Ossus

[Guest]

Taking in everything that he had said, Pisan then started to roam through the aisles. He searched through the books whilst looking at his list, and started to pick out individual pieces. Some where of the force, others were of great battles, some consisted of books he wished to read for himself. He then found a place to sit and slammed the books down as if he was carrying iron weights.

 

The first one he went through was about the force. He skimmed through it real fast trying to pick out any good parts, but it looked all the same to him. Wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, he then let down his hair still tied up. He then reached into his pocket and grabbed a ceremonial bead necklace, one that looked absolutely ancient and ready to blow away into dust. Pisan looked over to his master only to see him occupied in his own studies, so he turned his attention back to his book. The reading started now, and he cuffed his right palm onto his chin look down onto book.

 

Minutes passed. He felt as if he was reading the same stuff over and over again. Soon after what seemed like an eternity (and only 2 pages) he finally got to something interesting that he had little knowledge on.

 

He quietly read to himself and tried to take in all that he could.

 

Midichlorians:

 

They are microscopic life-forms that reside within the cells of all living things and communicate with the Force. Midi-chlorians compose a collective consciousness and intelligence, forming links between everything living and the Force. They are symbionts with all other living things; that is, without them, life could not exist. The Jedi have learned how to listen to and coordinate the midi-chlorians. Those with a high midichlorian count are strongest with the Force.

 

He had already known a little bit about them, but nevertheless this knowledge was great to know to the littlest detail.

 

He began to go into much greater reading about them and scanned through the text with high enthusiasm. Once that part had finally ended, he turned over to a new subject.

 

Scanning through the pages, he felt his eyes start to lull. Nevertheless, he kept on.

[Damon]

Searching into the back of the ancient collection of knowledge the white master made his way out of mind and out sight of his apprentice. Moving his way to the place where the data pads he quested for resided Damon wondered if his task was possible. In his mind the light sabers he carried were not suited for his life. Instead he had turned his back from his old frontal style of combat. As a result his skills and mind have turned to the force as his ally and his weapon against those who challenge the light in its fight for the removal of the dark side. What he needed now was a staff.

 

The construction was simple enough. What was not was the markings that would imbue it. Even though blind Damon was glad the force helped him read the text and told him what he needed to make the weapon that he required. Not writing them down there was no need. All knowledge he obtained for his quest was stored in his mind and would be remembered.

 

With his search done he would make his item later for now he had other work to do. Walking through the library Damon found his apprentice and called him.

 

"Come now. I'm sorry for keeping you to data pads and text for so long. We now begin practical and move you through your training. We head for Gala and start to prepared you for your full embracing of the order."

 

Damon continued walking not stopping knowing that his padawan would be in step behind him shortly.

[Master Kyp Durron]

The deep blue swirl of hyperspace parted into starlines, finally resolving themselves into the individual jeweled pinpricks of light against the cold black backdrop of space as a battered and antiquated freighter executed it's automated course toward Ossus. Warning alarms flooded the air within the freighter, though no life forms were aboard to hear them or respond.

 

"Dwoooo...", T3-M4 mournfully whistled.

 

T3-M4 jacked into the freighter's main computer, attempting to override the master alarms, and stabilize the craft. He was designed for utility functions and navigation, not for piloting... Master Kyp had programmed the freighter with the coordinates and approach vectors for the ruins of the ancient Jedi Library on Ossus, but had not counted on the hyperdrive motivator blowing out and causing the primary repulsors to short out along with it. The viewport glowed orange with fire as the freighter plummeted through the atmosphere. Unable to slow the vessel, T3-M4 reprogrammed the inertial compensator to 200% in the hopes that it would help him survive the inevitable crash intact...

[Damon]

His padawan had decided to stay and Damon had other matters to move on to. His trip back to his ship should be a bit of a walk and would give him time to think. The force always offered that. Then again some days were better than other.

 

Even blind he could feel what was coming. An old jedi master was coming to Ossus. His ship was heading right for the library behind him, but he was not slowing down. The ship kept accelerating and whatever presence the master offered, he was not coherent. The ship even though coming closer was still in the upper atmosphere. This was not going to be an easy task to save the ship and the library. However, the force is always strong on Ossus.

 

Digging deep to the inner fire the force began to ignite. Flames started to flare behind the white cloth that hid his eyes. Damon brought his hands from his sides to the top capturing the ship with his grasp. Channeling all of the energy from with in and then around the cloth blew free as a wind ripped across the edge of the water fall. Fire now shined bright in his eyes as the force grabbed the ship. It slowly began to stop, but not fast enough. What influence was put on the ship wasn't enough to stop it. It continued to plunge at a fast rate. More power was needed.

 

The jedi master on the ship may not be able to stop the ship, but the master on the ground would. No one was stronger than an consular in the ways of the force. Burning all of his mettle into this one task his fire burned around him as the ship continued to slow down more and more. Not knowing if shields and landing gear had been prepared Damon brought forth one last great push as the ship neared the waterfall and the ship hung in mid air. Slowly it drifted to ground and was dropped with a thud.

 

Heavy breathes flooded the tired master. The task was more difficult than expected however, Damon believed after that he could do a hundred ships . Finding the white band that hid his now shimmering eyes he now waited for the jedi master to exit his ship and figure out who it was.

[Damon]

Standing in front of the ship Damon stood and waited. That was of course till he received his message on his jedi channel. It said one word and one word only. It was a location of where he was supposed to be. Even though he wanted to see who it was he knew he did not have time to wait and see.

 

Heading to his ship Damon left for his destination as well an explanation of why.

[Master Kyp Durron]

A hiss of static was all that came from the comm as the battered freighter landed with a thump. Landed... T3-M4 was confused, the ship should be scattered across the field in a thousand pieces of wreckage at the velocity it had been travelling only moments prior. He deduced that a Jedi must have intervened... he had seen many Jedi do amazing things, and had one Jedi especially to thank for his continued existance. It was only a shame that Master Kyp had become one with the Force, leaving without giving him a chance to thank him properly. T3-M4 jacked into the ship's main computer, entering the command to open the hatch and lower the boarding ramp. The ship groaned in protest as is complied with the command, and the main computer jolted with a burst of short-circuited electricity and smoke as the primary computer died.

 

WHEET!! T3-M4 exclaimed as the electricity played over his utility arm.

 

Recognizing that there was nothing more he could do with the ship's computer, or the ship itself for that matter, T3-M4 trundled down the boarding ramp and set off for the ruins of the Jedi Library. If Master Kyp's last command was correct, he should find a way to contact Xae-Lin Ardel there.

[Sasori]

Sasori pulled out of space heading toward the only noteworthy thing on the surface of the planet of Ossus, which other than this landmark was a barren wasteland of cataclysmic environmental change that covered the ruins of its once lively structure. His ship came toward the Old Jedi Library, with the intent of landing nearby so the Assassin inside might search its archives. With movements as subtle as a Skipray Blastboat the ship made its way toward the planet's surface and landed in an old platform on the East side of the facility.

 

The Library was deserted, and the indigenous plant life had taken a hold over the one time Great Library of the Jedi. Marching from his platform, the Assassin had to grab a sword and cut through the foliage to make his way through the automatic doors the Order had installed. Walking through they opened and the vast collections of holobooks, and some actual written books, were seen for as far as Sasori could see, at least with all the dust in the air. He looked around and found a small circular desk at the end of the path he was on. Here he saw many computers, possibly meant for searching the archives, though it's exact intent was uncertain at this time.

 

Sasori moved forward toward the computers, and saw that they were still running after all these years, even if they were a bit dusty. Using the cloth on his garments, the assassin wiped the screen clean seeing a light blue background with white text in an older form of Basic.

 

:Verify Force User:

 

The Assassin had come to a dead end. He was never found by the Order of the Jedi, nor the Sith Order as a child so he could be born unto their teachings, thus he must not have been a Force User. The Assassin felt he had nothing left to go with, or to turn to, however, a thought crossed his mind. In someone's mind, which lacked mythological prowess, ability in the Force was contained in bacteria which exist in the blood of sentient beings, quite the opposite of what was known 19 years prior, thus the Assassin pressed the button in which a small device cropped up from the counter, which seemed, unlike everything else in this place, sterile. He placed his finger on it, and much like those with diabetes a prick hit his finger, and the screen flashed.

 

:Confirmed:

 

Sasori had a shock ripple through his body. He could be a Jedi, a Sith or something else entirely. The Assassin had done some cruel things in his life, not to mention the recent killing of an entire warrior tribe of Tuskens. He was far from the path of the Jedi Order, and his dedication to Dordjooba left going with that Order out of the question. As for the Sith. Their undying nature of killing for killing's sake was not Sasori's path either. He only killed when necessary and for his employers, not for sick thrills and boredom. Perhaps there was another path, or perhaps he could make his own. In time maybe he could become even more powerful than the Jedi, and possibly competition for the Sith.

 

Bringing his mind back from the fantasies that had come over him, he saw a new prompt on his screen.

 

lace hand on Screen so that console may scan for further, easier use of console on your behalf:

 

Sasori did as the screen said, and a menu popped up asking for an input. A Virtual keyboard appeared as well and the Assassin typed in a query.

 

'Basic Techniques taught to Padawans'

 

A list of books popped up, all dating at a time well before the Empire even existed. Looking through the list, Sasori made note of them on his datapad an dbegan a search of the library.

 

 

------------

[Sasori]

He spent hours reading, book after book, shelf after shelf. The techniques of the Jedi and their Darker counterparts were ingrained in the skull of the Assassin. This power, all of this power, was available to him. Infinite power, yet with control. The Jedi and he Sith differed so much, but Sasori could not find himself following either philosophy, either Religion, either branch of them are so strict, or too lax. No, Sasori would forge his own way. Using his new found abilities, Sasori tossed all the books back to their proper places within the library. After weeks of instruction, from holocrons, to the entries of Jedi Masters of old, he was now learned, instructed, and could use the same force abilities any fully trained Jedi Padawan could do. The Library itself held much more information, and Sasori knew that information well, his mind was photographic, these things he shall never forget.

 

He made his way to his ship and lifted up intending to make his way to a place where he can make the one thing to complete his new ability.A lightsaber.

[Dashel Illioni]

Uriel frowned at the devastated surface of Ossus. Or rather, he frowned at the readings generated by the Sorusuub's sensor array of the surface of Ossus. Merely reading about and seeing the stills of the surface did little to convey the tragedy that had occurred here. The thought of the knowledge lost here during the planet's destruction tugged at his emotions. He found himself haiting Exar Kun for not finding a way to destroy the Jedi without damaging the planet's structures and artifacts.

 

Several dozen low orbits of the planet proved optimal for getting the detail and resolution necessary for him to begin matching the current terrain features with the ancient maps from the memory banks of Mechis. Research had provided him with enough knowledge of where the Jedi would have taken the information from Lady Elementia's temple and a computer search aided by the archeology team from Mechis provided a reasonable search area for ruins of the Jedi library on Ossus.

 

Landing the ship in a relatively clear area, Uriel ordered several Droid construction teams to set up a base camp for the archeological team. The team, headed by a Dr Lynn Householder, had agreed to first search for Uriel's desired knowledge in return for being allowed to remain on the planet's surface. In order to remain supplied, they had further agreed to turn over all artifacts and findings to him, as well as scans and duplication of all the knowledge for forwarding to the Jedi. Uriel intended for the information to include some worms that should enable him to track whom and where the information was accessed. The results might prove interesting.

 

Once the droid teams set up the base camp, Uriel allowed the archeological team, its attached grad students, and droids to disembark onto the planet's surface. The main team begin the surveying process necessary to locate where the former entrance to the Grand Library was precisely and enable them to as Lynn had stated, be able to provide a precise 3d image of where every artifact had been found, its condition, and the age to which it had belonged. Uriel had found both her explanation and the library's more detailed one less than compelling, but recognized that when dealing with an expert in their field, it was actually better to assist them rather than work at cross purposes.

 

The grad students, meanwhile, under the direction of one of the main team members, went about setting up the rest of the research team's equipment, supplies and sundry other equipment, including directing several of the construction droids to erect a warehouse for the various artifacts the team felt sure it would find. The sight for the warehouse had been scanned and rescanned meticulously to insure that no artifacts were below it and that it would be stable enough to house the tons of weight that might be stored there.

 

During the initial fury of construction and surveying, Uriel found himself to be rather superfluous. Rather than be in the way, Uriel had left the site (but not before locking the controls of his ship down) and begun following something that had been pulling him since just after landing. While his abilitiles in the force had improved since his initial forays, they were still inexact and the search took far longer than his master would have, had his master bothered. Something, though, pulled the young Krath towards a depression in Ossus' soil. As he entered that depression, he felt the pain and suffering of a young Jedi whose life had ended there. Uriel reveled in it and immediately began unrolling a mediation mat in the spot where the feeling was the most intense. He sat down and meditated, allowing his senses to penetrate everything around him. Minutes quickly turned into several hours, and Uriel felt both refreshed by his submersion into another's pain and suffering and possessed by the urge to examine what lay beneath some desiccated shrubbery nearby. Drawing his blaster, he pointed his blaster at the shrub and pulled the trigger. Several bolts charred the brush into non-existence, revealing a narrow cave entrance in the side of a low hill. He stepped towards it, determined to find out what revelation awaited him there.

[Dashel Illioni]

Uriel proceeded towards the cave entrance whose narrow opening beckoned to him so strongly. He charged inward after barely clearing the narrow doorway and stopped. Something in the dim room threatened him terribly, threatened him so badly that the dark side surged of its own accord through him. He drew his whip and blaster, sealed his suit and prepared to do battle with whatever threatened him. Something in the dim dusty room, seemingly furnished with the sandstone equivalent of a workshops tables and gear beckoned to him despite the roaring warning from the darkside.

He reached out with the darkside, seeking to understand the warning coming from the darkness. He was met by a wall of energy sweeping over him. Pain surged through him, and he felt the agony twice. Once through his physical form as he felt the darkside swept from him and the second time as he felt the nanites completely stripped from him simultaneously. The pain overloaded every synapse in his body, ultimately leading to him down in to the darkness of unconsciousness.

Back at the camp, the wave of energy shut down every instrument in the camp, as well as the causing Uriel's ship to go into an emergency battle readiness. It took only moments for the instruments to come back online, but Uriel ship's defense took longer to decide that a threat was not imminent. It did, after reboot, begin feeding requested information to the scientists as to what the threat was.

A crowed gathered around the head researcher, who projected the results on a nearby stone surface. The head archeologists turned to the gathered group and screamed, something surprising considering the man's normally taciturn academic nature.

”œWhy are you all standing around? We all drilled on emergency procedures with and without our host present. Get moving.”

[Dashel Illioni]

Uriel woke up and for a moment could not decide if he was in a Jedi med center, or in a field tent hastily converted to the same purpose. For a moment, he felt as if he was in both places at once. Closing his eyes and centering himself in the Darkside allowed him to discover that the field tent really existed while the Jedi medcenter that had seemed so real slowly dissolved into his roiling subconscious.

Opening his eyes for the second time allowed him to focus on the tent around him and the other occupant sharing it with him. Looking over, he saw a relatively young woman whose arm was wrapped in a sling and whom obviously had other injuries, some minor and others that were covered by the blanket that covered her.

The girl turned her eyes toward Uriel, meeting his gaze before laughing softly. Uriel felt his anger rise before he got control of it. Losing himself to the madness of the Darkside served no purpose in this instance and killing a young woman for laughing before he found out what was funny would be tragic.

”œSorry,”

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca journey was a short one, and he may only beat Dahar and Aryian by a few hours, maybe less. Coming from tarts would mean that they had a straight shot like him and wouldn't take long, so the Jedi Master was grateful for that. It was a chance to allow for Dahar to explain things, clear the air and not let the Council be left in disarray. Most importantly, find out who this Lord was that he had mentioned. Landing his Jedi Ace in one of the few landing platforms at the enclave, Kirlocca found himself remembering the smell of the planet as the cockpit opened. It was like the Force had brushed it's surface a thousand times over with it's scent, allowing for any Force user to feel it so swiftly without being swept away. As he climbed out, he remembered the reasons he had been here before.

 

As he walked into the main enclave, the memories of the Order meeting to decide Hou-Jo's fate flooded back. It was here that such a thing was committed. It was here that the Concil setup emergency protocols to help contain a wild Grandmaster from ever following such a path again. Those were dark times, as many of the Order that is still alive don't remember the valiant young Jedi Knight Hou-Jo who would defend against the onslaughts and be a great Jedi hero. They only remember his display of darkness and the swift fall from grace as Grandmaster. Such a time was not to repeat, as he was sure that Dahar would not follow those steps. He would be a much wiser man and listen to reason and knowledge. Even if he did travel with Aryian Darkfire, the man who was once so close to Kirlocca that the Wookiee was his best man at his wedding. No, that Darkfire had been washed away. When he fell to the dark side, he lost that side of Aryian and became something... someone new.

 

Kirlocca found the center of the enclave, sat and crossed his legs and began to meditate as he awaited Dahar.

[Ary the Grey]

Bumping the thread up from the second page of the forum, Aryian looked out the viewport as the shuttle came in for a landing at Ossus, and he could feel Kirlocca's presence nearby. It was a warm presence, but there was also a tinge of caution. He'd not seen the Wookiee for a decently long time, and it was to be expected.

 

"Lead the way. I have not been in the presence of more than one Master of the Force in a great while. This is a rare honor, anymore."

 

Aryian gestured, hoping Dahar would post most of the stuff. But they were here, and that was the important part.

[Dahar Raikanda]

The Force lead Dahar to his old friend. The enclave was secluded, and it felt like the Force was swirling around the place in waves.

 

The Grandmaster approached the Wookiee, motioning towards Aryian signifying his presence. He greeted Kirlocca with a sincere smile.

 

"My friend, I was worried I migth never see you again. You left so quickly. And now here we are. Your message seemed urgent?"

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca was deep within his own Force Meditation upon the arrival of Dahar and Aryian. The Jedi Master made no move to stand up, or to greet them right away. There was a sense of despair within the Force somewhere that he was still trying to locate. It was faint and subtle, but there. After a moment, he decided to bring himself back to reality and address Dahar. He first did so by playing the transmission Raven Zinthos had received as he stood up.

 

"Ms Zinthos. My name is Dahar Raikanda, I am the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. In future correspondences I would beseech you to speak only to me, or to my hand Lord Paragrin. We are the only two in the current re-structuring of the Order that will be of any administrative or tactical relevance to you. The concept of a Jedi "council" still exists but please note that with changing times roles are changing as well. I be-"

 

Kirlocca cut it off and threw the single chip recorder into the wall off to his left. There was no need for Aryian to hear anymore than what e already had, and the point was clear to Dahar that Kirlocca did not like it. He took a moment to fold his arms across his chest like any Jedi addressing the Council on important matters.

 

<< Dahar, that message seems rather... to be blunt, not Grandmaster like. Not even Jedi Order like. It was enough to stir a few Jedi who came to me concerned. Rest assured though, I have given them enough to be focused on and calmed their own emotions down. I trust though, with that transmission you sent and the broadcast unencrypted was to serve a purpose, other then to say the Jedi are going to be purpose driven weapons from here on out? >>

 

Kirlocca still did not move from his spot, or even address Aryian. Right now, he needed to make sure that the Jedi Knight he had worked so closely with on Gala in training him in Wru'torr and gave him his Master trials was still present. He needed THAT Dahar to still be the Jedi Grandmaster. Not the one the other Jedi thought him to be. He needed a level headed discussion to happen here between the two of them. Hopefully, this was all apart of a plan that Dahar had that he did not let the Wookiee in on. Hopefully, he was not walking away from the Jedi traditions that held the Order together for thousands of years.

[Dahar Raikanda]

Dahar listened to the message. He knew it, he had sent it.

 

"I'm aware of that message, I was the one who sent it. Is there a problem with it, Kirlocca? Would you want someone we haven't been in touch with in decades approaching the new galactic standard of power and speaking on our behalf? I know I wouldn't. And what of the council? What council? I thought it was you and I, that we were going to do this together. And then you left, you didn't even tell me where you were going.

 

I can't pretend that I don't feel hurt by your actions. This was not something I asked for, not something I expected, but I will do it to the best of my abilities. And I thought those abilities would be without you or any other Jedi Masters.

 

Lord Paragrin is the name Tobias Vos chose to use as a face to the galaxy. I trust the man with my life, however, there are those would look upon that name and only remember the Tobias before his literal rebirth. It seemed prudent of me to allow him to go by any name he wished. Also, with your disappearance, there was nobody else around me that I could trust. Tobias may have a shady past... but don't you and I? Sure, we were never Sith but we know what is out there. Tobias does too, and his interest in bringing peace to the galaxy is as genuine as mine."

 

Dahar glanced to Aryian, curious if he had any thoughts or was going to share them. He paced around his old Wookiee friend who had yet to rise from his meditative spot.

 

"Purpose driven weapon is an interesting phrase that I don't think I've heard. Master Darkfire here has also warned me of the costs of what pursuing the Sith could be. What about you? Do you want to just sit around and wait? I've never known you to be afraid of putting forth the effort to do what is right.

 

You and I have an opportunity to bring change to the Order. We can form a new council, bring ourselves back to the strength that we once were. I did indeed leave my address unencrypted because I wanted it to reach any Jedi ears that were open. And reports have been well. The temples I've heard back from are eager and ready to follow me... to follow you and I?

 

I'd be quite interested to hear the concerns of the other Jedi... Who are you talking about? I take it you made contact with Ms. Zinthos?"

[Ary the Grey]

Aryian sat down, and remained silent. He could tell his opinion might be wanted, but he would not give it unless asked. This was no longer his business. Not his fight. But he would end it, if one broke out. He felt the Force stirring, like a simmer before the boil. This could go one of two ways, and he hoped it would go peacefully. He might not be part of the Order, but he was still willing to lay his life down to protect it. What was another life, anyways? Especially when he had given so many already...

[Wookiee Jedi]

The emotions put on display by Dahar threw Kirlocca off just a bit. It was curbed by some rather confusion at Dahar ignoring half of what he had said, which only made the Wookiee burrow his own eyebrows in utter confusion. It wasn't something that he was expecting. Kirlocca took a step back from where he was standing, as Dahar walking around him, almost brooding made Kirlocca wonder if Dahar had fallen already and was hiding it. He wouldn't allow for it to be a thought that remained within his mind. Such a thing couldn't have happened so fast, not without any warning. Although, the Jedi Master did allow for the thought of Wru'torr abandoning Dahar to linger. Taking a deep breath in, the Wookiee responded as calmly as he could.

 

<< Dahar, don't play a victim here. I gave you wisdom during our walk on Tython, left you with a vast archive in the actual temple. You had guidance. Don't forget the Jedi Code, a code upon which you will be expected to uphold. We as Jedi use the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack. To assume that we should go after the Sith outright is far from a standard the Jedi should seek out. This entire conversation isn't going to lead us anywhere fruitful or productive. >>

 

Kirlocca now lifted his paw, making a clear sign to Dahar not to address the issue. He wasn't a fan of such thoughts, but but Dahar already had them, and now they must move on.

 

<< As far as the Council and Vos go... We need to come up with a list of Jedi that we can put on the Council. The Council is a key role for the Jedi to look up to. It keeps the Order intact and moving. Plus, there are a great deal of many issues that should be voted on. A good Grandmaster should always choose many different view points for the Council members. It allows for him or her to make the most informed decision as they lead the Order. It would be wise for you to consider Jedi who have proven themselves and might oppose you in a debate... >>

 

Kirlocca paused, but only for a moment, he did not want Dahar to interrupt.

 

<< ...Tobias Vos... to give a rank or title of Lord is something the Jedi do not do. I know that you trust him, but others do not share that trust... But... Much like a nod of approval from me, the trust I gave you calmed others. I think that if I can give my approval over Tobias Vos, it will allow for others to accept him and trust him the way you do. I will allow for his spot on the Council and the rank of Jedi Master openly, if-IF, he will submit to a Master trial under me. That way, I can place trust in him, and he can also have the trust of others knowing that I am giving my blessing over him. It will help solidify you with the rest of the Jedi Order. >>

 

Kirlocca now refolded his arms, but kept them lower this time. Instead of near his chest, they were much closer to his waist where 41D used to sit. Kirlocca now awaited for Dahar to give his response. He wondered if he would get upset that Kirlocca ignored some of his questions, but since Dahar ignored some of his, it was only fair. He also wondered how he would take to the Wookiee making it very clear that the subject of following the Jedi Code was moot and not worth him debating. As the Grandmaster, if Dahar did not follow the Jedi Code and way of life, it would only be a matter of time before the entire Order just up and left him. There was no way he was blind to that fact.

[Dahar Raikanda]

It was clear that the Grandmaster and his friend had some deep theological differences. They each had a way of interpreting the code and Dahar found it unfortunate that Kirlocca was so closed off in his thinking that he thought his way the only way. That he had become too old to learn. "Only a Sith deals in absoultes," Dahar remembered a line from his favorite holo-movie. The Grandmaster would not bend from believing that the best defense was a good offense. Plans were already in motion and a debate between the two of them wouldn't change a thing.

 

"We must agree to disagree for now, Kirlocca. But as far as the council, yes, I do think that would benefit our direction. I say 'our' because everything I do I do for the benefit of our Order and the galaxy at large. But who would join us? I don't think that we could come up with the twelve of old days. I know that Master Dashel Illioni would accept the task, he contacted me and I sense unwavering loyalty to our principles in him. There is also Master Xae-Lin Ardel, who although young, I have a great deal of respect for.

 

I also recently was visited by my old apprentice, Adenna Alluyen. She has proven herself to us for years. After learning of her liberation of her home planet from slavery I granted her the title of Master.

 

I assume you will be sticking around, correct? Also, I seem to have stumbled upon someone who's counsel might be quite valuable, although I doubt either of us could convince him to stay in one place."

 

Dahar motioned with an open palm to Aryian, letting him know that an invitation was indeed made for him to join the new council.

 

"Who else do we know of?

 

As far as Tobias Vos I suppose I can't ignore the concerns of others. Not everybody has gotten to know him like I have. But you were there, on Gala. You fought alongside him. Surely you sensed something in him. Vos will remain my friend with or without approval. However, we are indeed to create a new council I will not claim to be the ultimate authority on who is or is not a Jedi. I can contact him right now if you wish. I think he will comply with your request.

 

Can you understand at all why, without a council around me, I felt the need to take action? Or are you so hardened, have you already decided that because I don't see things the way that you do that I must have already fallen to the Dark Side?"

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca choose to look past the comment on being so harden. He knew that Dahar held his own harden perspective as well. But the Wookiee had lived long enough to know that he had to work closely with Dahar to keep him from becoming the next Hou-Jo Poleb. He couldn't let another one like that rise to power again. He would work with Dahar to make sure that the man did not fall into the trap mindset of thinking that without offense the Jedi would be weak. It was something that consumed Hou-Jo to the point of not being willing to listen to others or being able to see when to pull off the attack.

 

<< I did sense in Vos something. He showed great skills. And I would always want for you to keep your friends. But skills do not make a Jedi Master. The Trials show much more then skill. Commitment, discipline, understanding, and assurance of self. These are things that are observed in those Trials. I will meet up with Tobias Vos and see how such things are displayed. Onderon has a need for aid. We can do his trial there. >>

 

Kirlocca paused, allowing for the Force to speak ever so quietly to him.

 

<< I think that we can slowly move the Jedi Order's main location off Tython. That place was never meant as the main location. It's a haven, a respite. We need to establish ourselves in a better accessible planet then Tython. I'll let you choose the spot. >>

 

Kirlocca could feel something stirring in the Force. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but it was there... faint...

[Ary the Grey]

Aryian's thoughts drifted to Phu briefly, but that was hardly a planet that was better suited than Tython. If anything, it was more hidden than Tython, and Armiena had hidden it from the Order intentionally. Plus, that much Phrik didn't need to see the galaxy again for a while. It was a factory for war, which could bring no good to anything. So for now, it would be Aryian's secret.

 

"I will be available for counsel, if it is needed. But my time with the Order has come to an end a while back. My path lies elsewhere. Though I still wish to maintain amicable ties to the Jedi, if allowed. I will train those who I can as requested, and that extends to more than just Padawans."

 

Aryian's gaze shifted to Dahar, choosing for the time being to leave out his request. He might have desired to skirt the Dark Side, but it didn't need to define him as such. Just as long as he understood that, and didn't allow the risks he decided to take to poison the next generation of Jedi, intentionally or otherwise. That was the responsibility he would fully need to realize by pursuing his forbidden knowledge.

 

"I am curious, though...who is to lead the Order, then? The mantle of Grandmaster is not a light title to take. It carries a particular set of responsibilities and generally requires its bearer to follow a particular path. Does the Order even need a titular, singular leader right now? Or would it be better off with a small few sharing those responsibilities and aspects? It has been done in the past...but current events may call for differing structures of hierarchy."

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca finally turned towards Aryian Darkfire and acknowledged the man. The two had once been very close, battling through tons of confrontations, until the final time they saw each other... On Gala when Kirlocca had taken the fallen Darkfire down. It was a sad day, one that the Jedi Master still mourns almost everyday. To se him now next to Dahar did give him mixed feelings, but he was very grateful to hear he still had his same voice of reason. With a nod towards him, Kirlocca turned towards Dahar.

 

<< Dahar can still remain Grandmaster if he wishes it. The Jedi Code and principles have and always will be the guiding force behind the Order. But as I've already said, a good Grandmaster chooses a council that can help him make informed decisions. I know that me and Darex shared the role after Kitt Fitt, as Grandmaster and Master of the Order. I also know that the Council serves as the leadership and the Grandmaster is simply the head, sharing an equal part with the Council and acts as the face alone and is the deciding vote. The role has never been a singular position of power. >>

[Ary the Grey]

"I see."

 

Aryian had never made it that high in the ranking structures of the Jedi, and while he had a rudimentary understanding of how it worked, he'd never really cared to learn the details of the positions that Kirlocca now divulged. Deciding he'd derailed the conversation enough, he simply remained quiet, awaiting Dahar's decision on where to move the Order Headquarters. It wasn't a light decision to be made.

[Dahar Raikanda]

The Galacron around Dahar's neck grew just a little bit warm. It was faint enough for him to notice, to draw his attention to it. Was the Force trying to tell him something? As far as he knew the device that had once powered the Gala temple was of a pure Light Side concentration. The warmth shifted Dahar's attention to his own thoughts. The Code, the Light Side. His mental processes were moving in a different direction. He was beginning to feel anger and resentment.

 

He had put into motion plans to restore strength and purpose. Sure, the faceless masses had appreciated his fancy words. But here he stood with a man he once considered his mentor. He felt as if the Wookiee, and those who followed him, were dedicated to tradition more than the Force.

 

The Jedi had lost their way. This whole time Dahar had thought the existence of the Sith was what was keeping the Force out of balance. But it was now, at this moment, that he realized everyone was to blame. Himself included. He was just as guilty as everyone else of this dogma worship. The Code? The code he and countless others had lived and died by. Where had it gotten them? Was the galaxy not as chaotic now as it had ever been? Here he stood on the verge of greatness, face-to-face with a man who represented an addiction to the status quo.

 

The Jedi didn't want change. Nobody wanted change. Except for him. There was a bigger picture here, one that was revealing itself to him, one that few would every feel comfortable grasping.

 

It was all wrong. Everything was wrong. Dahar, Grandmaster of the Jedi Order, was wrong. His own docile responses to being challenged had convinced him of that. He had come here with such resolve, but being around Kirlocca had convinced him to back away from his new ideals and embrace the lackluster ways of old.

 

Kirlocca stood before him, waiting for a suggestion from on where to move the Jedi to.

 

Kirlocca, Dahar's greatest teacher. The embodiment of strength that he had once hoped to be.

 

Dahar's face turned pained, his eyes grew weary, strained. What he saw before him would always be a friend, or so he hoped, but no longer an ally.

 

With a swift motion he pulled off the datapad attached to his wrist. This had been programmed for him on Tython to allow him to control all the logistics of the Order from wherever he went. It was the symbol of his power as Grandmaster. With the gentleness he would have used with a newborn baby he tossed it to Kirlocca to catch.

 

"I wish it not. The order is yours, old friend. This is goodbye." With this Dahar made it clear he was finished. Finished as the Grandmaster. He wondered if he would perhaps always identify as a Jedi... but he wanted nothing more to do with the current order.

 

Dahar turned to Aryian, motioning that he was leaving. "I've done as you suggested. I need to complete this training. We can even stop for custard on the way."

 

The heat from the galacron grew hotter and hotter. It was beginning to singe his neck. He embraced the pain as a sign of a correct decision. He focused on the heat searing his flesh and felt stronger for it.

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca could feel something stir within the Force, like a very strong current shifting it's direction. Dahar's face changed and Kirlocca watched and studied him for a bit. He began to wonder if the man before him would now take the greatest of steps and begin to emerge as one of the best Jedi Grandmasters the Order had ever seen. But then there was his face... and the pain in his eyes... The Jedi Master suddenly felt a shiver run down his spine. It was not fear or danger that triggered it. It was emotion. He felt a great sadness well up inside him. As Dahar spoke, Kirlocca began to blink, fighting back tears. He had known so many Jedi turn from their ways and fall into darkness, so many Jedi get corrupted. But Dahar... Dahar was supposed to be the great apprentice of Wru'torr. He was supposed to rise above the shadows and emerge as the greatest. For some reason... this hurt more then seeing Aryian fall, having to fight Aryian on Gala and resist every urge to not cut him down. Dahar choosing to walk away... that stung the Wookiee far more then what he wanted.

 

Kirlocca looked down at the data pad and felt tears break from the spot he held them in at. Was this how it was supposed to end for Dahar and him? No... Kirlocca could not let him leave the planet without having a sign of friendship to carry with him.

 

<< D-...Dahar...>>

 

Kirlocca pulled out his lightsaber and cut a braid of fur from his head. It was one of his warrior braids, and handed it over to the man. It was a sign of everlasting friendship amongst Wookiee warriors. The Jedi Master wanted Dahar to have it and to remember that Kirlocca was always in his corner. Beyond that, it was near impossible for Kirlocca to even move a muscle. He was tense and overwhelmed with sadness at knowing he would not see his friend very much anymore.

[Ary the Grey]

And like that, it was finished. Painful, but fast. The pain would fade, and time would heal all. While he wished to comfort his old friend, Aryian knew this wasn't the path for him to walk. Kirlocca would be okay. As he quietly passed them, he softly clapped a hand on Kirlocca's shoulder, a symbol of somber solidarity.

 

"Brother."

 

Nodding his goodbye, he left the room without another word, and waited for Dahar. What would happen next would be interesting indeed, as Dahar had upheld Aryian's stipulation, despite every indication that he wouldn't. In the end, Aryian felt the bitter sting of being right about the true burden it was. He hadn't intended it to be like this, and in fact was about to go against what he'd told Dahar in the beginning, and train him as he wanted anyways. But such was the way of things. Perhaps it was fate? Or maybe even events outside of the spectrum of normal perception that drove Dahar to do something so contrary to what was expected. Probably the latter. Probably a whopping heap of the latter.

 

Whopping. Whopper. Aryian's stomach growled. As they met up away from Kirlocca, Aryian spoke up first.

 

"I'm starving. We need to go get something to eat. A nice juicy nerf burger or something. At the least, let's go to Coru, I know this little restaurant with the biggest nerf burgers you've seen."

[Dahar Raikanda]

The visible sorrow in Kirlocca caused Dahar to question his actions. He felt as though he was selling out his family. His resolve, however, was unyielding. This inner conflict didn't go unnoticed. He was finally realizing what others had warned him of. He had thought, for a while, that the Dark Side was just part of the spectrum. That althought there were indeed good and evil there was no Dark or Light. But what was happening inside of him was different and finally apparent. His emotions were fueling him. But logic still held balance. He was doing what he knew to be right.

 

In accepting the braid Dahar grasped the Wookiee firmly at the wrist. With strong eye contact he gave him a final nod of respect. He tucked the item carefully in his tunic and turned away.

 

"Coruscant works for me," he answered to Darkfire as the two left for their ship.

[NPC-1138]

The Grandmaster bracelet now in Kirlocca's possession beeped with a one-way transmission from Tython. A red protocol droid popped up with a brief message.

 

"Encoded message for the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. Master Raikanda, a young Wookiee has arrived seeking training as a Jedi. I thought, perhaps, that you may wish to notify Master Kirlocca if you can."

[Wookiee Jedi]

Kirlocca stood for a few minutes to watch Dahar and Aryian leave. It was heart breaking, yet somehow, the resolve of Dahar made even the Jedi Maser remember his on sense of duty. It was exactly as things were meant to happen, and the Wookiee understood that the will of the Force was at work here. But now it left a vacant spot of Grandmaster. Kirlocca looked down at the datapad, which held a message that was unopened. He stared at it for only a second before opening the message to read what it said. After reading it, Kirlocca tucked the datapad away in his robe and looked around at the rundown ruined enclave. For only a second did he think that such a place could be a spot for the Jedi to reside, but the second passed and Kirlocca knew better. This was a place that seemed to flow with the Force... yet it also carried a great weight. Until the Council was formed and a Grandmaster chosen by the Order, such decisions would be left alone. For now, the life long never ending call had been placed. There was a Jedi apprentice to be trained, and just like old times, Kirlocca was going to do it. He always seemed to have a hand in training Jedi.

 

Kirlocca began his walk out of the enclave, using the Force to call the datapad that held the message Dahar had sent to Head of State Raven Zinthos. Such a message should not be found. Kirlocca would not let anyone for a second stumble upon such a damaging tool. And the Jedi Master owed it to his friend to protect his name now that he would wander the galaxy like the grey hermit he was following. The Wookiee would make sure that the name of Dahar Raikanda would always be honored within the Jedi Order. With things settled within his mind, Kirlocca climbed in the JediAce and blasted off the planet and headed for Tython. He had a Jedi apprentice to pick up.

[Ary the Grey]

Aryian made himself comfortable behind the unspecified spacecraft's controls, knowing how to fly it instinctively, which was really a piss-poor excuse for explaining how the narrator was too lazy to look back a few posts and figure out just what exactly Dahar was flying around in these days. Dahar himself looked a little too mopey to do anything at this point, so Aryian simply took the initiative and ran with it.

 

With the roar of unspecified engines, the unspecified shuttle blasted off the unspecified landing location and unspecified, unspecified, space hyper jump thing.