Chapter 6

"All I want is peace. Sacrifices must be made for the greater good. It is the only way. I don't make the rules, I just play the game," Jacen explained to Callista a few days later. Despite his recent outburst, Jacen had started to open up to Callista. It seemed he liked having someone to talk to about his grand plans.

"This is not a game," Callista replied. She ran her tongue over the tender scab on her bottom lip. Mara seemed to think they were making progress, but Callista was intimately aware of the fact that Jacen was as dangerous as ever.

"You're right. It's much more than that. It's not about you or me. It's much bigger than any one person," Jacen continued. He was leaning back slightly in a high-backed chair, his chin resting thoughtfully against the fingers of his black-gloved right hand.

"So you're saying it's okay to kill people, to kill anyone, everyone, as long as it's the name of your grand scheme?"

He stared at her, his eyes deadly serious. "The greatest gift I can give anyone is to make them a part of something greater."

It was clear to Callista that Jacen's belief in his purpose and principles would not be shaken by a direct attack. She would have to try something a bit more subtle. But what?

Callista would have liked to talk things over with Mara, but she was afraid Mara was losing her connection to the living world. Mara had not spoken directly to Callista for some time, though Callista still often felt her presence, as she did now. One of Jacen's words still echoed through Callista's mind: sacrifice. She figured it was Mara drawing her attention to the word. After she thought for a moment, Callista decided that was what Mara was to Jacen, a sacrifice. So he was willing to sacrifice his aunt to his delusion. But what about his friends? His cousin, his sister? Would all of them fall victim to the madness? What about Jacen himself? Would he take his own life if it came down to it?

Yes, Callista mused, he probably would take his own life if he thought it would help his purpose. But there were things that were more important to Jacen than life and death. When Callista had mentioned Anakin, Jacen had asserted that he remembered Anakin, though others had forgotten. Was that really what this was about? Being remembered?

The whisperkit. That's the important part . . .

It seemed like a long shot, but Callista decided to try to appeal to Jacen from a different direction. "What happened to your pets?" she asked.

Jacen had stopped staring at Callista and was once again focused on his datapad. If he was thrown by the sudden change of subject he didn't show it. Rather he scoffed and replied, "Pets are for children."

"You really think so?"

"Animals just get in the way. Warriors and leaders don't have time for anything so frivolous."

"You used to love animals." Jacen scowled, but Callista continued. "You thought someday you could learn to communicate with them through the Force, remember?"

"I was just a stupid kid."

"No, you weren't. Your love of animals, your compassion for other living things, is a part of you and it always will be. It doesn't matter how deep you bury it, you can't change it. Pretending to be someone else won't change who you used to be." Jacen looked down at her with disdain, but didn't say anything. "How do you expect others to remember you if you've already forgotten yourself?"

"I haven't forgotten anything." Jacen replied, contemptuously. "I've just learned what the galaxy is really like. Bloodshed and suffering, everywhere you look. But I can change it. If I'm willing to do what it takes. And I am."

"No matter the cost?"

"I would gladly give my life to make the galaxy a more civil place."

"Many people are willing to give their own life to their cause. But you, Jacen, have so far only given the lives of others."

"I'm not a coward. I do what is necessary. Speaking of which, I have somewhere to be."

Jacen was halfway to the door when Callista asked, "What if there was another way?" Jacen did not acknowledge her final remark, but Callista thought she detected the slightest falter in his stride as he walked away.