No Peace in War or Death

[GABA]

Anaxes

The platform stood heavily guarded as the masses of Imperial citizens had come to see what the Sith Inquisitor had to present. There was unease among some, as the last time they were all called before them, Andraste had reacted with her rage, tearing apart thousands. Regardless, Ebberla knew there was a sense of curiosity among most of them, first given they had in their hands a real Jedi and secondly, Ebberla, herself had not shown face to the galaxy for quite some time. Ebberla stood at center stage, studying the hundreds who kept their eyes focused on her and the dark council who lined behind her. Mix of grey, black and white armor and uniforms seemed to overtake the crowd, the occasional speckle of color overwhelmed by the uniform of the majority. It reminded her much of what the galaxy had become, dull.

The air was humid and her black robes were feeling uncomfortably heavy; she felt her ears pop as the atmospheric pressure dropped and the sky grew darker. She looked up and frowned, she really hoped it didn't start to rain. Ebberla gave a nod to a guard to signal she was ready.

Reland Gil was brought to the stage, flanked by guards, his hands bound and any remaining additional possessions removed. Eyes fell on the Jedi Councilor and there was a rumble of excited gasps as the citizens. The holocams were activated and floated around the platform, the execution would be broadcasted across the holonet for the galaxy to watch.

"My loyal and dedicated Imperials," Ebb started, her voice projecting with aide from the Force over the crowd, "my brothers and sisters of the Force," she addressed, "The Rebellion and the Jedi have been working together to disrupt and terrorize the systems of the Imperium for many years now. They believe they are doing the right thing, bringing peace by initiating war, starvation, displacement, and fear. They've manipulated your friends and allies through civil war, claim the dark side holds no place in the galaxy, yet the Rebellion and Jedi rely on ships and supplies their dark side allies, The Bogan." Ebb paused, giving a quick glance to Reland to see if he knew that tad bit of detail.

"Recently, the Imperium has suffered losses to the insurgents on Kashyyyk, supported by the Rebellion and the Jedi, they are making their attempts to further corrupt peaceful systems." There was a loud crack of thunder and the clouds tour open with a down pour. Ebb internally sighed at the weather while she unclipped her lightsaber. "The Imperium was not without loss, as we hold a small victory, but a victory nonetheless...." she turned her attention to Reland, waving for the guards to step aside, "We have ourselves a Jedi Councilor, Reland Gil, loyal to the Force, loyal to cause fueled by his Order and their allies, fiighting under the illusion that he is doing the right thing. But! What won't be an illusion is the consequences of those who betray the Imperium and her people!" The Force rushed through Ebberla, she could feel the emotions rise in the audience, the dark side veining from the Inquisitor and falling like a heavy blanket on the masses, she fed into their insecurities, their voices called out in jeers and hate for the Jedi.

Ebb stood in front of Reland, her voice barely above a whisper, but he would hear her only, "I'm sorry. War, its what the Jedi wanted...and in war, there is no longer light or dark, there is only darkness." She grabbed a handful of Reland's tunic and forced him to his knees. Ebberla walked slowly around Reland, her voice projecting back over the people, "Master Gil's fate has been decided," she stopped behind the Jedi Master, her mind sealed shut the screams of right and wrong that scolded her for what she was about to do her friend.

She looked out into the crowd, their screams and jeers falling silent to her ears. She knew exactly what she was doing, the manipulating was nothing new too her, she would even admit, while being a Jedi, it required an art to speech, to motivate and push, to frame the facts in your favor and she had done exactly that for Andraste's Empire. Ebb let her dark robe fall off her arms and onto the ground allowing herself more movement as now she was soaked to the bone from the falling rain.

There was the snap-hiss and a sharp hum, her magenta blade removed Reland's head from the rest of his body.

The people fell silent as they watched the head roll to a stop and the Councilor's body fell.

Her eyes remained on the beam of her lightsaber while it continued to hiss and steam as the rain fell, the Force convulsion from the Master's death washed through her being. The holocams settled around her, focusing on the body and then on Ebberla.

Slowly the Inquisitor stood to face the Imperium's citizens, "The Rebellion and the Jedi Order will be decimated! They hide like rats! Strike like cowards! They start a war that they can't even fight! Stand with us and her Excellency, the Empress, to bring order and stability to the galaxy, to bring safety and wealth to your families, otherwise," Ebb paused, gesturing to the dead Jedi Master, "You have sealed your fate with those who stand against us."

Ebb was silent as the crowd cheered; she waited a moment, letting her words settle before extinguishing her blade and exiting off the podium.

 

[Raydo]

Ebberla had not returned to see Reland since his first day in Sith Captivity. To say he was unhurt by this would a lie. He could accept that his life was forfeit, he could accept the certainty of death, but he struggled with the fact that a once old friend could be so totally lost to him.

When his fate had been announced and he was being transported to Anaxes, he requested one of his guards give him a single piece of paper and something to write with and was shocked when he was allowed this simple thing. So many words to say to a soul who refuses to listen.

He spent the next day meditating over his life. Even in this darkest of days, he was overcome with the joy that surrounded him. Looking back, it was so easy to see the hand of the Force guiding him through life. From time life as a Padawan until this very moment, Reland felt complete. Even in his short lived marriage he was allowed to love so freely. That was his one regret, Leaving Lutomi to raise their family. He had no doubt the woman wasn't capable, but he thought of the times he would miss. His newborn son, Larik Gil, only a few months old had already turned out to be Reland's greatest accomplishment, and whatever he had done with his life, that child was the single thing he was most proud of.

After two days he was moved a small transport ship and transported onto the planet. He once again saw Ebberla, cold and closed, refusing to acknowledge him in anyway. He spent the hour after landing on the planet in a small, poorly lit holding cell as he awaited the culmination of his life. He began to write on his sole piece of paper, the only possession that had not been taken from in captivity. He wrote for some time before placing the pen down on the bench beside him and folding the small letter into his sleeve.

For one last time, he poured through his life with the fondness of an old man looking through family photos. In those memories he found peace and acceptance for the things out of control. He surrendered himself to the Force in last few moments as he heard the march of storm troopers come down the hallway to escort him to the edge of his eternity.

He walked calmly down the silent hallway, with storm troopers surrounding him on all sides. He smiled faintly to the guard as he opened the door and pushed him slightly on the stage. As he stepped out the first crack of thunder announced a slow building rain. He looked over the crowd of nervous observers. Within moments the rain had turned into a down pour. Eyes centered on him as Ebberla's voice boomed. She avoided all eye contact accept once, one last jab at the integrity of the Jedi. Nothing she could say could shake him from the faith in the Force that she had helped instill in him.

The storm reminded him of the first night he had met with Lutomi on the beaches of Lamaredd. It had stormed that night as well and it had marked one of greatest transition in his life. He couldn't hide a small grin at the thought of this storm marking his final transition into the unknown. His attention was brought back to Ebberla's speech as it ended.

She moved infront of him and faced him, water dripping down her face. It was then he sensed her regret, her humanity. As she whispered, the storm let up slightly. She reached to pull him down, but as she did he slid the folded noted from his sleeve and grasped the hand she gripped him with. He quickly pressed the paper in her hand, it would be invisible to anyone watching and look like he was trying to steady himself as he dropped to his knees.

As she looked down at him one last time, he returned the gaze. There was no regret, no pain, no anguish for actions he had taken, there was only peace and the love he still held for his dear friend, even as she reached for her lightsaber. In the last instant before she turned, he looked up through soaked hair that had fallen in front of his face and whispered "I forgive you."

With that, she turned. He didn't hear the rest of her words. He held onto the peace that can only be provided through the Force. He looked up at the sky as rain lightly fell onto his face and met his end with a peaceful smile as he felt for the presence of his dear wife usher him to rest.

There was no pain, no sting of death, just a doubling and then tripling of the peace he already felt. His burdens gone, his soul freed. He floated in the peaceful bliss for sometime, perhaps seconds, perhaps ages, but his awareness of self faded he thought one last time of the woman who had taught him how to be a Jedi, how to be a good person, and in the end, how to face death knowing that you followed the will of the Force until the end.

With that, the pieces of his awareness drifted further and further apart from one another until he faded into the eternity that is the Force.

Reland's Letter​

Dear Sister,

All that matters in this Galaxy is the Force and Family. Even in these dark times, I am proud to have called you my family. You have been a teacher, mentor, friend. You, along with my master, taught me what it was to be a Jedi. What it meant to sacrifice one's self in the name of a better Galaxy.

One of the most painful moments of my life, was seeing you hurt on Endor. It was an event that haunts me. Our light faded significantly that day, and the Order lost one of it's greatest components in you.

It is my wish that you one day find the peace you helped me find in the Jedi, whether that be back in the Order or elsewhere. You do not deserve the oppression you have brought upon yourself. You do not deserve the pain that has been thrust upon you.

I know you do what you think you must, just as I have these last few years. Do not let the event of my death chain you further to a path you are not meant to take. I accept my death and the consequences I brought on myself by following the guidance of the Force, even if that means death by a friend's hand.

I pray you live to see a Galaxy free of oppression and darkness, one where our children can grow up and devote their lives to something far greater than this struggle.

Whatever may happen with my life, know that I am glad to have called you a friend.

May the Force forever light your path dear sister,
-Reland Gil

 

[Mistress]

Initially Lutomi trembled. She found herself unconsciously standing up from her place in the corner of her room and hyperventilating, as she swaddled her her baby in her embrace. Her two older children sensed the distress and rushed to be by her side.

The Projective Telepath violently reached out through the Force with all her might, through Light and Darkness to touched upon Reland's thoughts. "See me. I am with you." She cast her eyes down upon his infant son, Larik, his beloved legacy. She studied his small innocent face and sent out the image as strongly as she ever could, a second nature to one born a twin, as was she Receptive of Reland's experience. The Gray Jedi Master's face contorted in her sudden onset of sadness.

To understand the reason why Reland went on his Campaign matters not, but that somewhere along her path she turned her focus towards one different than his. She felt Heron and Nakshi, their adopted children of Sisk and Xotomi Renelo, begin to boil in their anger and fear at the image they witnessed come to life over the Holovid. Their reaction lead to little Larik suddenly shrieking in her arms. Lutomi, holding to Faith in a Higher Power, knew that the Force itself is calling Reland home to become a part of it. She found comfort in the acceptance that we all simply must comply to the same transformation one day. As she cuddled Larik, she reassured the children who had already lost so many loved ones during their short lifetime, "I promise you, I will not leave you. Be strong and send out a good feeling. Remember your time together."

She stood focused not on his image upon display, but Reland's enduring presence. Darkness dwelled all around him, but still he himself illuminated the Light. They have always shown more brightly when together. When she discovered him on Lamaredd, they immediately and instinctively grounded one another. Not long after, they had slain one another's demons. During their few years together, he gave her an awareness of everything she never even dreamed she could have had, evolved her into more of a human being than she ever could have become alone. Life itself took on new meaning since they discovered one another. Life had evolved because of him, and she truly felt alive.


Murder, cold-hearted killing of the defenseless. His murderer, one once both their mentor, one once adored by all as the mother of all Jedi, one who Lutomi and Reland stood to defend having organized the Separatists due to her unjust circumstance.

Images of their youth exchanged between their thoughts of how younglings and Padawans respectfully honored their once beloved Grandmaster. Ebberla Daw had protected them with her very life an uncountable amount of times while the Sith, organized or rogue, pursued them no matter where they were within the Galaxy, even upon their own soil.

Reland, the Jedi will remember, and his story shall be told with honor."Ebberla Daw is the one who is dead to a heart once vibrant with peace and love for all, now tainted, enraptured with the Darkside of the Force."

Lutomi had lived the life of a fool, praying Ebberla could still be saved all this time. Even knowing of the Darkside and having witnessed it directly, many of the Jedi still failed to see the hidden monster within. That monster any one has the potential to become. Lutomi herself had been shown her error once, and been redeemed by Larik Novan. She escaped her spiritual bondage of carrying out the ruthless bidding of the higher ranking, to freely follow the Will of the Force.

The Will of the Force is far more evasive in allowing one to grasp its understanding, than would be believed by most of those who call themselves Masters of the Force. Often the most subtle instinctive guiding by the Force, which many Masters often fail to perceive, is the only actual Will of the Force. Most act solely to satiate their own personal passion. The Will of the Force is not for any singular entity or organization to achieve grand scale control or grand scale manipulation over their world or over that of any other's. It is individual to encourage growth in understanding for each and every living being, no matter their station, or dogmatic beliefs. Until the Force Sensitive beings of the Galaxy understand this, they are NOT true Masters in the Force. There can be peace, if only they will learn.

Lutomi denied all things which the Sith stand for:

"Peace. Knowledge. Serenity. Harmony.
No Death, but the Force.

These things alone make up the Force which we serve.

Guardianship of peace and justice.
Knowledgable to defend and protect.
Respectful of all life in any form.
Not rulers, but servants for the welfare of the Galaxy.
Student of knowledge, training and self discipline."​

Still concentrating hard on Reland, she added, "You are these things. You are of the Light of the Force." Lutomi poured out her love of family to him, until the moment he transformed, and his essence joined to the surrounding Universe.

"Reland lives. Ebberla is the one who is already dead. Only one is left deluded and in pain."

 

[Oreus]

Silence fell over the room as Fias and a few other Jedi gathered around a holovid. An announcement too harsh to be true had spread by whisper, like wildfire, through the outpost. Master Reland Gil was presented on the video. It seemed that no one was breathing as they listened and watched. What used to be a trusted Master and friend was now an enemy committing unthinkable acts for public display. Could this be real? Everyone seemed glued to the holo as the scene progressed.

Master, I've failed you. I should have been there!

The Quarren knew he had let down his Master by fleeing their last engagement in fear. He had hid from the Jedi for personal failure. When his Master needed him most he was not there. Fias had trained long enough that he should have been a Knight. Only he had pulled himself back. Could he have made a difference? Was he meant to be there with his Master, or perhaps returning home in victory with him? Doubt and fear swirled within him as he watched. Reland had been his only trusted Mentor and friend among the Order. If not for the human Jedi Master, Fias would be dead many times over or worse. Despite so many months of training, missions, and experience with his Master, he was still a timid young padawan held back by his own mind.

This is my fault.. I must make amends.

As Reland's head rolled to the floor, Fias felt his fear and doubt turn into anger. He had to make things right, or join his Master trying. This failure would either be his death, or his future victory. In what was either a fit of depression or a fit of righteous anger, he stormed from the room to find the next opportunity to strike at the Sith. The High Inquisitor was a traitor in every sense of the word. He wouldn't let his experience or rank stand in the way of his duty to his Master.

"Ebberla..," he whispered to himself as the X-Wing powered up. "I'm up next."

 

[BLADE]

Anaxes
Execution Plaza
Kuat Drive Stadium THE BLOODINATOR
Section M... for MURDER (no srsly it was just M)
Row 283
Seat 1,693
Roughly .0000000000000500125630 AU from the Headless Jedi dude

Thirty bloody minutes. That was all it was supposed to take.

"Come over for a kip and some drinks."
"Oi, I know you don't look blood. Don't be such a flouncing fairy!"
"The Inquisitor will let you into her zero-gravity zumba class."
*UNINTELLIGIBLE GROWL*
(His shyrrywook was not always up to snuff)

Should have known. Bloody walking carpet couldn't get a date to save his life.

And so it was that a miserable Benachaim Zhen sat watching the Grand Inquisitor drone on and on and on about vengeance and Jedi scum. All that lovely shite. And proper true, if you were following the party line (and though he was a bit of a wallflower, the acolyte knew where his scones were buttered and so felt much inclined to follow such line.)

That was why, on a holiday Saturday --"reckon we get double pay for being here?" he asked a crusty looking Ictholian Sith, only to be glared at-- Ben Zenachaim sat surrounded by sports fans which put him half in mind of his old man, drunkenly waving a stein of beer about and screaming about spear tackles. Or spears (the grand old drunk had always fancied himself something of a master at amateur hoplogy.)

"Sooo thought you had an in with the Grand Inquisitor." Ben raised the mug of stadium beer to his lips and gingerly took a sip.

Urine would have been an encomia.

He grimaced; Rook twitched. Ben rolled his eyes. The Ictholian Sith scratched one of his many throats.

Ah the wonders of silent communication.

Ben sighed as his comm buzzed angrily again. Ben glanced at his iHolopad and tried to stretch his legs, forgetting that his git of a walking carpet friend didn't have an in with the Grand Inquisitor and that they needed binoculars just to see a bit of glowy blade on fleshy neck action.

Couldn't even enjoy a sportin' bit of brutality, eh guv?

The iHolopad buzzed angrily again. Oh yes, did he mention that his sister had threatened unspeakable damage to his bits (dangly and non dangly parts!) because he was an hour late to pick up her lurvely spawn?

That wasn't his fault.

After all there were certain rumours about execution protocol that were simply a bit barmy.

Last meal? No. Not unless you counted terror-induced bile (and in any case, the Anaxes Corrections Department had let the patissier, Mssr. Leshell --an unfortunately named Quarren who well... smelled that way.)

Grandiose speech before your passing? Some of the recently decapitated heads made groaning noises posthumously one supposed.

Sumptuously tailored robes?

Well that bit was absolutely true. Sabers could get caught you know. Nasty business. Besides the Dark Haberdasher of the Sith had tenure.

In any case and for whatever reason the execution had run long.

"Can we at least dance?"

Ben was a married man, but he had to admit that his wookiee friend always made him look good on the dance floor. He manfully tried not to whine his request.

He of course failed.

Rook simply grunted and reached for his binocular-cum-camera.

Ben sighed again, watching as the HOLOTRON gave them highlights (including the Grand Inquisitor's... Inquisitrix? Mean Lady Who Wouldn't Give Them Good Seats forceful gesticulation about the Jedi threat... headless mans body seemed to twitch every time she spoke of scum.)

Nope. Wouldn't do it for owt.

"Well..." he stood up, swigging his beer with reluctance and adjusting his sensible waistband (oh alright, so he'd had the Life Day biccies ARE YOU HAPPY NOW YOU MONSTERS?)

"I. Am. Going. To. Bloody. Dance. My. Arse. Off."

And so he did.

Lights flashed.

Men and women and both? Sort of? Stumbled. Yeah seemed about right.

And Benachaim Zhen danced.

Shame about that Jedi bloke though.

Seemed like a bit of alright wasn't he?

 

[Black Noise]

Laine loved the flowers of Sacul, sitting amongst them made her forget all of the worries of the world. Beside her, her wife's son, Sebastian, absentmindedly utilized the Force to sway the bright orange petals back and forth. To the small, brown haired woman, nothing in the world mattered more than the present. Sitting down and petting the petals of a flower with the young boy, she felt not a single care of the greater galaxy.

Sitting across from her, Sogar 'watched' his daughter and grandson with the knowing smile of a grandfather who had long decided the worries of the greater galaxy were of no concern to him. However, as his blind eyes gazed out and above the two, Sogar could not help but allow his mind and senses to wander. Wander they did, floating past the burning stars and uninhabitable worlds, floating nigh endlessly until they finally came to rest upon the form of Ebberla Daw.

Half the galaxy away, he could not 'see' her, he could not hear her speech, he could not even feel exactly what was going on. However, he felt the spike of emotion as she took a life, and he felt the life of one Jedi whom he once met become one with the Force. Sighing, Sogar's senses left the scene, drifting off and towards something of more interest. Ebberla Daw was the one who gave him a second chance at redemption, and it hurt him that she had still not figured out something so simple as her own legacy.

The galaxy she would leave her descendants was not a pleasant one. Maybe she'd realize that and try to make amends, but even if she did, it would be too late, as it was for Sogar. But he wasn't sure that mattered anymore, amends or not, he had the privilege of experiencing the lives of his grandchildren. Grandchildren were something, thirty years ago, he could have never even imagined in his wildest of dreams. But now here he was, smoking a pipe, sitting amongst a field of wildflowers.

It was a shame about the Jedi, though. Sogar knew of Reland, he was a simple warrior, and he had a simple death.

 

[Mr.BossMan]

Its been three weeks since Anthoni spoke to the Dark Lord of the Sith. Three weeks since he pledged himself to an order he hated beyond most anything. Three weeks since he abandoned the Bogan. Three weeks since he betrayed the Jedi and gave the Sith not only his saber, but also his information. Three weeks.

It's hard to stomach that amount of time. It goes by fast, and yet it feels so slow. Sleep was hard to come by for the young Sith. His dreams filled with faces of people he didn't want to see. Every time he closed his eyes he could see her, his biggest regret, his greatest failure. It wasn't fair, nothing was fair, not anymore.

Until this.

The crowed gather around, the look on their face. Bunches of them packed together so tightly you could not move with out rubbing against a stranger. All of them standing before the massive stage, all awaiting the fabled Jedi consular. The evil man who's sole purpose was to overthrow the just and righteous empire Andraste had created.

Out walked the infamous Reland Gil, a brother at one point, a fellow warrior of the light. There was a time Anthoni would of been proud to call this man a Jedi, proud to serve alongside him. But no longer, instead his pride was stripped clean, replaced by his anger and a coldness.

Reland took all of three paces and the thunder boomed, with another three it began to pour down rain. The clouds grew thick with grey and moisture, Anthonis solid black robes instantly grew heavy. The water dripped off his hood as tiny thuds bumped against his back and head. The high inquisitor began to speak to the crowed.

Suddenly their heads shot upwards and their focus was unbroken, each one a fool to this game. Right in the palm of the executioners hand, puppets to a master they can not see. Anthoni only stared in silence, listening to a woman he cared not for. Reland was brought down to his knees, Ebberla Daw paced around the defenseless defeated Jedi. Her saber in her hand, his face calm and unwavering.

Anthoni would watch, he wanted this did he not? This is what he asked for. It was the Jedi who wronged him, the Jedi who failed him. Reland deserved this, every Jedi will be sent to the force where they belonged, every allied world would burn to the ground. The rebellion would be broken and shattered, and Anthoni would watch as the whole galaxy's only hope for order and peace was effectively destroyed. The Jedi fought alongside the Bogan, the things Anthoni did for the Bogan, nothing, not even the Jedi, could pretend to be good guys while allying with such a cold and ruthless people.

In a flash of movement Relands head was sent crashing down to the stage.

Anthoni's eyes burned, he swallowed hard as his head lowered to face the ground, staring at the back of his eye lids.

This was what he wanted wasn't it? This was his right. This was right.

He shook his head as he walked out of the roaring crowd. Shoving his way past the fools, none of them knew the truth. No one knew the truth.

I don't know anymore.