Star Wars_ Fate of the Jedi 08_ Ascension - Christie Golden [98]
Leia was so stunned she couldn’t speak for a moment. Even Han looked surprised.
“Luke—I don’t know if—” she started.
“I know, I know,” Luke said. “But this needs to happen, Leia. I’ll explain my reasoning when we get together, and I know you’ll understand. Meet me at the Temple. We’ll grab a cup of caf, work up a game plan, and then head over to the Senate chamber.”
“All right, we’ll be there shortly. By the way, my nephew is apparently wandering around the Jedi Temple in the company of a Sith girl. I’m going to want to hear about that, too.”
Luke chuckled. “I promise. See you soon.”
OFFICES OF THE CHIEF OF STATE, CORUSCANT
“Grand Master Skywalker,” Wynn Dorvan said, rising as Luke, Leia, and Saba entered the meeting room at the offices of the Chief of State. He extended a hand. Luke took it, smiling. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you,” Luke said. “It’s good to be home.” Even if it is only for a short while, Luke thought.
“Jedi Solo, also good to have you back,” Dorvan said, turning to Leia. “I hope your trip went well.”
Leia gave him a smile. “Indeed it did.”
“Master Sebatyne. Welcome. Grand Master, I don’t know that you’ve met Senator Haydnat Treen, of Kuat.”
The elderly woman rose with fluid grace, smiling warmly at Luke. “Master Skywalker,” she said. “What a pleasure to finally meet you. We are so very glad you have returned.”
Luke was used to dealing with politicians. He was not as familiar with them as Leia was, but he did not much care for the rather unctuous Senator. He sensed a coolness behind her effusiveness, a calculation, and secrets that were well kept.
Of course, he mused, that could be said of most politicians. And all beings had secrets. Nonetheless, her presence in the Force was not one that endeared her to him. He smiled pleasantly.
“Thank you. And of course I know of you, Senator Treen. Master Sebatyne informs me that you have helped things move along quite smoothly during your tenure as acting joint Chief of State.”
Nothing changed physically, but he felt her put up her guard. Treen was not Force-sensitive, but the effect was very similar. She knew how to keep things buried. Quite deep.
Further pleasantries were exchanged, then the five of them sat around the table.
“I’ll get right to the point,” Luke said. “Senator Treen, Dorvan—I believe you know that the Jedi never intended to rule the Galactic Alliance. The coup was performed for the sole purpose of eliminating a leader who had become a threat to the very government she was attempting to run, nothing more. And this triumvirate the three of you have managed was meant only as an interim measure.”
“It’s been working rather well,” Treen said. “All things considered.”
“And the galaxy is fortunate that three cool heads prevailed,” Luke said. “But I must inform you now that one of those beings will no longer be able to perform in that role any longer. I intend to withdraw the Jedi from any position of power or authority in the Galactic Alliance. The Jedi will become an order responsible only to itself and to those beings it serves.”
That took both Treen and Dorvan aback. Luke went on to tell them what he had told the Masters—that the Jedi needed to become autonomous. That the Sith and Abeloth still needed to be hunted, as the threat they posed was not just to the Galactic Alliance, but to the entire galaxy. And that while Luke trusted that no one in this room was on their way to becoming a second Daala, he believed that the Jedi needed to be able to act on their own, freely and immediately, with no one to forbid or direct them.
As he expected, he sensed both dismay and relief from Treen and Dorvan. “Daala’s desire to make the Jedi perform like an extension of her own will was ill advised from the start,” Dorvan said. “Her first mistake was in exiling you, and she continued