Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 03_ The Lost Ones - Kevin J. Anderson [28]
Brakiss frowned sympathetically. "But then you wouldn't know, would you?
Your friends never took you there." His voice turned up in a question.
"Did they? Even for a visit?"
Zekk shook his head.
"Well, I am training new Jedi, powerful warriors to help bring back the glory and order of a new Empire. The Rebel Alliance is a criminal movement. You wouldn't understand that, because you're too young to remember what it was like under Emperor Palpatine."
"I hate the Empire!" Zekk said.
"No you don't," Brakiss assured him. "Your friends have told you to hate the Empire, but you never witnessed any of it firsthand. You've only seen their version of history. You realize, of course, that whichever government is in charge always makes the defeated enemy look like a monster. I will tell you the truth. The Empire had very little political chaos. Every person had opportunities. There were no gangs running wild through the streets of Coruscant. Everyone had a task to do, and they did it willingly."
"Besides, what does galactic politics have to do with you, young Zekk?
You've never been concerned with such things. Would your life really change if the Chief of State were replaced by a different politician in a different Empire? If you work with us, on the other hand, your life could be much improved."
Zekk shook his head, clamping his teeth together. "I won't betray my friends," he growled.
"Your friends," Brakiss said. "Oh, yes... the ones who never tested you for Jedi potential, the ones who only come to visit you when it fits into their social schedule. They're going to leave you behind, you know, as they find more 'important' work to do. They'll forget about you so fast you won't have time to blink."
"No," Zekk whispered. "No they won't."
"Tell me, what does the future hold for you?" Brakiss continued, his voice persuasive. "Certainly, you've made friends that move in rich and important circles-but will you ever be a part of that? Be honest with yourself."
Zekk didn't answer, though he knew the truth deep in his heart.
"You'll be scavenging for the rest of your years, selling trinkets to earn enough credits for your next meal. Do you really have any chance for power or glory or importance of your own?"
Again, Zekk refused to answer. Brakiss leaned forward, his beautifully chiseled features radiating kindness and concern. "I'm offering you that chance, boy. Are you brave enough to take it?"
Zekk searched for the strength to resist, focused on a thread of anger.
"The same chance you offered to Jaina and Jacen? They told me how you kidnapped them, brought them to the Shadow Academy, and tortured them."
"Tortured them?" Brakiss laughed and shook his blond head. "I suppose after being pampered all their lives, a bit of hard work might seem like torture. I offered to train them to become powerful Jedi-I admit it was a mistake. We wanted young Jedi Knights to train, but the candidates we invited were too high-profile. The risk was greater than we had anticipated, and it called too much attention to our academy."
"So I decided to change my plan. As I told you, the Force moves as strongly within the less-fortunate as in those who are rich and powerful.
Your social status doesn't concern me in the least, Zekk-only your talent and your willingness to develop it. Tamith Kai and I have decided to search among the lower levels of society for people whose potential is just as great as in those among the higher levels, and yet whose disappearance won't cause such a stir. People with the incentive to work with us."
Zekk scowled, but Brakiss's eyes blazed. "If you join us, I guarantee you the name of Zekk will never be ignored or forgotten."
The cell door opened again, and a stormtrooper held out a tray with steaming beverages and delicious-looking pastries. "Let's have a snack while we keep talking,"