— Mace Windu —
The position of 'Master of the Jedi Order' was never a simple one. That went doubly so, Mace felt, for the 'interesting times' he presided over.
While Yoda had tenure as Grandmaster, that was a spiritual leading role, not an executive one. The actual function and running of the Order fell on Mace's shoulders. And there, his work was certainly cut out for him.
His turn in the big seat had been defined by the undeniable undercurrent of a galaxy on the verge of crisis. And Mace knew, an opinion shared by Grandmaster Yoda, that things would get worse before they got better. The Republic-Separatist Crisis wouldn't — couldn't — resolve itself easily. Everywhere he looked, Mace found Shatterpoints staring back at him…
Yet recently, the Republic's building crisis hadn't been standing on its own in the galaxy. Another happening — another Shatterpoint — had reared its unprecedented head; strife, out of Hutt Space. Such strife couldn't have come out of a worse (or better…) place, in Mace's mind. Technically, the goings on in Hutt Space weren't the business of the Republic. But in the galaxy they all shared, everything was interconnected. And thus, the revolution there spilled out onto the galactic stage.
It was a welcome development that the Council had been able to assign two of their Order to a mission into the revolution's heart. Knight Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker were considered more than competent enough for the task of getting Jedi eyes on everything happening out there. Their part in the mission had been simple: escort the Senators and keep their eyes, ears, and senses open to report on the situation when they returned.
Now, upon their return, they'd been called to the Council chambers to give that report. Mace and his peers had all heard of the events rocking Hutt Space. These 'Gonks' and their victories. But all the information they were working with so far had come from rumors and hearsay, undoubtedly exaggerated. A firsthand account from a trusted source was required.
By good chance, the entire Council was present. In person, no less. Mace as Master, Yoda as Grandmaster, and the Masters Oppo Rancisis, Coleman Trebor, Depa Billaba, Ki-Adi Mundi, Shaak Ti, Plo Koon, Eeth Koth, Saesee Tiin, Even Piell, and Adi Gallia to fully fill out the rest of their ranks. It was a rare thing, one that usually signified an… interesting session to be had.
While there were officially no factions or parties within the High Council, there were certain stances that rang consistent and true, shared amongst their ranks. All sought to uphold the Jedi Code and Order, but some Masters could almost always be counted to vote in line with those shared stances. It wasn't nearly a split or schism, though; just respectfully differing ideas between peers for the proper way forward.
Ki-Adi Mundi, for example, was the de facto leader of the shared philosophy that Mace internally dubbed 'The Reformationist Stance', cleaving to the Ruusan Reformation on most issues. Opposite to him, Mace supposed he could be considered the leader of the 'Old Traditionalist Stance', advocating for maintaining as much of the Order's historical traditions as they could, and not surrendering entirely to the Republic-dominated post-Reformation school of thought.
Ki-Adi in particular was a perpetual advocate for closer and closer ties with the Senate and Republic as a whole. Mace believed that the Order still needed to keep some separation and agency for itself. His stance tended to be supported by the Masters Oppo Rancisis, Shaak Ti, and Plo Koon, while Ki-Adi's stance usually found support in the Masters Coleman Trebor, Saesee Tiin, Eeth Koth, Even Piell, Adi Gallia, and Mace's old Padawan Depa Billaba (a significant coup, but not one Mace held hard feelings over).
Of course, the stances weren't hard lines, more a spectrum of courses to plot for the Order. There were more conservative views amongst them (Mace and Ki-Adi) and… mavericks, though those trended toward Mace's Stance (Shaak Ti and Plo Koon vs. Eeth Koth). There was also the very real phenomenon, on the Council, of 'Yoda's Vote'.
It was only natural, Mace understood, to heed the wisdom of the Grandmaster. When Yoda spoke, every Master listened. When he voted, even the leading Masters of the Order tended to… follow. Thus, it was Yoda's habit to abstain from most votes unless absolutely necessary, and even then, merely voice his opinion or wisdom instead of casting a hard vote to ensure the Council of 12 wouldn't stalemate.
Mace had never been able to fully pin down what stance Yoda would side with if he weren't Grandmaster. In a way, it didn't matter, for Yoda sought to lead the Order as a whole, regardless of the direction it took. In another, though… Mace would privately admit that having such an influential figure remain impartial could be frustrating when he wanted to get things done.
Knight Kenobi and his Padawans' report was far from the only business they would address today — there was also the backlash of the Ansion Border Dispute to manage, a mission that coincidentally also involved Kenobi, Skywalker, and a Hutt… — but the revolution out of Hutt Space proper was still significant. If not pressing, then at least novel. A curiosity, even Mace could admit.
That novelty and curiosity had only grown as the report progressed. The tale Knight Kenobi told was a fascinating one, almost unbelievable, especially taken on the whole. Mace had been prepared to work on other matters while the report was given, but he quickly found himself paying full attention.
A 'failed' clone abandoned in the gutter of this 'Night City' (and why did that name ring a bell in Mace's mind…?). A quick, glory-filled rise for him as a mercenary, nothing unusual for Nar Shaddaa.
But then, the horrifying reports of 'kyber-spice' that started Atom's revolutionary path had the entire Council on edge. They'd heard nothing of that in the rumors and hearsay. A form of spice that twisted false connections in the Force…? It was…
"Abominable," Shaak Ti muttered, voicing what they all must've felt. As a Togruta, her emotions naturally ran hot, and it was with commendable control that she mastered them. Still, they showed here in her serious scowl.
"Stuff of nightmares, yes," Yoda said. "Yet handled, it is. A great debt, the galaxy owes this 'Atom' for his immediate action."
"Can we be sure of that? Can we trust such an unpredictable party with a matter as important as this 'kyber-spice'?" Saesee Tiin asked, a Master of few and serious words.
"We saw no actual evidence of it persisting on Free Nar Shaddaa," Kenobi assured. "Atom recognized the obvious atrocity on his hands when he first saw it and has been rather thorough in its utter annihilation since.
"Kyber-spice's unlucky creator — Zorba — was the first Hutt he killed. If anything, it was one of the founding issues of Atom's movement, if not a public one. And now, other than one holdout on Nal Hutta, who will be dealt with shortly, I feel confident to say kyber-spice is no longer a disaster in the making. Its taint has been excised before it could gain any true momentum."
"We'll need to keep our senses open in case it pops up anywhere else," Even Piell advised. "And I believe an archive entry is in order. Restricted, to be sure, but available if needed. Do you think you're up to that task, Knight Kenobi?"
Kenobi nodded, "Quinlan was rather thorough in documenting all he learned about the threat of kyber-spice. I have that data saved and will hand it over to Master Jocasta as soon as I am able."
"Yes, Knight Vos…" Ki-Adi didn't scoff, but his disapproval was palpable. "Strange, how this is the first we are hearing of his presence there."
"He is acting entirely within his remit as a Shadow," Mace ruled. "Issues like this are exactly what his role is meant for. And if we expected every Shadow to report their every movement, their purpose would be mute, and they would be rendered rather ineffective, Ki-Adi. Endangered, even."
Ki-Adi gave a shallow bow of acknowledgment. His disapproval of some of the more esoteric roles in the Order wasn't a new thing. 'If he had his way,' Mace thought, 'All of us would be Consulars or Guardians, and nothing more, not even Sentinels.'
"Still, Mace, you can't deny that it's rather curious to learn now that we already have a presence at the heart of all this," Even Piell commented with some humor in his voice.
"It came as a surprise to me, too, Masters," Kenobi said. "Knights Vos and Secura have been present within the Gonk Movement on Free Nar Shaddaa since almost the beginning, along with… another important figure with ties to the Order…"
"Another?" Depa asked politely. During her Padawan years with Mace, she'd been the better of them at diplomacy. "Who could this other figure be, Knight Kenobi?"
"Master Fay has made herself known on Free Nar Shaddaa. Right next to Atom, in fact. She has… committed herself to his cause," Kenobi said, and the Council chambers fell silent at that reveal.
Master Fay…? Mace's mind raced. The legendary wandering Jedi Master, senior to even Yoda, had taken a direct interest and role in the reshaping of Nar Shaddaa…? That was… significant. Even to the Council, Master Fay was often considered more legend than truth. But they all knew that she was very real, along with all the good she'd done for the galaxy in her millennium afield.
"Always good, it is, to hear news of my senior sister," Yoda chortled.
"Do you think she will finally be rejoining the proper running of the Order?" Ki-Adi asked Kenobi. "A Master of her experience would certainly be welcome."
"I… don't see that being likely, Master," Kenobi answered honestly but vaguely.
Mace's eyes narrowed, "Explain."
"Well, there's a… reason… she's been out of contact with the rest of the Order for so long…" Kenobi hesitated.
His Padawan picked up for him, not at all successful in concealing her smugness from the Council's senses, "She told me that every new thing she heard about the current Council was worse than the last."
Mace blinked and sat back in his chair. He sensed similar shock and concern from several of his peers. A sentiment like that, expressed by one of the oldest and wisest Jedi Masters alive to a Padawan, didn't bode well for the current state of the Order. It didn't bode well in the slightest.
Master Fay was disconnected from the Council as it had come to be, true, but in a way, that just made her disapproval more relevant. Her vision wasn't marred by the day-to-day grind. She wasn't inured to the changes that occurred over centuries, the stagnation and potential degradation that Mace and his peers had to accept as fact. In that way, Master Fay would be seeing the Council with clearer eyes than they saw themselves.
Ki-Adi seemed to come to the opposite conclusion, "Hmmph, how disappointing. It seems Master Fay has been away for far too long. While her wisdom is to be respected, I believe that here, her view is clouded by the way things were in her youth."
"Age, betrays us, it does?" Yoda harrumphed right back. "Clouded, you call her eyes; clouded, you call mine. Careful, Master. High as you rise, cane, I can still take to your backside."
Mace wasn't alone in stifling his amusement at the way Ki-Adi sputtered. Still, he added, "I disagree as well, Ki-Adi. It is precisely that 'way things were in her youth' and her disconnect from the current Order that makes her so uniquely qualified to criticize us."
"Personally, I'd like to think this Council doesn't believe itself above criticism," Plo Koon warbled through his mask.
Shaak Ti nodded in agreement, "Especially from a respected and legendary elder. Master Fay is not our enemy. No matter how her disapproval might sting, we cannot treat her as such."
"What else did Master Fay say, Padawan Skywalker?" Eeth Koth asked gently. Despite his Reformationist Stance, Mace remembered that he was one of the Masters who supported Skywalker's induction into the Order at her unusually advanced age.
"She was… quite cross, almost venting to me-…" Kenobi began.
Eeth cut him off, "Thank you, Knight Kenobi. But I would hear your perspective after that of your Padawan."
Ki-Adi's brow furrowed, "As powerful as she is, the girl is hardly qualified-…"
"Hear straight from Skywalker, we will," Yoda overruled him. "Have much to say, the young and spirited do. Test of humility, consider it."
"We won't suppress a firsthand source of such significance simply because of her current rank," Mace agreed.
Skywalker seemed stunned that they actually wanted to hear from her. Kenobi nodded his permission and support to her, though, encouraging his Padawan to share her perspective. There had to be a reason that Master Fay had spoken so openly and critically with Skywalker. And Mace had a feeling that reason wouldn't be a pretty one.
Skywalker took a breath… and then began, "She told me the Council likely wouldn't approve of her, Aayla, and Quinlan's presence on Free Nar Shaddaa."
Mace noted the newly claimed name for the Smuggler's Moon. Free…? Kenobi had used the same addition to the name, but from Skywalker's lips, it seemed to ring differently. And then, there was the question of whether the Council would approve, as Master Fay had said…
Not unanimously, Mace could sense. While Master Fay operated in special circumstances, Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura were still Knights of the Order. The only thing saving them from further censure was Quinlan's status as a Jedi Shadow. Even then, Mace could tell that some of his peers — mostly the ones orbiting Ki-Adi — didn't approve of the Knights' agency and interference.
Skywalker continued, and everything spilled out, "She told me that the Gonks aren't are enemies, that they're working towards something meaningful. She told me that Free Nar Shaddaa is caught up in a… crucible of potential. That the Force is open in all directions there, and that most constants of fate become untethered in everything happening there. She told me, 'Anything is possible on Free Nar Shaddaa.'"
Master Fay had clearly stated her support for the Gonk Movement, then. Mace's brow furrowed at the implication. That stated support would carry weight amongst all who knew Master Fay's name. It wasn't a position they could afford to ignore. Considerations would need to be made for any decision the Council reached, for Mace deeply doubted Master Fay would walk back on her word.
But more pressing, more relevant, was the 'crucible of potential'. Even secondhand through Skywalker, Master Fay's wisdom of the Force couldn't be dismissed. If she said the Force was open, it was. Many — including Mace, for he knew the importance of shatterpoints — would consider that a sign. A crossroads in the Force, centered on change and revolution, that backed Master Fay's stated support with Forceful legitimacy.
And… Mace's mind immediately went to the Veil over the Force that many considered taboo to even mention aloud. The Force wasn't what it was in his youth, much less what it was in Yoda's or Fay's youths. Could that 'crucible of potential' apply to the Veil as well…?
"She told me-!" For a moment, Skywalker grew incensed. She mastered herself quickly, though. And when she spoke again, it wasn't anger that cut them, but fact.
"She told me that the Council had chained me with prophecy. And that your august body had forgotten fundamental Force teaching, 'cause that. Isn't. How. Prophecy Works."
Mace internally winced. That… That was a damning criticism, especially from someone of Master Fay's caliber. She was one of the only beings alive who could take the whole Council to task on matters of the Force. And it was clear that she had, to Skywalker. With the way she'd mastered herself, Mace could tell that Master Fay had helped her work through a significant moment of inner strife.
Chained her with prophecy… It was… Mace couldn't even deny the truth in that statement. They'd dubbed her 'Chosen One'. She'd been — and still was — so young. Monumental expectations had been piled on her shoulders. And now, through the one most affected by it, Master Fay was taking them to task for that decision.
"'No prophecy is certain, Ani,' She told me," Skywalker quoted. "'To say one is, is to spit in the face of the Force's future and its constantly malleable Will. And beyond that, as Jedi, we interpret, not decide. Singling you out for this Chosen One prophecy isn't just against every established protocol and tradition; it's also, quite frankly, just stupid. Prophecy can be a powerful tool, to be certain, but this…? This is not how it's used.'"
"So, yeah," Skywalker snarked. "Master Fay's cross with you all."
Even repeated and half a galaxy away from where it'd been said, Master Fay's quoted words rang with her presence, her weight in the Force. Any indignation or stubbornness the Council might've mustered was silenced. Mace could feel it: Master Fay practically standing there and glaring down all of them like they were naughty younglings in the creche. She'd seen what they had wrought and was very disappointed.
Only Yoda could speak through the stern shadow of Master Fay's reproach. Seriously, regretfully, and with drooping ears, he gave a humming nod.
"Hmm… Buggered, I am."
Master Fay's shadow, manifested there in the Council chambers by a simple quote, rolled her eyes in response. Then, she reached out through the Force and gave the Grandmaster of the Order a Force flick across the nose.
"Deserved this, I did," Yoda nodded again. "Strayed and forgotten much, I have. Apologies, Senior Sister."
The shadow huffed and motioned toward Skywalker. Yoda got the message, bowing his head to the youngest in the room, "No, to you, apologies are in order, young Skywalker. Erred, we have — I have. Wrong, we have done by you."
Skywalker stood there, her mouth falling open, closing, and falling open again on loop. It was an unbelievable scene. The rest of the Council was struck silent, too. Bystanders in their own chambers. But then, that was the weight of a millennium, the presence of the legendary Master Fay.
And she wasn't done, the shadow pointedly crossing her arms and tapping her foot. 'Not enough, junior,' She said without saying anything. 'You are halfway there. Now, actually say the word sorry.'
Yoda's ears drooped even farther down, and for a moment, he seemed so small despite all of his years. They were nothing before his actual senior.
"… Sorry, I am, young Skywalker," Yoda said, genuine and regretful and ashamed at himself. "Time turn back, I am unable to. Take back your imposed title, I am unable to. But know, mistake, I have made."
It was little surprise that Skywalker didn't know how to react to the Grandmaster personally and publicly apologizing to her. Mace wouldn't have known how to react, either. Master Fay's shadow seemed satisfied, though. She dissipated from the Council chambers with ethereal pats on Kenobi and Skywalker's heads, and one last warning that drifted into every Masters' heart.
'Listen to them well, for they speak true. And know, they have my unconditional support in all they've done.'
A worrying premonition rose in Mace's heart at that last line. Slowly, he asked, "What… have you done that Master Fay would have to support, Kenobi, Skywalker?"
It took a moment longer to shake Master Fay's sheer presence from everyone's minds and resume the report, but when they did, Skywalker in particular stood strong and straight and beyond disapproval.
"I have freed my mother from her chains, lawfully and in Mighty Leia's name."
"It was the right thing to do, both morally, to rectify a failing of this Council and myself, and objectively, to remove a factor that might've contributed to my Padawan's Fall," Kenobi stepped up right beside her, standing in full support.
"Unacceptable!" Ki-Adi exclaimed. A knee-jerk reaction.
"Perfectly acceptable!" Skywalker snapped back. "And it's already done! Take it up with Master Fay if you disagree! Otherwise, bite me!"
Skywalker's (understandable but unseemly) response sent the Council into murmurs. Ki-Adi in particular looked affronted. But before he could voice that affront, a voice of thunderous calm rose over the din.
"I'm… sorry…" Shaak Ti began. "I wasn't seated on this Council at the time, but am I to believe we consciously chose to leave a sentient woman in slavery…?"
Plo Koon nodded, "I was there. The vote was… contentious, but eventually resolved 7-4 against."
"Padawan Skywalker's attachment to her mother was deemed too deep to accept," Ki-Adi imperiously stated. "A concern that, as we can now see, has proven to be tru-…"
Still carefully, purposefully calm, Shaak Ti cut him off, "And the matter of attachments is a valid avenue of argument, one I don't entirely disagree with. But that doesn't mean to leave her in slavery. That is cruel. That is unusual. That is… That is a punishment, or worse, a threat!"
Plo Koon simply nodded, "I concur. It's far from the standard procedure, as I voiced at the time. I have personally freed several families from slavery after they placed their younglings in the Order's care. It is one of the few situations where we can and should act freely against the terrible institution of slavery."
"Exceptions," Ki-Adi dismissed. "We cannot rule by exceptions. What would become of stability and the status quo if we did?"
Mace could feel the disbelief at his peer's statement, the palpable hypocrisy in his words. If allowed to go any further, he half expected Skywalker, Kenobi, Plo Koon, and Shaak Ti to all challenge Ki-Adi to back-to-back duels. And wouldn't that have been a sight to see…?
Still, the building argument was cut off by Yoda speaking, "Resolved, the matter is. And supported by my Senior Sister it is, remind you, I must. Put a woman back in chains, we will not. See what happens, you will, if the idea is raised.
"No special treatment, we have strived to give young Skywalker. In that, occurred, the opposite has. Changed, evolved, the situation has. Failed one of our Order, we have. Yet rectified, our mistakes have been. Now, look, we must, with new eyes. Change is needed, my Senior Sister claims. Change, there will be."
Yoda's statement sent ripples through Council Masters of both Stances. To himself, Mace dearly hoped this was the Grandmaster finally picking a side, or at the very least, pushing his own. It would shake the balance, but then, the balance hadn't been going how Mace believed it should for a long time now…
"We'll table the topic," Mace closed the matter. "But just for discussion. There's no need to vote posthumously. For now, there's still the rest of Knight Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker's report to be heard. Resume, Kenobi."
Kenobi did, with a nod, "I believe the material developments of the mission can be taken in at the Council's leisure. Here and now, with my limited time left, I will focus on matters of the Force. The first matter there would be kyber-spice, but as I've established, I believe it to be well in hand by Atom, Quinlan, Aayla, and Master Fay. The second matter… I would like to speak of Atom himself."
"Is~sss he Dark?" Oppo Rancisis asked in his species' usual hissing tones.
"That…" Kenobi hesitated. "Is a complicated question to answer. At most, I can say that he's… not a Jedi. And he doesn't pretend to be. However, the Council can be certain that Master Fay wouldn't continue to stand by him if he were Dark or in danger of Falling."
"An untied, untethered, and untrained Force User could be dangerous, Light or Dark," Mace pointed out.
"Aha!" Yoda giggled, the sound startling enough to derail Mace's train of thought. "But untied, he is not! Beside him, my Senior Sister stands. Of volition, all her own. Counts for much — indeed, very much — that does.
"As well, sensed him, I have. Met in the Force, I have. Light, Dark, for a way of his own, he Spites both. Fascinating, hrmm, fascinating, it is. Closely watch him seek a new path, the Force does. A curiosity. A novelty. Different. Fresh. Valued. Smother him for his unique way, we will not."
"Curiosity is… one way to describe him, Masters," Kenobi sighed. "If at all possible, I would strongly suggest you all meet and assess him for yourself. Simply hearing about him… truly doesn't do him justice."
"Whatever nebulous favor he might have from the Force itself does nothing to change the fact that he is untrained," Saesee Tiin reminded. "A man stumbling blindly can do much damage through no intention of his own."
"Blindly? Heehe-hoo-ho~!" Yoda outright laughed at that, a cackle that brought the whole chamber up short. "Blindly, you say?! Blind, how can he be, with Senior Sister's beacon lighting the way? Know her, you do not. Know him, you do not. Unsmothered, he shall remain. Free to grow, as the Force Wills. If still unsettled, you feel, Senior Sister's apprentice, consider him."
Slowly and still slightly reeling from that cackle… Mace nodded, "That is… acceptable. I would be willing to put my faith in Master Fay."
"It isn't as if the Order can claim a monopoly over the Force," Plo Koon pointed out. "Or that it should."
By the slight frown on his face, Ki-Adi disagreed. He didn't, however, dare voice that disagreement after Yoda had made his opinion known in such an… unusual way.
"Atom's also been adopted as a sibling of Mighty Leia," Skywalker said. "One of her chief champions. She'll help guide him as much, if not more, than even Master Fay."
A wave of some small confusion washed over the Council. Mace's brow furrowed at the name 'Mighty Leia' and the strange… faith Skywalker said it with. She was utterly sure of her statement. And with the way Yoda was nodding matter-of-factly, he seemed to agree.
"Who is Mighty Leia?" Mace asked.
"I know the name, but only from stories and folktales, nothing said so… real," Plo Koon mused.
"Mighty Leia is the shared sister to all who ever have and ever will know chains," Skywalker explained, strangely shedding the top half of her robes as she did.
The shirt she wore underneath was sleeveless, and the tattoos she bore on her arms were revealed. Mace remembered how they'd once been a somewhat serious controversy for the Council, but also that they'd been allowed as a cultural consideration.
Now, he and the rest of the Council learned why Skywalker considered them her culture. She walked them through the tapestries on her arms with nigh-holy reverence and great familiarity, fingers tracing the lines as she told the tale they represented.
"Mighty Leia was one of the first slaves — perhaps the first entirely. She was of the sky and the stars, Celestial and powerful and Free. But still, she was taken from her home in the sky, locked in chains, and suffered just as all her future siblings would suffer. She came to know their weight, the weight of another's will imposed upon everything she was. Soon enough, more souls began joining her in chains.
"Every soul her masters chained, Mighty Leia claimed as her own. Away from their cruel and covetous eyes, she took each new slave as kin, not of blood, but of chains and circumstance. And with all of them, Mighty Leia shared her stars. Without fail or exception, she gave her new siblings pieces of herself, willingly dimming her own shining firmament for those chained beside her.
"Eventually, the sky within her grew dark. Barren, but never cold, for each of her stars had been placed to pulse the light of freedom within one of her siblings' chained hearts. With her new darkness of being, Mighty Leia slipped free of her chains in the night. She returned to her proper place in the sky. But even in her rightful heavens, Mighty Leia never forgot her siblings, each holding a star for her. She vowed to see them returned, vowed to raise her siblings from their chains to shine free with her. She has worked tirelessly toward that vow ever since.
"Her tale is told to all who know chains. It is hope whispered in the night beneath her sky, for even the masters must sleep and thus, leave the night a time for precious, precious dreams. My… mother and I… we often sat out beneath the stars, knowing that each light we saw in the sky was one of our siblings who now shone free."
The Council could only listen in respectful silence, only experience the emotion pouring off Skywalker with her tale. It was… something special. Not rage or fear or pain as one might expect from a story of slavery; it was fond memories in terrible circumstances, hopes and dreams, and true belief. It was a Force phenomenon that even the Council of learned and lived Masters had never seen before. It was starlight, shining straight from Skywalker's soul.
It was real, even Mace couldn't deny that. But without the same ties of culture and belief as Skywalker, his mind intently searched for a more quantifiable explanation. To his surprise, he found one… Celestial, Skywalker had said. And Mighty Leia really might have been, now elevated even further in the Force by millennia of stories shared in chains.
Kenobi stepped up in support of his Padawan's claim, "Of the Force phenomena we experienced on this mission, none was greater or more ever-present than Mighty Leia. She favors Free Nar Shaddaa, and I sensed too much to deny her existence. It is this Knight's true belief — and that of his Padawan — that she is a Deity of the Force, but the full extent of her being is still very much unknown to us."
"A Deity of the Force?" Ki-Adi Mundi scoffed harshly, somehow still skeptical. "You must be mistaken. I've heard of nothing of the sort."
"We are not, Master…" Skywalker hissed. "Mighty Leia is real. She is with me. She is with all of my siblings. And now, she's there, present on Free Nar Shaddaa, and she's chosen her champions."
"I really must agree with my Padawan here, Master," Kenobi said firmly. "Not only is she uniquely and culturally qualified to speak on the subject, I sensed it for myself, too. As did the other Jedi present. You may call me and Ani mistaken, but would you say the same about Master Fay?"
Even the Masters Ki-Adi usually found support in were looking at him in askance, Even Piell asking, "Ki-Adi… Can you truly not sense it…?"
"I sense a unique and unexplained example of the Force and its mysterious workings," Ki-Adi said. "But I am not so quick to label it divine. Are we not more wise than those unfortunately ignorant cultures that call the Force and all its working magic?"
"You're being more pedantic than productive, Ki-Adi," Mace said. "Whether or not we label Mighty Leia as divine doesn't matter; we can all sense something here."
"I'd argue that it matters quite a lot, actually. Worship…" Ki-Adi didn't quite sneer the word. "Is unbecoming of a Jedi."
Mace was about to nod and concede that point to Ki-Adi, for it was a good one, and well made, before Yoda cut in, "Difference, there is, between worship… and true belief. Mistake them, you should not."
"All things possible, through the Force, they are," Yoda continued, his tone lightly chiding. "Limit yourself, you do. Think you know all, you do. See through only one lens, you do. But Kaleidoscope of All Things, the Force is. Keep an open mind, even I must."
"Regardless of… her… final label, we must, as my former Master says, acknowledge that there is something here," Depa said. "A power in the Force that we don't understand. A section of the Force that we don't have the experience to easily explore. This is untred ground for our Council — for most of our Order, even. Approaching it with assumptions and preconceptions in mind won't be productive at all, I feel."
Oppo Rancisis nodded his agreement, "Indeed. Now, we musssst decide what isss to be done."
Skywalker seemed slightly offended, both by the denial of her 'sister' and the implication that 'something must be done' about her, "Mighty Leia is no danger to any but the masters who chain her siblings. She is a force for Freedom, for good in the galaxy."
"Learn more, we must, not act prematurely," Yoda advised. "To damn an aspect of the Force, who are we?"
"Damn? Perhaps not," Ki-Adi allowed. "But… 'she'… could still be useful if harnessed properly, as all Lightside aspects of the Force can be."
Skywalker hissed at that, "Harnessed?! Chain Mighty Leia, Master, and I will ensure this entire Order burns in her name!"
Instantly, a Shatterpoint flashed in front of Mace's eyes. A major one. In that moment — before Skywalker's power and deep connection to Mighty Leia, before righteous fury — the Jedi Order hung in the balance.
"We will not," Mace quickly and sternly ruled. "That suggestion was out of line, Ki-Adi, especially after all we've just heard. At the same time, Skywalker. Calm yourself. As poorly phrased as that was, there is some modicum of truth there. Think. An aspect of the Force centered on Freedom could finally give the Order the jurisdiction we need to act wherever slavery rears its ugly head."
Mace's allies on the Council nodded, and even some of the other Stance nodded as well. No one liked slavery. But more often than not, the Order's hands were tied on the subject. This, though…? This could be exactly what they needed.
Quiet, almost desperate hope bloomed in Skywalker's heart at those words, and Mace was relieved to see the Shatterpoint fade and shift away from the Order itself, "I… see, Master. My apologies. This will… always be a sensitive subject for me."
Still, Saesee Tiin quietly voiced caution, "As noble a cause, as good the intentions, hasty changes to the status quo can still do more harm than good."
"Meditate on this, we must," Yoda closed the matter for now. "Heated, the topic is, and much research, there is, to be done. Composure, we strive to uphold. Return, we shall, when ready. Then, invite young Skywalker, Knight Kenobi, and all in the Order who've known chains, we will. A voice in this discussion, they deserve, most of all."
"If I may, Masters?" Kenobi spoke up. "There is another consideration in play, now. Mighty Leia's Laws, signed into existence on Free Nar Shaddaa. And in her name, they're already sending ripples through the Force. They may give us more justification to act if it's needed."
"They're hardly the Republic's laws," Ki-Adi frowned in disapproval.
Shaak Ti outright rolled her eyes at that, "I don't think that's too high a price to pay if it means we'll finally be acting against slavery."
Ki-Adi's frown deepened, "We are upholders of the Republic and its laws, not some upstart revolution out of Hutt Space. Setting the precedent that outside laws apply to us would be danger-…"
"Arrange your arguments and present them at a later date," Mace cut him off. "As Grandmaster Yoda said, meditate on it. This isn't a decision that will be made today."
He turned back to Skywalker and Kenobi, "Thank you, Knight Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker. Your report has been heard well, and certainly given us much to work with. Submit a more comprehensive report of anything you might've missed or brushed over after you're dismissed. We will read it. Something will come of it. But for now, there is other work the Council must see to. You are dismissed."
Mace could sense how torn Skywalker was between wanting to insist and still reeling from the fact she'd been heard. Kenobi just placed a calming hand on her shoulder, telling her that they'd done enough and that pushing more would only be detrimental. He simply bowed with the dismissal.
"Thank you for your time and consideration, Masters."
They'd certainly used that time and consideration to full effect, Mace thought. He knew he had much to think on. And he doubted his peers were any different. The discussion that would eventually come would be… interesting. But… it was also a chance for very real, very necessary change in the Order. Mace thanked them for that chance with the slightest of nods.
On their way out, however, Skywalker seemed to remember something, turning back around to address him, "Oh, Master Windu…? This, I-… Err, A… metal monster named Smasher said to… give you his hateful regards."
Mace blinked at that name, at those 'hateful regards'. Slowly, he sat back in his seat. Old phantom aches wracked his knuckles as he remembered that trying mission from his Padawan days. That was where he knew 'Night City' from…
"Adam Motherfuckin' Smasher…" He muttered before sighing louder, "Thank you, Skywalker, for relaying those… hateful regards…"
Strangely, Skywalker nodded and sent him a sympathetic glance. Though if she'd truly met Smasher on that mission, Mace could understand the look… He sensed curiosity from his peers, curiosity that he really didn't want to address.
'The less time I spend thinking about that old monster, the better,' Mace thought.
Unfortunately, the matter didn't slip under anyone's radar. Certainly not Yoda's as he cackled, "Old foes, to fight once more, hmm~? Good opportunity, this is, heehee! Get lofty behind back in field, you should! A rematch, I would love to watch!"
"I'm sure that won't be necessary, Grandmaster," Mace smoothly said. "He was a threat back then, but I doubt he'd be one now."
"Hmm, scared, are you? Shame. No fear, a Jedi should know," Yoda hummed. If the idea wasn't so ridiculous, Mace could've sworn he was smirking. "No matter. Another meeting, I see in your future. Surprises, the Force always has for us."
An almost deranged giggle bubbled out of the Grandmaster's old throat as Mace sighed, "Hehoheoh~! Prepare, we must! Come, come! That mission archive, know where to find, I still do!"
"Grandmaster, I don't think that's necessary-…" Mace stoically tried to refuse. He went ignored as Yoda began pulling up the holo-vid from his youth.
"What's all this, then?" Shaak Ti wondered.
"I don't know, but I'm eager to find out," Plo Koon chuckled.
"Grandmaster, what of the rest of the agenda for the day?" Ki-Adi tried to get the session back on track.
"Bah!" Yoda waved him down entirely. "Emergency addition, this is! Continuation of report! Research, yes! Crucible of potential, Senior Sister called Night City, Free Nar Shaddaa! Players, actors, mover-shakers, familiarize ourselves with, we will! At same time, enjoy, we will, our fellow Master's best work!
… While Yoda might've said his emergency addition to the session was in the name of research, Mace couldn't help but feel the Grandmaster was enjoying himself a bit too much. Rising vapors from his long-ago youth, perhaps, brought on by seeing Master Fay again, because this certainly wasn't the Grandmaster they were used to seeing anywhere but with the younglings…
"Fetch bang-corn, someone must!" Yoda called out as the old holo-vid of the mission where Mace first encountered Smasher (and won but barely survived…) began to play at the center of the Council chambers.
Mace closed his eyes and settled back in his seat, begrudgingly accepting Yoda's 'emergency addition' to the agenda. He didn't need to watch. The memory was already playing through his mind — the kind of life-changing event that was impossible to forget, especially with how it'd been one of his first successful instances of using Shatterpoint.
The sound of the Grandmaster crunching down on bang-corn reached his ears as he relived that mission, and Mace sighed, "How… troublesome…"
IIIII
[AN: Decided to split the 'Official Reports' interlude into two parts: the Jedi Council report here, and then, a Palpatine POV-Supreme Chancellor's Council report next chapter. Should be about the same length as this one, but together, they easily would've cracked 10k words.
Also, no idea why Shaak Ti lives so rent-free in my head, but she absolutely does. Up there with Aayla for utterly unimportant Star Wars characters who are sexy as sin for, like, no reason. Anyway, I couldn't be bothered to give each of the Council members pic-introductions, but Shaak Ti? Muscle mommy Togruta master? Yeah, I can spare a bit of effort for her lol. Enjoy :]