Faction Stand With Me, Stand Against Me, or Stand Aside | NJO & SJC Assembly

[Mishel Kryze]

Mishel had gotten that hug, which wasn't so much of a hug as it was an enormous bear hug. When the Force Master was done talking to the assembly she went back to stand beside Romi and to address her other ol' master properly. "Eh, Jedi abandoning their padawans seems to be like a rolling theme around these parts, well, most Jedi places anyway." There was a shrug from the woman as well, "besides I already grilled Coren over it, twice." No point in grilling Romi over it besides, "besides if I just keep that kind of anger around it'll only make me really pissed, and you know I've done that whole dark side song and dance, it just sucks."​

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"Oh! Right. Dying, and then coming back, yeah that's a story that I'll just share with you after this. Man, is Cotan here? Was he the one you kept staring at during the Coalition days?" Mishel inquired with some sincerity and cheekiness to boot. "Your figure? Seriously? Romi. You killed more calories than one measly nuna sandwich in thirty minutes with Coren." The younger of the two paused a moment to think on that and then added without a second thought to it, "y'know when you two was bangin'."​

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"You found your answer? Good. I'm glad someone found an answer out of all this mess because the only thing I found was a sandwich and some dusty old ORC Talons that aren't worth kriff these days." Mishel pulled out the two talons to show and then put them back into her pocket. "Yes, training, we should do that." Mishel caught sight of Romi's kitten grin, "ah kriff, okay, I see you. Yeah c'mon we train, maybe I can help you burn those calories from the nuna sandwich, which by the way you should really have."​

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Romi Jade | Cotan Sar'andor (Dad Bod)​

 

[Ammon Rane]

When Laertia so nonchalantly had talked of striking down fellow Jedi for standing in her way, Rane had swiftly stood up from his chair. Behind the mask and goggles, amidst the many wrinkles, it might have been hard to read the Kel Dor’s face, yet it was not hard to discern that he was not pleased. Thurion called for their attention, and took the word. Rane gave the man a slow nod, and sunk back into his seat. It was good, for it allowed him a chance to gather his own thoughts before he blurted them out.

In time, Rane felt he had listened enough. There were so many voices, so many topics broached that he could not possibly hope to answer them all. It all boiled down to his main message, and he could only hope to articulate it as clearly as he could.

“Please, friends.” He held up a hand as he stood for the second time this meeting. “Let us keep in mind all that we share in common, before we speak against each other with harsh words. Respond not to the words themselves, but what lies behind them.” He had sought to make eye contact with Caltin Vanagor , although it seemed the man was intent on leaving their chambers.

Rane continued, addressing mainly the collection of NJO members. “I for one am happy that you came. What some see as strife and deepening a divide, I don’t. This is not about creating discord. At the root of all of this lies a desire to understand each other, to bridge the gaps between us. Tension has been building in recent times, and I thank the New Jedi Order for choosing to seek us out. Who knows how dark our thoughts may have grown if we only kept them to ourselves, and assumed the worst of one another.” No one had interrupted him yet, so he took that as a sign that he might carry on.

“You want answers, to find the path to walk together. This tells me there is hope, and that we can have a bright future together if we are willing to work for it.” the slightly mechanised voice continued, his words filtered through his breath mask.

“Our orders are different, but built on the same ideals. We are all keepers of peace. There is no question that it is a great tragedy that there were members of our order on opposing sides of a battlefield. I am not ashamed to admit I shed tears and tasted fear for our young when I learned of this. You have helped put me at ease, and I thank you” While it was true that for many the frustrations had only grown, and in their cases, they might not be able to relate so easily to Rane’s optimistic view.

“Perhaps, in thinking we are all Jedi, we assumed the other order would act in the same way. There was a lack of communication. There is more to it than just that, I am sure, however, let us speak to one another more. Let us communicate. Not read what the other is doing in the news, but hear it from each other. There should be a direct line of communication between our two orders, and we should not hesitate to use it. Somewhere something has gone wrong. Let us both search ourselves and investigate. If our views of the Galaxy differ, we can only strengthen each other by offering another perspective. In the end we can only hope to obtain a more measured outlook on the state of the Galaxy.”

Rane knew he had a tendency to drag on. Too many meetings with ambassadors, envoys and the like. While he held sympathy for those who might wish for nothing more than for him to shut his trap, he had yet more to say. There were many speakers who took to the floor, and he thought it best to get it all out at once before the discussion raced away from him again. “The only ones served by us fighting amongst ourselves are the Bryn'adul.”

Judging by the way he spoke, introduced them, and the way the other NJO looked at him, Ryv seemed to be considered a leader among them. He stepped away from his seat, and walked towards the young Knight. "Our methods are different. Perhaps it comes with age, perhaps we have simply been influenced by different people. All the same, looking into your eyes now, I see the spirit of a Jedi.”

Rane turned, seeking to meet the gaze of Auteme . He tried to exaggerate the expression of a smile, trying to compensate for how hard it was to convey through his mask. There were many here of strong characters, but not enough time to address them all. This was the first time he had seen Auteme, and though she might not know it herself, in her Rane saw all the characteristics of a leader as well. He felt happy for the NJO, that they might be graced with Jedi such as her.

They could call themselves New, they could call themselves Silver. At the end of the day they strove to be Jedi in their own way. To him it couldn’t be more natural that they be friends who came to the aid of the other.

They had to hear each other out, and decide to what extent they could accept what had happened in the past, and strive to be better in the future. Yet… It was not all forgive and forget optimism, even for Rane. Certain words still stabbed at him like a dagger in the dark. They were professionals who knew the risks. They made their choice and now they are dead. " Laertia Io ... As for you, I wish to understand your actions, but I must tell you, that the way you speak troubles me deeply. We can never let ourselves disregard life easily and we should always let compassion guide our actions" It was not Rane's place to pass judgement alone, so he stopped himself there. The Assembly would no doubt conduct a thorough investigation.

Thurion Heavenshield | Sakadi Marathi Sinvala | Or'Fol Moric
Ryv | Takui | Cotan Sar'andor | Zaavik Perl | Ripley Kühn | Okkeus Dainlei | Creuat | Aelys | Dair Cotarin <inactive> | Auteme | Ra'syn | Mesh Zetnu | Dagon Kaze | Ehri | Desbre Gensan | Caltin Vanagor | Starlin Rand | Mathieu Brion | Margaret the Grey (sorry if I forgot someone)
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[Thurion Heavenshield]

His eyes remained closed following his surrender to his fellow Jedi, fully prepared to receive his sentence for his actions on Dantooine. Though he loved the Jedi Order with all his being, he loved his homeworld more. Should exile be his fate, he could do much worse than to spend his remaining days among his people, no longer having to worry about the state of the overall galaxy. He'd given his youth to serving the greater good; he was ready to give up his former life and fully embrace his role as High King.

But the sentence never came.

Instead, in the wake his own willing surrender, another soon followed in the form of Starlin Rand . The young man assumed a similar position beside him, relinquishing his lightsaber in the same way he had. He turned to the Padawan, no more than 20 years old, and reached out to place a hand upon his shoulder.

"No. You can't-"

He was too young to forsake his entire future as a Jedi. If need be he would plead for the sake of the young man, and accept a more severe sentence himself.

Another came to join them, kneeling alongside the pair. One not of Silver, but of their sister order. Auteme was her name, young and bright like the padawan sitting next to the aging Master. Her words were enlightened, and above all kind. Thurion met the girl's smile with one of his own, even going so far as to gingerly reach for her hand. She reminded him of his daughter.

More arguing followed, some damning and others praising his actions, while he silently thanked Auteme for her kindness.

It was not until Dair Cotarin <inactive> spoke up that he turned from her to instead look upon the Jedi Master speaking words of wisdom before grasping his lightsaber with the Force and causing it to levitate off the floor. For the moment Thurion was hesitant to pick it back up so soon after having offered it to the Assembly in earnest. No one man spoke with the authority of the entire Assembly.

But when the arguments and debates seemed to go on endlessly, each side equally passionate about their views, he was reminded of something. Something most precious to him, that perhaps would strike a chord with all Jedi. He reached into the folds of his robes to feel the worn fabric rest against his heart.

This tattered piece of cloth gave him the courage to address the chamber one more.

"If I may speak," he began, waiting for the current arguments to die down. "I should like to address the Assembly and our guests one last time."

Slowly the veteran Jedi rose, turning in place so that he could see the faces of all those gathered, be they Silver or no. For the time being he left his lightsaber levitating in place.

"Many of you within these halls will not remember the fall of the Republic, because you are either too young or you were simply not there to witness it. I was raised within the Jedi Order, decades ago; of course, back then there was but one Jedi Order. Before the great schism which has since divided us. The Order from which we all hail brought their doom upon themselves when they chose to intermingle politics and the selfless duties of the Jedi. Many were outraged by this decision, and thus began a great exodus of notable members of the Order, my old master being one of them. She was my guiding star, and so I made the choice to leave with her. The Republic fell soon thereafter."

"The Jedi have always been flawed, history teaches us this. We are no gods among men. We're just people, capable of making mistakes just as any other poor soul in this unforgiving galaxy. But we've always strived to be better, to do better. To better ourselves, so that we may in turn better our fellow man. This, I believe, should always be the primary mission in the life of any Jedi. To be kind, compassionate, generous, and always exude hope to those who have none."

Looking down at the piece of cloth in his hands, he began to unveil it.

"This is a banner belonging to the Jedi Order of old," he held it aloft for all to see. "I took this from the ancient enclave on Dantooine as the first shots were fired that day. I would not leave it to rot under the careless watch of the Sith. It belongs with us. All of us, regardless of which Order we swear loyalty to. Where the Jedi Order failed, we must prevail. But none of us may do so alone. Only united may we stand strong against the dark tide, weathering the blows so that others won't have to."

Thurion walked up to Ryv and his comrades, presenting the tattered old banner depicting the sigil of the Jedi Order.

"You, the New Jedi Order, are the Sword with which to seek out and strike down evil and injustice wherever it rears its ugly head. And we, the Silver Jedi Order, are the Shield with which to protect and safeguard those who cannot defend themselves from said evil and injustice. Together we make one complete force for good, in the spirit of those who came before us."

He offered the banner to the Sword of the Jedi, with the heartfelt hope that it would finally put an end to the strife between members of the same family.

"What say you, my brother? Shall we stop this bickering, once and for all, and instead look to the future?"

Dagon Kaze | Pluperfect | Laertia Io | Cotan Sar'andor | Sakadi Marathi Sinvala | Or'Fol Moric | Mathieu Brion | Ammon Rane | Margaret the Grey | Caltin Vanagor | Zaavik Perl | Maynard Treicolt | Okkeus Dainlei | Celendis Astraia | Kaleleon | Aelys | Jend-Ro Quill | Creuat | Takui | Wyatt Morga | Desbre Gensan | Ehri

(Apologies if I left anyone out!)​

 

[Ryv]

"Opposed the New Imperials of their own volition, huh?" Ryv thought to himself while he stepped from TC-41's path. He looked to Aelys and stifled a laugh. His apprentice looked about how the Jedi Knight felt, that is to say, unenthused by Master Sinvala's sentiment.

From Ryv's brief stay in Sith space, he experienced some of what the Sith Empire had to offer. It wasn't the worst place on the surface level. People worked, kids played, not much in the way of crime. It was everything he hoped Coruscant could be. Only the citizens put him off. Most people wanted nothing to do with him or anyone else around. Thinking back, he could see it in the way they looked at him. The momentary lapse of restraint when they saw him wander past, chin held high, defiance emblazoned in his persona. Apathy dominated the Sith Empire's people. It hung over them like a black cloud, blotting out the light of hope for decades. They were numb to reality, kept in the dark by the people lording over them.

Master Moric's words were more of the same. Protect the galaxy no matter the cost, even if it means standing beside someone else who threatened the galaxy time and time again. Evil became a numbers game. Quantifiable by the death count and planets captured. Ryv couldn't bring himself to argue about it any longer. While noble, it was nothing more than idealism given legitimacy by someone with the weight to make it so.

Takui and Dagon's departure dragged Ryv from his silent contemplation. He found himself taking the first step after them before he knew it. Part of him wanted to chase the pair down and coax them back, to hear out the Assembly and continue the discussion. Instead, the kiffar turned back to the assembled masters, arms crossed. If Takui and Dagon didn't want to be there, he wasn't going to force them to stick around. They said their part and heard the rebuttal. That's more than can be said for some out in the galaxy.

Ryv nodded at Mathieu's agreement. Score one for team Ryv!

Caltin's disapproval was enough to see the Jedi Master take leave of the conversation. Ryv couldn't blame him either. Things worked differently in the present. Past tradition couldn't hope to see the recently awakened Jedi Master through the galaxy unscathed. Something would break, be it Caltin or his beliefs. Ryv could only hope when that time came, the Jedi Master became better for it.

The Kiffar's silence continued as Master Rane set to work. He had a lot to say and had little trouble getting it out, something Ryv could certainly respect.

"I agree, Master," Ryv said. "I wager we could come up with a hundred reasons on where things went wrong, but it ain't worth it. I liked a lot of what you had to say, and I'm not ashamed to admit that."

Thurion's voice came last. Ryv turned his attention Heavenshield's way, head tilted to the side as he listened. History never escaped these conversations. Examples of what the Jedi were, their mistakes, their successes, or a hundred other topics could come up at any one meeting. No one wanted to repeat history, be it another genocide or the fall of power like the Republic. It was common practice to look back on what's passed and learn from others' mistakes to avoid walking a similar path. Yet, it felt like the truth slipped further away with each telling. No one could discern fact from fiction within these tales. It muddied up the lessons to be learned and impacted those who studied in the present.

"Hmm," Ryv lifted his gaze to follow Thurion's movement. The sight of a familiar banner enough to stir some unwanted emotion within the Jedi Knight. He rubbed his face and stepped forward. His outstretched hand took hold of the banner. Carefully, he worked his fingers around the tattered cloth and eyed the symbol. "My father served within the Jedi Order, Master Heavenshield. He died beside the Republic."

Ryv met the Jedi Master's gaze while gingerly folding the banner. He held it in his left hand and reached out with his free hand towards Thurion.

"Together," Ryv agreed.

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Spoiler: Tags

Thurion Heavenshield | Sakadi Marathi Sinvala | Or'Fol Moric | Pluperfect | Auteme

Sorry, the holidays and other personal matters kept me away from the board. I'm not tagging everyone cause I'm lazy.

 

[Auteme]

Ryv Thurion Heavenshield Ammon Rane Starlin Rand Mathieu Brion @aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh so many people i lack brain
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No point in denying it -- there were ways they could have handled this more delicately. Careful communication, scheduled meetings with the council, progressive healing and reconciliation. Coming as a group right after a battle was a gamble, and perhaps that was alright. The New Jedi Order had been lucky a number of times. Thurion's words sealed their fortunes, and Ryv proved a most gracious and skilled gambler.

By getting it all out early they'd have clear consciences for the next steps. Some feathers had been ruffled -- Takui and Master Vanagor's departures spoke to that -- but they'd managed to pull through to close the discussion on a positive note. Auteme smiled as Thurion and Ryv met and shook hands. There'd been no concrete resolution, no legislation passed, no collective agreement. But the energy in the room was starting to change. A breath of fresh air to disperse the negativity.

Still, they did need to make decisions and continue the dialogue. What had been said today was for the most part repetition and airing of grievances. Which was fine, and it'd proven productive enough. Maybe reinforcing that would be enough for now. There'd been enough emotions for one day.

Auteme straightened, then stepped towards Ryv and Thurion. "There's more that unites us than keeps us apart," she said, casting a glance and smile to Mathieu. Repetition. "Things have been... heated, today, but we're here together and that's something in of itself. Thank you, Master Heavenshield, for staying calm and listening to us."

As much as she respected those on the Silver Jedi Council, it was clear to her that Thurion had the most weight and influence here -- and the greatest personal appeal to the Jedi.

"We can't expect to agree on everything but we should always listen and collaborate where we can. I still visit Kashyyyk regularly enough; I'll do my best to act as a liaison between our two Orders so we can discuss and be productive. And I promise to help foster good relations between the Alliance and the Concord."

 

[Laertia Io]

"I will not stand and help this Order in its folly of fighting on two fronts. Every amount of blood you shed fighting the Sith helps the Bryn'adul slaughter another planet. And I vow--do you hear me?--vow--to oppose Ryv and the NIO and NJO at every point as long as they pursue this strategy. I refuse to sit on the side lines and watch you deliberately weaken yourselves for the Bryn'adul. Sure, you might take territory...you 'won' at Korriban. How many more 'wins' like that before you are undone? It is sheer hubris." Laertia insisted tersely.

She wanted to tear her hair out. Hardly any of them wanted to set aside this fight with the Sith?

"I have fought for this Order. I have fought its enemies. But I will not assist Ryv or the SJC in the insanity of trying to fight both the Bryn'adul and the Sith just for the satisfaction of the Diet Imperials he and The GA are foolish enough to call friend rather than ally of convenience, when they probably deserve a blade in the chest just as hard as the The Sith do. I care more for those planets under threat of attack no matter the factions they are part of than I do the Jedi, who it seems wish to treat things like its business as usual still. It isn't."

Laertia winced, hiding the pain of her migraine.

"I spoke to a survivor recently. He's a survivor of the Genocide of Kubindi. His whole family wiped out. Population exterminated for being Not-Bryn'adul. He's sworn to destroy them no matter what deals he has to make. Its personal for him. We might have been able to save at least one more Kubaz if we were all working together. But no...you want your two-front war. Well, mark my words, all of you...you'll get it."

She stared at all of them, her gaze as cold and piercing as a breeze in a blizzard.

"And by the time you've watched enough of your friends and loved ones die against Sith, and the Bryn'adul no closer to defeat, just sitting back and watching you shoot your heart upon the Ocean Beast who's escaped your capture time and again...you will wonder why you thought it was such a good strategy, not putting a halt to your feud for even one instant to stop those monsters creating wounds in the Force you are sworn to defend."

This caused stirs of deep outrage but Laertia continued in that same, icy, nigh-unshakeable calm voice, no emotion bubbling forward. No hatred. No rage. Just sheer disappointment in those who thought they could have their cake and eat it

"I will not support this strategy. It is flawed, and will lead to senseless deaths better spent on Bryn'adul. Is this war with the Sith truly so much more pressing than an enemy who 'never' leaves survivors if it can possibly be helped? Who have no use for even a slave populace? Even if you might think that noble, falling on your sword for justice, I do not. I see it for the shortsighted act it is. To follow Ryv is to follow a death spiral. It is to follow a warmonger. I am a brutal, brutal individual. But I am telling you the truth. Your strategy is flawed, selfish, senseless, illogical, emotional in nature, and if you follow it, you will endanger the future of The Entire Galaxy. I will not stomach it. I 'will' oppose it. Violently, if necessary. I don't want to. It turns my stomach to fight my own peers. But that is what I am forced to do. Because the galaxy, and the lives of all the peoples not yet touched by the Bryn'adul, are bigger than the Jedi Order and its war with the Sith. Bigger than any Wrong that any of us have suffered at the hands of the Sith, no matter how vile or cruel an act they performed upon you or your world, it means nothing if the Bryn'adul are not met by a united Galaxy, so that justice upon the Sith can be sought at a later date once the enemy damaging The Force without regard for consequences is defeated. And they 'must' be defeated. Or you can kiss all this 'Heroic' bullchit goodbye. All your Lightsabers, all your fancy gear and cool friends and worlds and ships and closest loved ones will go up in smoke. Compassion for those innocents are all that drive my words. But I have no compassion or patience for stupidity. Even if its from Jedi. I beg you, do not listen to the likes of Ryv Karis or Okkeus Dainlei . Their words are poison. They will lead you away from the real fight and every victory gained under people like them will be paid for foolishly in Jedi Blood. In lost Knights and Masters desperately needed to defend Border worlds from Draelvasir and Juggernauts and whatever the Feth else The Bryn'adul are called. It will be paid in children with blades sent to the Battlefield before they were really ready, as I was. You are making a mistake. I refuse to let all the wrongs the Sith have done to me personally cloud my judgement, as the wrongs done to you and yours have clearly clouded the judgement of many Jedi. For those of you who wanna run me through...fethin' try it..."

Laertia left the side of Thurion Heavenshield and Starlin Rand standing completely alone now.

I...I'm so sorry, Starlin. I'm so sorry for where my choices led you and Syd. I'm a bloody wretch who kills with barely any feeling and I am sorry for that also. I hope you can forgive me someday. But I can't quit now. The Galaxy is more important than the will of The Jedi. Don't blame Syd. Please don't. She couldn't be here. She's still too distraught over you emotionally and it wouldn't have done you any good, her being here. Blame 'me' Starlin. Its 'my' fault. All of my fault for what happened with Syd and you." she said to Starlin telepathically.