Private A Shadow teaching a Criminal

[Ilwynog Cysgod]

Ilwynog had agreed once again to take a Padawan/student on a mission with them. It had been a difficult choice since the Shadow had been keeping to themselves and working on the many criminals based in the SJC space that had appeared with the leadership's focus on the wars with the Bryn'adul and now the Brotherhood of the Maw. Worthy wars, Ilwynog would not deny that but ones that caused increase in refugees, vulnerable folks and plenty of people willing to take advantage with those less fortunate. Ilwynog was determined to hunt these gangs down and end their organisations before they get out of hand. So far, they had done a decent enough job but it was slow going and involved a lot of undercover work where they were constantly trying to earn a reputation as a ruthless merc. Gaining someone new while on a mission would make things infinitely more difficult.

However, they had agreed to take the student on a mission and whenever they agreed to something, Ilwynog kept it. Looking up the file, it seemed that the judge had taken a lot of pity on the student, a former criminal, part of a small time gang. It wasn't serious offense that he had been caught on so the sentence seemed to be a way in order to take him off the current course he was on. Ilwynog would be curious to see how he would react the serious criminal organisations and the affects they have on communities while on this mission. They were meeting with some slavers, they were attempting to transport refugees without money to planets out of SJC space to slave labour camps in order to work them. Refugees usually agreed for somewhere to sleep and food, which was getting increasingly rare in the refugee sectors since the gangs were attempting to blockade the support that was coming in from the SJC.

It was skilful operation that Ilwynog could admire from a certain point of view. They condoned the whole operation but it was run well. It was their current mission to take down the blockade, this should limit the slavery part and could allow Ilwynog to approach that side with an offer the gangs would not be able to refuse. They had contacted Alexander Keene with a location to meet and clearly stated that he should arrive wearing either armour or normal civilian outfit. Any robes or identifiable clothing from a faction would ruin the operation instantly and Ilwynog needed to make sure things went smoothly. Ilwynog was wearing their armour and a large tattered cloak over it. They looked not too dissimilar to Mandalorians or other very armour dedicated Bounty Hunters.

Ilwynog was curious to see how the young man would be in person. A reputation was preceeding him but Ilwynog was reserving all judgement till after.

 

[Alexander Keene]

After a month at the Jedi Temple Alex was done. He hated the place. People walked around preaching like they were better than the entire galaxy. His classes were ridiculous and he really wanted to punch the man who had tried to train him. All and all the kid had a bad attitude and low spirits. He didn't expect much from the mission he'd been assigned. At least he got to wear civilian clothes for this one. He hated the Jedi robes.

He reported to where he was supposed to be , but was dragging his feet a tad. The lat mission the kid had been assigned they had literally made him restock the mini bar and ignored him the whole time. It was almost as if his criminal past was a shining rubber stamp that he didn't fit in with the Jedi, and they were keen to let him know that. They avoided his eyes in the hallway and twice he'd been picked last for sports with the other Jedi students. The only real improvement was the food. It was nice to know where your next meal was coming from.

"Master Ilwynog?"

Ilwynog Cysgod

 

[Ilwynog Cysgod]

It was understandable to be frustrated with the Jedi Orders, plenty of Jedi could be seen with an air of superiority, a cockiness that was rude and cruel. However, it wasn't always the case, sometimes Jedi attempted to be strict and harsh in order to bring out the best in reluctant students. It didn't always work but it was a common method among the Jedi Masters who thought they needed to have a firm hand with their Padawans. Ilwynog was slightly different, they demanded hard work and pushed their students but only because they wanted to be Shadows and Ilwynog had high bar for how Jedi Shadows should be. Everyone assumed it was easy to be one, however, Ilwynog dedicated their entire life to being a Shadow and had to sacrifice a lot in order to defend the Jedi best they could.

Ilwynog watched as Alex approached, he seemed to be comfortable with the setting they were in and the clothes that he was wearing. It was a good sign since there were plenty of Jedi who had never been around the dark corners of the galaxy and stood out like a sore thumb no matter how well they disguised themselves. Ilwynog stepped from the shadows and made their presence visually and through the Force know to the Padawan. Their voice was heavily modulated, sounding more droid than human as they spoke.

"Just call me Ilwynog, no need for titles out here Alex. Did you read the debrief on the mission?" Ilwynog started leading the way through the narrow streets, they were curious to see how much Alex was willing to put in terms of effort for this mission.

Alexander Keene

 

[Alexander Keene]

“Yea I skimmed it a bit.”

Of course he’d read the whole thing three times but he wasn’t about to say that out loud. He wasn’t a nerd and he didn’t want word getting around that he was one. Nerds often got beat up and he’d rather be the beater in that situation.

“So slavers are taking refugees and offering food and shelter, and are we trying to stop that? What will happen to all those people?”

Ilwynog Cysgod

 

[Ilwynog Cysgod]

Ilwynog looked back at Alex, tilting their head. They weren't sure that he had only skimmed the information, but they weren't going to push the issue since he had to be comfortable with what he wanted to say. Wasn't like Ilwynog would start mocking or wailing on the kid for reading the information they had sent him but they also understood that Alex's views on things would be different to most. "Well, skimming isn't acceptable for missions with me in future." Not letting Alex off the hook for the answer but not saying that they knew he was lying about how much he had read either. Instead, Ilwynog kept moving forward till they reached the end of the narrow passageway which led to the refugee sector of where they were.

"Slavers are conning people with the idea of food and shelter, which is actually a concentration camp where they are forced to work to death. Only reason these refugees aren't getting food and shelter here in SJC space is because these slaves are attempting a blockade." Ilwynog explained, these were notes that they had made in the brief, but they were making it clear that the situation wasn't benefitting anyone but slavers. "These people deserve better and our objective is to take down the blockade and end the slavers' operation here. Will take work, a lot of work, especially undercover work so no one can know we are Jedi or Force Users. Do you know how to hide your presence in the Force?" Ilwynog was curious to know what Alex had learned so far in his training.

Alexander Keene

 

[Alexander Keene]

“I see.”

Alex wasn’t too sure he agreed with this assessment. Slavery had its uses and the whole galaxy turning against it was denying a valuable resource. He didn’t really have a choice though. The judge had declared he was to be a Jedi so it was either adopt their stupid beliefs or go to prison. With each passing day he started to wonder if time behind bars was really any worse than time stuck running around the galaxy sticking his neck out for refugees. At least in prison he’d be safe. Well not if anybody shanked him. So perhaps the mission wasn’t so bad.

“No I don’t. I learned how to quiet my mind. Is it sort of like that?”

Ilwynog Cysgod

 

[Ilwynog Cysgod]

It was clear on Alex's face that he didn't believe that slavery was unnecessary and cruel way of life. It was fair, not everyone believed it to be the crime that Ilwynog did, but they had seen too many families and individual people suffering from cruel owners and those who take advantage of the slavery system for their own personal gain. It was a flawed system, since someone would always be suffering in the end, no matter the good intentions someone else might try to have initially.

Reaching outside the refugee sector, it was clear there was a lot of people here and there was a lot of trauma and suffering echoing through the Force. "It is, in a manner. The Force flows from you like ripples in water, out in every direction and your ripples will be unique in comparison to mine and everyone else. However, there are ways to keep others from finding you through these ripples in the Force. So, easiest step is to live somewhere like Nar Shaddaa lower levels of Coruscant. Lots and lots of people who all have their own ripples in the Force meaning that yours becomes a needle in a haystack, if you understand that metaphor." Ilwynog was checking since many who come from city worlds didn't always understand metaphors based on farming. They did so politely with no jabs or sneers.

"The other way is to learn how to stop the ripples flowing from you temporarily. It wouldn't be forever since you need to concentrate hard on the ability but it is something you can learn to do. I don't feel it is right to teach it right now, but I can teach it to you after the mission, if it is something you want to learn." Ilwynog offered then pointed in a direction of a seriously guarded warehouse. "Tell me what you see."

Alexander Keene