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raze_flynDisclaimer and Notes on Chapter One
The Training Camp
Chapter Fifteen
Tor Varga
“Do you have forest like this on Ossus,” he asked the Jedi he was currently walking with. His attempts to befriend his partner had failed but he had become quite comfortable around Kale, Swa-lu, and Mak. Another benefit was that he was now able to actually consider Rath a friend and not just the one he got along the best with of his fellow Cadets.
“There are some similar ones yes,” Swa-lu said as she ducked below a lambet crystal tree. “The vong created forest on Ossus however have merged with the remaining natural and transplanted plants from other worlds to create some differences.”
“This is as far as we can go,” Mak said as he came back. “There’s a sign warning folks to stay back the deadly vong plants begin at that point.” He recalled their masters informing them they were free to explore the forest but to stop and turn back if they saw those signs.
“That is another difference,” Swa-lu siad as they turned back. “The forest on Ossus were created initially as a test to heal worlds this was created as a barrier to keep people away.” She looked concerned he thought it was hard with Ssi ruuvi facial features. “I understand the final competition is a trek threw the forest to the valley,” She looked away. “I hope that it is safe.”
He wondered if her nervousness came from her partner. He couldn’t blame her it was easy to see that Cadet Maral did not like being paired with her and probably wasn’t the most reliable person to have around. “According to Master Nextor the event is as safe as possible and there are emergency communicators if you get in real trouble.” Kale said from behind him. “As far as I know in all the years this has been done there’s never been a serious injury or death so things should go fine.”
He privately shared Swa-lu’s worries his own partner was not the most reliable and even after a week of sticking to Imperial Knight training he still seemed not to take things seriously. If he was going to gamble he wouldn’t put money on his or Swa-lu’s chances to win the competition.
“I have to ask is all Jedi training so free form,” Rath asked suddenly. “I mean since switching the Jedi method we have been given a great deal more time to ourselves than you would ever see amongst the Imperial knights.”
“It’s because we are all nearly knights,” Kale said speaking up. “There are plenty of heavily structured classes for the students just starting out but when you reach a certain level it switches to more one on one with your master.”
“By the time you are ready to be knighted you debate philosophy a lot with the older masters before finally taking your trails.” Mak added in. “The more advanced you are the more your expected to learn and grow on your own.” He looked away. “We will all most likely begin preparing for the trails after this is over.”
“And after that we’ll begin being sent around the Galaxy as needed,” Kale said after a moment. “Not to mention choosing our own padawans.” He looked off into the distance. “That does worry me a bit having the responsibility of helping train another Jedi.”
“I don’t think that part will bother me very much,” Swa- lu said after a moment. He glanced over at Mak but he didn’t add anything to the debate. He knew that as a member of the royal family his duties would be different than the other Cadets but they would not be given as much responsibility as the Jedi for the next generation. “When do Imperial Knights receive thier first apprentices?”
“It can be a few years,” He answered honestly. “There simply aren’t enough cadets to go around for everyone to start out right away.” He shook his head. “Some of us might start teaching at the Academy immediately after Graduation but most will get body guard duty for one of the Moffs or their family”
“I’ll probably be assigned to one of my more important cousins or maybe given the job of watching over my Great Grandmother.” He really hoped he’d get one of his cousins he didn’t want to imagine having to be around his Great Grandmother the entire time. “I’m hoping for my cousin.”
“I think anyone would be,” Rath said as close to a joke as he’d ever heard form the other man. “I have no idea where I’ll end up.” He looked away. “My master has suggested I might end up at the Academy or I could be sent to Saijo as a recruitment tool.”
He didn’t blame Rath for not being happy at the prospect of being used as a recruitment tool. However, given how well Force Sensitive nagai took to Imperial Knight Training it was understandable that they’d want more recruits. “I’m hope you get an assignment you can live with,” he said. He didn’t ask the question he wanted to ask about how he was planning to deal with the upcoming separation from his new paramour.
“Guys, we probably want to turn another direction,” Mak said speaking up. “I smell Geela and that Cadet Quest up ahead and they aren’t meditating.” He glanced around and noticed that the others were starting to turn.
“You guys go on ahead I need to speak to Geela about something,” He said stepping forward. “I’ve been putting it off but I have to make sure that Silas told her about his relationship with my brother and now is a good a time as any.”
He saw them exchanging knowing looks and they veered away while he kept going. He made an effort to make his steps heavy so that they’d be aware he was coming. He wanted to speak to her but he wanted to avoid walking in on them mid coitus. “Hey Pal, Back off this spot is occupied,” Silas said as he approached. He could see that Silas still thankfully had his shorts on. “Oh it’s you I should have known.”
“Hello Silas,” He said and then turned toward Geela who was using Silas cape to cover up. “I just have to make sure that you are aware that Silas is involved with my twin brother in an open relationship.”
“I knew,” She said and then gave him a suggestive leer. “I didn’t realize how open minded you were Silas why don’t we let Tor join us for an interesting afternoon.” He stepped back in shock from the Khill woman’s suggestion.
“I’ll pass,” He said and made his leave ignoring Silas smirk and cat call that he didn’t know what he was missing. He was still sure Silas had no actual interest in men aside from the potential advancement of being married to a member of the royal family. He set off to catch up with Rath and the others.
He realized that in his haste he had gone the wrong way and would have to pass back by Geela and Silas which he was not going to do. He just picked a direction heading back toward camp and started going figuring he’d just head back to the barracks and meditate for a while. He was startled when he came upon Master Nextor holding a small cube.
“Cadet Varga may I help you,” The Jedi said placing the cube down on the ground. “I was just in the middle of updating my holocron.” He glanced over at it as he had never seen a personal holocron before.
“No master,” He said quickly. “I was on my way to the barracks to meditate.” He glanced back at the small holocron. “If you will forgive me master I have never seen a personal holocron before the Imperial Knights only have one large holocron.”
“Yes, the one at the Imperial Academy was made by a Jedi defector who joined the Imperial knights,” Master Nextor said shaking his head. “She eventually married into the royal family so she would be your ancestor.”
“Yes, my great grandmother mentioned her when she showed me the holocron once,” He said which had been an honor since most cadets didn’t see it until they were recording their vows into it. “She was proud of the fact that since it was built it has held the entire life story of every Imperial Knight who has ever lived.”
“Or at least the official Imperial version,” Master Nextor said after a moment. “I say this to you not as a criticism against your empire but because I feel you need to know it.” The Iron knight looked directly at him. “The official story on several Imperial Knights that I knew personally does not match up with how they actually died.” The Iron knight did a droid’s version of a sigh. “I know that the official story in the holocron is the official lie as well thanks to one of Codi’s predecessors who looked it up for me.”
“In what way did the Empire lie?” He asked curious. He didn’t have trouble believing it, he knew enough about the nature of government but he was curious how they lied. “I would like to know,’ He said when Master Nextor remained silent.
“Look at my holocron,” he said and an image appeared of an Imperial Knight. He appeared to be a bald human. “This man died saving hundreds of lives and he did so be ignoring an order from the Emperor.” The Iron Knight shut off the holocron. “If he had survived he would have been court martialed and punished but because he died the Emperor retroactively changed his orders since no one else had heard except for me and the Imperial Knight I convinced to betray his Emperor.”
“You could have revealed the truth,” He said wondering why the Iron Knight didn’t. “You could have contradicted the Emperor and let everyone know the truth.” He felt irritated that one of his ancestors had chosen to lie to save face.
“Yes I could have but even if they believed me what good would it do,” Master Nextor asked. “The truth could not bring him back and would only have cost more lives when it was revealed that your Great Grandmother’s father was going to let that colony world burn at the Kligsonite’s hands.” It was a terrible realization as which Emperor the Jedi was talking about sunk in. “In fact the belief that he would not let a colony fall rallied the empire around him and made it possible for the Empire to survive until his daughter took the throne after his sudden unexpected death.”
“Your saying it was alright for him to lie,” He said in shock. “That it was a good thing.” He watched as master Nextor nodded. “I’m sorry but that doesn’t seem very Jedi to me.” He looked away. “I thought the Jedi believed in truth.”
“In a perfect galaxy we would always be able to tell the truth,” Master Nextor said. “However, it is a not a perfect galaxy and sometimes a lie is better than the truth.” He turned his droid head to look at the Holocron still displaying the image of the Knight. “The Emperor’s lie saved countless lives because it bound the Empire together and made it so the Emperor had to fight for worlds that he might otherwise have let fall.” The Jedi master’s voice changed slightly as he continued to speak. “It is often necessary to be pragmatic about a lie and ask yourself if it saves lives or not.” The Jedi picked up the Holocron. “There have been lies that led to wars and lies that ended them which is better served by having the truth exposed?”
“I guess the lie that led to a war,” He said. “Since exposing the other lie might cause the war to begin all over again.” The Jedi nodded. “But then how do we tell the difference when it is alright to lie for the good of the galaxy and when is it wrong?”
“There are two answers to that,” Master Nextor said giving him a strange look. “There is the Jedi way which is to listen to the will of the force and the Imperial way which is to listen the will of the force as embodied by the Emperor.” The Iron knight turned away from him and picking up his holocron began to walk away. “I suggest you think hard about which way you will follow.”
He watched the Jedi Master walk away and felt a sense of foreboding. He wondered why Master Nextor would say that to him. He was an Imperial Knight cadet and a member of the royal family he had to choose the Imperial Knight way didn’t he. He walked faster as he headed toward the barracks he needed to think about his. He arrived to see Master Codi looking disturbed.
“Ah Cadet Varga,” Master Codi said turning toward him. “I need you to guard the door of the shuttle we arrived in I have to make an important call.” He said sounding irritated. “The Hapan Queen Mother has rescheduled the summit again this time until next week as she wants to go over the security arrangements again.”
He took up a guard position at the door because it was his duty. He knew that no one in the camp could possible be a Hapan informant but it was protocol to have a guard when discussing arrangements. He also knew that since Master Codi was a specialist in security he was being consulted on the demands of the Hapan Queen mother that kept getting more ridicules. He wondered if they’d even get the conference underway before the camp ended.
“What are you doing,” Iella Sallin said surprising him. He felt guilty but shook it off to quickly say. She glanced at him and then turned to look at the shuttle and he almost thought she was going to try to go past him.
“Master Codi has requested I stand guard while he is in conference.” He ignored the suspicious look she gave him. The woman always seemed to be suspicious of the Imperial Knights. “Can I help you with anything.”
“No you cannot,” She said and turned and left the area. He watched her go wondering why it seemed there was one on both sides who disliked the other. He glanced up as Master Codi exited and stared at the woman’s retreating back.
“She is why I asked you to stand guard,” The Master said shaking his head. “She is Hapan and connected to one of the prominent families.” The elomin master watched her go with a dark look in his eyes. “Watch her closely from now on Cadet Varga,” The master commanded.
“Yes sir,” he said. He hadn’t known that Padawan Sallin was Hapan but it really changed nothing. He had only interacted with her briefly but he was fairly sure that she was just as dedicate dto the ideals of the Jedi as Master Codi was to the empire. As a result he doubted she was a spy.
Still the master had ordered him to watch her so he would carry out his orders. He found himself wondering what Master Nextor would make of those orders and chastised himself for allowing himself to question his duty.
To be continued...
REVIEW HERE
The Training Camp
Chapter Fifteen
Tor Varga
“Do you have forest like this on Ossus,” he asked the Jedi he was currently walking with. His attempts to befriend his partner had failed but he had become quite comfortable around Kale, Swa-lu, and Mak. Another benefit was that he was now able to actually consider Rath a friend and not just the one he got along the best with of his fellow Cadets.
“There are some similar ones yes,” Swa-lu said as she ducked below a lambet crystal tree. “The vong created forest on Ossus however have merged with the remaining natural and transplanted plants from other worlds to create some differences.”
“This is as far as we can go,” Mak said as he came back. “There’s a sign warning folks to stay back the deadly vong plants begin at that point.” He recalled their masters informing them they were free to explore the forest but to stop and turn back if they saw those signs.
“That is another difference,” Swa-lu siad as they turned back. “The forest on Ossus were created initially as a test to heal worlds this was created as a barrier to keep people away.” She looked concerned he thought it was hard with Ssi ruuvi facial features. “I understand the final competition is a trek threw the forest to the valley,” She looked away. “I hope that it is safe.”
He wondered if her nervousness came from her partner. He couldn’t blame her it was easy to see that Cadet Maral did not like being paired with her and probably wasn’t the most reliable person to have around. “According to Master Nextor the event is as safe as possible and there are emergency communicators if you get in real trouble.” Kale said from behind him. “As far as I know in all the years this has been done there’s never been a serious injury or death so things should go fine.”
He privately shared Swa-lu’s worries his own partner was not the most reliable and even after a week of sticking to Imperial Knight training he still seemed not to take things seriously. If he was going to gamble he wouldn’t put money on his or Swa-lu’s chances to win the competition.
“I have to ask is all Jedi training so free form,” Rath asked suddenly. “I mean since switching the Jedi method we have been given a great deal more time to ourselves than you would ever see amongst the Imperial knights.”
“It’s because we are all nearly knights,” Kale said speaking up. “There are plenty of heavily structured classes for the students just starting out but when you reach a certain level it switches to more one on one with your master.”
“By the time you are ready to be knighted you debate philosophy a lot with the older masters before finally taking your trails.” Mak added in. “The more advanced you are the more your expected to learn and grow on your own.” He looked away. “We will all most likely begin preparing for the trails after this is over.”
“And after that we’ll begin being sent around the Galaxy as needed,” Kale said after a moment. “Not to mention choosing our own padawans.” He looked off into the distance. “That does worry me a bit having the responsibility of helping train another Jedi.”
“I don’t think that part will bother me very much,” Swa- lu said after a moment. He glanced over at Mak but he didn’t add anything to the debate. He knew that as a member of the royal family his duties would be different than the other Cadets but they would not be given as much responsibility as the Jedi for the next generation. “When do Imperial Knights receive thier first apprentices?”
“It can be a few years,” He answered honestly. “There simply aren’t enough cadets to go around for everyone to start out right away.” He shook his head. “Some of us might start teaching at the Academy immediately after Graduation but most will get body guard duty for one of the Moffs or their family”
“I’ll probably be assigned to one of my more important cousins or maybe given the job of watching over my Great Grandmother.” He really hoped he’d get one of his cousins he didn’t want to imagine having to be around his Great Grandmother the entire time. “I’m hoping for my cousin.”
“I think anyone would be,” Rath said as close to a joke as he’d ever heard form the other man. “I have no idea where I’ll end up.” He looked away. “My master has suggested I might end up at the Academy or I could be sent to Saijo as a recruitment tool.”
He didn’t blame Rath for not being happy at the prospect of being used as a recruitment tool. However, given how well Force Sensitive nagai took to Imperial Knight Training it was understandable that they’d want more recruits. “I’m hope you get an assignment you can live with,” he said. He didn’t ask the question he wanted to ask about how he was planning to deal with the upcoming separation from his new paramour.
“Guys, we probably want to turn another direction,” Mak said speaking up. “I smell Geela and that Cadet Quest up ahead and they aren’t meditating.” He glanced around and noticed that the others were starting to turn.
“You guys go on ahead I need to speak to Geela about something,” He said stepping forward. “I’ve been putting it off but I have to make sure that Silas told her about his relationship with my brother and now is a good a time as any.”
He saw them exchanging knowing looks and they veered away while he kept going. He made an effort to make his steps heavy so that they’d be aware he was coming. He wanted to speak to her but he wanted to avoid walking in on them mid coitus. “Hey Pal, Back off this spot is occupied,” Silas said as he approached. He could see that Silas still thankfully had his shorts on. “Oh it’s you I should have known.”
“Hello Silas,” He said and then turned toward Geela who was using Silas cape to cover up. “I just have to make sure that you are aware that Silas is involved with my twin brother in an open relationship.”
“I knew,” She said and then gave him a suggestive leer. “I didn’t realize how open minded you were Silas why don’t we let Tor join us for an interesting afternoon.” He stepped back in shock from the Khill woman’s suggestion.
“I’ll pass,” He said and made his leave ignoring Silas smirk and cat call that he didn’t know what he was missing. He was still sure Silas had no actual interest in men aside from the potential advancement of being married to a member of the royal family. He set off to catch up with Rath and the others.
He realized that in his haste he had gone the wrong way and would have to pass back by Geela and Silas which he was not going to do. He just picked a direction heading back toward camp and started going figuring he’d just head back to the barracks and meditate for a while. He was startled when he came upon Master Nextor holding a small cube.
“Cadet Varga may I help you,” The Jedi said placing the cube down on the ground. “I was just in the middle of updating my holocron.” He glanced over at it as he had never seen a personal holocron before.
“No master,” He said quickly. “I was on my way to the barracks to meditate.” He glanced back at the small holocron. “If you will forgive me master I have never seen a personal holocron before the Imperial Knights only have one large holocron.”
“Yes, the one at the Imperial Academy was made by a Jedi defector who joined the Imperial knights,” Master Nextor said shaking his head. “She eventually married into the royal family so she would be your ancestor.”
“Yes, my great grandmother mentioned her when she showed me the holocron once,” He said which had been an honor since most cadets didn’t see it until they were recording their vows into it. “She was proud of the fact that since it was built it has held the entire life story of every Imperial Knight who has ever lived.”
“Or at least the official Imperial version,” Master Nextor said after a moment. “I say this to you not as a criticism against your empire but because I feel you need to know it.” The Iron knight looked directly at him. “The official story on several Imperial Knights that I knew personally does not match up with how they actually died.” The Iron knight did a droid’s version of a sigh. “I know that the official story in the holocron is the official lie as well thanks to one of Codi’s predecessors who looked it up for me.”
“In what way did the Empire lie?” He asked curious. He didn’t have trouble believing it, he knew enough about the nature of government but he was curious how they lied. “I would like to know,’ He said when Master Nextor remained silent.
“Look at my holocron,” he said and an image appeared of an Imperial Knight. He appeared to be a bald human. “This man died saving hundreds of lives and he did so be ignoring an order from the Emperor.” The Iron Knight shut off the holocron. “If he had survived he would have been court martialed and punished but because he died the Emperor retroactively changed his orders since no one else had heard except for me and the Imperial Knight I convinced to betray his Emperor.”
“You could have revealed the truth,” He said wondering why the Iron Knight didn’t. “You could have contradicted the Emperor and let everyone know the truth.” He felt irritated that one of his ancestors had chosen to lie to save face.
“Yes I could have but even if they believed me what good would it do,” Master Nextor asked. “The truth could not bring him back and would only have cost more lives when it was revealed that your Great Grandmother’s father was going to let that colony world burn at the Kligsonite’s hands.” It was a terrible realization as which Emperor the Jedi was talking about sunk in. “In fact the belief that he would not let a colony fall rallied the empire around him and made it possible for the Empire to survive until his daughter took the throne after his sudden unexpected death.”
“Your saying it was alright for him to lie,” He said in shock. “That it was a good thing.” He watched as master Nextor nodded. “I’m sorry but that doesn’t seem very Jedi to me.” He looked away. “I thought the Jedi believed in truth.”
“In a perfect galaxy we would always be able to tell the truth,” Master Nextor said. “However, it is a not a perfect galaxy and sometimes a lie is better than the truth.” He turned his droid head to look at the Holocron still displaying the image of the Knight. “The Emperor’s lie saved countless lives because it bound the Empire together and made it so the Emperor had to fight for worlds that he might otherwise have let fall.” The Jedi master’s voice changed slightly as he continued to speak. “It is often necessary to be pragmatic about a lie and ask yourself if it saves lives or not.” The Jedi picked up the Holocron. “There have been lies that led to wars and lies that ended them which is better served by having the truth exposed?”
“I guess the lie that led to a war,” He said. “Since exposing the other lie might cause the war to begin all over again.” The Jedi nodded. “But then how do we tell the difference when it is alright to lie for the good of the galaxy and when is it wrong?”
“There are two answers to that,” Master Nextor said giving him a strange look. “There is the Jedi way which is to listen to the will of the force and the Imperial way which is to listen the will of the force as embodied by the Emperor.” The Iron knight turned away from him and picking up his holocron began to walk away. “I suggest you think hard about which way you will follow.”
He watched the Jedi Master walk away and felt a sense of foreboding. He wondered why Master Nextor would say that to him. He was an Imperial Knight cadet and a member of the royal family he had to choose the Imperial Knight way didn’t he. He walked faster as he headed toward the barracks he needed to think about his. He arrived to see Master Codi looking disturbed.
“Ah Cadet Varga,” Master Codi said turning toward him. “I need you to guard the door of the shuttle we arrived in I have to make an important call.” He said sounding irritated. “The Hapan Queen Mother has rescheduled the summit again this time until next week as she wants to go over the security arrangements again.”
He took up a guard position at the door because it was his duty. He knew that no one in the camp could possible be a Hapan informant but it was protocol to have a guard when discussing arrangements. He also knew that since Master Codi was a specialist in security he was being consulted on the demands of the Hapan Queen mother that kept getting more ridicules. He wondered if they’d even get the conference underway before the camp ended.
“What are you doing,” Iella Sallin said surprising him. He felt guilty but shook it off to quickly say. She glanced at him and then turned to look at the shuttle and he almost thought she was going to try to go past him.
“Master Codi has requested I stand guard while he is in conference.” He ignored the suspicious look she gave him. The woman always seemed to be suspicious of the Imperial Knights. “Can I help you with anything.”
“No you cannot,” She said and turned and left the area. He watched her go wondering why it seemed there was one on both sides who disliked the other. He glanced up as Master Codi exited and stared at the woman’s retreating back.
“She is why I asked you to stand guard,” The Master said shaking his head. “She is Hapan and connected to one of the prominent families.” The elomin master watched her go with a dark look in his eyes. “Watch her closely from now on Cadet Varga,” The master commanded.
“Yes sir,” he said. He hadn’t known that Padawan Sallin was Hapan but it really changed nothing. He had only interacted with her briefly but he was fairly sure that she was just as dedicate dto the ideals of the Jedi as Master Codi was to the empire. As a result he doubted she was a spy.
Still the master had ordered him to watch her so he would carry out his orders. He found himself wondering what Master Nextor would make of those orders and chastised himself for allowing himself to question his duty.
To be continued...
REVIEW HERE
