Author's Note and Disclaimer: The Star Wars franchise does not belong to the author in any way, shape or form. This is not for profit. The setting begins roughly a hundred years after the Yuuzhan Vong Wars in the New Jedi Order series and summarily ignores any novels that took place afterwards. The plot and characters are all mine.
The Sith Insurgency – Chapter XII – Reunion
"I don't understand, Master – it isn't fair." Jason's words were completely ignored, and the Apprentice took a deep breath to calm himself. "Master, I do not understand why the Council criticized you. If they were going to yell at you, I would have thought they would comment on the act of giving lightsaber to Tuskens – not the political aftereffects."
Rel had never considered the Council's words to be negative, and therefore he was forced to mentally review the report. It was only through Jason's complaint that Rel understood what had taken place. "Master Jarik was not criticizing me, so much as reminding me of my inexperience. I was away from the Order for eight years, and this was my second assignment as a Jedi Knight. The Council is worried about me becoming proud and overconfident. They were right on both counts – I never considered the long term ramifications of giving lightsabers to the Tusken Raiders, and I need to be wary of hubris."
"So, even though you're training the strike force, you're not going to be the leader... are you?"
The Jedi Knight was touched that his Apprentice already thought so highly of him. Perhaps Rel's performance in the Obstacle Courses had more weight than he realized, or maybe fighting in battle together had forged a stronger bond between them. Whatever the case, the roundabout praise from Jason made Rel smile. "Not likely. Every single Jedi Knight in the Order is more experienced than I am. My place in the hierarchy is very low."
For the first time in his life, Jason considered that reputation and title had nothing to do with an individual's ability. He had recognized aspects of the lesson in his own life, and he saw it, for the first time, in someone else. The Apprentice stared off into space. "Will I be helping to train the other Jedi?"
"Our first task, young Apprentice, is to visit your parents. I will not allow you to live mere hours from their home, without going to see them." Rel's declaration was met with anticipation, anxiety, nervousness, and a blend of other emotions. It was exactly the reaction he would have expected, from an eighteen year-old who had not seen his parents in a decade.
XxxxX
Tears freely dripped down Perhi's face. "Leaving the Order?" she asked the holographic image of her master, Jedi Lorna.
The tears deeply touched Lorna. Compassion reached her face, in a rare show of emotion. "Consider this your first Trial to Knighthood," the Jedi Knight told her Apprentice. "Master Jarik will inspect your first lightsaber as your next challenge."
If there was one thing that could lift an apprentice out of a sad mood, it was mention of the Trials. She was able to compose herself, but the mood stayed with her. "I don't understand, Master. Why are you leaving?"
Lorna struggled to keep herself composed. For the first time in her adult life, it was difficult for her to keep her own tears at bay. This moment felt like betrayal, and there was nothing she could do. The future of the Jedi Order depended on her. Furthermore, her life would be under serious threat from the Sith, if she behaved any differently. Perhi knew nothing of the encounter with the Laban.
"I have arranged for an Ivri holocron to be delivered to your domicile, on Tatooine. If you learn everything on that holocron, you will understand why I made my choice. That holocron is also vital for your final Trial."
Perhi wiped away the tears and gathered her resolve. One of the three Trials required the construction of a lightsaber, the second was often a puzzle of some difficulty, and the third involved a brush with the Dark Side. The Trials were geared to ensure that a Jedi was capable of independent action. Only then was a Jedi worthy of the title Knight and the responsibility of an apprentice.
"I will do my best, Master."
XxxxX
"Well, that could have gone worse," Jason grumbled, when they returned to the Jedi Enclave. His ears still stung from his visit home. "I never expected my parents to become anti-Jedi, after only ten years."
Rel, too, was surprised by their reaction. The yelling had begun almost from the moment that the pair arrived at the Farlander farm, and it only became worse when they finally decided to leave. Even Rel's patience was brought to its limits. "Perhaps next time, you should call ahead. It is essential to repair your bond with your parents, Apprentice. Family is more important than your peers."
The words surprised Jason. He looked up with a curious expression that pushed aside his ill feelings from the visit. "More important than the Jedi Order?"
"Yes. Jedi philosophy failed your friends who joined the Sith, and they can fail you, too. There is only one way we can truly guard ourselves from the Dark Side, Apprentice. You must learn to recognize that you are loved, and everything that happens in life is born out of that love."
"I..."
"Regardless of what the Order would like, I am an Ivri before a Jedi. Did you know that I failed every single philosophy course offered on Dovac?" After many attempts to learn Jedi philosophy, Rel eventually gave up on classical interpretations of the Jedi Code. Instead, he analyzed the Code through the Ivri outlook on life, and he came up with a much deeper understanding of the Force than any living Jedi. Only Master Roke had recognized the truth to Rel's approach, and the Jedi Master was just recently beginning to live by it.
Once again, the Apprentice was caught off guard. "You? But..."
"There are holes in the Jedi Code, Apprentice – holes that are plugged by a forgotten, oral tradition. The Force is not an unfeeling entity; it is a manifestation of a greater Will that created all the Universe, for the sole purpose of expressing love."
"Now that just sounds stupid."
Rel knew that this was the only way to protect his Apprentice from the temptations of the Dark Side, so he did not give up on his explanation. Recognizing his words as truth required an open mind and nothing more. "I was the first Force-sensitive child born on Ivri in recent history, and all Ivri Sages have abilities that are comparable to the Jedi on the Grand Council."
The Apprentice struggled with Rel's words and he took everything with utter disbelief. One thing after another was further beyond the scope of his lessons on Dovac. "Master, with all due respect... how did you pass the Trials?" Jason wanted to be his childhood fantasy of what a Jedi represented and reality had yet to enter the equation.
Instead of answering, Rel took out his personal com device. "Captain Parres, I need a pair of starfighters for immediate use."
Hathes was slow to respond. "Master Dryden, two Antarian X-wings are being prepped. They should be ready by the time you reach the hangar."
"Thank you, Captain." To his Apprentice, he said, "Come. This is an essential part of your training."
Jason showed skepticism. He was losing faith in his teacher, despite Master Dryden's reputation and combat prowess. The bonds that had been built over the past few weeks were already starting to dissipate, and it would take a great feat to rebuild them.
XxxxX
A holocron sat beside Perhi's first lightsaber, though the Apprentice had nearly forgotten that the weapon even existed. The information recorded on the holocron was beyond her imagination, and yet her intuition told her that it was all true. Jedi philosophy was wrong, and the failing had nothing to do with the Code. Fault was with the Jedi themselves.
She reached out and reactivated the holocron.
A holographic form of an older gentleman with a long beard appeared. "Have you made a decision?" the hologram asked.
Tears were in her eyes when she spoke. This was the most meaningful moment of her life, since the encounter with Rel Dryden at the cave. "My answer is yes."
The hologram nodded. "Not many sentients willingly take up the lifestyle of the Ivri. There is a hall, known to only a select few. It is a place of prophecy unlike any other, in all of existence. The only information contained within is a list of names, the names of every Ivri – from the beginning of time until the end. One of those names is Perhi Niseer. The path before is the most difficult in all the Galaxy, but rest assured. You will succeed."
Perhi had already been warned about the obstacles in front of her, before she accepted the challenge presented by the Ivri holocron. The reassurance was new, however, and she welcomed the words. Her heart was warmed with love and confidence that came from the knowledge that she was already one of the Ivri people. Or, at least, that she was guaranteed to become one of them.
"Destiny does not make your trials any easier, however. The way you think and relate to the Galaxy will be completely transformed, a process which is only possible through the love of the Force. Close your eyes, and calm yourself..."
XxxxX
"...feel the Force flow through you. It is more difficult to feel, here in the void of space, but the Force is everywhere. Take slow, deep breaths and recognize the presence of the Force within you, in your ship, your droid. Even the vacuum all around us is filled with the presence of the Force, no matter how difficult it is to sense."
As Rel spoke the words through the com, he went through the same exercise. He long ago learned how to feel the Force's presence in any situation, and his current challenge was to develop a constant awareness of the Force's love for him. If he could attain such a level under controlled circumstances, then he had a chance of maintaining his awareness in times of difficulty.
"Search your feelings. Think of how you feel about your family, friends, and close ones – those who mean the most to you. Think about all that they have done for you, and how much you would like to do for them. Focus on your gratitude for having them in your lives."
Through the Force, Rel was able to sense the emotions that filled his Apprentice. When Rel was certain that Jason had the right feeling, he said, "This is what it feels like to love and be loved. The sense of inner peace, completeness, and belonging." He paused, to open his own connection to the Force. "Now, focus on your connection to the Force. What does it feel like?"
A wave of surprise washed off of Jason, the emotion projected through the Force. "Love. The Force... loves me."
"What you feel is the Will of the Force," Rel explained. "The Will of the Force, the drive for all existence, is pure love. All of reality is a limited existence, but the Will of the Force is beyond reality. It is infinite, and therefore its love for us is also infinite.
"The Jedi and the Sith are both blind to the Force's true nature; the Force wants only the best for us, but it is up to us to figure out what that means. Some people have a greater, natural connection to the Force – which means we were gifted with a subconscious awareness of the Force's love. Anyone can develop this trait within them."
Jason was thoughtful for a long time. "You said that Ivri are able to develop Force powers. Does that mean, if I work on my connection to the Force, I can become more powerful?"
"You can develop greater control and receive more enjoyment out of life. You can improve your moral fiber and character traits. The only true power in this Galaxy is control of one's own decisions. If you master yourself, then you are, by definition, more powerful."
There was another pause. "Was that a yes or a no?"
Rel smirked at the question. His apprentice had missed the point. No matter. Only Ivri possessed the unique trait that enabled them to strengthen their connection to the Force in such a way, whether the individual was Ivri by birth or by choice. "I chose not to answer. It is time to head back to Tatooine. Meditate on what you have experienced out here. True learning comes through review, not the lessons themselves."
"Yes, Master Dryden." The respect was back, and this time the feeling was much deeper. Jason's view of existence had just been knocked down, and he realized that his teacher had wisdom that the entirety of the Jedi Order lacked. He began to realize just how fortunate he was to be taken in by Rel Dryden.
"One more thing. These lessons are meant for you, and you alone. Your fellow Jedi will not understand or appreciate Ivri philosophy. A time will come when the Jedi, as a whole, will be awakened to the true nature of the Force. Just not yet. There is no point in teaching something, if no one will listen."
Jason was silent for the trip back to Tatooine, and he barely spoke a word for the rest of the day. As soon as they arrived in the Enclave, he retired to his chambers.
XxxxX
After training with the Jedi Knights of Tatooine for several, long hours, Rel was approached by a familiar Apprentice.
"Master Dryden?"
Rel sensed confusion from Perhi, along with startling clarity. It was a strange mix. "Yes, Apprentice Niseer."
She opened her mouth to speak, thought better of it, and then changed her mind again. "Half of Dovac knew about you and Jedi Cartel. There is one thing I do not understand... why did you propose to her? It's forbidden, for an Ivri to marry a non-Ivri."
The Jedi Knight was taken off-guard by the question. There were some aspects of Ivri life and philosophy that he took greatly to heart and others that he conveniently forgot. Perhi was right. When Trillen rejected him, she had done the right thing. Tears came to his face, and he could no longer face the Apprentice. He turned away, before she saw his eyes water.
More and more, Rel saw that the only way to succeed in his assignment – and in life – was to embrace the Ivri way of life. He needed the teachings of his childhood and home planet, and there was no substitute. "I left Ivri when I was eight years old," he reminded her. "I never learned all of our laws and customs." He neglected to mention that there were other laws that had faded from memory, due to a lack of interest. If he was going to teach Jason properly, then he needed to stand from a stronger position.
"Oh." Perhi was disappointed by his answer. She had expected more of him. "Did you love her?"
He wished that she would stop her questions. They were too personal, and she had no business asking them. "I thought so." He wondered why he answered. "Excuse me, Apprentice. It has been a tiring day. I need to get some sleep." He walked away, leaving a thoughtful young woman behind.
Amidst his belongings was a set of holocrons, holographic recordings designed to teach information. A single holocron contained monumental amounts of information, and yet twenty-four were required to contain the full body of Ivri law. For such a small planet, they had a very complex tradition. Rel activated the twenty-fifth holocron, the one that contained summarized information of the other twenty-four. Apprentices were not the only ones who needed to study.
XxxxX
Seline Piett backed away, shock on her face. She had suspected that Laban fell to the Dark Side, but to see him standing before her was too much. Her assignment on Mervani IV was to facilitate trade negations, not battle a Sith. Much less her old friend. No one in the Order suspected that Dark Jedi were behind the trade dispute, and Seline knew that she was now unable to report it.
"You were the worst of us, Seline," he said, in a goading voice. "You were only one of us because I convinced Rel that you had potential. You would be nothing, without me. A mere Antarian Ranger, or perhaps a low-level healer. All of your accomplishments are mine."
She tried to retort. Words tried to come. Her mouth did not work, nor did her arms and hands. The man who had been her close friend for half her life was now the epitome of evil. In all likelihood, he was going to kill her. She could not even protect herself, such was her surprise.
"Join me," he offered, in a strong voice. "Become my apprentice. You will be a powerful Krath, but only if you obey me – and me alone. I will have your loyalty, and no one else." He stepped forward, one hand outstretched, and a cruel smile on his face. Laban was a twisted version of the man he had once been. Power radiated off of him and kept Selene paralyzed. His next words were in a sweet, innocent tone that were a blatant contradiction to the words themselves. "You have a choice, Seline, Love. Accept me as your master, or die."
Tears flowed freely. She remembered her last conversation with Rel, and the promise she had extracted from him. If Seline joined Laban, then she was the worst scum of the Galaxy. She collapsed to her knees. "Kill me."
Laban smirked in amusement. "After you surrendered? Why kill you, when I can torture you into submission?" Lightning shot from his fingertips, and pain filled her body. His smile broadened at her screams of pain. It was only a matter of time before Seline Piett was his willing servant.
