Convergence/Chapter 12

12
 “Greetings, seekers. I am Jedi Master Selu Kraen.”

 Jhiranae stood with mouth ajar, transfixed by the sight. The hologram seemed familiar, stirred warmth inside of her that she recognized but couldn’t identify. Not only that, but they had uncovered proof of Force-users on Yanibar! The discovery was incredible!

 Off to her left, Corian crossed his arms, unimpressed.

 “Eh, I liked the lightsabers better. Turn it off and let’s go.”

 The soldier put action to words, picking up his blaster and turning to leave.

 “Lieutenant Gonnard, wait!” Jhiranae called.

 “Enough side trips,” he retorted. “Either you reach the speeder by the time I do, or you can walk back to the military base.”

 He strode purposefully out from the Hall of Remembrance, and though Jhiranae was initially uncertain whether he would make good on his threat, she hurriedly packed the lightsabers back in the case and followed. Her boots splashed loudly as she ran after him, cradling the case in one arm and clutching the metal box in her other.

 “Corian, please. . .!” Jhiranae called, gasping for air as she caught up to him.

 He wheeled on her with surprising ferocity.

 “No more,” he said flatly. “It’s nearly dark and we’re kilometers away from the others with no shelter. Play with your toy in the speeder on the way back but if you’re about to beg for more time here, you’re wasting your breath.”

 “Fine,” Jhiranae conceded, stalking frustratedly over to the speeder. “You drive.”

 Corian wordlessly entered the driver’s seat and started the vehicle while Jhiranae slid into the aft passenger seat. Placing the case with the lightsabers next to her in the back seat, she turned her attention back to the metal box. The hologram of the man was still floating expectantly.

 “It’s too bad you’re just a recording,” she mused aloud, brushing two fingers along its metal surface. “Still remarkable, though, to have a piece of history like this. What is your message?”

 The hologram frowned.

 “This is not just a recording,” the man said. “That is true, but only from a certain narrow point of view.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Oh,” Jhiranae replied, startled. “It’s a small droid of some kind.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Droids of any kind are trouble,” Corian answered. “Not too late to turn it off.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I’m not a droid,” the hologram told her, scowling indignantly. “What are the Jedi teaching their students these days? No respect for history.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Jedi?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I expected that seekers would come from the Jedi Order.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Jhiranae shook her head sadly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I’m afraid. . . the galaxy has changed in many ways since you were. . . crafted.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> She paused, uncertain of how to address the hologram.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “What exactly is this device?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The man sighed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “This is a holocron,” he said wearily. “It’s an information device used by Jedi. I am the gatekeeper of this holocron, an interactive guide based on the creator’s personality and memories.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “So by speaking to you. . . it’s like speaking to Jedi Master Selu Kraen,” Jhiranae said aloud.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “In a manner of speaking,” the hologram conceded. “No Jedi would ever claim that a holocron captured all of a living being’s essence. I am a. . . fragment of Selu Kraen’s personality and experiences. In essence, a living memory.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Fascinating. . .” Jhiranae breathed. “There’s so much you can tell us about what life was like back when Yanibar was settled.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The hologram’s scowl deepened.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Do you mean to tell me you’re not seekers of the Force searching for lost Force-using traditions?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Uh. . . not exactly?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “How about ‘nope, not at all,’?” Corian offered unhelpfully from the front cabin.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Jhiranae thumped the back of Corian’s seat with her foot in retribution.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “We are. . . seekers of history about Force-using traditions,” Jhiranae said. “That’s close.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Don’t be ridiculous,” the hologram chided her. “Though you’re either bad at lying or good at being clueless.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “We’re not lying!” Jhiranae answered quickly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The hologram sighed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I was afraid of that. The truth is, holocrons can only be activated by those who are sensitive to the Force. So that means. . .”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “You think I have. . .that I can. . .?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “There’s not really any doubt,” Selu told her. “Only someone attuned to the Force can activate a holocron. It’s right there in the training manual I read when I made this.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Jhiranae frowned, then an idea struck her. She touched the top surface of the holocron again and the hologram disappeared obligingly. A second later, she touched it again and the hologram re-emerged.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Greetings, seekers. I am Jedi Master Selu Kraen,” the hologram said as expected.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “So it does work,” Jhiranae mused.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Or the hologram is wrong,” Corian countered. “Maybe he’s a charlatan. You know, like the Syrstan cultists, and it’s trying to trick you into believing delusions. I bet you anyone can turn on or turn off the stupid thing.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Jhiranae glared at him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Fine,” she said. “We’ll try it your way.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> She tossed the holocron at him. Surprised, Corian nevertheless caught it one-handed, though the speeder swerved temporarily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Stang, not while I’m driving!” he called, then glanced down at the holocron.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> His hand had caught the top surface, and the hologram had disappeared. He touched the surface experimentally again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Greetings, seekers. I am Jedi Master Selu Kraen,” the hologram said as it re-appeared once more.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Told you,” Corian retorted. “It works for anyone.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “That is of course only one possibility,” the holocron answered placidly. “Also, you don’t have to touch the top surface to activate it. That’s just the most sensitive contact point.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Fine,” Corian grumped. “We can test it later with a rock. Or are those Force-sensitive too?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The hologram scowled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Certain ones can be, yes, but that’s beside the point.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Always a way out,” Corian retorted. “This smells like a con. Or a cult.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “On the other hand, it’s a cult with two working lightsabers,” Jhiranae replied. “If you’re just going to argue with the holocron, you can give it back and focus on driving.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Corian tossed the holocron back to her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Sure thing,” he said. “You’re the one who threw it at me.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The hologram crossed his arms.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I see that neither of you are worthy to receive instruction in the ways of the Force. Perhaps that is for the best.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> It disappeared, leaving Jhiranae sitting there with her mouth gaping wide open.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “He’s gone!” she said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> She tried touching the holocron yet again to re-activate it, but the box was non-responsive.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Probably for the best,” Corian put in from the front seat. “I told you, it’s a con.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Do you ever not see the worst possible outcome?” Jhiranae retorted.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Corian’s reply was quick and fierce, each phrase layered with increasing vehemence.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Yeah, sure. . . the last time was right before the Grasp attacked the space station where my graduation ceremony was being held and killed everyone I cared about. Since then, I’ve been passed around in the military until I was shipped out to this miserable rock where—as you’ve so graciously reminded me—the rest of my unit was wiped out by the Grasp, leaving me stranded here trying to protect a group of people whose priorities seem utterly kriffed. So pardon me if I don’t share your undying optimism!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> The last words were spit out with a cutting snarl. Jhiranae sat quiet, letting him rant until she was sure he was done. The emotional force behind his rant was genuine, sincere—even a touch vulnerable. She winced as the torrent of vitriol was directed at her, but yet she chose not to respond in kind. She’d heard many a wounded animal growl before, and retaliation would mean that he would never trust her again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I’m sorry,” she said. “You’ve had a hard life. Thank you for confiding in me. I think I begin to understand your anger now. . . and your pain.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “What. . . ?” Corian asked, sounding startled, then sheepish. “Look, Jhiranae, I uh. . . didn’t mean to say all that. It just kind of. . . came out.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “I know,” she told him. “Pain has a way of making itself known eventually, in one way or another.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Well, you don’t have to be so smug about it,” he growled.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Far from it,” she replied. “I feel sympathy for your loss, and I would like to help. . . if I can.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “We’ll see,” Corian muttered noncommittally.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “And Corian?” Jhiranae continued. “I’m sorry for provoking you with my comment. I didn’t mean to.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Yeah, forget about it,” he said. “You were annoyed, I got mad. Shavit happens. Let’s just. . . forget it happened.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “That’s fine,” Jhiranae told him. “But. . . I think you owe me an apology too.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> Corian scowled, then sighed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Right,” he said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> He was silent for a moment longer, clearly thinking it over.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> “Sorry for being an ass,” he said. “I’ll, uh, try and keep that in check.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in"> It was a long ride the rest of the way back to the military base where the others were. Night had nearly fallen and the skies were dark. The holocron stayed quiet no matter what Jhiranae did to it, and Corian was silent, focused on driving.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in">