Star Wars_ I, Jedi - Michael A. Stackpole [109]
After Master Skywalker returned with Kyp from destroying the Sun Crusher, and after Kyp had healed up from his injuries, I asked to speak to Luke alone. We met in the simple room where he lived. He looked a bit weary, but buoyant nonetheless. “What is it, Keiran?”
I leaned against the doorjamb with my right shoulder, taking pressure off my left leg. “I can’t stay here any longer.”
Looking up from the bed where he sat, Luke stared through me for a moment. “Not you, too.”
I wasn’t certain what he meant by that remark. I suspected it might have had something to do with Mara Jade and her quick departure after delivering me back to the Great Temple. Tionne had said that Mara looked in on Luke while he slept, but left without speaking to him. Luke had clearly assumed that she had come to Yavin when she heard he had fallen ill, and his discovering that was not the case seemed to cause him some discomfort.
“I can’t stay because there are things here that just are not working.” I glanced down and added in a smaller voice. “For me, they’re not working.”
“Things have not been perfect by any means, but that’s no reason for you to leave.” Luke frowned at me. “There could be adjustments. We can fix things.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think you can.”
“Give me an example.”
I stepped into the room and found both of my hands balled into fists. “It’s a lot of things. Just the way you run this place. If it weren’t for the bugs, the monsters and the Dark Lords of the Sith, this place would be a holiday resort. I’ve had more challenges learning how to eat Twi’lek food.”
Luke’s jaw dropped open. “How can you say that?”
I tapped my breastbone with my right hand. “I’ve been through a training academy, remember? I recall having my life radically altered. A training camp breaks you down and rebuilds you into the person the organization wants you to be.”
The Jedi Master’s face darkened. “I don’t want to be turning out Jedi clones.”
“You’re missing the point. Training academies don’t turn out clones. They don’t erase the personality of the people they’re dealing with, they merely make sure that individual is prepared to handle all of the challenges their new job will thrust at them.” I spread my arms wide. “While we did manage to deal with Exar Kun, we could have done things more efficiently and more effectively had we been a team before that, not becoming one because of it.”
Luke closed his eyes for a second, then nodded. “I understand what you are telling me. There certainly is room for change. I can look at the CorSec Academy and see if there are things we need to adapt. You can help me do that.”
“You can get New Republic Armed Forces drill instructors to do that sort of stuff.” I hesitated for a moment, then glanced down at the floor. “The fact is, I can’t remain here with Kyp.”
“He’s changed, Keiran, changed a lot.”
“I don’t doubt it. Murdering billions will do that to a fellow.” My eyes narrowed as I looked up. “I know the New Republic turned him over to you for judgment and he passed some sort of test.…”
“Yes. I took him to Exar Kun’s temple.…”
“You what?” My mouth hung open. “You took him back to that Sith stronghold?”
Luke nodded calmly. “In that domain of evil he was able to come to grips with his dark side. He has been able to lay his past behind him.”
“And that’s it?!”
“No, he further atoned by helping to destroy the Sun Crusher.” Luke’s face sharpened. “He almost died doing that.”
I pulled a chair out from Luke’s desk and dropped myself down in it. “I’m sure it was harrowing for him, but I have a hard time with someone who destroyed star systems being made a Jedi Knight and held up as an example to the people of the New Republic.”
Luke stiffened. “Don’t you believe he could be redeemed? Don’t you believe it is