The Training of Zol Tsviet

[Dmitri]

"The Tenets became popular after the Alsakan Crisis. The first states we're to be peacekeepes of the galaxy. The second states to be wary of emotion, or "feel nothing". The third states the avoidance of love and marriage, which our Swordmaster has broken. The fourth states to respect all life. The fifth states to protect the weak. The sixth states to obey the Jedi Council. The seventh states to avoid social prejudice and to not hold a position of wealth or power. The eighth states to be mindful of the past, present, and future. The ninth, and added later, states that victory comes not from overcoming a militaristic conflict but rather overcomig one's self," recited Zolotoy.

 

[Malon]

Siri nodded as she listened, until the part about the Swordmaster break the tenet on marriage. She felt like she'd been hit with a ton of bricks. Huang had been one of her instructors as a Knight. He'd been the emotionless one, the Jedi that represented exactly how a Jedi was to behave...and he was married?! She immediately tried to think of who he was married to, but then realized she had other business to take care of.

"C-Correct." she sputtered. "The tenets of the Jedi Order requires us to be keepers of the peace. It warns of our strong emotions and the path to the dark side of the Force. It also tells us to respect all life, even those we disagree with, like the Hutts or the Dark Jedi."

As they continued through the hall, she gestured at the Senators making their way to their pods.

"Another thing a Jedi must be aware of, is using his power to achieve political power. Political power, wealth, all these things mean nothing to us. We are defenders of the Senate, not members of it. It is for this reason that a Jedi not take interest, or sides, in politics. Our Code guides us; that is all we need."

Siri stopped at the end of the hall and looked at him, "Is there anything you would like to ask or comment on at this point?"

 

[Dmitri]

"Except we do take sides," argued Zolotoy. "Look at the Hutt War. We took sides with the Republic to fight an army that the Republic provoked. We basically joined in helping mop up a mess they started."

Zolotoy was thinking to mention that not all Jedi believed they weren't taking sides but noticing that Siri was a little upset after his explanation of the Tenets, he guessed Huang's marriage, he decided not to take that up.

"Many Padawans I talk to claim that we didn't take sides and only joined in the war to fight the nemeses of the Jedi Order: the Bogan. However, the Bogan didn't start out alongside the Hutts when the Jedi were first pulled in. The unfortunately truth is that the Jedi are hypocritical at times. We pick sides. We get married. We fall to the Dark Side. We kill. All are decreed 'sins', yet similiar to religions, if it's to the group's benefit, they'll allow it as long as its in the name of whomever is their sovereign master. The only difference structurally between the Jedi and the Bogan is that the Bogan sit themselves up as a dictator while the Jedi use a group hegemony."

 

[Malon]

Siri allowed her student to get out what he needed to before she spoke.

"Do not fool yourself, Padawan, be aware of deception such as that. Jedi do not fight for peace. That's only our slogan, and as misleading as slogans can be. Jedi fight for civilization, because it is civilization that creates peace. Jedi fight for justice, because justice is the bedrock of civilization. Do you think the Hutts or the Dark Jedi are going to bring that justice? Perhaps that they are a civilization to protect? No.

"The Hutts slaughter anyone who opposes them. They leave entire planets in waste, species gone, and they have allied with the Dark Jedi from the start. So now the full might and devastation of the dark side is behind their already destructive war machine. Do you think we could just ignore such devastation? Even if the Republic provoked it? The Republic may have corruption, and so might the Jedi, however, no government or group, in our case, can avoid corruption. Our values are what matter. The Republic, the Jedi, strive for justice. For freedom. That is what made us take sides with the Republic.

"Hypocrisy, murder, falling the darkness; that is the nature of the universe. The difference between the Jedi and everyone who claims to be like us, or have come before us is our goal to improve, to live a life above these things. If you ignore these facts then you are missing a fundamental pillar of Jedi character." she explained, keeping her voice a cool tone the entire time.

She took a moment, sighed, and then looked down at Zol, speaking once more.

"Do not expect perfection, Padawan. Even we Jedi acknowledge that perfection is impossible. We're corruptible beings, we make mistakes, but that is why the Jedi allow the redeemed into their ranks. Yes, some of us fall, but we welcome them back with open arms once they see the error of their ways." she said. "Do you understand?"

------
OOC: Totally quoted Mace Windu earlier in that message, but I couldn't find a better way to put that

 

[Dmitri]

Zol sighed.

"Yes, I understand," replied Zolotoy.

He wasn't fully convinced but thought best not to provoke her any further.

 

[Malon]

Siri nodded. She herself wasn't so sure Zol had accepted everything she'd said, but that wasn't her place to pursue the topic. She had instilled her views into him and it was up to him to test them against the teachings of the Jedi and decide whether they were true or not. She folded her arms and led him back onto the landing pad.

"In any case, tomorrow I have arranged us to go on a mission together. Should you preform well enough during the mission, I will recommend you to the Jedi Council for Knighthood. Spend the night studying the wisdom of the ancient Jedi Masters in the archives. Knowledge is the key to a successful mission." she explained.

Several minutes later their transport touched down.

"Good evening to you, Zol, and may the Force be with you."