To Business

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Jannik Morlandt"] [member="Kira Talith"] [member="Aela Talith"] [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"] [member="Michael Sardun"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"] @whoever else wants in

The Yavin Academy was, all things considered, a nice place. A place of good feelings, of focus, and -- perhaps most importantly in this day and age -- of inclusion. A small meeting had called itself, here in the grand atrium of the Academy. Headmaster M'ti was presiding; Shule stood with the rest.

"It is a time," said the Neti Headmaster ponderously, "when connections are more important than differences. Too often we all turn our attention to one little corner of the galaxy or the other. Master Windspeaker, what does the Code say?"

"Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy."

She nodded and looked back to the rest of the atrium. "Our responsibility is to the galaxy as a whole. So let us take stock of the needs of the galaxy. We have all been remiss. What needs to be done, friends? What are we capable of doing that we are not doing? Where shall we improve? Where has our attention been lacking?"

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn rubbed her chin thoughtfully and gestured in the air before her. "We're capable of doing a great many things, I'm afraid we have been on the lacking end - however..." She chuckled briefly before looking at [member="Shule Windspeaker"] and then to the others. "I believe we need to understand our resources better? If that makes sense, what do we have versus what do we need? Defenses, ships and supplies..." She waved a hand again before crossing both arms over her chest.

"I'm not too sure, to be honest." She'd nod to the ground before her. "More students and so forth, means more things are required, potentially expansion into the outer Temples around the Main Temple."

 

[Ilias Nytrau]

"To that end, Master Gyndar, I believe it is high time that we began with our agricultural plans," he said, glancing to [member="Shule Windspeaker"] and Eyal M'ti, before returning his attention to the aforementioned Master [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"], "discussed some time ago. It would be a boon to us, in nourishment and training, which will in turn be useful in places where such aid is needed."

The galaxy, in one corner or another, was always at war. Life could not manage to exist without conflict. His eyes closed for a moment, he breathed out, scratching at his jawline where a few days' growth was present.

"Which brings my next point, very much related," his eyes opened, "with war calling at many borders, many worlds, there are many displaced. Where there are people displaced, there is a society, an ecosystem that can be put under strain where those refugees land. Where are we in this?"

He smiled.

"A matter to ponder and discuss."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Aaralyn Gyndar"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"]

"For supplies, Master Gyndar, your father's grant should stand this Academy in good stead for the next thousand years or so. That's only the Academy, though. Master Merrill's done a recent review of every ship built for the Jedi in the last ten years. Some are officially in the Republic's hands, or in private custody, but others are available. Ideally we can consolidate ships, find means to support them, and make sure that we have, at minimum, a long-range starfighter and a dedicated transport model available to anyone.

"Expansion into the other Massassi temples shouldn't be too much of a problem, if that's necessary. Your family's been generous in refitting them after the Order of the Grey was evicted. Port Shardrock has more than enough landing facilities to handle the excess, if our current docking bays aren't large enough.

"For agriculture, the Ithorian priests and Tyia Thuwisten who came with me from Dantooine have been gardening...to excess. I know for a fact they'd welcome a larger effort and more support from the Jedi.

"As for refugee issues, Master Nytrau-" Knowing that Ilias had been his successor as Grandmaster of the Order of the Selab, he nearly used that title. "-refugee crises are far, far beyond the possibility of serious Jedi help. A single small island can generate more shiploads of refugees than there are Jedi. A world, a sector, an oversector...we can help a few, maybe even a representative few, but we could spend our whole lives trying to help the refugees from this conflict and never make a dent.

"Which isn't to say we shouldn't try. We just have to find the right allies, sponsorships, resources, priorities, vessels, materiel, and plan. We need to partner with the organizations that are already helping, that already know what's needed. Silver Cross. Healer's Guild, maybe."

 

[Kira Talith]

Coming in from the right, Master Kira spoke, "The Nuns of G'aav'aar'oon are also an option,"

Petite as she was, the blonde woman would be dwarfed by the rest of her brethren, appearing more like a youngling than a woman grown.

But maybe that is why the younglings took a shine to her besides her joyful nature.

 

[Arage Bao]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px][member="Kira Talith"] | [member="Aela Talith"] | [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"] | [member="Shule Windspeaker"] | [member="Ilias Nytrau"][/SIZE]​

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Leaning against the wall and silently listening was another old face, Michael Sardun, once a- well, those titles were long gone and pulling them out every time was nothing more than wishful thinking. For now he didn’t bring in his own opinion or thoughts, Michael didn’t know anything about agriculture, about evacuating refugees or anything else.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]War though.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Scars, vong shaped tissue, tired expression. He was here simply, because the old Jedi Master didn’t know where else to go. The Republic had seemed as the obvious choice, the [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]right[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] choice and yet the longer he stayed there?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The more he was starting to realize that the Republic he had been defending in the past was no longer the Republic they were looking at today. There were a few reasonable souls left there, Truden; a bit too trusting perhaps, but a good soul. Na’Varro, competent fighter. He heard a lot of good things about Korr too.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]In the end he just kept on listening, Sardun hadn’t been a talker anymore for a long time.[/SIZE]

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn gestured towards the group. "We all know that we need to be the system that people need to come to when they're displaced." She'd shake her head, things felt a bit odd - like they were some individuals left over from some Great Jedi Purge. "I'd be interested in some plant growing, I think my son [member="Aton Gyndar"] is attuned to plants and such, someone could always take him under their wing and show him a thing or two about it?" It was a bit off subject but none the less, she'd chuckle either way and lean back against the wall.

"We know in regards to sponsorship, we have several allied corporations out there who would be glad to spend the money to assist us in funding what we need, is it a question of making contact with them? What route are we seeking? Are we trying to avoid a conflict of bringing a Corporation in here or their credits?" She'd question as she brought her hand back in to grasp her elbow. "The same could be asked about a government, obviously the Republic isn't favorable in my personal opinion at the moment - we'd have to consider their political and military ties and that the likelihood we'd be drug into some galactic conflict for their benefit."

[member="Shule Windspeaker"] | [member="Michael Sardun"] | [member="Kira Talith"] | [member="Ilias Nytrau"]

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn took a moment, thinking back to [member="Aton Gyndar"] - "I might have misspoke...and it's quite embarrassing, I think he speaks to animals, not plants." She brought a black gloved hand to her face with a hard slap. "I'm sorry, it's been one of those days."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Aaralyn Gyndar"]

"The contacts we make," said Shule, "and whose money and ships we accept, can't be allowed to cause public relations difficulties for the Jedi as a whole. That would have a direct bearing on our ability to do our jobs. But many of the Jedi here are loyal to the Republic, Master Gyndar, so let's leave partisanship entirely out of this. Whatever funds or assets we solicit or accept will send a powerful message -- a different message for each person that hears it. We're after continuity and unity, first and foremost. I feel strongly that we need to avoid direct sponsorships from controversial corporations. Incom, for example -- Force knows I love my E-25, and we could use a hundred more like it, but there's a line between accepting necessary resources and becoming part of a controversial corporation's public image. And that line comes well before ironing sponsor patches onto our robes. No, we need to take serious stock of what we actually need to do our jobs, and be wise stewards of our funds."

 

[Jannik Morlandt]

He listened along, eyes tracking from one person to another as they spoke, taking particular note of his old master. He had been out of the affairs of Jedi for a long while, keeping trace contact with old associates within the Republic while growing his connections - albeit slowly - with the membership of the Underground, whenever the Aurora Hawk wasn't making for one edge of the known galaxy or some obscure stop in the midst of it all. He had a responsibility to fulfill as a Jedi beyond that which he had to his student; thus, it was high time that he reestablished some roots, even if on the tenuous side, with a community of Jedi.

Hence why he was here: a true seer was an uncommon breed, a different strain of watchman with a longer yet less concrete view of what may or may not come to pass. The future was always in motion, and each input past and present had an effect on that view. If A happens, what do the ripples touch? Might there be waves? Storms? If B happens...

"The galaxy grows darker and darker still. For the disappearance of each government that upholds the virtues of peace and justice to any degree, there are two more that spring up in its place that seek to conquer and subjugate," he said, no hint of joy reaching his face. "The Force offers me little view of peaceable times as of late. The impression's become quite stark, at times bleak, as I've progressed through the digitization of my journals of vision and prophecy, which has provided an opportunity to run some analysis as far as...."

He paused, his lips barely upturning in an expression that didn't reach his eyes. Grim.

"...It doesn't look promising. Our ilk is needed more than ever, and the places within which we can thrive become fewer and fewer."

Which was why an outfit such as the Underground was making a great deal of sense. At least to him. At least to a few more.

"Yes, we have to be careful with our associations. We also have to consider the ways and subjects in which our students are trained. Emphasis has to be on what's needed to combat what we, what many are up against, as it was long, long before."

He would know.

[member="Kira Talith"] | [member="Shule Windspeaker"] | [member="Michael Sardun"] | [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"]​

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn would nod softly to [member="Shule Windspeaker"]. "I was meaning that in the manner of their current affiliations and political mess, the Jedi within the ranks of the Republic aren't the issue." She'd gesture. "We can be punished for the sins of the father, if you understand where I'm coming from Master Windspeaker." Aaralyn shrugged lightly. "I don't pay attention to the stock market and corporate images - if I did, I'd probably have gone insane by now. Incom's issues are their own - every corporation has their own dark shadow but that doesn't mean we should turn away support and gifts either. As long as none come with attachments and strings and we're able to succeed in our mission, I am able to sleep at night."

That is who she always was and always would be - getting the job done as long as it didn't exceed the lines of the Code she lived by. Yes, she had morals and values but if others did wrong - that was their concern when it came to the grand scheme of things. She could not be the Galaxy police for the Republic, for Incom or for any other Corporation or government. That wasn't her job, she was a Jedi, first and foremost - her job was to ensure the safety and security of the innocents around the galaxy - to be their Sword...not judge or jury.

She was still loyal to the Republic - for what it was worth - but her duties as a Jedi came first. As they always would.

"I think it's safe to say we have to agree to discretion, and precaution to whom we choose to accept things from, no?"

[member="Jannik Morlandt"] | [member="Michael Sardun"] | [member="Kira Talith"]

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Ilias Nytrau"] [member="Aaralyn Gyndar"] [member="Jannik Morlandt"] [member="Michael Sardun"] [member="Kira Talith"]

A bit of a hush fell. After a moment, Jorus spoke up from the back.

"We also need to start going over the map again. We need to know where we're welcome and where we're not. My daughter was recently arrested by the Rebel Alliance and then shot in a friendly fire incident while defending them. The Alliance may be a socialist mess, but they're a sight better than what's nearby." He was referencing the Techno Union, which he'd fought in all its incarnations for the better part of a decade. "So we need some kind of formal understanding with the Alliance, for one.

"We also need to be sure we have the locations and assets to take care of neutral space. Since Coruscant, I've set up a series of unique safehouses and vaults across the galaxy. They're as secret and undetectable as I can make them. I can make the locations available to whatever senior Jedi intend to operate near Bespin, Sluis Van, or Thyferra." The precise locations were on Hoth, Dagobah, and Nkllon, but he wasn't about to mention that sort of thing in an open meeting.

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn nodded softly. "I'll do what I must to assist, politically or otherwise. I consider Yavin IV my home, for obvious reasons and maintain close ties to the Mandalorians - again obvious there."

[member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Kira Talith]

"Well what new forces in the galaxy do we have to spread word about?" [member="Jorus Merrill"] was right about the map, and with what had happened to Soliael and Aela back on Geonosis, she was keen on making sure that no situation would ever flare its head up again.

"What parts should we make sure we avoid? Where can we freely travel? If there are more hazardous areas, then if it comes to some of our own visiting those parts, ensure that all know that they are not to go alone." there was safety in numbers, and she didn't want padawans or knights traveling through space that would be dangerous alone.


[member="Aaralyn Gyndar"] [member="Jannik Morlandt"] [member="Shule Windspeaker"] [member="Michael Sardun"] [member="Ilias Nytrau"]