Ask Discovery on Lysatra

Ransom Caldwell

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itsatrap42
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Rance stood and dusted himself off. Tossing the stone up in the air and catching it again. The second he caught it his demeanor about the situation changed. He felt himself grow in understanding. It wasn't that he thought he shouldn't have tossed it--he had reason to celebrate and he felt allowed a bit of rejoicing. No, it was more that he just never wanted to let it go again. That were he to, he would be letting go a piece of himself. He could somehow sense Fiach recognizing this as she waited for a reply.

"This is my heart. A Kaibur crystal. It is many things but truly, it is my stone to cast in the river. My yoke to pull." He replied.

Ransom Caldwell stood for a moment and Fiach did not give him a response. Ransom had done this with his students--they called it "wait time" back in school. Knowing this technique did not sully Rance's engagement with it. She was truly patient.

"How do I know when to throw it? Or what to pull?"

She did not answer immediately. She let him continue. Rance could feel her probing for emotional understanding in him. He opened himself to it. "Master Jedi. I, of course, must seek stability in this. I know what happens when this power is bestowed and then perverted. I am nervous. I am scared. But I also have a mandate. This ... this... this place" he said a bit more emphatically than he would have liked, "has made clear that there is a great injustice being done. It is also clear that I cannot allow it to continue." He bowed his head solemnly. "But I also know" he said slowly and deliberately, "that when I took this stone, I was making a commitment not to my own ambitions and crusades but to an even higher purpose. Tell me Fiach, please, where is the balance? I know what this is. But I do not know what to do."

"You must sit."

@Corbeau
 
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Fiach Dubh

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Corbeau
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Fiach’s right eyebrow raised and lowered as Rance spoke. He clearly understood so much, but in other ways so little. Or, was his understanding normal and the reverence a Jedi showed to a crystal unnatural? In that moment, she found herself questioning everything she had learned.

Just as it should be.

And he too needed to come to terms with what he was experiencing. Typically, Younglings and Padawans learned so much about the crystals and sabers – long before they ever were able to seek one out. This gave knowledge, understandably, but perhaps introduced formality into the equation, when none was appropriate. Fiach, for her part, loved the history and the ceremony of the thing, but realised that that was all about her – and Rance may be quite different.

Finally, she sensed his questions had abated and now was the time for her to speak.

“It is one thing to be chosen, another to accept. There is a path ahead. Not – I believe – one that ends when the current situation has been resolved, but a much longer one. A much, much longer one.”

“You have the opportunity to walk the life of a Jedi. It is not for everyone – and it is not as trite as about choosing good or evil. Many are good and do not, maybe cannot, live the life of a Jedi. For to be a Jedi means to be selfless. To eschew material possessions. To put the will of the Force above everything else. To trust the Force above everyone else. To be ready to sacrifice anything and anyone for the greater good.”

“I suspect you know a lot about the Jedi – most of which I suspect is true. But not all, I assure you. So, before you truly learn about the power of that little crystal in your hand – and what it means to you personally, ask me questions. As many as you have, however trivial, or uncomfortable. For the life of a Jedi is not one taken lightly – and to commit means to truly commit, with your life.”


@ItsAtrap42
 

Ransom Caldwell

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"I have always tried to live my life in goodness." Rance said reflecting on the students that had came and went. "All that I have built here, I would leave it for sake of living my life as a Jedi."

After all Rance had done to get to this point in his life, living his dream, he wouldn't have expected himself to say that but he felt the truth in it. "Though with the current state of affairs in the galaxy, I'd think it foolhardy to not continue to lead these people toward knowledge and understanding. Is that not one of the charges of the Jedi? To illuminate the darkness of not knowing? I would understand if you require me to disconnect from this life in order to embrace another." He paused and contemplated for a moment.

"Is it not true, that both things can exist. I could pursue this course and rectify this ancient blight on the galaxy and still pursue the life of the Jedi simultaneously. I do not see them as mutually exclusive. Obviously logistically I would forfeit my right to possessions on the ship and elsewhere to Cawdry but why hinder the Jedi's few resources when I have my own to bring to bear on the galaxy's issues. Especially considering we are well-equipped to handle the issue at hand." Rance continued, "the life of a Jedi is sacrifice, this I know. But I sincerely feel that to deny those under my command the pursuit of that which they've suffered to follow would be an injustice." He paused for a moment, opening his mouth to speak and then closing it again. Eventually he tried.

"Is there procedure for such an occurrence? What does this mean for you and me? My crew? The Jedi? Where do I go? Do I follow orders? Do I find my own sources of need in the galaxy and go" he struggled for the word "Jedi the solution myself? Where do we go from here?"

@Corbeau
 

Fiach Dubh

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Fiach listened and nodded, her gentle smile ever-present on her lips. As someone who left a life of nothing, the only thing she gave up was her relationship to her adopted parents. But, in a strange way, she did not feel as though she was leaving them behind – because she knew their feelings for each other would never change. She was simply beginning a new chapter in her life. She was also acutely aware, of late anyway, that she was not typical in this regard and others in the Order found it a challenge to leave siblings, parents and even pets and possessions.

“We live a transient life, doing good wherever we can and departing. Never staying in one place long enough to see the fruits of our efforts – but knowing we did the right thing. At least, most of the time. Less successful missions and interventions happen and we have to focus on the future and not dwell on the past. It is therefore encouraging that you would readily move on in your life.”

“Not that the commitment is binding. People have left the Order, and I would accept their reasons if they felt it was for the best. But it tends to be binary in that regards – you either commit or you don’t. It is not a place for those that wish to dabble at being a Jedi.”

“So, it is definitely not a requirement to leave this part of your life behind exactly, just a recognition that your commitment means you might leave at a moment’s notice and possibly never return. Certainty is not something you can offer your colleagues here.”

“Plus, there is the small matter of training. It is not learned by osmosis, or by reading datacrons. But through dedicated instruction – typically at an academy. Then, once the basics are understood, through missions, where additional skills are developed.”

“The Force guides us – and the Jedi Council of course, given it directs them – and the willingness to give up control is a stumbling block for many.” She waved a hand expansively, “And I am not saying these people cannot aide in the fight for good, but in doing so, they are placed at much greater risk. Not only in the sort of assignments you would undertake, but enemies would see them as a target. To test your resolve. To see if you would forfeit their lives for the greater good.”


“That’s a reason why, in the olden times, Jedi were taken as children. There were no binding ties to be exploited if they had developed none.”

“But these are different times. And different methods. But, if you wish to become a Jedi, firstly you must be prepared to commit to learning before engaging in any further actions in your current course. I am not saying you have to…there may be other ways. But being willing to do so, that is the key. Should you wish to learn the ways of the Jedi, I can teach you – but as in many things, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Perhaps it would be better to delay your quest until after you have learned some basics?”

“I present options…questions…not dictates. The point is, where do you want to go from here? My question to you is, what would a Jedi do?”

@ItsAtrap42
 

Ransom Caldwell

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"A Jedi would be patient." Rance responded. "I am honored you are willing to train me and I agree. This Sekteth seems to be playing a thousand year gamble" he said, following Fiach's gesture and marveling at the terrible power surrounding them and noting the array of lances and equipment. He added, "I would be foolhardy to go headlong into this without having the proper tools and skills necessary. At this point, the tools and skills necessary to complete this task lie beyond my understanding." He closed his eyes and sought out another truth. What he found was terrifying. "Sillisk here was the most harrowing thing I think I've seen and if his, the holocron, and the droid's stories are assumedly true, then I am no match for what lies ahead." He stood and bowed. "So is to say, I will do what is necessary to safeguard those that cannot defend themselves. In this case, it would seem I must go to a Jedi Temple and train. Will you take me?" Rance concluded holding out his hand to help Fiach rise from the seated position. She took it and gave it a firm squeeze once she was upright.

"I will. Now lets see about arranging our departure." She said, straightening her robes. "First, we should see about your droid. And I don't really think we should leave that holocron with your students."

"I agree. Let's see if we can't convince the droid to give a Jedi any more information. Then we can grab the holocron. I can relay orders to my people. I've no idea how I'm going to explain this to the Denon Archeological Society. I imagine they'll be a little frustrated but they'll be just fine."

With that they headed off to the control room where the droid was still waiting.

"That was hardly thousands of years" the droid mocked. It took notice of Fiach, "How did you find a Jedi in this place?"

"The will of the Force?" Rance offered, shrugging as he looked back and forth between Fiach and the droid, GIL.

"Stand by." It said authoritatively. "Scanning." A long pause. "Scanning." Another long pause. "Processing." It said finally, "Please present sample for analysis."

Rance turned to Fiach. "I don't understand."

"Hold out your crystal" She coached.

Gil corrected, "I must administer a test on the Jedi." It nodded toward Fiach You're a Jedi. This one has already stated he is not a Jedi."

"Things change" Fiach responded.

"Processing." They heard whirs and clicks as it was clearly computing the likelihood of her claim. "Parameters would allow that a Jedi might dictate to my programming the nature of another Jedi. The droid concluded. "Please present sample for analysis."

Rance held out his crystal. The droid swiped it from its hand and brought it within its housing.

"Processing." Gil purported. "Verification complete. Jedi confirmed. Greetings Knight. My full function is at your disposal. Would you like me to define function parameters."

"No GIL, that won't be necessary at the moment. Would you mind coming with us?" Rance asked.

"It would be my genuine pleasure. I have not seen Jedi for so long. There is so much to share with the council."

"Well it's a good thing we're going home then. I have some friends who would be very interested in meeting you." Fiach said. "Rance, why don't you get GIL back to your ship, brief your students, and I'll be along with the holocron shortly."

Rance nodded and bowed turning to leave. Cawdry was coming toward him having left during their meditation and conversation. "You're leaving us." He said matter-of-factly.

"Not in so few words, Cawdry. I've got to go learn what we're dealing with and how to stop it."

"We just find it and stop it."

"Ordinarily I'd agree with you but after recent events--" Rance brought a hand up to his injured chest, "I fear we are not prepared for what lies ahead. I have some learning to do."

"Doctor Caldwell has learning to do?!" Cawdry teased, emphasizing 'doctor' sarcastically.

"It would seem that way. Do you think you can take over from here until I get back?"

"So you are coming back?"

Rance paused. He truly wasn't sure. He knew he'd see them again, that was for certain but as far as returning in his full capacity, he couldn't know. "We will meet again. I doubt the Jedi would deny the resource and expertise of this group. They aren't ones to squander resources and you all are all so very valuable. I imagine we will need you if we are to find what we are looking for. I've only to find something else first."

"And what is that, Doc?"

"Balance."

@Corbeau
 
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