238036032-Star-Wars-A-New-Dawn-by-John-Jackson-Miller

8 John Jackson Miller
Jocasta, our librarian, would help you explore more.” He clasped his
hands together. “But no two events were alike— and when the signal is
given again, that event will be unique, too. It’s my hope it will never be
needed, but knowing about it is part of your training. So the important
thing is, when you get the signal . . .”
“ . . . go home!” the children said, Caleb included.
“Very good.” Obi- Wan deactivated the signal and walked through
the crowd to the exit. The students stood and filed back out into the
control room, appreciating the wider space and chatting about their return
to their other lessons. The field trip to this level of the Jedi Temple
was over.
Caleb stood, too, but did not leave the aisle. The Jedi taught their
students to look at all sides of things, and the thought occurred to him
there was another side to what they’d just been shown. Brow furrowed,
he started again to raise his hand. Then he realized he was the only one
left. No one was looking, or listening.
Except Obi- Wan, standing in the doorway. “What is it?” the Master
called out over the din. Behind him, the others quieted, freezing in
place. “What is it, Caleb?”
Surprised to have been noticed, Caleb swallowed. He saw Master
Billaba frowning a little, no doubt wondering what her impulsive prospect
was on about now. It was a good time to shut up. But standing
alone in the aisle between the banks of lights, he was committed. “This
beacon. It can send any message, right?”
“Ah,” Obi- Wan said. “No, we wouldn’t use it for regular administrative
matters. As Jedi Knights— which I very much hope you will all
become— you will receive such instructions individually, using less dramatic
forms of— ”
“Can you send people away?”
A gasp came from the group. Interrupted but not visibly irritated,
Obi- Wan stared. “I’m sorry?”
“Can you send people away?” Caleb asked, pointing at the beacon
controls. “It can recall every Jedi at once. Could it warn all of them away?”