Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 12_ Return to Ord Mantell - Kevin J. Anderson [3]
"Oh, my," Em Teedee said. "I do hope you aren't planning any emergencies.
In future, I suggest that we avoid any adventures that might involve emergencies. Far too dangerous, if you ask me."
"Come on, Em Teedee," Jacen said. "We've upgraded your capabilities.
Don't you want to test your limits?"
"Indeed not," the little droid said from his place at Lowbacca's belt.
The Wookiee chuffed and patted the droid good-naturedly.
Tenel Ka's face remained solemn during this exchange-then again, she usually was serious, Jacen thought, even though he constantly tried to make her laugh. "I am ready for whatever circumstances dictate," she said. "We are now required to look at the fire and listen to Master Skywalker."
"This is a fact," Jacen said with a chuckle, repeating Tenel Ka's own oft-used phrase.
Earlier that afternoon, a ship had come in bearing a pair of Jedi Knights who had been trainees when Luke Skywalker founded his Jedi academy here.
The two Jedi visitors, exhausted from a dangerous mission they had just completed, had gone quickly into the temple to refresh themselves. Not long afterward, Luke had announced a celebration for that evening. Jacen wondered eagerly what his uncle intended to talk about.
Now the fire blazed high. Orange flames crackled through the pile of dead wood; spicy-smelling smokb waited upward from the burning lichens and mosses that clung to the underbrush. While the last few Jedi trainees made their way to their seats, Jacen played with a small bluishgreen frill lizard he had found making a nest out of a mound of dry leaves in a crevice between the Great Temple's stone blocks.
The lizard appeared content to sit on Jacen's left fist, but seemed much less comfortable with Jacen's opposite hand. Every time he brought his right forefinger close to the lizard's nose, the creature flared out an intimidating scarlet frill around its neck and flapped its scales in self-defense. When Jacen pulled his finger away, the frill went back down. He moved his finger close again; the frill reappeared, and the lizard's eyes opened wide.
Tenel Ka watched with interest. The lizard-skin armor she wore clung to her body and glittered in the firelight. Though the night would be cool, the warrior girl never seemed to require any more warmth than the supple armor provided.
As a hush fell over the crowd gathered by the ancient pyramid, Master Skywalker stepped in front of the bonfire. The flames blazed higher behind him. He stood silhouetted in warm light, just a normalsized man, despite the fact that he had changed the fate of the entire galaxy.
"We're all here because we are-or want to be-Jedi Knights," Luke said.
"Except for me, of course," Em Teedee said primly, and Lowie shushed him with a growl.
"Jedi Knights protected the Republic... but it is important for us to think about whether being protected is always, good." He paused to let that sink in. Tenel Ka frowned, and Jacen tried to think of a circumstance where protection might not be desired.
"We learn from our mistakes," Luke continued. "And sometimes, if we shelter people from all the bad things that can happen, they don't learn to protect themselves... and even greater tragedies may occur."
During this speech, Zekk quietly joined his friends on the ledge.
One arm was bandaged. Lowie rumbled a question, but Zekk just gave a secretive smile and focused on Master Skywalker.
"I grew up on Tatooine," Luke said. "A desert planet with two suns. I was the foster son of my uncle Owen, a poor moisture farmer who had little happiness in a life filled only with hard work. Aunt Beru spent days at home watching the farm while my uncle and I checked our moisture vaporators, or went into Anchorhead or Mos Eisley to get supplies we couldn't buy from Jawa traders.
"Uncle Owen knew who I was: the son of Anakin Skywalker, whom most of you remember as Darth Vader. My uncle knew I had the