Private Echoes of the Old Order

[M'ra Thii]

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TAGS: Valery Noble

The distance between herself and the current reality was hard for her to understand. Some things were the same, others were... greatly different. Jedi order's existed. Not just one, but several, and they weren't hunted down and destroyed by hunters like they had been in the aftermath of the execution of Order 66. It felt, strange, to her to realize that of all the Jedi that had been alive when that order was given, she was one of the few who survived it without being put into stasis, and probably the only one that was still alive who hadn't been in stasis at the time. The long lifespan of the Neti made it so. Even some of the Neti that came after her, such as T'ra Saa, were gone now.

It made little sense to her, the way things now were, and so she'd found herself on New Cov, a place full of wildlife where she could feel at ease as she tried to understand what was happening to her and what she needed to do with her life.

A walking, talking tree was a curiosity to most of the other Jedi, and she quickly became accustomed to the attention she received, though she chose to remain in her more humanoid form. It seemed easier for her to converse with people in that way than as a ten-foot-tall tree. But most days, when she wasn't trying to study what she had missed while in her meditative isolation on Myrkr, she spent her time in the gardens. It relaxed her, and even though people were curious, most people in the gardens were there to relax and not to bother anyone. She usually found her time there peaceful.

That particular day, she felt troubled, however. She'd seen and done a lot in her time, but now she struggled with survivor's guilt. She knew she couldn't have defeated the Emperor or his chosen apprentice, but what if, instead of hiding, she had done something else? Could she have saved some of the others? She sighed as her hand touched the petals of a flower, her tall frame knelt before it.

"I should not dwell upon it, little flower, but my mind troubles me. What is the purpose of my survival?"

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

As Valery wandered through the vibrant gardens of New Cov, she felt a pull in the Force, subtle but profound. The presence she sensed was like an ancient tree, deep-rooted but weighed by the passage of time and the burdens of survival. It was powerful but conflicted, and it drew her closer with every step.

As she approached, Valery spotted M'ra — her tall, humanoid form kneeling before a delicate flower. The Neti Jedi's touch was gentle, but Valery could feel the storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface. She had met many Jedi with deep struggles, but something about M'ra's presence carried an unusual depth of sorrow, guilt, and the heavy weight of millennia-old reflection.

Valery paused a few steps away, her gaze soft as she took in the scene. The soft rustle of the wind through the leaves seemed to carry M'ra's unspoken questions, and Valery could hear the pain laced in the silence between them.

"You're not alone in feeling that way," Valery said, her voice gentle but firm. She took another step forward, her own memories of battles, losses, and moments of doubt flashing briefly in her mind. She understood the burden of survival — of living through wars, of outlasting friends, comrades, and so many who had fallen. "Many of us who've survived difficult times are left wondering why. Wondering what more we could have done."

Valery crouched beside her, her fingers lightly brushing the petals of the same flower M'ra had been admiring. Its beauty contrasted starkly with the turmoil that surrounded them, and yet, it reminded her of the strength found in growth after devastation.

"I hope I'm not intruding. I overheard and I felt you might like a listening ear?"

M'ra Thii ​

 

[M'ra Thii]

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TAGS: Valery Noble

She was surprised to find her words overheard by someone else. So lost in her reflection was she that she paid little mind to those around her, and the gardens weren't an uncommon place to find others. The person who spoke had a weight in their words of understanding, as if they, too, had felt the same as she did in that moment. It hung thick in the air about them and was hard to mistake in the Force. Old souls were old even when they had gotten that way through different means.

When she turned her eyes to the woman who spoke, after she'd crouched beside M'ra, she was shocked at what she saw. This woman was someone she knew. Not personally, but more knew of. Unless it was, perhaps, a descendant of hers? The resemblance was too strong, though. Valery Noble. But then, she'd heard that the Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order had that name, had she not? Was it possible this was her? Maybe a clone? In the galaxy they lived in, there were a myriad of possibilities as to how someone from such an ancient time could have ended up there.

"I recognize you," she said, staring at the woman beside her. "Not from this time, though. Even before my sprouting."

Far before it, in fact. Thousands of years. If Valery had been a Neti, she still wouldn't have survived to this point in time with a normal lifespan. They did not live long beyond 4000 years.

"But you disappeared in 57 ATC at Onderon."

ATC was still more familiar to M'ra than BBY was. Even though they were well into the BBY era, having just come out of the woods of Myrkr, she didn't think in those terms yet. As for how M'ra could know someone from thousands of years before her own birth, well, prior to the fall of the Order at the hands of the Emperor, they had extensive records in the Jedi Archives going back to ages long past, and part of her studies had been to review the history of the Jedi as a whole. She knew some of the terrible things that Jedi had done in the past, but she also knew the good they had done. And she knew Valery as the latter.

"Are you really Battlemaster Valery Noble?"

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery blinked in genuine surprise at M'ra's words, her expression softening into something between awe and humility. For someone to recognize her from a time so distant — before her long stasis — was rare, and it stirred a mix of memories within her. She wasn't just Valery Noble anymore; she was a Jedi who had survived the ancient battles, the one they had called the Battlemaster.

"Yes, I am," she said quietly, nodding. "Though it's been a long time since anyone called me that." Battlemaster had been her role during the days of the Old Republic before she became the New Cov Enclave's Grandmaster. Post stasis, she supposed that she was still a Battlemaster in the sense that it had been her role, but she wasn't as focused on just instructing in lightsaber combat anymore.

Her amber eyes briefly clouded with the weight of centuries, a reminder of all that had been left behind. But she quickly pushed it aside, focusing on the Neti before her. "How did you come to know about that time?" Valery's gaze softened, the connection between the ancient histories they both carried creating an unspoken bond between them.

M'ra Thii ​

 

[M'ra Thii]

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TAGS: Valery Noble

Truly she was astounded at this revelation. She'd heard of people surviving from around her time, frozen completely in carbonite as an example. But she would never have believed that a little over 900 years after she settled on Myrkr she would come across a woman more ancient than she was, someone who had seen the ancient Alliance and the Republic in its tumultuous years, far before it had settled into a peaceful time which she had been fortunate enough to sprout within.

"I studied you for a time," she said, though quickly shook her head. "No, I should say I studied much of the history of the order and I have a good memory for it. In so doing I learned of you and your exploits, along with those of many other Jedi."

Was that a good explanation? Did it satisfy her question? She didn't know. It was an odd situation to be in and it was making her feel slightly uncomfortable with the fact that she'd felt old, and here was someone who was much, much older than she was.

"I sprouted in 3968 ATC. I believe that would be 315 BBY by current galactic standards. It was the time known as the High Republic Era. A difficult time, but also one of the Republic's strongest. We faced the Nihil in the outer rim, marauders who wanted to destroy and take whatever they wished. They had some form of hyperspace technology that allowed them to go places others could not, and had control of hyperspace through means we did not understand. They were able to annihilate fleets within hyperspace that were sent to stop them.

"But I digress, I could talk about the things I saw and did for a long time and it doesn't change the fact that I know of you purely because of my studies. You see, I survived the purge that was orchestrated by Sheev Palpatine and his apprentice. When the recall beacon was altered by Master Kenobi to warn us away, I took it to heart and went to Myrkr, an ancient planet from my peoples past, and I hid there because I knew I could. I shifted into my normal form and remained in a state of near hibernation for close to a thousand years until one of the your orders padawans heard my call."

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's expression softened as M'ra shared her story, revealing just how far back her roots stretched into the galaxy's history. Listening to the mention of the High Republic Era and the Nihil, Valery's curiosity and respect for the Neti deepened. It wasn't often that she met someone with such an ancient perspective, yet M'ra spoke of it with a humility that resonated with Valery's own experiences.

"You've seen much," Valery said quietly, nodding in understanding. "The High Republic was a time I've only read about, but it must have been something to witness it firsthand. The Jedi, the Republic... to see them flourish but also face threats like the Nihil."

Her tone was thoughtful, and she allowed herself a moment to reflect on the immense breadth of their shared experiences — separated by centuries but united by the role they played in the galaxy's constant struggles.

"The way you survived the purge... it reminds me of what so many of us had to do to survive. You found a way to protect yourself, and in the process, you saved a part of your history. That's remarkable." Valery offered a small smile, one of understanding and respect.

"I'm also glad you were discovered, but I can imagine it's not easy to adjust?" Valery asked, having gone through the same process when she was recovered from stasis.

M'ra Thii ​

 

[M'ra Thii]

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TAGS: Valery Noble

"I did see much. It was a glorious time. Aside from the Nihil it was quite peaceful. I spent a lot of my time in my studies until, well, until things changed when the Separatists started a war with the Republic. After that things went very badly."

War was never good. So many people died. So many Jedi died. Many lost their lives in the real opening acts of the war on the battlefield of Geonosis. She had not been there, having been on another mission at the time. It was only after that, when the Order we delineating Jedi to be generals, that she got involved in the war. She'd rejected the appointment by Master Windu to be a general, requesting a roll as a scout and hunter instead. She disagreed with the utilization of clones to fight and she didn't believe the Jedi should have been in charge of them. Turned out, she was right.

"I survived the purge through cowardice. I ran and hid instead of meeting up with Obi-wan and Master Yoda. I regret having done so because I believe I could have saved some of those who were lost."

That was the struggle. Guilt. She knew she survived for a reason, that there was much she could still do for the galaxy. She wasn't that old by the standards of her people. If she put what she knew to good use, she could help a lot of the new Jedi that populated the order become even stronger and better capable of preventing what happened in her time from ever happening again.

But that didn't change the fact so many had died. As she understood, they'd been hunted down by Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker as she'd known him, and his charges. They'd systematically hunted down anyone with a connection to the Force and imprisoned or just straight killed them. Some had survived, avoiding getting into the limelight. Some had survived despite staying in the thick of things. She wondered if she could have, but she didn't believe that, at the time, she'd been strong enough to face Vader.

"Adjusting hasn't been easy. A lot has changed since I fled to Myrkr. Almost nothing is the same, except for the conflict between the light and dark, which will never cease to exist. It's as much a part of this galaxy as the Force itself is. But from what I understand, the numbers of Sith has grown drastically since my time. We'd always believed they were gone until, well, until the purge. How are there so many of them now? How do they survive amongst themselves? Historically they had killed each other more than facing us."

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's expression softened as M'ra spoke about her time during the Clone Wars and the regrets that weighed on her for having survived through hiding. There was a deep understanding in Valery's gaze, the shared burden of guilt they both carried for the lives lost during dark times.

"You didn't survive out of cowardice," Valery said gently, her voice steady but warm. "You survived because you're needed. Maybe you weren't there to save those who fell back then, but you're here now, and there's still so much good you can do. Who knows what would have happened if you had gone to Coruscant or chased after others? Now, you have a new chance to make a difference."

Valery stepped closer, her presence both comforting and grounding, hoping to ease the weight of the Neti's guilt. "We've all had moments of doubt or fear, but your decision to live allowed you to be here now, helping to guide and teach the next generation of Jedi. That's not something to regret."

She took a deep breath and addressed the other point that troubled M'ra: the rise of the Sith.

"The Sith are a product of the galaxy's constant struggle between the Light and Dark," Valery began, her tone more somber. "In my time, there was always conflict too. The truth is, the Dark Side never really fades; it waits for opportunities to resurface. With the galaxy in turmoil again, more have risen. They hide in shadows, manipulate, and sometimes even band together, though you're right... historically, they often destroy each other."

Valery's amber eyes focused on M'ra's, her determination clear. "The Sith we face now are cunning, and their numbers are troubling. But we're stronger together, and that's how we'll overcome them — by standing united, as the Jedi once did. It's what they fear the most."

M'ra Thii ​

 

[M'ra Thii]

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TAGS: Valery Noble

What she said was correct. M'ra knew it deep down. The Force had wanted her to survive because she could bring her knowledge of the past into the future to help those who didn't know what she did. She was a skilled healer and telepath, and she could impart those things upon the new generation of Jedi, and enlighten them to the dangers that had befallen the order back in her time. Nobody else could do that, unless there was someone else around that had lived through the purge.

"That is true," she said, glancing at Valery as she moved a little closer. "I could not face Vader or Palpatine. Master Yoda failed to stop the latter and even though I learned a lot from him, I'm afraid I was not skilled enough to do what he could. I would likely have been reduced to kindling had I returned."

That last bit was slight use of humor, though it was said with a soft sigh. Truth was, she wouldn't have survived. They would have easily defeated her. She had years of experience on both of them but wasn't nearly as powerful as they were. Only far more time would make her so, time she had been granted by surviving and spending hundreds of years in dormancy.

She still had a few thousand years, most likely, to live, which meant that she could become quite strong herself. If there was anything she could learn from the masters of the current time, and especially from Valery herself, she would seek it out. More knowledge was always a good thing. It was likely that a lot had been learned about the Force in the time she'd spent on Myrkr. Perhaps she could reach the strength level that would have been needed to face those foes, especially since it now seemed there were far stronger ones.

"Their banding together is what worries me the most. Two of them were enough to destroy the Order back then, but our numbers had dwindled as well. It would seem that your Order has become quite strong. There are numbers of Jedi here that resemble what I saw during my earliest years as a Jedi. With that many bastions of the light, I do think we could stand strong against the dark. I still have questions, though.

"The Order allies itself with the Alliance. Are Jedi placed in positions of leadership over the military forces of the Alliance? Such a role is not one we should take. Jedi should not seek power within the government via any means."

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's gaze softened as M'ra expressed her concerns, a warm smile tugging at the corners of her lips at the gentle humor. "That's right," she said gently, nodding in understanding. "You're here now, with a wealth of experience and a chance to help strengthen the Order in ways only you can. The past can't be changed, but your presence now can make all the difference." And right now, both the New Jedi Order and the Galactic could use such assistance.

When M'ra brought up the Sith's cooperation, Valery's expression grew serious. "Their unity is dangerous, but we've learned from the past, and our numbers are growing. We've rebuilt, not just in strength, but in our approach to the Force and to each other. The Jedi are more connected now than they've been in years." Especially since the collapse of the Ashlans and Silvers, which had many choose to join the NJO instead.

Since then, only one group of extremists had shown up, but it had failed and faded as quickly as it started.

As M'ra shifted to the topic of the Order's relationship with the Alliance, Valery's tone became thoughtful. "It's a concern I share as well," she admitted. "Our alliance with the Galactic Alliance is one of mutual respect and support, but we don't seek leadership over their military or government. Some Jedi do advise in times of conflict when they request our help, but we focus on maintaining our own autonomy and guiding with wisdom, not authority."

She paused and smiled, "So, if you're worried about Jedi Generals or involvement in the Senate, it won't happen. We have someone on behalf of the Council who attends Senate meetings, but we hold no vote. We work with the military, but we do not lead them."

"I will always maintain this relationship, so we can focus on defending ourselves against external threats, and minimize the risk of us having to fight ourselves."

M'ra Thii ​

 

[M'ra Thii]

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TAGS: Valery Noble

"Our numbers grow, as do theirs," she said, looking thoughtful.

It was a conundrum. Prior to the rise of the Emperor they had thought the Sith defeated. Nobody had seen one for a very long time. But then two had appeared in a very short span, and the numbers of the Jedi drastically decreased. Even a small number of Sith had proven disastrous for the Jedi she had known, and for herself. It did worry her that there were so many, but though they seemed unified, they didn't appear to have the power they once had, or the cunning.

Valery did assuage her concerns about the ties between the Order and the Alliance. It was a serious problem if they had members of the Jedi serving openly in the Alliance, at least in her opinion. It seemed that wasn't the case, and the closest they really came was assisting when requested. That was as it should be.

"That bodes well that we do not have involvement in either the Alliance government or military. I would not like to see us reiterate our past."

Speaking with the grandmaster as she was, the ancient battlemaster, made M'ra feel a lot more comfortable with her position within the galaxy. She still didn't understand everything that had occurred since she'd gone to Myrkr, but that would come with time.

"What would you like from me for the Order? Prior to my time on Myrkr I was serving in the remote fringes of Republic space, hunting information on Separatist bases. I'm skilled at healing and telekinesis as well as saber combat when it is needed. I can teach, though I think I am best suited to undertaking missions."

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery nodded, "I'll make sure that we never repeat those mistakes." It wasn't even up for debate, as far as she was concerned. For as long as the New Jedi Order was led by her, she would never allow Jedi to hold official ranks and positions. The current way of cooperation had been much better, for both the Jedi and the Alliance.

Valery then met M'ra's gaze with a steady warmth, sensing the wealth of experience and purpose within the seasoned Jedi.

"With your strengths in healing, combat, and your time on the frontlines, I can see many roles you could fill," Valery began thoughtfully, her expression one of quiet encouragement. "But how do you see yourself making the greatest impact? Whether teaching, guiding younger Jedi, or returning to the field, your insights and abilities are deeply valuable."

"Every Jedi's path is unique, and I believe we're at our strongest when each of us serves in a way that aligns with our core. So, M'ra, if you could choose where to invest your heart and skills for the Order, where do you feel your strengths will truly shine?" Valery leaned back slightly, genuinely interested in hearing M'ra's response, knowing the importance of giving her the freedom to shape her own journey forward.

M'ra Thii ​

 

[M'ra Thii]

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TAGS: Valery Noble

Good. She need not worry. That was a positive in her eyes. Having Valery in charge of the Order was clearly a blessing for all of them. She brought that ancient tradition and knowledge to them that had been sorely lacking in the last days of the Republic.

The last of what she said was a more difficult thing for her. Part of M'ra wanted to get back into teaching. If she could bring some of the newer Jedi in line with the way she and Valery thought it would be much better for the Order and for the galaxy. The other part of her longed to be back in the field again, exploring the new galaxy she was now a part of. Perhaps the best thing for her to do would be to do a bit of both. After all, it had been customary to take a single apprentice and take them with you on missions in her time.

"I think a bit of both is in order," she said, bobbing her head in a nod. "I will take a padawan and train them in the ways of the Force by undertaking field work with them. That will allow me to be where I am at my strongest, but also allow me to impart what I know upon others."

At the very least she would have influence on at least one young Jedi.

"Does that seem good to you? If so, are there any currently unassigned missions?"

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Jedi Jumpsuit | Wedding Ring
Weapons: Lightsabers

Valery's expression softened as M'ra outlined her plan, clearly approving of the balance she had chosen. There was a timeless wisdom in M'ra's approach — training a Padawan in the field, steeped in the realities of their work, would impart lessons that couldn't be taught within the walls of a temple alone.

"That sounds perfect," Valery replied, nodding warmly. "Taking a Padawan along on missions teaches them resilience, adaptability, and the importance of trust in the Force under the most unpredictable circumstances. In my opinion, it's the only way to really prepare them for what the Galaxy is really like." She offered a small smile, her pride in M'ra's approach evident.

She considered M'ra's question and tilted her head thoughtfully. "There are always missions that could use an experienced Jedi's touch. With your skills in telekinesis and healing, along with your understanding of saber combat, there are a few current situations that would benefit from those strengths."

Valery paused, retrieving a small datapad and scrolling through the latest mission requests, "Most of our current assignments revolve around information gathering on our enemies, or handling small disputes on our borders." Looking up, Valery hummed in thought before she nodded, mostly to herself, "Perhaps we can go on a mission together. It'll give us a chance to get to know each other better, and we'll make ourselves useful at the same time."

M'ra Thii ​