Chapter 11: A Tempting Offer
After hearing this last requirement, every cell in Rey’s body was on edge. Her Master had told her the Jedi had maintained peace in the Galaxy for more than 1,000 years as political advisers. She had hoped to, like the masters before, help guide the New Republic as it rebuilt. It was true she wanted to establish a home base first, but unlike Luke, she didn’t intend to leave the Galaxy to fend for itself. She wanted to walk the path of her second Master, General Laya Skywalker.
Seeing how this Admiral was a calculating man, she controlled her emotions and decided to hear him out, though the hostility in her voice could not be hidden. “Seeing how you have an explanation for everything, tell me why I should do this.”
Looking slightly relieved that she hadn’t tuned him out, the man explained sincerely, “To maintain balance in the Force...” At this point, he hesitated again to assess her reaction.
Rey’s expression became complex at this but incited him to continue, “What do you mean by this.”
Primidian nodded and elaborated, “The balance brought about by the fulfillment of the last Great Prophecy is nearly shattered.” He gestured to Rey, “By killing the Emperor, you have vastly weakened the Dark Side’s presence in the Galaxy. At the same time, your gifts are simply too great. As your power grows, the balance will only be further jeopardized.”
This was indeed arcane wisdom but not something Rey didn’t already know, yet she didn’t understand how this related to the men’s final request. She relaxed her pensive stance and shouted, “So what, the weakening of the Dark Side will only benefit the Galaxy.”
Primidian shook his head with knowing eyes, “There is too much you aren’t aware of yet. The Dark Side is an integral aspect of the Natural Order of the cosmos. It can’t be destroyed; its form merely changes. With the Lineage of Bane eliminated, there is a vast amount of Dark Side energy with no outlet.” His eyes gained a bright clarity as though he could see through the mysteries of the universe itself, “A Correction is coming.”
Such insight fascinated Rey. She had never learned of such things from her teachers, making her hesitant. She wanted to know more, “What sort of correction.”
Primidian gestured to the Jedi, “When your Master cut himself off from the Force, the Galaxy was left in a state much as it is now. The Correction, a scrapper-girl from a backwater water plant in less than a year, gains enough power through the Light Side to destroy the most powerful Sith to ever live.”
Rey’s eyes widened with understanding as she exclaimed, “You mean the rise of a new Sith.”
The man shrugged slightly, “It’s hard to tell. Perhaps a new Sith. Perhaps a Galactic War. There are many forms the Dark side can take, some more deceitful than others. Exspecialently now…” His faded off as his eyes grew hazy as though he were thinking of some far-off threat. He snapped back to attention and added, “If the Jedi were to enter the stage of Galactic Politics, the Balance would be even more thoroughly wounded, leading to a greater Correction.”
Rey sat back down and asked in earnest, confused by this, “But why, the Jedi of the past never faced such catastrophes.”
Primidian nodded and took a sip of water before answering, “Political influence, in essence, is another form of power. The greater the power of the Light Side, the greater the Dark Side will retaliate. As for the Past, you woefully understand the genius and wisdom of the Old Jedi Order. They possessed great power but never wielded it, binding themselves with the Jedi Code and vow to self-lessness. As they only acted passively, the Dark Side could only respond passively and was thus spread thin across the stars.” He paused, then emphasized, “Only when they took on the mantle of warriors and took an active role in Galactic affairs did they give the Dark Side the window it needed to retaliate.”
Rey was reeling by these words; she and her Master never understood how the Old Jedi Order fell. Yes, there was hubris and the scheme of the Sith, but this should have been meaningless compared to their knowledge of the Force. Only now, from a stranger's lips, did a clear answer come to light. His words sounded logical and felt right deep within her as though a veil within the Force itself had been pulled back. Despite this, a growing worry bloomed within her. She uttered in a quiet voice with a intense look, “Who are you?”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
The Admiral’s completion grew soft as he responded plainly, “An ally in difficult times.”
Rey glared at him and held back no more, using the Force to trick his mind into speaking the truth, “Who are you?”
He shook his head and answered with humor in his voice, “That won’t work on me.”
The Jedi grew frustrated and held out a hand. It may be rash, but she needed an answer. Calling on all her available strength, she tried to gaze directly into his mind, growling, “Who are you?!”
Primus gave a fake yawn at this and chimed, “Your grandfather was far more skilled at mind reading, and even he couldn’t see through me.”
With a dismissive wave of his hand, Rey felt the pressure she was applying to his mind suddenly dissipate. She blinked and exclaimed, “You can use the Force!”
Although it was a weak presence, it was definitely there and, despite its faintness, could hold back her assault on his mind. The Admiral looked perplexed and responded, “I told you my midichlorian count is low, but I can still perform a few tricks of my own.” As if reading Rey’s mind, he added, “And no, I’m not some Inquisitor or Sith Cultist.”
Rey’s mind immediately jumped to these two Dark Side forces, which still had remnants hiding in the distant corners of the Galaxy. She hadn’t sensed any Dark Side power from him, but it was not impossible, given his true nature. Switching tactics, she used the Force to try and observe him but was still blocked by the same strange blankness. Thoroughly defeated, she crossed her arms and retorted, “I don’t make deals with people I can’t trust.”
Primidian laughed and retorted, “Then you must make deals with no one.” He shook his head and added, “Rey, if you want to continue to compete on the stage of galactic politics, there is no such thing as trust, only the irrefutable bond of mutual gain.”
The Jedi snorted and counted, “We’ll. I don’t see what I’m gaining from helping you.”
The Admiral smiled like a crocodile, “My dear, of course you’ll benefit. First, there is the great possibility for peace.” He then clasped his hands together and added, “I will also make sure you don’t suffer any losses.”
Rey looked at him, confused by what he meant by this, but responded, “You can’t bribe me.”
Primidian chuckled and shook his head, “I wouldn’t dream of it. I just simply meant I would like to invest in your future.” His gaze once more became genuine and soft, “You may not believe me, but I would truly love to see the day the Jedi Order rises to prominence once more. If you were to step away from the galactic stage, I could fully support your growth; however, I’m sure you understand my faction would not approve of me fostering a political enemy.” He took the last bite of his food, crewing quickly, and finished, “Given thirty or forty years, you could train no less than a hundred young Jedi. By then, the Dark Side should be fully forced into passivity and diffuse without any consequence of a galactic magnitude. Once the threat is past and your Order has a stronger foundation, then return to the Galactic stage.”
The offer was slightly tempting, though it sounded too optimistic. It had taken her a year just to find Fama. A hundred Jedi was a ridiculous concept in just a few decades. Rey shook her head, “Your vision of my future is too grand…” She met his eyes, challenging his perspective. “Even with your full support.”
Primidian shrugged, “No one has ever achieved anything great without equally great ambition. But let me demonstrate my sincerity….” He then brought out a holo-disk and placed it on the table. As he continued, several screens filled the air, “I have one of the few maps containing many of the old Jedi Temples and Outposts. I have many kyber crystals, which have become rare in recent years. I even have lightsaber components and their construction methods.” As Rey’s jaw dropped, he continued, “I have a catalog of Force Sensitive families, clans, and individuals from which younglings can be recruited. I have a rare list containing the whereabouts of many remnant Jedi scholars, medics, and navigators: they may not be Knights, but they are reliable. I even have nearly 90% of the old Jedi Archives, which I saved before they were destroyed.” With a dismissive wave, he added, “Not to mention the designs for a medicoloran detention device and a few dozen holocrons.” He shrugged and finished, but I’m sure you could get by alone. Who knows, your New Jedi Order might recreate all my relics in another thousand years without needing my help.”
Rey’s eyes moved rapidly as she tried to take in the data on all the screens, but the hologram disappeared before she could retain any of it. In an indignant tone, she exclaimed, “Hey!” After noticing the man’s teasing expression, she glared and snapped, “How do I know you’d hand over anything, let alone if you’re telling the truth.”
In a calm, clear, and honest voice, he resonated, “I swore to hand over everything I just mentioned if you help me achieve peace.”
His words did not just travel through the air; brilliant honesty also radiated from him through the Force. It was a kind of sign that was impossible to forge or fake and was Rey's first glimpse into his heart. The Jedi slouched as turmoil raged within her. The greatest hurdle between her and restoring the Jedi Order was the loss of all the Jedi’s accumulated wisdom. Luke was able to revolver some, but it wasn’t even a drop in the bucket. Everything that was lost was now being offered practically on a silver platter. Her mind told her to leap at the deal: an apology, a lie, and a couple of decades as a hermit seemed like a low price compared to what she could gain in return. But her heart told her to be cautious and not trust such a perfect deal at face value. With a bleak look, she managed to get out, “I need more time to think things over.”