The former Jedi Marshal still felt tense, and grew only tenser as more unknown faces entered the Chambers of the Council unbidden. So much was happening all at once. The reveal of Senator Kiyoshi, the Sith's attack on the temple, the Senate's drastic action, Coruscant burning, the return of a new Order of their ancient foes under the Brotherhood's banner, truths and accusations striking the council, and the sanctity of the Council Chambers was being breached further. Chaos burned all around him, and all remnants of peace flitted away like sand as he tried to hold on to what vestiges of it remained. The anger that simmered below it all began to fade as it gave way to worry, setting his mind spinning with the extent of the day's calamity.
He did his best to keep up with everything that was spoken, giving his attention to each person present. There was no time for despair, no time to let it all sink in, not now. Not while they needed action.
Breathing in a deep, steadying breath, he forced his thoughts to centre again. No Chaos, only Harmony. He relaxed visibly, and turned to the Master of the Silver Jedi present.
"
Master Vanagor, your words and offer are greatly appreciated," he nodded to the Master, turning to address the other host of fires that required putting out.
"
Allys—Master Locke, your companion?" He said it with an expectant tone, supposed to communicate it fell to the Paragon to escort her out. "
And Knight Kaze, yours?" He said with the same tone.
The privacy of the council meeting had already been undermined, but Jedi were, at least, understandable, those of their own offered aid or sought answers in the face of this calamity. However, though this council was held among rubble and ash, Bernard couldn't stand for just anyone to interfere in the Temple's most hallowed chambers. These were matters of the Jedi Order, to be seen to by the Jedi and the Jedi alone.
He finally turned to address the council to consider the questions being posed, and decide on a course of action. The authority of the Alliance limited the Jedi's autonomy, preventing them from acting to the full scope their Order was capable of. Laws made for beings without the Force, for those who did not shoulder its responsibilities, necessarily impeded the ancient Order of peacekeepers whose powers granted them abilities beyond that of ordinary beings. Dagon was right, the heavy hand of the Senate squandered the potential of the Jedi, but did they not have a point?
Had it not been the New Jedi's own who had murdered a Senator in cold blood, and then defected to join with a Sith? And hadn't it been the same Jedi who'd pushed themselves near the breaking point, forced to take vows of exile to preserve the Order? And yet, they had accomplished such great things. The toppling of the Sith Empire, an evil that had gone unopposed for decades, finally brought to heel by the Jedi and the forces of the Triumvirate. They could do so again, to face this new threat, destroy the Brotherhood and their Dark servants, the New Sith Order.
But at what cost?
Bernard ran a hand through his hair, brushing back several loose strands that had fallen on his face. Finding some semblence of a centre again, when a loud knock announced another newcomer. He turned, perhaps a little too quickly, toward the man in the doorway, only to find an old friend. The levity in the man's expression was so incongruous with the storm that pounded Bernard's head, but he couldn't help and find it easing the tension that wound his muscles uncomfortably taut.
"
Master Sar'andor, it's good to see you survived. I wasn't aware you were on Coruscant, you can," he paused, looking around. With a sigh, he continued, "
come in. We are discussing our next steps."
"
The first thing we do is stop blaming each other for this disaster, I agree," he gave Aeris a glance, nodding. "
Our enemy has manipulated the Alliance, and they're sowing mistrust and infighting. Every second we waste doing like that is a victory for them. We need people we can trust right now, and I trust those who stand here," he met each Jedi's eyes in turn.
"
Allyson has a point, we need Auteme, and we need to save those who need it right now. This attack was a devastating blow, we can't let our people bleed while we sit here. Master Vanagor, could you gather those survivors capable of rendering assistance and search the Temple grounds for anyone else who has survived? These will be trying times for us, many will be in need of aid and guidance following this attack."
His eyes settled on Dagon, "
I know what it is you mean, Knight Kaze. I don't like the restrictions put on us either, but Master Lashiec has a point. With the history of our Order, the things that happened to Senator Bastra, the defection and instability in our ranks, and the," he paused a moment, glancing away in shame, "
and the events of Korriban and the Sith War, we cannot simply cast off the restraints that bind us. Not until the New Jedi Order knows to act with duty and responsibility."
"
That is why we need to rebuild, first. We don't have much time, but we need to do what we can to heal the rifts growing within, to face these new threats, united," he said, turning to Dagon and his companion. "
Do you still stand with the council? I agree we need to—we must do better, but I cannot afford to lose more Jedi to infighting. Can I count on your blades?"