Judgment Day

[Leah Reach]

The gathering dissolved. One by one, rebels and Jedi alike left the chambers. Only members of the Council, from General Greybok to Master Blackwood, remained. Disappointment flashed through Leah but her face was expressionless and composed before the Alliance Commander. How quickly he caved into the singular demands of a Jedi Master. Once the Commander finished his say, she interjected, “This was not a spectacle. It was a public tribunal. This Alliance was formed for everyone. Rebels and Jedi, men and women willing to lay their lives down for the cause, deserve some clarity. We cannot close our doors to them purely because they may or may not be a nuisance. We cannot plot behind their backs.” Her eyes drifted over to Valentine. He knew exactly what she meant.

She raised a hand, surrendering the discussion. “But I understand your concerns, Commander. I won’t debate.” Her wandering gaze moved over to Aurora now. “There are other matters to discuss.” Hands pressed into the console below her, the Jedi shifted between Master Rayth and Blackwood. The tribunal was meant to continue. A punishment needed to be decided. However, the Force was in flux. Inside Aurora, she sensed nothing. Her robes and armor were in ruins. The same went for the male rebel she accompanied to Nar Shaddaa, but Arda Breaux was nowhere to be seen. Whatever happened, Aurora had to know. She was hiding something. Darker than Leah could have imagined.

“Aurora.” She gave the older woman her undivided attention. Now, the limelight would move from Valentine to her. It was her turn to speak. “You were late, you’re a complete mess, and I cannot sense your presence in the Force at all. You’ve closed yourself off. Why?” She leaned forward, trying her best to stay poised but sympathetic. Truly, she was worried. “What happened on Nar Shaddaa?” Leah hesitated before she continued, pushing the subject another step forward. “Your student— Arda Breaux. Where is she?” The Jedi Master could neither sense the girl anywhere in the Old Temple. Her aides neither caught her arrival. A mission report was yet to be submitted. Something very wrong was going on.

For the moment, Leah ignored what the others may have thought of the strange turn of events. The matter had unexpectedly dipped from Valentine’s tribunal to Aurora’s interrogation. No doubt did the Rebel Council, such as Ion or Susan, wonder why it was so. But if only they could felt what Leah now felt, understand her growing fears, then they would understand. The trial needed to wait, even for the shortest minute. The Jedi needed answers.

But even if Aurora was unwilling, there was another who had the answers Leah sought. Despite the demands of the Commander, Tyler Ward remained in the Council chambers.

@Valen Pelora @Faster Than Light @Orbit @Minuteman75 @Sangga @Mithias

 

[Greybok]

Greybok was growing tired of all of this Jedi-talk. He was also annoyed by the Commander's rebuke. What did Ion expect them to do? Pat a mutineer on the head and excuse the fact that he wasted lives and risked others? Nevertheless, Greybok was a soldier and was honor-bound to obey Commander Ion's orders, so he complied and kept his mouth shut. Even so, he gave a grateful nod to Leah. She had at least understood what he had been trying to say. This rebellion wasn't just for the Jedi. It was for everyone. How quickly they were losing sight of that fact.

The Wookiee was just about ready to get back to dealing with Valentine when a new concern rose in Leah. That of this other woman: Aurora. The Wookiee found Leah's questions to be puzzling. Why waste time asking this woman questions best saved for later? But, then again, he could not feel the Force as she could. He could not feel the strange mystical vibes surrounding Aurora and her rather disheveled appearance. And because he lacked the Force, he spoke up and said what everything else was thinking.

«Another time, Leah,» Greybok barked in Shyriiwook. «We have a tribunal to settle and an offensive to oversee. You two can catch up afterwards.»

But Leah did not seem to pay his objection any heed. At first, her ignoring him irritated the Wookiee. But then he saw the look in her eyes. It was unlike the Leah he had seen under stress countless times. Something was seriously bothering her. Something was wrong. So, rather than continue to interject, he folded his arms across his chest and chose to watch Aurora Blackwood. Not that the rebellion needed more bad news, but he was beginning to think more was coming anyways—ready or not. @Valen Pelora @Faster Than Light @Orbit @Minuteman75 @Sangga @Mithias @Deviant

 

[Aurora Blackwood]

The Force was uneven.. The river moon was meant to be balanced and it was not. Aurora had disrupted that balance, she had thrown the Force into turmoil. Her failure had followed her from Nar Shadda. The Darkness had followed her from Nar Shadda. Her mind was flailing in two different directions. Aurora managed to hold it together as the meeting dissolved. She had not always agreed with Hugo, they had not always seen eye to eye, but in that moment she was incredibly thankful for him. In that moment, he was Commander Ion. Even if Leah did not agree. She locked eyes with Hugo for a moment, mouthing a single thank you. Aurora was still beside Val. When the room emptied she put some space between them. She couldn’t be with any of them right now.

Aurora was not blind to the fact that Tyler had stayed, but it didn’t matter. She did not plan to hide from what happened. Aurora was ripping in two. She could not let the others see. She would not let the others see. They would not feel what tore her asunder in the Force. Aurora brought her pale green eyes to meet Leah. She knew Greybok might not understand, but this was something that had to be done. “The Alliance deserves transparency, but we must not repeat the mistakes of our ancestors…they transformed justice into calls for blood…to follow that example would be a mistake.” Aurora could feel her reserves shaking. Leah’s eyes were insufferable. She had always felt closest to the other woman.

She would disappoint them all. Aurora took a deep breath and let her robes fall to the floor. The full state of her ruined armored revealed. Her lightsaber slid out of her sleeve, she placed it on the table. Her eyes stuck on the silver tube for a moment. “You cannot exile Val” She looked at each Jedi in turn. “Because you must exile me.” Her voice was soft as she spoke, her knuckles white as she grabbed the table. “They were waiting for us on Nar Shadda…the Sith…the one from Anoat.” Aurora’s voice was emotionless. She didn’t dare to feel one ounce for it would open a floodgate. “They must have heard word of the growing unrest and they were waiting.” She knew she was repeating herself.

“I gave Arda my Master’s saber, hoping she would not use it, but she was not ready. I should never have allowed her to be with us.” That was a separate failure. “The Sith reveled themselves and so did Arda. She allowed herself to be goaded by the Sith, she drew the saber, and engaged.” She raised a hand to stop any retort. “These are not her failings…they are mine. Aurora could feel the pain growing in her chest. Her heart began to beat faster. She pointed at Tyler. “Tyler fired his blaster and the shots hit Arda in the back, my own blaster fire hit my chest, and Arda fell.”

She looked down. She could only look down. “I tried to save her but I failed…I allowed fear to grip my heart. Fear of what my capture would reveal to the Sith…that fear whispered in my mind and I could not shut it out...for the first time in my life I let the fear in.” Her eyes were still downcast, her mental walls still high as her Force was suppressed. “When I could not save Arda, I fled.” Finally, she raised her head. She knew what they had to do, she had come here for that very purpose. @Deviant @Minuteman75 @Malon @Mithias @Sangga @Orbit

 

[Hugo Ion]

”I will personally tell them all of the verdict Leah and explained why.”

Hugo promised when Master Reach expressed her disapproval of his decision. The commander wasn’t trying shut out the rebels he cared for about everything. They weren’t a nuisance to him all but felt the atmosphere of fear, and confusion was influencing the proceedings too much in his opinion. The decision on how to deal with Valentine’s actions should not be affected by it as far as he was concerned. The outburst by Alysanne Drast and confession of Mig Cabra proved as such.

The Durosian was about to continue the session when Leah suddenly started questioning Aurora. Glancing at the red haired Jedi, Hugo remarked. “Greybok is right. Why bring this up all of a sudden?” But the mention of Arda not being present caught his attention.

Ion had worked alongside her in one mission and she won it for them and they with other rebels fought alongside in a bar fight back on Savareen. The fact that Tyler Ward stayed in the room, despite the order to leave earlier, made him realize something had gone wrong back on Nar Shaddaa. As further proof Aurora Blackwood threw her robe, revealing the battered armor and turned placed the lightsaber down on the table. Then she actually said they shouldn’t exile Valentine but her instead.

Alarmed, Hugo listen to the following confession about what happened at their assignment. “You did...what!” He exclaimed, briefly forgetting his own rule of keeping one’s composure because the revelation was beyond shocking. His mouth gaped with the utter shock. A Jedi master abandoned fellow rebels in the field including her own student.

The commander had an issue or two with Aurora before but at least respected her capabilities but this... His horror turned to disgust then icy rage. His jaw set firmly and eyes narrowed once more Hugo pulled out a commlink. The fact Aurora didn’t say that Arda was alive or not made him guess the Sith had likely captured the padawan. He wasn’t going wait for a confirmation by her.

While the others confronted Blackwood, Ion sent a coded message to the fleet to move out from the Al’doleem system immediately. It will be carried out as ordered. He followed up with a quiet alert to the base commander to quietly prepare to evacuate this base. The effort shouldn’t take long since they had practiced for such a possibility. Arda had been brought to this planet like the other Jedi students as he had been informed.

They probably needed to follow a similar protocol to evacuate or hide other rebel locations she had been to once it proves to the be case. Not to mention get their contacts to safety. The force be with you Arda. Hugo thought of the young recruit. Finally, Hugo turned toward Tyler Ward, asking.

”Agent Ward can you confirm this confession? How did you escape?”

@Faster Than Light @Orbit @Mithias @Sangga @Deviant @Malon @Valen Pelora

 

[Tyler Ward]

Well figures. Tyler arrived late to the tribunal and not long after he got there the Commander announced that the rest of the tribunal was going to be private, as to not make a spectacle out of it. Well then, Tyler will just turn around and go back out the door he came from along with everyone else... but he was stopped before he could get far.

The Alliance brass more-than likely wants him kept around to address what happened on Nar Shaddaa.

Tyler could hear Reach's words as she spoke with the Commander. She sounded genuine, taking even the non-Jedi in the Alliance into consideration. The ex-Imperial remembers Castor letting it slip before Corellia happened that she was the former Sith's new Master.

Now it's just Tyler with the rest of the Rebel Council and the Jedi Masters as well after all others have left.

As Aurora started speaking, Tyler crossed his arms he raised an eyebrow when she stated she should be exiled and gave her recount on what happened. Tyler found it really hard to look at her as she spoke, he'd instead to gazing off to the ancient architecture in the Old Temple's council chambers while listening to her, he kept a neutral facial expression even as he brought up that his shots accidentally hitting Arda.

Aurora painted quite the picture of fear overwhelming her and desperately trying to save Arda, but Tyler is still seething with how very quick Aurora was to leave them both to the three Sith the same second things started getting rough. Still, he kept a neutral expression, for professionalisms sake. Could he hide his how he feels from Jedi Masters? Probably not.

Tyler was then asked to confirm Auroras confession. Oh boy. Tyler frowned as he proceeded to answer, looking at Aurora, then back to Commander Ion. Commander Ion wasn't pleased to hear her confession. He probably won't be pleased to Tyler's account either. He would take a breath before he speaks. Here we go. Oh boy... "Aurora has abandoned her Padawan. And me, yes." he nodded his head before continuing. "Arda was being pulled with the Force towards the Sith, she wasn't goaded into engaging." Tyler would turn his head slowly towards Aurora, raising his voice "You didn't intervene in that either. And one shot being deflected back at you from one Acolyte and your first instinct is to just run away super quick when Arda falls? And you had me in between you and the Sith as you ran? Like I was suppose to keep them three Sith off your back?" Tyler shook his head in disapproval, with a less-than pleased expression in disapproval. He would sigh.

Then Tyler turn his head back to Ion to answer his last question, his voice is at a normal level, although still irritation could be heard through it. "And how did I escape you asked? The Sith let me go." He wasn't shy about admitting. "Probably out of pity, and more than likely because they already hit the jackpot with a real live Jedi and I wasn't worth their time." he would shrug his shoulders. Tyler is just some random person to those Sith, and if they captured a real live Jedi when they were presumed to be extinct for centuries, a random Rebel is nothing but small fry. Still, if the Sith didn't take pity on him, he would be captured just like Arda, or dead because he was left to a bunch of lightsaber-wielding and force-wielding sharks. Tyler would then look off to the sides again, and exhales after finishing giving his account.

@Deviant @Valen Pelora @Orbit @Sangga @Malon @Minuteman75

 

[Luy]

Unlike some of his fellow Master’s in the Order, Luy had allowed his calming presence to permeate the setting, not withdrawing his mind. Those not intent on scrutinising others would sense a ripple at Greybok’s comment of age. One that only halted at the announcement of vacating the room. His calm returned as he listened to the Council’s regained composure, nodding as he agreed with some of the comments and staying still as other points were brought up.

The reveal of an isolated Aurora and a furious Wookie were potent enough to almost wipe the pleasant smile from Luy’s face. The large Jedi began to stand upright for the first time at the General’s words. Coming up just short of the General’s height the Feeorin was still a formidable specimen of his kind’s robust physique. The comment was not fair, they were still seen as a separate faction to the Alliance. Mistakes may have been made, yes, but a total dress down of them all?

Then the call for clearing the room was given and Valen and Leah, the Commander and the General stated their peace after the rustling, clinking and footfalls had eventually died down. He caught the absence of the Force, and he saw Leah notice something about Aurora. She was sealed, as silent as a tomb. She did not register within the Force, and then she spoke. Luy’s brows both raised, his smile dropped and the calm aura was snuffed out like an open flame in a draft. Confusion and empathy flooded from him. His hand kept drifting away from his side, wanting to move to console Aurora. She had been there for him, as one of his own Initiates had acted in violence. The Commander was the only other that knew of the inmate on Hoth. He waited for her to finish, she must’ve been rocked to her core? To have let Fear in and to act on it, Luy had felt that threat, the shadow of Fear.

His revere was shattered by the Commander’s outburst. His composure rapidly regained but anger flooded the Rebel. Luy knew that this was the power of Fear, it led to Anger. This would assuredly move on to Hate, hatred of them and their ‘ways’, and in turn people were suffering and more would if this meeting went down this path. When Fear threatened him, he was comforted by her, he had sought her council as another experienced Jedi. When she stopped Luy’s hand moved up and his body followed. His towering form, and broad build looming up to her side. He bent down to encase her hand in his solid grip.He looked at her, not in pity, or anger. There was no sadness, but friendship. She had offered him the same, they had spent time talking it over when they had left Rishi together. Luy looked up at the Council, his gaze hung on the Commander and the General. The droid Susan also caused him to halt and each Master was looked to; his gaze meeting theirs. There was a pause, as he turned to Aurora and his hand squeezed her hand.

Tyler then began to report and Luy’s grip trembled due to the conflict of this realisation. She had abandoned them? Her apprentice and Tyler. His stomach flipped. How did she do this? It showed how much Fear had gripped her, what it had caused, she was a lesson to them all. Luy steeled his resolve, his open mind hardened, noticeably and his grip froze similarly.

“We all seek Peace.” His voice was clear, unwavering. It carried around the room and up into the lofty height. He was a teacher, it was sewn into the fibers of his being. He spoke to ensure Knowledge was passed and Ignorance was banished. Perhaps the military personnel on the Council would see an instructor in him too. “Therefore we should remove Emotion, as our esteemed Commander has already said.” He saw the comm-link and took note, safety was their domain. They acted as they saw fit. “Passion for our cause is in abundance, but only the utmost Serenity will we be able to see the true way to our causes successful conclusion.” Luy looked to each Jedi, the point should be landing, his grip never slackened and his stance did not move. “We are currently in Chaos, free falling due to our blindness. Acting out, threatening friends and fearing foes before considering the power of Harmony and a united effort. But remember this, and only this Death is nothing. Many have, are, and will die and still it is the Force that we should be looking to.” His grip slackened, then he let go. His form did not move from her side.

“Two hundred and seventy-eight years of Life, two hundred and sixty-six as a Jedi and a little over two hundred and fifty-six as an enemy of the Sith; in hiding. So with respect to all your Wisdom, Knowledge and ability, I have lived through plenty enough to know of dark side and fear.” He hated having the focus on him, he did not want to be seen as a gloater or any sense of superiority. He tried to maintain his state as a vessel for his knowledge, but he had to raise his points and conclusions. “The abandonment of those in Master Blackwood's care is inexcusable. One of our own wards has been captured, Tyler is fortunate to have escaped the clutches of the enemy. In addition there is still the Tribunal of Master Rayth and the ramifications of those actions. In both of these cases we should look for resolutions, not punishments, if Master Blackwood wishes to free herself from the responsibility of the Council, to go and focus on how her experience that has haunted her, then so be it. She should be allowed to overcome this Fear, to ensure that she is fortified against the Darkside.” He looked to each of them.

“What else would you do? To exile someone out of the Alliance, due to them being scared, or for the Death of member’s of this Alliance is only meeting Death with Death. We are known to the Sith now, and they are on the hunt for us. To leave our own, alone and away from any potential help, with nought to aid them… no.” His voice maintained its clarity, but he paused to ensure they still listened and were not blinded by anger at him for what he was saying. His voice continued in the manner it started, it was as if he had removed himself from the situation and spoke of his thoughts without emotion.

“Upon this idea, are there missions that they could be sent on to have time to achieve this? Perhaps as part of the Alliance’s scouting contingent? If their leaving is either the result of their own choices or the Council decision, I ask for a caveat. Please, I ask that we ensure that they do not do so alone. That they are not cast out, never to return.” He looked to Aurora. “I know that this Master is not controlled by Fear, even if her actions on Nar Shadaa were. She has had the Will to stare down that which would cause others to balk, me included. I know that while his actions were wrong, Master Rayth acted with intent on achieving out Alliances main objective. If Master Blackwood and, or Master Rayth go into Exile, I offer to act as an Overseer, a Mentor, an Enforcer of this Council's Will.” He reached into his robes and pulled out a datapad. “I will see my duties to my Padawans and the Alliance are conducted, but I suggest they be sent in search for what lies within the research on here. An ancient world, described in the annals of long dead Jedi. The trail is thin, but apparently it would be perfect for the isolation needed; the journey would help as well. But maybe a discovery of a lost world will bring life into context? Once found they could contact us? Avail themselves to our scrutiny?”

Slowly, the Old Tutor stepped to the side, his form relaxed slightly, he awaited their response, but not before his final statement. “I beseech you, not only my fellow Jedi, but to those that represent the military of the Galactic Alliance..." he dropped to his knees, hard. His eyes held no tears, as he winced at the pain of a sharp drop. “...nay I beg of you Commander Ion, General Greybok and Susan… we must survive. If we cannot do so together we must still ensure survival. I know we have failed you, that you seek revenge and that you want a punishment to present to the masses. Then take this oppurtunity, put them to work for the sake of Redemption, for the good of the Alliance.” his hands rested atop his thighs in loose fists and as he finished, he lowered his head in a bow in deference to the group.

@Minuteman75 @Malon @Deviant @Valen Pelora @Orbit @Mithias

 

[The Eternal (?)]

Valentine sat there silently on his side of the conference table, sitting beside Aurora as the Jedi's gaze was locked on the center of the table. The focus of this tribunal went from him to Aurora, Leah not asking her questions which gave Val time to retreat in his mind and just listen. Master Blackwood was a mess, her robes tattered and fatigue seemed to be etched onto her face permanently now. It was clear that Leah knew something was wrong, General Greybok trying to intervene but Master Reach sole focus still on Aurora. Val had heard of the attacks committed on Nar Shadda and it seemed Aurora had taken part. Arda? That name seemed familiar to him but he couldn't recognize off the top of his head.

That's when Aurora revealed the truth, demanding that she be exiled instead of him. Val slowly brought his gaze over to her, becoming speechless as she gave the details on what happened in Nar Shadda. It was painful to hear this, never expecting Aurora to be one to run away like that. She painted the picture that it was an impossible task to recover her, practically falling into a trap and allowing her fear to control her actions. But not only were the Councilors were here, so was Tyler, one of the men who accompanied her. Commander Ion asked the man to confirm what the Jedi Master said and Tyler revealed the whole truth of the situation. Aurora had abandoned her student and fled, leaving Arda to fend for herself and become captured. Even though Val's face was stoic, the disappointment he had for Aurora was prevalent in him. Not only did he not expect cowardice from his friend to abandon her student, but now that she was captured, everything was at risk of being discovered and their entire Order could crumble to the ground because of this.

Why were they here talking? This was what it fundamentally meant to be a Jedi - to take action for those in need, to defend and protect. Instead, he was here wasting time on deliberations, Arda possibly being tortured or worse every second they spent here. She was simply a student and was horrified of what could be happening to her, she didn't deserve this and time was of the essence. Val knew what had to be done and before Master Luy spoke, the Jedi stood up from his chair, his words quiet but powerful, "I will go to retrieve Arda." His gaze slowly went over everyone at the table, "The more time we waste here, the higher the chance our student won't come back alive." It was the truth and Val pushed his chair back slightly, taking a step away from the table before continuing, his gaze pointing toward mostly Leah and General Greybok, "And don't worry, I won't take anyone or endanger anyone but myself this time. And you don't have to worry about me betraying our secrets," Val paused for a moment before looking to Aurora, "No matter what the cost."

Without another word, The Jedi made his way towards the exit. It was time for action and he could no longer just sit and listen to others argue about what needed to be done. If the others tried to stop him Val didn't listen, completely focused on this goal and ready for what was to come and what would be needed of him. He may not return but he had to at least try. Without looking back to the others, "You can comm me your decision whether you exile me or not. Either way, the padawan will return home." The Jedi exited from the chambers, leaving the others to their own devices.

/Exit Thread

 

[Vuthari]

Council Chambers of the Old Temple
Al’doleem

Ever since saying his peace earlier, the twi’lek was quiet. He listened to his fellow Jedi Masters as well as Greybok and Hugo.

Valentine stood, said his peace about inaction and said he was leaving to go rescue the Padawan. It was idiotic, foolish, impatient, hasty, short-sighted and not the actions of a leader…but that was Valentine. He loved him for it, but did not love him as a Jedi Master for it. Jedi Masters had obligations and responsibilities to others, but this was not what Valentine was doing—he shirked them all. His actions were of a brave Jedi Knight…nothing more.

Vu’thari looked up and met the eyes of the Council members. He was quite sure to many of them, he was a loner. In truth, he was and did his own thing for the “cause”. He had served with Hugo, Luy, Aurora and Leah, so knew each of them to an extent. However, he knew little of Greybok and Valentine. It didn’t matter at this point. There were several items to be addressed and the twi’lek wanted to make sure at least his thoughts were in the mix, whether regarded as action items or not.

His mind stayed guarded, even now with just the Masters, Greybok and Hugo. He thought he knew them and assumed a certain amount of common ground. However, after watching the anger possessed by Greybok, the lack of insight shown by Valentine and the selfishness he perceived of Aurora, he was no longer sure. But Vu’thari was not perfect. His faults were long and illustrious. This was a critical time and juncture in the future of the Galactic Alliance. A few missteps here and the whole effort would crumble to the floor…into a pile of disarray and chaos. In fact, it was on its way if they were not careful here—they had lost one Jedi Master and truly were about to lose another.

Regardless, this Council meeting determined the fate of two Jedi—even if one had left the proceedings. He would speak clearly, honestly and from the heart…as he always had with those he loved. Although the Masters, Hugo and Greybok were not family, they were an extension of such a relationship. Why? Their lives were intertwined in such a way that the actions of one of them affected them all. This was something Vu’thari realized very early and thus part of his hesitation early on…he knew they would be tied together with the Force, strands connecting them all…whether they wanted it or not.

As far as Greybok, he wanted to say something, tell him how it was to live a life of secrecy and for his family to be murdered because his son could lift a spoon with his mind—but there was no point…the wookie would never understand that kind of life. Because of that lack of perspective, he instantly forgave the General for his opinions. The anger came from the perspective he knew. It was not his fault.

Hugo? The duros was approachable. He would speak to Hugo in private about a great many things that occurred today. One of the greatest attributes the Commander had was that he would listen—even if he didn’t want to hear what was being said.

The droid commander? Vu’thari was perhaps the most technologically savvy of all the Masters. He was an engineer by trade and still loved to tinker with electronics. But a droid was not a sentient. Even his former droid, SawDip, who had a personality that you could have sworn was that of a sentient creature, seemed so “real”, but as an engineer, he knew that editing one line of code in the droid’s programming, he would no longer seem so real anymore. That is why he would not even entertain the notion of a droid determining the fate of a Jedi Master like Aurora. He just hoped others would see it how he did in that regard. A droid weighing in on matters of tactics? Yes. A droid weighing in on issues of the soul and the Force? No.

Looking over to Aurora for several moments, he reached out, sensing her guarded state, confirming what he suspected—she was ashamed. Vu’thari could not fathom leaving one of his padawans to the Sith. Death would have been his fate—he would have died to save his padawans. He knew that in his soul…but it was not fair. Each of the Jedi had been taught to be a Jedi in secrecy, without any sort of common ground and no guarantees of they were taught anything like the Jedi of old. In truth, he was not even certain they were all “Jedi” in the traditional sense at all. Regardless, he wept for her inside.

“There is much to do: safehouses to abandon, documents to burn, people to evacuate…that is the price of a captured padawan in this era."

Pause.

“Aurora. I love your spirit. I have common ground with you…and I cannot imagine the turmoil that you were faced with on Nar Shaddaa. I understand why you made the decision you made…to a point. But leaving your padawan to the Sith? This worries me greatly about you. A Jedi would not have made this decision. And I agree with you…you must reorient with your self-imposed exile. You have to find your way again as soon as possible…”

Looking at Hugo, Greybok and Leah, he said flatly, “I want to give my thoughts on this matter because this is important. Hopefully, we will be done soon, because we have much to do to ensure that we are not wiped out in the near future. Our missteps have cost us greatly…and we very well may not recover.”

His eyes met everyone in the room, “Both Valentine and Aurora have chosen to walk out. I cannot say I disagree with their decision. Valentine, because his actions are the actions of a Jedi Knight…not a Jedi Master. I am no paragon of perfection…believe me, I am riddled with faults. But his actions may have very well doomed us all—I hope I am wrong…”

Eyeing Aurora with a twinge of sadness, the first indication of emotion since being in the Council Chambers, Vu’thari said, “I support the path you are taking, Aurora. I wish you insight and redemption on the road you follow. May the Force be with you…”

Looking at Leah, Greybok, and Hugo once again, he concluded with a stern voice rarely shown from the twi’lek, “We are disorganized and without coherent direction. We are losing two Jedi Masters…two of the last five Jedi Masters, to be specific. While I know this rebellion does not center on Jedi, I cannot in good conscience allow the Jedi Order to fall on its own sword and leave this galaxy. My priorities are with this Galactic Alliance, because I must. However, my heart is with these Jedi that are on the verge of being wiped out from this galaxy. That means I will support Valentine and Aurora. Does that mean we put them on this Council? Definitely not. Does it mean we entrust them with our padawans for training? Not at this point…”

Conviction flowed from his voice, “But I cannot abandon them. I cannot allow them to fall to the Dark Side. I cannot leave them alone to fend for themselves and hope for the best. I cannot and will not do these things…I will support them in their journeys to discover their place in this galaxy. Does that mean I will follow Valentine in yet another one of his short-sighted adventures that places us all at risk again? No. But if they are to be exiled, know that I will be supporting them in every way possible from within this Galactic Alliance.”

Pause.

Looking over at each of the Council, he concluded, “I am a Jedi Master...and I will die one. I know that now. What I am trying to say is that I have two roles, not one. I serve at the behest of this Alliance. I also serve the Jedi Order. I must tend to both. Do not judge me if I intend to give both my full attention. You can ostracize me as well if that what has to happen…but I intend to serve both. That means I will not let Valentine and Aurora fall to into the realm of the forgotten, into darkness…”

@Deviant
@Orbit
@Valen Pelora
@Sangga
@Malon
@Minuteman75

 

[Greybok]

«Oh, stop being dramatic,» Greybok roared in Shyriiwook, his gaze cutting between Masters Luy and Vu'thari. He made no move to stop Valentine from leaving. The man had faults and had committed crimes, but the Wookiee could at least respect the desire to act over the desire to talk. Instead, he turned his gaze on Tyler and gave the boy a nod. «Thank you for relaying to us the truth, soldier. Twobee,» The droid waddled up to the conference desk. «Take Tyler here to the mess hall. Get him food, drink, and medical attention if he requires it. Then find him a suitable room to rest and recover. I imagine he has been through a lot these past few days.»

For once, the protocol droid didn't complain. She simply shuffled over towards Tyler and said, "Come now, Tyler. Let's let the council have some privacy to discuss what they need to discuss." The droid then did as she was bade and took him from the command center. Greybok waited until they were out of the center, and the doors had shut behind them, before continuing.

«We need to act, councilors,» Greybok told them gravely. «Our headquarters needs to be moved, along with our fleet. And all bases need to be put on high-alert — ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.» The Wookiee's head was buzzing. He knew of at least once place Arda had not gone, because it was his team that had secured it; but, with Aurora still in the room, he decided not to reveal its location. If she was truly to be exiled, he could not risk her knowing where the rebels were moving the center of their operations. «I have some locations in mind, and I would be willing to discuss them with you all at length, but first we need to deal with these Jedi Masters.»

«Commander, Leah — I realize I am not a Jedi, but as this issue involves Alliance security, I must recommend not complying with Aurora's suggestion. We cannot just abandon our people. Only cowards abandon the men and women under their command, the ones they were given responsibility over.» Greybok's smoldering eyes tracked up and met with Aurora's gaze. «Exile is better than she deserves. Her poor student is probably enduring far worst punishments for her Master's negligence. Imprison her. There is no reason she should walk free, with all our secrets, while the rest of us are forced to deal with the consequences of her actions.»

«As for Valentine...» Greybok paused a moment to think. «There's no avoiding it. He committed mutiny, plain and simple. If he rescues the girl, he will have redeemed himself in my eyes, but I would still recommend punishing him. The others have to see that the council does not tolerate mutiny.» He glanced over at Commander Ion, then at Leah. «Do what you will with his Jedi rank — I have no business commenting on his religious commitments — but demote him militarily to an average soldier and make him work his way back up the ladder. Put him under the command of another, so that they can supervise him. When he can be proven trustworthy with authority again, we can restore his military ranks.» Done, he folded his arms across his chest. «Those are my recommendations.» @Deviant @Valen Pelora @Orbit @Sangga @Faster Than Light @Minuteman75

 

[Leah Reach]

Leah couldn't believe what she was hearing. Slowly dying inside, her compassion withering away with every passing moment, she listened to the others on the Council chime in. Master Luy went on and on as he always did. Two hundred and seventy eight years of life and he still had not a clue. His desperate desire for compromise and sympathy was upsetting. Leah was a patient woman, she understood the need for tolerance and respect. But how could she sympathize a Master who had abandoned their apprentice? Arda was just a girl. A good, innocent young woman with so much potential. Full of hopes and dreams. What did Aurora, one of the strongest of the Jedi, do? Nothing. She ran. Now, she had the audacity to come back and ask for forgiveness. For Leah, there was nothing to give.

Then, Valentine left. He didn’t care his tribunal was still in session. He didn’t care there was still a decision that needed to be made. He didn’t care at all. Instead, he raised his chin high, looked at everyone straight in the eye, made his intentions clear and left. The Jedi Master wanted to save the captive student. He was willing to lay his life down, to venture into the heart of Sith space, just to make up for the mistakes of another. The heart he broke in Leah quietly mended. For all his reckless actions, he always believed in what was right. In the end, he was perhaps the only Jedi with the willingness to take action. Just because he did not have the mind for it did not mean he hadn’t the heart or spirit. She realized this. Leah realized she was wrong. Wrong to tear into him. Wrong about so much.

“Valentine, think this through— wait—“ She said, moving for the door, trying to stop him. But by then, he was gone. Her closest friend, the man she had known for years, the only Jedi survivor out of Dantooine. Someone she came to respect and care for was now out the door, marching to what she presumed was his death. Tears edged her eyes as she watched his shadow disappear. She began to break away. Slowly but surely. For the entire tribunal, Leah had done her best to maintain strength and poise. Now? She couldn't take it. The Emperor, Corellia, Nar Shaddaa, Arda— it was all too much. Her world was on fire. She was losing so much. Losing Valentine.

Who was to blame? Aurora. Even then, Vu’thari could provide nothing but concern, leniency and understanding. As if he could understand the severity of her actions. Of what Valentine now planned to do. Her heart ached. His words were infuriating. Greybok did his best to understand, and she glad for it, but she could not agree with his every word. He was not a Jedi, but Leah was. And she had her own thoughts on the matter. Her own decision. And as she pieced herself back together, she chose to go through with it.

“Valentine has left to rescue a captive girl. To make up for the mistakes of another.” Her eyes moved over Aurora, fury flashing through her anguish, then to Vu’thari. “He is not going on some short-sighted adventure.” Like poison, she spat his words back at him. “He is going to do what Aurora should have done. What any Jedi should.” Her hand curled into a fist. “I was wrong.” She murmured before her voice found its resolve again. “He is more of a Jedi than any one of us.” Shame filled her, mixed with her disgust, forming a dangerous concoction. She glanced to Hugo, warning him of what she would do, before her gaze returned to Aurora. She could barely hold back her tears, knowing what needed to be done. “So be it.”

“Master Aurora Blackwood. As a member of the Rebel Council, of the Jedi Council, as the right hand of your Commander and as a Master of the Jedi, you are exiled from the Order and from the Galactic Alliance.” Her voice was full of pain and anguish, but she pushed on. Eyes locked, she raised a single hand toward her. The Force flowed forth. “You are stripped of your rank—” Aurora's robes tore away, leaving her only in charred armor. “—your lightsaber—” The lightsaber on the table sailed into the air, far from her grasp. Leah struggled to continue, choking on her next words. “—and the Force.”

The Council chambers trembled. Specks of dust in the air paused. An overwhelming power would consume the other Jedi. As Leah was stronger than her, as Aurora had spent her much of her energy trying to smother out the dark taint inside her, as she had laid herself bare to the consequences— Leah would find little resistance. Aurora would be closed out from the Force. Not permanently, but whatever connection she presently felt would be cut. Master Blackwood was not only no longer a Master, she was no longer a Jedi. And as the Force would retreat from the woman and toward Master Reach, a final thought would pass between the two: forgive me. When it was over, Leah would step back, extremely drained but knowing the deed was done.

She turned to Masters Luy and Vu’thari. “If you wish to accompany her on her exile, I will not stop you. Do what you will, but she is not to return until she atones for her crimes. Until the Force itself has forgiven her.” She looked directly at Aurora one last time. “Leave. Leave now. Go before I change my mind. Before this Council chooses to imprison you for good.” It was radical. Exiling her in such a fashion, closing her off from the Force, but what more could she do? She could not bear to see Aurora rot in some cage, and neither could she risk allowing the woman to meld into the Sith. She needed time to think, reflect, and learn. Without the Force, on her own.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Hugo Ion]

The Alliance commander became even more disgusted with Aurora Blackwood with each new detail Tyler Ward revealed in his testimony. Ion squeezed both knuckles so tightly they started to shake. Never in his life had Hugo thought to see the day a Jedi master to be so cowardly. He gave a silent nod of thanks to Ward while General Greybok dismissed the man to go a well deserved meal. Commander Ion spit to the side, letting his newfound contempt for Aurora to be known fully.

To forsake a young girl to the Sith to be either abused or brainwashed was sickening to the core. Then without warning Valentine Rayth said he will go on to find Arba and recuse her. The Duros watched the man go, not attempting to stop him at all. Frankly, Ion wished he can do the same, but thousands of lives depended on him stay and to direct them right now.

Damn this rank!

Meanwhile, masters Luy and Vu’thari began speaking once more, urging for leniency for Aurora and offering to guide her. Soon General Greybok followed by making recommendations for how to handle the two masters and their deeds. Already he can hear the anguish in Leah’s voice. Hugo shook his head at it all. Val was right we had no more time to debate any of this further.

In the midst of that thought blue skinned rebel caught Leah staring at him with a grim determination he had never seen before until now. In reaction Hugo displayed a mixture of puzzlement and confusion, concerned of what it meant. Suddenly he watched her use the force to remove Blackwood’s robes, then lightsaber followed by...

What? Thought Hugo, taken aback.

The ground around them shook with violence power, making him to hold onto the table with both hands. Subsequently, the freedom fighter bear witness a being cut off from the force! Speechless, Hugo could only watch as Master Reach concluded her sentence upon the now former Jedi Aurora. Solemn now Hugo gestured for Aurora to leave immediately, he saw no need nor desire to imprison her anymore.

Looking back at the Wookiee, Ion finally said. “Valentine Rayth will be given extra duties under your personal command so he can make amends to your unit when there is time. But, nothing more.” Greybok would note in the Alliance Commander’s voice his decision was final. He turned to Luy and Vu’thari.

“Whatever you decide do please remember this. We must stand together regardless of our differences. May the force be with you all.”

Once the session was finally dismissed, the Commander exited from the council chambers to inform the rebels of what Master Rayth’s sentence. Then he will be making a call back in his office...

//Exit thread

 

[Vuthari]

Council Chambers of the Old Temple
Al’doleem

“Oh, stop being dramatic.”

Vu’thari simply looked at him and did not respond.

He has no idea the depth of trouble we are in right now with these Jedi Masters. He is a soldier…how could he understand?

And again, the wookie was forgiven for the slight because Vu’thari simply attributed it to ignorance and his having no idea the implications of losing two of the five Jedi Masters at this juncture. The separation of “rank and file” and that of Jedi would have to be tabled for another time…

From a military point of view, Greybok’s assessments were valid, as Vu’thari had come to expect from the bright General. Evacuations had to happen immediately and damage control from a breach had to occur as soon as they were done here. While some points were valid with his ideas for the two human’s consequences, they still needed a Jedi’s touch to ensure they did not fall through the cracks—they were two of the last Jedi Masters, after all. It was apparent now, more than ever, that these consequences needed to be handled by a Jedi Council within a Jedi Order—not a military tribunal…and again, a topic to be tabled for another time—the course seemed to be set…which was now a concern of the twii’lek’s.

Leah began to speak. Vu’thari could feel the storm of emotions within the woman. She was tied to Valentine and Aurora more than he and Luy were—and as he reached out, it was emotionally weighing on her. He had this relationship depth with some of his padawans, but he knew the limits that had to be imposed. He knew the line he could not cross—the twi’lek knew all too well that attachment could be a very dangerous thing…he was not quite sure these emotions were not clouding her judgement. He started observing a bit more closely.

Leah moved to stop Valentine as he defiantly left the proceedings. The actions of Valentine did not surprise Vu’thari in the least. This was the Jedi Master’s way…and while he admired the courage of his actions, he showed his courage and daring at the expense of others. With strategy to be considered, input from his fellow Masters to be considered, with his own Padawans to be considered, he was making yet another “glorious” endeavor, while others had the inglorious task of holding the Galactic Alliance together while he risked its destruction.

Vu’thari watched his fellow Jedi Master carefully as she began to speak. Leah began doling out punishment. The twi’lek was briefly confused because there was more discussion to be had on the fate of the two Jedi Masters. This was could not turn into a quick arbitrary ruling without considering all opinions and all angles.—too much was riding on this. While there was a census on exile, the conditions of such were not discussed. But she was doing it anyway. Luy and Vu’thari exchanged a quick glance. Honing in on Leah, the emotions were boiling over – despair, pain, and earlier, anger. The anger earlier seemed to be at him, he suspected.

Suddenly, the hackles on his neck began to rise before she spoke the next words, “—and the Force.”

Vu’thari’s eye widened. The room began to tremble. And then it was done. Jedi Master Aurora Blackwood had been stripped of the Force, temporary or not, it had been done. Vu’thari felt anger, frustration, sadness, fear and all the negative emotions that a Jedi could feel, boil up. Taking a deep breath, the twi’lek flattened all of his emotions. They laid within him as a simmer now and not a boil. The whole ordeal just turned into a surreal, dreamlike occurrence to the Jedi Master. He could only stare at Aurora as he felt nothing from her, except her raw emotions…

Commander Ion did not even seem to blink from the summary judgement that was just levied. Vu’thari could not help but think—Greybok wanted too much interference…and Hugo didn’t interfere enough. Leah was speaking for the entire council now...

Leah looked at Vu’thari and Luy inviting them to go with them if they did not agree…she would not stop them. He kept his gaze on her until she looked at others giving her edicts. It took all of his years of training to maintain the peace he was forcing on his heart. The list of what was wrong with what just happened was now long and heavy.

Commander Ion said nothing about the summary judgement, jury and execution of the consequences to Aurora. He then looked to Luy and Vu’thari, also giving them free reign to leave, but in the same breath said ‘you owe yourselves to this war effort regardless of what we do, no matter how wrong it is’ He truly could not believe what was happening . Vu’thari was a calm soul, reflective on matters like this, giving it the importance it warranted, considering both sides in the process—that is what he was supposed to do. But this? This was something else entirely…

Vu’thari ignored everyone else in the room at this point and stared at Leah. His voice was calm. The Jedi Master allowed the Force flow through him, fill him with warmth and its light before he spoke. He knew that if he didn’t take a deep breath, he would let his emotions guide his words. He would not allow that to happen—enough of that had happened from Jedi Masters already.

“Master Reach…I came into this Council Chamber with the understanding that this was a Council that worked together to come to decisions of great import. But as I witnessed these proceedings…all of the people present in the farce that was called a tribunal and now the summary judgement that was followed swiftly with a verdict, followed immediately by the execution…I realized this is no Council at all. This is a mockery of what a Council is. This is something else altogether…”

Pause. He took another deep breath to cause his tone to be level and calm.

“I am disappointed in you, Leah. You levied an unsolicited, brutal punishment on a Jedi Master…and you enacted this punishment with emotion heavy on your heart. I can recall another situation where a Jedi Master acted on emotion and left her padawan, so that she could live. Her heart, I imagine, had fear that ruled the day…yours, today, seems to be despair. Does this mean you should have the Force pulled from you as well?”

His hands folded behind his back as he continued to eye her with his one good eye, a brilliant green orb that began to show a twinge of sorrow.

“You may not agree with the parallels I just drew…but this ‘Council’ will allow Master Luy and I to simply walk out if we don’t like this verdict, if we do not agree with you. Commander Ion will simply allow us to walk out and add that no matter what happens, no matter how much this ‘Council’ messes up, we will owe it to the galaxy to stay…”

Pause.

“Yet, we mean so little to this ‘Council’ that our exile suits some of you just fine. Because at that point, you will have no more voices of dissent. There would be no one to tell you, Leah, what you just did was hasty, rash and done without the input of others. Our absence would allow this ‘Council’ to freely make its arbitrary decisions without having to worry about this pair of meddling Jedi Masters and their strange opinions from interfering with ‘progress’…”

He looked down, clearly not alright with the past hour’s events. Looking back up at Leah, he said quietly, “It saddens me. I respected you, trusted you and came to admire you. I am glad Eli was not here to witness this. This is not the path to a Jedi Order. This is a path to ruin…”

Pause. He held the gaze of anyone looking at him and said with absolute conviction and confidence…

“I cannot speak for Luy, but if I am not needed or wanted here? You can consider me exiled too…”

@Deviant
@Orbit
@Valen Pelora
@Sangga
@Malon
@Minuteman75

 

[Luy]

Valentine, never before had he seen such an undisciplined youth, with a heart as true as a lightsaber. If he could survive his trial, then the annals of the Jedi would remember him, as long as someone was left to write them. But moving with the clarity of his words the Master left to right so many wrongs, leaving before Aurora’s fate was declared and the decisions of the Council were meted out. The zeal that was available to the young.

Thinking upon this, he listened to Vuthari’s words. It appeared that they held similar convictions. He was true to each and every Jedi on his Council as well as the noted Commander and venerable General. Hopefully, Luy’s calming presence would be enough to keep Vu’thari from falling to the temptation of the emotions he so struggled with.

«Oh, stop being dramatic,» Luy notice Vu’thari’s glance, from the corner of his eye. Luy had yet to move from his prone, he waited to be addressed with more than commands from Greybok. He would not rise to the bait from the General. Ignorance blinded him to the significance of this discussion. Yes there were military and safety matters, and they were right to suggest action. Luy could see that, yet this matter needed to be dealt with.

“Master Aurora Blackwood. As a member of the Rebel Council, of the Jedi Council, as the right hand of your Commander and as a Master of the Jedi, you are exiled from the Order and from the Galactic Alliance.” What? This was a decree, punishment was far from decided? Luy’s head snapped up to face Leah, what was she- “You are stripped of your rank—” While not unfair, it was not hers to say. “—your lightsaber—” The lightsaber on the table sailed into the air. Luy’s gaze followed it, how dare she do that, it was not hers to take! It was twinned to Aurora, the crystal inside was hers and hers alone. “—and the Force.” Luy’s concerned look dissappeared as the furrowed brow shot up and he turned to face the destruction of Aurora’s connection to the Force. As the room shaked, and the deed was done, Luy remained still. His hands, lifted before him and entwined into his large sleeves. His head bowed and he held it for a moment. A gesture to the bond of one of their own being severed. This catastrophic act had crystalised his focus to a new bearing, he rose to stand up straight, his hands still within his sleeves. He inhaled before speaking to have it roll out as Commander Ion continued to formalise the verdict.

“Valentine Rayth will be given extra duties under your personal command so he can make amends to your unit when there is time. But, nothing more.” Ion’s gaze was met by Luy’s as it then moved to Vu’thari. This would be the first time it could be seen since his kneel. They held no anger, they held no sadness or fear. There was a steely resolution behind it, on that had yet to be set on a task. Luy did not look to Aurora. If anything, she was now safer than any of them, or connection to the Force taken, giving her the perfect cover. “Whatever you decide do please remember this. We must stand together regardless of our differences. May the force be with you all.”

“May the F-” He almost finished his murmured response to have Vu’thari cut him off with his view on the proceedings. Such words, that would’ve chimed with is own thoughts had everything not crystalised for him. Luy still looked as neutral as a mask through Vu’thari’s tirade against Leah, the Council and the actions conducted before them. How the young Twi’lek had much to learn. Once acted out and moved to the Past nothing could be done. While you may fight for the future, it will happen regardless. Arguing for what may happen has merit, throwing out such words about that which had happened held none.

“I cannot speak for Luy, but if I am not needed or wanted here? You can consider me exiled too…”

“Vu’thari, you are needed now more than ever; the Order and I need your support.” His words were solid and brimming with the confidence of his years teaching others; yet where there was mirth and a hunger to see other learn, there was no emotion. Luy did not wait for another to interject. As the young Master trailed off Luy struck out into the conversation. “What has happened this day will be talked about long after we have joined the Force. But what we now go on to do will be looked at with more scrutiny.” Luy reached out and placed a hand on the Twi’lek’s shoulder, while the action held a nostalgic air, there was a hollowness. “The Commander is right, regardless of our differences we must stand for our cause together; even if not physically side by side.” Luy looked to Aurora’s form, the vast absence of where the Force once was, like staring into the inky void. It hurt to look at her, she had asked for Exile and now she was all the more one. While harsh beyond anything he would have dispensed, it was apt. Luy turned to the others. “I do not plan to offer any further contestation to the authority of this Alliance. With the far larger amount of souls under their care, the Commander and in addition the General and Susan are of higher standing than any of us in this matter. We are not soldiers, but peacekeepers, defenders of our faith and the defenseless. If we are still asked for, it is our purpose to answer. But we should ask that Jedi matters be kept to us, and if we help in the Alliance it is under Orders from those at this table, those with a far greater strategic and tactical acumen.” His face finally broke into a half smile, as if these words had lifted the weight of concern or as if a light shined upon him on this dark day. “And we should refrain from drastic, emotion filled actions that have then led to the actions of this day.” Perhaps it was due to his new found level of surpression of his own, but he could feel the emotions coursing through the room and in turmoil within Leah all the more distinctly.

Not unlike a meeting on the shores of a jungle world, Luy paced over, his vast form anything but subtle. His training provided him some grace to maintain soft and calm movements. Over a third of a metre taller and nearly double her weight in Feeorin musculature arrived at her side. Adopting an awkward stoop in what appeared to be reverence, but more so he could quieten his voice down from that of a tutor. Now it was calm, with hints of his friendliness and empathy. Not an ounce of emotion was noticeable, merely a shade of wellwishing and healthy comradeship. “It's not about anger - it's about peace. It's not about power - it's about grace. It's not about knowing your enemy - it's about knowing yourself.” Not a mantra of the Jedi, but a thought that was clearly from a mind that had bathed itself in the teachings and meditated upon them for years. “But personally, I like to add that we should look to help others find themselves.” He paused to see if his concern for her was noted. “Leah, I cannot comprehend where you are now. But I will be here, as I was for Eli and have been for all of us and will be for them.” The last part was not directed to anyone in particular. But Luy thought of the students, hopefully she understood him enough to understand this. “What do we do now, Master Reach?”

@Deviant @Minuteman75 @Malon @Mithias @Orbit @Valen Pelora

 

[Leah Reach]

Aurora was closed from the Force. There was still a great chance for her to reconnect but only when she truly understood the consequences of what she had done and ultimately atoned for them. But with her spirit in the Force dismantled, her titles stripped and lightsaber confiscated, there was no more reason for the former Jedi to remain in the Council chambers. She left, either alone or escorted by rebel guards, Leah didn’t know. She couldn’t bear to look the other woman in the eye. She wiped her very existence from her mind. Not only out of disappointment, but also remorse. The Jedi Master could already feel it setting in. The realization of what she did. The severity of her actions.

Commander Ion left. Greybok and Susan followed. Nobody else remained but the Jedi Council. The Council that Leah had cast aside, neglected, and now faced alone. But even with the others, she was alone. Although Master Luy continued to push for compromise, sympathy and understanding, in spite of everything she had done, she could see he did not support her decision. He respected it, but never appreciated. Luy sensed anguish, anger and frustration in the woman. He knew it, and so did she. Leah was spiraling down a pit of despair, and while Luy did his best to pull her up, the words of Vu’thari were impossible to ignore. They cut her deep and weighed her to the floor. It only fueled her turmoil further.

“Do not speak to me as if you knew my husband.” She said, her voice slowly returning to its restless state, growing from a murmur to clamor. “I watched him die in front of my own eyes. And he died for this cause. For everyone in this room, this temple, and this Alliance.” She was visibly upset. “He would be as disappointed in Aurora as I am. He would have acted no differently.” But would he? Deep down, somewhere beneath her bravado, Leah understood her husband would have never gone as far as she had. He was too kind, full of compassion and forgiveness. She was not. No matter how hard she tried to honor his legacy and aspire to follow in his footsteps, she would always fall short. And it hurt her more than she knew.

“If you want to leave with her, then go. I told you— I won’t stop you.” Leah continued weakly. Her anger melted away, but she was bitter. The woman knew Vu’thari was every bit right, yet she struggled to admit it. There were too many emotions, too much confusion, in such a short span of time for her to accept the truth. And the truth was, she was wrong. Still, Leah couldn’t face it now, Jedi Master or not. Her vision was clouded, heart aching. She needed air. She needed to be anywhere other than where she was now. With a deep breath, chest almost heaving, she turned away. “But I'm sure you received the Commander's orders. We’ve been compromised and we need to evacuate.” She closed her eyes. Although the Jedi couldn’t hear it in her voice or see it in her gaze, she continued to fight back tears.

“I will oversee the withdrawal here.” Leah drifted toward the exit. Before she disappeared around the corner, she murmured, barely disguising her pain. “May the Force be with you.”

Exit Thread. Same for @Valen Pelora, I guess.​

 

[Vuthari]

Council Chambers of the Old Temple
Al’doleem

He watched Leah and could still sense the emotional turmoil, but in truth, his own emotions were desperately trying to surface, but he continued to shove them down. Vu’thari was determined to not let his frustration cloud his emotions in this—too much was at stake. He had young Padawans that were depending on him now.

Leah turned on Vu’thari with a simmering anger underneath his voice as she lashed out that he did not know her husband and that he would have done the same thing. The Jedi Master knew Eli well enough—he was his only friend for many years, but he said nothing.

“If you want to leave with her, then go. I told you— I won’t stop you.”

And there it was. It was heart-wrenching, sad, disappointing, and scary all in one. But Vu’thari knew that if the Jedi Order was going to be led by a Jedi Council like this, it would lead to the destruction of the Jedi, once and for all. He suspected that she knew she was wrong, but he simply couldn't tell. Just like he was quite sure he didn’t know Leah anymore.

Did I ever truly know her?

What was standing before him was something unrecognizable, something different…and something dangerously close to the dark side.

Vu’thari’s good eye never left the eyes of Leah as she spoke and called him down.

“So be it…I cannot be a part of this Council. There are too many depending on us right now for me to be a part of a group that is unable to look inward at its own follies—that is an arrogance I cannot abide. It is a path that leads to ruin…”

He looked over and stared at Luy for many moments. The old Feeorin would be able to sense the disappoint directed at him. He looked back at Leah with resolve in his voice.

“I will coordinate with Commander Ion and evacuate Savareen. Count me among the exiled…may the Force be with us all.”

/EXIT THREAD​

@Deviant
@Orbit
@Valen Pelora
@Sangga
@Malon
@Minuteman75

 

[Luy]

Luy felt Vu’thari’s stare. Long after the Twi’lek had left. He stood alone in the chamber, staring at the spot which she had been. He felt an emptiness in the Force. He was alone in a room that had not long been evacuated of so much noise and life. What had happened here, would be known and remembered by the Order. It was here that bonds and friendships were broken. But from the shattered fragments, a stronger entity would form.

Vu’thari was young, and had the vigour to call things into question. The Commander and Leah had no time to waste. But there, in the tranquility of a post-moment bliss, Luy stood as patience. He was Time, he had felt ages go by and lived to see Emperor’s rise and fall. Still the Jedi would endure, and he would help make that so.

A plan was forged in his mind, he would embrace that which he knew, he would become a traveller again. Hopefully more would meet him on his journey, but he would not leave this Alliance. He would help where he could, and make friends and comrades as best he could.

He meditated on this decision and an image came to him. A regal woman, dressed in grey beckoned him away from the hall.

Exit and I think, End Thread?​