deed during the battle of Centerpoint Station, the alienation he’d felt afterward, the Force Vision he’d received and acted upon without the Order’s sanction. He told him of Khedryn, Marr, the Anzat, Relin, and the ancient Sith ship, and, finally, the escaped clones.
“The Sith ship and its cargo are destroyed? Completely?”
“Yes. I will send the moon’s coordinates to you so that a team can investigate the facility.”
“Very good. And the clone you fought, Alpha, appeared to be grown from the DNA of Master Solusar?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see any of the other clones?”
“No. Not in person.”
“In your vision, then?”
Jaden swallowed. He did not want to open old wounds for Master Skywalker. The real Mara Jade Skywalker had been his wife and she had been murdered by Darth Caedus. But he did not want to withhold information. He’d been doing that for too long. Besides, the Grand Master would sense any evasion.
“I saw no faces in the Force Vision, Master Skywalker, but I heard voices that I thought I recognized.”
“Whose?”
“Lumiya, Lessin, and … Mara.”
Jaden blanched, expecting some kind of outburst. Instead, Luke said nothing, and a gulf of silence hung between them for long moments. Jaden imagined the Jedi Master inhaling deeply, eyes closed.
“Thank you, Jaden.”
“I … do not understand, Master Skywalker. Thank you for what?”
“For telling me everything. The dark side lives in secrets kept. Remember that.”
“I will.”
“Now I want you to find the clones. If they’re all users of the dark side, as was the case with the Solusar clone, you may have no choice but to destroy them.”
“I know. Master Skywalker, there is one other thing—”
“Hold a moment, Jaden.”
The connection went silent for a time as Luke attended to something on his end.
“Sorry for the interruption, Jaden. And now you wish to ask me if you can train Marr Idi Shael. Am I mistaken?”
The Grand Master’s words took Jaden aback. Despite his age and experience, Jaden always felt like an apprentice when interacting with Luke Skywalker.
“I … you … no. I mean, yes. I mean … how did you know that?”
“I listened to your words when you spoke of him. He is quite old to begin training, Jaden. He will never be a full Jedi and there is danger in half-measures.”
“I know. But he is willing and I think we do him a disservice if we refuse. Besides, I believe the Force brought me here not only to meet Relin and destroy the Harbinger, but also to meet Marr. I see purpose in it.”
Luke considered. “I concur. Permission granted. You may begin his training immediately.”
“I’m afraid it will be rudimentary, given the facilities available to me here.”
Master Skywalker laughed, a sound Jaden had heard only a few times. “Jaden, Master Kenobi started my training in the cargo bay of the Millennium Falcon. Did you know that?”
“I did.”
“The Force calls each of us differently. For you, it was enrollment at the Jedi Academy. For Marr …”
Jaden grinned as he eyed the worn bulkheads of Junker. “… it’ll start as it did for you. In the belly of a freighter.”
Jaden heard the smile in Luke’s voice when he spoke next. “You don’t plan to infiltrate an Imperial battle station and save a princess, do you?”
Jaden laughed aloud. “I don’t think so, no.”
“Good. Report back as circumstances allow. I will send assistance when I can, but it will be some time before I can dispatch anyone. There are … other matters transpiring here.”
“Shall I return?”
“No. You must do as the Force has led you. But Jaden …”
“Grand Master?”
“I don’t know where this will end, and I see danger ahead of you. And not just from the escaped clones. Some other forces are in play.”
Jaden nodded. “The Anzat worked for someone.”
“Indeed,” Luke said. “The dark side is at work through more than the clones. Be careful.”
“I will.”
“I want to ask you something else, Jaden. You were offered a Master’s rank long ago, but declined. Why?”
Jaden thought hard about the answer. “I did not think myself ready for the responsibility.”
“You do now, though, which is why you’re willing to train Marr?”
Jaden nodded. “I do. I do not have Master Katarn’s pedagogical skills, but I see now the importance of a Master’s … understanding of his apprentice.”
“Quite so. It’s a heavy responsibility.”
“I understand. I’m ready.”
“I believe you are. Good hunting, Jaden.”
“Goodbye, Master Skywalker.”
“May the Force be with you.”
And that was that. Jaden would train Marr. And he would pursue the clones.
He felt more himself than he had in years.
Soldier found Seer in the corridor that connected