Engines of Heaven: "Beware the Jedi"
Posted on Tue May 12th, 2020 @ 6:20pm by Thane & Bomoor Thort
Edited on on Wed Jun 8th, 2022 @ 2:03pm
1,864 words; about a 9 minute read
Chapter:
Additional Stories
Location: JSD Great Manifest (Boundary of the Nea Glarist Blockade, Yutani System, High Promise Sector, Mid Rim
Timeline: One day after "High Promise" and "Unorthodox"
This post takes place in 1,213 ABY, around four years before Thane and Bomoor encountered the Cult of Axion on Nar Shaddaa, during their earliest years as Jedi Knights.
"Beware the Jedi, in their kindly garb. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit."
Seripture: Centax Revised Edition
— Mantell 5:1-2"It's old," Thane remarked with some dismay as he looked about the fairly spacious lift drawing them up through the ageing Star Defender. "Very old." He placed a hand against the nearest wall, feeling the vibrations of the Centax-class starship reverberating through his arm. They were almost out-of-time, even his layman's understanding of technology and engineering suggesting the ship was not in the best state of repair.
As he felt the physical presence of the large vessel, the young Jedi Guardian did not actively stretch out further within the Force but could still sense an overwhelming sense of confusion amongst the vessel's crew. Some simply had no sense of direction regarding their current situation, whilst others were actually angry, their vitriol directed towards the planet below. Like most Jedi, he had the capacity to sense memories and feelings from the past through the Force, often prompted by a presence or physical connection to an object. He was satisfied in this exact moment that he had no great talent for psychometry.
"I'd heard of the Great Manifest," he added, looking back to Bomoor. "Obviously, it fought in the Second Outer Rim Conflict, like all of the remaining Centaxes, but the Manifest was there at Belsmuth, near the end. Rift Jedi prisoners were kept aboard this ship."
“That was this ship?” Bomoor’s voice pitched up slightly, “Yes, it does echo with that sad feeling I get from the conflict veterans you meet in the lower levels. Although, to be honest, I get that feeling from a lot of Judicial officers still in service. Old wounds don’t heal easily and old ships don’t fare any better apparently.”
The turbolift slowed and the lights faded slightly as if sapping whatever power it could to make that final exertion. The two young knights inside remained patiently still, both aware they were soon to liaise with a senior member of the Order, who would expect more civility than was demonstrated in their last outing on Aloxor.
The doors opened and they were met with a view of the long bridge stretching out before them and, beyond that, a starscape punctuated by the subtle yellowy-grey curve of Ord Yutani below.
“Blockades like this are very unusual,” Bomoor added, walking out in sync with Thane, “And not normally a matter for Jedi, let alone Master Dunrar.”
"Wars like the Outer Rim Conflicts are very unusual," Thane replied drily as they closed the gap between them and the solitary figure stood at the fore of the bridge, his green cranium turned out towards the ships and planet beyond. "And not normally a matter for Jedi - until last time. Ord Yutani fought on the side of the Alliance. Malcontents are bound to be commonplace, but this..." He raised a robed arm towards the viewports along one side, indicating the task forces of both sides beyond. "This is it bit beyond that."
Bomoor's eyes followed Thane's gesture and he saw the array of ships, poised in a stalemate just outside the planet's orbital pull. The plain, silvery ships of the Judicial forces creating a short but definite line against a hodgepodge of mid-sized ships, with some designs that were unfamiliar to the Jedi. Noticeably lacking from the planetary forces was any sort of capital ship.
"It is indeed beyond malcontents," the man at the end of the command bridge confirmed, his pale-green hands clasped behind his robed back. The navy-blue sleeves of a Republic pilot's uniform could be seen poking out from within the robes, the colour and sight a slight contrast to the brown Jedi garb otherwise covering the figure.
As Thane and Bomoor finally reached him, bowing in recognition, Jedi Master Hale Dunrar turned and returned the gesture. No small trademark smile came across his stretched Neimoidian features, however, as he regarded the two Jedi Knights. A stalwart and complex Jedi, Dunrar was known for a quiet but kindly character, who had taken a surprising fondness to the former padawans of Masters Sotah and Thurius, and had always been pleasant with them - if a bit deprecating regarding some of their gambits.
"It is good to see you both." Dunrar glanced from Bomoor, examining the Ithorian's exposed neck bulk, to Thane, paying particular attention to his right hand. Half-healed burn marks were still faintly visible, and the Jedi Master's nictitating membranes fluttered a couple of extra times. "Your mission on Aloxor went well?" He asked knowingly.
Although glances were not exchanged and their expressions stayed neutral, there was a slight pause before Bomoor answered, "Yes, quite well. The locals have regained some of their independence, although a return visit might be wise to ensure relations do not break down again in the future."
The hulking dark figure of Admiral Broolf-Swial rose out from the starboard crew pit and set himself beside Master Dunrar, casting his deep black eyes over the two Jedi. Even the larger Ithorian was dwarfed by the Herglic.
"So these are the two Jedi you requested?" he seemed to be forming an opinion in his mind he was not sure whether to share.
"Admiral," Thane greeted respectfully the flag officer with an incline of his head, joined by Bomoor. The Human held the Herglic's gaze for a moment, the expression he was offering to the veteran almost challenging, but stopping short of clearly insubordinate.
Dunrar clearly picked up on it but made no comment. "Your prompt arrival without break is appreciated, my young friends. I fear you have now arrived at a situation more fraught with risk and delicate issues than your past escapade, however. Perhaps we could break for a meal and I will explain to you exactly why it is I have summoned you here..."
"You want us to be spies for you?" Thane summarised after Dunrar concluded his report on the crisis gripping Ord Yutani and the wider High Promise Sector. The Jedi Guardian looked over to Bomoor, eyebrows raised with a modicum of surprise and concern. "That seems like a bit of a gambit to me, Master; if things are as tentative and fragile as you say, we could be sparking a full armed conflict if we are caught."
Dunrar was set opposite the two Jedi Knights. The admiral had joined them, but was using a very specially-adapted form of seating for his remarkable frame. No one else in the galley paid Broolf-Swial any mind, aside from some surprise at seeing an admiral and three Jedi in their midst. Typically, each of those characters dined in their own quarters or dining area. Dunrar had insisted otherwise.
"I fear a war is inevitable, anyway, unless we risk success by extraordinary means," the Jedi Master replied, dabbing at his lipless mouth with a cloth, wiping away the last of his soup. "It is not feasible to abandon this sector to the cult that is now claiming dominion over it, nor do I wish to inflict another war on the beleaguered people of Ord Yutani." His deep-red eyes flicked from Thane to Bomoor. "Do you have an alternative suggestion?"
"If you don't mind me asking," Bomoor inclined his wide head around to face Dunrar, "What is the senate's position on this situation? You mentioned a Senator Mekhala; is he going to mind us potentially dismantling his negotiation efforts?"
The comment seemed to prompt a subtle burst of laughter from the admiral, which he quickly stifled in order to comment, "There is nothing to dismantle, my dear boy. In my mind, Mekhala has forfeited his say in how we proceed with this engagement. Or should I say, how we attempt to avoid an engagement. While I am apprehensive about this tactic, if Master Dunrar believes you have a chance at getting this done clean, then you have my support."
His eyes lingered on the two younger Jedi, seeming to test them with his gaze before Bomoor broke the test by continuing, "I am sure we both appreciate the confidence you place in us and I am hopeful we can achieve a peaceful resolution. But, I think we need to be perfectly clear: is the Senator to know about this assignment or is it a secret?"
Although he was friendly, the Jedi Master was known for his dour bouts, and no smile came to his lips now, even if there was a slight hint of amusement to his face. "We will keep him as informed as he keeps us, I think. It gives him some plausible deniability, too. When the next transport down to the planet leaves, you will be aboard. With some of your applied talents and winning personalities, I think it will be a simple matter for you to disappear into the capital city and determine the true extent of this holy paradise the so-called Contispex and fostered for this poor world. Returning to the ship in time will be of little consequence too, I'm sure. Without knowing the truth of the people, as perceived without the false lens of politicians, it will be impossible to determine a suitable course of action."
Dunrar reached for his drink, masterfully imbibing it without a single drop escaping his Neimoidian mouth. "If they are happy and this arrangement is consensual, we face months of political arrangements and discussions to ensure the world is treated fairly, either within or outside of the Republic. If they are being forced... we will have to consider a more direct method of dealing with them. The Pius Dea Crusades, ancient though they are, remain dark entries in the annals of the First Republic. The sudden establishment of this new faith troubles me, but it is not my place to determine the virtues of others' beliefs."
Bomoor clenched his face slightly in the kind of overly-thoughtful expression that often meant he was about to be a little too critical for his seniors' liking. It was rare for the Ithorian but the kind of unashamed self-expression that set Thane and Bomoor apart from many of their peers, "So, just to be clear, we are to bypass Senator Mekhala, integrate with the population of Ord Yutani and root out the head of a fanatical religious movement that may be seeking to take over the Republic?"
Thane grinned at Bomoor's assessment of the circumstances, and he placed a hand on his friend's hump, jostling him slightly. "Such a negative Neti," he remarked, smiling in a dastardly, amused fashion, appearing to be enjoying the prospect.
Dunrar placed his glass down and rose, a small smile mirroring Thane's as he regarded the questioning Ithorian. "And all back in time for blue milk."
TBC
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