Open Where Are The Jedi?

[Ashen Kade]

The large crowd that accumulated was certainly impressive and while Ashen wasn't exactly here to rouse a commotion he couldn't deny it had its benefits. If nothing else, it brought the Jedi together. He listened as ideas were thrown about, ready to do whatever was needed. While he was a highly capable swordsman, he figured most of his fellow Knights would also prefer to tackle the issues head-on, thus instead he considered following a more diplomatic approach. The Jedi, while entirely capable on their own needed allies. The galaxy had to stand together now or planets would be swallowed one by one until there was nothing left to save.

"We need allies in the Core and even the ISC as it's been said. He peered at his fellow Jedi (@Painus ), though keeping his customarily mellow tone. "And they need us to fight those things." Ashen wasn't sure what the correct term was and he didn't particularly care either, but he knew the galaxy was better off without them and that notion was enough for now. "I'd welcome anyone who wants to come with." It wasn't up to debate whether he'd take the initiative and go, but if any of his fellow Jedi felt like assisting.

 

[Mako Krim]

Mako's meditation had been interrupted by a commotion coming from outside the council chambers. The words rang loud through the halls, their echo within the force felt by the Pyke Jedi, stirring him from his seat as he rose to see just what exactly the ruckus was. He arrived not too far into the proceedings, remaining silent for a time as words were bandied to and fro. Decisive actions suggested, scorns against the council leveled. Doubts given voice and cast aside.

Mako breathed.

It was good to see initiative in the Jedi once again, the grassroots of change springing up from within the youth. Not that Mako was past his youth, still young, hotheaded. He liked to think of himself as wise beyond his years, beyond his kind. These thoughts were foolish thoughts. The fire of youth still burned within him, untempered by years not yet lived. He listened thoughtfully to the suggestions, pursing his lips and rubbing two large fingers beneath his small chin.

"The suffering of the trillions on Coruscant will send ripples through the force, pushing the balance further into the dark side's favor." He said, somewhat softly though his voice projected in its own way among the chatter. He glanced about with his dark eyes as if seeking to spot any such ripples making their way through the hallowed halls of the Jedi. Perhaps they had, were already here, were responsible for the high tempers that ran this day. He wouldn't put it past them.

"I would volunteer to join a strike team for Coruscant." Mako declared suddenly, spurred by a tugging he felt within the force, pulling him in that direction. His damn fool intuitions would one day be the death of him, but such was the life of a Jedi.

"If the criminal elements of the lower levels haven't completely fallen into chaos, their havens might serve as a temporary foothold from which to operate... however little we could trust them." Mako's voice was hesitant, sheepish. He knew the prejudices about his kind well, came under suspicion often because of them... and admittedly was not always above the temptations and vices of minor dabbling in what one could say came naturally.

It was a daring suggestion, likely to be an unpopular one. But if anywhere still held some semblance of organization on the chaos rife world it would be in such warrens. However untrustworthy criminals were, it was unlikely they would be happy with the sudden incursion of monstrosities in their streets making a muck of the tidy profitability that the usual semblance of order brought.

 

[Myrell’anay]

“The loss of the Grand Medical Facility will set medicine back a decade across the galaxy,” chimed in the old healer who’d until now observed quietly from the sidelines. Myrell knew some of its personnel had escaped; others had not, including esteemed colleagues she’d known for decades. Yet the Twi’lek’s voice was void of emotion, like her every word was objective.

“If anything can yet be salvaged, it is our duty to life itself that we do so. Not to mention the chance to learn more about these... specimens through a different lens than that of the dark side of the Force. Accessible by air, high above the surface, it is an obvious starting point for any excursion to Coruscant,” she added to the pile of solutions being proposed.

 

[Ezra Thorne]

Ezra stared blankly as Eirik waxed poetic about how Ezra’s efforts were causing harm, while he cast stones at Ezra in doing so. The hypocrisy wasn’t lost on the part Sephi, but he wasn’t easily riled by jabs thrown his way. They only got to him from people that were close to him, and this Knight certainly was not. He said nothing in response, not needing to remind him that he quite literally had laid out a plan just moments before being challenged to do so. The Nightsister newcomer was quick to remind the Knight to reel himself in.

Unlike the others, Ezra didn’t see any squabbling or bickering. No, instead he saw activity. He saw energy. He saw spirit and Jedi actually showing up. He saw people gathering. Even lobbing veiled insults at one another was a marked improvement over the dead silence for months. He focused on that, his demeanor once again its normal calm. Internally, however, he was a ball of nerves. All eyes were on him. All eyes were looking to him. For direction. He had expected someone else to take charge after his initial ruckus, but he quickly realized that was the kind of thinking that got them here in the first place.

His silver gaze panned over the crowd to find Dash (@Alhon) in the crowd - his biggest cheerleader and the man that stood by him through all his shortcomings. He looked around at Ferrin (@Altaris ) and Leon (@Zay)- his best friends that would be with him through thick and thin, that wouldn’t hesitate to charge into any danger by his side. He looked at Theia (@GABA), his Padawan, to whom he wanted to be a good role model like Zathria had been for him. And finally, he looked towards Zathria (@Phoenix) - the woman that trained him and taught him all the ways to temper himself and wield the powers he always had. To see courage and strength where he saw flaws. He slowly exhaled.

Ezra first looked to the Knight that spoke about alliances, “Knight Kade,” (@Scrumppe ) He began, his voice calm, “Will you take this Padawan,” He pointed at Aramir (@LouJoVi ), “And secure alliances on planets bordering Imperial worlds? Ideally we want to see the Empire blocked from easily traveling between their two regions in the galactic map.”

He looked at the Knight (@Versok ) that volunteered to act against the Empire, “Knight, take any volunteers with you behind Imperial lines to sabotage their shipyards and production facilities. They’re still barely recovering from my father’s sanctions, so any moves will hamstring them.”

Ezra looked towards the broader group, “Coruscant is very critical and central. Raze himself is likely to be there. Our priority there needs to be discreet evacuations to ensure the safety of the civilians. We can coordinate this with the GHO and ISCRA. We must also retrieve what we can from the Grand Medical Facility,” Ezra added, considering the point raised by the older Jedi (@Volene ). She was correct - and he knew to appreciate such considerations because of the ISC’s ties to Thyferra. He looked over towards the loudmouth Knight (@Painus ), “You and other Jedi that are willing will travel to Nixor and/or Byblos. You need to collectively work to establish Light Side nexuses which should weaken the abominations enough for more of us to go in and secure the planets again.”

He knew he himself would hop in with one of the solutions he offered, but for now he was still reeling from the fact that he was actually guiding others in any capacity. His palms were sweaty, he was fidgeting, and his ears kept twitching every now and then. However, he didn’t back down, his voice didn’t falter and he didn’t raise his voice.

@Arcangel @Mr. Teatime @Xorism @Green Ranger

 

[Zakrym La]

Zak's attention shift to the Quarren as he spoke, he questioned the position of the Council and their duties. The Knight was not wrong, the Council should be leading but they weren't. Zak couldn't be sure if this was due to some internal failure within the council or if they had been deadlocked on votes without the Grandmaster present. However, when some suggested ousting the Council, Zak raised a single hand and spoke clearly.

"Our focus shouldn't be on the Council, constantly looking inward has led the Order to this moment." He explained to both Kara (@Green Ranger) and to Yi (@Versok). "It's a failing that I was guilty of as well." He admitted. "But focusing on these things now will not provide an antidote to the poison spreading through the Galaxy." He continued, returning his attention to the issues at hand. "If Darth Raze or his most vile creations are on Coruscant, then that is where the Force is calling me. I will go with the strike team to deal with this monster." He stated with finality.

With that Zakrym La would simply nod to Ezra Thorne (@Sreeya) and take a step back. His decision had been made he would wait to see who would be fighting beside him.

 

[Kane Seros]

So many opinions. So many voices. All to say the same thing. Kane's gaze turned to the most outspoken of the knights. He seemed vain and arrogant, but he took charge and told it how he saw it. He'd be running his own smuggling ring on Nar Shaddaa had things turned out different. No doubt about it. Would Kane have even followed him if that had been the case? He was always a loner; always in charge of his own fate before the Jedi It was Boros that had turned him into a follower. "Go where a blade is needed most," he had told Kane. Now Kane just had to figure out just where in the galaxy that was.

"I'm good with a lightsaber, but that's about as far as my abilities take me," he said, gaze still fixed on the knight in the middle (@Sreeya). His arms stayed folded, wide sleeves of his robes covering the single lightsaber attached to his belt. Kane's index finger wouldn't stop tapping his arm. There wasn't much he could do about it, it seemed; he didn't feel a shred of hesitation yet a pit still formed in his stomach. His body was telling him to run but his mind and heart told him to stay. "Where do you need me?"

 

[Ferrin Sipal]

Ferrin kept his arms crossed over his chest - golden eyes panning across the crowd of Jedi. His gaze lingered on Dash for a moment or two - a flicker of annoyance lingering, still desiring to pick that particular bone. He didn’t bother to deign Eirik with a response, instead listening to the ideas and plan of action laid out by Ezra.

For the first time in a while, it felt like the Jedi had a path and direction - capable of responding to the crisis at hand. He felt the energy and passion amongst his peers, and knew that it could be unified to drive back the Darkness that swept the Galaxy.

It felt like hope. And Ferrin allowed it to wash over himself, just as it did the rest of those assembled. He couldn’t help but smirk at the leadership role that Ezra stepped into - making clear note of the faint twitch of fluted ears and nervousness he displayed. And yet the Pantoran could easily see him stepping more confidently with each and every step.

“I will work to establish the Nexus’,” Ferrin broke his silence, giving Ezra a small nod. The Pantoran had always been a healer - more in touch with the Light and the currents of the Force than he ever would be with a lightsaber. If there was one place his skills would be best utilized, it was on Nixor or Byblos.

His attention flicked over to Eirik. “If you can stir yourself into action, that is.” Ferrin wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to take his jabs at the older Jedi after the earlier debate - but he wouldn’t allow that to bleed into the mission ahead of them.

 

[Eirik Sunwielder]

The wave of voices, both dull murmurs and incensed outbursts, began to echo through the halls within which the motley assemblage gathered. Regardless of his antagonistic tendencies, Eirik felt a certain pride that the Jedi present felt the pull towards action over debate, as the inverse had been the folly of untold Jedi in the past. Whether the Order could sustain this momentum was yet to be seen, but the Knight was cautiously optimistic about the odds.

His attention shifted to-and-fro languidly as he settled back into frigid silence, until, again, Ezra had drawn his focus with the desired elaboration on his urgings. There were aims of securing border worlds, the ushering forth of saboteurs and diplomats, beckoning rescuers to secret away innocents from danger; it was a great myriad listing of duties that, together, would bring victory closer, fleeting as it was. His own charge was the creation of Light Side vergences on worlds ravaged by, and steeped in, the Dark Side. A considerable venture, to be sure, but one that would not only drive back the darkness, but also create warding beacons of the Light to assail those who might seek to dim it.

A daunting task, indeed. The Weikian relished the opportunity to see it be done, and so Ezra’s words were met with the acceptance of a singular solemn, stern nod. He was eager for the Order to be galvanized in such a manner, but he felt a pang of consternation that they might spread too thin and suffer yet more misfortune, as had been the case time and time again in the past. He felt confident that those present could surmount their obstacles but tempered this confidence with prudence. He hoped the others felt similarly.

The insouciant Pantoran lad had volunteered himself likewise for the assignment, which drew Eirik’s icy gaze. He thought it an amusing prospect, one that would either drive him to frustration with the woes of dealing with adolescent boys or temper his patience further. Either case presented a challenge and a lesson he was sure to learn. Ferrin’s jab prompted a faint, wry smile from the bearded man, who followed the subtle gesture with a more blatant fist-over-heart salute. ”How honored I am to serve alongside such esteemed company in sublime service to the Light,” he remarked with a bow of his head, before he returned to his crossed-arm stance and looked about once again.

”Is there aught more to discuss at our conclave, or is now the time of action? The Council won't be leaving those chambers any time soon, my gut tells me.”

 

[Kara Vaalki]

Kara couldn't help but glance towards the Togruta that addressed her, rolling her eyes visibly at his response. ( @Apollyon )

'Of course, now isn't the time. We're all standing here in fervant agreement that the Council has failed us, but now isn't the time to actually address the powers-that-be that sit literally behind closed doors right in front of us. Force forbid we actually demand accountability or anything - I mean, who do we think we are, some kind of Jedi?'

Kara scowled as she walked up to the looming Council that stood before her, and she looked up at them, feeling the weight and scale of the literal closed doors that stood before her. Pristine, polished monoliths that symbolised a power structure that had existed for millennia....and failed times innumerable. Once upon a time, Kara would have defended the Council. She would have advocated caution, and rationality, and advised that the Jedi take the longer view.

The longer view had left the galaxy in ashes. And Kara was sick of wringing her hands as ever greater tragedies and horrors were inflicted on lives uncountable.

The doors loomed over her, like the looming edifice of the entire Jedi belief. And while once she would have been comforted by those ancient traditions, those long-standing beliefs that had upheld an order for millennia...now all Kara could see was bodies, piled up to the ceiling, a meatshield for vaunted Jedi principles.

What happened next was no rash action. No violent, spur of the moment instinct born out of a rush of blood. But at the same time, Kara felt entirely outside of herself as she unclipped her lightsaber from her belt, ignited the viridian blade and slowly, deliberately dragged the weapon across the front doors of the Council chambers, defacing the pristine, timeless surface in front of her with an ugly scar, glowing red-hot with the melting force of her blade.

She took a step back and looked at her handiwork. Disfigured, the door didn't loom so largely in front of her now. The illusion of control, of prosperity and authority was like a spell broken. No longer a grand, majestic thing, the doors felt....insignificant, flawed, and...well, small. And, allowing herself a moment of self reflection, Kara thought to herself....maybe this was something she'd been afraid of seeing for longer than she'd like to admit. But it was something she needed to see nonetheless.

'I'll fight.' Kara said, simply, glancing back towards the young Jedi who had started the incident (@Sreeya) 'If you need a lightsaber, you've got it. But this-' she said, glancing back upwards at the now scarred door, and the chambers that lay beyond. 'All of this...extra stuff. The temples, the Council, the pontificating and excuses....I'm done with it. It's time to do some actual good for once.'

 

[Rahman Bahadir]

One could surely be forgiven for not following any and all the torrential conversation that conversed freely like a gorging river bearing the fruits of the first spring melt. For his part, Rahman stood at his seven feet stature without judgement. The echoes of battle still ringing, an internal monologue comparable to that of the commotion being conveyed before them, although thankfully thus far more productive.

One Knight in particular caught the Orcolan's attention, the unfamiliar but fierce face of a Quarren. @Versok

Of all the plans struck thus far, it was his that Rahman felt conviction for. The Empire had struck an untempered blow against Bastion, one for which he had personally borne both the physical and psychological scars of.

Moving carefully around the others to avoid hurting anyone, the friendly giant placed his hand against the Knight's shoulder and smiled a tusked smile. "You have my sword, brother."

@Versok

 

[Ashen Kade]

Ashen promptly returned his focus to Ezra when his name was mentioned (@Sreeya ). Although he hadn't yet had the opportunity to meet the Padawan, he was enthusiastic about bringing him along. "Of course. I'm sure we'll make a great team." He smiled warmly as he approached the young Tiefling (@LouJoVi ), taking a spot beside him in the crowd.

As he was about to speak to the young man, he caught a glimpse of his former master in his peripheral vision (@Volene ). Seeing her always brought him comfort, although he was disappointed that he couldn't greet her at that moment. With that thought aside, he refocused his attention on his present company and warmly introduced himself. "Hey, I'm Ashen. It seems like we'll be working together." He spoke with a cheerful tone, fostering a sense of camaraderie.

 

[Aranmir]

Like Aranmir, other Jedi also gave their opinions about possible actions that the Order could take to help the Galaxy. The Tiefling wasn’t sure, but it seemed the first time that he saw so many Knights and Padawans at the same place making plans. It was good to see that everyone was still interested in acting, rather than complaining.

Except perhaps for Knight Eirik. The guy could be showing some signals that he wanted to help, but the Tiefling was starting to believe that the man would complain every time that things didn’t go right. So far he seemed to be 80 years old with a younger body, he only needed a cane and scream to get out of his lawn. It would suit him perfectly.

“Count me in!” Aranmir said, after Ezra instructed what everyone should do. The Padawan turned to look at Knight Kade, who had already moved toward him. The Tiefling stared at him, noticing that they probably had nearly the same age. It made him think if he should have become a Knight already.

“Hi! I’m Aranmir.” he offered a hand at Ashen. “It’ll be nice to work with you,mano.” as always, he used a word of Sil-Cale, the native language of his homeworld. By talking to him, the Kage would notice that the Padawan pronounced the s of words with sizzling and open vowels when they shouldn't be. Everything was part of the accent of G’wenee. “We should start now!”

@Scrumppe

 

[Killian Fray]

Some older Knight had made commentary on the shouting and Killian just hit him with the sunniest, troublemaking grin. "Wouldn't call 'em statues but the Council's had enough quiet time," he'd replied before changing his attention to the other Jedi.

Killian followed along as the shouting turned from protest to Ezra directly addressing the crowd of gathered Jedi, laying out ideas and instructions. The dude was nervous, but to Killy's mind that made what he was doing even better. Folks were listening and, there was energy in the room, there were plans. Fuck yeah!

Killy silently counted on his fingers individually for the different splits of people to different places. Lotta cities and the Firrerreo could handle a city just fine. It looked like a lot of sparkly, spiritual, and medical types were gathering into groups for stuff to do with Nexuses- Nexi? Whatever- so...

"Fuck the Empire, I'm goin' too!" he declared to the Quarren (@Versok) and the Orcolan (@Xorism), nodding with hands placed firmly on hips. Killy didn't need much convincing to disrupt and/or punch fascist bastards. "I'm Killian, here's my comm info," he handed them off a crumpled flimsiplast note with a number and name on it. "Gonna go get my molotov stuff 'for we go."

He stuck around, for now, to see if there was anything else people wanted to say or plan, impatiently rocking back and forth on heels and toes.

 

[Theia Durand]

Ezzie's shouting was enough to get many jedi to notice what was happening. Theia couldn't keep up with the number of Knights that arrived at the doors of the council chambers. Many of them were speaking, it was hard for her to keep up on who was who and what problems were being identified. Eventually she gave up on what was being said and not said, and looked at Ezra who already was stepping closer to his friends; she noticed his ear twitch and instantly could tell he was very uncomfortable.

She stepped closer to his side, catching his silver gaze before he started to speak, giving directive to an order who seemed absolutely lost. Her eyebrows rose with certain surprise, never knowing Ezra could sound so official. But she found it inspiring, and even though she felt completely useless in her novice ability, there was a spark of hope she would be able to find a way to help curve the growing darkness. After he spoke, many others chimed in, calling for their assignments and how they will help, and one Knight in particular left a mark of dissent on the council doors (@Green Ranger). The corner of her lip pulled into a defiant smirk as she agreed with the Knight's actions.

As many seemed to group together, Theia looked at Ezra, "What do you want me to do to help?" she asked him (@Sreeya).

 

[Mako Krim]

Mako's head bobbed gently as he listened to the deliberations, plans, proposals. The living force was at work here, the Jedi was certain of it. After such inactivity within the Order, it was about time that something kicked the disparate Jedi into gear. It was unfortunate that it was grand tragedy on the galactic scale that always seemed to be what it took.

The current of the force had its way of sweeping the Jedi along to where they needed to be when the time came, and Mako knew he was helpless to resist it as it tugged him towards Coruscant. He had always felt more sensitive to it's pull than he thought the others might be, and he wouldn't resist it, even if he could. For all his faults, he was a Jedi, and he took the life of a Jedi very seriously. Sacrifice for the greater good.

His thoughts were jostled by the sudden snap-hiss of a lightsaber igniting. The screeching of sparks as it's blade scored across the surface of the grand door to the council chambers. The Pyke Jedi stood and stared, his jaw dropping ever so slightly as the vandal Jedi spoke her piece... And he couldn't help but find himself nodding along.

The Jedi were at their best when they were stripped bare of the pageantry of the Order. They were meant to act, wisely perhaps, but to act as the force led them. Not deliberate behind tall doors, seated in comfort as the galaxy burned around them. No good had ever come of Jedi sitting idly, overthinking the wisdom of action until the only option they had left was reaction.

A gentle whisper drew Mako's attention to a dark haired Jedi who seemed at a loss for which way to turn. A good lightsaber to offer but not much else in his own words. Mako doubted that last bit.

"Come, friend. Coruscant calls to us." Mako said after crossing to him and placing a large hand on his shoulder, gently. "There will be plenty of good that your lightsaber can do there." A nod and a sharptoothed smile were offered before he drew his hand back. There was much work to be done.

@thatdudemike

 

[Kane Seros]

Passion, that's what Kane was seeing. He read in a book once, something some call a sacred text, that passion led to the dark side. it certainly had on Nar Shaddaa. Then again, everything led to the dark side of that cursed moon. A small smile spread across his lips when a knight desecrated the door. A councilor on the other side of the door wetting themselves at the sound, he imagined. He almost laughed, but a voice broke him from his youthful day dream.

Kane turned his gaze to the Jedi as he placed a hand on the young knight's shoulder. Karking large compared to Kane for sure. The fun and youthful mental image of a Jedi Master shitting themselves turned into a dark and twisted one of this Jedi snapping Kane like a twig. He'd have to be careful not to nick this one's credit chip, that was for sure. Didn't want a repeat of what got him in the Jedi Order in the first place.

"Coruscant then," he said, the small smile spreading into a wide warm one. He hadn't met many Jedi other than his late master Boros. It was nice to meet a Jedi that wasn't beating the snot out of you with a training saber. "I'm Kane. Kane Seros." @Arcangel

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

As Drexus stood idly by watching the interactions between all the Jedi, he could only think one thing, 'Why are they so set on risking their lives to help people who would let them die to get what they want?' Were all Jedi so eager to put their life on the line for those who don't know them or care about them? Why was this? He was starting to understand the reasons for the Light to exist but this was a war that could kill them all. Raze is a beast in himself, and has proven it time and time again. Now they want to fight the monsters that he had created?

It was suicide surely. But he was here to learn what was needed, and may have grown accustomed to Ezra being around. So it seemed he was here to support these efforts, though he'd keep quiet as the teenagers and adults would argue the points and come together to make a plan... a plan that involved working alongside the ISC.. which meant working with Emryc.. First it was the old people on Lothal, now it's work with Emryc. How many times does Drex have to get tested?

He would step up next to Ezra, his arms crossed and his profile turned to the rest of the Jedi as he would speak to the only person present he halfway trusted, "I don't want to work with the ISC.. but you have my support too, for what it's worth." It pained him to say it, but this was the way he would be trusted by the Order to learn more than a few things here and there. A nod would follow as he spoke to Ezra and then he'd turn to face the rest of the Jedi present as he had his usual RBF on and scanned over the others with a slightly judgemental look. He honestly expected the same from them, so any returns wouldn't phase him.

"Let's go kick some ass.." he'd say under his breath as he began coming to terms with his decision internally.

@Sreeya @allothers