The Mandalorian Wars6

Chaper 5

This summit was unusual for the enclave. As a school for young Jedi, the academy on Dantoine was always buzzing with activity, a stark contrast to the quiet fields of the farm planet. Usually, young Jedi could be found all over the grounds, training or enjoying time with their peers. This time things were different. Just that morning, the Jedi had attended the services honoring the fallen soldiers and settlers, as well as those taken captive. Over 134 lives were lost or missing. That was a price very few had been willing to pay. It was ironic. So many more people had died in this war that 134 people lost seemed insignificant, but it was the first time many in the Order had come face to face with the war. It made the Mandalorians seem even closer, making the need to end their reign of terror even more paramount to many.

By the afternoon, the members of the Council called an assembly announce the promotion of several Padawans to Knight status. This usually required the students to undergo the Trials, but considering the demonstrations on Courisant and the battle that had ensued on the Traveler, the members of the council thought that they had already completed what they needed to be true Jedi.

The council sat in the center of the large circular hall while those chosen were called forward. The crowd seemed to ease from its tension when two in particular were called – Revan and Malak. The twins were respected among their peers and to see them promoted was almost like promoting all of the Padawans.

"The ceremony will be at the end of the week, students," Kavar noted. "You have our sincere congratulations. You've done well." He smiled at each student, but stopped at Revan, who was looking down with an unusual facial expression. "Revan? Do you have something you want to say?"

Revan took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She then took a step forward and held her hands behind her back. "With your permission, Master, I'd like to address the council."

"Please do," Master Vandar responded.

"I wish to ask the council . . . what is the purpose of the Jedi?"

There was a pregnant pause in the room. No one spoke, not even the very youngest of students. The council looked at each other, not quite knowing where this line of questioning was going, but knowing that it needed a response. "Our purpose," Master Vrook finally responded, " is already known to you. We are blessed with knowledge of the Force and use that knowledge to teach others the way of peace. We are to serve and protect those who need our protection through the Force without thought of personal gain or ourselves. It is our duty to protect the Republic."

"Then I ask you, why is the council unwilling to aide the Republic against the Mandalorians?" Disbelief and shock found themselves in waves passing from student to student. They stared at Revan, then the council, then each other as the council sat silently. Even Malak glanced in Revan's direction.

The woman took another step towards Vandar, the head of the council, and spoke again. "Why are we willing to stand and do nothing while millions die?"

"We have never said that we will not assist the Republic," a female master spoke. "We just have declined at this moment."

"But through our inaction, are we not disobeying our own code?" Revan persisted.

"There is more at stake here than just the Mandalorians, Padawan," another master spoke. "The Dark Side taints this war."

"All the more reason for the council to intervene," Revan countered. "Send us, Masters, please! We will carry out whatever orders you wish, but do not allow others to die because of your indecision."

"Instead you would have us lose even more due to hasty actions," Vrook countered back harshly. "The dark side clouds this war, Revan, and if you cannot see this then perhaps you should not have been chosen for Knighthood!"

"Why are you doing this?" Revan's voice seemed small now, almost child-like. "Why do you refuse to help?" She searched the council's faces, ending with her newest master, Kavar. When no one spoke or changed their stoic gaze, she stiffened and gave them one of her own. "Don't you realize that this contradiction, this confusion between our code and our actions could be just as bad as any Mandalorian threat? Maybe the Dark Side taint doesn't just end with the Mandalorian side. Maybe it extends even further." She glanced at each council member, and then turned her attention to Vrook. "If you cannot see the damage our inaction is causing , perhaps you should not have been chosen as our Masters."

Many students collectively caught their breath at Revan's comments and a few council members stood, clearly emotional. Kavar stood finally, walking over to his student. "You are dismissed, Revan," he said with a forcefulness Revan had never heard from him before. "Leave. The council will deal with you later."

Revan looked down for a moment, then murmured an apology to Kavar and the other Masters. She then turned and after passing a glance to Malak, left the room, leaving a group of very confused Jedi looking at the spot in which she once stood. For the first time, doubt roamed the Jedi halls.

"Much defiance in that one."

"Perhaps we should postpone her Knighthood."

"She may have been a bit outspoken, but Revan was right. There is a consequence for every action . . . and inaction."

"Perhaps we should have explained to the students why we asked for time to examine the situation."

"This is a dangerous time for her – she is becoming tempted by the Dark Side. She couldn't be trusted to listen rationally."

"Revan is becoming a danger to herself and the other Padawans. If she chooses to disobey our orders, others will follow."

"Then perhaps we should act."

"The council doesn't cater to its students. For their own protection, they must be kept out of this war. Remember Exar Kun and those who came after him. Jedi must be allowed to enter war very carefully and only when it's absolutely necessary."

"Then we are asking her to chose between her beliefs, the beliefs we instilled in her, and our orders."

"Perhaps Revan should be taken back to Courisant under the tutelage of her old Master, where she will not be as influenced by the side-effects of the war."

"That will only delay the problem."

"And what about the other Padawans? Removing Revan from their presence may be construed at admitting her correctness."

"They will be reminded to trust in the Force and our wisdom, just as Revan will."

"Yes, have you come with questions?"

"Yes. And I need some answers."

Revan walked across the long room to face an elderly woman who sat in front of a computer console. She was the first Master Revan ever had and as such, was the one Revan trusted the most. The elderly woman stopped her task on the computer for a moment, then smiled and patted the seating area beside her. "Then sit, child," the woman said. Revan obeyed and for a while, neither spoke. "You created quite a commotion in the assembly, I'm told," the woman finally spoke. "Did the council not answer all of your questions?"

"No, Kreia, they didn't. They just told me to trust the Force to lead them in the right direction. They said it should be enough."

"Is it?"

"If you had asked me that two days ago, I would have said yes, but now, I'm not so sure."

"It takes great courage to look your teacher in the eye and question his answer, and you did that today."

"Yes, but I'm no closer to solving my problem." Revan paused a minute as Kreia's attention turned back slightly to her work in the Jedi archives. "Kreia, has anyone ever left the order?"

"Our past is littered with the tales of fallen Jedi –"

"No, I don't mean to become Sith. Has anyone left the order and remained a Jedi?"

There was a pause. "Not to my knowledge. Think carefully on this, Revan. The council will strip you of our rank and connection with the Force for such an action."

I'll be considered dangerous to everyone around me."

"As well as yourself. A Force -Sensitive is dangerous from the moment of birth. Through training and discipline, the danger is controlled, pacified, but it still remains. No Jedi can be allowed to act without the eyes of the council watching. The Dark Side is too tempting, too appealing."

Kreia looked at Revan and could see that she was thinking on this. She continued. "If you go, you will not go alone. Others will follow."

"I think I can convince Malak to stay."

"Ah, but can you convince the hundreds of Jedi who saw your rebellion?"

"Hundreds? Kreia, there aren't that many Jedi in the entire enclave."

"No, but word of your actions has passed to the other schools. You have influenced more than you know. Your decision to leave could pull out half of the next generation of Jedi with you. Is the threat that great? Would you be willing to destroy the Jedi Order in order to save the Republic?"

"Do I have to choose? Can't I have both?"

"It doesn't work that way, Revan."