Private Peacekeepers

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Zark San Tekka

​

The halls of the Jedi Temple brimmed with life in the late evening, with the setting sun pouring over the vast and endless cityscape of Coruscant. A cohort of Padawan learners passed the young Jedi Knight with their identifying braids marking them between their boastful chatter, and their own masters patiently motioning behind them in conversations of their own. "Masters," muttered Rakaan with the faint and fleeting dip of his head in passing, continuing in a quickened stride through the window-bearing stretch of the temple.

Sometimes, Rakaan Horne wondered whether the Jedi Masters could sense his troubles on him. He wondered if his dreams could be felt by them, if his visions could be seen. If his self-imposed venture to Kashyyyk could be seen, either in glimpses or in full, to peer into the fruitlessness of his journey to the Origin Tree; with the blood-black swirls, spinning. He even wondered, with a worrisome realisation, if those same masters could feel his very fret over the ordeal - over the possibility of becoming uncovered, of being discovered. It was time to put it to rest, thought Rakaan with a quick and glancing flash over his cloaked shoulder. Swept up in the complications of their own lives and duties, neither master offered a returning stare.

Bury those burdens with Exegol, with the dying cry of the Maw.

The matters stole his attention out from under him, the very purpose of his intended meeting. Between the remnants of the Sith, the Jedi Knight faced down the troubles in space once beneath the governing of the Silvers. With the slaving Trandoshans pillaging the Wookiees of Kashyyyk, of the Jabiimi insurgents that wished to carve a violent future for the planetary body, and the rise of tyrannical despots on Thustra. Though tasks well enough for a Jedi busying himself with endless endeavours, not a mission for one Jedi alone forever. Rakaan would wish for others to join him in this region of space, to quell the dangers and settle the smoke before the fires blaze out of control. The Jedi Council could be of great assistance, Rakaan knew, if only they would permit him leave to command strike forces into these territories.

A return to the role of peacekeeper, unshackled by the mandates of the Galactic Alliance; operating independently, outside of their borders.

He rounded the corner to see a human Jedi Master nearing the top of the stairs. "Master San Tekka," Rakaan called from the bottom of them though climbed after him.

​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rakaan Horne called after the Jedi Master but he did not turn or slow his ascent. Strong patrician features vanished around another corner. Horne crested the stairs only to find an empty corridor. There was a snap-hiss behind him of a laser sword activating followed by a sudden danger sense.

"Defend yourself."

Master San Tekka brought the crossguard lightsaber down towards Rakaan's head. His azure blade illuminated battle scars and a fine white tunic embroidered with gold. One of the hands gripping its hilt was a metal augmetic. Even without duraplast armor Zark moved like a warrior. Curious amber eyes assessed the young knight's reaction.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Zark San Tekka

​

The hairs on the end of his neck rose in a wave in tandem of that sudden flush of dread, the chill that ran up and across his spine with the snap-hiss and blue beam that followed the simple command. In a swift pivot, Rakaan spun around with the metal hilt of his lightsaber sent into the short space between waist and hand.

It seemed second nature. Instinctive. The vigilance.

With a face unmarred by the decades of conflict, from across the two sabers stuck upon one another, the young Jedi wore an expression of naught more than bemusement. He shoved forwards with both hands tightly wound around the hilt, though made no further move to push forwards. In the defensive stance of Form V, he stood his ground.

"Is this some sort of test, Master?" He said with as much reverence as he could muster, though some faint smirk rife with amusement danced across his lips.

​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rakaan Horne​

Master San Tekka mirrored the Jedi Knight's form. Plasma sizzled creating an incandescent shower of sparks which illuminated the corridor. Instead of leaning in, he used Rakaan's momentum to deflect the saber high and away just long enough to follow through with his crossguard hilt in a boxer's jab.

"You wish to speak with me, Knight Horne."

It was not a question. Zark raised one eyebrow but did not power down his lightsaber. It bathed a grim face lined with age in cerulean glow.

"Everything else," he said, "is just a distraction."

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Zark San Tekka

​

His own offensive was swatted aside, since thrown onto the backfoot. The young Jedi stepped backwards with his own blue blade brought close to his own chest to catch the cross guard lightsaber in another lock after a sideways shuffle.

"I did, Master San Tekka." Rakaan said, bathing in the glow of both their blades within the darkened corridor. He shoved again, following through with a lunging stab. "I wanted the council's permission to lead other Jedi into old Silver space,"

The inside of the hallway was alive with the flashing blue of two lightsabers, complimented by the sounds of them battering away at one another.

"Maybe even soldiers."

​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rakaan Horne​

"Looking to the future is wise," Zark nodded, "But be mindful of the present."

Rakaan lunged but the Jedi Master twirled aside, deflecting his lightsaber with an inverted parry. Expert footwork maneuvered into the Knight's starting position, but instead of pressing an attack Zark resumed his guard stance.

"If your heart is set on this path then I must trust the Force has put it there."

While he considered the Jedi Knight's proposal Master Zark slowly circled his opponent. Then he lunged forward, seeking to batter aside Horne's saber with a series of increasingly heavy blows.

"Again."

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Zark San Tekka

​

Both swift and strong, the young Jedi Knight met the Jedi Master with matching strikes in speed and strength. Perhaps, if not greater. The glowing cerulean hue of their lightsabers and accompanying sparks saw them trickle further down the long, dark hall; a sporadic dull light of a display their only companion in the untouched portion of the ancient Jedi Temple. The prying eyes and ears of spectators lost with their descent.

"It is not the Force I need permission from," said Rakaan grinningly, holding his defense in the face of the heavy strikes bearing down across his lightsaber. He weaved beneath a sidelong swipe, lunging backwards for all of a moment, "It's you."

The lightsaber twirled around in his grip, "And the council."

Though Rakaan wasted no time in awaiting an answer, instead lunging forwards again. With quick and flowing strikes like water, Rakaan added in the strength of a waterfall cascading over the edge. Beating across the saber of Master San Tekka, creeping in closer for a way beneath the defenses.

​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rakaan Horne​

Zark gripped the hilt of his lightsaber in both hands as he braced himself. Blows slammed against the Jedi's guard empowered by a reverse saber grip. Step by step Rakaan drove him back with a series of probing attacks. Maneuvered against an ornate wall Master Zark waited for the next downward slash before leaning aside and using the Force to twirl around his opponent's flank.

"You may not believe in destiny," he answered instead of pressing in, "But the Force transcends this crude matter. It even transcends borders on a star map."

Now the Jedi Master struck. It was a powerful two handed blow. Instead of breaking away Zark held the knight in a saber lock. Both of them strained for physical advantage. His calm gaze remained fixed on Rakaan. There was an intensity behind the eyes which shattered any illusions of indifference.

"Your objectives?"

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Zark San Tekka

​

"But we play within them all the same," a hurried voice said as the Jedi Master rushed to meet him, tensing beneath the pressure of the blue blade pressed upon one so similar with a smattering of sparks spilling from where the whining, grinding noise emanated. Rakaan held firm, locked in place with the threat of a lost limb if either were to press too far, too seriously into the other.

He liked to think himself stronger, faster. Better. Able to end this spar if only it were more than that, in need of a more forceful approach. Perhaps that inability to place a limitation, a half-measure, and still find success was an issue that need addressing. Though Rakaan was not so insightful to see it, let alone understand it.

With his feet firmly planted and his strength made to meet Master San-Tekka, his voice continued, "I hadn't thought of any just yet," admitted Rakaan with an easy smile, though it may well have shielded some form of embarrassment. "We go there, find the problem, end the problem. It's what Jedi do."

​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rakaan Horne​

"It is not the Jedi way to answer power with power. Violence is a last resort."

Master San Tekka held the younger knight at bay with remarkable vigor. Shrouded beneath a flesh and blood grip his augmetic hand was locked in place. Sparks rained off each clashing blade.

"Assemble a list of candidate worlds," Zark instructed, "I will bring this to the Council."

A few seconds later, the Jedi Master tried to take advantage of Rakaan's momentum and split focus with a sudden trip.

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Zark San Tekka

​

"Kashyyyk," said Rakaan with the swing of his beaming blue blade.

He leaned backwards, the heat of a pulsing saber narrowly avoiding the young Jedi Knight and tempting a small smile to crease across his features, "Bogden."

The clash of their lightsabers fizzled and sparked, whining while grinding. Their strength tested against one another, pressing further and further, all until it let slip. Rakaan fell for the ploy and the trip of a foot saw him roll forwards and onto his shoulder. He lay flat, staring towards Master San Tekka and the ceiling above.

"Cato Neimoidia." He said between breaths, leaving the most contentious for last. "If the council would allow it, I want to handle the problem on Skako with the Trade Federation."

​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rakaan Horne​

Zark gazed down at the fallen Jedi, expression inscrutable. Last embers of sunset bathed them both in twilight's warm glow. He deactivated his lightsaber before offering Rakaan a hand.

"Your form is impressive," Master San Tekka gave a curt nod of approval, "But there is always more to learn."

Eyes closed in silent meditation. Zark reached out to the Force for guidance. Visions of distant worlds too scattered to comprehend flashed by but when he spoke, he found the right words.

"Skako is a diplomatic crisis. Blade prowess alone will not avail you. Think you're ready for that?"

 

[Rakaan Horne]

CORUSCANT - Zark San Tekka

​

He grasped ahold of the offered arm, metal fingers hidden behind a dark glove pried himself onto his feet and sheathed the shimmering blade, with a forearm sent to wipe away the sweat upon his brow.

"I'm ready, master." He eagerly pleaded, "Allow me to prove this to you, and the council."

​

 

[Zark San Tekka]

Rakaan Horne​

"Gather your team. I will inform you of the Council's final verdict."

Master San Tekka dismissed the Jedi Knight with a wave of his hand but before he could take a few steps he was called back.

"Rakaan!" Zark tossed a necklace to him, "Take this. For luck."

It was an old crusader's pendant containing the fragment of a Sith's broken kyber crystal. San Tekka turned to gaze out as a Coruscant skyline raged against the dying of the light. Shadow slowly consumed his profile.

"I forced you to choose between your desire to defeat me and your desire to be worthy of this mission. When you learn to let go of that desire, challenge me again."