9.26.4786 Republic Reckoning

Igashu: Igashu speaks up after the long silence. "I'm not leaving. If Knight Altair is correct, then J'ror is behaving like a selfish child. If Knight To'iir is correct, then J'ror has developed the type of attachment we were all taught was forbidden, and he has chosen her over what needs to be done here. Either way, his mistake only becomes our mistake if we follow him. We argued to have him released, and came here because we believed his assumptions were correct. If we ignore what is happening here in favor of finding him we are guilty of the same misjudgement. We... Fuck this "we" shit. I can't ignore what's happening, and I won't. Quindo, I don't disagree with you that "Curly" could be lying. However, I'm one of the good guys, I don't work like that. I forced the issue with her, made it confrontational because I'm sick of all the lies. It was a mistake, but it's not the end of the world. She got spooked and was less than truthful. Unlike some people, she had a legitimate reason to be obtuse." Igashu turns on To'iir, "and If I find out you're holding out on us again... I'd be more than happy to write the council a nice report about how your actions recklessly endangered the lives of for padawan level Jedi."

To'iir: "Holding out on you?!? I haven't...!" To'iir turns slightly purple at the insuation. "Look, I might not have been forthcoming in the beginning, but that was under J'ror's insistance that you figure things out for yourselves. I'm not privy to his every thought and whim so I don't know what he's doing right now. As far as I know him, he'd never just run away from something like this unless something terrible has happened. He wouldn't stage Vraile's disappearance b/c it would distract people from what he percieves as the real threat. I'm sure he feels that if he doens't find her soon she'll be killed or lost for years again. He spent years finding her before, he doesn't want to do that again. If you think that they've disappeared together then look for proof! You're the ones on the inside, find out what she was doing right before you got back. I admit it was strange that she wasn't here and that he didn't know where she was. But if he didn't know where she was then he had every right to be worried!

"J'ror has always believed that as a Jedi you shouldn't have a big-picture view and an unflappable sense of duty in exchange for losing all of the frowned upon "mundane compassions." If you don't have those then you're not living in the same galaxy as the rest of us, and that's why people don't like Jedi. They've given up their so-called "humanity" to do what they supposedly know is good. You're not supposed to be a bloody robot. We're still alive, so why should we remove that which makes our lives worthwhile in order to attain some theoretical perfection and detachment. We need to remember the ideas that push the Jedi towards that and respect them, but we don't need to become more unfeeling than a Sith Lord."

Igashu: "You don't get it do you!? Do I look like I'm a damn robot?" Igashu spits back. "No, you weren't forthcoming in the begininng. Neither was J'ror, neither was Altair. Now someone even bigger is playing us like fucking pawns in a game of chess. I'm not going to debate the merits and flaws of J'ror's view point vs. the traditional Jedi teachings. He fucking made it sound like the galaxy was going to descend into chaos and then ditched us. Not exacly a model of fucking responsibility. Now Altair's ready to run off, you're best effort is to visit every couple of weeks, and whatever team J'ror had here doesn't trust us. But you know what? I don't fucking need you! Take your compassion somewhere else. I don't need any of you. I got along without any of you back on Praconis, and I'll damn well do it here." Igashu pauses for a moment, takes a look around and says simply and calmly, "I have work to do," and turns to walk for the exit.

Altair: "Hold it right there Igashu." Altair manages to move in front of Igashu before he gets anywhere near the door. "I'm not running off, you are. I'm following my given duty, you're the one that is doing what hasn't been asked of you and abandoning what has been asked. If you go off on your own you're no better than J'ror. You're abandoning the Order and going Rogue. If you want to, then by all means go ahead and do it, but when we come looking for you don't expect any better treatment than J'ror will be getting. And don't expect any backup if you get into trouble."

To'iir: "Altair, you're being even less reasonable than he is." To'iir says, then turns to Igashu. "When we first met you guys, the idea was to let you get some experience finding things out for yourself. If it wasn't for the interference of Altair and the other groups that ended up involved, this wouldn't have been a big deal. I'm sorry that things turned out this way but i'm not sorry that you don't want anything that's not spoonfed to you. If you don't want to believe the galaxy isn't a place where people have things to conceal, then go ahead. There are some things people just don't want known, even when it's in their best interests to let it out. There are times when people change their minds or find something is more important to them right now than being the perfect example of responsibility. There are times when we make mistakes and need to make up for them immediately. Maybe things are moving slower than he thought. Maybe he thought you guys were up to the task so he could do this intensely personal job on his own. We don't know. But don't abanon everyone that can help you. This hasn't been the ideal graduation or education for you guys but at least you're not going to be shocked when you actually have to deal with people. At least you're learnign how to think for yourselves rather than be told what to think."

Altair: An irritated Altair glares at To'iir until she's done. "Don't sugarcoat J'ror. Just because there's something between you and him doesn't give you the ability to excuse his mistakes. Hell, you're an accomplice to them. You should be taking responsibility for both of your failures and working to correct things, not using it as some training exercise to alienate Padawans from the Order and corrupting them into your free-for-all rogue mentality."

Igashu: Igashu stops, and waits. Listening to the arguement without looking up at either Altair or To'iir. When they finish quiet his voice is barely audible over the clanking of metal on metal as his lightsaber is dropped to the floor. "You're in my way. I have work to do... "

Igashu starts to sidestep and walk around Altair slowly, before continuing in a quiet voice. "if you delay departure for another 30 minutes I'll have the official starburst word on where Vraile was assigned. J'ror would have seen that file hours before he got fired. Good luck." There's a slight tremble in his voice as he says 'good luck'.

Elbram: As Igashu's lightsaber clatters to the ground, Elbram looks up with a start. A look of puzzlement crosses his face, mixed with a tinge of shock, as Igashu walks past Altair. "Igashu, wait..." he begins, and Igashu shoots back a look that suggests any more interference of a philosophical nature would be most unwelcome. "I'm not going to try to tell you not to go... but before you do, I want you -- all of you -- to understand what's really going on here, and what's really at stake." There is an uneasy silence as Elbram walks stiffly (stiffly? he had been looking a little dazed all day, come to think of it) to the center of the room and begins to speak. "It became clear to me late yesterday that this is a focal point for us... seldom in our travels has so much rested on one decision, and never have the odds for failure seemed so high. Like every one of you, I was frustrated," he looks at Igashu carefully, "by my inability to see the right path, and the certain knowledge that to delay could itself be the worst decision of all. I was frustrated because unlike some of you," his glance takes in To'iir and Altair at once, "it seemed the only tool I had at my disposal was to sit and think. So I sat, and I thought. And late in the night, when the edge had been worn off my mind by the relentless battering of ideas and theories and intentions, something happened to me that has never happened before... I saw. "I do not know how long I sat there, but I still remember the images that flashed through my mind. I was repeating over and over again in my mind the words, 'What if we stay?' -- I had long since forgotten what those words meant -- when I saw a great fleet of starships against the blackness of space... suddenly they were attacked -- caught totally unaware -- by an ambush of immense proportions. I could not tell who it was, or even to whom the fleet belonged, before I found myself looking at the remains of a great army... thousands dead, at least, maybe more. I heard cries then, and my vision was assailed by images of hungry, poor, homeless people... millions upon millions beyond count. But as they looked toward me, I felt that they were smiling... as if there was yet some hope left in them. I took heart at that, and then I was with you, fighting some number of Sith, I couldn't discern how many; and I felt conflicted at that moment, as if a desperation beyond despair were battling with a great calm, confident force... I didn't see the outcome of that battle, though I wish I had; instead, I saw huge crowds in city after city on what may have been many planets, swarming onto landing spacecraft, desperate to get on. And then..." He pauses now, as if still trying to make sense of something. "I saw Master Valis, alone, in an empty Council chamber... he looked, if anything, disappointed... and the very last thing I saw was Valis turning to leave." A few seconds pass, as Elbram appears to collect his thoughts. "Oh, that wasn't all though... no sooner had I made the decision to leave, but I was again presented with these images... almost all the same; I saw great battles in space and on the ground, and again I saw the faces of the displaced... but this time they seemed angry and sorrowful. Their suffering was almost palpable... then again we were facing the Sith, the same as before, with the same feeling accompanying it, and then back to the cities... in flames, this time. But... at the end, I saw Valis this time not in the Council chamber, but at the head of a great sunrise made of lightsabers, an army of Jedi; and beside him I saw the rest of the Council, united in battle. "I do not know if this is the future as it is presently laid out; the fact that it shifted when I changed my mind suggests that it might be, but again, this has never happened to me before... the events themselves may merely be my mind trying to interpret whatever information the Force was trying to convey to me. In either case, though I fear it does not make our decision much easier, the gift I was given was to see what our actions here today may mean. Millions, MILLIONS of people are relying on us today, though they know it not; we may not be able to entirely prevent their suffering, or even their deaths, but I would give them hope if I can. "And as for the Council... it has taken me until this moment to come to a decision about that part of my vision. There was much I could not see, though I tried; it may well be that if we stay, our actions could bring about the end of the Jedi order. But if we go... who is to say that the Jedi I saw united in battle may not be also united in death? "And even if I knew that the Order would only persist if we go now to find J'ror, I must ask myself -- what then would it stand for, if its existence were paid for by the spilled blood and the anguished cries of millions of sentient beings? No. If I must choose whether to be of the Jedi, or to BE a Jedi, then my choice is clear. I will stay and do my best, and if my vision prove true I will see all of you on the other side regardless... but that is far from sure, so I will ask -- not tell, simply ask -- all of you to consider this in your own hearts and, if you should come to the same conclusion as I have, stay here with me. Altair, you were right to suggest that all of us have an obligation to find J'ror, I trust in my feelings and the Force, both of which tell me that we have a much higher obligation that must be upheld." At that, his words seem to fail him at last, and he lapses into a contemplative silence.

Igashu: Igashu stands and stares in disbelief as Elbram relates his vision. After what seems like of silence and thought, he responds. "I made my choice, nothing you said changes what I believe. I came to a... I made my choice while I was yelling. I'm not going to appologize, and I'm not going to argue anymore. I don't have the energy or time to continue debating. They're both correct, but for different reasons. I won't hold anyone's choice against them when we meet in the future... it's time for the rest of you to make your choice." After speaking, Igashu stares meaningfully and Elbram and holds his gaze steady for while, as if conversing without words.

Davin: Davin stands up and enters the circle of debate. "Everyone here has a valid point. We have a duty to the Jedi order to keep J'ror in close watch. But we also have a duty to all of the people of the galaxy that do not have the means to stand against the sith. The jedi order percieves no danger from the "Dormamu and her new vps" that are right under thier nose and without substantial proof we cannot change thier minds. Yes if we get Jror and come back we can still aquire the information needed to solve the problem. But do we know how long it will take to find Jror. Do we know if we even can "FIND" Jror. I might have a rate of faliure that is not up to par. But I am will not let anyone say I failed to do the right thing. And Quindo I dont want ton hear your damn theories of how I am working for the Dark side. I made a mistake once with choosing sides and someone died, not by my hands but by my inaction. This day we are forced to make a similar decision. Do we get up and leave to hunt an ALLY or do we stay and keep an otherwise unchecked Enemy under watch? While leaving is what is mandated we also are standing aside to let the sith have their way with innocents! I would like to qoute an excerpt of the Jedi code"

"The Jedi acts to preserve life. To kill is wrong. Yet it is often necessary to kill. The Jedi may kill in self defense or the defense of others. You may kill if, by doing so, life is preserved. But you must know, always, that killing is wrong. When you kill, you commit a crime against the Force. Though you may know that you do so for the greater good, and the greater good justifies your act, you must also know that the death remains as a stain upon your spirit."

"I believe if Elbrams visions are anywhere close to truth then I could not leave and feel that I am being true to the code. I may be able to say I obeyed the council. But the deaths and suffering of all that dormamu and kin cause will stain my soul." Davin scops up Igashu's dropped lightsaber and offers it to him. "And to all that stay with me let none say they are any less of a jedi for disobeying the council and doing what they feel is right."

Igashu: "Thank you Davin, but that doesn't belong to me. I'm more than capable of crafting my own once I find a crystal, and I'd prefer not to be called both a rogue and a thief. Altair can see that it get's returned to Praconis Minor Praxeum if he leaves."

Altair: Altair snags Igashu's lightsaber out of Davin's hand, "Fine. Abandon the Order that keeps us focused, that keeps us true to the Code. If you believe that you're doing the right thing, then do it. But someone has to follow J'ror. I won't allow him to disappear for another ten years. "Bro'jen, come on, if you're still with me. We have our own job to do." Without waiting for a reply he turns and enters his ship.

To'iir: To'iir glares after him for a moment then turns towards her own ship.

Igashu: Igashu looks back and forth between the parting knights. "To'iir wait a moment please. Altair... Vraile was apparently sent out on assignment a few days back. Just before we got here. The paperwork would have gone to J'ror, as he wasn't fired yet. Would you like to see that before you leave? It's probably where J'ror would have started looking. You might be able to pick up his trail if you start where he did... To'iir I'd like to take a last look through J'ror's place. Could you leave us the key, or wait?"

Quindo: "What about the Order? It's our duty to report Dormamu's officers to them as Darksiders. It'll take them time to get here, even if they acknowledge our report. As I said before, that will be the best time to watch them, to go where the audit doesn't while they're distracted. J'ror can take care of himself. Even if he's turned, which I doubt, he's less dangerous than Dormamu."

"I don't really know that J'ror wasspecifically released into our custody. I think maybe he was released on his own recognizance. It's not like we're capable of holding him if he doesn't want to be held. Keep and eye on him, maybe, but not hold him. The guardians on *planet* knew that as well as we do and thought it worth the risk. Their orders were to hold him. They let him go based NOT on information WE provided. They let him go because the Force told them to. Because they felt the same uncertainty that we do, and knew that holding J'ror would hinder whatever chances we have in this situation. They thought it important that J'ror be allowed to go and do what he needed to do, so why do we think he's not SUPPOSED to be off somewhere doing his thing?"

"I haven't had any powerful revelations. I'm not sure I trust Elbram's visions, since we're sitting in Sith central, and who knows what dreams they can put in our heads? I don't trust J'ror's motives anymore, since he ran off just when he insisted we were needed here the most."

"All I know is that there's at least 2 darksiders sitting right here on Byblos, in control of one of the most powerful corporations I've ever heard of. I know where I'm needed. If it kills me, I know where I'm needed. I'm staying, at least long enough to get the council here and figure out who's involved in this. Light help me... I'm staying."

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