New Age: 8

New Age: Learn

Chapter Eight

            The next day early in the morning, while it was still dark outside, my mom drove me over to the house. She was proud of me, of how well I was doing, but she was also worried. Of course, I had to tell her about the Third Death Star. Then, I had to explain to her what a Death Star is, because she was never a Star Wars nerd.

    Leia told me I would be at the Temple for the next week, and Bryda and Jusiko would come with us.

    After I got to the house, Leia showed me some extra Jedi robes they had stored aboard the Falcon, and told me to pick one. There were three in my size. One was olive green, one was light brown, and the third was dark brown. I chose the olive green robes, and changed into them before the Falcon took off.

    After I changed into my new robes (with assistance, of course), I went to the cockpit with Leia, Jusiko and Bryda. Han Solo and Chewbacca were there too. Han and Chewie were in the pilot and co-pilot seats, Bryda and I sat behind them, and our Masters stood behind us. As Han and Chewie pressed countless buttons that did who-knows-what, I felt the ship slowly rise, and the barn doors in front of the ship slowly opened. Once it was fully opened, the Falcon flew through them and took off towards the sky. Now I knew why we were leaving while it was still dark. So nobody could see the ship.

            I gripped my seat as we flew through the sky. I had a good view of the cockpit, but I didn’t see much outside. We flew so high we were almost above the clouds. It was like I was flying in a plane, except it was completely different. First of all, it was a ship thousands of years ahead of Earth’s modern technology.

.           I honestly thought the flight would last longer, but after less than five minutes I felt the ship start to descend, and Han said “We’re here.”

            I could barely see the Temple in the dark, only a silhouette in front of the sunrise, but it looked beautiful.

            “Wow, it’s so big.” I said.

            “If you think that’s big,” Bryda started, “then you should see the one on Coruscant. It’s way bigger.”

            I smiled. “Must have a really cool view.”

            “It does.” Jusiko said.

            “Where are we?”

            “In the Southern Pacific Ocean.” Leia answered. “About three miles off the coast of the country Chile.

            Chewbacca said something to Han. I looked to the Jedi for explanation, but my answer came from a voice over the commlink.

            “Captain Solo,” a familiar voice said. “Welcome back.”

            “Alfie!” Bryda exclaimed. “He’s not the only one aboard!”

            “Of course, little one.” Alfa replied to Bryda. I sensed something, coming from Bryda. I realised that I sensed her happiness. It was also something else, like her uncle’s voice comforted her.

            “You are clear for a landing in hangar bay six.”

            After the ship landed, I followed Leia and Bryda down the boarding ramp.

    As I looked around the hangar I exclaimed “Wow, it’s huge!” Under the Millenium Falcon was a large number six. I saw other ships in the hangar, too. To my left were several X-Wings, and to my right was a ship I didn’t recognise.

            “First time here?” I heard someone ask. I turned to face where the voice came from and quickly stopped before I bumped into Jakuya Manabu. I last saw her six months ago, and she was also the Jedi who recommended I attend the Jedi Council’s meeting today.

            “Oh, sorry.” I quickly said.

            Jakuya smiled and said “It is alright, Padawan.”

            I felt confused for a second, then I remembered I was a Padawan. I smiled back at her. Next to her was her Padawan, Raverayn. Jakuya and Raverayn looked the same last I saw them. Jakuya with her dark purple robes and headband. Her green skin and long black hair. Raverayn with her short black hair, light skin and tan robes.

            Jakuya faced Leia. “The meeting is starting soon.” she told her. “We must be going.”

            “I’ll be with Master Opress in the library.” Bryda said.

            Jakuya faced Rave. “Rave, you will go with Bryda.”

            Rave looked confused.

            “I need you to look up some things for me. What I mentioned earlier. It is important.”

            Rave nodded. “Yes, Master.” she said, then faced Bryda. “Well, let’s get going.”

--

            Soon after, Leia, Jakuya, and I were in a large, circular room. In the middle was a round meter-high holo-table. Around it were benches circling the room. It looked like it was used for meetings. I walked beside Leia as we approached the table, then Jakuya faced me.

            “The meeting will begin soon.” she told me. ”If you have any comments, feel free to speak up. Nobody will judge you.”

            I nodded. “Ok.”

            “Even if you think it is ridiculous.”

            I nodded again.

            A minute after, there was a pinging sound coming from the table. Jakuya pressed a button, and the holograms of twelve people appeared around it. The only one I recognised was Luke Skywalker, who was across the table from me. The other eleven must have been the other members of the Jedi Council. I noticed each of them glance at me, then all attention went to the Grand Master when he started to speak.

            “Masters,” he began, “I have gathered you here today to discuss the return of the Death Star.”

            Luke paused for a moment to allow this to settle in.

            “The Third Death Star is located in the Earth system, close behind planet Earth’s moon. The planet’s inhabitants are currently unaware of this.”

            “The Death Star is close enough to Earth,” Leia added, “that if it were to be destroyed,  Earth and it’s moon would go along with it.”

            After that, the Jedi Masters discussed ideas, like evacuating Earth, then destroying the Death Star. I didn’t understand a lot of what they were saying, but I had an idea.

    Jakuya nudged me, then telepathically told me You have an idea, do you not?

    Well, yes. I replied.

    Then why don’t you share that idea? Did the Masters already think of that one?

    No, it’s suicidal.

    Without another word-- or thought, I guess-- Jakuya spoke up.

    “Masters, Padawan Tomahawk here has an idea.” she said.

    I stood there in shock as all of the attention was brought to me.

    “What is it?” Luke asked me.

    I had the attention of fourteen Jedi Masters, most of whom were complete strangers to me. And they wanted me to share an idea that I, a twelve-year-old, had came up with, for taking out a space station that had the power to destroy a whole planet in an instant. I stood there wide-eyed for a moment, and all I could do is make a barely audible “Umm…”

    Jakuya nudged me. “Go on, do not be shy.”

    I looked at Luke, who I was familiar with, and told myself Ok, just pretend I’m telling just him, like nobody else is here.

    I took a deep breath and said “Well, I was thinking that, maybe, some Jedi could go and get aboard the Death Star, and…” I realised I was talking quietly, so I cleared my throat and spoke louder. “And… somehow get to the control room? With the help of the Jedi that are already prisoners there? And, they could sound an evacuation alarm. Then… move it away from Earth, and, make it self-destruct, or...”

    Obviously, my plan on making myself think it was just me and Luke in the room didn’t work. I felt my face go red. And when the Jedi looked at each other for a moment in silence as they thought about what I just said, it felt like my face was going to explode and destroy Earth before the Death Star could. So when a Human Master broke the silence by saying “You know, that’s not a bad idea. If we just flesh it out, it could work,” I was shocked. Especially when the other Masters nodded in agreement.

    “What was your name, kid?” he asked me. He had light skin, short hair, and a beard. I couldn’t tell what colour his hair, or anything on him, really, because he was a blue, translucent, hologram.

    “Uh, Hania. Hania Tomahawk.” I answered.

    He nodded. “Good work, Hania.”

    I had no clue what to do next. First, I wanted to get out of here because of the awkward silence. But now, I was just speechless.

    Then Luke asked everyone “Does anyone object with Padawan Tomahawk’s idea?”

    “It is suicidal.” Jakuya stated. She was the person I least expected to say that. “The odds of this plan working are slim, if there is any.” Ouch. “But... it could work. If we do well in planning the mission and send the right people, it will work.”

    “So, you agree with the idea?”

    “Yes, Master Skywalker, I do.”

    Luke looked around the room as he asked “Does anyone else have any comments?” He waited for anyone to say anything, and when nobody did, he said “Alright, we will further discuss this plan in a couple hours. You are all dismissed.”

    And with that, the holographic Jedi disappeared, and it was just Leia, Jakuya and I again.