Yoda sat outside of his hovel, sitting in front of him sat the force ghost, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The subject on their minds: Luke Skywalker, who seemed to be going down the same path that his father did all those years ago.
"Strong in the force Skywalker is, but heeds my instructions he does not. Always knows better does he."
"I fear with my limited ability to guide him he will be easy prey for the Emperor."
"What then do we? No longer an option it is to confront them ourselves, and not enough time I have left to teach others."
Just then a second force presence made formed in front of them, Obi-Wans old master, Qui-Gon Jinn.
"There is someone who can help guide Luke, as he has guided so many. A new presence in the galaxy that the sith has been blinded to."
"Who is this presence, how do we contact them? And for that matter, how have the sith been blinded?"
"Others have prevented this new population from being detected for a time. And Luke and Leia have already met them. Obi-Wan," He addressed his former padawan. "You must contact Luke and tell him to turn to the one known as Adama; He can guide him away from the dark path that the emperor has set for him."
"Well." Cain interjected, "I think it would make sense for us to become familiar with what each of us is bringing into this fight."
As the others talked Luke was distracted, by the voice of old Ben. He tried to listen to Ben and pay attention to what the others were saying.
"I agree." Ackbar said, let's begin with our fleet, I'll have rouge squadron brief your pilots on our fighters and the imperial fighters. Meanwhile the bridge officers can discuss the condition of our fleets."
Apollo offered, "We can take a couple of our Vipers over. Including a training Viper so your pilots can get into the cockpit."
As they went to begin their briefings Luke stopped Adama. "Commander, could I talk to you, privately?"
Certainly," The commander said in a tone that told Luke that Ben had been right about this man's fatherly demeanor. Now Luke just hoped that he had been right that this man could help him.
"We can talk in my quarters."
Luke and Adama sat on opposite sides of Adama desk. "Alright Commander Skywalker, What did you need to discuss?"
"Please, just Luke."
"Very well then, what do you need Luke."
Luke related to Adama what he knew of his father, and what he had just discovered on Cloud City. "The Empire is evil, my father is evil. But I just can't help wanting to bring him back to the light. Master Yoda thinks I'm just making it easier for them to manipulate me and turn me. I don't want to believe that. But I have to wonder, am I just fooling myself."
Adama sat with his fingers tented in a pensive posture. "We are all capable of good and evil. It sounds to me like your father let his faith in his own wisdom, along with his unwillingness to listen to correction leave him vulnerable to the manipulation of a man much more wise in the ways of the world than himself. By the time he realized his mistake he felt it was too late to turn back."
"Well, yeah, that's pretty much what happened."
"You don't have to go down that same road. You've sought out advice, if you are willing to heed that advice you can avoid you fathers fate. But there's more isn't there?"
"Yes, I think I can turn him back, I know there's still good in him."
"Do you truly believe that or is it wishful thinking?"
"I sense it; I know he hates himself and what he's become. He hides in the power he's amassed. Vader hides from Anakin in the dark."
"You would appeal to him by reminding him of the good man he was; offer him a chance to turn away from his deeds?" Luke nodded. "And what do you think he will put before you to sway you the other way?"
"Well, I guess he will use anger and resentment, fear of pain, personal not physical pain. He'll use them to provoke me. The dark side is more persuasive, it offers more immediate satisfaction. He, they, will use that to pull me over."
Adama paused as he thought. These people have very different philosophies than he was used to. Finally he spoke. "Luke, you seem to be of the belief that an emotion it's self is evil but it's what you do with those emotions that is important. You will feel anger, fear, resentment a desire for revenge, and impatience. But you are aware of them, don't let them rule you. Have the feelings you have but don't let them dictate your actions.
"When I came face to face with Baltar do you think I didn't feel every, as you call them, negative emotions; that I didn't want to kill him on the spot. Bu If I had he would not have been there to tell us what we needed to know to defeat that Basestar we encountered a few centars ago.
Luke sat and thought about what Adama had said. "I think I see what you mean. They can evoke emotions but they can't make me give into them." Then with a smile he said, "I'll have to get your opinion of the attachment rule some time."
Adama looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Attachment rule?"
"I'll tell you about it later. For now, how about we go join the others with their briefing."
"An excellent idea."
Luke and Adama went to the hanger bay.
