Chapter 26: The Council

He stood before them, the greatest, and wisest, of the Jedi Order.

Jas Dar Bynn had looked around when he had first been summoned, four temple guards escorting him to the tower, to the seat of the Jedi High Council. Behind the twelve, the Coruscant skyline was everywhere, speeders zipping across the sky, millions of beings living out their lives, as the Jedi kept watch, offering guidance and support to the mighty Republic.

At least, that is how it SHOULD have worked, in theory. The truth was…far more complicated.

He had been surprised when he had first stepped through the doors. He had expected Venari, and a few choice masters to be here, that they would sit in judgment of his recent actions, to see the full high council assembled…had things truly gone so far?

Perhaps, there is more going on here than I can see. Maybe things have gone beyond the action of a single unruly acolyte?

Regardless, he was here, right where the Force had guided him. The twelve members of the High Council would stand in judgment. Venari sat in the high seat, meaning that he would likely have the final word when it came to Jas' fate. Master Orgus Dinn was here too, unsurprising, considering he had been one of the Jedi that had determined Jas' status years ago.

Neither master had truly been his ally that day; he was curious where they stood now, them, and the others.

He should have been worried, such attention being on him, but…he was not.

Strangely enough…he wasn't concerned.

The Force offered comfort, whatever was decided here, it would be with him…always.

He knew that now.

It was Master Venari who spoke first, the old man had been patient while Jas had told the tale of his journey and mission. Several of the others had asked questions, but the man who should have been his master had remained silent…until now.

He had nodded and smiled politely.

"This has been an interesting report, Jas Dar Bynn, most…enlightening."

Jas said nothing more, there was really nothing else that he could say. There was nothing left to add, at least, he could not think of anything.

He had done his duty, made sure that the council understood what had happened during his hunt for Vessaria and Val.

Now, they knew what he had done.

The next move…was theirs.

The masters glanced at one another, most Jas remembered from his childhood, many of these Jedi had sat on the council for decades now. Four stood out though, their presence showing how seriously the council was taking this matter.

Master A'Kla was a known commodity, the Camassi had served the order well, he had been one of the prime negotiators for the order, always willing to step up and advise in the name of peace.

Lomi Diath, of the legendary Diath clan, was also there. More than a few legendary Jedi had sprung from that particular line, going back several centuries. Though she had been a guardian in her youth, the dark-skinned master now chose a more…conservative path. Her recent involvement in the Corellian system had made news across the galaxy. It was said that even the native Corellian Jedi respected her wisdom, impressive, given the divisions that had grown between the two Jedi sects. Jas couldn't get a read on her, her feelings on his mission were hidden behind her iron will.

He could not say if he had an ally in her.

Master Nadon had also chosen to remain silent during his report, but that was not unexpected. The Ithorian was a being of few words, though, when he did speak, others knew it was wise to listen. A being of great integrity, he had once served as the supreme chancellor's personal advisor. Jas could only guess what his opinion might be, would he believe that the Republic's interests were paramount in this, or would he follow the will of the Force?

Jas couldn't say.

This council was known to consider all options before proceeding, they were…conservative at best, with one exception…

That exception nodded to Jas and showed her teeth, the teeth of a predator.

"You have definitely gone above and beyond this time, my young friend. Your…accomplishments, far more than what anyone on this council might have expected.

Jas shrugged.

"I only did my duty, Master Sei'lya. I merely followed the guidance of the Force."

Trace Sei'lya smiled again, her fur rippling, a show of amusement, common among the Bothan people.

Her presence here today, that was a surprise to Jas.

Sei'lya had first became a knight when Jas had still been a boy at the temple; slender of body with cream colored fur, and a single golden ring around her left eye, she had been a known commodity to all the younglings of his day. Born into the powerful Lya clan, and strong in the Force, she was said to be destine for great things. Her exploits had caught the attention, and imagination, of the children of the temple. She had been brave and true to the order, but she had also been a bit flashier than most Jedi. She had gained a reputation for being only one or two steps above being censored by the council.

And now…she was one of them, that surprised him. Yes, it had been almost twenty years, but it seemed hard to believe that someone could change so quickly. He never would have picked the Bothan for the council, not given how she had behaved when he was younger.

Time and the Force changes all things, he thought, perhaps, even a firebrand like Trace Sei'lya.

The Bothan turned her head, recognizing the only Jedi Master in the room that was not on the council. Again, she flashed her toothy smile.

"I think you have some explaining to do, Master Vey. You agreed to train this man as a mere acolyte, but what I'm sensing…"

The Bothan shook her head.

"You have clearly gone far beyond your mandate with this one. Do you care to explain your actions?"

Jas glanced over at his master. Another Jedi might have stammered, been intimidated by such a question. His teacher was not.

Vey Ilo merely smiled, and stepped forward.

"Jas was no green youngling when he came to me, Master Sei'lya. He had already been studying the Force on his own. What he had discovered, he applied that to my own teachings. The results…well…they stand before you now."

"Indeed," Master Diath said eyeing Jas suspiciously, "Some might call those self-taught lessons a mistake, that it was the job of his master to make him discard them, in favor of established teachings."

"The road to the Jedi is not a single path," Vey replied, "Many have found their way to us, and not always on the tried-and-true road that is taught here."

"That path exists for a reason, Vey," Master Nadon reminded her, "It has served us well for almost three centuries."

"Perhaps," Vey acknowledged, once again, showing no sign of acceptance or insult.

Jas watched his master closely, he was not sure how she viewed his actions, she had never forbidden or accepted them, and now…now…

…he remained…unsure…unsure…yet…unafraid.

What had happened, it was the will of the Force, he was certain of it.

He would not apologize for it.

He had done…what needed to be done.

IOI

It had been almost three months since his final confrontation with the Sunset Collective. Three months since he had allowed himself to be taken back to both Coruscant, and the Jedi Temple.

It had not taken long to secure the station, not after the deaths of both the Hand of the Faith, and the First Speaker. The head had been removed, and so…the body had died. Coop and Ellis' soldiers had made short work of the defenders. The Collective members had not been prepared to face seasoned Mandalorians backed up by Cooper/Halcyon enforcers.

The space battle had been the hardest, the pilots of the collective ships had fought to the last, the few remaining vessels had tried suicide attacks when they realized the battle was lost. One of Coop's armed freighters had been destroyed when one of them had managed to crash into the ship's bridge, all aboard had been lost.

Jas mourned those that had died stopping the collective, but he had taken solace in the fact that no more would die because of these fanatics.

The fighters dealt with, now it was time to deal with the station survivors.

Many of the cultists had chosen death over capture, either they went down fighting, or set off their suicide implants. In the end, the remaining collective people, forty-three in all had been marched into the station's hangar, marched in, and placed under guard.

The cultists didn't look at their captors, they kept their heads down, a sense of hopelessness radiating off of them.

Jas couldn't help but wonder if they truly understood who and what they had been serving. Most of them were barely out of their teens, young people who had come to the collective looking for something to believe in.

He understood what that was like, but that didn't mean that he felt sorry for them; too many innocents had died at the hands of the collective for him to truly sympathize with such people.

He and V'Lek arrived in the hangar together, Jas was happy to see Val and Miri there, along with the rest of their crew.

He sighed with relief and smiled.

The Force had been kind in this at least.

Word had been sent to the shadow Mondar, and through him, to the Republic. Two hours after the battle had ended, Republic forces had arrived to take the survivors into custody. Coop and the others had been gone at that point, leaving only Jas and handful of security droids to keep order.

Jas had surrendered the station to the Republic, and that had been the end of it. He had been brought back to Coruscant, and now…here he was.

The rest, as the scholar would say…was history.

IOI

"We have concluded the interrogations the survivors of the Collective attack, Jas Dar Bynn," Master A'Kla informed him, his round golden eyes focusing on the young acolyte.

"We have several questions that you may be able to answer."

"I am at your service, master," Jas said with a bow, "What ever I can offer beyond my official report, I'm more than willing to share it."

"We are most pleased to hear that," the Camassi said.

"According to the report, you used your contacts within the Cooper/Halcyon organization to secure the enemy. I'm curious why you didn't contact this council, or the Republic navy, surely either could have handled the matter far more efficiently."

"Considering what happened aboard the Mannanter," Jas replied, "I thought it safer not to risk alerting the collective of my…intentions."

"You were worried about further infiltration." Sei'lya said, a statement, not a question.

"It was one of the reasons for my decision, yes."

The Bothan sneered.

"Can't really argue with that logic, can we A'Kla?"

The other master didn't answer, merely nodded sagely.

"The prisoners also mentioned Mandalorians," Diath added, "Were these mercenaries hired by Captain Cooper?"

"Associates of Captain Cooper," Jas clarified, "recruited as a favor for House Rist of Alderaan, they had an interest in seeing the hostages taken during the Righteous incident protected."

"And these would be the same Mandalorians that once counted the criminal Targo Sei as part of their clan?"

Jas pursed his lips, he didn't like the way the master had asked that question, but did his best to remain cordial.

"Targo Sei betrayed his clan, he was exiled for it. He then chose to return, and murder the clan head's son, retribution for his banishment."

Master A'Kla sighed, a buzzing that escaped his proboscis.

"The brutality of the Mandalore clans continues."

Again, Jas had to hold his tongue.

What Targo had done to Ellis' son had not been about Clan politics it had been a cowardly act of revenge.

The bounty hunter had paid for that.

"We recovered the hunter's body," Sei'lya reminded him, "stripped of all armor and weapons, shot through the throat and stomach."

The Bothan's gaze turned cool.

"You didn't think of returning the man to Coruscant to stand trial? Many lives were lost during the Righteous incident, not the mention the loss of two Jedi who went in search of him."

"There was no time to claim him as prisoner," Jas assured her, "As I said in my report…"

He shook his head.

"We should simply take comfort in the fact that justice was done."

"Justice?" the Bothan asked.

"Yes, Mandalorian justice."

IOI

They had recovered Targo from the observation deck where Jas had left him, he had not fully recovered when taken into custody, otherwise more blood might have been shed. Yet, when he was brought down; he offered no apology, even wounded…he remained as defiant as ever.

The scarred traitor had been dragged before Coop and Ellis, the Clan chief of Clan Nuna looked down at his enemy, his face hidden behind his T-Visored helmet.

Jas had felt his clan brother's rage in that moment, the loss of a child…

Targo had remained unbowed. He spat at Ellis' feet, spat, and laughed.

"Hello, brother," he chuckled, "Been a long time."

"Coward," the chieftain had growled, "Murderer."

Targo had grinned at him, that twisted smile the scars had given him. He looked at Jas, Ellis, and Cooper, the people he believed betrayed him.

"So many of the clan here," he said, "So many to watch you die, Ellis."

"You are in no position to kill me," the chief reminded him.

"You think so," Targo snarled pushing away his captors, he stood up straight, glaring daggers at Ellis.

"All it takes is one challenge Ellis. The runt ruined my life that way. Maybe I should step up, reclaim what is mine, huh? If you are man enough to face me!"

"You think anyone would follow you, after all you have done?" Ellis asked.

"You're crazier than I thought, Targo," Coop added.

"You will get yours, Cooper," the chained bounty hunter spat back, "I don't need the collective to take you out, I'll do it myself. I will…"

BAM!

The blaster bolt startled all, soldiers and enforcers turned, their weapons at the ready.

There was no need.

Targo Sei gurgled, his throat blackened, he fell to his knees, gagging on his own blood. Yet, he tried to regain his feet…

BAM!

A second shot, this one between where his grieves and his breast plate met. He staggered and went down again.

Jas, Ellis, and Coop turned, but did not interfere.

It was not their place to.

Hylla stood before them, her helmet in place, her blaster held in a steady hand, its barrel still smoking.

Jas looked between the two.

He didn't quite smile, but he almost did.

So much for Targo's chance of challenging Ellis.

Hylla marched towards Targo, the wounded warrior didn't try to flee, he glared at her, despite the fact that he now was at death's door.

"For my brothers," the Mandalorian female growled, "For Digger, and for Quire…"

A beskar blade popped from her gauntlet, she didn't hesitate.

She plunged the weapon into the hunter's ruined throat.

His eyes widened; he stared into the dark T-Visor of Hylla' helmet. Hylla was so still, she looked right into Targo's eyes.

He breathed blood onto her face plate, and still…she didn't move.

"For all the lives you have taken, your brothers, sisters, everyone…"

She twisted the blade, and watched as the light faded from his eyes, as the Force took him.

She whispered one final word, something to send him on his way.

"Go to hell."

She pulled her blade from the body. Targo Sei…collapsed dead on the deck.

Jas looked down, somehow…the man who had so terrified him as a child looked smaller in death.

A small bitter man, who deserved a small and bitter ending, he was unworthy of song or acknowledgement in the clan.

This death…it was…appropriate.

Jas just hoped that Ellis would agree.

Hylla stood before him, her breathing loud, her gauntlet stained with the blood of her enemy.

She turned to Ellis, she removed her helmet and knelt before him.

"I submit myself for punishment, my chieftain," she said, "I have robbed you of your justice."

Jas glanced at Ellis; they had known each other for years.

His friend merely stood before his soldier. Hylla…what she had done…technically…it was against the code.

Ellis looked at Jas and Coop, he sighed.

"Your claim was no less than mine, girl. A mother, brothers, a son, and all that we have lost…"

He placed his hand on her shoulder, and lifted her to her feet.

"Justice is served," he said, "This is the way."

"This is the way." Hylla answered.

Ellis stepped back and addressed the other Mandalorians, his clan.

"JUSTICE IS SERVED!" he called out, "THIS IS THE WAY!"

All who marched beneath the banner of Clan Nuna bowed their head in acceptance, even Jas and Coop. They all spoke as one.

"This…is the way!"

IOI

"The clan left the body," Jas reminded the masters, "Proof that the matter is settled, Targo Sei's armor was taken, and it will be melted down, and recast, its sin's burned away, the beskar turned to serve the clan once more…"

He almost added that "this was the way," but didn't.

He doubted the Jedi Council would understand.

The Jedi way was not the way of the Mandalore.

Mater Venari smiled.

"An assassin killed, a dark side cult dealt with, the threat of an enemy destroyed."

He nodded to Jas.

"Despite how you started on this road, you…you have done well, Jas Dar Bynn."

Jas did his best to hide the surprise he felt in that moment, this was…unexpected.

"Thank you, master," he said, "But I fear that the threat is not entirely ended."

Jas glanced over at Master Vey, they had spoken at great length when she had arrived two weeks ago, to not only support him, but also evaluate his mental state, especially after what had happened on Taris.

He had confessed to her, what he had done to the Yimm girl, and the rest of her men. He had also spoken of Miri Fallenstar, how she had helped him find his way out of the dark.

He said nothing of Vess, of their…night together, that was something personal, it had helped, but he would not share it, not here.

He still needed to talk to Vess, find out what happens next.

Vey had accepted what had happened, she had cast no blame, and had been…understanding. She felt that he had found knowledge the hard way, and saw no reason to revisit the incident. She seemed to think the matter closed, yes, he had stumbled into darkness, but in the end… he had managed to find his way back.

Jas had not expected the council to feel the same, he had expected them to threaten to take his saber, at least, but…now…Master Venari?

What was going on?

"What threat is left to face, Acolyte," Venari asked, "The collective is gone, its officers and chief hunter are dead?"

"There were three that were not among that captured or the dead," Jas reminded the council. "The Yimm sisters were not found, nor was the observer…the Anzati assassin, Erkady Dresco."

At the mention of the monster's name, Vey winced, Jas could sense his master's discomfort, she had not been pleased to hear that name again.

Too much history, Vey had said to him, dark and bloody history.

She had not been pleased, and took the matter seriously.

The council, it appeared, was not.

Venari waved his hand dismissively.

"One assassin, the creature will be found and dealt with."

"Besides," Master Diath added, "Anyone can take a name, the chance that this Dresco is the same one from the Jedi archives. It is most unlikely, to be sure."

Vey looked at her, she had sensed Dresco's presence in Jas'; memories, she had been certain that it had been him.

She wanted the council to understand.

"He has been thought dead before," Vey said, "He was with Exar Kun when he looted Ossus, led a group of mutated Massassi against our defenders. It was believed he was left behind then…consumed in the cosmic storm that took Ossus. I hoped that it was so…"

Vey shivered.

"The next time he was seen was at the side of Darth Malak, he killed several Jedi Masters in the service of the Sith, drinking them to death in the way of his people. Again, he was believed slain, that he died on a Sith warship during the Battle of the Star Forge."

"It has been almost three hundred years, Vey," A'Kla reminded her, "Surely, even an Anzati would be dead by now."

Vey gave the master a cold even look.

"Do not underestimate the dark side. Anzati are very long lived, and for one, one who stood at the side of the Dark Lords, such a creature should never be considered truly gone, not until we have a body laying before us."

"The shadows will hunt Dresco," Sei'lya promised them, "Even if this is the same creature that stood with Malak and Kun, he will find the galaxy a very small place, especially now that we are aware of his existence."

"I'm more concerned about who hired him, masters," Jas reminded him, "and the threats he made to the people of Bantoon."

"My apprentice speaks true," Vey agreed, "Anyone who could master a creature like Dresco, that is a person we must find. It is a threat we cannot ignore."

"The Bantoon situation is being dealt with," Master Venari assured them both, he then turned to Jas.

"You need not worry about that anymore Acolyte. In fact, you will be very busy elsewhere."

Jas bowed respectfully.

"I suspect I will, master, I'm most eager to return to my posting, there are many matters within the Cooper/Halcyon organization that require my attention."

Matters that would take him to Bantoon, Jas didn't say anything about that, he didn't wish the council to interfere.

He would not abandon Vessaria, and he had promised Val.

"I see no reason for you to return to that posting," Venari said, "You have proven yourself far more capable than this council realized."

"He disobeyed us," Orgus Dinn said, speaking up for the first time.

"He did, but in doing so saved many lives, and served this council well."

"It has been discussed by this body," Master A'Kla said rising from his chair, "The trials of the Jedi are harsh, and this man's were…unorthodox to say the least."

"Yet, we cannot deny the result," Master Diath added. "By locating the hostages and defeating the fallen Jedi Xarcce Tatch, Jas has proven that he has passed the trial of skill.

"The trial of flesh was passed when he escaped the trap set by the bounty hunter on Taris," A'Kla proclaimed.

"And the trial of spirit was passed when Jas returned to us, when he admitted that he had faced the dark side and turned his back on it. That he chose the light over the shadow."

Venari rose and went to Jas placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Well done, my boy."

Jas pursed his lips, he glanced over at the rest of the council, some seemed satisfied, the majority of the council, but a few of them. Masters Orgus, Nadon, and Trace seemed confused. Vey herself even looked a bit surprised.

What was going on?

"It is time to come home, brother," Venari said proudly, "You have grown beyond the role of mere acolyte, the time has come to take your place beside your brothers and sisters."

"We offer you a place here," Diath said, "The council offers you the level and title of Jedi Knight."

"A bright light should not remain in the shadows," A'Kla added, "We ask you to come home, Jas Dar Bynn, come home and take your place in the light once more…forever more."

Jas…he…he wasn't sure what to say.

He had never thought…

…a Jedi Knight!

Once it had been his dream, yet now…there…there was so much more.

His family…his clan…his organization.

Val.

Vessaria.

He…he didn't know what to do.

It should have been easy, but it wasn't…fortunately, he was not alone.

He reached out into the sea of light, into the very Force, it offered guidance and wisdom.

He nodded.

He understood.

He smiled.

The choice had never really been a choice.

He knew what to do, the Force had showed him.

He smiled, and…

…he answered.