Chapter 12: A Difficult Decision
Primidian’s expression grew kind and understanding once more, “Of course, take as much time as you need.” He paused, then added, “I know it's hard for you to trust me. Perhaps it's even impossible, but for the sake of peace, I hope you will consider my proposal.”
Again, he radiated an aura of honesty that startled the Jedi, she
contemplated and finally asked, “Why are you blank.”
The admiral smiled and revealed his necklace adorned by a small crystal, “That would be because of this.” He added with an endearing expression, “It's a Pontite Kyber Crystal and a very old friend.”
Rey had read about Kyber Crystals in the Jedi Sacred Text. They could calm the mind and, if implanted in a lightsaber, would cause the blade to become freezing cold but no less deadly. They also had a high affinity for the Light Side of the Force. With her curiosity satisfied, she nodded, “Thank you. I would like to return to my quarters now.”
Primidian nodded and gestured to a door behind her, “That would be the exit. Lex is waiting to escort you back.”
Rey stood up and began to leave but suddenly glanced back, “You said you would tell me about my parents.”
The Admiral nodded and responded, “They were good people. Aware of the true nature of the Galaxy but content to find peace so long as they had each other. You were their greatest joy, as your mother would
say ‘There, little Rey of sunshine.’”
A shiver went up the Jedi's spine, hearing this as happiness filled her heart. She couldn't help but ask, “Anything else.”
Primidan's eyes grew a little sad and tired, “Let's discuss it more in the future.”
Rey got the hint. Information about her parents was just another piece of leverage this man had to compel her to work with him. She nodded, “Indeed.”
She left the room unobstructed but could feel his gaze on her back and could practically feel his calculating mind trying to predict her next move. Once outside, she sighed with relief as the door closed behind her. Lex chimed from the sidelines. “So, are you going to agree to the alliance?”
Rey glared at the boy and grumbled, “You little eavesdropper.”
The youth shrugged, “So what? I know to keep my mouth shut.” With curious eyes, he gestured to the hall, “Follow me this way, please.” Rey followed through. Lex asked once more, “So what are you thinking.”
The Jedi was not in the mood to tolerate this intern and retorted, “You wouldn't understand.”
Lex chuckled and responded, “Master Jedi, I've almost graduated from the New Galactic Academy. I probably know more about galactic politics than you do.”
Rey signed, recognizing this was probably true, but shot back, “Fine, if you're so smart, what do you think about the Admiral’s offer.”
Lex stroked his hairless chin and answered thoughtfully, “It's half a bluff. The Admiral needs you more than you need him, but he's also your only practical avenue for achieving peace.” He added plainly, “In the end, you get way more than you lose.”
Rey had to acknowledge the boy's insight but retorted, “By sacrificing the truth in the process.”
Lex shrugged at this, “It’s just a political statement. People aren’t that dumb. Most people have their own views, and even if you're popular, you won't be able to change it with just a few words. It's more the effort that counts.”
The Jedi thought this over and inquired, “You think so.”
The intern shrugged again, “If people believed whatever they were told, there wouldn't have been any Rebel Alliance or the Resistance. The truth finds a way to live on.” With a sheepish tone, he added, “Apologizing for blowing up starships also isn't that terrible.”
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Rey grumbled at the kid’s logic but didn't try and argue. It had been war, and with war came loss. She didn't like it, but an apology wasn't impossible, and a white lie as a gesture of peace no longer seemed as bad. It was even her experience that most people didn't care about Galactic politics so long as they had a place to call home and food to eat. Her last worry came down to hermithood. She let out a breath, “You might be a little right.”
Lex looked proud and finished, “Plus, you could get all those Jedi relics.” He looked back at her with bright eyes, “The Force sounds cool, but in Politics, it’s connections and leverage that get things done. Fame is fleeting, and even Princess Laya got schemed out of power. I think the Galaxy would be better off with a dozen Jedi helping people than one Jedi trying to fend off endless corruption.”
Rey looked at Lex surprised and asked, only half-joking, “You weren't ordered to say this stuff, were you?”
The youth stuck up his nose and reported, “Even the Admiral can’t stop me from speaking my mind on politics. I’ve gotten into at least two fights a week, and if I try hard, I can even hit four.”
Rey couldn't help but chuckle at the youth’s boldness and honesty. His perspective had helped calm her worry, though it did not solve the root problem. How could she trust Admiral Primidian? She sighed, relieved her stress a bit, and responded, “Good, never change.”
They soon arrived at the passenger wing once more, where Lex reported, “The Admiral hopes you will decide before the talks begin five days from now. He says the sooner, the better, and a draft script would be waiting in your quarters.”
Rey rolled her eyes and grumbled, “Even a script, he must think I’ve already agreed.”
“Before you go.” his voice was hesitant. Lex shuffled his feet, looking nervous for once, and brought out a small card from his grey uniform. On its surface was a printed image of Rey Weilding, a blue lightsaber. He asked bashfully, “Could I get your autograph?”
The Jedi laughed at this, having encountered this situation before a few times, “Of course you can.”
She signed her name in a rather messy but genuine script before returning the card, which Lex stored like a treasure. He regained his poise and saluted respectfully, “Please enjoy the rest of the flight.”
Rey smiled, “Thank you very much for the escort.”
The Jedi re-entered the Passenger Wing as her joy faded to deep contemplation. With her hood up once again, she snuck back to her room and entered, letting out another sigh. Before she could regroup, Fama’s voice came from the table she was sitting on, “Master, when did we become Imperial Spies.”
Rey blinked and found the girl swiping at a holoboard that was undoubtedly the Admiral's script. She cursed in an obscure language and snapped at the Padawan, “Why are you going through my stuff.”
Fama shot back, still reading, “Why did you leave me alone.”
Rey felt helpless and went on the defensive, “You were asleep, and I needed to make sure the area was safe.”
Fama glanced up and asked, “For over an hour.”
Rey shot back, “You should have been resting.”
The Padawan counted with clear eyes, “I was hungry. If we were spies, I want my code name to be BB-9.”
The Jedi Master snatched the holo-board away with the Force and grumbled, “Were not spies.” She scanned through a few pages of the script, which walked through a few speeches, people she needed to meet, and gatherings she would need to attend. Rey added irritatedly, “The Admiral wants to cooperate, but his plan is morally questionable.”
Fama looked slightly disappointed, “So I won’t be Secret Agent BB-9.”
Rey’s nostrils flared as she growled, “That's really what have you bothered.”
The girl put on an innocent expression, “If it's important, I know Master won't leave me in the dark.”
Seeing how the cat was now out of the bag, Rey sighed, defeated, and sat at the table. “Alright, it's like this…” Rey was proud but also worried the Fama would get angry over everything she had. This meant either her Padawan was very wise, or she may still be lacking in her development. By the end of the explanation, the girl had been scalded several times for bad language. The Master finished by stating, “And he wants a response before the Peace talks start.”
Fama looked outraged and cried out, “Master, you can't agree. It’s wrong. You’ve done nothing wrong, and people deserve the truth.” In a pitiful voice, she added in a near wail, “I don't want to be a hermit.”
Rey picked the girl up by her sides and lifted her from the table onto her lap while retorting, “It's not banishment, just staying away from politics.” She then patted the child's head and softly said, “The situation is just too complicated, and the price of failure is high.”
The Padawan looked bleak and asked, “Then what do we do.”
Rey sighed and answered softly, “I’m not sure yet.” After a brief pause, she added in a sly tone, “For now, let's stay calm and meditate.”
Fama revolted and leaped away from her master’s lap like a frightened cat. She climbed up to the top bunk like a monkey, calling back, “I’m still sleepy; wake me up when we arrive.”
The Master scoffed at this but let the girl escape, seeing how much she still had to mull over. Rey moved to her bunk and sat on it cross-legged. She let distracting thoughts fade to the background of her mind and reached out with the Force. Rather than looking outward, Rey simply sought out harmony. A resonance formed as her mind grew more focused and her emotions peaceful. This was a true state of Jedi meditation, allowing one to exceed the limits of one's mind, finding peace, insight, and even glimmers of secret knowledge. At its highest level, this skill had granted Jedi Masters of the past the clarity needed to resolve galactic conflict, track down Sith, and even predict the future. But at the current moment, all Rey sought was wisdom to make a difficult decision.