Ask ...And Now You've Made the Wookiee Mad (Part 2: The Remix)

[Zakrym La]

It had been a long time since Zakrym La had been on Kashyyyk, at least a few years. Then he had come to help the Onderonian refugees settle in an idyllic treetop village alongside countless other Jedi Knights and Padawans. It had been among the first humanitarian efforts he had helped organize and it had been wildly successful. He remembered the peace of that day, the joy, and the relief of the people to find aid in what the galaxy viewed as an unlikely source.

How times had changed.

No longer was Zak a simple Jedi Knight, no longer could he freely travel the galaxy and engage in humanitarian efforts where-ever the Force led him. Instead, She had led him down a different path then one he had expected, the Force had him guiding the Order, acting as an example to all of them and to the Galaxy as a whole. It was a calling that he accepted humbly, as he had when the Forced asked anything of him, and now it was his burden to bear. His colleague, Fynn Tarrel, had been killed in a brazen attack on Mustafar, an attack that the Jedi would have to answer for, that he would have to answer for. This is what had brought him back to Kashyyyk, he had come to meet with one of the Jedi’s most staunch allies, to try and calm any qualms the senator might have, and to begin mending the fractures countless transgressions had caused. Zak glanced over to Lucifrey Sol as they made their way through the treetop city Rwookrrorro to the office of Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl.

“Luci.” He said, addressing his Padawan in a calm yet warm tone. “I know I have been far busier than I was in the past...” He began, his voice trailing off as he fought to find the right words. “…I am sorry that I haven’t been here for you.” He continued, his voice dropping to a sad whisper. “I want you to know, I am proud of the person you’ve become, I am proud of woman you are.” He finished, his eyes finally pulling from her and focusing once again on the Senator’s office. “I want you to pay attention to everything I do in this meeting.” He continued. “Try to take my actions as a guide.” He explained, shortly before they reached the door.

“Hopefully on what to do.” He thought to himself

Zak would enter the office lobby and approach the receptionist with a slight smile on his face.

“Hello, I am Jedi Councilor Zakrym La” Zak began, inwardly flinching at using his own title. “and this is my Padawan Lucifrey Sol. We have an appointment to meet with Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl.”

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[Lucifrey Sol]

Lucifrey gazed around at the familiar treescape of Kashyyyk while she walked alongside her good ol' master, Zakrym La. This was where she found the Brylark wood for her own handcrafted lightsaber, fused together with the expertly crafted songsteel parts she obtained when she was merely a Youngling from the Jedi who recruited her to the Order, Knight Yamato. An old friend whom she believed to be dead.

For once she was no longer wearing one of her idol-fashion inspired outfits, nor her sleek Resistance operative suit. The Padawan didn't even bring along one of her custom blasters. Today Luci tried to represent the Order rather than the Resistance, respectfully and traditionally opting to bring only her lightsaber, a simple pair of boots, and a light grey tunic like one of the ones Rey Skywalker used to wear.

"Thank you, master." Luci smiled up at Zak, the heartfelt emotion she felt clearly visible across her expressive features. It had been too long since she got to travel alongside her master. It did her good to be with him again, hearing the validation that what she'd been doing and who she was becoming made him proud. Those words meant more to her than he might've known.

"And it's okay, it's not your fault." The blue-horned girl's smile dropped a little, becoming a soft and reassuring gaze. "I know it's because you're on the Council now. It'll be good to see what the Grandmaster has you doing these rotations. You never know, I might even be the next one on the Council." She teased with a half-cocky smirk at the end of her jest.

"Hello~" Luci pleasantly greeted the assistant at the Senator's office, then patiently waited alongside Zak with her long thin tail gently swaying behind her. She made sure to pay close attention to how her master conducted himself here, and began repeating, 'Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl. Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl.' in her head to make sure she didn't forget how to pronounce the Wookie senator's name again. After all, she had been practicing it for this very occasion.

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[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

The Jedi were expected, but that didn't mean that security wasn't tight. The Jedi would be thoroughly vetted and scanned before they were ultimately welcomed to the Senator's office.

Perhaps "welcomed" wasn't the correct term. The setting was cordial enough, with comfortable seats facing Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's desk and light refreshments available to the Jedi, but the Senator's countenance was grim and tense. He rose as the Jedi entered with the difficulty of his age, and beckoned Zakrim and Lucifrey sit before returning to his chair with his hands clasped together on the desk in front of himself.

"Councilor La, Padawan Sol" he said, rigidly. "Welcome to Kashyyyk." Tradition and honor had to be upheld. "The last time I spoke with a Councilor, he assured me that the Jedi were not breaking the ceasefire." The Wookiee let a moment's pregnant pause hang in the air, staring off beyond Zak's shoulder as if even he was dreading his next words. "Now, that Councilor is dead after having personally led an invasion that was a direct and public violation of the very ceasefire that the Jedi Order proposed."

Finally, his eyes settled on the Jedi; first on Zak, and then on Lucifrey. "Why should I trust your words today any more than his?"


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[Zakrym La]

Zak and Luci were both greeted by tightened security, a symptom of Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's distrust in the Jedi Order. Zak did not resist the pat down, in fact he willingly offer the guards his pair of lightsabers and motioned for Luci to do the same. He had not come here expecting conflict, he trusted Senator Aezz implicitly and so he disarmed himself completely in a show of good faith. Despite this slight, intentional or not, Zak didn't flinch and didn't seem perturbed by the interactions in the slightest. Contrary to what would be expected, Zak thanked the guards for doing their due diligence and protecting the Senator from any and all potential threats.

Then the pair of Jedi would be escorted and led into the Senator's office. Zak felt the tension from the beginning of the hallway. He could FEEL the distrust, the hurt, and the disbelief as it washed through the Living Force and the sensations caused him to grimace internally. Zak prepared himself for a difficult conversation to have and to answer for the failings of a fallen friend, answers he wasn't sure he could truly provide.

And then they entered the office.

Zak bowed at the waist shortly after the Senator had greeted both he and his Padawan. It was a small gesture of respect but one that Zak offered the Wookiee in place of a handshake. This meeting was formal in every sense of the word, it was the last opportunity to prove to Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl that the Jedi were worthy of his support.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me Senator," Zak began after the greeting. "I wish our meeting could have been under a different set of circumstances." He continued, in a calm tone.

Once Aezz gestured towards the seats before him, Zak would move with no hesitation to take a seat across from him but not a moment before. After sitting, Zak would cross his legs, one over another, rest his hands gently on his knee, and lean forward slightly to show engagement in the conversation. The slightest hint of a smile touched Zak's face as he settled into his seat across from the Senator, one that faded into the most subtle of frowns when the Senator continued to speak. Zak didn't flinch at the implications the Senator made, his expression didn't change even when the Wookiee finally met his gaze.

Zak wouldn't reply at first, he let the question hang there before producing a single holo-projector from the folds of his robes. He leaned forward, he placed it on the Senator's desk, with a small click a headline was materialized in the air.

Ailon Nova Guard signs alliance with Resistance

Zak would silently sit back in his seat and allow the Senator to read the headline. He knew the Senator would recognize the name and the importance of that alliance signed but perhaps the story of how hadn't reached him yet.

"The Sith reached out to Ailon to discuss bringing them into the fold." Zak began. "During the ceasefire, before Mustafar." The implication would be clear. "Thankfully, the High Marshall extended an invitation for counter arguments to be made." He continued. "Why would the Sith be courting a civilization with a reputation and martial prowess that is on par with the Mandalorians during a ceasefire?" Zak asked, solidifying the implication he had previously made. "Your distrust of us is fair, given how things appear right now Senator, I do not blame you." He explained. "I wish I could explain why Councilor Tarrel made the decision that he did..." Zak continued, pausing for a moment to shake his head in a slow sad manner. "...but I cannot answer for that. All I can tell you is that the last he and I spoke was during a High Council Meeting, he was to bring the Resistance in line. He was to begin reeling them back in line." Zak explained. "The goal was to begin making them something worthy of Jedi endorsement." He continued. "Maybe he decided to start with the same Cell that launched the attack on Dantooine and found himself swept up in something beyond him." Zak suggested. "Or maybe he decided to bring the fight to the Sith." He acquiesced. "I do not know." He stated finally.

Zak would stop speaking then, only long enough for the weight of everything to settle in.

"As for if you should trust me, I will let you decide that for yourself after our conversation." He replied finally. "But my question to you is simple, do you think the Sith would have maintained the ceasefire if they had swayed Ailon to their cause and gained their military might?" He asked. "Or do you think they would have gone for the decapitating strike while our guards were down?" He pressed. "Like they did with Firrerreo, Onderon, and like they did here...on Kashyyyk."

As Zak posed his rebuttal, he would begin to lean forward in time with the description of each planet's name. It likely wasn't what the Senator was expecting but every word of what Zak was saying and implying was true, they both knew it. The Sith wouldn't have hesitated to utilize all the military might they gained access to in order to crush their enemies and blanket the galaxy in their control. This was the card that Zak intended to play, he hadn't come here like a whipped child to answer for a misdeed, he had come as the herald of change.

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[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl listened as Zakrim spoke, allowing the Councilor to say his piece. The Togruta spoke the truth; both of them knew it was only a matter of time before the Sith struck again. The ceasefire was a temporary and tenuous agreement meant to keep the kiliks from overrunning them all. Emotions still ran high, and there was no love lost between the Jedi, the Sith, or the FWA.

Still, it wasn't the argument the Wookiee had been hoping for.

"Master Jedi, I am well aware of the threat that the Sith pose. Their history speaks for itself, and my people have repeatedly suffered at their hands" he responded after a moment's silence. "What I'm more concerned about is the Order itself. Surely you understand the position you've put the FWA and I in when a Councilor such as yourself personally breaches the ceasefire that your own Grandmaster proposed?"

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl leaned forward slightly, looking down at his guests. "Perhaps more than anyone in the galaxy, I want to support the Jedi. I know what this galaxy is like when you are not around to stand against the Sith and other evils, but the dysfunction is becoming too much for even me to ignore. A opadawan here and there is understandable. A Councilor disobeying the Grandmaster? It makes me question if the Order has leadership, or direction." Harsh words, but Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl had never been one to sugercoat things.

"Simply put, Master Jedi, the FWA is closely associated with the Order... for now. But due to the kilik threat we cannot afford to be dragged back into a war with the Sith. How do you intend to make reparations for your deceased colleague's breach of the ceasefire?"

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[Lucifrey Sol]

Without hesitation Luci followed Zak's lead and handed over her most precious lightsaber. She hoped the Wookiee she handed it to would recognize the Brylark wood and take it as a sign of her bond with Kashyyyk rather than looking like she just obtained some of their wood and used it to simply create a weapon. A weapon that she would nonetheless be proud to defend Kashyyyk with either way.

She greeted Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl with a polite and respectful manner once they were all finally face to face, and sat with her spine mostly straightened in a professional posture. Her attentive gaze darted back and forth between Zak and Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl, keenly observing how her master conducted himself and the points he made here. Both individuals made very valid points, and while she followed along as best she could the thought of Fynn dying on Mustafar lingered on her mind.

The blue-horned Padawan kept her comments in reserve, as much as she wanted to contribute to the conversation, she also didn't want to interrupt or say something that might get her in trouble like back at the last Jedi meeting. For now she remained as calm as she could, with a heartfelt expression across her face that showed she was invested in the conversation and cared very much for what happened to Kashyyyk and its senator. Once he finished his question her big eyes then turned to Zak, curious as to what kind of answer he'd have for the Wookiee.

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[Zakrym La]

Zak sat silently as he listened to what Aezz had to say. It wasn’t the reaction he had expected but not one far off of course. One thing remained unclear, did he honestly believe the Sith would accept ANY reparations from the Jedi? Surely not. Zak’s frown deepened slightly more and he slowly shook his head.

“Senator, it’s not that we are unwilling to speak with the Sith and negotiate the maintenance of the ceasefire.” Zak explained. “Simply put, their demands will likely leave the Order leaderless or completely disarmed.” He continued. “Neither of which are terms we can or will accept.” Zak explained. “We both agree that the Killiks and their hives are a dire threat to the Galaxy and need to be dealt with.” Zak agreed. “This ceasefire has bought us time to hold back the Killik tide but it has also given time for the Sith to acquire new systems that produce weapons of war.” Zak continued. “The Sith are building up for more than just the Killiks and the terms of any negotiations that could be held won’t be acceptable or agreeable.” He replied. “The only promises we can make are that we will curb the Fledgling Resistance from acts of aggression through closer monitoring of wartime resources. And that this Cell leader will be found and brought to justice for his crimes against the Galaxy.” Zak continued. “But he will be tried by the Resistance itself for the lives he wasted and the ruination of this treaty.” Zak explained. “This is the best I can offer you as reparations Senator.”
Zak would give a moment for Aezz to process what he had stated. The entirety of his rebuttal had been calm, measured, but absolutely somber. He hasn’t come here to placate or promise change, he had come to be direct and honest.

“The FWA has benefited greatly from their alliance with the Jedi Order. Jedi and Resistance blood has been spilled to help maintain freedom from Sith tyranny.” Zak began once more, his voice maintaining that calm demeanor. “I have lost friends to this war the same way that I am sure you have.” Zak continued in a reassuring tone. “And I know you have always been the Order’s closest ally, so when you tell me that you want to support us Senator, I know it’s true. Your actions have proven you to be a man of noble bearings, ideals, and intentions. You expect more from your allies and that is a reasonable position to take.” He explained. “But I didn’t bring this headline to brag Senator and I cannot promise a ceasefire will remain in place…” He continued honestly before allowing a pause in his explanation. “If you don’t trust my words, I’d ask that you trust my actions.”

During this pause, Zak would pour his Padawan, the Senator, and then finally himself a cup of water and sipped it before continuing.

“After aiding the Onderonian refugees settle here, on Kashyyyk, I went to Thyferra and faced this menace directly.” Zak explained. “It nearly cost me everything…” He paused. “…and I would do it all over again, to protect those people.” He replied. “So I understand first hand the threat that the Killik pose.” He explained. “I can promise you that I am doing everything in my power to return the Order to something akin to what it once was.” He continued. “An Order of scholars, philosophers, healers, while maintaining the understanding that we are guardians against the Darkness and protectors of the meek.” He explained. “I can promise this because these are values that I live by and almost died for.” Zak continued.

Zak would pause once more before continuing.

“…I can also tell you that with the backing of Ailon, the Resistance has the opportunity to become something more.” Zak explained, returning to his point after he had sipped from his cup. “With this new backbone, the Resistance will be able to stand on it’s own feet, protect worlds allied with their cause, and the decrees of their Resistance Council, their senate will hold weight.” He continued. “I want to be sure that whatever the Resistance becomes, that it lives up to the noble ideals it was founded upon.” Zak explained. “The Resistance and their senate will need wisdom to guide them and temperance to shape them Senator, all of which I know you represent.” Zak stated, finally beginning to reveal his hand.

“Fynn violated your trust and his actions cost the Galaxy a temporary peace in the midst of horror.” Zak continued. “I cannot take back what he has done, I wish I could.” He explained. “And I think we both agree that the Jedi Order and Resistance both must be reborn and reshaped into something new.” Zak stated finally. “However, that is a task I cannot accomplish alone.” He continued. “We cannot turn our backs on hope, I cannot turn my back on hope. And I hope you will help me in this undertaking. Senator, I’m not asking for you to sit back and trust us, I’m not asking the FWA for it’s support, I’m asking this of you. I’m asking you to help us, help me shape the future.” Zak paused for a moment. “Will you?” He asked finally.

Zak’s voice rang with sincerity, he had been putting forth efforts in ways that few others had. He had risked his own life to ensure the safety and defense of others. He pushed for ideals that the Order had cast aside. He existed as a relic from a distant past in some regards but also as an example of everything the Jedi could still be.

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[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl listened as Zak outlined his case, noting what had been said, and what hadn't. The Togruta spoke well, and at length; laying out a vision for the Jedi Order, the Resistance... and Kashyyyk. When Zak finished, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl was silent for several moments.

When he spoke, his voice was tired. Gone was his accusatory tone and posture, replaced by the weight and burdens of his 400+ years. "You are correct that I know the nature of the Sith. I have seen and experienced their cruelty longer than most. I remember Order 66, the Empire, the Rebellion... I have been resisting the Sith for my entire life."

More silence, as the aged Wookiee stared off into his past. Finally, his sad eyes found the Jedi again. "I had hoped to leave behind a better future for my people and the galaxy" he said. "I thought that by speaking out against the Sith that I could make a difference. Instead, millions of my people died and I now represent half of a planet." In the years following the bombardment much of the environment had begun regrowing- a result of the planet's terraformed surface that made its flora and fauna grow rapidly- but the population would take centuries to recover. Early signs from the refugee resettlement program were encouraging, but millions of wookiees could not be replaced overnight.

"I bring this up because hope does not win wars, Master Jedi. It takes commitment, it takes coordination, and it takes sacrifice. Right now, the Order only knows one of those three things. Why else would a Councilor such as Fynn Tarrell breach the ceasefire that his own Grandmaster proposed? To an outside observer, it appears as if the Jedi do not have a clear direction."

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl paused again, although it was clear that he was not quite finished speaking. "The Sith are likely to insist that the FWA distance ourselves from the Order, and I am not certain that I can stop that." There were voices- loud, prominent voices- who had shown no loyalty to the Jedi. "So you are essentially asking me and my people to leave the FWA for a Resistance which has shown little competency or unification. Is the Order even unified in supporting the Resistance?"

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[Zakrym La]

As Senator Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl spoke Zak could hear the exhaustion in his voice, gone was the anger and pride and in it's place was a being haunted by countless cycles of life. Zak's reaction was one of empathy, kindness, and sympathy; his face dropped the monotone expression that it had held just moments before. Genuine concern and understanding etched itself across Zak's face and made itself plain in his eyes.

"Senator," Zak would state softly when an opening to speak was provided. "I don't think any of us wanted...this..." He started. "...the Sith brought death and war to the Galaxy. They leave nothing but anguish in their wake." He continued. "Master Varrow, the woman that raised and trained me, she gave her life protecting the denizens of the Galaxy from their cruelty." Zak explained, his voice dipped at the pain of the memory.

There would be a pause as Zakyrm recomposed himself for a moment and the he would speak again.

"While I don't pretend to understand why Cou-" Zak would stop himself, he gave his head a slight shake. "Jedi Councilor Fynn Tarrel." He corrected himself. "I don't know why he attacked Mustafar. He and I disagreed on many things Senator, but he was ultimately a good man." Zak explained. "He knew the threat the Sith represented to the Galaxy and he chose an uncompromising path." He continued. "Now regardless of our opinions, it's a path we have no choice but to continue down." Zak sighed sadly as he allowed himself to mourn the fellow councilor and not just the decision he had made for just a moment.

"As for the Resistance," Zak would respond after take a few moments to sip from his cup of water. "The Council continues to recognize their importance and continues to support what they could be." He stated with utter confidence. "I will be transparent with you Senator, I am no general." Zak admitted. "I am no strategist or politician." He continued. "I am just a man, the same man I was all those years ago when I first came to your world. But I know that with your experience, training from the Nova Guard, and continued support from the Order that this Resistance can evolve into something more than just a disjointed effort." He explained. "They can become something strong enough to bring the peace we both crave to the Galaxy." He finished.

"I know what I am asking you is not easy Senator." Zak continued eventually. "I cannot promise you the road ahead will be an easy one or that either of us will see the end of it." He admitted. "But I can promise you that eventually, the Sith will grow bored of pleasantries. When that day comes, they will unleash their war machines back upon the Galaxy and no one will be spared." He explained.

Zak would click the holo chip once more and a new scene would project. It was news footage of Thyferra, the moments before the Nirn Queen unleashed her telekinetic hell upon him. Zak paused at the frame that showed Draudr and him. The Zabrak Sith was lunging into a strike to destroy his enemy, hate fueled him as he sought to capitalize on the moment provided to him. Zak on the other hand had turned at the waist, his hand extended towards President Thorne as he called upon the Force to protect the man who had only brought scorn to the Order. He allowed for the frozen image to hover in space for a moment before he played it once more. The pair of them, Draudr and Zak were both blown apart by a destructive wave of invisible energy that shattered them both.

"You asked me when I first walked into your office why, why should you believe me as you did Fynn." Zak looped back to the original question asked much earlier in the question. "And I asked you to trust in my actions and not my words." He explained. "Fynn brought the blade to his enemy...but I would die to protect our biggest detractor." Zak continued. "I am entirely committed to the cause of protecting everyone that I can." He explained. "That is the difference between who he was and who I am." Zak explained. "To answer your question, yes. I am asking your people to join this Resistance and help me guide them into being an embodiment of our ideals." Zak stated calmly.

"Will you help us build tomorrow?"

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[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl sighed, his nostrils flaring as he considered the immense amount of trust that Zak was asking of him. He knew the differences between the Sith and the Jedi- he had been seeing such battles play out again and again his entire life. These Sith were no different than Palpatine or Snoke, who had brought chaos, oppression, and destruction in their wake. Now, these Sith even had a voice in the Galactic Senate; a voice that was magnified by the New Republic's ban on Jedi and the ISC's neutrality. That voice was what ultimately made the decision for him.

"If Kashyyyk leaves the FWA, I will be unable to do anything to protect the Order from the Sith in the Galactic Senate... so I am afraid we cannot openly join the Resistance at this time" he said after several moments of silence. "A rebellion should be waged on all fronts, and the Resistance lacks representation in the eyes of the galaxy." A problem that he could help rectify, but not overnight.

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl stroked his chin, eyes staring off into some imagined future. "The Order will always be welcomed on our planet- no questions asked. While you are here, you will be under our protection." He'd been working hard to strengthen Kashyyyk's defenses in the years following its near-destruction, and the planet now had considerable means to defend itself. "I'd heard that some progress was made on clearing out the temple location?" he asked, naming the secret location he'd offered to Grandmaster Voran in the past. He'd hoped the temple could serve as a sort of safe house for the Order, but what they did with it was their business.

"What I can do is secretly help form the political arm of the Resistance" he said, a compromise that he hoped the Councilor might accept. "Tell me, what does Resistance leadership look like right now?"

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