Inside his flagship, Pablo stayed in his room. It was dark, illuminated only by a measly spotlight that prevented the place from being a dark abyss. He was wrapped up in his thoughts and prejudices. What happened to Roy on the surface of Passana had left the teacher a lot to think about, but this was not something he was prepared for.
Pablo hesitated, he hesitated a lot about what to do, but no matter how hard he tried to find an answer, he couldn't do it. Now, all he could do was ask for advice, and for answers.
The Jedi left the holo-projector in front of him, and after a short wait, a teacher, and a friend, responded to his call.
Yoda: - Master Pablo. A pleasure to see you It is. -
Pablo: - Master Yoda, a pleasure to see you in good health. -
Yoda: - Ah... Good health at my age difficult is. But thank you for your concern I must. Still, your mind is turbulent I feel. -
Pablo: - Master, I... need your advice... It's about Roy. - After seeing Pablo's fearful expression, something very unusual for him, Yoda left his typical confident smile and took on a more serious and sad character.
Yoda: - Discover some things you seem to have done. -
Pablo: - Master... Excuse my question but... I need to know. Who... or what... is Roy exactly? -
Yoda did not respond immediately. Apparently, he was in a place where he did not want to talk, so he moved to a more private place, a meditation room, where he sat quietly on one of the armchairs, crossed his legs, put his cane aside, He breathed out deeply, and then spoke.
Yoda: - Ah... Roy... Roy Cameron. A great student without a doubt he is. To the temple young man arrived, Windu himself in his hands with him arrived. From the poorest areas of Coruscant he came. Always a good student he was. Its development in the stable force was. Not as talented as the young Tano was, but getting closer and closer to her he was. -
Pablo: - You're telling me... that Roy was a... normal young man? Without those... machines on your back? -
Yoda: Saying it hurts. But the truth that was. A promising Jedi, Roy was. -
Pablo: - So... What happened? - Yoda sighed before the question.
Yoda: -Why separate the young apprentices from their families, do you know? -
Pablo: - To prevent your emotional ties from clouding and affecting your judgment. -
Yoda: - That is correct. At age twelve, coming from the depths of Coruscant, Roy discovered. One night, from the temple he scaped. The need to know his past he had. Something that none of the teachers could see. Me neither. And only when the young Tano told us about his escape, able to go after him were we. But very late we arrived. -
Pablo: - Late? Late for what? - Yoda had to take a second breath to think better.
Yoda: - When able to find Roy we were , very badly injured he was. Suffering from serious burns his body was , and about to end his life was . The doctors him couldn't save, but if he gave up meat he might be able to keep his life. -
Pablo: - Changing his body for cybernetic prostheses... Who decided such madness? -
Yoda: - I... I did. - Pablo was petrified and saddened by this comment.
Pablo: - I'm sorry... teacher. -
Yoda: Feel it you must not . It was reckless to know what it was. The temple's responsibility Roy was, and guarantee its safety we could not. Against it the council was a, but way out there was no . I... of what happened am guilty. Like many others. And sorrow in our hearts we carry. -
Pablo: - But... How did it happen? How did Roy get hurt so badly? -
Yoda: - That... We don't know. -
Pablo: - What!? - He said indignantly. - How is it possible!? What did Roy say about it!? Doesn't he remember!? -
Yoda: - The experience painful was for him. Attacked by bandits Roy claims, but his words lack truth. Still, very painful to remember for him it is. Trapped in his mask of happiness and hiding the truth from everyone, his biggest mission has become. Not even the young Tano, her only friend after the insider, about this knows. -
Pablo: - But... He is so... energetic and enthusiastic... How can something like this be possible? -
Yoda: - Like you, Master Pablo, many others before his facade have fallen . Brightening the day of others is something simple for Roy, but against his own dark side is bloodier his fight is. -
Pablo: - His fight against the dark side? What do you mean? - He asked worried.
Yoda: - Roy's past torments him. Pain, his bad thoughts bring, yet against all those negative ideas every second the young Padawan fights. But inside, the dark side dangerous is. -
Pablo: - That explains why it is still part of the temple. They want to keep an eye on it. -
Yoda: - As much as it pains me to say it, that statement is correct. -
Pablo: - But... If that's the case... Why not just leave him as a temple guard? He himself told me that they had planned that for him. -
Yoda: - Something young to sentence a child to is... Don't you think so? -
Pablo: - Master? - He asked, stunned by the statement.
Yoda: - A noble task, guarding the temple, but his life confined to this temple will be. The dark side will emerge in this loneliness I fear. Decided to send it with you that's why we . -
Pablo: - Me? But because I? I don't have the knowledge to treat someone like him. -
Yoda: - And still, trying always does. -
Faced with the old Jedi master's mischievous smile, Pablo had no choice but to accept the truth. Pablo recognized in him someone who did not give up, although he often adhered too much to the rules. Still, he was a pretty entertaining and creative Jedi. much more than other jedi masters who were available at the time.
Pablo: - That would explain many things. - He said after a long sigh. - No matter how hard he trains... no matter how hard he tries... Roy will never become a full-fledged Jedi. Without a body that allows him to use the Force... What do you want him to do? -
It was a serious question, and especially because of the discouraged way Pablo said it, even so, great was his surprise when a light laugh came out of the old teacher's mouth.
Pablo: - Teacher... This is not funny. -
Yoda: - My old student, one thing you must say. Being a Jedi, what does it mean? -
Pablo: - A Jedi? A Force sensitive user. One who seeks the path of light and wisdom. One who is in charge...
Yoda: - An answer out of a book straight , that is. A more personal look you should. - The small but wise teacher interrupted.
Pablo thought about it for a while. He thought about everything he had learned up to that point. Everything the masters had tried so hard to teach him but... What was the most important thing to be a good Jedi? Was it the use of force? Not necessarily, as he himself knew great Jedi who were not particularly force sensitive. Wield a lightsaber? Tamoso, otherwise Roy would already be one of the best Jedi in the galaxy. So... What was it? What most characterized a Jedi?
Then he saw it. Pablo's eyes widened at the idea that formed in his mind. A word that he had heard so many times in his life and, even so, it was so difficult for him to remember. How could he have been so blind, when the answer was right in front of him? Yoda smiled as he saw what his former student discovered on his own, just before the ongree himself said it.
Pablo: - ¨A Jedi is a defender of peace.¨ -
Yoda couldn't be happier with the answer, and he was right. While a good Jedi was characterized by his skill in combat and his sensitivity to the Force, an even better Jedi was one who sought the path of peace. The one who used the word before the blaster. The one like his former student and friend, Qui-Gon Jinn. Even so:
Pablo: - But teacher... I... I don't know what to do. What can I teach my Padawan? He is a much better warrior than me, and although it is difficult for me to admit it, he may even be a better strategist. Unfortunately, I cannot train him in the way of the Force... I know I can't. And I feel bad for putting pressure on him at the time. -
Pablo's face clearly showed concern, and it was not in vain, since his statements were very unfounded. Still, Yoda could do nothing but laugh, which left the ongree quite confused.
Yoda: - Oh, my dear Pablo. Great wisdom you possess , but like a Padawan you still think. -
Pablo: - Excuse me teacher but... I don't understand. -
Yoda: - Closed your mind is . Scared for fear of failing in this task your heart feels . However, worried about meaningless things your mind wanders. -
Pablo: - Yes, teacher. I don't know... If I'm capable of training Padawan Roy. -
Yoda: - Maybe it is that you want to teach him things that he masters. -
Pablo: - Teacher? - He asked confused.
Yoda: - While the other Padawans learned about the Force and its ways, with his saber young Roy trained. Combat for him is what the Force is for us. A life to the study of arts he dedicated, philosophy and war, and from masters of the past he learned. However, much he must learn there is, much that teach him you can. -
Pablo: - Me? -
Yoda: - Self-confidence, self-control, will, and sense of duty. Many things can be learned. After all, Padawan Roy young still is, and learn much from life he must. Not a mentor he need, but a teacher his experience lacks. -
Pablo took a few seconds to think things through clearly before giving an answer. Maybe Master Yoda was right, maybe his own fear was clouding his judgment. He feared failing in his role as a teacher. He was afraid of disappointing Roy, and of disappointing himself. And after all, the answer was even clearer than crystal clear pond water.
Pablo: - I... I will do my best, teacher. -
Yoda: - Trust in yourself and your Padawan now. A good start, that is. -
Pablo and Yoda continued talking for a while about things unrelated to Roy, after all, there was a war to fight, and many worlds needed reinforcements. It was then that Pablo learned from his former master of the attack on the Tipoca facilities on the way, but that thanks to the intervention of generals Kenobi and Skywalker the city was now safe, which made the ongree breathe a sigh of relief.
It was time to end the conversation, but there was something else that bothered Pablo. He was hesitant to ask his teacher, but... Who better than the wise Yoda to get an answer?
Pablo: - Master, before I go... there is something I would like to know. -
Yoda: - Willing to answer if I know the answer. -
Pablo: - Roy has a mauve lightsaber and from what I saw, he masters some Vaapad techniques. This was supposed to be a secret but... Who else knows about this? -
When Pablo looked up he couldn't believe what his eyes saw. Yoda was as impressed as he himself was when he saw him for the first time in Passana, implying that he did not know about this detail, so much so that the little green being began to laugh freely.
Pablo: - Master, this is serious. -
Yoda: - Aa great surprise you have given me, but with great joy I receive it. -
Pablo: - What do you mean? -
Yoda: - About this detail I did not know, and a great surprise it is to me. Still, knowing that you know your Padawan better than I do gives me great joy. Still... This is a dangerous art, having it vilified and learning to control his emotions will help him. -
Pablo: - I'll do that, teacher. Thanks for your help. -
Yoda: - The pleasure, for me it is. May the force be with you, general. -
Pablo: - May the force be with you, teacher. -