Chapter Thirty Nine:
Luke gazed upon the planet that filled his viewport, taking in the various shades of green all shrouded by enormous banks of fog. Luke had heard of Dagobah only in passing during his schooling, apparently no one cared about it because it was a backwater nothing of a swamp that was impossible to settle. According to Imperial history several people had tried, many decades ago, and had sworn the entire galaxy off of ever trying it again.
So, though there was a basic note on terrain and a variety of dangerous life forms, there was little else for Luke to go off of before he attempted to land. But Luke had something few others did these days: the Force.
Taking a deep breath, Luke delved deeply into that well of power and let it fill him. Only then did he urge his ship forward, trusting the Force to guide him to a safe landing. He was certainly glad for the Force; because Luke realized the moment he entered the atmosphere that he'd have crashed without it. The fog had a metallic quality to it that threw off his sensors, rendering them useless. And then the trees appeared literally out of nowhere, which gave Luke momentary chills when he realized how close to his viewport they were without actually touching it.
But Luke relaxed, flying by instinct as the Force bade him. He thus found a solid piece of land upon which to settle his small ship. Nella whistled beside him, turning her head toward him.
"How did you do that, Master Luke?" she asked in awe. "My sensors were useless in that mist. And I saw the instruments of our ship, they were also malfunctioning."
Luke turned his head toward her as he worked on the cool down sequence. "I used the Force, Nella."
She was quiet a moment, and then tilted her head curiously. "You have mentioned a Force, but I do not understand what it is, or how it guided you."
Luke nodded patiently. "Well, the best way I can explain it is that the Force is an energy field. It surrounds everything, and it fills, or penetrates everything. And while it is inside everyone, only some mortal beings can access its power in return. Those persons are known as Force sensitives, and remain that way unless they receive training. Then they become either a Jedi— a servant of the Light— or a Sith like my Father, who serves the Dark Side. And because I am one of those people I can manipulate the Force, and I can hear it speak to me, feel it guide me because everyone and everything is part of it."
Nella hummed. "And because it is part of everything, you can lift objects and stop blaster bolts because they are all in that energy field: you are simply manipulating that field to your advantage?"
Luke blinked in surprise. He hadn't really known if Nella would understand it, but apparently she did. Despite her top-of-the-line insides, Luke wondered how a mechanical being could comprehend the Force like Nella did. But then, his droid was smart, and Luke felt like a proud parent.
He chuckled softly. "Yes, Nella, that is exactly right. How did you know about the other stuff though?"
She gestured. "I went through the memory banks of the Millennium Falcon in my free time. I saw some old security videos."
"Ah." Luke indicated his understanding. "Well, I'm glad you are learning fast. You are excelling, Nella, and I'm both proud of and happy for you."
"A good explanation that was, Young Luke." A gravelly voice praised.
Luke jumped almost out of his skin and spun around to see a small green being standing in the back of the cockpit. Luke silently cursed his inattention and then frowned. "How did you get onboard?"
The being's elongated ears shifted vertically. "Easy it was, since distracted you were, hmm, yes?"
It took Luke a moment to get used to this creature's backwards way of speaking, but since he could understand what the being said, Luke didn't call attention to it. Though at the being's words Luke blushed, embarrassed. "I guess that's fair."
But the more Luke eyed the little man before him— he had to be quite old if his wrinkled skin and white hair were any indication— the more something niggled at the back of his mind. There was something about this little creature... something familiar. He had never seen this species before... or had he? Luke racked his brain, trying to think of what it was about this little alien that caused Luke such a stir.
"I am wondering, why are you here?" the creature asked.
Luke rubbed his chin briefly. "I'm looking for someone. You..." Luke paused, feeling a stir in the Force. He turned his attention to the prompting and listened to it, hearing a whisper to him to trust the odd being. Luke frowned curiously and touched the green creature in the Force... and gasped to find a deep well of power that astounded Luke.
It was akin to Vader's sense whenever Luke had been permitted to reach that far into the man. But whereas Vader was cold, aloof and frightening, this being was the complete opposite. His presence soothed Luke; it warmed him like the sun did the sand on a beach, and Luke felt inspiration strike.
"Are you Master Yoda?"
The creature actually smiled. "Very good Young Luke. Yoda, I am."
Luke eyed Yoda with a new level of respect, and he stood from his seat to drop to one knee. "Master Yoda, I am Luke..." here he hesitated, not sure which name to give the old Jedi Master.
"Why pause, do you?" Yoda asked.
Luke bit his lip, a little insecurity plaguing him. "Because I know who I want to be, but... am I worthy to bear that name yet?"
Yoda came forward to place a clawed hand upon Luke's shoulder. "Luke, while in public, wise it would not be right now to pronounce your true birthright, worry not that you are worthy of it. A Skywalker you truly are."
Luke smiled gratefully. "Then I am Luke Skywalker. But only Leia and Mara know this... I haven't told anyone else until now."
"Wise, that is. For time it is not for you to be revealed. A different name you will need."
"Jirik: that's the name I have chosen," Luke replied.
Yoda dipped his head. "Then come, Jirik, to my home."
Luke rose, gesturing to Nella. "Wait on the ship for now, please."
"Yes Master Luke."
Yoda looked to the droid. "Built this droid did you, or a new model is she?"
Luke smiled gently. "I created Nella. She's one of a kind."
Yoda hummed, impressed. "A wonderful mechanic you seem to be, just like your father was when knew him I did."
Luke's smile grew wider for a moment before it gained a sad edge to it. "Thank you Master Yoda."
Yoda took note of his gloom, and sighed to himself, but said nothing as he led the way to his hut. Luke felt the humidity acutely, beginning to sweat almost instantly as they left the Pilgrim.
The swamp was teeming with life, from the water to the air. Luke heard the calls of various creatures, saw some eddies far out in the murky water that indicated a likely predator just beneath the surface. Luke eyed the enormous trees in surprise, taking in the twisted root system that seemed to dominate much of the land.
But the one thing Luke noted the most was the vivacity of the Force on Dagobah.
"Is this planet a natural wellspring of the Force?" Luke inquired curiously. "I've never felt it so... abundant in one location before."
"Yes," Yoda answered. "Strong the Force is here and much life there is also. Easy to hide among it, it was for me."
Comprehension dawned. "That's why Father never knew you were alive. I heard him on occasion, he didn't know if you had perished after the downfall of the Jedi Order."
Yoda's shoulders drooped almost imperceptibly, but Luke still caught it and felt bad. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to bring up a sore subject."
The Jedi motioned with a small hand. "Offend me you did not, Luke. Not wrong, it is, to mention the past."
Luke nodded silently, and finally caught sight of Yoda's hut. He wondered how he was supposed to fit inside, and indeed Luke had to pause while Yoda walked right into the house clearly designed for his much smaller stature. Luke had to resort to basically crawling inside, though he supposed it was good for him, and it would help remind him to be humble.
Luke settled against a portion of the wall where the ceiling was higher than in other areas so he could at least sit upright. He tuned in to the Jedi once he was in place, and saw the being moving about what had to be his kitchen. It wasn't fancy by any means, but Luke didn't mind. He smiled almost wistfully at the small fireplace and counter.
The rest of the house was sparse like Luke's apartments had been, but the hut was also surprisingly homey.
"This is a nice place you've got here," Luke murmured honestly. "After growing up in the lap of luxury, one would think I'd prefer the finest things only. But it's nice to go down to basics; to not clutter your life and home with a lot of junk. Because then the few things you do have can be appreciated more fully."
Yoda eyed Luke in a way that almost made him squirm. "A very mature outlook that is, Luke."
Luke dipped his head self-consciously. "I've always liked to think of myself as down to earth. Though luxury can be nice too sometimes."
Yoda chuckled gently. "Indeed. Now," the little man brought a bowl of stew to Luke, "eat."
Luke accepted the offered meal, though he did pause upon seeing the contents. Knowing what had been outside, Luke didn't think the Jedi would have much to cook with. Yet there were items in his soup that would have never been found on Dagobah.
A thought came to Luke then. "Has Maz been supplying you with food?"
Yoda looked up from his own bowl at Luke's question, and Luke caught his brief surprise. But then the being smiled softly. "A good friend she is. A long time, do we go back."
Luke's brow furrowed some. He'd sworn he had caught the barest hint of... affection in the man's tone. Long-time friends... had that been all, or was there perhaps something more to their relationship? Luke then recalled Vader telling his children that the Jedi had been forbidden to form attachments, which was one reason Vader had left them.
But that didn't mean Yoda couldn't have admitted his feelings after the Order was gone, right? Or did Yoda still stand by what he'd lived for his whole life? Luke eventually allowed his curiosity to slip away, knowing it wasn't his place. Nor was it the time to bring it up. Besides, Yoda and he had just met; Luke didn't need to delve instantly into his companion's private life.
"She's a special person." Luke agreed at last. "She took care of me, risking everything when she could have said no."
"A woman of many trades is Maz," Yoda told Luke. "And yes, the food she gave me."
Luke inclined his head and began to eat, finding the dish to be surprisingly tasty. "Thank you for the meal."
The two finished their food in companionable silence, and then Luke sat back, allowing his food to settle. But once Yoda had retired to his couch, Luke sat forward.
"You must know why I am here." He began.
Yoda nodded. "Yes... and no. Asked me nothing in that regards, have you."
Luke realized he was right. "Master Yoda... will you teach me the Jedi side of the Force? I already had training under my father, but... I want more." He cringed as he realized how that had come out. "I mean, I'm not seeking for power like a Sith would. I want more knowledge, I want a fuller education in the Force." He fumbled to a halt, looking to his fingers uncertainly.
"Want to come into your true potential, you do." Yoda finished for him softly.
Luke met the Master's eyes. "Yes."
Yoda held Luke's gaze. "What will you do with this knowledge and training I would give you?"
Luke took a breath. "I would work to remove my parents from power. And then I would strive to bring the galaxy out from an Empire's oppression to become a free galaxy where everyone will have an equal voice."
Yoda studied Luke a long time, contemplating. "Willing, are you, to do whatever needs to be done?"
Luke nodded. "I am. I... would rather not have to kill my father, or my mother, but... it may come to that. It would be hard, but..." Luke looked away. "This is what I need to do. I have felt it. And I want to be my own person. I've killed for my parents, and I have seen and lived under their tyrannical rule. I will put a stop to it. With help, of course: Leia is in on this too."
Yoda blinked, his ears shifting as he took that in. "Working with the Rebellion, is she?"
"Yes. However, she will also remain with my parents and be a double agent," Luke told the other.
Yoda hesitated. "Understand how dangerous that is, do you both?"
Luke lifted a brow. "We understand more than anyone else, Master Yoda, trust me."
Yoda was silent for a long time, though Luke knew he was contemplating all the information. "More to say on the matter of training, have you?"
"Actually, yes." Luke shifted forward some. "I don't want to be locked down onto Dagobah the entire time. I would like to be mobile, to travel and learn from peoples around the galaxy. I have heard of races in the unknown regions that have their own ways of using the Force."
Yoda lifted a hand. "There are, though they may not share all their knowledge."
"I don't want all of it, just something to add to my learning."
Yoda nodded slowly, deliberately. "Very well. Time among the stars we will spend, though land-based training will be required also."
"And I will be running a few supply runs for Talon Karrde." Luke added. "He and I have an agreement. He loaned me the ship and supplies, as well as agreeing to let me come and go, and in return I help him with shipments or other things he may need."
Yoda lifted a brow, but didn't retort. "My identity, remain hidden it shall. If known I become to the general public, in grave danger we will all be."
Luke nodded. "I agree, and understand." He couldn't help but offer an irreverent grin, "both of us are dead men walking."
Yoda sighed in exasperation, muttering something about Skywalkers under his breath, but Luke felt his humor at the comment. Eventually he even garnered a chuckle from the elderly Jedi. "Right you are, my young Skywalker. Begin we shall, in the morning. Three days you will spend here: into shape you will need to get."
Luke pursed his lips. "I am in shape, Master."
Yoda gave Luke a look he knew meant trouble. "Find out tomorrow, we will, if that is true."
It was Luke's turn to laugh, though he was also admittedly nervous at that pronouncement. However, he wasn't about to back down, so he bowed his head to the Jedi Master. "Thank you Master Yoda."
