Convocation on Tatooine

[Green Ranger]

"You rank, selfish, arrogant fools." came a voice from amongst the crowd. A hooded figure stood there, previously unnoticed, lowering his hood to reveal youthful features. Flicking his black hair out of his eyes, the young man couldn't help give a grin as he looked over the crowd. This is priceless.

"You know, I just came here to listen in, but this is even more moronic then I possibly ever hoped. And considering you're all listening to someone who - are you even a Jedi yourself? Actually, it really doesn't matter. I'm not. Not anymore, but you can listen to me too."

Aro looked around the group, matching glares with anyone who thought to catch his gaze, the contempt on his face obvious. "Need I remind you sorry bunch that you swore oaths to defend the Alliance? Need I remind you that the Alliance has supported the Jedi Order for decades free of charge? You mooch off of them, get asked nothing in return, have free reign to sit around in temples meditating untill the sun shines out of your exhaust ports...then you go to war with a mutual enemy and you want to split when the going gets rough? By the Force, if I were your Masters I would be ashamed that I raised up such cowardice and selfishness! The whole point of being a Jedi is to serve others before yourselves, and to serve the Alliance, which you are oath-bound to do."

"And who the hell do you think you are, that your lives are more important then the lives of the men and women of the Alliance? How many more would die because of this oh-so-noble of actions to turn tail and run when the Alliance needs us the most? Sure, you could leave the galaxy, and be safe for a while, and you could come back to a peaceful galaxy - maybe. But it would be in spite of you, and the galaxy would turn their backs on the Order forever more for being selfish cowards."

"You're supposed to be the damn heroes of the galaxy. You're the worst heroes I've ever met."

 

[TAC]

He was a Jedi Knight. He had sworn to protect the citizens of the galaxy.

And that was anything he was going to back out of. Ever.

"But the chance of the Alliance being able to stand the Mandalorians, Sith, Imperial Forces, and Chiss as a combined force is minimal. Even with the help of the Jedi, we're fighting a losing war, and our ideals and identity are slipping down the drain with our chances." Larik took several steps away from Master Vashee and her entourage, waking out more into the middle, closer to the hooded man whom had spoken.

"And if we are to lose this war, you are also right," he said, looking to another one of the previous speakers, "The Sith will chase us down like the Great Jedi Purge. They hate us, and they know that the it is the Jedi who might make the difference to topple over their power when the Alliance has fallen." The young Jedi Knight stepped in a small circle, looking all around at the now quiet room. It was his chance to speak, his moment to let them all know what he thought before they also spoke their ideas and thoughts.

"So we as the Jedi are placed in a difficult situation. We can not stay if we wish to live, and to make a difference one day when our traditions, strength, and most of all our understanding and connection of the Force could be the deciding factor if the galaxy remains under the grip of the Imperials and their allies. But we can not go, as we have a duty to stand and protect those who are faced with this war." The Corellian shrugged to his fellow Jedi and those who had joined them. "Perhaps that means that there need to be some that leave then, yes. Some that feel moved by the Force to give up their vows and the Order, and to move into exile so that they may prepare for a time when they are needed most."

The Jedi sighed, stopping and looking off to the side and at the ground, his eyebrows raised and his expression sad. "But the Jedi are also needed on the front lines of this war. They are needed in the Senate building as the Senators discuss the Alliance laws. We need Jedi in the hospitals, we are need them out in the Alliance worlds and beyond, offering our aid and support wherever it is needed." The man looked up, staring at the previous speaker. "That is where I will be." He shook his head a little, "but that is not necessarily where all of us are being guided by the Force."

His point made, he moved away from the center, and leaned against a great and eroded piece of harden sand. It had been a structure of the building many years ago, but now was reduced to a relic of grandeur long past.

 

[Solaris]

Nasiri felt the emotional emanations coming from Amilthi and smiled, touching the younger woman's hand briefly. "It's okay, hon," she said in an undertone, projecting her own feelings of serenity through the skin-to-skin contact with her own inherited Zeltron talents, trying to calm and reassure her. Anger was about the last thing they needed here, and with Force-sensitives it had a tendency to get contagious. Char and Nasiri had agreed beforehand that while he handled the main points, she'd move around and hit the side-bar conversations to try and keep things calm.

Char. . . well, Nasiri knew better than to do that to Char in public. Not in this sort of setting. Besides, she'd felt anger from him before - he wasn't close to angry. When Char did angry, he did it spectacularly.

Nasiri frowned at the young man's statement about oaths. She recalled no such thing - and Nasiri forgot nothing. She leaned in towards Ashara. "What oaths is he talking about?" she whispered.

---

"Th' galaxy don't need t' recognize us for us t' do our duties," Char said. "I ain't sayin' we need to quit bein' Jedi, hang up our lightsabers an' sit in hidin'. I'm sayin' that the war ain't our place, an' that we have our strengths - that we should be playin' to 'em, an' not to where the Sith are strongest." He patted his lightsaber. "I promise ya, this'll get turned on many a time in the years t' come. Not 'cause I'm hot fer it, just 'cause I'm clever enough to know what'll be goin' down. The Sith expect us t' be valiant champions, brave defenders who stand proud in th' light - they don' expect us t' be th' guys in the background, maneuverin' in the galaxy's shadows to undermine 'em an' preserve what hope an' life there is to protect. Sometimes, servin' the Force means we don' have the luxury a' bein' the shinin' beacon. Sometimes, it means we gotta be them candles in the night what keep the fire alive."

Char stared down at the brash young man, his heavy brow knit together in a frown. Was this kid's impudence an act? "Cowardice and selfishness," he began slowly, "are what led us t' cling to th' convictions that the place of the Jedi was t' fight for the Alliance. Fear a' the dark times comin' again, when there weren't a thing we could to 'bout it from the get-go. Selfishness led us to cleave to 'em tight so's they'd front the money for the edifices an' trappin's that th' Jedi confuse for bein' important. Cowardice's what led th' Jedi to lettin' the Alliance tell us our business, telling' us how best to serve the Force. Selfishness is what make Jedi think their place is as heroes, baskin' in glory an' high on the adulation a' the masses. It ain't cowardice an' selfishness what moves me t' take the hard road. Believe you me - there's a part a' me, a dark part, what'd like nothin' more'n to carve my way through the hordes a' Sith all th' way to the throne itself. It'd be easy, too, damned easy. All I'd have to do is let go, give in an' let m' hatred an' m' anger flow.

"I ain't sworn no oath to the Alliance. I serve the Force, with nothin' but my own conscience t' compel me. Any Jedi what done different's confused the will of the Alliance for the will of the Force, an' the good of the Alliance for the good a' the galaxy. If'n we confuse th' Alliance for th people, an' the good of a government for the good of the people, then we'll die 'long with it. I ain't a-feared of death - death an' I, we go way back. 'S an old friend a' mine, an' I'll be goin' nowhere new. Naw, it ain't death - but oblivion. We let th' Sith win by keepin' playin' their game, then even if'n we do beat 'em we'll be the same as them. Win or lose, the light'll die an' all them folk we're all concerned 'bout will suffer for generations. Kinda defeats the purpose a' our fightin', don't it?"

 

[Nephill Kilner]

Kor did not like Tatooine.

Two reasons. The first, his species was not accustomed to worlds with so much...sand. Even more irritating then the incessant parasites of his jungle homeworld of Tiss'sharl as he remembered them from his first and last trip there. Heat he was learning to deal with. But varying ranges of humidity, no. It dried out his scales.

The second. Kor found it inappropriate for a convocation of such noble virtues to be found hiding in a criminal lair like Tatooine. It was disgusting such a place was allowed to exist in the civilized galaxy. Why were they meeting like common criminal scum? It spoke volumes of the beings holding his meeting. Obviously this was to be outside official council business. And Kor, holding on to his indoctrination, instantly was suspicious. But he would of course bow to his master's judgment on this matter, and said nothing to voice his thoughts.

The Padawan soon found both thoughts insubstantial. As soon as he entered the room, in step with his master, he was awed by the many experienced and powerful faces his yellow eyes settled on. He was nothing compared to them. Lowering his head, he refused to meet any of the passing Jedi faces. To make matters worse, his master quickly scurried off to converse with a most peculiar woman. Left alone, Kor found a suitable dark corner of the room to observe. And observe he did.

In just the first opening lines of conversation, his entire world was shaken. It was very obvious that the standing Jedi story that the war against the Sith was going well was wrong. He was faced with the hard results now. Before him stood the most experienced and battle-hardened members of the Order, confessing that this was a lost cause. How could this be? His muscles twitched. He trained every day for combat. And he had much to learn. Surely these Masters could easily vanquish any Sith foe! But it seemed not to be.

Feeling out of place, Kor watched through a steely yellow gaze, using the Force passively to pick up on emotions and feelings coming off of the beings in the room, to help him root out each speaker's intentions and feelings. Even though he was out of his depth, and felt now extremely honored to even be in this room, witnessing the obvious writing of history, he was going to maximize this experience.

 

[GABA]

The Warden had taken a few steps back from Char as he spoke, his voice entirely too loud for the distance he held between her and him. She lowered her emerald hood, her hands finding their place on their hips and she listened to the words the poured from his lips. She didn't want to believe the words that fell, she could hear his girlfriend muffling a snicker in the crowd. She was curious to know if the is was a joke, a prank played by the Sith themselves. She took a few steps to the side, begining a pace as she looked for more appropriate words to lay before them. Her gaze would catch those who spoke, though an unfamiliar black-haired man seemed to find no need to hold his tongue.

"We fight because we are Jedi." her last words firm, "We fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, we stand by the values in which we hold, in which the Galactic Alliance holds. To even dabble in the thought of leaving the Galactic Alliance to save your own skins, you should feel ashamed; to sever ties with the Alliance you have given the Sith the victory. You have played into their game, fallen into their shroud of darkness. You are the light that burns it away." she said looking around the room to all who stood, "You are the hope that its citizens hold onto."

"The odds are not looking into our favor, they haven't for the past years: Tanaab, Saleucami, Sarka, Ossus...believe you are weak, then you will fall, believe the dark side is stronger, then you will fail. Stop fighting, then what are you?" Ebberla paused letting her words sink in, before turning to face Char, "You claim you do not serve the Alliance and only the Force? The Force is riddled with the pain of those you have failed to protect, how can you not feel it?" Ebb turned to look at Jedi, "How can any of you not feel it? And today everyone of you very well stand here debating if you should continue to fight?" She shook her head in disgust.

"I fight because the Force wills me to protect those who can not. What about the rest of you?"

 

[Green Ranger]

Aro grinned at the man, though the acid in his tone seemed strangely at odds with his expression.

"What makes you think that a Jedi fights on the front lines for recognition - or that every Jedi fights in the war? Plenty don't fight on the front lines - for every Jedi that leads a squad into battle, ten are working behind the scenes, studying or meditating or working in the shadows to undermine the enemy, as you are seemingly proposing we all do. Are you really so narrow-sighted that you think that Jedi only fight in the war, forsaking all other duties? That kind of ignorance pretty much disqualifies you to call for any sort of action on the Order's behalf straight away, if not your complete misunderstanding of what the Jedi Order was built on from the get-go."

"Here's a fun fact - ever since Luke Skywalker established our Order, Jedi've been supporters of the Galactic Alliance, and in turn they've supported us. Are you saying that the very founder of the Jedi Order was wrong - that nearly a thousand years of mutual support is to be thrown away because you - and I don't even know who you are, so you can't be all that important - said so? I don't see the Council here. I don't see Jedi Masters flocking to your side. I see a lone man with the audacity to presume he knows better then a thousand years of Jedi Knights and Luke Skywalker himself, and the ignorance to misquote the history of the Jedi to make more impressionable fellows follow your cause. Seriously, read a book."

Aro averted his attention away from the man leading the group, intentionally turning his back on him to face the other spectators.

"I'm not a Jedi anymore, but I'm a damn sight closer to being one then this man. You, on the other hand, are all actual, serving Jedi - and that makes you better still. Look back on your teachings, and look at the history of the Order. Every one of you should be able to distinguish that this man is trying to lead you away from the path you all chose in the first place - the life you came to the Jedi to live. And, yeah, being in a war sucks, I get that. But that's not an excuse to throw away every ideal that you stand for as a Jedi. Following this man," he said, pointing back towards Char, "might save your life in the short term, maybe. But every defection solidifies the Empire's hold on the galaxy, and dooms thousands more to suffer because you didn't have the guts to stand and fight when it really mattered.

"This war may seem arbitrary or irrelevant to you here today, but right now it's more important then ever to believe in our cause. It's the dark times like this where we need to be resolute and strong, where our strength and resolve is tested more then ever before - and where we prove to the galaxy that there's a reason we wanted to become Jedi in the first place."

 

[Solaris]

Spoiler: OOC

He didn't shout. They're in a fairly small space, Char just needs to speak up for everyone to hear him - which he did. He also did not step right up into Daw's face. So basically, he's speaking in a fairly normal tone and she's backing up from him. o_o

"You fight," Char said just as firmly, "because you confuse yourselves for soldiers. Ya ain't. Y'all got wrapped up in fightin' a war, an' the galaxy's sufferin' for it. Jedi're fallin' now, an' it'll only get the worse the farther along into the war it goes. Ye're arrogant 'nough to think that the Alliance couldn't stand without you, an' yet there ain't but a handful a' battles where the Jedi made an impact - an' plenty where inept Jedi who shoulda been keepin' the peace got good men killed by playin' at bein' soldiers."

Char snorted. "But this cowardice argument again. Come up with somethin' new, will ya? Standin' an' fightin', that's the easy path. That's the quick path. Sounds kinda familiar, don't it? Might be there's some old understandin' 'bout the quick and easy path.

"I ain't sayin' to sever ties, I'm sayin' to do as the Jedi ought - to serve an' protect the whole a' the galaxy, an' to not get so wrapped up'n the here an' the now that we lose sight a' the big picture."

Char did not deign to respond to her charge about him abandoning people; while they fought their damn fool war, he had spent the last several months on the Outer Rim fighting criminals and slavers, healing the sick and injured, and mediating disputes minor on the galactic scale but all-important to those involved. Though he bore the mantle of Jedi no more and his name was stricken from their archives, Char had done more than most Jedi to heal the hurts of a galaxy at war. If that was what the New Jedi Order meant - people who slung attacks and insults in a convocation rather than debate, people who let their pride and misplaced sense of duty rule them rather than reason and a clear view of the will of the Force - then he had left none too soon. They were dangerously close to the Dark Side, and they didn't even know it.

"I will not fight," Char said slowly and carefully, "because the Force wills me to protect those who would suffer for my pride. I'm a fighter by nature, y'see. It's how I fell the first time. What's calling me to fight an' defend the Alliance ain't the will a' the Force, it's my own selfish pride. That same pride what led me to the dark side - an' the same pride I see in you. That same pride what whispers in m' ear, tells me that I could be the diff'rence atween a world standing or a world fallin'. Tells me to be the hero, t' light m'saber an' run off for the front lines.

"That same pride what lies t' me, tells me the sweet rather'n lettin' me see the bitter truth of things. Th' Alliance is dead, has been for a long time comin'. You speak of it holding our values, but look at how much war it's caused - an' how little it's tried to make peace. Look at how rampant slavery an' corruption are in Alliance space. Naw, th' Alliance don' hold t' our ideals any more'n we do the Sith's. You speak like abandonin' the war means failin' our duties, but the truth of it is we failed a long, long time ago. We let the Alliance get corrupt, let it get soft an' selfish, an' we failed t' see the Sith risin' up. It's past time fer heroic half-measures now. Now's th' time t' choose atween standin', fightin', an' maybe livin' but getting a whole mess a' folk killed while you're at it, or abandonin' this damn fool war for the sake a' war not from fear, but from adherence to what's really our duties as Jedi: So there will be Jedi there t' blunt the reign a' the Sith, an' when the Sith fall there'll be Jedi there what'll be able t' rebuild. Call me a coward, curse me for a traitor, fine. Say what ya will a' me, but hear my words."


"Is your position so untenable that ya can't do nothing' but attack the man makin' the argument rather'n the argument itself?" Char asked the interloper, his eyes narrowed to shards of blue ice. Here the Jedi were, looking to solve a problem, and this kid was doing nothing but stirring up trouble and slinging around insults in lieu of making a point. Everything about him bespoke a total lack of respect for anything or anybody there, that he was just there to damage the calm of those who were actually trying to get something productive done. He'd seen a thousand like him, young men who were quick to laugh, quick to wrath, ever seeking the bubble reputation and never concerned with what's truly important.

And he didn't even have the decency to be clever about it.

"You're tryin' to say that what a man a thousand years ago had to say about a government a thousand years ago should sway us here an' now, as opposed to the vastly different circumstances prevailin' when 'e said 'em," Char said sternly, the tone of a man lecturing a misbehaving child. "You're tryin' t' make like the mark a' wisdom ought t' be fame. You're tryin' t' make like war's the place of the Jedi. You're tryin' t' make like anyone an' everyone what's thinkin' they can serve the Force better by protectin' life rather'n takin' it is a coward. Ya ain't got respect, an' ya act like this is some kinda joke. Ya stand here'n talk down t' Jedi what came 'ere to speak an' be heard, while tryin' t' make like ya know what honor, integrity, an' courage are. Like ya know what sacrifice means. You're makin' like bein' strong is somethin' ya prove in a fight - or that it's somethin' ya gotta prove at all.

"If that's what ya value an' what ya believe t' be right, then I'm glad you think so low a' me. I s'pose I could rattle off my list a' accomplishments, tell y'all what I done as if it mattered." Char shrugged and waved dismissively. "I been some places, done some things. Know some stuff. It don't matter who's sayin' the words, but what th' words mean. The Empire ain't our enemy. The Sith ain't our enemy. Th' Empire's just folks what're misguided, an' the Sith just hurt souls what need either healed or put down. Jedi don' have enemies. Jedi don' hate. Jedi ain't warriors, but healers."

 

[Radiwalker]

Asalla took note of Tuwan's attitude and stepped aside, realizing that she best leave that woman on her own. For the following minutes the togruta stood still by the wall, listening to the arguments of both sides and thinking on them. She was confused at first, but an idea slowly formed into her mind and enchanted her.

Asalla - "And what if you're all wrong?" the girl raised her voice. She had moved toward the crowd and they would all hear her quite well, she would certainly grab their attention. "If the jedi stop fighting, they'll be forsaking their morals, ideals and everything they stand for. On the other hand if they continue fighting like they have, they'll continue losing and the sith will imminently win." she sighted as her voice calmed down and became more peaceful and soft. "Can you not see that we, the jedi, have been fighting the wrong way? We have been trying to beat the sith at their own game and that is foolish, arrogant and impossible. We should not try to win battles. We are guardians, not warriors. But still that does not mean we should abandon the Alliance either. Rather we should go into battle, not to win, but to protect. We should fight the sith, by protecting the innocents, by having them evacuated and then retreating. That may seem cowardice, but think about it for a moment."

She paused and took a deep breath. "We save the people and leave the planet to the sith. They have no interest in destroying it, they'll utilize it. They'll steadily progress, taking planets under their control, but it will be just that - planets. Eventually they'll have so many planets that they won't have enough people to run, or protect them." a smile slid across her face. "And then we strike back. We have been trying to push the sith back, when it is clear that they overpower us. We need a change in strategy, we need to let them "win" and then, when their arrogance grows." She threw a look at the one caller Char, for this was something similar to his strategy. "And they see us as weaklings, we'll attack them. We'll be on the winning side and that will cause their faith in their leaders to crumble. In the best case scenario, a sith civil war will begin and at the same time we'll be regaining planets and giving people their homes back."

She paused again, her eyes shifted around through the face of everyone present. "Of course there is no guarantee that this will work. But what we've been doing so far hasn't worked, so we ought to try new things. On the other hand, we also best be prepared for the worst case scenario - in which the sith win the war. We have to think of places where we can hide holocrons and other jedi relics, that can later be used to reinstate the jedi, if the worst was to happen." she straightened up a bit, hoping those around her would understand her point. Her eyes caught a glimpse of another familiar face - Teynara, Asalla, in the midst of the argument, smiled at her friend, for her presence was heart-warming. "In other words - we are jedi, we are not warriors, we are guardians. We can not abandon the people and leave them to their deaths, yet we can not fight the sith in the way we have been so far. A change is needed and if you see flaws in my suggestion, flaws that I am sure are present, feel welcome to give your own, but keep in mind, that we as jedi have a duty to uphold." Finally she shut up and released a sight of relief.

 

[Stacker01]

It was interesting, being on Tatooine and without Arikka. Thur'hars had thought about visiting this remote place with her at some point but this was an occasion he knew she wouldn't like. It was a last-minute decision, to come here. He had found a way not only off Empress Teta without much notice, but also away from the entire core worlds to get to Tatooine without much notice. He still wasn't sure how, but he had managed it. He wasn't fond of the place, it being so dry. It was almost the opposite of what he had grown up in, though at least it wasn't as much an environmental shock as it might be for someone from Manaan.

He was now huddle in a corner, listening to the Jedi. He knew he wasn't hidden and that Ashara likely had felt his presence before he even made it there. But now he was listening to a foolish argument and, quite frankly, was disgusted by both of them. All this talk about fighting like it's a good thing. It was misguided, how some spoke in an accusatory tone while elevating themselves. He could practically count off the ways they defied the very code of the New Jedi Order and it displeased him greatly.

Quietly, the young Padawan walked in. His head was not covered, as he didn't wear the robes of the Jedi. Pushing past the attendees he walked right up to Char, his quiet, emotionless, stoic demeanor not meant for intimidation. He was a few feet away, but close enough it was apparent he was going to speak. He stared Char in the face for a moment, trying to understand the man before him telling everyone they should go a different route. However, instead of speaking to the man he didn't know, this supposed once-upon-a-time Jedi, he simply nodded and turned around.

"So, this is what this is. I had heard rumors this was supposed to be a meeting of the minds but it just sounds like a meeting of the mouths." He looked at Master Vashee, then around the room to the different faces. "I am Thur'hars, Padawan to Knight Saul Dimash." He listened to the vibrations of their throats, their vocal chords to get an idea who had said what. Eventually he turned to a Togruta Jedi, not Master Ashara, but different one who had been speaking just before he entered.

"I am glad there is one as wise as you, Master Jedi." He then looked to the one that had shot his mouth off so arrogantly and aggressively, the one with his dark hair somewhat over his face, as well as to a Master who bore an odd pauldron over one of her shoulders. "The Code of the New Jedi Order includes, in the Precepts, that the Jedi are to take care to be moderate in all things that affect the mind, to avoid speaking wrongly of others, to avoid elevating ourselves over others, and avoid negative speech. In the Old Code by Odan-Ur there was no emotion, but rather peace; no ignorance, but knowledge; no passion, but serenity; no chaos, but harmony. These link together, the new redefining the old. Odan-Urr had even changed the original writings of the Old Jedi Code, which started saying 'emotion, but peace; ignorance, but knowledge', and so on.

"What you both have demonstrated is that you do not understand these ideas. You act and speak arrogantly, placing your status above the man behind me because you believe that fighting is better. You are so stuck on that term it is obvious that it is ingrained in who you are. You even look at the very change of tactics as an abandonment of the Alliance, and perhaps even the Order. But I propose something that was not directly said by one of our own: you abandoned the Order when you forgot it's Precepts. They are the most basic part of the New Code, which is defined with more...complexity in the Eight Fold Path and the idea of Empty Self. You may be able to 'empty' yourselves to touch the Force, but you have forgotten."

Thur'hars cleared his throat, having not spoken this much in a long time as well as not being used to the environment of Tatooine. He was also nervous, which, though it was not apparent visually, he knew would be felt by the others.

"Right View states that we should understand cause and effect, but we also must recognize the impermanence and imperfection of worldly objects and ideas. Right Intention says that we must remove ourselves from things we cling to obsessively, blinding us and distorting our perceptions. You also must not think, speak, or act in a cruel manner, or even out of aggression. This focus on fighting is disgusting to me, because it shows that you have a horribly aggressive nature. That is not who we Jedi are.

"Jedi should abstain from slanderous and malicious speech, according to Right Speech, and that we should speak gently and without insult. Right Mindfulness teaches us that we should be mindful of the body to realize the truth of suffering, mindful of feeling to realize the origin of suffering, of mind to realize the truth of cessation, phenomena to realize the truth of the path. Can you really say you understand this suffering if you are unwilling to change your ways, unwilling to save lives? You want to fight, as you say, to protect people. But you cannot protect by fighting. You only kill and harm by fighting."

Thur'hars looked at the man behind him, his look somewhat stern, yet still without hostile intent. It was to show he was speaking also to Char. He looked around the room, feeling rather long-winded, but feeling that he still had more to go.

"I am a Jedi Padawan, new the Order. And as I stood outside of this room I could pick out where each and every one of you who has spoken, perhaps with the exception of the Togruta Master, there," he raised a hand to give direction toward Asalla. "...has failed to follow the very concepts you claim to defend while you claim fighting for the Alliance is the answer. A Padawan had to point out these flaws to you."

He then turned around to the man behind him, finally to speak directly. "I do not claim to fully understand what you wish, but it does sound like you wish for us to walk away from the Alliance, whether or not that means abandoning it's people or turning against it. But what I do know is that you are wrong in this area as well. We will help the people of the galaxy better by changing the way the members of the Order live, and act. Both on the field and off. And not only that," At this point Thur'hars turned to looked directly at Master Vashee. "...but our fullest intent should be to change the way the Alliance wages war. Look into your own Archives and find what is written about the Sith, the Mandalorians, and the Chiss. One thing they have in common is that they are given an air of being monsters. Their people suffer greatly under them. We should not seek to destroy anyone, but to redeem them in their own foolishness. They may be strong together, they might even be arrogant as some claim. But we will not win by fighting, but rather through defense, as guardians of peace."

Thur'hars took a few steps directly towards Master Ashara and spoke directly towards her. "You once told me of the unspoken duty of the Jedi: to spread peace throughout the galaxy. You also told me one cannot do this until they find it within themselves. You are a wise teacher. So do not let a Padawan teach a class full of Masters. Show them what a Jedi is, Master Ashara." For a moment Thur'hars expression shifted uncomfortably. He was filled with sorrow for what he had heard out of this room, and it showed. He was not angry, but his disgust was manifested in sorrow. Not for the Order, nor for the people attending. But for the people of the galaxy, and of the Alliance.

"Do not let these Jedi, or even the Galactic Alliance believe that we can win a war by making people lose those they love." And with that, Thur'hars expression snapped back to the emotionless state, a defense against where his mind was leading him - his own past. He then looked to the others, not looking towards Asalla or Master Vashee as this was not for them. "When a person betrays everything the Order stands for, not only has he already abandoned the Alliance to it's fate and the Order to doom, but he walks, ever so slowly, down the path to Darkness. A pretty popular phrase to hear in the Temples is that many have found their way to the end of that path without even knowing they walked it."

With that Thur'hars walked towards the entrance to the room, the mask of stoicism hard to hold up as memories of his past surged in. These were the people who would either allow what happened to his family or would bring it - all in the name of peace. And from what he could tell from the Jedi Archives, it was exactly the kind of battle the Sith waged. And it was exactly what the Sith wanted. Not so much a schism, but the Jedi to forget who they are and what they really stand for.

At the entrance Thur'hars turned and sat down, taking a few deep breaths to center his mind. His sorrow was great for the people of the galaxy, and he wished to keep his mind centered and free. "I apologize for my long-windedness in this matter, but I think it important we view things with discernment." He would meditate as well as he could as these people continued to converse. And though he was rather long-winded, he would only respond to others when spoken to directly now - and his responses would remain rather short. He was going to be an example of how to act, speak, and think. As he sat, he thought of a quote from one of the Skywalkers: "A Jedi's first concern is to preserve life."

 

[Insoulent]

Arkantos couldn't help but chuckle at the woman's comment about his people, and simply nodded. "Feel free to, Miss Nasiri." he said, as Char, and the rest of the group of Jedi that had gathered began their dabble. The Jedi continued their points, very good ones, each and every one of them, but they couldn't come to a middle it seemed. Jedi and soldiers, even citizens dying everyday because of the War, and the Jedi saw no clear signs of victory, it was a known fact. But as they continued their conversation, Arkantos' blood began to boil. Talks of abandoning the Alliance, Jedi questioning other Jedi's duties and morals. While Arkantos had no true allegiance to the Alliance or its politics, he did take this path of the Jedi to serve the citizens of the Galaxy, a reason many of the Jedi that stood there today also joined. He had abandoned his own people, his own culture, all to become a Jedi., and even now they seemed too arrogant of their own misdeeds. He smiled as the Padawan took his seat, it seemed it was Arkantos' turn to speak his mind. Arkantos wasn't much of a public speaker, but he couldn't help himself from butting in, as he crossed his arms.

"We Jedi have a purpose to fight. Just as you have a reason to preserve our Order." he said, moving closer to Char. "We have a reason to be in this war, one you seem to overlook. The preservation of the Jedi Order: its teachings, it's morals, and it's entire founding was to protect those which cannot protect themselves." he turned and looked around the room. "Even if you hide, what do you plan to do after?" he said, moving closer to Char. "You have no fear in your heart, I know you do not fear the Sith, nor the Empire or even it's overwhelming allies. Hell, I don't. I'm sure no one else here does either. But, after you hide, you plan to strike from the shadows, am I correct in assuming that? You plan to fight and live among the shadows of the Empire, to continue our traditions. As the Jensaarai have since their inception, they hide and continue to live on. I respect your respect for the Order and it's preservation, it's admirable, damn near purposeful enough for me to join you, but I have a duty on that battlefield. I have a duty to the Jedi and soldiers of the Alliance that have died for the same reason I will continue to fight. I have a duty to the common citizen that wishes to be left alone. We don't fight for what is good, or evil. The Sith, the Mandalorians, the Chiss, they do not listen so easily as we do, they will continue to burn everything around us as we argue among our next move. We fight for those who are weak, those which cannot fight, and most importantly we fight for those who choose not to fight. We fight not for Peace, but for the chance of Peace. Once peace arrives, chaos will soon come to consume it. I won't sit back and let the only chance for peace crumble under the boot of the Sith and its allies. The Alliance stands for what I stand for. While you might see us Jedi who want to fight as fools, even stubborn in our ways, you have to understand that we do not do it without reason, without purpose. Our purpose is reckless, naive, even as the Alliance crumbles around us, but it is not broken, not yet. I will fight until my bones are dust, I will fight with purpose." he finished, as he went to put his hand out, to shake the hand of the man known as Char.

"The Mandalorians call those who they consider a brother or sister, 'ner vod'. To be called that, is a great honor, it means that they are willing to die for one another. You've proven to me that I can consider you a ner vod, Char." he said shaking the hand of the man, "I respect you for your efforts, and your ideals. While I cannot join you, I do hope you continue with them, even if the Council and the rest of the Jedi here look down upon you and reject the idea. You bring up a good point, but it's not an ultimate truth. With or without us, the Galaxy will continue, people will fight, Jedi there or not. I for one, am choosing to fight now, for my ideals, for them, even if it means my demise. See the honor in that, just as I've seen the honor in you. I only seek to be remembered by my ner vod, and all others who cling to Peace and Hope. War..." he sighed, "War is not something the Jedi wish for, nor do we go out and seek it, but we cannot neglect it. I left my Mandalorian brothers because their cause was unjust, they seek to get rid of weakness in the galaxy, when their own view of weakness has been twisted, just as the Sith have. Weakness is not something to be rid of, it is something that is apart of us. Strength stems from weakness, it is something we must learn to appreciate. And War only proves this. It has been apart of life, longer than we can record. Nature is at constant war, Chaos and Order will always clash. But it's good to know that Order will have a chance at surviving, if I fail in my own purpose. Maybe in its survival, it will strengthen and become much better than before, it is a viscous cycle." he paused, turning to the other Jedi.

"He is our brother, as you all are mine. This meeting was all the proof I needed. I will fight for them, as I fight for the rest of the Galaxy. Even if you left the Order, all of our goals have always been for peace, in some way it is encoded in every single one of us. It doesn't come easy, it might be damn near impossible to know if it even really can exist on a galactic scale, but we must always seek it. Seek peace not only within ourselves, but with those around us. There is no one direct way to Peace, just as there is no one direct way to Enlightenment, we must all find our own ways and roads to it. Do not shun their or disrespect their path, it's a valiant one. We are the last hope for this dying Alliance, the only government body that shares our ideals of peace, and I for one, do not wish to go back on my duty for our allies, I'm going to fight. I hope Char, and those who do join his cause, remember to fight." he said, walking back to his old Master. He bowed to her, also nodding to the other Jedi within the Conclave.

"May the Force be with us all..." his last words echoing as he left, walking to the doors back into the heat-fueled desert and took his leave. He got the answers he was looking for. Actually, he was quite proud of the man who had called the meeting, he had certainly gained Arkantos' respect, but Arkantos was never one for hiding, he was a dar'manda after all, it took a bit of courage to be one of those, and he was going to meet his old brothers on the battlefield, the Mandalorians soon enough, and he had to be prepared. But it took a lot of more courage to stand against the contemporary Jedi and their teachings, and Arkantos knew it, he himself did it often. Hell, his own view on war clashed that of many Jedi in the Order. Char's intentions were good, his conviction was unshakable. His model was based on something Arkantos could respect, one he himself had no intentions of stopping. One he would openly defend for Char and those who flocked with him, even against the Council if he had to.

 

[TAC]

Larik pushed off his handstone block, walking over to the Padawan only a few feet from him after the Jedi and Larik's fellow Knight had both spoke. The Jedi walked right up to the Padawan, looking at him critically. His expression the changes, however, and he uncrossed his arms and put them straight at his side, bowing slightly to the Padawan. "Thank you, Padawan Thur'hars." He paused then, ensuring his slightly raised but still clam voiced had been heard. Coming out of the bow he slowly turned, taking a step and putting his back to the Padawan. "Thur'hars reminds us to keep our hearts and minds aligned with our Jedi traditions, as well as the Force. It is hard to do than, and we all falter, even the best of us..." Larik turned to the Padawan, then, "You speak of Right Speech, and criticize us for speaking like so to one another, when you have just criticized us for acting and speaking arrogantly." The Jedi smiled knowingly, "I appreciate that you points out our flaws, but would suggest to you, and everyone participating in this conversation, that few of are really wrong."

"There are so many different understandings of the Force, and speaks to us in so many different ways, that only the most experienced and wisest of us can really truly understand it, much less understand how it is moving others." The man shrugged, "I do not think Char is turning his back on the Alliance, nor the Order. I believe that he is doing what he feels is best to fulfill his duties to protect the citizens of the galaxy from destruction and subjugation."

"I might not understand it, and I certainly don't claim to like it, but I recognize that I do not understand the movements of the Force. I do not understand what this man," he said, pointing over to Char, "means to do. But I must trust him, as a fellow follower of the Force. And I will support him in his endeavors to follow the Will of the Force." Larik turned to Char and bowed, "I wish the best, my friend, and I apologize if I said anything that might have offended you. Best of luck with your journey, and I can ever help you, please let me know."

Rising from his bow, Larik turned towards the door and followed his fellow Knight out the door. Once he was outside, he shouted to him, "Arkantos! Hold it for a moment!" Jogging up to the man, he flashed a smile at him, "Feel like going for a drink?"

 

[Mr. Teatime]

[OOC: Not here to cause trouble or fight, I promise! Solaris gave me permission, after all.)

Just as those who argued began to falter, as those of opposite views and beliefs in the Order and it's destiny began to push at each other, a tall man entered the doorway. He stepped smoothly through, his sand coloured outer robe contrasting with the darker inner layers, his curly dark hair, and his brilliant green eyes. At two meters tall, his appearance way have been quite noticable, were it not for his use of Art of the Small to reduce his presence in the force to molecular size. This rendered his mind untouchable and unreadable, and his aura of a dark and cloudy grey was extremely difficult to discern clearly. Even if one could see it, 'twas not suspicious. He looked, dressed, and walked like a Jedi, his steps moderate in speed and his motions graceful and strong. Even the single lightsaber on his leather belt was clearly of Jedi design.

He moved farther into the room, a soft smile upon his face, and spoke up from where he was. His voice was was calm and even, but carried with it just a hint of a powerful weight.

My name is Dougal, a Watchman of the Order. I have guarded over this sector of the Galaxy for a very long time, keeping a close eye on larger happenings as time went by. He paused briefly, as if to give those who chose to listen a chance for it to sink in. The Jedi should never have become one with any government. Such a thing can only go wrong, given time, as they become police, or enforcers, or soldiers on the battlefield. These are not what the Order is. Another brief pause, and then his voice become more intense as he looked around at the gathered jedi, and recited lines of the vast Jedi Code.

Conquer Overconfidence, for no man can think of every outcome or alternative. Conquer Stubborness, for a Jedi must always be ready to accept defeat if the cost of winning is greater than the cost of losing. Conquer Aggression, for a Jedi uses the force only to defend or protect. Conquer External Loyalties, for A Jedi is a Jedi, first and foremost, and only. For a Jedi to divide his attention between the will of the Force and the will of others is to invite disaster.

"And above all, Honor Life. Life is of the Force. A Jedi must never commit murder, for any reason. A Jedi must kill only to defend himself or others, and must remember the suffering they have caused each and every being whose life they have ended. Tell me, fellow Jedi, how many have you killed for the sake of this war? How many deaths have you or your actions caused? What some of you claim is that by continuing to kill, we preserve life. By continuing to destroy, we preserve stability. By continuing to fight on behalf of a single government, with it's own agenda and desires, we preserve peace throughout the galaxy. Those of you who believe this, I implore you to reconsider.

He paused for a few seconds, and then sighed. "Empires and Alliances come and go throughout history. It is arrogant of us to believe fighting for one or the other keeps the peace, but it is defeatist to believe we cannot protect those who live under the flags of ANY nation. Though in the past, the Galactic Alliance has been beneficial to us, so to has it tried to destroy or bind us to their will as new leaders make new decisions. I am of the belief that the Jedi Order would do best, if it worked for the good of the Galaxy from a position of neutrality. No biased judge truly works for equality, after all.

He then made a small bow, and backed away from the gathered crowds somewhat, to stand closer to the shadows and even farther away from others than he was already standing.

His plea was sincere. Soldiers can fight for peace, but they cannot preserve it. Only a true guardian can.

Still, he was cautious, and kept Art of the Small active throughout. Though his aura was grey in nature, he doubted anyone had heard of him, thus the cover of an old Watchman.

 

[StormWolf]

Rhonun had remained silent once the debates began, gauging each Jedi and their views on the matter, testing the political waters in the group around him. They were like a shattered mosaic - each a tile that made a greater whole that was of stunning beauty, but their disunity had ripped them from their places. Accusation and generalizations were being tossed about like children, and it frustrated the Cathar to no end. Masters, Knights, and Padawans fluctuated from collective to combusting in a matter of minutes, it seemed. Some Padawans, in their youthful naiveté, showing greater wisdom than those of Knight and Masters. Long had Rhonun kept to the shadows in the corner of the room, doing his best to remain out of the main focus of the conversation until the proper time, and he felt that time was at hand. Things would get out of hand soon enough, and they would be fools to think they were alone in the deserts of Tatooine,

"Enough of your squabbling." said Rhonun, walking into the light that came down through windows and portals in rays, casting off his shroud of shadow, "Discuss this matter calmly, or you can go join the Senate." Rhonun hooked his thumbs on his broad belt, his shoulders squared and his chest puffed out as his golden eyes scanned the great host of Jedi in the room with slit-like pupils.

"As Jedi we are warriors as much as we are monks, such it has always been. In times of peace we serve and protect the people under our watchful gaze, but in times of war, when darkness threatens to consume the lives of the innocent, we must keep the vigil and face the fear of darkness. Cast it back from whenst it came." said the Cathar, his voice deep and powerful, accented with a low growl on hard syllables.

"We are not subject to the political agenda of any Empire, Alliance, or Ascendancy. We are subject only to our duty to the people of this galaxy, and that may call for war at times. If you think slinking back to our Temples and Enclaves will win anything, you are gravely mistaken. The Sith will never forget us, their antithesis. They will hunt us if we hide and they will fight us if we fight. What happens to each of us as an individual is irrelevant so long as the Order and its vigil is kept." said Rhonun, walking to the heart of the room, standing over many of the Jedi there. He was not an easy sight to miss with his dark clothing, deep red sash, and braided mane.

"People place their hope in us, from the farm boy on Tatooine to the Senator's daughter on Coruscant, to the soldiers dying in the mud on some far-off world. If we withdraw now, when the darkness is abyssal, they will feel abandoned, and their hope will crumble around them. That is a greater blow than the Sith could ever bestow upon them." Rhonun's voice grew tight, impassioned but not out of control. "Withdraw from the Alliance if we must to remain distant from their politics, but do not abandon the galaxy to the Sith's advance. Go where the need is greatest, on our terms. From healing to unleashing hell - let the people know we will never abandon them to the darkness, and more importantly, let the Sith know too." Rhonun raised his right hand, a cybernetic claw of durasteel and clenched it into a fist, servo-motors whirring in his wrist as he did so. Jedi were not war-mongerers, but neither were they complete pacifists. If they were, the Order would not have survived so long. The Order were to be beacons of hope to the lost and forlorn, to appear in the times of greatest need like guardian angels to preserve peace and the word of law. Most of the time, such a goal could be achieved with caution and clever word-smithing, but other times it fell on the edge of a sword, killing one to save dozens, if not more.

 

[Orphen]

Ignis smiled, sitting on a small upraised platform, intelligence was something he prized the Jedi of possesing, each of them seemed passionate it their opinion, though he did not have one on the subject, whether the Jedi wait, or fight, was an argument that went back as far as the era of the mandalorian wars. Though the time of Revan was long gone, his arguments were solid and sound, he disobeyed the call of the council and went off to war, fell to the dark side, and turned to kill many Jedi. Though there was a stranger who entered the room, though Ignis did not know every Jedi in the order, he was strong enough in the force to notice a particular something when he saw it. So he adressed the two meter stranger. As he entered Ignis attempted to read his thoughts, though was quickly overcome by mental barriers.

This argument has gone on for thousands of years, whether or not the Jedi should fight, the answer lies in the individual Jedi. The council, eternally wise, should recognize their underling's feelings to protect the weak and the helpless, they should be ready to aid the innocent and the victimized as much as they can while adopting their position of waiting, if that is the position they take. The failures in the past only occur for the High council do not feel it wise to explain their actions to their underlings, which creates an air of annoyance. Though, that being said... I dont know what business an Anzati assassin has doing here...

He spoke allowed, Looking to the cloaked stanger whom has his tenticles withdrawn into his face.

Very, very few species have no pulse, and hold the signs of the undead... which you have. You've guarded your mind, but I can feel the tools of your kind within your cheeks. Your physiology... A race which only feeds off sentient life, meaning you murder to remain alive, means you should not appear in a council-room of Jedi...

Though he could not tell WHO he was, he was an Anzat... Ignis had lived a long time, and was quite familiar with the species.

Though I cannot order your arrest before the people gathered here today, I would beseech them to strongly agree with the notion, as you would have killed recently, or plan to kill somone here.

 

[Green Ranger]

"Wait-wait-wait-wait-wait," Aro said, shaking his head. "Jensaarai? Are you telling us we got called here to talk about abandoning the Alliance...by a Jensaarai? Their teachings aren't even recognized by the Order, so what right does he have to even call this meeting? I mean, by the Force, their whole organization was founded on getting history wrong."

Aro looked around at the group, shrugging casually as he continued speaking. "You lot may not like the way I say things, or the points I'm arguing, and that's fine. But at least have the common sense to realize this guy- " he said, nodding in Char's direction, "as a Jensaarai, doesn't even represent your Order, yet sees fit to tell you your business - and he's got his facts all mixed up. Jensaarai teach Old Jedi Order philosophies, and he's mixing that up with what's being taught now. If you don't want to listen to me, go back to your Temples. Ask your Masters. Look into the Archives. You'll figure out pretty quickly that these ideals of the Jedi being neutral, dogmatic pacifists who avoid conflict isn't what the New Jedi Order is about. Not that you can't do that, but politically speaking we've always stood with the Alliance, and that's not going to change - it shouldn't change, because suddenly we've perverted our Order into a mockery of what it's supposed to be. The Alliance has it's flaws, sure, but you've got to remember we don't just defend the people, but we defend the ideals and freedoms of the Alliance as well. Turning your back on that is turning your back on the people of the galaxy, the Order, and everything you believe in as a Jedi.

"The moment we stop defending the freedoms of the people of the galaxy is the moment the Sith win. No amount of running, hiding and licking our wounds will reverse that."

 

[Kiro]

A figure had remained unnoticed in the shadows. And that was only natural. The figure was shrouded in a black cloak, and had not moved since the passionate arguments had started to be traded around like a hot potato. And the figure was also protected by a cloak of Force Stealth. They might see the figure's physical presence if they peered hard enough into the shadows, but none would feel it through the Force. And for now, the figure watched, listened to the Jedi's arguments. They all seemed so eager to attack one another, if only with heated words and thinly veiled insults for now. They were all oh so very passionate right now. Extremely so. And when passions were roused, tempers flared. A dangerous thing for so many Jedi cramped together in a small room, on a very hot planet.

"Is this what you all fear?" The figure finally speaks, a female voice, with a very clear and distinctive Imperial accent. And the black-shrouded figure takes a step forward, and from within the folds of the black cloak, that same figure produced the hilt of a lightsaber. With the all too terribly familiar snap-hiss of that distinctive weapon, a brilliant crimson blade sprang to life, dispelling the shadows, and bathing it in red light. The other hand, clad in some form of metallic scale glove, lightning of a hue reminiscent of golden magma sparks, earthing itself into the sandy floor below, creating miniscule pieces of glass where sand and that most iconic power of the Sith Order meet.

"Is this what causes dissent within the Order of the Jedi? Simple fear? Are you truly so easy to break?" The female, the black-cloaked Sith, for what else could it possible be, chides. It's hooded gaze sweeping across the gathered Jedi, dissenters and loyalists alike. "Some pressure, a bit of fear, and you run off crying like scared little children? So much for your vaunted Codes, your Paths. Is this indeed the true heart of the Jedi then? Weaklings and cowards. Those you seek to abandon will not denounce the Sith as tyrants and oppressors. They will be lauded as liberators and heroes, and you... you will become nothing more than a memory dragged up to scare the children in the night."

 

[Orphen]

Ignis looked to the blatand Sith as his smile faded to a smirk, still not standing up from his position, his tired eyes looked at her with a subtle softness to them, relaying pity, were the Sith always so keen to prove themselves? He did not chuckle, nor did he even snicker, though he thought hard and rapidly before ushering to make a response, this new entrant, this new sith, unnerved him, slightly. Though he had accomplished far more in his lifetime than that, though as she seemed immediatly hostile and provocitive, Ignis began to well the power of the force inwardly through his body, just in case he needed to explode into movement.

Fear, is relitive, one can fear, as much as they please, I know many Jedi who feel fear, though it's allowing fear to control you, like the way fo the Sith, fearing death, thus becoming so powerful that they truly believe can stave off their own fate. Such is the way of the Dark side of the force. Control, is key. So wave around you're red flashlight all you wish dark-sider ...

His two pure, refined ultrachrome blades hung sheethed at his sides, though they would be upgraded soon. He moved to a standing position, folding his arms.

Without fear, there cannot be courage... Without it at all, all that is left is faux bravado and mindless pride.

Moving closer to them, there was now a much more apparent threat, threatening the conjuration, though his senses moved out to the equipment of the two, scanning everything for greater threats.

 

[Solaris]

"She gets it," Char said simply, gesturing towards Asalla. He raked his fingers back through his hair, getting tired of this. Public speaking was not his strong suit, and the arguments were wearisome. Repetitive, too. They were going around in circles here, and this was doing nothing but getting tempers heated and people overly excited. This was not the Jedi Way. This was not what the Jedi should be doing. He should have known better than to think he could have gotten through to them.

---

"Neither are you," Nasiri said coldly at Aro's declaration that Char was not even a Jedi. She'd reviewed the Chiss-compiled Jedi roster before coming to Tatooine; the possibility that this kid was a Jedi was remote at best. Jensaarai were recognized as Gray Jedi, though their near-extinction in recent years had led many to forget their existence - which was as the Jensaarai preferred. She did know that the only reason Char was not currently a recognized Jedi Knight was because he disagreed with the war and with even some of the Jedi tenets. "And yet here you are, telling Jedi what to think. Hypocritical much?"

---

At the latest accusation of cowardice, Char shook his head. Enough was enough. He'd call an end to this charade, speak with them that were willing to listen, and call it a day. These weren't Jedi. They were here to argue, not deliberate. Many of them, too many of them, were close to the dark side, and so many more had already fallen. Their abandoning the Old Code was a mistake, almost as much as their blind adherence to outdated doctrine of political allegiance at the expense of the rest of the galaxy. Char reached the decision - he was not going to try swaying the Jedi Order anymore. They, he knew, were so far gone that even if they did beat the Sith by the end of it they'd be indistinguishable from their enemies. He'd just try to save what he could.

That black-garbed woman seemed familiar, but Char couldn't place quite where he knew her from. "Alright, y'all, I think - yeah, 's time to take a break. Get our minds centered, maybe come up with somethin' new an' possibly relevant t' the discussion t' say rather'n tryin' to make like cowardice's the only reason a man might look t' the future - an' past the darkness a' the comin' night t' see the sunrise." He stepped sharply in between the 'Sith' and the over-zealous Jedi, staring them both down. His expression was the well-practiced one of a man not to be messed with; Char had dispersed angry mobs with the same look. He didn't know if she was a Sith or not, and frankly did not care. From where he stood, there seemed precious little difference between the Sith and the Jedi these days. "A bit a' time t' clear our heads sounds great, don't it?" he asked with a strained smile that seemed more like a massif bearing its fangs than a friendly expression. It seemed Char had only heard of smiles by rough description.

Even if the Jedi was agreeing with his points, there were simply some rhetorical battles you couldn't win and some people you couldn't convince. Someone who walked into a room full of Jedi and confused insults and flashing around a lightsaber for an argument was just such a person. The way he went about it, too... sometimes, Char really did have trouble telling the 'Jedi' from the Sith.

Spoiler: OOC

Quick! Everyone lightsaber the Anzati! He can't beat all of you! Strike him down with all of your hatred!

 

[Amilthi]

Amilthi felt the touch against her skin and was about to draw away her hand when she was distracted from this intention by the change in her emotional state. She smiled faintly as she recognized what Nasiri was doing; the very same thing she had done to someone else not long ago.

"Thank you", she thought. Telepathy was a useful thing.

With her newfound calm and clarity, Amilthi saw quite clearly that she wasn't going to participate in this conversation. It was entirely pointless now; nobody's mind was going to be changed here. People had immediately gone into political mode and just started to defend the positions they had always held. There had been no attempt to collectively work out the right position; the discussion had been derailed right at the beginning by too many signals of social and political allegiance. Once that happened, discussions were always unsalvageable.

What was shocking is that it would happen like this among Jedi. Truth be told, though, Char had had a part in it, however little he had intended it. His initial presentation hadn't been just the exposition of a problem and a suggestion for its solution; he had, carelessly, added an exhortation for others to 'swallow their pride' and adopt it. Such things apparently shut down Jedi minds the same way the shut down everybody else's.

For a moment, she thought that coming here in the first place had been a stupid idea and that she should have just discussed this with Char in private. But then she realized that of course it hadn't been stupid. She still needed to know where everybody stood, even if it was depressing.

She would have liked to talk to Teynara about this afterwards and make her think. Her friend had a good heart, and she was a smart woman, Amilthi knew that. She thought that the problem was that the two weren't combined into a harmonious whole. Hearts stumbled without the proper guidance from a good intellect, and they so seldomly received it. Of course, there was still also the pinkish woman...

Amilthit searched the assembly for Teynara and approached her. However, before she could initiate a conversation, she heard words that confused her and make her look around quickly. There was talk of an Anzat, and someone activated a red lightsaber. Char was, wisely, calling off the debate. Amilthi tensed and waited.

 

[TAC]

Larik had made it over to his speeder bike and his fellow Jedi Knight when he felt a pull in the Force. The Jedi stopped, turning his back to his friend and looking back at the ruined structure. "Did you feel that?" he asked quietly, unmoving. To a regular observer, it would look like the man was simply peering through the bright light of Tatooine's twin suns towards the ruins, but Larik was instead relying on a much more reliable source, the Force. The Jedi Knight wasn't sure exactly what it was he felt, but he knew there was a sense of unease and tension in the room, far greater than that which had been apparent when he had left.

Jogging back towards the entrance, his head cocked as he waited for some sort of indication from the Force, Larik waved his hand to Arkantos so that the man would follow. Unclipping his lightsaber the Jedi moved up to the entrance, a level above the sunken main hall the Jedi were meeting in. Peering inside, Larik saw heads turn towards a new speaker, someone who hadn't spoken up since Larik had walked out. The alien was cloaked, and Larik couldn't tell who or what he was. The man emanated an odd force signature, and the Jedi Knight didn't move farther than the top level looking down, waiting to see what would happen next.