Reminiscence: A Star Wars Fanfic

Chapter 6

"Quit that borderland of pain!
Cast in thoughts of nobler vein,
Magic gifts of human breath,
Mysteries of birth and death.
What if all this web of change
But prepare for scenes more strange;
If to die be to begin?"
—Thomas Wentworth Higginson, A Jar of Roses

The first few hours of the trip were nothing extraordinary. We had to move out into deep space before we could jump to a super-hyperspace speed. There were only a few spots in the galaxy that you could make a jump like that from. See, if the ship is moving that quickly, there is no other option except straight. No ship can steer fast enough to go any other direction.

I passed the time played a board game with Master Plo. I wasn't quite sure how to play it, but I had the general gist of it, and I thought that would be enough. We didn't talk much. He warned me about the super-speed travel more times than I could count. I assured him that I knew the procedure and would be perfectly fine.

Still, I could sense the weird glances he threw at me when he thought I couldn't see him. Even under the mask, I could tell that he was frowning confusedly at me face. I could feel the disconcertment. I know he was mildly uncomfortable, though I did not understand why.

After thinking over the Basic words a moment, I decided to ask about it. "Why the confuse?"

He looked at me with, as far as I could tell, shock. I could no longer tell his emotions apart, and the only indications I was given were from his masked expression. "Whatever do you mean?" He feigned.

"I... am can tell... that you are..." I lost the words. "Shutta," I cursed. "You—feeling?—confusing?"

I could tell that he had no idea what I was implying. Karking Basic language!

I took a deep breath, reciting the words in Huttese and translating one at a time.

I waved my hand in Mastet Plo's general direction, indicating him and the area around him. "Feels like you are confused."

As I said the words, I knew it was understandable-enough. Master Plo took a deep breath. "Arrai," he said carefully. "Back on the flight deck, when you hugged your brother, there was a—" He fumbled for words the way I tended to do. "Tremor." He decided on. "I and all the other Jedi on the dock felt it. You two created a wave that clearly originated from you."

I nodded in understanding. "Why us?"

He hesitated. Master Plo seemed to be having a quick debate with himself, like he wanted to tell me something, but he wasn't sure he should. "You two are extraordinarily powerful." He answered carefully. "It's possible that—"

"Preparing for super-hyperspace jump." Said a voice over the intercom.

I immediately moved to strap myself securely in a seat. I buckled and held on, though I knew that would do nothing.

Another minute later, the voice returned. "Coordinates locked. Making jump in 3—2—1."

I watched out a window as the stars suddenly became nothing more than a tunnel of bright light.

Then, I saw nothing.

We began moving faster than my brain could process. My mind could not catch up to any outside stimulant. My hands, which had been gripping the handles tightly, were now nonexistent.

It felt like an eternity. I could not tell seconds apart, and the feeling was unimaginable. I felt suspended in a lightless, soundless, weightless chasm.

Except, there was sound. It was the song, the song, the one I had heard back with Anakin. It was a melody that was more beautiful, haunting, and dangerous than music, yet it gave me peace. I felt like the stars were calling to me. More than that, the entire universe was singing.

That sound was the language of the Force.

My mere mortal mind was not nearly complex enough to understand such sounds. I could not fathom the depths of its beauty, and I knew I could never appreciate it for what it truly was.

I would have been content to stay like that for my eternity.

I was jolted out of my bliss and interrupted again by reality. It took a moment to remember where I was, who I was, and what I was doing, as if my memories were still catching up to me.

Instinctively, I ran to look out the window. In the far distance was a planet. As we neared, I could see its terrain was rocky, though it was rich with life. I could feel it's aura calling out to me, almost begging me to join it.

If a planet could magnetize a person, it was doing that to me. I could not compel myself to look away from the window. I wanted to be as close as I could to that planet, though I didn't know why. I yearned to walk upon the stones and bask in the light of the stars. I wanted to feel the wind and smell the earthen ground.

Even though we were continually getting closer, the fact that we were landing did not register until Master Plo called my name. "Arrai," he spoke patiently. "It is time to go." I could hear that he was slightly amused at my antics.

As I stepped out of the ship, I was hit by a wave of pure energy. The Force filled me, both sides calling to me equally. I could hear the arguments of the Dark Side and the Light in their language-less expressions. I saw their clouds of red and blue waiting for me to walk through, to choose.

Master Plo put his hands on my shoulders, as if sensing my dilemma.

He led me in between the clouds, ignoring the pleadings.

It felt symbolic, though I had yet to discover why.

{A/N}
I just wanted to thank everyone again for their support via comments, votes, etc. I know it's been a while, but spring is hectic for us all.

Follower: *leaves*
Me: "You'll be back. Soon you'll see: you'll remember you'll be long to me. You'll be back. Time will tell. You'll remember that I served you well. Oceans rise. Empires fall!"
Me: *looks around nervously*
Me: *sees ex-follower eying me wearily*
Me: Yeah... I see why you left me...

Lol.

So, I wanted to give just a bit of commentary on this chapter, but it requires a bit of explanation first.

I was rereading my old books (*massive cringe*) and I came across a few comments that particularly intrigued me. A few of you wanted to see a book full of rules and common practices of the Dark Jedi. Basically a Dark Jedi Bible.

We'll hopefully be getting there next chapter, but I wanted to start adding little footnotes and my own little comments about what I believe are common beliefs among the Dark Jedi.

I wanted to know your opinions on this. How should I do a footnote? What do you think the Dark Jedi believe? Would you follow the Dark Jedi Code based upon what you know from my last series?

Don't forget to comment and vote!

Peace, love, and
-Art