The memories came back to him, memories he wished he could forget, but he knew that he would carry them until the day he became one with the Force. The smell of charred flesh, blood, and the burning ozone from blaster fire combined with the screams of the dying, the roar of repulsorlifts and sublight drives, and the high pitch whine of blaster repeaters laying down torrents of plasma. Painted a vivid picture that seemed as fresh as the day he was there on the battle scarred surface of Ruusan. Of his older brother dragging him onto the last transport as their grandfather joined Lord Hoth in the final assault to halt a Sith ritual. He had been a young Padawan back then, having just taken his place as his grandfather's padawan and squire, as his brother had been before he became a Jedi Knight. He had been little more than a youngling at the time, at the tender age of eight standard years.
The doors of the High Council chamber opening had pulled him back from his memories. His brother, Amos was to his right, regal and powerful as a Jedi Lord should be. As their grandfather had been. While Master Amilyn was to his left, as serene as a mountain pond.
As they entered they bowed in respect to the Masters on the High Council. Most he did not personally know but he could recall from his early childhood Grandmaster Coven having visited his grandfather at their seat on the world of Odessan.
Amos said, "Masters, we are honored to be invited here today. I don't think there has been a time in my life where I traveled from Odessan for any purpose other than war. So this is a welcome change".
Grandmaster Coven said, "Greetings young Amos, we're glad you could come. We have much to discuss, as Master Amilyn has told you".
Amos said, "Yes, and I believe I know what it is about. You wish for me to abdicate my title of Jedi Lord and my family's possessions on Odessan and adopt the terms of the Ruusan Reformation."?
Coven said, "That is the gist of the issue. The Republic decreed that the time of Jedi Lords and Jedi dynasties should come to an end as a sign of the new era of Galactic peace".
Amos replied, "I understand what the Senate has decreed but the charter by which Odessa and its vassal systems were allowed entrance into the Republic is far older than the current government here on Coruscant, as was the provisions allowed by my family. A reward for centuries of leal service and extraditionary achievement. Dating back to the founders of my line, the Legendary Hero of Tython, Jedi Battlemaster Orguso Dracos and Jedi Master Kira Carsen. Even the Constitution of the sector has enshrined our role as the world's protector until the end of time. Any act against those legal documents and provisions would constitute a breakdown of the rule of law and tyranny. Which is what we spent the last millenia fighting against as the Sith represent despotic tranny".
Master Amilyn said, "Amos, no one is disputing your family's legacy of service to the Order, the Republic, and the Galaxy as a whole, but it is by no means a carte blanche to skirt the laws of the Republic or the statues of our Order".
Amos said, "Correct, but remaining as we are allows us to better serve the Republic and the Galaxy, rather than be concentrated in the Galactic Core, we are out in the rim, where we can help those in need even when the Republic can't. You all know as well as I, the Sith weren't the only terror in the Outer Rim during the wars with the Sith. The Outer Rim faced constant attacks from pirates, slavers, Hutts, and the other predators of the galaxy. We Jedi Lords made a tremendous difference establishing islands of justice, security, and order among a sea of chaos. Master Amilyn and Master Fae, you were both close friends with my grandfather despite differences in politics and philosophy, you know the good he and those who came before him did for the sector, the galaxy, and the Order. It takes almost three standard months to take a civilian ship or older warship to get from Coruscant to the Odessa and Zakuul sectors, even now after the war. Which means that aid would be very slow in coming when the people of the rim and other frontier worlds request aid. Especially now with the demilitarization of the Republic"..
That had been almost a year ago. Amos had been everyone one could want in a ruler, and even among the great masters who made up the High Council, his skills of diplomacy were as sharp as his skill with a lightsaber. In exchange for their toleration of his rule as a Jedi Lord and those who had sworn to their family, a certain number of padawans and younglings must be trained on Coruscant or by mainstream Jedi knights and masters. Which is how he became Master Amilyn's padawan. He didn't mind it though, she was a good master and taught him well, and his brother had even gifted him a T21 astromech and HK-57 assassin droid to aid them. T21 had been based off their ancestor's T7 series astromech which had remained on Odessan, and the HK-57 had been based off the HK-51 that had also served their ancestor. Master Amilyn initially disapproved of the assassin droid, but realized that an assassin droid who was an expert in that craft would also know how to defend against other assassins. Unfortunately neither helped them now as they say drifting in the endless void of space. While hunting a pirate who had a fairly substantial collection of Sith artifacts their ship's long range communication array and primary hyperdrive had been damaged. Which meant that despite successfully neutralizing the pirate and destroying or recovering the Sith artifacts it meant their mission would become a failure, as the back-up hyperdrive had a far shorter range than the primary hyperdrive.
T21 and HK were doing what they could to repair the primary hyperdrive around the clock. If they had been a planet it would be around 0300, but Josaih couldn't sleep nor could he meditate in his room. So he went down to the cargo bay to run lightsaber drills. He had always struggled to clear his mind and meditate on the Force when standing still unless he was in a place that was strong in the Living Force. When away from those places, he always found it easier to meditate when engaging in lightsaber training, as the exertion of both the mind and body allowed him to better draw on the Force.
Time seemed to cease as he was deep in the throes of the moving meditation that came from his lightsaber drills. As did many other things. The only thing he was conscious of was the Force, as it flowed through him. Every cell of his body was flowing with the limitless power of the Force, he let it guide every motion of his body and lightsaber. He was one with the Force and the Force was one with him.
Something flashed into his mind, an unknown world strong in the Force. Lush and teaming with life. It was like almost nothing he had seen before except for his homeworld Odessen and the Jedi Temple of Coruscant. Yet there was something Dark rumbling beneath the surface, it was almost like both sides of the Force were fighting each other for dominance of the World,which made him recall his studies on the original Jedi homeworld of Tython.
But before he could ponder it further he was kicked out of the vision. His breathing was ragged. His body, drenched in sweat, was aligned in a straight riposte, the tip of his Lightsaber was pointed at HK's neck.
HK said, "Query: Master, are you unwell? My audio sensors detected your ragged breathing".
Josiah said, "I am alright HK, I was just training and I received a vision".
HK said, "Statement: Understood Master. In addition, T21 and I have been able to determine that the backup hyperdrive is still fully operational".
Josiah asked, "Is there any other report on the ship's systems"?
HK replied, "Lament: Unfortunately yes Master. The primary hyperdrive has been damaged beyond repair and requires replacement. As are the long range communications systems, including the distress beacon. Based on estimated fuel for the backup hyperdrive, it is extremely unlikely that we will be able to return to civilized space. Will last for approximately two standard months".
Josiah said, "Sithspit. That isn't good news".
HK replied, "Query: Master, how do you wish to proceed"?
Josiah said, "Request Amilyn and T21 to the bridge, I have an idea".
HK replied, "Confirmation: As you wish Master. I will bring them to the bridge".
Josiah made his way to bridge and it wasn't long afterwards that Master Amilyn and T21 had arrived.
T21 gave a cheerful series of beeps about seeing him again and Josiah gave a quick reply saying the same.
Master Amilyn asked, "Is everything alright, my young Padawan?"
Josiah replied, "Yes, Master. I couldn't sleep so I went to train and meditate. I received a vision while in a moving meditation. There was a world strong in the Force, it teamed with life. I think we should head towards it. I believe the Force sent me that vision to guide us to the world whether it be for destiny or not, I do not know. But at least it will be a safe haven".
Master Amilyn said, "It could, you must be mindful of vision though. The future is always in motion and the visions can be influenced by the Dark Side".
Josiah replied, "Of course, master. Are you saying we shouldn't follow the vision"?
Master Amilyn said, "No, even a questionable vision is better than a certain disaster. You have the helm".
Josiah bowed and said, "Thank you Master".
Josiah let the Force guide him as he and T21 prepared the ship for a jump to hyperspace. With the preparations complete and the coordinates punched in, Josiah took a deep breath and trusted in the Force as he pulled the lever that activated the hyperdrive.