"I would say that was a most fruitful excursion." says Kae as we sit in the cramped stateroom. We are returning back to Coruscant.
"Fruitful?" I reply.
"We have learned much. About the Rakata, the Jedi, and you." Says Kae.
"Yes, we did." I say.
"So apprentice, exactly what do we do with you? What do I mention to the council? What recommendations do I make?" says Kae.
"I don't know." I say. Kae is right. I am a danger. Even without a supertech supplied navy.
"Stop that. You have a gift only a handful ever possess. You have seen how the Galaxy operates, the forces that pull people this way and that. You could change it all." says Kae.
"To what end?" I say.
"That, my young apprentice is what you must determine. As such, I feel there is no more I can teach you. You must find your own path. To that end I will recommend to the Council that you are made a Knight." says Kae.
After that, Kae dismissed me, claiming she needed to rest. I wandered the ship's halls in a bit of a daze. What is Kae about? What does she want? I look out at hyperspace from the viewing platform and try to think.
"What are you thinking about Revan?", it's Alana.
"Just wondering about my future." I reply.
"Tell me about it." she says. Oh right. Alana has just walked away from Czerka. They may be an evil, corrupt, controlling megacorp, but it was her entire support structure all the same.
I try to peer through hyperspace. Out on the Rim, the Mandolorians are raiding, enslaving and looting as they follow their weird Battle Religion. They aren't united at the moment, so it's still a settlement here, a colony there. Nothing the Patrol thinks it cannot handle. There's also whoever becomes the next Mandalore. They'll be gathering support, getting promises and talking up their vision for a Grand Crusade.
Then, it's as if hyperspace clears and I gain a vision of a grey green alien. It is tall and powerful. A Taung warrior. Mandalore if I'm not mistaken. The being looks up and our eyes meet. Yeah, I see you. Then the vision ends.
So that's Mandalore. Great. So, do we go defeat him before he launches the Crusade? What happens then? Some other looney takes up the mask? Most likely. Will they have the same combination of leadership and authority to keep the clans in line. The same strategic acumen?
"You okay there?" asks Alana.
"Just getting an idea about where to go next." I say.
Another week and I am back at the Temple. With Kae's testimony of what transpired and her recommendation I get assigned the title of Knight without the hassle of all those pesky trials. My performance in the field was sufficient. it seems. This means I can request an expedition to the Outer Rim. The Jedi Order has money and ships, but like organisations everywhere it wants to know where everything is and sort of what it's doing. I may become the celebrated tactical and strategic genius, but right now basic logistics is tricky. Let's see, Outer Rim from Coruscant. three to five weeks, depending on where we are going, figure up to three months looking for our Bad Boy and then same time back. So, half a year which means those ships are out and we want the crew small, and...
"Am I interrupting?" says Alana from the doorway. The simple cream robe looks good on her. Not easy. Alana the discount seductress or person in need on Space Australia was quite resistable. Alana, the temporary lay member while she works out where to go next is another thing entirely. This isn't the prequels with their oddly explained rules. While Jedi are expected to serve a higher purpose, that is, The Force, no one runs around screaming if you have a lover. You won't be on the fast track for becoming a master, but that's not the be all and end all of Jediing either.
"Planning my first mission. Looks like an hour of planning for every minute of heroics." I say.
"Oh, perhaps I can help. Move over." she says as she sits beside me and bumps into me, I shift and Alana goes over the pads and flimsis. Then there is a series of noises and muttering as she examines everything. "Here, you want a Sentinel, looks like a modified Zairuna. Anyways, crew of six. SIx months. May be quicker if you follow the main routes out there."
"Thank you." I say.
"Anything else?" Alana says looking up at me. Her eyes are like black pools, I could just...
"Have you given any thought to what you plan next?" I say moving away a bit.
"Do we really have to discuss that now?" she purrs.
"Yes. I understand. You had a bad start to life, but trust me, I'm a bad idea." I say standing up.
Alana looks at me, "How?"
"For a start, how about the horrific power imbalance? Being Force Sensitive isn't just telepathy and telekinesis. We shape the Galaxy to our desires. Free Will is important and around me you don't have any." I say.
Alana gets up and walks towards me "So, If I want you that means, you want me?" she says. Great line of logic.
"Yes! No! Look, round me you're not free to make your own decisions." I say.
"I don't care, I don't want freedom." she says.
"How would you know? You have never tried it. I promised to help free you, not trade one master for another. Because that is where this is leading." I say.
Alana stops. "Your right, as usual, damnit. I'm such a fool."
"It's not your fault. Just take time, see the counselors here, find out who Alana Jons is." I say.
Alana looks at me. For once there is no desire or fanatic gleam in them. "Okay, I'll do that." she says before leaving.
I exhale. Hooray. You can beat fate. Maybe. Before I can mentally wish her well Alek runs in.
"Um Revan. There's someone at the main doors." he says slightly out of breath.
"Czerka?" I say.
"Czerka." Alek confirms.
We hurry down towards the entrance. After all, someone actually in charge might get there and ask all sorts of annoying questions. Outside, is the Czerka rep. It's a dark blue, flying alien hovering before me. Toydarian, my memory supplies. Resistant to the Force. Of course, if expecting mind whammies, send someone resistant to such.
'You Jedi sure take your time." grumbles the being.
"We believe in the sharing of virtues. As patience is counted as one, we grant the ability to experience it." I say.
"Whatever. You will now return Alana Jons." says the being.
"No." I say.
"What do you mean, no?" the being says.
"No. A fairly simple Gal-Basic word." I say.
"I am here representing Czerka." it says.
"Still no." I reply.
"Ms Jons owes us..." begins the being but I interrupt it as I move close.
"Ms Jons was sent to disrupt and sabotage Jedi excavations. Your company's actions could have put all of Kashyyyk in danger. So, on behalf of the Jedi Order, kindly do not interfere with us again." I say.
The being moves back a little but then rallies. "It remains..."
"That you are meddling in the affairs of wizards. Are you unaware of the perils of doing so?" I say advancing.
"And those would be?" it says.
"We are subtle and quick to anger. So be off, before you discover how quick." I growl.
For it's part the creature flees.
"Was that Jedi diplomacy?" asks Alek
"No, but it's better than they deserve." I say.
"How are we going to keep Alana here anyways? The Council cant be approving of this." points out Alek as we walk back.
"That all depends." I say.
"On what?" says Alek, puzzled.
"On when they find out." I reply.
"You haven't told them!" says Alek.
"I may have forgotten to include some minor details. Compared to ancient ruins and a narrowly averted disaster, what's the whereabouts of one woman? Besides, it was Kae's mission. She should have mentioned it, were it important." I say.
"Okay. I still don't understand why you're doing this." says Alek.
"Fetch me a proton torpedo and I'll explain." I say.
Alek stops, "What? How would, what are, Revan!"
I stop and turn to face him, "Now that is the normal reaction to such a request. Alana didn't even blink when I asked her. Now, circumstances were strained and a proton was really needed but when people just do as you ask without question it is a dangerous place to be in. So while we are helping her, it would be really good if she goes her own way." I say.
Alek tilts his head and thinks it through. "Okay. I think I understand, but it got you what you wanted."
"Too quickly and easily my friend. We have to look for the best solution, not the most expedient." I say.
Alek nods, "Yes, I can see that."
"Yeah, bear that in mind. We may be taking Alana with us." I say as I resume walking.
"With us? Revan, where are we going?" says Alek trailing.
Now I am sanding before the Council. Kavarr is looking at my mission proposal. He turns it over in his hands.
"A mission to the Mandalorians." he says.
"Yes, I feel we should negotiate with them, see if we can defuse..." I begin.
"Defuse? What if such action provokes them?" asks Zes-Kai.
"What if? Currently we know little. As do the Mandolorians. Dialogue will bring understanding, replace ignorance with knowledge." I say.
"Why you though?" says Kavarr.
"I foresaw the need. Also, as a Knight I am less of a threat than a Master. Hopefully the Mandolorians will see us as less than their stories have made of us and regard us as not worthy of their time to battle." I say.
"There is wisdom in that." says Vrook.
"No, I sense danger. It is elusive though." says Kavarr.
"Then perhaps I can investigate that as well." I say.
"I don't know. We know little of the Mandalorians or that area of the Rim." Says Atris.
"We know plenty." Everyone pauses as Kae walks into the room. Most of the Council stares, possibly surprised that Kae knows the way here. "We know the Mandalorians need little provocation to fight. So this time, instead of waiting for the inevitable Third Crusade we consider asking them to not do so. Also, if we discover the root of the problem we can act decisively."
The other Masters take time to consider this sudden interruption. Without words they come to agreement, a consensus.
"Very well. Revan, take a ship and see if you can open negotiations with this new Mandalore." says Kavarr.
So with approval I get to prepare for the mission. I get the expected requests.
"I can't believe we are going to just talk with them." protests Alek.
"We will open negotiations to pre-empt an end to hostilities." I say.
Alek looks at me, but then nods. "Okay, but one false move from them." he warns.
Alana looks at me. "So? she says after seeing the small ship, loaded and provisioned. I look at her through the Force. She is less, intense.
"Why do you wish to come?" I ask.
"I like the organising, I can keep us well supplied and within the miserable budget the Temple gave you." she says.
"Point taken. Welcome aboard quartermaster."
"You really thought you could go on your first official mission without me?" says Tamman.
"Didn't know it was even an option." I say.
There is one surprise however.
"I would like to assist." says a young Jedi.
"How do you think you can help?" I ask.
"I know all about the Mandalorians. I've studied them, their wars and their traditions." the Jedi says. I'm trying to place her, but Iv'e got a hundred things to juggle right now so it's tricky.
"You realise this is a peaceful mission, we are going to talk, not to fight." I say.
"I know that, still, I feel my insight will be valuable." they say.
"Okay, okay. Get the approval of your master and you can come, padawan..." I say leadingly.
"Surik. Padawan Meetra Surik." says Surik.
Oh bloody hell.