The New Jedi Knights

Chapter 11: The True Lost City of the Jedi

Daniel devoured the Jedi Library's contents on Ambria. Those close to him knew he was in his element. He possessed an uncanny ability to unearth crucial information. Jack even joked that Daniel might be a Jedi Scribe, but regardless of his methods, he consistently delivered the knowledge they needed. Jack only cared about the results — Daniel got the job done.

A single line in the ancient text sent shivers down his spine. It spoke of the Lost City of the Jedi, a discovery that could rewrite galactic history. But he, a seasoned archaeologist, knew better than to chase every shimmering mirage. Legends often held a dark truth, far from the golden treasures of fairytales. Years, even decades, could be wasted chasing shadows. Still, his fingers danced across the datapad, pulling up every scrap of information on the fabled city. The thrill of the unknown was a powerful lure. "Jack, I don't know how I can discover these things. I wasn't even looking for the first Jedi Knights when I told Sam what I had discovered that day. I don't think I'm this Jedi, you keep telling me, but it would not surprise me. In all that has been happening, I am afraid I will wake up one morning and find it all a dream."

He came across more information that just popped out of nowhere. He found information on a minor ancient city on Yavin 4. There were many of these minor Jedi cities throughout the galaxy and the universe. He found many other materials talking about the history of this city, and how they created the Force. It mentioned a highly technical machine that allowed the Jedi Knights to use special abilities to do small tasks but helped aid them in knowledge. "For these people to record it is a machine, I doubt it is one. These ancient Jedi were clever. They wanted someone to record their history for others to learn, but they didn't give it all away so quickly. There is more to this Force. An entry-level archaeologist could figure that one out. There is more to know — than cold data."

One book he came across had information on the original reason for creating this machine. The first Jedi Knights wanted to keep on learning everything around them. As in anyone, one will reach his or her limits. The Jedi went to all lengths to go far beyond what they were capable of doing. They wanted to keep pushing themselves to do more. One day the Jedi Council realized that they could not reach their goal without the help of advanced technology. They did not design a machine and presto instant results. It took the Jedi several years. "This proves I am correct. What several Jedi told me, they had some very arrogant ancestors. What we have been reading is factual, but they are protecting something. Their written history is more mythology, like parables in the Christian Bible. In what I have been learning from Janet and Cassandra, it did not surprise me... one bit. Samantha is beyond royalty because she always had the heart to help so many in need. It is Sam they are protecting. She is responsible for the Jedi Knights having the Force."

This machine would evolve. It would grow and better itself as the Jedi used it. After a good many years, the Jedi Knights found out they could do things that no simple mortal could do. It was common things the Jedi could do, but it was beyond their hopes and dreams. The Jedi used these abilities to help them do mundane tasks, so they could concentrate on learning. One day the Jedi proclaimed this idea, 'Why can't we use these new abilities to broaden our mental capacity.' "Here is the smoking gun! No machine can learn and evolve. Even the Jedi's technology doesn't come close to such concepts. I doubt that Artificial Intelligence on Earth can be no more advanced than what I have seen on Coruscant. No, no machine is the Force. It is so much more."

They were a little timid at first and did not want to burn out their minds in learning. They concentrated on what they were learning. Maybe these abilities can help them dig deeper into the subject they were working on. The more they did this, the more new ideas and concepts came forth. Sometimes the information they were looking for popped up in their minds while other times it was as if something summoned them to the information firsthand, like to a certain book, object, or material. "Jack, this may prove I have some Force capabilities, but I doubt it. Just the same, it is uncanny how I can find the right information in a short period."