A Grim and Foreseeable Future

[GABA]

Alsakan had fallen.

Tython had fallen.

Empress Teta had fallen.

Soon, Coruscant.

It was the inevitable and the Grand Master somehow knew this would come before the days became dire. Sigur stared out into the once was busy trafficked air, however, a majority of transports flew in one direction: space. The chaos was apparent in the air as people made last minute decisions on what they should do. Reports of a skirmish near the shield generator had reached his ears, the Mandalorain and Sith warships would arrive soon, their forces relentless against the desperate Alliance.

The Coruscanti Temple was also facing evacuation, irreplaceable Jedi relics were packed onto ships and sent to the Light of the Force, the archives were being cleaned of sensitive materials, and those too inexperienced of fighters reluctantly begun their exodus from the core.

The Grand Master ran his hand on the back of his chair, standing, facing the Coruscant skyline as he waited for the meeting to begin. Councilor Vashee had finished evacuating Empress Teta and Councilor Armstrong was on his way back from the loss of Endor. Joining them also would the Alliance’s Chief of State: Nathanaeu Bastele, of whom the Grand Master given their last encounter, were not on best of terms and this meeting. Sigur knew this meeting would be not the Alliance would want to hear, but the Grand Master felt the need to do what he thought was right, even if it left some displeased.

 

[Master Maverick]

Soon she would learn that the Grand Master had the same idea as she. Already en route to Cularin, to the once lesser-known city of Darnion, the Togruta with the few score Jedi aboard her personal ship traveled through hyperspace away from the Core. The evacuation of the Sage Halls and Cinnagar had been a relative success. The loss of a great ally there weighed heavily on her heart, but that was intermingled with the loss of the Temple and the Jedi at the hands of their ancient rivals and forever enemies.

They had lost. Even if the Alliance Forces were able to hold off the assault on the capital, supplies would be cut off and they would starve. It was hopeless. The war was over. At least the war as it currently was.

Alone in her chambers aboard the ship she had locked everyone out. Lumyn was outside, ever present, and keeping away those with all the questions. They would be answered in time, and she would have to be the one to break it to them. At least these particular Jedi. All the ones in the outer reaches of the galaxy would be ignorant of the future plans. They would need to be contacted, and it would need to be sooner than later. Time was of the essence, though it felt as though she had been running full out non stop for almost four weeks now. Was there no end?

It only seemed fitting, though. She had spent so much time in the Sage Halls, not leaving for a few months. She had been busy enough, of course, but not like this. Now she would have to live as a Jedi, as she had as a newly appointed Master. No home, now companions, nothing.

Her holocomm rang. A message. She rose only after a few moments of debating whether or not she actually wanted to get up and get it. Looking at the codes and the transmission, she rushed to answer it. "Grand Master! You are alright, then?" Her tone was frantic. She had heard very little of the leader of the Jedi in some time. However, that was more her fault than his - she had been rather busy and hard to contact out in the wilderness that had remained on Empress Teta.

The signal was secured by some of the best technicians in the Alliance Military and Order of the Jedi. There would be no one listening in. She didn't even wait for an answer before making her missions statement. "I am sure you are well aware that the evacuation of the Temple was a success. We were not able to safely transport all items, but the important documents and artifacts are safe for now." She couldn't be optimistic. It would only make her look foolish and naive, and it was clear there was still plenty to do.

"And what of Master Guhoo - have you heard from him? Has he contacted you?" Her hands gripped the desk, her skin becoming noticeably more pale from the pressure applied. It took her a few moments to realize this and release her grip to interlace her fingers behind her back and stand more with the demeanor her position expected of her.

 

[Gaja]

A J-12 Aethersprite Starfighter, nicknamed Braxus was flying through the galaxy at lightspeed. In the small craft sat the Corellian Jedi that went by the name of Guhoo Armstrong. The twin brother of Juno Armstrong was returning from Endor and on his way to Coruscant, though it wasn't until he was within a certain distance of Coruscant that he joined the call via holo, courtesy of a missile that hit his shields and damaged some minor functions before he made the jump to light speed.

The man didn't have many belongings with him, the armor he had on, his lightsabers and his ship. Pretty much all of his other things were in his chambers on board the Light of the Force. The several months that had passed since the Evacuation of Anaxes and his promotion to Supreme Commander of the Alliance Armed Forces had taken their toll, and the few hours that he actually slept on his way back to the Core didn't really help much either. And even though he knew the state of things and had some interesting news to share Guhoo wasn't a happy camper.

"Guhoo Armstrong, reporting in." His holographic image was a bit blurry at first, but within several seconds the signal got stronger and the Jedi Councilor could clearly be seen by all the participants of the meeting. Looking at everyone present Guhoo felt relief, he was relieved to find out that all of them were doing good. And as the Braxus approached Coruscant Guhoo would arrive but a little bit before the final clash...

"I have some news, the Chiss advance will stop at Endor, although the planet itself has fallen. And Darth Malis is dead." A weak consolation prize considering the state of the war but those were the facts, having stayed true to his reputation the older of the Armstrong twins had not fallen like his predecessors did at the hands of Darths, though the title didn't make all Sith equals... Either way the final member of the Jedi Council had joined in and now was the time to face reality. If one compared this war to a game of chess, it was safe to say that even though the game wasn't over it was over...

 

[Brandon Rhea]

The door to the Council chamber slid open, giving Bastele just enough time to hear what the holographic visage of Master Armstrong had to say. The Chief of State walked in slowly, but confidently, perhaps too confidently to the point of smugness. He hadn’t forgotten the last time he met with the Grand Master, after the Grand Master foolishly chose to rescue him from Mandalorian custody, and when Bastele appointed an Alliance congressbeing to sit on the High Council—a representative who was nowhere to be found.

It had been many long months since that tense encounter, and much had happened. Bastele was right, open war with the Mandalorians did break out, and now they were fighting side by side with the Empire, surging towards Coruscant as they swept through Alsakan. Even Tython and Empress Teta had just now been hit by the Sith. The idea that one dead Sith Lord, as Armstrong referred to, would accomplish anything worth mentioning was foolhardy.

“History is replete with dead Sith Lords, Master Armstrong, and what have we to show for it? More Sith, this time on our doorstep.”

The Chief of State stopped in the center of the chamber, as his guards remained outside the Council door, and he noted the many empty seats where a full compliment of Jedi Masters were meant to sit. This war had taken its toll not just on the Alliance, but the Jedi Order as well.

“What can I do for you, Master Jedi?”

 

[GABA]

The abrupt attendance of his Councilors left a degree of reassurance within the Grand Master knowing that they are still alive and well. Ashara voice was a little more frantic than what Sigur was used to, but reassured his Sage Master, he was well. His encounter with the Sith aboard the Preceptor had left him weaker than he had desired; he had nearly met his own end, only to survive with consequences. Bacta would heal his physical wounds, but everything else would be at the mercy of himself and the Force's will.

Master Armstrong holo image also appeared, en route to Coruscant, he knew the Battle Master had flown to assist with the Chiss campaign in the southern reaches of the galaxy, one of the major disadvantages that was severely overlooked by the Alliance during the war. Guhoo was finishing his short report when Chief of State Bastele entered the room, the air grew tense as the man stood in the center of the room.

The Grand Master walked back from behind his chair, but did not sit. He had spent his time since the fall of Tython to contemplate what needed to be done for the Order. He passed many ideas, thoughts, conspiracies, his meditations restless, but he rested on one final decision, one even difficult for the Grand Master himself.

"It's not what you can do for us, it's what we cannot do for you, Your Excellency." Sigur begun, his words already heavy, "This war is crippling the Order, we have lost many great leaders in these past years, and too many aspiring leaders on the front lines that it has certainly taken its toll." His eyes glanced to his two council members, even now he felt he could no longer find others to replace who he had, let alone fill the rest.

"I am calling the Order to fall back, we are going into hiding until we are abled. The Order is breaking and the Sith sense it, they will do what they can to finish us off unless we act first."

 

[Brandon Rhea]

“…leaving?”

The words barely escaped his lips without him seething in anger. Part of him couldn’t even believe what he was hearing. For 26,000 years, the Jedi had stood by the free people of the galaxy. The Old Republic, the Rebel Alliance, the New Republic, and now the Galactic Alliance; each one had benefited from the help and protection of the Jedi Knights. Even after the Republic turned on the Jedi at the dawn of the Galactic Empire, the Jedi stayed true. They remained steadfast and vowed to bring down the Empire, one way or another. But not anymore.

“You start this war, and then you dare run away from it? The arrogance of this chamber is appalling to me. You would flee to save the lives of 10,000 Jedi and sacrifice the lives of the trillions of people who live on this planet alone? Is there no honor left in this temple?”

Bastele turned his pointed gaze directly at the Grand Master and said, “Imagine what Luke Skywalker would say if he could see what you turned into.”

 

[Master Maverick]

A deep sigh sounded over the speakers, the image's chest almost heaving, when she witnessed the transmission of Guhoo show up and offer his report. While the Death of a Darth, one of the Lords of the Sith, was nice, it hardly mattered at this point. She remained silent at the news and merely nodded her head towards the Chief of State upon his entrance. He was on edge, as he should be. They all were, after all. His tone, though, took her aback. She didn't know him to be so emotional, but had never even met him before. Clearly the reports on his character were a bit misleading. Though, no one had experienced something like this before, so his behavior could be forgiven.

She was quite surprised, though, that she and Sigur had the same idea. She was going into hiding regardless of what the Grand Master might have ordered. She would disobey him if he commanded that all Jedi stand and fight at this final battle. She would save what few she could in order to protect the future of this Order.

"I am saddened you can not endorse our decision," the Togruta started. It was clear by the wording that she supported the Grand Master's decision and took it as her own as well. She would not reveal that she would have done so regardless, for it would only make the situation more tense. "It is the plan of this Order to do what we can for Coruscant, as we have for Saleucami, Brentaal and Alsakan." Her tone was saddened and a bit meek. It was hard, standing up to someone like the leader of the free galaxy. "It does none service to offer ourselves as martyrs for mere appearances. Mindless honor is not our way.

"The sun has set on the Alliance as it stands now, today. However, the structure, the individuals who fill those spaces are not something we offer our lives for in our Codes. It is the idea and the practice of democracy and freedom that we defend and protect." She looked to the other two Councilors, hoping she wasn't speaking out of turn or putting words in their mouths. "As Sage Master, it has been my duty to lead the Seers of the Order. While darkness has blinded us, some flashes have been seen. The lack of vision itself speaks volumes for the future of what we fight for now. The glimpses caught have only substantiated these ideas. Know that it is not merely my word that makes this claim, but those far older and wiser than myself." She paused for a moment, reigning herself in in order to make her point.

"Master Armstrong and Master Vainikainen have assessed the current situation thoroughly, and I concur with their evaluation. We have decided not to take the chance at destroying this Order for this cause as it has now become. Our duty remains, regardless of our physical place in the galaxy." She was offended at the man's name-calling and use of Skywalker to try and make them rethink their decision. He was nothing but a man. He may have held a position, but such an occurrence was temporary, just as all things. Just as any of their places on the Council. Even so, he clearly did not know as much as he claimed. That was his problem to overcome, not one for the Order to sacrifice themselves for.

Given this, she would not comment on his comments, granting him forgiveness for his words through this silence.

 

[Gaja]

Brentaal IV had fallen.

Anaxes has fallen.

Alsakan had fallen.

Endor had fallen.

Tython had fallen.

Empress Teta had fallen.

Soon, Coruscant.​

Those were the world that fell in this last part of the war. Not to mention Boonta and all the other battles before it. To say that this war wasn't going well was a big understatement and now more bad news followed, one that the Battle Master didn't like at all. Retreating? It was like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of you. It made Guhoo forget about the comments Bastele made about dead Sith Lords. Comparing to the bomb that Sigur just dropped that was totally irrelevant. Something that did have impact on the High Councilor was one word.

“…leaving?”​

Bastele's words had quite the impact on the Council members. The man who stood out because along with being a Jedi Master he was also part of the Alliance Defense Force, it's leader actually. Inside he was struggling between his duties. His duties as a Jedi, and his duties as the Supreme Commander. Would he disobey the Grand Master or would he abandon his comrades? He was damned if he did and he was damned if he didn't. That was at least how he felt in that particular situation, his holographic image going quiet for several seconds as the Sage Master spoke. As the Togruta was done talking however a decision had been made by the blonde Obi-Wan, as some of the padawans liked to call him. And even though he was talking through the speakers the man's resolve and deep voice commanded respect.

"While I won't protest this decision because I know that for the survival of our Order it is the only thing I... cannot and will not fall back. I am sorry Grand Master, but as the Battle Master of the Jedi Order, and the Supreme Commander of the Alliance Armed Forces I will not abandon the Alliance at this critical time. Mr. Bastele while I'm not sure how you stand on the subject of a Jedi leading the last stand I really don't care all that much really." It was the first time the two man had actually spoken and while Guhoo was usually a very polite and composed individual clearly this announcement was putting everyone on edge.

"I will fight against the Sith and help save as many people as I can. Though we shouldn't kid ourselves... Coruscant will fall..." His image blurred for a second and it showed that the man was set on his decision, what Bastele would do with it was his call. Though changing the Supreme Commander now could only bring their own troops harm. But bigger mistakes had been made in this war... He felt sorry that he won't be seeing Ashara or Sigur any time soon, he had grown rather fond of the two oldies by now. Shame indeed they wouldn't get to hold more meetings because Guhoo fully knew where he was going and what it probably meant...

 

[Brandon Rhea]

For one who called himself a protector of the Alliance and the Supreme Commander of its military, the cynicism that Armstrong showed was astounding. Mr. Bastele, as the Battle Master so incorrectly referred to him as, had been led to believe that the Jedi did not believe in fate, rather that the choices one made would determine their future. Perhaps the Jedi had lost their way.

“Are the Jedi so caught up in prophecy that they can’t even see a self-fulfilling one staring them in the face? If you’re so certain that this is a lost cause, Master Armstrong, what makes you think I even want you as Supreme Commander? I need someone who will fight not just to save as many people as possible, but to win this battle and save a civilization that has stood for a thousand years."

He sighed, resigning himself to the fact that this would never convince the Jedi of the ivory tower that they were wrong. He continued, “Even if we do lose, then the sun won’t just be setting on the Alliance, Master Vashee. If you think you can call yourselves Jedi after this…”

Bastele had learned much of the philosophies of both the old Jedi and the new during his studies as a younger man. He thought back to the basic ideas of what led to the dark side, the most simplistic way of explaining it to an outsider, and couldn’t help but wonder if that applied here.

“You’re afraid,” he said. “You want to stick your tails between your legs and run away. What is that old Jedi saying? Fear is the path to the dark side?”

Turning away from the Masters, he walked back towards the door, but stopped just before he got there and said, “You people are no Jedi. You’re cowards, and the choice you’ve made here will blanket the galaxy in darkness. Someone must be held responsible for that.”

This was a moment even the confident Nathanaeu Bastele couldn’t be sure was right. He had to follow his instincts, he had to show justice and mercy. If he made the wrong move, If he said the wrong thing, it could spark another purge the likes of which had not been seen in a thousand years. Justice, not blind anger, had to prevail as the Jedi left the capital.

He stepped closer to the door and it slid open, as he motioned for his guards to enter the chambers. If there was resistance to what he was about to say then neither he nor his guards would be any match for what would happen, but he had to show strength. He had to show resolved.

As he walked in closer again, Bastele said, “Sigur Vainikainen, under Article 11 Section 38 of the Common Charter, I am placing you under arrest. You’re charged with aiding and abetting the Sith Empire… and treason against the people of the Galactic Alliance. You can come forward quietly or we can do this the hard way, but I assure you of this: the galaxy will be watching what we do here today."

 

[GABA]

The Grand Master knew his decision would not be handled well; he expected the Chief of State to be angry and upset, he didn't even doubt the man held no more trust with the Jedi, but what Bastele had recited had taken Sigur by surprise. It was such a surprise that there was even a hint of defiance in his look for a moment as he eyed the guards that flanked the Alliance official. Sigur though knew better, it may have been different for him thirty years ago, but now, he knew Bastele was doing only what he thought was right also.

It was a bold move by the Chief of State nonetheless, he was certain the man knew of the consequences if he was less than compliant to follow orders, but Sigur also knew they were not Sith, nor the Empire. The two men did not perceive the war the same in many ways and he couldn't deny Bastele his perception on constituting justice for the Alliance.

Sigur held out his hands so they may be cuffed, "One must do what they feel is right, Your Excellency." The Grand Master replied as he was unarmed, his lightsaber confiscated and his wrists cuffed. He gave Ashara and Guhoo reassuring looks, letting them know everything will be fine in the end. He would allow the guards to lead them where they wanted him, no fight, only compliance.

 

[Master Maverick]

So, it came to this? Her stomach lerched into her throat, eyes wide and searching for something, anything that might help her. There was nothing, of course. She was proud yet worried with Guhoo's decision. It wasn't surprising, though. His station called for a very different purpose. That was what made the Jedi last as long as they had - adaptability. Some believed they were all monks, mindlessly following a Code created a thousand years ago that held no meaning in the real galaxy. Oh, how they were wrong.

It was the duty of the Sage Master to protect the knowledge held by the Jedi, to train more in the future. The Battle Master had similar duties in terms of teaching young Jedi, but he was the Supreme Commander. The tension and contradiction between the two must have been great for the young man.

"The sun sets on us all," she stated in a hushed tone. Not to anyone in particular. Indeed, more to herself than anything. "But a new day will come." Through the projection she examined each of the Jedi with which she was communicating with.

"The Force is with you." Her trademark version of the wish of good will was imparted unto the Grand Master, the leader of the High Council of the Jedi Order, and the Battle Master, premier instructor on the ways of combat, of actively being the shield in the most active way one could.

Then she looked at the Chief of State. "I forgive you." In a hushed tone yet again, it was a genuine gesture, whether or not he believed it was something to be forgiven. Regardless, she forgave him for his actions here, now. For his harsh words borne out of anger, anxiety and fear. His thoughts towards the Jedi, no matter how reasonable they might have seemed.

"I would like to make something clear," she spoke out, much more confident now. It was supposed to get the attention of the leader of the Alliance, but Guhoo would be fine, for he misspoke as well, undermining the Council inadvertently. "We are not abandoning this Alliance." There was a pause, but one none were supposed to say anything in contrast. "Time does not stop with our departure - does not cease with a potential fall of a governmental body." Her point was clear enough, she thought. As such she wouldn't patronize them in explaining herself. "Even so, the Jedi are a group of individuals. Not all will go into hiding as I have chosen to do. Each will see their own consequences fall upon them." Her eyes, then, looked to each. Hardened yet saddened, she stood silently before, without warning, ending her transmission.

Moments passed while she stood, in a daze, simply staring at the device. Her knees collapsed and she fell into the chair behind her. Sinking in, she wanted to disappear into it, be gone and worry not of all this. Of the galaxy falling, their lives ending as they knew it. The exile of the Jedi from their homes and the deaths of innocents. The spread of Darkness and the snuffing out of the Light. There she would stay until their arrival at Cularin. If they were tracked, she would deal with it when the time came. Right now she wanted to give them all a chance.

Hopefully they would not disappoint.

 

[Gaja]

Even though he didn't know it Bastele's words touched Guhoo, in a very particular way. They reminded him of who he was and for what he fought, they reminded him to give give up hope and that he was a Jedi. The Battle Master had seen so much death and so much struggle and in all of it he lost himself, but Bastele's words... they reminded him of why he fought...

The Supreme Commander wasn't going to abandon or give up on his men at this stage. But another sudden development overshadowed his new found resolve to move forward. The Grand Master had been arrested. The Jedi were retreating and the only Councilor that was somewhat safe at the moment was the Togrutan Sage Master. After all with more than half the Jedi Council now on Coruscant, Sigur in cuffs, and Guhoo leading the armed forces the Jedi Order no doubt fell on difficult times...

But it wasn't over just yet. Even though these were difficult times, the Jedi would survive and overcome the darkness... And as his ship moved through space at light speed the Corellian Jedi offered Master Ashara a reassuring look. It'd be alright... even if this was goodbye for now... And as his ship came closer and closer to Coruscant and Ashara's moved away the signal between the two broke once again... And with that the curtain closed on the last Council meeting of the Jedi High Council.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

The Force is with you. I forgive you. The arrogance of those statements was appalling. Yes, there was anger in his words, but Vashee was wrong about something else. There was no fear. He had come to realize he could not rely on the Jedi long ago. When they saved him from the Mandalorians, when they negotiated with terrorists, they lost his trust. They lost his respect for them as guardians of the Galactic Alliance. Though he did berate them here, that was not out of fear or desperation. It was out of disgust. Contempt. Those who would flee meant nothing to him now.

“The moment you said you were leaving, Master Vashee, your opinion became irrelevant to me. You might as well not exist.”

Before Armstrong could break the signal, Bastele turned to the Battle Master’s holographic visage and said, "Master Armstrong, if you intend to come to Coruscant, you may keep your rank. I do hope to see you soon."

The Chief of State turned away, back towards the door where the guards were leading the Grand Master away from the chambers. As he did, he paused in the doorway. He thought about what had just happened, and how angry he felt. There was only thing he could think to say.

"May the Force be with you," he spat.