Quest for the Hidden City (Star Wars: The High Republic)

by George Mann

Unusual for a Jedi, she carried a large, disc-shaped shield, strapped to a harness on her back. It was formed from a silver metal rim joined across the center by a barred grip. Two empty panels on either side of the grip fizzed to life as rippling sheets of plasma whenever the shield was activated.

The Force is with me. I am one with the Force. She could hear Silandra’s voice, echoing around her head, just as it had in so many training drills. Steady now, Padawan. Center yourself. Remember your purpose. The Jedi are san instrument of peace. So we must be at peace, even at our most trying times. Peace.

“I’m not sure any of us ever truly understand the Force, Rooper. Even Master Yoda and the others on the Council. We train our entire lives to learn how to harness the abilities it grants us, and the responsibilities, too. We learn to trust in ourselves through the Force, as beings that exist as a part of it. But there are no certainties. All we can do is put our faith in ourselves and others and allow the Force to guide us toward the truth.”

“I intend to make a pilgrimage to Jedha,” said Silandra. “When circumstances allow. It’s been many years since I observed the Season of Light and looked upon my reflection in the kyber mirrors beneath the Dome of Deliverance. I think it might be time.”

“So Sunshine agreed to give us a ride,” said Dass. Spence nodded. “He was supposed to get us back to Batuu. Then he hit engine trouble and needed to make a repair stop. We figured he’d taken some damage during our exit through the veil. We put down here…wherever here is.” “Gloam,” said Mittik.

“No,” said Dietrix. “It was so long ago. Thousands of years. Stories change in the telling. Histories are rewritten, events forgotten. It doesn’t mean that anyone lied. Just that it’s been so long, they’ve forgotten the truth.” “And the warnings,” said Spence. “They’ve forgotten those, too. The reason for these tapestries. Your ancient ancestors were trying to warn future generations about the mines, and the minerals.”