Chapter 29
Conclave of Kashyyyk
The Arrival
Even for Naruto, who considered any landing that you could walk away from a good one, landing the ship on Kashyyyk's surface was proving to be a problem. There was very little in the way of open space to actually land a ship the size of the Will of Fire in. Instead, all he could see was the ceiling of a dense mass of trees, each of which was much larger than any tree he had ever seen, all with thicker trunks than even the huge fire trees he remembered from his home world. To add to Naruto's current dilemma, all of them were growing in such close proximity to each other that he could only imagine a surface that was pitch black due to the inability of the rays of Kashyyyk's sun to penetrate the impossibly thick foliage and actually reach the ground.
It took them about an hour of hovered flight and scanning to find a patch of flat ground just large enough to set the Will of Fire down on…and even then, Naruto had to manoeuvre through a "window" in the foliage to reach it. As Naruto zigged and zagged through the pseudo-passageway in the trees, he and the others felt a slight tremor here and there as the ship's side would impact against the side of one of the huge trees. Even with Aayla helping him to fly, the difficulty of the projected flight path was still staggering, to say the least.
Aayla grit her teeth as she made a slight change to the control yoke, slowly changing the ship's trajectory away from yet another tree. Naruto decided that it was probably for the best if Celeste took over at the pilot's station. He called her over and rose from his chair, allowing her to take the pilot's seat while he moved to stand behind Aayla, placing a hand on her shoulder to keep her calm. Rex was at damage control, and Ahsoka was seated in one of the cockpit's passenger seats, ready to assist if need be. Flanking Naruto's right were Masters Choi and Swan.
"Keep it together, Aayla…" Naruto encouraged softly, "…you're doing great; we're almost there."
Aayla didn't reply, but he could feel her relax ever so slightly under his touch. Finally, after much bated breath from both of the current pilots, as well as everyone else onboard, the ship touched down and the engines shut off. Aayla sat back in her chair, taking a deep, calming breath before looking back at the two masters and smiling.
"Welcome to Kashyyyk," she said with as much "gusto" as she could muster, but it only ended up sounding like relief.
Master Choi nodded his head in Aayla's direction before turning to leave the cockpit, Swan offering a wan smile before she followed the Aleena Jedi Master's path. Aayla frowned at the old creature's behaviour, but didn't have long to contemplate what it meant. Celeste caught her attention as she stood up and stretched.
"We need to get the camo-gear out…" she said, "…make sure that no one sees us."
There was a unanimous agreement amongst the crew. Rex nodded before moving out of the cockpit, the rest of the crew in tow as Aayla remained behind for a few more moments, shutting down everything but the most essential of the ship's systems. If trouble did find them, she wanted the ship to be ready for takeoff as soon as possible.
She walked down the ramp of their ship, garbed in her favourite tight leather pants and a top which left her midrift and arms up to her shoulder bare. She had opted for her older style of dress over the Shinobi attire she had taken to wearing because of the hot, humid climate of Kashyyyk. Celeste, Ahsoka, Sia'lan, Roblio and Bultar separated into a large semicircle, levitating the camouflage rigging over the ships frame, gently setting it down under the calm instruction of Naruto and Rex who were standing on the dorsal section of the craft, making minor adjustments before jumping off.
"That should keep us from being spotted from the air," Sia'lan said as she sat on a large, flat-topped rock to catch her breath, still recovering from her injuries.
"But not from the ground…" Rex replied with a frown as he looked upon the ship, "…I will stand guard here until you all return."
"Thank you, Rex…" Aayla said as she gripped the latch of her backpack and slung it over her shoulders, "…keep an eye open for any wildlife. There are a lot of big and nasty predators in these forests."
Rex nodded in response, "Don't worry about me, my lady. The weapon systems of this young girl here will be more than enough to deal with anything."
The group moved on, travelling in single file across the forest floor, which was covered by the bared roots of the huge trees, creating a winding path of naturally created wooden bridges and pathways a few feet above the dense undergrowth of the jungle floor. Above them was a just as dense canopy, with only the occasional ray of sunlight streaming through the glades.
They didn't know exactly where the conclave would gather; only that it was to convene near a small Wookiee settlement, nearly ten kilometres away from their current position. As such, Naruto had decided to put his Shinobi skills to good use and act as the group's scout. Leaping high into the forest, he jumped from tree-branch to tree-branch well above the group's heads, keeping an eye out for any large predators or clumps of animals. Their latest companions had been briefed on his abilities during the flight from Kessel to Kashyyyk, so they weren't as surprised by his display of abilities, though some viewed him with subtle suspicion.
The diminutive Master Tsui Choi led the remaining group across the moss-covered tree roots, Bultar Swan and Roblio Darte following him. Next in line were Ahsoka and Sia'lan Wezz, with Celeste and Aayla bringing up the rear of the column, eyes alert for anything Naruto may have missed. An hour into their trek, it had been quiet and serene, no big predators seemed to be nearby. Celeste took the initiative to break the silence that had overtaken them all.
"How many do you think will come?" she asked as they continued to walk, scaling a steep root and jumping a small drop to continue, "Jedi survivors, I mean."
"Master Vos said that most of the Order was going to attend," Aayla shrugged in response, "His best hope is a few hundred."
"So few?" Celeste asked in trepidation.
"We had already lost more than half our number to the Clone Wars. As if that wasn't enough, when Order Sixty-Six was implemented, almost all of the rest of us were slaughtered in the span of a few hours. The possibility of several hundred survivors is probably wishful thinking," the Twi'lek replied sadly, pushing past a large plant which had grown higher than the tree root they were marching across.
Despite her sadness, however, the beautiful Twi'lek managed a brave smile, "Still, one can hope."
"Yes…" Celeste agreed, voice a wistful whisper, "…one can hope…and one can believe that more of our comrades still walk this plane."
"I'm sorry for seeming so pessimistic, Celeste," Aayla apologised.
"Not your fault, Aayla…" Celeste replied as she looked up to the canopy and frowned, "…hmm…Naruto seems to have stopped."
Aayla followed her friend's gaze, just in time to see a figure fall from the tree tops at high speed, landing on a root right beside the party, which caused them all to stop and turn. The clone didn't wait for them all to notice him, he just spoke. "We've got trouble up ahead."
Before anyone could speak, Aayla was on the move, hopping from the root the group was on to the one the clone was standing on and moving at high speed towards the huge trunk. Pumping chakra into the soles of her feet she scaled the vertical surface with little effort, making it to Naruto's elevation and jogging across a thick tree branch to where he was crouching.
She placed a hand on his shoulder to let him know it was her before coming down into a crouch beside him, eyes alert as she watched the canopy.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
"There's something in the trees," he replied, eyes of liquid sapphire snapping back and forth.
"What did it look like?" she asked.
He frowned for a moment, "A walking carpet."
It took a few seconds of silence before she replied to his statement, "What?"
"I'm just telling you what I saw," he replied with a shrug, though the confusion was written on his face, "Or rather, a swinging carpet. It swung right past me on some vines."
"A Wookiee," she said after a moment of thought. It made sense. She had heard more than a few compare a Wookiee to a walking carpet the first time they met one and plenty who still made that comparison after, "You must have seen a Wookiee."
"That was a Wookiee?" Naruto asked with surprise, and Aayla had to remember who she was talking too.
"I keep forgetting that you're from an isolated backwater…" she sighed and chuckled in light amusement with a shake of her head, "…after all, you mistook me for an angel the first time we met."
"What are you talking about by 'mistook you'?" Naruto asked with a mischievous smirk, "I still think you're an angel."
She smiled unconsciously at that, but soon caught herself on, "Flattery isn't getting you anywhere today, Naruto."
He made a slightly disappointed hum in the back of his throat before his eyes once again scanned the forest canopy, "So…if it is a Wookiee, how are we going to be able to signal them?"
"We don't need to…" Aayla sighed as she stood up and raised her hands in surrender, "…they already know we're here. Stand up slowly, don't draw any weapons, and raise your hands."
Naruto hesitated for a moment, before obeying her command, standing up and raising his gloved hands in a motion of either surrender or to show that they meant no harm. It didn't take long for their stalkers to make themselves known. A heavy thump behind them marked the presence of a Wookiee, and as Naruto turned he could do nothing but whistle in surprise.
The creature before them was huge, towering over him at just over seven feet in height. A huge bipedal form covered in thick dark brown fur, but he could make out the black orbs of the creatures eyes, the sharp flesh-cleaving teeth as it pulled its mouth back in a snarl and the sharp black claws elongated at the ends of its long arms. Another thump made the duo aware that another had landed right behind them. As Naruto looked around, he saw at least four more hidden in the foliage, aiming at them with crossbows.
Naruto immediately felt respect for these creatures, after all it took some ability in stealth and subterfuge to be able to sneak up on a Shinobi, though he guessed these creatures knew their forests as well as he did his own in the Land of Fire and that did indeed give them an undeniable advantage.
He looked down in time to see nearly two dozen more of the giant, shaggy humanoids surrounding the rest of the group, who had correlated together into a defensive circle, lightsabers out but not yet ignited. Naruto was guessing that there were more in the canopy, readying their long-range weapons to snipe anyone who attempted to fight…or run.
"Let me do the talking," Aayla whispered to him, to which Naruto did little more than nod his head. When it came to times like this, he would probably always allow his other half to do the talking. As she said, from the point of view of everyone else around him, he was from an isolated backwater. He felt no anger or shame at hearing this, for it was technically the truth.
Aayla took three steps forward before coming to a halt. Naruto couldn't help it when he tensed, she looked so small and fragile when compared to the Wookiee before her, and one swipe of its long arms could probably kill, if not horribly maim her at least. But he bit his tongue and waited, trusting in her judgment to see them through…yet his body was coiled like a spring, ready to jump to her defence, if necessary.
She spoke slowly, but without fear, "My name is Aayla Secura. I am a Knight of the Jedi Order, here for the impending conclave."
The Wookiee replied, much to Naruto's surprise, with a series of growls, grunts and what he could only describe as…oscillating groans.
"My companions are also Jedi…" Aayla replied without missing a beat, as though the Wookiee had actually spoken to her, "…or, as in the case of the man beside me, those we trust with our lives."
The Wookiee seemed to think for a moment, before uttering a long low pitched howl.
Aayla smiled at him, "Thank you."
The Wookiee grunted in response. Naruto realized that this was the language and speech of the Wookiee. He found the phenomenon of their communication to be quite intriguing.
Aayla turned back to Naruto, "He said his group will lead us to where we need to go."
Naruto shook his head before looking back at Aayla with a grin, "You are awesome, have I ever told you that?"
Aayla raised her brow at that, but a small smile spread across her features, "Not lately, no."
"Then you're awesome…" he replied, grin still in place, "…I suppose I don't need to do anymore recon, huh?"
"Well, they do know more about this place than you, right?"
Naruto nodded in response before looking down at the still-tense standoff below, "I think they need to be informed before someone does something stupid."
Aayla followed his gaze, and sighed, "I agree…" before grumbling out, "…they should know better."
The two of them jumped off the branch, knowing that the Wookiees were right behind them, using their claws to scale down the trunks of the huge trees as they slid down towards the forest floor. Naruto hit the ground first, skidding across a small surface of tree root before coming to a stop just opposite his allies.
Aayla was right behind him, and just after she regained her footing, there was an echoing howl from high above. The Wookiees surrounding their group looked up, then backed away slowly. Naruto could feel the gazes of the snipers as they lowered their crossbows and descended from their perches to join them, the numbers immediately swelled from twenty to just over fifty. Naruto found his degree of respect and admiration for this race of people to be growing in leaps and bounds; even he couldn't detect their full company – he would have guessed that there were thirty at most.
Aayla spoke to the group, "Their leader says he will take us to the conclave."
Tsui Choi nodded his head, "Well done, young one. Well done."
The party pressed on, this time with an additional fifty odd members as the Wookiee platoon/hunting-party abandoned its usual patrol route to guide their current charges to the conclave. Naruto was now walking at the end of the group, Aayla and Celeste in front of him, and at least three Wookiee scouts behind him as they continued their trek.
They kept walking for the better part of the day, and it was not until night had fallen that they had reached their destination, not that they could really tell, as it was so dark below the treetops, anyway. Once they were close enough to continue without an escort, the Wookiees peeled off and disappeared into the shadows of the twilight forest. There was a moment of surprised silence amongst the others in the group, but the silence was short lived.
Lightsabers ignited all around them, illuminating the area as they glowed various shades of green, amber, blue and silver. A quick mental count revealed thirteen lightsabers, their wielders hooded and cloaked as they surrounded the newcomers. Naruto tensed, as did the rest of his companions, before Master Choi's voice could be heard over the continuous hum of the legendary weapons.
"I am Jedi Master Tsui Choi, with me are Masters Bultar Swan, Roblio Darte and Sia'lan Wezz as well as Jedi Knights Aayla Secura and Celeste Morne, and Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano…" He said in a booming voice that had no business coming from the lungs of one of his small stature, "…we are here for a conclave, so if you are fellow Jedi, then lower your weapons. If you are our enemy, then prepare for battle."
There was a moment of tense silence before one of their would-be assailants unlit his or her lightsaber. This was followed by the one beside the figure, and one by one the others turned their weapons off until darkness once again crept upon the jungle. The group had come together then, right behind Master Choi, just as one of the Jedi walked foreword, tall but definitely feminine in appearance.
The leading Jedi raised reddish hands to pull back her hood, and Naruto was surprised to see a woman that was apparently a Togruta like Ahsoka, but with some differences: while the basic colorings and pigmentations on her face and body matched Ahsoka's own, this woman's lekku and the dual horns on the top of her head, which Naruto would later know were called "montrals", were both longer than Ahsoka's; Naruto guessed that this denoted physical maturity among the Togruta. Unlike Ahsoka's sparkling blue eyes, this woman's eyes were jet-black, from the iris into the pupil. Unlike Ahsoka, who could be the personification of teenage precociousness at times, this woman carried herself with an air of dignity, authority and grace, giving her a unique, ethereal beauty. She was tall, and well-shaped from Naruto's estimation; it was difficult to tell with the robes she wore.
Tsui Choi bowed his head, as did every other being bearing the rank of Jedi present, "Master Shaak Ti."
Shaak Ti bowed in response, though hers was not as deep, "Master Tsui Choi, as well as Masters Bultar Swan, Roblio Darte and Sia'lan Wezz, Knight Aayla Secura, and Padawan Ahsoka Tano. It brings me great joy to see you all alive and safe."
She saw Naruto and Celeste then, eyes widening a little before narrowing as she studied their forms and spoke in a soft voice, "I do not know either of you."
"Their names are Naruto Uzumaki and Celeste Morne, Master Ti," Swan replied after a moment of tense silence, "They are allies who came to our aid during our greatest time of need. Naruto's people are also force-sensitive, but call themselves Shinobi. He has been protecting and aiding Knights Secura and Morne, as well as Padawan Tano over the last twelve months. As for Celeste Morne, she is a Jedi from centuries past, trapped within a Sith hibernation chamber until recently."
"Shinobi…and Jedi from our far-flung past…" Shaak Ti frowned in deep thought before looking upon the smaller form of Master Choi, "…much intrigue, you have brought to this meeting, Master Choi."
"I can vouch for both of them," Aayla spoke up, "Naruto Uzumaki saved my life on Felucia, and has since aided me and those around me. I can vouch for his character, and for where his allegiances lay. I can also vouch for Celeste Morne, who has become a close friend and strong ally over the many difficult months."
Shaak Ti looked at the younger woman for a long moment, "Are you positive of this, Knight Secura?"
"Yes," she replied without hesitation.
Shaak Ti studied Aayla's form for a long moment, ascertaining her sincerity before turning around. The Jedi surrounding them, their forms hidden by robes and hoods, seemed to meld into the shadows of the forest, but Naruto knew that they were still there; unlike the Wookiees, he could feel them. The Togruta Jedi Master began walking, and the small group followed her lead.
As the group once again began walking, Naruto caught up with Aayla and tapped her on the shoulder, leaning down to whispering distance. "So who is this 'Shaak Ti' chick?"
She gave him a wry look, "She's a Jedi Master, and was a member of the Jedi High Council, our highest authority."
"Seriously?" the blond asked with a raised brow before looking over to study her, mainly the nice swaying of her hips as she walked, "Hmm…and here I was, thinking that everyone in power is usually really old. She doesn't look that old."
"She's not…" Aayla replied with a shake of her head, before developing an annoyed tick in her eyebrow as she noted where her love's eyes had wandered. She waited until everyone's attention had moved on before reaching over and flicking Naruto on the forehead, playfully but also pointedly, "…and just where do you think you're staring, hmm? You can stare at me all you want when we're done here, OK?"
"Yes, angel," he replied with a sheepish smile.
They reached their final destination half an hour later, a kilometre away from the Wookiee village. They found themselves deep within the forest, under a thick canopy along a small clearing. The gnarled roots of the surrounding trees seemed to create a natural circle of clear ground.
In this clearing, standing on the surrounding roots, were several Jedi; Naruto seemed to be able to feel the power radiating off of these individuals, and as he thought about it, he realized that he could feel the same power radiating off of his own companions, as well. Naruto gazed this way and that, drinking in details of those who were gathered, here. He noted the way they held themselves, the robes most of them wore, and then caught the unmistakable glint of lightsaber hilts on their utility belts, of all shapes and sizes.
Naruto couldn't help but smile at the sight. There must have been two or three hundred Jedi in this clearing. He saw a variety of difference races; some he knew, others he didn't, of different genders and ages. He saw Humans, Twi'leks, Togruta, Zeltron, Ithorian, Bothan, Falleen, as well as beings of several other races. But at the same time he noticed that the majority of them couldn't be any older than children, teenagers and young adults.
A small group of children ran past their path, laughing and playing as they were chased in a game of tag. Naruto allowed himself to smile and feel lightened by their carefree attitudes. Even in such times of hardship, the innocence of a child was something to cherish. His opinion was definitely mirrored by his beloved, whose kind, serene smile seemed to light up the area surrounding her.
They had just made it down a tree root to the ground when Master Ti turned around, looking upon the group before opening her mouth to speak, "Masters Choi and Swan shall follow me. The rest of you will remain here for now."
With that, she turned to walk to the other side of the clearing, Masters Choi and Swan following her as she led them out of sight. Naruto, Aayla, Ahsoka and Celeste remained in place, watching as Master Darte saw a few people he knew in the crowd, and Master Wezz seemed to move to a spot apart from everyone else so that she could be by herself for a while.
Aayla smiled serenely as she sat on the edge of a root, her smile mirrored by Ahsoka and Celeste. Naruto smiled along with them; the mood seemed infectious at the moment.
"There are more of us alive than I thought," Aayla began in a hopeful and gratified tone.
"It's great to see, isn't it?" Ahsoka asked with a silly, childish grin.
"Indeed it is," Celeste agreed as she sat cross-legged on the ground, looking around at the mass of activity all around her. There were tents and mats set up across the ground, and under the above-ground roots. There were no fires set, nor anything which could reveal their location. There was only low-level lighting, and a few archaic torches were set here and there, tips covered in oil and set alight.
As the girls sat, each obviously looking around for anyone familiar, Naruto took this time to survey the mass of Jedi as they milled about: some remained on their own, meditating, while others were grouped together in clumps of as little as two or three to as large as a dozen, speaking with each other, embracing and throwing greetings around. The relief at seeing friends and comrades alive and safe, even if only met in passing, was thick in the air.
He watched their demeanours, the way they moved, their stances, and the weapons they carried. He had always thought this, ever since he met Dass and beyond: Aayla wasn't your average Jedi, after all.
"They remind me of Samurai," Naruto said to himself.
The three girls he had trained looked up at him as they heard him. It was Celeste who spoke, "What are Samurai, Naruto?"
"Samurai were considered a warrior culture back home. They were warriors who followed a strict code of conduct and ethics, and were also known for their skills with a sword…" Naruto explained as he sat down beside Aayla, "…it's just…now that I see so many Jedi, they remind me of Samurai: the way they stand and walk, and the way they continuously carry their lightsabers just like the Samurai carried their katanas."
The girls looked at him for a moment, but a male voice deep in the crowd caught their attention, "Hey, is that Naruto?"
Naruto turned around, recognising the voice as his eyes widened in surprise.
A female's voice was added to that of the male's, another familiar voice, "Isn't that Aayla and Celeste as well?"
Standing a good ten meters away from them was a duo of familiar faces, and Naruto couldn't help but grin as he started walking towards them. Dass Jennir had changed his look since the last time the Shinobi had seen him, having cut his whitish-grey hair short and shaving his stubble. He almost looked like a gentleman and not a hermit. In contrast, Crys Taanzer hadn't changed at all. Her hair was still a long mane of blonde locks, but unlike before, there was a light in her eyes and a glow about her.
He grabbed Dass in a bear hug, ignoring his grunt of surprise, before turning to Crys and embracing her, picking her up and twirling her around as she laughed lightly, "I don't believe it! It's great to see you two! Where's the rest of the crew?"
"They decided to remain with the ship until the conclave ends…" Dass explained as Crys embraced both Aayla and Celeste in friendly embraces before beginning to catch up with each other, "…the captain and the rest of them decided to allow the Jedi to do what they have to do. Good thing you guys came too; another few minutes and Crys would have probably ran."
"I was NOT going to run," Crys huffed in his direction, "I'm just not used to being around so many Jedi."
"Why are you out here?" Celeste asked, "Not that I mind seeing you again, but I didn't think you'd be so interested in a big Jedi gathering."
"She was reunited with her son," Dass answered with a playful smirk as the mother rounded on him, "We found him and a handful of younglings on an uncharted planet. They were being attacked by a bunch of crashed mercenaries; we landed, helped them and offered to take them somewhere safer."
"You found him?" Celeste asked with a grin.
The pilots smile was serene and peaceful as she nodded her head.
"That's wonderful!" Aayla smiled, hugging her friend again, "That's truly wonderful!"
"A happy ending, how about that?" Naruto asked rhetorically with a smile of his own.
"They were being watched over by a Padawan and Master duo; we took them aboard with us…" Dass continued to explain to Naruto as the three women continued rejoicing over the news that Crys had gotten her son back, "…the Jedi Master of the group, Master K'Kruhk, informed me of the Jedi Conclave here, and we convinced the captain to take us."
"He must have been verypersuasive," Aayla suggested playfully.
"He was," Dass replied nonchalantly, "Master K'Kruhk was one of the most powerful Jedi in the Order who did not receive a seat on the High Council. Most speculated that by the next election he would probably have been granted one."
"What can you tell us about him?" Celeste asked.
"No pushover, I can tell you…" Crys said with a sigh, "…he's a Whipid; makes him naturally strong and durable compared to most other humanoid species, but he is definitely a Jedi who earned the rank of Master."
"He has a reputation as being strong, unbending, and wise beyond his age…" Dass added, knowing a great deal more about the Jedi Master in question than his companion, "…he was never one who believed violence solved much, and was always taking a step back to study a situation. If I remember, he was one of a handful of Jedi who were initially against the Clone Wars. He felt that there were too many anomalies at work; too many coinciding events which were far too hard to explain to merely be…coincidental."
"And he was right," Crys replied.
"So if someone tried to attempt an attack on the Sith and their empire, who would he side with?" Naruto asked.
"Now, that is the question…" Dass replied without a hint of sarcasm or whit. He was dead serious as he folded his arms, "…look around you, Naruto."
Naruto did so, and sighed at what he saw. The atmosphere could have been cut with a knife, it was so tense. The only real sounds he could hear were the crackles of the natural fires and the calling of the natural life around them. Even the younglings seemed to catch onto the situation, for they had stopped playing and laughing; they just remained in their groups, watched over by an adult.
"Do you see it?" Jennir asked.
"Yeah…" Naruto replied with a heavy sigh, "…yeah, I see it."
"We are in a dilemma, Naruto…" Dass explained as he sat down on a flat surfaced stone and looked his friend in the eye. "…these Jedi – they all know the Jedi Code; they know exactly what their response should be. But, we are not emotionless drones: we form attachments of our own. We form bonds of camaraderie, friendship and a sense of family with our fellow Jedi. Order Sixty Six robbed us of so many of those bonds and attachments…and a lot of those here are in indescribable pain."
Crys spoke up, eyes widening in horrific realisation at what her friend and fellow crew member was saying, "They're looking for a fight, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are…" Dass nodded his head, looking around, "…a lot of them are indeed looking for a fight. Many here want to strike back against the Empire; show them that we're not just a memory."
"That would be suicide…" Celeste said, frowning as she looked around, "…there's only…what, about a hundred and fifty, maybe two hundred of us left?"
"It would be a heroic last stand…something for the history books…" Aayla added in solemn agreement, "…but it would be futile and pointless. Maybe if we had a thousand we could storm Coruscant and wage war against the Sith, but-"
"We can't," Dass finished.
"You think they're going to reconvene the Jedi High Council?" Naruto asked as he sat down on a tree root opposite Dass.
"That's the logical conclusion…" Dass answered matter-of-factly, "…with only three of the current Council still living, though, they would need a few additional masters to fill the empty seats. That's probably why they've called the likes of Masters Choi, Swan and K'Kruhk to them: they're gathering the wisest and strongest survivors and putting them on the Council."
"Makes sense…" Aayla allowed, "…the remnants of the Order will need leadership. If it's not provided, then we'll be scattered, lost and begging for the Empire's Jedi hunters to pick us off one at a time."
"The question is what their next move will be…" Celeste sighed as she looked at the assembled group, "…will it be to declare war, or will it be to try and create some sort of underground to aid us against the Emperor's dogs?"
Master Tsui Choi sat on a chair, looking back and forth at those gathered together. They were inside a hollowed-out tree, the "chamber" that it provided easily being the same size as the old Jedi Council Chamber. Within the chamber were twelve seats in a horseshoe formation, seemingly created from the vines and bark of the natural creation that surrounded them. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
Choi then considered those who had been summoned as he was: an assembly of Jedi, all Masters of considerable esteem but who had not previously been placed on the Jedi High Council, standing at nine of the provided seats – four to the left of the center, five to the right. Sitting on the central three chairs were the last surviving members of the leadership of the Jedi Order, the remnants of the Jedi High Council.
Master Yoda sat in the central chair, legs crossed and gimmer stick laying on his lap. The small green creature was by far the eldest of all the Jedi assembled; nearing nine-hundred years of age, he was one of the oldest living creatures in the known galaxy. He was considered the wisest of the Order, with both great compassion and an unshakable will. But looking upon this ancient creature, Master Choi had to struggle to hide his surprise. For the first time…maybe ever to Master Choi, Yoda looked old and worn, the warm grandfatherly sparkle he remembered in Yoda's eyes now replaced by a haunting sadness and what seemed to be regret and guilt…as though he had somehow failed greatly.
Sitting to his left was Master Shaak Ti. She was kind and knowledgeable, but she was also known to be firm and headstrong. She was famous for being one of only a select few Jedi to fight the infamous General Grievous and survive to tell the tale, though she never did…and nobody ever asked.
Sitting on Yoda's right was one of the most famous Jedi alive, known for his exploits during the war, which earned him the nickname of "The Negotiator". He was also known for being the only Jedi alive who fought a Sith… and not only survived the battle, but emerged victorious. Obi-Wan Kenobi looked as worn and weathered as the other two masters before them, not surprising considering the supposed "Chosen One" he had trained had turned into their most fearsome foe.
Choi looked at those present, seeing Bultar Swan flanking his left, but he also recognised others among the group. He saw the old, grizzled form of Master Tholme, one of Aayla's former Masters, with Master Tra'Saa, his partner and the teacher to Mace Windu. Master K'Kruhk stood beside them, being easily one of the tallest in attendance.
The others he also knew, more by reputation than by personal encounter.
The most famous was An'ya Kuro, also known amongst the Jedi as "The Dark Woman". She was considered by many to be one of the strongest Jedi in recent history, a powerful force user and a respected, if unorthodox, teacher. She had trained many apprentices and served in the Clone Wars with distinction as a spy, showing herself to be a master of infiltration and gathering high-quality intelligence.
Kai Hudorra was the next Jedi to catch his attention, a Bothan Jedi Master who was a well-known General during the war. He was able to use his considerable cunning and stealth to escape from the burning ruins of the Jedi Temple. There was a rumour that seemed to follow him wherever he went: that he abandoned his Padawan on Coruscant and left her to fend for herself…though the rumour was never confirmed.
Rahm Kota was the next Jedi he recognized. Kota was known as a respectable and honourable man who, like many other Masters and Knights, decided to become a General during the war. He served with honour and distinction, but decided to utilise volunteer soldiers instead of clones, having an instinctual mistrust of them and their dubious introduction as the Republic's Grand Army. How right he was in hindsight, even though many scoffed at his perspective at first.
Finally there was Jedi Master Fy-Tor-Ana, also recently gaining the name of "Lady Solace". She was known not as a General or warrior, but as an instructor at the Jedi Academy, and the youngest of the Jedi Masters that had assembled in that chamber. The young human woman had since used her status as a Jedi to create a sanctuary known as the "Jedi Asteroid". At least a dozen of the Jedi at the conclave arrived in her company.
Shaak Ti, seeing all of those requested were in attendance, rose from her chair and looked around at the assembly for a long moment before speaking, "Thank you all for coming, but I am afraid there will be little time for debate on the issue of reforming the Jedi High Council. Instead, we surviving members have already gathered and determined the identities of those whom we believe possess the ability and skill to lead the Jedi Order during this time."
Choi knew where this was going. There were nine masters in attendance, and there were nine vacant seats on the council. There were worse choices, he supposed; certainly all of those he saw there had proven themselves on and off the battlefield, mostly during the year after that horrendous order was enacted by their "loyal subordinates", and the events that followed, requiring all of them to fight off countless bounty hunters, dark Jedi and Sith, and what was now recognized as the legitimate Galactic government.
"We ask that those in attendance this day…comply with our decisions, and we beg you all to take up the seats offered before you on the Jedi High Council…" Shaak Ti finished as she sat down and waited, "…we will not place blame upon you if you should refuse, however…out of the surviving Masters of the Order, and after as much discussion as we could afford to engage in, we have decided that those of you in attendance are the best candidates. Fellow Masters, we need your wisdom, we need your experience…we need your help."
There was a long moment of hesitancy before the first Master, Kai Hudorra, sighed with a heavy breath and walked over to the chair beside Master Shaak Ti, sitting down on the naturally-made seat and waited. One by one, the others followed his example. Even Fy-Tor-Ana, who was obviously overwhelmed by the sudden position, took her place on the council, moved as the others were by Shaak Ti's gracious and humble plea. Choi and Swan were the last, taking the last chairs on either side of the chamber.
Silence fell upon the chamber as the nine new members of the Jedi High Council waited quietly in their seats, waiting for the senior Councillors to initiate this…session. Finally, Master Yoda rose from his chair, tapping his gimmer stick against the floor three times to gain his fellows' attention before speaking.
"Thank you, we do. Upon you, a large burden we have bestowed," the venerable old Master explained simply as he looked at the renewed Jedi High Council, "At a crossroads, the Jedi are…in open combat, face the Empire, do we? Or from the wrath, hide, and for the Galaxy's inevitable response, should we wait? Such a decision, we must make, today, and in the balance, the future of our Galaxy and the Jedi Order lies."
Author's Note: Not so much action this chapter, and there won't be much action for the next chapter or two either as the plot takes a few steps forward and the Jedi's next move will be revealed. Thank you to ncpfan as usual for doing the beta-reading, and thank you once again to the mass of reviews from the last chapter from everybody. I'll try and keep chapters coming at this pace, but I can't promise that update times will be consistent, 40hr a week jobs are a huge pain in the ass.