Jyn Erso and Finn now find themselves fifty years in the past, on the planet Edafo. There, they have not only met former Jedi Padawan Xelena Sev, they have also encountered Jedi Master Mace Windu. Believed killed in the Jedi Purge, Master Windu is hiding in a remote, underground cavern, located deep within Edafo's southern mountain range, and far away from any of the planet's cities.
Jyn and Finn are now with Lyra, Xelena, and Mace in the underground cavern.
"Now that we've gotten the introductions out of the way, it's time for us to get started. Jyn Erso and Finn… you are here for a reason. In addition to the artifact you have been sent to recover, you are also here for training. That's where I come in. I managed to salvage a few Jedi Holocrons during my time on the run from the Empire. There are also the archives in the research facility, which I think will be of use to us." Mace says.
"A Jedi Research Facility… here of all places. I had no idea." Jyn says.
"None of us did. At some point in history, all record of this place was lost to the Jedi." Mace says.
"It is well known that the Jedi Order lost a great deal of knowledge when the Ossus Temple was destroyed. Records of this place might have been part of that." Lyra says.
"It's a possibility." Mace says.
"We don't really know what we're supposed to do here, other than… find some sort of ancient hammer. From what Xelena says, it's right here, on this planet. In some kind of research facility." Jyn says.
"A long time ago, the Jedi weren't so centralized. There were several factions, operating independently of one another. Each faction had their own base of operations. One of them was on Edafo. It wasn't until the aftermath of the Exar Kun War that the Jedi Council was formed, and a permanent temple was established on Coruscant." Mace says.
"So… where is this… research facility?" Jyn asks. Mace points to a nearby tunnel entrance.
"That passage leads to the ruins of the facility. The hammer… is in there." Mace says.
"Alright, then. Let's go get this thing!" Finn says.
"It's not that simple. You can't just claim the hammer. From what I understand, you have to earn it." Mace says.
"Alright, then. What do I have to do?" Finn asks.
"I'm not entirely sure to be honest with you. Although, I do know there is something in the facility that you need to see before we go any further." Mace answers.
"Alright, then. Lead the way." Finn says.
"If you'll follow me, please." Mace says.
Mace leads everyone to a large, open chamber. This area contains several computer terminals, as well as tables with weapons and pieces of armor in various states of assembly.
"This place… was weapons research, wasn't it?" Finn asks.
"Partially, yes." Mace answers.
"Jedi weapons research? Doesn't sound very "Jedi" to me." Jyn says.
"The Jedi Order of twenty thousand years ago was quite different from the order we know. They were essentially the Republic's law enforcement. That being said, this laboratory was mostly used for defensive weapons and armor. The majority of what you'll find here is non-lethal." Mace says.
"A hammer doesn't sound very non-lethal to me." Jyn says.
"Master Tiel didn't create the hammer. She just discovered it. The Force… guided her to its hiding place. " Mace answers.
"Master Tiel?" Finn asks.
"Jedi Master Akana Tiel. She ran this facility." Xelena answers.
"Indeed. Why don't you see for yourself? Xelena, please activate the command console." Mace says.
"Of course." Xelena says. She walks to a massive control panel, which stands in front of a large, circular holotable.
"This equipment is twenty thousand years old. I'm surprised it works at all." Jyn says.
"Oh, it works alright. Watch this." Xelena says. She presses a few buttons on the console, and the hologram of a middle aged woman appears. The image flickers and occasionally distorts.
"This is Jedi Master Akana Tiel, leader of the Jedi Research Base on Edafo. We have chosen… (static) remote planet in… (static) charted space, so that… (static) avoid interference from the Republic Military, who would… (static) attempt to seize our projects. This is the first of my weekly updates, which are intended for the Jedi Masters on Ossus. Due to… (static) planet being out of range of… (static) munications, these recordings will… (static) delivered to Ossus by courier. This is Master Akana Tiel, signing off." The hologram says. Once the recording is complete, she vanishes.
"We just saw… a twenty thousand year old hologram…" Finn says.
"These recordings span nearly fifty years. Master Tiel was quite thorough. I think… her final entry may be of interest to you." Mace says.
"Give me a moment to find it. This list… is really long." Xelena says. About a minute passes as Xelena reads the computer screen, looking for the correct recording. Once she finds it, she presses a few buttons, and the image of an elderly woman appears. It is Master Tiel, but she is now much older.
"This is Jedi Master Akana Tiel, and this… will… (static) likely be my final recording. I am running out of time. I am… (static) years old now, and I don't expect to live much longer. Unlike my other messages, this… (static) will not be sent to Ossus, and will instead remain here, unseen until the time is right. Since our history began, the customary weapon of the Jedi has been a sword. On occasion, Jedi have… (static) other weapons, such as daggers or axes. However, this weapon I discovered… is unique. Its design… (static) from the Force itself. I have seen… (static) vision… of a young man… using it to fight an unknown, evil force. A hammer… with potential for great power. I do not know its entire history, but I do know it was constructed by… (static) ancient Dai-Bendu order around ten thousand years ago. The Jedi must never know of this weapon, or they will likely destroy it. The hammer is… (static) a secure place where they will never find it. It's for the Knight in white armor, who will break free of those that enslave him, and embrace the light of the Force. If you are watching this recording, it is my hope that you are the one I have foreseen. If that is the case, then may the Force be with you." Tiel says. Once she stops speaking, her hologram vanishes.
"So… she saw a vision… of me apparently. Twenty thousand years ago…" Finn says.
"The Force has a plan, and you are part of that plan. So was Master Tiel." Mace says.
"It would be nice if she said where the hammer was." Jyn says.
"We already know. There's a vault… sealed by Master Tiel." Xelena says. She pushes a button on the console in front of her, a nearby wall begins to move, and a section slides down into the floor, revealing a shallow canyon. Across the canyon is a small platform with a door at the far end. Within the canyon are rows of stone pillars .
"A hidden vault inside of a secret base. This Master Tiel was kind of paranoid, wasn't she?" Finn asks.
"Perhaps." Mace answers.
"On top of that, it looks like we have to walk across… whatever that is." Finn says.
"It's an obstacle course… and the first test." Mace says.
"First test? You mean there are more?" Finn asks.
"That's right. Getting across is only the first test. Once you are on the other side, you will be allowed access to the vault. The hammer is inside. However, claiming it will not be so easy." Mace answers.
"What's the catch?" Finn asks.
"You'll be able to see the hammer, but… you won't be able to touch it. Your hand will just pass right through it." Mace answers.
"What?" Finn asks.
"The hammer's out of phase." Xelena answers.
"Out of phase? What does that mean?" Finn asks.
"It exists in another dimension outside of normal space and time. Somehow… Master Tiel moved the hammer to this other dimension. I'm no physicist, so that's about the best way I can describe it." Xelena says.
"That's impossible." Finn says.
"No, it isn't." Xelena says.
"Yeah, it is. We can't do stuff like that." Finn says.
"Master Tiel did it. Twenty thousand years ago. Seems pretty possible to me." Xelena says.
"Okay then. How did she do it?" Finn asks.
"We don't know. That information wasn't in her logs." Mace answers.
"Okay… this thing's out of phase. How do we get it into phase?" Finn asks.
"That's where I come in." A voice says from behind. Everyone turns around, only to see the force ghost of a masked man in a dark outfit.
"Darth Revan?" Lyra asks. The man's mask disappears, revealing his scarred, bearded face.
"That was a long time ago. Now, it's just Revan." Revan says.
"Of course. I meant no offense." Lyra says.
"None taken." Revan says.
"You can relax, Lyra. He's appeared to us before." Xelena says.
"Revan is the one that told me who you were, and why you were coming here. He also showed me visions of your lives so that I could better understand you." Mace says.
"Okay. How do we get the hammer back into phase?" Finn asks.
"I'm afraid it's not so simple. You're not ready for that just yet. But, we'll get you there." Revan answers.
"Not ready. What do I have to do?" Finn asks.
"You'll have to train. Hard. Like you never have before." Revan answers.
"I'll do whatever I have to do. I just want us to win." Finn says.
"Mace and Xelena will be handling most of your training, but I'll be showing you a few more advanced tricks… including how to take yourself in and out of phase." Revan says.
"I had no idea such a thing was even possible." Jyn says.
"There are many things about the Force that have been forgotten. No one has realized their true potential in thousands of years." Revan says.
"Why is that?" Finn asks.
"In the past, there have been Jedi Masters who have chosen to suppress certain knowledge they believe to be controversial. The Jedi teach that fear is the path to the dark side, yet they act in fear when they make decisions like that." Revan answers.
"They're hypocrites." Jyn says.
"Jedi are people. They make mistakes. That's just part of life. With the proper training, we are able to control our emotions to a certain point, but… they're always there. Yes. Even fear and anger. They are a part of us. We can't completely block them out. No matter how hard we try. Emotions themselves are not good or evil. Only our actions determine that." Revan says.
"What you say… goes against the most sacred teachings of the Jedi Order." Mace says.
"You were taught wrong." Revan says.
"In your opinion." Mace says.
"A flawed dogma passed down from generation to generation. You were complicit in that… yet you are also innocent. You believe it because you never learned any other way. Have I ever deceived you, Mace?" Revan asks.
"No. You have not." Mace answers.
"We do not agree on many things, but I will never lie to you. Surely you understand that by now." Revan says.
"I do." Mace says.
"Good. I know that this has been a difficult time for you, learning things that are contrary to what you believe. Ultimately, this isn't about you or me. It's about Finn and Jyn. We're here to help them with their mission." Revan says.
"I do agree on that point." Mace says.
"Finn and Jyn… your journey has just begun, and I wish you the best of luck. For now, I'll leave you to your work. Mace and Xelena can handle the basics. I'll return when it's time to begin your phase training." Revan says. He nods respectfully to Finn and Jyn, then vanishes.
"So… that's Revan. Not what I expected." Lyra says.
"What did you expect?" Xelena asks.
"I was taught that Revan was a terrible Sith Lord hell bent on conquest. I expected him to be more… evil, honestly." Lyra answers.
"I used to feel the same way. Then, I got to know the man. Revan is… complicated." Mace says.
"You could say that again." Xelena says.
"Indeed. Now, as Revan pointed out, we do have work to do, so it's time we get to it. Jyn and Finn…there's a room nearby that Master Tiel once used for weapons testing. Xelena and I have been using it for our daily saber practice. So, if you follow me, we can begin your training." Mace says.
Apologies for the long gap between chapters. Life's gotten busier over the last several months, so I'm not doing fanfiction as much as I used to. Good news is that the next update shouldn't be too long, since the next chapter is almost done. To those of you that have stuck with this story, thank you for your patience.