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The Villain Revealed 2004 short story by Mark Newbold Twenty years before Episode IV – A New Hope Ade-arr B’erain was stunned. He looked at his Master, the Crilik Jedi Zeboden, as if
through new eyes. For almost forty
years he had been Zebodens Padawan, his ally, his friend. And now, after so much turmoil and so many
struggles he found himself looking at the man he had come to regard as a
surrogate father with the cold eye of suspicion. And for his part, Zeboden could hardly bare the weight of
Ade-arr’s glare. The tactical room was bathed in the pale blue light of
the Holo emitter, displaying eleven people as small as figurines seated in a
horse shoe arrangement far across the Setnin Sector on the Zelon moon of
Benesk. The galaxy spanning Clone Wars
had reached a vital juncture and the Setnin Jedi Council were listening closely
to the conversation as B’erain knew they would be, weighing up his
reactions. As a Jedi he was always
under close scrutiny, from both his colleagues and the public at large, but now
more than ever he wished he could drop the cloak of protocol and dig to the
heart of his concerns. He lowered his
eyes away from Zeboden and collected his thoughts. “Master, with
respect.” He paused again, not quite
sure of what he was trying to say, or even how to say it. “If the council knew about this dark Jedi
then why wasn’t I informed before?” Zeboden gave the assembled holograms of the Setnin Jedi
Council a slow glance and noted the nod from Ovo Duplis, the council’s
resident historian and tactical expert. He drew a deep breath and began his tale. “Astorr Gorre
was born almost fifty years ago on a remote planet in Setnin called Tegenar. Tegenar is an unremarkable agricultural
world, far from major space lanes or high commerce. Gorre was born to industrious parents, an
only child, and raised to work hard and show respect. He had a content childhood working on his
parent’s farm, but although they knew their son was different they were
unaware that what made him so different was a proficiency in the Force.” “How would you
know this?” Asked B’erain. Zeboden cleared his throat. “Because Tegenar
came under my protection.” Another
pause as Ade-arr nodded and Zeboden glanced again at the Holo image of his
comrades on Benesk. He continued. “I sensed a disturbance in the Force. Not a dark power, or even particularly
strong, but noticeable nonetheless. I
narrowed the focus of my search down to Tegenar and upon investigation
learned that the source of the disturbance came from a small farm holding on
the edge of a vast expanse. Tegenar
doesn’t have oceans; they are all underground, but fields and plains of wheat
that cover millions of square kilometres.”
He caught B’erains raised eyebrow.
“But I digress. I landed my
ship and approached the farm. Gorre’s
father greeted me, a pleasant but serious man with the rough hands of a
labourer. He knew I was a Jedi, but
said that he had never seen one on Tegenar before. I was taken into their home where I met the
boy and his mother. I explained why I
was there and what it was that had attracted me. His parents at first seemed sceptical, but
as I explained certain traits shown by those who are gifted with the Force I
could see their uncertainty lift. But
Gorre was a strong-willed child.” Zeboden
half smiled in the glow of the Holo emitter.
“Much like you at that age. He
quickly ascertained what I was talking about.
I assume his childhood friends all had tales of great Jedi feats and
myths. He knew I was about to suggest
he leave his home and journey to Coruscant for training, and as I broached
the subject he left the room and ran outside into the fields. As I remember his father was about to
follow, but I suggested we let him be.”
Zeboden looked away again, deep in thought. “His parents were much like yours. Eager for their son to take what may have been
his only realistic chance to leave his homeworld and make something of
himself. Your parents couldn’t have
been more helpful. And Gorre’s were
much the same. Only unlike you, Gorre
did not wish to leave.” Ade-arr nodded again.
It was an unusual tale to be sure and not at all what he expected to
be hearing. To know that powerful
voice on Kofashees inside his head was once a small farm boy not dissimilar
to himself was a sobering thought. How
close we all are to tripping over to the dark side, he thought. The Holo emitter crackled as on Benesk, Jedi Knight Eekoth
Swicth cleared his throat. “Master B’erain,
you must understand. It is not a
Jedi’s job to train younglings, only to locate them. Master Zeboden discovered many of us Jedi, yourself included.
And after your training on Coruscant, you were fortunate enough to
become his Padawan.” Ade-arr spared a
glance at Zeboden, who couldn’t smother the smile that came when he thought back
to his then young charge. Swicth lowered his horned head, his four jet-black
eyes glistening like coals. “Gorre
chose not to be so fortunate. He never benefited from a consistent stream of
knowledge and wisdom.” Ade-arr was fascinated by this slice of Jedi history that
he was previously utterly unaware of.
These people he thought he knew so very well had tales and stories
that were a mystery to him and after four decades of Jedi service he found
that more than a touch disconcerting. “What happened next?”
he prodded, growing more interested by the second. Zeboden pushed on. “I eventually left
his parents in the house and followed the boy into the fields. Clearly he did not wish to be found, and
had run an elaborate path to evade me, but I had no time for games and
swiftly located him. He was on a high
branch of a tree in a small wooded area.
I joined him up there and we talked.
I told him about Coruscant, about the Jedi Temple and all the other
younglings who would be there to learn the ways of the Force and serve the
greater good. I was brutally
honest. I said he would have to leave
his parents, that his life would be without riches or rewards and that it was
a demanding existence, with little gratitude but that given by his
peers.” Zeboden paused, as if trying
to remember precisely what that eight year old boy had said to him, as if it
was the most important thing in the world.
“And he looked me square in the eye as if I was the craziest person he
had ever met, which perhaps I was, and he said `Why should my powers be given to the Jedi? They belong to me.’ And I was so taken aback by what he had
said, I couldn’t think of a reply.”
Zeboden frowned deeply.
“Perhaps that’s when I lost him, I don’t know. I told him about Midichlorians, about the
living Force, but his mind was set. He
would remain on Tegenar with his parents and work on the farm. I was conflicted, and so I contacted the
Jedi Council on Coruscant to ask their advice. Master Yoda expressed his regret, but even
he admitted that to force one so young to use his powers against his will was
a sure-fire way to push one towards the dark side. And remember, while there had been clashes
with dark Jedi’s during the thousand years since the last battle against the
Sith it was nothing like as dangerous as today. We had no reason to predict or fear Gorre’s
eventual turn.” Ade-arr nodded again, thinking of his own decision at a
similar age. When Zeboden had come to
take him to Coruscant he and his family were enthusiastic and accommodating. Even Ade-arr’s brother Add-wan was happy
for his brother, for despite the six year olds being twins there had always
been a distance between them due to Ade-arr’s use of the Force and Add-wan’s
lack of power. And along with this,
their homeworld of Nam Chorios was prone to sudden and violent electrical
storms whenever a user of the Force exercised their powers. Young Ade-arr was quite literally a threat
to his people, and so his departure was of benefit to both himself and the
townsfolk of Hweg Shul. But Gorre had shunned the opportunity to leave behind his
backwater world and opted to stay with his family to work on the farm instead
of grasping the opportunity of a lifetime with both hands and taking the
rewards of service. To Ade-arr’s mind,
despite only being a child, Gorre had been a selfish fool. But, he hadn’t heard the whole story yet. “I think perhaps
you should move the story forward a few years Master Zeboden.” It was the stern, authoritative voice of
Sonness Essar, a Jedi Knight and warrior of great beauty and regal
bearing. Zeboden acknowledged that, well
aware of his proclivity for talking too much. “I left Tegenar
that day, disappointed but determined to watch the progress of the boy, and
while I knew his powers required close scrutiny I did not think for a second
that they would degenerate into the dark side. Gorre stayed with his family until, on his
fourteenth birthday, he left in the night without telling his parents and
stole aboard a transport bound for the Outer Rim. He had gone to explore his powers and
travel the galaxy, using his Force abilities for the benefit of no one but
himself. It was a selfish endeavour,
and I was angry at myself for not spotting it earlier.” “None of us
did.” Spoke up Duplis. “We were all
blind to his deception, even Master Yoda.”
Swicth said solemnly. Zeboden
shook his head. “But I should
have known. I, above anyone else
should have known.” Ade-arr cocked his head in confusion at this. “But why
Master? You were there to watch over
the boy, not to train him, and even then from a great distance. Why would you have foreseen this when
others couldn’t?” “Because I had a
psychic bond with the lad.” Ade-arr reeled at this. “A what?” Zeboden quickly glanced at the Holograms, but they
offered no words. “As I left
Tegenar I bid his parents farewell and told them they had an intelligent,
hard working son. They thanked me for my
efforts, and although they wished their son had taken his chance for a better
future they were also pleased to have kept only child. Gorre held little interest in saying
goodbye to me, but I was determined to leave a lasting impression on
him. As I shook his hand I used the Force
to initiate a link between our minds.
A bridge, so that I could observe his actions and guide his
passions. At least, that was my
intent.” Zeboden again shook his head
in disappointment. “I fear my only
effect was to quicken his descent to darkness.” “So you and
Gorre are linked?” asked Ade-arr incredulously. Zeboden looked away. “After a
fashion, yes. I have had a sense of
his rise to power, but in those years of travel he increased his powers and
skills to a great degree. While I was
aware of his presence I had no control over his descent to the dark side.” Ade-arr rubbed his face and looked at the Holograms of
the council on Benesk, all now seated and watching in interest. He rose to his feet, glanced down at
Zeboden and began to walk around the ancillary briefing room. He could hear the orders of command emanating
from the bridge of the bridge of the Acclamator Class Republic Assault ship Voltab III, the vessel they were
currently aboard as it orchestrated the recapture of Kofashees below. He closed his eyes and spoke. “I have been a
Jedi Knight for almost thirty years.
Protected the people and citizens of the Republic. I stood alongside my Jedi brothers and
sisters when the Setnin Council was established a decade ago and have fought
to uphold the beliefs and laws of the sector.” He turned back to Zeboden and the
Holograms. “And now, and only now, I am told of this wayward
child of the Force?” Why?” He moved again to Zeboden. “Why was I not told Master?” Zeboden could see the anguish in his friends face and
stood himself. “Because
Ade-arr, all of us lives for a purpose.
Some of us die for a purpose.”
He folded his arms across his chest as he looked down at Ade-arr. “And you were trained for a purpose.” “I don’t
understand.” “Master B’erain,
we knew as Master Zeboden did that there was only one way to defeat Gorre,
should he ever return to claim power.”
It was Sonness Essar speaking again in her crisp, clear tones. “That was to train a Jedi to have the self-same
control over his own mind as Gorre has over others. During his travels he schooled himself in
many disciplines and his mental powers grew exponentially. Master Zeboden was aware of his existence,
but Astorr Gorre, while knowing he could not defeat Zeboden was able to mask himself from detection and eventually to such a degree that
we believed he must be dead. In doing
so he gave himself ample time to gain influence and power.” “You have always
been wilful and possessive of a great strength of mind. It is what has made you a formidable
Jedi.” Continued Ovo Duplis. “But every Jedi shows varying levels of
proficiency in different disciplines.
Master Talaihin was a great swordsman and diplomat. Master De’Athe had a strong influence over
the minds of the uncertain, but you Master B’erain had a powerful control
over your own mind. We knew that of
all the Jedi, you could not be turned against your will.” Zeboden nodded and spoke again. “And in that
discovery we found our means to defeat Gorre.
We knew that if he was
alive, and if you ever came into contact with him, his natural curiosity
would be piqued and he would be lured out of his hiding place into the
open. I’ll wager Gorre has never come
across a mind as disciplined and ordered as yours before.” B’erain gave no response, but inside his mind was far
from ordered. He was shocked at the
revelation that his schooling as a Jedi Knight had been specifically tailored
to counter the threat of Astorr Gorre.
Considering his mind was incorruptible, he felt like he had been
deceived. Zeboden continued,
the echoes of the battle outside a counterpoint to the silent battle within
the briefing room. “Gorre travelled
the galaxy, from Zonama Sekot to Csilla, Rinn to the Ssi-Ruuk star cluster
and everywhere in between. He
encountered countless life forms, trained with fallen heroes and ascending
villains. We can only assume that it was during this time he located and
altered the programming of the Saluras Child to use for his own ends. He spent three whole decades as a disciple of
his own powers. The powers of the
Force. And while he did not, thank the
First Ones, discover the teachings of the Sith he did finally hone his
control to a fine point. That was when
he approached Count Dooku.” B’erain paused and narrowed his eyes. “Dooku? Why Dooku?” The Holo emitter crackled as Swicth spoke again. “While Master
Zeboden had a link to Gorre, his increased access to the Force lit him up
like a flare to those who utilised the Force with evil intent. Dooku, with his Separatist leanings and
plans to polarise the galaxy against itself knew of Gorre. And when he had returned from his years of
travelling and learning, and before Dooku could locate him he contacted the
Count and pledged his loyalty.” Ade-arr again shook his head in confusion. “But why
Dooku? And why the Separatist movement?” Sonness Essar leaned forward in her seat. “Because the
Separatists are allied with the Sith.
Master Yoda fought Count Dooku on Geonosis and was unable to defeat
him, perhaps because Dooku used his Sith treachery on his former master. And Gorre, after three decades of
anonymity, decided that Dooku and the Confederacy of Independent Systems was
a cause he wished to pledge his powers to.
He began his silent operations for Dooku and took on his own
apprentice, Garani Allafson, who was only too willing to join his cause.” She glanced at her fellow Jedi seated by
her on Benesk. “We can only surmise
that he has finally decided to become an apprentice of the Sith.” There was a long moment of silence as all assembled let
that information sink in. If Gorre joined the ranks of the Sith
movement, terrible things would happen. “You must defeat
Astorr Gorre.” Zeboden stated in his
rich baritone voice. “Nothing can
stand in your way. Defeat Gorre and
the Separatist hold on Setnin is weakened. The Sith lose
another conduit to the dark side and maybe, just maybe.” Zeboden lowered his head. “You can rectify one of my greatest
mistakes.” Zeboden and B’erain looked at each other in silence for a
long minute, the Setnin Jedi Council looking on stoically. Ade-arr turned away from his master; an
expression of dismay etched into his features as he addressed the council. “What is my next
mission Master Duplis?” Duplis glanced at his fellow Jedi. “Your
instructions are to trust in the Force Master B’erain. It will lead you to our enemies.” He paused.
“You are uniquely equipped to defeat both of them. Have faith in the Force and it will guide
you.” Ade-arr gave no response to Duplis’ words and simply
nodded to the council and Zeboden as he turned and left the briefing room,
bound for the flight deck and the battered Aethersprite. And then the comfort and relative order of
hyperspace. Zeboden wearily sat down and rubbed his temples, the
relief of informing B’erain of his important role palpable, but the hollow
look in Ade-arr’s eyes almost too much to bear. Sonness Essar spoke. “Master, Ade-arr
is a capable and wise Jedi. He will
prevail.” Zeboden matched her unwavering stare. “Of that I have
no doubt. I simply wish I did not feel
as if I have deceived him so.” “Master Zeboden,
all of us have our parts to play.” Ovo
Duplis said. “Ade-arr B’erain is a key
weapon against the Separatists and our dark Force foes, and now finally he is
aware of that. Allow him the time to
concentrate his thoughts on Gorre.”
Duplis straightened. “Anger is
rife among us, among all of us. And we
are only too aware of where anger leads us.” Master Zeboden raised an eyebrow at this and leaned in to
terminate the transmission. “My friend, I
fear we are there already.” The Villain Revealed 2004 short story by Mark Newbold Twenty years before Episode IV – A New Hope Histories – Following directly on from The Creeping Fear this gives more
background on Astorr Gorre, the
shadowy dark Force user who is
manipulating the actions of Garani
and leading the Separatist attacks against the Republic and the Setnin
Sector. Dismayed at the lack of
information given to him by his Master
Zeboden, Ade-arr B’erain must
now track down and face Gorre and Garani.
But will he have the strength to defeat both of them? Cast of Characters Ade-arr B’erain Astorr Gorre Jedi Master Zeboden Jedi Master Ovo Duplis Jedi Knight Sonness Essar Jedi Knight Eekoth Swicth Garani Allafson |