Setting
Coruscant had been the seat of galactic power for over a millennia, and in that time many a government had called it their capital. Now today another sought to claim it as their own, The New Republic. Risen from the ashes of yet another collapse the Republic has once again rose to spread it's message of peace across the galaxy, and today marks their first step in doing so with the election of a new Supreme Chancellor to head the senate. Opinions were divided, political parties split, but they all agreed upon one thing. The Republic must be restored.
An event like this is not easily missed, even in the farthest reaches of the Outer Rim, so it is no surprise on the several people from various origins arriving on the Coruscant. Many faces mix amongst the gathering masses, drowning out individuals and mixing the populous into a solid wall of citizenry. Arriving at the docks now is one ship that many from the senate did expect. It bore no markings but all who knew the workings of the inner circles of the galaxy knew that this ship harbored the remaining Jedi still loyal to the order. It was here they hoped to regain their lost temple and found a new home, and it was here that the story truly begins.
The Jedi were seeking to rebuild their temple, which would require Senate votes. In the Old Republic the Jedi had made excellent public aides for the relatively low cost of the Republic maintaining their temple. The Raioballo Sector was still relatively plagued by Imperial remnants...but the money in stripping,salvaging and re-purposing Imperial ships was a major part of the sectors economic activity. As such, it couldn't risk angering the remaining Imperial faction in its own territory. The Shard performed a quick check of the Republic databases, the Subterrel Sector was still under Imperial annex. That meant Larimar would be unable to return home...droids were not allowed on Orax under Imperial rule. This somewhat complicated matters, but Larimar still had to make an attempt.
"Tania," the polite tone of the protocol droid spoke out. "We would appreciate your input in regards to a more personal matter...concerning the Jedi."
"Gungan," Kibriets commented as he saw a tan creature with long fin-like ears pass by him." I think." His gaze followed the "Gungan" until he felt himself bump into someone ahead of him. He turned ahead to see a horned creature he didn't recognize staring up at him.
"Sorry. I didn't see you there."
"Well you should've. Too busy sightseeing."
"I apologize for my apprentice. I can assure you it won't happen again." interrupted Bo-rhan. He went to lay a hand on the creatures shoulder but it just grunted and continued on its way. "You really should pay more attention." Bo-rhan said addressing Kibriets now.
"I know master. I had my attention elsewhere." Kibriets said although his eyes were already following another creature. Bo-rhan's eyes hadn't left Kibriets and he chuckled. âThere are hundreds represented here not mentioning visitors. Surely you don't expect to recognize every species you pass by."
"Not all of them." Kibriets admitted.
"It'll be years before you can do that," Bo-rhan said still smiling. "But if you'd rather focus on that. Ask around and see what you can find out. I suspect it's not only Jedi who came to watch the election."
"Yes master." Kibriets agreed before turning to walk off. It would probably be best if he started in a public meeting place, a Cantina perhaps. Suddenly Kibriets felt a disturbance in the force. It was quick and Kibriets almost felt like he imagined it. Kibriets turned toward his master who was looking back at him more seriously. âMay the force be with you." He said before walking off.
Kibriets didn't falter and immediately began finding his way to the nearest Cantina.
"Ma'am, we are getting ready to land now." Valice turned to see Threx, one of two Mandalorian mercenaries that served as her bodyguards, speaking to her.
"Very well. Land on platform three in sector sixteen. Ndawe should be waiting for us there with his report." Valice spoke, her tone even. She had sent Ndawe, her apprentice and personal favorite among the Sith that served her, ahead give her a preliminary report on the state of things. Threx nodded and returned to the cockpit with the instructions, leaving Valice to her thoughts. The ship had begun it's descent when she felt it, like a wave in the force emanating from a single point on the planet. Whomever it came from was neither Sith nor Jedi, and their presence prompted Valice to take extra precautions to hide her presence in the force.
He resisted the urge to take a closer look at the space port when Master Tyr-Kyr stepped out from their ship, Deel like many other Jedi had had the honour of being trained by the Jedi and Deel in particular had a great deal of respect for him. His hands drifted back off of his sabres when Tyr-Kyr began lecturing the gathered Jedi, though he paid it little heed. Like the other Jedi he began following the Master, though he walked quicker so as to walk alongside Tyr-Kyr.
After a moment of walking he turned his head and with a small amount of trepidation asked the question that was beginning to bug him. "Master, I would have thought you would be happier for the chance to visit the old Jedi temple." Like almost all Zabrak Deel had a cold, deep and gravelly voice that betrayed all emotion. "I know more than one Jedi here would have preferred we went straight there." Deel himself was of a mixed mind as to which location he would have preferred, though he himself had strong political views and had long since wished to see the Senate at work, he was nervous to see how they would react to a host of Jedi walking the streets.
"Tania, we must point out that the Senate as a whole must agree to the Jedi's restoration...not just us. Furthermore it is within the best interest of our Sector, and Dantooine in particular to not express anti-Imperial sentiment." The admission of fact was painful, but the Shard felt it must be said anyways.
"Our own opinion supports the Jedi, in the Old Republic they were an invaluable asset...if somewhat under used. But considering the delicate political nature of the situation we can't fault such an event." Larimar had its droid body shrug, a maneuver rather difficult to perform.
"But we'd like to speak with a Jedi Master, or vassal entrusted to speak for the Jedi. Preferably after the matter of Grand Chancellor has been settled, and see if an agreement of sorts can't be made... could you arrange that? If possible, see if we have any friends or favors to cash in." The voice synthesizer was able to shift tone for the nature of business.
"Should it come down to it, we'd like to be able to arrange for a down payment. Such a show would be useful to move other Senators due to competitive rivalries...along with seeing about a personal request."
"Many years has it been since the Jedi have stepped inside the Temple, and many years more has it been since this place was called home by us. So much grief and darkness lay over this place, more so than I have ever felt. The day we return to the Temple, is a day we will surely mourn new losses."
He knew his words would cause a degree of confusion to those listening, but he spoke the truth of it. Turning his gaze back towards the street in front of him, once again he felt the force distort. Many powers were gathering here, and Tyr-Kyr knew that the Jedi were the least of them.
She remembered all to clearly that final bloody ground battle that took place on the planet's surface when the remaining Sith forces converged on Coruscant, to strike at the heart of both the Jedi Order and The Republic just as their ancestors had done many decades before them. All sides had suffered massive casualties at that point, so even the Padawan where called to fight for the good of The Republic. She remembered how overwhelmed she felt at first. Being on the battlefield wasn't like anything she'd ever experienced, even missions where her and her master were forced to engage Sith and their buckets o' bolts couldn't compare. It was like pure chaos, crimson red bolts arced through the air, and death surrounded her. In the end the Republic, with the aid of the Jedi managed to drive them off. However it hardly felt like a victory, even as the last of the remaining Sith ships fled the atmosphere and vanished into hyper space, for they had left countless bodies behind. Including her best friend who graduated from the Academy the same year as her.
But that's not what kept her off Coruscant all these years, she had long since moved past her death, and many others. They where Jedi, fighting came with the deal, and so did dying. It was herself that she most feared. She remembered how the longer the fight dragged on, the harder and harder it became to contain her own emotions, her rage, let alone channel the emotions of the Sith she locked blades with. Until finally, she let go, and in that moment the power of the dark side had become abundantly clear. She released all the hate, all the suppressed rage and frustration and used it to cut down Sith left and right. And it felt good. It felt good to feel so untouchable and powerful, even if it was short lived.
She had crossed a line she probably wouldn't have been able to come back for had she not blacked out from the exertion. It felt so good and so right that scared her to think about. So she never spoke of it to anyone, and never returned to Coruscant until now. Ironically the experience failed to deter from devoting most of her training to Vaapad.
"Young one, you have came here today at the behest of the others on the council and to observe the proceedings of the senate. You must watch and learn today, regardless of what happens. I expect you to act honorably and present our Order well to those that no longer remember us. Now we should make hast to the Senate Building."
She didn't realized she was clenching her teach until she opened her mouth to say " Yes master " with a curt bow of respect to follow. Her was replaced by a faint smile as the newly knighted Deel outpaced them to walk at the Master's heels. His ego was big enough to feed an army of Rancor for months, but Noel liked him. Partly because he manages to get himself into bigger bantha droppings than she did.
It was at this moment he felt something. A tug in the Force, like ripples in a pool, his head tilted slightly as he considered what could be making the pull, it felt slightly... Dark and intoxicating, he was reminded of the shrine he had found back on his homeworld, it was a place he had told nobody about and long since wished to return there.
He turned his head to look back his fellow Jedi and waited until he was next to Noel Basra, not exactly thick as thieves or inseparable though they did spend a good deal of time together, not as much as he would have liked however. He bowed his head ever so slightly in greeting and making sure they were at the back of the group began talking in what should have been a hushed tone, though the voice of a Zabrak is usually too gruff to be quiet. "Volks nuin." The phrase literally translated to 'greetings, friend' and it was one he rarely used unless he trusted someone. "Did you feel something in the Force a moment ago? I'm sure Master Tyr-Kyr did, though he is in a foul mood it seems today and most likely paid it no heed."
Nalek couldn't say it was one of her favourite places to be. There were far too many people, who were more interested in themselves than anybody else. The selfishness in this Capital was by far the worst in her opinion.
Her Master and fellow apprentice would be meeting about now. However, Nalek had decided to skip this meeting and head straight into the bustling crowds.
The air was thick with noise. Everyone was getting on with the preparation for this important day but it was still easy to distinguish the Jedi's from the regular people.
She assumed, correctly, that they would be making their way to the Senate. Clearly the order had assumed trouble, other wise they wouldn't have needed the 'Forces Peace Keepers'.
Rather than follow the Jedi, Nalek decided it would probably be most wise to get in contact with her comrades. It wasn't everyday you got to meet with 'Darth Valice'.
The Twi'lek changed her direction. Heading to the meeting point.
Most likely Ndawe would already be with his Master. It was well known among all the Sith Lords that Valice held him as a particular favourite.
"In that case, you have been thinking this through more than we have." The remark was meant to be humorous but droid voice systems don't quite carry the proper nuance to make such a point clear. Despite its "body" possessing the proper means of addressing the driver, Tania was once more addressed as an intermediary.
"Within a couple stops, we'll near some of our Imperial partners. Perhaps we should pick them up? After all given our stance in regards to the Jedi, it should be made expressly clear that our sector is in no way turning against the Empire. If anything, we can attempt passing this off as little more than an act of charity...or funding a potential asset in hopes of using it for the Empire."
Larimar secretly thanked its condition at this time. The droid's expressions were usually flat and given there was no body language to give it away, lying was a rather easy task. It intended full well to make good on its dealings with the Imperials, but a way of garnishing some form of economic freedom from the Empire would be ideal. However, such an event would be highly unlikely given its Sector was smack in the middle of Imperial occupation.
"Also...given the condition of our Sector, seeking friends outside the Jedi might be beneficial- despite the idea being distasteful." The Shard made its final concession...for the good of the Sector.
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