Chapter Nine

As the turbolift doors opened onto the bridge, Ryu stepped out with Warbler close behind. Automatically, his eyes went to the main viewscreen and the Redemption in the center. As he walked onto the command deck proper, Riker stood up from his seat and shaking Ryu's hand, said, "Welcome to the bridge of the U.S.S. Titan, Mr. Jayks. What do you think?"

Ryu looked around at the crew as they moved from station to station, going about their duties as though visitors from other galaxies were a common event. Ryu said, "I like it Captain; very efficient in its openness. As you saw from the command deck aboard the Redemption, its builders were intent on reinforcing the subservience of the crew by forcing them to look up at their commanding officers to make reports. Unfortunately, the material cost of redesigning the command crewpits would be prohibitive so we've been compelled to keep their design as is. On the other hand, there are no more Star Destroyers being built anymore. Our capital ships are more in line with this one in its design and layout and we have phased out the very appellation of 'Star Destroyer'. We have cruisers, battleships, tenders, frigates and other assorted vessels."

Riker nodded and nodding his head at the screen said, "I still remember the first time I laid eyes on that ship of yours, when Regis commanded it. I don't think I'd ever felt more intimidated by a piece of hardware in my life to that point. My opinion though did take a bit of a change when Praetor Shinzon attacked the Enterprise E when I was still Executive Officer aboard her." Ryu said, "If you think a Star Destroyer is intimidating, be thankful you've never encountered a Super Star Destroyer." Riker's tone of voice was unmistakable as he said, "A super star destroyer? No thanks, I think I'll pass." Ryu smiled, "Not to worry Captain, there were only a few Super Class vessels built and they're all accounted for. The Imperial Remnant has one as does the New Republic but one of the stipulations in the peace treaty was that no more Super Class ships would be built, ever. Both sides agreed to this and if some third party was able to get the plans and build one, the treaty also states that both sides will cooperate fully in hunting the rogue Super down and destroying it. Both our governments were sick and tired of war."

Riker nodded in understanding and said, "So are we. Don't get me wrong, our society certainly isn't a utopia or anything, we have our share of problems but overall, I think we'll be just fine in the long run." Ryu nodded, "I agree with you completely Captain." Riker said, "By the way Mr. Jayks, I'd appreciate it if the next time Security speaks to you, just go to the nearest comm-panel and call me." Ryu winced and said, "Sorry about that Captain; won't happen again." When Riker chuckled, Ryu relaxed. Riker said, "Deanna mentioned you were looking for someone. Did you find them?"

"Indeed I did. As it turns out, my father, Ronin, came from your earth to my galaxy somehow. I have a cousin serving aboard your ship and extended family on Earth, just as my new-found cousin also has family on Coruscant." Riker's eyes widened at this news. "Congratulations on finding this person. Who are they?" Ryu said, "Her name is Michelle Karú. She's a crew Chief here on the Titan. She will be strong in the Force if she chooses to undergo training someday. I hope you don't mind that I made this offer to her." Riker said, "Why should I? Family is very important. Deanna and I are planning on starting a family someday. I've read Chief Karú's fitness reports. She's an outstanding noncommissioned officer. She could have gone on the Command Track and someday gotten her own ship if she'd wanted. I'm beginning to understand why she didn't want to do that now. I hope she chooses to be trained. From what I saw of Armis and his abilities, I can only speculate at what it must be like to be able to sense the very stuff of the universe."

Just then, Deanna exited the turbolift and entered the bridge. Ryu said, "Now that you're here Deanna, I'd like to speak with you and the Captain privately if I may." Riker said, "Let's go to my ready room where we can relax and talk then. Number One, you have the bridge." Commander Harry Kim formerly of the U.S.S. Voyager, said, "Aye-aye Captain, I have the bridge."

Upon entering the ready room, Deanna and Will sat together and Ryu across from them on a chair he pulled away from the side of the Captain's desk nearest the door. Turning the chair around and straddling it, Ryu sat down. He said, "Armis asked me to inquire if you'd given any thought yet to the offer of training Deanna. You and my cousin Michelle would be the first Jedi in the Federation. Already, even I can sense that when you're fully trained, your empathic abilities would be quite far-reaching. I know that there would be other people all through the Federation that are what we call 'Force Sensitive' meaning that they have the naturally occurring ability to use the Force or can be trained to use it, like you." Deanna's eyes also widened like Riker's had at the news that Ryu had a cousin. She said, "Will and I have spoken of it. I have other duties so I must ask how long I would be away, just like I must ask, what's the down side to awakening the Force potential I and others have here in the Federation?"

Ryu said, "Armis was expecting this, as was I. As to your first question, neither Armis nor I is able to answer that right now. We both believe it won't take long since you've been using your empathic abilities since you were a child and I'm sure you were raised in the knowledge of the great responsibility of great power. Armis feels you should come back with us to our galaxy and meet Master Skywalker, the head of the Jedi Order. He would be best suited to evaluating your abilities and assigning a Master to teach you if you decide to undergo training. As to your other question . . . like us, Armis, myself and our families, awakening the Force potential in the Federation would bring the same rewards and consequences as we face everyday. When my father related his story to a holocron, a device we use that can store Force knowledge and teachings, he made the observation of: Light and Dark, Good and Evil; never one without the other. What path does one choose? It will take many years though before enough Force Sensitive people are found in the Federation to build its own branch of the Jedi Order. All the people who can be trained and who choose to, will have their information entered into a master database, just as ours is. All that they accomplish; all the powers they find for themselves or develop through training will be recorded for posterity here and in my galaxy. If they choose to start families of their own, their genealogies will be tracked for all time so that a complete historical record can be maintained. And yes, before you ask, there will be those who choose to embrace the Dark Side of the Force as well as the Light Side. When that happens, and unfortunately, it will happen, it will become an internal matter for the Jedi Order to resolve. Having learned from our mistakes and our triumphs, I don't believe you'll have your own version of an Emperor Palpatine to worry about."

Ryu continued, "The Jedi Order exists apart from the Galactic Senate, where I come from. While our operations are funded largely by the New Republic, the Imperial Remnant also contributes to it. Among many other things, the Jedi have been granted limited police powers wherever we go. Because of this, we can render assistance to any law enforcement agency anywhere at anytime. It was decided early on that we would not be beholden to any one governing body. Any person, government or governmental representative may request our assistance. Master Skywalker has a twin sister who was raised apart from him and as a result, she has been fully involved in the political and diplomatic communities. Her name is Leia Organa-Solo and she is our Representative in the Senate. She has no voting powers but she can and does advise the Senate when asked. Mostly, she acts as our eyes and ears and keeps the Jedi Order informed of main-stream events in the Galaxy. I won't lie to you Deanna. If you complete your Jedi Training, it will open new horizons but also bring forth new dangers. To be a Jedi is not to be taken lightly. There will be times it will require of you the deepest commitment . . . the most serious mind, but I think you will find it worthwhile in the long run. Speaking of the long run, while undertaking your training and eventually assignments, the Jedi Order will provide all that you require; food, lodging, transport and everything in-between."

Will and Deanna sat silently and absorbed all Ryu had just told them. Deanna looked to her husband and then back to Ryu and gave her answer.