ThoughThe Rise ofSkywalkers release date is growing ever closer, it remains, tantalizingly, many weeks away.
And he must learn his place in all of it.
Star Wars: Force Collectorwill publish Nov. 19 and is available for pre-order.
Disney Lucasfilm Press
Check out an exclusive excerpt of the novel below.
Was the vision not working?
Normally it transported him to a different time and place, but he was still beside the holochess table.
Suddenly, a blue lightsaber sliced through the air, erasing any doubt in his abilities.
Whatever the orb had witnessed, it had witnessed it on that very freighter.
Was it a Jedi?
Something about the voice pinged in Karrs head.
He knew it from somewhere but just couldnt place it.
Karr followed the voice until it led him to a different figure.
He couldnt see that ones face, either, but the man was wearing a flowing robe.
Nowthat, Karr thought, was definitely a Jedi.
Youre not going to make me fight you, are you?
said the person waving the lightsaber.
The man in the robe laughed.
But we should work on your connection to the Force.
A nearby golden blura droid, maybe?asked, May I be of any assistance, Master Kenobi?
Master Kenobi?Karr did a mental double take.
No wonder the voice sounded familiar.
It was the same Jedi he had seen in his earlier vision.
Kenobi responded, No, Threepio.
Young Skywalker here must do this on his own.
This was too much of a coincidence.
They must have been two very important Jedi to come up twice in his visions.
And to think they once stood on the very spot Karr was standing.
Karr watched as Kenobi crossed to something that had caught his eye.
He pulled from a compartment the very orb Karr was holding.
For a moment, Karr felt he was sharing something with the Jedi Master.
Not just the vision.
Not just a lesson.
Try and defend yourself against this, Kenobi suggested.
What if I cant?
The bigger question is, What if you’re free to?
Besides, its a training remote.
It is equipped with nonlethal blasters specifically for those who wish to practice.
Im guessing our pilot handles that blaster better than we imagine.
Unless this belongs to the Wookiee, Skywalker joked.
Kenobi smiled as he tossed the remote into the air.
Skywalker faced off against the target as it hissed and darted across the room.
Until something stopped them both.
Kenobi reached for his chest and looked for a place to sit down.
Skywalker retracted the lightsaber.
Are you all right?
I felt a great disturbance in the Force.
As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.
Then, just like those voices, Karrs vision was silenced.
When his eyes were working correctly again, he saw that RZ-7 mustve gotten a few more lights on.
The room was brighter, and tiny rows of secondary indicator lights blinked softly on standby.
His head was splitting, but he didnt carenot at all.
He grinned from ear to ear.
Maize stood above him.
She smirked and put one hand on her hip.
You look pretty happy for a guy who just fell and hit his head.
I hit my head?
On the seat, she said, cocking her head toward the bench.
He climbed to his feet.
I didnt feel it.
How long was I out?
His droid supplied, Nine point zero two seconds.
Worse than my reaction at Scontos, but definitely worth it, Karr said.
If you say so, Maize said skeptically.
It was bolted to the floor.
Her boot heels scraped the top, but it didnt wobble.
The first time I fainted, I was out for ages.
My parents thought I was dead.
RZ-7 backed him up.
Youre on a strong upward trajectory, sir.
Youve emerged from your trance after nine seconds with a smile.
This is your most successful vision to date!
Assuming that your head doesnt explode within the next hour.
I dont think its actually going to explode.
kind of feels like it.
He rubbed at his temple and tried not to groan.
Was it worth it?
What did you see?
Did you get anything new?
He flung himself onto the seat beside her.
I got those names again.
The same ones as before.
Skywalker, he corrected her with an eye roll.
But it was earlier.
She asked, What do you mean?
Skywalker wasnt any kind of a general in this vision.
And he didnt seem to know much of anything about the Force.
Like me, in a way.
Only he had a true mentor.
A real Jedi to show him the way.
Maize could see Karrs spirits dampening.
Maybe, she added.
But you know what he didnt have?
A cool friend helping him find what he needs by flying him around the galaxy.
And youll get there.
Just give it time.
Weve really only just started if you think about it.
Karr realized Maize had a point.
Excerpted fromStar Wars: Force Collectorby Kevin Shinick, on sale Nov. 19 , 2019.
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