Book 3 in the "Fatal Attractions" series. Please read the previous books before continuing.
Three years after the defeat of Darth Malgus, the sinister Darth Vargus emerges to pick up where the late Emperor left off. His goals defy understanding as h...
On Odessen, Adaya speaks with Satele via holocomm while Kira meditates on a rock nearby.
"Master, are you sure there's nothing we can do?" Asks Adaya. "I mean we can't just let them unleash their forces on Republic controlled worlds!"
"I'm afraid not." Satele answers. "However, it seems the Imperial battle cruisers have retreated on their own. It is possible they are preparing for something bigger, but there's not enough evidence to act on that suspicion. For now, we must wait."
Adaya sighs. "I understand. Contact me with any updates."
"Will do. Grandmaster Shan out."
The transmission ends. Adaya puts her holocomm away and looks up, feeling the cool breeze blow by.
Kira's eyebrows raise. She opens her eyes and stands. "Something bothering you?"
"Yes, it's just...the council's inaction on this matter is frustrating. " Adaya says.
Kira walks over to her. "A Jedi's purpose is to protect. If the council is an obstacle to your duties, you no longer have an obligation to serve them."
"Are you suggesting I disobey the council's orders?" Adaya asks.
"I don't know all the details of this situation or how urgent it is. However, it's sometimes necessary to bend the rules to do what's right." Says Kira. "For instance, the council strongly disapproved of my actions with Kaeiden. Yet, Darth Malgus would still be ruling with an iron fist if not for us."
"I see...Do you trust him?" The young Jedi asks.
"Of course." Kira answers without hesitation.
"Even after all he's done? The lives he's taken, the families ruined, the destruction that lay in his wake?" Adaya asks. "He's tried to kill me, he's even tried to kill you. How can you trust him with the life of your child?"
"Listen, Adaya. I know that nothing will bring back the people he's killed or undo his horrible past. It's undeniable that he's done awful things, but I could feel the light in him from the very beginning." Kira says. "I was the only one who didn't give up on him. Him and I, we have a connection in the force. It allowed me to sense his desire to change. Therefore, I helped him pursue that path. While it doesn't justify the atrocities, I couldn't call myself a Jedi if I didn't offer rehabilitation and repentance."
"So you just forgave him?" Adaya asks.
"That is the way of the Jedi. It is possible to forgive without forgetting. The council speak about offering a second chance to our enemies but in practice, they're unwilling. What he did will have ramifications that echo for decades. Yet my faith in him...it set him on the path of change." Says Kira.
"I see what you're saying, Kira...although I can't say I entirely agree." Adaya admits.
"It's okay, Adaya. I understand. I'm not expecting you to trust him the way I do. I just want you to understand my love for him." Says Kira.
"Right. I think I need to do some meditating of my own." Adaya takes steps away, seeking out a spot to meditate in peace.
ODESSEN WILDS
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
