The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 67 - The Words of a Disillusioned Man

While the Resistance members fought for survival on Crait, Dash Jr. and Biggs sat with Kyle Katarn in Rimmer's Rest on Nar Shaddaa after their parents left to listen to the old Alliance frequencies.

Katarn looked at the two young Rendars.
"Wait here for me. I'll get us some new drinks and then I'll have something to tell you."
He went over to the bar and returned shortly afterwards with three glasses of Corellian ale. The older Jedi sat down again and took his first sip after placing the glasses on the table.
Dash Jr. looked at him suspiciously, while his younger brother stared at the wall somewhere, as if there was something very interesting there. Katarn smiled and put his glass back on the table.
"Let's make a deal, boys. You tell me how my son is doing, and I'll tell you why I refused to join the Resistance."
Biggs finally gave up staring at the wall and gave Katarn a lopsided grin instead. His older brother leaned back in his chair and took a sip of ale.
"You want to know how Jaden is doing? Why don't you ask him yourself, Kyle? It can't be that hard."
Kyle shrugged his shoulders.
"We've had some differences in the past and they haven't been resolved."
Dash Jr. sat up and leaned over the table.
"Oh, really? Care to tell us what happened?"
Katarn took another sip and wiped the foam from his upper lip before answering the young Rendar's question.
"I refused to train Jaden in the ways of the Force. We had an argument and he left. It's as simple as that."
Dash Jr. gave a low whistle.
"How come I don't believe you, Kyle? I know Jaden, and there must have been more to what caused him to leave."
Katarn looked at the young Jedi over the rim of his glass.
"I don't want to discuss my family affairs with you, Dash."
The young Jedi raised an eyebrow.
"A few minutes ago, you told us that you wanted to tell us ..."
"Why I refused to join the Resistance," Kyle interrupted him. He leaned over the table and looked Dash Jr. in the eye. "I didn't join because this fight is pointless."

He leaned back in his chair again and raised his glass to take another swig.
"Look, we've been fighting the Empire for years, and for what? For nothing. All our sacrifices, all our suffering, all the bloodshed was for nothing. Our leaders, especially Chancellor Mon Mothma, were too compliant when it came to putting an end to the Empire. The Galactic Concordance was a mistake. We should have destroyed the remnants of the Imperial fleet after the Battle of Jakku, but we let them disappear into the Unknown Regions. Now they are back and even stronger than before. The First Order is the Empire risen from the dead. Can't you see that?"
Biggs nodded thoughtfully.
"Maybe you're right, then there's even more reason to fight them."
"So stupid politicians can give away what we've achieved again?" Katarn asked, almost spilling his ale as he set the glass down hard on the table. "The government's been gone since the First Order blew up the Hosnian system. They've taken over, have all the resources and are plundering every planet they can get their greedy hands on. The First Order is literally the new Empire. I'm tired of seeing us behead the snake and it grows a new head shortly after. Honestly, I don't understand why your parents and the general can't see that. They should know better. If you want to fight a war you can't win, you'll have to do it without me. May the Force be with you, you will need it."
He drained his glass in one go, stood up and left the cantina.
The two Rendars looked after him and shook their heads.