A Masters Return

[Flying Dutchman]

Dantooine, Jedi Temple​

" This is Temple Control. You are cleared for landing, Senator. Welcome to Tython, may the Force protect you." The small shuttle descended from the thick fog over Dantooine, seemingly concealing the Jedi's new headquarters: the Jedi Stronghold. Situated on the rugged grasslands of Dantooine, the small temple stood high, protecting its inhabitants from certain doom.

From his place in the shuttle, Doghus saw little of the outside, and as such, he walked towards the cockpit to look to the Temple and the world below. He was pleased, for he had been personally involved with Tython's reconstruction. From his talking with Master Brand(OOC:Thread), sprung a very clear deal. And from that deal, numerous Balmorran ships had flown to Tython, filled with Droids and materials to repair the Temple, while a second contingent had slowly repaired the Jedi flagship, the Peacekeeper, from a heavy beating. It was rather sad that Tython was gone, leaving in its wake a new order of Knights to pick up the pieces. As Doghus came down to the small gardens in front of the Temple, for lack of a dedicated space-port, he saw the continuing work of both people and droids on reinforcing the Temple.

Since Tython's destruction not to long ago, Dantooine had become a safe haven for its survivors, and the few on the Council who were still alive. To that end, Doghus had relocated new forces to help in the construction of this new Temple as well.

Today, however, Doghus had not come to inspect his workers. He had come for more urgent business. One concerning the Jedi Council and indeed Balmorra itself. To that end, he had asked to convey with a Jedi Master, Tarnit Taddler. Tarnit had been with the Grand Army not long ago, departing from the order. However, he had returned to the Temple, and now was one of the leading voices for the war efforts of the Jedi Army to the council. If there was anyone willing to put up a fight, it would be Taddler.

As Doghus' shuttle landed on a small pad outside the Temple's main entrance, he walked to the ramp. He had left most of his staff and family, including his wife Jaini and his trusted butler Miron. Tython, he knew, was one of the most holy places in the galaxy, and the more people not Jedi, the more suspicious the guards became. Therefore, he had come alone, trusting one of his service droids to steer the shuttle. As the ramp opened, Doghus walked out, but he was quickly stopped by two Templar guards. " Senator Dei? We'll need to see some identification." One of the guards said. Doghus nodded, and as usual, he had kept his papers at the ready. With the galaxy at war, it had not been the first time that the heard the question. It was, however, the first time it was said by a Jedi. " Ah yes, Master Jedi. I understand your concern. I am here on business concerning the Council. In particular, Master Taddler." He answered. The guardsman nodded, and led the way into the temple.

As imposing as it looked on the outside, on the inside the Temple gave a general sense of simplicity and purpose. Aside from a few ornaments, the main corridor was sleek and simple. However, as Doghus entered the great hall, he was awed. At the centre of the large chamber, there stood a large, silver obelisk. On it, were countless names of fallen Jedi, Masters and Padawans alike. The two guards left Doghus directly in front of the obelisk, and tasked someone else with informing Master Taddler.

Doghus stood for several moments, looking at the monument and taking in its message, before he was disturbed by another Templar, who spoke: " Senator? Master Taddler will see you now." Doghus nodded, and followed the guard to a rather small chamber, where in the centre, a single person sat. As Doghus saw that the man was deeply in thought, he stood in silence, and awaited the man's first greeting.

(@jamessour)

 

[jamessour]

As the days of the war grew on, Tarnit was more and more grateful for his master's training. His master, Daan't had taught Tarnit the way of conversation over combat. Tarnit was schooled in the ways of politics. And, for better or worse, that is what most of the now Jedi master's life was. It could be worse, he figured. His time in the Grand Army brought strife to his heart; it was too much war for a peace keeper. While Tarnit didn't agree with all of the Jedi Army's tactics, he couldn't sit back and do nothing, but he couldn't join the Republic's army either. At least here he could make peace for his past sins, and train the next generation of Jedi well.

Today, Tarnit found himself in another potentially political position. The Senator of Balmorra had requested a meeting, and Tarnit had cordially agreed. The ties between the Republic and the Jedi were growing, and could always be stronger. He spent the early morning training, and he now found himself with some time to mediate and think. The extrovert had learned to love these times. It came with age, his love of silence. He had finally started to learn to enjoy solitude with the force... it had only taken five decades.

A padawan entered to let Tarnit know the Senator had arrived, and Tarnit told the student to send him in. Taking a few deep breaths, Tarnit remained sitting and focused his eyes on a his datapad which was blinking with several notifications that had come during his time meditating. He was wearing his casual clothes. A dark traditional Corellian shirt draped over dark pants.

As the guard and the senator walked in, Tarnit stood and smiled warmly. "Senator, welcome. I hope you had safe travels." Tarnit walked briskly over to them and extended a hand. "Would you like some caf?"

@Flying Dutchman

 

[Flying Dutchman]

As Taddler stood up and greeted Doghus, the Senator let down a short bow, to adress the Jedi as an equal. After that, he looked at Taddler directly, leaving up a small smile, before answering: " Master Taddler, it is an honour to meet you. I have encountered no troubles on my way here, and I intend not to on my way back." When Taddler walked towards him and extended his arm, Doghus gladly shook it. And while Doghus loved the smell of the strong caf coming at him, he replied with: " Just tea will do, thank you."

As Doghus followed Taddler to the large window at the end of the room, he took the tea from the Master's hand, and quickly glanced outside, to the rugged fields of Dantooine. He took a small sip of his warm tea, before speaking up again: " I have been informed of the tragic events at Tython. I am dreadfully sorry for your losses." He looked meaningful into the Master's eyes, and listened to his answers.

After Taddler replied to Doghus' words, the Senator spoke up again: " It is truly a devastating loss. The Council, the Temple, and so many Jedi killed in an instant. I suppose it is now up to the few Jedi left to pick the pieces and hold this Order together." Doghus looked outside again, before taking another sip of his tea. Then, he looked gravely to the plains of the Temple once more. He saw several Padawans and Knights alike, training and meditating on the Stronghold's large gardens. Then, he looked back to Taddler, and spoke: " As much as it pains me to say so, we cannot mourn for your losses long. We must remain headstrong, both physically and mentally. I know I am not one to questions your resolve. But that is why I have come here. My interests concern the Council, and indeed the order as a whole. However, I am afraid, that to make a good case at the Council, I might require some help."

(@jamessour)

 

[jamessour]

As the senator put in his request for tea, the jedi who led them in quickly walked off to fetch the drinks. Tarnit smiled warmly and walking to a large window asked, "So tell me, what brings you to Dantooine?"

The senator replied with " I have been informed of the tragic events at Tython. I am dreadfully sorry for your losses." and at this time both drinks had been safely delivered to the men's hands.

The smile that once found home on Tarnit's face quickly faded. "We lost many. And not just jedi. We lost ideals, we lost peace, we lost our home."

" It is truly a devastating loss. The Council, the Temple, and so many Jedi killed in an instant. I suppose it is now up to the few Jedi left to pick the pieces and hold this Order together." Tarnit nodded politely as the senator spoke. " As much as it pains me to say so, we cannot mourn for your losses long. We must remain headstrong, both physically and mentally. I know I am not one to questions your resolve. But that is why I have come here. My interests concern the Council, and indeed the order as a whole. However, I am afraid, that to make a good case at the Council, I might require some help."

"I can assure you that while it is a loss, we do not mourn those who have died, for they have passed on to the living force. This is the hope we have the Sith do not. While we live our lives to become one with the force forever, the Sith deny the afterlife and live for the present. Our resolve is strong." Taking a sip of his coffee he spoke again, "As for the council, it is gone. All that remain are a few masters, a few generals, and our Jedi Lord. Please, tell me the case you wanted to make?"

@Flying Dutchman

 

[Flying Dutchman]

As Doghus listened to Taddler's answer, he showed a sign of remorse. The loss of Tython had indeed wiped out the Council permanently, and only the Order's unofficial leader remained. " If there is truly no Council left, than we must move our efforts to your Jedi Lord." Doghus looked outside once more, overthinking the thought of leaving it all to one man to maintain control over the Jedi. It seemed to him, that lingered a bit to much to the side of the Sith Emperor. But if the Jedi Lord was willing to listen to his fellow masters, the Council was still limitedly in effect.

Doghus took a last sip of his tea, before returning to the centre of the chamber, away from the window. He waited for Taddler to follow and continued: " My efforts concern the well-being of my people, and the survival of the galaxy as a whole. While you of all understand the most dire task to protect the whole galaxy at once, it is my understanding that through mutual understanding and cooperation, it can be done." As Doghus stood in the centre of the chamber, he opened up a small holo-projector, which showed a small scale map of the galaxy. He showed it to Taddler, and spoke: " You well know the fall of Coruscant by now. Its loss is a blow to the Republic economy as much as it is to our unity. And now, Chandrila is under attack. The fall of the Republic Senate, and indeed its capital, will constitute the fall of the Republic. And you, i am certain, understand what that entails. A galaxy once again ruled by the Sith and their lackeys." He zoomed in on Chandrila as he spoke, and he watched the Republic's throne with an urgent face.

He then looked back to Taddler, and closed his projector. " Now, I have not come to tell you the current state of the war," Doghus said, "Because you and I both know, we are loosing it. But I am done with the reasons why I am not here. I am here, to join you. Not as a Jedi Knight, the Force knows I can not understand it, but as an independent fighter." He waited for a few moments for Taddler to let the proposition sink in and for him to respond.

After Taddler spoke his answer, Doghus continued: " Once Chandrila, and indeed the Republic with it, are gone, people will flock to the Jedi for help. They will mark the Jedi as the only hope left for the galaxy to stop the Sith. And that will leave traces." He opened up his holo-projector once again, and he showed his home, Balmorra. " And the Jedi are not the only one. Once they grip word of the Jedi and Balmorra in league with one another, they will come to us. That is why I need your Council, and now it only remains with the Jedi Lord. I have come to request your protection, in return for my support, my resources and my influence. I understand that the Jedi are spread thin across the galaxy, and many more have perished on Tython, but I must ask you. If war comes to our doorstep, we will be ready." Doghus understood that it was a lot for the Master to take in, and indeed it was not Taddler he needed to persuade he realised. But the Master's support was well needed for Doghus to negotiate with the Jedi Lord.

(@jamessour)