Master Maverick
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Deep in the never-ending forests of the planet, two hours trek from any settlement, the Jedi made their stop. It was here that the Sage Master of the Jedi Order halted those Jedi which followed diligently. Some, she knew, did not do so willingly. Some did so out of fear, others out of ignorance.
It was a rather large gathering, but only a fraction of the totality of the Order. This was both a blessing, but could very well be an omen. Of course not all remaining Jedi were on Coruscant waiting for the end. However, there was no way she could know how many, and even less of who would survive.
Total defeat.
That's what it felt like. The Jedi had been swallowed up in the murky blackness of the Force. That which they served so passionately had seemingly turned on them. It was a crushing blow after so many. Ashara wondered how she was still standing sometimes. Her mind had gone blank aboard her gunship, simply unable to comprehend what was happening around her.
The galaxy was crumbling around them.
Innocents slaughtered. Trillions upon trillions displaced. So much fear. So much hate. So much chaos. She would not use evil. Not anymore. She had come to the conclusion that she did not know what evil was. She had never truly experienced it. Soon, all of them would.
Betrayal.
The Alliance had betrayed them. But one of a series of crushing defeats the Jedi would face. It all happened so quickly, a cascading tumble from which there seemed no turning back. It was nice to know that nothing was set in stone, but believing it was another matter entirely. The Jedi, now more than ever, were alone. They had proven more than able to fend for themselves on their own. However, it had been a millennium since they had to do so. They would have to learn quickly. Or die.
Darkness.
The thick canopy swallowed up the remaining light from the star as it set over the horizon. The planet turned without regard to the fate of the Jedi. It made her remember that the Force was so much more than the Order. Despite this, it made her realize that, because they served the Force, rather than controlled it, they would persist for all eternity. Only the death of the Force would see the total annihilation of the Jedi. Then, too, would the Sith meet their end.
A rock, a small ledge was taken by the Sage Master. Rather than jumping, utilizing the Force to perch herself atop the altar in but a moment, she chose to climb. Using her muscles, her bones, sweat and blood to traverse the rough stone that pierced her skin, pricked her hands and knees and feet. The Force would guide her to the right path, but she would take it alone. The struggle of the Jedi was eternal, and this was an example of just that. Even so, she wanted to clear her mind before making the announcement to the gathering before her. A conclave of sorts, it would be the last time so many Jedi were gathered in one place at one time. Their faces would sorely be missed, their cheer, their curiosity.
This was an end. One end in a long line of endings. A new beginning would take its place and they would know peace once more. Until that time, the Order would struggle as it had those thousand years ago. It was nothing unknown to the Jedi.
Once atop, on her stage, she rose her hands to ask for silence. "Jedi!" Her voice was swallowed up in the trees, in the branches and the leaves, the vines and the moss and the lichen. The rocks and the bushed. It was a hollow sound that would reach their ears. One of emptiness and...
"That is what we are. Remember this!" There was a pause for effect, but also to make sure all were paying attention.
"Remember that the Force is always with you!" Her eyes scanned the crowd. Some were growing unease while others watched in awe, desperately anxious to hear what she had to say. What would happen now.
"Remember that the Jedi, this Order, does not require a place. We are more than a Temple. More than a planet. We are servants, vassals of the Force. More than that, we are guardians of peace and freedom and justice!" Such meaningless words now. They seemed childish to her. They seemed a desperate plea to hold on to something, anything, in order to keep this together. To do something to not watch it all fall apart in pieces before her eyes.
"The Grand Master has called for exile of the Order." She was disappointed in the announcement. Which was unusual considering she was going to exile herself regardless of the Grand Master's orders. She'd wait for the whispers, the yells, the screams, the cries to cease before explaining. "And the Galactic Alliance has disowned us." She wasn't going to tell them what really happened to him. This was all too much to take in already. No need to add to the pain.
"We are to disperse into the Outer Rim to hide and survive!" She had waited until it had calmed down a bit before she said this, simply because she knew there would be some uproar from some of the Jedi present. "You are still to perform the duty of a Jedi! We must keep out of sight, however. Our survival depends on the knowledge you posses within your minds. Without that we are lost." She knew that many would think her selfish for even suggesting such a thing. However, it was very much the opposite. Weathering this storm took much more effort, much more courage, strength and sacrifice than offering oneself up as a martyr for honor, for pride.
"Any are more than welcome to continue fighting in the war effort. As Sage Master, however, my duty is to preserve and protect the knowledge of this Order. As such, I will be accepting this order and going to the dark corners of the galaxy. For any who wish to travel with me, speak with me. Otherwise, please leave and do so with haste. Tell none where you are going and do not stop until you reach your destination."
This was the conclusion of her speech; a pause and the traditional farewell for all Jedi, "The Force is with you all." The sadness was now tangible in her voice and she'd watch as they dispersed, after a time of course. They needed to absorb this revelation before they'd even think of moving their feet.
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