[FLASHBACK] [1,023 ABY] The Needle in the Haystack

[Wolf]

Nakoma had been raised in a culture where empathy came naturally and the tribal members had been taught to bear each other's burdens. It was something that she could not control and though a hint of nerves remained from her own preconceptions about this man, her heart ached for him. Clearly his soul was scarred with deep anguish from loss and from the horrific events that he had endured which now replayed in his mind like a film that would not end.

The young woman was unfamiliar with the word "revenge" but quickly gathered its meaning as Ryloss continued describing the events that had led him to this moment in time. She had never been hurt or wronged and did not understand how it would feel to desire to do this to another person based on their treatment of her.

Ryloss then spoke of murder. Nakoma knew what it was, but she shuddered at the idea of ever witnessing such depravity. Knowing that he had taken the lives of others made the Laku'na feel uneasy once again and she found herself sinking further into the seat behind Ze'kyre. Though she had not answered the man's query about her age, she knew that his guess had been correct. She had never witnessed the horrors that he spoke of and could not comment on the topic. All Nakoma could do was close her eyes and try to calm her heart that was experiencing an overload of new and painful emotions.

 

[Resolute\\.ZEN]

Ze'kyre understood the sentiment of war not being so black and white, even if it was not something he had yet to experience much of himself. Still, there was no denying that at the root of every Imperial command was the agenda of the Sith, and the Knight could only expect that any fairness shown by their troops must be an oversight by the Imperial high brass. He had heard of Jedi masters falling out of grace, and of Sith lords redeeming themselves in the Light of the Force, but perhaps his bias had yet to truly be shaken.

As the ship calmly made its way through the atmosphere, Ze'kyre leaned further back and crossed his arms, listening to the zeltron's philosophy. The thoughts he posed were interesting and perhaps controversial, but Ze'kyre could not deny the root of wisdom with which he spoke. He remained alert when the mans gaze travelled to Nakoma, and he could sense her discomfort moments later when Ryloss spoke of taking life.

He remained silent on his age, instead reflecting on the words he had sent through thought just prior. "That's what happened to the Jedi, and by god did we not go easily..."

Ze'kyre had been young, but already well versed in the ways of combat and strategy. He understood how the Jedi had screwed up, but he had been taught that those who are too scared to take risks can accomplish nothing, and the Jedi fought for a righteous cause. The Sith must be brought out into the open, where people can see them for the order of monsters that they are, for only

"But either way, I've learned the definition of 'justice' through and through. I don't kill people if I can help it and I have an awful habit of seeing their eyes while I'm sleeping when I do."

Ze'kyre nodded, remaining silent but another moment while. "It is good to have an appreciation for death as a warrior, as well as to the know the value of life. I only hope you stay open to the idea that perhaps you still have more to learn of justice, Padawan Ryloss. Knowledge is never certain, and we can only hope to keep chasing it if we intend to remain wise."

 

[Ush]

Ryloss wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that. Fulfillment? To a degree, he realized. He supposed he'd been waiting for this for over ten years. But he also felt at a loss, now. And on top of that, he also realized he had a code to follow. No more drinking until he couldn't hold it down, no more random women in his bed, no more killing or fighting or stealing. And his sense of loss only intensified at this realization.
"Different cultures have different definitions of justice, but evil is evil. There are no blurred lines, no categories. There is no greater, lesser or middling evil. The Jedi's job... Our job, is to ensure enough of it is prevented that it still shocks the rest of the galaxy when they see it. No more. No less. Knowledge is our path to wisdom and wisdom is our light to expose evil in it's many forms. You may claim there are other reasons, other goals for us to achieve. But evil is our goal. No more and no less. The Sith are evil. No more. No less. And that is why while either of us exist there cannot be peace. And yet, the Jedi never lose sight of their overall goal, to show us the truth of evil. The Sith will be meaningless should we ever disappear. And that is why the Jedi are stronger. Because we only have one goal. The Sith must, to continue existing, find another if they complete their first."
Ryloss had felt his face darken as he spoke. Now, his face snapped back to normal again.
"Thank you, and I will try."
He knew he should have called him 'master', as he had once referred to all above his rank. But he couldn't. He had not called anyone 'sir' or 'master' in years and years. He could probably act the role of subordinate if it truly mattered, yet too much was happening inside his head to act the part of anything. Right now, they could probably see him as he truly was. Empty, hollow eyes with a dancing spark at the core, gaunt face and thin lips with just the faintest hint of a smile to them... And then that face, too, was gone, replaced by a wide grin and eyes burning with a sort of mad passion flowing through them.
"Right," he said, pressing buttons at the controls in front of him. "Away we go."