Ill tidings (Council only)

[Kit]

Augustus couldn't help but be momentarily lost for words, to the extent that the Loremaster was capable of interjecting as well. He hadn't truly expected them to understand. Those that did not share his dedication to the path of the blade, could never fully comprehend things the way he did. Too much monk, not enough warrior.

"Spiders... subtlety... The Will is not a well kept secret, none of our holdings are. The Sith have had nine years to learn everything they could ever want to know about us."

Augustus shook his head.

"Master Skywalker was no spider! The man was a hero; he stood and fought. You may crave to be an insect, hiding and waiting, but it is not best for our order. The Sith understand power, The Will demonstrates ours admirably. We will show that we are unafraid, that we are strong. They will know that they face Lions, not spiders."

 

[Brandon Rhea]

"That is true," the Sage Master spoke, "but a battleship can only take a Jedi so far. If we act like a lion, the Sith will respond with a force to defeat a lion. If we feign being a spider, they will send a force to defeat a spider. That gives us the advantage."

He continued, "The dark side of the Force is awash in over-confidence. Luke Skywalker knew that well, as it was the over-confidence of Emperor Palpatine that became the Dark Lord's undoing. If you meet the expectations of these Sith, the war could go in any direction -- but if you lower expectations and make them over-confident, the day will be ours."

 

[Brand]

Galak listened as the two sides debated, formulating a standing of his own. He saw the wisdom in the words of Master Cordatus and Lechammeon's reasonings, but felt compelled to side with the Battlemaster.

"Jhon, while I respect yours and Master Lechammeon's wisdom in this matter I must side with Augustus on this issue. The Sith are not fools; whether or not we deploy The Will in this matter, it is trivial the effect it will have on the Sith and their response to us. As Augustus mentioned they have had nine years and they understand our strength; the morale advantages along with other positive effects could surely outweigh any underestimation that the Sith would afford to us."

"In the past the Sith have never tried to send only enough to defeat us. No matter what they will launch the full force of their Empire against us, and using The Will to our advantage can only benefit us and the Alliance."

 

[Will]

''Enough.''

Beric rose, silencing the council.

''All this...bickering over pomp and ceremony. No. We shall travel as the order has always travelled. Without ceremony, without pomp and fanfare. Take the light of the force. She has always been good to us. The Will is a vessel to let slip in battle, a beacon in the darkness. She is not for a matter as simple as message delivery.''

He turned to the sagemaster, his eyes hard now, slipping into the flow of leader of the order.

''It is a shame, Master Cordatus. But, alas, the force can be a tricky ally. It is good that at least we have what we know. Now, we must act. You have your roles.''

 

[Brand]

Galak nodded, accepting the Grand Master's word as law.

"Master Leonus, Master Cordatus, I can have a shuttle ready within the hour for our flight to Coruscant. Meet me in C bay when you're ready."

With that Galak stood, bowing deeply to the Grand Master as he put on his cloak. Nodding in acknowledgement to the rest of the Council he turned on his heel and left to make preparations for their leave.

 

[Kit]

Beric did not understand, but then how could he? In taking on all aspects of the Jedi path, he had blinkered himself to each path's depths. He understood enough of Battle, Diplomacy, Lore and the Force to guide the order, but not enough of any to see his mistake.

It did not matter now, the matter was closed. There was no benefit to challenging him now, his mind was clearly made up. He clung to the ways that had seen three purges of Jedi from the galaxy.

The Battlemaster would obey, so long as it did not lead the order to ruin.

"Very well. I will attend you in an hour, Master Avara."

He bowed to the Grandmaster, before exiting the council chambers. He required time to think, and would spend the hour in meditation through combat.