Chapter Four: Admission
A kath hound was sleeping in the sun by itself. And a green-furred iriaz was grazing not far off. In Cathar, such an incident would never have happened. No wild animal would sleep in the open, and no herbivore would walk alone so.
Dantooine had not changed.
Yet Malak had.
The sheltered world of verdant grassland was a relief to the senses. Yet as he felt around him the grasslands and watched the clear sky, it was... wrong somehow. Less feral than it ought to have been. The iriaz grazed too peacefully; the kath hounds hunted less than they should.
It was artificial. Artificial like a city planet, though far less offensive to the senses. But where a city planet was the eradication of nature, this one was the pacification. Nature had had its teeth pulled. Now and then, kath hounds got aggressive because of disturbances to the ecosystem. But the Jedi would fix them.
But were these truly the disturbances? Or were they instead the natural result of an imbalance in nature—the aggressive tendencies of these creatures reasserting themselves when possible.
Malak shifted and sensed two others coming from behind. "Atton, how are things progressing?"
"We've been teaching some of the locals to shoot," said Atton, wearing a ribbed jacket and a white shirt. "Not exactly proud warrior race material, but some of them are decent shots. The weapons you imported are pretty good. But I'll bet a thousand credits the militia will break as soon as combat is joined."
"What makes you say that?" asked Idus, the blonde woman clad in a tan tunic.
Atton scoffed. "They're just a small farming colony.
"And they think they're just a small farming colony. When you play pazaak, you gotta play to win or not play at all. I don't think they think they can win, so they'll probably cash out as soon as the stakes get high."
"Can anything be done about that?" asked Malak.
"I dunno, get some war heroes. Put them in a position where they have no way out," said Atton with a shrug. "My guess, though, is they'll just go crying to the Jedi. You guys pretty much have the run of this place."
"Idus, what is your assessment?" asked Malak.
Idus was a geographic expert. She had been adapting to deal with Dantooine. "Geographically, I'm still becoming acquainted with the terrain. But given how scattered the communities are, I don't think you could create a real defense. Divide and conquer would be very easy.
"There's no rallying point.
"The Sandrals and the Matales might provide leadership. But they are often quarreling with one another. Perhaps if the divide was bridged-"
"Yeah, and when was the last time these Sandral's and Matale's led?" asked Atton.
"The Jedi provide mediation and law enforcement for the most part," noted Malak. He was looking to Master Kreia. She was meditating, apparently without awareness, but Malak knew better. She was biding her time and waiting to hear how he led.
"Never gonna work," said Atton. "You need more than guns and money to be a leader; you need people to buy into you. Some sort of record or reason people need to buy into you."
"You had no reason to buy into Revan and me," noted Malak.
"Sure, but Revan didn't give us any choice," noted Atton. "Fight for freedom or die. Give us a clean escape route, and I can tell you plenty of the slaves would have taken it. Dantooine would have escape routes aplenty.
"You could run and hide in a cave, or go back to your farm and hide, or just hope whoever was invading didn't notice you. That's the smart move and the one that is gonna work out for you personally. Who cares if the whole planet pays the price? It's gonna pay it anyway, so going down fighting is a sucker bet."
"The Sandrals and Matele's have a great many war droids and control a lot of the farmers," noted Idus. The blonde woman was looking back to where the militia were practicing their shots. "They provide loans which they use to farm their fields."
"Yeah, and are those loans gonna hold if the Mandalorians kill them all? Maybe if you duck out, they'll kill them all and forgive the debt. You supply food and make out like a bandit.
"What's the alternative? Fight and die in a lost cause so they can buy up your land after your family goes broke? It happened to a lot of people in farming communities. You go into the military to serve your country; your farm goes broke while you're gone. Your local landlord then buys it up. Then you get out of the military, and the government gives you a nice cozy street corner to sleep on.
"Aluyard Czerka made a killing on that kind of operation. Then got called a saint for giving some of the money to charity."
"So you don't believe there is any possibility of a real military resistance?" surmised Malak.
"No way in hell. This place is too spaced out, and these people have too little in common," said Atton. "I've talked with people at three different bars in different locations. Hardly anybody is loyal to their local area, let alone Dantooine. The authority figures are the people you owe money to and the Jedi.
"If there was some sort of crisis they had to band together to stop, maybe there'd be some common ground. Then you could build something up. But so long as you've got Jedi to swoop in and save the day, no incentive."
"I wonder if the Council didn't set this place up this way on purpose," said Idus. "It ensures they are necessary no matter what happens.
"Still, Atton may be giving too harsh a review.
"You could use the militia for police action. Given the scale of organized crime these days, you could train the militia to do some small actions. The kind of thing Jedi wouldn't be sent out. That could build a sense of community.
"In addition, there are the beginnings of some community out here. You could set something up if you cleared it with the Jedi."
"In war, cultures find themselves, or find themselves lacking," said Kreia suddenly. She stood and moved forward, drawing attention.
"Well, well, it looks like the cryptic old woman has more sage commentary. What, done rotting?" asked Atton.
"I was not asking for your approval, fool. I was speaking to Malak," said Kreia. "Dantooine has been coddled, sheltered by the Jedi. It is inevitable that conflict will eventually come to it. Measures must be taken to prepare them for the storm. Even so, I fear they will have to be found lacking before any progress can be made at all.
"The Jedi have shielded the tree from all wind, and now its roots do not go deep enough."
"Wow, what a brilliant-" began Atton.
Malak raised a hand for silence, and Atton obeyed. Kreia had been unusual of late. Actually, she had been acting more and more unusual since they had left Coruscant. Her manner and agenda had shifted subtly. "Where would you suggest we begin, Master?"
"The Sandral's and the Matale's have long feuded," said Kreia. "Their personal conflict would divide leadership in a crisis and make cooperation impossible. Therefore, we must attempt to conclude the matter.
"If the attempt fails, it may at least discredit them and open up avenues for others."
"She's right," admitted Atton. "Politicians have this wet dream that they try to put into effect when a system becomes too corrupt. What they do is they put up a completely terrible candidate. Thus deliberately banking on them being so terrible, no one will vote for them. Then they sling lots of mud at that candidate and assume their own terrible candidate will get in.
"What usually happens, though, is the population isn't as dumb as they think. So they vote for the strawman out of spite. Once that happens, the whole system breaks down as the establishment has a meltdown. That completely alienates people and leads to the whole establishment getting shuffled out.
"It's fun to watch in a democracy. But play that game in a military crisis, and you're fragged.
"By the time you get your act together, the enemy has already wrecked you."
"Didn't you create exactly that kind of situation over Coruscant, Malak?" asked Idus, looking to him.
"What if he did?" asked Atton. "Probably for the best, you started the show before the Mandalorians. Better to burn the corruption out before you've got a full-scale war on your hands."
"Master Jedi?" said an officer of the militia, coming by.
"Yes, what is it?" asked Malak, looking to him.
"The refugees are here," said the man.
"Malak, take charge of this," said Kreia. "I shall await you here."
"Thank you," said Malak, noticing Kreia's indifference to her performance. He led Atton and Idus to one side. "Atton, Idus, get back to your posts and begin scouting Dantooine for good places for smuggling."
"Why you looking to cash in?" asked Atton.
"I want to know where someone might want to cash in," replied Malak. "Revan has a plan we are to prepare for. One that will require some bait."
"Bait?" asked Atton. "You mean you want to invite them in?"
"Kinrath often infest caves," said Idus. "They are very dangerous."
"Good, we can get some combat training for the militia. Also, hunt some dangerous creatures," said Malak. "And clearing the caves could be an excellent start for the operation."
"What operation, what are we talking about here?" asked Atton.
"The information is needed to know," said Malak. "Until you need to know, I can't tell you anything. That is Revan's specific orders before we even came out here."
"Great, ancient conspiracy stuff," said Atton. "Fun."
"With respect, Malak, the Jedi make a point of preserving native species," said Idus. "They may have a problem with these actions."
"Then do not engage the creatures," said Malak. "Just find where they are and be prepared to act when orders are given. The Jedi Council's cooperation should be quite simple to arrange."
"You got it," said Atton.
And they parted ways.
Malak made his way by speeder with Kreia to the starport, such as it was. In truth, it was not much more than a concrete square. There was a speeder station nearby where one could buy fuel and snacks and a refueling truck. But there was no control tower; a man on the cliffs did those operations with binoculars and a com unit.
Out of the starship came a great many people. Malak came forward, moving past the militia standing guard. He'd taken to assigning them to these positions specifically to just wait. Long hours of boredom were part of war too, and getting them used to it was essential to preparations.
But for now, he had to speak to the refugees. These ones' were judged to have skills Dantooine needed. The refugee relocation efforts sent people to worlds their skills were needed. In a galaxy this big, there was always a planet your skills had a use if you looked.
"Greetings to all of you; I am Malak of the Jedi Order," said Malak. "On behalf of the Jedi Council, I greet you to Dantooine. I realize that all of you have come from many far-off places. Many of you have lost your homes, friends, and family to the Iridian Plague.
"However, now that your quarantine period is up, Dantooine can provide you a fresh start. Across the galaxy, farming worlds are receiving larger orders than ever. Dantooine is one such world, but it lacks the industry to sufficiently expand to meet demand.
"As people with industrial and scientific work, you have a unique ability. With your help, Dantooine will be able to meet demand and, in so doing, help billions across the universe.
"However, for now, things will be very hard for all of us.
"Follow me, and I will lead you to the place that has been prepared. Do not wander off; however, kath hounds have become more violent of late."
"Are kath hounds usually dangerous?" asked a woman.
"For the most part, they only become so when there has been an intrusion into their ecosystem," said Malak. "With the expansion of the farming systems, there have been many such intrusions. Dantooine, however, is largely uncolonized.
"Thus, they will eventually move off.
"And the rangers know a thing or two about it. However, it is not wise to walk the wilds of Dantooine alone or unarmed. The camps that have been set aside for you, however, are well-protected."
"Didn't you fight in the battle of Paragus under Revan?" asked a man.
Malak felt a surge of pride at that, remembering the battlefield fondly on Paragus. That victory, and his part in it, was perhaps the proudest moment of his life. "I was his right hand."
"Well, what are you doing here, then?" asked another.
"The Jedi serve many roles. Our status as warriors is only one of them," replied Malak, keeping the bitterness out of his tone. "For the moment, I am tasked by the Council with peacekeeping."
And he led them away to their locations. One or two restless kath hounds took a look but opted to wander off for easier prey. Malak, for his part, went around ensuring everyone had blankets and shelter. No one lacked by the time he was done.
Mechanics had always been in high demand on Dantooine, and the need was only higher. It was all because of the expansion of food production to account for wartime conditions. And of course, the factories were working overtime and expanding business. New chemical factories had been established on Dantooine and many other places. And Kolto supplies from Manaan had been purchased at unheard of rates.
The truce with the Mandalorians was giving the Republic a chance to get the economy up and running.
It was also boring. Malak knew he was helping people and that this work was worth doing. At the same time, he took no joy from it. Over and over, his mind turned back to the clashing of lightsaber on sword. He remembered the day he had led a daring raid and ambushed the Mandalorians in their trenches.
He'd cleaved down half a dozen and taking many supplies. Revan's HK unit had covered yet. Yet those days were past, and here, in the peaceful realm of Dantooine, he was discontent.
"Find what you're looking for among the refugees?" asked Kreia.
"No," admitted Malak. "I did not."
"And why not?" asked Kreia. "You seemed to believe quiet surroundings would ease your doubts. Yet I sense they have only been inflamed."
"They are not inflamed," said Malak. "I am simply more aware of them. I was trained and raised for war. I seem to have a taste for it, despite my own beliefs."
"And what do they say?" asked Kreia.
Malak considered his answer carefully and decided to try and get information. "That I am not cut out to be a Jedi."
"And why do you think that?" asked Kreia.
"On the battlefields of Paragus, I... found myself. Here, I find myself lacking," said Malak, remembering her words. "I enjoyed the battle, fighting against the Mandalorians. I liked it."
"And yet in comparatively productive pursuits, you are less enthusiastic?" asked Kreia. "Why is this? Bloodlust? Or something else?"
Her lack of concern clicked something into place that Malak should have seen. "I was named for a God of Destruction, and I was well-named. My talents are wasted in pursuits of peace, no matter how worthy. I possess the power to destroy, and crush my enemies.
"And yet I find no peace within these lands. Not anymore."
"I should caution you against saying such words to the Council, young Malak," said Kreia. "They might use them to believe what they wanted to believe all along. Such is their custom."
"And what do you believe, Master Kreia?" asked Malak.
"Me?" Kreia laughed. "I believe that one should ask the questions that no one wants to hear. To do otherwise is to blind oneself to reality."
Malak paused and then looked into the distance, over the hills. There he saw the jagged top of an ancient ruin. He'd walked in that place before when he was younger and less experienced. "...Those ruins, we've been near them before.
"I remember you took me to them when you chose me over Revan. You told me to sense the dark power within it and said something similar. We never went in, but things were never the same after that. Even so, you'd often make claims that the Jedi were better than the alternative. Or cite the foolishness of the Dark Side.
"Yet... after that meeting with the Jedi Council on Coruscant, that never happened again. I haven't heard one word of defense for the Jedi or the code since. And your questions become ever more pointed.
"You're a Sith Lord, aren't you, Master Kreia? Or something like it, at any rate." The question seemed almost quint by this point.
"And what if I am?" asked Master Kreia with a laugh. "What meaning does assigning such a name to me? How does it change the nature of what I have taught you or its meaning?"
Malak considered that angle. "That really depends on other questions, doesn't it? I think you made a quiet fall on Coruscant, perhaps without even realizing it."
"It was a fall long in the making, but yes," admitted Kreia. "That was when I wholly abandoned the Jedi. I had been loyal to their teachings despite innumerable humiliations. The full scope of the horrors they perpetuated, however, was the tipping point.
"I wonder if you have not fallen yourself."
"I have not," said Malak.
"Well then, the question I suppose is; What now?" asked Kreia. "You could strike me down with all of your hatred. But I do not think that in either of our interests. You could report me to the Jedi Council, but what charges could you levee against me? Having an unpopular opinion? Asking others to consider unpleasant possibilities?"
Malak considered that. "What are your plans?"
"Plans?" asked Kreia. "Do you think a woman of my age has designs on empire building? Or a desire to tear down the galaxy she might retire to?"
"You must have some goal, Master Kreia. Even if it is one another would carry out for you," noted Malak. "Otherwise, you should have simply denied my question."
Kreia nodded. "I am pleased you see as much.
"...The Jedi Order is dead, Malak. It has been dead for decades, perhaps even centuries. What remains is but a hollow corpse that vermin infest and use for sustenance. Those who would restore it to its former glory are not even Jedi themselves.
The Masters of old would have never accepted Vrook's brand of fundamentalism. It is itself a perversion of the original order. And that original order is utterly unsuited for the world around us.
"That is why Nomi Sunrider failed.
"To be certain, the Jedi served a valiant purpose, and those that live now are often of great service in their own way. But though they are called Jedi, they are not. Just as Sion and Aedal are not really Sith as they were once understood, we view those as the Jedi and Sith as the descendants of the original ideal.
"And they have brothers and sisters. And blood is often spilled in this family."
"What of it?" asked Malak, for whom this was nothing new.
"The age of Exar Kun is over," said Kreia. "A new age must come about, and many powers now converge that they might lay claim to this epoch. Revan is among them, as are the Mandalorians, and Yusanis, and yourself. You may someday be a great power in your own right.
"The dynamic that is between you and Revan may alter to be destroyed.
"There is immense potential within you."
"But what do you want?" asked Malak.
Kreia shrugged. "To teach, of course. To instruct others to their own benefit in the beliefs that I have learned. Those who learn from me, who grow stronger by my advice, will remember me and pass my teachings on to others.
"When history judges my life, let me be known as the one who instructed Revan and Malak and others like them."
"Then you do not seek revenge?" asked Malak, surprised. Kreia had more of a claim to it than others.
"Of course, I seek revenge," scoffed Kreia. "I spent decades serving in the worst battles of the Exar Kun War. By the time I was twenty, all of my friends were dead. My face became old from strain long before I was forty, and I watched as Krynda and her ilk were promoted.
"I received no recognition, was given no consideration, and watched corruption take hold.
"And when that corruption was destroyed. I watched as younger Jedi such as Atris were given a seat on the Council. I have no intention of letting the matter end there.
"I will not go to my grave with my legacy as the dotard chamberlain of a spoiled Jedi Princess.
"But it is not enough for me to simply kill them. I could do that with a bomb or a lightsaber, and it would only serve to validate them. It would be the Jedi equivalent of a workplace shooting. Satisfying in the short term, but with nothing productive coming out of it.
"No, I intend to destroy them utterly."
"And how do you intend to do that?" asked Malak.
"Why, through Revan and yourself, of course," said Kreia, as though surprised. "You and those who follow you are already known as that which is best in Jedi. You and those like you will inherit the world, provided you do not make a mistake. And it is my enemies who will have to hand the world to you."
"I see," mused Malak. "It's about ideology. You want to force the Jedi to will themselves out of existence. To admit their own downfall in favor of a new ideology, refined from both."
"Or adapt their beliefs to a changing world, if you prefer optimism," said Kreia. "It is certain that the present state of affairs cannot continue unless all you hope for is a galactic hell. And the old ideas can no longer deal with these problems.
"Something new must take their place.
"So, what will you do?"
Malak shrugged. "You have done nothing that I myself am not guilty of. And calling you a Sith would be a meaningless title. The Jedi Council has heard all that I heard and still chooses to trust you. Indeed, they are already brooking a truce with Sith.
"They have committed grievous atrocities while you have committed none.
"So long as the Jedi Council takes no issue with your actions, neither will I.
"Freedom of religion is a right guaranteed by the Republic. And you haven't done anything evil."
Kreia shrugged. "Then it seems I have already won my first battle."
Then Malak's communicator chimed. Drawing it up, he put it to his ear. "Yes?"
"Malak, I thought you might want to know. Revan is here," said Bastila. "In orbit and coming down now."
Malak smiled and nodded. "Good.
"It will be good to speak to him about our future plans."
Things were at last in motion.