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©&TM2015LucasfilmLtd.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbyDisney•LucasfilmPress,an
imprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybe
reproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic
ormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutwrittenpermission
fromthepublisher.ForinformationaddressDisney•LucasfilmPress,1101Flower
Street,Glendale,California91201.
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.