UPDATED!!
A Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
Star Wars
3700 years before the rise of the Galactic Empire, the galaxy is in perfect harmony. Both the Republic and the Sith Empire flourish. But where the Republic is convincing systems to join them, the Sith Empire conquers, overthrowing them to rule with an iron fist.
The Jedi Order is strong and multitudinous, but so are the Sith. The limitations of the Jedi Order are not always a match for the brute and unmerciful tactics of the Sith, whose quest for galactic domination never stops.
With not only interplanetary tensions rising to a high level, but also numerous tensions between several political groups on one planet, an ex-Sith Marauder, Jaxxon Dorma, is working on his integration into the Jedi Order, with the help of Jedi Weaponmaster Jenson Daego.
Chapter One: The Briefing
A Republican vessel is approaching Coruscant. On board, are a Master and his relatively new apprentice. The freighter, that goes by the name of The Fortuitous Eagle, is attracting attention from a Coruscantian Harbormaster. Inside the cockpit, Jenson Daego receives a hologram.
"Incoming vessel, we have you on our monitors. Please state your name and purpose for coming to Coruscant".
Master Daego replied with a smile on his face: "Hey, hello, it's Master Jenson Daego here. Me and my Padawan just got back from our mission on Tatooine. We would like to dock near the Jedi Temple to inform the High Jedi Council of our endeavours."
"Understood. Welcome back back, Master Daego. Please dock at Docking Bay 23-A near the Jedi Temple. A Padawan has been sent to escort you to the Jedi Council. Coruscant Harbour out."
"Thanks", Master Daego replied, but the hologram had already gone. He looked to his side. There, he saw his Apprentice. Jaxxon Dorma was a young, athletic human. He had short, brown hair that stood lightly up, and he had the traditional Padawan tail and pigtail, which lay on his shoulder. He had his arms folder over his belly. He still wore his old, black robes, from which he apparently couldn't part, just like he couldn't part from his old lightsaber. He saw the boy's blue eyes staring at the planet down below them. He felt that the kid was still very troubled and confused.
"You look a bit tense, Jaxxon. Are you nervous?"
Tense was kind of a eufemism for how Jaxxon felt. He had only been this nervous the last time he set foot in the Jedi Temple.
"Yes, Master, I'm afraid I am. I don't think I have to explain why..."
Master Daego gratted the back of his head while flying towards the Docking Bay. "There's no need to be nervous, Jaxxon. You're a full member of the Jedi Order and all the padawans, knights and masters are most grateful you're with us."
"They never gave me that impression, though, master. Some of them looked at me like they'd look at ronto crap on the sole of their freshly polished boots", Jaxxon told Master Daego.
"Well, you can't blame them I guess, but you have to give these things time, my friend. Here we are", he said as he landed the freighter. "Looks like it's Zorn they sent to collect us."
Zorn Quolyg-Naryn was a Padawan under the training of Master Kraenos, current president of the Jedi Council. Zorn was a Zabrak, with an extraordinary talent for flying. He was the younger brother of Zaeyn Quolyg-Naryn, also a member of the Jedi Order, who had passed his trials 2 years ago after preventing a terrorist attack on the Jedi Enclave on Emerido. Young Zorn had always lived in the shadow of his supremely talented brother, although he easily was twice the pilot Zaeyn was, but was not to be underestimated himself.
Master Daego and Jaxxon Dorma stepped out of their vessel. "Hello, Zorn, it's lovely to see you!", Master Daego said.
"Thanks, Master, I'm also happy you're back here on Coruscant." Then, he looked at Jaxxon and he greeted him with a small nod, his eyes forming to small narrow slits. It was the unfriendly meeting that Jaxxon had anticipated, but the Padawan felt even more uncomfortable than when he was still in the freighter.
"So, Zorn", Master Daego said, "I understand you're here to escort us to the High Jedi Council's Chamber?"
Zorn looked away from Jaxxon and suddenly became his old hearty self. "Yes, Master Daego, that's correct. Best not keep them waiting I say. Shall we go?"
"Lead the way", Master Daego replied with a smile.
Zorn turned around, and the eyes of Master Daego and Jaxxon met. Daego gave his Padawan a friendly tap on the shoulder and followed the Zabrak. Jaxxon did the same.
After about 20 minutes, the three men arrived at the Jedi Temple. They took the elevator upstairs and arrived at the Jedi Council's Chamber.
A guard announced the Master and Apprentice. Zorn stayed at the door, his task was finished.
"Jedi Weaponmaster Jenson Daego and Padawan Jaxxon Dorma, here to speak with the members of the High Jedi Council".
Both men walked in.
"Ah, Master Daego, what a pleasure it is to see you again", Master Kraenos said. Tell me, how did your mission go?"
"Very well, Master Kraenos, it wasn't easy but we were able to evacuate the threatened villages and we undoubtedly prevented a true massacre. But what I do not understand is, Master, why were we called back? Our mission was not complete. We were told to stop the rancor attacks on the villages and find out why they happened in the first place. We did not yet arrive to the second part."
"We have called you here, Master Daego", another Jedi Council member said, namely Triss Kae, a female Ortolan, "because we need you and your Padawan for another mission. Zaeyn will deal with the rest of the Rancor attacks."
"Indeed", Master Kraenos continued. "We have a very important mission for you, but it must be discussed in private, not in the presence of your Padawan."
"I shall remove myself, then, Master", Jaxxon said with a bow. He turned on his heel and left the Council Chamber.
"How is your Padawan?", Master Kraenos asked when Jaxxon had left the room.
"Is that why you needed him to leave? You just could have asked him..."
"No, we want to ask you, because you are an objective bystander. So, how did he do?"
"During our mission? Master, he behaved like a true Jedi. He saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. I saw him saving children from the paws of rampaging rancors. I saw him climbing them and killing them without a trace of fear or emotion. I believe he has truly stepped into the light."
"Do you?", Master Kraenos said.
"I do, Master."
"Unfortunately", another Jedi Master said, namely Beca Ahas, a male Jenet, "a lot of the Jedi Knights, Padawans and even some Masters aren't ready to accept him. He has committed too many crimes in his illustrious past. Zaeyn, for example, will never forgive Jaxxon and he will never forget what he did to him and his family. Nor will Zorn, I believe."
"We must give him time to prove himself, master. I believe Jaxxon is an invaluable asset if we want to win our ever-raging war against the Sith. He will be useful, and he will follow the Jedi Code. If he had wanted to stab us in the back, he had already done so. During our mission, I didn't feel the slightest thing that pointed towards dark intentions. We can trust him."
"Very well then, Daego, if you say so", Master Kraenos said. "Now, concerning this new mission we have in store for you..."
Jaxxon stood outside the Council's Chamber. He leaned with his back against a wall, when he heard someone coming. Jaxxon looked who it was and saw Zaeyn Quolyg-Naryn, Zorn's elder brother, approaching. Zaeyn said to the receptionist: "Excuse me, I have a meeting with the Jedi Council scheduled."
"Yes, indeed. They're just informing Master Daego about his new mission."
"Master Daego, eh", Zaeyn said. "So that must mean..." Zaeyn looked around and saw Jaxxon. "Well, well, well..."
Zaeyn came towards the Padawan. When he stood next to Jaxxon, he almost looked as big as a Wookiee. Jaxxon was a very small boy. Zaeyn was huge, even for a Zabrak, and had a massively broad upper body. Jaxxon barely reached his breast. The Zabrak had longer headspikes than was common among the Zabrak people, and he was one of the few Zabraks in the galaxy, along with his brother Zorn, to have no head and body tattoos, since they were both Jedi from their birth and never learned the customs of their own people. All in all, Zaeyn was a very imposing and intimidating being.
"Jaxxon Dorma. What are you doing here?"
"I'm waiting for my Master. And you?"
"That's none of your business. Why are you waiting for him? Shouldn't you be with him?"
"They asked me to speak with my Master in private."
"I see. You do realize why, I hope?"
"I have my suspicions."
Zaeyn grinned. "They still don't trust you. Heh. Not that they should. I still don't trust you either. And I never will."
"Why not?", Jaxxon asked.
"That's the dumbest question I've ever heard, Dorma. Once a Sith, always a Sith. You have no business here. Your Master should have killed you when he had the chance!" Zaeyn's voice loudened and he began to draw the attention of some of the other Knights in the area. Jaxxon was upset about Zaeyn's comment.
"Why do you say things like that? I regret my former actions, Zaeyn, and I'm sorry they can't be undone. But what happened, happened. I'd be grateful if we could just let the past behind us and start over again."
"Hmpf! That's not going to happen, Dorma, and you better know it! I will be watching you closely. And if you begin to slip back, I'll gladly be the one to stick a lightsaber through your treacherous gut!"
At that moment, the Council's Chamber's doors opened. Master Daego came out. He saw Zaeyn standing next to his apprentice and walked towards them.
"Ah, Zaeyn", he said. "Good to see you." He stuck out his hand, which Zaeyn shook. "The Council asked me to let you in."
"Thanks, Master Daego, I'll see you around."
He gave Jaxxon one last look full of contempt and left.
"So, what were you guys talking about?", Daego asked.
"Nothing."
"Oh come on, tell me. You must tell me everything."
"Well, he didn't quite like my presence here, and he told me some very...
disturbing things."
"Like what?"
"Wel, that you were a fool to let me live, for one. And that if I'd ever began to slip back, he'd be the one to kill me."
"Did he really?"
Jaxxon nodded, and Master Daego sighed.
"Zaeyn should weigh his words more carefully. I do not want him speaking to you like that ever again. I will speak to him about this the next time I see him."
"Please, Master, it's not that big a deal. He's entitled to distrust me."
"No, he isn't Jaxxon. You're as much a part of the Jedi Council as him, me or Master Kraenos. Bottom line."
A silence fell between the two Jedi.
"Let's go to a place where I can inform you about our mission."
Jaxxon and his master arrived at a map room. Master Daego activated the map screen and it zoomed in on a planet that looked green and blue on one side, and grey and brown on the other.
"Beneris", Jaxxon said. "Is that where we're heading?"
"Correct", Master Daego replied. "But first of all: what do you know about Beneris?"
Jaxxon thought about that for a while. Then, he slowly began: "I've... Never visited Beneris before, but I have read about the planet... I know that it's controlled by 2 seperate bureaus: that of the Mared species and that of the native Shelee. But I don't remember having read anything about tensions between two parties. Despite their different approaches, they have always lived for two voices, at least for as far as I can remember..."
"Not quite, actually. The Mared and Shalee have a troubled history. And now there's yet another problem stirring", Master Daego continued. "It seems the Shelee aren't content with the amount of power they control on the planet itself. As you may or may not know, ever since the Shelee-emanicipation some 60 years ago, they have established themselves as a real separate government on Beneris, and have been growing enourmously, economically speaking, and they still do. The reason for this is simple: the Shelee bring in the cash on Beneris, and that's exactly the reason why they want more power as well. The main people behind this are 2 Shelee: Zeborah and Mopaka. Some 3000 years ago, the situation on Beneris was quite the other way round. The Mareds came to Beneris, as non-native species, and basically took over from the Shelee. I think you can compare the situation of the Shelee in that time with that of the Jawas and Sand People on Tatooine, with humans being Mareds."
"Humans never did any harm to Jawas. Nor to Sand People. Well, the Republic never did."
"True, Jaxxon, but they never did any good for them either, and in some cases, humans have really sought to exterminate the native Sand People from Tatooine. I once read a tale about Revan, you know, the Jedi Knight who came back to the light after losing his memory. He had been offered an incredible amount of money by the Czerka Corporation if he would kill a nearby tribe of Sand People. Luckily he managed to solve the conflict without any bloodshed. That's the canonical version of the story at least... But that's another story, let's stick to the point.
So, I told you that the main persons behind the Shelee-emancipation were 2 Shelee, namely Zeborah and Mopaka. They were born some 80 years ago, I even believe they're still alive, as sons of a farmer. When they were still infants, they were taken from their home. Their parents offered too much resistance and were put down."
"Zeborah and Mopaka are brothers?", Jaxxon asked his Master.
"Indeed they are."
"And their parents were put down by the Mareds?"
"Indeed they were. Tragic accident, that. But anyway: Zeborah and Mopaka were sold, for they were captured by a slave-trader even though it was forbidden by the Republic, to a wealthy Mared family. There, they were treated even worse than the Gizka they had to feed. 10 years passed, and Zeborah and Mopaka made a drastic decision: they killed their master and his entire family. It was one of the biggest upsets the planet of Beneris had ever seen. Shelee were thought to be submissive and controllable. But Zeborah and Mopaka weren't. The news of the assassination spread, and without knwoing it, and I'm sure they never had the intention in the beginning, they started an entire revolution. Shelees started to come up for themselves, although their idealism was not favoured by the Republic, because of the actions they undertook. They killed wealthy Mareds, bombed Mared-cities, freed Shelee-slaves by any means necessary. Mopaka and Zeborah had become heroes. Examples to every Shelee on the planet. 'Break away from your chains', that was their slogan. But of course the Republic couldn't stand idly by while the Shelee were killing at will. With a lot of help from the Jedi Council, they managed to cool down the Shelee-Revolution, which has been renamed 'Shelee-Emancipation by some idiots who want to soften up the entire war. But now it seemed that Zeborah and Mopaka, who had been made co-rulers of Beneris as part of the 50-50 distribution of power, were not only brilliant warriors, but also extremely gifted politicians and businessmen. Some 50 years ago, they began to popularize pod-racing. It had been known before of course, but never to this extent. The Shelee, who controlled this entire circuit, made billions and billions of credits, while the Mared population started to struggle under an unfair tax burden caused by restoration after the Shelee-Revolution. Of course, the Shelee had nothing to rebuild. Beneris's economy, as a whole, was boosted enourmously, and the Shelee became rich folk, while the Shelee became poorer and poorer. This has continued up until now."
"But Master", Jaxxon replied, "what is our precise role in this, then?"
"I'll tell you, but let me finish", the Weaponmaster said, with some wrinkles of reflection carved into his forehead. "The Mareds don't exactly agree with the Shelee proposal to hand some of their power and authorities over, as you can imagine. Mainly because the money that the Shelee earn, is dirty. It comes from forged pod- and swoop races mainly, but also a lot from bribes, drug traffic, smuggling, blackmailing and just plain extortion really. The Mareds of this generation have become a lot more gentle than their forefathers. They try not to rule with an iron fist, but enforce their just laws with appropriate actions. This does not however, mean that the Mared government on Beneris is completely clean. Every politician has blood on his hands, it's what they do for a living. But if there is one people that would benefit the whole of Beneris, concerning the day-to-day government of the planet, it would be the Mareds."
"But I thought you said the Shelee were responsible for Beneris's economic strength?", Jaxxon remarked.
"Yes, true again, but economic strength and welfare aren't synonyms. A lot of people on Beneris are starving because of gang wars, and unfair distribution of the food supplies. But the Shelee, although they have no choice but to acknowledge the fact, don't care. Gangs are good for them because they bring in money, especially through bribes and their excessive spending on new and more weapons. And whatever food the Shelee do not give to the less provided, they can sell for a hundred times more to other planets, like Coruscant for example, whose industry and city life make it as good as impossible to grow edible food."
"I understand. But what do they expect us to do, then?"
"Well, as I have said the heat in the debate between the Mared government and the Shelee government is rising to a very high temperature. The Jedi Council would like us to go over to Beneris and prevent conflicts, and if possible find a solution. We have to make sure there are no escalations of violence, or any sort of rebellism or whatever you can come up with. Last thing they want is some sort of Mared-emancipation this time..."
"I see", Jaxxon said. "When are we leaving?"
Master Daego laughed sympathetically and said: "Not today, I'm afraid, we only just arrived. I have some more things to take care of. We'll leave tomorrow, so we're just in time for the vote."
"Vote?"
"Yes, vote. Oh, I forgot to tell you, that's right. There's going to be a vote. The people of Beneris are going to vote whether the Shelee should get more power, or whether it should remain 50-50. We have to make sure everything goes smoothly and fairly. Especially the last one."
Jaxxon looked at the Map screen, which was showing images of Beneris in its full glory. Poverty-stricken Mareds, next to the decadent lifestyles of rich Shelee who drenched their lives in gambling on races. Jaxxon sighed. "I hope the Mareds win the vote", he said. "Last thing they need is to be oppressed even more."
"Well, that's not for us to decide. Remember, a Jedi is impartial, he has to hide his emotions. If you act in favour of the Mareds, the Shelee will use that as an excuse to start making complaints. Besides, don't make the mistake of thinking that the Mareds are the victims here. The injustices they have done to the Shelee should not be forgiven so easily, if you ask me." Master Daego took a deep breath. "We have to be very careful, Jaxxon. The slightest error of either one of us could result into another Benerissian Civil War. That's why I'm urging you: be careful!"
Jaxxon frowned. "I don't understand."
"What?", Master Daego asked his Padawan.
"Zaeyn said the Council doesn't trust me. Then why do they send me on such an important mission, albeit with you to guide me..."
Jaxxon's master smiled. "Did Zaeyn tell you that the Council doesn't trust you? They do, my boy, they do. And if they shouldn't, they trust me enough to make up for it." Master Daego stood up from the chair he sat on during his explanation and started deactivating the map screen. Jaxxon was staring at the ground. Master Daego turned around and asked his pupil: "What do you think of Zaeyn, by the way?"
"Zaeyn? Well, I don't really know him to be honest. But I think he's..."
"Let me tell you what I think", Master Daego interrupted. "Zaeyn is a great Jedi Knight. He can fight unlike any other Jedi or Sith I have ever seen, including myself. He's courageous, wise and witty, but... well, arrogant. Extremely arrogant. Even when he was a mere apprentice, he was trying to boss some of the elder Knights, like me at the time and even Masters around. He was always the best of his group, and always did he get the highest grades from no matter which Master. He was devoted and followed the rules very, very strictly. If you want one man watching your back during an open battle, it's him. But his arrogance has made him... Not quite so popular. Even his own brother, Zorn, is starting to become annoyed by him. But come, let me show you your quarters."
Master Daego and Jaxxon left the Map Room and took an elevator down.
"Zaeyn is incredibly strong in the Force.", Master Daego continued. "So strong, that he considers himself to be above mere training. His natural affinity with the Force always gave him an extra edge and he never had to do much to be very successful on his missions. He has become so good with a lightsaber, that he never wants to do any practice fights again. He told me once that lightsaber fighting became 'boring' because he 'always won'. He's not open to learning, and he underestimates everybody. That's going to become his downfall one day..."
"Do you mean you fear he's going to become a Sith?", Jaxxon asked, intrigued by his Master's detailed opinion about the man that disliked him so much.
"A Sith? Oh no, least of all Zaeyn. He loves the Jedi Code and he follows it very stricly, like every other rule. But we're here, come with me."
The elevator's doors finally opened, and Jaxxon saw a long corridor with a lot of metal doors. His Master walked towards one of them and stood still.
"Here's your room, Jaxxon. Number 675. It's traditional that Padawans spend their nights in the Jedi Temple. You'll be sharing this room with Zorn, ironically enough. But I don't think he's here."
Master Daego opened the door with one simple flick of a switch, only to find some furniture and bags... But no Irodonian Padawan. "Just as I thought... Well, make yourself comfortable, buddy. If you want to eat something, you can go to the dining hall, if you want to read, you can go to the library, you can intiate some holo-fights in the training room if you want. Or you can just catch up some lost sleep. Whatever you like. I'm going to settle some affairs of mine..." And his Master turned around and left Jaxxon alone. The Padawan looked around the room. He saw two beds, one closet, a small wash basin, some footlockers, some empty candy wraps and some bags that Zorn had thrown on the ground without care. He saw the Zabrak's spare robes hanging in the closet, and Jaxxon wanted to unpack his own things, only to realize that the only things he possessed were his black robes and his red lightsaber. Jaxxon sat on the bed that wasn't slept on, nor didn't have any pillows with holes in them, and relaxed a bit... Soon, he fell asleep. And dreamt...