Here is the next chapter. Not sure how much I like it but wanted to get something out. There will be a lot of dialogs in this chapter.
Luke was meeting with all the Masters, not that there were all that many. He had just informed them the meeting he had with his father and the money that the order now found them with. Say they were shocked was an underrstatement.
"I assume you have some ideas on what we can do with all that money." Corran asked.
"I do, what most of you don't know is that I have some concerns about how members of the New Republic goverment has tried to gain control of us. While the biggest issue with that is no longer a problem. I still have my concerns."
"Also, I have been thinking how we can better serve the galaxy. While the New Republic government trust us, a lot of smaller governments do not. They believe we will act on how the Senate deems we should regardless of if it is the best thing for everyone."
"What I would like to do is make us independent. I have been working towards that for a while now. I have invested a bunch of my own money to help with it. I have been using it to set up an off site location to house a backup data bank and also a place we can hide if need be. I am looking at setting up training bases on differant planets to help train our students to servive differant envirements."
"Luke, why wait to tell us all." Kirana Ti asked.
"Because till my father told me about the accounts he set up, we didn't have enough to fully become independant. While I had been able to save a few million with my investments, a lot of that has been spent. With out my father's help, we would not be ready for some time."
"Luke I wish you had told us, maybe we could have helped. I know why you didn't, I have been your friend long enough to know you didn't want all of us to struggle." Corran told his friend.
"Corran is right Master Skywalker, we are your friends and we watch each others back." Saba told her friend.
Tionne spoke. "While I know you all wished we had told you sooner, it was not time. We had already plan to bring this up before we got our windfall. We had some things to do before we were ready."
"What is the next step Luke, because you know we are all behind you on this. I agree we are better off independant."
"I have a meeting with Garvison in a week. Bar any other emergencies. The good news is that Fey'lya has told me he suspects we are working towards independants and has thrown his support behind us."
"Your kidding, he has been the biggest problem we have had." Kam all but shouted.
"I know but while he can be ruthless while dealing with others, deep down he wants what is best for the galaxy. Plus, I think this issue the Bothans had to deal with and the help we provided has helped our relationship with him."
Before anyone else could speak up there was a knock on the door to the conference room they were in.
Mara entered, "Sorry to interrupt Masters but we have an issue."
L/M
Mara was on her way to the communications room. She was told there was a call for her, but it was secure, and they didn't know who the call was from. It required a passcode they didn't have.
Mara walked in and headed to the main screen and saw what was on it. It was a code phrase she had not seen since the Emperor was alive. "Everyone clears out."
Once they were all gone, she put in her passcode, she was surprised to see Admiral Palleon on the screen. "I am surprised to see you Admiral and even more surprised you had the pass phrase."
"Miss Jade or is it Jedi Jade now."
"Jedi Jade, what can I do for you Admiral?" Mara was more curious than worried about the Admiral contacting her. Of course, she plans on telling Luke about it as soon as the call ended.
"Believe it or not, I would like to give you some information and the attack against Master Skywalker, and no it was not us."
"I know it wasn't. We are working with the Bothan government to find them."
"I had not heard that. Were you able to end the group that was responsible for the attack? The reason I ask is because it is in all of our best interest that Master Skywalker and the Jedi continue to exist." Now Mara was really surprised.
"So, you expect me to believe that the Empire wants the Jedi around."
Palleon took a deep breath. "Yes, while I am sure that there are people on both sides that will not agree. I believe that most will. There is no point to continue this war."
"All it will do is cost lives and I am tired of losing people because some fool thinks they can resurrect the Empire to the power it had while the Emperor was alive."
"While I am not sure I can get the support for peace right now, I know when I do, we will need the Jedi to help bring it."
"OK Admiral, can you send me the information, and I will make sure it is received by those that will need to know. I will also be letting Luke know where it came from and your hope for peace. While you don't think you can get the support on your side and I dought we can on ours either. Luke will know who to talk with the start the ball rolling so when you are ready we will be too."
"Thank you, I am also including information on how I can be reached. I would like to speak to Master Skywalker at a time of his choosing. I understand things are busy at the moment but if he could spare me a bit of his time I would appreciate it."
"I will let him know."
"That's all I can ask. Tell him I would also like to visit as some point too."
"I will Admiral."
"Till then." The transmission ended and Mara stood there a minute before running out the room.
L/M
Mara had just finished telling all the Masters of the call she just had. They all sat there in silance and looking at Luke.
"For the first time since most all of us were born, we have a chance at peace with the Empire. The question is what to do with the information. Who can we trust with this."
"So, you plan on talking with the Admiral and letting the New Republic know." Corran asked.
"Yes, I think I will need to speak with Cracken about this. Let him know about the information that Palleon sent us. I will also need to let Fey'lya know about the information and where it came from."
L/M
Fey'lya listen has Master Skywalker reported on what he, himself just learned. "Do you trust the information that the Admiral gave us?"
"I see no reason not to. It is easily proven or disproven. What does the Empire gain by lying to us."
"I see your point. Will you speak with him?"
"I will but I want to speak with Garvison first. I have a meeting with him set up and will be heading to Corasuant in a couple days."
"So you have made your decision."
"I have spoken to the Masters and will be leeting Garvison know whart we talked about."
"I told you before I will support you on this. When you are ready to speak with the Senate I will stand beside you."
"Thank you Senater. Till then I got a lot to do before my trip."
"Till then Master Skywalker."
Luke ended the transmission and headed back to his office. He had a few things to get done before he left.
L/M
Luke never really liked it on Coruscant, it just felt wrong to him. A whole planet that was basically one big city. It wasn't natural. He was heading to his meeting with Garvison to let him know what he and the Jedi were going to do. He past several people, most paid no attention as they were in a hurry but a few acknowleged him. Most friendly but still a few with suspition.
When he reached the office he was shown in. Garvison stood to welcome his guest and friend.
"Should we despence with formalities Luke."
"Yes, how have you been?"
"I don't know how your sister did this for so long."
"I don't either."
"So I assume you are here about the rummers that the Jedi are breaking away that I asked you about."
"Yes, while we owe a lot to the New Repubic I feel we need a more independant relationship with it. While most planets fall with in the New Republic not all do. Even with in the planets that do, some do not trust us because we are tied too close to the Republic. If we are independent, we can act as mediators easier between different governments. As it stands now most feel we will make a choice on what the Senate wants."
"I'm sure there is more to it than that."
"There is. The old Order feel mostly because they were tied to the Old Republic. Because of their ties they were taken from their intendant roles and placed in charge of troops. Of course we all know this was laned by Palpatine but the point still stands.
Lets say you have two of the planets in the New Repubic that are about to go to war. Niether trust the central goverment. With us independant we can mediate the talks. Then there is like with what happen with the Bothans. We were brought in to help provide security as an independant party."
"What of those who that work for the New Republic. Like Corran Horn?"
"If he still wants to fly as a New Republic Pilot, he can. He will not take part in any Jedi business as long as he wants to keep flying. His orders will come from the New Republic Military."
"How will you support the Order?"
"I have invested my salary for years. While I have built up a good number of credits, it's not enough. That changed when I was visited by my father and he told me of some funds that were mine, so that I could use them for the Order."
"I understand why you want to do this and support it. There are those who will oppse it."
"I know. I have been thinking about this. The biggest obstical at one time was Fey'lya, but he has thrown his support behind it."
"I am suprised. Did he say why?"
"I believe he feels he owes us and sees the bennifit."
"How will this work?"
"We will be an independent government like others. My plan is to set up a small temple on Coruscant to act as like an embassy. We can do that in the capitals of different governments as well if they want."
"OK, let's say you can pull this off, which I have no dough what you will need?"
"The Yavin system will be ours. There are a couple planets that I would like to set up training bases. Like Hoth and Dagodah, both are not inhabitted. There are other planets that are homes to other goverments that I would like to be able to make a deal to do training on their planets like Endor or Kashyyk. Places with differant terrain so I can train the Jedi.
I will also like to help in training them in diplomacy. If we are going to take back the roll of peacemakers we need to be able to walk into a room and talk our way through the issue. I don't want us to have to resort to lightsabers. We sould only need them to defend others."
"I believe I know of someone who can help with that. She can also take the time to get the training she as wanted for a long time. As for what other support you will need to get set up so you can be fully independant we can discuss later. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, Admiral Palleon contacted Yavin 4 and provided us with information on the attack against me. We even didn't know some of it. I have already given both Fey'lya and Cracken the information. He is also wanting peace between the New Republic and the Empire."
Garvison was not expecting this. "Is he sincere with this?"
"Yes, he is not sure if he has enough support in the Empire yet but he wants to start working towards it."
"I am not sure I could muster enough support in the Senate."
"I know that and so does he. He is just letting us know and hopes that the Jedi can help bring it about."
"Another reason to make you independant."
"He wants to come to Yavin and speak. I am incline to agree but want to let you know first before sending the invite."
"How will you insure that he doesn't take this invintation to wipe you out."
"I do have some ships and Karrde also is moving towards a more independant from any goverment. We have made a deal with him on ship maintanance. He is building a mantanance facility on Yavin. I also have a deal with the Noghri to provide security at the acadamy. I think Karrde is working towards information broker more than smuggling. I don't think he does much of that as it is."
"Looks like you have already gotten a lot of this already started."
"Yes, I feel this is the path we need to take."
"I will support you on this, now while I wish I had more time to talk about this I do have more meetings to get on with. I will let you know when I have more time to talk. We shold bring your sister and even Fay'lya in on this meeting."
"Till then."
They both shock hands and Luke walked out the door feeling lighter. This is the path the force wants him to follow, and he feels they are finally on their way.
I hope you liked the chapter. I will try not wait to long for the next chapter.