Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy A Fan Novelization

Chapter Fourteen - The Castle

Three days later, Jaden stood up straight next to Kyle and the rest of the Academy's students and as Luke addressed them and their masters in the Audience Chamber. He stood at his usual place, hands folded behind his back in a stance Jaden and all of the students by now were used to seeing him take.

"The Disciples of Ragnos are getting bold," Luke announced. "They've managed to siphon Force energy from every site that was mentioned in my journal. However, we still don't know what it is they're planning to do with the energy though." There was a short pause as this information sank in, the students glanced at one another nervously. "It's imperative that we track down the leader of this cult."

Jas Harin was the only student to speak up, which no one questioned because he already seemed a higher ranking member due to his maturity. "But how? If they've already hit every place in your journal?"

Luke inclined his head towards Jas. "There are several places I didn't mention by name that they've discovered, like Dagobah. My fear is that they may use clues in my journals to discover other places and we need to beat them to these locations." Realization set in, and Jaden knew she'd be going on a mission similar to her assignment to Hoth. She looked up to Luke and saw that he was looking sidelong at her, sadness in his eyes, almost an apology, but what for, she didn't know until he spoke again. "Considering how we... lost a student last time, we must be very cautious." Rosh's absence hung over all assembled there. "Everyone will travel in pairs. Kyle, Jaden, you'll be going to Vjun."

Kyle's arms were crossed as he registered just what Luke had said. "Vjun? Isn't that just a big, dead rock?" He asked skeptically.

"It also happens to be the location of one of my father's strongholds," Luke replied casually.

"Ooookay, so it's a big, dead, important rock." Kyle cut his eyes at Jaden who's own had widened considerably. So, she wouldn't be traveling alone, thus eliminating the worry of losing another student, but they were going to a stronghold that belonged to none other than Darth Vader? It was still difficult to think of such an evil man being the father to such a kind one. She'd heard the stories of Vader's redemption by Luke, but knowing all the evil caused by him and the Empire, it was a scene that was still hard to picture.

Luke began to assign other students in pairs, Streen and Tionne, Jacyyn and Corran, Jas and Arta-Mess, though Jacyyn didn't seem to like that arrangement much. But Jas had been given the rank of Jedi Knight the week before, and thus was allowed to lead his assignment. Luke knew he'd be wasting his talents by staying the same rank as the other newer students and had given Corran permission to knight his promising apprentice.

Goran and his master, Axel Horn were paired up. He was the only one of Jaden's peers who hadn't risen in rank around the same time she had. His training had gone slowly since the beginning and he seemed content to move at his own pace. Then Raltharan was paired up with another student who'd been there a few months before they came, a Rodian named Beedo Quinn.

Kyle looked out over the small crowd and shook his head in wonder and disbelief. "This ought to be interesting. I'd heard rumors that Luke had been to Vjun, but he never really talked about it."

As if on cue, Luke approached them, all business. "Vjun is dangerous. The dark side is strong there... oppressive. It will try to weigh down on you, be extremely careful."

Kyle nodded assurance. "Sure, Luke. Don't worry, we will."

"Very well then, may the Force be with you both."

*

Jaden changed into a pair of brown pants and a long sleeved gray shirt, pulling a sleeveless leather tunic over it that extended down the front to cover the top half of her thighs. She cinched it up and secured her belt that held her lightsaber, then donned her new holster. Her hair, she braided long and simple down her back, something that Arta-Mess had to teach her to do properly if she didn't want stray pieces falling out. It felt nice having someone who was like a sister in her life to teach her simple things like that. Her finishing touch was the necklace Rosh had made her, so that she still carried him with her, until they found him. They would find him, she was sure of it. Kyle called her down to the hangar on her comlink and, after pocketing that in one of her tunics many small pockets, she hurried downstairs with a small group of her friends who had also been getting ready.