CHAPTER 1: Old Wounds.
Yavin IV. Forth moon in the Yavin system. Once the location of the hidden base of operations for the Rebel Alliance. Historically remembered for the battle against the Empire resulting in the heroic destruction of the first Death Star. Home of the Masassi temple ruins. And now the home of the new Jedi Academy.
So much history here. Sometimes I find it soothing to simply walk the great stone halls of these ancient ruins. I could use some relaxation right about now. It has been fifteen years since the death of Emperor Palpatine. Peace and order should have been restored with the forming of the New Republic. Instead, all we have is political turmoil and civil unrest. What a mess. I do not envy my sister her task in the senate.
If things were more organized, we would not be faced with the threats the Imperial Remnant continues to pose. It seems that for every peace agreement we make with one faction, two more fight against us. If they had a unified voice that we could convince we want peace, it would be so much easier.
But they're beginning to have a unified voice. And he does not want peace. It was so much easier with the Galactic Empire to decide right from wrong. Now we must decide which evil is more preferable. Do we act, or do we wait? We must wait. And for every hour we wait, his Remnant grows stronger.
Unfortunately, I cannot allow myself to wait any longer. His activities have brought to light a dangerous possibility. He is searching for something. Something he must not be allowed to have. I don't exactly know what it is, but I know someone who does.
In the west wing of the Jedi Academy, in an amphitheater seated classroom, an old friend teaches ancient Jedi history. He would know. I open the door quietly and mask my presence. I do enjoy walking in on his classes. He does have a flair for the dramatic.
"The Frah-Zhahans teach us that a society can successfully exist while believing in a balance of the Light and Dark Sides of the Force. Why did their society not turn against itself, as the nature of the Dark Side?" I pose this question with projected voice that grips the attention of everyone in the room. I acknowledge a student who raised their hand.
"Perhaps they did from time to time, but the constant presence of the Light Side kept it in check."
"Then what happens when the Light Side overwhelms the Dark Side? Would that not also throw the scales of balance?" He starts to question himself. Good. In a debate of ethics no one should have all the answers, not even I. Another hand.
"Their society did not turn on itself because of the methods they used to harness the Force."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, they used artifacts to channel the Tya for their needs. They did not develop the metaphysical sensitivities to the Force that the Jedi and other religions have. Therefore, the Dark Side did not tempt them the same way it tries to tempt us."
"Excellent theory. Would anyone care to rebuttal?" He smiles and looks around for a reply. I'm interested to see if someone can come up with that. That's when I notice Master Skywalker in my classroom.
"The Frah-Zhah had more than simple trinkets that called upon the Force to do menial tasks on their whim. Their early histories were filled with wars fought with these artifacts. The temptation was there. But you're partly right. They could put away their trinkets if the lure of the Dark Side became too strong. We cannot simply put our power away. We must constantly live with it. And no one can walk the path of Frah-Zhahn Balance without falling to the Dark Side."
Everyone in the room stands and bows respectfully to Master Skywalker. I smile. He has studied my research. Something no-one in this class has yet to do. A pity, really. Then suddenly I recognize the look on master Skywalker's face. Something serious has happened, or rather, is about to happen.
"Very good, Master Skywalker. I see someone reads my research material." I let that comment sting the collective conscience of my students a moment. "Class dismissed." The noise of students standing, gathering their study materials, and shuffling out of the room is nearly deafening, but soon, nothing but silence. Something in Luke's stride told me there was great weight on his shoulders. Now is not the time for jovial remarks. The sounds of his footfalls echo through the empty chamber. "What is on your mind, Master?"
"Master Palteth, I am faced with a most disturbing decision. I trust you are informed with the situation regarding the Remnant."
"That depends. Are you referring to public knowledge or the truth? I am well versed in both at present."
"The truth. The self-proclaimed Emperor Calmir has been linked to a number of covert inquiries regarding Frah-Zhahan artifacts. He's looking for something called the Codex. I'm not entirely versed in what this artifact is, and for security reasons, I cannot know much more than that." The Codex? I know of this artifact. But what use could a man like him do with it? "We know he's after it, and we know he cannot be permitted to have it."
"Then why not stop him? The New Republic has sufficient forces."
"The New Republic's hands are tied. We're tired of war, and many of our old allies now squabble in the senate for their share of 'rewards'."
"History has shown us that the violent overthrow of any government results in years of confusion and recovery. It is only natural that these problems would still exist with such a grand scale of government. What is it you are asking of me?"
"Officially, I can't ask this of you. This mission will not be on record and you have the right to refuse. Unfortunately, if you fail, we will disavow any knowledge of your existence."
"It is never a good thing when those words are spoken. What is the mission?"
"I need you to find a way to recover the Codex before it falls into the hands of the Remnant."
A Jedi. I am a Jedi. Am I a Jedi? How can I call myself a Jedi? How can I sit here and pretend I'm one of them. Jedi don't do the things I did. Oh my sweet Kana. What more could I have done? I did it for you, Corrin. Did I? This isn't right. When will I be forgiven? Never. How long has it been? I can't remember now. You were four years old when I let your mother die. I could have helped her. Or died trying. How old are you now, my son?
My eyes open, sharply. A cold sweat like morning dew covers my brow. Another restless meditation. Jedi shouldn't fall in love. Love clouds our judgment. Now I sit among new Jedi, Jedi taught by the Son of the Betrayer. The Son of Skywalker. Terran trusts him.
I stand up. Narrow slits of light pass through blinds covering windows. The darkness is soothing on the eyes. In the darkness, no one sees my tears. I dry my eyes. Jedi don't mourn the dead. We rejoice for those who return to the Force. It should have been me that died, not you, Kana.
The door opens. It is too bright outside. At the door all I can see is a silhouette. If my mind were clear, I could sense who it is. "Who goes there?"
"Do you not recognize me, General Wyndryder?"
"General? You have not called me that in years, General Palteth. Are we at war again?"
"Not yet, but I fear we soon may be." He looks around the room. I suppose it's clear I've been here for a while. "Still seeking answers, old friend?"
"Why does it haunt me so, Terran? Kana passed away a long time ago."
"I cannot say."
"I can't tell you how often I've heard the advice, 'Do not dwell on these things.' It's as if they think I can simply shut these memories out of my mind."
"Kana was a Jedi. At the time, you were not. Corrin needed a father. Vader would have slain all three of you if he had the chance. You did not give him that chance."
"And what of my son? He thinks I'm dead."
"Him, and the rest of the Republic. You made a choice, Dais. You chose to serve the New Republic. That is why I came to see you."
"I've been though enough, Terran. I survived the Clone Wars, the Jedi Purge, and the Galactic Civil War. All I want now is peace, and to be left alone." I turn away from my old friend. He's going to ask me to help him. He wouldn't have come here unless he knew he could convince me to go with him.
"Peace will come to an end unless you help me, Dais. Emperor Calmir has been searching for Frah-Zhahan artifacts. He is looking for the Codex. We must stop him."
"I'm sorry, old friend, I'm afraid I haven't been keeping up with your research projects. What's the Codex?"
"I am not entirely sure of its function. My texts did not seem to mention a specific task it performs. But it is listed as one of the most powerful Frah-Zhahan artifacts in their history. Master Skywalker and I agree that it must not fall into Calmir's hands."
"Then I'm sure Master Skywalker should join you, not me."
"You still do not trust him, do you?"
"You'll find it's difficult for me to trust in any Skywalker after what I've been through."
"Then trust in me, my old friend."
"I'm retired, old friend, and this time I plan to stay that way." I've said these words before, when my sense of duty tore me away from my son, shortly after the evacuation of Hoth. 'Misplaced' by the Alliance's military orphanage, they told me. Now my son moves about from place to place far too quickly for me to predict or follow.
"I need you on this. Who else could I trust with this?" Old habits die hard, I suppose. It's not like I've got anything better to do than to relive my nightmares in meditation. 'Escapism only causes old wounds to fester.' An old wisdom, now lost. Well, these wounds have festering for so long, I more harm could I do to myself?
"Try as I might, I never could say no to you. When do we leave?"