A War of Words

[Ulysses]

Jedi Academy, Ilum.

So-Lon stood at the terminal in the Academy archives, his finger hovering over the submit button. He had observed a number of debates before his absence, especially under Master Areos. However, since debates between students in the Initiates’ chamber he had not had the time or inclination to partake, let alone propose a motion. Mostly, in So-Lon's experience, the debate chamber had seen technical arguments on the finer points of some arcane knowledge.

Upon arriving back in Jedi space, having been away for 10 years, he heard the words of the new Grand Master and was troubled. "No second chances." Never mind tearing out the heart of the enemy, these words were like a knife in his own heart. He had continued to read, listen and look for what had led to this point. He had been met with mixed emotions: stories of redeemed Sith tempered with reports of wanton destruction.

So-Lon’s finger trembled. He had no idea what this submission would result in. He looked up at the Jedi code engraved unassumingly above the great door - that usually went without remark from the people well-versed with them - and the three words underneath it: Peace, Justice, Order. Emboldened by the tenets of the code, he closed his eyes, drinking in the force and, before opening his eyes again, pressed the submit button.

There, the die had been cast. Anyone with access to any of the Jedi archives would see the invitation to debate, and who proposed the motion:
This house believes that the order has lost its way: in seeking to eliminate the Sith, we risk becoming our worst enemy.

Spoiler: OOC

Open to all who have business on Ilum or Jedi space generally

• Debate speakers on either side
• Chair (one only)
• Audience members
• Lynch mobs

PM me if you want to contribute and need some time

 

[Ulysses]

The next day
So-Lon went about his usual routine. The debate was 2 weeks away to allow for people to put themselves down and prepare. So-Lon's own preparations were coming along, but not at the rate he would like: he kept changing his mind over strategy, tone and who his intended audience was.

As he went to the refectory, it seemed that fewer people than usual responded to his friendly nods: had they read his submission? was it just because he was unknown having been away for so long? or was it just his mind playing tricks on him in his heightened state of nerves?

So-Lon had been surprised by the lack of response - whether positive or negative. It was not every day that the very being of the order was called into question, was it? Perhaps this was the calm before the storm, perhaps people were talking behind his back and were plotting their next move. Perhaps no-one was interested in debates any more after decades of obscure technicality. Back in his chambers, So-Lon resigned himself to silent meditation.

The first living being to mention the topic to him was an old friend, Chillian, who came to visit late that evening. They embraced on the threshold as So-Lon invited him in.

"It's so good to see you after all these years, we thought we'd lost you." The pair went back a long time, back to their days at the academy, but were an unlikely friendship: Chillian had always been full of figure and full of zest, the first to step forward to any task but also the first to give up declaring it to be impossible at the the first setback. It would take the patient thoughtfulness of So-Lon and others to redirect him to a more sophisticated solution. In return Chillian would bring out the reserved Jedi and spur him into action. Chillian had also been among the first to answer the call to join the Army of Light, where So-Lon never had. He still didn't truly understand whether he was now de facto a member upon his return or not - no one had really explained to him the relationship between the Army, the current Order and the old one.

After a long exchange of stories about the previous 10 years - So-Lon's adventures and discoveries in deep space; Chillian's victories and promotion - talk turned to So-Lon's proposed motion. "Listen, brother, I've seen your debate thing. I appreciate your sentiments, but your timing is awful. We are winning this war. Just a short while longer and the Sith will be defeated and there'll be plenty of time to discuss the higher principles of the matter. I know you, So-Lon, but someone who didn't might think you didn't want us to win."

At this, the conversation was clearly over. He tried to convince his friend that this was precisely why they needed to have the debate now, but Chillian was having none of it. Once they both finished their respective drinks, So-Lon made a comment about how late it was and they parted.

So-Lon slept badly that night with the thought of this coming between their friendship, but was undeterred from his course.

 

[Ben Aldrey]

Ben Kendor had been meditating when his holopad dinged with a message. “Dammit” he thought to himself. “I thought I put the blasted thing in silent.” Force pulling the device to him. He opened it up to review the message. Reading it over a couple times, he felt he was missing some context. He reviewed who had sent the message. Getting up, he walked to try and find So-Lon

He politely knocked in the door of So-Lon’s room. “Hello, So-Lon!” He yelled out. “I wanted to talk to you about this debate your trying to start.”

 

[Ulysses]

Tap-tap-tap

Dread filled So-Lon's mind. He had had no visitors since the sad visit of his old friend Chillian. Those in the street maintained their frosty reserve that So-Lon's anxiety interpreted as disdain for the pariah. Had those with a vested interest in the continuation of the war come to get him?

The lack of strength behind the knock would suggest otherwise. But darkness often came in silk gloves.

"I wanted to talk to you about this debate you're trying to start"

He went to the window surreptitiously, only venturing his eyes above the will to see that the young human initiate was alone. He reached out with his feelings, sensing no darkness or deception - but the people he had spent the last 10 years with were an unsophisticated race, unused to hiding themselves from the force and so So-Lon's powers had waned in that regard. Nevertheless he felt for his lightsaber underneath his robes and went to the door.

He would usher his visitor in swiftly, almost rudely so, checking for anyone looking suspicious in the street before quickly closing it behind him.

He would offer a hot drink before asking him what his interest in the debate was. He would still have an eye of suspicion.

@Ben Aldrey

 

[Ben Aldrey]

Being swiftly pulled into the room, he felt just how on edge the man was. “I wanted to ask where this came from,” he said. “I understand your concerns that we may become that which we seek to destroy, but isn’t peace and the protection of life more important than upholding some sort of moral code which can be brought up to interpretation?” He continued. Before So-Lon could answer he continued, “also, have you thought that perhaps your worried that the Jedi are acting on more emotion towards the sith, and not with reason, and that we should devise a strategy based purely absent of emotions for dealing with sith? Sorry if this is a lot to answer. I am just an initiate. And I want to learn as much as I can.” He said. Sitting down. Sipping the warm drink he was provided.