- Have you come for more answers? I can recommend little else to you. Kreia stated, ready to answer her disciple's questions.
- When you lost your hand, I felt it too. I assure you, Surik is reporting that ailment in his limb.
- I'm not surprised, no more than you hearing my thoughts when we're apart. However, the pain was unexpected; had I been able, I would have protected you from it. Declared the white-haired woman, willing to do anything for her padawan.
- If you felt the loss of your hand, what would have happened if you had died? She asked Meetra, intrigued and worried about what could have happened if her master had died.
- I don't know for sure. I fear that the consequences could have been more severe. The old woman affirmed, thinking about that terrible possibility.
- More graves? I felt as if I had plunged my hand into molten carbonite. He informed the ex-Jedi about the terrible pain he felt in his limb.
- So the sensation you would have with my death might be less than that, although much faster. Kreia concluded, reflecting on how her apprentice would feel if that happened to her.
- Are you saying that my life is conditioned by yours? Surik inquired about what she believed to be her master's and the bond between them.
- It's possible, yes, and I'm afraid it works both ways. I wouldn't want to try it. Neither would you. I reason, a woman with white hair, seeing the risks that this bond between them could have.
- What can we do? I don't want my actions to put you at risk. The ex-Jedi feared for her master's well-being and the consequences that could arise from that bond.
- When a battle occurs, I suspect our minds are prepared to protect each other from pain. I don't think the Peragus incident will happen again. Kreia assured, wanting to ease her apprentice's worries.
- How could this bond have formed? I had never heard of a bond like this before, in the holocrons or the Jedi archives. Doubt Surik, puzzled by this link between them and its unexplained origin.
- I confess that her nature confuses me as well. But the bond is strong and its roots deep. It seems that the force flows easily between us. When one manipulates the Force to heal or strengthen themselves, the other does so as well. It is a truly powerful technique, although, as we have observed, it has drawbacks. The old woman stated, unaware of the origin of this phenomenon among them and the possible benefits of it.
- Can you tell me what has happened since the Mandalorian Wars? As far as I remember, I was in them along with your apprentice Revan, and there was great devastation on Malachor V. The former Jedi recalled, being able to remember those events that she had gaps in her mind about.
- If the Mandalorians and the Republic were partly decimated in that battle, fortunately, it was a large force of the former, and when it was destroyed, it managed to deter them, causing them to flee to unknown regions of the galaxy. Kreia clarified, complementing the information her disciple had in her mind.
"I remember that the Galactic Republic begged the Jedi Order to come to their aid in this conflict, and the Jedi Council did not support them, but a group of Jedi did, led by Revan and Malak." Surik declared, recalling the Mandalorian Wars in her mind.
-Correct. Confirmed the woman with white hair, giving a sense that she perfectly remembered that part.
- Atton and T3 informed me about what happened in the Jedi Civil War. Revan redeemed himself, fought against his apprentice Malak, and defeated him. Then, according to the little droid, his friend, or rather my former master, after destroying Malak's star forge, he went to the Unknown Regions to stop a threat in a place as dangerous as it is unknown. Even Revan erased all records so that he wouldn't be followed, to protect all the loved ones he left behind on his perilous journey. But it seems that Bastila, my old master's beloved, made the Ebony Hawk return from the Unknown Regions to find someone to help him come back. Meetra revealed, knowing what her companions had told her about the background.
- Correct, it seems those two know a lot about what happened before. Admitted the woman with white hair, realizing that her student's companions knew quite a bit about Revan.
- Well, I will tell you why Malak and Revan turned to the darkness. It turns out that the more they battled against their Mandalorian enemies, the more they found passion in the fight, and that passion led them to the dark side. In this way, they rebelled against the rest of the Jedi and the Republic. Report to Kreia on how the pair of heroes turned against the people they promised to protect.
- I unfortunately didn't remember that, but now I understand why they turned dark. Affirmed the ex-Jedi, being able to see the reason for the change in the pair of Jedi and their followers.
- I will clarify how Revan was redeemed; he suffered a betrayal from his apprentice and was then ambushed by the Jedi as well as the Republic, and was captured by Bastila. Malak continued his war against his master as well as against the Republic, leaving it quite weakened. It still struggles to recover from them even today. The old woman informed her student about how things happened in detail.
"Thank you for telling me exactly what happened with them." Meetra thanked now, knowing more of the context and how the events unfolded.
- After Revan destroyed the Star Forge, the remaining Sith turned on each other, reducing the planet Korriban to rubble. Kreia continued informing about what happened after the victory of her old apprentice.
- So, with this weakened republic, we must do what we can until it has the opportunity to recover from the war. The brown-haired girl stated, ready to support the republic as much as she could.
- The teachings of a culture and, more importantly, the nature of its people are defined in times of conflict. There they are found... Or they get lost. For too long, the republic had no opposition. It is a stagnant beast struggling to breathe, and that has been the case for centuries. The Jedi Order was the heart that contained its evil. Now that the Jedi have been lost, we will see how much the Republic can withstand. Explained the woman with white hair, implying that the jedis were what kept the republic standing.
- Is there anything that can be done to restore the republic? Surik asked, willing to try to repair the weakened organization.
- We'll see. The civil war cost the republic dearly. Malak's Sith resources seemed limitless due to the star forge. The Republic's resources were not. Flotillas of warships, soldiers and civilians, like planets, were decimated; the inhabitants of the worlds in this conflict were exterminated en masse or took refuge in exoduses. All of the above is a burden for any civilization. The old woman clarified, saying that the republic was devastated by the recent conflict and its victims.
- And this new threat... It is silent, unlike the Jedi civil war. It is not directed against the strength of the Republic, but against you. Kreia assured, implying that the Sith were after her and the hope she represented.
"I am the last obstacle in the Sith's plans, and when I fall, no one else will be able to confront them." Surik stated, knowing that she was the only one who could possibly fight against this threat.
- Correct, the Republic was never what mattered. It was nothing more than the shell that surrounded the Jedi, just as the Jedi teachings are the shell that surrounds the heart of man. Do you understand now? The war, the real war, has never been fought by droids, ships, or soldiers. They are nothing more than crude matter, obstacles to test us. The true war is fought in the heart of living things, against our nature, light and darkness. That is what shapes and unites the galaxy, not the creations of man. You are the battlefield. And if you fall, the death of the republic will be silent, a whisper that will herald the darkness to come. The old woman assured, giving an understanding of her point of view on the struggles.
- Alright, I can understand that. And what else can you tell me about the Sith who don't hunt? Meetra asked about their adversaries and the threat that followed them.
- Those Sith want the death of all the Jedi. Like all the Siths since the first schism of the Jedi Order. Kreia explained, providing more context about where this division comes from.
- The first schism? The ex-Jedi, intrigued, doubted, wanting to know what he meant by that.
- If what happened with Revan and Malak wasn't the first time, thousands of years ago, the Jedi fought another civil war that divided the order. It was something terrible. A faction of the Jedi abandoned the doctrines of the order and followed their own path. They declared war on the other members; a struggle that shook the entire galaxy. The surviving rebel Jedi who lost in this confrontation were expelled. They took refuge in the Outer Rim. Over time, they took the place of the Sith lords. Their resentment toward the Jedi never faded; it burned in their veins and resonated in their very being. Revan and Malak experienced this as well. The woman with white hair clarified to her student about that previous event.
- So, will these Sith continue their crusade? Surik asked, seeing how they follow in the footsteps of their ancestors.
- In a way... they are different from Malak in that they only care about the destruction of the Jedi. Nothing else concerns them, nor will it ever. When all the Jedi die, it doesn't matter if the Sith or the Republic govern. Darkness will reign without any viable opposition. The old woman concluded, predicting the dark fate that the galaxy would face if the Jedi no longer existed.
- I have never seen killer Siths like those of the Herald. The former Jedi doubted with intrigue about the strange way of acting and attacking the agents of the dark side.
- Apparently, they are the result of special teachings. Their apparent weakness against you is evidence of it. Those Sith assassins sense their target thru the Force, it's like a craving. They feed, they grow stronger, near those sensitive to the Force. The stronger their prey, the more lethal they are. While you were isolated from her, you were able to avoid her scrutiny. But after Peragus, I'm afraid you are no longer safe from her eyes or the eyes of her masters. The stronger the sea, the more they will come. The old woman assured, predicting the situation that was eventually approaching them.
"I understand." Surik declared, understanding what his teacher said.
- I would go see that idiot in the cabin to remind him of our destination. I don't want him to try to divert us from Telos. Suggested Kreia, somewhat annoyed with the pilot of this ship, wanting her student to go check that he was doing his job properly.
- Atton isn't that bad, it's just that... Well, maybe he is. I reason Meetra sees a bit of her partner's behavior.
- He's an idiot and a jerk, his potential is declining, not increasing. Be careful with that. He's not trustworthy... I don't trust him, and neither should you. That man only thinks of himself first and then his "allies." The old woman despised the young brown-haired boy, suggesting that he was someone selfish.
- Moving on to another topic, when we were at the mining station, I could feel the Force within me again. Surik stated, confessing something that Kreia already knew, but the ex-Jedi couldn't explain.
- Yes? And was it like before? The woman with white hair inquired, intrigued, wanting to know her student's experience.
- It was like a whisper at the edge of hearing. Surik assuredly explained her experience and how she felt it.
- If my suspicions are correct, perhaps the damage caused by the Jedi Council was not as devastating as they believed. It's not easy to separate someone from the Force. The old woman concluded, seeing how she couldn't take away her disciple's power.
- Wait... Did the Jedi do this to me? Asked the ex-Jedi, bewildered and unsure of how exactly that happened.
What did you think? What, did you suddenly lose your connection to the Force for no reason? Kreia questioned, seeing how her student naively thot that it would be a coincidence.
- It is not possible to separate someone from the Force, it's like making them deaf or blind. Assured the brown-haired girl, comparing those sensations to losing the connection with the Force.
- Yes, it is possible. It's like losing one of the 5 senses or entering a deep sleep, unable to return to the galaxy around you. Such things have been done before, when the Jedi condemned one of their own and exiled them, like you. He informed Kreia, explaining how it is supposed to feel to lose the Force and how the Jedi had previously severed the connection with the Force of other users.
- I can't believe the Jedi punished someone like that. It sounds too cruel. Surik doubted with disbelief, unable to believe that it was possible.
- If it weren't them. Who did you think was the cause of such a loss? I question Kreia about her student's skepticism.
- I thot I had lost her because of my actions, for forgetting my training and the Jedi teachings. The ex-Jedi assured, thinking that possibly because of her actions she had distanced herself from the Force.
- War leaves many scars, but it usually doesn't prevent seeing the Force. In any case, conflict and challenge make the bond stronger, more intense. No matter how many horrors you experienced in the war, serving whoever you served, it is unlikely that the bond would be lost without other factors involved. The woman with white hair explained how she reached that conclusion.
- Can my connection with the Force be healed? Asked Meetra, wondering if there was a possibility to restore her power.
- It is possible that something like this can be undone, but even so, the chances of a Jedi helping with this, to someone seen as a pariah like you, are slim. In case any of them are still alive. Kreia reasoned, seeing the feasibility of being able to repair her student's connection.
- But he said it's possible. How? Meetra doubts, bewildered, believing that it was almost impossible for it to happen.
- Our bond... It may have had other consequences. Perhaps you will hear the distant strength thru me again. If so, there is hope. I could teach you, guide you to feel the Force again. And if you don't let me help, another Jedi will have to instruct you... or undo the damage that has been done to you. The elderly woman stated, wanting to offer her help to the lost young woman.
"I will honor any training you wish to give me." The exiled Jedi praised her master with gratitude.
- Do not honor me, fallen Jedi, honor by listening and learning. Do it, and perhaps we will both survive. I offer to instruct you so that you become strong again, so that you learn the ways of the Force, so that you hear them sing within you as before. Kreia assured her esteemed ally, wanting to guide her.
"I appreciate any help you can offer me." Surik thanked her while giving a slight bow.
- Then let's begin. When I travel with you, I will convey it to you thru my words or my presence. Affirmed the woman, with white eyes, with acceptance.
"I want to know something more." Meetra kindly asked her teacher.
- What do you want to know? The elderly woman asked her student doubtfully.
- So, what will we do now? Surik inquires, intrigued about what she might do next.
- I don't know. The Sith attacked faster than I expected and they won't stop until they have you in their grasp. If she falls, the entire galaxy will suffer for it. Kreia assured, knowing the risk her disciple was in.
- But there must be some place we can go. Meetra declared, hopeful of finding a place to take shelter.
- It doesn't matter where we go. The destination doesn't matter, the journey does. All paths will lead us to the end, whatever it may be, no matter how much we resist. For now, we are heading toward Telos, and that is enough. The old woman concluded by saying that the journey is more important than the destination.
- Enough for what? Asked the exiled woman, unsure of what that meant.
- Before the war, the jedis who did not pass the training were sent to the fields of Telos to serve the galaxy not as knights, but as farmers. The destruction of Telos was total. I doubt that Jedi reign. But there may be echoes of their passage. We'll see. The lady with gray hair explained to her student.
- What if we don't find any trace of Jedi teachings on Telos? I doubt it, the former Jedi worried that perhaps none of their knowledge remains.
- Then I won't have more than what I already have: my faith in you and your ability to face whatever comes. The teacher simplifies, knowing that perhaps she would only have herself to instruct the former Jedi.
- Hello, march. The Jedi said goodbye and went straight to the ship's cabin.
- How is our passenger? Is she still aging? The flirty guy joked as he continued piloting the star freighter.
- As critical as always. Meetra joked back to her acquaintance as she sat in one of the chairs.
- What a great surprise! Just so you know, Jedi, all that 'critical pose' isn't mysterious, it's irritating. If you can really see the future, you should be at the pazaak table. Rand joked again, implying that the old woman should use her Force abilities to win at gambling.
- But to know the future, one must know oneself. Surik joked about what his esteemed acquaintance was saying.
- What was that, some kind of joke? That's what I mean by 'Jedi talk.' You two should open your own Jedi academy. The brown-haired boy concluded, seeing the potential of both as Force users.
- To teach, one must be willing to learn. The former Jedi joked again with her friend about what he had said.
- Alright. Let it go. I get it... I get it. Of all the Jedi in the galaxy, I had to get a comical one who walks around in their underwear. And it's not that I'm complaining, you know. He complained, fed up with his partner's words.
- I mean, if I have to spend a year locked in an escape pod with someone, I'd rather it be you than the Jedi queen of the galaxy. The brown-haired one assured, preferring his friend over the elderly woman.
- I don't think Kreia is a Jedi. Surik doubts the origin of her master.
- Then she must belong to royalty, because barking orders as if she were the queen of the galaxy. Maybe she's senile. I mean, how old do you think you are? Maybe in the past he was attractive, but it takes a very hard life to end up with grooves like those. Atton joked, thinking about the old woman's background, personality, and appearance.
- A hard life? Surik hesitated, wanting to know exactly what he meant.
- Yes, his face looks like it was plowed by a madman from Ord Mantell. Don't tell me you were too distracted by her personality to notice. He mocked the brown-haired boy again, implying that Kreia's face looked tired or ruined.
- Hey, stop insulting her. They injured her while she was helping us escape, remember? Meetra questioned, somewhat annoyed by the mockery the brown-haired man directed at the elderly woman with gray hair.
- Well, fine, don't get like that. I wasn't the one who asked her to stay behind so they could cut off her hand, okay? Come on, I appreciate what she did and all that, but she can stand up and defend herself from the insults. Right? Rand reasons, implying that she should defend herself against his taunts and jokes.
- Are we still headed to Telos? He asked Surik to find out if they had not strayed from their path.
- As if we had a choice. It's the only place Peragus had on its navigational charts. If you thot Peragus was dead, Telos is a dying world they are trying to breathe life into. We shouldn't take long. If you want, you can check our course on the galactic map. You have it behind you. The flirtatious boy argued with his companion, making it clear that they had no other direction to go.
"I have other questions to ask you." I declare Meetra wanting to know what the flirtatious boy might know.
- Ah, no, no, no. Look, I respect your privacy. Let's see, have I asked you anything? Apart from this, of course. Rand questioned the meddlesome companion in her affairs.
- What did you mean by saying that the galactic map wasn't very helpful? Surik doubted, intrigued by what her companion was saying.
- Well, the navigation system receives a voice print and is locked, but that T3 unit works as the navigation system. You can try to plot a course, but if you don't have that T3 unit to do the calculations, it's likely we'll crash into a star. As long as he doesn't steal the ship, there's no problem. The flirtatious boy explained, implying what that droid can do and its usefulness for interstellar navigation.
- Who introduced the voice print into the star navigation system? Asked Meetra, wanting to know who it was.
- I have no idea. The previous owner, perhaps? I would love to tune it up, but it's a very hard job. I think the droid will do for now. Atton concluded without knowing how to respond to his partner's doubt.
- It turns out that the previous owner was Revan and, according to T3, he left his people behind. Still, I don't know why he would block the astronavigation system. Surik hesitated, wanting to know why his old master would do such a thing.
- It also baffles me, the reason for that action and its motives. Rand replied, pondering the possible reasons for Revan's actions.
- Do you know anything about that assassin droid HK that was chasing me? I ask my companion, the ex-Jedi, to see if he knows something I don't.
- Not much, except that apparently he was after you. As far as I'm concerned, you handled it very well. The droid is gone, the problem is gone. "I simplify," said the brown-haired boy as he continued with his work.
- Since when do protocol droids collect bounties? Meetra asked in a somewhat humorous tone due to the ridiculousness of the dangerous situation they had recently experienced.
- Yes, I know how to respond to that. Look, the droids... I don't trust them. Is that the one we fight against? Some are created that way. Others... They fail. From the head. Sometimes it's due to conflicting orders. Give a droid too much data or ask it for something impossible, and its behavior module will split in two. Others don't have their memory erased and start to go insane. Rand explains the behavior of the automatons and the consequences of their use.
The small utility droid listened to the conversation and nervously continued its tasks.
- By the way, someday I'll have to take care of that garbage compactor. Mmm. Believe me, droids are made to break down. And, above all, they are predictable and stupid. Concluded the flirtatious boy, implying his very unfavorable view of the droids.
- Then I'm going. The exiled Jedi said goodbye to her companion, but before she left, the boy said something else to her.
- And what happened before? The brown-haired boy inquires of Surik about a matter.
- What are you talking about? Meetra asked, bewildered, about what she wanted to tell her partner.
- Don't give me that. There were many times on Peragus when a lightsaber would have been useful. And where is yours? He asked Atton, knowing that naturally, a Jedi always carries a weapon like that with them.
-Exiles are not allowed to keep them. The former Jedi replied, recalling how they were taken from her.
- Oh, really? I thot a Jedi was married to their lightsaber. I guess I misunderstood. Did you use a regular grip or a double-edged one? He asked the brown-haired boy what his companion's weapon was like.
- It had a standard grip. Surik replied simply while looking at the starship navigation map.
- I'm not surprised. It wasn't red, was it? He asked again, the flirtatious boy, wanting to know more.
- I barely remember the sensations, let alone the colors. And I don't care if I never remember it. The exiled Jedi stated brusquely, not wanting to remember anymore.
- I believed that a Jedi and their lightsaber could not be separated. That losing it was like losing part of oneself. Rand reasoned, having heard tales about the Jedi and their bonds with their weapons.
- I don't remember it anymore, it was a long time ago. The exiled Jedi assured, barely able to remember what it was like to wield a lightsaber, but her memory could hardly recall.
- The end -