL—um,Korl,thismandoesnotrunareputablebusiness.Isuggestwe—”

“Thatwilldo,Threepio,”Lukesaid.“Sixthousand?Really?”

“ItwouldcostlessifIhad

replacementpartsshippedinfromthecapital,”Kivassaidwithashrug.“Butthenthere’dbealotofpaperwork.Permits,bureaucratsaskingquestions,thatsortofthing.”

“Oh,there’senoughpaperworkinthegalaxyasitis,”Lukesaidsmoothly,reachingforhiscreditchip.“Let’snottroubletheauthorities—surelytheEmpirehasmoreimportantthingstoworryaboutthan

repairstoascoutship.”“I’llgetyourfighter

undercover,then,”Kivassaid,showingamouthfulofpointedteeth.“Town’sthatway—youcantakearoomatthedepotwiththeothers.”

ThedepotwasaramblingbuildinginthecenterofTikaroo,assembledseeminglyatrandomfromwood,stone,prefabplastic

buildings,andshippingcontainersemblazonedwiththefadedlogosofCorellianimport-exportfirms.Alongporchlookedoutovershutteredshopsandfoodstalls.Landspeeders,speederbikes,andatrioofsquat,green-skinnedpackbeastsawaitedtheirownersoutfront.

Lukefollowedthebuzzofconversationandmusicthroughapairofswinging

doorsandintoawidecommonroomcrowdedwithtables,mismatchedchairs,andcouches,manyofwhichhadseenbetterdecades.Facesturnedhiswayasheentered,withThreepiofollowinguncertainlybehind.Thereweremenandwomenfromadozendifferentspecies,thoughatleasthalfofthosegatheredwereDevaronians.Afewworerichclothes,butmostwerecladin

worn,practicalgarments.“Hey,Porst!Freshmeat!”

oneoftheDevaroniansyelledasLukemadehiswayacrosstheroomtoacountercrowdedwithbottlesofbrightlycoloredliquid.Someoftheliquidswerefizzingorroilinginawayhefoundalarming.“Manneedsaroom!Andprobablyaguide!”

ARodianmissingoneofhisantennaebeganpounding

onabuzzersetintothetopofthecounter,grinningatLuke.AfteramomentanoldDevaronianwithaneyepatchemergedfromacurtainedalcove,lookingLukeupanddown.Henamedanexorbitantpriceforaroom.

“That’sfine,”LukesaidbeforeThreepiocouldriskanothershortcircuit.BothPorstandtheonlookersseemedslightlydisappointed—apparentlythey’dbeen

lookingforwardtoalivelyboutofhaggling.

“Nextcustomerwasmine—werolledachance-cubeforit,remember?”theRodianwarnedtheyoungDevaronianstandingnexttohimatthecounter.ThenheturnedtoLuke.

“Name’sOpato,goodsir—andI’mthebestguideinTikaroo,”hesaid.“Baggedpikhronsonmylastthreehunts.Satisfactionguaranteed

oryougetathirdofyourcreditsback.”

“What’sa—”Lukebegan.

“Mygreenfriendherecouldn’tguideyououtofasackifyoucutthebottomoutofitfirst,”theyoungDevaronianinterrupted.

“Sir,bewary!”Opatoexclaimed.“Thisone’sthebiggestliarinTikaroo—andthat’ssayingsomething!”

TheDevaroniansmiledat

Luke.“Youneedanative—

someonelikeDunaHilaris.That’sme.I’vebeenexploringthisjunglesinceIwasaboy.I’mfamousforknowingeverypool,sandpit,andshadygladethepikhronsliketovisit.”

“Gladtohearit,”Lukesaid.“Butwhat’sapikhron?”

Whenthelaughtershowednosignsofstopping,ThreepiosidleduptoLuke.

“Mydatafileonthisplanetisbasic,butapparentlypikhronsarenativeherbivores.Theirskinsandteethfetchconsiderablepricesontheblackmarket,ashuntingthemisforbiddenbyImperialdecree.”

“Lotsofthingsareforbiddenaroundherebuthappenanyway,”Dunasaid.“Don’tmakeyourmasterworry,tinman.We’vegotanarrangementwiththe

governor.”“I’mnotmuchofa

hunter,butIcoulduseaguide,”Lukesaid.“IwanttovisitthetowersIsawonmywayin.Theruinedones?”

Thecrowdfellsilent,eventheclankofutensilsondinnerplatesstopping.Themusicburbledmerrilyalonguninterrupted.ApuzzledLukelookedfromfacetoface.

“Eedit’sofflimits,”Porst

said.Lukesmiled.“Ithought

manythingswereforbiddeninTikaroobuthappenedanyway.”

Thejokefellflat—Opatotookasuddeninterestinhisdrink,Dunacheckedhiscomlink,andtheotherguidesturnedaway.

“WasitsomethingIsaid?”Lukeasked.

“NoonegoestoEedit,”Porstsaid.“You’dbringruin

tousall,messingwiththatplace.Itwouldriskeverythingwehaveleft.”

“Why?Idon’tunderstand.”

“Becauseit’scursed,youbrainlessoutlander,”growledamassive,mean-lookingslabofhumanoidmuscle.“Filledwiththeghostsofthe—”

Porstmadeaslashingmotionacrosshisthroat,hissingleeyecoldandstaring.

“Allyouneedtoknowis

tostayawayfromit,”hesaid,handingLukehisroomkey.“Numbertwelveupstairs.Houserulesareonthebackofthedoor,buthere’sthemostimportantone:Idon’ttoleratetroublemakers.Andyou’realreadyonmybadside,outlander.”

“ThinkI’llturnin,then,”Lukesaid.“Maybewecanmakeafreshstarttomorrow.”

Porstjustturnedaway.Theroomwassimplebut

clean,withabalconyoverlookingTikaroo.LukestaredupatthestarswhileThreepiofussedovertheroom’spowerconnectors,certainheandArtoowouldbeincineratedthesecondtheytriedtorecharge.

Nomoonswereinthesky.Lukecouldn’trememberifDevaronhadany.

“IforonewillbegratefultobebackwiththeAlliance,”Threepiosaid.“Iknowyou’re

disappointednottofindaguide,MasterLuke,butnodoubtit’sforthebest.IalmostthinkI’dprefergettingshotatbytheEmpiretoasuicidaltrekintojunglesprowledbysavagebeasts.”

Lukejustsmiled.Hewasn’tafraidofjunglebeasts,andhedidn’tbelieveincurses.He’dreachthetowers.Hejusthadn’tfiguredouthowyet.

HEWASSWIMMINGindarkwater,beneathtwopalemoonsinaskyspangledwithstars.

Hemovedthroughthewaterwithsmooth,easystrokes,alternatelyglidingalongthesurfaceanddippingbeneathit.Whenhegottired

hesurfacedandtreadedwatergentlyuntiltherippleshe’dcreatedebbed,turningthewaterintoamirrorofthenightsky.Helookeddownatthewaterandsawhisfacelookingback—exceptitwasn’thisface.Hisreflectionhadblackeyesandmottledgray-and-greenskinwreathedbytentacles.

Hedove,powerfulkicksofhisfeettakinghimdeepbeneaththewater.Heinhaled

waterbutdidn’tchoke—theoxygeninitrevitalizedhim.Hesmiled.Itwaspeacefuldowntherebelowthesurface—arealmofpleasantlycoolwaterandmutedsound.

Arockwallloomedaheadofhim,withadarkovalcutinthemiddleofit.Heswamdownintoit,thenupthroughatwistingcorridor.Hisfeetfoundpurchaseonstonesteps,andhisheadbrokethesurfaceofthewater.Atthe

topofthestairsstoodahumanindarkgrayandbrownrobes.Hewasholdingalightsaber,whichheheldoutwithasmile.

Lukeawokewithastart,sittingupinthebedinhisroomintheTikaroodepot.Itwasdark,andthenightthrummedwiththesongofinsects.Threepiosatonabenchagainstthewall,hisphotoreceptorsdarkasherecharged,butLukesawthe

redlightofArtoo’sprocessingindicatorturnhisway,followedbyacuriousbeep.

“Iwasswimming,”hesaid,andArtoowhistledquestioningly.

“Inmydream,ofcourse,”Lukesaid,tryingtoclearthefogfromhisbrain.“Ican’tswim.NotmuchuseforitonTatooine.ButinthedreamIcould.”

Artooofferedabaffled

hoot,andLukesmiled.“BecauseinthedreamI

wassomeoneelse,”hesaid,scrubbinghishandsthroughhismessyhair.“Idon’tunderstanditeither.”

Heswunghisfeettothefloorandwalkedoutontothebalcony.JustafewlightsshoneinsleepingTikaroo.Lukelookedupintothenightandsawtwopalemoonsabove.

Heimmediately

recognizedthemasthesameoneshe’dseeninhisdream,evendowntotheirpositionsinthesky.Theconstellationswereidentical,too.

Devaron.IwasdreamingofDevaron.No,notdreaming.ItwastheForce,givingmeanotherclueaboutwheretogo.

Lukeleanedontherailingofthebalconyandstaredoutpastthegreatspireontheedgeoftown,adarkershape

againstthestarrysky.Therewasalakeoutthere

inthejungle—alakeanalienJedihadswumin.Andthatlakehidapassageway.

Nowheknewwherehewassupposedtogo.

Porridgeandtarineteamadeforawarm,fillingbreakfast,butLukegotachillyreceptionfromPorst,andtheguidesallcurtlyinformed

himthattheyweren’tforhire.Angry,hestompedout

throughthedepot’sswingingdoorsintothestreetsofTikaroo,withThreepioshufflinghurriedlyafterhim—LukehadsentArtootothelandingfieldtocheckonhowKivaswasdoingwiththerepairs.

Thevillagersglancedathimcuriouslyashemarchedthroughthetown,imaginingandrejectingvariousideas—

flyingtherepairedY-wingintothejungle,say,ortrustinganuncertaincombinationofArtoo’ssensorsandhisownshakycommandoftheForce.Heknewneitherofthoseplanswasagoodone,andtheotherideashecameupwithwereevenworse.

Therewasnohelpforit—he’dhavetogobacktothedepotandtelltheguidesthatsincecreditswerenoobject,

theyshouldnametheirprice.Surelyoneofthemwouldbegreedyenoughtoriskajourneytotheforbiddentowers.

Threepiotappedhimontheshoulder.

“MasterLuke,Ibelievethatgirlfromthelandingfieldhasbeenfollowingus.”

LukeglancedbackandspottedaslimDevaronianfigurewithspotsonherforeheadduckingaroundthe

cornerofahouse.Hesighedandstrodeoffinthatdirection.

Farnayhadpressedherselfagainstthewall.Sheglaredathimwhenhearrived,takingonesteptorunbutthenthinkingbetterofit.

“Firstofall,Iwasn’tfollowingyou,”shesaid.

“Whosaidyouwere?”Lukeaskedwithasmile.

ColorbloomedinFarnay’scheeks,beneathher

thincoveringofreddishdown.

“Allright,maybeIwas.”“That’sbetter,”Luke

said.“Idon’tthinkyou’recutouttobeaspy—youjustgotcaughtbySee-Threepio.”

Farnayscowled.“I…Itrailedyoutothedepotlastnightandheardyouaskingaboutthetowers—andaboutEedit.Icould’vewarnedyouhowthey’dreact.”

Threepiocameclanking

upbehindLuke,complainingaboutmudinhisjoints.

“YouknowaboutEedit?”Lukeasked.“Whatisit?”

“Justabunchofruins.ButtheEmpiredoesn’tallowanyonetogothere.Itwasatempleforthesorcerersintheoldwar—beforetheytriedtotakeoverthegalaxyandhadtobedestroyed.”

LukewincedathearingtheEmperor’slieonthelipsofthisyounggirl.Butthe

ImperialpropagandawaslessimportantthanwhatFarnayhadrevealed.ThetowerswereaJeditemple—andtheForcewascallinghimthere.

“Sotheguideswon’tgotherebecausetheEmpireforbidsit?”Lukeasked.

“Well,thatandit’shaunted—that’sthestory,anyway.”

“Haunted?Bywhat?”“Bythespiritsofthose

whodiedthere,”Farnaysaid.

“Theysayintheendthesorcererssummonedademonwarriortohelpthemdefendagainstthemachines—onlythespellwentwrong.Sothedemonkilledthemandimprisonedthemthereforever.”

“Ademon?”Threepiosaid.“Ohdear.”

Lukeraisedaneyebrow,andFarnayshrugged.

“Idon’tbelieveiteither,”shesaid.“Ithinktheguides

liketellingthatstorybetterthanadmittingthatthey’realltooafraidofPorst—heownsmostoftheequipmentinTikaroo,andifyoucrosshimhewon’trenttoyou.ButIcantakeyouthere.Iknowtheway.Idon’tbelieveindemons,andI’mnotafraidofghosts.”

Lukemusthavelookedskeptical,becauseFarnaystampedherfootimpatiently.

“ThinkIcan’t?I’veled

huntingpartiesintothejungleplentyoftimes,youknow.I’vegotmyownhuntingrifle—arealone,notapeashooterliketheoneinyourholster—andIknowhowtouseit.BroughtbackplentyofpikhronskinstoselltooldPorst,andheknowsbetterthantotryandcheatme.Why,I’veevengotapackbeast—allyou’vegottodoislendmethecreditstorentafewpiecesofgearthatwe’d

need.”“Wouldn’tweneedmore

thanonepackbeast?”Lukeasked.

Farnaylookedawaywithascowl.

“Minewilldo,”shemuttered.“He’sabitsmall,buthe’sstrong.”

“IthinkIbetterseethispackbeastofyours.”

“Fine,”Farnaysaid,andmarchedaway,withLukehurryingtocatchup.Sheled

himtoasmallhouseontheedgeofthejungle.Outside,aleathery-skinnedquadrupedwastiedtoastake.Thebeastraiseditshead,munchinggrasscontentedly,andbleatedatthem.

“Iamnotprogrammedforzoology,butthisanimalappearstobeajuvenile,”Threepiosaid.

Lukesighedandrubbedthebeast’snose,smilingastheanimalcloseditseyesand

chuffedhappily.“I’msurehe’svery

strong,Farnay,butthetwoofusplusmydroidswouldbetoomuchforhimtocarry.Youknowthat.”

Farnayturnedaway,headdown,andkickedatthedirt.

“ButtheinformationaboutEedit’svaluable,”Lukesaid,reachingintohisjackettogivehersomecredits.“Letme—”

Farnayturned,already

wavingherhanddismissively,butwhatevershe’dplannedtosaydiedinherthroat.Hereyeswentwide,andLukerealizedshe’dseenthelightsaberunderhisjacket.Beforehecouldsayanything,she’dtakenastepbackanddrawnasmallbutwicked-lookingpistolfromhertoolbelt.

“YoutouchthatlaserswordandI’llshootyou,”shesaid.“Andyou’llgetthe

sameifyoutrytotakeovermybrain.I’veheardthestories,sodon’ttryit.”

Threepioletoutasquawkofprotest,andLukeraisedhishandsslowly,imagininghisdreamscomingtonothingbecausehe’dfrightenedateenagefarmgirlintoshootinghim.

“Farnay,takeiteasy,”hesaid.“I’mnotaJedi—thelightsaberbelongedtomyfather.He’sdead—it’smy

onlyconnectiontohim.”Thatwastrue,hethought

sourly.“Whatareyouthen?”

Farnaydemanded.“You’repayingDadacrazyamountofcreditsnottoreportyourshiptotheEmpire.Areyousomekindofrebel?”

“MasterKorlisahyperspacescout,ashetoldyourfather,”Threepiosaid.“Don’tyouknowit’srudetoquestionyourelders,young

lady?Tosaynothingofpointingweaponsatthem.”

SomethingwaswhisperinginLuke’sbrain,offeringhimreassurance—andtellinghimwhattodo.

“It’sallright,Threepio.Farnay,putthegundown.Webothknowyou’renotgoingtoshootme.”

“Iwill,too!”Lukeloweredhishands

slowlyandlookedintoFarnay’seyes.

“MyrealnameisLukeSkywalker,andIamarebel—I’mfightingtorestorefreedomtothegalaxy.”

“Ohdear,ohdear,”Threepiosaid.

Farnayblinkedathim,thenloweredherpistol.Herhandswereshaking.

“BygettingridoftheEmpire?Butthatwouldmeanchaos…chaosanddisorder.”

“No,itwouldn’t,”Lukesaid.“Itwouldmeanpeace

andjusticeforeveryone—insteadofjustaprivilegedfew.”

“You’recrazy.OverthrowingtheEmpireisimpossible.”

“It’snotimpossible,”Lukesaid,rememberinghowhe’dusedtheForcetoguidehisprotontorpedotoitstargetontheDeathStar.“Sometimesitfeelsthatway,Iknow.Butpeoplelikemeareworkingtogetheron

thousandsofworldstoresisttheEmpire.Andonthousandsmoreworlds,peoplearerealizingthattheEmpire’sordercomesatanenormousprice—planetsruinedandliveslost.AlltofeedtheEmperor’sgreed.”

Farnaylookedoffintothejungle.

“Beforethewarwiththedroids,whenmyparentswereyoung,peopleinthistownwerefarmers,”shesaid.

“Theyfollowedtheoldways,livinginharmonywiththeforestelders—that’swhatpikhronmeansinourlanguage.ThentheEmpirecame.Theirgovernorwantedtogoonapikhronhunt,butnoonewouldtakehim.SotheEmpiretolduswecouldn’tsendourcropstomarket—theyleftthemtorotinthefields.Itwasleadthehuntsorstarve.”

Lukenodded.Itwasa

smallcrueltycomparedwiththecrushingoffreedomonsomanyworlds,nottomentiontheobliterationofAlderaan.ButLukeknewtheEmpirewasn’tjustwarshipsandstormtroopers.Itwasabillionsmallcruelties,grindingupwhatpeoplecherishedandleavingruinandhopelessnessbehind.

“Nowmostofthevillagersdon’tcareabouttheoldways,andtherearen’t

manypikhronsleftinthejungle,”Farnaysaid.“Myfathermakeshislivingfixingtheoutlanders’starships—hewon’tserveasaguide.”

“Butyoudo,”Lukesaidgently.

“Mymotherdiedlastyear,”Farnaysaid,tearsstartinginhereyes.“Ihadtodosomething,orwewouldhavelostourhouse.Dadwassoangrywithme,butwhatchoicedidIhave?Butit

doesn’tmatter—noonehiresmeunlessthereisn’tanybodyelseleft.I’veneverbaggedapikhron.”

“Noskins,huh?”“None,”Farnaysaid,then

smiledwanly.“I’mnotsadaboutthatpart.Butthingswillbedifferentnow,hereinTikaroo.That’swhytherebelssentyouhere,isn’tit?Tohelpus.”

“No,”Lukesaid.“Iwasn’tsenthere.Iwas…

called.Tothetemple.”Farnaytookastepback,

lookingwary.Sheslowlybegantoraiseherblaster.

“Called?Calledbywhat?”

“Idon’tknow,”Lukeadmitted.“It’s…hardtoexplain.ButI’mafraidmymissionisthere,nothere.”

Farnayturnedaway,headbowedindisappointment.

“Butifyou’repatient,IpromiseI’llfindawayto

helpTikaroo,”hesaid.“SomehowwhatIfindinthetemplewillshowmehowtodothat.”

“Idon’tunderstand,”Farnaysaid.

Lukesmiled.HecouldalmostfeeltheForce,hummingaroundthem,bindingthejungleanditscreaturestogether.

“NeitherdoI,”Lukesaid.“Notyet.ButIwill.”

WHENLUKEANDTHREEPIOreturnedtothedepotaleanalienwassittinginachairontheporch,cleaningalong,boxy-lookingblasterrifle.Astheyoungrebelapproached,thealienliftedhishead—andLuketookareflexivestep

backward.Hesawnovisibleeyesor

mouth,justfoursegmentedplatesofchitin,thelargestatthetop.Smallbristleslinedthegapsbetweentheplates,wavingslightly.Therestofthealien’sheadwashiddenbeneathabatteredoldhelmetofgraymetal.Blacktubesranfromthehelmet’scheekstoacontrolboxstrappedtothealien’schest,tuckedbetweenbandolierswithbulging

pockets.Fromthecontrolbox,twomoretubesextendedbackoverhisshoulders.

Thealien’sforearmswerecoveredwithchitinousplatesresemblingtheonesonhishead,andstuddedwithwispyhairs.Heworeatorncapeoverhisleftshoulder,andmismatchedarmorprotectedhisleftforearmandrightshoulder.

Lukecouldn’trememberseeinganalienofhisspecies

before.Hewonderedwhatpurposethecontrolboxandtubesserved.Weretheybreathingtubes?Didthisspeciesevenbreathe?

Thealienfinishedinspectingtherifleandcockedhisheadatthetwonewarrivals.Despitehislackofeyes,Lukehadthefeelinghewasbeingscrutinized—andnotparticularlyfavorably.

“You’reMarcus—the

outlanderwhowantstogoonapikhronhunt.”

Thewordsemergedfromavocodergrillatthehelmet’schin.Thevoicewasdeepandlow,liketherumbleofanapproachingstorm.

“I’mnotahunter,butIwanttohireaguide,yes.Areyouavailable,Mr.…?”

“SarcoPlank.”TheblankfaceseemedtoregardLuke,andtheciliabetweentheplatesvibratedfeverishly.

“I’lltakeyouintothejungle.Fortherightprice.”

LukefeltastrangecurrentripplingintheForce.

“Alloftheotherguidessaidno,”hesaid.“Whyareyoudifferent?”

“BecauseIdon’tlistentotalltalesaboutghostsandsorcerers.AndbecauseIhavemyowngearandmounts.Sothere’snothingthatoldPorstcandoaboutit.”

ThatfeelingintheForce

wasstillthere,likeabadtasteinLuke’smouth.Hedidn’tknowifitwasconnectedtoSarco,orsomethingelse.ButevenifitwasawarningaboutSarco,whatcouldhedo?Farnay’shalf-grownpackbeastwouldneverbeabletotakethem,andnootherguideswereavailable.ItwaseithergowithSarcoorriskthejourneyonhisown.Andhehadarebelmissiontogetbackto.

“Verywell,”Lukesaid,wonderingifhewasmakingamistake—andifso,whatpricehewouldpayforit.

Twohourslater,LukecamedownfromhisroomwiththedroidstofindSarcooutsidethedepotwithapairofmassivecreatures.Theyhadgrayflesh,broadflatnoses,andbeadyblackeyesthatwerealmostinvisibleintheir

wrinkledfaces.Theirforelegswerestubby,endinginbroadfeet,whilethebacklegswerelongerandpowerful-looking.

Sarcocinchedahowdahoveroneofthebeast’sshouldersandtightenedit.Thecreaturegruntedinprotest,andSarcoaimedakickatitshead,causingittoopenabroadgashofamouthfilledwithflatyellowteeth.ItsnappedatSarco,stompingeachfootinturn.

“Wemightaswellbedevouredrighthere,”Threepiosaidmournfully,andArtooletoutanelectronicmoan.

“Thehappaboresdon’teatflesh,”Sarcosaid.“Ormetal.Juststayawayfromtheirmouths.Andfeet.”

“Thatdoesn’tmakemefeelmuchsafer,”Threepiosaid.

“I’msureitwillbefine,”Lukesaid,tryingtoconceal

hisowndoubt.“Comeon,Threepio,let’sgetyouandArtoosaddledup.”

HeandSarcostruggledtogetThreepioupontotheseatatopthesmallerhappabore,withthegoldendroidprotestingmightily.LukethentiedArtooonhissidebehindThreepio.Hetuggedontheropestomakesuretheastromechwassecure,andArtoohootedunhappily,rotatinghisdometofixhis

singleelectroniceyereproachfullyonLuke.

“Iknowyoudon’tlikeit,”Lukesaid,pattingthedroid’sside.“Idon’tlikeit,either.We’llgetyoudownfromthereassoonaspossible.”

AsSarcosecuredapairofhuntingriflestotheleadhappabore’showdah,Farnaycamechargingaroundthecornerofthedepot.Shestoppedshort,moutha

shockedO,andthenballedherhandsintofists.

“Uh-oh,”Lukesaid.“Soit’strue,then,”she

said.“Ididn’twanttobelieveit!You’reactuallygoingintothewoodswiththeScavenger!”

“YouknowIdon’tlikethatname,”Sarcogrowled.“Orkidstellingtales.”

“Talesaboutwhat?”Farnayasked.“Yourcustomerswhodon’tcome

back?”SheturnedtoLuke,eyes

pleading.“He’sawickedcreature

—don’tgowithhim!I’mbeggingyou!”

“PerhapsitwouldbebetterifArtooandIstayedhereandsupervisedrepairs,”Threepiosaid.

LukeputhishandsonFarnay’sshoulders.

“I’llbecareful,”hesaidquietly.“Remember,I’vegot

atrickortwoupmysleeve.”“Sodoeshe,”Farnay

said.Tearsstartedinhereyesandshewipedatthem.Thensheranoff.

“Timetogo,Marcus,”Sarcosaid,steppingonastubbyhornbehindthehappabore’seyeandswinginghimselfupontothehowdah’sforwardseat.

LukelookedsadlyinthedirectionFarnayhadgone,thenputhishandsuncertainly

onthehappabore’sshoulder.Thegrayfleshwasthickandtough,butwarmtothetouch.Bracinghimself,heclamberedupontothehowdah’srearseat,hisjacketflappingopenasthestructureswayedbeneaththem.

“Ihaveabadfeelingaboutthis,”ThreepiosaidasSarcojabbedaprodintothesideofthehappabore’sheadandthehugebeastspickedtheirwaydownthenarrow

paththatledpastthemassivespireloomingoverTikarooandintothejungle.

IttookafewminutesforLuketogetusedtothejoltinggaitofthehappaboresandtakeareallookattheDevaronianjunglesurroundingthem.Itwascoolbeneaththetoweringtrees,withbirdcriespunctuatingtherisingandfallingthrumof

insectscallingtooneanother.Thehappaboresclamberedovertanglesofmassivetreeroots,theirtinyeyespeeringoutatthetrailahead.

Artooofferedaquietbeepfromhisplaceatoptherearhappabore.

“Peaceful?”Threepiosnapped.“You’reobviouslymalfunctioning.Iexpectthatanymomentwe’llbestompedtobits.Orbittenintwobysomemonstrous

predator.”“Orturnedtoscrapbya

swarmofmetal-eatingbugs,”Lukesaidwithagrin.“Don’tforgetthatone.”

Sarcoturnedtoregardtheprotocoldroid.ThechitinousplatesofhisheadremindedLukeunsettlinglyofovergrowntoenails.

“Orblowntobitsbecauseyouwon’tshutup,”hesaid.

“Ohdear,”Threepiosaidinasmallvoice.

“He’sjustkidding,Threepio,”Lukesaid,thensensedsomethingnearby.Hepeeredintothejungle,tryingtomakesenseoftheripplingpatternsofcolorandshade.

“Wait,”hesaid,puttinghishandonSarco’sshoulder.Thealienshookitoff,buttappedhismountwithhisprod.Thehappaborehalted,itspinkishsnoutquivering,andgavealowmoanthatsoundedlikeitwasinpain.

“Whatisit,Marcus?”Sarcoasked.

“I’mnotsure.…ItwasafeelingIhad.”

Lukeexhaled,tryingtoreachoutnotjustwithhissenses,butalsowithhisfeelings.

“There,”hesaid,pointingdeeperintothejungle.

Throughastandoftreeshesawfourgrayshapes,dappledinshadow.Onemovedslightly,andthe

shapesresolvedthemselvesintosturdylegs,broadbacks,andstubbyheadscrownedwithcurlinghorns.

Theyweren’thappaboresbutratherthecreaturesLukehadseeninhisvision.They’dstoodnearbywhilehefacedthethreeremoteswithhislightsaber.

“Pikhrons,”Sarcogrunted.“Youhavekeensensesforanoutlander.”

Hehandedoneofthe

long-barreledblasterriflestoLuke,thenraisedhisownbulkyweapon.

“No,”Lukesaid,pushingSarco’srifledown.

“What?Whynot?”Lukeshookhishead.He

realizedhecouldfeelthepikhronsintheForce—thecomforttheytookinoneanotherandthepleasuretheyfeltintheshadeoftheirglen.Hecouldalsofeeltheirwarinessabouttheintruders

atopthehappaboresandtheirurgetoflee,whichwaswarringwiththeirinstincttoremainstillandsilent.

“You’retakingawayagoodpayday,outlander,”Sarcoobjected.

“I’llpayyouwhateveryouwouldhaveearnedfromtheskins,”Lukesaid.“Butwe’releavingthepikhronsalone.”

Sarcoshrugged,returnedtheriflestotheirslings,and

jabbedthehappaborewiththeprod.Asthebeastsresumedtheirjourneythroughthejungle,Lukelookedbacktoseethepikhronsamblingawaythroughthetrees.

“Didyougrowupinthesewoods?”heaskedSarco.

“InTikaroo,”Sarcosaid.“Thisishomenow.Ionlygointotownwhenit’snecessary.Theydon’tlikemethere.Theyneverhave.”

“I’msorry.”

Sarcojustgrunted.“Mr.Sarco?”Threepio

pipedup.“WhydotheycallyoutheScavenger?Itseemsamostpeculiarname.”

Lukegrimaced.SometimeshesuspectedwhoeverprogrammedThreepioforetiquettehadinstalledsomethingupsidedown.

“It’ssupposedtobeaninsult,”Sarcosaid.“Myspecialtyisfindingthingsof

valueandfiguringoutwhowantsthem.”

“IfyougrewupinTikaroo,youmustrememberthedaysbeforethehunts,”Lukesaid.“Whenthevillagersfollowedtheoldways.”

ThebristlesonSarco’sarmsquiveredbriefly.

“Theoldwaysweresentimentalnonsense.Animalsarearesource,likeeverythingelseinthe

galaxy.”“Butthepeopleherelived

inharmonywiththepikhronsforgenerations.”

Sarcoshrugged.“Besides,resourcescan

beusedupifwe’renotcareful,”Lukesaid.

“Anentiregalaxy’sworth?Impossible.What’sthepointofcaringaboutafewpikhrons?OrDevaron?Oranyofit?”

Lukelookedsadlyatthe

statelytrees,wonderingwhathadhappenedtoSarcothathecaredsolittleforhissurroundings.Hecouldn’thavebeenbornthatway—noonewas.Somethinghadwarpedandtwistedhim,turnedhimbitterandwithdrawn.

“Besides,”thealienmuttered,“it’sabetterlifetravelingthejungletakingwhatyouneedthanscratchingatdirtwitha

plow.”“NowthatIagreewith,”

Lukesaid.“Igrewupfarming,myself.It’shardwork.”

SarcoturnedhiseyelessmaskofchitintowardLuke.Hisciliaflutteredandhecockedhisheadtotheleft,thentotheright.

“Thoughtyouwereahyperspacescout,”hesaid.“Isn’tthatyourfighterthatKivasisworkingon?”

“That’sright.”“You’reabusyyoung

man.Y-wing,eh?Ifyouwanttosell,Iknowpeoplewho’llpaygoodcredits.”

“Whatkindofpeople?”Lukeasked.

Sarcoshrugged.“Ifindthings,”hesaid.

“Aslongaspeoplepaygoodcredits,whattheydowiththosethingsisn’tmybusiness.”

“Well,myshipisn’tfor

sale.”“Whataboutthedroid,

then?”“Ofallthenerve!”

Threepioexclaimed.“Iammostcertainlynotforsale.Isn’tthatright,Master—”

“Imeanttheastromech,”Sarcosaid.“Youtalktoomuch—nobodywouldbuyyou.”

ArtoochortledandLukehadtosmile.

“They’renotforsale,

either,”hesaid.“ButI’vegotawayyoucanmakesomeeasycredits.TakemetoEedit.”

“Forbidden.”Artooblattedderisively,

andSarcoturnedinhisseat.“Whatdiditsay?”Threepioinclinedhis

headhaughtily.“Hesaidhethoughtyou

didn’tbelieveinghosts.”“Youshouldshutthose

droidsoff,”Sarcosaid.

“IwasthinkingthesamethingasArtoo,”Lukesaid.“Whatareyouafraidof?”

“Nothing,”Sarcosaid.“Butthere’sadifferencebetweenbraveandstupid.Ghostsaren’tthedangeratEedit.”

“Whatis,then?”Lukeasked.“Look,Ijustwanttoseetheplace—Iwon’tgoinside.I’m…interestedinoldsites.”

Sarcoturnedtoregard

Luke.“Firstyou’reahyperspace

scout,nowyou’resomekindofhistorian.Isthatwhyyoucarrythatantiquelasersword?Outofhistoricalinterest?”

Lukehesitated,wonderingwhenSarcohaddetectedhislightsaber.Hecursedhimselffornotbeingmorecareful.

“Yes,”hesaid.“That’sitexactly.I’minterestedinold

sites,andrelics.”“SoamI,”Sarcosaid,

thencockedhisheadleftandright.“SoyoucarryaJediweapon,butyoucan’tuseit.”

Lukeforcedhimselftochokebackhispride.

“It’sstillausefultool,”hesaid.“Andbeforeyouask,no,it’snotforsale.”

Sarco’sciliaquiveredinawaythatmadeLukeuneasy.Butthenthealienturnedaway.

“Verywell,Marcus,”hesaid.“I’lltakeyoutothebarrier.Foranadditionalprice,ofcourse.”

SARCOBROUGHTthehappaborestoahaltafewmetersawayfromtheedgeofthejungle.HeandLukedismountedandpeeredoutacrossaplateaudottedwithcopsesoftoweringtreesandovergrownwithvinesasthickaroundasLuke’sleg.Astone

road,crackedandalmostentirelyreclaimedbyvegetation,ledacrosstheplateautotheshatteredtowersthatLukehadseenfromtheair.

“Nocloser,”Sarcowarned,pointingaheadofthem.

Lukenoticedwhitespinesstickingupfromtheground.Theyweresensors,herealized—andtheystretchedinaperimeterbetweenthe

edgeofthejungleandthetemple.

Hisheartsank.Therewasnowayhecouldreachthetemplewithoutbeingdetected.

Artoowhistledfortheirattention.

“Artoosayshe’swillingtodeactivatethesensors,”Threepiosaid.“Thoughthatstrikesmeasrecklessevenbyhisstandards.”

“I’mafraidyou’reright,”

Lukesaid.“It’stoorisky—andwecan’taffordtogetcaught.”

SarcocockedhisheadatLuke,thenturnedhisheadsothechitinousmaskfacedthedroids.

“Icantakeyousomewhereelse,”hesaid,hiselectronicallymodulatedvoicecuriouslysoft.“Aplacereservedformybestcustomers.”

“What’sthere?”

Sarcocockedhisheadoneway,thentheother.

“It’sasecret.”Animageflashedinto

Luke’smind—agloomydepressioncarpetedwithmoss,thejaggedendsofoldbonesstickingoutofthedirtandleaves.

LukeshookhisheadandtookastepawayfromSarco,hisfingerscreepingtowardhislightsaber.

“I’mnotinterestedin

yoursecrets,”hesaidfirmly.“Isthereanyspotthatgetsusclosertothetemple?”

Sarco’sciliaflutteredandhewavedhishandsattheringofImperialsensors.

“Areyoublind,boy?Youcanseeforyourselfthatthere’snowayin.”

“Thelake,then,”Lukesaid,thinkingbacktohisvisionofswimmingbeneaththeDevaronianmoons.“Theonethat’snearby.”

Sarcostoodstock-stillforamoment,andLukethoughtthealienseemedpuzzled.

“There’snolakenearhere.Justtheriverandtheolddamdestroyedinthedroidwar.Butthere’snothingthere—thevaluableequipmentwaspickedoverlongago.”

Adam?Lukethought,thenrealizedwhathe’dseeninhisdreamwasn’talakeatall,butanartificialreservoir.

“Theolddam?Isit

outsidethesensorbarrier?”“Yes.ButItoldyou,

outlander—there’snothingthere.”

“We’llseeaboutthat,”Lukesaid.

Theriverhadshrunktoaknee-deepchannelmeanderingdownthecenterofabowl-shapedvalleystrewnwithrock—Sarcosaidmostofthewaterhadbeen

divertedforprojectsupstream.EvenThreepiomanagedtocrosswithonlyamoderateamountofcomplaining.

Lukestaredatthecliffsonthefarsideofthevalley,lookingforsomethingherecognizedfromhisvision,whileSarcokickedattherocks.Theoldriverbedwaslitteredwithrusteddroidpartsandbrokenpiecesofarmorthathadoncebeen

whitebuthadturnedasicklyyellowfromyearsofexposuretothesun.

“Garbage,”Sarcomuttered,stoopingtopickuptheangularheadofadroid.“Nothingworthtaking.”

HeflungtheheadthroughtheairtolandatThreepio’sfeet.Theprotocoldroidpeereddownatit,andArtoowhistled.

“Switchheads?”Threepioasked.“Whatanunpleasant

idea.Artoo-Detoo,someofthefantasiesrattlingaroundinsideyourdomeborderonthebizarre.”

Artoo’sonlyreplywasasmugtootle.

Lukescannedthecliffsaboveuntilhecouldseetheremnantsofthebracesthathadonceheldthedaminplace.Theywerelittlemorethantwistedwreckagenow,buttheytoldhimwherethetopofthedamhadbeen—and

indeed,hecouldseeadarklineontherockthatindicatedtheoldwaterline.

Helookedbelowthatline,tellinghimselftorelax,tousetheForcetodirecthiseyes.

There.“Doyouhave

macrobinoculars?”Lukeaskedhesitantly,thinkingitwasaridiculousquestiontoaskanalienwhodidn’thaveeyes.

AburstofstaticthatLuke

decidedwaslaughteremergedfromSarco’svocoder.Thealienopenedapouchonhisbandolierandhandedoverasmallbutexpensivepairofmacrobinoculars.

“Forcustomers,”heexplained.

Lukenodded,thenfocusedinonthespothe’dseenandgrinned.

“There’sacaveupthere,”hesaid.“Maybeakilometer

upriver.It’sabouttenmetersabovethevalleyfloor.”

Sarcoturnedtofacethatway,thencockedhisheadatLuke.

“Yourspeciescanbarelyseethecaveevenwithamplification.Howdidyouknowitwasthere?”

“Ihadafeelingitwouldbe,”Lukesaid,notwantingtoexplainfurther.

Sarcocockedhisheadleft,thenright.

“Impressive,”hesaid.“Butcanyougetuptoit?”

“Ithinkso,”Lukesaid,eyesalreadytracingawayupthecliff.

Halfanhourlaterhescrambledintothedamp,coolcave,havingcomeclosetoplummetingdowntheclifffaceonlyonce.Heactivatedhislightsaber,thebrilliantbluebladeemergingfromitshiltwithafamiliarsnapandhiss.

Lukeclosedhiseyes,enjoyingtheweightofthehiltinhishand.Thenheopenedthemandhelduphisfather’sweapon,illuminatingthewallsofthecave.Asinhisvision,stonestepsledupintothegloom.Hefollowedthem,thinkingitwasstrangetofindhimselffamiliarwithaplacehe’dneverbeen.

ThestairsendedatthespotwherethealienJedi’scomradehadhandedhimhis

lightsaber.Afterafewmetersthetunnelcurvedsharplytotheright.Lukefeareditwouldendinasolidwall,oratumbleofimpassablerock,andthoughtabouthowdiscouragingitwouldbetohavetoridebackthroughthejunglewithSarco.

Don’tcenteronyouranxieties,heremindedhimself,andpeeredaroundthecorner.

Thetunnelranstraight

throughtherock,asfarastheilluminationofhislightsaberreached.Hetriedtoestimatewhichdirectionthetunnelheaded,thenstopped.Healreadyknewwhereitled—straightintotheTempleofEedit.HeknewbecausetheForcewastuggingathim,itsmessageblessedlyclear.Thiswaswhatithadwantedhimtofind.

GettingthedroidsuptheclifftookthebetterpartofanhourandrequiredhagglingwithSarcoovertheuseofhisblockandtackle.Thealienhadbroughttheequipmentforhoistingadeadpikhronsothebeastcouldbeskinned;Lukewasgladtouseitforsomeotherpurpose.

Artoosufferedbeinghauleduptothecavewithhisdignityrelativelyintact,beepingencouraginglyat

LukeeachtimehecaughthisbreathandfantasizedaboutbeingabletoliftthedroidsthroughtheairusingtheForce.ButThreepiospenttheentiretimedeclaringthattheropewasslippingandpredictinghisimminentdemise.Withtheprotocoldroidstandingsafelyinthecaveandmarvelingathismiraculoussurvival,LukeloweredSarco’sequipmentandthentossedtherope

downtohim.“We’llbeinsideforafew

daysatleast,”LukecalleddowntoSarco.“I’llraiseyouonthecomlinkwhenwe’rereadytoreturn.”

Sarcoraisedhisheadfromwherehestoodintheriverbed,arranginghisequipmentonhisshoulders.

“Ifyoucomeoutoftherealive,”hesaid.

Lukehesitated.Hedidn’tbelieveinghosts,butBenhad

warnedhimaboutthepowerofthedarksideoftheForce—ithadcorruptedhisapprenticeDarthVader.Whatifitwasbehindthestoriesofspiritsinthetemple?Whatifsomemalevolentenergystilllingeredthere?

“Icantakecareofmyself,”hetoldSarco,scanningtheforestedcliffsacrosstheriver.Foramomenthethoughthe’dseensomethingglintinginthesun.

“You’llgetmorecredits,ifthat’swhatyou’reworryingabout,”headded.

I’mrunningupquiteabillfortheAlliance,hethoughtwryly.IbetterlearntousetheForcetotrickaquartermasterintoapprovingit.

Sarcocockedhisheadbackandforthinthatstrange,vaguelyclockworkhabithehad.

“We’llmeetagain,

Marcus,”hesaid,andstrodeoffacrosstherockyvalleytowherethehappaboreswerewaiting.

“Whatanunpleasantcreature,”sniffedThreepio.

“Ikindoffeelsorryforhim,”Lukesaid.“Butlook,hegotusthisfar,didn’the?”

“Whereverthatmaybe.”“Right,”Lukesaid.

“That’sagoodquestion.Let’sfindouttheanswer.”

Theywalkedforlongerthanhalfanhour,footstepsechoinginthecloseconfinesofthetunnel,whileThreepioimaginedvariouscalamitiesthatwerecertaintobefallthem.

Astheywalked,asenseofcalmsettledoverLuke.Hisfather’slightsaberfeltlikeanextensionofhishand,andhissenseswerequicktoregistereachchipanddivotinthetunnel,eachslightcurrent

ofair.Hewasawareofhisbreathinginandout,andoftheunhurriedbeatofhisheart.

It’stheForce,herealized.It’sgettingstronger.Stronger,orperhapsI’mfeelingadeeperconnectionwithit.

Somethinggleamedinthepalebluelightofhissaber.Lukehelduphishandforthedroidstostop,interruptingThreepio’sspeechaboutwhat

itwouldbeliketobeentombedformillenniawithoutpowerwhileverminchewedthroughhiswiring.

Therewerepiecesofstonescatteredacrossthefloor.Beyondthem,thepassagewayslopedupwardbutwasblockedbyfallenrocks.Lukeadvancedcautiously,clamberingupthepileandpeeringthroughthetumbledstones.

“Ohno,it’sobviously

completelyimpassable,”Threepiosaid.“Isupposewe’llhavetogobacktoTikaroo.”

“No,it’smostlyloosestone,”Lukesaid.“Icanfeelfreshair,infact.Comeandhelpmeclearthisstuffoutoftheway.”

“But,MasterLuke,I’mnotprogrammedfordemolition.”

“NeitheramI.We’lljusthavetodoourbest.”

ArtoohootedatThreepioandrolledtotheedgeofthepile.Heextendedautilityarmandpluckedasmallstoneoutofthetumble,thenturnedandrolledawaywithhisprize,whistlingcheerfully.

“Well,that’snoendofhelp,”Threepiosaid.

Togethertheyshovedthelooserockaside,Lukecarvingawayatsomeofthebiggerblockswithhissaber,

carefulnottolettheliquefiedrockburnhim.Hefoundhimselfwhistlingasprightlytuneasheworked.

“MasterLuke!”Threepioexclaimed.“Thatsoundyou’remaking—it’sthefirstWhiforlanflutingform!”

“Isit?”Lukeasked,smiling.“It’scatchy.”

Lukeclimbedtothetopofthepile,pushedataslabofstonewithhisshoulder,andwasrewardedwhenitslid

asideandthentoppledoutofsight,landingwithacrash.

“We’realmostthere,”hesaid.“IfwegetthebigpiecesmovedyouandArtooshouldbeabletogetthrough.”

Hepushedhisheadthroughthegaphe’dcreated,thenhisshoulders,saberraisedtoilluminatehissurroundings.Whathesawmadehisheartcatchinhisthroat.

“I’mgoingtotakeaquick

lookaround,”Lukesaid.“I’llbebackinacoupleofminutes.”

“Becareful,MasterLuke!”Threepiosaid.

Lukescrambledthroughthegapandfoundhimselfontheedgeofwhatoncehadbeenanenormoushall,litbythelightoflateafternoon.

Muchoftheroofhadtumbleddown,columnswereshornoffortoppled,andthefloorwascoveredwithdrifts

ofleavesthathadblowninthroughshatteredwindows.Thecenterofthefloorwasacrater,surroundedbyrubble.Somethingscreechedintheshadows,thenoiseofitsscramblingretreatechoingaroundLuke.Hewhirledinacircle,brandishinghisfather’slightsaberinfrontofhim,thenforcedhimselftotakeadeepbreath.

It’snotademonordark-sideghosts—justjungle

creatures,hethought.You’veinvadedtheirhome,that’sall.

Heraisedhissaberhighandsawtwostatuesatthefarendofthehall,theirfacesbubbledandblackened,theirarmsendingincauterizedstumps.Thetemplehadbeenbombedandthenvandalizedwithheavyenergyweapons—someonehadworkedhardtoeraseanysignofbeautythathadescapedtheinitialspasmofviolence.

TheEmpire,Lukethought.Thepurposeoftheattackwastoruinthisplaceanderadicatewhatitstoodfor.Whatitmeanttopeople.

Hefelthisangerrise—angerforthepeopleofAlderaan,forhisauntanduncleonTatooine,forhisfather,andforsomanymillionsofothers.

Henearlytrippedoverthestonehandonthefloor.Ithadcometolieonitsside,atopa

pileofrubble.Thewristwasblackenedwhereithadbeenshearedaway,butthehanditselfwasintact,asifstretchedouttowardhiminwelcome.Thestoneworkwasbeautiful,hethought,runninghishandoverthefingers,appreciatingthedetailsomelostartisanhadcreatedoveruntoldhours.Hiseyesjumpedtothestatuesloomingabove,andhesawwherethehandhadbeenattached.

Lukedeactivatedhislightsaberandhungitonhisbelt.Hepushedthestonehandasideandsiftedthroughtherubblebeneathit.Herewastheupperpartofaface,withaneyecapturedinswift,confidentstrokes,theeyebrowarchedingoodhumor.Therewasachin,bearded,andaboveitasmile.

Hisangerdrainedfromhim,tobereplacedbyaquietjoy.TheEmpirehadtriedto

eraseeverythingthathadbeenbeautifulthere,butithadfailed.Hecouldstillseethatbeauty,justashecouldfeelthepoweroftheForcesurroundinghim.

Attheendofthegrandhall,theremainsofmassivedoubledoorshungfromtheirhinges.TheentrancewasfilledwithrubblehigherthanLuke’shead,andthewindhadmoundedupleavesinthecorners.Hestartedtowardthe

doors,thendecidedagainstit—theEmpiremighthaveothersafeguardsagainstintrusion,inadditiontotheperimetersensors.Heturnedtheotherwayinstead,passingcorridorschokedwithwreckage,andfoundaseriesofarchesleadingtoanopenspaceovergrownwithtrees.

Lukesqueezedbetweentwotumbledslabsandfoundhimselfinacircularcourtyardcreatedfromthe

spacebetweenthetworuinedtowersandtherubbleofsmallerbuildingsthathadbeenpartofthetemplecomplex.Oncemanicured,thecourtyardwasnowwild.Impactcratershadopenedyawningpitsintheground,throughwhichLukecouldbarelymakeouttumbledstoneinthegloomfarbelow.Thebowlofaruinedfountainoccupiedthecenterofthespace,withwaterbubblingup

frominsideandspillingoutoverflagstonescoveredwithgrass,formingashallowpool.Faceless,limblessstatues,muchsmallerthantheonesinthegreathall,formedaperimeteraroundthefountain.

Lukelookedaroundinmingleddisbeliefandjoy.Itwastheplacehe’dseeninhisvision—thefountain,thestatues,thegrassandtrees.Somehowitsdisheveledstate

madeitevenlovelierthanheimaginedithadbeenwhencarefullygroomedandtended.

Somethingmadealowsoundnearby,andLukesawpikhronsstandingquietlyamongthetreesonthefarsideofthecourtyard,watchinghimwarily.Anoldmatriarchtossedherhead,andthegrouppusheditswaythroughthetrees,peeringatLukewithsmallblackeyes.

Theyclimbedalowmoundofrubble,allthatremainedofonewingofthetemple,andweregone.

Theyfeelsafehere,Lukethought.Theyknowthehuntersdon’tcomeinsidetheperimeter.

“Luke…”Luketurnedinsurprise,

lookingforthesourceofthevoicehe’dheard.

“ThisplaceisstrongwiththeForce,”BenKenobisaid

inLuke’shead.“ItwasthewilloftheForcethatguidedyoutothisplace.HereyouwilllearntoopenyourselftotheForce,guidingitspossibilitiesandobeyingitscommands.Andpassingitstests.MaytheForcebewithyou,Luke.”

“Ben!”Lukecalled,butthevoiceofhisoldteacherwassilent.

Lukesatdownontherimofthefountain,inoneofthe

longshadowsthestatuescastacrosstheglen.Hecouldfeelthepoweraroundhim—powerandasenseofpeace.ThiswastheplacetheForcehadshownhim,andwhereithadbroughthim.

“MasterLuke?”Thatvoicehadn’tbeenin

hishead.LukelookedupandsawThreepioandArtoostandinginoneofthearchwaystothegreathall.

“Overhere,Threepio.”

“Thereyouare!MasterLuke,we’vefoundsomething.”

“Whathaveyoufound?”Artooletoutatorrentof

accusatorybeeps.“Oh,verywell,youfound

it,”Threepiosaid.“Artoofoundadamagedfrieze—apparentlywithoutmyhelp—andwethoughtitmightbeofinterest.”

“Let’sseewhatyou’vegot,”Lukesaid,followingthe

droidsbackintotheruinedhall,toasectionindeepshadow.

Artooactivatedaspotlightonhisdomeandtraceditalongthewall.Lukeleanedforward,handsonhisknees.Thesculptedfiguresonthewallwereasdamagedasthestatues,thescenesinterruptedbycratersleftbyblasterfire.ButLukecouldmakeoutchildreninJedirobes,lightsabersraisedin

frontofthemasaninstructordemonstratedtheproperdefensivestance.

Fartherdownthewall,LukesawfragmentsofscenesinwhichJedifoughtwarriorswearingspikedarmorandmasks.Evenfrozeninstone,theJedilookedlikedeadlydancers,capturedintheactofleapingandtumbling,theirlightsaberslikeextensionsoftheirbodies.

I’llneverbeabletodo

that—Icanbarelyfendoffanattackfromatrainingremote.Iwouldn’tevenknowhowtolearntodothat.Somuchknowledgehasbeenlost.No,notlost—stolenfromthegalaxy.StolenbyVaderandtheEmperor.

Thefriezeendedinshatteredstone,andArtooshutoffhislight.

“I’mgladIgottoseethat,”Lukesaid.“Buteverythingheretookplacea

longtimeago.Thisplaceisimportantbecauseofthepresent,notthepast.TheForcetoldmeso.”

Hereturnedtotheglade,whichwasfilledwithbirdsong,andlookedaroundthecourtyardagain.Hisgazelingeredonastonepillarwhosesurfacewasbrokenbyaleverextendingfromthestonetwo-thirdsofthewaytothetop,metersabovehishead.

“UnlesstheJediwholivedherewereverytall,thatwasdesignedtobeopenedwiththeForce,”hesaid.

Lukeunbuckledhisbeltandholsterandsetitdownonatumbledslabofrocknexttothedroids.Holdinghisdeactivatedlightsaberinonehand,hewalkedoverandstoodbeneaththepillar,itssurfaceturnedorangebythesettingsun.Hebreatheddeeply,tuningoutthe

squabblingdroidsandpushingawaythedistractingthoughtscrowdinghishead.

Keepyourconcentrationhereandnow.

Hereachedoutwithhishand,imaginingitgrippingtheleverandpulling.

Nothinghappened.Lukeshookhisheadand

triedagain,orderingthelevertomove,thenconjuringapictureoftheForcetakingontheformofsomethingthat

couldpullit.Heclosedhiseyesandtriedtoimagineitwasonlyhimandtheleverhewastryingtomove.Whenhelookedagain,theleverwouldhaveshiftedandthepedestalwouldbeopen.

Lukeopenedhiseyes.Nothinghadchanged.

Hewipedhisbrowonhissleeve,tookadeepbreath,andtriedagain.

Andthenagain.Andagainandagainandagain.

Luketrieduntilthegladewasshroudedingloom,withonlythetopsoftheruinedtowersstillpaintedinthecolorsofsunset.Thebirdshadstilledtheirsongsandsoughttheirnests.Buttheleverstillhadn’tmoved.Nomatterwhathedid,theForcerefusedtoobeyhiscommands—orhispleas.

Ican’tdoit.Idon’tunderstandhow,andthere’snoonetoteachme.Andthere

neverwillbe—I’mthelastoftheJedi.

ThelastoftheJedisanktothegrassindespair.

FarnayhadwatchedthroughhermacrobinocularsasLukedisappearedintothecave,gaspingwhenheseemedtolookstraightatherforamoment.She’dobservedSarcoashetrudgedbackacrosstherockyvalleyand

scrambleduptowherehisbeastswaited.Shewasaboutahundredmetersawayfromhim,crouchedbehindathicktreetrunk,herpackbeaststakednearby.

SheexpectedSarcotoclimbatoponeofthemountsandstartbacktowardTikaroo.Butinsteadthefacelessaliensetupacampsitenotfarfromtheedgeofthecliff,acrosstherivervalleyfromthecave.

He’swaiting,Farnaythought.WaitingforLuke.

FarnayknewbetterthantothinktheScavengerwaswaitingincasehemightbeofhelp.Sheknewwhathereallywanted—achancetolootthesorcerers’templewithoutattractingImperialattention.AndLuke’spresencewouldn’tbeenoughtodissuadehim.TheScavenger’scustomershadawayofmeetingaccidentsin

thejungle.Mostofthemissingwerewealthybuteccentricoldhunterswithoutpeoplewhowouldreportthemasmissingorcomelookingforthem.

Shedidn’tknowwhathadhappenedtothem,butshecouldguess.AndiftheScavengerdecidedLukewasinhisway,itwouldhappentohim,too.

INTHEMORNINGLukeawokefromadeep,dreamlesssleep.

Helookedaroundtheglade,momentarilyconfused,beforeherememberedwherehewas.WhenhesatupArtooturnedhisradareyeinhismaster’sdirection,beepinga

cheerygoodmorning,thenrockedsidewaystobumpThreepio’ssilverknee.Theprotocoldroidgaveastartledhopashisphotoreceptorslitup.

Lukeatearationbar,dranksomecool,cleanwaterfromthefountain,andstoodinthedew-speckledgrass,staringupatthepillaragain.

Iwasexhaustedyesterday,butI’mrestednow.TheForcewillobeyme

moreeasily.Hesighedandreachedup

towardtheleverwithanopenhand,lettinghisshouldersriseandfall.

Nothinghappened.Hetriedforlongerthan

anhour,asthemorningsunevaporatedthedewfromthegrassandthebirdsbegantozipthroughthebranches.Discouraged,heforcedhimselftositagainstthestonebowloftheoldfountain

andmeditateuntilhehadchasedawayhisnegativethoughts.Thenhegotup,walkedovertothepillar,andtoldthelevertomove.

Itremainedstill.Lukekickedaloose

flagstoneacrosstheglade,startlingacrowdofbrilliantgreenbirds,thenhoppedacrossthegladewithhisinjuredtoeinhand.

“I’mfine,”hesaidbeforeThreepiocouldsuggestthatit

wasonlysensibletosummonarebelmedicalfrigateimmediately.

Lukestretchedouthishand,thenpulleditbackasabuzzinginsectlandedonhiswrist.Heshooeditaway,annoyed,butitlandedagain,itscrystallinewingscatchingtheearly-morninglight.Onecompoundeyeswiveledtoregardhimastheinsectpickeditswayalonghiswrist,itscoiledproboscis

dartingouttotastethesweatonhisskin.

“I’mnotaflower,”Lukesaid.“Buzzoff.”

Thesapdrinkerignoredhim.Itsfeettickled.Lukelookedatitsteardrop-shapedbody,agracefulcurvethatendedinabarbedstinger.Heknewitwouldn’tstinghim—thatwasadefenseagainstcreaturesthatmightattackitsnest.Lukehelduphiswrist,admiringthewaythelittle

creature’siridescentbluebodyshimmeredwhenseenfromdifferentangles.Hesmiledattheexuberantlifecontainedinthattiny,busylivingthing.

“ToharnesstheForce,youmustfirstfeeliteverywhere,”saidthevoiceofBenKenobi.

Lukefrowned,thenreachedoutwithhissenses.HecouldfeeltheForceinsidehimself,abrightshiningthing

bubblingandroiling.Hereachedforthesapdrinkerstillexploringhiswrist,notwithhishandbutwithhisfeelings.Thereitwas—apointoflightintheForce,tinybutbrilliant.Thesapdrinker’spresenceseemedtooverlapwithhisownbody,hisownpresenceintheForce.

Thesapdrinkerflewawaywithawhirofwings.Luketriedtotrackits

presenceintheForce,butthechaoticripplesinthegladeweretooconfusing.Thereseemedtobemillionsofcurrentsaroundhim,allemanatingfromlivingthings—birdsandinsects,butalsotheleavesofthetreesandthetinyunseencreaturesborneonthewindorscuttlingacrossbarkandrock.AllthoseliveswerevesselsoftheForce,containersforitsenergy.

Luketriedtofindthesapdrinker’spresenceagainamidthetumult,thenstopped.

Tryingtofocusonasinglelivingthingwasconfusingandexhausting.ButtheForcewasn’tlimitedtothoseindividualbodies,herealized.TheycreatedtheForceandmadeitgrow,butitescapedthoseboundaries,overflowingthemjustlikethespringescapedthebrokenrimofthefountain.

LukeclosedhiseyesandlethimselfsinkintotheForce,allowingittowashoverhim.Helethisawarenessdrift,carriedthiswayandthatbythelivingpresencesaroundhimandthewaytheymadetheenergyfieldrippleanddance.HecouldfeeltheForceradiatingoutfromhisownbody,justasitspilledfromthebirdsandinsectsandtinycreatures.

Newripplespassedover

him,andhecouldfeelbrightpresencesnearby.Lukeopenedhiseyesandsawthepikhronsclamberingovertherubbleofthefallentemplewing.Theysniffedathim,thenloweredtheirheadsandbegantograze.

LukesmiledandreachedthroughtheForceagain,butthistimehewasn’ttryingtopushtheenergyfieldacrossanemptyspace—hewasswimmingthroughit,

meanderingacrossthecurrentsofenergyintheglade.HetracedtherockofthepillarbythewaytheForcesurroundedit—therockwasn’talive,butitwasanemptinessdefinedbythelifecoveringit.Hecouldfeeltheridgesandcrannies,thecracksthatofferedrefugetomicroscopiclivingthings.Hefeltthepillar’sshapeashisawarenessclimbeditandfoundthelever.

Lukebenthiswristandthelevermovedaseasilyasifhe’dhelditinhishand.

Thecompartmentinsidethepillarcontainedadozentrainingremotes,allcoveredwithmossfromtheirlongyearsindampconfinement.Mostofthemrefusedtocomebacktolife,eitherdamagedbymoistureorhavinglostalltheircharge.ButLukeand

Artoomanagedtogetthreeofthemworking,scrubbingthemfreeofmossanddirtbeforeclosinguptheiraccessports.

“MasterLuke,areyousurethat’sagoodidea?”Threepioasked.“TheycouldbeanImperialtrapdesignedtokillintruders.Shouldn’tyouatleasthaveyourpistolreadyjustincase?”

“I’llriskit,”Lukesaidwithasmile.

Hesteppedbackfromtheremotes,andtheyroseintotheair,rotatingslowlysotheirsensorscouldevaluatetheirsurroundings.Artooturnedtorollaway,andoneoftheremoteschargedhim,retreatinghastilywhenthelittledroidscreechedatitindignantly.Afterzippingaboutforafewseconds,twooftheremotesreturnedtothepillar,hoveringinfrontofitforafewsecondsandthen

touchingdowninsidethecompartment.ThethirdremotefloatedinfrontofLuke,asifwaitingforsomething.

Ben’svoicefilledLuke’sheadagain.

“Thelightsaberdisciplinesthemindandschoolsthebodyandspirit,”hesaid.“Mindwhatyouhavelearned.Letthelightsaberbeyourfocus.”

Lukenoddedand

detachedhisfather’sweaponfromhisbelt.Hespreadhisfeetwide,ignitedthelightsaber,andswungitaroundone-handedinaloosearc.Thenhetookholdofitwithbothhands.

Theremotefloatedbeforehim,turninglazilyintheair.Itzippedtooneside,thentheother,andLukehadthedistinctfeelingthedevicewassizinghimupasanopponent.

“Becareful,MasterLuke,”Threepiourged.

FeeltheForce,Lukeremindedhimself.Itwillgiveyouthereflexesyouneedtoguidethebladewhereitneedstobe.

Lukerememberedthefirsttimehe’deverheldhisfather’slightsaber,inBen’slittlestonehouseontheedgeoftheDuneSea.Herememberedhowthebrilliantblue-whitebladehaddazzled

hiseyesandthenseemedtodrawthemin,andthealmosthypnoticsoundoftheblade.Andherememberedhoweventhoughhe’dneverseenalightsaber,letaloneheldone,theweaponhadinstantlyfeltrightinhishand.

Benhadtoldhimtoholdthegripsothebladewouldbehighandreadywhenitappeared.He’dshownhimthateverythingyoucoulddowithalightsaber—attack,

defend,advance,withdraw—beganwiththeinitialstance.Dominantfootback,bladeheldinparrypositiononthedominantside.Feetnottoowide,thebetterforspeedandagility.

Lukeassumedtheposition,watchingtheremoteasiteasedbackandforthinfrontofhim,itsmovementsdeceptivelyslow.Hewonderedifithadawayofsensinghisability,orif

differentremoteswereprogrammedfordifferentlevelsofskill.WhatiftheremotesusedtotrainrawapprenticeswerealldamagedandtheForcehadbroughthimtheretobepepperedwithlaserboltsthatonlyadvancedstudentscouldhaveswattedaway?

TheremotedovetotherightandzippedatLuke’shead.Hedodgedinstinctively,raisingtheblade

highandkeepingitbetweenhimandhisattacker.

Firstdefensiveposture,heremembered.Nowpayattention.Youcanworryaboutprogrammingremoteslater.

Theremotereturnedtoitsinitialpositioninfrontofthepillar,withLuketurningtofaceit.Thenhisbladewasdivingdownandtohisright,toprotecthiship.Theremote’slaserblaststruckthe

blade,sendingtendrilsofenergysnakingacrossit,andthendissipatedinthemorningair.

Thatwastheseconddefensiveposture.

Threepioraisedhishandsincelebration.

“Youdidit,MasterLuke!”

SomehowHan’smockinglaughterathisgettingzappedbyalaserblastaboardtheFalconhadbeenless

annoyingthanThreepio’scongratulations.Lukesmiledatthethought,thenhadtododgeleftinresponsetotheremote’sfeint,holdingthebladeinthethirddefensiveposture.Heglancedquicklyatthepitsgougedintheglade,markingtheirposition.Itwouldn’tdototumbleintothedepths.

Theremoteweavedtotheright,thendartedbehindhim.Lukewhirled,bladehigh,and

aboltofenergyshotbyhisheadtosizzleinthedampgrass.Theremoteretreated,andLukebroughthislightsaberbacktothereadyposition.

“Excellent,MasterLuke,”Threepiocalled.

“Notreally—Ishouldhavedeflectedit,”Lukesaid.“Igotlucky.”

Thatattackforcedmeintothefourthdefensiveposture,hethought.Theremoteran

throughallfourbasicdefensiveformsinorder.It’stestingwhatI’velearned.

Whichmeantitwouldnowattackhimforreal.

Theremotefloatedinfrontofhim,itsjetshissingfaintlyasitmovedupanddown,thenleftandright.Itdodgedleft,butLukewasalreadybringinghisbladedowntotheright,evenastheremotereversedcourseandfiredathisknee.Luke

deflectedthelaserbolt,thenwheeledhisbladetheotherway,sendingenergybeamsflyingbackthewaythey’dcome.

Thistimetheremotedidn’tbackoffbutaccelerated,followingazigzagcourseandpepperinghimwithfire.Luke’sbladewasablueblur,deflectingboltsallaroundhim.Heslippedslightlyashetriedtoreturntoreadyposition,then

leaptoveraflurryofboltsaimedathisfeet.

Luke’smindflashedbacktotheMosEisleycantina,wheretwoalienthugshadpickedafightwithhim.Benhadtriedtoplaypeacemaker,sensingLuke’sgrowingpanic,butthealienshadn’tbeeninterestedinpeace.OnehadflungLukeintoatable,thengoneforhisblaster,readytogunBendown.

TheoldJedi’shandhad

dippedtothelightsaberonhisbelt,fasterthananyonewouldhaveimaginedadeserthermitcouldmove.Hislightsaberslicedtheblasteraimedathimintwo,thencarvedthroughthethugs.

ItwasthefirsttimeLukehadeverseenalightsaberinaction,andwhatamazedhimwasthattherewasnowastedmotion—onemomenttwoalienbullieswerethreateninganoldman’slife,andthe

nextmomenttheirdaysofthreateninganyonewereover.

Benhadstoodforamoment,coollyregardingtheotherpatronsatthebarwiththelightsaberheldbeforehiminreadyposition.Thenhe’ddeactivatedhisbladeandhelpedLukeupfromwherehe’dbeensprawledonthefilthyfloor,lookingoninawe.

Luketriedtoimagine

whatthepatronsofthecantinahadthoughttoseeaJediKnightintheirmidstafternearlytwodecadesinwhichForce-usershadbeennothingmorethanrumorandlegend.WhathaditbeenlikewhenJediwerecommonsightsinthegalaxy?Andwouldsuchadayevercomeagain?

Theremotezippedleft,thenright,thencutbacktotheleftandshotLukeinthe

knee.Heyelpedatthestingofthelaserboltasthemachinereturnedtofloatinginfrontofhim.

“Artoo!ThatdreadfulmachinehasinjuredMasterLuke!”

“Justmypride,”Lukesaid,wipingthesweatfromhisforeheadandremindinghimselftoquitdaydreaming.

Whenheresumedthereadypositiontheremotebegantodartfromsideto

sideagain,testinghisdefenses.Ittriedtogetbehindhim,andheparriedthepencil-thinshaftoflaserlight,sendingitcaromingoffanannoyedArtoo.Hekeptturningastheremotedoveathisfeet,leapingoveritsboltsandremindinghimselftokeephisguardup.

Luketooktwomorehitsandloweredhisblade,causingtheremotetobackaway.Hetoldhimselfto

ignoreThreepio’scommentsandpushoutthefearoffailuretryingtocreepintohishead.

BenhadbeengentleafterthedeathofUncleOwenandAuntBeru,lettingLukegrieveforhisfamilyandrageattheEmpireformurderingthem.Hisemotionswerenatural,Bensaid,andhisloveforhisfamilydidhimcredit.ButhethenwarnedthatLukemustresistthedesirefor

revenge.AngerandhatredcouldhelphimdrawpowerfromtheForce—butonlyataterribleprice.ForthoseemotionsunlockedthedarksideoftheForce,leadingaJeditotemptation—andsometimesruin.

AJedihadtolearntoletgoofangerbeforecallingontheForce,Benhadinstructed.Butheorshealsohadtoletgooffear—forfearledtoanger,invitingthedarkside

in.“I’mnotafraid,”Luke

said,raisinghissaberagain.“Iwon’tfail.”

Theremotetriedtoziparoundbehindhim.Hewhirled,bladehumming,andblockeditsshot—thenturnedtheotherwayasittriedtoreversecourseandtargethiship.Hedeflectedashotaimedathishead,thenoneintendedforhisknee,thenleapttoavoidonethatstruck

athisfeet.Hesmiledtohimselfbutthenpushedtheelationaway,too,tryingtoseeandhearnothingbuttheremote.

Itfeltlikeheandtheremoteweredancing,liketheyweresomehowconnected—manandmachine,joinedbytheenergyofthetraininglaserandthebladeofLuke’slightsaber.Theymovedtogether—firstforaminute,thenforfive,

andthenLukelostalltrackoftime.

Whentheremotebackedawayhedidn’tregisteritatfirstbutsimplywaited,barelyconsciousthathewasbreathinghard.Thenherealizedtheremotehadstoppedattackingandloweredhisblade,lettinghisshouldersslump.

“Welldone,MasterLuke!”Threepiocalled.“Amostimpressivedisplay!”

Lukesmiledattheprotocoldroid,wavingtoacknowledgeArtoo’senthusiasticwhistles.Thentheremotechatteredinanelectroniclanguageandasecondremoterosetofloatalongsideit.

Luke’ssmilefadedaway.

LUKEKNEWTHETWOREMOTESwouldn’tattackuntilheraisedhislightsabertoreadyposition,sohetookamomenttocatchhisbreath.Thenhenoddedandliftedhisarms,bladeheldoutinfrontofhim.

Ashe’dexpected,thetwo

remotesdriftedapart,takinguppositionsoneithersideofhim.Oneafteranothertheydartedin,forcinghimtoreorienthisdefenses.Thentheyretreated.Lukefelthisheartbeatquickeningashetriedtowatchbothofthem,hisfeetautomaticallycarryinghimbackwardsohe’dhaveabetterchanceofkeepingthembothinsight.

Theremotesfollowedhim.

Don’tfallinapit,Lukeremindedhimself.

Oneoftheremotesdoveathisleft.Aquartersecondlater,theotherremoteattackedhimfromtheright.Lukehadexpectedthatandbroughthissabersweepingaroundinanoverheadarc,thebladeintersectingthelaserblast.

Whichwaswhentheotherremotehithimintheseatofhispants.

“Ow,”Lukecomplained,fightingtheurgetorubthespotastheremotesretreated.

Theyswoopedinagain,andthistimeLukeblockedthreeshotsbeforetheremotetohisrightslippedashotthroughhisguard,leavinghiskneenumb.

Lukeshookthetinglingoutofhislegandraisedhissaberagain.

Hewassobusyworryingabouthowtotellthe

differencebetweenanattackandafeintthattheleft-handremote’sveryfirstshothithiminthewrist.

“Stop,”Lukesaid,sittingdowninthegrasswithasighofdisgust.Theremotesbackedoff,hoveringaroundwaistlevel.

“You’rerighttoquit,MasterLuke,”Threepiosaid.“Twoagainstoneishardlysporting.”

“I’mnotquitting,”Luke

insisted.“I’mjustrestingforamoment.”

Ihadit,hethought.IwascommandingtheForce.Ibarelynoticedtimewaspassing.

Butthathadbeenagainstoneopponent,nottwo.Thiswastwiceashard—andcompletelydifferent.

Youcandothis,Luketoldhimself,gettingtohisfeet.

Benhadonlyhadabriefperiodoftimetoteachhim

howtowieldhisfather’slightsaber—afewlessonsaboardtheFalconinwhichLukehadlearnedthebasicdefensiveposturesandthefirststepsinopeninghimselftotheForce.Butsincethenhe’dpracticedthefootworkmoretimesthanhecouldcount,strivingtorecalleverymomentofthetimehe’dhadwithhisteacher.Andthosemovementshadbecomesecondnature.He’dcomeso

farsincehisfirsttentativepracticesessionaboardtheFalcon.

Heraisedhissaber,remindinghimselftobelightonhisfeet.

Heblockedshotsfromeitherside,thenstumbledtryingtododgethenextone.Herolledover,hissaberscorchinggrassandflagstones,andboundedupwithhisbladeheldoutinfrontofhim.Theremotes

circled,tryingtobreakthroughhisdefenses.

Theremotesbothchargedhimfromtheright—butonewenthighandonewentlow.Lukedeflectedthebolttheraisedremoteaimedathisshoulder,buttheotheronecaughthimintheknee.

Lukeloweredhissaber,grimacing.He’dmovedwithspeedandgrace,butthatwasn’tenough.He’dbeenfoolishtothinkitcouldbe.

Hecouldn’ttracktworemotesatonce—itwashardenoughkeepingupwithone.

YoucandoitifyoudrawontheForce,hethought,andraisedthesaberagain.

Hecaughtoneremote’sboltonhisblade,sendingitintothegladeandscatteringarainbowofprotestingsongbirds.Theotherremotefiredaboltpasthishead,thenzippedleftandtookaimathimagain.Hedeflectedthe

boltintothegrassathisfeet,cleavingdownwiththesabertointerceptashotfromthefirstremote.Thenhesnappedbacktoreadyposition,wavinghissaberbackandforth.

Hefoughtuntilthesunwaslowintheskyandthepikhronswerepaleshapesinthegloom.Oneoftheremotesswoopeddownathimandhedeflecteditsboltstraightbackatit,enveloping

thelittlemachineinsparks.Itretreatedandbeepedaccusinglyathim.

“Abouttimeyougotatasteofyourownmedicine,”saidThreepio.

Thenathirdremoteroseoutofthecompartmentinthepillar.

Lukeputhishandsonhisknees,breathinghard,thendeactivatedhisfather’sweapon.Hisarmswereshakingwithfatigue.

“That’senoughfortoday,”hesaid,andafteraminuteofuncertainhoveringtheremotesretreatedtotheircompartmentandshutthemselvesdown.

AllLukewantedtodowassleep,butheforcedhimselftobatheasbesthecouldinthefountainandthenactivatethewarmingunitonatinoffoodconcentrate.Threepio

hadsetuptheportableheater,andLukesettledhimselfgratefullyinfrontofitsglow,pokingathisdinner.

Thedroidssatontheothersideoftheheater,sharingarechargefromtheportablebatteryLukehadbrought.Beyondthemthepikhronslowedquietlytooneanother.

“Imustsay,yourexercisesarestimulatingtoobserve,MasterLuke,”

Threepiosaid.“Youragilityhasimprovedimmensely.Nodoubtthat’sthankstowatchingtherecordingsArtooandIdiscovered.”

“Nodoubt,”Lukesaid.Artooletoutanelectronic

sigh,andLukesmiledaroundamouthfulofstew.Devaron’smoonsshonebrightlyinthesky—thesamemoonsthathadhelpedleadhimtotheTempleofEeditanditssecrets.Eedit’sJedi

musthavestoodinthesamespotandlookedupatthesamemoons,backwhenthetemplewaswholeandnooneimaginedtheJediOrdercouldeverfall.

“IwishIcouldhavemetthem,”Lukemurmured.“IwishIcouldhavelearnedfromthem.”

“Ibegyourpardon,MasterLuke?”askedThreepio,hisphotoreceptorslikelampsinthedarkness.

“Iwasjustthinkingaboutwhatitmusthavebeenlikehere,beforetheEmpire.WhentheJediwerethegalaxy’sdefendersofpeaceandjustice.”

Artoohootedmournfully,butforonceThreepiothoughtitbesttoremainsilent.

Ashestaredintotheglowingheater,Lukesuddenlyfeltveryalone.Hislightsaberwasallthatwasleftofhisfather,andpossibly

oftheJediOrderhe’dserved.Hewaspiecingtogetherhisowntrainingfromdisembodiedvoices,vaguehunches,andequipmentscavengedfromruins.Itwascrazytothinkthathe’deverlearntocommandtheForceorbecomeaskilledduelist,letaloneseetheJediOrderreborn.TheEmpirewaspowerfulandruthless—andithaditsownenforcerswhocouldcommandtheForce,

beingssuchastheterrifying,black-armoredDarthVader.

ButthenLukeshookhishead.DestroyingtheDeathStarhadseemedimpossible,too—whatchancedidanuntrainedfarmboyhave,aloneinatrenchwithVaderpreparingtofinishhimoff?YetLukehadsucceeded,turningtheEmpire’sgreatestweaponintospacedust.He’ddonesowithhelpfromhisfriends,andbytrustingthe

Force.LukewonderedwhatHan

andChewbaccaweredoingandsmiledtoimaginethemarguingoverhowtokeeptheFalconflyingthistime.HethoughtofPrincessLeiaandfelthisbreathcatchatthethoughtofthestrong,beautifulrebelleader.HewonderedwhatWedgewasdoingandwhowasservingashiswingman.

Hehadfriends.Andthe

Forcewaswithhim.Aslongasthosethings

weretrue,therewasreasontohope.

Hehelduphislightsaber,feelingthecomfortingweightofitinhishand.

“Ineverknewyou,Father,”hesaid.“ButIswearIwillbecomeaJedi.AndwhenIdo,Iwillhonoryourserviceandyoursacrifice.”

AndthenLukeputthesaberdownontheflagstones

andcrawledintohissleepingbag.Beforehecouldevenworryabouthowtofacethreeremotes,hewasasleep.

Afewkilometersaway,Sarcohadgatheredbranchesandleavesandbuiltanotherfire.Thehappaboresstoodnearby,occasionallychurningupthedirtwiththeirsnoutsastheysearchedforrootstognaw.

Huddledbehindhertree,

Farnaytriedtokeepherteethfromchatteringasshestaredthroughhermacrobinocularsatthealien.Shehadn’tknownwhattodowhentheScavengersettleddowntowaitforLuke—whichhadmadeherrealizeshehadn’tknownwhattodowhenshesetoutaftertheyoungrebelandhisguideinthefirstplace.She’dbeentooworriedaboutLuketowaitinTikaroofortheScavengertoreturn

andclaimhe’dfallenoffaclifforbeengoredbyapikhronbull,orsometalethatnoonewouldeverbeabletoprovewasalie.

ButitwasclearthattheScavengerwasn’tgoinganywhere,andshecouldn’taffordtospyonhimanylonger—shewasoutoffoodandhadn’tbroughtsuppliesforanextendedtripintothejungle.

Dadwillknowwhattodo,

shethought,thenswallowed.He’dbeangrywithher,ofcourse—hercomlinkwasfilledwithmessagesaskingherwhereshewas,whichshe’dacknowledgedbycurtlyinforminghimshewasfine.

He’dbeangrywithher,buthe’dalsoknowthebestwaytohelpLuke.

Farnayslippedawayfromthetree,wincingateachcrinkleandcrackofdryleavesbeneathherfeet.She

shushedherpackbeast—hewashungry,too—andledhiminthedirectionofthejunglepathandhome.

KIVASHEARDtheincomingshipbeforehesawit,andknewimmediatelywhatitwas—aSentinel-classImperiallandingcraft.Therewassomethingwrongwithoneofthefuelpumps—aclog,bythesoundofit.Itwasn’tbadyet—thepilot

probablyhadn’tnoticedanythingexceptaslightpulltoonesideontakeoff—butitwouldgroundtheshipwithinaweekortwoifnotserviced.

SomehowIdon’tthinkthey’reheretogetitfixed,Kivasthought.

Kivasknewhehadafewminutes—ImperialshipscomingtoTikaroofromthecapitalalwaysfollowedthevalleyupfromthesouth,thencurledintotouchdownon

thelandingfield.Hepickeduphistoolbox,pulleddowntheshuttersonthehangarbehindhim,andlockedthedoor.ThenhestrolledacrossthelandingfieldandpoppedtheaccesshatchonthestarboardengineofaMarkVStruthimerstaryachtthathadlandedyesterday.

TheSentinel’sengineswereloudernow.Kivasscatteredafewtoolsbeneaththestaryacht,pickeduphis

smallesthydrospanner,andreachedupintotheaccesshatchasthelandingcraftroaredinoverthetreesandfireditsretrorockets,touchingdownwithabumpandarattleoflandinggear.TheImperialcraft’sfuelpumpwasinworseshapethanhe’dthought.

Kivasglancedoveratthelandingcraft,thenputhisglovedhandsbackintotheenginehewaspretendingto

service.ThesoundoftheSentinel’senginesdiedaway,andaminutelaterheheardthetrampofbootheelsapproaching.Helookedoverwithwhathehopedwouldseemlikemildcuriosityandsawanolive-green-cladofficerapproachingwithasquadofstormtroopersbehindhim.

Kivasstrippedoffhisdirtyworkglovesandsteppedawayfromthestaryacht.

“WhatcanIdoforyou,Lieutenant?”heaskedaftereyeingtherankbadgeontheofficer’suniform.SomeImperialsreactedbadlyifyouaddressedthembythewrongrank.

“We’relookingforastarfighterthatwasspottedinthisareathreedaysago,”thelieutenantsaid,handsbehindhisback.“ItbelongstoasuspectedfugitivefromImperialjustice.”

“Oh?”Kivasasked.“Lotsofplacesastarfightermighthavesetdownaroundhere.Butwe’reprettyremote—oddsarethepilotwouldhavefollowedtherivertoAssardaorTon-biri.”

“Andifhedidanothersquadwillfindhim,”thelieutenantsaid.“Thisareaisourresponsibility.Doyouhaveanythingtoreport?”

Kivassawthelieutenant’seyeslingeringonthestar

yachts.“Asthegovernorknows,

theonlytrafficwegetisfromhuntersgoingintothejungle,”hesaidcarefully,hopingtheofficerwasfamiliarwiththegovernor’sorderstoletthehuntsgoonwithoutinterference.“Butourcustomersdon’ttypicallyshowupinstarfighters.”

“Thenyouwon’tmindifwetakealookinthehangar?”

“Ofcoursenot,”Kivassaid,fightingdownasenseofdread.“Butfirst,youshouldknowyourstarboardfuelpumpisclogged.Itcouldcutoutanyminute.I’dbehappytofixit.AsafavortotheEmpire.”

“Howconsiderate.Youcandosoafterwelookinthehangar.”

Thelieutenantturnedandindicatedtwoofhistroopers.“Youtwostayhere.”

Kivasledtheofficerandtheotherstormtroopersacrossthelandingfieldtothehangar.Heknewtherewasnothingtobedone—tryingtodelaythemfurtherwouldonlymakethingsworseintheend.

AtleastFarnaywassafe.Kivashadbeenangrytodiscovertheirpackbeastgone,andfrightenedwhenherealizedhisdaughterhadfollowedSarcointothe

jungle.Worryhadwokenhimbeforedawnthatmorning,andhe’dheadedtothelandingfieldbecausehe’dknownhewouldn’tbeabletogetbacktosleep.Butnowhefoundhimselfrelievedthathisdaughterhadmadethechoiceshedid.Itwasafoolishdecision,butFarnayknewthejungle,andatleastherrashacthadtakenherfarfromTikaroo.

Heunlockedthehangar,

raisedtheshutterswitharattle,andturnedontheoverheadlights.TheofficerlookedattheY-wingandraisedaneyebrow.

“Andyousaidyouhadnothingtoreport,”hesaid.

“I’mjusttryingtomakealiving,”Kivasstammered.“Iwantedthestarfighterassalvage.”

“Isee.Andwherediditcomefrom?”

Kivaspaused,andthe

officerputhishandsonhiships.

“Thetruth,please,”hesaid.“Itwouldbeashametohavetotakeyouinforinterrogation.”

“Theownerisn’there,”Kivassaid.“Hewentintothewoodsandhasn’treturned.”

Andprobablywon’t,Kivasthought,lookingguiltilyattheY-wing.

“Intothejungle?Didhegoalone?”

“No.Twodroidswerewithhim.Andhehadaguide.”

“Andwhereisthisguide?”

“Idon’tknow.”Theofficerraisedan

eyebrow.“Ireallydon’t.Ispend

mostofmytimehere,notintown.LastIknew,theguidehadn’tcomeback,either.”

Thetwotrooperswho’dbeenlefttoguardthelanding

fieldstrodeintothehangar,holdingsomeonebetweenthembytheupperarms.

Kivastriedtokeephisfaceexpressionless.

“I’msorry,Dad,”Farnaysaid.

TheImperiallieutenantlookedfromthefrightenedgirltoKivas.

“Yourdaughter?”Kivasnoddedgrimly.“Wasshethepilot’s

guide?”

Farnaylookedathiminsurprise,stillstrugglinginthetroopers’grip.

“No,”Kivassaid.“Itwasn’ther.”

TheofficerstudiedFarnayforalongmoment.

“Butyouknowwherethepilotwent,don’tyou?”heaskedher.

Farnay’seyesjumpedbeseechinglytoherfather.Butthelieutenant’sgazehadturnedhisway,too.

“Youbettertellthem,”Kivastoldhisdaughter.

“Dad,no!”“Yourfather’sawise

man,”theofficersaid.“I’dlistentohim.”

“NotunlessthesetwoFerijianapesletgoofme,”Farnaysaid,kickingatoneofthestormtroopers.

Theofficernoddedathismen,whorelaxedtheirgrip.Farnaystoodforamomentwithhereyesdowncast,

rubbingeacharminturn.“TheywenttoEedit,”she

muttered.“Theoldtemple?”the

officerasked,eyebrowsraised.“Areyousure?There’sbeennointrusionalarm.”

“I’msure.”“Verywell,”theofficer

said.“WecandepartafterIverifyyourstoryintown—andafteryoufixthefuelpumpyou’resoconcerned

about.Butwecoulduseaguideourselves.Thisyoungladywilldonicely.”

“She’sansweredyourquestions,”Kivasobjected.“Leaveheralone.”

“Ifshedoesherdutynoharmwillcometoher.Ifindusingsomeonelocalencouragesgoodbehavior.”

Thelieutenant’seyeslingeredontheY-wing.ThenheturnedtoKivaswithasmile.

“AndasloyalImperialcitizens,I’msureyouwelcomethechancetohelptheEmpiremaintainpeaceandorder,”hesaid.

Thesunwasburningoffthedew,thebirdsweresinging,andthepikhronswerenibblingatfruitinthebranchesofthetrees.

Timetogettowork,Lukethought.

Hehaddreamtallnightoflightsabercombat,ofrepositioninghisfeet,bendinghisknees,andanglinghisbladeaccordingtoeachofthefourdefensivepostures,thenswitchingtodownwardslashesandsidecutswhenattacking.Hisshouldersandarmshurt,butitwasagoodache,thekindthatfollowedhardwork.

“Idetestthosedreadfulremotes,”Threepiosaidashe

followedArtoooutoftheway.“Isweartheyenjoyinflictingpain.”

ThepreviousmorningLukemighthaveagreedwithThreepio.Now,hejustapproachedthepillarandignitedhissaber.Theremotesrosefromtheircompartmentassoonasheassumedthereadyposition,spiralingaroundeachotherandthenspreadingouttoflankhim.

Theoneontheright

dartedin,andLukesnappedhissabertostopitslaserbolt,thenwhippedthebladebacktotheleft,deflectinganother.Thenhesteppedforward,forcingtheremoteinthecentertogivewaybeforeitcouldfire.

“MasterLuke!You’redoingit!”Threepiocalled.

Lukegrinned—andoneoftheremotesdoveandshothiminthethigh.Artoobeepedhisconcern.

“Howisitmyfault?”ThreepioaskedArtoo.“Everyoneneedsalittleencouragement.”

Luke’slegfeltlikeitwasasleep.Herubbedthecirculationbackintoit,grimacing,andturnedtofacetheremotesagain,willingtheForcetogivehimthespeedandstaminaheneededtofightthreeenemiesatonce.

Leftandright,upanddown,forwardandback.

Luke’ssaberwasawhirlingdiscofenergy,scatteringlaserboltslikerain.Hecouldhearhishearthammeringinhischest,hisbreathloudinhisears.

Oneoftheremotesusedanotherforcover,slippingabeamofenergythroughLuke’sdefensesandcatchinghimintheshoulder.Hebentover,breathinghard.

Thatwasascootandshoot,hethought.Wedge

wouldbeproud.“Howlongsincethelast

timeIwashit?”heaskedThreepio.

“Thirty-twominutesandtwenty-fourseconds.”

Lukenodded.Hewaitedamoment,breathinghard,thengotbackinthereadyposition.Theremotesswarmedhimandheliftedthelightsaber,scatteringtheirboltsanddancingacrossthecourtyard.Heskirtedthepits

andsplashedthroughthepoolleftbythespringbubblingupthroughthebrokenfountain,whilethebirdszippedfromtreetotreeandthepikhronswatchedquietly.

Alaserbeamcaughthiminthecalfandheshoutedinsurprise,thelightsaberspinningoutofhishandsandshuttingoffintheair.Hepluckeditoutofthegrasswithagrimace.

“Howlongthattime?”

“Fourteenminutesandtwoseconds,”Threepiosaid.

Luke’shairwasdarkwithsweat.Heignitedthelightsaber,noticingtohisdismaythathishandswereshaking.

Sixminutesandthirty-threesecondslatertworemotesgothimatonce,catchinghiminthebackofthethigh.

Lukeremindedhimselftopushtheangerandanxiety

outofhismind,takingseveralcalmingbreaths.Hispalmsweresweatywheretheygrippedhisfather’slightsaber.Hefeltthenegativeemotionsdrainingawayandnodded.Buthestillfelttired—armsheavy,feetsluggish,hiseyesandearsabeatbehindthemovementsoftheremotesastheywaitedforhimtoresumetheexercise.

Helastedlessthantwominutesbeforeoneofthe

remotesgothiminthesideofthehead,makinghisearsring.

Thenhewashitafterforty-twoseconds.

Andthenaftereight.Lukehurledhislightsaber

aside,gaspingforbreath.Artoowhistledurgently.

“IquiteagreewithArtoo,”Threepiosaid.“MasterLuke,youmustrest.You’reonlyhuman,afterall.”

Lukefloppeddownonthegrassyflagstones,hischestrisingandfallingastheremotesretreatedtowaitinsidethepillar.

“Ihaven’tdoneenough,”hesaidraggedly.“Haven’tcompletedtheexercise.”

“Surelyarestisn’tagainsttherules.”

“No,probablynot,”Lukegasped.

Hesatinthegrassuntilhewasnolongershortof

breathandthesweathadstoppedrunningdownhisface.Hegottohisfeetandwalkedslowlytowherehislightsaberlay,bendingtopickitup.Hislegsached,andtheancientweaponfeltheavyinhishand.

“MasterLuke,areyouquitesureyou’rerecovered?”Threepioasked.“I’dhatetoseeyoudamaged.”

“I’mfine,”Lukesaid,thoughhewasprettysurethat

wasn’ttrue.“Nextyou’lltellmeyou

havetofightagainwithoutbeingabletosee,”Threepiosaid.“Ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso,thatseemedterriblyreckless.”

Lukesmiled,rememberingstandingintheholdoftheFalconandtryingtotracktheremotebythehissofitsjets,withtheblastshieldofHan’soldbucketofaflighthelmetcoveringhis

eyes.He’dthoughtBenwascrazy—hecouldbarelycontrolalightsaber,letaloneuseitwithoutbeingabletosee.OnlyhisloyaltytotheoldJedihadkepthimfromprotestingmorevigorouslyinfrontofHanandChewbacca.

Buthe’ddoneit.He’dstoppedtheremote,withoutbeingabletousehiseyes.IthadbeenhisfirstlessoninhowtheForcecouldenhanceone’ssenses.

Lukeraisedhislightsaber,andtheremotesadvancedimmediately.Heparriedonestrike,thenanother,listeningforeachhissofaremote’schangingdirection,eyestrackingeachtinyrepositioning.

Alaserbeamcaughthiminthethigh.

“Twenty-sixseconds,MasterLuke.”

Ican’tdothis,Lukethought.Honestly,I’dbe

betteroffblind.Andthenherealized.Thepointoffightingwith

theblastshieldcoveringhiseyeshadn’tbeentoenhancehisothersenses.IthadbeentogivehimnochoicebuttotrustintheForce.He’ddoneitthen—andagainintheDeathStartrench,whenhe’dshutoffhistargetingcomputerandlettheForcetellhimwhentofiretheprotontorpedoesthathad

destroyedthebattlestation.Letgo,Ben’svoicehad

said.Thathadbeenthekey—thesimpleinstructionthathadsavedtheAllianceandhisownlife.

Hehadn’tunderstoodhisowntrainingthereatEedit.He’dthoughthe’dbeencommandingtheForce,usingittoamplifyhissensesandspeeduphisreflexes.Butthathadn’tbeenitatall.Whenhe’dsucceeded,itwas

becausehewaslettingtheForceguidehim—andwhenhe’dfailed,itwasbecausehewastryingtoguideit.He’dthoughtthathewaslearningtomaketheForceobeyhiscommands,butreallyitwastheotherwayaround.

Letgo,Lukethought,breathingout.

Hecouldn’ttrackthreeremotesatonce—itwashardenoughkeepingupwithone.Andallthepracticeinthe

galaxywouldn’thelphim.Thatwasn’tthepointoftheexerciseanymorethanwhetherornothecouldsee.

“Areyouallright,MasterLuke?”Threepioasked.

“I’mfine,”Lukesaid.“Threepio,you’reagenius.”

“IliketothinkI’mprogrammedforinsights,”Threepiosaid,towhichArtooofferedadisgustedblat.

Lukeraisedhisbladetoreadyposition,ignoringthe

acheinhisshouldersandthesweatstinginghiseyes.

Theremotesstreakedin.Lukecouldn’tsaythathesawthem,butthebladeofhisfather’slightsaberwastheretoblocktheirenergybolts.Hecouldn’tsaythatheheardthem,butheturnedwheneveronetriedtogetbehindhim,blockingitsattackvectorwithhisblade.

HewasnolongerawareofThreepio’sencouragement,

orArtoo’sbeeps.Thechirpingbirdsnolongerregisteredinhisears,northechuffsandsnortsofthepikhrons.Hedidn’tnoticethesweatrunningdownhisneck,orfeelthegrowingheatoftheday.

TherewasonlytheForce,itscurrentsstretchingintothepastandfuture,andhewaspartofit,trustingittotakehimwhereheneededtobe.Hismusclesandnerves

movedhisarmsandlegs,shiftingeffortlesslyamongthefourdefensiveposturesthatformedthefoundationoflightsabercombat.Butwhowascommandingthosemusclesandnerves?

Theremotesbrokeofftheirattackandfloatedquietlyinfrontofthepillar.Lukelookedaroundthecourtyard,faintlystartled.Thesunhadpasseddirectlyoverheadandwasnow

descendingfromitszenithinthesky.

“Howlong…howlongsinceIwaslasthit?”heasked.

“Threestandardhours,elevenminutes,andforty-threeseconds,”Threepiosaid.“Perhapsyououghttorest,MasterLuke.Youmustbeperilouslylowoncharge.”

“Ifeelgreat,”Lukesaidwithasmile,wantingnothingmorethantosinkbackinto

theForceandlosehimselfinit.

Thepikhronsbegantosnuffleandsnort,tossingtheirheads.Thematriarchbroughtherfrontfeetoffthegroundandslammedthemdown,callingurgentlytotherestofthegroup.

“Nowwhat’sgottenintothosepeculiarcreatures?”Threepiowondered.

“Ithinktheysensesomething,”Lukesaid.

“They’reactinglikebanthasdidbackhomewhenakraytdragonwasonthehunt.”

Thenhecouldfeelit,too—newripplesintheForce,advancinglikewavestocrashintothegentleebbandflowoflifeintheglade.

Heraisedhislightsaber,andtheremotesroseuptofacehim.

“No,”Lukesaid.“We’renottrainingnow.Somethingelseishappening.”

Heloweredhisweapon,andtheremotesbackedaway—whichwaswhenthelaserblastknockedhimoffhisfeet.

THESTORMTROOPERSclamberedovertherubbleoftheruinedoutbuildingswiththeirblastersraised.

“Ohno,I’llbecaptured!”yelpedThreepio,throwinghishandsintheair.

Thepikhronshuddledtogetherinterror,bellowing.

Lukescrambledtohisfeet.Heglancedquicklyathisgunbelt,butitwasontheothersideofthefountain.He’dneverreachitintime.

“Surrender,rebel,”saidtheleadtrooper.

“Comegetme,”Lukesaid,hisfeetautomaticallyassumingthereadypositionasheraisedhislightsaber.

Thestormtrooperadjustedhisrifle’scontrols,nodoubtsettingitforstun.

Ican’tletthemcaptureme,Lukethought.They’llfigureoutwhoIamandmakeasymboloutofme.ThedestroyeroftheDeathStar,broughttojustice.AndthenmanyworldsthatmighthavejoinedtheAlliancewillretreatinfearinstead.

Theleadtrooperfiredathim,blasteremittingringsofconcentricblue.Lukebarelyinterceptedthemwithhisblade,theenergydancing

alongitandvanishing.Andofcourseifthey

capturemeI’llbeexecuted,Lukethought.I’dratheravoidthat,too.

Thestormtrooperpaused,thennoddedathisfellows.Thesquadbegantospreadout,advancingacrossthegladetowardhim.

LettheForceguideyou,Lukethought.Butheturneduncertainlyonewayandthentheotherasthetroopers

executedaflankingmaneuver.

There’stoomanyofthem,shrilledthevoiceofdoubtinhishead.Threeremotesisn’tanythinglikeeightlivingadversaries.

Behindthetrooperscameaslimmanwearingtheolive-greenuniformofanImperialofficer,draggingalongasmallerfigure.ItwasFarnay.TheireyesmetandLukesawtheangerinhergaze—anger

andfear.“Dropyourweapon,”the

officersaid,inclininghischinatthegirlinhisgrip.“Otherwisesomeonecouldgethurt.”

Luketookastepback.Hewasoutnumberedninetoone,andtheImperialshadFarnay.Hesighedandheldhisfingeroverthelightsaber’sactivationstud.

Thenahumreachedhisears,followedbyasurprised

beepfromArtoo.Lukeriskedaglance

backward.SarcowasstridingthroughthearchwaythatledintotheTempleofEedit.Hewascarryingastaffwhoseendswerecrownedwithcyclingpurplesparks.Theweaponhowledandcrackledinhishands,andLukefoundhimselfthinkingthatthiswasnottheSarcohe’dmetinthejungle—thebeingcrossingthecourtyardradiatedboth

confidenceandmalice.“Hyperspacescout,”

Sarcosaid.“Historian.Farmboy.AndyethereyouarewithaJedilaserswordinyourhand,likeyoumeantouseit.”

“Bequiet,”theImperiallieutenantsaid.“You’reunderarrest,bothofyou.”

“Idon’tthinkso,”Sarcoreplied,twistingadialonhistoolbelt.Artooletoutanelectronicshriek,Threepio

stoppedandflunghisarmsintheair,andthetroopersclutchedtheirhelmets.

“Whatwasthat?”Lukedemanded.

“Electromagneticpulsetoblocktheirtransmissions,”Sarcosaid.“Well,Marcus?Let’sseewhatyou’recapableof.”

Thefacelessalienwhirledthestaffinhishandsashestrodeacrossthecourtyard.Theweaponletoutastrange

howl,purplelightningflaringfromeitherend.OneofthetroopersfiredatSarco,apanickyshotthatwentwide,andthealienspearedthetrooperwithhisstaff,sendingpurpleenergycoursingacrosshisarmor.Thetrooperfloppedontheground,spasming,thenlaystill.

Thelieutenantdrewhissidearm,butFarnaydroveherelbowintohisstomach,breakinghisgrip.She

scrambledawayfromhim,headdown.Theofficeraimedhisblasterather,andLukeracedforward,lightsaberheldathiswaist.

Atrooperfiredathim—theshotwastokill,notstun—andLukedeflectedtheboltintothechestofthelieutenant.Themanfellforwardwithastrangledcry.Lukebroughthislightsaberdownonthetrooper’shelmet,thenspunawayfromthe

fallingsoldierandblockedashotatpoint-blankrange,sendingthelaserblastbackintothechestofthetrooperwho’dfiredit.

Thepikhronsbrokeintoarun,chargingovertherubblebehindthetroopers,seekingsafety.

Sarcobroughthisstaffdownlikeaclubonatrooper’shead,thenthrusttheendintothefallenImperial’sbreastplate.Hegruntedasa

blasterboltstruckthemiddleofthestaffbutheldonandchargedthetrooperwho’dtriedtodisarmhim,screaminglikeaTuskenintheTatooinenight.

SomethingtoldLuketoduck.Hedid,thensmelledhishairburning.Heswungaround,thrustinghislightsaberupandthroughthearmoredbreastplateofatrooper.HespottedFarnaycrouchedbehindtherimof

thefountain,watchingthefightanxiously.

TheremainingtwostormtrooperswerebetweenLukeandSarco.Sarcoswunghisstaffforwardasonetrooperfiredwildly.Thealien’sweaponhookedthesoldier’sblasterandrippeditoutofhishands.TheothertrooperdroppedtoonekneeandraisedhisrifleatLuke,whodeflectedtheboltbackathim.Thesoldierducked,and

thereorientedboltstruckhissquadmateinthebackofthehelmet.ThenSarcosteppedoverthearmoredbodyandbroughthisstaffdownonthelasttrooper’shead.

Lukesteppedback,loweringhislightsaber.Ithadallhappenedsoquickly.

“Idon’tknowwhyyoufollowedme,”hesaidtoSarco.“ButI’mgladyoudid.”

Thestormtroopershad

beenthedangerhe’dsensedintheForce.Buthe’ddefeatedthem—thankstothemysticalenergyfield,andhelpfromhisfriends.Hisvisionhadn’tbeencompletelyaccurate—hehadn’tslippedonaflagstone,foronething—butithadbeencloseenoughtowarnhim.

“Areyouallright?”hecalledtoFarnay.

Shenodded,eyeswide.Sarcoturnedhisheadin

thegirl’sdirection,thenwalkedpastLukeandshovedoneofthemotionlesstroopersintoapitblastedintheflagstones.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Lukeasked.

“MakingitharderfortheEmpiretofigureoutwhathappenedhere,”Sarcosaid,dragginganothertrooperovertovanishintothedarkness.“Pity.Theirweaponsandarmorwouldbegood

salvage.”Lukehesitated,but

disposingofthetroopersmadesense.Thetwoofthemshovedtheotherfallensoldiersintothepits.

“Lookout!”Farnayyelled.

LukelookeduptoseeSarcospinninghisstaffslowlyinonehand.

“Stayawayfromhim!”Farnayyelled.

“Whatareyougoingto

doaboutit,brat?”snarledSarco.“Thisisnobusinessofyours.”

HecockedhisheadatLuke,totheleftandthentotheright.

“Whatareyou,Marcus?”heasked.“I’vebeenconsideringthatsincebackinthejungle.You’renohyperspacescout,that’sforsure.Andyoucanusethatsorcerer’sweaponbetterthanyouleton.”

Luketookastepbackward,raisinghislightsaber.Theremotesrushedforward,thinkinghemeanttoresumetheexercise.Lukeslippedonalooseflagstone,nearlyfallingtohisknees.HelookedfromtheflagstonetoSarcoinsuddenrealization.

“TheForcewasn’twarningmeaboutthestormtroopers,”hesaid.“Itwaswarningmeaboutyou.”

“Ohno,”Threepiomoaned.

“TheForce,”Sarcosaid.“Soyou’reaJedi,then?Idon’tthinkso.IrememberthemfromwhenIwassmall—youdon’thavetheirskills.Sowhatareyou?Whatwasthewordthesorcerersused,beforetheEmpirecameforthem?Padawan—thatwasit.Sothat’swhatyouare—alearner.Anapprentice.Butwhatgood’sanapprentice

withoutamaster?”Sarcoskirtedtheedgeof

apit,walkingtowardLukelikehehadallthetimeintheworld.Lukefoundhisfeetassumingreadyposition,notingwithreliefthattheremoteshadfinallyconcludedsomethingotherthanatrainingexercisewastakingplace.

“Nobody’sPadawan,thelastapprenticeofanextinctreligion,”Sarcosaid.“Care

foraduel?”Lukefelthisangerrising.

Sarcohadproposedtheonethinghewantedmost—achancetoshowoffhisnewskillsandshowthearrogantalienwhatamistakehe’dmade.

Heexhaledslowly,lightsaberheldathiswaist,asSarcospunhisstaffinablurofdeadlypurple.

“Ishouldthankyou,Nobody’sPadawan,”hesaid.

“I’vebeenlookingforawayintothisplaceforyears—andnowyou’vebeengoodenoughtofindoneforme.”

“Andnowyouknowthere’snothinglefthereforyoutosteal.”

Sarco’svocodereruptedinamusedstatic.

“That’swhereyou’rewrong,Nobody’sPadawan.TheEmpirebombedthetemple,butthevaultsandstoreroomsbelowareintact.

I’vegotdebtstopay,andwhat’sbeneathourfeetwilltakecareofthatandmore.Pityyouwon’tgettoseethewealthyourprecioussorcerersleftbehind.”

“TheJedididn’tstockpilewealthlikethat,”Lukesaid.“Theonlytreasuresherearewhat’saroundyou.”

Sarcoturnedhischitinousmasktotakeinthebrokenstatuesanduprootedflagstones,thenreturnedhis

scrutinytoLuke.“DoyouknowwhatI’m

goingtodoafterIdefeatyou,Nobody’sPadawan?”heasked.“FirstI’llsellwhatever’sleftofyoutothegovernor.ThenI’llsellyourfighterandmeltthosedroidsintoscrap.Asforyoursaber,itwillfetchgoodcreditsfromsomecollector.OrperhapsI’llkeepitasoneofmytrophies.”

“Noneofthosethingsis

goingtohappen,”Lukesaid,andleaptforward,lightsaberheldoverhishead.

SARCOFELLBACK,andLuke’sviciousdownwardcutbitintotheflagstones,sendingupsparks.ThealienheldhisstaffuptoparryasLukestalkedhim.

“Youdon’tknowthefirstthingaboutJedi,”Lukesaid.“Startingwiththeir

weapons.”Sarcoraisedhisstaff,and

Lukebroughtthesaberdown,expectingtheancientweapontocleavetheScavenger’sstaffintwo.ButthesabermetresistanceasSarco’sstaffcaughtthebladeandheldit,sendingashockupLuke’sarms.Sarcogaveway,andLukestumbledforward.Thenthealienkickedtheyoungrebelintheface,sendinghimsprawling.

“Youruffian!”yelledThreepio.

“Thisisanelectrostaff,Nobody’sPadawan,”SarcosaidasLukestruggledtohisfeet,spittingoutblood.“Ausefultool—andonedesignedtokillJedi.”

Farnaylookedaroundthecourtyardindesperation.Lukehopedshewouldn’ttryanythingfoolish—theScavengerwouldkillherwithbarelyathought.

Sarcoleaptforward,theelectrostaffwhiningwithwhatsoundedlikeaterribleglee.Lukegothislightsaberupandknockedtheweaponaside,butSarcofollowedhim,sweepingathisstomachwiththestaff.LuketurnedasideasSarcochargedandaimedaslashatthealien’sback—butSarcohadanticipatedtheattackandbattedLuke’sbladeaway,leapingoveracraterinthe

gladeandturningtoregardhisopponent.

“It’sapity,”hesaid.“InacoupleofyearsyoumighthavepassedforaJedi.Butnowyou’rejustaboywithabladeyou’renotworthyof.Adreamer,Marcus.Pretendingtobesomethingyou’renot.”

“TheForceiswithme,”Lukesaid.“That’smorethanyou’lleverhave.”

Hecarvedafigureeightintheairinfrontofhim,

tellinghimselftolettheForceguidehishand.Sarcosteppedback,thentriedtododgearoundLuke’sdefenses.Quickerthanthought,Luke’slightsaberwastheretomeettheelectrostaff,pushingSarcoback.

ThealiengruntedandspunawayfromLuke’sblade,tumblingforwardandthenleapingatLuke’sunprotectedback,electrostaffwailing.Buttheblownever

landed—andthenthebrilliantbluebladewasslashingatSarco’shead.Hecaughtthebladeonhisstaffandscrambledaside,thebristlesonhisarmsrisingandfallingasiftheywerebreathinghard.

“Notbad,Nobody’sPadawan,”hesaid.“Yourteacherwouldpraiseyou.Ifyouhadateacher.”

AgainSarcoattacked,electrostaffthrustinfrontof

himlikeaspear.Lukeknockedthetipaside,butSarco’schargewastoopowerfultodeflect.Heducked,andSarcostumbledpast,Luke’slightsaberflashingbehindhimandnickingthebackofthealien’sleg.

Sarcogrunted,onechitinoushandgoingtothecutonhisthigh.Hisciliaflailedbackandforth,andthehairsonhisarmsspasmed.

FarnayscrambledtoArtoo’sside.Hebeepedatherindismay.

“Nomoregames,boy,”Sarcosaid,touchingabuttononthecontrolboxthatsatonhischest.Motorssquealedandahiddenshieldemergedfrominsidehishelmet,coveringhischitinousface.Heopenedapouchonhistoolbeltandextractedasmallblacksphere.

“MasterLuke,lookout!”

ThreepioyelpedasSarcotossedtheobjectatLuke—somekindofgrenade,hethought.

Lukewatcheditcalmly,hislightsaberalreadymovingtointerceptit.Interruptingthegrenade’strajectorywouldbeeasyenough.

Butthatwasn’ttheScavenger’splan.

Thegrenadedetonatedattheapexofitsflight,ameterbeforeLukewouldhave

sliceditintwo.Ablindingflashoflight

andathunderclapofnoisefilledthecourtyard.TheconcussionknockedLukebackwardintotheoverflowfromthefountain.Hestaggeredtohisfeet,lightsaberinhand,bloodrunningfromhisnose.

Lukeblinkedfuriously,thenstaredstraightahead.

Sarcoputafingertohischest,andhisfaceshield

contractedbackintohishelmet.Hetooktwostepstotheright,spinninghisstaff.Lukekeptstaringinthesamedirection,hiskneesshaking.

“Hey!”Sarcocalled.“Nobody’sPadawan!”

Lukedidn’treacttothewords.Heheldthelightsaberinfrontofhim,blinkingdesperately,wipinghisbloodynoseonhissleevewithanuncertain,jitterymovement.Hestaggeredto

theleft,thentotheright,thenfelltohisknees,strugglingtolifthishead.

“You’veblindedhim!”Threepioshrieked.“Hecan’tseeorhear!Itisn’tafairfight!”

“Whosaiditwouldbe?”Sarcoaskedthedroid.“BequietandmaybeI’llsellyouandyourlittlefriendinsteadofpullingyouapart.”

Lukescrambledtohisfeet,swinginghislightsaber

wildly,thencrashedtothegroundagain.

“Suchfeeblesenses—soeasilydisabled,”Sarcosaid.

Staticcoughedoutofthealien’svocoder.HewalkedslowlyaroundthefallenJedi,raisinghisdeadlyelectrostaffasifhemeanttoramitintoLuke’sback.HehelditafewcentimetersfromLuke,thendrewitaway,turninginthedirectionofFarnayandthedroids.

“Goodnews—I’vedecidednottosellyourmastertotheEmpire,”hesaid.“I’mgoingtokeephimasoneofmyowntrophiesinstead.Ican’twaittohearhimscream.”

“Ohno,”Threepiosaid.“Mypoormaster.”

SarcoonceagainbroughtthestafftowithinafewcentimetersofthebackofLuke’shead,promptingagaspfromFarnayandan

electronicsquealfromArtoo.“Ican’tbeartowatch,”

Threepiosaid.Stonesrattlednearby.

Threepiolookedupandsawthepikhronmatriarchscramblingbackintothegladeoverthepileofrubble,followedbytheotherbeasts.Thematriarchstaredatthealienandthestrickenrebelandsnorted,pawingatthegrass.

“Evenbetter,”Sarcosaid.

“WhenI’mdonewithyourmasterI’lltakethesefoolishbeasts’hidesandteeth.”

TheScavengerwalkedaroundtofaceLuke.Theyoungrebelwasonhisknees,blinkingfuriously.Hewavedhislightsaberweaklyinfrontofhim,andSarcotookahalfstepback,themovementrelaxedandcasual.

“You’llneverseeitcoming,”Sarcopurred,raisingtheelectrostafflikea

club.Alaserboltzippedpast

thealien’shead.Hespunaway,electrostaffheldinfrontofhim.Thenheturned,thebristlesonhisarmstwitching.

“Getawayfromhim,Scavenger,”Farnaysaid,holdingLuke’sblasterpistolinfrontofher.

ThebristlesonSarco’sarmsfluttered.

“Foolishbrat,”hesaid,

walkingaroundLuketowardthegirl.“You’veinterferedwithmeforthelasttime.”

“Stop,”Farnaysaid.“PutdownyourweaponorI’llshootyou.”

Sarcostrodeforward,electrostaffheldtooneside.Hespunitidlyinhishand.

“Youmeanthisweapon?”heasked.

“Notanotherstep,”Farnaysaid,tryingtoholdLuke’spistolsteady.“Imean

it.”Sarcobrokeintoarun.

Farnayfiredathim,oneshotnearlyclippinghisshoulder,beforeheleveledherwithaforearm.Hergunwentflying,andamomentlaterSarcohadslappedbindersonherwrists,behindherback.Hethrewhertothegroundandheldtheelectrostaffnearherthroat.

“Letheralone,youbrute!”Threepioyelped.

“Fiveseconds’contact

andyourheartwillstop,”SarcotoldFarnay,ciliaquiveringeagerly.“ShallIdoithere?OrtakeyoubacktoTikaroosoyourworthlessfathercanwatch?”

“Leave…leaveheralone.”

ThevoicewasweakandcamefromsomedistancebehindSarco.HepulledhisstaffbackfromFarnay’sthroat.Lukehadgottentohisfeetandwasholdinghissaber

infrontofhim.Buttheyoungrebelwasstillfacingthewrongway,disoriented.

StaticbubbledoutofSarco’svocoder.HepickedupLuke’sblasterandtuckeditintohisbelt.

“You’readeterminedone,Marcus,”hesaid.“Butit’salittletoolateforthatForceofyours.Enoughfoolishness—timetoendthis.”

HegaveFarnaya

contemptuouskickandstrodeacrossthecourtyard,electrostaffaimedatLuke’sback.

WHENTHEGRENADEwentoff,Lukefoundhimselfindarkness,withnosoundexcepttheringinginhisears.Hegottohisfeet,feelingthefamiliarweightofhisfather’slightsaberinhishand.Buthecouldbarelystand.HetriedtocallontheForce,begging

ittokeephimonhisfeet,buthissenseswerecloudedbyfearandpain.

HecouldsenseSarcosomewherenearby—butwherehecouldn’tsay.OnemomentitfeltlikehewasinfrontofLuke,thenextbehind.Lukestaggeredandfelltohisknees,hisheartbeathammeringinhishead.Allhewantedtodowasliedownandsleep—sleepforagesandages.

Ifyougotosleepyou’llneverwakeup,hetoldhimself.Orifyoudo,you’llwishyouneverhad.

HereachedoutwiththeForce.HecouldfeelthemalignantthrobofSarco,likeadarkerstainonthevoidaroundhim.Hecouldfeelthebirdsandinsectsoftheglade—they’dretreatedtoasafedistance,theirwarinesspulsingintheForce.Hecouldfeeltheagitated

presenceofthepikhrons.AndhecouldfeelFarnay,

herenergyspikyandjaggedwithterror.

Hegotshakilytohisfeetagain,gaspingforSarcotoleavethegirlalone.Hecouldn’thearhisownvoice.

Helpme,BenKenobi,hethought.Somebodyhelpme.

HecouldfeelSarconearby,buthedidn’tknowwhere.Lukeraisedhislightsabertotheready

position.Heknewitwasauselessgesture,butitwasallhecoulddo.

“Letgo,Luke,”saidBen’svoice.“Youreyesandearscandeceiveyou.ButtheForceisall-seeing.”

FarnaybegantoscreamwhenSarcogotwithinameterofLuke’sunprotectedback.Thepikhronslookedup,jerkingtheirheadsupanddownas

theypawedatthegrass.Sarcotwirledhis

electrostaffinlazycontemplation.Thrustingtheweaponintotheboy’sspinewouldknockhimunconsciousforseveralhours,anditwouldbeadayormorebeforehecouldusehislegs.Bythenitwouldbefartoolateforhim.He’dtakethegirlandthedroidsbackintothejunglewithhim,thenwaitfortheEmpiretosearch

foritsmissingsquad.Whentheyweregone,he’dhaveallthetimeheneededtolootthetemple.

Lukebegantoswinghislightsaberwildly,adesperatedefenseagainstanenemywhowasn’tthere.Standingsafelybehindhim,Sarcospunhisstafflazily.

“Monster,”Farnayspat,yankingfutilelyatherbinders.

Sarcohadhadenough.He

raisedhisstaff,attentionfixedonthemotionlessrebel’sunprotectedback,ontheperfectspottodrivehisweaponhome.

TheScavengerdidn’tbothertoreactwhentheblindedboyslasheduselesslyattheemptyairtohisleft.ButthenLukecontinuedthemovement,repositioninghisfeetperfectlyashespunaround.Thelightsabermovedatincrediblespeedwithallof

Luke’sweightbehindit,itspathaperfectarcthatremainedsmoothandgracefulevenastheblue-whitebladerippedthroughSarco’schest.

ThebristlesonSarco’sarmsstoodstraightoutandhescreeched.Hisfingersopened,andtheelectrostafffellfromthem,settingthegrassafire.

Thealien’shandgropedathischest.Luke’sbladehad

slashedthroughthecontrolbox,leavingaraggedwoundinSarco’schest.Onetubeflappedfreely,apalegreenfluidgushingfromit.Thesmell—thickandnauseatinglysweet—reachedLuke’snose.

Sarcostaggeredasteptotheright,thentotteredtwostepstotheleft.Lukestoodfacinghim,eyesunseeing,bracedforanotherattack.

SarcodrewLuke’spistol,

aimingitbetweentherebel’seyes.ThegunwaveredintheScavenger’shandashefoughttoconcentrate,distractedbyasuddenhammeringsoundnearby.

Thepikhronswerechargingacrosstheglen,trumpetinginfury.

Thegreatbeasts’massivesidespassedwithinafewcentimetersofLukeashestoodintheglade.Hedidn’tmove—theForcetoldhimhe

wassafe,justasithadguidedhishandatthemomentofgravestperil.

Sarcofiredattheonrushingpikhrons,butthevolleyofshotsmerelybouncedoffthematriarch’sthickhide.Hebackedup—andhisfootfoundemptyair.Hehungforamomentonthelipofoneofthepitsgougedinthecourtyard,armsflailinginadesperateattempttoregainhisbalance.Butitwas

toolate.TheScavenger’slastscreamlingeredbehindhimashefellintodarkness.

Water.Lukecouldfeelwater—

cool,soothingwater.Itwasonhisforehead,andhischeeks,andthenhischin.

Hegasped,openinghiseyestolookintothefaceofFarnay,whowassponginghisforeheadwithawetcloth.

“You’realive,”shesaid.ForamomentLuke

wonderedifthatwastrue.Hehadspotsinhisvision,thebloodwashammeringinhisears,andhefeltlikehisheadwasgoingtosplitintwo.Butitwastrue—hewasalive.

BindershungfromFarnay’swrists,thelinkbrokenbyacuttingtorch.BehindtheDevaroniangirlhecouldseeThreepioandArtoostaringdownathimin

concern.Aroundthefourofthemthepikhronsstoodinaprotectivering.

“How…howdidyougethere?”Lukemanaged.

“IfollowedyouandtheScavenger,”Farnaysaid.“Hestayedtowaitforyou.Ididn’tknowwhattodo,soIwenthome—justintimetogetcaughtbythestormtroopers.Ididn’thaveanychoice,Luke—theywouldhavehurtmydadifI

hadn’tcomewiththem.Oh,Imessedeverythingup,didn’tI?”

“Messedeverythingup?Yousavedmylife.”

“Youdidthatyourself,”Farnaysaidwithasmallsmile.“Ididn’tknowtheScavengerhadfollowedyouintothecave.”

“Iguesshewantedthebountyonme,”Lukesaid.

“Hewantedyouforhiscollection,”Farnaysaid,and

Lukethoughtbacktothegloomyclearingandthehalf-buriedbones.“Aswellaswhateverhecouldstealfromthetemple.TheEmpiremustbetryingtocontactthetroopersbynow—they’llbeoverdue.Canyoustand?”

“I’llcrawlifIhaveto,”Lukesaid,gettingshakilytohisfeetwithThreepioandFarnay’shelpandclippinghislightsabertohisbelt.

“Ithoughtyouwere

dead,”Farnaysaid.“Howdidyoudothat?”

Lukesmiled.“TheForceshowedme

myenemy.Aswellasmyfriends.”

Hestretchedhishandouttothepikhronmatriarch,strokingherscalymuzzle.Sheclosedhereyesandsighed,andLukebowedhisheadtoher,thentotherestofthecreaturesstandingaroundthem.

“Goonnow,”Lukesaidgently.“Youdon’twanttobeherewhentheEmpirecomesback.”

Thematriarchsnortedandbegantomakeherwaytowardthepileofrubble,therestofherclanfallinginlinebehindher.Onebyonethegreatbeastsclimbedoverthedebrisanddisappeared.

Artoowhistledurgently.“MasterLuke,Artoosays

he’sdetectingthesoundof

ionengines,”Threepiosaid.“We’dbettergo,”Luke

said.Sarco’selectrostafflayin

thegrass,deactivated.Ateitherendacircleofgrasswasburntblack.Lukebentandpickeduptheweapon,eyeingitwithdistaste,thenwalkedcautiouslytotheedgeofthepitandpeeredintoit.

Hesawnothingbutdarkness.Buttherewasafainttickleinthebackofhis

brain,likeanunpleasantsmellonecouldjustdetect.AndheknewtheScavengerwasalive.

Lethimrotthen,Lukethought.Downtherewiththeimaginarytreasurehewantedsobadly.

Hethrewtheelectrostaffintothepit.Heheardtherattleofitsfall,thensilence.

TIEfightersshriekedsomewhereoverhead.LukenoddedtoFarnay,andthey

hurriedoutofthecourtyardasfastasLuke’sstillshakylegscouldcarryhim,thedroidstrailingbehind.Thegreathallwaslitwithshaftsoflate-afternoonsun,castingtheshapesoftheJedistatuesinshadowonthefarwall.Theshadowslookedwhole,Lukethought.

“Justonemoremoment,”Lukesaidastheyreachedthetunnelleadingbacktothecaveandtherivervalley.

Hekneltinthemiddleofthehall,restinghishandatoptheJedi’smassivestoneone.

“TheForcebroughtmehere,”hesaidquietly.“AndwhatIlearnedheresavedme.”

Heswallowed,thencontinued.“IwillbecomeaJedi.IwillrebuildtheOrder.AndonedayIwillcomehereagain.IswearitonthememoryofObi-WanKenobi.Andmyfather.Andallthe

Jediwhowalkedthesehalls.”Hegottohisfeet.Thesun

wasalmostatthehorizon.Itwastimetogo.

JESSIKAPAVA’SCOMLINKchimedforthethirdtimeinthepreviousfiveminutes.

“Holdonasec,Threepio,”shesaidwithascowl,activatingthedevice.“Yes?It’sPava.What’sthat?Allright—I’monmyway.

Bethereinaminute.”Sheshutoffhercomlink

andshruggedatThreepio.“AfraidI’mneededinthe

commandcenter.”“Iunderstand,Blue

Three.”Shesmiled.“Callme

Jessika.BeforeIgo,IwanttohearhowyougotoffDevaron.TheEmpirefoundSkywalker’sY-wing,afterall.Sohowdidyougetaway?”

“Thatisatale,”Threepiosaid.“WhenwereturnedtoTikaroo—”

“I’mafraidIonlyhavetimefortheshortversion,Threepio.Theveryshortversion.”

“Oh,”Threepiosaid,soundingdisappointed.“Well,MissPava,MasterLukereclaimedhisstarfighter—whichhadbeenrepairedquitecapablybyKivas,Imustsay.Onthewayto

spacehedroppedseveralbombsatthebaseofthespire,cuttingoffthepathsintothejungle.I’mpleasedtosaythatmeanttheendofthosedreadfulhunts.”

“Andthealien?TheonetheycalledtheScavenger?”

“Justrecallingthatawfulcreatureputsmeatriskofashortcircuit,”Threepiosaid.“MasterLukeclaimedhewasalive.Mysensorsdetectednotraceofhim,buthewasquite

insistent.”Jessika’scomlinkwas

chimingagain.“Stang!Isaidinaminute,

didn’tI?”“Youdid,”Threepiosaid.

“Andithasbeenoneminuteandtwosecondsexactly.”

“Right.Ihavetogo.But…justtellmeaboutFarnay.Didyoueverseeheragain?”

“Oh,yes,”Threepiosaid.“ArtooandIweredelighted

tobereacquaintedwithFarnaywhenMasterLukekepthispromiseandreturnedtoDevaron.She’dgrownintoquiteacapableyoungwoman.Itwouldbemypleasuretotellyouthatstory,MissPava.Buttheregoesyourcomlinkagain,thebeastlything.SoIsupposethattalewillhavetowait….”

JASONFRYistheauthorofTheJupiterPiratesyoungadultspace-fantasyseriesandhaswrittenorcowrittenmorethanthirtynovels,shortstories,andotherworkssetinagalaxyfar,faraway,includingStarWars:TheEssentialAtlasandtheServantsoftheEmpirequartet.HelivesinBrooklyn,NewYork,with

hiswife,son,andaboutametrictonofStarWarsstuff.

PHILNOTObeganhiscareeratWaltDisneyFeatureAnimationwhereheworkedonsuchfilmsasTheLionKing,Pocahontas,TheHunchbackofNotreDame,Mulan,andLilo&Stitch.In2001,Philstartedhiscomiccareerasthecoverartistfor

DCComics’BirdsofPrey.SincethenhehasworkedonnumerousprojectssuchasDangerGirl,JonahHex,Avengers,UncannyX-Force,X-23,TheInfiniteHorizon,andmostrecently,Marvel’sBlackWidow.