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imprintofDisneyBookGroup.No
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LucasfilmPress,1101Flower
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DesignedbyJasonWojtowicz
ISBN978-1-4847-2500-9
VisittheofficialStarWars
website:www.starwars.com
Contents
Prologue
PartOne
Chapter01:Red
Squadrontothe
Rescue
Chapter02:TheCallof
theForce
Chapter03:TheHand
oftheEmpire
Chapter04:Returnto
Devaron
PartTwo
Chapter05:Visionof
thePast
Chapter06:Intothe
Woods
Chapter07:TheLost
Temple
Chapter08:TheLiving
Force
PartThree
Chapter09:The
WeaponofaJedi
Knight
Chapter10:TheSecret
oftheForce
Chapter11:Imperial
Attack
Chapter12:The
Scavenger’sStaff
Chapter13:MyAllyIs
theForce
Epilogue
AbouttheAuthor
Alongtimeagoinagalaxy
far,faraway.…
TheREBELALLIANCEhas
destroyedtheEmpire’s
dreadedDEATHSTAR,but
thegalaxyremainsconvulsed
bycivilwar,andtheImperial
starfleetishuntingtherebels
throughoutthegalaxy.
LUKESKYWALKER,the
pilotwhodestroyedtheDeath
Star,isnowhailedasahero.
ButLukeseeksonlyto
supportthefreedomfighters,
servingtheRebellionbehind
thecontrolsofhisX-wing
fighter.
Evenashefliesalongsidethe
pilotsofRedSquadron,Luke
feelsstirringsinthemystical
energyfieldknownasthe
Force.Andthisfarmboy
turnedfighterpilotbeginsto
suspectthathisdestinylies
alongadifferentpath.…
JESSIKAPAVAcouldn’t
stopstaringatherX-wing
fighter.
Shepushedherblackhair
outofhereyesandsighed,
forcingherselftoturnaround
soshecouldnolongerseethe
compact,deadlystarfighter
whereitsatonitslanding
gearinthecenterofthe
hangar.Herfellowpilots
knewshewantednothing
morethantogetbackinto
spaceasBlueThree.
ButJessikawasondroid
dutythatweek.Herjobwas
toinventorythebase’s
astromechsandmakesure
theywerereadyforduty—
programmingupdated,flight
instrumentstestedand
confirmedasoperational.It
wasn’ttheworstjobinthe
squadron—assistingthe
maintenancetechswitha
fuel-systemcleanoutwas
muchdirtier—butJessikawas
sureitwasthemostboring.
Herdatapadbeepedfor
herattention,andshelooked
downatitwithasigh,thenat
thecone-headedR4unit
rollingbyonitsthreestubby
legs.Thedroidwaspaintedin
agreen-and-white
checkerboardpattern,
probablytheworkofabored
techwithtimetokill.
“Youthere,droid,”the
youngpilotcalledout.“Need
youtoholdupasecfor
operationscheck.”
Theastromechwhistled
mournfully,nohappierthan
Jessikaabouttheneedforan
inspection.Butitcametoa
stopandpoppedopenapanel
onitsdometoexposea
diagnosticsport.Jessika
aimedherdatapadattheport
andthepadblinked,
beginningtoexchangedata
withthedroid’ssystems.She
satdowncross-leggedonthe
hangardeckandresigned
herselftowait.
“Excuseme,butmightI
beofassistance?”avoice
askedbrightly.
Jessikalookedupintothe
expressionlessfaceofa
protocoldroidwithagold
finish.Itwasanoldermodel
—practicallyanantique—
withonearmcladinred
platinganddozensofdings
anddents.
“Idon’tthinkso,but
thanks,”Jessikasaid.“It’s
droidduty—thediagnostics
programprettymuchruns
itself.”
“Butnotterribly
efficiently,”saidthedroid,
soundingdisappointed.“But
wherearemymanners?Iam
See-Threepio,human-cyborg
relations,atyourservice,
Miss…?”
“Pava.JessikaPava.Blue
Three.”
“Itisanhonortomeet
you,MissPava,”Threepio
said.
“CallmeBlueThree.”
“Oh.Asyouwish,Miss
—Imean,BlueThree.AsI
said,perhapsIcouldbeof
assistance.Ijustinstalleda
veryexcitingnewTranlang
databaseandamfluentin
nearlysevenmillionformsof
communication—including,
ofcourse,therelatively
primitivelanguagesspoken
byastromechsand
diagnosticsreaders.”
TheR4unitsquawked
indignantlyatThreepio.
“Insultyou?”Threepio
said,drawingbackin
surprise.“Ididnothingofthe
sort,youhypersensitivelittle
dustbin.Yourmethodof
communicationisprimitive—
Iwasmerelystatingafact.
Why,youdon’tevenhavea
propervocabulator.”
TheR4unithonkedand
swiveleditsdometostareat
theprotocoldroidwithits
singleelectroniceye.
“Don’tmove,”Jessika
said.“You’llbreakthedata
linkandthen—”
Herdatapadbeeped
plaintively.
“Nowwehavetostartall
over,”shesaid.
Theastromechhooted
accusinglyatThreepio.
“Myfault?”Threepio
replied.“Don’tberidiculous.
Shetoldyounottomove.
BlueThree,mightIsuggest
—”
“Youknowwhat,SeeThreepio?I’vegotthis.It’sa
simpleprocedure,really.I’m
sureyouhavemanymore
importantthingstodo.”
“Youwouldthinkso,
giventhatmyspecialties
includecommunicationsand
protocol,”Threepiosaid.
“ButitsohappensIhave
completedallmytasksforthe
day.Iwasgoingtosuggest
thatthisR4unitmightbenefit
fromamemorywipe.When
theystarttakingoffenseat
everyhelpfulsuggestion,it’s
oftenasignoffluxinthe
motivatorcortex.”
TheR4unitblewan
electronicraspberryat
Threepio,butthistime
remainedstillwhilethe
diagnosticprogramran.
Jessikarolledhereyesasthe
goldendroidcontinuedto
chatteraway.
“Why,IoftentoldMaster
LukethatArtoo’sbehavior
wouldhavebeenimproved
byamemorywipe.His
eccentricitieshavebeenmore
thanIcanbearfordecades
now.Onetimewewereona
diplomaticmissionto
Circarpouswhen—”
“DidyousayMaster
Luke?”Jessikainterrupted.
“IndeedIdid,”Threepio
said.“MasterLuke
Skywalker.Doyouknow
him?”
“DoIknowLuke
Skywalker?”Jessikaasked
incredulously,scramblingto
herfeet.“OfcourseIknow
him!Well,Imean,I’venever
methim,buteverybody
knowsLukeSkywalker.He
defeatedtheEmperor,and
theysayhe’sthebeststar
pilotinthegalaxy.”
“You’dhavetoaskArtoo
aboutthat.ThoughImust
warnyouthatArtoohas,shall
wesay,aninflatedviewof
hisownaccomplishments.I
myselffindspacetravelmost
unpleasant—”
“Wait,doyoumean
Artoo-Detoo?”Jessikaasked
inamazement.“The
astromechthatassisted
Skywalkerwhenhedestroyed
thefirstDeathStar?”
Threepiocockedhis
goldenheadslightly.
“Well,yes,”hesaid.
“ArtooandIhavebeen
eyewitnessestomany
momentouseventsduringthe
GalacticCivilWar,thoughhe
wasusuallyoffsquabbling
withacomputerwhileIwas
performingsomevital
diplomaticservice.With
regardstotheDeathStar,
Artoowasinoperativeatthe
criticalmoment.Sonoteven
hecantrytotakecreditfor
theoutcomeofthatmission.”
Thedatapadbeeped,
indicatingthediagnostics
programhadfinished
running.Jessikaignoredit.
“TellmeabouttheDeath
Starmission,”shesaid.“How
didSkywalkerwindup
destroyingit?”
“Itwouldbemypleasure,
BlueThree,”Threepiosaid.
“Thoughthatadventure
beganinratherdreadful
fashionforme.Wehad
crash-landedonTatooine,
withArtoopursuingasecret
missionfortheAllianceinhis
typicalstubbornmanner.If
notformyadvice,hemight
stillbewanderingthat
dreadfulDuneSea—”
“Onsecondthought,why
don’tyoutellmethatone
later?”Jessikaaskedhastily,
sensingthisversionwas
shapinguptobemostlyabout
Threepio.“Tellmeadifferent
storyaboutyourmaster—one
thathasn’tbeentoldamillion
timesalready.”
TheR4unitchirped
inquiringlyather,andshe
patteditsdome
absentmindedly.
“Yourprogramsareupto
date—reporttothedroid
pool,”shesaid,turningback
toThreepio.
“Therearesomany
stories,”Threepiomused.
“Wheretobegin?Iknow—
ArtooandIwerepresent
whenMasterLukefirstused
alightsaberinbattle,notlong
aftertheBattleofYavin.”
“Tellmeaboutthatone,”
Jessikasaid.
“Verywell,”Threepio
said.“Itallbeganabovethe
planetGiju,withamission
forRedSquadron.…”
LUKESKYWALKER
sensedtheTIEfighter
twistingforashotathis
unprotectedsternevenbefore
Artoo-Detoosquealeda
warningandhissensors
beganflashingred.
Lukedidn’tknowhowhe
knew,justthathedid.His
handswentautomaticallyto
thecontrolyokesofhisXwingfighterandhauledthem
backandtotheleft,sending
thecraftspinningtoport.
Laserfirestitchedspace
wherehisfighterhadbeena
momentbefore,leavingLuke
blinkingfromthebrilliant
glare.
“Isawhim!Isawhim!”
LuketoldArtooevenasthe
X-wingcompleteditsrolland
lockedontotheImperial
fighter’stail.Lukemashed
downthetriggersandtheTIE
eruptedintoaballoffire.
Luke’sX-wingshotthrough
thecloudofdustandgas,
shudderingslightly.
Fromthedroidsocket
behindLuke’scockpit,Artoo
letoutasquealofannoyance.
“Itwasnottooclose,”
Lukesaid.“Youkeepthe
fighterflyingandletme
worryaboutwhattodowith
it.”
Lukeopenedupthe
throttleanddodgedapairof
freighttenders,theirion
enginesglowingabrilliant
blue.Likemanyother
starshipsabovetheplanet
Giju,theywereracingaway
fromthespacelanesasfastas
theirenginescouldtakethem,
desperatetoescapethe
firefightthathadsuddenly
eruptedbetweenthreerebel
X-wingsandapatrolofTIE
fighters.
Luke’seyesjumpedtohis
long-rangescopes,notingthe
positionofthetwogreen
arrowheadsonthescreen.
Thosetwosymbols
representedtheX-wings
pilotedbyRedThreeandRed
Leader.RedLeader’sX-wing
wasinthelead,protectinga
transportcarrying
undergroundrebelleaders
beingevacuatedfromGiju
aheadoftheEmpire’sagents.
RedsThreeandFive—
WedgeAntillesandLuke—
wereintherear,keepingthe
TIEsbusy.
Wedgehaddriftedtoofar
toportforLuke’sliking;if
hisfellowpilotraninto
trouble,Lukewasn’tsurehe
couldgetthereintimeto
help.Andtherewasno
shortageoftroubleupthere—
theEmpirehadapparently
senteveryfighterithadinthe
systemtoengagetherebel
raiders.
“Tightenitup,Wedge—
we’reeachother’sprotection
outhere,”Lukewarned.
“Gotcha,Luke,”said
WedgeAntilles.“Iwas
chasingabandit.”
“Anddidyougethim?”
“Hiswingmandid—flew
rightintohimwhenIcame
upontheirflank.”
“Thatcounts,”Lukesaid.
“Lesschatter,
gentlemen,”saidthecool,
clippedvoiceofRedLeader,
knownoutsidethecockpitas
CommanderNarra.“Withall
thistrafficoutheretherearea
lotofplacesforenemiesto
hide.Youneedyoureyesas
wellasyourinstruments.”
“Copy,RedLeader,”said
achastenedLuke.
Narrawasaveteranpilot,
tappedbyAllianceHigh
CommandtoleadRed
Squadronafterthedestruction
oftheDeathStar.Twelve
RedSquadronpilotsfromthe
rebelbaseonYavin4had
headedintospaceinX-wings
totrytodestroytheEmpire’s
battlestation.Ofthetwelve,
onlyLukeandWedgehad
returnedalive.Narrahad
askedthemtocontinuetofly
withRedSquadron,while
makingitclearthatneither
youngmanshouldexpect
specialtreatmentfor
survivinganencounterwith
theDeathStar,evenifthey
diddestroyit.
Whichwasfinewith
Luke;hissuddenfamemade
himuncomfortable.Justa
fewmonthsbefore,he’dbeen
afarmboyonTatooine,
fixingvaporatorsand
tinkeringwithskyhoppers
andlandspeeders.Now
peopletreatedhimlikesome
kindofhero—butheknew
better.Hewasjustakid
who’dmadeamillion-to-one
shot,guidedbyamysterious
powerhebarelyunderstood.
Lukeknewhehadskill
withtheForce,theenergy
fieldcreatedbylifethat
boundthegalaxytogether.
Andnowheknewhe’d
inheritedthatabilityfromhis
father.Luke’sUncleOwen
hadalwaystoldhimthathis
fatherhadbeenanavigator
onaspicefreighter,butthat
hadbeenastorymeantto
protectLuke.BenKenobihad
toldhimtherealstory:that
Luke’sfatherhadbeenaJedi
Knight,agiftedstarpilotand
acunningwarrior.ButBen
hadalsotoldLukethathis
fatherwasdead,betrayedand
murderedbytheSithLord
DarthVader.AndVaderhad
struckdownBenaboardthe
DeathStarjustdaysafter
he’dstartedtoteachLuke
abouttheForce.
SoLukehadskillwiththe
Force,yes.Butwhatgood
wouldthatdohimwithno
onelefttoinstructhim?
“Youinthere,Luke?”
askedWedge,echoedbyan
inquiringbeepfromArtoo.
“Thebosswantsustoturnto
pointtwo-two.”
“Right,right,”Lukesaid,
mentallykickinghimself.
Noneofhismusingsabout
theForcewoulddohimany
goodifhegothimselfkilled
—anddaydreamingduringa
firefightwasanexcellentway
todothat.
Lukebankedtostarboard
untilhisfighterwasonthe
courseNarrawanted.Ahead
ofthem,alineofbulk
freighterswascuttingacross
thespacelanes,theirbows
turningeverywhichdirection
astheirpilotstriedtoavoida
collision.Theungainlyships
remindedLukeofaherdof
banthashuddledtogetherfor
protectionagainstpredators
backhomeonTatooine.
“Getbehindme,Wedge,”
Lukesaid.“We’llscootand
shoot.”
“Rightwithyou,”Wedge
said,hittinghisretrorockets
anddroppingasternofLuke’s
X-wing,thenaccelerating
untilhewasflyingpractically
onhistail.Anyinbound
enemieswouldbeableto
targetonlyLuke’sfighter,
withWedgescootingupand
downtoemergefromcover
andfireattheirattackers.It
wasatrickymaneuver—both
pilotshadtoknoweach
other’stendenciesincombat,
butmorethanthattheyhadto
trusteachothercompletely.
EvenamonthbeforeLuke
wouldn’thavedaredtotryit,
butsincethenhe’dflown
numerousmissionswith
Wedge.Theycouldnowfly
inperfectformation,
anticipatingeachother’s
movementswithoutspeaking
aword.
“Artoo,switchthe
deflectorstodoublefront,”
Lukesaid,ignoringthe
astromech’ssulkybeepthat
he’dalreadydoneso.
Herolledacrossthe
topsideofoneofthebulk
freighters,thendovebeneath
thenextone,jukingand
weavingtothrowoffany
Imperialthatmightbetrying
togetabeadonhim.Ahead,
threeTIEswheeledthrough
space,greenfirelancingout
fromtheirblastercannons.
Laserfiresplashedagainst
Luke’sshields,whichflared
withtheimpact.Lukebroke
tostarboardwhileWedge
broketoport,theircannons
spittingenergy.Oneofthe
TIEsvanishedinafountain
offire,whileanotherlurched
drunkenly,onesolarpanel
bentandsprayingsparks.The
thirdTIEwasrising,upand
awayfromthefight.
“Wedge!Down!”
Lukethrusthisstick
forward,throwingtheX-wing
intoadivethatslammedhim
backinhisseat,gruntingwith
effort.Laserblastsburstall
aroundhim,dazzlinghis
eyes.Hedodgedleft,then
right,ignoringArtoo’sflurry
ofprotests.Hehadnotimeto
peerathisreadoutandseeif
Wedgewasstillalive,orif
hisX-winghadbeenturned
intoasuperheatedcloudby
thequartetofTIEsthathad
beenlurkingintheheartof
thefreighterconvoy,waiting
toambushthem.
“Howdidyou—”Wedge
began,thenstopped.“You
know,forjustanhourI’dlike
toknowwhatit’sliketofly
withtheForcewatchingmy
back.”
“It’salmostasgoodas
havingyouwatchingmy
back,”Lukesaidwithagrin.
“Nowlet’smakethempay
forthatlittletrick.Artoo,dial
uptheinertialcompensators.”
Lukeslewedhisfighter
aroundinatightturn,
grimacingatthesoundof
someoverstressedsystem
groaningintheportwing.
Wedgefollowedhim,
weavingaroundLuke’sXwingandfillingthespace
aheadofthemwithdeadly
spearsoflight.Twolaser
blastsrippedoneoftheTIEs
inhalf,whileanotherflew
tooclosetoafreighter’s
enginewashandtumbledout
ofcontrol.
“Twoleft,”Lukesaid.
“I’lltaketheonetoport.”
Heopenedupthethrottle,
andthedistancebetweenhim
andtheTIEaheadbeganto
shrink.Tostarboard,hecould
seeWedge’sfightermatching
hismaneuver.TheTIE
dodgedineverydirection,the
pilot’sdesperation
increasinglyobvious,but
Lukehungrightonhistail.
Andthen…whatwas
that?Itfeltlikesomething
wasinhismind,something
elusive.Likeawordhe
couldn’tquitecalltomind
eventhoughitwasonthetip
ofhistongue.Artoowhistled
urgentlyandLukeshookhis
head,tryingtochasetheodd
feelingaway.Therewere
morepressingmattersat
hand.
Wedgerolleddownand
right,thenupandleft,
bracketingtheTIEinhis
sights.Amomentlaterthe
Imperialfighterhe’dbeen
chasingwasabrightcloudin
theirwakeastheycontinued
toraceupandawayfrom
Giju.
“Youneedalittlehelp
there,RedFive?”Wedge
asked.
Lukesmackedthesideof
hishelmet,annoyedwith
himself.Heneededtofocus.
“I’vegotit,thanks,”he
said,rollinghisfighter
completelyoverandblasting
theTIE’sstarboardpaneloff
withavolleyofshotswhile
flyingupsidedown.He
broughttheX-wingrightside
upasthecrippledTIE
tumbledpasthim,thecockpit
oscillatingwildlyaroundits
remainingsolarpanel.Then
LukesettledhisX-wingin
besideWedge’s,their
wingtipsjustmetersapart.
“Iwasjustasking,”
Wedgesaid.“Noneedtoget
fancy.”
Artoosquawked
derisively.
“Niceflying,”Narrasaid
intheirears.“Thepackageis
clearandcalculatingthejump
intohyperspace.Activate
yourscatterprotocolsand
we’llmeetattherendezvous
pointat2300hours.”
“Copythat,boss,”Wedge
said.“Activatingprotocol
now.Seeyouontheother
side,Luke.”
AmomentlaterNarra’s
X-wingvanishedintothe
infinityofhyperspace,
followedbyWedge’s.
“Accessthejumppattern
forDevaron,Artoo,”Luke
said.
Rebelprocedurewasfor
eachpilottofollowa
randomlychosenzigzagpath
throughhyperspace,making
severaljumpstofoilany
Imperialsthatmightbe
trackinghisorherfighter.
Thatway,iftheworst
occurred,onlyonefighter
wouldbelostinsteadofa
wholesquadron—orthe
entirerebelfleet.
ArtoobeepedatLukethat
he’daccessedthecoordinates
andlockedthemintothe
navicomputer,thenfollowed
thatupwithafusilladeof
hootsandwhistles.Luke
glancedathisscreen,where
thelittledroid’s
communicationswere
translatedintolanguagehe
couldunderstand.
“I’msuretherewillbe
patrolssearchingforus—the
Empire’sfloodingsectors
withwarshipsinresponseto
anythreat,”Lukesaid.
“That’swhywefollow
scatterprotocol.”
Lukemissedwhatever
Artoowhistledinresponse—
thatfeelingwasbackinhis
headagain,likeavoice
whosewordshecouldn’t
quitemakeout.Heknewit
wastheForce.Butthistime,
itwasn’tassistinghisactions.
Instead,itfeltlikeitwas
tryingtogethisattention.
“What’sthat,Artoo?Yes,
I’mfunctioningnormally.
Butyoucantakeoverflight
dutiestillwegettoDevaron.”
Artoobeeped
questioningly.
“I’mfine,pal,”Lukesaid.
“Honest.Buttakethestick
anyway.Iwanttotry
meditatingwhilewe’rein
hyperspace.Maybethatwill
helpmefigureoutwhatitis
theForcekeepstryingtotell
me.”
OUTSIDELUKE’S
COCKPIT,hyperspacewas
anever-changingtunnelof
brilliantlight.Inside,the
rebelpilothadhiseyesclosed
andwasbreathingslowlyin
andout.
Duringtheirbrieftimeas
masterandstudent,Ben
Kenobihadtaughthimthe
basicsofJedimeditation,
warninghimthatopeninga
connectiontotheForcewas
somethingeventheeldest
JediMastersstudiedovera
lifetime.Luke’sfirstlesson
hadcomejusthoursafterthe
murderofhisauntanduncle
bystormtroopers,whenLuke
andBenhadstoppedforthe
nightontheirwaytoMos
Eisley.
Benhadtoldhimtofocus
onwhateveremotionswere
uppermostinhismind,being
honestwithhimselfaboutthe
feelingshewasexperiencing
andhowtheywereaffecting
him.Andthen,onebyone,he
wastoleteachemotiongo,
likepouringoutacupof
water.Thegoalwastomake
himselfanemptyvessel.
Onlythen,Benhadsaid,
wouldtheForcebeabletofill
him.
Whatemotionswashe
feeling?Lukeconsideredthe
question.Hewasexcited
aboutthesuccessful
completionoftheirmission—
thatwasinhismind.Andhe
wasanxious—theForcewas
tryingtotellhimsomething,
buthehadnoteachertohelp
himinterpretitsmessages.
Whathadhappenedto
BenKenobi?TheoldJedi’s
bodyhadvanishedthe
momentDarthVader’s
lightsaberbladetouchedhim,
leavingnothingbutdusty
robesonthefloor.Lukehad
criedoutingriefandrage,
firingatthestormtroopers
andVader.Butthenhe’d
heardBen’svoiceinhishead,
tellinghimtorun.He’dheard
thatvoiceagainabovethe
DeathStar,urginghimtolet
theForcetellhimwhento
takehisshotatthebattle
station’svulnerablethermal
exhaustport,insteadofusing
histargetingcomputer.
Buthehadn’theardBen’s
voicesince—andhefearedhe
neverwouldagain.
Lukepushedthethought
gentlyaway.Don’tcenteron
youranxieties—keepyour
concentrationhereandnow,
whereitbelongs.Benhad
taughthimthat,too.
Heexaminedeach
emotioninturn—firstthe
excitement,thentheanxiety
—andthenheimagined
himselfpouringthemout,to
vanishamidthewhirling
tumultofhyperspace.Fora
longtime,hesimplysatinthe
cockpitandlethisminddrift.
Therewasgreengrass
underhisfeet.No,notgrass
—stones.Hewasstandingon
flagstones,buttheywereso
overgrownwithgrassthatat
firsthe’dthoughthewas
standinginsomekindof
meadow.Treeshadgrownup
throughthestones,forminga
gladeinwhathadoncebeen
acourtyard.
Heheardwaternearby.
Heturnedandsawa
fountain,surroundedby
statuesofpeopleinrobes.
Theywerefacelessand
withoutlimbs—they’dbeen
shearedoffbyenergy
weapons,thesurfaces
blackened.Thefountainwas
destroyed,too—butwater
stillburbledupfrominsideit,
spillingoutthroughthe
brokenwallsandacrossthe
glade.
Somethingmadea
strangenoise,alittlelikethe
lowingofabanthaora
dewback.Amongthetrees,
birdsandinsectsflitted
betweenbranches.Beyond
themstoodagroupofhorned
animals,theirsidesgrayand
scaly.
Herealizedhislightsaber
wasinhishand.Andthenhe
sensedsomethingelse.He
lookedupandsawthree
remoteshoveringnearby—
remotesliketheoneHanSolo
hadkeptforblastertarget
practiceaboardthe
MillenniumFalcon.
Three?Hecouldn’tfend
offthree—hehadenough
troubleanticipatingthe
actionsofjustone.Butthe
Forcewasverystrongthere.
Hecouldfeelitallaround
him,alivingthing,likewind
orrain.
Anditwastellinghimthat
somethingwasn’tright.
Thehornedcreatures
werepawingatthegrass,
mutteringindistress.
Andthenhecouldfeelit.
Somethingdarkandwicked
wasnearby,bentonhis
destruction.
Heslippedonaloose
flagstone,nearlyfallingtohis
kneesbeforeherecoveredhis
balance—
—andfoundhimself
gazingintotheinfinite
kaleidoscopeofhyperspace.
Hewasbreathingheavily,he
realized,andsweatwas
runningintohiseyesbehind
hisgoggles.
Artootootledsomething,
andLukeglancedatthe
translationonhisscreen.
“Iknowmyheartrateis
up—Icanfeelthatmyself,”
hesaid.“ButI’mokaynow.
ItwastheForce.Itwas
showingmesomething—a
vision,Iguessyou’dsay.”
Butwhatdidthevision
mean?He’dbeenpracticing
withhislightsaber,inaplace
wheretheForcesurrounded
him.Yethislifehadbeenin
danger.Ifonlythevisionhad
lastedamomentlonger,
perhapshemighthave
learnedwhatitmeantinstead
ofhavingtoguess.
Hisscreenlitupwitha
seriesofmessagesfrom
Artoo.
Lukelaughed.
“IagreetheForcewould
bemoreusefulifitgaveme
anactualmessageinsteadof
randomdata,”hesaid.“But
that’snothowitworks.I’ll
justhavetokeepmymind
openandhopethenextthing
ittellsmeiseasierto
understand.”
Arefuelingstationhung
abovethemottledgreen-andyellowsphereofDevaron,its
navigationallightsblinking
greenandredagainstthe
stars.Luketookbackthe
controlsfromArtooand
guidedhisX-wingdown
towardthestationandthe
pittedbulkofanancient
freighternestledagainstit.
Artootweetledhappily
andLukenodded:hissensors
showedtwoX-wingsattached
tothefreighter’sunderside.
“LookslikeNarraand
Wedgebeatushere,”hesaid.
“Approachingstarfighter,
identify,”saidasternvoice
overthecomm.
“LittleBrotherFive
cominghometoMama,”
Lukesaid.
“Acknowledged,”the
voicesaid,itstonemore
friendlynow.“Nicetohave
thefamilybacktogether.”
LukeeasedtheX-wing
beneaththefreighter,goosing
theretrorocketsasaflexible
dockingtubedescendedfrom
thelargership’sunderside,
likethequestingtentacleof
somegreatbeast.Thetube
lockeditselfovertheXwing’scockpitanddroid
socket,clampingtight.Once
Artootweetedthattheywere
successfullydocked,Luke
poppedhiscockpit’scanopy
andclamberedupaflexible
ladderinthetube,wavingto
Artoowherehewaitedinthe
fighter’sdroidsocket.
Heemergedinthe
freighter’smainhold,where
NarraandWedgewere
waitingforhim,theirflight
helmetsundertheirarms.
“SorryI’mlate,”Luke
said,relievedtofinallyshed
hisownhelmet.He’dspent
muchofhischildhood
dreamingaboutflyinga
fighterindeepspace,yet
somehownoneofthose
fantasieshadincludedthe
factthathelmetssmelled
awful,leftyousweaty,and
gaveyouaheadache.
“You’renotlate,”Narra
said.“TheAlliancehas
assignedyouamore
complicatedscatterpattern,
withadditionaljumps.”
“Flyboyslikeusarea
creditadozen,”Wedgesaid.
“Heroeslikeyougetspecial
treatment.”
Wedgegrinnedtoshow
hewaskidding,butLuke’s
facefellanyway.Hislife
shouldn’tbemoreimportant
thanthelivesofhisfellow
RedSquadronpilots.
NarraclappedLukeon
theshoulderandsmiled.
“Youwon’tlikethis
specialtreatment,son,”he
said.“Ordersdirectfromthe
fleet—MonMothma’sasked
youtoretrievelogsof
Imperialcommunicationsthat
wereinterceptedbyseveral
rebelcellsalongthe
Shipwrights’Trace.”
Lukegroaned.Allhe
wantedtodowasflyhisXwingagainsttheEmpire,not
fetchdatatapes.Buthe
couldn’tignoreanorderfrom
theAlliance’sleader.
“Thoselogscouldgiveus
apictureofImperial
operationsontheentiretrade
route,”Narrasaid.“Thinkof
itasyourchancetoseethe
galaxy,Lieutenant
Skywalker.Themission
detailshavebeenloadedinto
yourastromech.He’sonhis
waytoDockingBay12todo
preflightonyourY-wing—
you’llbeflyingY4,oneof
thetwo-seatmodels.”
Lukescowled.TheYwingswereungainlyfighters,
slowerandlessmaneuverable
thanX-wings.Andthetwoseatconfigurationsuggested
someonefromtheAlliance
wascomingwithhim—he
hopeditwasn’tsomemember
ofthediplomaticcorpswho’d
spendthejourneypracticing
speechesandgetting
spacesick.
Thedoorstothehold
opened,andadroidwithgold
platingwalkedstifflyintothe
hangarbesideadullgray
supervisordroidwithred
photoreceptors.
“Idon’tknowwhythisis
sodifficultforyouto
process,”See-Threepiosaid
angrily.“Asatranslator,my
skillsareessentialtothe
successofthismission.That
meansaweeklyoilbathis
wellwithinallowable
regulations,andthequalityof
thelubricantusediscritically
important.”
Thesupervisordroid
grumbledsomethingasit
trudgedalong.
“Thenyouneedtohave
yourcalibrationrechecked,”
Threepiosaid.“Theoilyou
haveonboardmightdateback
totheFirstCoruscani
Migration.Ifitgotany
sludgieritwouldactuallybe
solid.”
“Goodluck,Skywalker,”
Narrasaidwithasmile.Luke
wasn’tsurewhetherhewas
referringtotherecruiting
missionorthechancesof
survivingThreepio’s
complaints.
“Yeah,Luke—enjoyyour
flyingbrick,”Wedgesaid.
ThetwoRedsturned
away,butthenNarrastopped
andlookedoverhisshoulder,
hisexpressiongrave.
“WatchoutforImperial
patrols,Skywalker,”hesaid.
“Devaron’slightly
garrisoned,butit’snottoofar
fromGiju.Wejust
embarrassedtheEmpire—I
wouldn’tbesurprisedifthey
threwadragnetoverthis
entireregion.”
Lukenodded,thenturned
towhereThreepiowas
waitingwithill-concealed
impatience.
“Nicetoseeyouagain,
Threepio,”hesaidtothe
gleamingdroid.“Whatwere
yousaying?”
“Iwasexplainingthat
I’vepreparedadossierfor
eachofourthreestopsonthis
mission,MasterLuke,”
Threepiosaid.“I’m
particularlyexcitedtovisit
Whiforla11.Whiforla-song
isoneofthesixmillionforms
ofcommunicationinwhichI
amfluent,andamongthe
mostcomplex.Icaninstruct
youintheproperflutingfor
ceremonialintroductionsto
therebelleadersthere,though
asahumanyourvocalrange
willlimityoutobasic
greetingsandcongratulations
onasuccessfulmolting.I’m
afraidthiswillforceustocut
theexchangeofwellwishes
tolessthananhour.”
“Thatisashame,”Luke
said.
“Oh,Iquiteagree,Master
Luke,”Threepiosaid
brightly.“Ithoughtonthe
waytoourdockingbaywe
couldstartpracticingthefirst
ofthefourWhiforlanfluting
forms.”
Thecorridorsoftherefueling
stationwerefilledwithamix
ofspecies—horned
Devaroniansrubbed
shoulderswithgreen-skinned
Duros,whilediminutive
Aleenadodgedmassive
Herglics.Theblankwalls
wereinterruptedhereand
therebywindowsrevealing
Devaronbelow.
Lukehadshedhisflight
suitandputonayellow
jacket,blackshirt,andbrown
trousers—thekindofclothes
wornbyspacersacrossthe
galaxy.Hisblasterpistolsat
snuginaholsteronhiship,
whilehisfather’slightsaber
hungbeneathhisjacket,
concealedfromview.
Lukestiffenedashe
spottedaquartetof
stormtroopersmarchinginhis
direction,ledbyanofficerin
anolive-greenuniform.The
spacersinthecorridorgave
thetroopersawideberth,
shrinkingfromthemwith
fearfullooks.
“Ohmy,stormtroopers,”
Threepiosaid.“Asdangerous
fugitiveswe’llsurelybe
capturedandsenttosome
terribleprison.Ihopeit’snot
the—”
“Shh,”Lukesaid.
“There’snoreasontosuspect
usofanything.Remember
ourcoverstory—we’re
hyperspacescouts.Honest,
hardworkinghyperspace
scouts.”
ButLukehadtofight
downasurgeofangeratthe
sightofthetroopers’
gleamingwhitearmor.Back
onTatooine,soldierslike
thesehadkilledhisauntand
uncleandturnedtheonly
homehe’deverknownintoa
smokingruin.Andthey’d
donesimilarthingsto
countlessotherfamilieson
thousandsandthousandsof
otherplanets.
Hekepthisexpression
blankashewalkedpastthe
troopers,withThreepio
clankingalongbehindhim.
He’dalmostrelaxedwhenhe
heardtheclipped,coldvoice
oftheofficer.
“Youthere!Halt!”
Lukestoppedandturned
slowly,hopingthetroopers
werestoppingsomeoneelse.
Buttheofficerwaslooking
rightathim,fingerpointed
accusingly.
“Handoveryour
identification,”themansaid.
Lukecarefullyreached
intohisjacketpocket—the
stormtroopersmighthave
itchytriggerfingers,andthe
deathofacivilianona
refuelingstationwould
requirenothingmorethana
reporttobeburiedina
bureaucraticarchive
somewhere.Heextractedhis
identificationandhandeditto
theofficer,whoseeyes
jumpedbetweenitand
Luke’sfaceasThreepio
fidgetednearby,his
servomotorswhining.
“Yourpurposehere?”the
officeraskedasheslid
Luke’sIDthroughaslotin
hisdatapad.
Lukewisheddesperately
thathehadBenKenobi’s
abilitytocloudmindswith
theForce.Butthatknowledge
hadvanishedalongwiththe
oldJedi’sbody.He’dhaveto
hopethattheAlliance’s
slicershadcreatedafake
identitygoodenoughtofool
theEmpire.
Well,hecouldrelyon
hopeandabitofacting.He’d
seenHanbluffhiswaypast
hisshareofImperialpatrols,
afterall.
“Hyperspacescout,just
likeitsaysthere,”Lukesaid,
tryingtopackabitof
Corellianblusterintohis
voice.“We’rerefuelin’before
weheadouttotheWestern
Reaches.Friendofafriend
foundanol’shiplog,see—a
shiplogwiththecoordinates
ofaTibannagasdeposit.
Interstellargas—thereally
purestuff.”
Luketoldhimselftostop
andblinksuspiciouslyatthe
officer.
“Butdon’tgojumpin’my
claimnow,”Lukemuttered,
shakingafingerinwarning.
“Wouldn’tbeproper.”
“Wehavenointerestin
yourlunatictalesaboutspace
gas,”theofficersaid.“And
whereisyourscoutship?”
“DockingBay42,just
downthehallhere,”Luke
said.“Boughtmeaconverted
starfighter—CloneWars
salvage,modifiedforlong
hauls.She’satoughol’gal—
rodeoutameteoritestrikein
theLowerFloraCloudwith
justacoupleofdents.Lower
Flora’swherewegotjumped
bySikurdianpirates,you
know.Say,youfellasmind
taggin’along?Wecould
throwascareintothem
bandits—”
“Bequiet,”theofficer
snapped.“Iamanofficerof
theGalacticEmpire,not
somescruffymercenaryfor
youtohire.”
“Itwasjustasuggestion,”
Lukesaidplaintively.
Theofficerglaredat
Luke,theneyedThreepio,
whofidgeteduncomfortably.
“Andwhatdoesa
hyperspacescoutneedwitha
protocoldroid?”
“Oh,thisonecantalkto
anything—he’sprogrammed
withaboutamillionstrange
WildSpacedialectsandold
tradelanguages.”
“Sixmillion,tobeexact
—”Threepiobegan.
“PlusI’vemadeafew
specialmodifications,”Luke
interrupted.“Eventaughthim
tocookanot-badpotof
chubastew.Noneedforthat
look,sir!Chubasain’tjust
Huttchow,youknow.That’s
anunfortunate
misconception.See,whatyou
needtodoisseasonthem—”
Theofficerhelduphis
handforsilenceandthrust
Luke’sidentificationbackat
him.
“Carryon,”hesaid.“But
remember,it’sthedutyof
everyImperialcitizento
reportsuspiciousactivity.In
anyregion.”
Lukenoddedandthe
officersignaledtothe
stormtroopers,whomarched
away.
“Thankgoodness,”
Threepiosaid.“I’mnot
programmedtoresist
interrogation.”
“Iwasn’tlookingforward
toiteither,”Lukesaidashe
andThreepiocontinued
towardthedockingbay
whereArtoowaswaiting.
ThenLukestoppedatone
ofthewindowsoverlooking
Devaron,Threepionearly
plowingintohim.
“MasterLuke,whatisit?”
Lukedidn’tanswer,
continuingtostareat
Devaron.Someoneor
somethingdowntherewas
callingtohim.
“Sir?Areyouquiteall
right?”
Lukeshushedthedroid
andreachedoutwithhismind
inhopesoffiguringoutwhat
theForcewasaskinghimto
do.WasDevaronwherehe
wassupposedtogo?Wasit
somehowconnectedwithhis
vision?
Buthecouldsense
nothingelse.Heturnedaway
fromthegreen-and-yellow
planetwithafrown.
“Weneedtogettoour
fighterifwe’retomakethe
firstrendezvous,”Lukesaid.
“Andwewouldn’twantto
keepArtoowaiting,now
wouldwe?”
ASHISY-WING
FIGHTERclimbedaway
fromtherefuelingstation,
Lukeglancedbackdownat
Devaron,hopingforsome
newsignalfromtheForce.
Hewasstillstaringatthe
junglesfarbelowwhenArtoo
beepedtogethisattention.
“Sorry,Artoo,”Luke
said.“Accessthejump
patternforWhiforla.”
“Spacetravelusedtobe
somuchmorecivilized,”
Threepiogrousedfromwhere
hesatinthetailgunner’s
bubblebehindLuke.“One
couldsimplytravelfrom
placetoplace,ratherthan
meanderingaboutlikea
Purcassianrivereelduring
spawningseason.”
“Well,amorecivilized
galaxyiswhatwe’refighting
for,”LukesaidastheY-wing
rocketedintohyperspace.
“Ihadn’tthoughtofitthat
way,”Threepiosaid.“Ifor
onewillbemuchmore
comfortablewhenthe
Rebellionwins,then.”
Onthisflightthe
churninginfinityoffasterthan-lighttravelbroughtLuke
nocomfort—hisanxieties
seemedtopressinonhim
despitehisattemptstoempty
hismindofthem.Whathad
theForcebeentryingtotell
himbackthereabove
Devaron?Shouldhehave
waitedforthestrangefeeling
toreturn?
PerhapstheForcewas
tryingtotellhimthathewas
supposedtobelearningto
commanditspowerinsteadof
fetchingcommunications
logs.Learningthewaysof
theForcewaswhathisfather
haddonewithhislife—and
thelegacyBenKenobihad
preservedfortwodecadeson
Tatooine,passingitalong
withthelightsaberthat
Luke’sfatherhadwantedhim
tohave.Andtherehewas
worryingaboutproper
Whiforlanfluting.
WhatiftheForcewas
tryingtostophimfrom
makingamistake?
Therebelscatterprogram
broughtLuke’sY-wingoutof
hyperspaceintheTertiary
Usaitasystem,whichwas
littlemorethanasparse
collectionofdustandrock
aroundareddwarf,marked
byanavigationalbeaconleft
therethousandsofyears
beforebyalong-dead
Republicsurveyteam.
Itwasalonelyplace—but
not,asitturnedout,anempty
one.
“Unknownfighter,thisis
theKreuge’sRevenge,”a
voicesaidinLuke’scockpit.
“Thisisarestrictedsystem.
Shutdownallflightsystems
andprepareforinspection.”
“Artoo,calculatethenext
jumpandgetusoutofhere!”
Lukesaid.
Artoowhistledan
acknowledgment,andLuke
threwthecontrolyokehard
right,grimacingathow
sluggishlytheY-wing
responded.Hissensorscope
litup,andhiseyestookinthe
information:threeTIE
fighters,backedupbya
Razor-classfrigate.
“Ohno!”squealed
Threepio.“We’reindanger!
Artoo,dosomething!”
“Hangon,Threepio,”
Lukesaidsternly.
Heturnedtothe
navigationalheadingArtoo
gavehimandopenedupthe
Y-wing’sthrottle,tryingto
coaxeverybitofspeedoutof
theheavyfighter.But
momentslaterbrilliant
flashesoflighterupted
aroundthemandtheY-wing
shuddered.
ThethreeTIEsraced
overhead,andLukesqueezed
thetrigger,pepperingthem
withlaserfireasthey
wheeledaroundforanother
pass.
“Howlong,Artoo?”he
asked.
Artoowhistledand
hooted.
“Aminute?”Threepio
shrieked.“Whatdoyoumean
you’retriangulatingour
position?Thisisn’tthetime
forstargazing,youmiserable
lumpofcircuits!”
LukerolledtheY-wingto
port,eyesjumpingfromhis
long-rangescannerstothe
TIEsanglinginonhim.He
triedtosummontheForce,to
letitguidehishands.But
Threepio’schatterandthe
flashesoflaserfirekept
throwingoffhis
concentration.TheY-wing’s
starboardshieldsflaredasthe
TIEs’lasersstruckhome,and
alarmsbegantoblare.
“Artoo,divertthepower,”
Lukesaid,hammeringatthe
ImperialfighterswiththeYwing’sturretguns.Themore
maneuverableImperialswere
wheelinginalldirections
now,swoopinginontheir
slowertarget.
Focus,Luketoldhimself.
UsetheForce.
HerolledtheY-wingover
tostarboard,tryingtoprotect
thevulnerableshield,and
masheddownonthetriggers.
OneoftheTIEsvanishedina
cloudofflames.Butalmost
immediately,anotherfighter
streakedupfrombeneath
him,itslasercannonsraking
theY-wing’shull.The
starboardshieldflickeredand
died—andwithit,Lukefelt
hisconnectiontotheForce
slipping.
Thefrigatewaspeppering
themwithblastsnow,too,
bouncingthefighterupand
down.Lukesqueezedoffa
flurryofshotsatoneofthe
remainingfighters,forcingits
pilottoabandonhisattack
run.Buthiswingmantook
advantageofLuke’s
distractiontodropbehindthe
Y-wing.Greenflasheslitup
spaceastheTIEfighter’s
blastsrippedthroughthe
starboardengine.Redlights
blinkedfranticallyonLuke’s
controlpanel.
“Trytoincreasethe
power!”heyelled,firing
desperatelyatthetwofighters
huntinghim,andweavingleft
andrightinanefforttothrow
offtheImperials’aim.
Thestarboardengine’s
powerlevelsclimbed,then
plummeted.Laserfire
knockedthefightersideways.
TheTIEthathadhitthem
streakedawayfromtheYwing,cutright,thenturned
andracedbacktowardthem,
aimingatthebattered
fighter’sdefenseless
starboardside.
“Thisistheend,”
Threepiomoaned.
LukefiredattheTIE,but
theImperialpilotrefusedto
deviatefromhiscourse.He
keptcoming,waitingtoline
uptheshotthatwoulddestroy
theengineandleavetheYwinghelplessinspace.Luke
triedtoturnaway,butthe
fighterwasbarely
responding.
I’msorry,Ben,he
thought.I’msorry,Father.I
triedmybest.
Hebracedforimpact—
—andwasshovedback
intohischairastheY-wing
shotintothesafetyof
hyperspace.
Artoobeeped,perhapsa
bitsmugly.
“Well,youcertainlytook
yourtimeaboutit,”Threepio
grumbled.
Asthetwodroids
continuedtheirlong-running
argument,Lukeexhaledin
mingledgratitudeand
disbelief.Buttherewasno
timetowaste.TheY-wing
wasbarelyflying—they’d
beensavedbythetoughold
fighter’sabilitytosoakup
damage,buttheyneededto
findaspaceportinwhichto
makerepairs.Andthey
neededtodoitquickly.
LukerejectedArtoo’s
firstchoiceforastarport,
thenthenextthree.Allwere
eithertoofarawayortightly
controlledbytheEmpire.
“That’senough,Artoo,”
hesaid.“We’regoingbackto
Devaron.”
Artoowhistledan
objection.
“But,MasterLuke,our
mission—”Threepiobegan.
“Sendanencrypted
messagetothefleet,”hesaid.
“TellthemI’llresumethe
retrievalmissionafterwe
repairourfighter.”
Artoostartedtohootat
him,butLukeshookhishead.
“No,mymind’smadeup
—takeustoDevaron.”
That’swheretheForce
wastellingmetogo,Luke
thought.ThistimeI’mgoing
tolisten.
THEY-WINGFLEWLOW
overthethickjunglesof
Devaron,aribbonofsmoke
trailingfromitsdamaged
engine.Lukehadshushedthe
droidsandsoughttoclearhis
mindofdoubtsandquestions,
lettingtheForcedirectthe
fighter’sflight.Ithadguided
himintotheatmosphereon
thefarsideoftheplanetfrom
thecapitalanditsImperial
garrison,thenacrossthe
outback.Belowhim,the
junglewasbrokenby
outcroppingsofstonethat
rosehighabovethe
surroundingtrees,crowned
withenormousvinesand
creepers.Thelightofthelateafternoonsunturnedthe
riversintothreadsofbrilliant
orangeandpink.
LuketurnedtheY-wing
tostarboard.Aheadwas
anotherpairofrockypillars.
…No,thatwasn’tcorrect,
Lukesawnow.Thiswas
somethingdifferent.The
rockypillarswereartificial
structures—towersmadeby
intelligenthands.
Lukeeaseduponthe
throttle,andsomethingbegan
banginginsidethebattered
engine.Thetopsofthe
towerswerejagged,stabbing
intothesky,andtheirsides
werepockedwithcraters.
That’sblastdamage,
Lukethought.Fromheavy
weapons.Theyreallytooka
beating.
“Artoo,lookforaplaceto
setdownnearthosetowers,”
Lukesaid.“Thisiswhere
we’resupposedtogo.Iknow
itis.”
Artoohootedurgently.
Lukeglancedatthescreen
andfrowned.
“Iunderstandyoucan
barelykeepthefighterinthe
air,”hesaid.“Butthisis
important.”
“MasterLuke,areyou
surethat’sthewisest
choice?”Threepioasked.
“Artoosayshecanlandour
ship,butdoubtshecangetit
airborneagain.Wemustfind
aplaceforrepairs.”
Lukesighed.Threepio
hadapoint.SurelytheForce
wasn’ttellinghimtomaroon
himselfinthemiddleofthe
jungle.
“You’reright—itwill
havetowait,”hesaid.“Scan
theareaforsignsof
settlement—andlistenfor
activityonImperial
communicationschannels.”
Thetownwaslittlemorethan
aclusterofbuildingsatopa
plateauinthejungle,witha
landingfieldwhosesingle
beaconwinkedinthegloom
ofdusk.Amassivespireof
baregraystonerosea
hundredmetersintotheairon
onesideofthetown,
crowningasteep,forested
slope.Ontheothersideofthe
plateauthetreeshadbeen
clearedandthehillcarved
intoterracedfarmers’fields.
Lukeflewlowoverthe
town—hisfighter’sdatafile
saiditwascalledTikaroo—
andpeereddownatthe
landingfield.
“Imostlyseeatmosphere
fliersdownthere,”hesaid.
“NosignofanyImperial
ships.Butthereareacouple
ofstaryachtsparkedoffto
theside.Thatonelookslikea
SoroSuub3000.That’sa
prettyfancyshiptofindnear
afarmtowninthemiddleof
nowhere.”
“Perhapsthelastharvest
wasparticularlyrewarding,”
saidThreepio.
Lukeshookhishead.
“Farmersdon’tspend
theircreditsonstaryachts,”
hesaid.“Theysavetheir
moneysotheydon’tstarve
whentheyhaveabadyear.”
Artoohooted.
“Oh,switchoff,”
Threepiosaid.“Likeyou
knowanythingabout
agriculture,youoversize
screwdriver.”
Lukedecidedthatsolving
thisparticularmysterywould
havetowait—hischoicewas
tosetdowninTikarooor
crashinthejungle.He
activatedtheretrorocketsand
settheY-wingdownwitha
jolt,followedbyahissof
coolantventingfromsome
puncturedreservoir.
Theairwaswetandripe
withvegetation.Lightspilled
fromtheopendoorwayofa
squatbuildingattheendof
thelandingfield.Luke
descendedfromthecockpit
andpattedtheY-wing’shull
gratefully,thenstrolled
acrossthelandingfieldasthe
droidsextricatedthemselves
fromthefighter.
ADevaronianmalemet
himatthedoor,wipinghis
handsonarag.Behindhim,a
teenageDevaroniangirl
lookedupfromacluttered
workbench,scowlingbeneath
herpolarizedgoggles.
“Name’sKorlMarcus,”
Lukesaidafteratense
momentinwhichhecouldn’t
rememberwhatitsaidonhis
falseidentification.“I’ma
hyperspacescout.Mydroids
andIranintoalittlepirate
troubleacoupleofsystems
over,andweneedsome
repairs.”
“I’mKivas,”the
Devaroniansaid.“That’smy
daughter,Farnay.Letmeget
alightandwe’lltakealook
atyourproblem.”
Kivasfetchedawork
light,andLukefollowedhim
acrossthelandingfield,
wherethedroidswere
waiting.
“Hello,sir,”Threepio
said.“IamSee-Threepio,
human-cyborgrelations.And
thisis—”
“Noneedtobesoformal,
Threepio,”Lukesaidhastily.
“Letthemanwork.”
Kivasletthelightplay
overtheY-wing’stwisted
hullandpeeredintothe
cratersblastedintoitsplating.
Theholesinthestarboard
enginewerefringedwith
beadswherelaserblastshad
liquefiedthemetal.
“Piratetrouble,eh?”he
saidwithasmirk.“Should
probablyreportthattothe
Imperialgovernor.”
“Iprobablyshould,”Luke
said,givingThreepioa
warningglance.“DidI
mentionIhavecredits?”
“Alwaysgoodtohear,”
Kivassaid.“Icanrepairthis
withwhatIhaveintheshop.
Butitwilltakethreeorfour
days—andsixthousand
credits.Allinadvance.”
“Sixthousand?”Threepio
gasped.“MasterL—um,
Korl,thismandoesnotruna
reputablebusiness.Isuggest
we—”
“Thatwilldo,Threepio,”
Lukesaid.“Sixthousand?
Really?”
“ItwouldcostlessifIhad
replacementpartsshippedin
fromthecapital,”Kivassaid
withashrug.“Butthen
there’dbealotofpaperwork.
Permits,bureaucratsasking
questions,thatsortofthing.”
“Oh,there’senough
paperworkinthegalaxyasit
is,”Lukesaidsmoothly,
reachingforhiscreditchip.
“Let’snottroublethe
authorities—surelythe
Empirehasmoreimportant
thingstoworryaboutthan
repairstoascoutship.”
“I’llgetyourfighter
undercover,then,”Kivas
said,showingamouthfulof
pointedteeth.“Town’sthat
way—youcantakearoomat
thedepotwiththeothers.”
Thedepotwasarambling
buildinginthecenterof
Tikaroo,assembled
seeminglyatrandomfrom
wood,stone,prefabplastic
buildings,andshipping
containersemblazonedwith
thefadedlogosofCorellian
import-exportfirms.Along
porchlookedoutover
shutteredshopsandfood
stalls.Landspeeders,speeder
bikes,andatrioofsquat,
green-skinnedpackbeasts
awaitedtheirownersout
front.
Lukefollowedthebuzzof
conversationandmusic
throughapairofswinging
doorsandintoawide
commonroomcrowdedwith
tables,mismatchedchairs,
andcouches,manyofwhich
hadseenbetterdecades.
Facesturnedhiswayashe
entered,withThreepio
followinguncertainlybehind.
Thereweremenandwomen
fromadozendifferent
species,thoughatleasthalf
ofthosegatheredwere
Devaronians.Afewworerich
clothes,butmostwerecladin
worn,practicalgarments.
“Hey,Porst!Freshmeat!”
oneoftheDevaroniansyelled
asLukemadehiswayacross
theroomtoacounter
crowdedwithbottlesof
brightlycoloredliquid.Some
oftheliquidswerefizzingor
roilinginawayhefound
alarming.“Manneedsa
room!Andprobablya
guide!”
ARodianmissingoneof
hisantennaebeganpounding
onabuzzersetintothetopof
thecounter,grinningatLuke.
Afteramomentanold
Devaronianwithaneyepatch
emergedfromacurtained
alcove,lookingLukeupand
down.Henamedan
exorbitantpriceforaroom.
“That’sfine,”Lukesaid
beforeThreepiocouldrisk
anothershortcircuit.Both
Porstandtheonlookers
seemedslightlydisappointed
—apparentlythey’dbeen
lookingforwardtoalively
boutofhaggling.
“Nextcustomerwasmine
—werolledachance-cube
forit,remember?”theRodian
warnedtheyoungDevaronian
standingnexttohimatthe
counter.Thenheturnedto
Luke.
“Name’sOpato,goodsir
—andI’mthebestguidein
Tikaroo,”hesaid.“Bagged
pikhronsonmylastthree
hunts.Satisfactionguaranteed
oryougetathirdofyour
creditsback.”
“What’sa—”Luke
began.
“Mygreenfriendhere
couldn’tguideyououtofa
sackifyoucutthebottomout
ofitfirst,”theyoung
Devaronianinterrupted.
“Sir,bewary!”Opato
exclaimed.“Thisone’sthe
biggestliarinTikaroo—and
that’ssayingsomething!”
TheDevaroniansmiledat
Luke.
“Youneedanative—
someonelikeDunaHilaris.
That’sme.I’vebeen
exploringthisjunglesinceI
wasaboy.I’mfamousfor
knowingeverypool,sandpit,
andshadygladethepikhrons
liketovisit.”
“Gladtohearit,”Luke
said.“Butwhat’sapikhron?”
Whenthelaughter
showednosignsofstopping,
ThreepiosidleduptoLuke.
“Mydatafileonthis
planetisbasic,butapparently
pikhronsarenative
herbivores.Theirskinsand
teethfetchconsiderable
pricesontheblackmarket,as
huntingthemisforbiddenby
Imperialdecree.”
“Lotsofthingsare
forbiddenaroundherebut
happenanyway,”Dunasaid.
“Don’tmakeyourmaster
worry,tinman.We’vegotan
arrangementwiththe
governor.”
“I’mnotmuchofa
hunter,butIcouldusea
guide,”Lukesaid.“Iwantto
visitthetowersIsawonmy
wayin.Theruinedones?”
Thecrowdfellsilent,
eventheclankofutensilson
dinnerplatesstopping.The
musicburbledmerrilyalong
uninterrupted.Apuzzled
Lukelookedfromfaceto
face.
“Eedit’sofflimits,”Porst
said.
Lukesmiled.“Ithought
manythingswereforbidden
inTikaroobuthappened
anyway.”
Thejokefellflat—Opato
tookasuddeninterestinhis
drink,Dunacheckedhis
comlink,andtheotherguides
turnedaway.
“WasitsomethingI
said?”Lukeasked.
“NoonegoestoEedit,”
Porstsaid.“You’dbringruin
tousall,messingwiththat
place.Itwouldrisk
everythingwehaveleft.”
“Why?Idon’t
understand.”
“Becauseit’scursed,you
brainlessoutlander,”growled
amassive,mean-lookingslab
ofhumanoidmuscle.“Filled
withtheghostsofthe—”
Porstmadeaslashing
motionacrosshisthroat,his
singleeyecoldandstaring.
“Allyouneedtoknowis
tostayawayfromit,”hesaid,
handingLukehisroomkey.
“Numbertwelveupstairs.
Houserulesareontheback
ofthedoor,buthere’sthe
mostimportantone:Idon’t
toleratetroublemakers.And
you’realreadyonmybad
side,outlander.”
“ThinkI’llturnin,then,”
Lukesaid.“Maybewecan
makeafreshstarttomorrow.”
Porstjustturnedaway.
Theroomwassimplebut
clean,withabalcony
overlookingTikaroo.Luke
staredupatthestarswhile
Threepiofussedoverthe
room’spowerconnectors,
certainheandArtoowould
beincineratedthesecond
theytriedtorecharge.
Nomoonswereinthe
sky.Lukecouldn’tremember
ifDevaronhadany.
“Iforonewillbegrateful
tobebackwiththeAlliance,”
Threepiosaid.“Iknowyou’re
disappointednottofinda
guide,MasterLuke,butno
doubtit’sforthebest.I
almostthinkI’dprefergetting
shotatbytheEmpiretoa
suicidaltrekintojungles
prowledbysavagebeasts.”
Lukejustsmiled.He
wasn’tafraidofjunglebeasts,
andhedidn’tbelievein
curses.He’dreachthetowers.
Hejusthadn’tfiguredout
howyet.
HEWASSWIMMINGin
darkwater,beneathtwopale
moonsinaskyspangledwith
stars.
Hemovedthroughthe
waterwithsmooth,easy
strokes,alternatelygliding
alongthesurfaceanddipping
beneathit.Whenhegottired
hesurfacedandtreaded
watergentlyuntiltheripples
he’dcreatedebbed,turning
thewaterintoamirrorofthe
nightsky.Helookeddownat
thewaterandsawhisface
lookingback—exceptit
wasn’thisface.Hisreflection
hadblackeyesandmottled
gray-and-greenskin
wreathedbytentacles.
Hedove,powerfulkicks
ofhisfeettakinghimdeep
beneaththewater.Heinhaled
waterbutdidn’tchoke—the
oxygeninitrevitalizedhim.
Hesmiled.Itwaspeaceful
downtherebelowthesurface
—arealmofpleasantlycool
waterandmutedsound.
Arockwallloomedahead
ofhim,withadarkovalcutin
themiddleofit.Heswam
downintoit,thenupthrough
atwistingcorridor.Hisfeet
foundpurchaseonstone
steps,andhisheadbrokethe
surfaceofthewater.Atthe
topofthestairsstooda
humanindarkgrayand
brownrobes.Hewasholding
alightsaber,whichheheld
outwithasmile.
Lukeawokewithastart,
sittingupinthebedinhis
roomintheTikaroodepot.It
wasdark,andthenight
thrummedwiththesongof
insects.Threepiosatona
benchagainstthewall,his
photoreceptorsdarkashe
recharged,butLukesawthe
redlightofArtoo’s
processingindicatorturnhis
way,followedbyacurious
beep.
“Iwasswimming,”he
said,andArtoowhistled
questioningly.
“Inmydream,ofcourse,”
Lukesaid,tryingtoclearthe
fogfromhisbrain.“Ican’t
swim.Notmuchuseforiton
Tatooine.ButinthedreamI
could.”
Artooofferedabaffled
hoot,andLukesmiled.
“BecauseinthedreamI
wassomeoneelse,”hesaid,
scrubbinghishandsthrough
hismessyhair.“Idon’t
understanditeither.”
Heswunghisfeettothe
floorandwalkedoutontothe
balcony.Justafewlights
shoneinsleepingTikaroo.
Lukelookedupintothenight
andsawtwopalemoons
above.
Heimmediately
recognizedthemasthesame
oneshe’dseeninhisdream,
evendowntotheirpositions
inthesky.Theconstellations
wereidentical,too.
Devaron.Iwasdreaming
ofDevaron.No,not
dreaming.ItwastheForce,
givingmeanotherclueabout
wheretogo.
Lukeleanedontherailing
ofthebalconyandstaredout
pastthegreatspireonthe
edgeoftown,adarkershape
againstthestarrysky.
Therewasalakeoutthere
inthejungle—alakeanalien
Jedihadswumin.Andthat
lakehidapassageway.
Nowheknewwherehe
wassupposedtogo.
Porridgeandtarineteamade
forawarm,fillingbreakfast,
butLukegotachilly
receptionfromPorst,andthe
guidesallcurtlyinformed
himthattheyweren’tforhire.
Angry,hestompedout
throughthedepot’sswinging
doorsintothestreetsof
Tikaroo,withThreepio
shufflinghurriedlyafterhim
—LukehadsentArtootothe
landingfieldtocheckonhow
Kivaswasdoingwiththe
repairs.
Thevillagersglancedat
himcuriouslyashemarched
throughthetown,imagining
andrejectingvariousideas—
flyingtherepairedY-wing
intothejungle,say,or
trustinganuncertain
combinationofArtoo’s
sensorsandhisownshaky
commandoftheForce.He
knewneitherofthoseplans
wasagoodone,andtheother
ideashecameupwithwere
evenworse.
Therewasnohelpforit—
he’dhavetogobacktothe
depotandtelltheguidesthat
sincecreditswerenoobject,
theyshouldnametheirprice.
Surelyoneofthemwouldbe
greedyenoughtoriska
journeytotheforbidden
towers.
Threepiotappedhimon
theshoulder.
“MasterLuke,Ibelieve
thatgirlfromthelanding
fieldhasbeenfollowingus.”
Lukeglancedbackand
spottedaslimDevaronian
figurewithspotsonher
foreheadduckingaroundthe
cornerofahouse.Hesighed
andstrodeoffinthat
direction.
Farnayhadpressed
herselfagainstthewall.She
glaredathimwhenhe
arrived,takingonesteptorun
butthenthinkingbetterofit.
“Firstofall,Iwasn’t
followingyou,”shesaid.
“Whosaidyouwere?”
Lukeaskedwithasmile.
Colorbloomedin
Farnay’scheeks,beneathher
thincoveringofreddish
down.
“Allright,maybeIwas.”
“That’sbetter,”Luke
said.“Idon’tthinkyou’recut
outtobeaspy—youjustgot
caughtbySee-Threepio.”
Farnayscowled.“I…I
trailedyoutothedepotlast
nightandheardyouasking
aboutthetowers—andabout
Eedit.Icould’vewarnedyou
howthey’dreact.”
Threepiocameclanking
upbehindLuke,complaining
aboutmudinhisjoints.
“YouknowaboutEedit?”
Lukeasked.“Whatisit?”
“Justabunchofruins.
ButtheEmpiredoesn’tallow
anyonetogothere.Itwasa
templeforthesorcerersinthe
oldwar—beforetheytriedto
takeoverthegalaxyandhad
tobedestroyed.”
Lukewincedathearing
theEmperor’slieonthelips
ofthisyounggirl.Butthe
Imperialpropagandawasless
importantthanwhatFarnay
hadrevealed.Thetowers
wereaJeditemple—andthe
Forcewascallinghimthere.
“Sotheguideswon’tgo
therebecausetheEmpire
forbidsit?”Lukeasked.
“Well,thatandit’s
haunted—that’sthestory,
anyway.”
“Haunted?Bywhat?”
“Bythespiritsofthose
whodiedthere,”Farnaysaid.
“Theysayintheendthe
sorcererssummonedademon
warriortohelpthemdefend
againstthemachines—only
thespellwentwrong.Sothe
demonkilledthemand
imprisonedthemthere
forever.”
“Ademon?”Threepio
said.“Ohdear.”
Lukeraisedaneyebrow,
andFarnayshrugged.
“Idon’tbelieveiteither,”
shesaid.“Ithinktheguides
liketellingthatstorybetter
thanadmittingthatthey’reall
tooafraidofPorst—heowns
mostoftheequipmentin
Tikaroo,andifyoucrosshim
hewon’trenttoyou.ButI
cantakeyouthere.Iknowthe
way.Idon’tbelievein
demons,andI’mnotafraidof
ghosts.”
Lukemusthavelooked
skeptical,becauseFarnay
stampedherfootimpatiently.
“ThinkIcan’t?I’veled
huntingpartiesintothejungle
plentyoftimes,youknow.
I’vegotmyownhuntingrifle
—arealone,notapeashooter
liketheoneinyourholster—
andIknowhowtouseit.
Broughtbackplentyof
pikhronskinstoselltoold
Porst,andheknowsbetter
thantotryandcheatme.
Why,I’veevengotapack
beast—allyou’vegottodois
lendmethecreditstorenta
fewpiecesofgearthatwe’d
need.”
“Wouldn’tweneedmore
thanonepackbeast?”Luke
asked.
Farnaylookedawaywith
ascowl.
“Minewilldo,”she
muttered.“He’sabitsmall,
buthe’sstrong.”
“IthinkIbetterseethis
packbeastofyours.”
“Fine,”Farnaysaid,and
marchedaway,withLuke
hurryingtocatchup.Sheled
himtoasmallhouseonthe
edgeofthejungle.Outside,a
leathery-skinnedquadruped
wastiedtoastake.Thebeast
raiseditshead,munching
grasscontentedly,andbleated
atthem.
“Iamnotprogrammedfor
zoology,butthisanimal
appearstobeajuvenile,”
Threepiosaid.
Lukesighedandrubbed
thebeast’snose,smilingas
theanimalcloseditseyesand
chuffedhappily.
“I’msurehe’svery
strong,Farnay,butthetwoof
usplusmydroidswouldbe
toomuchforhimtocarry.
Youknowthat.”
Farnayturnedaway,head
down,andkickedatthedirt.
“Buttheinformation
aboutEedit’svaluable,”Luke
said,reachingintohisjacket
togivehersomecredits.“Let
me—”
Farnayturned,already
wavingherhand
dismissively,butwhatever
she’dplannedtosaydiedin
herthroat.Hereyeswent
wide,andLukerealizedshe’d
seenthelightsaberunderhis
jacket.Beforehecouldsay
anything,she’dtakenastep
backanddrawnasmallbut
wicked-lookingpistolfrom
hertoolbelt.
“Youtouchthatlaser
swordandI’llshootyou,”she
said.“Andyou’llgetthe
sameifyoutrytotakeover
mybrain.I’veheardthe
stories,sodon’ttryit.”
Threepioletoutasquawk
ofprotest,andLukeraised
hishandsslowly,imagining
hisdreamscomingtonothing
becausehe’dfrighteneda
teenagefarmgirlinto
shootinghim.
“Farnay,takeiteasy,”he
said.“I’mnotaJedi—the
lightsaberbelongedtomy
father.He’sdead—it’smy
onlyconnectiontohim.”
Thatwastrue,hethought
sourly.
“Whatareyouthen?”
Farnaydemanded.“You’re
payingDadacrazyamountof
creditsnottoreportyourship
totheEmpire.Areyousome
kindofrebel?”
“MasterKorlisa
hyperspacescout,ashetold
yourfather,”Threepiosaid.
“Don’tyouknowit’srudeto
questionyourelders,young
lady?Tosaynothingof
pointingweaponsatthem.”
Somethingwas
whisperinginLuke’sbrain,
offeringhimreassurance—
andtellinghimwhattodo.
“It’sallright,Threepio.
Farnay,putthegundown.
Webothknowyou’renot
goingtoshootme.”
“Iwill,too!”
Lukeloweredhishands
slowlyandlookedinto
Farnay’seyes.
“MyrealnameisLuke
Skywalker,andIamarebel
—I’mfightingtorestore
freedomtothegalaxy.”
“Ohdear,ohdear,”
Threepiosaid.
Farnayblinkedathim,
thenloweredherpistol.Her
handswereshaking.
“Bygettingridofthe
Empire?Butthatwouldmean
chaos…chaosanddisorder.”
“No,itwouldn’t,”Luke
said.“Itwouldmeanpeace
andjusticeforeveryone—
insteadofjustaprivileged
few.”
“You’recrazy.
OverthrowingtheEmpireis
impossible.”
“It’snotimpossible,”
Lukesaid,rememberinghow
he’dusedtheForcetoguide
hisprotontorpedotoitstarget
ontheDeathStar.
“Sometimesitfeelsthatway,
Iknow.Butpeoplelikeme
areworkingtogetheron
thousandsofworldstoresist
theEmpire.Andon
thousandsmoreworlds,
peoplearerealizingthatthe
Empire’sordercomesatan
enormousprice—planets
ruinedandliveslost.Allto
feedtheEmperor’sgreed.”
Farnaylookedoffintothe
jungle.
“Beforethewarwiththe
droids,whenmyparentswere
young,peopleinthistown
werefarmers,”shesaid.
“Theyfollowedtheoldways,
livinginharmonywiththe
forestelders—that’swhat
pikhronmeansinour
language.ThentheEmpire
came.Theirgovernorwanted
togoonapikhronhunt,but
noonewouldtakehim.So
theEmpiretolduswe
couldn’tsendourcropsto
market—theyleftthemtorot
inthefields.Itwasleadthe
huntsorstarve.”
Lukenodded.Itwasa
smallcrueltycomparedwith
thecrushingoffreedomonso
manyworlds,nottomention
theobliterationofAlderaan.
ButLukeknewtheEmpire
wasn’tjustwarshipsand
stormtroopers.Itwasabillion
smallcruelties,grindingup
whatpeoplecherishedand
leavingruinandhopelessness
behind.
“Nowmostofthe
villagersdon’tcareaboutthe
oldways,andtherearen’t
manypikhronsleftinthe
jungle,”Farnaysaid.“My
fathermakeshislivingfixing
theoutlanders’starships—he
won’tserveasaguide.”
“Butyoudo,”Lukesaid
gently.
“Mymotherdiedlast
year,”Farnaysaid,tears
startinginhereyes.“Ihadto
dosomething,orwewould
havelostourhouse.Dadwas
soangrywithme,butwhat
choicedidIhave?Butit
doesn’tmatter—noonehires
meunlessthereisn’tanybody
elseleft.I’veneverbaggeda
pikhron.”
“Noskins,huh?”
“None,”Farnaysaid,then
smiledwanly.“I’mnotsad
aboutthatpart.Butthings
willbedifferentnow,herein
Tikaroo.That’swhythe
rebelssentyouhere,isn’tit?
Tohelpus.”
“No,”Lukesaid.“I
wasn’tsenthere.Iwas…
called.Tothetemple.”
Farnaytookastepback,
lookingwary.Sheslowly
begantoraiseherblaster.
“Called?Calledby
what?”
“Idon’tknow,”Luke
admitted.“It’s…hardto
explain.ButI’mafraidmy
missionisthere,nothere.”
Farnayturnedaway,head
bowedindisappointment.
“Butifyou’repatient,I
promiseI’llfindawayto
helpTikaroo,”hesaid.
“SomehowwhatIfindinthe
templewillshowmehowto
dothat.”
“Idon’tunderstand,”
Farnaysaid.
Lukesmiled.Hecould
almostfeeltheForce,
hummingaroundthem,
bindingthejungleandits
creaturestogether.
“NeitherdoI,”Lukesaid.
“Notyet.ButIwill.”
WHENLUKEAND
THREEPIOreturnedtothe
depotaleanalienwassitting
inachairontheporch,
cleaningalong,boxy-looking
blasterrifle.Astheyoung
rebelapproached,thealien
liftedhishead—andLuke
tookareflexivestep
backward.
Hesawnovisibleeyesor
mouth,justfoursegmented
platesofchitin,thelargestat
thetop.Smallbristleslined
thegapsbetweentheplates,
wavingslightly.Therestof
thealien’sheadwashidden
beneathabatteredoldhelmet
ofgraymetal.Blacktubesran
fromthehelmet’scheekstoa
controlboxstrappedtothe
alien’schest,tuckedbetween
bandolierswithbulging
pockets.Fromthecontrol
box,twomoretubesextended
backoverhisshoulders.
Thealien’sforearmswere
coveredwithchitinousplates
resemblingtheonesonhis
head,andstuddedwithwispy
hairs.Heworeatorncape
overhisleftshoulder,and
mismatchedarmorprotected
hisleftforearmandright
shoulder.
Lukecouldn’tremember
seeinganalienofhisspecies
before.Hewonderedwhat
purposethecontrolboxand
tubesserved.Werethey
breathingtubes?Didthis
speciesevenbreathe?
Thealienfinished
inspectingtherifleand
cockedhisheadatthetwo
newarrivals.Despitehislack
ofeyes,Lukehadthefeeling
hewasbeingscrutinized—
andnotparticularly
favorably.
“You’reMarcus—the
outlanderwhowantstogoon
apikhronhunt.”
Thewordsemergedfrom
avocodergrillatthehelmet’s
chin.Thevoicewasdeepand
low,liketherumbleofan
approachingstorm.
“I’mnotahunter,butI
wanttohireaguide,yes.Are
youavailable,Mr.…?”
“SarcoPlank.”Theblank
faceseemedtoregardLuke,
andtheciliabetweenthe
platesvibratedfeverishly.
“I’lltakeyouintothejungle.
Fortherightprice.”
Lukefeltastrangecurrent
ripplingintheForce.
“Alloftheotherguides
saidno,”hesaid.“Whyare
youdifferent?”
“BecauseIdon’tlistento
talltalesaboutghostsand
sorcerers.AndbecauseIhave
myowngearandmounts.So
there’snothingthatoldPorst
candoaboutit.”
ThatfeelingintheForce
wasstillthere,likeabadtaste
inLuke’smouth.Hedidn’t
knowifitwasconnectedto
Sarco,orsomethingelse.But
evenifitwasawarningabout
Sarco,whatcouldhedo?
Farnay’shalf-grownpack
beastwouldneverbeableto
takethem,andnoother
guideswereavailable.Itwas
eithergowithSarcoorrisk
thejourneyonhisown.And
hehadarebelmissiontoget
backto.
“Verywell,”Lukesaid,
wonderingifhewasmakinga
mistake—andifso,what
pricehewouldpayforit.
Twohourslater,Lukecame
downfromhisroomwiththe
droidstofindSarcooutside
thedepotwithapairof
massivecreatures.Theyhad
grayflesh,broadflatnoses,
andbeadyblackeyesthat
werealmostinvisibleintheir
wrinkledfaces.Theirforelegs
werestubby,endinginbroad
feet,whilethebacklegswere
longerandpowerful-looking.
Sarcocinchedahowdah
overoneofthebeast’s
shouldersandtightenedit.
Thecreaturegruntedin
protest,andSarcoaimeda
kickatitshead,causingitto
openabroadgashofamouth
filledwithflatyellowteeth.It
snappedatSarco,stomping
eachfootinturn.
“Wemightaswellbe
devouredrighthere,”
Threepiosaidmournfully,
andArtooletoutan
electronicmoan.
“Thehappaboresdon’teat
flesh,”Sarcosaid.“Ormetal.
Juststayawayfromtheir
mouths.Andfeet.”
“Thatdoesn’tmakeme
feelmuchsafer,”Threepio
said.
“I’msureitwillbefine,”
Lukesaid,tryingtoconceal
hisowndoubt.“Comeon,
Threepio,let’sgetyouand
Artoosaddledup.”
HeandSarcostruggledto
getThreepioupontotheseat
atopthesmallerhappabore,
withthegoldendroid
protestingmightily.Luke
thentiedArtooonhisside
behindThreepio.Hetugged
ontheropestomakesurethe
astromechwassecure,and
Artoohootedunhappily,
rotatinghisdometofixhis
singleelectroniceye
reproachfullyonLuke.
“Iknowyoudon’tlike
it,”Lukesaid,pattingthe
droid’sside.“Idon’tlikeit,
either.We’llgetyoudown
fromthereassoonas
possible.”
AsSarcosecuredapairof
huntingriflestothelead
happabore’showdah,Farnay
camechargingaroundthe
cornerofthedepot.She
stoppedshort,moutha
shockedO,andthenballed
herhandsintofists.
“Uh-oh,”Lukesaid.
“Soit’strue,then,”she
said.“Ididn’twanttobelieve
it!You’reactuallygoinginto
thewoodswiththe
Scavenger!”
“YouknowIdon’tlike
thatname,”Sarcogrowled.
“Orkidstellingtales.”
“Talesaboutwhat?”
Farnayasked.“Your
customerswhodon’tcome
back?”
SheturnedtoLuke,eyes
pleading.
“He’sawickedcreature
—don’tgowithhim!I’m
beggingyou!”
“Perhapsitwouldbe
betterifArtooandIstayed
hereandsupervisedrepairs,”
Threepiosaid.
Lukeputhishandson
Farnay’sshoulders.
“I’llbecareful,”hesaid
quietly.“Remember,I’vegot
atrickortwoupmysleeve.”
“Sodoeshe,”Farnay
said.Tearsstartedinhereyes
andshewipedatthem.Then
sheranoff.
“Timetogo,Marcus,”
Sarcosaid,steppingona
stubbyhornbehindthe
happabore’seyeand
swinginghimselfupontothe
howdah’sforwardseat.
Lukelookedsadlyinthe
directionFarnayhadgone,
thenputhishandsuncertainly
onthehappabore’sshoulder.
Thegrayfleshwasthickand
tough,butwarmtothetouch.
Bracinghimself,he
clamberedupontothe
howdah’srearseat,hisjacket
flappingopenasthestructure
swayedbeneaththem.
“Ihaveabadfeeling
aboutthis,”Threepiosaidas
Sarcojabbedaprodintothe
sideofthehappabore’shead
andthehugebeastspicked
theirwaydownthenarrow
paththatledpastthemassive
spireloomingoverTikaroo
andintothejungle.
Ittookafewminutesfor
Luketogetusedtothejolting
gaitofthehappaboresand
takeareallookatthe
Devaronianjungle
surroundingthem.Itwascool
beneaththetoweringtrees,
withbirdcriespunctuating
therisingandfallingthrumof
insectscallingtooneanother.
Thehappaboresclambered
overtanglesofmassivetree
roots,theirtinyeyespeering
outatthetrailahead.
Artooofferedaquietbeep
fromhisplaceatoptherear
happabore.
“Peaceful?”Threepio
snapped.“You’reobviously
malfunctioning.Iexpectthat
anymomentwe’llbe
stompedtobits.Orbittenin
twobysomemonstrous
predator.”
“Orturnedtoscrapbya
swarmofmetal-eatingbugs,”
Lukesaidwithagrin.“Don’t
forgetthatone.”
Sarcoturnedtoregardthe
protocoldroid.Thechitinous
platesofhisheadreminded
Lukeunsettlinglyof
overgrowntoenails.
“Orblowntobitsbecause
youwon’tshutup,”hesaid.
“Ohdear,”Threepiosaid
inasmallvoice.
“He’sjustkidding,
Threepio,”Lukesaid,then
sensedsomethingnearby.He
peeredintothejungle,trying
tomakesenseoftherippling
patternsofcolorandshade.
“Wait,”hesaid,putting
hishandonSarco’sshoulder.
Thealienshookitoff,but
tappedhismountwithhis
prod.Thehappaborehalted,
itspinkishsnoutquivering,
andgavealowmoanthat
soundedlikeitwasinpain.
“Whatisit,Marcus?”
Sarcoasked.
“I’mnotsure.…Itwasa
feelingIhad.”
Lukeexhaled,tryingto
reachoutnotjustwithhis
senses,butalsowithhis
feelings.
“There,”hesaid,pointing
deeperintothejungle.
Throughastandoftrees
hesawfourgrayshapes,
dappledinshadow.One
movedslightly,andthe
shapesresolvedthemselves
intosturdylegs,broadbacks,
andstubbyheadscrowned
withcurlinghorns.
Theyweren’thappabores
butratherthecreaturesLuke
hadseeninhisvision.They’d
stoodnearbywhilehefaced
thethreeremoteswithhis
lightsaber.
“Pikhrons,”Sarco
grunted.“Youhavekeen
sensesforanoutlander.”
Hehandedoneofthe
long-barreledblasterriflesto
Luke,thenraisedhisown
bulkyweapon.
“No,”Lukesaid,pushing
Sarco’srifledown.
“What?Whynot?”
Lukeshookhishead.He
realizedhecouldfeelthe
pikhronsintheForce—the
comforttheytookinone
anotherandthepleasurethey
feltintheshadeoftheirglen.
Hecouldalsofeeltheir
warinessabouttheintruders
atopthehappaboresandtheir
urgetoflee,whichwas
warringwiththeirinstinctto
remainstillandsilent.
“You’retakingawaya
goodpayday,outlander,”
Sarcoobjected.
“I’llpayyouwhatever
youwouldhaveearnedfrom
theskins,”Lukesaid.“But
we’releavingthepikhrons
alone.”
Sarcoshrugged,returned
theriflestotheirslings,and
jabbedthehappaborewiththe
prod.Asthebeastsresumed
theirjourneythroughthe
jungle,Lukelookedbackto
seethepikhronsambling
awaythroughthetrees.
“Didyougrowupinthese
woods?”heaskedSarco.
“InTikaroo,”Sarcosaid.
“Thisishomenow.Ionlygo
intotownwhenit’s
necessary.Theydon’tlikeme
there.Theyneverhave.”
“I’msorry.”
Sarcojustgrunted.
“Mr.Sarco?”Threepio
pipedup.“Whydotheycall
youtheScavenger?Itseemsa
mostpeculiarname.”
Lukegrimaced.
Sometimeshesuspected
whoeverprogrammed
Threepioforetiquettehad
installedsomethingupside
down.
“It’ssupposedtobean
insult,”Sarcosaid.“My
specialtyisfindingthingsof
valueandfiguringoutwho
wantsthem.”
“Ifyougrewupin
Tikaroo,youmustremember
thedaysbeforethehunts,”
Lukesaid.“Whenthe
villagersfollowedtheold
ways.”
ThebristlesonSarco’s
armsquiveredbriefly.
“Theoldwayswere
sentimentalnonsense.
Animalsarearesource,like
everythingelseinthe
galaxy.”
“Butthepeopleherelived
inharmonywiththepikhrons
forgenerations.”
Sarcoshrugged.
“Besides,resourcescan
beusedupifwe’renot
careful,”Lukesaid.
“Anentiregalaxy’s
worth?Impossible.What’s
thepointofcaringabouta
fewpikhrons?OrDevaron?
Oranyofit?”
Lukelookedsadlyatthe
statelytrees,wonderingwhat
hadhappenedtoSarcothathe
caredsolittleforhis
surroundings.Hecouldn’t
havebeenbornthatway—no
onewas.Somethinghad
warpedandtwistedhim,
turnedhimbitterand
withdrawn.
“Besides,”thealien
muttered,“it’sabetterlife
travelingthejungletaking
whatyouneedthan
scratchingatdirtwitha
plow.”
“NowthatIagreewith,”
Lukesaid.“Igrewup
farming,myself.It’shard
work.”
Sarcoturnedhiseyeless
maskofchitintowardLuke.
Hisciliaflutteredandhe
cockedhisheadtotheleft,
thentotheright.
“Thoughtyouwerea
hyperspacescout,”hesaid.
“Isn’tthatyourfighterthat
Kivasisworkingon?”
“That’sright.”
“You’reabusyyoung
man.Y-wing,eh?Ifyouwant
tosell,Iknowpeoplewho’ll
paygoodcredits.”
“Whatkindofpeople?”
Lukeasked.
Sarcoshrugged.
“Ifindthings,”hesaid.
“Aslongaspeoplepaygood
credits,whattheydowith
thosethingsisn’tmy
business.”
“Well,myshipisn’tfor
sale.”
“Whataboutthedroid,
then?”
“Ofallthenerve!”
Threepioexclaimed.“Iam
mostcertainlynotforsale.
Isn’tthatright,Master—”
“Imeanttheastromech,”
Sarcosaid.“Youtalktoo
much—nobodywouldbuy
you.”
ArtoochortledandLuke
hadtosmile.
“They’renotforsale,
either,”hesaid.“ButI’vegot
awayyoucanmakesome
easycredits.Takemeto
Eedit.”
“Forbidden.”
Artooblattedderisively,
andSarcoturnedinhisseat.
“Whatdiditsay?”
Threepioinclinedhis
headhaughtily.
“Hesaidhethoughtyou
didn’tbelieveinghosts.”
“Youshouldshutthose
droidsoff,”Sarcosaid.
“Iwasthinkingthesame
thingasArtoo,”Lukesaid.
“Whatareyouafraidof?”
“Nothing,”Sarcosaid.
“Butthere’sadifference
betweenbraveandstupid.
Ghostsaren’tthedangerat
Eedit.”
“Whatis,then?”Luke
asked.“Look,Ijustwantto
seetheplace—Iwon’tgo
inside.I’m…interestedinold
sites.”
Sarcoturnedtoregard
Luke.
“Firstyou’reahyperspace
scout,nowyou’resomekind
ofhistorian.Isthatwhyyou
carrythatantiquelaser
sword?Outofhistorical
interest?”
Lukehesitated,
wonderingwhenSarcohad
detectedhislightsaber.He
cursedhimselffornotbeing
morecareful.
“Yes,”hesaid.“That’sit
exactly.I’minterestedinold
sites,andrelics.”
“SoamI,”Sarcosaid,
thencockedhisheadleftand
right.“SoyoucarryaJedi
weapon,butyoucan’tuseit.”
Lukeforcedhimselfto
chokebackhispride.
“It’sstillausefultool,”
hesaid.“Andbeforeyouask,
no,it’snotforsale.”
Sarco’sciliaquiveredina
waythatmadeLukeuneasy.
Butthenthealienturned
away.
“Verywell,Marcus,”he
said.“I’lltakeyoutothe
barrier.Foranadditional
price,ofcourse.”
SARCOBROUGHTthe
happaborestoahaltafew
metersawayfromtheedgeof
thejungle.HeandLuke
dismountedandpeeredout
acrossaplateaudottedwith
copsesoftoweringtreesand
overgrownwithvinesasthick
aroundasLuke’sleg.Astone
road,crackedandalmost
entirelyreclaimedby
vegetation,ledacrossthe
plateautotheshattered
towersthatLukehadseen
fromtheair.
“Nocloser,”Sarco
warned,pointingaheadof
them.
Lukenoticedwhitespines
stickingupfromtheground.
Theyweresensors,he
realized—andtheystretched
inaperimeterbetweenthe
edgeofthejungleandthe
temple.
Hisheartsank.Therewas
nowayhecouldreachthe
templewithoutbeing
detected.
Artoowhistledfortheir
attention.
“Artoosayshe’swilling
todeactivatethesensors,”
Threepiosaid.“Thoughthat
strikesmeasrecklessevenby
hisstandards.”
“I’mafraidyou’reright,”
Lukesaid.“It’stoorisky—
andwecan’taffordtoget
caught.”
Sarcocockedhisheadat
Luke,thenturnedhisheadso
thechitinousmaskfacedthe
droids.
“Icantakeyou
somewhereelse,”hesaid,his
electronicallymodulated
voicecuriouslysoft.“Aplace
reservedformybest
customers.”
“What’sthere?”
Sarcocockedhishead
oneway,thentheother.
“It’sasecret.”
Animageflashedinto
Luke’smind—agloomy
depressioncarpetedwith
moss,thejaggedendsofold
bonesstickingoutofthedirt
andleaves.
Lukeshookhisheadand
tookastepawayfromSarco,
hisfingerscreepingtoward
hislightsaber.
“I’mnotinterestedin
yoursecrets,”hesaidfirmly.
“Isthereanyspotthatgetsus
closertothetemple?”
Sarco’sciliaflutteredand
hewavedhishandsatthe
ringofImperialsensors.
“Areyoublind,boy?You
canseeforyourselfthat
there’snowayin.”
“Thelake,then,”Luke
said,thinkingbacktohis
visionofswimmingbeneath
theDevaronianmoons.“The
onethat’snearby.”
Sarcostoodstock-stillfor
amoment,andLukethought
thealienseemedpuzzled.
“There’snolakenear
here.Justtheriverandtheold
damdestroyedinthedroid
war.Butthere’snothingthere
—thevaluableequipment
waspickedoverlongago.”
Adam?Lukethought,
thenrealizedwhathe’dseen
inhisdreamwasn’talakeat
all,butanartificialreservoir.
“Theolddam?Isit
outsidethesensorbarrier?”
“Yes.ButItoldyou,
outlander—there’snothing
there.”
“We’llseeaboutthat,”
Lukesaid.
Theriverhadshrunktoa
knee-deepchannel
meanderingdownthecenter
ofabowl-shapedvalley
strewnwithrock—Sarcosaid
mostofthewaterhadbeen
divertedforprojects
upstream.EvenThreepio
managedtocrosswithonlya
moderateamountof
complaining.
Lukestaredatthecliffs
onthefarsideofthevalley,
lookingforsomethinghe
recognizedfromhisvision,
whileSarcokickedatthe
rocks.Theoldriverbedwas
litteredwithrusteddroid
partsandbrokenpiecesof
armorthathadoncebeen
whitebuthadturnedasickly
yellowfromyearsof
exposuretothesun.
“Garbage,”Sarco
muttered,stoopingtopickup
theangularheadofadroid.
“Nothingworthtaking.”
Heflungtheheadthrough
theairtolandatThreepio’s
feet.Theprotocoldroid
peereddownatit,andArtoo
whistled.
“Switchheads?”Threepio
asked.“Whatanunpleasant
idea.Artoo-Detoo,someof
thefantasiesrattlingaround
insideyourdomeborderon
thebizarre.”
Artoo’sonlyreplywasa
smugtootle.
Lukescannedthecliffs
aboveuntilhecouldseethe
remnantsofthebracesthat
hadonceheldthedamin
place.Theywerelittlemore
thantwistedwreckagenow,
buttheytoldhimwherethe
topofthedamhadbeen—and
indeed,hecouldseeadark
lineontherockthatindicated
theoldwaterline.
Helookedbelowthatline,
tellinghimselftorelax,touse
theForcetodirecthiseyes.
There.
“Doyouhave
macrobinoculars?”Luke
askedhesitantly,thinkingit
wasaridiculousquestionto
askanalienwhodidn’thave
eyes.
AburstofstaticthatLuke
decidedwaslaughter
emergedfromSarco’s
vocoder.Thealienopeneda
pouchonhisbandolierand
handedoverasmallbut
expensivepairof
macrobinoculars.
“Forcustomers,”he
explained.
Lukenodded,then
focusedinonthespothe’d
seenandgrinned.
“There’sacaveupthere,”
hesaid.“Maybeakilometer
upriver.It’sabouttenmeters
abovethevalleyfloor.”
Sarcoturnedtofacethat
way,thencockedhisheadat
Luke.
“Yourspeciescanbarely
seethecaveevenwith
amplification.Howdidyou
knowitwasthere?”
“Ihadafeelingitwould
be,”Lukesaid,notwantingto
explainfurther.
Sarcocockedhishead
left,thenright.
“Impressive,”hesaid.
“Butcanyougetuptoit?”
“Ithinkso,”Lukesaid,
eyesalreadytracingawayup
thecliff.
Halfanhourlaterhe
scrambledintothedamp,cool
cave,havingcomecloseto
plummetingdownthecliff
faceonlyonce.Heactivated
hislightsaber,thebrilliant
bluebladeemergingfromits
hiltwithafamiliarsnapand
hiss.
Lukeclosedhiseyes,
enjoyingtheweightofthehilt
inhishand.Thenheopened
themandhelduphisfather’s
weapon,illuminatingthe
wallsofthecave.Asinhis
vision,stonestepsledupinto
thegloom.Hefollowedthem,
thinkingitwasstrangetofind
himselffamiliarwithaplace
he’dneverbeen.
Thestairsendedatthe
spotwherethealienJedi’s
comradehadhandedhimhis
lightsaber.Afterafewmeters
thetunnelcurvedsharplyto
theright.Lukefearedit
wouldendinasolidwall,or
atumbleofimpassablerock,
andthoughtabouthow
discouragingitwouldbeto
havetoridebackthroughthe
junglewithSarco.
Don’tcenteronyour
anxieties,hereminded
himself,andpeeredaround
thecorner.
Thetunnelranstraight
throughtherock,asfarasthe
illuminationofhislightsaber
reached.Hetriedtoestimate
whichdirectionthetunnel
headed,thenstopped.He
alreadyknewwhereitled—
straightintotheTempleof
Eedit.Heknewbecausethe
Forcewastuggingathim,its
messageblessedlyclear.This
waswhatithadwantedhim
tofind.
Gettingthedroidsupthecliff
tookthebetterpartofanhour
andrequiredhagglingwith
Sarcoovertheuseofhis
blockandtackle.Thealien
hadbroughttheequipment
forhoistingadeadpikhronso
thebeastcouldbeskinned;
Lukewasgladtouseitfor
someotherpurpose.
Artoosufferedbeing
hauleduptothecavewithhis
dignityrelativelyintact,
beepingencouraginglyat
Lukeeachtimehecaughthis
breathandfantasizedabout
beingabletoliftthedroids
throughtheairusingthe
Force.ButThreepiospentthe
entiretimedeclaringthatthe
ropewasslippingand
predictinghisimminent
demise.Withtheprotocol
droidstandingsafelyinthe
caveandmarvelingathis
miraculoussurvival,Luke
loweredSarco’sequipment
andthentossedtherope
downtohim.
“We’llbeinsideforafew
daysatleast,”Lukecalled
downtoSarco.“I’llraiseyou
onthecomlinkwhenwe’re
readytoreturn.”
Sarcoraisedhishead
fromwherehestoodinthe
riverbed,arranginghis
equipmentonhisshoulders.
“Ifyoucomeoutofthere
alive,”hesaid.
Lukehesitated.Hedidn’t
believeinghosts,butBenhad
warnedhimaboutthepower
ofthedarksideoftheForce
—ithadcorruptedhis
apprenticeDarthVader.What
ifitwasbehindthestoriesof
spiritsinthetemple?Whatif
somemalevolentenergystill
lingeredthere?
“Icantakecareof
myself,”hetoldSarco,
scanningtheforestedcliffs
acrosstheriver.Fora
momenthethoughthe’dseen
somethingglintinginthesun.
“You’llgetmorecredits,
ifthat’swhatyou’reworrying
about,”headded.
I’mrunningupquitea
billfortheAlliance,he
thoughtwryly.Ibetterlearn
tousetheForcetotricka
quartermasterintoapproving
it.
Sarcocockedhishead
backandforthinthatstrange,
vaguelyclockworkhabithe
had.
“We’llmeetagain,
Marcus,”hesaid,andstrode
offacrosstherockyvalleyto
wherethehappaboreswere
waiting.
“Whatanunpleasant
creature,”sniffedThreepio.
“Ikindoffeelsorryfor
him,”Lukesaid.“Butlook,
hegotusthisfar,didn’the?”
“Whereverthatmaybe.”
“Right,”Lukesaid.
“That’sagoodquestion.
Let’sfindouttheanswer.”
Theywalkedforlongerthan
halfanhour,footsteps
echoinginthecloseconfines
ofthetunnel,whileThreepio
imaginedvariouscalamities
thatwerecertaintobefall
them.
Astheywalked,asense
ofcalmsettledoverLuke.
Hisfather’slightsaberfelt
likeanextensionofhishand,
andhissenseswerequickto
registereachchipanddivotin
thetunnel,eachslightcurrent
ofair.Hewasawareofhis
breathinginandout,andof
theunhurriedbeatofhis
heart.
It’stheForce,herealized.
It’sgettingstronger.
Stronger,orperhapsI’m
feelingadeeperconnection
withit.
Somethinggleamedinthe
palebluelightofhissaber.
Lukehelduphishandforthe
droidstostop,interrupting
Threepio’sspeechaboutwhat
itwouldbeliketobe
entombedformillennia
withoutpowerwhilevermin
chewedthroughhiswiring.
Therewerepiecesof
stonescatteredacrossthe
floor.Beyondthem,the
passagewayslopedupward
butwasblockedbyfallen
rocks.Lukeadvanced
cautiously,clamberingupthe
pileandpeeringthroughthe
tumbledstones.
“Ohno,it’sobviously
completelyimpassable,”
Threepiosaid.“Isuppose
we’llhavetogobackto
Tikaroo.”
“No,it’smostlyloose
stone,”Lukesaid.“Icanfeel
freshair,infact.Comeand
helpmeclearthisstuffoutof
theway.”
“But,MasterLuke,I’m
notprogrammedfor
demolition.”
“NeitheramI.We’lljust
havetodoourbest.”
ArtoohootedatThreepio
androlledtotheedgeofthe
pile.Heextendedautility
armandpluckedasmall
stoneoutofthetumble,then
turnedandrolledawaywith
hisprize,whistling
cheerfully.
“Well,that’snoendof
help,”Threepiosaid.
Togethertheyshovedthe
looserockaside,Luke
carvingawayatsomeofthe
biggerblockswithhissaber,
carefulnottolettheliquefied
rockburnhim.Hefound
himselfwhistlingasprightly
tuneasheworked.
“MasterLuke!”Threepio
exclaimed.“Thatsound
you’remaking—it’sthefirst
Whiforlanflutingform!”
“Isit?”Lukeasked,
smiling.“It’scatchy.”
Lukeclimbedtothetop
ofthepile,pushedataslabof
stonewithhisshoulder,and
wasrewardedwhenitslid
asideandthentoppledoutof
sight,landingwithacrash.
“We’realmostthere,”he
said.“Ifwegetthebigpieces
movedyouandArtooshould
beabletogetthrough.”
Hepushedhishead
throughthegaphe’dcreated,
thenhisshoulders,saber
raisedtoilluminatehis
surroundings.Whathesaw
madehisheartcatchinhis
throat.
“I’mgoingtotakeaquick
lookaround,”Lukesaid.“I’ll
bebackinacoupleof
minutes.”
“Becareful,Master
Luke!”Threepiosaid.
Lukescrambledthrough
thegapandfoundhimselfon
theedgeofwhatoncehad
beenanenormoushall,litby
thelightoflateafternoon.
Muchoftheroofhad
tumbleddown,columnswere
shornoffortoppled,andthe
floorwascoveredwithdrifts
ofleavesthathadblownin
throughshatteredwindows.
Thecenterofthefloorwasa
crater,surroundedbyrubble.
Somethingscreechedinthe
shadows,thenoiseofits
scramblingretreatechoing
aroundLuke.Hewhirledina
circle,brandishinghis
father’slightsaberinfrontof
him,thenforcedhimselfto
takeadeepbreath.
It’snotademonordarksideghosts—justjungle
creatures,hethought.You’ve
invadedtheirhome,that’sall.
Heraisedhissaberhigh
andsawtwostatuesatthefar
endofthehall,theirfaces
bubbledandblackened,their
armsendingincauterized
stumps.Thetemplehadbeen
bombedandthenvandalized
withheavyenergyweapons
—someonehadworkedhard
toeraseanysignofbeauty
thathadescapedtheinitial
spasmofviolence.
TheEmpire,Luke
thought.Thepurposeofthe
attackwastoruinthisplace
anderadicatewhatitstood
for.Whatitmeanttopeople.
Hefelthisangerrise—
angerforthepeopleof
Alderaan,forhisauntand
uncleonTatooine,forhis
father,andforsomany
millionsofothers.
Henearlytrippedoverthe
stonehandonthefloor.Ithad
cometolieonitsside,atopa
pileofrubble.Thewristwas
blackenedwhereithadbeen
shearedaway,butthehand
itselfwasintact,asif
stretchedouttowardhimin
welcome.Thestoneworkwas
beautiful,hethought,running
hishandoverthefingers,
appreciatingthedetailsome
lostartisanhadcreatedover
untoldhours.Hiseyes
jumpedtothestatueslooming
above,andhesawwherethe
handhadbeenattached.
Lukedeactivatedhis
lightsaberandhungitonhis
belt.Hepushedthestone
handasideandsiftedthrough
therubblebeneathit.Here
wastheupperpartofaface,
withaneyecapturedinswift,
confidentstrokes,the
eyebrowarchedingood
humor.Therewasachin,
bearded,andaboveitasmile.
Hisangerdrainedfrom
him,tobereplacedbyaquiet
joy.TheEmpirehadtriedto
eraseeverythingthathad
beenbeautifulthere,butit
hadfailed.Hecouldstillsee
thatbeauty,justashecould
feelthepoweroftheForce
surroundinghim.
Attheendofthegrand
hall,theremainsofmassive
doubledoorshungfromtheir
hinges.Theentrancewas
filledwithrubblehigherthan
Luke’shead,andthewind
hadmoundedupleavesinthe
corners.Hestartedtowardthe
doors,thendecidedagainstit
—theEmpiremighthave
othersafeguardsagainst
intrusion,inadditiontothe
perimetersensors.Heturned
theotherwayinstead,passing
corridorschokedwith
wreckage,andfoundaseries
ofarchesleadingtoanopen
spaceovergrownwithtrees.
Lukesqueezedbetween
twotumbledslabsandfound
himselfinacircular
courtyardcreatedfromthe
spacebetweenthetworuined
towersandtherubbleof
smallerbuildingsthathad
beenpartofthetemple
complex.Oncemanicured,
thecourtyardwasnowwild.
Impactcratershadopened
yawningpitsintheground,
throughwhichLukecould
barelymakeouttumbled
stoneinthegloomfarbelow.
Thebowlofaruinedfountain
occupiedthecenterofthe
space,withwaterbubblingup
frominsideandspillingout
overflagstonescoveredwith
grass,formingashallow
pool.Faceless,limbless
statues,muchsmallerthanthe
onesinthegreathall,formed
aperimeteraroundthe
fountain.
Lukelookedaroundin
mingleddisbeliefandjoy.It
wastheplacehe’dseeninhis
vision—thefountain,the
statues,thegrassandtrees.
Somehowitsdisheveledstate
madeitevenlovelierthanhe
imaginedithadbeenwhen
carefullygroomedand
tended.
Somethingmadealow
soundnearby,andLukesaw
pikhronsstandingquietly
amongthetreesonthefar
sideofthecourtyard,
watchinghimwarily.Anold
matriarchtossedherhead,
andthegrouppusheditsway
throughthetrees,peeringat
Lukewithsmallblackeyes.
Theyclimbedalowmoundof
rubble,allthatremainedof
onewingofthetemple,and
weregone.
Theyfeelsafehere,Luke
thought.Theyknowthe
huntersdon’tcomeinsidethe
perimeter.
“Luke…”
Luketurnedinsurprise,
lookingforthesourceofthe
voicehe’dheard.
“Thisplaceisstrongwith
theForce,”BenKenobisaid
inLuke’shead.“Itwasthe
willoftheForcethatguided
youtothisplace.Hereyou
willlearntoopenyourselfto
theForce,guidingits
possibilitiesandobeyingits
commands.Andpassingits
tests.MaytheForcebewith
you,Luke.”
“Ben!”Lukecalled,but
thevoiceofhisoldteacher
wassilent.
Lukesatdownontherim
ofthefountain,inoneofthe
longshadowsthestatuescast
acrosstheglen.Hecouldfeel
thepoweraroundhim—
powerandasenseofpeace.
ThiswastheplacetheForce
hadshownhim,andwhereit
hadbroughthim.
“MasterLuke?”
Thatvoicehadn’tbeenin
hishead.Lukelookedupand
sawThreepioandArtoo
standinginoneofthe
archwaystothegreathall.
“Overhere,Threepio.”
“Thereyouare!Master
Luke,we’vefound
something.”
“Whathaveyoufound?”
Artooletoutatorrentof
accusatorybeeps.
“Oh,verywell,youfound
it,”Threepiosaid.“Artoo
foundadamagedfrieze—
apparentlywithoutmyhelp—
andwethoughtitmightbeof
interest.”
“Let’sseewhatyou’ve
got,”Lukesaid,followingthe
droidsbackintotheruined
hall,toasectionindeep
shadow.
Artooactivateda
spotlightonhisdomeand
traceditalongthewall.Luke
leanedforward,handsonhis
knees.Thesculptedfigures
onthewallwereasdamaged
asthestatues,thescenes
interruptedbycratersleftby
blasterfire.ButLukecould
makeoutchildreninJedi
robes,lightsabersraisedin
frontofthemasaninstructor
demonstratedtheproper
defensivestance.
Fartherdownthewall,
Lukesawfragmentsofscenes
inwhichJedifoughtwarriors
wearingspikedarmorand
masks.Evenfrozeninstone,
theJedilookedlikedeadly
dancers,capturedintheactof
leapingandtumbling,their
lightsaberslikeextensionsof
theirbodies.
I’llneverbeabletodo
that—Icanbarelyfendoffan
attackfromatrainingremote.
Iwouldn’tevenknowhowto
learntodothat.Somuch
knowledgehasbeenlost.No,
notlost—stolenfromthe
galaxy.StolenbyVaderand
theEmperor.
Thefriezeendedin
shatteredstone,andArtoo
shutoffhislight.
“I’mgladIgottosee
that,”Lukesaid.“But
everythingheretookplacea
longtimeago.Thisplaceis
importantbecauseofthe
present,notthepast.The
Forcetoldmeso.”
Hereturnedtotheglade,
whichwasfilledwith
birdsong,andlookedaround
thecourtyardagain.Hisgaze
lingeredonastonepillar
whosesurfacewasbrokenby
aleverextendingfromthe
stonetwo-thirdsofthewayto
thetop,metersabovehis
head.
“UnlesstheJediwho
livedherewereverytall,that
wasdesignedtobeopened
withtheForce,”hesaid.
Lukeunbuckledhisbelt
andholsterandsetitdownon
atumbledslabofrocknextto
thedroids.Holdinghis
deactivatedlightsaberinone
hand,hewalkedoverand
stoodbeneaththepillar,its
surfaceturnedorangebythe
settingsun.Hebreathed
deeply,tuningoutthe
squabblingdroidsand
pushingawaythedistracting
thoughtscrowdinghishead.
Keepyourconcentration
hereandnow.
Hereachedoutwithhis
hand,imaginingitgripping
theleverandpulling.
Nothinghappened.
Lukeshookhisheadand
triedagain,orderingthelever
tomove,thenconjuringa
pictureoftheForcetakingon
theformofsomethingthat
couldpullit.Heclosedhis
eyesandtriedtoimagineit
wasonlyhimandtheleverhe
wastryingtomove.Whenhe
lookedagain,theleverwould
haveshiftedandthepedestal
wouldbeopen.
Lukeopenedhiseyes.
Nothinghadchanged.
Hewipedhisbrowonhis
sleeve,tookadeepbreath,
andtriedagain.
Andthenagain.And
againandagainandagain.
Luketrieduntiltheglade
wasshroudedingloom,with
onlythetopsoftheruined
towersstillpaintedinthe
colorsofsunset.Thebirds
hadstilledtheirsongsand
soughttheirnests.Butthe
leverstillhadn’tmoved.No
matterwhathedid,theForce
refusedtoobeyhis
commands—orhispleas.
Ican’tdoit.Idon’t
understandhow,andthere’s
noonetoteachme.Andthere
neverwillbe—I’mthelastof
theJedi.
ThelastoftheJedisank
tothegrassindespair.
Farnayhadwatchedthrough
hermacrobinocularsasLuke
disappearedintothecave,
gaspingwhenheseemedto
lookstraightatherfora
moment.She’dobserved
Sarcoashetrudgedback
acrosstherockyvalleyand
scrambleduptowherehis
beastswaited.Shewasabout
ahundredmetersawayfrom
him,crouchedbehindathick
treetrunk,herpackbeast
stakednearby.
SheexpectedSarcoto
climbatoponeofthemounts
andstartbacktoward
Tikaroo.Butinsteadthe
facelessaliensetupa
campsitenotfarfromthe
edgeofthecliff,acrossthe
rivervalleyfromthecave.
He’swaiting,Farnay
thought.WaitingforLuke.
Farnayknewbetterthan
tothinktheScavengerwas
waitingincasehemightbeof
help.Sheknewwhathereally
wanted—achancetolootthe
sorcerers’templewithout
attractingImperialattention.
AndLuke’spresence
wouldn’tbeenoughto
dissuadehim.The
Scavenger’scustomershada
wayofmeetingaccidentsin
thejungle.Mostofthe
missingwerewealthybut
eccentricoldhunterswithout
peoplewhowouldreport
themasmissingorcome
lookingforthem.
Shedidn’tknowwhathad
happenedtothem,butshe
couldguess.Andifthe
ScavengerdecidedLukewas
inhisway,itwouldhappento
him,too.
INTHEMORNINGLuke
awokefromadeep,
dreamlesssleep.
Helookedaroundthe
glade,momentarilyconfused,
beforeherememberedwhere
hewas.WhenhesatupArtoo
turnedhisradareyeinhis
master’sdirection,beepinga
cheerygoodmorning,then
rockedsidewaystobump
Threepio’ssilverknee.The
protocoldroidgaveastartled
hopashisphotoreceptorslit
up.
Lukeatearationbar,
dranksomecool,cleanwater
fromthefountain,andstood
inthedew-speckledgrass,
staringupatthepillaragain.
Iwasexhausted
yesterday,butI’mrested
now.TheForcewillobeyme
moreeasily.
Hesighedandreachedup
towardtheleverwithanopen
hand,lettinghisshoulders
riseandfall.
Nothinghappened.
Hetriedforlongerthan
anhour,asthemorningsun
evaporatedthedewfromthe
grassandthebirdsbeganto
zipthroughthebranches.
Discouraged,heforced
himselftositagainstthe
stonebowloftheoldfountain
andmeditateuntilhehad
chasedawayhisnegative
thoughts.Thenhegotup,
walkedovertothepillar,and
toldthelevertomove.
Itremainedstill.
Lukekickedaloose
flagstoneacrosstheglade,
startlingacrowdofbrilliant
greenbirds,thenhopped
acrossthegladewithhis
injuredtoeinhand.
“I’mfine,”hesaidbefore
Threepiocouldsuggestthatit
wasonlysensibletosummon
arebelmedicalfrigate
immediately.
Lukestretchedouthis
hand,thenpulleditbackasa
buzzinginsectlandedonhis
wrist.Heshooeditaway,
annoyed,butitlandedagain,
itscrystallinewingscatching
theearly-morninglight.One
compoundeyeswiveledto
regardhimastheinsect
pickeditswayalonghis
wrist,itscoiledproboscis
dartingouttotastethesweat
onhisskin.
“I’mnotaflower,”Luke
said.“Buzzoff.”
Thesapdrinkerignored
him.Itsfeettickled.Luke
lookedatitsteardrop-shaped
body,agracefulcurvethat
endedinabarbedstinger.He
knewitwouldn’tstinghim—
thatwasadefenseagainst
creaturesthatmightattackits
nest.Lukehelduphiswrist,
admiringthewaythelittle
creature’siridescentblue
bodyshimmeredwhenseen
fromdifferentangles.He
smiledattheexuberantlife
containedinthattiny,busy
livingthing.
“ToharnesstheForce,
youmustfirstfeelit
everywhere,”saidthevoice
ofBenKenobi.
Lukefrowned,then
reachedoutwithhissenses.
HecouldfeeltheForceinside
himself,abrightshiningthing
bubblingandroiling.He
reachedforthesapdrinker
stillexploringhiswrist,not
withhishandbutwithhis
feelings.Thereitwas—a
pointoflightintheForce,
tinybutbrilliant.Thesap
drinker’spresenceseemedto
overlapwithhisownbody,
hisownpresenceinthe
Force.
Thesapdrinkerflew
awaywithawhirofwings.
Luketriedtotrackits
presenceintheForce,butthe
chaoticripplesintheglade
weretooconfusing.There
seemedtobemillionsof
currentsaroundhim,all
emanatingfromlivingthings
—birdsandinsects,butalso
theleavesofthetreesandthe
tinyunseencreaturesborne
onthewindorscuttling
acrossbarkandrock.All
thoseliveswerevesselsofthe
Force,containersforits
energy.
Luketriedtofindthesap
drinker’spresenceagainamid
thetumult,thenstopped.
Tryingtofocusona
singlelivingthingwas
confusingandexhausting.
ButtheForcewasn’tlimited
tothoseindividualbodies,he
realized.Theycreatedthe
Forceandmadeitgrow,butit
escapedthoseboundaries,
overflowingthemjustlikethe
springescapedthebrokenrim
ofthefountain.
Lukeclosedhiseyesand
lethimselfsinkintothe
Force,allowingittowash
overhim.Helethis
awarenessdrift,carriedthis
wayandthatbytheliving
presencesaroundhimandthe
waytheymadetheenergy
fieldrippleanddance.He
couldfeeltheForceradiating
outfromhisownbody,just
asitspilledfromthebirds
andinsectsandtinycreatures.
Newripplespassedover
him,andhecouldfeelbright
presencesnearby.Luke
openedhiseyesandsawthe
pikhronsclamberingoverthe
rubbleofthefallentemple
wing.Theysniffedathim,
thenloweredtheirheadsand
begantograze.
Lukesmiledandreached
throughtheForceagain,but
thistimehewasn’ttryingto
pushtheenergyfieldacross
anemptyspace—hewas
swimmingthroughit,
meanderingacrossthe
currentsofenergyinthe
glade.Hetracedtherockof
thepillarbythewaythe
Forcesurroundedit—therock
wasn’talive,butitwasan
emptinessdefinedbythelife
coveringit.Hecouldfeelthe
ridgesandcrannies,the
cracksthatofferedrefugeto
microscopiclivingthings.He
feltthepillar’sshapeashis
awarenessclimbeditand
foundthelever.
Lukebenthiswristand
thelevermovedaseasilyasif
he’dhelditinhishand.
Thecompartmentinsidethe
pillarcontainedadozen
trainingremotes,allcovered
withmossfromtheirlong
yearsindampconfinement.
Mostofthemrefusedtocome
backtolife,eitherdamaged
bymoistureorhavinglostall
theircharge.ButLukeand
Artoomanagedtogetthreeof
themworking,scrubbing
themfreeofmossanddirt
beforeclosinguptheiraccess
ports.
“MasterLuke,areyou
surethat’sagoodidea?”
Threepioasked.“Theycould
beanImperialtrapdesigned
tokillintruders.Shouldn’t
youatleasthaveyourpistol
readyjustincase?”
“I’llriskit,”Lukesaid
withasmile.
Hesteppedbackfromthe
remotes,andtheyroseinto
theair,rotatingslowlyso
theirsensorscouldevaluate
theirsurroundings.Artoo
turnedtorollaway,andone
oftheremoteschargedhim,
retreatinghastilywhenthe
littledroidscreechedatit
indignantly.Afterzipping
aboutforafewseconds,two
oftheremotesreturnedtothe
pillar,hoveringinfrontofit
forafewsecondsandthen
touchingdowninsidethe
compartment.Thethird
remotefloatedinfrontof
Luke,asifwaitingfor
something.
Ben’svoicefilledLuke’s
headagain.
“Thelightsaber
disciplinesthemindand
schoolsthebodyandspirit,”
hesaid.“Mindwhatyouhave
learned.Letthelightsaberbe
yourfocus.”
Lukenoddedand
detachedhisfather’sweapon
fromhisbelt.Hespreadhis
feetwide,ignitedthe
lightsaber,andswungit
aroundone-handedinaloose
arc.Thenhetookholdofit
withbothhands.
Theremotefloatedbefore
him,turninglazilyintheair.
Itzippedtooneside,thenthe
other,andLukehadthe
distinctfeelingthedevice
wassizinghimupasan
opponent.
“Becareful,Master
Luke,”Threepiourged.
FeeltheForce,Luke
remindedhimself.Itwillgive
youthereflexesyouneedto
guidethebladewhereit
needstobe.
Lukerememberedthe
firsttimehe’deverheldhis
father’slightsaber,inBen’s
littlestonehouseontheedge
oftheDuneSea.He
rememberedhowthebrilliant
blue-whitebladehaddazzled
hiseyesandthenseemedto
drawthemin,andthealmost
hypnoticsoundoftheblade.
Andherememberedhow
eventhoughhe’dneverseen
alightsaber,letaloneheld
one,theweaponhadinstantly
feltrightinhishand.
Benhadtoldhimtohold
thegripsothebladewouldbe
highandreadywhenit
appeared.He’dshownhim
thateverythingyoucoulddo
withalightsaber—attack,
defend,advance,withdraw—
beganwiththeinitialstance.
Dominantfootback,blade
heldinparrypositiononthe
dominantside.Feetnottoo
wide,thebetterforspeedand
agility.
Lukeassumedthe
position,watchingtheremote
asiteasedbackandforthin
frontofhim,itsmovements
deceptivelyslow.He
wonderedifithadawayof
sensinghisability,orif
differentremoteswere
programmedfordifferent
levelsofskill.Whatifthe
remotesusedtotrainraw
apprenticeswerealldamaged
andtheForcehadbrought
himtheretobepepperedwith
laserboltsthatonlyadvanced
studentscouldhaveswatted
away?
Theremotedovetothe
rightandzippedatLuke’s
head.Hedodged
instinctively,raisingtheblade
highandkeepingitbetween
himandhisattacker.
Firstdefensiveposture,
heremembered.Nowpay
attention.Youcanworry
aboutprogrammingremotes
later.
Theremotereturnedtoits
initialpositioninfrontofthe
pillar,withLuketurningto
faceit.Thenhisbladewas
divingdownandtohisright,
toprotecthiship.The
remote’slaserblaststruckthe
blade,sendingtendrilsof
energysnakingacrossit,and
thendissipatedinthe
morningair.
Thatwasthesecond
defensiveposture.
Threepioraisedhishands
incelebration.
“Youdidit,Master
Luke!”
SomehowHan’smocking
laughterathisgettingzapped
byalaserblastaboardthe
Falconhadbeenless
annoyingthanThreepio’s
congratulations.Lukesmiled
atthethought,thenhadto
dodgeleftinresponsetothe
remote’sfeint,holdingthe
bladeinthethirddefensive
posture.Heglancedquickly
atthepitsgougedinthe
glade,markingtheirposition.
Itwouldn’tdototumbleinto
thedepths.
Theremoteweavedtothe
right,thendartedbehindhim.
Lukewhirled,bladehigh,and
aboltofenergyshotbyhis
headtosizzleinthedamp
grass.Theremoteretreated,
andLukebroughthis
lightsaberbacktotheready
position.
“Excellent,MasterLuke,”
Threepiocalled.
“Notreally—Ishould
havedeflectedit,”Lukesaid.
“Igotlucky.”
Thatattackforcedmeinto
thefourthdefensiveposture,
hethought.Theremoteran
throughallfourbasic
defensiveformsinorder.It’s
testingwhatI’velearned.
Whichmeantitwould
nowattackhimforreal.
Theremotefloatedin
frontofhim,itsjetshissing
faintlyasitmovedupand
down,thenleftandright.It
dodgedleft,butLukewas
alreadybringinghisblade
downtotheright,evenasthe
remotereversedcourseand
firedathisknee.Luke
deflectedthelaserbolt,then
wheeledhisbladetheother
way,sendingenergybeams
flyingbackthewaythey’d
come.
Thistimetheremote
didn’tbackoffbut
accelerated,followinga
zigzagcourseandpeppering
himwithfire.Luke’sblade
wasablueblur,deflecting
boltsallaroundhim.He
slippedslightlyashetriedto
returntoreadyposition,then
leaptoveraflurryofbolts
aimedathisfeet.
Luke’smindflashedback
totheMosEisleycantina,
wheretwoalienthugshad
pickedafightwithhim.Ben
hadtriedtoplaypeacemaker,
sensingLuke’sgrowing
panic,butthealienshadn’t
beeninterestedinpeace.One
hadflungLukeintoatable,
thengoneforhisblaster,
readytogunBendown.
TheoldJedi’shandhad
dippedtothelightsaberonhis
belt,fasterthananyonewould
haveimaginedadeserthermit
couldmove.Hislightsaber
slicedtheblasteraimedat
himintwo,thencarved
throughthethugs.
ItwasthefirsttimeLuke
hadeverseenalightsaberin
action,andwhatamazedhim
wasthattherewasnowasted
motion—onemomenttwo
alienbullieswerethreatening
anoldman’slife,andthe
nextmomenttheirdaysof
threateninganyonewere
over.
Benhadstoodfora
moment,coollyregardingthe
otherpatronsatthebarwith
thelightsaberheldbeforehim
inreadyposition.Thenhe’d
deactivatedhisbladeand
helpedLukeupfromwhere
he’dbeensprawledonthe
filthyfloor,lookingonin
awe.
Luketriedtoimagine
whatthepatronsofthe
cantinahadthoughttoseea
JediKnightintheirmidst
afternearlytwodecadesin
whichForce-usershadbeen
nothingmorethanrumorand
legend.Whathaditbeenlike
whenJediwerecommon
sightsinthegalaxy?And
wouldsuchadayevercome
again?
Theremotezippedleft,
thenright,thencutbackto
theleftandshotLukeinthe
knee.Heyelpedatthesting
ofthelaserboltasthe
machinereturnedtofloating
infrontofhim.
“Artoo!Thatdreadful
machinehasinjuredMaster
Luke!”
“Justmypride,”Luke
said,wipingthesweatfrom
hisforeheadandreminding
himselftoquitdaydreaming.
Whenheresumedthe
readypositiontheremote
begantodartfromsideto
sideagain,testinghis
defenses.Ittriedtoget
behindhim,andheparried
thepencil-thinshaftoflaser
light,sendingitcaromingoff
anannoyedArtoo.Hekept
turningastheremotedoveat
hisfeet,leapingoveritsbolts
andremindinghimselfto
keephisguardup.
Luketooktwomorehits
andloweredhisblade,
causingtheremotetoback
away.Hetoldhimselfto
ignoreThreepio’scomments
andpushoutthefearof
failuretryingtocreepintohis
head.
Benhadbeengentleafter
thedeathofUncleOwenand
AuntBeru,lettingLuke
grieveforhisfamilyandrage
attheEmpireformurdering
them.Hisemotionswere
natural,Bensaid,andhislove
forhisfamilydidhimcredit.
ButhethenwarnedthatLuke
mustresistthedesirefor
revenge.Angerandhatred
couldhelphimdrawpower
fromtheForce—butonlyata
terribleprice.Forthose
emotionsunlockedthedark
sideoftheForce,leadinga
Jeditotemptation—and
sometimesruin.
AJedihadtolearntolet
goofangerbeforecallingon
theForce,Benhadinstructed.
Butheorshealsohadtolet
gooffear—forfearledto
anger,invitingthedarkside
in.
“I’mnotafraid,”Luke
said,raisinghissaberagain.
“Iwon’tfail.”
Theremotetriedtozip
aroundbehindhim.He
whirled,bladehumming,and
blockeditsshot—thenturned
theotherwayasittriedto
reversecourseandtargethis
hip.Hedeflectedashot
aimedathishead,thenone
intendedforhisknee,then
leapttoavoidonethatstruck
athisfeet.Hesmiledto
himselfbutthenpushedthe
elationaway,too,tryingto
seeandhearnothingbutthe
remote.
Itfeltlikeheandthe
remoteweredancing,like
theyweresomehow
connected—manand
machine,joinedbytheenergy
ofthetraininglaserandthe
bladeofLuke’slightsaber.
Theymovedtogether—first
foraminute,thenforfive,
andthenLukelostalltrackof
time.
Whentheremotebacked
awayhedidn’tregisteritat
firstbutsimplywaited,barely
consciousthathewas
breathinghard.Thenhe
realizedtheremotehad
stoppedattackingand
loweredhisblade,lettinghis
shouldersslump.
“Welldone,Master
Luke!”Threepiocalled.“A
mostimpressivedisplay!”
Lukesmiledatthe
protocoldroid,wavingto
acknowledgeArtoo’s
enthusiasticwhistles.Then
theremotechatteredinan
electroniclanguageanda
secondremoterosetofloat
alongsideit.
Luke’ssmilefadedaway.
LUKEKNEWTHETWO
REMOTESwouldn’tattack
untilheraisedhislightsaber
toreadyposition,sohetooka
momenttocatchhisbreath.
Thenhenoddedandliftedhis
arms,bladeheldoutinfront
ofhim.
Ashe’dexpected,thetwo
remotesdriftedapart,taking
uppositionsoneithersideof
him.Oneafteranotherthey
dartedin,forcinghimto
reorienthisdefenses.Then
theyretreated.Lukefelthis
heartbeatquickeningashe
triedtowatchbothofthem,
hisfeetautomatically
carryinghimbackwardso
he’dhaveabetterchanceof
keepingthembothinsight.
Theremotesfollowed
him.
Don’tfallinapit,Luke
remindedhimself.
Oneoftheremotesdove
athisleft.Aquartersecond
later,theotherremote
attackedhimfromtheright.
Lukehadexpectedthatand
broughthissabersweeping
aroundinanoverheadarc,
thebladeintersectingthe
laserblast.
Whichwaswhenthe
otherremotehithiminthe
seatofhispants.
“Ow,”Lukecomplained,
fightingtheurgetorubthe
spotastheremotesretreated.
Theyswoopedinagain,
andthistimeLukeblocked
threeshotsbeforetheremote
tohisrightslippedashot
throughhisguard,leavinghis
kneenumb.
Lukeshookthetingling
outofhislegandraisedhis
saberagain.
Hewassobusyworrying
abouthowtotellthe
differencebetweenanattack
andafeintthattheleft-hand
remote’sveryfirstshothit
himinthewrist.
“Stop,”Lukesaid,sitting
downinthegrasswithasigh
ofdisgust.Theremotes
backedoff,hoveringaround
waistlevel.
“You’rerighttoquit,
MasterLuke,”Threepiosaid.
“Twoagainstoneishardly
sporting.”
“I’mnotquitting,”Luke
insisted.“I’mjustrestingfor
amoment.”
Ihadit,hethought.Iwas
commandingtheForce.I
barelynoticedtimewas
passing.
Butthathadbeenagainst
oneopponent,nottwo.This
wastwiceashard—and
completelydifferent.
Youcandothis,Luketold
himself,gettingtohisfeet.
Benhadonlyhadabrief
periodoftimetoteachhim
howtowieldhisfather’s
lightsaber—afewlessons
aboardtheFalconinwhich
Lukehadlearnedthebasic
defensiveposturesandthe
firststepsinopeninghimself
totheForce.Butsincethen
he’dpracticedthefootwork
moretimesthanhecould
count,strivingtorecallevery
momentofthetimehe’dhad
withhisteacher.Andthose
movementshadbecome
secondnature.He’dcomeso
farsincehisfirsttentative
practicesessionaboardthe
Falcon.
Heraisedhissaber,
remindinghimselftobelight
onhisfeet.
Heblockedshotsfrom
eitherside,thenstumbled
tryingtododgethenextone.
Herolledover,hissaber
scorchinggrassand
flagstones,andboundedup
withhisbladeheldoutin
frontofhim.Theremotes
circled,tryingtobreak
throughhisdefenses.
Theremotesbothcharged
himfromtheright—butone
wenthighandonewentlow.
Lukedeflectedtheboltthe
raisedremoteaimedathis
shoulder,buttheotherone
caughthimintheknee.
Lukeloweredhissaber,
grimacing.He’dmovedwith
speedandgrace,butthat
wasn’tenough.He’dbeen
foolishtothinkitcouldbe.
Hecouldn’ttracktwo
remotesatonce—itwashard
enoughkeepingupwithone.
Youcandoitifyoudraw
ontheForce,hethought,and
raisedthesaberagain.
Hecaughtoneremote’s
boltonhisblade,sendingit
intothegladeandscatteringa
rainbowofprotesting
songbirds.Theotherremote
firedaboltpasthishead,then
zippedleftandtookaimat
himagain.Hedeflectedthe
boltintothegrassathisfeet,
cleavingdownwiththesaber
tointerceptashotfromthe
firstremote.Thenhesnapped
backtoreadyposition,
wavinghissaberbackand
forth.
Hefoughtuntilthesun
waslowintheskyandthe
pikhronswerepaleshapesin
thegloom.Oneofthe
remotesswoopeddownat
himandhedeflecteditsbolt
straightbackatit,enveloping
thelittlemachineinsparks.It
retreatedandbeeped
accusinglyathim.
“Abouttimeyougota
tasteofyourownmedicine,”
saidThreepio.
Thenathirdremoterose
outofthecompartmentinthe
pillar.
Lukeputhishandsonhis
knees,breathinghard,then
deactivatedhisfather’s
weapon.Hisarmswere
shakingwithfatigue.
“That’senoughfor
today,”hesaid,andaftera
minuteofuncertainhovering
theremotesretreatedtotheir
compartmentandshut
themselvesdown.
AllLukewantedtodowas
sleep,butheforcedhimself
tobatheasbesthecouldin
thefountainandthenactivate
thewarmingunitonatinof
foodconcentrate.Threepio
hadsetuptheportableheater,
andLukesettledhimself
gratefullyinfrontofitsglow,
pokingathisdinner.
Thedroidssatonthe
othersideoftheheater,
sharingarechargefromthe
portablebatteryLukehad
brought.Beyondthemthe
pikhronslowedquietlytoone
another.
“Imustsay,your
exercisesarestimulatingto
observe,MasterLuke,”
Threepiosaid.“Youragility
hasimprovedimmensely.No
doubtthat’sthanksto
watchingtherecordings
ArtooandIdiscovered.”
“Nodoubt,”Lukesaid.
Artooletoutanelectronic
sigh,andLukesmiledaround
amouthfulofstew.
Devaron’smoonsshone
brightlyinthesky—thesame
moonsthathadhelpedlead
himtotheTempleofEedit
anditssecrets.Eedit’sJedi
musthavestoodinthesame
spotandlookedupatthe
samemoons,backwhenthe
templewaswholeandnoone
imaginedtheJediOrder
couldeverfall.
“IwishIcouldhavemet
them,”Lukemurmured.“I
wishIcouldhavelearned
fromthem.”
“Ibegyourpardon,
MasterLuke?”asked
Threepio,hisphotoreceptors
likelampsinthedarkness.
“Iwasjustthinkingabout
whatitmusthavebeenlike
here,beforetheEmpire.
WhentheJediwerethe
galaxy’sdefendersofpeace
andjustice.”
Artoohootedmournfully,
butforonceThreepiothought
itbesttoremainsilent.
Ashestaredintothe
glowingheater,Luke
suddenlyfeltveryalone.His
lightsaberwasallthatwas
leftofhisfather,andpossibly
oftheJediOrderhe’dserved.
Hewaspiecingtogetherhis
owntrainingfrom
disembodiedvoices,vague
hunches,andequipment
scavengedfromruins.Itwas
crazytothinkthathe’dever
learntocommandtheForce
orbecomeaskilledduelist,
letaloneseetheJediOrder
reborn.TheEmpirewas
powerfulandruthless—andit
haditsownenforcerswho
couldcommandtheForce,
beingssuchastheterrifying,
black-armoredDarthVader.
ButthenLukeshookhis
head.DestroyingtheDeath
Starhadseemedimpossible,
too—whatchancedidan
untrainedfarmboyhave,
aloneinatrenchwithVader
preparingtofinishhimoff?
YetLukehadsucceeded,
turningtheEmpire’sgreatest
weaponintospacedust.He’d
donesowithhelpfromhis
friends,andbytrustingthe
Force.
LukewonderedwhatHan
andChewbaccaweredoing
andsmiledtoimaginethem
arguingoverhowtokeepthe
Falconflyingthistime.He
thoughtofPrincessLeiaand
felthisbreathcatchatthe
thoughtofthestrong,
beautifulrebelleader.He
wonderedwhatWedgewas
doingandwhowasservingas
hiswingman.
Hehadfriends.Andthe
Forcewaswithhim.
Aslongasthosethings
weretrue,therewasreasonto
hope.
Hehelduphislightsaber,
feelingthecomfortingweight
ofitinhishand.
“Ineverknewyou,
Father,”hesaid.“ButIswear
IwillbecomeaJedi.And
whenIdo,Iwillhonoryour
serviceandyoursacrifice.”
AndthenLukeputthe
saberdownontheflagstones
andcrawledintohissleeping
bag.Beforehecouldeven
worryabouthowtofacethree
remotes,hewasasleep.
Afewkilometersaway,Sarco
hadgatheredbranchesand
leavesandbuiltanotherfire.
Thehappaboresstoodnearby,
occasionallychurningupthe
dirtwiththeirsnoutsasthey
searchedforrootstognaw.
Huddledbehindhertree,
Farnaytriedtokeepherteeth
fromchatteringasshestared
throughhermacrobinoculars
atthealien.Shehadn’t
knownwhattodowhenthe
Scavengersettleddownto
waitforLuke—whichhad
madeherrealizeshehadn’t
knownwhattodowhenshe
setoutaftertheyoungrebel
andhisguideinthefirst
place.She’dbeentooworried
aboutLuketowaitinTikaroo
fortheScavengertoreturn
andclaimhe’dfallenoffa
clifforbeengoredbya
pikhronbull,orsometalethat
noonewouldeverbeableto
provewasalie.
Butitwasclearthatthe
Scavengerwasn’tgoing
anywhere,andshecouldn’t
affordtospyonhimany
longer—shewasoutoffood
andhadn’tbroughtsupplies
foranextendedtripintothe
jungle.
Dadwillknowwhattodo,
shethought,thenswallowed.
He’dbeangrywithher,of
course—hercomlinkwas
filledwithmessagesasking
herwhereshewas,which
she’dacknowledgedbycurtly
informinghimshewasfine.
He’dbeangrywithher,
buthe’dalsoknowthebest
waytohelpLuke.
Farnayslippedawayfrom
thetree,wincingateach
crinkleandcrackofdry
leavesbeneathherfeet.She
shushedherpackbeast—he
washungry,too—andled
himinthedirectionofthe
junglepathandhome.
KIVASHEARDthe
incomingshipbeforehesaw
it,andknewimmediately
whatitwas—aSentinel-class
Imperiallandingcraft.There
wassomethingwrongwith
oneofthefuelpumps—a
clog,bythesoundofit.It
wasn’tbadyet—thepilot
probablyhadn’tnoticed
anythingexceptaslightpull
toonesideontakeoff—butit
wouldgroundtheshipwithin
aweekortwoifnotserviced.
SomehowIdon’tthink
they’reheretogetitfixed,
Kivasthought.
Kivasknewhehadafew
minutes—Imperialships
comingtoTikaroofromthe
capitalalwaysfollowedthe
valleyupfromthesouth,then
curledintotouchdownon
thelandingfield.Hepicked
uphistoolbox,pulleddown
theshuttersonthehangar
behindhim,andlockedthe
door.Thenhestrolledacross
thelandingfieldandpopped
theaccesshatchonthe
starboardengineofaMarkV
Struthimerstaryachtthathad
landedyesterday.
TheSentinel’sengines
wereloudernow.Kivas
scatteredafewtoolsbeneath
thestaryacht,pickeduphis
smallesthydrospanner,and
reachedupintotheaccess
hatchasthelandingcraft
roaredinoverthetreesand
fireditsretrorockets,
touchingdownwithabump
andarattleoflandinggear.
TheImperialcraft’sfuel
pumpwasinworseshape
thanhe’dthought.
Kivasglancedoveratthe
landingcraft,thenputhis
glovedhandsbackintothe
enginehewaspretendingto
service.Thesoundofthe
Sentinel’senginesdiedaway,
andaminutelaterheheard
thetrampofbootheels
approaching.Helookedover
withwhathehopedwould
seemlikemildcuriosityand
sawanolive-green-clad
officerapproachingwitha
squadofstormtroopers
behindhim.
Kivasstrippedoffhis
dirtyworkglovesandstepped
awayfromthestaryacht.
“WhatcanIdoforyou,
Lieutenant?”heaskedafter
eyeingtherankbadgeonthe
officer’suniform.Some
Imperialsreactedbadlyifyou
addressedthembythewrong
rank.
“We’relookingfora
starfighterthatwasspottedin
thisareathreedaysago,”the
lieutenantsaid,handsbehind
hisback.“Itbelongstoa
suspectedfugitivefrom
Imperialjustice.”
“Oh?”Kivasasked.“Lots
ofplacesastarfightermight
havesetdownaroundhere.
Butwe’reprettyremote—
oddsarethepilotwouldhave
followedtherivertoAssarda
orTon-biri.”
“Andifhedidanother
squadwillfindhim,”the
lieutenantsaid.“Thisareais
ourresponsibility.Doyou
haveanythingtoreport?”
Kivassawthelieutenant’s
eyeslingeringonthestar
yachts.
“Asthegovernorknows,
theonlytrafficwegetisfrom
huntersgoingintothe
jungle,”hesaidcarefully,
hopingtheofficerwas
familiarwiththegovernor’s
orderstoletthehuntsgoon
withoutinterference.“Butour
customersdon’ttypically
showupinstarfighters.”
“Thenyouwon’tmindif
wetakealookinthe
hangar?”
“Ofcoursenot,”Kivas
said,fightingdownasenseof
dread.“Butfirst,youshould
knowyourstarboardfuel
pumpisclogged.Itcouldcut
outanyminute.I’dbehappy
tofixit.Asafavortothe
Empire.”
“Howconsiderate.You
candosoafterwelookinthe
hangar.”
Thelieutenantturnedand
indicatedtwoofhistroopers.
“Youtwostayhere.”
Kivasledtheofficerand
theotherstormtroopersacross
thelandingfieldtothe
hangar.Heknewtherewas
nothingtobedone—tryingto
delaythemfurtherwould
onlymakethingsworseinthe
end.
AtleastFarnaywassafe.
Kivashadbeenangryto
discovertheirpackbeast
gone,andfrightenedwhenhe
realizedhisdaughterhad
followedSarcointothe
jungle.Worryhadwokenhim
beforedawnthatmorning,
andhe’dheadedtothe
landingfieldbecausehe’d
knownhewouldn’tbeableto
getbacktosleep.Butnowhe
foundhimselfrelievedthat
hisdaughterhadmadethe
choiceshedid.Itwasa
foolishdecision,butFarnay
knewthejungle,andatleast
herrashacthadtakenherfar
fromTikaroo.
Heunlockedthehangar,
raisedtheshutterswitha
rattle,andturnedonthe
overheadlights.Theofficer
lookedattheY-wingand
raisedaneyebrow.
“Andyousaidyouhad
nothingtoreport,”hesaid.
“I’mjusttryingtomakea
living,”Kivasstammered.“I
wantedthestarfighteras
salvage.”
“Isee.Andwheredidit
comefrom?”
Kivaspaused,andthe
officerputhishandsonhis
hips.
“Thetruth,please,”he
said.“Itwouldbeashameto
havetotakeyouinfor
interrogation.”
“Theownerisn’there,”
Kivassaid.“Hewentintothe
woodsandhasn’treturned.”
Andprobablywon’t,
Kivasthought,looking
guiltilyattheY-wing.
“Intothejungle?Didhe
goalone?”
“No.Twodroidswere
withhim.Andhehada
guide.”
“Andwhereisthis
guide?”
“Idon’tknow.”
Theofficerraisedan
eyebrow.
“Ireallydon’t.Ispend
mostofmytimehere,notin
town.LastIknew,theguide
hadn’tcomeback,either.”
Thetwotrooperswho’d
beenlefttoguardthelanding
fieldstrodeintothehangar,
holdingsomeonebetween
thembytheupperarms.
Kivastriedtokeephis
faceexpressionless.
“I’msorry,Dad,”Farnay
said.
TheImperiallieutenant
lookedfromthefrightened
girltoKivas.
“Yourdaughter?”
Kivasnoddedgrimly.
“Wasshethepilot’s
guide?”
Farnaylookedathimin
surprise,stillstrugglinginthe
troopers’grip.
“No,”Kivassaid.“It
wasn’ther.”
Theofficerstudied
Farnayforalongmoment.
“Butyouknowwherethe
pilotwent,don’tyou?”he
askedher.
Farnay’seyesjumped
beseechinglytoherfather.
Butthelieutenant’sgazehad
turnedhisway,too.
“Youbettertellthem,”
Kivastoldhisdaughter.
“Dad,no!”
“Yourfather’sawise
man,”theofficersaid.“I’d
listentohim.”
“Notunlessthesetwo
Ferijianapesletgoofme,”
Farnaysaid,kickingatoneof
thestormtroopers.
Theofficernoddedathis
men,whorelaxedtheirgrip.
Farnaystoodforamoment
withhereyesdowncast,
rubbingeacharminturn.
“TheywenttoEedit,”she
muttered.
“Theoldtemple?”the
officerasked,eyebrows
raised.“Areyousure?
There’sbeennointrusion
alarm.”
“I’msure.”
“Verywell,”theofficer
said.“WecandepartafterI
verifyyourstoryintown—
andafteryoufixthefuel
pumpyou’resoconcerned
about.Butwecouldusea
guideourselves.Thisyoung
ladywilldonicely.”
“She’sansweredyour
questions,”Kivasobjected.
“Leaveheralone.”
“Ifshedoesherdutyno
harmwillcometoher.Ifind
usingsomeonelocal
encouragesgoodbehavior.”
Thelieutenant’seyes
lingeredontheY-wing.Then
heturnedtoKivaswitha
smile.
“AndasloyalImperial
citizens,I’msureyou
welcomethechancetohelp
theEmpiremaintainpeace
andorder,”hesaid.
Thesunwasburningoffthe
dew,thebirdsweresinging,
andthepikhronswere
nibblingatfruitinthe
branchesofthetrees.
Timetogettowork,Luke
thought.
Hehaddreamtallnightof
lightsabercombat,of
repositioninghisfeet,
bendinghisknees,and
anglinghisbladeaccordingto
eachofthefourdefensive
postures,thenswitchingto
downwardslashesandside
cutswhenattacking.His
shouldersandarmshurt,but
itwasagoodache,thekind
thatfollowedhardwork.
“Idetestthosedreadful
remotes,”Threepiosaidashe
followedArtoooutofthe
way.“Isweartheyenjoy
inflictingpain.”
Thepreviousmorning
Lukemighthaveagreedwith
Threepio.Now,hejust
approachedthepillarand
ignitedhissaber.Theremotes
rosefromtheircompartment
assoonasheassumedthe
readyposition,spiraling
aroundeachotherandthen
spreadingouttoflankhim.
Theoneontheright
dartedin,andLukesnapped
hissabertostopitslaserbolt,
thenwhippedthebladeback
totheleft,deflectinganother.
Thenhesteppedforward,
forcingtheremoteinthe
centertogivewaybeforeit
couldfire.
“MasterLuke!You’re
doingit!”Threepiocalled.
Lukegrinned—andoneof
theremotesdoveandshot
himinthethigh.Artoo
beepedhisconcern.
“Howisitmyfault?”
ThreepioaskedArtoo.
“Everyoneneedsalittle
encouragement.”
Luke’slegfeltlikeitwas
asleep.Herubbedthe
circulationbackintoit,
grimacing,andturnedtoface
theremotesagain,willingthe
Forcetogivehimthespeed
andstaminaheneededto
fightthreeenemiesatonce.
Leftandright,upand
down,forwardandback.
Luke’ssaberwasawhirling
discofenergy,scattering
laserboltslikerain.Hecould
hearhishearthammeringin
hischest,hisbreathloudin
hisears.
Oneoftheremotesused
anotherforcover,slippinga
beamofenergythrough
Luke’sdefensesandcatching
himintheshoulder.Hebent
over,breathinghard.
Thatwasascootand
shoot,hethought.Wedge
wouldbeproud.
“Howlongsincethelast
timeIwashit?”heasked
Threepio.
“Thirty-twominutesand
twenty-fourseconds.”
Lukenodded.Hewaiteda
moment,breathinghard,then
gotbackintheready
position.Theremotes
swarmedhimandhelifted
thelightsaber,scatteringtheir
boltsanddancingacrossthe
courtyard.Heskirtedthepits
andsplashedthroughthepool
leftbythespringbubblingup
throughthebrokenfountain,
whilethebirdszippedfrom
treetotreeandthepikhrons
watchedquietly.
Alaserbeamcaughthim
inthecalfandheshoutedin
surprise,thelightsaber
spinningoutofhishandsand
shuttingoffintheair.He
pluckeditoutofthegrass
withagrimace.
“Howlongthattime?”
“Fourteenminutesand
twoseconds,”Threepiosaid.
Luke’shairwasdarkwith
sweat.Heignitedthe
lightsaber,noticingtohis
dismaythathishandswere
shaking.
Sixminutesandthirtythreesecondslatertwo
remotesgothimatonce,
catchinghiminthebackof
thethigh.
Lukeremindedhimselfto
pushtheangerandanxiety
outofhismind,taking
severalcalmingbreaths.His
palmsweresweatywhere
theygrippedhisfather’s
lightsaber.Hefeltthe
negativeemotionsdraining
awayandnodded.Buthestill
felttired—armsheavy,feet
sluggish,hiseyesandearsa
beatbehindthemovementsof
theremotesastheywaitedfor
himtoresumetheexercise.
Helastedlessthantwo
minutesbeforeoneofthe
remotesgothiminthesideof
thehead,makinghisears
ring.
Thenhewashitafter
forty-twoseconds.
Andthenaftereight.
Lukehurledhislightsaber
aside,gaspingforbreath.
Artoowhistledurgently.
“Iquiteagreewith
Artoo,”Threepiosaid.
“MasterLuke,youmustrest.
You’reonlyhuman,after
all.”
Lukefloppeddownonthe
grassyflagstones,hischest
risingandfallingasthe
remotesretreatedtowait
insidethepillar.
“Ihaven’tdoneenough,”
hesaidraggedly.“Haven’t
completedtheexercise.”
“Surelyarestisn’tagainst
therules.”
“No,probablynot,”Luke
gasped.
Hesatinthegrassuntil
hewasnolongershortof
breathandthesweathad
stoppedrunningdownhis
face.Hegottohisfeetand
walkedslowlytowherehis
lightsaberlay,bendingto
pickitup.Hislegsached,and
theancientweaponfeltheavy
inhishand.
“MasterLuke,areyou
quitesureyou’rerecovered?”
Threepioasked.“I’dhateto
seeyoudamaged.”
“I’mfine,”Lukesaid,
thoughhewasprettysurethat
wasn’ttrue.
“Nextyou’lltellmeyou
havetofightagainwithout
beingabletosee,”Threepio
said.“Ifyoudon’tmindmy
sayingso,thatseemed
terriblyreckless.”
Lukesmiled,
rememberingstandinginthe
holdoftheFalconandtrying
totracktheremotebythehiss
ofitsjets,withtheblast
shieldofHan’soldbucketof
aflighthelmetcoveringhis
eyes.He’dthoughtBenwas
crazy—hecouldbarely
controlalightsaber,letalone
useitwithoutbeingableto
see.Onlyhisloyaltytothe
oldJedihadkepthimfrom
protestingmorevigorouslyin
frontofHanandChewbacca.
Buthe’ddoneit.He’d
stoppedtheremote,without
beingabletousehiseyes.It
hadbeenhisfirstlessonin
howtheForcecouldenhance
one’ssenses.
Lukeraisedhislightsaber,
andtheremotesadvanced
immediately.Heparriedone
strike,thenanother,listening
foreachhissofaremote’s
changingdirection,eyes
trackingeachtiny
repositioning.
Alaserbeamcaughthim
inthethigh.
“Twenty-sixseconds,
MasterLuke.”
Ican’tdothis,Luke
thought.Honestly,I’dbe
betteroffblind.
Andthenherealized.
Thepointoffightingwith
theblastshieldcoveringhis
eyeshadn’tbeentoenhance
hisothersenses.Ithadbeen
togivehimnochoicebutto
trustintheForce.He’ddone
itthen—andagaininthe
DeathStartrench,whenhe’d
shutoffhistargeting
computerandlettheForce
tellhimwhentofirethe
protontorpedoesthathad
destroyedthebattlestation.
Letgo,Ben’svoicehad
said.Thathadbeenthekey—
thesimpleinstructionthat
hadsavedtheAllianceand
hisownlife.
Hehadn’tunderstoodhis
owntrainingthereatEedit.
He’dthoughthe’dbeen
commandingtheForce,using
ittoamplifyhissensesand
speeduphisreflexes.Butthat
hadn’tbeenitatall.When
he’dsucceeded,itwas
becausehewaslettingthe
Forceguidehim—andwhen
he’dfailed,itwasbecausehe
wastryingtoguideit.He’d
thoughtthathewaslearning
tomaketheForceobeyhis
commands,butreallyitwas
theotherwayaround.
Letgo,Lukethought,
breathingout.
Hecouldn’ttrackthree
remotesatonce—itwashard
enoughkeepingupwithone.
Andallthepracticeinthe
galaxywouldn’thelphim.
Thatwasn’tthepointofthe
exerciseanymorethan
whetherornothecouldsee.
“Areyouallright,Master
Luke?”Threepioasked.
“I’mfine,”Lukesaid.
“Threepio,you’reagenius.”
“IliketothinkI’m
programmedforinsights,”
Threepiosaid,towhichArtoo
offeredadisgustedblat.
Lukeraisedhisbladeto
readyposition,ignoringthe
acheinhisshouldersandthe
sweatstinginghiseyes.
Theremotesstreakedin.
Lukecouldn’tsaythathesaw
them,butthebladeofhis
father’slightsaberwasthere
toblocktheirenergybolts.
Hecouldn’tsaythatheheard
them,butheturnedwhenever
onetriedtogetbehindhim,
blockingitsattackvector
withhisblade.
Hewasnolongeraware
ofThreepio’sencouragement,
orArtoo’sbeeps.The
chirpingbirdsnolonger
registeredinhisears,northe
chuffsandsnortsofthe
pikhrons.Hedidn’tnoticethe
sweatrunningdownhisneck,
orfeelthegrowingheatof
theday.
TherewasonlytheForce,
itscurrentsstretchingintothe
pastandfuture,andhewas
partofit,trustingittotake
himwhereheneededtobe.
Hismusclesandnerves
movedhisarmsandlegs,
shiftingeffortlesslyamong
thefourdefensivepostures
thatformedthefoundationof
lightsabercombat.Butwho
wascommandingthose
musclesandnerves?
Theremotesbrokeoff
theirattackandfloated
quietlyinfrontofthepillar.
Lukelookedaroundthe
courtyard,faintlystartled.
Thesunhadpasseddirectly
overheadandwasnow
descendingfromitszenithin
thesky.
“Howlong…howlong
sinceIwaslasthit?”he
asked.
“Threestandardhours,
elevenminutes,andfortythreeseconds,”Threepiosaid.
“Perhapsyououghttorest,
MasterLuke.Youmustbe
perilouslylowoncharge.”
“Ifeelgreat,”Lukesaid
withasmile,wantingnothing
morethantosinkbackinto
theForceandlosehimselfin
it.
Thepikhronsbeganto
snuffleandsnort,tossing
theirheads.Thematriarch
broughtherfrontfeetoffthe
groundandslammedthem
down,callingurgentlytothe
restofthegroup.
“Nowwhat’sgotteninto
thosepeculiarcreatures?”
Threepiowondered.
“Ithinktheysense
something,”Lukesaid.
“They’reactinglikebanthas
didbackhomewhenakrayt
dragonwasonthehunt.”
Thenhecouldfeelit,too
—newripplesintheForce,
advancinglikewavestocrash
intothegentleebbandflow
oflifeintheglade.
Heraisedhislightsaber,
andtheremotesroseupto
facehim.
“No,”Lukesaid.“We’re
nottrainingnow.Something
elseishappening.”
Heloweredhisweapon,
andtheremotesbackedaway
—whichwaswhenthelaser
blastknockedhimoffhis
feet.
THESTORMTROOPERS
clamberedovertherubbleof
theruinedoutbuildingswith
theirblastersraised.
“Ohno,I’llbecaptured!”
yelpedThreepio,throwinghis
handsintheair.
Thepikhronshuddled
togetherinterror,bellowing.
Lukescrambledtohis
feet.Heglancedquicklyat
hisgunbelt,butitwasonthe
othersideofthefountain.
He’dneverreachitintime.
“Surrender,rebel,”said
theleadtrooper.
“Comegetme,”Luke
said,hisfeetautomatically
assumingthereadyposition
asheraisedhislightsaber.
Thestormtrooperadjusted
hisrifle’scontrols,nodoubt
settingitforstun.
Ican’tletthemcapture
me,Lukethought.They’ll
figureoutwhoIamandmake
asymboloutofme.The
destroyeroftheDeathStar,
broughttojustice.Andthen
manyworldsthatmighthave
joinedtheAlliancewill
retreatinfearinstead.
Theleadtrooperfiredat
him,blasteremittingringsof
concentricblue.Lukebarely
interceptedthemwithhis
blade,theenergydancing
alongitandvanishing.
Andofcourseifthey
capturemeI’llbeexecuted,
Lukethought.I’drather
avoidthat,too.
Thestormtrooperpaused,
thennoddedathisfellows.
Thesquadbegantospread
out,advancingacrossthe
gladetowardhim.
LettheForceguideyou,
Lukethought.Butheturned
uncertainlyonewayandthen
theotherasthetroopers
executedaflanking
maneuver.
There’stoomanyofthem,
shrilledthevoiceofdoubtin
hishead.Threeremotesisn’t
anythinglikeeightliving
adversaries.
Behindthetrooperscame
aslimmanwearingtheolivegreenuniformofanImperial
officer,draggingalonga
smallerfigure.ItwasFarnay.
TheireyesmetandLukesaw
theangerinhergaze—anger
andfear.
“Dropyourweapon,”the
officersaid,inclininghischin
atthegirlinhisgrip.
“Otherwisesomeonecould
gethurt.”
Luketookastepback.He
wasoutnumberedninetoone,
andtheImperialshadFarnay.
Hesighedandheldhisfinger
overthelightsaber’s
activationstud.
Thenahumreachedhis
ears,followedbyasurprised
beepfromArtoo.
Lukeriskedaglance
backward.Sarcowasstriding
throughthearchwaythatled
intotheTempleofEedit.He
wascarryingastaffwhose
endswerecrownedwith
cyclingpurplesparks.The
weaponhowledandcrackled
inhishands,andLukefound
himselfthinkingthatthiswas
nottheSarcohe’dmetinthe
jungle—thebeingcrossing
thecourtyardradiatedboth
confidenceandmalice.
“Hyperspacescout,”
Sarcosaid.“Historian.Farm
boy.Andyethereyouare
withaJedilaserswordin
yourhand,likeyoumeanto
useit.”
“Bequiet,”theImperial
lieutenantsaid.“You’re
underarrest,bothofyou.”
“Idon’tthinkso,”Sarco
replied,twistingadialonhis
toolbelt.Artooletoutan
electronicshriek,Threepio
stoppedandflunghisarmsin
theair,andthetroopers
clutchedtheirhelmets.
“Whatwasthat?”Luke
demanded.
“Electromagneticpulseto
blocktheirtransmissions,”
Sarcosaid.“Well,Marcus?
Let’sseewhatyou’recapable
of.”
Thefacelessalienwhirled
thestaffinhishandsashe
strodeacrossthecourtyard.
Theweaponletoutastrange
howl,purplelightningflaring
fromeitherend.Oneofthe
troopersfiredatSarco,a
panickyshotthatwentwide,
andthealienspearedthe
trooperwithhisstaff,sending
purpleenergycoursingacross
hisarmor.Thetrooper
floppedontheground,
spasming,thenlaystill.
Thelieutenantdrewhis
sidearm,butFarnaydroveher
elbowintohisstomach,
breakinghisgrip.She
scrambledawayfromhim,
headdown.Theofficeraimed
hisblasterather,andLuke
racedforward,lightsaberheld
athiswaist.
Atrooperfiredathim—
theshotwastokill,notstun
—andLukedeflectedthebolt
intothechestofthe
lieutenant.Themanfell
forwardwithastrangledcry.
Lukebroughthislightsaber
downonthetrooper’shelmet,
thenspunawayfromthe
fallingsoldierandblockeda
shotatpoint-blankrange,
sendingthelaserblastback
intothechestofthetrooper
who’dfiredit.
Thepikhronsbrokeintoa
run,chargingovertherubble
behindthetroopers,seeking
safety.
Sarcobroughthisstaff
downlikeaclubona
trooper’shead,thenthrustthe
endintothefallenImperial’s
breastplate.Hegruntedasa
blasterboltstruckthemiddle
ofthestaffbutheldonand
chargedthetrooperwho’d
triedtodisarmhim,
screaminglikeaTuskenin
theTatooinenight.
SomethingtoldLuketo
duck.Hedid,thensmelled
hishairburning.Heswung
around,thrustinghis
lightsaberupandthroughthe
armoredbreastplateofa
trooper.HespottedFarnay
crouchedbehindtherimof
thefountain,watchingthe
fightanxiously.
Theremainingtwo
stormtrooperswerebetween
LukeandSarco.Sarcoswung
hisstaffforwardasone
trooperfiredwildly.The
alien’sweaponhookedthe
soldier’sblasterandrippedit
outofhishands.Theother
trooperdroppedtooneknee
andraisedhisrifleatLuke,
whodeflectedtheboltbackat
him.Thesoldierducked,and
thereorientedboltstruckhis
squadmateinthebackofthe
helmet.ThenSarcostepped
overthearmoredbodyand
broughthisstaffdownonthe
lasttrooper’shead.
Lukesteppedback,
loweringhislightsaber.Ithad
allhappenedsoquickly.
“Idon’tknowwhyyou
followedme,”hesaidto
Sarco.“ButI’mgladyou
did.”
Thestormtroopershad
beenthedangerhe’dsensed
intheForce.Buthe’d
defeatedthem—thankstothe
mysticalenergyfield,and
helpfromhisfriends.His
visionhadn’tbeencompletely
accurate—hehadn’tslipped
onaflagstone,foronething
—butithadbeenclose
enoughtowarnhim.
“Areyouallright?”he
calledtoFarnay.
Shenodded,eyeswide.
Sarcoturnedhisheadin
thegirl’sdirection,then
walkedpastLukeandshoved
oneofthemotionless
troopersintoapitblastedin
theflagstones.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
Lukeasked.
“Makingitharderforthe
Empiretofigureoutwhat
happenedhere,”Sarcosaid,
dragginganothertrooperover
tovanishintothedarkness.
“Pity.Theirweaponsand
armorwouldbegood
salvage.”
Lukehesitated,but
disposingofthetroopers
madesense.Thetwoofthem
shovedtheotherfallen
soldiersintothepits.
“Lookout!”Farnay
yelled.
Lukelookeduptosee
Sarcospinninghisstaff
slowlyinonehand.
“Stayawayfromhim!”
Farnayyelled.
“Whatareyougoingto
doaboutit,brat?”snarled
Sarco.“Thisisnobusinessof
yours.”
Hecockedhisheadat
Luke,totheleftandthento
theright.
“Whatareyou,Marcus?”
heasked.“I’vebeen
consideringthatsincebackin
thejungle.You’reno
hyperspacescout,that’sfor
sure.Andyoucanusethat
sorcerer’sweaponbetterthan
youleton.”
Luketookastep
backward,raisinghis
lightsaber.Theremotes
rushedforward,thinkinghe
meanttoresumetheexercise.
Lukeslippedonaloose
flagstone,nearlyfallingtohis
knees.Helookedfromthe
flagstonetoSarcoinsudden
realization.
“TheForcewasn’t
warningmeaboutthe
stormtroopers,”hesaid.“It
waswarningmeaboutyou.”
“Ohno,”Threepio
moaned.
“TheForce,”Sarcosaid.
“Soyou’reaJedi,then?I
don’tthinkso.Iremember
themfromwhenIwassmall
—youdon’thavetheirskills.
Sowhatareyou?Whatwas
thewordthesorcerersused,
beforetheEmpirecamefor
them?Padawan—thatwasit.
Sothat’swhatyouare—a
learner.Anapprentice.But
whatgood’sanapprentice
withoutamaster?”
Sarcoskirtedtheedgeof
apit,walkingtowardLuke
likehehadallthetimeinthe
world.Lukefoundhisfeet
assumingreadyposition,
notingwithreliefthatthe
remoteshadfinallyconcluded
somethingotherthana
trainingexercisewastaking
place.
“Nobody’sPadawan,the
lastapprenticeofanextinct
religion,”Sarcosaid.“Care
foraduel?”
Lukefelthisangerrising.
Sarcohadproposedtheone
thinghewantedmost—a
chancetoshowoffhisnew
skillsandshowthearrogant
alienwhatamistakehe’d
made.
Heexhaledslowly,
lightsaberheldathiswaist,as
Sarcospunhisstaffinablur
ofdeadlypurple.
“Ishouldthankyou,
Nobody’sPadawan,”hesaid.
“I’vebeenlookingforaway
intothisplaceforyears—and
nowyou’vebeengood
enoughtofindoneforme.”
“Andnowyouknow
there’snothingleftherefor
youtosteal.”
Sarco’svocodererupted
inamusedstatic.
“That’swhereyou’re
wrong,Nobody’sPadawan.
TheEmpirebombedthe
temple,butthevaultsand
storeroomsbelowareintact.
I’vegotdebtstopay,and
what’sbeneathourfeetwill
takecareofthatandmore.
Pityyouwon’tgettoseethe
wealthyourprecious
sorcerersleftbehind.”
“TheJedididn’tstockpile
wealthlikethat,”Lukesaid.
“Theonlytreasureshereare
what’saroundyou.”
Sarcoturnedhischitinous
masktotakeinthebroken
statuesanduprooted
flagstones,thenreturnedhis
scrutinytoLuke.
“DoyouknowwhatI’m
goingtodoafterIdefeatyou,
Nobody’sPadawan?”he
asked.“FirstI’llsell
whatever’sleftofyoutothe
governor.ThenI’llsellyour
fighterandmeltthosedroids
intoscrap.Asforyoursaber,
itwillfetchgoodcreditsfrom
somecollector.Orperhaps
I’llkeepitasoneofmy
trophies.”
“Noneofthosethingsis
goingtohappen,”Lukesaid,
andleaptforward,lightsaber
heldoverhishead.
SARCOFELLBACK,and
Luke’sviciousdownwardcut
bitintotheflagstones,
sendingupsparks.Thealien
heldhisstaffuptoparryas
Lukestalkedhim.
“Youdon’tknowthefirst
thingaboutJedi,”Lukesaid.
“Startingwiththeir
weapons.”
Sarcoraisedhisstaff,and
Lukebroughtthesaberdown,
expectingtheancientweapon
tocleavetheScavenger’s
staffintwo.Butthesabermet
resistanceasSarco’sstaff
caughtthebladeandheldit,
sendingashockupLuke’s
arms.Sarcogaveway,and
Lukestumbledforward.Then
thealienkickedtheyoung
rebelintheface,sendinghim
sprawling.
“Youruffian!”yelled
Threepio.
“Thisisanelectrostaff,
Nobody’sPadawan,”Sarco
saidasLukestruggledtohis
feet,spittingoutblood.“A
usefultool—andone
designedtokillJedi.”
Farnaylookedaroundthe
courtyardindesperation.
Lukehopedshewouldn’ttry
anythingfoolish—the
Scavengerwouldkillherwith
barelyathought.
Sarcoleaptforward,the
electrostaffwhiningwith
whatsoundedlikeaterrible
glee.Lukegothislightsaber
upandknockedtheweapon
aside,butSarcofollowed
him,sweepingathisstomach
withthestaff.Luketurned
asideasSarcochargedand
aimedaslashatthealien’s
back—butSarcohad
anticipatedtheattackand
battedLuke’sbladeaway,
leapingoveracraterinthe
gladeandturningtoregard
hisopponent.
“It’sapity,”hesaid.“Ina
coupleofyearsyoumight
havepassedforaJedi.But
nowyou’rejustaboywitha
bladeyou’renotworthyof.A
dreamer,Marcus.Pretending
tobesomethingyou’renot.”
“TheForceiswithme,”
Lukesaid.“That’smorethan
you’lleverhave.”
Hecarvedafigureeight
intheairinfrontofhim,
tellinghimselftolettheForce
guidehishand.Sarcostepped
back,thentriedtododge
aroundLuke’sdefenses.
Quickerthanthought,Luke’s
lightsaberwastheretomeet
theelectrostaff,pushing
Sarcoback.
Thealiengruntedand
spunawayfromLuke’s
blade,tumblingforwardand
thenleapingatLuke’s
unprotectedback,electrostaff
wailing.Buttheblownever
landed—andthenthebrilliant
bluebladewasslashingat
Sarco’shead.Hecaughtthe
bladeonhisstaffand
scrambledaside,thebristles
onhisarmsrisingandfalling
asiftheywerebreathing
hard.
“Notbad,Nobody’s
Padawan,”hesaid.“Your
teacherwouldpraiseyou.If
youhadateacher.”
AgainSarcoattacked,
electrostaffthrustinfrontof
himlikeaspear.Luke
knockedthetipaside,but
Sarco’schargewastoo
powerfultodeflect.He
ducked,andSarcostumbled
past,Luke’slightsaber
flashingbehindhimand
nickingthebackofthealien’s
leg.
Sarcogrunted,one
chitinoushandgoingtothe
cutonhisthigh.Hiscilia
flailedbackandforth,andthe
hairsonhisarmsspasmed.
Farnayscrambledto
Artoo’sside.Hebeepedat
herindismay.
“Nomoregames,boy,”
Sarcosaid,touchingabutton
onthecontrolboxthatsaton
hischest.Motorssquealed
andahiddenshieldemerged
frominsidehishelmet,
coveringhischitinousface.
Heopenedapouchonhis
toolbeltandextractedasmall
blacksphere.
“MasterLuke,lookout!”
ThreepioyelpedasSarco
tossedtheobjectatLuke—
somekindofgrenade,he
thought.
Lukewatcheditcalmly,
hislightsaberalreadymoving
tointerceptit.Interruptingthe
grenade’strajectorywouldbe
easyenough.
Butthatwasn’tthe
Scavenger’splan.
Thegrenadedetonatedat
theapexofitsflight,ameter
beforeLukewouldhave
sliceditintwo.
Ablindingflashoflight
andathunderclapofnoise
filledthecourtyard.The
concussionknockedLuke
backwardintotheoverflow
fromthefountain.He
staggeredtohisfeet,
lightsaberinhand,blood
runningfromhisnose.
Lukeblinkedfuriously,
thenstaredstraightahead.
Sarcoputafingertohis
chest,andhisfaceshield
contractedbackintohis
helmet.Hetooktwostepsto
theright,spinninghisstaff.
Lukekeptstaringinthesame
direction,hiskneesshaking.
“Hey!”Sarcocalled.
“Nobody’sPadawan!”
Lukedidn’treacttothe
words.Heheldthelightsaber
infrontofhim,blinking
desperately,wipinghis
bloodynoseonhissleeve
withanuncertain,jittery
movement.Hestaggeredto
theleft,thentotheright,then
felltohisknees,strugglingto
lifthishead.
“You’veblindedhim!”
Threepioshrieked.“Hecan’t
seeorhear!Itisn’tafair
fight!”
“Whosaiditwouldbe?”
Sarcoaskedthedroid.“Be
quietandmaybeI’llsellyou
andyourlittlefriendinstead
ofpullingyouapart.”
Lukescrambledtohis
feet,swinginghislightsaber
wildly,thencrashedtothe
groundagain.
“Suchfeeblesenses—so
easilydisabled,”Sarcosaid.
Staticcoughedoutofthe
alien’svocoder.Hewalked
slowlyaroundthefallenJedi,
raisinghisdeadlyelectrostaff
asifhemeanttoramitinto
Luke’sback.Hehelditafew
centimetersfromLuke,then
drewitaway,turninginthe
directionofFarnayandthe
droids.
“Goodnews—I’ve
decidednottosellyour
mastertotheEmpire,”he
said.“I’mgoingtokeephim
asoneofmyowntrophies
instead.Ican’twaittohear
himscream.”
“Ohno,”Threepiosaid.
“Mypoormaster.”
Sarcoonceagainbrought
thestafftowithinafew
centimetersofthebackof
Luke’shead,promptinga
gaspfromFarnayandan
electronicsquealfromArtoo.
“Ican’tbeartowatch,”
Threepiosaid.
Stonesrattlednearby.
Threepiolookedupandsaw
thepikhronmatriarch
scramblingbackintothe
gladeoverthepileofrubble,
followedbytheotherbeasts.
Thematriarchstaredatthe
alienandthestrickenrebel
andsnorted,pawingatthe
grass.
“Evenbetter,”Sarcosaid.
“WhenI’mdonewithyour
masterI’lltakethesefoolish
beasts’hidesandteeth.”
TheScavengerwalked
aroundtofaceLuke.The
youngrebelwasonhisknees,
blinkingfuriously.Hewaved
hislightsaberweaklyinfront
ofhim,andSarcotookahalf
stepback,themovement
relaxedandcasual.
“You’llneverseeit
coming,”Sarcopurred,
raisingtheelectrostafflikea
club.
Alaserboltzippedpast
thealien’shead.Hespun
away,electrostaffheldin
frontofhim.Thenheturned,
thebristlesonhisarms
twitching.
“Getawayfromhim,
Scavenger,”Farnaysaid,
holdingLuke’sblasterpistol
infrontofher.
ThebristlesonSarco’s
armsfluttered.
“Foolishbrat,”hesaid,
walkingaroundLuketoward
thegirl.“You’veinterfered
withmeforthelasttime.”
“Stop,”Farnaysaid.“Put
downyourweaponorI’ll
shootyou.”
Sarcostrodeforward,
electrostaffheldtooneside.
Hespunitidlyinhishand.
“Youmeanthisweapon?”
heasked.
“Notanotherstep,”
Farnaysaid,tryingtohold
Luke’spistolsteady.“Imean
it.”
Sarcobrokeintoarun.
Farnayfiredathim,oneshot
nearlyclippinghisshoulder,
beforeheleveledherwitha
forearm.Hergunwentflying,
andamomentlaterSarcohad
slappedbindersonherwrists,
behindherback.Hethrew
hertothegroundandheldthe
electrostaffnearherthroat.
“Letheralone,you
brute!”Threepioyelped.
“Fiveseconds’contact
andyourheartwillstop,”
SarcotoldFarnay,cilia
quiveringeagerly.“ShallIdo
ithere?Ortakeyoubackto
Tikaroosoyourworthless
fathercanwatch?”
“Leave…leaveher
alone.”
Thevoicewasweakand
camefromsomedistance
behindSarco.Hepulledhis
staffbackfromFarnay’s
throat.Lukehadgottentohis
feetandwasholdinghissaber
infrontofhim.Buttheyoung
rebelwasstillfacingthe
wrongway,disoriented.
Staticbubbledoutof
Sarco’svocoder.Hepicked
upLuke’sblasterandtucked
itintohisbelt.
“You’readetermined
one,Marcus,”hesaid.“But
it’salittletoolateforthat
Forceofyours.Enough
foolishness—timetoend
this.”
HegaveFarnaya
contemptuouskickandstrode
acrossthecourtyard,
electrostaffaimedatLuke’s
back.
WHENTHEGRENADE
wentoff,Lukefoundhimself
indarkness,withnosound
excepttheringinginhisears.
Hegottohisfeet,feelingthe
familiarweightofhisfather’s
lightsaberinhishand.Buthe
couldbarelystand.Hetried
tocallontheForce,begging
ittokeephimonhisfeet,but
hissenseswerecloudedby
fearandpain.
HecouldsenseSarco
somewherenearby—but
wherehecouldn’tsay.One
momentitfeltlikehewasin
frontofLuke,thenext
behind.Lukestaggeredand
felltohisknees,hisheartbeat
hammeringinhishead.All
hewantedtodowasliedown
andsleep—sleepforagesand
ages.
Ifyougotosleepyou’ll
neverwakeup,hetold
himself.Orifyoudo,you’ll
wishyouneverhad.
Hereachedoutwiththe
Force.Hecouldfeelthe
malignantthrobofSarco,like
adarkerstainonthevoid
aroundhim.Hecouldfeelthe
birdsandinsectsoftheglade
—they’dretreatedtoasafe
distance,theirwariness
pulsingintheForce.He
couldfeeltheagitated
presenceofthepikhrons.
AndhecouldfeelFarnay,
herenergyspikyandjagged
withterror.
Hegotshakilytohisfeet
again,gaspingforSarcoto
leavethegirlalone.He
couldn’thearhisownvoice.
Helpme,BenKenobi,he
thought.Somebodyhelpme.
HecouldfeelSarco
nearby,buthedidn’tknow
where.Lukeraisedhis
lightsabertotheready
position.Heknewitwasa
uselessgesture,butitwasall
hecoulddo.
“Letgo,Luke,”said
Ben’svoice.“Youreyesand
earscandeceiveyou.Butthe
Forceisall-seeing.”
Farnaybegantoscreamwhen
Sarcogotwithinameterof
Luke’sunprotectedback.The
pikhronslookedup,jerking
theirheadsupanddownas
theypawedatthegrass.
Sarcotwirledhis
electrostaffinlazy
contemplation.Thrustingthe
weaponintotheboy’sspine
wouldknockhim
unconsciousforseveral
hours,anditwouldbeaday
ormorebeforehecoulduse
hislegs.Bythenitwouldbe
fartoolateforhim.He’dtake
thegirlandthedroidsback
intothejunglewithhim,then
waitfortheEmpiretosearch
foritsmissingsquad.When
theyweregone,he’dhaveall
thetimeheneededtolootthe
temple.
Lukebegantoswinghis
lightsaberwildly,adesperate
defenseagainstanenemy
whowasn’tthere.Standing
safelybehindhim,Sarcospun
hisstafflazily.
“Monster,”Farnayspat,
yankingfutilelyather
binders.
Sarcohadhadenough.He
raisedhisstaff,attention
fixedonthemotionless
rebel’sunprotectedback,on
theperfectspottodrivehis
weaponhome.
TheScavengerdidn’t
bothertoreactwhenthe
blindedboyslasheduselessly
attheemptyairtohisleft.
ButthenLukecontinuedthe
movement,repositioninghis
feetperfectlyashespun
around.Thelightsabermoved
atincrediblespeedwithallof
Luke’sweightbehindit,its
pathaperfectarcthat
remainedsmoothand
gracefulevenasthebluewhitebladerippedthrough
Sarco’schest.
ThebristlesonSarco’s
armsstoodstraightoutandhe
screeched.Hisfingers
opened,andtheelectrostaff
fellfromthem,settingthe
grassafire.
Thealien’shandgroped
athischest.Luke’sbladehad
slashedthroughthecontrol
box,leavingaraggedwound
inSarco’schest.Onetube
flappedfreely,apalegreen
fluidgushingfromit.The
smell—thickand
nauseatinglysweet—reached
Luke’snose.
Sarcostaggeredastepto
theright,thentotteredtwo
stepstotheleft.Lukestood
facinghim,eyesunseeing,
bracedforanotherattack.
SarcodrewLuke’spistol,
aimingitbetweentherebel’s
eyes.Thegunwaveredinthe
Scavenger’shandashe
foughttoconcentrate,
distractedbyasudden
hammeringsoundnearby.
Thepikhronswere
chargingacrosstheglen,
trumpetinginfury.
Thegreatbeasts’massive
sidespassedwithinafew
centimetersofLukeashe
stoodintheglade.Hedidn’t
move—theForcetoldhimhe
wassafe,justasithadguided
hishandatthemomentof
gravestperil.
Sarcofiredatthe
onrushingpikhrons,butthe
volleyofshotsmerely
bouncedoffthematriarch’s
thickhide.Hebackedup—
andhisfootfoundemptyair.
Hehungforamomentonthe
lipofoneofthepitsgouged
inthecourtyard,armsflailing
inadesperateattemptto
regainhisbalance.Butitwas
toolate.TheScavenger’slast
screamlingeredbehindhim
ashefellintodarkness.
Water.
Lukecouldfeelwater—
cool,soothingwater.Itwas
onhisforehead,andhis
cheeks,andthenhischin.
Hegasped,openinghis
eyestolookintothefaceof
Farnay,whowassponging
hisforeheadwithawetcloth.
“You’realive,”shesaid.
ForamomentLuke
wonderedifthatwastrue.He
hadspotsinhisvision,the
bloodwashammeringinhis
ears,andhefeltlikehishead
wasgoingtosplitintwo.But
itwastrue—hewasalive.
Bindershungfrom
Farnay’swrists,thelink
brokenbyacuttingtorch.
BehindtheDevaroniangirl
hecouldseeThreepioand
Artoostaringdownathimin
concern.Aroundthefourof
themthepikhronsstoodina
protectivering.
“How…howdidyouget
here?”Lukemanaged.
“Ifollowedyouandthe
Scavenger,”Farnaysaid.“He
stayedtowaitforyou.I
didn’tknowwhattodo,soI
wenthome—justintimeto
getcaughtbythe
stormtroopers.Ididn’thave
anychoice,Luke—they
wouldhavehurtmydadifI
hadn’tcomewiththem.Oh,I
messedeverythingup,didn’t
I?”
“Messedeverythingup?
Yousavedmylife.”
“Youdidthatyourself,”
Farnaysaidwithasmall
smile.“Ididn’tknowthe
Scavengerhadfollowedyou
intothecave.”
“Iguesshewantedthe
bountyonme,”Lukesaid.
“Hewantedyouforhis
collection,”Farnaysaid,and
Lukethoughtbacktothe
gloomyclearingandthehalfburiedbones.“Aswellas
whateverhecouldstealfrom
thetemple.TheEmpiremust
betryingtocontactthe
troopersbynow—they’llbe
overdue.Canyoustand?”
“I’llcrawlifIhaveto,”
Lukesaid,gettingshakilyto
hisfeetwithThreepioand
Farnay’shelpandclipping
hislightsabertohisbelt.
“Ithoughtyouwere
dead,”Farnaysaid.“Howdid
youdothat?”
Lukesmiled.
“TheForceshowedme
myenemy.Aswellasmy
friends.”
Hestretchedhishandout
tothepikhronmatriarch,
strokingherscalymuzzle.
Sheclosedhereyesand
sighed,andLukebowedhis
headtoher,thentotherestof
thecreaturesstandingaround
them.
“Goonnow,”Lukesaid
gently.“Youdon’twanttobe
herewhentheEmpirecomes
back.”
Thematriarchsnortedand
begantomakeherway
towardthepileofrubble,the
restofherclanfallinginline
behindher.Onebyonethe
greatbeastsclimbedoverthe
debrisanddisappeared.
Artoowhistledurgently.
“MasterLuke,Artoosays
he’sdetectingthesoundof
ionengines,”Threepiosaid.
“We’dbettergo,”Luke
said.
Sarco’selectrostafflayin
thegrass,deactivated.At
eitherendacircleofgrass
wasburntblack.Lukebent
andpickeduptheweapon,
eyeingitwithdistaste,then
walkedcautiouslytotheedge
ofthepitandpeeredintoit.
Hesawnothingbut
darkness.Buttherewasa
fainttickleinthebackofhis
brain,likeanunpleasant
smellonecouldjustdetect.
AndheknewtheScavenger
wasalive.
Lethimrotthen,Luke
thought.Downtherewiththe
imaginarytreasurehewanted
sobadly.
Hethrewtheelectrostaff
intothepit.Heheardthe
rattleofitsfall,thensilence.
TIEfightersshrieked
somewhereoverhead.Luke
noddedtoFarnay,andthey
hurriedoutofthecourtyard
asfastasLuke’sstillshaky
legscouldcarryhim,the
droidstrailingbehind.The
greathallwaslitwithshafts
oflate-afternoonsun,casting
theshapesoftheJedistatues
inshadowonthefarwall.
Theshadowslookedwhole,
Lukethought.
“Justonemoremoment,”
Lukesaidastheyreachedthe
tunnelleadingbacktothe
caveandtherivervalley.
Hekneltinthemiddleof
thehall,restinghishandatop
theJedi’smassivestoneone.
“TheForcebroughtme
here,”hesaidquietly.“And
whatIlearnedheresaved
me.”
Heswallowed,then
continued.“Iwillbecomea
Jedi.IwillrebuildtheOrder.
AndonedayIwillcomehere
again.Iswearitonthe
memoryofObi-WanKenobi.
Andmyfather.Andallthe
Jediwhowalkedthesehalls.”
Hegottohisfeet.Thesun
wasalmostatthehorizon.It
wastimetogo.
JESSIKAPAVA’S
COMLINKchimedforthe
thirdtimeinthepreviousfive
minutes.
“Holdonasec,
Threepio,”shesaidwitha
scowl,activatingthedevice.
“Yes?It’sPava.What’sthat?
Allright—I’monmyway.
Bethereinaminute.”
Sheshutoffhercomlink
andshruggedatThreepio.
“AfraidI’mneededinthe
commandcenter.”
“Iunderstand,Blue
Three.”
Shesmiled.“Callme
Jessika.BeforeIgo,Iwantto
hearhowyougotoff
Devaron.TheEmpirefound
Skywalker’sY-wing,after
all.Sohowdidyouget
away?”
“Thatisatale,”Threepio
said.“Whenwereturnedto
Tikaroo—”
“I’mafraidIonlyhave
timefortheshortversion,
Threepio.Theveryshort
version.”
“Oh,”Threepiosaid,
soundingdisappointed.
“Well,MissPava,Master
Lukereclaimedhisstarfighter
—whichhadbeenrepaired
quitecapablybyKivas,I
mustsay.Onthewayto
spacehedroppedseveral
bombsatthebaseofthe
spire,cuttingoffthepaths
intothejungle.I’mpleasedto
saythatmeanttheendof
thosedreadfulhunts.”
“Andthealien?Theone
theycalledtheScavenger?”
“Justrecallingthatawful
creatureputsmeatriskofa
shortcircuit,”Threepiosaid.
“MasterLukeclaimedhewas
alive.Mysensorsdetectedno
traceofhim,buthewasquite
insistent.”
Jessika’scomlinkwas
chimingagain.
“Stang!Isaidinaminute,
didn’tI?”
“Youdid,”Threepiosaid.
“Andithasbeenoneminute
andtwosecondsexactly.”
“Right.Ihavetogo.
But…justtellmeabout
Farnay.Didyoueverseeher
again?”
“Oh,yes,”Threepiosaid.
“ArtooandIweredelighted
tobereacquaintedwith
FarnaywhenMasterLuke
kepthispromiseandreturned
toDevaron.She’dgrowninto
quiteacapableyoung
woman.Itwouldbemy
pleasuretotellyouthatstory,
MissPava.Buttheregoes
yourcomlinkagain,the
beastlything.SoIsuppose
thattalewillhavetowait….”
JASONFRYisthe
authorofTheJupiterPirates
youngadultspace-fantasy
seriesandhaswrittenor
cowrittenmorethanthirty
novels,shortstories,and
otherworkssetinagalaxy
far,faraway,includingStar
Wars:TheEssentialAtlas
andtheServantsofthe
Empirequartet.Helivesin
Brooklyn,NewYork,with
hiswife,son,andabouta
metrictonofStarWarsstuff.
PHILNOTObeganhis
careeratWaltDisneyFeature
Animationwhereheworked
onsuchfilmsasTheLion
King,Pocahontas,The
HunchbackofNotreDame,
Mulan,andLilo&Stitch.In
2001,Philstartedhiscomic
careerasthecoverartistfor
DCComics’BirdsofPrey.
Sincethenhehasworkedon
numerousprojectssuchas
DangerGirl,JonahHex,
Avengers,UncannyX-Force,
X-23,TheInfiniteHorizon,
andmostrecently,Marvel’s
BlackWidow.