-The Second Arm of the Force-

-Part II.V – United We Stand-

It is the following morning and before the Jedi Order begins their final war against the Dark Jedi, they take one day of remembrance. For the students who were slain in cold blood.

I opened my eyes as sunlight drifted into Tallah's quarters. I took a deep breath and sighed. Then I looked down at Tallah, who had an arm over my stomach and her head rested on my right shoulder. She was still sound asleep. As I saw her sleeping face, I realized that I had never seen such a beautiful face in my whole life.

Looking up at the ceiling, I smiled and reveled in what I finally found to be pure happiness. But it was short lived as memories of other things came flooding back. The look of horror on Guild and Ryndell's faces. I didn't have the heart to go and see it, but the image painted in my mind as I heard descriptions of what happened to those children. I whispered to myself, "We'll win this war for you."

Tallah opened her eyes and looked up at me smiling and I smiled back, putting aside my latest thoughts. She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and hugged me. We laid there for a few minutes more, just holding each other.

Finally, we got up and got dressed. Tallah had just fastened her belt over her tunic when Ryndell opened the door and walked in. I was just finishing buttoning my shirt and Ryndell stopped in her tracks when she saw me.

The three of us didn't really know what to say, but Ryndell, trying to pretend like it was nothing said, "I was just wanting to let you know that Master Skywalker is planning a memorial this afternoon for the lost students. Their families are already here." Without waiting for a response, she turned around and left.

When the door was closed, Tallah said, "Oh, no...I really didn't want her to know about this yet."

I walked up to her and put my arms around her waist. I looked into her eyes and said, "I'm not ashamed. Are you?"

"No," she said after a moment and shook her head. "I'm not ashamed."

We both smiled, kissed once more, and left her room.

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It wasn't until an hour or so that Tallah and I caught up with Ryndell. But by then, Guild was also there. Awkwardly, we explained the situation to them. A G-rated version, of course!

We simply explained to them that we loved each other. After the congratulations they gave us, they better explained to us what was happening with this memorial for the Jedi children.

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Outside the entrance to the Academy, a podium had been set up and Master Skywalker stood at the front. He was in full Jedi wardrobe and looked troubled, deeply cut and saddened, but strong and unwavering. Behind him on the podium were 3D holos of all of the Jedi students whose lives were taken only a few days ago by the Dark Jedi. It hurt to look at their smiling, innocent faces; knowing the tragedy and horror of their final moments of life.

A number of rows of benches were set up in an auditorium-like fashion. The first few rows were for the victims' families. There were many crying children, mothers with their faces buried in fathers' shoulders, the fathers doing their best to try and be strong for the family.

Behind them were the rest of the Jedi Order that was able to be there. But I'm sure that there was not a Jedi in the galaxy that would have allowed himself to miss this memorial. And behind us were reporters with holo-vids and cameras. Some trying to ask questions, others just listening to Master Skywalker. But for everyone, the mood was the same: quiet shock. It was no secret that many in the galaxy still did not like the Jedi, but even they shared sorrow for the tragedy.

Master Skywalker stood up front and delivered his speech. "Three days ago, two things happened that were never expected to happen. The Dark Jedi have returned to our galaxy with another army...and the lives of twenty-five young Jedi children were brought to a brutal ending. While we spend today to honor their memory, we must not forget that a war still must be fought.

"For the last few days, I have been receiving condolences for many people. Even from those who do view the Jedi in a positive light. I appreciate all who have shown concern and support for us. Perhaps the time has finally come for the Republic to see that this galaxy isn't split into the New Republic and the Jedi. We are all one and this galaxy belongs to all of us.

"If it was the goal of their actions to change us. To cut us in a way that will never fully heal, then...I suppose they succeeded. We won't ever be the same again. This will be another scar that will define the Order and become a part of who we are.

"If their goal was to destroy us. To cause us into a state of non-action or fear. Then they failed. What the Dark Jedi have done is defined our driving action. They have given us something to fight for.

"We now stand on the brink of war. This is not a war of Jedi vs. Dark Jedi. This is a war about keeping peace and freedom from being destroyed. This war belongs to all because this galaxy belongs to all. Divided we fall, united we stand.

"Our Jedi Order will fight until the end. We must finally bring an end to the Dark Jedi and their pure evil. To the whole galaxy, this is the oath that we give to you: we will not give up, we will not falter, and we will not fail."

As I listened to Master Skywalker's speech, I held hands firmly with Tallah. He's right. The only way that we can win this war is by everyone uniting. I only hope that everyone will see that. But I still can't get my first fight put by me. Will I always be this way? Will I never be able to kill a Dark Jedi? They say that war puts a man through many changes. What kind of a man will it turn me into?

TO BE CONCLUDED.

Coming up next is...The Second Arm of the Force III: Force Apocalypse