The New Jedi Knights 2: Threat to the Jedi Order

Chapter 9: Fates and Motives

By MagicMansion

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or Luke Skywalker. My characters are Jarrod, Josh, Kyle, Victor, Shawn, Mary, Abby, Rebecca, the Padawans, and the android.


Luke lay awake, with something on his mind. He'd been keeping careful eyes on his two now-single Jedi Knights. It'd been over a week since they had anything to do, and Luke had assigned them to begin training other Jedi. Josh had been assigned to train Mitch in addition to his two Padawans. As for Shawn, he would take Tara as a second Padawan, as well as train the younglings. Luke and Tiama would also help training some of the older younglings.

Luke sat up, as he'd heard something in the hall. He figured it might just be Shawn and Josh, since he'd found them three times this week training together late at night.

Luke opened his door and walked out into the hallway. He saw two figures turn the corner. He followed them, still unable to tell who exactly they were, but he assumed it was Josh and Shawn. Luke followed the two to a small training room, one not designed for lightsaber combat. Luke was confused, but took out his own key, inserted it into the port, and tapped a button to open the door only a crack.

Luke looked in the room, and was amazed. Shawn was in the room, as he'd figured, but it wasn't Josh with him. It was Tara. She was sitting him down on a small, circular chair. The chair, of course, had no back or armrests. It was just a padded circle. Tara sat on a separate chair, and crossed her legs.

"Now, open your mind Shawn. Let all of your thoughts go. Do not force them to leave, allow them to leave."

Shawn closed his eyes, and started breathing slowly and quietly.

"Good," the Padawan said. "Now, relax. Let go of everything around you. Just listen to my voice. Just tell yourself: there are no creaks of the temple, no buzz of ships on Coruscant, only you, and me."

Luke brought his hand up and rubbed his chin. This girl is good, Luke thought. She knows what she's doing, and she's helping Shawn a lot. I wonder if she's had a go with Josh yet. I'll have to ask him.

"Now, feel the Force flowing through you, and, without thinking at all, I want you to lift all of these chairs up, including mine, and yours."

Luke was puzzled, but he figured with the way Tara meditated, she knew what she was doing. He often found her in this particular room, lifting random things that she had set on the chairs, but never in this particular way that Shawn was doing now. Luke came out of his short memory and saw four of the ten chairs in the room beginning to rise off the ground. As they gained height, three more lifted up: one of them Tara's.

"Good. Now the last three."

The final three chairs, Shawn's included, lifted off the ground. A few moments later, all ten chairs were floating about five feet in the air.

"Good, now, focus your attention. This will give you power to sustain this while focusing."

Shawn took a deep breath, and opened his eyes. He did not move his hands, his eyes, nothing. This reminded Luke of the training he'd done with Yoda back on Dagobah. Luke hadn't needed his hands available to lift things, just his mind. The lifting was done completely by focusing on the Force and its energy around the objects.

"Now, I want you to open your mind again. Keep your focus on the chairs; however, I want you to search for new energy. Something else, something near us, and increase your range a little. Find something that is beyond your range, and try to grasp its energy."

Luke stood straight up. He hoped Shawn's range with this new power wasn't too wide. However, he found that Shawn's range was increasing, as he soon felt his body being lifted off the ground.

"Did you find an energy?"

Shawn nodded only slightly.

"Good. Now, I want you to bring that new found energy into the room. Focus your energy on the door, open it, and bring the energy into the room." Tara looked over at the door, and nodded.

Luke was amazed; Tara had known he was there the whole time. That's why she had asked Shawn to find another source of energy; because she'd known that there was a target in the hall the entire time.

Luke looked over at the port and saw it turn only slightly. The door opened completely, and Luke felt himself float into the room. He watched Shawn closely as the Knight set Luke on a chair.

"Now, focus Shawn," Tara said, looking at Luke. "Do you recognize this energy?"

Shawn shook his head, but then nodded slightly.

"And what is this energy?"

Shawn sighed, and took in a small breath. "Master Skywalker is with us."

"Very good. That will do for now. Now, gently put everything back where it was, and then bring yourself out of your focus."

Luke felt himself being picked up, and saw the chairs drift away from him as he was sent back to the hallway. The chairs sat down with a soft, almost silent, thud. Luke was set gently on his feet. He looked at Shawn, who took one last deep breath, and opened his eyes.

"I knew you could do it," Tara said to Shawn, both of them remaining in their seats. "Just remember, if you continue practicing, you'll be able to do that in the midst of combat."

Luke realized then that he'd made a terrible mistake. Terry would still be alive if he'd only seen Tara's true power.

"Tara," Luke said as he walked in. "I'm terribly sorry. I made a mistake, and it got one of your fellow Padawans killed."

Tara shook her head. "No. This was destined to happen. Master Yoda contacted me, a long time ago, when I was first enrolled in the academy."

"For what," Luke asked, confused.

"He told me back then that I was not to reveal my true power to you, not right away."

"But why?"

"Because," Shawn said. "The same reason he told me not to lose Rebecca to my own fault, but to let fate bring itself around."

"Ready, they were not," a new voice said.

The three Jedi turned to an empty chair, and Yoda's spirit appeared.

"Master Yoda," the three Jedi said together.

Yoda nodded. "Ready, your two Knights, were not to take this responsibility."

"You knew?"

Yoda nodded. "Young Skywalker, a Jedi Master you are. Chose wisely, you did, when picking your Knights. But, a fate, the Force had for them. Foreseen this day, I had. Knew, I did, that leave, two of your Knights would. Guided your decision, the Force did. However, everything you did not know. Realize, you do, what happened, could have?"

Luke sat down and thought for a moment. "If Rebecca and Mary had stayed, I would've never realized Tara's true power."

Yoda shook his head. "A Jedi Master, I once was. But, much to learn, I still had. Still much to learn, you have young Skywalker. Reasons, there are, for the fates of those who have transformed into the Force. Sacrificed himself, Master Kenobi did, to train you further, did he not?"

"Yes Master."

"Meaningless, Terry's sacrifice was not. Needed, it was. Be sure why, we cannot yet. But reveal itself, this reason will in time."

"Yes Master," the three said.

"Now, rest you need. Go, I will."

With that, the Jedi Master disappeared.

"You heard Master Yoda; to bed you two."

The three Jedi headed back to their quarters. After Tara stopped at her quarters to return to bed, Luke turned to Shawn.

"Shawn, let me ask you, how long has this secret training been going on with you and Tara?"

"Longer than you might think. I've been doing secret training at night with her for two months now."

"What of your training sessions with Rebecca and Terry at night?"

"Short sessions. We limited them to about an hour, and then went to bed. It was important not to tell anyone about it, because Tara told me about what Master Yoda had said. Rebecca didn't even know."

"Then, you knew of what Master Yoda had told Tara? Why didn't she pick someone else to train? All of the Knights had free time on their hands."

"Master Yoda had advised her to pick the person she felt in tune with. Someone she knew she could trust with this information and someone who had not obtained a specific power yet."

"But the other Knights have yet to obtain a specific power. Aside from Victor and Jarrod. Victor has his double lightsaber, and Jarrod can use two. Josh and Kyle have yet to obtain a special power of their own."

Shawn shrugged. "I don't know Master. She was advised and told she could pick whoever she felt deserved to learn this power. And she was told she needed to make the decision on her own, without any outside advice."

"And she hasn't been training anyone else?"

"Not even Zener. And no one else knew about it."

"So, after Rebecca left us, what did you think then?"

"I remembered what Master Yoda's message had been to Tara. That her secret was to bring about the fate of two fallen Jedi. I meditated on the fact that she'd picked me; because Rebecca was to be a fallen Jedi."

"Why not Josh then?"

"I'm not sure Master. Perhaps she felt that Josh would relay this power and train his already assigned Padawan. You would have to ask her, but I don't think she would give you an answer."

"Why do you say that my Jedi Knight?"

"She wouldn't tell me why she picked me. She just said that the Force had guided her to pick me. Perhaps it's something in the future."

"Perhaps. Well, we'll figure this out later," Luke said as they stopped at Shawn's door. "Goodnight my faithful Knight. May the Force be with you."

The Knight bowed, and entered his quarters.

So, there are secrets abound among the Jedi. I suppose I can't blame them. This was needed, and Master Yoda felt it. Just like my secret, I feel it is needed until the time is right.

Luke went back to his quarters, and was soon asleep.


The next day, Luke went around, checking on what his Knights were doing. Kyle had taken Elisha and Eric to the Senate again, something Luke was always worried about. He hoped he wouldn't get a message that three Jedi had been assassinated at the Senate.

Victor and Michael were practicing their lightsaber dueling, as Luke usually found them. Victor was currently showing Michael some blocking techniques, and occasionally throwing in a Force Throw to show Michael how to block thrown objects.

Jarrod was teaching the twins in some techniques. Of course, Luke knew the truth of the training going on. Jarrod and Cody were practicing their dueling skills; both were using just one lightsaber, since Jarrod had mentioned to Cody that he wouldn't always have two lightsabers. As for Cory, he was practicing by himself. Luke saw something disturbing in the Padawan, it was almost like he was trying too hard to become more powerful.

Luke walked to the training room where Josh was teaching his three Padawans. Just as Luke had thought, Josh put Mitch against Zack, and Josh himself was dueling Camio. It seemed to Luke that Josh wanted Zack to become a Knight as soon as possible, so he didn't have to put up with Zack's attitude.

Luke had saved Shawn and his two Padawans for last, but only specifically to talk to Tara. He walked into the youngling's room, where Shawn and, more surprising to Luke, Abby, were talking to the younglings. Of course, Anna was in the class; Luke figured Abby might just be there to watch, as a mother would want to, given the opportunity. Luke was fine with that, so long as she didn't distract Anna from her teachings.

Luke found Zener and Tara in the next room. They were also dueling, but Luke walked into the room and watched for a few minutes before interrupting. He figured Tara had meditated not too long beforehand; she was pulling off some good moves.

"Tara, may I speak with you?"

Both Padawans deactivated their lightsabers and Tara walked over to Luke.

"Yes Master Skywalker?"

"This way," Luke said, motioning out the door.

The two walked through the halls of the Temple for a minute or two.

"Tara, about last night…"

"Master Yoda told me you needed to find out eventually. I was just doing my part in the wills of the Force."

"I understand."

"Master Yoda told me the destiny of the two fallen Jedi had to happen before you found out."

"Yes, I figured that out this morning. But, there's something I still haven't figured out. That is, well, why Shawn?"

She stopped walking. "Don't you think Shawn was a good candidate for this power?"

Luke shook his head. "No, no it's not that. It's just, I mean… Well, Shawn had mention he thought it was because he was destined to lose Rebecca. Then again, Josh also lost Mary. We figured that wasn't it."

Tara shook her head.

"It just baffles me. You could have passed this on to any of the Jedi. It's not that fact that it was Shawn that you taught this power too. It's just; I guess I'm wondering why the rest of the Jedi weren't included."

"Master Skywalker, my power of meditation, well, it's very strong obviously."

"I see that."

"This power, it cannot be passed on easily. I've been working with Shawn for about two months now, and we're only now getting to a full room for his range."

"I see. So, it's difficult to train with this power?"

She nodded. "Master, if it's any help to you, I'll tell you it wasn't easy to obtain this power. When I was born, I was hid from the Empire. My parents moved around the galaxy, hiding in different systems to keep me safe. They figured if anyone found out about what I'd been doing, they were sure to send for Darth Vader."

"What was it you were doing?"

"When I was only two, I was able to lift household furniture, by accident."

Luke looked at her, amazed. "You were using the Force, by accident?"

The Padawan nodded. "By the time I was five, I had full control of my power, but it was still limited. Fortunately, an old Jedi holocron fell into my family's possession. We think someone, possibly an ally to the Jedi during the Clone Wars, or someone who was watching me, had slipped it into a home we had moved into.

"Well, my parents finally moved one last time, and they were sure that Darth Vader would never track us since he was so busy with the Rebels. Anyway, we moved to Naboo, and my parents allowed me to study the holocron. Sure enough, it was from an old Jedi Master who had my power. It took me five more years to learn enough from the holocron to increase my power. By that time, I could actually lift my parents' starship, which was about the size of a Y-Wing. And two years before I entered the Jedi Academy, I was able to lift my parents' starship, activate the controls, and fly it from almost two miles away, all while barely concentrating."

"You have an amazing power my Padawan," Luke said. "And I'm glad you're passing it on to at least one person. You have a skill that some Jedi could have never dreamed of. Being able to lift objects of that size without concentrating?"

"Yeah. The day we came to Coruscant to get me tested, my parents asked me to get the starship from the hangar while I was eating breakfast. I heard it touch down while I was finishing up."

"Wow. You do have an amazing power. So, what exactly can you do when you do focus on it?"

She smiled. "Guess you'll have to wait and find out. You'll see soon enough Master." The young Padawan walked away and back towards the room where she'd been training with her fellow pupil.

Luke shook his head. "I can't believe a Padawan has that kind of power. I can hardly do that kind of thing when I am concentrating."


Luke was training Tiama for a few hours with her lightsaber, since he knew it needed some work. Then, he figured at lunch he'd have a talk with the Knights, and have them teach their Padawans to build a lightsaber. Of course, it would take time, more time than he figured they had before the Sith struck again, but it would be a start.

"Knights," Luke said as they sat down for lunch. "I would like you to finish up the individual training you are doing with your Padawans, and tomorrow I want you to start showing them how to build a lightsaber. I realize it'll take a while, but at least we'll have a start on it. I have asked Captain Solo to fetch some Adegan crystals for us. We have some clones on the planet mining them, so he'll just fetch them and be back in a few days for us."

"Yes Master," the Knights said.

"Master, what of the Senate," Kyle asked.

"Leave them for now. They can go a few days without the 'extra security'. We have more important matters to worry about than what laws the Senate wants to pass. You can check on the Chancellor every now and then while your Padawans are beginning to build their lightsabers."

Kyle nodded.

"So, finish up lunch, and head back to finish your training everyone," Luke said.

He watched as everyone ate their lunch, talking to each other about their individual training sessions. Tara and Shawn had yet to tell anyone about their own training, but Luke figured they would keep it a secret for a little while, just so the rest of the Jedi didn't feel like they were being left out of something.

After lunch, Luke decided it was time for him to check on the Chancellor himself. Luke took a small taxi ship to the Republic Capitol Building. He again took the elevator to the Chancellor's floor, and went to the door. He wanted to see what the Chancellor was really worrying about, because he was sure there was more going on than the Chancellor was telling Kyle. And Luke shared Kyle's suspicions; the Chancellor was definitely up to something, but Luke didn't feel that the Chancellor was a Sith Lord in disguise. In fact, Luke was sure the politician wasn't.

Luke tapped on the door.

"Master Skywalker," the Chancellor said, walking up behind Luke.

Luke jumped slightly, not only surprised by the Chancellor, but surprised that he hadn't sensed the Chancellor. Luke was beginning to think maybe he wasn't doing enough training himself.

"Chancellor. Sorry to bother you."

"No, not at all. What can I do for you?"

"I was just coming by to check up on you. My Jedi say you have some concerns."

"Yes. Why don't we go into my office? There are some things I would like to show you."

The two walked into the office, and the Chancellor sat down at his desk.

"I've been concerned with the Sith lately. I realize you and the rest of the Jedi recognize them as a direct threat. But the Senate fails to realize how dangerous the Sith are to the Republic."

Luke sat down, and looked at the Chancellor suspiciously. "Why do you share such concern with us? The Sith's only plan right now is to eliminate the Jedi, I give you my word on that." Luke watched the Chancellor carefully, looking for some reaction that would hint to the Chancellor's motives.

"I realize that the Sith are not a direct threat to the Senate or the Republic, and there is no evidence to support the fact that the Sith are supporting the Empire anymore. Ever since the Emperor and Darth Vader were defeated, there has been no proof that the Sith are behind any of the Empire's actions."

Luke nodded. "However, we have recently discovered that General Titanus, who commands most of the armies of the Separatist Empire, is a Sith Lord. Two of my Jedi Knights engaged him in lightsaber combat. And there is a Sith android on the loose at the moment, which is a danger. I'm sure you heard of the massacre on Coruscant a year ago."

"Yes, I'm familiar with that event. As for General Titanus, I do believe you. He is very ruthless when it comes to attacking planets, and I don't doubt his actions are relentless and unforgiving."

"This android worries me Chancellor."

"Why is that Master Skywalker?"

"Several of my Jedi, myself included, have engaged the android in lightsaber combat. The android is very skilled, programmed to learn from a duel, and use any techniques necessary to win. One of my Padawans was killed by the android." Luke was holding off on the fact that there was more than one android on the loose for a while, partially because he didn't want to worry the Chancellor yet, and perhaps the Chancellor would slip up and say something about several of them.

"Well, whoever programmed the android must have been very talented. And I don't doubt that a Sith Lord would be behind the programming or techniques. Do you suspect General Titanus was behind it?"

"No, he's not the Sith Lord we're looking for. The Sith Lord we are looking for is named Darth Kiazee. We don't have any ideas of where he is hiding. But, perhaps we would send an army or two to search the galaxy."

"That may be a good idea Master Skywalker. However, I would not want the Senate to start distrusting you. Don't forget, they don't recognize the Sith as a threat to the Republic. If they find that you're using armies of the Republic to hunt down the Sith, they may ask you for more control if you can't use them correctly."

Luke heard it; it's exactly what Kyle had talked to him about. The Republic was trying to get more control of the clones. Luke had to be careful about his actions and sending of his armies now. Surely the Chancellor, with whatever he was up to, would relay any information of army misuse to the Senate, and there would be a conflict between the Senate and the Jedi Order.

"Well, be assured I'll keep that in mind Chancellor. I'll send a few of my Jedi out to investigate a few systems."

The Chancellor nodded. "And I will bring this up at the next meeting of the Senate. I will ask the Senate to assist you in any way they can."

Luke was very suspicious now. The Chancellor kept going on about how the Senate didn't recognize the Sith as a threat, but the Chancellor wanted the systems to help search for them. It didn't make sense.

"Well, thank you for your help Chancellor. Be assured we are doing everything to end this war as quickly as possible."

"Thank you Master Skywalker. I'm sure the war will not last as long as we had thought with you in command."

Luke stood up, bowed to the Chancellor, and left.

That's odd. Why would the Senate be willing to help us track the Sith if they don't recognize them as a threat to the Republic? I'll have a talk with Kyle when I get back. Perhaps we can put this puzzle together.


Well, that's all for this chapter. Please review.