The whole way to the coordinates gave me plenty of time to practice. I kept reaching out with the Force little by little, trying to get a feel for it again. The exercise back on the ship had left me....shaken on what it could feel like. I wasn't keen on having that happen again, so I very slowly opened myself back up to it. This lead me to get a good feeling of what state the planet was in. The shadow that laid over everything wasn't the same as the one that the Dark Side gave off but it wasn't much better. It felt like everything around me was just, shattered and almost trampled on with the way I saw the Force.
My whole perception of the Force since leaving home has changed dramatically but nothing like this.
When we found Captain Antilles he was waiting for us with a group of men around him. They weren't totally standing at attention but they were ready to receive our gear and whatever else we had. We directed them towards the hangar we had the ship at and they left us in an orderly fashion. Captain Antilles then lead us towards the location where everyone else was. Neither of us said anything, the air was slightly tense and I had no idea what we were walking into. Every step I took seemed like it was taking me towards some unknown, some aspect of the Force I had never encountered but seemed oddly familiar. Almost like the Jedi Masters I had been traveling with but far....bigger.
I wrapped my cloak tighter around me, not knowing what else to do as we entered the hangar. The lights were off, the Captain already explaining to us the customs and courtesies of the Naboo people. We entered the ship and I waited a moment for my eyes to adjust. I played as if I was admiring the ship but really I just didn't want to look like a fool squinting just to see as I traveled down the corridors. But it seemed like I didn't need to worry since we didn't pass a single person on the route we took....strange. I would think with a ship this big there would be more crew members walking around....
Our guide gave off no signs of knowing what I was the entire time he was directing us and I didn't want to probe him in case I didn't like the answer. He lead us here well enough so we could at least partially trust him.
Ahead of us was an open doorway on our right and Captain Antilles walked right through it and immediately stepped aside and snapped to attention, he didn't even meet my eyes when I followed his movements. Captain Ilawatizo and I both stopped as we passed the threshold and looked upon the room.
A huge table was laid out ahead of us with multiple chairs placed around it. Masters Wamo and Shaddoc sat on the left of it with the Kid next to them furthest from us. On the corner closest to us on the left sat a fair skinned man, if you looked past the dirt and soot covering his clothes and body. On the right sitting on the corner chair was a dark skinned man, he had slightly weathered skin but an obviously regal look to him. He was definitely one of the most wealthy looking people I've seen but I couldn't tell what kind of person he was in general. The last sat directly in front of us and turned in the chair as we entered. He was a short, green, frog looking creature. It was literally the most bizarre thing I had ever seen and so I couldn't stop the words coming out of my mouth.
"Why is there a green Lombax sitting in that chair?"
Literally ever single person turned to look at me but it was the last person I expected that asked the question.
"What's a Lombax?"
I didn't even turn to acknowledge Captain Antilles.
"Just forget it, doesn't matter."
The awkward silence lasted a brief moment but Master Wamo got up and approached us to keep the conversation going.
"Zavart, Captain Ilawatizo, may I introduce Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Grand Master Yoda, and Senator Bail Prestor Organa of Alderaan. They were the ones who requested to meet you," Master Wamo introduced the three unknowns from our left to right with a large amount of pride and happiness. It finally let me put a face to the name of Obi-Wan Kenobi and that face was not looking very friendly.
"So, you are the so called, 'Sith' that we've been told about. You certainly aren't like any Sith I've met before."
This came from Obi-Wan and I tilted my head to the side.
"You've met other Sith?"
"A few, yes," here he leaned forward and steepled his fingers.
"Master Kenobi is being modest. Apart from Master Yoda, Obi-Wan has fought at least five Sith Lords. He has a lot of experience," Shaddoc came swooping to his side also with pride and happiness.
"One must add, to the number he's fought," the small figure of Master Yoda chimed in. He was still staring at me with his black eyes, I don't think he's blinked yet.
"That's even more amazing! To have fought six Sith Lords in his life time, it's an amazing feat."
"Yeah, it is."
"How many did you kill?" My voice had an edge to it. This Obi-Wan guy had not looked at another person since I walked in and he was keeping his hands very carefully on his lap. His whole body language was telling me that he was using all of his will power to restrain himself.
I wanted to poke it with a vibroblade.
He didn't say anything but his eyes narrowed at me.
"How many did you defeat and not let get away?" Here I arched an eyebrow. I was poking deeper now I could feel it.
"This isn't some kind of contest Zavart, nor is it an inquiry," Master Wamo figuratively stepped in between us.
"No it seems more like I'm standing trial and need to defend myself. You're all even sitting there like a jury listening to me plead my case."
"We are not doing that—Zavart, was it? You are just an unknown that has been presented to us in these dark times," Senator Organa was the next to talk.
"You mean because the Jedi are basically all dead and you're committing treason by having them on your ship? Those are the dark times you're referring to?" Now I was bring them all into this.
Silence reigned and no one said anything. I held my head high and looked at each of them in turn. I wasn't about to be pushed down by a bunch of people I didn't even know. I narrowed my eyes at Masters Shaddoc and Wamo, who had stayed relatively silent. They may not be able to see what their Order has turned into but it took me all of a few moments to get an idea of it.
Suddenly a hand was on my arm and I looked to see Ilawatizo had laid it there, maybe as something to calm me down, maybe as a way to say it was her turn. I didn't get an answer because she stepped up anyway.
"We didn't come here to argue with anyone. But if Master Kenobi can not control his emotions in wanting to attack Zavart we will leave and not worry about you three anymore," here she directed her gaze to the Kid and Masters Shaddoc and Wamo. It seems I wasn't the only one who had noticed his silent aggression towards me. "As it stands right now we all know the Jedi Order is gone, your Temple is destroyed and if what you say is true a Sith Lord has just made himself Emperor of the galaxy. The last of your Order could be in this room right now so technically, my job is complete. Now I know Zavart and this Sith Lord or any of the others you have fought before Master Kenobi are not the same. He helped save my life and our Jedi companions and has promised to help me rescue my copilot and the Padawan that were taken when my ship was boarded. So if you can not handle or even tolerate Zavart then I will take him and we will be on our way."
"Is that understood?"
I looked out of the corner of my eye at this woman.
During her speech her mannerisms had changed. Her back got a little straighter and her head was held at just a certain angle. She stopped using contractions and started to sound very regal, almost like she was looking down her nose at them without being condescending. I also didn't remember making her that promise but I wasn't about to stop her momentum. I was even getting convinced and she was already advocating on my behalf. She's definitely had to talk her way out of a few bad situations and knows how to control a conversation.
"Convincing arguments you have made, for us to deliberate on, we will. But matters not what we think of your friend. Authority we have, no longer. As you said, Jedi Counsel, gone it is. Our judgement and permission," here the little green guy shook his head, "No longer needed. Saved you have, precious friends of mine. And for that, I am grateful." Here the guy bowed his head at me and after a moment I reciprocated it. It was the first time I'd been thanked for saving Masters Wamo and Shaddoc and it was very jarring to finally get that thanks. When I looked at the two of them it seemed like they both couldn't meet my eyes, seeming to have already been admonished about this fact. I thought I'd let up on feeling super defensive about everything.
"So where do we go from here? I wasn't really expecting to be thanked by this point if it hadn't been done already."
"As Master Yoda has said we no longer have the authority we once did when the Republic and Jedi Order were standing. We do not have any intent to judge or make you stand trial for anything that's been done and you are free to leave and live out your life. We will not stop or follow you," Obi-Wan turned to face Senator Organa who sat across the table from him. It seemed almost like a dismissal, allowing me to leave when I pleased. This guy really wasn't helping himself.
"Your help again, we do ask. If you have the time," the gravely voice of Master Yoda spoke, this time slightly hopeful.
"Help with what?"
"Before we continue, please, sit with us. We do not intend to make you stand the whole time and like we said this isn't a trial," Senator Organa stood from his chair bowing and indicating two chairs next to him at the table.
I glanced at Ilawatizo and she looked like she debated it for only a second before walking to that side. I followed her and let her take the first chair next to the Senator about to hold the back so she could smoothly slide into it but I was still able to catch the wide eyed expression of the main when he saw her back.
"That emblem, I haven't seen it since—"
"If you want to speak to me Senator then we can do it after the Jedi have conducted their business. Right now there are more important things to do."
With that she slid into the seat not next to the Senator and I had to stop myself from running into her. I gave her a confused look but she ignored me and looked across the table like nothing happened. I looked back at the man and was able to see him school his face as he got all business like again. He turned back to face everyone.
I felt like I had missed something but when no one else brought it up I took my seat and let it go.
"As you said Zavart, right now even associating with Jedi is considered treason let alone allowing them asylum on your ship. We do not know how many Jedi survived this....'Purge', and to find out right away would tip our hand to our enemies. As you are being shuttled by Captain Ilawatizo here, we'd like you to help us scour the galaxy looking for any remaining Jedi that have inevitably gone into hiding and provide them safe passage to a location we will deem safe for them to live at."
"Wouldn't that be dangerous? Gathering Force-users in one place again would draw a lot of attention. It doesn't matter how well you hide you won't be able to keep it hidden with a huge beacon like that for long."
"We'll handle that when the time comes. There will be a lot of deliberation with the choices we'll make, all you'll need to worry about is finding, and ensuring the safety of any Jedi you come across," Obi-Wan wasn't even fully looking at me this time.
"Trust you, might not. Sending Masters Shaddoc and Wamo along to ensure you are trustworthy."
"Are you saying you might not trust me, or other Jedi won't?"
"We're saying, that to ensure the success of the remaining Jedi surviving, we'll have to trust that you'll help us since you've done so, so far," Obi-Wan cut in.
"I helped them because the Captain asked me to. She gave me my freedom and as she said," here I turned to her and gave her an eyeful. "I'm going to be helping her get her copilot back and the Padawan. If helping the Jedi get back together happens as well then it does."
"So, you do not actually care to help the Jedi? It's just an outcome that could happen from you helping Captain Ilawatizo?" Senator Organa jumped in wanting to see if he understood me right.
"That's correct. Your two Jedi Masters still jumped and attacked me in my home without provocation and took me from it without explanation. I was the only thing protecting the Ugnaughts from slavers on Gentes and now they have no one. You should be on your knees begging me for forgiveness for what they did and yet you sit there judging me and saying I should help you. As far as I'm concerned, your Order got what it deserved. I hope any Jedi that come after you never end up the way you all are."
"And you think you know Jedi so well? What makes you think you know how we are? You barely know anything about the Force and your training is abysmal," Obi-Wan again jumped in.
Yeah, forget about not feeling super defensive.
"You think I don't know Jedi? I saw enough. You don't help or save the galaxy because that's the way you're taught, you do it because it just happens to be in your face. Even before you started fighting this war I heard about how the Republic never extended its laws to every system. Slavery? Outer Rim Worlds thrived on it and would sell anyone to the rich in the Core Worlds. Spice? You'd catch the shipments here and there but never go right to the source, you're just running around repeating it all over again. Orphans living on the street, extorted and turn to a life of crime. And what do you all do? You would sit in your huge towers in your big temple surrounded by a city that was literally rotting around you and say you were peacekeepers. That it was your job to protect and help the Republic but you'd only go so far to do it. You wouldn't fully commit, can't have attachments. Hypocrites."
"We're done here. I'll be waiting outside."
With that I turned and left the room, the ship, and the hangar.
No one called for me to stop.