“Rhak-skuri,” Natua said. “The Sith called them rhak-skuri.”
“Dream Singers,” Vestara translated.
“That’s an awfully nice name for bugs,” Ben said.
Vestara turned to him. “To the Sith, nightmares are really no different from ordinary dreams. They offer opportunities for growth. To be able to control the direction of your nightmare—to defeat it—means you are strong. So creatures that caused visions would be valued and respected for the challenges they brought.”
“Yeah, but they don’t sing,” Ben pointed out. He glanced at Natua. “Do they?”
The Falleen smiled. “Not as far as I have been able to determine.”
“It’s a metaphor,” Vestara said. “They could have been called dream makers, or weavers, or creators, or—”
“I get your point,” Ben said, holding up his hands in a mock-surrender gesture. “Are the rhak-skuri dangerous in any other way, Natua?”
“No,” Natua replied. “The secretion is nontoxic and they are otherwise harmless. Even their mandibles are too small to pierce skin.”
“You’re going to make the Grand Master of the Jedi very happy,” Jaina said. “And if you’d like—I’d love it if you’d come with us. Seems to me you’ve more than earned your right to participate in the hunt, and I’m going to tell Luke so.”
Natua’s eyes widened. “I … I would of course be honored to help the Grand Master, if he wishes me to come. Thank you, Jaina.”
Not so long before, Ben knew, the two women had been locked in a lightsaber battle. But Natua was now healed, and determined to make up for the illness Abeloth had forced upon her. He was glad of it. He was just plain glad right now.
“I’m going to leave a message for Uncle Luke, and then I’m off to see my fiancé.”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Ben quipped.
“Hey—I certainly hope I do, and you better not,” Jaina shot back. She was already striding off at a brisk pace, speaking quietly into her comlink.
“So,” Ben said, “time for me to play tour guide. Where would you like to go first?”
“It’s your Temple,” Vestara answered. “I want to see everything, so where would you like to go first?”
“Honestly?” Ben said, giving her a rueful grin. “The cafeteria.”
Vestara rolled her eyes.
ABOARD THE MILLENNIUM FALCON
“I WISH SHE’D STOP CARRYING ON WITH THE SQUIBS,” HAN MUTTERED. His jaw was set, his eyes narrowed as he sat in the pilot’s chair of the Falcon, staring outward with grim determination to get home as fast as possible.
“You were the one who suggested she learn how to play sabacc,” Leia mused.
“I thought it would teach her something about human nature,” Han replied. “I didn’t expect her to actually sit down and play it with three little—”
“They’re not using actual credits,” Leia reminded him.
“Doesn’t matter.”
“And she’s winning.”
Han brightened slightly as they slowed and emerged from hyperspace, the stars slowing and finally becoming stationary. The yellow-brown orb of Coruscant, glittering with lights that never went out, appeared before them.
“Home, and none too soon,” Han said.
Leia leaned over to touch the communications array, using her proximity to her husband to steal a quick kiss. “Not quite yet,” she said. “There are a few people we need to talk to first.”
Han sighed. From behind them he heard, “No, no, Mistress Amelia, you don’t want to put that card down!” in a distinctively fussy voice, and Han grimaced.
“Threepio, what have I told you about commenting on someone’s hand?” Han called. R2-D2 tweedled something that sounded like I told you so.
“Well, Captain Solo, I know you don’t wish my advice or calculations when you indulge in games of chance,” came 3PO’s voice. “But as one of my duties is assisting with Mistress Amelia’s education, I thought it incumbent upon me to—”
“Well, it’s not, so don’t.”
“Oh. As you wish, Captain. Mistress Amelia, you may indeed play the Star if you wish.”
Han winced at the comment. Leia grinned. Much as Han feigned annoyance with the golden droid—okay, sometimes it was genuine annoyance—she knew he was as fond of C-3PO as anyone. And when 3PO was fussing, all was right with the world.
Jag’s voice crackled over the comm system. “Jagged Fel.”
“Jag,” Leia said warmly, “it’s Leia and Han.”
“Oh, hey, Mom and Dad,” came their daughter’s voice.
Han and Leia exchanged surprised smiles. “Hi, honey,” Leia said. “When did you all arrive?”
“Just a couple of hours ago. Uncle Luke’s talking with the Masters, and Ben and Vestara are wandering around the Temple. Seems she wants to become a Jedi.”
“A Sith wants to become a Jedi?” Han echoed. “What’s Luke think about this?”
“Both he and I think she’s sincere,” Jaina said. “You should talk to him yourself, though.” Translation: Keep it short. I’m enjoying time alone with my fiancé.
“I will, just as soon as I’m done with your future husband. Jag, Han and I have just returned from a rather informative expedition. We’ve got some news to share with you as soon as possible.”
“I’ll be in my office first thing tomorrow morning,” Jag said. Translation: Don’t interrupt right now.
Leia couldn’t help but smile. She knew how they both felt. It was one reason she and Han, in recent years, had tried to avoid getting embroiled in adventures without each other as much as possible. “I’ll contact you then and we’ll set something up. Jaina, welcome home.”
“Thanks, Mom.” From anyone else at any other time, the sudden click would have been rude. Hearing it now from Jaina only made Leia happy.
“Home now?” asked Han.
“Luke now,” Leia said. Because Jaina had said he was in a meeting, she expected simply to leave a message, and so was surprised and pleased to hear her brother’s voice. “Luke! Jaina said you’d returned.”
“It’s good to hear from you!” Luke said. “I thought you and Han would be here when I arrived.”
“We left before you sent word and, well, we’ve been a bit busy. We’re getting ready to land shortly. When can we meet and catch up?”
“The sooner the better, and it’s all work unfortunately,” Luke said. Han scowled. “I’ve just finished up with a meeting of the Masters, and I’d like to share some of the decisions we reached. One is that the Jedi will be withdrawing from any official involvement in the government, and I’d like you to be present when Saba and I inform Treen and Dorvan. The Jedi would like Dorvan to officially become the new Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance.”
“Poor Wynn,” Leia said at once. “He’s not going to like that.”
“He won’t have to like it, he just has to accept it,” Luke said.
“He will,” Han said. “Underneath that perfectly groomed and boring exterior beats the heart of a good man.”
“I think we all agree on that. Maybe even the part about the boring exterior,” Luke said. His voice was warm with humor, although he sounded tired. “The second thing is, the Jedi are leaving Coruscant. As soon as possible. When the transition is stabilized, I’d like you to join us.”
Leia was so stunned she couldn’t speak for a moment. Even Han looked surprised.
“Luke—I don’t know if—” she started.
“I know, I know,” Luke said. “But this needs to happen, Leia. I’ll explain my reasoning when we get together, and I know you’ll understand. Meet me at the Temple. We’ll grab a cup of caf, work up a game plan, and then head over to the Senate chamber.”
“All right, we’ll be there shortly. By the way, my nephew is apparently wandering around the Jedi Temple in the company of a Sith girl. I’m going to want to hear about that, too.”
Luke chuckled. “I promise. See you soon.”
OF
FICES OF THE CHIEF OF STATE, CORUSCANT
“Grand Master Skywalker,” Wynn Dorvan said, rising as Luke, Leia, and Saba entered the meeting room at the offices of the Chief of State. He extended a hand. Luke took it, smiling. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you,” Luke said. “It’s good to be home.” Even if it is only for a short while, Luke thought.
“Jedi Solo, also good to have you back,” Dorvan said, turning to Leia. “I hope your trip went well.”
Leia gave him a smile. “Indeed it did.”
“Master Sebatyne. Welcome. Grand Master, I don’t know that you’ve met Senator Haydnat Treen, of Kuat.”
The elderly woman rose with fluid grace, smiling warmly at Luke. “Master Skywalker,” she said. “What a pleasure to finally meet you. We are so very glad you have returned.”
Luke was used to dealing with politicians. He was not as familiar with them as Leia was, but he did not much care for the rather unctuous Senator. He sensed a coolness behind her effusiveness, a calculation, and secrets that were well kept.
Of course, he mused, that could be said of most politicians. And all beings had secrets. Nonetheless, her presence in the Force was not one that endeared her to him. He smiled pleasantly.
“Thank you. And of course I know of you, Senator Treen. Master Sebatyne informs me that you have helped things move along quite smoothly during your tenure as acting joint Chief of State.”
Nothing changed physically, but he felt her put up her guard. Treen was not Force-sensitive, but the effect was very similar. She knew how to keep things buried. Quite deep.
Further pleasantries were exchanged, then the five of them sat around the table.
“I’ll get right to the point,” Luke said. “Senator Treen, Dorvan—I believe you know that the Jedi never intended to rule the Galactic Alliance. The coup was performed for the sole purpose of eliminating a leader who had become a threat to the very government she was attempting to run, nothing more. And this triumvirate the three of you have managed was meant only as an interim measure.”
“It’s been working rather well,” Treen said. “All things considered.”
“And the galaxy is fortunate that three cool heads prevailed,” Luke said. “But I must inform you now that one of those beings will no longer be able to perform in that role any longer. I intend to withdraw the Jedi from any position of power or authority in the Galactic Alliance. The Jedi will become an order responsible only to itself and to those beings it serves.”
That took both Treen and Dorvan aback. Luke went on to tell them what he had told the Masters—that the Jedi needed to become autonomous. That the Sith and Abeloth still needed to be hunted, as the threat they posed was not just to the Galactic Alliance, but to the entire galaxy. And that while Luke trusted that no one in this room was on their way to becoming a second Daala, he believed that the Jedi needed to be able to act on their own, freely and immediately, with no one to forbid or direct them.
As he expected, he sensed both dismay and relief from Treen and Dorvan. “Daala’s desire to make the Jedi perform like an extension of her own will was ill advised from the start,” Dorvan said. “Her first mistake was in exiling you, and she continued to compound that mistake. I can appreciate your Order wanting to be able to act independently. But what does that mean for the Galactic Alliance?”
“Friendship,” Luke said at once, sending Dorvan sincere reassurance. “We’re not abandoning you. If you have need of us, we will be there. The only real difference is we’re not confined to helping only those beings the GA wants us to help.”
“I think it’s a splendid idea,” Treen said. “You’re not droids or hired thugs, Master Skywalker. You should not be treated as such. While I commend Master Sebatyne on the civilized nature of the coup, I think it high time that the Jedi and GA politics disentangled themselves.” She paused and cocked her head. “Except … how do we actually go about that?”
“The triumvirate you formed was an emergency measure,” Leia said. “Legally, once the emergency is past, you need to hold a formal election as soon as possible.”
“Leaving aside the difficulty of arranging a parade,” Dorvan said drily, “that will still take some time.”
“We’re all just making this up as we go along. The GA has been fortunate that it’s worked so far, but I think with the withdrawal of the Jedi, we should look to precedent. And while I wish none of you ill, the closest type of precedent would be how we would determine another Chief of State if the present one were to die.”
Dorvan consulted his datapad. “Current law would stipulate that the Senate elect a leader to serve for no more than two standard months until such time as a proper election can be duly held,” he said. “That being the case, I would suggest that Senator Treen, as she has already been serving in that capacity, would take over Daala’s position.” He seemed heartened by his conclusion.
“Oh, dear me, no!” exclaimed Treen. “The little taste I’ve had of this so far has convinced me that I want no part of it. Kuat is starting to think I’ve forgotten about them and their specific interests. It’s far too complicated, and there is no time for proper caf breaks. I would refuse such a position if the Senate were to offer it to me. I rather think that the Senate would wish to continue with you at its head, Wynn.”
Leia smiled at him. “Wynn,” she said, “we’ve known each other a long time. You’re in a unique position.”
Dorvan sighed. “I didn’t even want to manage an assistant, let alone an entire government.”
“Better you than someone hungry for power,” Luke said. “It doesn’t have to be forever. At least let the Senate put you in charge until there’s a chance for a fair and legal election. No one says you have to run for office then. But for now, it sounds like putting you in the role of Chief of State won’t cause upheaval and chaos at a time when the GA needs stability.”
“Very well,” Dorvan said, in a hollow tone of voice.
“Oh, come come, Wynn,” Treen said brightly. “You sound like you’re being led off to execution!”
“I rather think I am,” said Dorvan. “But I suppose there’s no help for it.”
The five eased quickly into the details of how the departure of the Jedi would be handled. And there were a great many. Even so, it seemed like all of them were in harmony. By the time the meeting was over, they had a date, an itinerary, had gathered copies of the necessary documents, and had decided when, how, and by whom the various revelations would be made. It had been a highly successful morning, but Luke could tell Leia was not as comfortable as she had appeared to Treen and Dorvan.
As he, Leia, and Saba walked together back to the Temple, he asked her about it.
“I agree with your reasons for the Jedi leaving,” she said. “But … I don’t trust Senator Treen. She’s hiding something.”
“I noticed that as well,” Luke said.
“Even this one did,” Saba said. “This one had hoped it was simply unfamiliarity with the nature of human politicz. Otherz in the cabinet, too—something seemz unquiet. But this one is confused. If Treen hungerz for power, why did she refuse it when it was all but handed to her?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it,” Leia said. “I don’t like any of this. And we’re not having a private meeting with Dorvan about that because …?”
“Oh, we’ll have a private meeting with Dorvan,” Luke assured her. “For one thing, I’d like you to brief him on who in the Senate you think he’ll be able to work with. Beings like Lando’s friend Senator Wuul. I also have a favor I’d like to ask him.”
Leia glanced at Saba, who seemed more amused than anything else. “But we don’t want to warn him about Treen?”
“Not yet.” Luke leaned over and said in an exaggerated whisper, “Trust me.”
Leia rolled her eyes.
* * *
It was The Perre Needmo Newshour that got the scoop. Luke, along with Leia and Han, had always been impressed with the format Needmo had chosen to
keep the public informed. Except where a segment was clearly identified as an editorial, as was the case with the late, greatly missed Madhi Vaandt’s segments, the news was presented in a clear and unbiased manner. There was no mudslinging, no vicious scrambling for ratings—and Luke suspected that the fact that The Perre Needmo Newshour eschewed such things was why it actually landed in the top five week after week.
Needmo himself had volunteered to conduct the interview, and Luke was looking forward to it. He now settled in the interviewee’s chair, having endured the unusual activity of having makeup put on his face and his hair styled, and made himself comfortable.
“I’ve been interviewed before, of course,” he told his host as he sipped a cup of water, “but usually it’s on site and right in the middle of the action. I haven’t been in a studio before.”
“I am proud that we are the first, then,” Needmo replied, his small eyes crinkling in pleasure. “I have a top-notch team, Master Skywalker. They’re consummate professionals.”
Luke nodded. “I saw the interview you did with Rokari Kem, of Qaras,” he said. “I’m glad she’ll be coming to Coruscant. We need beings who can combine compassion with levelheaded leadership.”
“Indeed we do. She has granted me another exclusive once she settles in as Senator. I’m looking forward to it.”
The studio was a hive of activity. He’d met the director, Jorm Alvic, and the producer, Sima Shadar. Now tech specialists checked lighting and sound quality, and droids hummed and whirred on various errands. Jorm, a human in his early middle years, leaned forward into a mike and announced, “We’ll be live in one minute, gentlebeings.”
“We’re ready, Jorm!” said Needmo cheerily. A slender Twi’lek adjusted both their personal mikes, brushed a stray lock of hair off Luke’s forehead, and scampered off the set. The energetic music of the opening credits began to play, and the cam operator counted down. Three, two, one—
And go, he mouthed.
“Good evening, gentlebeings, and welcome to tonight’s edition of The Perre Needmo Newshour,” said Needmo. “We open our show tonight with an exclusive: a one-on-one interview with the Grand Master of the Jedi Order, Luke Skywalker. Welcome, Master Skywalker.”
Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Ascension Page 23
