Star Wars_ The New Jedi Order_ Dark Tide 02_ Ruin - Michael A. Stackpole [15]
“Master, you have not been alone in creating that impression.”
“No, Kyp, but it was up to me to see the error of it and take steps to counter it. Again, the failure to do that has been mine. Now, better than any other time, we must project the correct image of the Jedi. We have to inspire hope for the people.”
Daeshara’cor launched herself from the stage and landed in an agile crouch. She straightened up slowly, then bowed her head to Luke. “With all due respect, Master, I think you are wrong.”
The Jedi Master kept his voice even. “Please, Daeshara’cor, explain.”
The black-eyed female began slowly, her voice low enough to demand the attention of everyone in the room. “So much was lost during the dark time of the Empire, Master, that we do not know a lot about the Jedi; yet what we do know flies in the face of what you are saying. You were trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda to be a warrior. Three times you engaged Darth Vader, and you survived or defeated him. For you to say now that Jedi are not warriors is to deny your success and the freedom of billions that your efforts won.”
She glanced at the white-haired woman seated in the third row. “Tionne has been tireless in collecting all the Jedi history she can, and what do we find: ballads and tales that celebrate great victories by Jedi. The martial aspect of our tradition can’t be denied, Master, and I think it is to this tradition we need to look again to defeat the Yuuzhan Vong.”
Kam Solusar, his white hair cut short, folded his arms across his chest. “You’ve got a huge flaw in your logic there, Daeshara’cor. You say we’ve lost so much, then you build a whole based on the parts we do have. Fact is that for every grand battle a Jedi might have had, there could have been thousands of little victories. Victories just like the ones the Master is saying we’ll need to deal with the Yuuzhan Vong.
“More importantly, his point about focus is critical. It’s obvious to everyone here. Kyp almost died fighting the Yuuzhan Vong. Miko Reglia did die fighting them. Why? Because they engaged the Yuuzhan Vong when they didn’t know who or what they were.”
Kyp snarled. “But Corran had the benefit of my knowledge and his own scouting of the Yuuzhan Vong, and he came far closer to death than I did.”
Corran nodded. “Yes. On Bimmiel the danger was very focused, and still I almost ended up dead. When we know enough to launch good missions, we’ll have a much better chance of success. Much better than with a series of amorphous efforts to attack and defeat the Vong.”
Luke held a hand out. “We need to cool down here for a bit. We don’t want emotions flaring and things getting out of control. Regardless of beliefs in offensive or defensive postures, we all can see the wisdom of dealing with the Yuuzhan Vong when danger focuses itself, right? As Corran said, once we have a focus, we can plan and use our abilities to the best in dealing with the danger. Agreed?”
Most of the Jedi nodded their heads, Kyp included—which made Luke feel a bit better. He may not agree with the course of action we will take, but he has agreed that his course requires limits, and that is a victory I’ll gladly take. Daeshara’cor was the only notable holdout, but she’d always been reasonable in the past.
The Jedi Master smiled slowly. “I do have some bad news. We’re going to have some limits placed on our efforts. I learned from my sister yesterday that the New Republic will not sanction or support any Jedi operations in the invasion corridor.”
“What?” Kyp’s surprise exploded out like a supernova. “That’s pure madness. We’re their best hope, and they won’t have us working with them?”
Octa Ramis, a strongly built young woman from a high-gravity planet, shook her