A New Jedi in an Old Republic

Seranno

Residence of Count Dooku

Ventress hated this place. It was dry and far too hot. Oh, she would never admit to anyone in any way, but this place was just so devoid of the life and the Force that she was used to.

She supposed it was a weakness on the part of Dooku, one that she had no way to exploit yet. It was so very Jedi of him to encourage aestheticism over other, better things to surround themselves with. To meditate when action would be better.

Mouth turned down in a frown, she did find that these moments where all she had was her thoughts did allow her to better plan her actions. It galled her to admit that despite her misgivings, that Dooku was capable of something right.

He had announced just the previous day how the Jedi were cowards because they refused to lead the armies of the Republic, calling them cowards before her and her fellow Dark Acolytes.

She didn't see it as cowardice, though she did not say so when all the others were approving of the rhetoric that Dooku spoke. She had hunted enough by herself to know that sometimes jumping right into a fight was not the best course of action, that stepping back and viewing things from a better vantage point before striking was an option.

Ventress suspected that this was the case with the Jedi. That they were allowing their enemies to see weakness when all they were doing was getting ready, to draw them into a false sense of security.

Naturally, to garner the favor of Dooku, to show she was more than just a savage wielder of the Force, she raised this point to him in private.

And he had laughed at her, calling her foolish, and dismissing her claims. He said that they were truly weak, and that he had other sources which confirmed his point of view. He implied that she was being cowardly herself for not getting ready to strike, like her fellow Acolytes.

Where she had hoped to gain, she had lost. And now she needed to control herself before she did something inappropriate. She was Sith, no matter what the others said. They were more like Dark Jedi than anything else, a concept that she had studied in her spare time.

No, she recognized, let the others rush to their failures. She would let them go first, and learn from their (hopefully fatal) errors before making her move.

Dweem

The two Green Jedi disembarked from the transport which had brought them to this remote world, home to the sect of Jedi known as the Iron Knights. On the trip, they had taken the time to study what little information there was about the reclusive Order, but the information from the Temple on Coruscant was scant at best.

"If we were a group of Jedi who were Carbon Based life, where would we be?" Master Javi asked without expecting an answer.

"Perhaps they left signs?" His Padawan replied, used to his Master's sense of 'humor'.

"I suppose. I'm just worried about this world being so close to that Hyperspace Glare," Master Javi commented as they started to survey their landing spot. The pilot of their transport wanted to spend a day or so to re-calibrate their sensors due to the nearby presence of the ancient Hyperspace anomaly. After that, they still had a week on their contract to hopefully find the locals.

"Master, what sort of Droids would we be looking for?" Padawan Ghera asked as he stepped up to the ring of trees that surrounded them. "They could look like anything if they are simply a transport chassis for living rocks."

"I do not think they would appreciate that appellation, my young Padawan." Javi admonished his student. "We are here to mend a broken relationship, not to reinforce it."

"Of course, Master. I spoke poorly."

"I forgive you," Javi replied as he too stepped up to the cut away limits of the landing pad. "Although I too wonder where they are. There is a beacon, and this location shows signs of work in the pruning of the vegetation. Someone lives on this world, any they are sure to have noticed our arrival."

"Yet, I see no roads, Master."

"Perhaps they do not need them? Air transportation may be their choice so as to not further disturb the nature they possess."

"I must object, Master. You are projecting thoughts into the minds of those we have come to seek, or those around them without due understanding of them."

"Perhaps you are right, Padawan. Our answers then, lay in asking them. Come, let us explore."

Jedi Temple, Landing Bay

Obi-wan was there to meet Anakin and Katarn when they stepped off their transport from Republica 500. "I was," he said with arms crossed, "supposed to be invited to this as well."

The two Jedi froze while the pilot slipped past them all, muttering something about going to put real clothes on. "That would be my fault, Master." Anakin stepped forward, looking Obi-wan in the eyes.

They were clearer, the older Jedi noticed first, like something behind them had fallen away. It was not a change he objected to, for clarity of purpose served all Jedi well. "And why would that be, Anakin?"

Kyle stood there, watching the byplay. He watched Obi-wan, seeking some sign that he knew about Anakin's indiscretion, but there was nothing in his body language to indicate it at all.

"Senator Amidala requested a meeting to discuss why the Council made the decision they did, and while she did invite you, Master Katarn was available. And as it was his input which led to that decision, I served as an intermediary to connect the two so they could discuss their respective viewpoints. Did you not teach me that, Master?" Anakin turned the discussion back on Obi-wan by pointing out one of the lessons in diplomacy he had learned over the years.

"That does not discount not contacting me," Obi-wan relaxed and shook his head. "But you are correct, for I would not have been as close to the decision as Knight-Errant Katarn would have been." He switched his gaze to the Kyle. "I trust you did not make a fool of yourself or the order?"

"No," Kyle said. "The Senator needed a political reality she could use to understand the decisions made, and I provided one." He quickly recounted the basics of the conversation he had with Amidala earlier in the evening.

Obi-wan did not approve of some things. "I do not think you should speak so lightly of the Sith," he warned. "Pretenders or not, they are still Force users."

Kyle was more aware of that than he let on. "I know, which is why I warned against repeating the mistakes of history."

"I suppose there is some wisdom in your words," Kenobi conceded. "And what did you learn, Anakin?"

The young man straightened up. "Master, I saw further proof that hasty decisions are not the way of the Jedi. We must be careful in what we say and do, and recognize that not everyone will, or can agree with us."

"And?"

Anakin bowed his head. "I should have brought you along as well, Master. It was rude of me to ignore you like that."

Obi-wan sighed. "I suppose. I wonder how the Senator will react. The Senate is meeting tomorrow to discuss matters further, and I would rather not have you and your impulses make things worse for us in this matter."

Kyle didn't need the force to sense there was a lot of history behind those words. "I can talk to you later, to discuss things in more detail, Master Kenobi." Kyle caught himself speaking a bit more formally and forced himself to revert back to normal. It was also a peace offering between the two men, to make amends for the small insult that passed between them.

"I believe I shall," Obi-wan said. "But it is late, and we should be turning in."

"Agreed," Kyle said as he started to make his way to the Claw. "Here's hoping the Senate doesn't do something stupid."

Senate Building

Padme waited her turn as the various groups and politicians argued both sides of the Jedi's rejection of the Senate's call. Some saw it as a betrayal of the founding nature of the Republic, while others gloated that the Jedi were unneeded and should be removed from the Republic entirely.

And throughout it all, Chancellor Palpatine looked aghast at all the vile words being directed at the long-standing servants of the Jedi. Padme felt sorry for her fellow native of Naboo, given all the accusations being levied against the Jedi.

It was decidedly one-sided, and she would change that.

Soon though, her time to speak came, and her platform detached from the walls of the Senate so that she could be given the attention that had been given to all those who came before her. She could hear some rumblings already, as she was a known Jedi sympathizer, though who would not be when they saved her world from the Trade Federation?

"Senators!" She opened with a loud call for attention. "Are we not Senators for the Republic, whose sworn duty is to serve the Republic by guiding it? That is our position, our duty, our calling!" She paused for dramatic effect, completely at home in the political arena. "If our constituents were to call for us to take up arms in defense of them, would we not reject them? That there are others better than we at that sort of thing?

"Such is the choice the Jedi have made. The recognize that they are not the leaders we are looking for, and when they explained the error we made in petitioning them for their guidance in this time of crisis, we reacted poorly. We are reacting poorly." She took a breath to let her equals consider this. "I reacted poorly as well."

"The Jedi have said that they are still loyal to the Republic, that they will not abandon us. Why must we foist upon them duties for which they are not suited? Are we so devoid of choice that when we are told that we cannot have our way our only response is to throw a tantrum like a youngling?" She let some of the anger she felt seep into her words. So much hypocrisy!

"Instead of seeking to bend to the reality of our Galaxy, we have sought to bend the Galaxy to our desires! Is it any wonder that the Separatists have made their move? That their declaration and the first wave of attacks was meant to force the issues they tried to bring before us in peace! And we as a body rejected them!

"And yet, we have not learned! The self same arrogance that permeates this most noble body is now being applied to the Jedi, for they are the only outlet for our own failings and frustrations. We are, by the words that are being spoken today, threatening to expel the Jedi Order, one of the pillars of the Republic from our sight!

"Yet if that happens, what then? Will that seek to ally with the Coalition of Independent Systems? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But that won't be what we are concerned with. What would happen with the people whom we represent when they find out that we cast them aside? I can tell you. They would reject us! They would believe, rightly or wrongly that perhaps the Separatists are right! That we are the problem! Not them!

"If this Republic is to survive, we must look to keeping our allies and friends close, and not make undue demands on them. We must seek to be the betters in this conflict! To not stoop to the levels the Separatists accuse us to be! To do so would be tantamount to surrender, to let the Republic collapse into chaos! We must be united, even in the face of the decrees of public opinion!

"Please, fellow Senators, reign in your cries for retribution against the Jedi. They are not our enemy. Focus your wrath on those who seek to destroy the Republic, not to support it in the only means they know how." She bowed to the Chancellor. "Thank you."

Office of Chancellor Palpatine

Not for the first time, the leader of the Republic wondered if the young Senator was somehow, against all testing and observation, a wielder of the Force. With her impassioned speech on the floor of the Senate, she had taken the righteous indignation from the Senators who secretly followed his command to agitate against the Jedi and turned it into anger that Dooku and his faction were driving wedges into the heart of the Republic.

Well, they were, to he truthful with himself, but that wasn't the point. She had manipulated the entirely of the Senate with a few choice words that should not have worked. Yet they did.

It spoke of the possibility that his hold over the Senate was not as iron-clad as he had calculated. At least the vocal minority that swayed the rest were not calling for peace.

No, he needed to talk to Senator Amidala. Officially to congratulate her on her direction of the Senate, and to use his cover personality to subtly shift her priorities into something a bit more productive for his plans.

He also needed to talk to the Jedi Council directly. He knew them. They could not make this decision without outside influence, and finding out who or what the influence is will allow him to make plans around them or to remove them as needed.

At least some of the people of Coruscant could be trusted to do as he intended, without any direction.

Jedi Temple, Outside the front Front Hall

"Master Yoda," Cin Drallig greeted the diminutive Master when he arrived. "They are not dispersing."

Yoda looked out over the crowd of people who gathered in front of the Temple to complain against them and their choices. They were, when taken as a whole, a fluid in motion and emotion. "No," he said to the Temple Battlemaster, "We cannot force them away. A better idea, I have."

"Master?"

"Water flows, does it not, hrm?" Yoda gave a non-answer as he stepped forward, past the line of Jedi Sentinals and towards the crowd. He hobbled along on his walking stick as Master Drallig rushed to follow. "A means to be heard, if you please?"

Cin handed Yoda the small voder which he had used to no effect earlier. "Master, what are you planning?"

"Clear the Front Hall," Yoda ordered. "Treat as many, we must not. They are one voice, one worry. Secure it against those who would sneak in."

Trusting in the plans of Yoda, Drallig turned and returned to the line of Jedi who guarded the Temple, giving orders.

As Yoda descended to the crowd, individual words became clearer, giving credence to the prophetic comment from the Corellian Jedi yesterday. It did not bode well for the Jedi Order that these outsiders from smaller sects were able to better perceive the realities of their situation than the core of the Jedi were. It spoke of a great many flaws that no one had seen coming at all.

Or perhaps they did? But such thoughts were for another time.

"Greetings," he said into the voder, letting it magnify his voice, flaws and all. "Concerns, you all have. Listen to them, I will. Master Yoda, I am. Of the High Council."

Someone yelled at him, but he couldn't make out the words. "Inside, I invite you. Too much wind to speak. Come! Come!" He gave his best elderly smile and turned around, walking up the stairs to the Temple, where the line of guards waited. With a subtle gesture, he indicated that they should part.

He stopped, and turned around, then waved with his walking stick. "Come!" We waited for the first people to step forward, then the rest of the crowd soon began to follow, many still chanting. Yoda supposed that they thought they were advancing on the Temple to force their way inside, but such was far from the truth.

Once inside, he made his way to the far end, letting the crowd follow him and fill in the spaces behind him. There were stairs at the end, leading up to doors that led further into the Hall, and standing there was Master Drallig with a worried yet composed expression.

Yoda left that he still had things well in hand as he got to the top of the stairs, some hidden signal stopping the front line of protesters at the bottom step.

And they were still making noise. Which was good for him, as he could work with that.

"Quiet please!" He said into the device in his hand. "Old, I am. Ears weak and aged. Could not hear you over the wind, and cannot hear you over each other."

It took a bit, but the crowd started to quiet down, from the front to the back. He let the Force radiate out his calmness, projecting it out across the whole of the hall, even as more protesters spilled out of the Temple proper.

"Sorry, I am," he said, letting his voice growl a bit. Not from anything but sheer age. "Thank you for your time, I do."

"Why are you cowards?" Someone yelled out, and Yoda ignored it even as Cin looked for the speaker.

Yoda responded by hobbling down, exaggerating slightly the weight of ages he sometimes felt. He could do this. He would do this. "Hear you, I did not. Speak louder, could you?" He turned his head to one side to present an ear.

But no one spoke.

"Hrm. Heard things, I must." Yoda turned to look at the crowd, and here, inside the confines of the Temple, the analogy of water was even more intense. "Worried you are, I can tell. For your friends. For your families. Worried, I am. Many dead." He did not point at the crowd, the accusation would backfire horribly. "Many Jedi have died already to this terrible war. The Battle of Geonosis, a tragedy." He sighed and looked down despondent. "A tragedy, this all is."

"Fight!" Another person yelled, and Yoda looked up slowly, so as to not give the impression that he was reacting to the accusation.

"Fought, we have. Lost." Yoda admitted slowly. "The Jedi are not warriors. Diplomats. Explorers. Healers. Not Soldiers." He started to speak like he was to a group of younglings. Clear, without disrespect. "Not an army are we. Aid the Republic we must. We will."

"Do more!"

Yoda did not reply instantly, letting himself compose his response accordingly. "What would you have us do, hrm? No warships! No Blasters! Things the Republic has! Lead? We know not how! Learn, we shall, but who to teach, hrm?"

He shook his head. "No, things as they are, are not as we desire, true?"

"Well, yeah."

The seeds of doubt were planted, even as they listened to him. The Force was his ally, and as long as he did nothing to force them into anything, they would listen still.

"Perfect, the Jedi are not," he admitted sadly. "In the Force, all things are alive. Death, we do not seek, but peace."

"They're attacking us! "Yeah!" "Help us!" The crowd's voices were raised in fear, but Yoda began to suspect there were agitators among them. He had dealt with that sort of before, in his youth when he had been sent out on missions for the Republic. He winced and turned away, raising one hand until the crowd was quiet again.

"Attack the Republic, they are!" He announced. "Defend you, the Republic will! Aid the Republic, we shall." He gestured out among the crowd. "Among you, who will stand and fight? For your fellow? For the stranger? For friend? For family?" He returned to his rest position, holding his walking stick in his hands in front of him, leaning on it like he was tired.

And the image worked. How many in the crowd, he wondered, would yell at their elders? By impressing on them his age and physical vulnerability, he encouraged them to think of him as a grandfatherly figure, someone who should be respected for his age, yet unable to defend himself from heavy aggression in his frailty. "Sorry, I am, for your loss. Much sorrow is felt by all." He let his ears droop. "We must all help, some in front. Some behind. So too shall we. Shall you? Or shall you stand in this place, yelling? Much work lies ahead of us, and we must work together."

With the notion that they were not helping, Yoda turned and walked away, letting Cin control the crowd as they reflected on their choices.

Within an hour, Yoda's speech would be across the Holonet, even before the Senate transcripts were made available. While many argued that the Jedi were abandoning their duty, a small but growing segment of the population heard a different thing.

They heard a call to action. That help would not come from elsewhere. That no one would save them, except themselves.

Bridge, The Invisible Hand

General Grevious bowed before the Hologram of Count Dooku. "Yes?"

"Our plans have changed," Dooku said without explanation. Grevious knew another delay was coming, and raged in his heart. They were at war! Let him fight!

"General Grevious, marshal your forces and attack." The hologram of the Count winked out, and Grevious was caught immobile for a moment before an idiotic B1 Battledroid spoke up.

"So, um, where do we attack?"

The General stood, not knowing who or what to thank for his good fortune. He had been let out of his cage early. "The Republic!"

Office of Senator Mon Mothma

She looked at the papers on front of her, and then signed. The plans were laid, and the trap was set. They would find the leaks in the Senate, and strike a blow against the Separatists at the same time.

But Mon Mothma hoped that the Force-given visitors from the future knew what they were doing.