The Last Command (Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, #3)

by Timothy Zahn

Out among the stars there might be a war going on; but for here, and for now, all was right with the universe.

“When the rules don’t work, you break ’em.”

“History is on the move, Captain. Those who cannot keep up will be left behind, to watch from a distance.”

The Empire rules by force and threat; we rule instead by inspiration and leadership.

“I told him at the very beginning that true power didn’t lie in the conquering of distant worlds. Or in battles and war and the crushing of faceless rebellions.” He smiled, his eyes glittering brightly in Covell’s mind. “No, General Covell,” he said softly. “This—this—is true power. Holding another’s life in the palm of your hand. Having the power to choose his path, and his thoughts, and his feelings. To rule his life, and decree his death.” Slowly, theatrically, C’baoth held out his hand, palm upward. “To command his soul.”

It never failed, he thought sourly. One way or the other, no matter where they were or what they were doing, somehow he always wound up chasing off after Luke.

The true power of the Jedi is not in these simple tricks of matter and energy. The true might of the Jedi is that we alone of all those in the galaxy have the power to grow beyond ourselves. To extend ourselves into all the reaches of the universe.”