AN: Happy Snowstorm everyone! Thanks to impending bad weather my road crew raced home ahead of the storm and I got to work on this earlier than expected. Now, I know you all want a Darksiders POV update. It's coming. The only reason the Jedi caught on so fast is because a youngling was having issues and did a holonet search for tips on using the Force. The Jedi got lucky. Seeing as none of the Darksiders are the kind to care about memes or entertainment for the masses… they are understandably behind the curve. I've got stuff to cover in the meantime but it will happen. Author's promise.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to all of you!
"I'm sorry, but we don't really have furniture that can fold into the walls like you're asking." Dack, the shipwright handling my modifications apologized. "At least not tightly enough to make the room double as a sparring area. We've got a sort of exercise bench with pulleys that will fold into the wall. That should fit nicely without getting in the way."
"Well, it's not what I had in mind but it's something." I admitted.
The modified ship plans now showed a small kitchen area and four seat rectangular table in place of the port cargo hold. The table would have two chairs on one side and a bench along the wall to the other. All either bolted in place or mag locked to prevent them from shifting around when they shouldn't.
"The sparring area was a bit of a longshot anyway but it'll be nice to have more exercise options than jogging, pushups, and sit-ups."
"Darn it, I want to learn your moves." Delia pouted.
"Worry about learning to handle a blaster first. Then we'll see about getting you to the point you don't stab yourself with a vibroblade."
I neatly sidestepped any mention of lightsabers and the teens gamely followed my lead with only an odd look each. Dack however, got a look in his eye. A sort of quiet interest, though laser focused.
"Vibroblades and Blasters? At what, seventeen?" Delia nodded hesitantly. "And you can't be more than what, fifteen?" Anakin was about a month shy of that but only shrugged in response. "A bit young for weapons training isn't that?" He eyed me carefully.
Frigging Corelians. Always have to poke at things. I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest.
"If they're going to fly around the galaxy, they need to know how to protect themselves. Otherwise, they're going to get all of us killed the first time some Trandoshan slavers decide a small crew and their ship won't be missed." I shrugged. "Besides, Anakin already has a bit of training from his guardian. Delia needs to catch up."
Dack didn't relax in the slightest.
"So while working on your ship I won't be surprised by any irregularities."
Oh, so that's what this was about.
"No, no smuggling compartments. And if Core Sec gets pushy feel free to let them look. I haven't got anything to hide other than a surprisingly dirty bulk entertainment deal. I keep thinking about replacing it, but with the teens on board? I think they might object to losing all that inspiration."
Dack relaxed, and then chuckled. He outright laughed as Delia and Anakin started to very vocally deny any knowledge of what may, or may not, be stored in my ship's entertainment system.
"Awful blunt aren't you." The man grinned.
"I can be subtle when I need to." I defended, one hand over my heart in mock offense. "I just don't need to right now."
"Well in that case I suppose all that's left is to talk about prices and timelines." Dack clapped his hands together.
"Umm." Anakin leaned over the datapad showing the blueprints. "What if, what if we removed this wall?" Anakin traced the half circle back wall of what used to be the kitchen. "The wall isn't structural, and the tracks for the elevator can go on either side of the ladders for the turrets." He sketched the other half circle wall that was closer to the cockpit. "But with the wall gone that central space will be wide open when the elevator is on the center level. It should be enough space for sparring."
I poured over the prints, and my own knowledge just to double check Anakin's idea.
"We'll have to be careful using the elevator. Anything over the line is liable to get crunched going up, hmmm but that would work… make it easier to load and unload without having to go through those doors… Paint the edges bright orange so people remember not to leave an arm sticking over the line… Maybe we can get some fold up mats and store them under the bunks…" I nodded to myself. "I like it. Dack?"
"It's unconventional." He shrugged. "But we can make it happen."
I grinned and clapped Anakin on the back.
"Knew bringing you along was a good idea." Glancing over the prints again I decided on one more modification. "And put that exercise bench here instead." I pointed out a spot along the wall of the newly opened inner ring of the ship. "No reason to put the sweaty exercise equipment next to the food if we don't have too."
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"Captain, who precisely are we meeting with." Obi-Wan asked with far more caution than the situation really warranted. After all we were walking up to a Jedi temple, not a back alley cantina.
"Well… I ended up here on Corellia maybe four years after leaving the order. And when I did, I decided I absolutely needed to meet some of the Jedi here. All I knew back then was that the order on Coruscant called them heretics. I figured, what the hell? I'm a heretic, they're heretics, we'll probably get along great, right?" I shrugged. "Didn't really turn out that way. Experimenting with the Dark Side of the Force was too much heresy for them. But I did hit it off with a senior padawan, and we've kept in touch. I'm hoping I can coax him into doing a recording about his order."
And if that didn't pan out maybe I could at least get him and Obi-Wan talking. A more moderate view, but still one which differed from the teachings he grew up with might be just the thing to finally mellow out the bearded wonder. Or at the very least get him thinking.
"A member of the Corellian Jedi?" Obi-Wan's tone suggested he might prefer meeting a smuggler in a dirty cantina after all.
One of these days I was going to get the man to relax, even if it cost me a full bottle of brandy.
"Mmm, Knight Kalle Staven. He passed his trials a year ago. Last time we talked he and his girlfriend were getting serious."
I didn't have to turn around to know that Anakin and Obi-Wan had just put all their considerable attention on me.
"His girlfriend? The Corellian Order… allows attachments?" Anakin asked with all the nervous hesitation of someone checking if a reactor was about to go critical.
"Oh yes. It's been one of the major sticking points between the Corellian and Coruscant Orders. The other being that the Green Jedi are dedicated to just this one sector."
I grinned to myself knowing full well that little detail would sit in the back of Anakin's mind like a primed thermal detonator. It wouldn't matter too much now when the best he could hope for was a couple dates before we needed to move on. But if someday he found himself on a long assignment and got attached? I'd always assumed my videos would be my only method of messing with the Jedi, but corrupting Anakin in person was just a wealth of yet to be explored opportunities. Puberty certainly had him interested in what might be. And while he hadn't joined Delia in the candle meditation, I'd caught him watching carefully whenever she practiced.
The kid was thinking. Poking at everything I said and everything the order had taught him. Hell, he was watching Delia like a hawk. Looking for cues on how to deal with regular people. I might not have anything to teach him about politics or philosophy, but he was getting a look at another kind of life. And he wasn't hating what he saw. Would he go back and tell his peers? Would he decide this sort of life was what he wanted? Would he decide to forge some new path all his own? Maybe he would try to change the order to match his desires and opinions? And would Obi-Wan, who clearly cared about the kid, follow him?
It would be hard for them. And I felt a little crummy about that. But they were good people, and they deserved to have all the information available to them. Maybe they would surprise me and decide the Jedi had the right idea all along. But at least if that happened, they would make that decision knowing about the alternatives, first hand.
Besides, it wasn't just about them. The whole galaxy was potentially my audience, and probably even future generations! I couldn't half ass these videos. People needed to know what they were getting into. They needed to know what worked. And despite what Coruscant might say, the Corilian order worked just fine.
"John!"
"Kalle!" I took the remaining steps two at a time and pulled the green robbed menace into a hug.
He thumped me on the back then pulled back to look me over at arm's length.
"You crazy son of a gundark! I know you'd mentioned the idea to me in passing, but to actually do it!" He hissed with a sort of resigned admiration. "You're lucky I'm the only one who knows or they might not have let you land!"
"You checked the link?" I grinned wide and proud.
Kalle sighed at my brushing off his warning.
"Yes. I checked the Sith be damned link. Corrina and I watched every video." He gave me a small smile. "She's determined to practice Matukai until she can feel the Force as well as I can. It never mattered to me, but she's always felt that not being Force sensitive was something that stood between us. She's thrilled."
I winced even though Kalle was smiling.
"I'm sorry if I'd known… I'd have sent her instructions when I first learned if I'd known that."
"It's fine. You couldn't have known, and it's helping now."
I shook my head and grinned back.
"Well, you'd better practice with her. It'll be good bonding. You won't get the same kind of returns she will as far as your connection to the Force goes, but if you don't practice, she might just ride you to exhaustion in a year or two.
Kalle blushed and slugged me in the arm. For all that the Corellian order was open to relationships, they still tended to be rather private about them. Which was fine. It just made them easy to tease.
Shaking my head, I gestured behind myself.
"Kalle, I'd like you to meet my crew. My student Delia Dharam." She waved brightly. "And my tagalongs from the temple on Coruscant; Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker."
The two knights eyed each other with a wary sort of respect. Anakin by contrast seemed more curious than anything else. And Delia… was bouncing in place.
Wonderful.
Alright, not wonderful, but probably the best I was going to get.
"John… why in the Sith hells do you have Coruscant Jedi tagging along with you?"
I shrugged.
"Ehh, some little shit from the temple decided to search the holonet for Force tips and found my videos. Kind of cool that I'm helping the next generation version of me find their feet. Assuming the temple doesn't block my videos… Meh, they're Jedi younglings. There's sure to be at least one curious slicer that'll just see that as a challenge."
Given how Delia found me, and some things she'd said? That was probably a safe bet.
"John, focus, what does that have to do with you having tagalongs?"
"The Order sent them to investigate me? Couldn't charge me with anything, but you know I dabble in the Dark Side and they wanted to observe for signs I've gone off the deep end. Then the Force started pushing to let them come. The kids a damn good mechanic and pilot, and with the videos out there drawing attention, I really do need someone manning the guns, so…" I spread my arms and grinned sheepishly.
"... You have the strangest luck sometimes, John." Kalle shook his head before gesturing for us all to follow him away from the temple entrance. "Come on, I've checked out a speeder and I know a nice place where we can have lunch, and discuss whatever insanity you plan to draw me into this time."
"Oi, it's not like all the stuff we got into was my fault! The gambling hall was your idea, and Corinna dragged the both of us into that mess with smugglers!"
That girl was as much a trouble magnet as any Force user. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out she was like Delia. Force sensitive, but not quite strong enough to get recruited.
"Where is she anyway? I would have expected her to be here for this."
"Couldn't get out of work on such short notice, but I'm sure she'll hunt you down to catch up in person before you leave. And don't change the subject! The smugglers and the gambling hall might not have been your fault, but you're the idiot that dragged us through three bars and a strip club to dodge CorSec!"
"Hey it worked didn't it?!"
"And the next day you admitted we lost them after the first bar!"
OK, point, but it was a lot of fun. Besides, I'd have never gotten them into the strip club without three stops worth of alcohol in them.
"I need to hear this story." Delia's declared from my right. "Why have I not heard this story before?"
"Because I've known you for not even three weeks." I gently pushed the girl an arm length away as she invaded my personal space. "And I haven't had any reason to tell you my entire life story."
"Teeeellll meeeeeeee!"
"Later. Better yet, ask Corinna whenever she tracks us down. She'll enjoy the chance to gossip." My piece said, I claimed the front passenger seat.
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I dug into my sandwich with a satisfied grin. Kalle always did have a way of finding the best little hole in the wall restaurants.
"Alright so let me see if I've got this straight. You want me to do an interview, or really just a lecture on the basics of the Corellian Jedi order?"
"That, and or a debate between you and Obi-Wan. Ideally I'd like to hold off until he records a video I can actually post." I hitched my thumb at Obi-Wan. "You know I like your Order more than his, but when most of the galaxy thinks about Jedi, they don't even know you exist."
"I meant to speak with you about that actually." Obi-Wan took a sip of his drink before continuing. "Master Yoda expressed some interest in recording a video explaining the Order and sending it to you, after I explained your rejection of my first attempt."
Yoda, wanted to record a video for my audience? That could go… any number of ways really. Part of me wanted to reject that out of hand. I didn't want the galaxy to see the Jedi in the best possible light. I wanted them to see the order I knew. The order which was flawed, and restricted, and afraid to experiment or grow. But that wouldn't be fair. Not to my audience. They needed to know what was out here. If the Jedi order really was the best option? Well, then they might just see a number of adults petitioning to join in the coming years. And If they weren't? There was a reason I wanted Kalle to record a video for me. I liked the Green Jedi, even if they didn't like me. I wanted to give my students the best foundation possible for them to build on, and for an organization of Force adepts, the Green Jedi were the best foundation I'd found so far.
I was just going to have to trust that the rest of the galaxy would agree with me. Even if the silver tongued, green midget managed to make the sales pitch of a lifetime.
"Ok. If it's a video that actually explains the order, fine." I took a vicious bite of my food and got dubious looks from all corners. "What? I'm not going to say no to that kind of credibility boost." I deflected. "No one can say my videos are a scam if Yoda records one."
And maybe if I kept telling myself that I'd be able to ignore the fact I was giving the head of an organization I wanted to change an open venue to convince the galaxy of his way of thinking.
"You want me to compete against the Jedi Grand Master in a contest for the hearts and minds of the galaxy?" The 'are you stupid?' at the end of Kalle's question went unspoken.
I shrugged. "I didn't before now. But I think you're more relatable, and you don't have a speech impediment."
Anakin choked on his drink.
"Master Yoda does not have a speech impediment." Obi-Wan interjected flatly.
"Then what would you call it?" I countered.
"... A charming quirk? He is over eight hundred years old. He's allowed to be a bit eccentric." Obi-Wan finished with a huff.
"Whatever. What do you think Kalle? You up for it?"
"I, maybe. I really think it would be better coming from one of the Masters. But I doubt they'd even consider it… well, not until this has spread a lot farther." Kalle grimaced. "You're really going to turn the galaxy on its head. You do know that right? Not just Coruscant. We're going to be flooded with kids and teens dreaming of wearing green robes. Hell, if this picks up enough steam, we might need to get rolled into CoreSec more formally just to stay funded."
"It'll take years. Probably decades." I answered softly. "Delia was almost strong enough to be recruited, and it took her a few months to get a feel for the Force, and it's still shaky. Real skill, the kind it takes to be a Knight? That's not going to happen overnight."
"Twenty years or two hundred. Change is coming, and we'll have to be ready." Kalle sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I could almost hate you for this, John. I know you haven't fallen, but what you're doing… That belief that the galaxy should work differently, that willingness to act on it… That's almost Sith like."
I looked away. My half empty plate was suddenly rather interesting.
"That's not fair!" Delia bit out. "I can feel the Force thanks to John! I've wanted this since I was six! And it's even better than I'd ever imagined! And I won't be the only one from Mirial who feels that way, never mind the rest of the galaxy!"
With a snort I reached over and tousled her hair.
"Hey! Not cool! I'm seventeen, not seven!"
"Eh, you're short enough that it's tempting."
"Screw you!"
I looked back at Kalle who was grinning wryly. "Well, I suppose your student has a point. Corrina is certainly thankful. And I can't be too upset about anything that makes her happy."
"Bastard, I had enough sleepless nights fighting with myself over doing this already. I don't need more from my friends."
"You've learned to think through your crazy stunts beforehand? Truly the galaxy is doomed."
"Sooooo, what do you say? You up for one more crazy stunt for old times' sake?"
"...Oh, what the hell. But only if Corrina gets to help me. And not until I see this video Yoda does."
"Deal." I grinned brightly.
"Won't this cause you problems within your order?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Probably, but if I wait until Yoda has done one their biggest realistic complaint will be that I didn't pass the offer up to one of our Masters." Kalle shrugged. "If the Coruscant order is going to try and sway the Galaxy to their way of thinking… well, there is a fair bit of bad blood between us. A chance to prove our teachings are superior? It'd almost be a crime to pass that up."
"Why do I feel as if every time I turn around there is another ideology that dislikes me for what I am?" Obi-Wan scowled at Kalle and I. "This isn't going to become a trend is it?"
"Well… I've never been crazy enough to go to Dothomir. We could go and ask the witches what they think if you want to run for our lives after?"
"Very amusing, Captain."
"And now the formality is back, wonderful."
"Amusing as this is," Kalle interrupted, "I need to get back soon. I'll get in touch when I have more time."
Nodding I stood and pulled him into a quick hug.
"I'm looking forward to it, but before you go, know anywhere good to shop for blasters?"
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Reaching out, I slapped Delia's hand before she could start fiddling with the grip of her new blaster. Again.
"Knock it off. That's a weapon, not a toy. You'll treat it like one, or I'll take it away."
"Sorry." She muttered. "It's just… I've never owned a weapon before." She twitched in place. "It just. It feels weird." She muttered as she absently patted her blaster in it's holster under her left armpit. "Like, it's comfortable, and light, and it just shouldn't be!"
With a sigh I scrubbed a hand through my hair.
Anakin and Obi-Wan didn't seem to appreciate me forcing them to carry blasters, but at least they weren't acting twitchy about it. They understood the need to look their part, but they were married to their sabers.
Delia though was having a severe case of nerves. The world had always been safe from behind her screen, and now she had a weapon and the expectation she might need it eventually.
It wasn't sitting well.
"...Come on. We'll do some meditation with it on you. Maybe that'll help relax you. But if you're going to get like this, you're not allowed to carry it unless I'm with you. We'll go back to the range tomorrow and put in some more time in with it too. The sooner you're used to it the better."
"But still, John, it's a blaster."
And two weeks ago she'd been excited about getting one…
"And that's why you have to stop fingering the damn thing." I answered seriously. "You only touch that thing in public if a firefight breaks out, got me? I know it takes some getting used to. But we're trying to avoid that kind of trouble. Every spacer needs a blaster because things can go to shit. But I'm no smuggler, and you and your pals are keeping anyone looking for us guessing. With a bit of luck, you won't even need it."
She would need it, eventually. But hopefully not anytime soon.
"Come on, I've got the candles in my room."
"Yeah, yeah ok. Later, Anakin. Bye Obi-Wan."
I tossed a wave over my shoulder at the Jedi as I led Delia away. Once the door was closed and the candles lit between us, I led her through the meditations again. She was getting better at it, slowly but steadily. Mostly she was just keeping the amount of power she used more consistent now.
"Are you sure this is the life you want?"
Her candle flame spiked into a very twitchy light yellow.
"Breath, Delia. Let it go, center yourself in the Light."
It took her almost a full minute this time, but she managed.
"Why do you keep asking me things like that?" She sounded a touch bitter and her candle fluctuated giving proof that her emotions were bleeding over where they shouldn't, but it wasn't too severe. She was getting there.
"Because this life isn't for everyone. Some people take to it like they were born for it. Some don't, but get along well enough. And some people just can't deal with it for very long. We're always on the move, cramped up for days or weeks at a time, and yes there are occasionally fights."
The candle spiked with Delia's anxiety at the mention of fights.
"I try to avoid those. I usually do a pretty good job of it too, but the Force… I've told you it makes us trouble magnets. I'm not throwing you out, or trying to scare you off. I just want you to know if it ever gets to be too much, I'll get you home."
Her candle twitched and spasmed through emotions rapidly for a full minute before finally settling back to the steady low burn of the Light Side of the Force.
"Thank you."
I smiled back at my student.
"Now, take a deep breath and reach out with a positive emotion. We have plenty of time to practice so we might as well use it."
And that was how we passed the evening.