Chapter 3

Luke sat alone with Yoda in a private meditation chamber. Revan's temple was cool and dry, lit only by torches. Knight and Master sat across from each other, staring at the ancient holocron. When Revan's message concluded, Yoda closed the holocron.

"Dathomir," Yoda said thoughtfully. He rubbed his chin. "Heard of that world in a long time, I have not."

"What does this mean?" Luke asked. He stared at Yoda, trying to read the great Master in the Force. It was clear to Luke that Yoda had reason to recall dark memories when he thought of Dathomir.

"Strong in the Force, the residents of Dathomir are," Yoda explained. "Some, strong in the dark side they are. A dangerous place, it is."

Luke nodded. "What of Revan's research on the prophecy?" he asked.

"Troubling revelations, Revan's discoveries are," Yoda said. He narrowed his gaze. "The Sith'ari prophecy was known only to the Council. Explain much about your father's fall, it does. Perhaps wrong were we about Anakin Skywalker. If the Chosen One he was not, the Sith'ari, he is."

Luke held a single ray of hope within him that burned bright enough to shatter all doubt. But he still felt strange proposing, "Maybe he is both."

Yoda's ears perked as he faced Luke curiously. "Joined the dark side, your father did," Yoda said. "But still propose that he is the Chosen One, you do?"

"Everything you've told me adds up," Luke said. "Besides, nothing in the prophecy said that the Chosen One was a Jedi. It's just a Jedi prophecy."

Yoda sighed. "Meditate on this, I should," he said. He cleared his throat. "But time for us to leave Keldan, it is."

Luke nodded. "Are you worried about the Rebellion?" he asked.

"The dark side clouds everything," Yoda said painfully. "A greater worry, I have."

Luke nodded. He knew of what Yoda spoke. It was something elusive, a darkness he could only perceive, but not understand. "Master Yoda, I am concerned too," he admitted.

"Go our separate ways, we must," Yoda said. "Complete Mara's training, you will."

"But Master Yoda, I'm not ready to train a Jedi," Luke objected.

"Not ready, are you?" Yoda said. He chuckled with amusement. "First ready to train, but now not ready to teach are you?"

Luke smirked, remembering his first meeting with Yoda. "And if I say learning is different than teaching, will you tell me that it is only different in my mind?"

"Yes," Yoda replied. "The greatest form of learning, teaching is."

Luke tried not to focus on his anxieties. He was not the skilled duelist or wise Jedi Master that Yoda was. But Yoda was asking him to fulfill his duties as a Jedi. It was just another test for him.

Apostas raised her crimson blade in a Makashi salute as the dueling droid approached her. Her new lightsaber featured a curved hilt, built for the elegant fencing style she adopted after facing her brother on Vjun. The salute was a meaningless gesture, but she prided herself in pursuing the ancient technique. Vader had taught her the powerful Makashi form and the two dueled hundreds of times, allowing her to refine her skills.

"Run Program Five," Apostas commanded. The program would prompt the droid to engage her using Form V Shien and Form V Djem So. Other programs would focus on different forms, allowing Apostas to retain familiarity with combat when not dueling with her father.

The droid activated a yellow energy blade and rushed at Apostas. It lunged for her, but Apostas easy sidestepped, countering with a powerful thrust for the droid's torso. Of course, droids reacted faster than organic opponents. It adjusted to her attack, parrying the blow.

Apostas danced around the droid, whirling and slashing. She knew the intricacies of Form V from dueling with her father, so the initial confrontation only served as a means for warming up. Form V was straightforward and aggressive, but it lacked the finesse of Form II Makashi. While Form V in the hands of skilled duelists like Darth Vader could be deadly, a Makashi stylist would tear a novice using the technique to shreds.

"Run Program Three," Apostas commanded, forcing the droid to shift to Form III Soresu. The Sith Lord closed the gap between them, striking swiftly and aggressively to break the blazing yellow defensive screen.

The droid sidestepped before compensating with its weight to slam at an opening in the Sith's defenses. Apostas drew back just in time to counter the blow. A riposte was her response, strong and swift. The droid could barely defend itself from the furious assault.

"Disengage," Apostas commanded, forcing the droid to withdraw and disengage its lightsaber. An incoming holonet transmission drew her attention.

The holonet beacon in the dueling room activated and projected a blue-white image of Darth Vader. "Lady Apostas, I told you to pursue Grand Admiral Thrawn," the Emperor said, obviously displeased with her defiance.

"My Master, I needed to practice before continuing my pursuit," Apostas said. "A number of surprises could appear in my search. I must be prepared."

"I have received reliable intelligence that points to a hidden Rebel base in the Outer Rim," Vader said. "I suggest you begin your search immediately, Lady Apostas."

"As you wish," Apostas said before bowing to the Dark Lord of the Sith. "I will not fail you."

"Pray that you don't," Vader threatened before closing the transmission.

Apostas kicked the dust from the floor with her boots. Vader's threats did not matter. She already got what she wanted from Dathomir.

The Keldan Rebel Outpost was located in an area that would make citizens of Tatooine cringe due to the obvious desolation. It was located on the rocky cliffs near the outskirts of the Great Desert. Legends said that the Great Desert was once a fertile plain, but it had long since dried out, covering secrets in shifting sands.

Luke and Mara walked together ahead of Yoda, Kyle and R2-D2. Luke could see Rebel operatives bartering with Keldan natives with the assistance of C-3PO. Luke had expanded the protocol droid's language database to include the Keldan language so the Rebels could communicate with the natives when the Jedi were not present.

The Millennium Falcon was being unloaded and Han Solo stood outside his ship while Lando Calrissian conversed with General Locke Gohl, a gray, wiry Kuati officer that commanded the outpost.

Han noticed Luke approaching and grinned. "Luke old buddy!" he exclaimed. "It's been a long time!"

Luke shook Han's hand before embracing him. "Where's Chewie?" he asked after releasing his friend.

"Oh, he's working on the Falcon," Han said.

"I'm surprised this thing is spaceworthy," Mara jabbed. There was no tone of humor in her voice.

"Hey, this baby's got it where it counts!" Han retorted angrily. He glared at the former Imperial. "Maybe you'd feel better getting off on another ship."

"Come on, Han," Kyle said. "There's no need for that."

"Right, my Padawan is," Yoda said to Han. "Need to leave Keldan, we do."

"Well, you're in luck Master Yoda," Han said to the Jedi Master. "We were just unloading equipment for the outpost."

"Where is the main base?" Luke asked.

"Dantooine," Han replied. "Your old squadron misses you, kid."

"Well, your friend now has the job of completing my training," Mara said. "I doubt if he'll be able to waste time flying with the Rogues."

Luke glanced to Mara. "I'm sure there's a spot for you on Rogue Squadron."

Han threw up his hands, not wanting a part of the discussion. "I'll be helping Chewie prep my ship," he said before ascending the boarding ramp.

"But Master Yoda wants you to train me," Mara argued. "You won't be able to do that flying missions with Rogue Squadron."

"We are at war, Mara," Luke reminded her. "Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices."

Yoda tapped his gimer stick on the ground. "Right, your master is," he told Mara. "Responsibilities he has with the Rebellion. Assist him, you should."

Mara sighed before making eye contact with Luke. "If you insist, master," she said.

Luke stared at his apprentice before looking to Yoda. "Will you tell General Gohl that we're leaving?" he asked.

"I will," Yoda replied. "Return to this place in the future, we will."

Luke returned his gaze to Mara before saying, "Let's go help Han." He received no objections from his apprentice as he ascended the boarding ramp.