A Peek into Mace Windu's Feelings after Qui-Gon's Demise in The Phantom Menace
Seize-Fire with the Sith: Mace Windu Seeks Vengeance in a Star Wars Novel Excerpt
In the sprawling Star Wars galaxy, it had been a grim fifteen years since the Jedi Council first felt the tremors of the Sith's resurrection, a specter that cast its menacing shadow over the Order in The Phantom Menace and Revenge of the Sith. Now, as we dive deep into the mind of Council member Mace Windu, we'll uncover the raw, complex emotions that tore through him in the aftermath of Qui-Gon Jinn's heartbreaking demise. Steven Barnes' latest Star Wars novel, The Glass Abyss, set against the backdrop of Naboo's Naboo's royal cemetery shortly after The Phantom Menace, offers a gripping exploration of Mace's tormented psyche as he grapples with Qui-Gon's sudden departure and the Sith's malevolent return.
Mace's character takes center stage in The Glass Abyss, available from Random House Worlds on October 15th. It's a poignant reunion for the enigmatic Jedi knight, having not experienced such prominence since his time in the Legends-continuity novel, Shatterpoint. Amidst the festivities surrounding Qui-Gon Jinn's burial, Mace can't help but question his long-standing friend's philosophies and struggle with the burgeoning threat of the Sith. To make matters worse, he receives a cryptic message from Qui-Gon requesting him to save the beleaguered people of the planet Metagos - a rescue mission that promises to challenge Mace's convictions and test the limits of his abilities.
Yet, before Mace embarks on his lifesaving mission, he is tasked with confronting his lingering resentment towards Qui-Gon. Engulfed by an unyielding storm of emotions, our exclusive excerpt from the novel unveils a side of Mace Windu that may leave some Jedi Council members shaking their heads – not the angelic figure of a Jedi they've become accustomed to.
As the rustling leaves and perfumed flowers of Naboo danced around him in a symphony of life, Mace could not help but think, "Antiseptic and sterile, the way a slaughterhouse smells like fresh paint." The tranquil burial site between colossal statues of winged guardians, bathed in a serene ambiance, was hallowed ground for Naboo's most distinguished heroes. Qui-Gon Jinn, his body resting atop a pyre, presented a somber yet fitting farewell to the galaxy.
Despite the palace's magnificent beauty, Mace resisted the urge to appreciate its charm. Instead, he grappled with the inexorable tide of realization flowing through him: the undeniable gravity of the Sith's return. Qui-Gon's death was a private matter, reserved for the cloistered confines of the Force. Yet, his passing often rippled outwards in a wave of profound mourning and solemn tributes from the Jedi Order, Galactic Republic, and Naboo's residents.
Dressed in the traditional white robes of a Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi stood poised with tears streaming down his cheeks as he extolled the virtues of his master. Mace only half-listened, consumed by the depths of the emotions swelling within him. Obi-Wan's eulogy was heartfelt and true – and entirely inadequate. What solace could words provide amidst the cataclysm that the Sith's return portended?
Yoda's gentle nudge reeled Mace back in, as if the wise old master had recognized the tempest brewing within him. The diminutive Grand Master Jedi exuded wisdom far beyond his scant years, and Mace harbored the utmost respect for him. If there was a being whose opinions Mace truly valued, it was Master Yoda.
As the ceremony continued, Mace felt the despondency weighing upon him, threatening to drag him down into the abyss. Master Yoda's stern gaze bore into him, puncturing his defenses and exposing his pent-up turmoil. That very look was like a splash of water in his face, jarring him back to the present moment and forcing him to confront the tumult within.
As the flames consumed Qui-Gon's body, Mace allowed the melancholy to surge through him, washing away the walls he'd so painstakingly built around his emotions. The Jedi Temple taught him to suppress his feelings, to maintain an eternal balance and peace within. But as he stood there, tears streaming down his face like a broken dam, Mace couldn't help but admit to himself that he had finally lost control.
And yet, a measure of calm persisted. A cornerstone of resilience within him, a constant beacon that guided him through the darkest of times. Enemies who had underestimated that placid façade had suffered consequences they would never forget. It was his greatest weapon, and his impervious armor. It was the force that bound him to the unknown, a promise of strength that would carry him through whatever lay ahead.
The flames dwindled, leaving behind nothing but ash. Mace made his silent farewell and slipped away, leaving the others to their mournful reminiscences. It wasn't the time for platitudes and eulogies. It wasn't the time to dwell on the past. It was time to forge ahead, armed with a newfound resolve and a grim determination.
The Sith had returned. They would not be underestimated again. Qui-Gon Jinn was gone, but the teachings he had imparted would live on in the hearts and minds of those he had touched. Mace carried Qui-Gon's spirit with him, a fire within his soul that burned brighter with each challenge that lay ahead.
Mace Windu's struggles reveal a hidden depth to his character, one that goes unnoticed beneath the surface of his stoic, unflappable exterior. The Glass Abyss explores the darker side of Mace Windu, highlighting the emotional turmoil that lies beneath his steady, unwavering face. As we eagerly await its release, we can't help but wonder what other secrets the Star Wars universe still holds in store.
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- Mace Windu's character in the novel, The Glass Abyss, offers a glimpse into the future of technology concerned with exploring the psyche of the Jedi, reminiscent of the storytelling seen in the 'Legends'-continuity novel, 'Shatterpoint.'
- Despite the funeral ceremony's technological advancements, Mace Windu remains preoccupied with the menacing return of the Sith, especially as he receives a cryptic message from Qui-Gon Jinn requesting him to save the planet Metagos.
- In stark contrast to the serene atmosphere of the cemetery in The Phantom Menace, Mace Windu gives a specific eulogy for Qui-Gon Jinn, stating that conventional eulogies are inadequate in the face of the imminent threat of the Sith.
- The return of the Sith has left the Jedi Order in a state of dwindling numbers, and Mace Windu contemplates how this situation mirrors an antiseptic place like a slaughterhouse, signifying his disillusionment with the current state of affairs.
