Young Jedi Knights_ The Lost Ones Part 13

Luke turned and strode through the open hangar bay doors, and the young Jedi Knights followed him out into the humid sunlight. Droplets of morning dew still sparkled on the Ma.s.sa.s.si trees and climbing ferns. The jungle air was filled with the scent of sweet growing things and the croaking, rustling, and twittering sounds of exuberant life.

Jacen's forehead was creased, as if by the weight of his thoughts. He turned and glanced back into the dimness of the hangar bay, catching sight of the Shadow Chaser. He sighed, then finally said what was on his mind. "I still can't believe that Zekk willingly chose to go to the dark side," he said. "Uncle Luke, what are we going to do about him? What did we do wrong? He was our friend, and now he's joined the enemy."

Jaina spoke through gritted teeth. "It's our fault for not showing him that he was just as important as anyone else. We didn't even realize he had Jedi potential. It's our fault," she repeated.

Lowie started to snarl a reply, then quickly reached toward his belt and turned off Em Teedee before the little droid could offer a translation.

"It's not so simple to tell who has Jedi potential and who doesn't," Luke said, sensing Jaina's despair and self-reproach. "Especially if they don't know it themselves. Even Darth Vader had no idea that your mother Leia had Jedi potential, though he spent quite a lot of time near her.

You can't blame yourself, Jaina."

Tenel Ka spoke up, a distant look in her cool gray eyes. "Zekk made his own choice for his own reasons," she said. "We all do."

"But how could he betray us like that?" Jacen asked.

Jaina winced at the word. "He can't betray us!" Her voice was hot with the strength of her emotions. "He won't, he promised. And he'll be back.

I know it."

"The pull of the dark side is strong," Luke answered. "It's possible to turn away from it, but the price is always high. It cost your grandfather his life.... "

"But there's always hope-for Zekk, even for Brakiss. We have no way of knowing. One thing I do know, though." Luke turned his face toward the sunlight and enjoyed the feeling of the free breeze ruffling his hair.

"The forces of darkness are gearing up for a full-scale war."

"Do we have to just wait for them to make the next move?" Jacen asked.

"Can't we try to prepare ourselves for the coming fight?"

Luke looked with pride at each of the young Jedi Knights. "Yes, we can. A great battle is coming," he said, his voice tinged with both sadness and hope. "The Jedi Knights-all of us-have no choice but to prepare for it."

It's time for the Jedi to choose their weapons...