A/N: Thank you for the people following and liking this story. I've sponged up some juices to get this chapter going. I had a hard time deciding what mission Jao and his master would embark on when my brain came up with this. This arc will be in 2 parts so part 2 will be coming soon. I do have a dentist appointment tomorrow so that'll affect uploading for a bit but regardless, hope you enjoy today's chapter!
Aboard the vessel of a T-6 Jedi Transport Shuttle, sat in a small two bedroom, were a large, imposing Zabrak and a smaller but still statured human male. The two were currently in meditation as the silent sounds of the ship humming permeating around them.
"Jao, I want you to tell me what you see when you reach out for Barriss' bond." the Zabrak said
Reaching deep into the force, Jao found himself immersed in the force as he searched to find it. Though it wasn't hard to find as it was the brightest thing ever to him. The strand that led back to her was strong, firm and sturdy. Practically unbreakable.
"Do not think it is unbreakable. That thinking can lead you to the dark side." the Zabrak responded as if he could read Jao's thoughts.
Jao, with his eyes still closed, "Why so, Master?"
"Because to think something is unbreakable is to deal with an absolute. Absolutes are something only the sith deal in."
Jao shifted, "Then what should I think?"
"Trust in her and trust always in the force. The force will keep you together but always be prepared for it to break." he replied.
"Isn't that an absolute and isn't it slightly pessimistic to think that?" he retorted.
Kor Rezla would shake his head at Jao, "No, it is not the same. The force will and always exist no matter what. It is the only absolute that Jedi need. The trust in the force."
"And no, it's something that will be inevitable, whether through old age or sudden death. The more prepared you are for something, the lesser the hurt will be."
Jao seemed conflicted by this but slowly nodded his head, "Okay… Master, I trust your judgment."
Sensing the confliction of the young boy, Kor Rezla would say, "I know it seems hypocritical Jao but the force will be the only absolute thing to trust in. Everyday, week, month and year that passes is not certain. To believe so would be foolish."
"Nothing is guaranteed ever, nothing but the force will always be and can be there."
Sensing the conflict go down but a small semblance persisted, Kor Rezla knew that, in due time, Jao would come to realize what he meant. For now, he needed to understand to always trust in the force and it will be his ally. The force flourishes the best when shared with relationships and Kor Rezla knew it better than most. Master Revan, Jolee Bindo and the Hero of Typhon were great examples of Jedi who flourished and achieved great things because of their discipline, resolve and mastery. Though most importantly, the willingness to have close and connected relationships with others allowed them to reach heights that no normal Jedi could ever reach. Though this path was extremely treacherous and dangerous, so was the reason Jedi forbade attachment despite the evidence it could help certain individuals: Jao was one of those individuals.
They'd begun to enter their mediation again before an unknown beeping sound echoed from the cockpit.
"What sound is that, Master?" opening his eyes slowly.
Kor Rezla smirked ever so slightly before responding, "The sound of us dropping out of hyperspace."
Dropping out of hyperspace, the duo would be confronted with the nigh aquatic planet of Glee Anselm. The greenish blue of the planet would pop into view as Jao gasped at the sight which caused his master to grin slightly.
"Woahhh… I never thought I'd be offworld this soon… It-... It's still so surreal to me."
Kor Rezla chuckled, "It was bound to happen soon, no?"
"Well yes but…" shaking his head, "Anyways master, why are we on this entirely water planet?"
"Nigh aquatic planet but yes regardless," Kor Rezla swiftly corrected before stating, "We are here to investigate reports of an attack between the Aselmi and Nautolan people. Apparently Elder Kian Hiss's daughter was unprovokedly attacked by Anselmi extremists. The Anselmi extremists are denying any involvement with the Elder's daughter."
As Jao took in the information, we recalled what he had independently studied on his own time about Glee Anselm history. Shortly after he was born, the Nautolan and Anselmi people had a rather big conflict from 40 to 32 BBY that was intervened by Republic forces. By 26 BBY, the majority of Anselmi natives begrudgingly coexisted with their aquatic Nautolan neighbors. Though calling it coexistence was a stretch, it was more like they kept away from each other entirely. The Anselmi Extremists, on the other hand, still displayed open hostility with the Nautolan people but this, apparently, was one instance where they had fervently denied any involvement.
Navigating towards a sizable but small island, the jedi duo would land their shuttle on the open and somewhat spacious coast of Ki Ki Tuo. Below them, several Anselm natives surrounded the ship as a more prominent looking Anselmi went forward.
Hands on the console leaning, Jao looked out the window as Kor Rezla started walking towards the shuttle's boarding ramp.
"They look… unthreatening…" Jao remarked, looking out at them.
"2nd Lesson Jao: Appearances can be very deceiving. Just because something looks safe or unassuming, doesn't mean it is."
Looking back at his master, he nodded stalwartly, "Of course, Master." before pushing himself off the console and following after his master.
The boarding ramp dropped to reveal an obviously disgruntled and annoyed Anselmi figure who spoke as the Jedi stepped out, "Ahh yes… the protectors of the republic. I had already told your kipoko of a senate that Jedi invention wasn't needed. I, High Chief Ti Ti Lau of Clan Bono, have the situation under control." he crossed his small arms.
Kor Rezla looked down upon the High Chief with a look of neutrality, "Ahh yes, I heard how hospitable you were to the last envoy they sent."
"It is not my fault they went to the wrong clan. Although I did hear Clan Turmosh ate rather well that day." he chuckled darkly.
No reaction from Kor Rezla physically but Jao could pick up slightly in the force that he was disgusted by the notion of what the High Chief had implied. It didn't take a genius to know what he meant by that.
"Anyways," Master Rezla, seemingly disregarding the rude comment, "I hear your clan has been having trouble with your neighbors."
High Chief Lau looked at him with disdain as he said, "With the gill heads? I mean, besides open racism and aggressive negotiations, I do not know what you mean."
Kor Rezla slightly smiled at that as he replied, "Yes, The nautolans. Apparently Elder Kian Hiss's daughter was attacked by Anselmi nearby this island and went missing." cocking an eyebrow, "You wouldn't happen to know anything like that? Would you?"
High Chief Lau scoffed at the notion as he yelled, "HOW DARE YOU IMPLY MY PEOPLE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT!" as the soldiers around him in the semi circle withdrew their spears and pointed at them with hostility.
Jao, going to reach for his lightsaber, Kor Rezla would reach out with one arm and stop him as he said, "Oh, I didn't mean to imply such things, High Chief." retracting his arm before doing a slight bow, "Merely asking if you had known anything about it, is all. I promise."
The High Chief, realizing what the Jedi had done, gestured to his men to lower their weapons before saying, "Then my apologies, Jedi." albeit sarcastically before shooing them away with, "Now if you must know, my people have a ceremonial feast to attend to in the evening." walking away now, "Leave us alone in peace. We know nothing."
Interjecting before he left, "Ceremonial feast? Well, it'd be a step in the right direction if I were allowed to attend such an grandiose event. It's the least you can do to make up for the last envoy we sent." Kor Rezla smiled gently.
Stopping in his place, High Chief Lau would crane his head back slightly and sigh, "Whatever you wish, Jedi. If it means you stop interfering with Glee Anselm's internal affairs, then fine by me." before continuing to walk off.
Kor Rezla smiled as the warriors that accompanied High Chief Lau followed suit. Kor Rezla would say to Jao quietly, "I want you to trail behind us. Follow us to the village and find Elder Hiss's daughter."
Jao seemingly looked surprised by this request as he asked, "But they said they didn't know anything?"
"Yes but the nearest Nautolan town or city is farther than the nearest Anselmi village. I could've implied anything by that and yet…"
Jao seemingly picking up where his master was letting on, he'd finish his statement with, "Yet he was talking about the gill heads."
Giving him a slight bap on the head, "Nautolans. Gill heads is a very derogatory term to use."
Jao looked apologetic as he apologized, "Oh kriff, Sorry Master. Nautolans."
The Chief and company was getting farther away as he finished with, "Use discretion and don't let them notice you. I have a feeling that we do not have much time to free Elder Kian Hiss's daughter. Remember, her name is Katiana Hiss. Red skinned." before jogging to catch up with High Chief Lau.
Jao Ren Paul was left there next to the ship with the sudden realization of the amount of responsibility placed on his shoulders. He only just became a Padawan a couple days ago and yet here was his master trusting him with such a big task. Anxiety and fear of failure filled his mind quickly before quickly expelling such thoughts as the link to Barriss quickly flooded with auras of comfort and assurance. He gave himself a stalwart nod and thanked the force and Barriss before quietly trudging behind the party. His master was trusting him with this and he would not fail his first mission with his master.