Let the Pages Turn [Invite.]

[Jacques]

The padawan still shook his head, "We are Jedi. There should be no reason why it would ever come to violence." Arek said, "Or at least I would hope we could all be as civilized as the term Jedi would mean." He wasn't feeling very sarcastic or snarky that day, but somehow it still seemed to come out as though he were, though in a much less funny way...which was something he didn't like at all, "Your saying 'if it does' is basically saying 'I'd just as rather fight than talk', which is something we shouldn't ever be doing...but let alone within our own order." If the diplomat in him hadn't been clear before, he hoped it certainly would be now.

 

[Dmitri]

Nero had arrived a little while ago just in time to hear Daisuke mention he wanted to keep Augustus on the Council. The only reason Nero had come was because he believed that Daisuke was right: the Jedi's leadership was too sluggish. They needed a new leader. Beric was a great man, but he was slow to act. Augustus, on the other hand, was very much fit for the Council, and, as Daisuke pointed out, his expertise would be needed in the upcoming war.

Then people began talking about violence. Cat tried to argue against that, by claiming that if that happened, they'd be no better than the Sith.

"None of us or the Council are Sith," said Nero. "Both sides will be unwilling to enter violence." He turned his attention to Daisuke. "However, the problem still remains of forcing the Grandmaster to step down. They have the law on their side and unless we get support from the Galactic Alliance, the Alliance won't help us unless we manage to succeed Beric. Still, the Grandmaster, Blademaster, and Prime Envoy are a formidable trio. Might I suggest we approach them individually?"

 

[Prancing Yawn]

Cat nodded at Nero.

"I have a friend who is an Admiral in the Navy. I met him on Konstallen. He may be able to represent the Alliance when we present the petition to the Council. Would it help at all to contact him?

 

[Jiang Winters]

"If we must resort to violence, then we've already failed."

Daisuke rose to his full height now, gesturing to those who'd spoken out against the use of violence. "Understand this; we cannot and will not resort to violence within our own ranks. There's more at stake here than our own codes of conduct or our honor - our reputation within the galaxy as a whole is on the line. If we slip now, if we stray from the codes we uphold, then the Alliance's citizens may begin to see blurred lines between us and the Sith. The use of violence itself is a point of debate within the Order, this I know to be true, but that debate is for another time and another place. Not here. There will be no blood - those of us who carry the verdict to the Council will not even carry weapons. I won't stand to see this turn violent. That said..."

His attention turned to the latest arrival. Nero. The younger man had already voiced his opinion, a wise one that echoed the same wisdom already shown by Jedi such as Talon Rann, Matsu, and Arek. His left ear twitched in response to Nero's suggestion, which he dismissed with a shake of his head.

"No. We won't undermine them like that. This is to be presented to the three as a whole. Much of the Order backs this. I've already spoken with the Chief of State of the Alliance as well..."

Daisuke paused a moment. Hopefully, Mr. Lamartine wouldn't mind having his involvement voiced so soon, but he felt like he had little choice at the moment.

"Valafar Lamartine is one of our supporters. We've got the Alliance at our back."

The feline lowered himself to sit once more, a thin smile on his face. "A good idea nonetheless." He glanced to Cat next. "As for your Naval friend, please do so. The more allies we have, the swifter and the more painless this will be for us all. We need to move quickly, as so not to disrupt the Order too severely. That could weaken us, and we don't want to risk inviting a preemptive strike from the Sith."

 

[Jacques]

After sitting silent for several moments, backing everything the large, older feline man said, Arek felt the need to sit up, "Though I do agree that some sort of...legal backing is helpful and could make this whole process go quicker...it might be unnecessary. If the Grandmaster and the Prime Envoy and the Blademaster are as wise and smart as they should be, why would we even need it? They should be able to sit right down, and understand it. As long as we have a lot of Jedi backing us, and not even known Jedi who strut around, people knowing who they are...if we have a good number of supporters, I believe they will be unable to do anything BUT listen." The robed Tusken said, again offering but a shrug visual wise to support his ideas.

 

[DeathToll]

Tris listened intently, despite his drifting looks across the walls above those present; some now even standing behind the seats that were entirely filled. A large turnout for this meeting alone, Tris thought to himself; there were even more Jedi who he knew to be backing this ideal, unable to be in attendance here this hour on such short notice.

Still, Tris found some of the voiced concerns a bit trivial. Believing that some were too worried about how they were seen, their own image above the good of the people that this Order served. Bickering about such surface subjects and placing unnecessary attention on certain individuals present who were all in agreement with the real reason all were here. And it seemed to Tris that none were willing to focus on the 'how' of this meeting rather than the 'why'. Yes. Tris agreed there cannot be violence. No. Tris disagreed to the notion that doing nothing was wiser than doing something. Irrelevant. Just by showing up here, showing one's face, was giving their vote in agreement for this to take place. What was needed were specifics. Plans. Suggestions. Ideas. The others had valid concerns, and it was understandable that not all be fully sure of their oppinions on this matter until more explanation was given; all in all, this was a meeting of decision through peace - to preserve that peace.

"If I may..."

Tris spoke up, finally. Oozing an obvious arrogance, as usual, Tris' words would still chop down with a firm and emotionless truth. He only wished to convey the facts, and get this unpleasant issue underway.

"I think it's safe to assume that we all wish for a peacful transition. We all may feel some confliction here. We all seek to strengthen our structure, not break it in half. Now. We should move on from this. We need to serve the people as best we can as we were meant to, and if that means restructuring our leadership then so be it."

Tris guestured to their 'host' of sorts.

"Daisuke seems versed in these procedures. The structure for this has already been laid out, it seems. We need to help him by submitting names that we can agree upon to fill in the blanks. Shall we begin with nominations? Or perhaps we should start by defining and naming these positions we are about to temporarily fill?"

 

[Tzeentch]

Nier had remained silent during the entire conversation, listening to each of the others' views on the matter of the Council. Some would accept the path of violence should it come to that, while others wished to remain peaceful, as was the way of the Jedi. There were ways to getting things done, and sometimes violence was the only way to get through to someone..

Now was not the time for that, especially with the prospect of war looming over the galaxy once again.

Opening his eye slightly, Nier raised his head and took a look at each Jedi that were debating.

"As unlikely as the members of the Council are to fight amongst their Jedi brethren, if they do, then they are foolish, as are those who support the use of violence at this time," his vision continued to pan the other Jedi in the room, "especially with a war with the Sith and the Empire encroaching. I highly doubt they would pass on a chance to take any form of advantage over the Order. That isn't even including the fact that these three are some, if not the best the Order has to offer; I doubt even a dozen Knights and Padawans would match up to their strength."

His eye stopped on Daisuke, "However, as he had stated," he nodded in the feline's direction, "there is little time to properly debate, but we should take care in our decisions." With that, the gray-eyed man went silent.

 

[Syn]

Matsu looked up and at Tris as she spoke. Halo had come in and went nearer to Kelly which was interesting she hadn't thought they knew each other. Or maybe Halo wanted to meet new people? Either way Matsu spoke remaining seated but using the button to make the seat rise up. It made her look her normal size. "If we need to agree on the ones to place I nominate Kelly. She has better judgement then me although it might be questionable at times. I trust her and believe she would be able to take over as Battlemaster interim."

 

[GABA]

Leaning forward in her chair, Ebberla listened to everyone's opinion, a very pessimistic view of violence, then mellow negotiating, followed by some sense. She listened to Knight Matsu give her nomination and Ebberla spoke up, "For Battlemaster I nominate Knight Matsu for the temporary fill."

 

[Jiang Winters]

Nominations began to fly this way and that after Tris spoke; Daisuke was quick to raise a clenched fist, calling the room to silence. "I don't mean to be a stick in the mud," he said, his tone far gentler than earlier, "But now is neither the time nor the place to be appointing interim positions."

He returned his hand to the table as he spoke. He wasn't normally one to attempt to dominate and control a conversation, much less a debate, but here he felt things would become out of hand if he didn't maintain some degree of order.

"But, since I get the impression you're curious about who'll take command, let me explain it a bit. A suitable interim grandmaster will be chosen, but his post will last a week. After that he'll be demoted, or perhaps removed from the post entirely. A new Grandmaster will ascend to take his place, someone chosen for their wisdom, experience, and leadership abilities and vision. A new Prime Envoy will be chosen once the GM is in place; he will be chosen by the GM and Council, picked for his ability to handle diplomatic matters and internal affairs. And, lastly, a new command role may be created to supplement or replace Battlemaster.

We will have to see - anyways, let's get back on track, shall we? The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how to remove the current problems from the Council, not discuss who to add to the Council and how to add them. I fear that if we tackle both in this same sitting, we'll only stall ourselves and create conflict and argument. So! About removing the GM, Battlemaster, and Prime envoy... Firstly, I feel it's safe to say we all agree upon their removal. If anyone disagrees, then please voice your concerns now. The terms of their removal will be thus; they will immediately and unconditionally surrender their positions, and will hold seats on the Council unless they are deemed incapable of holding such a seat."

Dai paused a moment, giving everyone a chance to absorb the information before he proceeded. "Simple. Straightforward. No unnecessary fluff, no loopholes. If anyone disagrees with them, please voice your concern now."

 

[Dread]

A middle aged woman made her way down a hallway to the Chief of States office. She walked with vigor in each of her steps. Her heels impossibly clicked on the carpet from the pressure. Her tassels of ebony hair blew back behind her from the rush of air. As if that alone wasn't enough to show her current mood, her blue eyes sparked with excitement and fire. She was bubbling with anticipation. She know exactly what Valafar was up to today.

The automatic door to the Chief's office zipped upwards. Before it fully opened she walked in the room, unintentionally stubbing her toe on a desk located a little too close to the doorway.

"Ow! My Force damn foot!" Nel grumbled.

Valafar raised an eyebrow at her uncharacteristically aggressive tone. She raised an eyebrow back, and Valafar wisely decided to let it go. Valafar was busy mulling over the details of the conversation the Jedi were having. He was listening in on the Jedi's meeting, and had been since it started, thanks to the nifty com system that was installed ahead of time.

When the Chief's name was brought up, he felt it was time to show himself, and give his opinion on the matter.

Valafar tapped on the smooth surface of his com, and the holoprojector in the conference table lit up, displaying his image to all of the Jedi.

"Honorable Jedi, forgive my intrusion, but I feel I must interject." He paused to let the surprise of his sudden appearance pass. "I believe that we should listen to Mr. Fuyu, and not debate the subject of a permanent grandmaster too hastily -- something that effects both your order and the Galactic Alliance tremendously. However, since Mr. Fuyu started this and is leading this - which already shows a great amount of character and charisma that is currently needed in the Jedi's leadership - I believe he would be a wise temporary grandmaster, and stress that he be giving the position if this change in the Jedi occurs."

 

[Natise]

Chora had been in the back for the entire meeting. Listening to her fellow jedi squabble about the leadership. Was violence an answer? Of course not! If its needed, I don't see why not? The opinions truly showed how diverse the jedi order was in present times. It was...good. That was the only way Chora could think of describing it. Strengths and Weaknesses from so many different mindsets all working together would form a group truly powerful. One that could defend the innocent and bring an end to evil with ease. She was impressed by it all.

Then things went downhill. People began speaking of nominating each other for positions without any predetermined ballots, voting schedules, or reviews of applicants. Luckily, Dai was able to put a stop to this all quickly, allowing Chora to relax again. She saw no problems with what he planned on doing, so she remained quite. But decided to come away from the back, and took a seat next to Matsu.

 

[Tzeentch]

Nier's eye closed and his brows furrowed slightly underneath the cover that hid his sightless eye. To him, it didn't seem that some of the Jedi were taking this seriously enough; several individuals of great skill, wisdom, and strength were to be replaced, and they were actually nominating Knights to take their places! The role of leadership was not to be taken lightly, and the chances that a Knight having enough experience and wisdom to lead all others was near nonexistent at best, in his own thoughts.

This wasn't something that could be solved through a mere wish to nominate an individual through popularity or such, it was far more complicated than that. The ones above the ranks of the Knights should be the ones to decide as to who should take their places, those that had more experience in the ways of the Jedi and the Order itself.

Nier had been with the order for about a month or two at this point, and when he was given the right to become a Knight, he was surprised to say the least; even though he was a Knight, he still didn't know everything there was to know, so it was best to leave it to those that did.

Of course, Nier ignored the fact that he was forced into taking the mantle as leader of his Branch and family, but it was different, especially compared to this.

Unknowingly, he muttered a small portion of his thoughts, allowing those near him to hear.

However, his thoughts were interrupted when a hologram of an unknown (to him) individual appeared, causing his eye to open and look directly at the figure, surprise dissipating swiftly as his gaze turned into a sharp one.

He remained silent as he eyed the holographic form of the man.

 

[Arm514ve]

Kelly didn't even move when Haloburner stood next to her and didn't pay her much mind until she heard her whisper, and answered with out turning to her. "Only you can answer that." she said as she continued to listened to the discussion, and agreed that the current Council hasn't been doing anything at all, and a change was needed. But it seemed everyone was intent on going off topic and decide who should take positions. She was surprised when Matsu choose to nominate her for Battlemaster and was about to speak up saying she wasn't interested when Daisuke put at least a temporary end on there attempts to stray from the topic heavily.

Kelly continued to listen until an holo image of the republic chief of state appeared, and spoke saying Daisuke should at least be the temporary grandmaster. She raised an eyebrow.
"With all do respect if you had been listening I think we already covered the fact were not deciding who should fill the gaps in power just yet." She said her tone possibly taken as unrespectful for someone of his status but in her point of view this was a Jedi internal matter and the Republic had no jurisdiction in it. "Back on the topic at hand a petition sounds fine though precautions should still be taken encase they don't want to step down peacefully and try and fight those who deliver the message I know a lot of you are against violence and I understand where you are coming from but being prepared for the worst case scenario can be a good thing, then being caught off guard because if this does fail those delivering the message could be attacked or apprehended and face sentences far worse than exile and all of the names on the list could face Exile. you all do realize the gravity of the situation we are discussing correct?"

 

[Phil]

"Should we or anyone face Exile for bringing the truth to them, then it will only show the Council is more apart from the Order then they realize. It will create more problems for them, some may even self exile themselves as examples."

Andre said, glancing over to Cross when she spoke. This would be dangerous, and the risks were high if the Council was indeed detached. This would not be the first time a council needed to be replaced, and it would not be the last.



The doors once more opened into the meeting room, standing there in his dark purple tunic, white turban and his white cape covering his back and shoulders stood the Jedi Knight Predor Logath. Having listened in to an extent from the ship, he felt now would be the time he decide to come into this place for discussion. Some here he recognized, though others he knew were absent here. His former padawan Kelly Cross was here, which is no surprise to him.

"You who has gathered us here, Master Fuyu, must have had an idea of your own should you wish to see the Order brought back into shape. But I know words alone will not be enough to sway the Council alone, even with the numbers we have."

He said, turning towards the wall opposite of the window and leaned against it rather then sitting.

"Regardless on who will replace them, which will happen, it needs to be thought well. Regardless on how wise the Battlemaster is, the strongest and smartest in the art of war is not really the most necessary of people we need."

He threw out, closing his eyes some as he continued to lean against the wall while standing.

"The council, as much respect I have for them all, must leave their temple, and walk the worlds they protect to see that action must come, and that they must do what is best for all."

 

[DeathToll]

Tris stayed quiet now, in agreement with Daisuke. The others had bounced at Tris' words as if he'd pounded the gavel. Perhaps he had spoken a bit too impulsively. Though at least he had moved the group away from its previous circular debate, he hoped.

The image upon the table was a bit unnexpected. This nameless person must have misheard, as no permanent positions were in discussion; only temporary, and the idea was only to suggest that path be opened to discussion and not stepped through.

At any rate, Tris had nothing to add here. He would wait for further description and detail, as he figured everything had already been planned; only delegation of responsibility remained, responsibility of how to approach the Council Members in question and responsibility of how to hold up the structure whilest its main pillars were replaced.

 

[Andreus Makaryk]

Andreus Makaryk had received word of this meeting late.

The delay greatly displeased the padawan, but there was little he could do for he had only been notified there even was a meeting until less than three hours before it started. And Andreus had been more than three hours' flying time away from Coruscant when he had learned. In theory, he should have missed the meeting on account of the late notice all together. But it was far too important to miss.

He'd done everything practicable, and some things that weren't, to minimize his inevitable delay. He'd overheated his E-wing's considerable engines to burn out of Empress Teta's gravity well in less than ten minutes, and overloaded them again after dropping out of hyperspace in the space over Coruscant. He'd approached the Reliant so fast that her captain had hailed him demanding he state intentions, fearing Andreus intended to suicide-ram the Alliance carrier. Instead, the padawan and experienced pilot had initiated full, overheated reverse thrust from nearly forty thousand knots to slow down enough to dock. He'd come within about twenty seconds of burning out one of his engines completely, within a moment of burning out the other. He'd have to do some serious engine repair work after the meeting had concluded. He'd even overstressed his hyperdrive to manage a flight time of three hours, eighteen minutes.

Still, he was kriffing late.

He wasted no time. He'd been given a room number, and had studied maps of where on the ship to go on the invitation that had made it to his datapad. He had made it to the ship where the meeting was held; he would suffer no further delays. Of course, the meeting room was about as far away from the docking bay as it could get without being outside of the ship. Andreus flew through its halls, availing himself of Force Speed to minimize any further wasted time.

When he arrived, most definitely late because no one had bothered to timely inform him of this meeting in the first place, the doors into the meeting room flew open to admit the man that stood nearly two meters tall. He was but a padawan, an inexperienced one at that, but that was certainly not the impression he projected. He probably could have pulled off a reasonable impersonation of the Battlemaster himself at the moment, but for the tattoos on his face that he couldn't remove, that the Battlemaster didn't have. He waited for Kelly (whom he didn't really respect all that much) to finish, then Andre and some other Jedi he didn't recognize spoke, and Andreus seized the silence to speak. His deep, stern voice filled the meeting room.

"If Beric chooses to have me executed for coming here, then so be it."

His voice seemed almost dark. The Dark Side itself was absent from Andreus, but the strength of his conviction that the current Grandmaster and Prime Envoy were doing absolutely nothing to prepare the Jedi Order for the inevitable war intoned his voice with an air of darkness anyway. Given his origins, Andreus was prone to it.

"I wish to make one thing clear. If the Jedi Council clings to its power so tightly that it will not acknowledge its own lack of leadership, and resists with violence, I do not care. I will die, by execution, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make to see the Order prepared properly for its own defense. Grandmaster Kanosur has done little. Envoy Kane, nothing, and Kane was brought on to the Council to replace the previous Prime Envoy and my Master, Avara, who simply drowned in the paperwork inherent in the position. The removal of the Battlemaster, however, I cannot support. He has been forced to cover for the remainder of the Council's indecision and lack of leadership. He has done much, and I have seen it. Replacing the other two positions should ease his burden considerably, and I believe he deserves to keep his position. What in the Force will we do, however, to ensure that replacement positions do not turn out to be like Envoy Kane, who did absolutely nothing to assume the duties of the one whom he replaced?"

 

[Jiang Winters]

Valafar's appearance surprised Daisuke. Greatly. He'd known the Chief of State had reserved the right to pop in whenever he pleased and had the room set so that he could listen in, but he hadn't actually expected the fellow to think along the same lines as himself - stop the nominations before they began. What surprised him more, however, was the unexpected nomination given to himself. The feline's right ear twitched, left folding straight back. Though his facial features did not betray his thoughts, his ears did; it was clear he was confused, torn between expressing annoyance that Valafar injected with another nomination, one Daisuke felt he hadn't earned, or expressing surprise and gratitude for the nomination.

Ultimately, he did neither, instead trying to express gratitude while making it clear beyond the shadow of a doubt that the position was not one he was interested in clawing his way into.

"I... Thank you for that, Chief of State Lamartine. I'll leave that in hands far wiser than my own, though. The decision is not mine - I know my place, and for now, it is here."

His attention then turned to Kelly, who expressed very real concerns, but ones that Daisuke did not fear as realistic possibilities. He'd just opened his mouth to speak when a newcomer appeared - Daisuke vaguely recognized him, though he'd never met the man. Andreus; a padawan, if his memory of the young man's file was correct. He spoke very strongly; it was clear he knew exactly what he wanted to say and wasn't shy about making his opinion known.

He was also vehemently opposed to the removal of Battlemaster Augustus. The poor lad had clearly arrived too late to hear Daisuke speak of the Battlemaster.

Daisuke gestured for Andreus to take a seat. "Your concern for the Battlemaster is shared, make no mistake. I should like to see him retain his title and his seat on the Council, but not necessarily in the command position he's been repeatedly thrust into," he stated. "And, as I've stated, we'd be fools to throw him away. His expertise, experience, his strength of character and honor; we need him. Badly. Now..."

His attention swiftly turned to Kelly, who'd voice concerns she held for the plan, and for the Council's potential reaction - unfortunately, she seemed set on imagining doomsday scenarios in which the Council reacted in the most unjedilike manner possible. Still, it showed that at least she didn't believe all was sunshine and rainbows.

"They can't exile us," he replied. "There's far, far more of us out there. If they exiled everyone who signed, they'd be left without an Order to run. If they turn to violence, then we will defend ourselves. But that is an extreme we should not discuss. To prepare for it would be to invite it. If we arrive prepared for battle, then they'll think we've sunk low enough to use violence to achieve our goals."

"Believe me, I do understand your fears. But if there is a price to pay for this, then I will pay it for you all. Trust me when I say your lives matter to me, moreso than my own. I will not let you be ruined if this goes wrong."

The feline's eyes traveled over each and every one of the Jedi assembled as he spoke - his words were sincere. They were his responsibility. He would not stand to see them hurt if his plans failed. His attention then settled upon Knight Logath, one of latest of the current batch of arrivals. He'd agreed quite wholeheartedly with what the man said, and drudged it back up to discuss a bit more.

"Knight Logath also spoke truth," he stated. "But words and numbers will have to suffice. It did so the last time this was done, it will do so again now. And, if they do refuse to step down for the greater good of the Order, then we'll take to the Archives. We'll do anything and everything in our power to remove them. If we have to walk them out of the Council chambers and change the sodding locks on 'em, then that's what we'll do. We will succeed, because the very life of this Order depends upon our success."

Relaxing, the feline leaned into his chair once more and allowed his eyes to flick around the room. "Now... The matter of informing the Order's Council. We need a party for this. I started this - I should like to go. To see it through to its end, for better or for worse. But we'll need one, perhaps two others to go. Preferably Knights with silver tongues. Jedi who can negotiate and speak reason, and who can exercise control over their emotions."

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Talon sat silently taking in what was said. He was glad that the main consensus was a peaceful transition, it made him much more comfortable with the situation. Finally the question of who and how came up, and Daisuke offered himself as a participant. Fitting, as he was the one who had spearheaded the meeting. After thinking for a moment Talon answered.

“Though I am not the best in terms of coercion, I would not be opposed to joining you. This is an important moment in the Order’s history, and it must be practiced with care. However, if there are others more able than I, they should go in my stead.”, finished Talon.

 

[Syn]

Matsu looked at the image of the man and how he nominated himself. She then noticed Chora and gave a smile when she sat next to her while Kelly and the others spoke. Matsu then felt and listened to Andreus as she kept her face forward listening to the feline. When he asked for people to go with him she bowed her head and spoke. "I will help."