I am standing in front of a large crowd. It is a meeting hosted by Anti Slavery Galactic. Not the most imaginative of names, but what they lack in imagination is made up for in commitment to the cause. They're also not popular or influential at the moment. Slavery is once again, in various guises on the rise in the Galaxy. It's all part of the to and fro of politics here, and of course the Force. A rise in slavery coincides with 'interesting times' because hey. pulp setting. If you can't rescue slaves wearing little more than a handkerchief and grateful smile, then what are you doing here?
Trouble is the sheer scope of slavery in the Galaxy. Current estimates stand at twelve quadrillion sentients enslaved. That's something like a quarter of the galaxy. And I know those numbers don't really mean anything, they're too big. So I think of it like this.
There have been about 100 billion human lives lived back home. In total. 100 billion H. sapiens. So if every human that ever lived was enslaved 12,000 times over then you may get some idea. Twelve thousand lifetimes. That's a fair approximation of eternity in anyone's books. So an eternity of slavery for the entirety of humanity is the level of suffering that is just normal here. It's the status quo. What can you do?
I'll tell you what I can do. I'm bloody Revan mate. I'm fated to hit this Galaxy so damn hard that I'll be an influence four thousand years down the track. Darth Emo may have wanted to look like his granddad, but it was my look he went for. Where did Papa Palps get all his new SDs? My bet's on the Star Forge. So, with the Force as my ally let's smack the Galaxy upside the head so hard that Little Ani never happens because slavery is totally not a thing in his time. Not even on shitholes like Tatooine.
It all begins with a kiss. Like this.
I look out at the crowd. "Fellow beings. No doubt you have heard numerous beings talk to you of the evils of slavery and why it must be fought. Tonight I will tell you how we will end that fight. Not through arms and ships, although they will help, but through the Force."
I pause as the crowd takes this in. They're expecting a more traditional talk, ie slavery is bad, here are some examples, please donate to the ASG.
"The Force is not the sole domain of the Jedi. It is present in us all, in all of you. Just as a Jedi can request changes in the universe through the Force so can you. Your individual efforts may not be as powerful or showy as mine, but there are more of you. A great many more. So, I ask you. What would happen if every freedom-loving sophont bent their will to one purpose? One glorious, noble purpose. That purpose being the end of slavery as an institution and blight upon this Galaxy!"
With that opening I have them. This is only a small crowd, a few million perhaps, but it's a place to begin. I continue, interspersing my plans to develop a Galaxy wide grassroots Force stunt with accounts of the brutality and reality of slavery, often first hand from the people I rescued. The people listen and nod. I bring on Alana and she outlines a plan to build, fund and crew a popular privateer fleet. As I watch her performance I wonder if somewhere, some Czerka higher up is being slowly roasted for their part in setting her onto me. She briefly looks over at me and smiles. I notice that the gleam is back. A true believer, with a noble cause. I wait for her to finish her part and walk back.
"Now, I know you're wondering how to beseech the Force. Let me teach you a mantra. You can say this as a prayer, or as something to meditate on as you go about your daily business. It is 'I am of the Force and the Force is of me.' that's all. Do that and think of me and the end of slavery. Try it now, with me." I say.
"I am of the Force and the Force is with me." intone nearly two and a half million beings. I feel a slight bump. A tiny swelling of power.
They repeat. "I am of the Force and the Force is with me." Again, a teeny tiny bump.
They repeat a few more times. "Excellent. Now, unlike others who would tell you this is just the beginning, I shall say instead this is the end. The end to slavery!" I say and walk off to applause.
Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for we are subtle and quick to anger. Well, I am angry now.
Backstage I am met by my number one fan and supporter. Alana rushes me and gives me a hug and a kiss, it's somewhere between chaste and carnal which is okay. We're all working through things here
"It's working already! I, I can feel it." she says.
"Of course it's working. This is the Will of the Force." I say.
"I am of the Force and the Force is with me," says Alana, the fanatic is back. "We're going to change everything."
"That we are. Now, let's get back to the temple." I say.
After a few more weeks of speaking to various groups and I find myself before the Jedi Council.
"Care to explain yourself Knight Revan," asks Master Vrook.
"I am presenting my findings to an interested public. They are, after all, free to ask us for aid and I am informing them." I say.
"Do you know what you are doing? An inflamed populace." begins Master Kavarr.
"May actually do something about a horrific injustice. Something we could help in." I say.
"And the magnitude of the problem, considered it have you? Or the consequences?" says Master Zez-Kai.
"I thought 'size matters not' was a saying here. Also, I feel the consequences will be decidedly better for an easy 12 quadrillion sentients. Because Slavery, may I remind you all is vile. It is a state of suffering and degradation without end. Unless we do something." I say.
"And you know exactly what to do? The best course to take?" accuses Vrook.
"I know enough to take action. To do something and not sit endlessly debating whether to act or not, because that just leads to nothing being done and what is a vile state of affairs just grows and grows." I say.
"This is reckless. Your actions" says Zez-Kai.
"Are bringing an end to slavery. How is that bad? Billions won't die daily in mines, trillions more not subjected to rape, quadrillions not living in fear and misery? I feel the cost is worth it!" I say.
Up till now, Master Vander has been silent.
"Oh, willing to pay that cost are you?" he says.
"Yes! We're the Jedi are we not? The Galaxy's Sacred Guardians of Peace and Justice? I feel it is beyond time we actually stood for that. Is it that you are afraid? Afraid to get off your exalted behinds and put an end to pain and misery. Yes! I can see your fear. Know you as well then the Three Cautions and where that fear will take you. Cast it aside and join me. Together we shall be stronger and more able to resist any call to the Dark SIde." I say.
"We are well aware of the Dark Side," says Vrook.
"Are you? Tell me then master. What benefits from the pain and suffering of slavery. Is it, I don't know, the Dark Side, the Sith and all their works?" I say.
The masters look at one another. There is a pause. Then Master Kavarr raises a hand.
"Thank you Knight Revan. We shall now consider this. We recommend that you stay within the Temple until a decision is reached." he says.
Yeah, yeah. Pontificate all you want.
"I understand Masters. I shall await your judgement." I say..
"Well that didn't go well." says Alek, after I leave.
"What do you mean?" I say as we begin walking.
"Well they're going to think on it, then say no. Meanwhile, you're stuck here." summarises Alek.
"That is the surface reality only my friend. Beneath that there is much more. Observe." I say.
Our perambulations have brought us to the sparring chambers. Exiting is Knight Jalen. He is a blue, muscular Twi'lek.
"Knight Revan, Alek. A surprise. Still, I was meaning to ask. Is it true you are stirring up Abolitionists?" he says.
I nod. "That I am. I intend to leave the Galaxy slave free." I say.
Jalen's lekku twitch. Oh yes, Twi'leks are pretty much a slave species.
"Tell me more," he asks. We happily comply.
Jalen's not the only one either. Jedi are known for their openness. Inquiries as to my sudden silence are met with an explanation that I am confined to Temple followed by an offer to assist themselves. And so, the good word spreads, the movement gains momentum, both in the Temple and without. There is pressure within the Force. Still small, but actually registering on the sensors.
Then there are the trials. Alek, Surik and Tamman are all up for consideration after having gone on an extended and largely successful mission. As the Knight in charge, it is my testimony that will get their actions put towards their becoming knights in their own right. Also as important is I get to retell the story publicly three times. By the third time, the viewing halls are packed with Jedi interested in what happened. As it happens it is Surik's trial hearing. Her highlight is the confrontation of Darth Zhorrid. I recount the entry into the Sith's residence and the horrors found within. Several observers turn their species version of pale. Yeah, read my mind, it's quite open right now for you to experience the misery first hand. As I let my thoughts be read two Jedi leave the room, gagging. I finish up, stressing Suriks calm response to triaging Zhorrid's victims, her compassion and skill at providing first aid. All good Jedi stuff.
Later, I am approached by several Jedi.
"This is really what the Sith are up to?" asks one.
"I cannot speak for all, but I Zhorrid was no exceptional Sith. Typical may be the word." I say.
"Is slavery really that bad?" asks another.
"If anything it's worse. Mandalorians are a rather stoic culture, not overly given to petty cruelties." I answer.
"And they're really coming. I hear the Council is talking about it." they continue.
"They're really coming. Their culture idolises conflict, they seek glory and honour over the suffering of others. And I suspect the Council will just keep on talking as the Republic's outer world burn."
"We need to do something! Our oaths..." says another.
"Yes. We swore an oath to preserve Peace and Justice. So, this is what we will need to do..." I begin.