[Thrawn Trilogy] - 02(111)
“I understand your concerns,” C’baoth said, less severely this time. “But that is indeed the crux of the matter. It is precisely the acceptance and wielding of responsibility that sets a Jedi apart from all others in the galaxy.” He sighed deeply. “You must never forget, Luke, that in the final analysis these people are primitives. Only with our guidance can they ever hope to achieve any real maturity.”
“I wouldn’t call them primitive, Master C’baoth,” Luke suggested hesitantly. “They have modern technology, a reasonably efficient system of government-“
“The trappings of civilization without the substance,” C’baoth said with a contemptuous snort. Machines and societal constructs do not define a culture’s maturity, Jedi Skywalker. Maturity is defined solely by the understanding and use of the Force.”
His eyes drifted away, as if peering into the past. “There was such a society once, Luke,” he said softly. “A vast and shining example of the heights all could aspire to. For a thousand generations we stood tall among the lesser beings of the galaxy, guardians of justice and order. The creators of true civilization. The Senate could debate and pass laws; but it was the Jedi who turned those laws into reality.”
His mouth twisted. “And in return, the galaxy destroyed us.”
Luke frowned. “I thought it was just the Emperor and a few Dark Jedi who exterminated the Jedi.”
C’baoth smiled bitterly. “Do you truly believe that even the Emperor could have succeeded in such a task without the consent of the entire galaxy?” He shook his head. “No, Luke. They hated us-all the lesser beings did. Hated us for our power, and or knowledge, and our wisdom. Hated us for our maturity.” His smile vanished. “And that hatred still exists. Waiting only for the Jedi to reemerge to blaze up again.”
Luke shook his head slowly. It didn’t really seem to fit with what little he knew about the destruction of the Jedi. But on the other hand, he hadn’t lived through that era. C’baoth had. “Hard to believe,” he murmured.
“Believe it, Jedi Skywalker,” C’baoth rumbled. His eyes caught Luke’s, burning suddenly with a cold fire. “That’s why we must stand together, you and I. Why we must never let down our guard before a universe that would destroy us. Do you understand?”
“I think so,” Luke said, rubbing at the corner of his eye. His mind felt so sluggish in the fatigue dragging at him. And yet, even as he tried to think about C’baoth’s words, images flowed unbidden from his memory. Images of Master Yoda, gruff but unafraid, with no trace of bitterness or anger toward anyone at the destruction of his fellow Jedi. Images of Ben Kenobi in the Mos Eisley cantina, treated with a sort of aloof respect, but respect nonetheless, after he’d been forced to cut down those two troublemakers.
And clearest of all, images of his encounter at the New Cov tapcafe. Of the Barabel, asking for the mediation of a stranger, and accepting without question even those parts of Luke’s judgment that had gone against him. Of the rest of the crowd, watching with hope and expectation and relief that a Jedi was there to keep things from getting out of hand. “I haven’t experienced any such hatred.”
C’baoth gazed at him from under bushy eyebrows. “You will,” he said darkly. “As will your sister. And her children.”
Luke’s chest tightened. “I can protect them.”
“Can you teach them, as well?” C’baoth countered. “Have you the wisdom and skill to bring them to full knowledge of the was of the Force?”
“I think so, yes.
C’baoth snorted. “If you think but do not know then you gamble with their lives,” he bit out. “You risk their futures over a selfish whim.”
“It’s not a whim, Luke insisted. “Together, Leia and I can do it.”
“If you try, you will risk losing them to the dark side,” C’baoth said flatly. He sighed, his eyes drilling away from Luke as he looked around the room. “We can’t take that chance, Luke,” he said quietly. “There are so few of us as it is. The endless war for power still rages-the galaxy is in turmoil. We who remain must stand together against those who would destroy everything.” He turned his eyes suddenly back on Luke. “No; we can’t risk being divided and destroyed again. You must bring your sister and her children to me.”
“I can’t do that,” Luke said. C’baoth’s expression changed-“Not now, at least,” Luke amended hastily. “It wouldn’t be safe for Leia to travel right now. The Imperials have been hunting her for months, and Jomark isn’t all that far from the edge of their territory.”