Jyn Erso and Finn have been sent back in time about fifty years. They have met up with Jyn's mother, Lyra Erso, and together, they three have flown to the planet Edafo. It is on this world that they expect to find the force user that will guide them on their quest.
Jyn, Finn, and Lyra are now in a landspeeder, traveling through a vast wilderness. The vehicle is piloted by Xelena Sev, a former Jedi Padawan now working as a rebel operative.
"We've been in this thing for six hours! Where exactly are we going?" Finn asks.
"Samel and I have our camp deep in the southern mountains. One reason we picked the spot is… nobody ever goes there. The other reason… that place… it's important to the Jedi. A long lost, ancient secret. The Empire has no record of it, so they have no idea it's here." Xelena says.
"Some kind of Jedi… historic place?" Jyn asks.
"Yeah. I'll let Samel tell you more about it when we get there." Xelena answers.
"And you said the Empire has no record of it?" Finn asks.
"That's right. It didn't appear in the official Jedi records, so we didn't know about it either until Samel stumbled on an old holocron. It led him here, to an old Jedi facility deep underground." Xelena answers.
"The Jedi had a temple… on this rock?" Jyn asks.
"Not a temple. A research base. Samel says that the artifact you're here for… is in there." Xelena answers.
"Oh. I guess… we won't be here long then." Finn says.
"I hope not. Hopefully we can just get that damn hammer and go back to our own time!" Jyn says.
"Trust in the Force, Jyn. You are here because you are meant to be here, and all will be as the Force wills it." Lyra says.
"You're right, mama. Things will be… as they will be." Jyn says.
"So… you believe all of our fates are predetermined? That everything happens… the way it's supposed to?" Xelena asks.
"I do. I would expect a former Padawan to believe the same. All Jedi are taught to trust in the will of the Force. I may not be a Jedi anymore, but I still believe." Lyra says.
"I used to believe that. Then, the Purge came. We were hunted down and slaughtered like animals! The Force… couldn't save us. Now, the Jedi are finished. Honestly, I don't know what to believe anymore." Xelena says.
"The Jedi lost their way a long time ago. They grew weak and complacent, and that allowed the Sith to rise up from the shadows and wipe them out." Jyn says.
"You're from the future? How could you know?" Xelena asks.
"I may not have been there, but I know Jedi records. The Jedi thought they wiped out the Sith for good a thousand years ago. They were wrong." Jyn answers.
"Samel believes that the Emperor somehow weakened the Jedi connection to the Force. Nobody had any idea that Palpatine was a Sith until it was too late to do anything about it." Xelena says.
"Based on what I understand, I think that's exactly what happened. The Emperor used the dark side to somehow weaken the Jedi. That allowed him to completely fool them for so long." Jyn says.
"It seems like you know more about it than I do." Xelena says.
"We have records. And some of our members…. Talk to the dead." Jyn says.
"Oh. You mean force spirits?" Xelena asks.
"You know of them?" Jyn asks.
"Yeah. There's one that shows up here every now and then to talk to Samel." Xelena answers.
"Who is it?" Jyn asks.
"You probably wouldn't know him. He's an Old Republic force user named Revan." Xelena says.
"Oh, him. Met him once. Very briefly. He didn't talk much to be honest. But, I do know his history. A Jedi who fell to the dark side, and became a Sith. Then, turned back to the light and became a Jedi again. Ended up getting married, then he disappeared and was presumed dead." Jyn says.
"So, you know the story, then." Xelena says.
"Yeah." Jyn says.
"Revan doesn't talk to me much. I guess I'm not important enough for… whatever the grand design is." Xelena says.
"You are here at this moment in time, Xelena. There is a purpose to everything. Nothing happens by accident." Lyra says.
"A purpose to everything? Palpatine? The Empire? The Jedi Purge? All of that… was supposed to happen?" Xelena asks.
"Everything happens for a reason. It may be beyond our understanding, but I believe this with all of my heart." Lyra says.
"I can't accept that!" Xelena says.
"I'm sorry, Xelena. I'm not all knowing. No one is. I don't have all of the answers for you. I'm only telling you what I believe based on my own training and experiences." Lyra says.
"After everything I've been through, I believe it too. What happens… just happens. We are where we are when we're meant to be there." Jyn says.
"We're here now. We have a job to do. If we do it right, we can end this, once and for all. Bad guys die. We win." Finn says.
"Seems simple enough when you put it that way. I do have one question for you." Xelena says.
"I'll answer if I can." Jyn says.
"Do we win this war?" Xelena asks.
"Yes. But, an even greater threat appears after that. That's what we're dealing with in our time, and that's why Finn and I are here now. Two of our friends have been sent to another time for another artifact. Once we're done here, we'll reunite with them, and… hopefully defeat the Empire once and for all." Jyn answers.
"Then, I hope you succeed." Xelena says.
Four hours later, the speeder reaches a small valley, surrounded by mountains on all sides. The speeder approaches a large cave entrance, and stops.
"Alright. Here we are." Xelena says.
"The cave?" Finn asks.
"That's right. It may look like nothing's here, and that's the way we want it. Our base of operations is inside. Underground, and far away from any populated areas. A perfect hiding place for Samel. We'd better keep moving. He's no doubt sensed us by now." Xelena says.
The speeder enters the cave. A few minutes later, it comes to a small, metal building. Xelena parks the speeder in front of the building, and everyone gets out.
"What is this place?" Finn asks.
"Our home. Samel and I built it last year with a team of construction droids. There's no official record of it, so no one knows we're here." Xelena answers.
"What about patrols?" Jyn asks.
"The Imperial presence on Edafo is minimal. The troopers stick to the cities, and the closest city is… where we just came from. As far as the Empire is concerned, there's nothing in these mountains of any value to them. So, the patrols never come anywhere near here." Xelena says.
"What if they did?" Finn asks.
"We'd kill them, destroy everything, and leave this planet." Xelena answers.
"This Samel must be pretty important if you have to go to all this trouble." Finn says.
"You could say that." A male voice says from behind. Everyone turns to face the new arrival- an older black man. He is bald, with scars along the right side of his face, and a cybernetic right arm.
"Master…" Lyra says.
"Valyria Sunrider. It's been a long time." Samel says.
"Indeed it has. I haven't used that name in years." Lyra says.
"Very well. Lyra Erso. I wasn't even sure if you were still alive. I haven't heard from you in over a year." Samel says.
"I'm sorry for that, but for your own safety and mine, I couldn't risk contact. There are so few of us left." Lyra says.
"Us? As I recall… you left the order. You haven't been a Jedi in quite some time." Samel says.
"I may have left the order, but my beliefs never changed. I am still true to the light." Lyra says.
"You married, and had a child. As a Jedi Knight, you were well aware of the code." Samel says.
"You mean the code that forbids Jedi from acting like human beings?" Jyn asks.
"Jyn!" Lyra says.
"We are people! No matter what kind of training we get, we're not machines! We can't detach ourselves from life! You Jedi got it wrong! Big time! A Sith Lord lived among you in disguise, and got himself elected Chancellor. Then, he wiped you out." Jyn says.
"How…" Samel says.
"I'm from the future. We found all of Palpatine's records. We know what he did, and what he planned to do. We know how he manipulated one of your knights and transformed him into Darth Vader." Jyn says.
"You… know who Darth Vader is?" Xelena asks.
"Yes, I do. And I think Samel does too. My mother called you… Master. You're Jedi Council, aren't you?" Jyn asks, pointing at Samel.
"You're very perceptive, young one. You're also aggressive and confrontational. That… concerns me. If I'm going to help you, I have to be certain that I won't have a part in creating another Darth Vader." Samel says.
"I know that I have a lot of anger in me, but… I'm working on it. Every day… I try to do better. That's the whole point, isn't it?" Jyn asks.
"Indeed it is, Jyn Erso." Samel says.
"I haven't even told you my name yet." Jyn says.
"I already know who you both are. I've been shown visions of your lives. I know that you are the daughter of Valyria, or Lyra as she now calls herself. I also know there's an eight year old version of you alive at this very moment." Samel says.
"That girl has no idea what she's about to go through." Jyn says.
"It will be a difficult path, but… she will end up in the right place at the right time." Samel says.
"So… you know who she is. I'm guessing you know all about me too." Finn says.
"Indeed I do, Finn. As a child, you were taken from your family, and brainwashed to serve evil. Eventually, you broke free of that control, and now you fight for good. You are both very strong with the force. When I was given this task, I wasn't sure I was the right one for the job. But, after being made aware of what's at stake, I will help you." Samel says.
"Thanks, Mr. Samel." Finn says.
"I'm pretty sure Samel isn't his actual name." Jyn says.
Samel stands in silence for a moment. Then, finally, he says "You're right. It isn't. The Empire thinks I'm dead, and I'd prefer to keep it that way. Samel… is a cover identity that allows me to travel if necessary. It's not who I really am. I used to be among the most traditional of the Jedi. I believed the rules. I believed in protocol. And that protocol demanded that I be called "Master". But, as you pointed out, the Jedi Order is gone. There's no need for protocol anymore. So call me… Mace."