Open We are Jedi?

[Maxims Tionson]

The kid, Crix, looked like he was putting up a good front but Max hadn't been born yesterday and he hadn't met the teenager yet who could hide what they were really thinking with any degree of actual success. He took another pull on his cigara, eyeing both Hannibal and Talak. Max knew, in different ways, both men were connected to the kid and that was fine so long as they did right by him.

He listened as Indy made her proposal and frowned; they were being pressured to withdraw from the Galaxy and her suggestion... would kind of allow that. Backing away from the majority of the known Galaxy to try and form bonds with individual planets? It wasn't something he enjoyed thinking about at all. To expand but to do so in a way that didn't link them to the FWA, the New Republic or even the growing indies, though that last option was far from clean.

Max rubbed at the bridge of his nose as the Kori situation was explained to him in more detail. What had Kori been doing speaking to corpo types in the first place? What deals had she been making on behalf of herself? Or on behalf of the Jedi Order as a whole?

No oversight it felt like... a loose leash.

"I would wish to be a part of any rescue effort." he confirmed before nodding along, "A move of base would be wise - Kori knew of Yavin as well, I believe. Even if she didn't the risk is too great to assume otherwise."

He raised a hand.

"I am in talks with the Senator of New Alderaan for potential, more public, outposts."

Max took another, long, drag of his cigara as Lena spoke and closed his eyes. Not out of any exasperation but just a moment of absolute... fatigue. He felt older than he actually was even as the cigara helped to calm him slightly even as the Force did an even better job at the same thing. Max wasn't sure how he felt about Oren leaving - there were a lot of emotions and a lot to unpack there so he didn't try right away.

Instead he blew another smoke ring as he thought.

"With the holocrons of Wyck and Oota missing, we must assume that even the Tython temple will soon be discovered." he shook his head slightly, "Speak up when you voice your idea Drastus - some of us are hard of hearing."

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[Crix Aran]

Everyone felt different to how they had felt not days before and Crix did not like that at all. It felt like people had shifted, changed, in the Force and it made his skin crawl. Maybe it was just a natural downside of how he sensed people in the Force? That changes in their demeanor would change how they felt to him and how that effected him?

He didn't focus on the room as a whole because it was, in a word, 'noisy'. It was a word that utterly failed to actually capture what it was like but it was as close as a word he had for it. Like crossing several dozen different wires of different materials, carrying different voltages.

And Hans?

The wind had battered his face from how hard and fast it came when sticking his head out the side of the speeder in motion... made his skin prickle, caught in that awkward state of hyper sensitive to every slight sting against it and, at the same time, numb in a hard to define way...

Hannibal, his Master, had gone through a recent change and it changed how Crix read the man almost entirely. Strange then that the sensation was both pleasant and unpleasant... and liked to a memory he could safely class as surprisingly enjoyable.

Where as Talak?

His hands were tense and shaking ever so slightly as he raised the razor to his suds-sodden cheek... the desire to complete this task, this hurdle of development, on his own was palpable but at the same time he was nervous, seeking a hand to guide him...

He didn't like that memory.

It was through no fault of Talak's but he really didn't like that memory - learning how to shave. Every piece of media told him that a father was supposed to teach his son how to shave and, well, that wasn't possible. There were a lot of things his mom could do just as well as any father but there were some things that just wouldn't be the same.

"Surviving." he joked back at Talak with another forced smile, "Getting treated like I'm made of spun sugar, let alone glass. Like they all expect me to shatter at anything less than a kind word."

He sighed slowly.

"Really would be feeling a lot better if I could honestly tell myself that the Council had all their shrak in one sock though..."

@Mr. Teatime @Phoenix

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast would nod at Max as he called on him, and his eyes would dart quickly to his friends before landing on his Master, who he hoped his words would make proud. He would clear his throat before he spoke with his chest, just as Max asked. "I agree wholeheartedly that the Order needs to expand and needs to be more.. public with the galaxy. Right now, the people we swore to defend fear us. There are people out there with Jedi training that are killing for Crime Syndicates, with lightsabers that the public tie to us. We need to have a public base and Yavin is not only a former Rebel base, its near the ancestral worlds of the Sith. What's stopping them from becoming sentimental and taking Korriban or Moraband. We're too isolated out here. Sure we topped up security with a trustworthy Clan, but we have a minimal screening process for tech acquisitions." he knew full well who he was speaking of, but he wouldn't drop names, not here.

He would take a brief sip from his Leti cup, boy he hated public speaking. "I propose we go to Corellia for a public base. We already have relations with the planet, their Senator is a fan of the Jedi and is trustworthy. Not to mention, they have an impressive military to help us against the Sith, who I am sure they despise just as much as us. It's insulated, it has a voice, and its a world where we already have assets as well as support. Senator Snowel is throwing a ball of sorts within the week, that seems like a perfect time for us to send envoys to try and engage in negotiations. Also, as a Corellian that grew up in a district she helped clean up, I would offer my services.. She may still see me as a Corellian and it could help her agree."

As he spoke, his gaze would keep shifting back to his Master as if she were either the rock or the anchor for his resolve in speaking. He may have also been trying to gauge her mood and reaction, as he wasn't overly fond of the idea of being dressed down by her in public. "That's just the basics. If the idea is approved, then I will be happy to speak more on it." hands folding, he'd begin to sit.

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[Hannibal Grayza]

Master Zapan has what. Hannibal stared for several solid seconds at Lena, mouth already opening to protest the very concept of a person just casually wandering off from the consequences of their actions. Especially after Oren had already- allegedly learned his lesson after being thrown in prison for a couple years. Luckily the look the other Councilor gave him helped remind him he didn't extra focus and concentration at the moment to keep his head order.

"Typical. Every time he stubs his toe," he muttered to himself, quietly enough only those close would hear and slipped into a passable impression of a short, grumbly old man at the same volume. "Into exile I must go." He made no further comment, instead trying to focus on the rest of the discussion.

Lena approved of his idea, and he definitely caught the glance toward Talak. He wasn't intending on crashing another ship into some gates, so that wasn't going to be an issue. Sullust was a special case. Finding Kori was going to require more of Hannibal and probably Max's more common skillsets of investigation and diplomacy rather than just blowing things up. Hopefully.

The news about the holocrons and Tython was frustrating as well. He didn't think that specific temple was actually noted anywhere, but the planet itself being more well known was still an issue. Perhaps more specific training, considering the holocron there. Thoughts for later.

Hannibal turned to look at Drastus after he voiced his idea, eyes narrowing slightly. Corellia was certainly an idea, but the young Master's opinions on politicians was no secret amongst the Order.

"I doubt any senator is trustworthy," he said dryly, a comment he was sure surprised no one who knew him even a little bit. "But your idea is worth considerin'. A place there would be easily accessible to people, but I think we'd need to avoid coming under the yoke of the local rulers." He turned to look at Max.

"What've you gotten so far on your end?"

@Rhogar @Sreeya @Killa Ree @Wit @Nefieslab @Phoenix @Catbert

 

[Elias Ryn]

The impromptu meeting was already taking place and would be on its way but he would just have to accept being late. Elias had been flying with his ship for the past few hours, using the activity to clear his head and let him retreat into his own mind without hindrance. Quite a few developments had transpired the past few months and the Order was on its back foot, at least for the moment. There was the whole holo incident with Crix and that was unfortunate. The thought of using the kid to dispel the rumors had crossed his own mind but not plastering his face across the galaxy as they could witness the evident results. The intentions had been there but it hadn't been properly executed.

A lot of things were in motion and the Jedi needed to reset their bearings before they continued on. Elias entered the room quietly, catching the conversation but not the very beginning of it. A couple of bruises still covered his body and one was on his cheek with the other on his jaw, a couple of marks from his Dantooine trip to remember it. He was dressed in tight-fitting Jedi robes similar to everyone else in the room.

He easily navigated through the crowd and caught that Oren had decided to take a step away from the Order as he did so. It was unfortunate and he didn't truly agree with the decision after what had been happening and the Order's need for everyone on deck. But everyone handled their own business differently. They would just have to adapt like they always have done and will do. When he neared the table, he would step out smoothly so that he could be seen as he took his usual position by Vinry out of comfort.

Elias would flick his eyes across the people he knew from Indy, Talak, Hannibal, Maxims, and Vinry and just simply give them a look of recognition or a slight nod if they offered the same. Some of them were considered friends and deserved more but he didn't see the point in announcing his arrival with apologies or other words, not wanting to sidetrack the conversation that was taking place. He assumed that he would be caught up quickly with what was being discussed as time went on. When his eyes drifted to Lena, he offered more of a half bow as he showed his respect before straightening his posture as he watched those who spoke afterward.

It was shared that the holocrons from Ajan Kloss had been stolen and would have locations of the known temples throughout the galaxy. That would lead to issues and meant they could always have an unlocked backdoor that could be barged through if they weren't careful. A padawan named Drastus spoke of using Corellia possibly as a launching point for their public operations but like Hannibal, Elias wasn't exactly behind it, at least not yet. Anti-Jedi feelings were growing and it made the possibility of moles or plots against them much more likely if they worked closely together in such a way but that could just be paranoia on his part.

It had news to him that one of their fellow Jedi had been captured and was still imprisoned. A flash of annoyance zipped through him as he didn't understand how they let themselves make that be possible. It highlighted that they were disorganized in some ways and they would have to remedy that situation quickly. While Kori held valuable information, they couldn't abandon anyone to the hands of the Sith if they could prevent it. Each lost soul would be a minor defeat to their Order and would just create cracks if they did nothing, most unrepairable. Elias would offer his service when it was his time to speak but a question had been asked of Maxims and he didn't mind waiting for the right moment.

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[Maxims Tionson]

An outpost on Corellia wasn't a bad idea, though having an actual Temple on the planet very much was in his mind. He took a pull from his cigara at the same time Hannibal muttered something about Oren - he only caught it because he'd been looking in the man's direction and half-read his lips. The end result was that Max almost inhaled his cigara as he tried not to laugh.

Coughing a little bit, he waved to signal that he was find before chuckling lightly to himself. He was... going to need a new cigara actually. Stubbing the last one out, he put it in a tin he kept for the ends when no waste receptors were available.

"The basics are fine." he assured Drastus with a small smile and a nod, "Corellia is as good a place as any for an embassy-like outpost for the Order. Conversely I believe it best if we keep the presence there small but public, lest the senator, or their future replacement, assume they hold power over our primary home."

Max himself?

"I've opened talks with the senator of New Alderaan - if it goes through it's probably going to end up having at least one wall made entirely out of transparisteel. Symbolism... and modern design choices I think." he waved a hand, "I'm going to borrow some of you and head to Chalacta to see what can be done there. The senator for Chalacta is... almost violently pro-Jedi. And very violently anti-Sith. I believe their spiritualism blends well with Jedi teachings and we can form full alliances there."

Other politicians?

"Otherwise?" he already wanted another cigara because this conversation was really driving it home that he was basically the Jedi Order's political liaison, "Most of the senate is neutral towards us despite the protests. Protests happen more often than most of us ever realize over a whole mass of things - we've only started paying attention because it's directed at us. I think... I think it might be worth talking to senior Rangers and the PM of the FWA senate. To start a process to formally outline the what it is the Jedi are allowed to do within FWA space, potentially leading to oversight."

He raised a hand.

"Dirty word, I know, but we need to know the lines that our allies want us to toe. If we don't? We'll cross them more often than not and alienate ourselves further because we didn't have the common sense to ask what those lines are."

@Rhogar @Sreeya @Phoenix @Mr. Teatime @Killa Ree @Wit @Catbert @Orbit

 

[Vinry Forge]

Vinry did not speak for a while, instead listening and observing, digesting what everyone said. Both through their words and through their actions. Maybe it was a sense of shame at the way she had snapped at the Councilor, maybe it was simply a lack of familiarity with a vast majority of those gathered here, maybe it was her finally showing some patience and seeking to think before she spoke. Or maybe it was all of them, but stay silent she did as suggestions were made, questions were asked, and the discussion moved on. As Elias joined them, she nodded in greeting, glad to have another familiar face within the gathering. The news of Oren's decision meant that the number of Jedi she actually knew had shrunk from a number she could count on one hand to a number she could count even more easily with one hand.

"It's not enough." she finally spoke up. She was uncomfortable with the notion of Jedi getting involved in politics, but that was a fight for another time, for now she needed to bring up fewer objections and more solutions. "Setting up a public base, parading ourselves for the Galaxy, building up defenses. It's not enough." She looked around at the gathering, surprised by how many young faces she spotted among them, she had never known the Order to be so full of youth, of untapped potential for the future. "We need to be out there, helping those who need help. Protecting those who cannot protect themselves. Guiding those who are lost. Not because it would mean good optics, but because that's what it means to be a Jedi." She looked around at some of the gathered Padawans before continuing. "They need to be out there. They are the future, and they need to be ready. The Sith can kill as many of us as they want, but as long as there are others to pick up the torch and continue serving the Force we win. But they have to be ready." What she left unsaid was the question that hung in her mind, were they ready. And it was a question she intended to find the answer to. "I got word a few hours ago of a situation on Kashyyyk. A storm ravaged one of the refugee camps on the planet, they might not have called for our help but they need it. I have good relations with the Wookiees, if I showed up with a group of Jedi to help they would not refuse." She looked at Lena and Hannibal, as the only Councilors present she assumed it would be their go ahead that she would need. "With your blessing I would like to round up some padawans and go see what can be done on Kashyyyk. I am no teacher, so this is the only way I know to help them learn. The rest of the Order has their duties, let them help out as well."

She waited. Though whether for objects, agreements, questions, she did not know. The fact of the matter was she was as much an outsider here as any Sith would have been, she simply not know most gathered here to gauge what sort of reaction her suggestion would garner.

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