Chapter 38: The Mark of a Jedi

Rey's eyes went wide, and she blurted, “How did you…”

The man raised a hand to stop her and went on, “Just a small trick, my dear. However, I must warn you not to be so rash in the future. You were lucky enough this time to be woken by a friend. The wound you have now will heal, but you may not be so lucky next time.” Growing more stern, like a parent lecturing a child, he added, “Submergence itself is a flawed doctrine. We are creatures of the Living Force. It is not our place to transgress into the plane of the Comic Force. The knowledge you can gain from the process may be alluring, but even the greatest Jedi masters knew it was a method that could be easily hidden from and even turned against you.”

The Jedi considered this but, after a moment, nodded vaguely, understanding the man's words. At the same time, a curiosity swelled in her, and she couldn't help but ask in a hesitant voice, “Could you teach me about the Force.”

Primidian seemed a little surprised by this, and his eyes grew a bit soft before he shook his head, “I can't accept you as a student, but I will guide you when I can.”

Rey grew a bit deflated at this, having only just realized how wize the man truly was in the ways of the Force. With him as a guide, the road ahead of her would surely be much easier to navigate. She grumbled at this response, “Is this also due to one of your predictions.”

The Admiral smiled and responded, “Something like that, the bond between a Master and an Apprentice bonds their very destiny together. I would not burden you with the danger that would come with being connected to my fate.”

It almost seemed like the man cared about her as he said this, but Rey nonetheless retorted, “You're still my godfather; I, for one, would call that a connection.”

Primidian laughed again before responding, “A familial bond can also be very powerful. That is why I have kept my distance from you as long as possible.” He shook his head, growing slightly worried, and added, “Even I find it difficult to predict how our meeting will alter our fates.” His gaze grew hopeful and soft once more as he finished, “Though I hope it is for the better.”

The softness and even tenderness in the man's gaze reawakened her sense of deja vu from earlier. Then, a memory of the deepest part of her mind surfaced. The scenes were grey and blurry, but she could make out a window and a vast and beautiful Galaxy of stars beyond it. Her hands were pressed up against the window as she gazed out until a pair of large hands lifted her into the air. A familiar voice, in fact, the Admiral's voice, rang in her ear as she looked up at a blurry face with a tender expression and grey hair, “ Don't worry, little one, the Stars will be there tomorrow. Now, let's get you off to sleep. ”

Rey shivered at this feeling lost and confused, though her heart throbbed. She had always missed her parents and had longed for parental love. In a way, she had found this in her many masters and mentors, but they were never true parents; rather, they were teachers. But surprisingly, from this mysterious and balding man, she felt a sense of kinship she had never felt before, even when she encountered her grandfather. Her skin was covered in goosebumps as she responded in a white gone while looking away, “Well, you're not making it very easy.”

Primidian laughed again and placed his hands on his knees before rising to his feet slowly, “In time, you will understand my motives and choice. Though when that day comes, I hope you will not judge me too much.”

Rey wanted to respond snarkily at this, feeling more familiar with the man, but her mind had caught on to something. It was the way the Admiral had stood up, the reason he used his hands on his knees and moved his weight. Like a man would have been used to sitting in a state of meditation. The fluidness of his actions reminded her vividly of her first master, Luke, who had spent many years as a hermit.

All of a sudden, it clicked: the way he behaved so calmly, the way he ate only simple food, the way he sought knowledge, the way he strived for peace, the way he patiently waited for the Will of the Force to guide him, and the way he rose as though he meditated regularly. Even his mysterious past and surprising knowledge regarding the force all seemed to point to one conclusion.

Without thinking, she spoke out, “You were a Jedi, weren't you.” After saying this, it felt so right and clear, as though a dog had suddenly been lifted from her view. The Admiral appeared before her in an entirely new light.

In response to the accusation, the man froze for a moment, his expression wavering for less than a moment before a warm smile appeared on his face. He responded calmly as though unphased by the notion, “Perhaps I was, perhaps I wasn't.” After adjusting his grey uniform, he met Rey’s eyes with a pleasant expression, “I was told you still have classes this evening. I shouldn't keep you any longer.”

The sense of certainty Rey had in the man's identity wavered for a moment before she steeled herself. She was a Jedi and trusted her instincts. Luke had told her about how many Jedi who survived the Purge were captured and forced to the dark side. They became servants of Palpatine, known as Inquisitors. Rey didn't sense such hostility from Primidian, and he self-declared himself to have minimal force ability, so she could imagine the Emperor making him an Admiral instead.

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She didn't know why he wouldn't give her a straight answer on the subject. It could have been because of his dogmatic views on knowledge bearing consequences, or perhaps he was ashamed of his past. In the end, it didn't really matter, she had come looking for proof that she could trust this man and in the end she had gotten her answer.

Rey rose swiftly as a knot of fear and worry dissolved inside her heart, “A shame my lessons are so boring. I would be much nicer if I could just stay here.”

She arrived at the Admiral's side, and he began to go back the way they had come. He smiled at this and responded, “Your father also never cared for school. You take after him in many ways.” The man retrieved something from an interior pocket of his uniform and filled it out. “Janus sent me these to deliver to you. He also sends his regards.”

Rey could care less about the old imperial's regards but was elated to find her baby photos. She scanned them over excitedly as they walked and asked, “Do you know if there are any more.”

Primidian nodded at this and responded, “I have many clips of you back on the Liberator. Your mother was quite obsessed with capturing every moment of your childhood.” The man chuckled, clearly thinking of better times, and added, “Though you may be quite embarrassed by some of them.”

The possibility of being embarrassed meant nothing to her as Rey became excited, “Can you send me them.” She looked back to the photos, vague and blurry memories drifting through the edges of her mind as she finished, “I want to try and remember them.”

The Admiral smiled softly at this and responded, “Of course, though it may take me some time. The Peace Talks will begin tomorrow evening, and there is still much to do.”

Rey realized this was true and suddenly felt a bit guilty. By demanding to meet with the Admiral out of fear, she had probably thrown a reach in his plans. She was important to his plans, so he couldn't ignore her, but his time could certainly be spent better than coddling a worried Jedi. She hung her head and mumbled, “I have not inconvenienced you to have I.”

Primidian laughed at this and held his chest with a hand before answering, “Not at all, dear; I have many dependable subordinates to help with my workload.” He then looked at her and added, “What's the point in having power if not to ensure you can do the things you want to do in life.”

The Jedi found this a bit disagreeable, though in a humorous way, leading her to jab back, “Be careful there. You almost sound like a bureaucrat.”

The man chuckled slightly at this, playing along, “Impossible; I didn't even ask you for money.”

Rey couldn't help but snicker at this while flipping to the photo with her, her parents, Snoke, and the Admiral. Of these people, only two were still alive, and we're now walking down the halls of the Jedi Temple. It felt oddly like a family reunion. She sighed, longing for the chance to actually meet her long-lost family, and couldn't help but ask, “My parents, were they happy.”

Primidian stiffened for a moment but then relaxed and responded, “They lived in dark times, and both carried their own burdens. Your father could never hope to be loved by or live up to the expectations of the Emperor, while your mother was constantly deemed unworthy of the Galaxy's prince due to her birth as a commoner.” He gazed off down the hall with a reminiscent expression, his eyes clearly locked on old memories before he finished, “But they had something few people in the Galaxy ever find. Love, a true and selfless love for one another.” He looked back to Rey happily as though he saw the accumulation of years of memories living within her, “They were very happy, and your birth only made them happier.”

Hearing this made Rey feel incredibly relieved and happy, though she couldn't help but glance at Snoke. In the image, he wasn't deformed or hagared at all. His head was a little large but otherwise human. He had a receding hairline, but dirty blond hair was visible. In fact, he and her father looked rather similar, which made sense given Snoke was Palpatine's clone while her father was the Emperor's son. It was weird to think about, but that would technically make Snoke her uncle. The Jedi did not let her mind travel any further down this rabbit hole but still had to ask, “And Snoke, was he happy before… He died.”

The Admiral grew grim again but responded, “I raised both your father and Snoke like my own sons. Your father learned to accept being average and found happiness. Snoke was gifted in the Force and always believed if he tried hard enough, he could impress the Emperor he idolized. I was not permitted to reveal his design to him, though I did my best to prepare the boy as best I could.” He shook his head as though shaking away unpleasant memories and finished,” He was always able to find joy when with your father, and before the end, I am certain he found his own peace.”

At this point, they arrived at the door leading back to the main hall. Primidian reached for the door, and a sudden burst of worry emerged in the Jedi's heart. She half asked, half blurted, “Do you think we can really achieve peace.”

The man looked back at her, his expression calm, “In the end, it will be up to the Will of the Force. However, even if we can't achieve peace, if we put all our effort into fighting and try our very best, we have no reason to feel shame.” His aura grew fervent and righteous as though a flame was burning within him, “As a servant of the Force, you must give our wholehearted effort to fulfilling your purpose. If you do so, balance will be maintained, and the Galaxy will prosper. You must not forget that is the mission of the Jedi; peace is merely a byproduct.” He looked at the Jedi and finished, “But to answer your question, yes. I believe if we play our cards right, we can achieve peace.”

Rey felt the odd desire to bow her head as if she had just heard a religious doctrine. The Admiral's advice and message filled her with both clarity and hope. A flame of passion appeared in the Jedi's eyes, and she nodded, “I understand. I will do my best.”

Primidian smiled at this, “Good, that is all any of us can do, and I would expect nothing less from Cain and Smamatha’s daughter.” He turned forward as the door opened and concluded, “Now let us both go and prepare ourselves; tomorrow, the battle begins.”