My next mission was requested by none other than the Senatorial representative of Pantora and its Chairman themselves. It concerned the planet our home moon orbited, Orto Plutonia. The Republic base that had been built there had gone silent which meant that an investigation was required to understand what had happened, and although Master Skywalker and Obi-Wan were selected to go, I was also requested by my own people, possibly in the belief that I would be partial to their wishes being one of them. I agreed to go as an advisor and also as a guardian for both the Chairman and Senator, though I was uncertain of the reason why the Chairman felt that three full ranked Jedi were necessary for a simple investigation. It made me suspicious of him, and when we met, I immediately found a rather strong dislike for him. His nose was constantly lifted above all others, though the Senator was milder and almost timid, which I found an odd trait in a politician. In any case, it made for an unpleasant ride as I accompanied them in the transport to the planet's surface.
Obi-Wan and Skywalker needed to dress in thick furs and coats in order to withstand the cold, however I was comfortable enough in my ordinary attire and cloak, being used to temperatures far more freezing than this. The Chairman stepped out first, leading the way as he called out in approach to Master Obi-Wan, though he addressed him as a general. "Chairman Cho, Senator Chuchi. I suggest you wait here until we can secure the area." Obi-Wan announced as we all walked over, the company of clone troopers adding to the protective detail on the Chairman which truly felt excessive. This planet was uninhabited and there was no indication of droid activity, so I had no idea what made him so paranoid.
Upon reaching my fellow Jedi, I gave a nod of my head as the snow and wind whipped at my hair and cloak, making it impossible to keep up my hood so I left it down, unbothered by the chill. "I respect your judgement, General Kenobi, but I will go where I choose. This is sovereign Pantora territory."
"I thought this planet was uninhabited, and therefore, it's not aligned." Anakin pointed out bluntly in the face of the rather…intense…chairman.
"Our moon of Pantora is the only civilization in this system. I'm the one who asked the Senate to protect this planet. This wasteland belongs to us." I could understand it being called a wasteland, but as to why the Chairman felt it was so imperative to protect an uninhabited rock of ice and snow, I could not bring myself to even try to understand as Obi-Wan responded.
"With all due respect, Chairman, this is for the Senate to decide, not us."
"Ah, but the Jedi report to the Senate, which is Senator Chuchi of Pantora." He introduced and the younger, smaller senator stepped forward to clarify the law.
"Technically speaking, Master Jedi, the Chairman is correct. Since the planet is uninhabited, the moon of Pantora reserves the right to continue as its protectorate." Accepting her word on the matter, Obi-Wan instructed Anakin to remain with the Senator whilst he searched the base, however upon moving off, the Chairman followed and barked an order at me to join him.
"Well? Aren't you coming too? You are my protector, are you not? As a Pantoran civilian, my safety must remain your top priority!" The Chairman snapped towards me and Anakin made to retort, looking rather angered by the blatant rudeness but I walked past him and gave him a look, silently telling him not to engage. It made no difference to me where I stood, or whether I was guarding the Chairman or the Senator, so I followed along with Obi-Wan as we entered the base to investigate what had happened. It was nothing like we expected. The first and most crucial detail was the fact that the helmets of the clones had been placed on pikes, adorning the floor of the base as our group moved inside. "It must be Separatists." Chairman Cho insisted, barely having stepped through the door before making his decision.
"I am not sure." Obi-Wan and I shared a look. "What say you Master Theca?"
"Droids are not decorative." I responded blandly, reaching out and touching a helmet in order to receive a sense of the echo that had been left behind. "The Force is disturbed in this place, there was a great deal of anger here. I can still feel it." Nodding his head, Obi-Wan and I continued to move forwards further into the base, Captain Rex and his men ensuring that all rooms were clear as we made our way upwards to central command where the bodies of the men who had been left to defend the base remained. I searched for any survivors, but there were none.
"Do you think the Separatists are building a forward base to attack Pantora?" The Chairman demanded as he continued to follow Obi-Wan and I as we followed through with our investigation of the base.
"I don't think we're dealing with Separatists. These computers haven't been touched." Obi-Wan noted as I checked on the base itself, running a diagnostics report to see what had been tampered with, but everything was still operating, though there appeared to be slight damage to a few areas, the base itself was fully functional, it had merely gone silent with no one to operate it.
"Sir, our scouts have spotted a droid base on the other side of the ice ridge." Captain Rex reported as I continued to pull up reports on the base, trying to find surveillance footage of what had happened here.
"Theca, will you be alright here with the Chairman and Senator if Anakin and I go to investigate the droid base?" Obi-Wan questioned me so I looked up and nodded my head.
"Contact me if anything goes wrong. I'll get the base back up and running again whilst you're gone. Take care. I have a feeling that this planet may not be as uninhabited as it seems." I warned Obi-Wan who nodded his head before signalling the all clear to Anakin, allowing Senator Chuchi up to join us. Obi-Wan went with Anakin and a squad of clones to investigate the other base, leaving the rest with us here and the Chairman soon took to barking out orders, seemingly completely in his element reigning over all the rest, though when he tried to order me about too, I merely sent him a cold stare.
"Did you not hear me? I said I want the weapon system back online immediately! We need those shields to be operational in preparation for a Separatist attack!"
"You seem rather adamant that the Separatists are going to attack your home, Chairman Cho. I have to wonder what intelligence you have which allows you such clarification." I said to him calmly as I continued about my own business, carrying the data-pad in my hand in order to receive the results of all the diagnostic scans. "Are those sensors placed outside? Good, good, make sure they're operating properly in the storm. Equipment tends to fluctuate in extreme weathers, ice especially." Now ignoring the Chairman, I continued to help the troopers getting the base back into full operation once again as Senator Chuchi timidly asked what made the Chairman so certain that the Separatists were behind the attack. Although I continued to look busy, I ensured that I was paying attention.
"Look around, Senator. Isn't this carnage proof enough?"
"I know, but there are no dead droids here, no blast marks. The clones' injuries were not consistent with what…"
"So, you're an expert on war now, are you Senator?" Cutting her off, the Chairman believed in his own arrogance too much to be able to listen to the wisdom of anyone else, making me sigh silently to myself as I helped to lift down a clone trooper who had been killed and fallen across part of the console, gently bringing him down and laying him out for someone else to take away so that he could be properly buried. "Let me tell you something, Senator. I have led our people since before you were born. I've seen a hundred planets rise and fall through force of arms. If it's not the Separatists out there then it's a malevolent and aggressive enemy, nonetheless, and I will not let whoever it is jeopardize the security of the people of Pantora." The Chairman announced forcibly as he strode across the command centre, Senator Chuchi following him.
"But if the Jedi discover that the Separatists aren't behind this, then perhaps there is a peaceful resolution." Getting into the lift in order to go below, the Chairman turned in order to face the young Senator with a cold, calculative tone.
"Senator, I am willing to fight and die for my people. It's time to ask yourself if you are brave enough to do the same." I could sense the unease in the Senator after the Chairman had left, so I put down the data-pad for the moment in order to approach her, intending to offer my counsel.
"War and violence is never the solution to peace." I spoke, making her turn quickly to face me. "In the end, peace is always accomplished through talking. Your Chairman's judgement is clouded through fear and lust for power. Do not allow his way become yours. I sense you are more sensible than that." She seemed surprised that I would speak openly to her, glancing around for a moment before eventually responding.
"Master Rouyn, do you think the Separatists are responsible for all this?"
"No, I do not Senator Chuchi, and I know that you do not think so either. Never allow yourself to be spoken over, not when you know yourself to be right." I told her before turning, picking up the data-pad once more.
"Perhaps if you were to speak to the Chairman, to reason with him…he may respect your views far more than he would respect mine." She suggested, beginning to follow me as I went over to the control and debugged the system in order to get our generators back online, allowing heat to flood through the ventilation shafts as well as charge up the shields.
"He should respect your opinion. You are Pantora's senator, after all."
"But you are a Jedi, and you are from Pantora, surely he would listen."
"I do not speak for Pantora, or its people." Correcting her before she could become deluded with the idea that my word would be for the benefit of Pantora, I looked at her once more, thinking how she could have become a politician at her age. She was clearly ill-equipped for the position if she was unable to even speak her mind to her own Chairman. "My mind is unbiased and my conscience clear. My loyalty is to the Jedi Order and our creed. We serve all and defend the light, I cannot place one people above another. I may have been born on Pantora, but I am a Jedi. Do not forget this, Senator Chuchi. You cannot rely on me to argue your case for you. You must do that yourself if you are ever to become a respected Senator." She blinked, and I wondered if perhaps I had been too harsh but became distracted with a communication from Obi-Wan.
They were headed to a canyon, following a lead they had found at the droid base so I brought up a map of the area in order to keep track of them. Soon enough it was dark out and the snowstorm was coming down as a thick blizzard, but thankfully Obi-Wan and the others all returned safely, and when the sensors indicated that they were passing the outlying border on their speeders, I went down with Chairman Cho and Senator Chuchi to greet them, though the chairman got straight to the point and demanded to know what they had found as Obi-Wan took off his hood and goggles. "It seems we've stumbled upon an inhabited planet."
"Impossible! Our explorers have spent much time here over the long history of Pantora. No one lives here. They're trespassers."
"With respect Chairman Cho, these creatures, the Talz, aren't advanced enough to master space travel. I think they may have been here longer than Pantora." Obi-Wan reasoned as I listened with interest, moving forwards in order to stand beside Skywalker and ask him quietly about the Talz to get a better understanding of what creatures they were, however Chairman Cho continually interrupted with his fierce defensiveness against any idea that the Talz had a right to their own home.
"Whoever they are, they belong to us. This whole system belongs to us!"
"Your Majesty, if there are life forms here, then the Senate must decide jurisdiction." Senator Chuchi stepped in, her soft voice attempting to bring reason to the debate however the Chairman remained adamant in his belief of sovereignty over this planet.
"They are savages. Looks what they've done. They've slaughtered your troops!"
"They are sentient beings, Chairman Cho." I spoke up leisurely, folding my arms as I stood on side with Skywalker and Obi-Wan, as if to clearly distinguish myself as a Jedi Knight rather than a citizen of Pantora. "And therefore, you cannot believe yourself to be above them. All life forms have a right to govern themselves however they should choose. You should not interfere." The chairman glared at me, but before he could respond Obi-Wan stepped in, informing us all that the Talz merely wished to be left alone.
"The droids attacked them and I'm afraid our outpost got caught in the middle."
"They must be subdued, they're dangerous." Chairman Cho insisted before turning to Rex. "Captain Rex, prepare your troops for battle." Alarmed at how swiftly this was moving towards conflict, I looked to Senator Chuchi to have her interfere as the representative of the Senate, but she backed away and lowered her head.
"We promised their chief there would be no retaliation." Skywalker announced, Obi-Wan then continuing to inform us that there had been an arrangement for negotiations between their chieftain and High Council and the Chairman and Senator.
"Peace is the only way forward, Chairman Cho. If you enact war upon these people, you would be condemning yourself to history as a warmongering leader who started a war on a planet that by rights should have independence." Stepping up firmly, I attempted to reason with the Chairman. "At least meet with these creatures, and see for yourself what they are like. They attacked only because they felt threatened, if we can come to understand one another, then conflict shall not be necessary by any means."
"We can't send troopers, they'll think we lied." Anakin agreed with me as the three of us stood facing the Chairman, but I sensed our reason were having no affect upon his decision.
"These creatures are little more than animals. You can't lie to an animal. They can't be trusted." Senator Chuchi now spoke, but before she could even get a word in, the Chairman cut over her. "No! It is obvious these creatures are not covered by the Convention of Civilised Systems. The Jedi Council has no say in the matter." I was not one for conflict, but I was starting to feel that perhaps a strong hand against the Chairman might be necessary to knock some sense into him. Clearly he had been in a seat of power for far too long.
"If the Jedi are able to communicate with them, their status is in doubt." Turning on her once more, the Chairman demanded rather aggressively if she was standing against him, her own Chairman, which caused her to hastily backtrack. "Of course not Your Majesty."
"If we are going to meet with Thi-Sen and his council at the arranged time, we will have to leave now." Nodding my head gracefully to indicate that I was on board with Obi-Wan, I began to prepare myself to leave, selecting a speeder to take as everyone hastened to get going. We could only take a few of the troopers along with us since there were not enough speeders and bikes for everyone, but enough were able to accompany us to warrant Chairman Cho feeling that he was in a position to order a pre-emptive strike against the Talz and their leader by ordering Captain Rex to place men on the ice ridge, intending to shoot the Talz despite the fact that this was meant to be a delegation of peace, causing Obi-Wan to respond with a strong tone of authority. "There will be no attack, Chairman."
"You will do as I command! This planet is under my jurisdiction!"
"But the Jedi do not answer to you, Chairman Cho, and these men are not yours to command either." I pointed out serenely as I walked past them, drawing down my hood as I looked around to catch my first glimpse of these curious creatures, and I was not disappointed. As I had sensed, Talz scouts had been following us for a time already, and now we were surrounded by them. They were large and covered in thick coats of fur to protect them from the freezing temperatures of the planet, and as I regarded them, I sensed that they were on edge, but not naturally aggressive. They were no predators, merely people trying to defend their home.
Waiting for Obi-Wan and Anakin, I walked with them to approach whom I could only judge to be the chieftain of the Talz, Thi-Sen, who was waiting for us with a great number of his own warriors to observe us carefully as our delegation moved closer. I allowed the other two to go first, greeting Thi-Sen with a bow before I did the same, not wishing to appear threatening by any means as the protocol droid, Cee-Three-Pee-Oh, shuffled his way forwards in order to translate. He spoke to the chieftain before then turning around to deliver the answer Thi-Sen had given. "Chieftain Thi-Sen welcomes you to his home and hopes you come in peace. He wishes to be good neighbours, but he does not wish you to remain on his planet."
"Listen droid, translate everything I say and exactly as I say it." Narrowing my eyes at the Chairman's continued aggressive behaviour, I shared a concerned look with Obi-Wan. I sensed that conflict was now on the horizon. It appeared that Senator Chuchi sensed the same, as she quickly stepped forwards in order to offer to represent Pantora in the negotiations but she was rather roughly pushed aside. "Not on your life, Senator. There will be no diplomacy this time." Surging forwards, the Chairman flung out a hand to point at the chieftain, even knocking the protocol droid aside and I had to quickly catch him in order to set him upright before he could fall. "Listen here you savage, this world belongs to the moon of Pantora, and as the Supreme Chairman and Exalted Ruler of Pantora, you will not command me to leave this planet or do anything else!"
"Your Majesty, we can't." Speaking up once more, Senator Chuchi pushed down the Chairman's arm in order to stand between him and the chieftain but he pushed her aside once more and ordered the protocol droid to translate, and would not listen to any recommendations from any of us for a less confrontational approach to this matter. As expected, the Talz did not appreciate the threat from the Chairman, despite the fact that Obi-Wan and Anakin had promised them peace. In response, the Chairman announced that this was now an internal affair of Pantora, and that we as the Jedi had no further business in the matter. This was what I feared would happen.
"The great Thi-Sen, 'Son of Suns', asks again that you leave or it will mean war." Continuing on his campaign, the Chairman elected to go to war, and the Talz left in anger and fury, Chairman Cho appearing rather pleased with himself as he left and ordered Captain Rex to follow him with his men into battle. This was not how I had hoped things would go, but as a Jedi, I felt that it was part of my duty to protect the peace to do something. Captain Rex had no choice but to go with Chairman Cho to protect him, as he seemed adamant to lead what he had deluded himself into believing would be a glorious battle. Glory for himself, perhaps, but ultimately, it would cast him into the light of a tyrant as we three Jedi went to Senator Chuchi.
"Senator, you know a pre-emptive strike is illegal. Isn't there anything you can do to stop him?"
"I'm afraid not, he has proclaimed this conflict an internal affair." This may be the case, but that does not mean that we were powerless here.
"You could petition the Jedi Council for an intervention." Obi-Wan suggested, though Senator Chuchi responded with shock at the thought of going behind the Chairman's back to undermine him. Pressing her, Anakin asked if there was someone on Pantora who could grant authorization, making her suddenly smile. "The Speaker of the Assembly. He has the power." Settled on the plan to ask for an intervention, Obi-Wan suggested that we all returned the base, however I had other plans.
"I will go with Chairman Cho in order to ensure that as little damage is inflicted upon relations here." I decided, thinking deeply. "Although a Jedi, I may be able to argue as a Pantoran, that I am able to act within this internal conflict. Skywalker, might I borrow your droid for a while? I should like to see if I can reason with Thi-Sen myself. If I can persuade him to hold off from attacking for just a little while longer, I may be able to buy you all some time." Allowing me to borrow the droid, I waved my hand in order to have it follow me, going to a speeder as I quietly asked Captain Rex to stall for time, responding with a quick nod of his head before announcing that some of the speeders had frozen and needed to thaw, angering the Chairman with the delay.
Having the droid mount behind me, I took a speeder and headed over the ice ridge where the Talz had disappeared, knowing that they wouldn't be far. Indeed, it did not take long for them to find me, cutting me off as I headed down an ice path and soon surrounding me, making Threepio rather nervous as he gibbered. "Goodness me, if I do not freeze my circuits out here, I'll be made into scrap!"
"Calm yourself, droid, I shall not allow harm to come to you." I assured him, dismounting the speeder and walking forwards to Thi-Sen, who was easily distinguishable by his garb. "Translate for me, if you will."
"Yes, yes of course." First I bowed low, signalling that I did not mean any harm or threat to the Talz before speaking, fully aware of the fact I had many spears pointed at me.
"Great leader of the Talz Thi-Sen, I am Theca Rouyn, Jedi Knight and a citizen of Pantora. I humbly come to you in peace and apology, for the words of Chairman Cho." Threepio dutifully translated, however when he paused to tell me that there was no word for Jedi in the Talz language, I inclined my head. "Then teach it to them. Explain that I am a peace keeper for many worlds and all peoples." Satisfied with the direction, Threepio continued to translate my words as I continued to study the chieftain, whom I sensed was now listening and not as aggressive as before. "Our wishes are not the same as that of Chairman Cho, we wish for peace between us, and if possible, it my sincerest wish that we avoid bloodshed on both sides. Your people are noble warriors, and would no doubt fight with honour and skill worthy of recognition, but it is my belief that all life is sacred, and we must protect it where possible." Waiting for Threepio to catch up, I then continued once he paused. "Great leader Thi-Sen, please allow me to stand before my people and defend your home and people. If you would grant me permission, then I will endeavour to limit the loss of life on both sides. It would be an honour to act as a guardian to your people." Bowing once more, I patiently waited for the last of my words to be translated as Thi-Sen then considered, speaking first to his people as they continued to surround me, until he then made a signal and their spear points then turned away from me.
"Great leader Thi-Sen finds your proposal a noble one, however he does not wish for his people to be protected by outsiders as they are capable of defending themselves." Threepio translated and I listened closely. "Chieftain Thi-Sen will, however, allow you to try and reason with your own people and Chairman Cho before he acts. He says he is curious to see what a peace keeper can accomplish in a time of war." Poignant as his words were, I also had to wonder what a non-aggressive pacifist like me could do.
"I thank Chieftain Thi-Sen for his generosity. I can promise that he will not be disappointed." We bowed a final time to one another before Thi-Sen ordered his people to leave and I returned to the speeder in order to head back before the others could leave, thinking it through in my head. I will no doubt be going against many laws if I were to go through with my actions, however I could argue that I had more or less received a petition from the Talz to intervene. In a manner of speaking. My negotiations with Chairman Cho will simply be…forceful. Threepio joined me back on the speeder and I returned him to Anakin, briefly explaining that I had my own path to follow but by no account should they tarry in receiving permission from the Speaker of the Assembly for Jedi intervention.
With Threepio now back with the others, I followed after where Captain Rex and Chairman Cho had already left, having been unable to delay him for long. They were easy enough to track with the snow which was beginning to ease, so I pursued their course and scanned the surroundings for life forms and sure enough, the Talz were lying in wait. Before they could attack, however, I stood up on my speeder and balanced it, continuing forwards and with my hand raised upwards, I focused on the flow of the Force to disturb a great mound of snow upon a mountainside and, with a powerful pull, brought it tumbling down.
The avalanche came swiftly and forced the soldiers and the Chairman to halt before they could become consumed by it, their path now blocked as I then vaulted forwards and summersaulted over their heads, landing before them to also block their way and pointedly stood there, eyeing the Chairman silently as he bellowed. "Jedi Rouyn! You are out of order! I command you to step aside and let us pass. We are at war!"
"I do not recognise this war, and nor shall I step aside. You do not command me, Chairman Cho." I announced as the snow shifted behind me, now settling into a raised bank. Outraged, Chairman Cho instead ordered his men and Captain Rex to shoot me, but only his own personal guards obeyed. They fired their blasters at me but I neatly moved my head to the side, avoiding both. Now the Chairman also began to shoot and with a twirl of my lightsaber hilt as it jumped to my hand, I ignited both blades and deflected the blaster bolts back to their speeders, hitting them so that they became utterly useless.
Then with a Force push, I sent everyone backwards, pushing them away further and further until we were more out in the open, my lightsaber still in hand. "This will not end in bloodshed, Chairman. You may as well give in."
"You have no right to interfere!"
"The Talz allowed me to renegotiate with you for a settlement of ceasefire until the conflict can be resolved. I have every right to at least stand in your way." I responded as my voice carried upon the strong winds before then taking up my defensive stance of my favoured form, my lightsaber arm drawn back parallel to my shoulder with a low stance, ready to deflect any further blaster bolts that came my way. "Now, will you surrender your weapon peacefully, or must I take it from you?" Chairman Cho was of no mind to surrender and began to shot at me again so I deflected the blaster bolts and quickly relieved him of his weapon, summoning it out of his hand and did the same to his two guards just as the Talz burst out of the snow, surrounding us.
Dropping the three weapons, I requested that Captain Rex remained calm and did not engage with them, sheathing my weapon and holding up my hands in order to commune with the Talz. Thi-Sen and a great many of his warriors were riding four legged mounts which snarled as they remained still, pawing at the snow as the entire platoon became surrounding. "See what you have done? You have brought us to our doom! Shoot them! Shoot them!"
"They will not attack. I sense that they have no intention of striking first." I spoke calmly as I waved my hand, registering the feelings and expressions of the Talz. "Please, lay down your weapons and await the decision of the Speaker of the Assembly." Chairman Cho began to bellow at me, unleashing his wrath but no matter what he said, I allowed it to fall over my head peacefully, as at least he was directing his anger towards me and not the Talz, though some started to become impatient. One threw a spear towards us but I leisurely caught it with the Force and passed it back to the warrior, who appeared rather shocked and now, the Talz remained where they were, whispering in their own tongue to one another.
Soon enough we were joined by the transport ships carrying the rest of the platoon, as well as Senator Chuchi, Obi-Wan, Anakin and Threepio. "Ah, Senator, Master Jedi, good. Seize that no account traitor and order these men to attack the Talz immediately!" The Chairman ordered, however Senator Chuchi shook her head gravely.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Chairman. The Pantoran assembly has called you out of order. I am to negotiate peace." Satisfied that a crisis had been averted, I smoothly joined Obi-Wan and Anakin once more, drawing up my hood as the Chairman started in outrage.
"No, impossible! Peace? I would die before we have peace with these savages!"
"Unfortunately, it is no longer within your authority to decide." Standing tall, Senator Chuchi could be seen taking a deep breath as if for courage before asking Threepio to follow her, approaching the chieftain, Thi-Sen, who dismounted his beast in order to face her. I too moved forwards, close enough so that I could respond should the Talz decide that peace was no longer possible and there was a need to protect the Senator, but from what I could see, the negotiation was going well as the Senator announced that she would rather live for her people than die for them, and once Thi-Sen agreed, she assured him that the Talz would be recognised by Pantora as the sovereign protectors of Orto Plutonia, their home.
When all bowed, I was satisfied that peace was to be had. Stepping aside in order to turn, I noticed that Thi-Sen was looking at me, and so I bowed to the chief as a sign of respect, one that he returned before we all went our separate ways. I was glad to have been of some assistance in this matter and that no lives had been lost in this skirmish, though Obi-Wan warned me that I would possibly face a reprimand for acting on my own. "I acted within the guide of my conscience, to prevent unnecessary loss of life and encourage the formation of peace. I do not perceive my actions as wrong, Obi-Wan. I have no fear of reprimand." I told him gently as we returned, leaving the cold planet of Orto Plutonia behind.