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Chapter Fifty Six

Finding the old, and nearly broken man before him, Falion Mussiri feels great shame. To know that his apparent failure has caused this man, this man of his own blood, to have aged thusly, gives him great pain. Entering the room, his head hung low, Falion approaches the old man.

“My dear Falion, why do you approach me in such anguish? You have succeeded in your missions, and you have returned with more than left with. Why do you feel such pain, old man?” Hearing those words from these ancient lips causes Falion’s heart to skip, and he plunged further into his melancholy.

“High Master Arankelee, I come to you to tell a tale of my failure… A failure for which I can never accept forgiveness.” Bowing to the man in acquiescence, Falion goes down on one knee,

The High Master gestures for Falion to take the seat to his right, and upon his face is confused and worried look. “I can foresee no deed of active malice, nor unconscious Will performed by yourself that could ever warrant such a response.”

As Falion takes his seat he simply utters a single phrase, “The boy lives.”

High Master Arankelee has lost all breath with this simple statement. All color has drained from his face and it would appear as though another ten years has been added to his features in just that moment. “He… He lives?” The High Master contemplates these words before speaking another word. “How can you be so sure, Falion?”

His head bowed low, and his voice cracking with his torment, “I can see it in his eyes, feel it in his presence and I know him to be the same boy, lost to us so many years ago.”

The old man thinks on this before answering Falion, “Not that I doubt your judgment, good old man, but you once told me he was dead, along with his father… How can you be so certain?” As Falion looks up into the eyes of the High Master, he can see the terrible wanting of hope from his words and pauses before answering.

Needing to form the words perfectly, and not leaving any room for doubt, he takes a deep and steeling breath before he continues, “He bears the mark upon his right shoulder, the same mark that was borne by his father.” Falion stops a moment, hearing the old man gasp in shock, and awaits his words.

“How can you be sure he simply not of the same bloodline?” The High Master is looking for a way to prove or disprove Falion’s claim.

“He carries with him the training of his father, and of his father’s master.” Falion adds, holding back the last remaining point until the old man is ready.

“Is there more? You have something else to tell me, do you not?” The yearning for proof in the old man’s eyes is more than Falion can bear.

The words catching in his throat, he begins again, “He carries a saber, one kept by his father, one made with the very same azurite crystals as can only be found beneath the very foundations of this place, and one that was made in these very same hallowed chambers, under your own guidance, High Master Arankelee… He is the boy… Alive… And dwelling within this place.”

The old man begins to weep openly, the pain of so many years washing away with each drop from his ancient eyes. Falion does not wish to disturb the old man, but he knows he must continue. “The boy does not know of this yet, and he is preparing to undergo the Trials with Master Dracul in the morning. Perhaps after you have seen him with your own eyes, High Master, you shall be able to understand. However, with all that you must undertake on this day, perhaps it is best if you await the morning before meeting the boy. And then you may make your decision regarding his future?” Ending with a question, and not wanting to dictate to the man his actions, Falion uses his immense talent for persuasion to guide the man without hurting his ego.

“You are right, Falion. As you always are, in these situations… I shall bear witness to the boy’s affects in the morning. In the light, I shall be given over to a clearer head for such matters.” He begins to stand, Falion matching him movement for movement, “And know this, good old man, I could never bear you any ill Will. You have always given yourself completely to you tasks, and to this family, and we must accept that perhaps the Will is wiser than us all in this matter.” The old man places a hand upon Falion’s shoulder before leaving the chamber, and Falion’s soul is once again at ease.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Desperately trying to make his way through the milling residents and visitors of Sanctuary, Jae-Lee Reklaw hopes to find a familiar face in this sea of unfamiliar people and species. His anxiety level is heightened by his unfamiliarity with this place and when he is bumped into a hooded woman in a grey cloak he is shocked to see her familiar face, “Oh, hey, I’m sorry… Crowds aren’t really my thing,….” Her name has escaped him and his embarrassment begins to flush across his face.

“Ruleel… It is good to see you have chosen to stay. You will have to forgive me, as I also cannot remember your name. Lee something, was it?” She asks him, and he knows that she is only trying to assuage his guilt.

“Jae-Lee, but everyone pretty much just calls me Jae.” Jae cautiously puts his left arm behind his back, in an attempt to center himself by touching the cylinder resting there.

Pulling her hood down to her shoulders, she continues, “I imagine that you are searching for Meesahran?” Jae nods in affirmation, “Very well, I shall take you to her conclave. I am certain that Master Bowen shall welcome you there. And if he does not, Mistress Shiiru shall, if only to spite him.” Her laugh is almost melodic, and it helps Jae to relax a little bit more. It also serves to remind Jae that his aversion to other species can be overcome.

“Thanks, that would help a lot.” Jae begins to follow her as she gracefully makes her way through the crowd into a series of alcoves off to the left.

“I understand from Meesahran that you shall undergo your first trials in the dawn… Does this mean you have chosen to follow the Will?” She looks back at him as she asks her question.

“Well, I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I would like to train with Master Mussiri.” She stiffens with his response and he begins to question if he hasn’t misspoken himself, “Did I say something wrong?”

She tries to cover her surprise, “No… It’s just that among those of the Will, they only take one Padawan at a time… And I was not aware that Meesahran was being elevated.”

Jae suddenly realizes that Master Mussiri would be giving up his training with Mees to train him, and he begins to wonder if he has not betrayed Mees once again. The thought of betraying her gives him a cold and uneasy feeling, that creeps into his very soul. “I didn’t know anything about that… This is all still so new to me.”

As he contemplates what to say next, Ruleel speaks again, “I am certain that Master Mussiri know what he is doing… It should not trouble you so.” She faces forward once more and gestures to a boy standing near a portico. Turning back to Jae once more, “This is where I shall leave you… I must return to my own conclave.” She bows slightly to him, before she turns and walks back from whence they came.

The boy gestures for Jae to follow him, and he does. They reach a heavy drape and the boy reaches out to pull it back, motioning for Jae to pass through. He does, and upon the light hitting the figures upon the balcony he finds on the other side he is heartened to once again see familiar and friendly faces.

The first person that catches his gaze is Xana, her flaxen hair flowing about her shoulders in a way Jae had never seen before, and her sea foam green dress, sparkling with tiny, iridescent pearls makes him think of the fables telling him of the Sea Nymphs of Chandrila, whose beauty would cause the fisherman to crash their ships upon the rocks as they were so hypnotized by the beauty their eyes beheld. She turns as he steps onto the balcony and beams the most delightful smile at him when her eyes meet his. As he stood on awe of her beauty, the deep, booming voice of Master Dracul shakes him from his trance. “Well! I was wondering if you were ever gonna get here, boy!” Master Dracul slaps Jae on the back to welcome him in his brutish manner. That is when Jae is able to discern the other members gathered upon the balcony: Mistress Dracul; betrothed to Master Dracul and bearing their first born child, Mistress Mehand; newly revealed aunt to Xana and a recent travel companion aboard the SkyDancer, and finally, Meesahran; his oldest and dearest friend.

Mees walks up to him and puts a friendly arm around his waist, leading out onto the balcony. “It’s okay, Jae, his bellow is much worse than his whollup.” 

Jae recovers just enough to add to her joke, “Well, considering what I am doing tomorrow, I sure hope so!” They all laugh at his joke and it eases his anxiety greatly.

As the laughter begins to die down, a large horn can be heard and a hush falls over the crowd. Meesharan, unable to restrain herself or her bad humor, says, “Well, for the moment we’ve all been waiting for…. Let the games begin!” She is given a good pinch by her aunt and pat on the back by her uncle. At least Jae can rest assured knowing that her humor does appear to be hereditary.

And they all settle in to watch the ceremony with great excitement.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The burly Commander glances at his chronometer, just before beginning the briefing of his pilots. Noting in his own mind that the ceremony at Sanctuary should be about to begin. Somewhere, deep in his inner most thoughts, he prays that this gathering of the mystics will help to restore some kind of order in the galaxy, but for the time being, it is up to men like himself to do what they can in the meantime.

Looking out at the sea of young, idealistic faces he finds in the briefing room, Silvas Orian is given some hope. If these young people can forward enough, and have the kind of steadfast loyalty that he has found among them, then perhaps the galaxy is not lost. Stepping up to the podium, Silvas can hear the pilots hush to an almost eerie silence. Clearing his voice as he waits for the datapad in the podium to finish booting up, Silvas takes the opportunity to raise up the spirits of these brave, young people. “I have come to you today with a heavy heart, but it is also a heart that takes strength in the knowledge that each of you is here to do their duty to themselves, to me and to Chandrila. You should all mark this day, for after this, you shall no longer be simply pilots, but you shall be forever remembered as heroes, the Heroes of Chandrila.” Silvas can feel their hearts swell up with pride and their beaming faces give him the strength he needs to continue. “As I am certain many of you have heard already, one of our patrols was ambushed by a Kuati Snooper vessel very recently. And I am certain that you are all aware of the refitting of your own vessels as of late. The lives of five of your fellow pilots were lost in this illegal action by the Kuati’s, but their lives have not been lost in vain. As a result of the information brought to us by that one remaining brave soul, we have gained an advantage on our foe… Now there are those of you who may not understand just why the Kuati’s are our foe, but know this fact; right now they poised to strike upon our peaceful world, just on the outskirts of the system. An entire fleet of Kuati vessels is prepared to descend upon our world at a moment’s notice.

“I do not say these things in jest, but with the grim determination that war is about to come to Chandrila. Now, when we are at our weakest, when our people are in turmoil, and when we are without a peaceful leader. I have done my utmost to maintain peace and order down on the streets of our beloved homeworld, but it is too much for one man to do this and keep the war at bay. And so, the war comes. However, we are prepared… You are all well trained, and you are all ready to meet this attack head on. I have faith in each and every one of you.”

Silvas presses a button upon the podium, and on the wall behind him, the holographic projector comes alive. And upon that screen is the tactical display of a capital ship, showing the exact location and number of the Kuati Fleet. “As you can see, there numbers are great, and their technology is astounding. However, with the help of some associates, we have been able to not only break their technology, but to surpass it. You are the first members of this team to learn of this, and you will be sequestered until called to alarm. We have the advantage of surprise, people, and I intend to keep it.” Murmurs begin to fill the room, much as Silvas had expected. Each is now wondering if there is not a traitor in their midst, for the Commander to have said such a thing. “And before you can question each other’s motive, I do not believe it to be a member of this team, but of some insidious device, somehow placed aboard one, if not many of our vessels.” This has given them back their self-confidence, and their ability to rely upon one another, just as Silvas predicted it would. “Now, each of you are being given a heads up display of your vessel’s new capabilities and functions. Take the time to memorize it now, for the information will vanish from your datapads the moment you exit this briefing room.” Each pilot examines closely the information they are being given. As Silvas gazes across the room, he finds that one of the young officers has raised in hand, in the hopes of asking a question of the Commander. “Yes, you there, Green Squadron…”

The young officer, striking in his pilot’s uniform and his close cropped dark blond hair, Silvas instantly recognizes him as he stands up, “Sir, if these specs are correct, then our attitude adjusters must have been altered as well?”

Silvas stops a moment and looks back on the engineering officer standing off to the wings, and upon seeing her nod, he turns back to the young man, “Yes, they have, and you should find those specification changes in the table as well.”

Thinking the man is finished, he is surprised to find him with his hand in the air once more, “Yes, what is it?”

“Begging your pardon, Commander, but won’t that affect spin ratios and climbing speeds?” The Commander, finally at the end of his technical knowledge, calls upon Niija to come forward and answer the question herself.

Hesitant to come forward, she is shoved by her junior technician and she cautiously approaches the podium, “I will turn over any technical questions you might have to Engineering Captain Manyarrn…” Turning to her, “Captain?”

Niija slowly and timidly takes the podium. Her voice cracking at first, but the Commander hands her a glass of water, and she is able to continue, “The spin ratios are greatly improved by these adjustments, giving the pilot a ten to one average roll in a standard spin maneuver.”

The young pilot is not deterred by her answer, “And the climbing speeds, Ma’am?”

Now she is beginning to get angry with this pilot for questioning her work, “The climbing speeds will have a ten to twenty percent increased efficiency, depending upon the maneuver performed. However, all of that information can be found in the table provided.”

The young pilot begins to skim through the table showing up on his datapad, “But, Captain, what about the elliptical dampers… Won’t they be torn off when performing such maneuvers?”

Truly angry now, she works to maintain her poise when answering the questions, “No, because each one has been fitted with a port to port transducer which will enable the dampers to function at a thirty-five percent increased efficiency rating. The trouble with these alterations on the Riptides and Waverunners is not the equipment itself, but the fact that these modifications were originally designed for the sleeker Kuati based vessels. Applying the same theories to Corellian engineered vessels took a little bit more ingenuity, but it resulted in an overall improvement of fifty-six percent in performance. Just be grateful that the Kuati engineer never got their hands on the schematics for the Chandrillan series of vessels, or we’d all be talking about this in the past tense in a Kuati Drive Yards Corp owned tapcaf.” Unable at the end to contain her anger, she can see the shock and embarrassment on the face of the young pilot. As he takes his seat, she tries to regain her composure, “Are there any more questions, not answered in the information provided to you datapads?” When the room falls silent and every head is lowered to the floor, Niija steps back to her place in the wings.

The Commander, a sly grin on his face at the temerity of this young woman, returns to the podium once more. “Very well, you will be given sufficient time to review the table before you, and then you will each put in at eight hours in the sim pods with these new specs programmed in. Good luck, and safe journey to you all.”

As the Commander walks away from the podium, he can hear the rumblings of the pilots, and back in the corner where Green Squadron sits, he can hear the good natured ribbing going for young Yorel Tryashoenu. Stepping down from the dais and coming up beside Niija, he finds it necessary to compliment the diminutive young woman. “Well, done, Captain.” He emphasizes the word captain as he speaks. “Are you certain you wouldn’t like to stay on with us after this is all said and done?” She blushes at his comment, “You do appear to be a natural for command.”

“Thank you, Commander, but I’m sure I could handle it full time after this…” There is a slight twinkle in her eye before she speaks again, “After all, there wouldn’t be much challenge in it after this job.”

The Commander, his own twinkle going, “Ah, but I am certain that we could find new challenges for you, my dear. Enough maybe to put those Corellians to shame, I think.” The Commander tips his hat and exits the chamber.

Niija, stopped by a few of her technicians wishing to congratulate her on her performance is surprised when the young pilot who voiced all those questions is standing directly to her left side. “If I might have a moment of your time, Captain?”

His rugged good looks and the strange redness to the sides of his hair strike Niija, if only for moment. His sheer size, as he is towering over her tiny frame catches her attention most, “What is it, Lieutenant?” Niija tries not to appear intimidated by the hulking you officer.

“First I should like to apologize for my apparent distrust of your work. It was done is very poor taste, and I am deeply sorry for having offended you, Captain.” The striking young man bows his head, still being nearly a body length taller than she is, Niija is still offset by his size.

“Then I should apologize for brow beating you back there. My work is just very important to me, Lieutenant.”

The young officer nods his head, and continues, “Yes, I imagine it is, Captain… My concerns come not from doubt in your work, but in doubt of being made a lab experiment for some advancement engineer.” He stops a moment to see if she is about to have him arrested, and when he is certain that she is listening to him, he goes on, “I have seen the affects of such experimenting at the Corellian Academy, and I did not wish to have the same fate befall my fellow Chandrillan pilots.”

Now she can understand the basis for his questions, “Did you have any other concerns regarding the modifications to your craft?”

He thinks for moment, not wanting offend her further, but then continues, “I am a little apprehensive about the dampers. I understand you have modified them and added additional components to make the current design functional, but are you not certain that they should have been replaced entirely?”

She is shocked to find his knowledge of the craft he is flying to be so vast, as most pilots simply get in them and tear them up trying to make them do exactly what they wish. This man appears to have taken a real interest in his craft, and Niija finds that refreshing. Not since Jae-Lee Reklaw has she seem someone so interested in what the craft is capable of and how to improve it at the same time. “Actually, that will be in the next phase of refitting. The modified dampers will not hold up over time, with a maximum of one hundred hours flying time, they will be replaced as the time elapses. Which will give us time to place these new dampers into production and to perform the proper testing phases to insure their efficiency.”

The young pilot lights up with her answer, and his apprehension seems to have subsided greatly. “Thank you for the information, Captain. And if I may, I would like to volunteer for any test flights you might need, should I be available.”

Thank you, Lieutenant, I’ll keep that in mind…” She turns to the tech who has just handed her a datapad, and then turns back to the lieutenant, “I am sorry, but I need to get back to work, Lieutenant…”

“Tryashoenu, Ma’am. Lieutenant Yorel Tryashoenu.” Taking her hand in his as he bows to her, unable to stop his Commenorian upbringing fro coming through.

She takes her hand back and then thinks on his name, “Tryashoenu?”

Standing at full attention, in an effort to make up for his lapse of military protocol, “Yes, Captain.”

“Do you have a sister, Lieutenant?”

 “Ma’am?” A puzzled look crosses his stern features.

“A sister, Lieutenant, it’s not a difficult question. Do you have a sister?” She asks once more.

“Yes, Captain, a twin sister, Ma’am.”

Niija chuckles a bit to herself, thinking of just how small the galaxy really is, “She is a fine young woman, Lieutenant. I recently had the occasion to meet her. Fine person.” She is interrupted once more by the tech, “Sorry, but I really must go. Thank you for your offer Lieutenant Tryashoenu, it will be considered.” And with that Niija departs the briefing room, leaving the young officer to ponder this recent revelation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seated around the dais are eleven persons, all of some renown to those gathered here for the ceremony. At the center, Jae could swear that the man seated there, with his long braid and mustachio, was actually Master Mussiri. But seeing as he is the only other person that is known to him in this place, he imagines that it is just his mind playing tricks on him. He looks around at the others standing on the balcony with him, and they do not seem changed or startled by that person’s presence, and so he simply chalks it up to his nerves.

As soon as the horns are finished playing, the figure of a woman stands from the center and proceeds to the podium. As she steps into the light, Jae realizes that it is indeed the woman who was revealed to be Xana’s grandmother, Elassi Mehand. Jae decides that he obviously did not realize her importance in this place. When she beings to speak, Jae concentrates on her words.

“Good people, I come to you today, reborn: reborn in the training of my youth, and reborn in the vocation of my lifetime. I have spent my life, not as a politician, though that role has become part of my vocation, but as a negotiator of peace. Today I embark upon a renewal of that chosen vocation, for today I believe negotiation and peace are our two greatest allies in making ourselves a part of this galaxy.

For many years, many more than my presence has been upon this galaxy, the mystics have always kept themselves isolated. Whether they be Followers of the Force, on the Path of the White Current, or Those of the Will, or the hundreds of tiny sects spread out across the galaxy, they have all struggled to isolate themselves from the rest of the galaxy, not unlike the way those who fear us would like to have done themselves. Much of this has been done out of fear, and some out of ignorance. These times must come to an end.

Look around you here… There are thousands of us in this place, this Sanctuary. A place we have all built together, in an effort to have one place where we can be free to grow and learn together, where we could feel safe from those who meant to harm us. In Sanctuary we have found a home, and it has been a home for all of us, no matter which path our beliefs may have taken us.

However, the galaxy is changing so quickly, and the combining of cultures across this galaxy is as commonplace as air-breathers now. Everywhere, that is, but Sanctuary. Here, we have kept to our own conclaves, frowned upon the unions of those of differing beliefs, and overall segregating ourselves from the true foundations of each of our faiths. The single energy that binds us all together, is the only thing that should drive us, not these forced systems of beliefs, which are driving us apart. Now, when chaos seems to be the order of the day, we should be coming together to help sort out the disorder. We have great abilities at our disposal, yet we cower in this grand place like scared little derbits, frightened of the light that those gifts have bestowed upon us. Instead we should stand tall and proud, bestowing our gifts upon the galaxy, showing them that we are not herded off like so many grazers. We should act like falumpasets, calling out to one another across the expansive plains. We are many, and we are strong, and we are gifted. To hide those gifts within these walls and forget about the galaxy around us is wrong, and it should continue no more.

If we do not unite under one banner, one energy, we might as well spurn these gifts we have been granted and turn away from the things they are calling for us to do. I stand before you today, answering the call that was sent to me. I have come here before you to ask that you all join together, fight to bring peace and order, and wherever there is darkness, to shed your light upon it. But not as individuals, as a whole, as a single entity, fighting for this common goal as one.”

The excitement in this grand chamber is palpable, and it is overwhelming for Jae, who has not yet learned to turn down that kind of emotional outpouring. His breath is catching in his throat as he sees Elassi Mehand turn back to those still seated:

“I ask each of you, to look within your hearts, and reach out to those of your orders to hear what those voices are saying. They are hungry for this union… They are desperate for your leadership during this time of disorder… They are in need of a purpose to their lives. It is in your hands now, as the elders of the three main sects, it is up to you to make the final move towards uniting all of these people. It is up to you to make their lives have meaning once again. It is up to you.”

She turns back to the sea of faces witnessing this powerful oration to once again address them, “I can think of only one person who might be able to share his voice, and show light into the darkness of this place. And I ask of you to allow, Master Falion Mussiri to address this gathering.” With her final words, the murmurs that have been scattering across the crowd from the mere mention of the man’s name come to an abrupt end, and are replaced with a tremendous applause. The thunderous clapping, along with the intense emotion in the room, is almost too much for Jae, and he must struggle to maintain his balance. Meesahran, noticing his difficulty, takes his elbow into her hand to steady him. He looks over to her, but her face is transfixed in her Master. However, the slight grin on her face reassures Jae that everything will be fine. He turns back to the podium, as the applause dies down, to hear what Master Mussiri has to say.

Quietly, and patiently allowing the crowd to finish, the humble and modest Master waits for the moment when he should begin speaking. As the silence begins to fill the room with an almost eerie quality, he clears his throat and begins:

“For a great many years I have walked these hallowed halls. And for a great many years I have wondered if we did the right thing all those years ago. I wonder if we should have integrated the faiths from the beginning. However, I believe now, that to have done so would have been of a great disservice to the history that has been borne of that decision. A history that can show the galaxy that one need not eradicate another in order to survive. That different people, with different faiths and of different species may live, and learn, and grow together.

But a final lesson needs to be taught to the outside world, and that lesson is one of unity. We must not continue to hide behind these walls we have created. Created not just to protect us from the outside worlds, but also from each other within these walls. I have seen the pain this behavior has spawned, and it has caused me more personal pain than I believe one being should be forced to endure. I also know that many of you have endured this pain of separation as well. As I look out into your faces, I can see that pain come alive as I mention its foundation: its foundation in our separateness.

We must join together, and erase those pains. We must join together, if only for that, but also to show the galaxy that to be different is not to be separated. By joining together, we show everyone that it can be done, and we show ourselves to be true to our own core beliefs.

Each us in this place today, and the many spread across the galaxy, believes in the same core principles of life. We all find the source of our gifts from the same energy, no matter the title we give to it. We all believe in the sanctity of life, and value of peace and justice. How can people who have so much in common, still remain separate from one another? I ask this of you today, how can this be? After decades of working amongst one another, working together, living together, and growing together can we still be so isolated from one another? Please look into your hearts, and see if you can find the answer to those questions. I have looked into my heart, and I must admit that I am without an answer.

I have been a part of this movement since before many of you were even born, and I cannot answer those questions. I am at a loss for an explanation. And so I ask each of you, not just the elders of your particular faith, but each of you, to make a decision here and now. Are you to remain in this place, and continue to isolate yourself from your brethren? Or are you to remain in the place and embrace them as your own? Can this place truly be a Sanctuary if we cannot be free to embrace each other as one?”

There is no applause as the old man returns to his seat. Jae looks around to see everyone staring at one another, and then, slowly, they begin to speak with one another. And as Jae watches this unfold, he begins to hear clapping. Starting from the very back of the grand chamber, but it quickly picks up steam, spreading to every corner, and soon every alcove and balcony begins to join in. There is only a small group off to the side, which remains silent. This causes Jae to question why they do not feel the same things as the rest of those assembled here today, but he is so enraptured with the emotions pouring from every other person in the great room, that he is soon distracted from their silent presence.

As he looks back to the dais, he can see that three distinct groups have broken off on the dais. Each talking with great passion to the others in their group. This is when Jae realizes that Master Rivendi is among the one group. However, before Jae can ask one of the people on the balcony what he is doing there, he hears someone on the dais calling for quiet. It takes a few moments before the clapping and the cheering and the chatting ends in the crowd below, but it does come back down to the lonely silence.

When the room is once again silent, Jae can see that the nine other people seated around the dais have all come to stand beside the podium, as Elassi Mehand struggles to maintain the calm in the room.

“Standing beside me at this podium, are the elders of the three main faiths in our Sanctuary. They stand here today, in a show of unity that has heretofore never been witnessed in this galaxy, nor, I dare say, any other. In the morning, there will be a formal announcement as to the union of all the banners held here at Sanctuary under one banner. And as the Whills, the oldest group known to hold to all of our core beliefs, have used this term longer than any of our other sects have even been in existence, we shall henceforth come to know this place as the Temple of the Order of the Jedi.”

Jae is struck dumb by the words coming from Mehand’s mouth, for he has heard this term before, and the mere mention of it again has paralyzed Jae with shock. He can hear the others around him begin to talk amongst themselves, but he is unable to speak. The only thing Jae can hear or see at this moment is his father:

"Remember son, the ancient Jedi believed that when you were at peace, when you were focused, you could become one with the Force. That it would flow through you like a great current, and guide you to the right decisions. You must never forget this, son. It was the one lesson I shall never forget from my own Master.” The man holds his son’s hand around the hilt of the blade as he guides him through the motions of the exercise. “Feel how it flows from me, into you?”

“Yes, Poppa, but why can’t I get it flow from me?” The young boy with the piercing blue eyes asks of his father.

“Because you have not found your focus, boy.” The bearded man shuts down the saber and turns his son around to look him straight in the eye. Bearing his right shoulder to the boy, pointing to the tattoo, he says, “Just like the point of this arrowhead is focused, so must you be. And when you have gotten that focus you will be alive in the Force that surrounds you, just as this circle surrounds the arrowhead. Do you understand, son?”

Jae finds himself nodding at his father’s explanation, even after all these years, and he realizes that his father must have been a part of these people at some time. His left hand touching the tattoo on his right shoulder, the very same tattoo worn by his father, Jae is almost lost to the conscious world until Xana places her slender arms around his waist, pulling her to him and breaking him from his daydream. “What are you thinking about that has you so far away from me?”

He releases his shoulder and lays an arm on Xana before responding, taking in a deep breath and then answering, “Just thinking about the past… But it looks like the future is going to be a much better place to be.” He leans down and places a tender kiss upon her forehead before they follow the others off of the balcony.

As they break for the evening, Jae walks Xana back to her chambers, kisses her goodnight, and begins the long walk back to his shared chambers. All along the corridors, Jae can hear his father’s words once more, and he wonders if he hasn’t finally found his home.

Creator:  PtrsonsZOO (Jennifer)

*SPECIAL NOTE: Due to circumstances beyond our control, the rest of the story will be written by PtrsonsZOO (Jennifer)

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