The short story "Resolve" can be found in the anthology titled Stories of Jedi and Sith. Alex Segura penned the tale, while Jake Bartok provided the illustrations. Its release date was June 7, 2022. The narrative centers around Qui-Gon Jinn.
Sent on a solo mission by the Jedi Council, Qui-Gon Jinn arrived on the frozen world of Desinta. He was met by Desintian guards at the docking bay, and soon after, by Prefect Aminar, Desinta's elected leader. Qui-Gon's objective was to retrieve a child. Mace Windu had emphasized on Coruscant that the mission required a delicate approach. Bypassing Aminar's formal greetings, Qui-Gon pressed on, aware of his limited time to find answers. As they walked down a hallway, Aminar inquired about Qui-Gon's apprentice, noting that Jedi Knights typically travel in pairs. Qui-Gon explained that his apprentice, Obi-Wan, remained on Coruscant, and he wished to return to continue his training.
Later on, Prefect Aminar revealed to Qui-Gon Jinn that her world was embroiled in turmoil due to rival factions forming a powerful alliance against her. However, Qui-Gon grew impatient, uninterested in Desinta's political strife, as his sole focus was on the child, who turned out to be a Padawan. Aminar had previously informed the Jedi Council about the Padawan's location, prompting Qui-Gon's mission. He only sought information about the Padawan's whereabouts, but his persistence irritated Aminar, who accused him of being "all business." After a subtle insult, Aminar provided Qui-Gon with a datapad containing the necessary information. Upon reviewing it, he determined that he could reach the location—a desolate, frigid area—by nightfall if he departed immediately.
Prefect Aminar informed Qui-Gon Jinn that the Dan'Gar forces were holding the Padawan a few territories away, offering her best pilot, Abbot, to transport him. She mentioned that the Dan'Gar forces had a large army and were likely holding the Padawan against her will. During the conversation, Qui-Gon sensed something amiss, resolving to meditate on it later. As Qui-Gon attempted to thank Aminar and leave, she stopped him, expecting the Jedi Council to remember her assistance and consider it a favor to be repaid. Surprised but not fully agreeing to the terms, Qui-Gon departed.
In the transport ship's rear cabin, provided by Prefect Aminar and piloted by Abbott, Qui-Gon felt the mission was becoming increasingly complicated. He meditated, trying to foresee the future. He questioned why the Jedi Council had insisted on him for this mission and how this Padawan, Lizel Liit, had ended up there seemingly by her own choice. He concluded that the situation was unfavorable and that he needed to return the Padawan to Coruscant immediately for the Jedi Council to decide her fate. Qui-Gon also reflected on his own apprentice, Obi-Wan, and his anxieties in the training process, still grieving the loss of his own Master. He wondered if he could be the teacher Obi-Wan needed, despite losing his strongest connection to the Jedi teachings.
As Qui-Gon Jinn opened his eyes, the transport ship landed. Focusing on his immediate task, he prepared for what was to come. Abbott informed Qui-Gon that they were as close as she could get to the Padawan's location. Qui-Gon, unsure how to contact the Dan'Gar rebel leader, was told by Abbot that the rebels knew someone was coming. Unsatisfied, he asked what had been communicated to the rebels, realizing he should have known this beforehand but had been distracted. Abbott claimed limited knowledge about the rebels. Qui-Gon instructed her to accompany him as his guide. Reluctantly, she agreed. As Qui-Gon Jinn and Abbot journeyed through the icy terrain, Qui-Gon noticed that she seemed to know exactly where they were going, despite the poor visibility. She announced their arrival, but Qui-Gon saw nothing due to the worsening weather. Abbott then claimed someone was approaching and drew her blaster on Qui-Gon, who swiftly drew his lightsaber and disarmed her before she could fire. Abbott lunged at Qui-Gon but failed. Qui-Gon ignited his lightsaber. He told her that he sensed her frustration, which gave her away and confirmed his suspicions. She admitted that one thing she had said was true: someone was coming.
About a dozen men wearing animal skins and armor, riding Fathiers and wielding axes, spears, blasters, and cybernetic enhancements, descended on Qui-Gon Jinn and Abbott. Qui-Gon recognized that these warriors were a formidable fighting force, not just barbarians. Despite the odds, Qui-Gon tried to focus, knowing he would soon be overwhelmed. The Fathier riders encircled him, while Abbott lay on the ground, injured. Qui-Gon struck down one of the beasts, throwing its rider off, but he remained distracted by Mace Windu's words. A blaster shot hit Qui-Gon's back, and he fell, his vision fading.
Qui-Gon Jinn awoke to a familiar voice and a hand offering him water. He realized he was in a confined space. He was not alone, and the girl with him was Lizel Liit, the Padawan he sought on Desinta. It was too dark to see clearly, but he was grateful to be alive, realizing the blaster had been set to stun. He assumed the Dan'Gar forces had other plans for the captured Jedi. Qui-Gon asked Lizel to tell him what she knew. She began to apologize, but Qui-Gon stopped her, focusing on the information she possessed. She confessed that she was questioning her path as a Padawan and doubted her worthiness. These feelings had led her to run away from her Master and the Jedi Order, as if compelled to leave.
Lizel Liit then recounted to Qui-Gon Jinn that she ended up on a Spice running ship bound for the Outer-Rim, piloted by Zarah Bliss, who claimed to want to help her but instead sold her to the highest bidder on Desentia. Lizel explained that Prefect Aminar was a shrewd politician who maintained power by keeping Desentia's alliances and factions in conflict. Qui-Gon realized that Aminar had set him up, as her rivals now had two Jedi instead of one, including a Jedi Master. However, Qui-Gon knew they had underestimated him. He didn't blame Lizel, stating that everyone must question what they are told. Qui-Gon pondered their conversation and the weight of joining the Jedi Council, a decision he had yet to make. Returning to the present, Qui-Gon formulated an escape plan with Lizel.
The Dan'Gar guard outside the cell heard a scream. Upon entering, he found Lizel Liit weeping over a seemingly lifeless Qui-Gon Jinn. The guard approached to shake Qui-Gon but realized it was a trick. Qui-Gon sat up as the guard recoiled in surprise. Using a Force push, Qui-Gon slammed the guard against the wall, knocking him unconscious. Lizel, amazed by his Force abilities, was hurried out of the cell by Qui-Gon. Finding his lightsaber nearby, the two Jedi proceeded down a main hallway. Encountering two unarmed guards who didn't want to die, Qui-Gon activated his lightsaber and demanded to be taken to Abbott.
Qui-Gon Jinn and Lizel Liit entered Prefect Aminar's chambers back in her territory. Qui-Gon, pretending ignorance of Aminar and Abbott's betrayal, demanded to know why Abbott was there, claiming she had been captured like him. Aminar feigned ignorance, much to Qui-Gon's frustration. She mentioned rumors of Qui-Gon's defeat, to which he responded that they were just rumors and accused Aminar of knowing what had happened. Aminar insisted she was unaware, but Qui-Gon claimed Abbott had revealed the plot before it failed. Qui-Gon stated that he knew about the betrayal. After a pause, Aminar admitted defeat and offered Qui-Gon an escape without resistance, claiming he had achieved his goal. In a brief exchange, Qui-Gon insulted Aminar's ego, which she resented. She insisted she had a planet to govern and more important matters to attend to, urging Qui-Gon to leave. Qui-Gon agreed that she had more pressing concerns: the three hundred Dan'Gar soldiers accompanying him and Lizel back to Aminar's territory, who were upset by her actions.
Aboard Qui-Gon Jinn's small ship, departing from Desinta, Lizel Liit asked if the Jedi Council would accept her back. Qui-Gon admitted he didn't know but believed that indecision shouldn't disqualify her. Qui-Gon comforted Lizel as she cried. He shared his experience of losing his master, Dooku, who had recently left the Jedi Order. He explained that the loss created doubt and fear, but eventually, it transformed into resolve, making him stronger. He said that blaming others for his mistakes would have been the easy way out. Instead, Qui-Gon stated that he trusted himself and learned. Lizel seemed to understand. As they exchanged a look of affirmation, Qui-Gon saw fear and insecurity in her, but also hope and strength.