Chapter Eighteen
Palo was shown to his room and could hear some of the protesters from the window, he could hardly believe his people could be so unreasoning. He was trying to save their sons and daughters from the same fate as their fathers and grandfathers and even some of their grandmothers. He was scheduled to make a speech on the local holo-link later that night and it was weighing heavily on him. What he said could calm or inflame the protesters. As he watched the crowd he felt a gentle thud on the balcony railing and saw his protector standing on the rail looking down at the crowd. "I guess this means your are not scared of heights? Of course not after some of the things I have heard the Jedi can do, you wouldn't be."
Yoda turned and smiled at him in agreement. "When blood is spilled thinking stops, my Master always said. Spilled in this conflict, much blood has been. Very little thinking is being done. Wake them to reality of war, you will have to."
"Thank you, I think I have an idea." Palo ran inside started calling up information on the computer link to the Paquito database. He sat mumbling and practicing the rest of the day feverishly trying to come up with the right words and thoughts to avert more bloodshed and unthinking actions.
That night in his finest outfit he prepared to go to the studio where the holo- transmission was going to be transmitted, it had been decided that a live audience was too dangerous because of the tempers flaring. As they prepared to land, they were given an all-clear message that the area was safe but Yoda seemed concerned. Upon exiting the commuter ship at the news studio they saw a group of men come rushing out of the shadows.
Yoda called out through the Force. / TJ guard Palo. /
Yoda and TJ ignited their lightsabers and the burr of blue and green erupted. Yoda bounced flipped and removed the end off the blaster in the hand of the leader then bounced, swooped and did the same from two others. TJ batted the bolts aimed at Palo and pushed his hand down so he could not fire at the attackers himself. "Yoda's orders! We are to handle this not you." In the process of stopping Palo from shooting at the attackers a bolt got through and hit TJ in the side, a glancing blow but painful enough to cause JT to scream three blocks away.
Juri grabbed JT by the front of his tunic and robe and forcible kept him from running to his brother's aid. "We have to guard Pazia. This is why family connections are forbidden for Jedi! Either you learn to deal with your emotions this minute of you will never be a Jedi Knight. Yoda and TJ can take care of themselves, trust them. Now stand over by Pazia while I check the doors and windows for intruders."
JT walked over to Pazia's side and lit his lightsaber, the blue glow bounced of his face and Juri could see he wasn't happy but she knew he was aware of exactly what was going on with the others. The fact that there wasn't any further pain told her it was only a single blow yet he kept rubbing his side and wincing.
Yoda held off the crowd while TJ got Palo into the news studio then they slammed the door shut and locked it. "All right, are you?" Yoda asked TJ.
"Is Pazia all right?" Palo asked concerned about an attack on her might end his mission for good.
"Yes, she is safe. JT and Juri are checking the doors and windows for intruders but so far no one."
"Those men were using Pascal weapons and wearing Pascal clothing but they were to short for Pascalies. They had to be my people trying to blame the Pascalies for my death and keep this war going. This is so stupid." Palo said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Stupid, all war is." Yoda told him bluntly.
"I have to give my speech now, to show everyone I am still alive and tell them of this scheme." Then to the studio attendants he said. "Show me to the holo-imaging station. The attendant took him up a flight of stairs and down a long hall to a small room secluded and set up for this occasion. "Stand here and look this way, at the dot on the wall and the line of sight will be correct. When you are ready nod and we will commence the holo-recording. A blue light will shine while you are being scanned, start when you are ready.
Palo walked over to the spot, collected his thoughts and motioned to start. Bathed in the blue of the holo scan beam he started.
"Peoples of Paquito and Pascal, tonight is a turning point in our two star systems history. Later tonight our two planetary systems will become one just as Lady Pazia and I will become one in marriage. Earlier tonight a group of men dress as Pascalies, excuse me, as Pascalians tried to stop this broadcast. It was evident they were not Pascalians but Paquitoians hoping to stop this marriage and peace treaty from going through. I was recently told by wise man that when blood is spilled the thinking process stops. As a result very little thinking was being done by the protesters."
"I have in my hand three lists of names with two groups of ten names on each list. The first list has the ten names of the first casualties from both sides of this conflict. The second list has the last ten names of casualties from the recent battle at Mampolo from both sides. There were many names between these two lists on both sides of the conflict. My worst fear is that the names of this list the last ten babies born on Pascal and Paquito will one day join their ancestors on these lists. Mistakes were made on both sides of this conflict, there are grieving mothers, wives and children are on both planets. Let the blood spilled on these battlefields pay for the mistakes of the participants of these battles. Allow the names of this list to grow up in two worlds that are at peace. Allow Lady Pazia's and my children to bridge the gap between these two worlds. All we have to lose is the names on this list the last ten babies born on both planets. Thank you for listening."
Palo came out of the holo-imaging room visible drained and asked. "How did I do?"
"Sounds like, work it might." Yoda told him. "Wise man, I am, huh?"
Palo grinned and said. "You saved me and may have saved my people many years of more conflict that's wise to me."
Yoda and TJ escorted Palo to the Grand Mon Calamari Hall where the wedding was to be held and was told by the twins Lady Pazia was safely there also. The procession was short because of the security issues and the wedding was more modest than other Heads-of-State wedding but the bride and groom were adorned out in their finest. She looked lovely in a flowing silk gown of pale blue silk, with dark green and dark blue embossed swirls on the train. Her necklace and headdress was silver with emeralds encrusted in it to match the swirls in her train, her coal hair was braided through the headpiece and flowed down her back.
Palo was dressed in a dark blue leggings and a rust colored jacket embossed with black, blue and green stones his red hair had been cut short and curled profusely. He carried the traditional staff of Paquito; a meter long carved red wood cane with an onyx stone the size of a chicken's egg in the handle and green stones radiating down the sides of the staff. At the end of the ceremony he presented his new bride with a black and green marriage necklace combining the colors of the two peoples eyes as they hoped to combine the two peoples.
The bride and groom spent their honeymoon at a secret resort and were happy to hear that most of the people had accepted the speech and the marriage. Some chose to carry out their threat and not return to their home planet, this only help the peace process along though.
oOo
Yoda and Juri concluded their mission with the return of the wedding party to Paquito and returned to Coruscant to make their report to the Council. "Finished assignment to Pascal and Paquito, safely married and at home in Paquito to start marriage, the couple are. Dangers of marriage, even Jedi can not protect ones from." Yoda told the Council.
"And the twins? I was told one of them was injured. How did the other one handle his brothers endangerment?" Master Poof asked.
"JT was concerned but as a Jedi he remained at his post guarding Lady Pazia. I was proud of him for his ability to set aside his personal concerns and even his personal pain (since he felt his brothers injuries as if they were his own) and handled his assignment. I would feel comfortable taking them into battle at any time." Juri answered since she was the Master of the twin in question.
The Twins listened to the Councils questioning of them and both rubbed their sides when the mention of their injuries. They stood tall as they heard their Masters praising them to the Council and realized that everyone had been trying to separate them all those years because of this every situation.
"Do you boys think you will be able to handle your selves as Jedi in the future now that you have tasted the problems of having the other in danger and even injury." Master Loren asked the boys.
"Yes, Masters. We have experienced one of us being injured on assignment and with the help of Master Yoda and Master Juri have learned how to remain at our post during this, and we are sure, any future trials." The boys said in their usual unison twin speech.
"A good job your Masters have done with your training. We look forward to sending you on further missions. You may be dismissed. Master Yoda and Master Juri would you remain behind we have some question about a different matter to discuss with you."
The Council waited until the Padawans had left them Master Poof asked Yoda and Juri. "You were on Rampa during the industrial accident there. We have been told that the situation has become grave and if something isn't done soon there could be an even worse disaster. Is there anything you can tell us about the planet and its peoples?"
"Obstinate leaders were, more concerned with profits than workers' safety, they were." Yoda said. "Confusing, they were."
"Yes, Master Yoda is right. They even had the Jedi escorted to their ships and ordered off the planet in one hour. I do not think they will listen to an ordinary Jedi delegation. It will have to be some one powerful to get them to reason." Juri added.
"Just as I thought, I will have to go myself." Master Poof informed the other Council members.
"But Master Poof the danger is said to be great." Master Freene warned him.
"Then how could I ask anyone else to go in my place. No, I will go and we will see if they will disregard the Head of the Jedi Council." Master Poof announced.
"Yoda will you accompany me to my ship, I have some things to discuss with you while we walk." Master Poof asked.
As they left the Council Chamber and headed for Master Poof's ship, he said. "I have discussed your request with the Council for you to be able to take a sabbatical once you have been appointed Master. They have approved it and have placed a note in your file for future members of the Council and I have also placed a note in your file, that you are my most trusted Jedi friend. A hundred years? That brings up many questions about your species but I …we have agreed to respect your privacy. We are at a loss as to what you hope to learn about the Force that you don't already know."
"Master Poof, time before I will be leaving, there is. Why now are we discussing this?" Yoda asked puzzled.
"As you know this is a dangerous mission and there is always the possibility I will not come back. I just wanted to tell you now that you were right. You have become a great Jedi Knight and one day, I am sure you will be the Head of the Jedi Council. You will be a great leader of the Jedi order and I am proud to have been there to see you start on your path. Take care of the future for us. If I come back safe fine but I just had to tell you this, just in case."
"Happy to learn under your tutelage, I have been. Great example you have given me to follow." Yoda said feeling as Poof did this would be the last time he would see his friend.
oOo
AN: SURPRISE! I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO HAVE A POST FOR TODAY BUT MY MUSE WOKE UP THIS MORNING.