[18 BBY]

[Moff's Ready Room, Command Deck, Eriadu Authority Republic Navy Capital-class Warship Stormcrow, Republic 5th Fleet, In Orbit Lutrillia, Lutrillia System, Yarith Sector, Greater Javin Region, Outer Rim Territories]

"Thank you Obi-wan Kenobi, thank you very fucking much…" I muttered as I sat back in my chair, rubbing at tired eyes after reading through the brief report, along with intelligence updates from our Eriadu based assets "…dammit. Can't say I don't understand, but kriff man, you are making my life stressful"

I let out a tired sigh, looking up at the mosaic on the ceiling. All very pretty, but not exactly enlightening on the subject at hand, or the issues it was going to create for me in the near future. I understood the logic begin it, truly I did, but it was going to force Tarkin's hand clearly….and that'd force mine, now, just when I wanted to spend time consolidating my forces here. Certainly not playing politics with the rump Senate on Eriadu, or trying to help, but also fight, Stass and all the others about the Jedi place with the remnant of the Republic that I served.

Coruscant was making noises…and while Eriadu only nominally followed through on such mandates right now, it was going to force the issue to the front and centre along with all the other issues cropping up with integrating a quasi-coup with mercenary armies. Or the former Separatists now suddenly all pro-Republic, or being bullied into line, and military forces merged with ours, due to Moffs like myself. Everyone, myself included, was trying to juggle multiple balls in the air as the Republic's threadbare institutions had to be co-opted, or allowed to fail completely. I'd already made pushes on the Force-user situation, but it seemed things were being brought to a head far more rapidly than I'd have liked;- so first steps first I figured, finger touching my comm unit.

"Moff?"

"Gardan I need you to get the following people up here to me in the next hour…" I ordered my ship's Captain as pulled up a list of texts from the system that I'd need as well and sent it onto him. That was one of the problems of ending of in charge of anything;- what was most important was a changeable thing day to day, and crisis and opportunity one in the same. So analysis of recent pirate interdiction operations were handed over to Gardan and I started to go through the half-formed proposals I'd put forward back when all this started, along with various Old Republic histories. I might as well make use of the hour or so I had available to try and get my mind on the task at hand I figured.

'I'll need to get Asajj back as well for it…isn't that going to be fun' popped into my mind as I jotted down notes on my ever-expanding to-do list. Not that I really wanted that, but it'd be a breach of trust not to, and I might need the implied threat while negotiating with….various people to be honest. Politics were having that veiled threat, and the extra firepower would be useful should there be a terrorist attack, or Palpatine found out and made minions make an effort…

My desk comm buzzed "Yes?"

"First arrivals Sir, Knights Karis and Naa'leth . Shall I have them enter?"

I nodded, to myself to be honest since Gardan couldn't see me as it was voice only "Send them in Captain, and have the others come through as well when they arrive"

My two Dathomiri Nightsister guards entered the large room, curious glances at me as I gestured for them to sit, silently asking what this was about. So I answered them "Sit, I've the three Jedi coming now as well, so don't start anything. I've got more work….so you've all got more work let's say"

Silent unhappy faces came my way and I shrugged "Blame Coruscant, they're the ones forcing a response from my bosses back in Eriadu. And if really want to blame someone in particular, you can blame Obi-wan Kenobi if you like"

I'd felt the approaching Force signature, but I hadn't bothered to tone done my comment's tone as Aayla Secura let out a weary sigh as she entered, dressed in the same uniform as the two Nightsisters she watched warily as ever "And what has Obi-wan done now to disturb the universe so?"

"Become Grandmaster of the Jedi Order"

"What?" the twi'lek Jedi asked blankly "He's what?"

I sighed again, tired before we'd even started "Oh yeah, those Corellia just declared themselves all organised, which we could live with, but they've formed a Council and him as Grandmaster, and, the true problem, stated publicly the Jedi supporting the restoration of the Republic"

The blue woman frowned in thought, then wince slightly "Which by that you mean Corellia"

"Yeah, yeah, that basically" I muttered holding up data-slates to them "Something that's apparently bringing a response out of Coruscant, who we're sort of allied with, into starting to formalise their own rules on Force-users. Hint;- the Jedi Order is not being reconstituted there, and we need to react and get ahead of them before Tarkin and the Senate on Eriadu starting making you all illegal or something, or start up political officers and loyalty tests. So here is a starting point, but, the real work hits you Aayla primarily, as well as Barriss"

The Twi'lek woman smiled, though it wasn't an amused smile as she glanced at it "Me and the others more than others it seems? Are we to be arrested, hmm?"

"You wouldn't be asking if you thought that" I replied seriously, acting as Moff Stormcrow now "But it's pushing things to be decided now that could affect all of us for a very long time to come. The obvious part is that you need to come forward with your own sect of the Order, at least declare neutrality and obedience to laws, and a host of other things relating to Force-user laws…" I looked around, Karis and Naa'leth remaining, ,wisely, silent and I'd discuss with them in private later "…so, time is against us"

She paused, glancing at the two Darksiders staying silent, then frowned "Oh? You have suggestions on the path of the Order?"

"I've lots of opinions and suggestions, but I'm not a Jedi, so that's not for me. Now, if I had a vote, I'd say make Rahm Kota your official Grandmaster, or temporary one, or whatever, but…."

I sighed, looking at the mosaic again "I'll help now, and we're allies on many things, but the Jedi name is dirt right now….and not allies on other things. I can't fight my battles, and yours, at the same time"

It was a simple statement, but it was the truth unfortunately. There were many, many, things I disagreed with the modern day Jedi Order on, and the old rules just went going to apply anymore;- not from the way they recruited, to whole enforcement of what had been Republic Force-user laws, and a host of other powers the Jedi had once possessed under law. The worst was I couldn't fight for them, not now, not for Barriss, not for Stass, beyond protecting them as I was now….and that had the self-interest of protecting myself, long-term, in that bargain as well. Even if it was a small risk and small self-interest in truth.

Of course, what she thought on that I wasn't sure of, but there was a brief nod "To be expected perhaps, are you giving me an order as a soldier….or merely pointing things out to a Jedi?"

"Yes, No….Both?" I replied tiredly as Barriss and Celeste entered, and I prepared to explain the situation to them as well "Look. There's many things that need to be done in a few weeks when I've to attend these meetings, and I'm giving advance warning of the dangers that's here. Not with Master Yoda on Kashyyyk and now Corellia doing this and trying to claim authority beyond them. So, I'll need you to go to my former Master, and your former Master, and get that side organised. I'll have my own case to put forward, and frankly, Raham Kota has at least a positive reputation with those in power over us. Because it won't be easy, nor pleasant, for them and the Jedi need to show loyalty to the cause so to speak"

She paused, glancing at Morne, who'd come in, then at Karis and Naa'leth "I understand. Knight Offee, Knight Morne, you've missed the fun..."

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