Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [23]
“Some would argue that it is their world, too,” said Perre Needmo.
“It is,” she said at once. “It is both our worlds. But we have only ever shared Qaras as masters and slaves. The Jessar do not know how to be other than slaves when interacting with the Minyavish. And with those who enslaved us still on our world …” She sighed and shook her head, the colorful ribbons catching the lights of the studio.
“No, Perre. We must be alone, to discover who we are when our heads are not bowed. And we cannot do that while our former oppressors are still on Qaras. Nor can the Minyavish truly wash themselves clean of the stain of what they have done while they still gaze upon us.”
Her voice had grown stronger, though it was still melodious. Abeloth watched raptly, not wanting to take her eyes off Roki Kem.
“This is the best thing for both Minyavish and Jessar. For us both to discover how to heal. For them to depart the world they know as masters, and find a world where they can simply be themselves. And as for us, the Jessar need to know how to be on Qaras as a true, active part of it—not as property.”
Her voice broke on the last word.
“You seem like such a peaceful being, Roki,” Perre Needmo continued. “Yet you condoned violence.”
“I did,” she replied unflinchingly. “But the coup came only after every other peaceful method of obtaining our freedom had been attempted. It was, in the end, our last resort. To this day, I regret that it had to come to that. We did the best we could to avoid bloodshed. I have met with the families of the Minyavish who died in the coup, and told them how deeply we regretted what we had to do.”
That seemed to catch Needmo off-guard. He blinked his large eyes and took a moment to clear his throat. “How … was that received?”
“Not well, I fear. And I understand. But I do not lie, and so, eventually, I believe with all my heart that they, too, will understand.” She smiled, gently, her green eyes warm with hope. “When they see the peace that must come with having no one to dominate, to own and dictate to—they will understand that their loved ones died for a precious cause.”
“I must say, if anyone can make them believe that, I think that would be you.”
She laughed—a sound light and bright as sunlight, sweet as water flowing. “I would say, rather, I would not make them believe—I simply have absolute trust that they will.”
“Now, the latest I have heard is that you are to be departing for Coruscant to join the Senate of the Galactic Alliance, is that correct?” Needmo asked.
“Very true. I’ll be departing Qaras soon.”
“It seems to me your people will miss you greatly,” Needmo continued. “Some say that you are the heart of this new order.”
She smiled, her face softly radiant. “Oh, no, I should hate to be that. My entire philosophy rejects this. Everyone has something special, something truly unique, to contribute. I had what was needed at the time it was needed, nothing more or less. Those who stood by me for so many years are as able as I am to guide my people. I do not say lead—simply guide.”
“It will be very interesting indeed to see what you bring to the Senate, Rokari Kem. I would say a breath of fresh air, but that would be an understatement. Thank you so much for being with us here on The Perre Needmo Newshour. We’ll close out this segment with a long shot of the celebrations still going on in Qaras. For those of us who do not understand Jessaran, I will say that the song’s refrain is this: ‘Peace, welcome, Roki Kem is your mother. Come, children, come, come home.’ ”
It was nearly twilight on the world, Abeloth saw, and there was no cheering, no wild celebrating—simply dancing, if you could call it that.
Other leaders might be idolized, worshipped, adored.
Roki Kem … was loved.
Peace, welcome, Roki Kem is your mother. Come, children, come, come home …
OFFICES OF THE CHIEF OF STATE, CORUSCANT