Lobbying the Republic Senate

[Isus Jarode]

"Corellian Frigate 0724/974, what is your destination?" the voice of a slightly breached Ithorian vessel overseer echoed quietly through the darkened cockpit of the crimson skinned Blockade Runner, the Ragnorak. Sitting rather poignant at its main control seat was a worn, yet well dressed old man, his excessive black arm hair contrasting extremely to his bright white hair. As the green and orange lights randomly lit up and died out, the laser eye of Isus Jarode looked out deeply into the blank void of space beyond his reach. To his left, in the corner of his transparisteel window lay a great orb of life, a world of both sky high towers and massive organic trees. Its former scope of brown and grey landscape gone, the core world Coruscant was now a blend and mix of silver and green-blue.

"Message clear vessel command, this is the Ragnorak. My destination is the planet Coruscant, Senate district."

The response came only a moment later, but Isus still felt a bit of impatience. He remembered rather vividly of the days of Coruscant's vessel command being composed of only androids.

"Confirmed Ragnorak, your stationed to dock at Frigate shipyard 7B. Enjoy your stay in Coruscant."

Isus grunted in acceptance and pivoted his craft to enter the docking lanes heading down through the atmosphere. Entering the lane and activating the auto-pilot sequence to lead him straight to the landing bay, Isus Jarode sat back in his large plush seating and closed his sapphire eye, before sending a signal to his right eye to deactivate momentarily.

Sitting silently in the rapidly filling space around him, Isus felt himself being recalled back to the Force, its desire to lead him to feeling the planet around him ever so tempting. Yet after a moment of listening to the cheers and laughter of Coruscantian citizens, his mind's eye came across a number of literally blank figures in the Force below him, and suddenly the memories of Coruscant's destruction from twenty years ago came flooding back. In an instant, Isus shut himself from the Force once more in a chaotic flee in terror from his past.

Opening his left eye rather suddenly, his sight was handicapped for a few moments as his artificial eye attempted to reboot. As his vision renewed, he looked through the screen to witness the edges of his ship's shielding slowly warm into a bright orange from atmospheric entry.

A few minutes later, Isus felt his auto-piloting sequence lead his ship to the docking station, and as he entered the area and his Blockade Runner prepared to dock with the station, a clear male Human voice resonated from his transmitter.

"Here for the usual trip Mr. Jarode?"

"Of course Bendick, what else?" Isus responded warmly as he activated the docking sequence and locked down his spacial engines, watching as the tractor beam fought against gravity to pull him into gear.

"What is it this time sir? The Rylothian Tariff Act? I heard they placed a heavy tax on Super Cargo vessels..."

"Not at all, my father doesn't touch the major transports. He thinks its a magnet for pirates to come after. We stick to the new class of Corellian Freighters. I'm here to discuss the technological limits being placed on their hyperdrives for 'environmental reasons'."

"Ah, well that makes sense then sir. Good luck with that. I'm sending you the bill for the docking now. How long should I expect you to be here?"

"Just a few days Bendick, I'd like to get home as soon as possible."

"Figured as such. Well good day to you sir." with that final notice, the shipmaster silenced off, and Isus touched in on the bill, a cheap price of 2500 credits.

"Huh... its nice having friends now a days..."

Sending the credit bill back to Bendick, Isus stood up, and checked all systems. They were all locked down and shut off, the only system remaining being minimal life support and interior heating. Turning towards the door, Isus headed down to the basement level of his craft, passing by the bedroom he had made out of the former escape pod portion of the ship.

Reaching the belly of the Frigate, Isus flicked on all of the overhead lights to witness the subject at hand. Sitting in the center of the bay as if it were waiting for him was Isus's pride and joy, his custom furnished A.K.D. 022 "Prowler" Starfighter.

Jumping from the stairs and strolling over, Isus ignored the R4 unit that attempted to fill him in to the ship's current status, and hopped inside the cockpit. A slender ship, the fighter was different than the classic X-Wing Fighters that had recently begun to fall into disarray. His A.K.D. was unique in that the cockpit was literally built into the nose without any excess room given. Of course, if the fighter was based on hull armor and no shielding, Isus Jarode would have long been dead. Yet the ship's primary defense was its powerful shielding system, and its extreme speed and versatility. Using two main laser cannons and two smaller defensive cannons around the cockpit that could be configured as Ion Cannons instead, the vessel was purely a fast paced fighter. Isus did not dare install Photon Torpedoes, in the fear that one stray lucky shot could lead to his explosive end.

Clicking a number of switches, Isus yelled out to his R4 unit to open the belly of the bay to allow his exit. Confirming his command, the droid rolled over to the wall, and opened the slim door just underneath of the A.K.D., sending Isus into freefall. Yet as he reached a good hundred feet underneath of the Ragnorak, he activated his main engines and hurried off into traffic, leading him directly to the Senate offices.

About a half hour later, mostly due to traffic and necessary changes in route, Isus found himself within view of the pathetic new building of the Senate.

"Hmph, I still miss the Imperial Palace..."

Flying into the northern edge of the tower, Isus found himself a landing zone in the Interest Grouping district, and pulled himself from his craft. Walking towards the transport leading directly to the building, Isus went from his grumpy old man feel to a completely different look.

'It's time for politics...'

"Hello Mr. Jarode, how are things in Corellia?" came a question of curiosity from a nearby Bothan, holding the door for the Lobbyist.

"Just fine Dani! The weather has been beautiful to tell the truth. You and your partner should consider vacationing there sometime, I'm sure you'd love the beachside." responded a smiling and well lit Isus Jarode, shaking the Bothan's hand and nodding at him.

"I'll give that a thought Mr. Jarode, you have a good day of work." came the response.

"Thank you Dani 'Lei, you as well."

Again, more time spent on a transport, but Isus felt no surprise. He had been a Lobbyist for his father's trading company for some four years now, and he was already used to the new style of Coruscant, even if he despised it.

Arriving at the Senatorial offices, Isus strolled forward in a rapid pace, looking for the entrance to the Committee of Intergalactic Commerce and Transportation. Yet as he came close to the door, a pair of Yuuzong Vong 'workers' began to enter the hallway. Silent and stiff, the beings carried a number of tools necessary to repair a portion of the offices. Many people just ignored them, but others still sneered, and a few even yelled out insults and angry words.

'Its been twenty some years, and people still loathe the Vong. Of course I hate them as well, but I thought I was the only one...'

Isus was one of those who ignored the workers, but his right hand could not help but reach for his hidden blaster inside of his dress coat. His blue eye looked upon the door, but the artificial eye looked over to its former foes with spite.

Reaching the door and flinging it forward, Isus entered with a bright smile and a warm welcome.

"Ah, Mr. Jarode! Welcome welcome, I"m sure you're here on business of course?" the voice of a jolly old Calamari came from the opposing end of the table, his aqua tinted skin insighting the usual feeling of water being in the area. Taking a seat nearest him, Isus sat directly across from his most friendly of Senatorial 'clients'. Most of those sitting around Isus looked at him with a bit of caution, not because he had an ill reputation, but merely because they had never met the Lobbyist from Corellia with the laser eye. Most looked at the object with a bit of moot curiosity, but many older Senators were used to it.

"So Isus, what are you after this time?"

"Well what else Senator, I'd like to speak about that recent bill that passed regarding Lightspeed restrictions." Isus replied with comforted certainty and a wide smile, yet many of the Senators looked at him with surprise.

'Looks like this is going to be a hard one...'

*****

"Well that ended beautifully..." Isus spoke out in blatant sarcasm as he exited the Senate building, dragging his feet in defeat, "Those young ones are too damn Liberal...." sighing in tire, Isus found that the shuttle back to his fighter had not yet returned, and scowled, "Great, now I'm stuck here for a good few minutes."

Taking a seat alongside the edge of the Senate tower, Isus looked up into the shuttle filled sky above him, and again felt the temptation to reach out to the Force.

[Talmic Jarac]

The sounds of city streets and distant memories called out to Talmic. Long forgotten people came to mind, people he had met maybe ifonyl a instant. Another forgotten name came to him another forgotten face smiled back at him. Yet all the while Talmic's mind called out to him to remember one face he had seen in the Jedi Archives back on Dantooine, one face that reminded him that not all was black and white.

Eyes snapped open and Talmic took in his surroundings, he was in a room on Coruscant and his master was not there for once. Talmic had been given a solo assignment, protect a Senator and escort him to Coruscant, he had done so with no incident. Talmic was glad he had no need to use his light saber for once, but the feel of battle still called out to him and he knew that eventually he would feel the itch for battle.

Sighing he got off the bed he had been meditating on and slipped on his robes, the thick brown material pooling over him. Talmic decided a walk might clear his mind and so set out to do so, life was getting to him again.

-----------------------------------------

Two hours later found him outside the Senate building, Talmic's first visit to the rather meek building had been 6 years ago, at the young age of ten. Then it had seemed grand and important, the place were destinies were shaped and the rules of the universe set in place. Now it just seemed like a run down old tower that needed a few credits pushed into it.

Talmic found himself drawn, by the force, to one particular spot around the tower. At first glance he thought that the old man sitting before him was a mere senator, maybe a lobbyist, but after a minute or so it became very apparent that this man was tied to the force, stronger than most. Talmic was weary, who knew if he was Jedi or Sith, his aura seemed... grey? Approaching slowly Talmic let his connection to the force weaken, ensuring this man would not see him for the Jedi Padawan he was.

"Excuse me sir, is this seat taken?"

Talmic said indicating a spot next to the man.

[Isus Jarode]

'Such.... feelings of....power....'

The bright sapphire eye of the gray weathered man was shut off from the current bleakness of the present time he was forced to live in, and instead opened wide to the colorful and conflict ridden past of the world known as Coruscant, a mass of space that had, for more than 20,000 years, been the center of life in the Galaxy. Isus Jarode was purely a historian, a man who delved and sparkled in the depths of the past, whether it be the lives of the Jedi Knights of old, the victories of the Rebellion Generals in the new, and the tragedies of all other beings in between. Yet as Isus delved deeper into the time period before him, exceeding the Yuuzong Vong invasion, exceeding Palpatine's betrayal, surpassing all of that, and reaching Jarode's favorite of all periods.

The age of Jedi conflict. The age of the Great Sith Wars.

Feeling his mind clear through the clashes of the Sith Empire and the Jedi Order, Isus moved through the years to reach the Mandalorian Wars, watching the fall of Malachor V to the chaos of the warriors led by Mandalore battle against the Republic forces led by the Jedi Revan. Particularly intrigued by the genius Jedi Knight, Isus's stream of conscious followed its strange aura of the Force, one of limited Light, and much of growing Dark. Finally, Revan disappeared from sight, yet suddenly returned, as Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith. Battling against the Jedi once more, Isus watched in sheer amazement as Bastila Shan supposedly defeated Revan thanks to Lord Malak's interference, and would later bring a new being to life, one of Revan's own body.

Yet when Isus attempted to break into the events following Revan's conversion, he no longer found the blank existence he had found so long before, but now he could see something else... a blur of colors, figures and identities. Isus could sense something for sure now, but he still did not know exactly what it was.

Suddenly, striking from nowhere, came a chilling voice that Isus had never encountered before.

"Hmph...Jedi fool. Leave the dead to their own pasts and begone!" an old, female voice of croaky nature and frightening tone suddenly latched Isus Jarode by the throat, and hurled him out of his meditation, back into reality.

Waking suddenly from his nap of thoughts, Isus's left eye opened rather suddenly, and his laser eye darted about in amazement. Looking over before him, the middle aged man realized that he wasn't alone. A small young torch lit up in the Force, indicating that something of safety was near him, but Isus's rusty old age prevented him from realizing what it was, especially since the torch eventually blended in alongside the millions of lives around it.

Looking before him, Isus noticed a young man strolling towards him, dressed in brown-beige robes and had the looks of a clean cut being. At first Isus grunted that it was a mere Jedi, but after forcing himself to realize that it was most likely a traveler, Isus ignored his stereotypes and sat back, only to have the young man ask for the seat beside him.

Isus looked up at the boy with a bit of surprise, seeing as he wasn't used to such respectful tones from the youth nowadays, but Isus smiled back in that old jolly manner that came used to him.

"Oh course my boy, go ahead and take it if you wish. You seem a bit tired from walking about. Soon enough you'll have the whole seat to yourself however, I believe my shuttle to my ship is arriving soon. Don't have a clue when though, blasted things."

Leaning forward to wake himself, Isus felt the tinging curiosity to question the lad on why he was dressed in such reputable attire, scratching his white brimmed head, Isus finally spoke out as the man took his seat.

"So tell me, where are you from? Its not often that I see travelers such as yourself in the Senate district. Most of the time you see bloated Senators forcing their politics on you young folks, or even those damned Vong quietly working their shifts."

[Talmic Jarac]

Talmic smiled warmyl as the old man soke, he seemed to not realize who Talmic was, good for now. Taking the offered seat Talmic watched a piar of Senators walk by talking this and that. Years before Talmic had heard a master say the Republic was still imperfect, that peopel were the problem. Talmic didn't agree with this ideal, he believed the problems within the republic spawned from darkness, the drak side drawing those around it in. He forgot himself and his connection to the force flared up momentarily, he quickly queled it.

"I am not one to listen to a politician, I prefer to act rather than talk, just my way. I myself am from Datooine, born and raised there."

Talmic looked over at Isus and examined him quickly, he seemed a peaceful enough person, but Talmic was sure he had seen him before, but where eluded him presently. Maybe it had been around the senate all those years ago, he seemed to be a politician after all. Maybe it was the Archives, maybe he was someone important. Whatever the case Talmic was glad for the warm reception and so let the train of thought die befroe it got to far.

"What brings yourself to Coruscant? O excuse me where are my manners. My name is Talmic."

Talmic extended his hand for a shake, it may seem old fasioned and out of date but Talmic felt that a hand shake could tell you something about a person, and one of those was if that person was to be trusted or not.

[Isus Jarode]

A relaxed smirk seemed to spread across Isus's wrinkled face as the mention of the young man's homeworld. In truth, Isus had never been to the historical Dantooine, and considering the Jedi Academy had returned there, he was quite sure he would avoid it more than ever. But to hear that a young traveler came from that quiet world noted his rugged style of movement around the Galaxy.

Watching as the boy reached out with his hand in gesture, Isus's bright left eye looked down on it with a small grin, "You claim that the Politicians of the day do not control your actions, yet you listen to their etiquette? How interesting the way words can work out at times."

Nodding forward, Isus leaned further back, allowing the young man's hand to drop back, however the wrinkled soul did not wish to see rude, and spoke out in a soft voice as his blue eye gave a confirming glance into Talmic's eyes, "My name is Isus Jarode, a Lobbyist of the Benston Corellia Trade Company. I'm here on business, but whenver I'm not making escort runs for my father's convoys, or sending messages through the net, I'm here on Coruscant, living about the chaos and livelihood. I hope you do not feel offended that I let your hand just drop there. I'm a bit of a realist, and hand shakes are such a professional thing. I prefer words and talk as the Politicians claim they do, not actions. A wise old man lets the ignorant youngsters commit action, and he himself sits back to guide them. I was once like you, but now age and wisdom weigh me down, and so I sit here now, watching the day go by, waiting for that blasted transport to show up..."

Turning his head a bit towards the gate beside him, Isus's glowing red eye noticed that no such transport were there yet, and so a harsh scowl came across the old man's face as he turned back.

"Seems I'm stuck here for a good.... five more minutes at least, so I might as well make myself useful. Do you have anything to ask of an old fart, or are just here for the view?"

[Talmic Jarac]

Talmic nodded as his hand fell back, this man was definately good with words. Listening to his words of wisdom he leaned back himself, allowing the tension in him to flow away. The man's word's were filled with experience it seemed, then again Talmic had just noted his ability to use them.

As the old man, his name now stated as Isus looked away Talmic looked the other way, no transports that way either. Hearing the man's words he turned back, laughing a bit.

"I know my place in the universe sir. Many a day has taught me that being nice to those around you has its own rewards."

Talmic's expression softened slightly as he thought of his father and mother, how they both had been so proud that he would acheive the rank of Jedi Knight soon. Looking out over the hustle and bustle that was Coruscant Talmic sighed softly.

"If I may be so bold... how long have you been in the political business? Most I meet who have been in for 20 years plus seem to be more concerned about their pockets and how deep they can make them. Yet from you I sense a feeling of... peace it almost seems."

Talmic kept facing forward, he didn't want to shock this man more than he already had with the rather bold question. If this man had been a knight, even a padawan at one point in his life he may get the reference to the 'sense'. Than again he may just see it as one man's opinion to another, a harmless ting that most cast aside without a second thought.

[Isus Jarode]

Isus Jarode felt a bit of jolly amusement at the young man's innocent, yet positive speech of respect to the old man. It seemed rather interesting, and yet embarrassing at the same time, to be sitting alongside a man whom Isus would be able to relate to from so long ago. For the oddest reason, it felt as if he was looking at himself from those long days past, and now had taken the form of his former Master. When Talmic questioned of his years in the business, the old man was prepared to speak out of the frank truth, when Talmic threw in the addition that made Isus stop in his tracks.

~"...Yet from you I sense a feeling of... peace it almost seems."~

At that single notion, Isus's left eye motioned towards a blinding glare at the boy sitting next to him, grunted in a bit of frustration, and stood up in a rapid stance.

"Of course twenty years of political business can get a man into worrying about their budgets, look at me now, I'm feeling so very peaceful next to the source of that very important subject to my life, yet I'd much more prefer to sense my own ship right now, seeing as the sudden rise of this conversation is irritating me."

Turning away rather rapidly, Isus began to motion forward, noting that the shuttle was within sight, but not just yet within landing procedures.

'Sensing my ass, that boy's a bloody Jedi! He thinks he can invade my emotions with his blasted Force sorcery, bah! To hell with that damned order!'

[Talmic Jarac]

Talmic was rather alerted by the man's sudden increase in hostility. He was about to say something when the man got up and left, Talmic could feel the hate coming off him. Figuring the jig was up he stood and let his ties to the force restore fully, a soft blue aura surrounding him to all that were a part of the Sith or Jedi order.

"I am sorry if you have a grudge against the Jedi Isus, but a lot of things have changed. The Sith are back in full swing and if you were at any time a Jedi you know what that means. Whatever happened before must have been rough, but that doesn't mean you have to be bitter to those of us that wish only to help."

Talmic kept his distance, not wanting to aggravate the already seeping with hatred anger Isus. Staring at the transport on it's way in Talmic guessed he had a good 3 minutes before it actually took on passengers. That was enough time for them to get into a full scale shouting match but Talmic wouldn't push it that far, he was only after information after all.

"I'm deeply sorry that you feel the way you do, but I am not here to force you into anything, I merely have been seeking out those with ties to the force.. trying to find out what I can about the past..."

Talmic sighed to himself and turned away from Isus. He really hated to make leaves this way. Leaving with a bad impression on someone's mind. He hated to leave someone with the dark side in the air, it always left him wishing he could do more.

"It was an honor to meet you Isus, I just wish I could have learned more from you."

[Isus Jarode]

Continuing his march forward, Isus allowed his irritance to vent through his surroundings, his pace kept fast, his lips pursed tightly. His artificial eye followed the trajectory of the incoming shuttle with increased interest, while his left eye kept sights on the stroll before him. Soon enough, Isus sensed the sudden burst of the Force behind him, more obvious than not to be the young Talmic. Soon hearing footsteps behind him, Isus growls in frustration as the boy attempts to reason with him.

"Quit your whining boy, don't you think if I gave any form of a rat's ass for that Order of yours, I'd be wearing a robe and talking of the Force as much as yourself? I don't know what the hell you're talking of with the Sith, but I can assure you that if there was a return of the real Sith, we'd all had felt it, whether it be that Jedi Master of yours, that Solis Fay'den, your own Knightly self, or even mere me. Whoever is 'acting' as a Sith is nothing more than an impostor or a mere fool. There is no such thing as the real Sith anymore, and there never will be a real Sith ever again. Now take your rambling somewhere else, and leave an old man to his worthless politics!"

Finally, the boy seemed to stop, both in step and persuasion, and made his close to the conversation. As he heard Talmic turn on his heel, Isus had reached the gateway, and the shuttle had just landed. But soon enough, a deep cord in Isus's mind struck, and soon felt the same feeling of temptation from a mere phrasing of words.

~"...trying to find out what I can about the past"~

'Damnit all, why is it old men love to bring the ignorance out of themselves to erase it from the young....' Isus looked back at the disappointed lad's retreating back, and his left eye softened for a moment, before it stiffened again in agitation.

'I can't believe I'm doing this.'

A moment later, a single command would be sent through the Force to the young Jedi known as Talmic Jarmac, from the weak and stressed commands of an old forgotten Jedi.

"History is it? Fine then, get your ass on this shuttle, that is, if you want the truth of the past. But you're taking a risk with me boy. You may be learning things your Fay'den would have preferred to keep from you. Follow me onboard...that is if you're willing to risk your Faith."

A moment later, Isus's left eye opened once more from his rapid concentration, and an instant later, he began to walk towards the shuttle. If that Jedi youth wanted to know the past, he would jump onto that shuttle. If he wished to stay towards the Light Side fully however, he would be wiser to stay on that platform, and never meet the old man again.

[Talmic Jarac]

Talmic's eyes wdiened as a voice, a voice heard seconds ago reached out and touched his mind.

"History is it? Fine then, get your ass on this shuttle, that is, if you want the truth of the past. But you're taking a risk with me boy. You may be learning things your Fay'den would have preferred to keep from you. Follow me onboard...that is if you're willing to risk your Faith."

Talmic turned and hurriedly scuttlesd up next to Isus, about three feet back and to the left. He didn't want to seem to delighted by this, just wanted to make it appear his intentions were purely composed. Inside his mind was racing, his heart thumped in his ears, and he was nervous. This was a big step forward for him, one that would forever change his connection to the force, and to the Jedi Order.

"Thank you..."

Was all he said as he waited for the shuttle.

----------------------------------

A few minutes later, about 2, found him boarding the shuttle to wherever it was Isus was going. He knew that he could trust the old man, he seemed good enough and from what Talmic could see he still had limited powers with the force.

I know it may be against what Master Fay'den wishes.. btu I must know what happened.. to further my own connections and those within the light side of the force.. I must learn the truths that befell our universe adn those around it..

Once more he felt his heart race as the doors to the shuttle closed, and his journey began.

[Isus Jarode]

Isus Jarode sat comfortably in the plush passenger seating of the first class, looking out into the window for a few moments, as his recent companion prepared himself for something only a few minutes ago never came to cross his mind.

'So, this kid wants the truth of the universe? Heh, he'll get things he never dreamed of...'

As the shuttle lifted from it's landing pad, Isus's sapphire eye was hidden lightly behind his lid, as the dim illumination above them barely matched to the rising darkness over Coruscant's skies. Evening was on its way, and soon enough the dark side of the core world would arrive.

'Fortunately, I'll be at my ship, resting easy, and this Jedi can leave me with thoughts beyond his imagination to lead him forward.'

Isus spoke through the Force, not by lips. He knew that allowing the common folk to hear the truth of the past was an extreme danger, and he still wondered why he would speak it to the young Talmic. Yet he sensed no other Force sensitives nearby, and after all, why gather knowledge and not spread it?

"Now, where to begin? Ah yes... the definition of the Force, what a tasteful subject this is. Talmic, I can see your childish innocence in you, it is so discernable to be. From here on, you are not to resist my claims of your inexperience of you. You will be a good little Jedi and accept them, and you can rest assured that I will respect your strengths, and use them to improve every weakness I find. I do not know why I tell you my secrets, perhaps it is because I wish to spread 'wisdom and knowledge' as old Skywalker would claim, or perhaps I merely feel 'guilty' for being thrown out of the Order, or perhaps it is fear of leaving the mortal realm without worth. Well let's be honest kid. This is because I've got nothing better to do, and in the end, you could serve your purpose in the Jedi Order. Perhaps some day, with my knowledge, you'll be the necessary reforms to the Order that Skywalker claimed, but never did understand. He has begun to fall under the same weaknesses as his predecessors, and unless we react, we'll fall prey to the weakness of the Old Order, and therefore succumb to a loophole of failure.[/color]

"Now, let us start from the Force itself. There is no such thing as purely Black and White, Jedi and Sith. Do not let the biases of the ignorant past fool you. The Jedi Order is flawed, just as the various Sith organizations that had incarnated over the millenia. To follow a single side of the Force is to become limited by its power, to become blinded from the strengths of the opposition, and to overestimate your own endurance. Obviously, each side of the Force believes in very different ideals. The Light Side is to 'preserve the peace', 'to further the prosperity of the Galaxy' and rubbish like that. Obviously, the followers of the Light Side, the Jedi Knights, are a bunch of goodie goodies that have pure intentions, but lead themselves to failure by claiming the Dark Side as evil and wrong, and by walling themselves from the Dark Side by forcing their followers to escape their own emotion. Notice that the most dangerous of all Sith, and the most traitorous of all Jedi, have almost always been Human beings. Why? Because we of all races have the most powerful emotions, the most powerful individual spirits, and to attempt to blind these unique minds from what they were meant to live by will make them doubt what limits them, and eventually place so much tension on their emotions, they grow in anger from a lack of love and eventually fall to the Dark Side they attempted so much to evade. But this Dark Side they falter to is not the Dark Side the true Sith believe in. Mind you boy, there are four groups of worshippers of the Force. The Jedi, the 'Sith' or Dark Jedi, the 'Sith', and everyone in between. I am one of the latter folk, a man who evades both Light or Dark, fearing to fall to ignorance. You see, to be based purely on the Light Side is to take away all opportunities for your own self just to try and further a society that would be fine without you, yet grows to depend on you, and when you cannot rescue them from something that would doom them no matter what, they blame you for 'failing'. At the same time, those Jedi that fall to the Dark Side are often far from what they claim to be 'Sith'. The true Sith, however rare and lacking in unity they are, do not believe in the use of the Force as a slave, like the Dark Jedi believe. They use the Force as a tool rather, to further their own selfish gains, and to destroy those that directly resist them. They do not use the Force whenever they can to gain power, or to destroy worthlessly, which the Dark Jedi so blindly do. Therefore, the Jedi are noble, but foolish, fearing this 'Dark Side' so much that they attempt to blockade themselves from anything 'Dark' at all, and in the end only fool themselves into falter. The Sith, the true Sith, are like those of the Gray median, who use the Force for their selfish means only, which is obviously of the Dark Side, but far from the violent and inhuman events the Dark Jedi bring upon. The Dark Jedi, having fallen due to hatred and depression, become obessed with the emotions that gave them the Dark Side's power, and continue to press to continue it. As for those of us who fall into the Gray, we typically do not agree with any of the three blind groups, as I myself do, or more common, prefer the Jedi, but do not agree with their beliefs. I highly doubt you will find a Gray Sith, or a Gray Jedi that sympathizes for the Dark Side. For if you falter to the Dark Side even a little, you will undoubtedly become one.[/color]

Isus opened his eye rather rapidly, and a rush of exhaustion flushed over him. The thought process through the Force had overwhelmed him, and he needed a moment or two to recover.

"Ask your questions... as I rest.... I need some time.... to regain my concentration."[/color]

[Talmic Jarac]

Talmic sat in stunned silence as the man before him talked. Was all of this actually true or was it one man's opinion to another? Was it all a farse or was it something to be baleived? Was it something that could be trusted to someone like himself? In any case Talmic was speechless, his mind racing to process the flood of information to it. He was silent for alomost five minutes, eyes staring out the opposite window of te shuttle as he thought about what to say next.

I don't know where to begin asking questions. Where did you learn this all from? How did you learn all of this? Who are you exatly? All these thoughts cross my mind but I guess my biggest question is... how were you connected to the force?

Talmic's eyes stayed on the opposite window as he spoke through the force, his force sense making it easier for him to manipulate adn form the 'words'. Perhaps his biggest fear now was not for who Isus truly was, but for which side of the force he had been on. He spoke as if he had intimate knowledge of all three, very well earned knowledge of all three. Had he been one of the many who decided to switch sides like switching robes?

One more thought crossed his mind before Isus was able to speak again. This time he was worried he would offend the old man before him, a man who had a grudge.

If I may ask so... why were you expelled from the Jedi Order? It seems it was a... forced departure from how you speak...

Once more he was worried about Isus' true intentions, maybe this was all a ploy to lead the young padawan off and dispose of him with leisure, witha sense of smug satisfaction over killing a member of the Jedi Order. Shaking his head from side to side he cleared the bad thoughts. Isus had just spoken of being naive', of following only one path and not walking in between. He must have known something else that allowed him to stay in the grey' as he had put it. He must know some secret that would allow him to discover a new path, a new way of life that avoided both the darkness and the ligt, and would allow the man to walk on the fine edge of grey.

ooc: Sorry for any errors, im in english and kinda rushed the editting.

[Isus Jarode]

OOC: It's no problem, go ahead and fix them when you can.

IC: Isus's sapphire eye kept lightly shut as he felt the vibrations of Talmic's mind through the Force. He could feel his awe at Isus's claimed knowledge, the fear that began to rise from in in the unknown, and the uncertainty he held of Isus Jarode's true identity.

Isus only smirked.

You need not fear me boy, all that I speak is perhaps not fact, but merely the knowledge gained from an old weary man. You must come to learn that there is no such thing as 'fact' in the Force. It is honestly nothing in comparison to the Science that built this ship. The use of the Force is such an unpredictable thing, and that is why it takes the strong willed to control it. Interestingly enough, it is the strong willed who often falter from their own beliefs. However, know that I am a man of the median not by default, but by choice. As I've told you, it is rare to find a Sith or a Dark Jedi that levels in the Gray. Such is true for myself as well. I, like you, was a Jedi Knight, even though such a title no longer fits me at all. I became the Apprentice to one Sslir-Vonde at the ripe age of sixteen years old, and became a full fledged Jedi at the age of twenty one. Ironically enough, it was in this very year that the greatest of all conflicts rose to challenge the Galaxy. It was in that year that the Yuuzong Vong began their invasion of our Galaxy. I suspect you are far too young to remember such things, for I sense your innocence from those scenes, and to be honest, you are blessed to have never seen them. The Vong are wretched creatures to say the least, and I will tell you now that even as a Jedi, I was always thrilled to see one of them die before me. Perhaps that hatred itself is what led to my fall...[/color]

I will not tell you of my fall, for I fear such a thing would lead you to temptation, and in all honesty, you should not know of it. What I learned from the Dark Side was a thing that directly violates the Jedi Order, and it is something that you will not learn, from me or the Sith. While I disagree with your Order, I will not allow you to follow my path. My intention is to destroy your ignorance, and preserve as much of your innocence as possible. I much rather prefer to have you learn these things from me, then some Sith Holocron, or by this new Sith Brotherhood you speak of. Nonetheless, what I spoke to you before is not necessarily 'fact', but as I've told you, there is no such thing as 'fact' in the Force, there is only knowledge. Take what I have told you, express it in your old feelings, and allow it to grow on you. But remember to never falter to the Dark Side. If you wish to preserve the Jedi, evade the other side. However, to learn of their histories is to end your ignorance and learn the weaknesses of your enemy; to practice their teachings is what I wish to prevent you from, for if you follow their teachings, you will bring the Dark Side to your soul. Do not fear that truth Talmic, take it, embrace it, and remember it to the end of your days. It will protect your life and Faith someday, even if it it means your end stands before you.

Now... of your questions, as you know, I was formerly a Jedi Knight, even so after my fall. When I learned these unfortunate truths from a dreadful source, I returned to the crippled Order and aided them with the powers of the Force the Dark Side had taught me. Due to my skills in the Dark Side, many Vong were slain, and perhaps many lives saved, but it was not through justice or honorable battle, but the horrors of war. Those Vong were killed in the masses, without compassion or care. Never allow yourself to fall to that, for while you must not hesitate when you kill your foe, you must pity them, for they could be on your side had they chosen differently. Now, I did not learn all of the things I've told you from the other side. Most things I speak now are from history and the years of my eyes being wide open from my fall. But it all began when a Sith Lord, a true Sith, took me as his student and taught me that wretched edge of the Force that led to my becoming a weapon. But I did not agree with him fully, and in the end, he killed my loved Master Sslir-Vonde, took half of my sight from me, and left my side, no longer seeing me as a use. I've learned these things from experience Talmic, not guess or research. I know the ways of the Jedi, the paths of the Sith, and the entrapments of the Gray. I know these all from experience, and because of it, I wish to fight with all I have to keep you from it. You must know the truth, but not from them. From me. You must keep your innocence at all costs, yet understand why they follow the paths they cross. Do you understand what I speak to you? I know it is much to take, but this is from my eyes, my mind, and if you understand it all, then you are well on your way to the truth. If you understand some, I can still teach you and you can embrace it further, or you may understand none, and then I will leave you to be, and perhaps someday this knowledge will return to you, and you will seek out the truth yourself. Speak your own mind now my boy, and then so, I will see where your path leads. Will you continue down a path of the Light with knowledge of it's needs for change, will you choose to follow my path beside you, or will you damn me, and join the side we all fight against?[/color]

[Talmic Jarac]

More information assaulted Talmic's alrady reeling mind, this was a lot to take in. The flood was about to completely overtake him when it suddenly stopped. Talmic had to physically take in a few deep breathes at the sudden unraveling of the force. To be honest he had never heard it put so.. well bluntly. There were no facts to the force? Talmic's next few thoughts stayed to himself, if that was possible around this man.

He knows so much... so... much knowledge to process.

Once again Talmic took a deep breath and his eyes glazed over as he went into an almost coma liek state, his connection to the force enhancing ten fold. Some called this forced meditation and in battle it was very handy to have. Now within the very core of his conneconetion he was almost walking aroudn in his mind.

How can this be.. but it all feels.. right somehow. If what he said is true, that the true Sit will never be back and this new 'brotherhood' is just a weaker version.. what if one did come back? As to his questions.. what am I supposed to say with him right here? Sorry but I would rather take this and screw all of you over, that's not what I was taught for the past 10 years.. I was taught to respect the knowledge that those older than me could pass on. I was taught to never stray from the truth, that the light balanced the dark.. but what happens when someone crosses into the grey and knows no limit... no 'top' to their force powers.. free to learn anything.

Yalmic's eyes cleared as he leaned forward a bit, now staring at the floor, getitng a few strange looks for his sudden intense stare that he gave te opposite window.

No... I am definately a light side Jedi.. padawan, just so you know. BUt you sould also know that I have been.. enlightened by your words. I am no strangler to death and the ways of darkness mind you, I have had to fend them off myself. The dark side.. nor your 'grey' side appeals to me. I am a true bringer of the light, I will not forget my teachings and the lessons I have learned in my short seventeen years of life. I am also fully aware that I have much to learn... so much more in fact that I may not become a knight for some time. My pursuit of knowledge has kept me from the true trials i should be going through.. as a Guardian I do not have much time to prove my use within the order. Often I am sent on escort missions, like the one I am here on Coruscant. I hope you won't find it rude.. but what class were you?

[Isus Jarode]

The sapphire eye of Isus Jarode opened with a bit of interest as Talmic began to feel the pressure of such concepts. A small grin came over the old man, and he sat back in delight as he waited for the young Jedi's continued questions.

'He will be rapid to speak, unsure of himself for awhile. I'm sure he'll recover, I can only hope that he does not falter. I cannot have my wisdom lead to his denial of his Order... now that would just not bode well at all.'

Isus sensed the young man's withdrawal, sensing his own self evaluation, his hidden fear of invasion from the old man. But Isus never did so, allowing Talmic to catch his concentration, and continue.

After listening to the replies through the Force, Isus smirked once more.

I am glad to see you stand by your beliefs Talmic, wise indeed, and in the end what I wish for you. The median 'Gray' can be very fulfilling, I will admit that, but if can be so thankless in the least, and so unfulfilling. Having the Galaxy cherish you is such a wonderful feeling. Stick by your Light Side Talmic, only that I can ask. But what I wish to teach you is not to align you down my path of misery, but rather, to open your eyes to a truth of understanding the other sides of the Force. A Jedi who knows not the histories of his foe is to destine themselves to be destroyed. My intention is to open your eyes, not to close them. Now, I find it intriguing that you name yourself a Guardian of the Order. I myself was a Guardian at an age relative to yours, however now I feel I am more in relation to the Jedi Consular, that if hypothetically you can relate my beliefs to be the same as your own Masters and kin. Now, let us forget our differences and seek our knowledge hence forth. I am a Gray Jedi, that you will only know of me, a man who has turned away from the Jedi ways because of my own lack of compassion. I am here to show you the other side of the Force, so that when you come to face them one day in the future, you will know why they fight you, and why you must battle them. Now... where will we continue this conversation...[/color]

As Isus viewed out of the shuttle window, he would see the evening finally set around the skyscaper landscape, and the shuttle itself preparing to enter the visiting center landing pad. Looking over to Talmic, Isus nodded, "I think we have spoken of this enough for now. Hear, just think on what I've told you, and for now, we shall let your mind rest from my barrage of belief. For now, we shall leave this shuttle, arrive at my fighter, and find ourselves a place to eat. I feel we must discuss your current standing as a Jedi, and with that I may insert my excursions to help improve your strength as a Jedi Guardian."

The transport shuttle finally touched down, and Isus stood upright, motioning to his companion to follow him. Striding past visitors, activists and other Lobbyists, and began down the ramp. Listening intently to Talmic's fluent beige robes, the old man detected the clicking motion of his single Lightsaber.

Keep that blade hidden if at all possible, remember that your Order is not well favored in these troubled times, and I can't have my reputation bruised from relating to you. I'm here to help, but only as far as it does not threaten my own self. [/color]

About four minutes later, Isus turned a corner to find a pleasant sight.

"Ah, my poor baby must have been lonely without me..."

Taking a few rapid steps forward, Isus stood next to his starfighter, grinned, and looked back at his companion.

"Say hello to an old man's last delight in life, the A.K.D. 022 Prowler Starfighter. I'm telling you, this thing will replace the dying X-Wing as Rogue Squadron's best someday. Sure, its hull is lightweight, but my shielding modifications cover for that quite easily, and its agile movement makes for a foolish pirate to never even scratch that polar surface!"

Sliding his hand across the belly, Isus made his way around to the other side, pressed down the ladder release trigger, and climbed up to the sleek interior cockpit. Opening the hatch and grabbing the reserve helmet, he passed its sleek silver-blue body over to Talmic, before pressing various keys to open up the passenger compartment behind the pilot seating.

"Usually it's not so cramped, but I've made several provisions to sacrifice cargo space for a passenger section. It's not too cramped, but it's far from the space you'll have in a Tri-Fighter. Com'on and get in, we'll be taking off for that new Twi-lek restaurant in the Higher Levels district."

Grabbing his own helmet, Isus jumped behind the controls, smiling as if he were a young teenager once again. Pressing his head over the cockpit wall, Isus yelled out to Talmic, "Well, what's taking ya? Are you afraid of an old man and his quick bird?"

[Talmic Jarac]

Talmic was once again nodding as Isus finished speaking. He seemed to be a person of many views, having apparently spent time on every side imaginable. It also seemed that Isus was warming up to Talmic, albeit a little at a time. Talmic was till pleased that he was able to find a ‘master’ that was more experienced than his current. Not that he didn’t like being a Palawan to his current master it was just that he liked to expand his knowledge and this was exactly the way to do it.

“Yes sir.”

Talmic stood and ad headed out, not to far back from Isus but far enough that they seemed to be separated. At Isus’ words Talmic used his telekinesis to silence the blades. They had rubbed against one another and were making to much noise. Taking his hands out of his robes Talmic caught up to Isus as soon as they were out of the dense crowd. Almost immediately Talmic could sense Isus begin to feel a bit happier and soon found why.

Before him stood a fighter craft he had never even heard of, let alone see. It looked beat up, out dated, and over old. What really got to him was the unusual body design. From what Talmic could tell, even as Isus talked about its capabilities and how it was supposedly going to replace the X-wing, he just couldn’t see how. The thing looked like a single blaster shot might hit something vital and kill them all. Talmic raised an eyebrow at the rather unusual manner of entrance and just shrugged it off as unique normality.

Catching the Helmet thrown at him he slipped it on and clipped it on tight. At Isus’ not so gentle nudging and the thought of food on mind Talmic climed into the weirdly constructed passenger area and snuggled in, a tight fit.

[Isus Jarode]

Listening to the light thud of the metallic helmet Talmic had pulled over his skull as it tapped onto the filled cushion at his back, Isus Jarode smiled in a suddenly youthful delight.

"Hang on kid, this is gonna be rough... and only because I want it to be!"

Tapping the ignition key on his touch screen monitor before him, Isus activated the horizontal propulsion engines, rising them into a parallel run through the exit vector, and an instant later, he pushed the acceleration drive forward, his left hand pressing the horizontal handle ever farther up to sixty percent thrust power. Yet he held the speed down in an engine filtering brake, until they reached the end of the long exit tunnel, and suddenly entered traffic.

Within seconds, Isus released the filter brakes, pressed the acceleration all the way to eighty percent power, and jammed down on the turbo to multiply the velocity by half its natural run. Almost instantly, the "Prowler" dashes forward, with both of Isus's hands gripping on the control stick tightening.

Considering the twenty years since Coruscant's fall to the Yuuzong Vong, the skyscrapers of the still somewhat burned world were now relatively high, at least in the main region. But the city was still not completely covered in metropolis once more, and even so, the current center of Coruscantian city landscape was half the height of its ancient predecessor.

Even so, the Plurality Culture of hundreds of various races and their vessels still filled the virtual air lanes in congestion, and the erratic manual piloting of daring folk like Isus Jarode only seemed to endanger this risk of concentrated vehicles further. Therefore, Isus had no intention of being stuck in traffic or hectic space, so he simply decided to avoid both.

By going straight down.

"Time you see a bit of history kid!"

Pressing the stick steeply forward, the Prowler's tails pivoted in an upward angle, and the engine power followed with it. As the fighter's nose seemed to aim straight at the earth far below them, Isus pressed the acceleration to one-hundred percent maximum output, hurling them down to the world. Yet only after about fifteen seconds, Isus grabbed his acceleration grip and twisted it left, to direct cut-off.

The engines were dead. The Prowler, along with Talmic and Isus, was quite literally falling at Mach II speeds.

Watching as the shadows of the skyscrapers grew more populous and the number of Vong repair crafted contrastingly decreased, Isus reached out to the mind of the boy behind him, to feel his mind.

Open your thoughts Talmic, and you will sense the life around you. We are escaping its elusive shell, and reaching a point at which we can feel ourselves escaping the clustered spaces behind us. Reach out over us, not under us, and feel the dots of existence that go about their blessed daily lives. Soon we will be at the heart of the world's soil, and you will then since a bit of this world's recent history, if you are ready for its truthfulness.

As the skyscraper Lower City finally ended, the final half of the fall into oblivion was by now passing recently built foundation. In the Old Coruscant, the foundation of the atmospheric super-towers were, quite literally, thousands year old buildings of the long forgotten days of the Old Republic. Isus felt the senses of the freshly molding dirt underneath him, and just as they hit five hundred meters about the land mass, Isus pulled the engine power back in full, exerting his Tri-Fighter based Engine Cut system to the maximum. Pulling the stick harshly back and suddenly twisting the vertical propulsion to the below, Isus completely reversed the fall, before returning all power to thrust, and zipped through the foundations.

Sense the pain, the loss, the tragedy, all of the horrors that led to this fresh start Talmic. From above you sense happiness, peace, life. Down here is nothing but pain, and the reminders of the failures this world has seen. Remember the achievements of your life Talmic, for someday they will be tested.

About half an hour later, the Prowler finally pivoted itself into the Entertainment district, now at a reasonable speed and level parallel to the landing lot before the boardwalk. Bringing his fighter down on a lot sitting nearby a local Ryloth hangout, Isus released the land gear just before touching down. Deactivating the engines and other systems, Isus opens the cockpit to allow Talmic out into the air, before jumping out himself. Yet just as he shut the cockpit and began the security sequence, he heard the unpleasant scratching voice of an Aqualish.

"Nice fighter old man, now hand over the access codes, and your back won't be fried by a blaster shot."

Isus sensed the retrieval of three blasters, two mere pistols and one repeating rifle, from three separate beings about twelve feet behind him. The Aqualish were a medium set of Aratech combat mail alongside his rifle, and his two Iridorian allies wore simple jumpsuits. Isus sensed Talmic's anticipation to involve his Jedi skills, his influence over his lightsabers tingling.

Isus smiled.

Let's see how you do as a Guardian Talmic. Protect me from death, and we shall see if your Jedi Training truly serves you best.

[Talmic Jarac]

WHAT SPEED!

Was the only thought to cross Talmic's mind as they bobbed and weived.Moving in and out of G forces was the iggest presure on Talmic at teh time and he was wondering just exactly how he was going to eat after this. As they made another sharp drop Talmic felt weightless and then suddenyl his stomach found his gut again and Talmic was queezy. Flying like this must take a lot to get used to because right now Talmic was relying heavily on the fact that no food was in his stomache.

As Isus 'talked' of opening his mind Talmic tried his best, the force was not his strong point, but then again knowing one's weakness could be a strength. Loosing his thoughts and avoiding the fact that he was weightless again Talmc reached out, touching the edges of his limits and feeling the pain and anguish of the ages. These walls almost seemed alive, wait.. they were alive. The millions of tiny organisms down here made that clear. These walls had memories that were eons old thanks to the individuals who resided here. Talmic once again felt the reasons why he had become a jedi, why he had joined the light side and become one with his surroundings.

It's amazing...

His concentration was broken when they pulle dout of the sharp dive and Talmic was again given gravity. He couldn't focus right now and so as Isus spoke of sensing the age and feelings, all Talmic could do was reach out and prick every so often, grabbibng a feeling here and a sense there.

The next thirty minutes were dedicated to settling his stomache and his sense of teh force. He had used a lot of concetration back there and he knew he had grown thanks to it. Isus was good at what he did, using impractical methods of 'teaching'. So as the fast vehicle set down and Talmic was at last set free of the tight space, he stretched and watched the old man go about his work. Not five minutes out of the cockpit three people coudl be felt behind them.

"Isus we have-"

He was cut off as the Aqualish spoke of turning over the codes and avoiding death. Talmic merely sighed as the stupid man decided today was the day to hold up an old man of his ship. Turning on his right heel Talmic faced the three and easily worked out ways to kill them, disarm the, and even talk them out of it. Isus spoke again, in Talmic's mind, and Talmic couldn't help but smile.

"As you wish..."

Talmic almost instantly had the over robes off and two lightsabers in hand, neither one activated yet. The group of three viably stiffened at the site of a Jedi, not to mention two lightsabers. Although not active these weapons could prove to be their plans undoing, if not their life's undoing. However Aqualish were not known for their lack of pride and the leader. or so he seemed, fired at Talmic and Isus. Avtivating only the right saber Talmic spun it over his wrist and deflected all shots away, either into the ground or up.

The other two, obviously not combat experienced, fired wildly with their blasters and Talmic only had to block away two shots, once again they went lo and died in the ground. All three were firing now and so Talmic activated his left saber. Quickly flipping it so it was held regular style Talmic spun both sabers in front of him and created a moving wall of light and death. All shots were down being sent down, the spin going clockwise and counterclockwise. Here is where Talmic was best, here in combat.

Dashing forward as the beings gave up their all out assault in favor of some new tactic, Talmic kicked in his force powers and moved with inhuman speed. He caught the Iridorian to teh right of the 'leader' off guard and with a simple up swing the thing's hands were gone, falling to the ground. Before the man could even scream the one on the left would feel a similar effect, only this time it was at the elbow, Talmic having slide across behind the Aqualishian.That little action had caused the leader to spin to the right, so him and Talmic now faced each other.

Talmic only had about 6 feet betwen the two of them which put him at the disadvantage. That blaster shot would be faster than he could move and not get hurt, and the range was to great for his lightsaber styles. Flipping his left blade back to run against his arm Talmic took a deep breath.

It's now or never..

Kicking off hard Talmic ran straight for the leader, he in turn fired. Now came lady lcuk's hand, to decide his fate. Twisting to the left Talmic got air as he did a barrek roll forward, right towards the leader. He missed the shot, thank whoever was watching, and tackled the leader.

As the two of them came up Talmic was on the guy's chest with both sabers at his neck, his left side leaned in farther since the blade was the much closer.

"Your choice old man.. live or die?"

[Isus Jarode]

'He claims himself a Jedi, yet he follows into action without his own analysis, and then asks me for the choice of the defeated foe's fate? This boy is closer to the edge than I first suspected, as all Guardians tend to position themselves.'

The retired Jedi Isus Jarode merely watched in anticipation and curiosity to the young man's abilities, his dual wielding a bit of a surprise, yet interesting nonetheless. Isus had rarely met Jedi who dared to touch on the more dangerous collection of dual and doubled-bladed Lightsabers; after all, such a choice usually referred to their reliance on warfare and violence. A true Jedi merely needed their word to sway a situation, and if it came to battle, only one blade was necessary to quickly solve the matter.

'This one is imbalanced; it is best I take him as my own Apprentice, lest he fall to the Dark Side. The wax of Korriban is seemingly upon us, and I cannot let this boy's foolish Master to just let him slip away from his chosen path. It may be separate from mine, but it is still possible to yell out in the right direction.'

At last, it had been a good three minutes since Talmic Jarac requested the choice of the Aqualish' fate. The creature's eyes shown with the jelly of fear and depression; his squid like lips quivered in anticipation of the old man's choice, the rest of its body completely motionless, in fear of Talmic's patience ending.

Exactly what Isus expected. The wait was more of a test of an old weary man, wondering if Talmic could not resist but to make his own decisions.

Talmic, you are growing farther and farther from a Jedi with every action you make...

"Talmic, release him." Isus finally spoke out, his left eye staring down on the Aqualish, his red eye on Talmic. Both were stern and glazed in ice; Isus's lips were hard pressed and rarely in motion. "Talmic, extinguish your blades and retrieve anything of value from the Trandoshans; their weapons, their armor, credits, and any data pads that indulge information. Give me the credits and data, take the weapons and armor to the Prowler, and place them in the compartment spacing below the cockpit. Afterwards, wait there for me, we need to talk."

As Talmic finally released the Aqualish from his potentially lethal lock, Isus strolls over to face the assailant. Yet as the relieved alien begins to stand, Isus reveals a drawn DL-44 (Han Solo's preferred blaster) and holds the tip to the assailant's skull. "Stand up slowly, unlatch your armor, and give me what I want." Kicking the Repeating Rifle far off near the Prowler, Isus looks upon the Aqualish with contempt as the creature releases its armor, and pulls out 2,500 worth of Galactic credits, as well as a single data pad. Handing the cards and pad to Isus, the Aqualish scowls.

"So you believe this will pay for my attack?" The alien questions angrily.

Isus merely smirks back, "Quite. You need to be disciplined either way, and besides: a beheading from a Jedi is not going to teach you a damn thing. Now 'get." Isus shoves the Aqualish off towards the crowd far off, and nods his now armorless Tradoshan allies to follow.

"I see any of you again, I promise you the next time, you'll lose something more vital."

The three scurry off, and Isus finds himself holstering his blaster as his right thumb skims over the details. The data pad kept details of the thief's well built account of steals, yet what was surprising was that he held an online connection to his bank account, alongwith a memory equipped password. All Isus needed was a click of a button to access the Aqualish's accounts and completely raid them. Taking a tenth of the assailant's net worth and transferring it to a secret network that led to Isus' own personal account, Jarode then left the Aqualish another tenth, and sent the other eighth to a local orphanage as a "donation". After checking the datapad for anything else that was of use, Isus discards the device, then shatters it useless; after pocketing the credits, Isus happily felt satisfied with the 77,500 credits he had just received. Strolling over to the waiting Talmic, Isus tells the boy to pocket the meager collection of credits the two lackeys held, and told him to do what he wanted with their data pads.

'Hell follow his beliefs and send them all to charity, as a good Jedi would...''

Finally standing before Talmic, Isus had no fear in releasing his growl of anger, "You asked me whether he should 'live or die'? 'Live or die'? 'Live or die'?! Why did you hesitate; why did you even consider to question such things? You claim you're a Jedi, yet you play with a living being as if he were your toy! Never hesitate on whether an opponent lives or dies, and most definitely never give that option to someone else! What, do you want to follow me blindly? You're not a sheep Talmic Jarac, you're a Jedi Guardian! Destroy for the safety of yourself and others, yet if it is possible, forgive and discipline accordingly. Jedi do not choose who lives and who dies. Jedi defend the existence of the Force, whether that means in the forms of yourself, or even your enemy. Never forget that... Jedi."

Turning on his heel, Isus' laser eye sent a final stare into Talmic's own, "Be wary of that my Apprentice, and if you dare accept it, you'll be on the true path to the Light Side. Yet ignore it, and you'll fall prey to the Sith. Do not falter, or I will be there to destroy you."

"Now come, let us grab ourselves some dinner."

[Talmic Jarac]

Talmic felt like a complete idiot, he had just made a huge mistake. He shouldn't have asked, no he shouldn't have even considered it. He was a fool right now, ad had just proved how much of a rookie he was. Yet a mere month ago he had argued his right to take the knight tests. He slammed himself mentally as Isus spoke in his mind. By the Council he had just pulled one of the biggest mistakes of his life by asking if he should take a man's life. He could be thrown from the order for such actions.

Extinguishing his lightasbers he hooked both back in place and got off the chest of the grounded attacker. He quickly retrieved what he had been told to retrieve and no sooner did he have the credits then they were gone, off to a local charity. He distributed it up between a couple, two or three that he usually paid to. No need for money when the council and the order gave you all you needed was there? For people like Isus this stuff must be very profitable, but to Talmic, who had been raised to be a Jedi he had never had a sense of worth or material need. Either way he was happy now and he was confident that he could stick to the light side.

What Isus had said had deeply shaken him however. Was he really that dependent on his emotions and others that he could not do his job as a Jedi? The thoughts ran threw his head as he stowed away the armor and such for whatever Isus saw it's use, probably a sale. He turned and faced the old man, awaiting further instruction. What he received was a thorough chewing out, and one that was well deserved in the eyes of the young Padawan.

hearing the words in his head Talmic absorbed them without looking away or flinching. He had received lessons before but this was very different, no wonder this man was a master, of sorts. He was very good at making Talmic see what a fool he had been. Maybe following Isus was what the force was telling him, and he trusted it to tell him so. As Isus' words ended and he said to start to go to dinner Talmic nodded and fell in step behind Isus, his hands crossed in front of him so all was hidden beneath his robes.

"Yes Master."

He said as he quietly awaited Isus to lead them on.