Chapter 21
Rattatak - 26 Years Ago
"How is it?"
Asajj answered while reaching for another bread roll.
"Delicious!"
She'd been living off of table scraps for so long that she'd forgotten what real food tasted like.
Ky Narec smiled as she scarfed down the last of her meal. He waited for her to finish before asking her another question.
"I assume the Wild Pack didn't have this much food?"
"They did. But they only gave me whatever they had left over."
"You must've been hungry then."
"Yeah. Sometimes my master would try to get me more, but they wouldn't let him. So I just had to get used to it."
Narec's smile faded. He couldn't stand the thought of a child being forced to starve like that. Noticing her empty glass, he grabbed his kettle and poured her some more tea. He continued while she drank.
"I'm sorry you were treated like that for so long. If I'd only come here sooner…"
Asajj finished and put down her glass.
"It's okay. I'm just glad you found me. If it weren't for you, I would've been killed. Thank you."
Narec's smile returned.
Asajj then asked him a question of her own.
"So…why do you live here? I thought the Jedi all lived on Coruscant."
He half chuckled to himself before answering her.
"Well, they do. But I haven't been to Coruscant in a very long time."
"Why?"
Narec looked down at the floor and thought to himself for a second. He then looked back up at Asajj and began to explain.
"For many years now, the Jedi have been struggling to maintain peace in the galaxy. Even with our great numbers, we can only do so much. And unfortunately, many worlds continue to suffer without our intervention."
He continued while pouring them both more tea.
"A few years ago, I informed the Jedi Council of the situation on Rattatak. I told them that its people were suffering at the hands of warlords and that our intervention would be necessary for their survival. However, the Council was hesitant to offer assistance, since the Jedi were already being pushed to their limits by the needs of Core, Mid Rim, and Outer Rim worlds. And sadly, the needs of a poorer Wild Space world weren't as big of a priority for them at the time."
"But they still let you come here?"
Narec put the kettle down.
"Well…no. They didn't. I came here of my own accord."
"Without telling them?"
"Yes. And as soon as I arrived, my ship was shot down by a couple of Vulkars. I crashed about a mile from here and decided to set up camp near the town. I've been here ever since."
"You didn't call for help?"
"Oh I did. Many times. I sent out distress calls to Coruscant for months, but…the Council never contacted me back."
He took a sip from his glass.
"I've spent the last few years fighting Rattatak's warlords myself, staving off their attacks and helping the locals in any way I can."
Asajj took a sip from her glass as well.
"Back at the town, you told me I was strong with the Force. What does that mean? What's the Force?"
Narec smiled once again and reached out with his hand. His glass then began to float up from the table.
"The Force is the energy within all living things. It gives the Jedi their power and connects them with the universe. It speaks to us through organisms in our blood, and allows us to accomplish extraordinary feats."
"Can I use it too?"
"Yes. That's how you saved me from that raider. In fact, you are more connected with the Force than most people I've encountered."
"So why couldn't I use it earlier?"
"The Force manifests itself in different ways at different times. Most Force users don't realize their true potential until adulthood. And some even go their entire lives without knowing they can use it."
He lowered his hand and gently placed his glass back on the table.
"But no matter what, the Force will always be with you. And if you listen to it and allow it to guide you, you can accomplish anything."
Anything…
Asajj thought back to what Hal'Sted had told her.
We're both a part of this screwed-up system now. And there's no turning back. Not for you, not for me…not for any of us.
But what if there was?
What if they could break away from the system?
What if they could defeat the warlords and their gangs?
What if they could be free?
As Narec took another sip of his drink, Asajj asked him a question that would change her life forever.
"Can you teach me?"
The Jedi stopped drinking and looked at Asajj, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Teach you?"
"To be a Jedi. I wanna help you stop the warlords and free Rattatak. I wanna learn about the Force and use it to help people. I don't wanna be a slave. I wanna be a knight. I wanna make things better."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"So…will you teach me? Please?"
After a brief silence, Narec responded.
"The training of a Jedi is extremely difficult. It requires great patience and discipline. Are you sure you're ready?"
Asajj nodded.
"I'm ready."
Another brief silence, and then Narec smiled once more.
"Very well. We'll begin tomorrow."