The Story of forgotten Jedi Owen Sun
Chapter 32: A Tough Decision
Nine months had passed since the Battle of Geonosis and eight since the attack on Thule, war had broken out galaxy wide as the Clone War waged across several hundred planets throughout the Republic. Through sheer sacrifice and an unbreakable will to fight the Grand Army of the Republic had won many battles but the CIS still remained gaining a few crucial victory's of their own, however even with victories on both sides the Clone War was far from being decided.
Owen Sun had been fatally wounded at the hands of Darth Tyranus or Count Dooku, not just physically but through the force as well. It took Owen a long time to understand it but when Tyranus unleashed his force lightning upon him several dark side energies had coursed into his body rendering him almost useless with the force, so not only did he have to wait for his flesh to heal but he also had to wait patiently for his strength in the force to return to him. So as the months went on and the Clone Wars raged around him Owen delved back into the Jedi teachings gaining more and more knowledge each day, and with the Masters preoccupied with the war or off fighting it Owen became great friends with one of the head teachers at the Jedi Temple 'Master Cin Drallig'. He had taken Owen under his wing showing him the correct ways to become a truly great Jedi Master and teacher, when permitted by the council Owen would impart his knowledge to the younglings and students but that's as far as it would go, he was not allowed in any way to teach or guide the students of the Jedi Temple.
As Owen slowly healed and continued his teachings with his new mentor Master Drallig he sought with all his heart to teach, but the rules of the Jedi Order were clear…you had to be a Master to teach any students at the Jedi Temple and Owen although close had not yet obtained the rank.
In the meantime with the war ravaging the Republic they certainly could of used an experienced Jedi Knight like Owen Sun as the order was stretched very thin with many Knights and Masters fighting the war galaxy wide. Not only that but Owens heroic defense of Kessia City on Thule had made him along with the few other Jedi that had fought in the great battle heroes throughout the Republic.
But as Owen waited for Master Drallig watching the many young students train in his mind he tried coming to a decision. "What am I going to do, should I rejoin the war…do I still feel the same as I did eight months ago…but I have a duty as a Jedi to help the Republic in its time of need…if only the council would grant me the rank of Master so I could stay and teach" he thought.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind battling with each other on what to do Owen then took notice of a small Jedi Padawan trying to deflect the harmless blaster shots from the tiny circular probe droid, the Padawan began to lose his temper as he kept getting hit.
With his arms crossed Owen approached. "It looks like you could use some help young one" he stated.
"It's this darn droid Master, I just can't seem to anticipate its movements" replied the small Padawan.
"You're anticipating its movements fine, it's your doubt that's causing you harm" analyzed Owen brushing the hair out of his eyes.
Over the last several months Owen had grown his hair out and it was now nearly shoulder length.
"What, I don't understand?" replied the Padawan.
"You must learn to trust your feelings, try it again" guided Owen.
The young Padawan followed the droid with his short saber, suddenly it fired hitting the unprepared student yet again. "I don't know what's wrong Master, I've been trying to get this for over a week now but I can't seem to do this" pleaded the young boy.
Owen cracked a slight smile as he went to one knee. "I sense your frustration"
"You are worried about the pain that comes with the shot, it is all that occupies your mind, before you learn to do anything else as a student here you must learn one thing, to let go" guided Owen.
"Let go?" questioned the Padawan.
Owen nodded getting back to his feet. "Take your lightsaber in hand" ordered Owen.
The Padawan did just that.
"Instead of worrying about the pain and anticipating the shot let go of your fear and doubt, and stretch out with your feelings" guided Owen.
The Padawan refocused himself doing just that, he followed the probe droid with his saber as it reactivated hovering back around him ready to strike again. "Now…stretch out" Owen said in a low tone.
As the droid fired again this time the Padawan deflected each shot.
He smiled and was overjoyed. "I did it!"
"I can't believe it, I did it!" he continued.
"I put the pain out of my mind and stopped worrying just like you told me to" he stated.
"You trusted your feelings" stated Owen.
"Do you think you can do this from now on in your training?" Owen questioned.
"Yeah…I think I can, it was so simple…I just had to trust myself" he replied.
Owen smiled putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Very good, continue with your lesson"
Master Cin Drallig then interrupted them as he had been watching from behind. "(Ahem)" he cleared his throat getting Owens attention.
Owen left the student to his lesson and walked over to Master Drallig. "I'm sorry Master, I know I'm not supposed to interfere in any of the students training" he apologized.
"Well (sigh) I see no need to inform the council of this, but you know the rules of the order Owen, I suggest you heed them from now on" stated Drallig.
"Of coarse Master, thank you" replied Owen.
"So, have you come to discuss something with me" implied Drallig.
"Yes Master" answered Owen.
Master Cin Drallig then motioned his hand to the balcony. "Shall we"
They walked down the vast balcony overlooking the beautiful Temple garden discussing the pressing matter.
"I noticed your instruction with the young Padawan, I've been having trouble with him" stated Drallig.
"It was nothing Master, I merely showed him what he could already do" replied Owen.
"Even so your guidance with the young one was most impressive, I can see you are ready to become a Jedi Master" stated Drallig.
"But you must first prove to the council that you are worthy of the rank" stated Drallig.
"Yes Master, I shall continue to do my best" replied Owen.
They continued to walk.
"So, what is it you wished to discuss with me?" asked Drallig.
"Well Master as you know with my wounds healed and my strength in the force returned to me I will most likely be called back to war" informed Owen.
"Yes, I sense the force has grown stronger with you" stated Drallig.
"But Master I do not feel the same as I did eight months ago, I feel…different and I question rejoining the war" revealed Owen.
"Yes, I sensed as much in you, your Jedi nature has changed over the past several months, you no longer seek action and war, jumping head on into evil and conflict with your lightsaber is a thing of the past for you, now instead you wish to study and meditate upon it, teaching others to fight the evils in the galaxy" analyzed Drallig.
Owen was stunned that he had sensed so much in him. "Yes Master, exactly"
"But on the other hand your command of the force has made you an excellent Commander and the Republic needs Jedi like you to fight this war" stated Drallig.
The two then stopped overlooking the beautiful Temple garden.
"(Sigh) I have already missed so much in my absence Master…the Decimators, the dark Jedi Ventress, Grievous entering the war" pointed out Owen continuing to question returning to war.
"Owen, we are Jedi and Jedi do not have a will of their own, we serve the order and the council that upholds the order protects the Republic" stated the wise Drallig.
Drallig turned to Owen. "Do you see where I'm going with this?"
"It is true that we as Jedi can choose our battles, but to ignore what is happening now in the galaxy is to be blind" stated Drallig.
There was a short pause as Owen overlooked the pond in the Temple garden. "But Master shouldn't I take comfort in the fact that I am able turn from the chaos, destruction, and madness of war"
"Yes Owen, you should, few who have tasted war can once the first steps are taken" stated Drallig.
"Owen, I am a teacher and I serve the order by training the future Jedi, but you serve a different purpose, your affinity with combat, military tactics, and strategy has made you an asset to this war, therefore it is your duty as a Jedi to protect the Republic in its hour of need" stated Drallig.
"The Separatists are a threat Owen and they must be stopped, just as thousands of years ago the long forgotten Sith tried to destroy the Jedi and the Republic, but they were pushed back and defeated just as we must do to the Separatists, and they will need your help" informed Drallig.
"I cannot tell you what to do Owen, you must make this decision on your own, I only hope that my words guide you to make the right decision" added Drallig.
There was a long pause as Owen thought about Master Dralligs wise words. "But what if by going to war I never become a teacher?" questioned Owen.
As Drallig made his way back into the Temple he smiled turning to respond. "You will…one day, you will" he assured.
"As Yoda, Windu, and Arca predicted before them, you will be one of the greatest Jedi of our time" perceived Drallig.
"I trust you will make the right decision" added Drallig ending their conversation.
As Master Cin Drallig walked back into the Jedi Temple Owen was left to his thoughts alone as he decided what he would do.
Many hours later inside the Jedi Temple.
The Jedi Council demanded an audience with Owen for his decision on where he stood on the war and his participation in it.
As he made his way to the council chambers Owen ran into Anakin. "Jedi Knight Sun…have you decided what your going to do?' he asked.
There was a short pause. "Yes Anakin…I have"
"Good to hear it" replied Anakin as he walked off.
Even with the pressing matter occupying much of his thoughts Owen could sense something wrong with Anakin, almost as if he was trying to hide something.
Owen furrowed his blond brow watching Anakin walk off into the distance.
Several minutes later in the council chambers.
The Jedi Council had been short a few members due to a few of them being away fighting the war, but some had been casualties over the past several months.
Eeth Koth and Coleman Trebor had been killed in the Battle of Geonosis, Even Piell had left the council, and Yarael Poof had been tragically killed a few years previous.
In the council chambers Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Oppo Rancisis, Adi Gallia, Plo Koon, Saesee Tiin, Shaak Ti, and newcomer Kit Fisto all sat in attendance ready to hear Owens decision.
"So, you know why you're here, have you come to a decision yet?" asked Windu.
Owen hesitated lowering his head. "Umm, you have I sense" stated Yoda.
"Yes…I have" he replied.
"So?" wondered Windu.
"As much as I wish to remain here on Coruscant and continue to strive to earn the rank of Jedi Master I cannot ignore my duty as a Jedi" explained Owen.
"I have given this much thought and meditation……and I will rejoin the war" struggled Owen.
There was nothing but silence as the council members looked to one another.
"I am at the councils will" stated Owen.
"I sense the conflict in you Jedi Knight Sun…are you certain of your choice?" questioned Rancisis.
"Yes, to become a teacher strong your desire is" analyzed Yoda.
"To be honest, no…I am not but I cannot stand by any longer watching as the Separatists destroy the Republic" answered Owen remembering Dralligs wise words.
Mace nodded. "Very well"
"May I leave now Masters?" asked Owen.
"No…not just yet" replied Windu.
"As you know we have been winning many battles against the Separatists but are still losing this war" informed Windu.
"Umm yes, cunning the Separatist have been, believe something still behind this war we do" added Master Yoda.
"We are losing tremendous resources in these battles, from our clone armies to our own fleet" stated Mundi.
"No matter how many droid armies we destroy ten times that many rise up to take their place, the CIS forces seem almost limitless" informed Windu.
"Ours on the other hand are not, and we cannot afford to keep taking these heavy loses" stated Koon.
"Yes, and if this continues we will lose this war" added Gallia.
"We've devised a plan to get to the source of these unending CIS forces…have you ever heard of the planet Castell?" asked Windu.
"Yes, it is home to the Gossam species and an ally of the Separatists" replied Owen.
"Then you must know of the Commerce Guild" implied Gallia.
Owen nodded. "It is an evil corporation lead by Gossam president Shu Mai, yes"
"I also know it is a very heavily defended sector of space that few tread in" added Owen.
"You have no idea" stated Master Fisto in his tongue.
"Please Master Fisto…we have deliberated much on this and your return to the war is something we counted on, we believe that due to your valorous defense of Kessia City on Thule it makes you an ideal candidate for this mission" stated Windu.
Owen searched his feelings. "Wait a second, are you suggesting what I think?"
"Yes, we are" replied Mundi.
Owen smirked in disbelief. "Masters the headquarters of the Commerce Guild are located on the planet"
"Know this we do, get to the heart of droid armies you must" replied Yoda.
"Yes, they are churning out billions of CIS forces, destroying the Commerce Guild headquarters will greatly weaken the Separatists" added Tiin.
"I have never questioned the Jedi Council until now…Masters I urge you do not do this it will be a massacre" pleaded Owen.
"A battle plan has already been laid out by the clone Commanders, they believe it can be done" assured Windu.
"But how could we possibly know the strength of the planet and surrounding area?" questioned Owen.
"Master Fisto and Shaak Ti recently led a large fleet to the planet, they were…not successful" answered Windu.
"The planet is heavily defended but there isn't as many as you'd think, most of their forces have been diverted to fortify other key worlds" informed Fisto.
"Once you get past their outer defenses you should be able to strike the city" added Shaak Ti.
Owen couldn't believe what he was hearing as he ran his fingers through his blond hair in frustration. "Am I to do this alone?" he asked.
"Yes, you will be the lone Jedi Commander" answered Windu.
"But of coarse you will require something a little more than the average clone army" added Tiin.
"We have rallied the entire 501st Legion for this battle" stated Windu.
Owen raised his eyebrow to this. "You've heard of them?" questioned Windu.
"Yes, they have gained quite a reputation" replied Owen.
"They have completed every objective we've given them, have destroyed anything thrown at them, they have won countless battles and seized many worlds, I'm sure you will find them battle hardened and ready to fight" informed Windu.
"Master forgive me but even with the 501st Legion under my command this cannot be done, you are asking me to do the impossible" replied Owen.
"Nothing impossible with the force it is, umm told you this someone already has" stated Yoda referring to the spirit of his dead love Milla Talarus.
Owen lowered his head and clinched his jaw as a sudden rush of emotion remembering Milla nearly knocked him over.
"Despite my total disagreement, I will do as the council commands…I will lead the 501st Legion to Castell, seize the planet, and destroy the headquarters of the Commerce Guild" replied Owen with little hope in his heart.
"Good, the 501st are standing by fully armed and ready to go, Commander Appo will lead the Legion under your command" informed Windu.
"The clone Commanders will give you the details on the invasion" added Mundi.
"Remember Shu Mai may be aligned with the Separatists but she is merely a politician, if you can, take her alive" ordered Windu.
"I will Master, thank you" replied Owen as he prepared to depart.
"May the Force be with you" stated Windu.
The rest of the council responded simultaneously. "May the Force be with you"
Owen got in the turbo-lift and as it descended he couldn't help but wonder if this would be his downfall, never going out on a mission had he ever had a feeling like this before. Owen swallowed his doubtful feelings and prepared himself for the fight of his life, he would lead the toughest, bravest, most battle hardened troops into combat with him, the 501st.
Against mind boggling odds Owen was to invade Castell and attempt to destroy none other than the Commerce Guild headquarters itself. The force only knew if Owen Sun would succeed…