Star Wars: The Sith Resurrection Part IV: Alliances Divided

[Alkonium]

(ok)

"Alright, what's this about? And does your mother know you're here?" Komad replied. "Come to think of it, you didn't even give your name, Mr. Iazoki."

 

Gieph sat at a cantina on Nar Shaddaa, drinking as much Corellian Ale as he could before he would pass out. He lost both his legs in the war with the Sith, he couldn't afford cloned replacement legs, and his mechanical legs were constantly malfunctioning, so he came to the Cantina to drink away his problems.

[JediMaster12]

"Tonatius," he replied. "My mother does not know of this and she has no need to know. I came to ensure that no attempts are made on you."

[Alkonium]

"For your sake, do not try to protect me. Whoever killed Roan was well trained in the Jedi arts, and if you tried to fight him you would be killed, and I think your mother has lost enough already. Roan did not expect to die last night, and he was murdered in cold blood. If an attempt is made on my life, I will be ready, and I will hold my own." Komad replied. He knew Tonatius meant well, but he lacked the training he would need to stop an attack like Roan's murder.

[JediMaster12]

"You doubt me Master Jedi?" Tonatius asked. He refused to mention the fact that it was a source of discussion between his brother and father. "If it is about the Jedi arts, Father trained me. Just because I do not wear the mark of the Jedi does not mean that I am not capable."

 

After being admitted into the cantina, Matton began to look around. He turned to find that the Jedi Princess was not around. He looked and saw her charming her way with the patrons. He felt a disquiet rise within him. He ignored it and continued to look around. He spotted his old friend near the bar and made a lazy beeline to him. He whispered low, "Still need spare parts Gieph?"

[Alkonium]

"You may have some training in the Jedi arts, but you are still a fifteen year old boy. Fighting an assassin like that, who is at the very least a Dark Jedi, if not a Sith, requires more experience than you have." Komad replied.

 

"What did you expect? The Republic gave me just about nothing in compensation after the war. I don't have enough credits to get better mechanical legs because I don't have a job, and I can't get a job because these legs don't work right. It's a kriffing vicious cycle." Gieph replied, clearly intoxicated.

[JediMaster12]

"What if I were to tell you that you will get new legs?" Jun-la's voice drawled in a seductive purr. "Those you served under before will fix that what they couldn't before. You will become whole again."

 

Tonatius knew that Master Komad did not understand the Avalonian way even after all this time with Master Starlighter. He replied, "I am a man. My coming of age was two years ago. I grew up not in my father's house but on the world of my mother, the most dangerous. The Water Bender Masters were mine and my brothers teachers."

[Alkonium]

(Usually races with long lifespans have longer childhoods as well. For example, Elven childhood in D&D lasts 110 years.)

"You mean like, mechanical legs that actually work? Because that would be nice." Gieph replied, not entirely understanding what Jun-la meant. "You've gotten my attention though, and I'll help you with whatever the hell you're planning."

 

"I do not think this is a good idea, but you can stay. I'm not going to have you come all this way just to be sent back home to Tython. If an attempt is made on my life, you can help help me in apprehending the assailant, though I'm not sure what good it'll do. The last time I caught an assassin in the act, he commited suicide to avoid telling me anything." Komad replied.

[JediMaster12]

((Ah but most people on Avalon are tribesmen. By 13 or 14 a child is considered old enough to contribute to the group. When they kill their first kataran bull they are considered full adults. For all intents and purposes however Tonatius is considered an adult))

 

Jun-la smiled, "I knew you would latch onto to that. Perhaps we can meet somewhere private and discuss what needs to be done?"

Matton stood listening to the whole conversation not quite believing what he was hearing. Apparently there were more sides to the Jedi princess than she cared to show at a time. He glanced at her brother who was chatting up another ex-soldier in a corner and wondered what was going on.

 

"Sleep sticks," Tonatius replied to Komad's question of capturing assailants. He was pleased that Komad wasn't going to force him to return to his mother.

[Alkonium]

"Yeah well, I was a lot younger back then. Not even ten years older than you are now." Komad replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need some idea of the Senate's reaction to Roan's murder." Truth be told, he saw a bit of his younger self in Tonatius. Eager to fight the enemy and serve the Republic. Problem was, it wasn't exactly too clear anymore who the enemy was, if there was only one. He had fought the Rashikians on Tython, but it was obvious that someone else had killed Roan, and in the middle of all of it was Tyrannus. Even if he was not the person in charge of these two threats, he was no pawn in this galaxy-wide game of Dejarik.

 

"Yeah, let's do that. Shall I buy you a drink for the road?" Gieph replied, eager to get a move on, but still somewhat drunk and wanting more to drink.

 

"So, what was it like, having the great Hethra Iazoki for a father?" Kalla asked Tonatius shortly after her father left. There was something about him that made her want to get to know him better.

[JediMaster12]

"He's my father. Princess Almalexia is my mother. Both are honourable people," Tonatius replied. "We listen, watch and learn." Then he said to Komad's retreating back, "The wheel has come full circle. Only the Guardian can see and fight."

 

Jun-la gave a smile. She wasn't a drinker really but she had to appease the soldier. She replied, "A hit of juma would be fine and I am sure Matton would like a drink as well?" She glanced at Matton and received a scowl in return.

 

Tyrannus grinned as he read about the news.So the Senator decided he could get out of this? he thought to himself. He knew what it was that killed him. It have been over four thousand years since the last one. Now the wheel had made a complete turn but who would be the one to challenge it? Oh he pledged himself to that dark being long ago when he planned everything including murder, sabotage, all in order to destroy a family that has managed to survive and through the protection placed by the ancestors of that family.

Now here he was trying to figure out which one. A son of two Jedi, the daughter or twins? Hard to tell. Perhaps tests of power would be helpful in deciding who it is. In the year of the Sangte, Year of Blood, the one who ruled would return.

 

Avalon never failed to bring a light into his eyes. While born on an astroid moon, Avalon burned in his veins. A call of home. He returned often as he could. It was how he met his wife, his partner who stood beside him for more years than he cared to named. Andros stared out the viewport as the planet came into view. In the distance he could see the sister planets.

Rani had been watching him and smiled. She chose this Avalonian when she was asked to chose for reasons she couldn't explain but she knew. She said, "I have received permission to dock in the starport, Bay 2235."

"Taking us in," Andros replied.

Alkéa looked out as he made his entry. She had never been to Avalon but had read of its beauty. As the ship made its descent to the landing bay she glimpsed at Tyan-yu, the capital city in its beauty and splendor. Though the people have seen many wars, they still went about their lives. It was amazing.

[Alkonium]

The Guardian? Komad thought. He remembered reading about the Guardian in the Archives. But the Guardian died thousands of years ago.

 

"I wish I could have known him better before he died. Your father, I mean. My parents always said was a great man." Kalla replied. "I was there when he died. He was a hero until the end."

 

The situation in the Senate had gotten considerably worse since Roan's death. The Senators who sided with him accused the Jedi of assassinating him and demanded that action be taken against the Order. However, those who did not side with him were as violently adamant about the Jedi Order's innocence as the other's were about its guilt. This cannot possibly end well for anyone. Komad thought.

[JediMaster12]

((I don't know if you read Heart of the Guardian but I was assuming that was the other who reveal himself in time. If you read the part of the vision in Book 3 chapter 4 I think there is some more))

 

"He was my father. He lived life as it came to him," Tonatius replied. "He spent the last few years reading what he knew of the Guardian, the honored warrior of my people and the Republic." He then looked around the apartment that Master Komad occupied. It wasn't like home at all but he figured that wherever one felt at peace then it was home. He went to a place under the eastern window where the sun was shining through and sat cross legged, his back to the window. He allowed himself to feel around as the Water Benders taught him.

[Alkonium]

"I always liked this spot. It gives a great view of the city and the countless speeders flying by without end. It's beautiful, really, if you think about it. You can feel the living Force coursing through all of those people out there. And yet, at the same time, it's very peaceful." Kalla commented, trying to get a response from Tonatius.

 

Komad found himself lost in the crowd of leaving Senators after congress had been adjourned. There was no way he could find who he was looking for on his own so he decided to ask the nearest Senator. "Excuse me, I'm looking for a man named Kal Vodis. He's the widower of Roan Fel II." He asked the man. "That would be me. And you are?" Kal responded. "Jedi Master Komad Kaltas. On behalf of the entire Jedi Order, I offer our condolences, and our assurance that we had nothing to do with your husband's death." Komad told him. "I saw enough of what happened and I know enough about the Jedi to believe you. Komad Kaltas, that name sounds familiar, have we met before?" Kal asked. "No, but I dated your husband some time before you met him." Komad replied. "Then you know that he would never willingly betray the Republic." Kal told Komad. "I agree. He did mention something about being coerced. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" Komad then inquired. "Yes actually, he told me last night that he had been forced into working for a group who sought to cripple the Republic before conquering it, and after seeing the condition of the Senate, I'd say they're halfway there." Kal told him. "They would have known that killing Roan would do this, though it couldn't possibly have been the original plan. Roan must have tried to get out of his predicament. Thank you for telling me this. Also, I'd like to know when you're planning the funeral to be. I'd like to be there." Komad replied. He then left for his speeder, thinking We can't stop them for crippling the Republic, but we can stop them from taking over what's left.

[JediMaster12]

"Yes. Whenever you feel out of focus, always return to basic of life," Tonatius replied. He had placed his palms together and had closed his eyes. Not opening he asked, "You try?"

 

Jun-la made a good companion with Matton's old friend in spite of the looks he cast. She recognized that look well. She kept her attention to their companion as they glided in an airspeeder to the place he wanted to meet. She said, "I trust that you know what is at stake here?"

[Alkonium]

"Of course. We Jedi haven't forsaken all the ways of old." Kalla jokingly replied, joining Tonatius in meditation. "Though if we had kept them all, I wouldn't be here, nor would my brother, my father, or even you. Tell me, has there ever been anyone special in your life?"

 

Back in his speeder, Komad opened up a commlink with Andros. "I was right about the people behind the Rashikian attacks. They've killed Roan and it seems to be driving the Senate to the brink of Civil War. Their most likely plan is to use the Rashikians to divide the attention of the Republic army, weakening against both the Rashikians and the armies of the systems who leave the Republic." He told him. "We need to put an end to the Rashikian threat as soon as possible and find these people, before they can do any more damage to the Republic."

 

Andros Kaltas walked into the living room to see his sister meditating with a young man he had never seen before, and naturally, wanted to know what was going on. "Who is he and does Dad know he's here?" He asked her.

 

"Somethin' abou' guys from the Unknow' Regions attackin' Republic planets in tha'sector?" Gieph asked, slurring his words. Jun-la, Matton, and Turle would definitely have to sober him up before getting anything done.

[JediMaster12]

Tonatius didn't open his eyes at her laughter. He understood that those not born of his people or world didn't always understand Avalonian ways. His father had loved his mother but there were times when wills clashed under different views. He replied, "The Force was born on Avalon so the legends say. Much of what the original masters learned have been passed to those here in the Republic." When she asked if he had anyone special in his life, he felt his body tense. In response to her query, he replied, "A river can flow in but one direction but should it be blocked, it finds another path."

Turning back into himself, he concentrated on the Force. He pushed past the lifeforms and into the essence of the Force itself. He reached to feel it with his mind. He heard the voices in his mind, both that of light and dark. They spoke to him and he replied, I seek to see that which threatens the Republic.

He is young and maleable. He craves power.

Greed is that of darkness.

It was a back and forth banter between the voices until Tonatius said, I know that which you are. You speak through the midichlorians to tell us your will. The Shi-Cho order carries out your will. What undermines your will?

The Wheel has turned full circle. What has fought before must fight again. The light spoke in the familiar riddles.

He's too mortal to understand riddles. He won't understand unless we show him and give him power. The dark voices came like a knife in sound.

Tonatius would have rolled his eyes if he could. He said,Are you saying that what is happening has occurred before?

Balance between the chosen warriors. That which guards must rise up. The voices began to fade.

Wait... Tonatius opened his eyes still breathing calmly but he could feel his pulse beating rapidly. He felt no closer to answers. He looked at the girl sitting nearby and stood up to look out the window. He needed to think.

 

"You have that right, friend," Jun-la replied in gentle tones. Drunkeness she could accept. It was a dullness to pain. "You served under Avalon did you not?" Better to be direct and forward since he was drunk and drunks tended to spill everything.

[Alkonium]

"No, I served the Republic, but I was stationed on Avalon." Gieph replied, having difficulting keeping his balance. He then collapsed into the parked speeder, having passed out.

 

"My dad's worried too. I think it's because he remembers the last war the Republic was in so vividly, and he's so determined to prevent another war." Kalla commented, having some idea of what Tonatius was thinking.

 

There has to be a way to track down these schuttas. Komad thought. Maybe if I checked traffic cams around Roan's apartment. The forensic team assigned to investigate the murder might have found something. I should check with them.

[JediMaster12]

Jun-la looked at the passed out body. She looked at Matton and said, "Well that was helpful. We'll just have to take him with us."

 

Tonatius raised a brow but didn't turn around. He replied, "War can be prevented but when the Wheel completes its circle, nothing can stop it."

[Alkonium]

"What exactly do you mean by the Wheel? Is it like a cycle of events repeating throughout time?" Kalla asked, confused by Tonatius' mention of the Wheel.

 

"Given that there was no sign of forced entry at the doors, and the living room window was left open, that's the likely point of entry." The chief investigator told Komad.

 

"That would necessitate both having a speeder and a driver to keep it in place. Have you determined roughly when the murder would have taken place last night?" Komad asked.

 

"Yes. Given liver temperature, we determined time of death to be roughly sixteen hours ago, which would be consistent with what Kal Vodis told us." The detective replied.

 

"Unless you're the killer, the death of your spouse is not something you're going to lie about." Komad commented. "You should check the traffic cameras closest to that part of the building around that time. Let me know what you find out."

[JediMaster12]

Tonatius thought about how best to clarify what it meant. He gave a sigh and replied, "The Force has a will and is older than any known being. With any enitity there are always two sides. We know them as light and dark. Both extremes yet both are needed. For a time each side has their period of rule yes but the struggle for balance is a war waged through the ages.

"Legends of Avalon told of the two chosen ones who will battle to see who will triumph. One battling for darkness and the other a champion of light."

 

Jun-la could be strong when necessary and she was when she hauled Gieph into the medbay and proceeded on a rapid detox. It would take the Force but she was ready and there was no time to worry about personal problems. She said to the semi concious man, "You served the Republic under an Avalonian general and now we will repay you for that service and service again."

[Alkonium]

Gieph was now, more or less, hung over, but able to form a proper sentence. "Very well, but I'd like the replacement legs in advance. I know it sounds greedy, but think about it this way: I'd be much more effective with them than without, for whatever you want me to do." He told them, thinking clearly despite a nasty headache.

 

"Do you think that it's now?" Kalla asked. Like her father, she respected the ways of the Old Jedi Order, and those of Avalon, but she still lived the typical life of a modern Jedi, or at least as typical as it could be for a girl whose mother was a Rodian smuggler turned Jedi, and whose father was a bisexual half-Twi'lek. Not to mention, her family currently had the most contact with Avalonians out of any in the Jedi Order. "What was that you told my dad about the Guardian, anyway?" She added.

[JediMaster12]

Jun-la smiled at Gieph. He was like how her father described him when he wallowed through his memories. She said, "So it shall be done. We leave for Avalon. Father will meet us there."

 

Tonatius wasn't sure about sharing this part of Avalonian belief but his father told him that the key to understanding was knowledge. Without knowledge you had none. H e replied, "This evil waits for its chance. The one that Mother called Tyrannus is merely a pawn, a servant. This evil does not value life. It comes from when our people split before.

"The Jedi speak of the great split. There was one before that. On Avalon there were those who lusted for power and believed that we should have built an Empire and show our might. The others were those who valued life and said that sovereignties should decide their own government. War broke out. Those that lusted for power and bloddshed were cast out and became what are known as the Rashikians. You can usually tell by the stench of death.

"Later there was a theory that they were not driven by their will alone but by another force. Naga Sadow was one such manifestation. The last one was known as the Blood King and has been called that ever since. He comes in the year of the Sang, blood or hart (deer). Was it coincidence that Darth Vader and the Emperor came into being around the same year?

"The Wheel is the cycle. There is a major battle that decides reigns of darkness and light, the balancing act."

Tonatius knew it was hard to make sense. The only who could have understood would have been Petronius who lived through the year of the Sang when the Guardian defeated him and in turn sacrificed himself to keep the Children safe. It was impossible since Petronius decided to take the White Road after the disappearance of the Light of Courage. He hoped the Jedi would be able to think about it.

He was rewarded by her question about the Guardian and he explained, "The Guradian is better known as the Heart of the Guardian, the one who defeated the Blood King and enabled an era of peace. Even though darkness remained and those who sought evil committed it, there were those chosen to maintain a balance and fight the darkness. The last known Guardian had a son and he married the daughter of the Jedi sister of the Guardian and thus started the Children of the Jedi."

[Alkonium]

"Vader came into being because of Palpatine's influence on Anakin Skywalker during the final days of both the Old Republic and the Old Jedi Order. Palpatine then remade the Republic into the Empire and declared himself Emperor. Of course, any Jedi who keeps up on their history knows that he was Darth Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith, long before that." Kalla pointed out. "You're the son of a former Grand Master, I thought you'd know that." She adding, using a slightly suggestive tone in her voice.

 

"We're going to see your father? How is the old guy, anyway." Gieph asked. His mood was improving already at the prospect of having purpose in his life again.

 

"Master Starlighter, we have managed to track a speeder used by Roan's killer to the parking lot by the transport docks, close to an interplanetary transport travelling from Coruscant to Avalon. I have every reason to fear that they are coming for you." Komad said to Andros via the holocommunicator in his speeder.

[JediMaster12]

"History is written by the winners Kalla, Daughter of Greea," Tonatius replied. He had that same argument before and knew what to expect. "There is always something else at place, the bigger picture as the masters call it."

 

Jun-la looked with an amused expression on her face. It turned into a smile when she replied, "Older than he appears."

Matton in the meantime went to the cockpit to begin the takeoff sequence. He was put out that the Jedi princess was being a flirt. He had a good thing baiting her and now she ignored him. Confusing Jedi.

 

Andros was at peace as he always felt when he returned to his mother's home. The purpose was to have his sister prepare the armies with the cooperation of the local governors which was handled fairly quickly. He spent the rest of his time teaching Alkéa more of Avalonian philosophy. She still carried much guilt and anger within but she was learning how to let go, how to face defeat with honor.

He was in the middle of teaching balance when Master Hisa-don came with news that a call was from Coruscant. Leaving Alkéa to continue the lesson, he went to the speeder to activate the comm. He sat there with Master Hisa-don watching as Komad relayed his message. He looked up in thought and reached out. He then looked at Komad and said, "Not me I'm afraid. The Wheel has turned round and the Guardian will be revealed."

[Alkonium]

"How would you know? Avalon wasn't directly involved in the Clone Wars." Kalla replied, maintaining that flirtatious tone in her voice.

 

"Be careful anyway. I sense dark times ahead." Komad replied, turning his speeder back towards his apartment.