Open The Two Ways to Get a Medal

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Spoiler: OOC

OPEN to any Jedi who would like to have been in orbit over Ithor and witnessed the destruction wrought by Raze(@Sreeya) firsthand

Councilor-Justicar Hera Albion strode aboard the Onager-class Star Destroyer Justice. Having just entered from the hangar bay flanked by a squadron of mercenaries from the First Defense Mercenary Enclave, she moved with precision and focus toward the command deck. Her men were strong, determined, and, most notably, not paid volunteers working with the Jedi. They were battle-hardened mercenaries from an enclave established by Hera herself, hired by Hera herself, and reported to Hera herself.

Councilor-Justicar Hera Albion had come immediately from the deck Nesuto-Class Combat Carrier where she had just finished responding to the press about the destruction of the temple on Ithor. The Jedi fleet had pulled back from the planet and left its orbit, but were now sitting around a nearby gas giant, waiting to see if the Ithorians would allow them to return to offer aid and put out the raging fire within the Mother Jungle. Her face was still stained by tears from the pain she felt while in hyperspace, she had not even been able to stop herself from crying once more from the pain. But her armor was still donned and ready for battle.

Councilor-Justicar Hera Albion was known to be blunt, hot-headed, and extremely abrasive to anyone who disobeyed her orders during battle. She was also known to be less than merciful to those she deemed as her enemies. Captain Kirren and Jedi Master Sidari were the two who directly disobeyed the order of Councilor Vanloa to fire upon Raze's position with the Onager-class Star Destroyer's main weapon. They were on the deck of this Star Destroyer, Hera knew that because she ordered the crew to not allow them to leave. To those two specifically, Hera had sent a single message.

"I am Councilor-Justicar Hera Albion, and I will see both of you on the bridge."

@Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

Captain Kirren knew that he was going to need to answer for his actions and he would do so. It would be incorrect to say he would do so gladly - there was no reason to be glad in times such as these. After his refusal of the Councilor's order to prepare the main weapon on the Onager to fire, he had recused himself to his quarters where a guard was stationed at the door.

He didn't do anything aside from write a small letter to his nephew, the only survivor of Glee Anselm from his family aside from himself. When he received the message he read it twice before nodding to himself and opening the door when the knock came from Jedi Master Sidari.

The Jedi looked washed out, as though she had been crying, but Kirren didn't comment as they walked together to the bridge. Upon arrival, the Jedi Master bowed to the Councilor - the Justicar, whatever that was - while Kirren gave a formal salute.

"Kirren, reporting as ordered, Councilor."

He deliberately did not include his rank as captain of the very ship they were all stood on because it was likely a temporary state of affairs given his action, or rather inaction, over Ithor. Still, the Councilor would find the Anselmi man standing at attention, awaiting word and practically radiating determination and resignation into the Force around him.

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

They would both feel it, Kirren and Sidari, it did not take a Force User to understand the emotions playing across Hera's face. The Councilor would begin speaking, and the tears that began to tear their way down her features gave her no favors in hiding her true feelings. Her gauntlet hands tightened, her knuckles white from the pressure beneath them. If her nails could dig into her own skin through the armor weave, then she would be bleeding.

Hera was enraged.

"Kaisa Vanloa, Sylphrena, Reinhart Grimm, Oren Zapan, and Caris Orlan." With every name, her rage grew, "These were the only Jedi reported who had the fucking courage to stand up to Darth Raze." She stared Kirren down, "The only Jedi who held their own, if only for a time." Again, Hera paused, she had to breathe, but her anger fought every rising and falling of her lungs, "And you were given the order to fire upon the temple. You were the best chance Councilor Vanloa thought she had to stop that monster, the monster that murdered an entire temple filled with Jedi, younglings, children."

Hera turned at that moment, grasped the shoulder of one of her nearby mercenaries, and screamed. For a moment, she stayed quiet, but she would not stand to be interrupted. If either tried to speak, she would interrupt, if both stayed silent, she would wait for a minute. Calming herself, though her mantras did little to aid in soothing the rage. Finally, she released her man who, to his credit, did not embarrass her by making a face or pulling away. Hera had enough ways to embarrass herself. Finally, she spoke quietly.

"You did the right thing."

Stepping toward Captain Kirren and Jedi Master Sidari, Hera repeated, louder, "You made the right damn call, Captain. I am filled with rage and pain, I felt the deaths of those on the surface through the Force mere hours ago, and I still feel that pain now. But you- you both- did the right thing." Stepping to the side, she'd explain, but only for a moment, "I am told Darth Raze appeared, as if he had always been there, on Temple grounds. No one could have foreseen this. If you had fired, everyone would still be dead, and there's no guarantee it would've killed Darth Raze."

"You are not responsible for what happened, and you made the right call." It did not pain her to say those words, for they were true. But the deaths, regardless, ached on Hera's heart.

@Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

The Anselmi let out a breath as he stared into the anger of Hera's face - there was no need for sensing of emotions today. Emotions were entirely free and open amongst everyone on the bridge today and there was nothing to do but become part of it. Kirren's emotions were in turmoil but surrounded a solid core of determination and resolve that matched any of the Jedi in attendance. He took a deep breath, almost imagining he could taste the salt in the air of his homeworld as he readied himself for what came next.

Nothing she had said, so far, was wrong.

Those Jedi named had done their best and they had stood against a monster and they had done so with courage in their hearts. Nodding his head in agreement, he saluted their memory once, briefly, before returning to the parade rest position he had adopted.

His mouth was dry as she went further, agreeing with his call to refuse the order.

It was one thing to know, in your heart, that you were right - it was another thing entirely to have someone who might have disciplined him confirm it. Letting out an ever so slightly shaky breath, Kirren looked Hera in the eyes and knew that she was angry and she was upset but she was still full of resolve.

"A Jedi once told me that a Jedi does what is right, not what is easy."

He shook his head.

"I can't imagine what stress Councilor Vanloa was under when she made that order, but I knew it couldn't have been an order made with a clear mind. I... no Jedi should ever be able to justify killing thousands of innocent lives."

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

To a degree, Hera nearly expected the captain to begin an argument with her, to chastise her emotions. Even as a Councilor, she still felt like a lonely and insignificant Jedi Knight at times. Yet he conducted himself with respect, repeating words she had heard before but held no less meaning in their repetition. Nodding as Captain Kirren finished speaking, Hera didn't hesitate in her response, "Councilor Vanloa faced what she saw as an insurmountable evil, and to a threat that seems insurmountable, a weapon like that mounted upon this ship seems like the only option."

Looking about her, she continued, "Everyone on this vessel, Jedi and volunteer alike, have pledged themselves to stop evil. But there we do not fight with the mindset of the means justifying the end. If our means are evil, then we are no better than the scum we remove from this galaxy." Looking first to the Master, Sidari, who had remained quiet throughout this conversation, then back to Kirren, Hera made a proposal.

"The Resistance serves the Jedi, there is no question in this anymore. In order to present a strong and united front against evil as it emerges, and it has emerged, a clear chain of command now exists with the Council on top. But the Council is not infallible, our connection to the Force makes us susceptible to threats that those who do not feel the ebbs and flows of its tides cannot imagine. This ship possesses a weapon that, a hundred years ago, the galaxy could not imagine. It should not be fired on the will of the Jedi alone."

Addressing the whole vessel, and indicating to her own men to record her words, Hera declared, "A new rule shall be established, from this moment forth. Before an Onager or any similarly equipped vessel may fire its superweapon, a Jedi and the non-force sensitive captain of the vessel, or the next surviving officer, must both agree on the activation and firing. I will have my engineers at the First Defense Mercenary Enclave refit these vessels with two keys on the bridge, one for a Jedi, and one for the captain. If we must fire these vessels, and the day will come when that is necessary, then it will be done on a complete agreement between both sides of our military."

Before turning away, she looked to Captain Kirren one more time, repeating quietly, "The ends do not justify the means. We are not Sith, and we will not become like them. If a Jedi does what is right, not what is easy, then you're as much Jedi as I've ever seen."

@Nefieslab

 

[The Storyteller]

There had been logic behind the order made of him over Ithor but logic wasn't all that made a Jedi and it wasn't what people who followed the Jedi were looking for. In his experience, at least, people followed the Jedi because they were a promise of things getting better... or because they wanted to kill as many Imperials or Sith as they possibly could out of revenge. Had another captain been in charge of his ship?

It might have been different.

Kirren and Sidari both held their breath as Hera spoke on, both of them having some indication that she was going in the direction they agreed with but neither of them willing to get their hopes all of the way up. There could be any number of endings to this whole conversation - they had hope but they needed confirmation. And then, as the tension within them ramped up, they were given that confirmation and, as one, they let out sighs of relief.

They had made the right decision and this was recognized by the Councilor. Even better, it was to become the new standard when it came to fielding weapons of this calibre. It was without an ounce of shame that Kirren allowed the tears to well up at the corners of his eyes as he saluted the Councilor.

To be praised to such a degree...? It was humbling and life affirming all at once.

"I can never be a Jedi but I can swear myself to them and their cause. For everything they ever did for my people, I can do no less than to protect the Jedi. Not just in body but in what it means to be a Jedi." he vowed, bowing his head, "If you'll have me, I will be your Captain still."

@Black Noise