Chapter Eight: Reason and Discord

Revan and Malak stepped into the Jedi High Council chamber at the top of a spire of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. They looked with awe and reverence on the twelve Masters who sat in chairs surrounding the chamber. Revan stepped forward to the center of the chamber and bowed. Malak hesitated, overcame his intimidation, then followed.

"Greetings, Masters. I am Revan and this is Malak, Jedi Knights sent by the Council on Dantooine. We bring a report on the Mandalorian attack on the Juurok system in the Outer Rim." Revan addressed the Jedi seated directly across from the chamber entrance, though he did not know who the head of the Council was.

A female human Jedi in white robes was seated on the right-hand side of the chamber. It was she who spoke first. "Greetings, Revan and Malak, and welcome to Coruscant. I am Atris, historian of the Jedi Temple. Please, let the Council hear your report."

Revan turned to face the impassive Jedi Master. "The homeworld of the Juurok has been destroyed. The Mandalorians bombed the surface of the planet into rubble, wiping out the settlements and killing the inhabitants. We visited the ruins of many villages and towns, and we found no survivors. The officers of the Republic ship in orbit told us that this is typical of the Mandalorians when they attack worlds with no military strength. They see them as weak, and not worth plundering."

The members of the council shared grave looks with one another. The master seated across from the chamber entrance said, "We have heard similar reports from other Outer Rim worlds. The Mandalorians are sweeping through the territories, almost unopposed. Millions of innocents have died. Do we need to hear more?"

Atris turned her impassive gaze on him and replied, "Yes, Master Kavar, we need to hear all the reports. We have been asked by the Republic for help, but we must not rush into battle unwisely. Aggression leads to the Dark Side. Why are the Mandalorians content to raid Outer Rim planets? The Republic ships sent to intervene have all been destroyed. We must ascertain why they do not strike closer to the heart of the Republic."

A female master, of a species that Revan had not encountered before, but near-human, added her agreement. "Atris is right, Kavar. It may be that by allowing ourselves to get drawn into the conflict, we will only make matters worse, and countless more will suffer than need be. We cannot take that risk."

Kavar nodded. "Yes, I see your point. I feel the taint of the Dark Side about this whole business. We must not let it cloud our judgement."

Malak watched Revan during this exchange, and could see that his friend wished to speak. He slowly laid his hand on Revan's arm as if to restrain him. Revan glanced over at him, understood and nodded. He slowly relaxed and remained silent.

"Atris turned to them once more. "You report is appreciated. You are welcome to stay here in the Temple as long as you wish. There are many Masters here to give you instruction, should you wish it, and the Jedi Archives contain much knowledge that would be of interest to you. May the Force be with you both."

Revan and Malak turned to leave, but just as they reached the door, Revan stopped, and strode back into the chamber.

"We should move against them," he said.

The Council members stared at him in shock. "What?" Atris said.

"I have spoken to some of the Rebublic commanders that survived battles with the Mandalorians. They said that the Mandalorians are fearless and brutal, but their tactics are heavy-handed. With the Jedi supporting them, the Republic troops could--"

Master Kavar cut him off, "Yes, with Jedi help the Republic forces may be victorious, but we don't know if our involvement would widen the confrontation and put more heavily populated worlds at risk. I have had messages from Master Vandar about you, Revan. I have looked forward to meeting you both. But you must trust in the wisdom of the Jedi Council."

Revan bowed. "Yes, Master." He turned and left the chamber with Malak.

The lift sped down the spire of the temple, carrying the two Knights toward the archives. Malak was uneasy, and finally burst out, "What did you hope to accomplish? You heard them! It is unwise to get involved too soon. We should listen to Kavar and Atris."

Revan scowled at his friend, "Master Kavar feels the way I do, you could see that. You saw what Juurok was like. Don't you think we should help now, before others share that fate?"

"Of course I want to help, I think we should protect the innocent, too! But what if they are right?" Malak stopped pacing the liftcar and looked Revan in the eye. "What if it becomes worse?"

Revan's shoulders slumped and he leaned against the wall of the car. "You're right, Malak. We should be patient, and trust the Council's wisdom. I'm sure once all the reports are in, they will offer our services to the Senate. It just saddens me to see so many suffer while the decision is made."

Malak put a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know, my friend. But we must safeguard the many, not just the few."