Star Wars_ The Jedi Academy Trilogy 01_ Jedi Search - Kevin J. Anderson [8]
He let his words hang, then took another breath. “Now we have a New Republic. The Empire appears to be defeated. We have founded a new government based upon the old, but let us hope we learn from our mistakes. Before, an entire order of Jedi watched over the Republic, offering strength. Now I am the only Jedi Master who remains.
“Without that order of protectors to provide a backbone of strength for the New Republic, can we survive? Will we be able to weather the storms and the difficulties of forging a new union? Until now we have suffered severe struggles—but in the future they will be seen as nothing more than birth pangs.”
Before the other senators could disagree with that, Luke continued. “Our people had a common foe in the Empire, and we must not let our defenses lapse just because we have internal problems. More to the point, what will happen when we begin squabbling among ourselves over petty matters? The old Jedi helped to mediate many types of disputes. What if there are no Jedi Knights to protect us in the difficult times ahead?”
Luke moved under the diffracting rainbow colors from the crystal light overhead. He took his time to fix his gaze on all the senators present; he turned his attention to Leia last. Her eyes were wide but supportive. He had not discussed his idea with her beforehand.
“My sister is undergoing Jedi training. She has a great deal of skill in the Force. Her three children are also likely candidates to be trained as young Jedi. In recent years I have come to know a woman named Mara Jade, who is now unifying the smugglers—the former smugglers,” he amended, “into an organization that can support the needs of the New Republic. She also has a talent for the Force. I have encountered others in my travels.”
Another pause. The audience was listening so far. “But are these the only ones? We already know that the ability to use the Force is passed from generation to generation. Most of the Jedi were killed in the Emperor’s purge—but could he possibly have eradicated all of the descendants of those Knights? I myself was unaware of the potential power within me until Obi-Wan Kenobi taught me how to use it. My sister Leia was similarly unaware.”
“How many people are abroad in this galaxy who have a comparable strength in the Force, who are potential members of a new order of Jedi Knights, but are unaware of who they are?”
Luke looked at them again. “In my brief search I have already discovered that there are indeed some descendants of former Jedi. I have come here to ask”—he turned to gesture toward Mon Mothma, swept his hand across the people gathered there in the chamber—“for two things.”
“First, that the New Republic officially sanction my search for those with a hidden talent for the Force, to seek them out and try to bring them to our service. For this I will need some help.”
Admiral Ackbar interrupted, blinking his huge fish eyes and turning his head. “But if you yourself did not know your power when you were young, how will these other people know? How will you find them, Jedi Skywalker?”
Luke folded his hands in front of him. “Several ways. First, with the help of two dedicated droids who will spend their days searching through the Imperial City databases, we may find likely candidates, people who have experienced miraculous strokes of luck, whose lives seem filled with incredible coincidences. We could look for people who seem unusually charismatic or those whom legend credits with working miracles. These could all be unconscious manifestations of a skill with the Force.”
Luke held up another finger. “As well, the droids could search the database for forgotten descendants of known Jedi Knights from the Old Republic days. We should turn up a few leads.”
“And what will you yourself be doing?” Mon Mothma asked, shifting in her robes.