The hologram flickered to life, and the somber face of Jedi Master Katarine Ryiah appeared before the Council. Her once vibrant eyes, a deep shade of green, now carried a veil of sorrow and fatigue. Her dark jumpsuit hung loosely around her shoulders, a stark contrast to the composed and confident Jedi she had once been before Order 66. She took a moment to steady herself, her breath slow and deliberate, before she began speaking, her voice laced with a deep sadness.
"Honorable Members of the Jedi Counci, many of you know that since my rejoining of this galaxy six months ago I have worked to relearn the ways of the Jedi. So much has changed since I fought in the Clone Wars. In those days the Jedi served the Republic because it was the one government that incorporated most of the galaxy, making it the logical role for us to be peacekeepers for the galaxy. The Jedi Order was once a single strong and powerful tradition but today I find that has changed. The Jedi are scattered among the galaxy, in separate groups, many not serving any Council and those that do serve their own versions, not one unified council. There are entire Jedi organizations that pledge allegiances to different forms of government and work tirelessly to power the war machine of those nations. It is strange to me, and since joining The New Jedi Order I've been trying to adjust to all the differences I see. I've tried to do my part in the war effort of The Galactic Alliance but the endless battles weigh heavily on my mind. I worry that in the centuries I was frozen the galaxy has yet to find peace. I now question my place among the galaxy and find myself wishing to reconnect with the Force, instead of the war."
She felt her voice waver and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. This was a feeling that had been building for so long. After over nine hundred years the galaxy was still fighting and Katarine had grown disillusioned with it all. She was no longer certain that this was her path to help the galaxy. Yet being a Jedi was all she had ever known. She did not now who she was without serving the Order. The issue was how did she know which one to serve now? And how.. how could she hope for peace when it hadn't been achieved in over a thousand years? Things were different now, and Katarine was finding it very difficult to fit in and find her way.
"I regret that I am unable to do this in person. I need to find my place among the scattered Jedi Orders of this galaxy, and though I know my true purpose is as an investigator I question to which group my alliance must be pledged. The New Jedi Order has done so much for me. They gave me a home after my carbonation sickness and a new purpose in this time. I wish to thank Master Valery Noble especially. Her guidance has been beneficial to showing me this new galaxy."
At the mention of Valery Kat's voice cracked and she had to take another deep breath. Her time at the home of Valery and Kahlil had made Katarine feel as if she truly had friends. She didn't know what she would have done without their help or the friendship of Connel Vanagor. Even now as she battled uncertainty and addiction she felt tears trying to form at the thought of leaving these three individuals. They truly meant so much to her.
"With a heart that feels both heavy and empty, I must inform you that I have taken the Barash Vow. The Force is a constant, a guiding presence and I feel I need to refocus on it in order to find my way in this strange new timeline I find myself in. I hope that after my journey is over I can stand before you as a Jedi companion once more. Until then, May the Force be with you."
With one last hollow and longing glance from those deep green eyes the holographic recording flickered and shut off, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.
NJO Council Members: Valery Noble Kahlil Noble Amani Serys Jonyna Si Zark San Tekka Efret Farr Elias Edo
