Jedi

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Then a couple of months later, two Jedi came knocking on our door. I was in his workshop with my father at the time, and when my pale mother walked in, I sensed very clearly her fear and hopelessness turning to longing.

- Jedi," was all she said in response to her father's concerned look. And for once I was watching a man turn pale before my eyes.

And then there's that emotion.... I got really scared at the time. Canon is canon, but when people whose love you feel every day are so frightened by two Jedi, it means something. You don't want to know how many things I had in my head at the time.

Work, of course, stopped. I was picked up by my mother and carried to my room, while my father apparently went to meet the Jedi. Mom didn't stay with me either. A few words that it was okay and I should sit in my room, a kiss on the cheek, and here I was alone. I had enough patience for thirty minutes, which I tried to kill with Bane's help, except I couldn't relax. So after telling him what my mother had said, I slipped out of the room quietly. My parents were in the living room with the Jedi, and they didn't intend to muffle their voices.

- ... The policy of the Order," I heard an unfamiliar voice. - Approved by the Republic, by the way. Either he becomes a Jedi or he is cut off from the Force. - I didn't notice any negative emotion in the voice. And they've been exhorting his parents for half an hour now.

- Then he turns into an emotional cripple," answered the father. - With a good chance of going mad.

- That's why nobody likes to do it. You see, the Order and the Republic can't afford to ignore the Gifted. Statistics tell us that only two out of ten of them don't fall into darkness. The Force will sooner or later awaken in him, I can already feel it, and then he will have so many temptations, slowly but surely plunging him into the abyss of Darkness. I'm not talking about accidents. What will you do when he gets angry and on instinct takes his rage out on those around him? You're adults, you must understand that children sometimes just don't understand when they're being hurt. Are you willing to take responsibility for the death and injury of local children? Wielding the Force is a difficult task and a great responsibility. I'm not talking about your son specifically now, but if even one child in a hundred... out of a thousand among those we miss, falls into the Darkness and gains enough power, he could cause untold misery. And we cannot allow such a thing to happen.

- If your beloved Republic had not reduced its army and fleet, you would not have to fear so much the appearance of new dark lords.

- The Order is out of politics. It's their decision, and we do what we can.

Father seems to be losing ground. Well... From what I've heard, they're telling him, almost explicitly, that if I'm not given to the Order, my uncles from the Republic will come to them and drag me away by force, where they'll cut off my access to the Force. Or maybe not from the Republic. I mean, they'll come straight from the Order.

On the one hand, they're understandable. No fleet, no army. One dark lord can amass a considerable force and then start a war of annihilation. On the other hand... it smells a little rotten. It's easier for the Republic to seek out and take their children from their parents than to maintain a fleet that can be put into their own pockets. So the parents don't have a choice, by and large. Either they take me to the Order, or an incomprehensible ritual with incomprehensible, but, judging by my father's words, unpleasant consequences.

The next ten minutes showed that the conversation was basically going in circles. Both parents and Jedi had the same arguments in different words. So, after listening for the third time to a Jedi spouting off about the dangers of leaving a gifted child unattended, I went to my room. It looked like it was time to pack.

The guests didn't leave until two hours later, and then my parents tried to show me that everything was okay. Except even Bane didn't believe them. He ran after me and meowed sadly from time to time. He could sense that all was not well. My parents didn't tell me I was going to the center of the galaxy until morning, and the puffy faces and circles under their eyes told me they'd had a rough night.

- Can I take Bane with me? - I asked my father as he dumped the news on me.

- I don't think so, kid. You'll probably have to leave him at home," he replied with a sad smile. - But don't worry, we'll take care of this outlaw," he stroked my head. And Mom, sobbing, ran off toward the kitchen.

If it had been me, a normal kid would probably be crying by now. Even I was freaking out. And what was going on in my parent's soul right now..... In fact, I could feel very well what was in their hearts.

- Will I be a Jedi? - I asked with my head hanging down.

- If you want to, son. You can leave the Order, I tell you that from my own experience. But you'll have to stay there a while.

- I'll be back," I nodded. - The Dacari don't leave no one behind.

- That's right. And we'll be waiting for you, son. No matter what happens, no matter how long it takes. You must remember, this is your home, where you will be welcomed. And love," he hugged me. - Always.

The rest of the day passed like a fog. If it hadn't been for empathy, maybe it would have been easier for me, but it was getting more and more overwhelming by the hour. My mother was especially diligent in this regard. I could only try not to show how bad I felt.

We had to go into town in the morning. I could hear my mother crying all night, despite Bane's cries. There was no other way I could interpret the sounds he was making. There's another crybaby on my head. I didn't have to imagine what it was like for my father, I could feel it. Half a day I still tried to calm down my mother, but the trouble was, as soon as I stuttered about that I would be back, she began to sob and quickly went into her room, where she came out only twenty minutes later. So it was hard to tell at a glance which of us had the worst sleep in the morning.

After breakfast we went to the garage, where I was left at the mercy of my mother. She didn't want to let me out of her arms for fifteen minutes. And when she finally did, my father came up to me.

- We've got the things you need," he said as he squatted down. - But I want to give you something in person," he said, showing me the oblong plastic cylinder he'd been holding the whole time. - I don't know if you'll need it, but if you do, you can sell it. There's not much in the way of money for junlings in the Order. And then there's..... Anyway," he finished, opening the cylinder.

It contained the crystals for the lightsaber. Four pieces from my father's collection.

- This," he touched the crystal to the far right, "is a Lordian gem. Inserted into the hilt of his sword, it allows him to anticipate his enemies' movements. At least, that's what they say. It's also said to repel blaster fire. This," he pointed to the next crystal, "is Porridge. Helps clear your mind. It might come in handy in a fight. And this one you must remember- the pearl of the krait-dragon. It helps to increase the power of the lightblade's beam without consuming any extra energy. And the last one is Luxum. Adds an ionic effect to the blade. Should be good against droids, I guess. They'll tell you what to do with them," he said, closing the cylinder. I'd give you more, but a lightsaber and its crystals are very personal things. If only you could use those. But I'll let you sell it if you have to. But do it through your tutors, please. They'll be a lot harder to swindle. - I don't want them to cheat me. - And don't be afraid," he patted my head. - No matter how I feel about the Order, they won't cheat you with the crystals.

He can read minds, can't he?

But here we are, finally on our way. Half an hour without my father saying a word. We didn't make any stops in the city, but went straight to the spaceport. I'd be careful not to use that word out loud, though. It was just three large concreted platforms, and one of them was the Jedi ship we were staying next to.

- "Barloz," my father said as he stopped not far from the boat. - It's not a bad car they got.

I didn't know what was good about it. But it looked... Unpresentable. It was... 40 meters long, I can't tell you exactly. As for the shape - it's hard to tell from my angle, but it looked like a shell with a cockpit tip and a huge antenna above it.

Not five minutes later, a Jedi emerged from the ship. A human male in his thirties. Wearing the traditional Jedi robes.

- Here you go, son," my father handed me a small backpack. - The Academy will provide you with everything you need, and here is something your mother has set aside for you... - He pushed a lump through his throat," he said, "lunch. And a container of crystals. - Then he took out a leather belt, sat down beside me, and tightened it around my waist. - It's a grown-up belt," he pointed out. - Here in the pockets are three impersonal chips with a certain amount of money in them. Spend wisely, son. - Christ, doesn't he know he's talking to a four-year-old kid? No, he understands everything. He just can't do anything about it.

- I'll be back, Dad," I said for the umpteenth time. But I didn't dwell on it this time. - I am your heir. Dacari. You'll be proud of me... when I return. Just take care of Bane. And tell my mother, as soon as you get a chance, I'll leave them.

I had to keep my voice down with each word, because the Jedi, though slowly, probably letting us say goodbye, was getting closer.

- We'll be waiting, son," my father hugged me. Then he stood up and squinted his eyes at the man who approached. - That's why so many people hate you," he said harshly.

- So be it," the Jedi replied. - As long as there's someone to hate.

My father rubbed the top of my head as he handed me over to the man.

- Don't shit on the Dakari family, kid.

After leading me through the ship, the Jedi led me to a small room with two rows of chairs and a holographic projector. Apparently some sort of wardroom or conference room. Where he left me, warning me that we were about to take off. It looked like I was the only one waiting. And five minutes later I felt a slight hum, which, however, soon ceased.