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“Sure. I believed that of many of the criminals I arrested with CorSec, but that doesn’t mean I think they should be released from Kessel before their sentences are up.”

“Compassion is a Jedi’s strength.”

“And how compassionate is it to the friends and relatives of Kyp’s victims to see him free and exalted?”

The Jedi Master regarded me warily. “The blood of millions is on my hands, too. The crew of the Death Star. The people slain while I served the Emperor reborn.”

I sat forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “The Death Star was a military installation and self-defense, pure and simple. While you served the Emperor, yes, people did die—but you sabotaged the Imperial effort, saving the lives of many more than you killed. In a time when all choices are evil, choosing the least of the evils is a virtue.”

I paused for a moment. “Punishment for a crime serves a multitude of purposes. It proves there is a consequence for violating the social contract that binds us all. It serves as a deterrent to others who contemplate committing such acts. Lastly, and most important here, is that the infliction of just punishment establishes and sustains the moral authority of a group. In trying to reestablish the Jedi Knights, this is important.”

Luke shook his head. “And I think it is just as important to show that evil can be forgiven, amends can be made. I think you also need to remember Kyp was under Exar Kun’s control when he committed his crimes.”

I shook my head. “I don’t believe it. Under his influence, perhaps, but not under his control.”

“How can you say that?”

“It’s simple.” I looked at him openly. “If Kyp had been under Exar Kun’s control, you’d be dead.”

“What?”

“Think about it, Master Skywalker. Kun uses Kyp to force you out of your body, then spends the next ten days trying to get someone else to kill you? He uses ancient monsters and poor old Streen to get the job done, when all he needed to do was have Kyp strap your body to the Sun Crusher and fly on out into space. Or, to make it simpler, though messier, Kyp just parks the Sun Crusher on your unconscious form. Why didn’t that happen? Because Kyp didn’t want to kill you. You weren’t his enemy, only Exar Kun’s enemy. Kyp wouldn’t have attacked you except that you would have stopped him from taking the Sun Crusher out and killing Imps.”

“No, that’s not possible.” Luke stood and began pacing beside his bed, then glanced over at me. “I think your time with CorSec has made you too suspicious. You think too much about this stuff.”

“Oh?” My head came up and I felt anger beginning to rise in me. “I think, sometimes, you don’t think enough, Master Skywalker.”

That stopped him. “Really?” His blue eyes became as icy as the tone of his voice. “Would you care to enlighten me?”

I sat back and held my hands up. “You don’t want me to do this.”

Luke nodded and opened his hands toward me. “No, please.”

“You’re the Jedi Master. You know better than I what you’re doing.”

Luke’s expression hardened. “Tell me what you think, tell me where you think I am going wrong.”

“Okay.” Gathering my courage, I kept my face impassive and my voice even. “Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda both knew your father had been Anakin Skywalker, and had become Darth Vader. You and your sister were separated at birth and hidden away from him to keep you safe, correct?”

Luke nodded.

“Then how is it that you were brought to live on Tatooine? Wasn’t that Obi-Wan Kenobi’s homeworld? You were allowed to live under the name Skywalker. Did they expect Vader’s people would overlook such a reference? And weren’t you trying to get into the Imperial Academy at Carida? Wouldn’t Vader’s people notice that name on your application?”

Luke focused distantly. “Are you trying to say they were using me as bait to lure Vader into a trap where Obi-Wan could confront him?”

“I don’t know, but from a certain point of view, that could appear to be the truth, couldn’t it? Or it could be something as benign as wanting you to grow up with the Skywalker