CHAPTER 113 - A NEW CODE
The next day Luke met in his study with Lor San Tekka to show him the ancient tome.
The cleric's face brightened. "I can't believe this book has been found. I thought the Sith had destroyed all copies after Order 66."
"Not sure where Han came across it."
Lor San Tekka stared at the stained glass window above him, falling into a trance for a moment. When he looked at Luke, his eyes held the look of divine revelation. "That was no mistake. It was hidden and then revealed." He flipped through the pages. "There is so much that we have lost of our past that has now returned."
"Would you mind studying it? Give me your thoughts when you're done? I've noticed some discrepancies between the old and the new."
The priest looked at him with new life in his eyes as he opened the book. "Gladly, Master Skywalker. Any sections in particular?"
Luke winked. "The Force will lead you." As he turned to leave, the book glowed blue, bathing the cleric in its eerie light.
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One week after Luke met with San Tekka, the aged cleric called him into his study. "Come in, Master Skywalker, come in," he said with a new energy. "I have some phenomenal things I need to show you. Phenomenal things."
Luke sat down across from him at the massive wooden desk. He could not help admiring the stained-glass windows at the top of the tower that filtered the bright sunlight into shafts of colored prisms. Bookcases lined the walls, cluttered with books, holocrons, and the occasional artifact from San Tekka's many travels across the galaxy.
The Jedi Master reigned in his eyes as San Tekka opened the tome to the first page. "The first discrepancy I see is in the Jedi creed. The original creed is the entire opposite of the current version. See here: 'Emotion, yet peace' compared with 'There is no emotion, there is peace.' The newer version contradicts half of the original. I never was satisfied with that creed."
"Are you suggesting that we return to the original creed?"
"No, I think that will confuse those who have learned the current one. It is time for a new creed, one that embodies the functions of a Jedi." He pointed to Master Skywalker. "And I think you should write it."
Luke pushed his chair back from the desk and crossed his right leg over his left knee. "I'm not a writer, Your Grace."
"You are now." San Tekka's eyes twinkled as he continued. "Now, for something I think you will find interesting. The history of the original Jedi differs vastly from the traditions that have been handed down to us today. First, they trained adolescent and adult Padawan, not infants—much the way you have started."
Lor San Tekka nodded his approval before leaning in and pointing to a particular page in the book. "Likewise, in the foundation years of the Old Order, Jedi had spouses and families. It wasn't until more recently that the Jedi forbade attachments, and that was simply stated to avoid jealousy and fear of loss."
He scratched his ear. "Well, my thought is if a Jedi can avoid anger regardless of the circumstance with the Force, then a Jedi can avoid jealousy with the Force."
"What are you saying?" Luke asked, desiring a definite answer from the priest.
"Master Skywalker, you did not hand me this book to determine what you were going to do about the old creed." The old man chuckled and winked. "You wanted my permission to marry Jedi Fau. Well, you have my blessing."
Luke beamed a large smile and sighed in relief.
The cleric held up his finger before saying, "Once you have written the new creed, I will be more than happy to perform the ceremony."
He cocked his head, acknowledging the trap San Tekka had laid. He nodded as he took the book from the man. "Thank you, Your Grace. I'll start that new creed right away."
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Luke was sure Naluma could feel his heart pounding across the compound. The Jedi Master ran through the corridors, sidestepping a few Padawan, straight to Naluma's mechanics class.
She was demonstrating fuel intake on an engine set up in the middle of the room when he barged into the classroom. He spun her around and dragged her into the deserted corridor. He took her in his arms and mashed his lips to hers. Their embrace lasted more than a minute.
When Naluma came up for air, she said, "Luke, what are you doing?"
"He agreed."
Naluma took his face and brushed her lips lightly across his. "Should we tell the Padawan?"
"Not yet. I'll announce it in chapel today after I write a new Jedi creed."
"See you later, my love." Her eyes lingered on her fiancé as he absconded with the book to his study.
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After multiple drafts, Luke formed the essence of the new Jedi creed in time for chapel that morning:
Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy
Jedi use their powers to defend and protect
Jedi respect all life, in any form
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training
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When chapel arrived, the Padawan buzzed with frenetic energy. News had spread about the interruption in mechanics class. They all chattered about it and why Master Luke was leading this chapel and not Lor San Tekka.
"Padawan, Jedi, please be seated," Master Skywalker said as he stood at the lectern.
The chapel was a small room underneath Lor San Tekka's study. The walls towered two stories above them with stained-glass windows depicting nature scenes. Kedari trees in rich red and green tones, shashini in browns and blacks, and colorful berries brightened the panes as other wildlife peeked through the illustrated foliage.
"As you know, I had my new cybernetic hand installed on Zaxyn a few days ago." He held it up to demonstrate. "But don't shake hands with me yet. I'm still figuring out how not to break things with it. It's much stronger than the last one." He winked at the more rambunctious Padawan.
"What you may not know is that the Senate has requested the re-institution of the Jedi Council. Well, to have a Jedi Council, we must have a Grand Master and at least three Jedi Masters beneath him."
Luke waited for the cheering to subside. The Padawan showed excitement for just about anything. "The Senate has bestowed the title of Grand Master upon me, and they have requested us to promote a Jedi Knight to Jedi Master immediately. Throughout the next five years, we will promote at least two more knights to masters."
Luke paused for dramatic effect before extending his hand to Naluma who stood behind him. "I am pleased to announce that Jedi Knight Naluma Fau will rise to the rank of Jedi Master at graduation next month."
The Padawan screamed again. Shexel, a rowdier girl from Nal Hutta, yelled, "It's about time."
Once he had brought them to order again, Luke said, "Another important event happened while I was on Hosnian Prime. We found The Journal of the Whills, an ancient tome that we all thought lost."
Luke held the heavy book up for all to see, the gilding on the front cover and page edges reflecting in the colored light from the windows. "It records the history of original Jedi Order from its inception to the Second Great Jedi Schism, before the Old Republic. Lor San Tekka and I have examined this book from cover to cover and have found some disturbing facts."
He cleared his throat before opening the book to the old code. "Fact One: our current creed actually negates the original creed in every line. The original creed states, 'Emotion, yet peace.' Compare that with the current creed—'There is no emotion, there is peace.' How can both creeds be true? Isn't there always emotion, but there is also peace?"
The Padawan and Jedi in the chapel agreed.
Luke held up his hand to quiet them. "It continues this way for every line. The new creed states there is no ignorance, no passion, no chaos, no death. But the old creed acknowledges them alongside the other attributes."
Stepping out from behind the lectern, he pulled out his datapad. After pushing a few buttons on the device, the 2D projection screen lit up displaying a black background. "To correct these discrepancies, Lor San Tekka requested that I write a new creed that we can all agree with—one that plainly expounds the purpose of the Jedi and their methods."
Each time Luke pushed a button on his datapad, a new point displayed. The colored light shining through the stained-glass windows obscured a few of the words.
Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy
Jedi use their powers to defend and protect
Jedi respect all life, in any form
Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training
"I ask you now, Jedi, do you have any additions, deletions, or changes?"
Zeke raised his hand.
Luke pointed as he acknowledged the senior Padawan. "Padawan Leer."
"Master Skywalker, I recommend we add to the end of point four 'for the good of the galaxy.'"
"Excellent proposal. Objections?"
Ben started to raise his hand, but the Padawan around him used the Force to hold his arms down and his mouth shut.
One of the girls glared at him as she whispered through her clenched teeth, "Shut up. Nobody cares what you think."
Ben glowered at them.
Benae raised her hand. "Master Skywalker, I move that we accept this creed for the New Jedi Order."
Naluma said from the front of the chamber under the screen, "I second it."
Luke called for a vote. "All in favor, say 'aye.'"
"Aye's" resounded throughout the chapel.
Luke then said, "Those against, say 'nay.'"
Ben said "nay" under his breath. Luke heard it, even if the Padawan around him did not.
"Abstentions? No? Jedi, please stand as we recite the Creed of the New Jedi Order for the first time."
Footsteps scuffed on the hardwood floor as the Padawan stood as a group. The hall echoed as every Padawan, knight, master, and priest recited the new creed—except Ben.
Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy
Jedi use their powers to defend and protect
Jedi respect all life, in any form
Jedi serve others for the good of the galaxy rather than ruling over them
Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training
After they had finished the creed, Lor San Tekka took the book from Master Skywalker. "Jedi, you may be seated. This book reveals more deviations in beliefs than a mere mangled creed. We have the early history about the lives of the first Jedi. Over the ages, the personal interpretations of specific Jedi replaced the Jedi Code, but these beliefs were far from the code."
Lor San Tekka scratched his forehead as he turned the pages of the ancient tome with care. "Specifically, the Jedi Mandate about attachment and marriage never existed in the original Jedi Order. For over a thousand years, the Jedi permitted marriage within their ranks. I recommend that we return to the old ways and allow marriage again in the ranks."
The entire chapel rustled with excitement.
Lor San Tekka held up his hand as he said, "However, there will be a few guidelines."
As one, the Order relaxed into their seats and awaited the stipulations.
"To marry, a Jedi must have been a knight for at least three years and have the approval of a master. Masters may marry at their own will. However, Padawan may not fraternize in any manner, form attachments, nor marry."
A loud sigh that bordered on whining echoed through the ranks of the Padawan.
Benae bounced on her seat. She clasped her hands in front of her chest and sighed. Zeke, who sat beside her, shook his head at his odd friend.
Luke returned to the front, rubbing the back of his neck and darting his eyes around the room. Naluma slid next to him, linking her right arm under his left. Luke smiled at the crowd, and then looked at Naluma. She smiled back at him and nodded in encouragement.
Tears glistened in Luke's eyes. "Jedi Fau ..." He gasped, not knowing how to continue. He sputtered, "She said 'yes.'"
The Padawan and Jedi roared their approval, all except Ben. Ben crossed his arms and glared at his uncle and soon-to-be aunt.
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Did you know …
● Jedi Master Simikarty is attributed to the creation of the "No Attachment" rule.
● When George Lucas first created the Star Wars saga, it was never clearly stated that Jedi were not allowed to marry. The "No Attachment" rule was created to cause tension in the prequels and to be a contributing factor in Anakin's downfall.
● The Star Wars legends list many creeds. The three referred to in this book exist in some form in the legends.
● Luke and Naluma have known each other for eleven years and have officially been dating for nine years. They have never overstepped their chastity vows. The new creed and removal of the "no attachment" rule paves the way for their marriage. While both are anticipating their physical union, as honorable Jedi Knights, they will not engage in sexual relations until after the ceremony. (That's a lot of self-control. They must have used the Force.)
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Tell me what you think …
● Why is Ben so obstinate about Luke and Naluma getting married?
● How do you think the galaxy will view this change in the Jedi Code and rules?