Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [92]
At last the ebullience subsided slightly, and Luke motioned for everyone to take their seats. “Thank you for your welcome,” he said. “You’ve no idea how good it is to be home, at least for a while. I’ve missed you, and this Temple, so very much. I told Master Sebatyne, and I want to tell you all, that I commend you for your actions during my absence, hard and personally painful though some of those choices had to be. And I must warn you, there are difficult times ahead. But I know we will triumph.
“I believe you have all been caught up on what has transpired while Ben and I were traveling, thanks to Ben and Cilghal’s correspondence.” He smiled at the Mon Calamari, who inclined her head. “When my sentence was lifted, there was nothing stopping me from sending you all I knew about Abeloth, the Sith, and what we’ve learned about them during our travels.”
Luke hesitated, wondering how much he should say about one thing in particular. He didn’t want to discuss it in so formal a setting, but it was better to address it now than to have rumors, accurate or not, flying.
“We are bringing home a guest with us. You know about Vestara Khai, daughter of Sith Saber Gavar Khai. She has worked with Ben and me for a while now, initially reluctantly, but recently wholeheartedly. She has expressed interest in becoming a Jedi.”
Murmurs rippled through the room. “No disrespect intended, Master Luke, but are you certain her … conversion is genuine?” asked Katarn.
“She was attacked by her own father, who clearly intended to kill her,” Luke said. “She killed him defending herself. There’s nothing for her on her homeworld now. And,” he added, “she seems devoted to Ben, and he to her. She allowed herself to be open in the Force, and her desire is sincere.”
“How open?” asked Octa Ramis.
“Open enough so I sensed she was hiding nothing.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
The others nodded their agreement. Their trust in his abilities was humbling.
“So unless there are any questions,” continued Luke, “there are two matters of great import I’d like to address. Both involve how the Jedi Order is going to move forward, given the circumstances. Since Daala’s deposition, I have given a great deal of thought as to what our role should be, and I have come to a decision.”
Disciplined Masters that they were, everyone had settled down to listen intently once Luke had started speaking. All eyes were on him. Luke hoped that they would understand and agree with his decision, but he was prepared to make it an order if they didn’t.
“I firmly believe the Jedi should not be in charge of the Galactic Alliance. What you have done so far was necessary to keep order. But it’s time we move, and move quickly, to transition out of the government. And once we have done so—”
Luke took a deep breath, bracing himself for the inevitable protest.
“We leave Coruscant. Completely.”
“What?” The word came from so many throats at once that it was hard to pinpoint exactly who was talking.
“To what end?” asked Kyle Katarn.
“Leave the Temple? For good, you mean?” Kyp asked.
“This one will not leave!” Saba lashed her tail. Luke was surprised—earlier she had been almost dejected in her attitude. Now he did not need to use the Force to sense her determination and resentment.
He held up his hands and exuded calmness. “I will answer all your questions. This is not a decision I came to lightly.”
Luke knew that by opening with such a controversial subject, he had startled the Masters. Some of them were likely wondering if his recent confrontations with the Sith and with Abeloth had addled his wits.
Those who had stood resumed their seats, even Saba, and Luke continued. “There are several reasons for this. One—and this will soon be made public, not just to the Jedi Order but to everyone—is that we need to make it clear beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Jedi Order is not interested in politics. The coup was necessary, and you all handled it well. But