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"How do you wish to open your case?"
His case?
Percy wasn't afraid to admit it. He was a tad confused about why he was even in the Jedi Council Chambers. Sure, he figured they would want to talk with Shaak Ti's student she sent to fight. However, to be judged worthy of being a Jedi…. He and Shaak Ti had made it clear he was not Jedi material. Did they not catch the memo?
He glanced at Master Windu and then glanced at the surrounding members. All of them, aliens and humanoids alike, were silently waiting for whatever opening remarks he was supposed to have, but he just stood there, staring back.
"Percy?" Shaak Ti prodded.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Do you understand the question?"
Not really.
"Just cause I didn't listen to half your teachings doesn't mean I don't listen at all."
"Of course." She gave him a calm smile. "You just haven't answered the question."
"Right, well, you see, that's the problem though." Percy turned to the bald man with a severe look in his eyes. "I'm not a Jedi, Master Windu."
"You are Master Shaak Ti's padawan, though?" a cone-headed older man-alien asked.
Percy shrugged, "In a manner of speaking."
"You carry a lightsaber?" Tentacles asked.
Percy nodded.
"And Master Shaak Ti has imparted upon you the knowledge of the Force and of this council?" Adi added.
"Well, yeah, but—"
"A padawan, you are," Frogman finished.
"But that's not what I signed up for, though."
"While you are far from conventional, you are a Padawan," a man-elf thing with a ponytail proclaimed. "What is there to confuse?"
"Well, there is the fact I am a general before anything else."
"Who decided that anyways?" conehead turned to Shaak Ti. "I do not recall a vote permitting such an act."
"Nor do I," Windu added.
Everyone glanced between Percy and Shaak Ti. The two stared at each other. Shaak Ti was stopne walled emotionaless in her chair. However, Percy was the opposite as he kept shifting his weight from one foot to another. He looked at her, hoping she would explain everything to them.
"Master Shaak Ti?" someone prodded.
She turned her head to them, her eyes never leaving Percy's, but she nodded all the same to the speaker. "You are right, of course. There never was a vote, just as there was never a notice I had taken a padawan until he was all but out the doors of Kamino." Some of the Masters mumbled to another. "However," Shaak Ti continued, "frankly, there was no need."
"And why is that?" Windu frowned.
"As Percy has said already. He is not a Jedi. He is not a member of our order. If it helps you, think of him as an enhanced soldier that I have personally trained to lead and to fight."
"And you allowed him to build a lightsaber?"
"It was better than giving him a blaster." She smirked as heat decorated Percy's cheeks. "He has terrible aim."
"But a lightsaber?" Adi asked. "There are other weapons beyond our own that he could have used."
"Perhaps, but Percy here is familiar with the way of the blade and has already proven himself more adept at it than I dare say many of us. Plus, I daresay, should we not arm him capable of fighting Sith just as effectively as we do?"
All eyes turned to Percy.
"Is this true?" Tentacles asked. "You have already mastered the blade?"
"Something like that. I'm way better with it than a gun. I mean, I really did somehow shoot a blaster, and the bolt went behind me. The bounty hunter guy that was there all but ripped the rifle from my hands."
"How did you manage that?" Adi tittered. "Did you use the Force to manipulate the round?"
"No, ma'am. I cannot use the Force."
"You cannot?" Conehead asked as if Percy hadn't just said it.
"That's what I said."
"What have I missed?" Mother's presence appeared on his shoulder.
The council members around him shifted in their seats suddenly. Many gave him a thorough seizing up, like a pod of orcas hunting their next seal.
"How did you manage to hide your presence in the Force till just now then?" Windu asked, a frown adorning his face with his scowl.
"What do you mean?" Percy looked down at himself, even checking his backside as if there could have been something on his back. "I haven't done a thing to myself."
Percy looked back to Windu as the master began to speak, "Before, your presence in the Force was no different than anyone else, but just then, I could have mistaken you for Skywalker."
"I don't—"
"They sense me. When I tether to you, they can feel me, but they mistake it for you. Simpletons."
"—know," Percy spoke, distracted by Mother.
"This is why I believe him to be the Chosen One." Shaak Ti declared. "Do you feel his presence in the Force?"
"Do you?" Yoda asked, pulling everyone's attention. "Over Skywalker, you believe him to be."
"Yes, Master Yoda. I believe the Force placed him in my path for a reason."
"And what reason is that?" Adi asked.
"To train me to win your war. Not to be a Jedi or a peacekeeper, but to be a warrior who ends a conflict," Percy summarized.
"And how do you plan to end this war?" Windu leaned forward in his seat. "Please enlighten us."
"I will do what I must," Percy shrugged without a care. "Tell me what's allowed and what isn't, and I will work out the kinks from there."
"A dangerous line of thinking," someone mumbled from behind him.
"Look, me and Shaak Ti already made a deal. I won't back down from it. So, let us just accept that I am here and advance with solving the intergalactic conflict. You guys are really caught up on this Jedi thing for no reason."
Conehead looked to his fellow master, "And what is this deal?"
"He resolves our troubles, and I will help him resolve his own."
"And what troubles do you have?" Adi asked from her seat next to Shaak Ti.
Percy glanced at Shaak Ti, exasperated. Did they want a documentary and a slide show on him?
"Tell them the truth. You will need them on your side."
Percy sighed, exaggerating his annoyance, "I have few memories of my life before Shaak Ti found me. However, I do know I belong to a galaxy far, far away." Many council members looked ready to question him, but he continued. "For all me and Shaak Ti know, your Sith problem could be a problem my people faced as well."
Immediately, the Masters began talking fervently, all at once. It was a cacophony of noise Percy ignored as he locked eyes with Ti, searching for approval that what he said was enough. She nodded with a small smile. The others around him continued to talk all at once, questioning him and Ti about whatever they were speaking of.
Here, I thought you lot were supposed to be patient….
"Silence!" Windu commanded, and everyone fell silent as they stared at him. "How do we know you speak the truth?"
Really? Percy threw his hands in the air.
"It is rather unbelievable to simple minds."
"I really don't have any other story I could tell you besides the one I know of, man. Honestly, I am only here before you today out of respect for all Shaak Ti has done for me. How I see it, this whole meeting and fanfare of trying to sort me into your order is only slowing me down. I don't know your teachings. I don't know who many of you are. Don't even get me started on planet names, either. However, what I do know is that I have the willpower to do what must be done. I know how to swing my blade and improvise. Most importantly, I know that not contesting the Sith isn't going to help me out and that I've made a deal to solve that issue. So, either accept that I am doing this and help me or stay out of my way."
"The kid has spirit," Tentacles smirked. "I approve."
"And what is it you approve, Master Fisto?"
Fisto? Tentacles is a better name than Fist-o.
"I approve of him being a General."
"He isn't a Jedi, though," Windu insisted, back to Fisto's approval.
"Where does it say only Jedi are generals?" Fisto countered. "If you must have consolations to this. Then perhaps, for the foreseeable future, we allow young Perseus here to accompany Jedi Masters and their war efforts. I understand he has already aided Master Kenobi and Skywalker. We shall continue this trial period, and if he can stand on his own two feet as he proclaims, then we have no problem."
"I approve," Shaak Ti jumped in. "Trial him. Percy will not disappoint. He will even surprise you with his capabilities."
"If we are to allow this, for him to carry out like a Jedi but not one, then he shall also join us in the Temple," Windu offered as he looked to his fellow masters. "Housing, lessons, and all that entails, he will carry out just like any of us did. However, for the records, he will only be a general."
"That's just you being paranoid about me and wanting to micromanage me." Windu sent him a glare. "I'm fine with it, though. I don't own a house or place to live anyway, so if you want to offer free room and board, I'll take it. As long as we remain clear that I am not a Jedi."
"I approve," Shaak Ti once again insisted.
"As do I," Adi added along with Fisto.
"Then, Perseus, you shall be allowed to carry on as you were with the amendments made here today. However, until the next Master Jedi leaves for a conflict, you will remain in wait with your men."
Percy shrugged, "That works for me. When are we leaving?"
"You are dismissed, Perseus. You'll leave the planet whenever we are ready," Windu said as he held up a hand to the other members, who began to rise, "The rest of you remain. We still need to discuss Shaak Ti's approach to this and how we shall handle her actions behind our backs."
Percy stopped mid-stride and turned back to face them, "Wait! Don't blame her. I'm the one who dropped into her lap and started all this. I forced these issues."
"Protocols to follow, there are," the green frogman spoke. "Worry not. Fine, she will be."
Percy hesitated and looked to Shaak Ti, the only person in the room he truly trusted. She smiled and gave a 'shoo' of her hand. Reluctantly, Percy nodded and left into the elevator.
"That went rather well. I was half expecting them to make you do their rituals and trials."
"Yeah?" he said aloud inside the elevator. "Think I would have passed them?"
"With ease. You are greater than they realize."
"Ti sees that," Percy defended.
"Because I showed her, of course."
Percy frowned, "I thought it was the Force that guided her actions?"
"My hand is the Force, Perseus."
"If that is so, why don't you just solve all these problems then with the Force? Manipulate the Sith to like off themselves and such."
"Forces and beings more powerful than I oppose my moves."
"I'm going to have to fight them at some point, aren't I?"
"I hope not, Perseus. I truly hope not," she faded away, her presence leaving him.
Did I say something wrong? He tried calling out to her.
He was met with silence.
The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out into the windy weather of Coruscant. His hair rippled across his vision as he stared back up at where he had just come from.
Those individuals in the high castle led this war for the Republic. They were the peacekeepers of the galaxy turned generals, and they cared more about punishing Shaak Ti for trying to make a difference than taking the initiative themselves to leave their thrones to fight.
Did he bite off more than he could chew by agreeing to win this war? Were the ones more concerned about keeping their zealous practices close-guarded meant to dictate the welfare of others?
Yet, the Sith were acclaimed to be no better. They were openly vile and ill-intentioned.
Percy turned away from the Jedi and towards where he was dropped off.
"Lust, come in."
"I'm reading you loud and clear, General. Ready for pick up?"
"Same spot you left me."
"Roger. If you don't mind me asking, General, we have new orders?"
"I don't mind at all. And until the next Jedi Master leaves town, we are grounded. They don't seem to be my biggest fan, so we can only operate with overseers for the time being."
"Understood, sir. Inbound, two minutes."
:P LINE BREAK d:
"Trust me, nothing can go wrong with this idea," Percy assured his commander, patting him on the back.
"Of course, sir."
"I mean, we are going to need a lot of paint, though."
"Of course, sir. We can send some of the men to collect it."
"Gonna need more than a couple, I think."
"I'll get on it, sir."
"Alright, take Ego and Envy with you. You three can be the trial run with Lust. See if it even looks good on you before we commit to anything."
"Of course, sir." Wrath gave him a salute and turned away.
Percy watched him go, disappearing down into a branching corridor. Percy then turned and began walking back to his quarters. He had spent the day training with his blade and was pretty tired. Plus, he had nothing better to do.
The Olympus had been docked in a landing field on Coruscant for a few days. Personally, he had hoped they would've been up and about within twenty-four hours of his first meeting with the Council, but it would seem they were in no rush to be anywhere.
He had been in contact with Shaak Ti, who had since returned to Kaminio. She had gotten off with a verbal smack on the wrist about circumventing protocol and not reporting just who exactly Percy was on day one. They also professed their unease with such a rogue combatant milling about. They really did not like his status as a pseudo-Jedi, but apparently, according to her, they were willing to abide for now as they wanted to make more observations on him before handling him any further.
A part of him couldn't blame them either after he thought about it.
They were a mystical order with supernatural powers and capabilities. They were not ordinary citizens of the Republic, so they had to have rules and guidelines for themselves. And, if he could swim to depths of the sea and breathe underwater, he wasn't normal either. So, maybe he did belong with them, but their rules and beliefs….
Where they all to his taste, not particularly. After all, if he had to forgo attachments, what would he be fighting for besides being told to do so? At that point, wouldn't he be a droid serving a higher purpose dictated by others who deem it righteous?
It didn't matter though. Council approval or not, he made a deal with Mother. The Republic and the Council were an added benefit in her eyes for his mission, as she believed him solely capable of handling the dark side of the Force.
He wished she would talk more and explain things better. She had been relatively quiet since he dealt with the Chairman. After all, if she was getting him into this mess, she could at least help him find his way forward.
Percy opened the door to his room and kicked off his boots. He unclipped his lightsaber and threw it carelessly to the side before he fell face-first onto his bed. He was tired and overthinking. He didn't even feel like undressing into sleepwear. He just didn't want to be awake anymore….
He let his eyes fall and began to doze off.
However, even asleep, he was plagued.
At first, he had thought it a dream or rather a nightmare, but that quickly changed as he realized he could taste the stale air of wherever his dreaming self traveled to. He had never been able to taste anything in any other dream he had ever had since he woke up on Kamino.
Percy stood to the side of a hooded man. The black robe obscured any and all details of who was under the hood, but Percy had an idea, especially when a hologram of the Sith Darth Tyranus appeared. Tyranus, or rather Dooku, was the leader of the Confederation of Independent Systems. He was the acting warlord over the armies of droids that spewed from factories far and wide.
"A new Jedi has entered the fray," the hooded man spoke.
"What would you have me do, Master?"
Percy kept listening as he glanced around the room. He was locked in place at the side of the man inside the dark cave-like room, but there had to be something he could learn about his surroundings.
"Study him. He has come from nowhere and suddenly. His presence is no mere coincidence. Shaak Ti would not have hidden such an agent from her own order if she did not think him a risk."
"Should we set a trap for him?"
Percy glanced at the hologram Count Dooku. A trap?
"No, not yet."
"Then I shall simply observe."
You won't be the only one.
"I will attempt to unearth what I can of the boy. Perhaps there was a reason he was never acknowledged till now. Perhaps it could be the Jedi's downfall by unveiling him from the shadows."
"You believe him to be a secret weapon?" Tyrnaus stroked his bearded chin.
"He is not any ordinary Jedi. After all, what Jedi uses an orange kyber crystal?"
How did they know that?
"Orange? There has not been a recorded saber of that color since—"
"Precisely why we should only observe for now."
Since who?
"As you wish, Master."
Since who, you shmucks?
Percy shot awake. Sweat clung to his skin like it was clothing. His heart fluttered to a beat too fast to measure. He wiped the drool that had trailed down his face. He could still taste the stale air even as it was slowly replaced by the tasteless circulated air of the cruiser.
Why couldn't he catch a normal nap?
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