Star Wars_ Darth Bane 02_ Rule of Two - Drew Karpyshyn [23]
These were honest, decent people. But driven by hate and anger, they would butcher their helpless foes in cold blood if he didn’t stop them. Johun knew that once their anger faded, the memory of their bloody vengeance would haunt them. Guilt and self-loathing would eat away at Bordon and his boys until it eventually destroyed them. Johun wasn’t about to let that happen.
Turning his attention back to Irtanna, he saw hate in her eyes as well. However, hers was a cold, calculated emotion—a professional soldier regarding an enemy. He recognized she wouldn’t kill prisoners on her own, but she also wouldn’t do anything to stop the others. And he knew what he had to do.
“This isn’t why Farfalla sent you,” he reminded the pilot in a low voice. “You’re supposed to be helping the survivors.”
Irtanna eyed him suspiciously but didn’t say anything. Johun was reluctant to use the Force to bend her will to his own again. Subconsciously she might be more aware of his interference a second time and more likely to resist. Besides, it was important that she truly believe in what he was telling her. Compelling her obedience was a temporary solution, and one that could ultimately cause her to resent or mistrust him and the rest of the Jedi.
“Let me out and I’ll take the mercenaries into custody,” Johun said, offering up a plan. “Contact the fleet, and they’ll send another ship to pick up the three of us.”
The words weren’t easy for him to say. He’d defied Farfalla—a Jedi Master—to come to this world. The last thing he wanted was to leave Ruusan now, so soon after arriving. Yet he was willing to make that sacrifice if it would prevent Bordon and his sons from giving in to their rash and reckless emotions. It was his duty as a Jedi to protect their lives, even if it meant abandoning his own personal crusade.
“You and the others should take the shuttle and head south to the battlefield,” he continued. “Go help the injured. That’s what you’re here for.”
Irtanna hesitated, then gave a curt nod of acknowledgment. Johun was barely more than a boy; the long thin braid in his hair clearly marked that he had not yet completed his Padawan training. But he was still a member of the Jedi Order. That counted for a lot among the Republic troops. He’d been relying on that to help her see the wisdom of his words.
Confident that Irtanna would keep Bordon and his sons out of trouble, Johun got up from his chair and made his way to the rear of the Star-Wake. He did his best to ignore the accusing eyes of the two angry young men as he waited for the shuttle’s exit hatch to open. When it finally did, he leapt out and landed nimbly on the ground, then made his way quickly toward the pair standing patiently nearby, their hands still raised high above their heads. Once he was clear of the vessel, the engines roared to life and the ship lifted into the air and took off … much to the dismay of the two mercenaries.
“Where are they going?” the woman demanded, her voice a high-pitched squeak of panic. “No! They can’t leave us here!”
Her arms dropped back to her sides, as did her companion’s. For a second Johun worried that they might make a move for their weapons, but then he realized they were too distraught over the Star-Wake’s exit to even think about attacking him.
“Don’t let them go!” the man shouted, turning away from Johun to watch as the craft flew off and out of sight, then whirling back to implore the young Jedi once more. “Make them turn around! Tell them to come back!” There was a desperate urgency in his voice that mirrored the tone of his companion.
“Don’t worry,” the young Jedi assured them. “Another ship is on the way.”
“We can’t stay here,” the woman insisted. “There’s no time. He’ll find us. He’ll find us!”
“It’s okay,” Johun explained, holding up a calming hand. “I can protect