Rise

[Annan Rainwalker]

The High Council Chamber, Permafrost Jedi Enclave
System Coordinates Classified, Sector Coordinates Classified
Unknown Regions

The grand enclave complex was a massive wonder of architectural achievement, especially considering its otherwise inconspicuous location. The conference chamber itself was tremendous in proportion, featuring high arcing windows blanketed in an eternal white. A wide domed ceiling like a pristine pearl faced down on the tan brown Kashyyyk marble-paved floor decorated in the center with a capacious white floral design in the middle of a caramel sun. The large complex was empty save for around the decorated part of the floor, which was encircled by a ring of multiple cushioned chairs for the members of the august body to occupy, with built-in holoprojectors for the off-worlders.

It was from the central holo-projector that the blue-hued, miniaturized form of Annan Rainwalker sat crouched on one knee in the center of the chamber, the High Council members around him listening intently to his plea, some in person and others as holoprojections themselves.

Once High Council roll call had been called and Annan himself was sure that everyone who he felt needed to be present for this meeting was, in fact, present, the young Jedi began speaking.

<Esteemed Council, I requested this meeting today to explain my situation. I am sure that most of you have been wondering what happened to me after Tion,> the holo-Annan paused, glancing at each of the Council Members in turn, watching their expressions. <And I assure you, I am alive and in perfect condition.>

"If only you knew how relieved I am to hear that, Jedi Rainwalker," Master Jade Winters spoke kindly, having led the Jedi expedition for the safety of Rhen Var, an expedition where they had suffered a humiliating defeat. The loss of that world and the suffering its inhabitants had to endure because of her own failure plagued the human Jedi Master even in her sleep. Were it not for the Force, she knew the guilt would consume her.

Jedi Rainwalker had been assumed to be another casualty, even though his valiant efforts to protect the Task Force Liberty's flagship from being commandeered by that abominable phantasmic dark sider had not gone unacknowledged. His, and the surprise arrival of Master Buggie of all vertebrates. There had been enough witnesses to that staggering battle for that story to make it back to both the Galactic Alliance military and to the Jedi Coalition, if only as an exaggerated fable.

Annan gave a small smile and a nod at Master Winters upon hearing her words, though Master Haas Aloura chose that moment to speak up.

"Yet, you have been missing in-action since," the Mon Cala narrowed her eyes at him. "If you are indeed alive and well, then where are you, and why the disappearing act?"

Annan's chest rose and fell. Time to drop the payload. The Firrerreo looked around at the Council Members present once again before speaking up. <That is the reason I called this meeting. I have not contacted anyone in the Alliance military to inform them of this, but I am reaching out to you. I requested this session to inform you all that, for certain reasons that I am not at the liberty of explaining in-depth at this point in time, I am - presently and for the foreseeable future - going to be working with the Blue Star Pirates...>

He paused to let the bombshell sink in, slitted green eyes scanning the faces of each of the Council Members. <I assure you, I have not fallen to the Dark Side. I still stand firmly in the Light, and adhere to the Code. It was Master Buggie who truly saved my life aboard the Liberty, and who bested Silas Karn. That Echani is too strong in the Dark Side, even for me. Were it not for Master Buggie's presence, the Liberty would have been forfeit and I would be reaching out to you all from the Netherworld of the Force instead of from the Outer Rim. In any case, through Master Buggie I came into contact with the Blue Stars, and...> he paused, closing his eyes for a few moments for effect.

Opening them again, he continued. <I... feel... that I need to stay here. It is a combination of many factors that has led to this decision, most of them personal, yet one of them a purpose much higher myself: an Unveiling in the Force. I assure you all, I am still a Jedi, I am serving the way of the Light, and I vow to continue to uphold the traditions of the Jedi until my dying breath.>

[Ben Kenobi]

The battle of Tion’s gateway as it has whispered throughout the Alliance Military and though more accurately depicted as the Battle of Rhen Var. On those snowy plains the Sith, arch enemies of the Jedi, had come en force to challenge the resolve of the defenders of freedom. While it was simply a listening post and strategically the Alliance lost little, the world was a neighbor of the Alliance world of Galidraan and the captured world sat along the Prelemian Trade Route. Currently the Sith had made no moves otherwise, though the people of Galidraan and those desirous of maneuvering through that corner along the Prelemian were reacting negatively. Even so much as some of the more wealthy people of Galidraan had begun to evacuate to a more comfortable setting.

But the Jedi were taking the events very seriously. Darth Tormentous had begun his vile march once again and it was more ruthless than ever it had been before. The nightmares of the Galaxy were being made real. When interior worlds of the Alliance were no longer sleeping well at night for fear of a Sith Armada showing up on their doorstep, the Jedi were being blamed for a failure to stem this tide of villainy.

That said, when Jedi Knight Rainwalker himself asked for a meeting of the Jedi High Council, they took his request very seriously and answered his call with open arms. To know that an up and coming Knight of the Order whom was previously listed as missing in action, showed up alive and well, it was reason to rejoice and indeed discover a small victory in such a dire setting.

Each of the revered Masters attended Annan Rainwalker’s address with an open heart and Master Winter’s welcoming mention was not the only visitation of relief and thankfulness unto the Light of the Force. Though as Rainwalker’s plea continued the room fell silent as the night, the only verbal dissenting voice being that of Master Aloura. Even then it had only been a brief dissent of his absence since the battle rather than a disagreeing word upon his desires to remain abroad.

Annan was permitted the fullness of his speech, not a single of the elders chimed in to interrupt and not a single being offered any opinion left or right of this cause for several long and perhaps awfully cold moments. Being the one to break the ice however was none other than the Kashyyyk native and a warrior of great renown among his people, Jedi Master Shirrwa. A roaring tone followed by a sequence of growls and guttural chattering was all it took. Master Garrus Arteri parroted his colleague’s concerns. “I must agree with Master Shirrwa in this Knight Rainwalker. Now is not the time to be gallivanting off with the Blue Star Pirates.” Master Shirrwa rumbled again and Master Arteri nodded deeply. “We would also advise caution young Rainwalker in this assumption that you may go as you please to any corner of the Galaxy on a whim. Not to mention to live among an organization where your accountability should be less than adequate.”

Quickly Master Jeanida Elysar delivered her words unto the Council floor, her hologram flickered as she began, the metallic tones of her speech through the communications system captured attention. “Knight Rainwalker has stood against one of the Jedi Coalition’s most dangerous foes and survived. Not only that his report of the High Priest of the Sith, this so-called Sovereign, will be invaluable. Surely he has found merit enough to request a station.”

“Request all he wills.” Shot Arteri though his voice delivered no emotion yet his response was clearly too swift. “I will not discount Rainwalker’s contribution to the defense of the Task Force Liberty nor the information he’s gathered. But this is not enough to strike him from our most immediate responses. He must resume his duties among the people of the Alliance, not an unaccountable organization.” Grumbling ascent was delivered by Master Shirrwa including an additional point which Garrus was all to willing to make mention of. “With the escalation of Sith activity across the board. Jedi Rainwalker is needed among our ranks. We Jedi are so very few and cannot afford another absentee.”

A new voice calmly graced the Council Chambers, he had awaited a moment to speak with great patience, and now was the perfect moment. “An absentee would infer the dereliction of duty. May I remind our honorable Masters that inaction of synonymous with dereliction. Something that Master Buggie, of which I sense you have channeled here, is not to be counted. Buggie has shown time and again that his position within the Blue Stars has offered him great insight and even opportunities where we as Jedi among the Alliance would not have been given.”

Shirrwa remained silent, bowing his mighty head in respect. Arteri however addressed this new voice. Arteri bowed in respect though rebutted, “Master Godot, We all understand Master Buggie’s placement and disillusion with the Alliance. Though to allow our Jedi to heed this poor example would be detrimental to our future. His departure from Permafrost was emotional towards the fall of his homeworld.”

Godot nodded, “To the Jedi we seek to know the best course of action in every situation. To you perhaps it was elsewhere. But to Buggie it was a reaction necessary to the freedom of his people. At the time we did not see it, though in time, the Jedi returned to Roche with Master Buggie’s aid at the head of a Blue Star Fleet. We cannot so easily discard the results. It is impossible to understand the will of the Force without first acknowledging that we are blind, only then will our minds be open to that which we cannot yet see.”

A hand was raised towards the front of the Council Chambers and suddenly the debate went silent. Lowering her hand to her chair’s arm the Grand Master of the Order made her response. “Master’s Shirrwa and Arteri are right in their words. The Jedi need fine Knights to continue their service. Though so is Master Godot in that we cannot always see the way without first experiencing the unknown through the Light.” She paused and not a soul spoke out of turn, they awaited her and she failed to remain silent. “To keep a Jedi Knight here among our people and at a more grand view, the Alliance, against his will would be a failure on our part to see that the unknown is calling young Rainwalker. The Force has spoken to him and this course of action is where his feet take him along his journey. I implore this Council to recognize that before it makes its decision.”

She turned to Rainwalker after the more broad address. “Thank you Annan.” She inclined her head and rose back up with a smile. “Please, grant us a moment to deliberate.”

Announcing the finality of her words two Council Guardians made to the grand doors and parted them for Annan Rainwalker’s departure where the Council would speak in earnest of exactly what to do with him. To allow him his venture unto the unknown. Or to forbid it and recall him back to Alliance Space…

[Annan Rainwalker]

The tiny holographic figure of Annan Rainwalker stood up to his full height once the esteemed Jedi around him began speaking. No stranger to the deliberations of the Council, the Knight was well-aware that his controversial decision would not be accepted by all in the Council. Yet, he did not expect Master Shirrwa of all people to be the first to voice his discontent. The Wookiee had been a friend to Annan since he had been a Padawan, so needless to say he was a bit hurt at the amount of distrust his furry elder had suddenly shown in him.

Sighing deeply as Master Arteri echoed Master Shirrwa's thoughts, Annan reigned in his emotions with a clenched fist and merely nodded. <Your concerns are valid and I fully understand what you are trying to say, my Masters. However, I had always been of the assumption that a Jedi was accountable to the Force, and to an extent the High Council. Not to Miss Stark,> Annan paused, refraining from saying 'who I did not vote for, by the way'. A Jedi High Council meeting was a place neither for political dialogue nor pointless banter.

Penultimately, Master Godot spoke up for him, and Annan couldn't help but smirk. Leave it to Captain Buggie's Master to come to his defense.

It was Naomi Kilsar's speech, however, that truly killed it. Annan felt the hair on his golden skin stand on end as she spoke, and he could practically feel her voice reverberating with the intensity that befit a Master of Masters. The young Firrerreo hologram went still for a moment, only being jostled out of his amazement once Grand Master Kilsar directly addressed him.

<I-I understand, Master Kilsar,> the Firrerreo nodded and gave a small, formal bow, before his hologram flickered out of view of the High Council, leaving them to deliberate on their decision. A small light continued to blink against the holoprojector, signaling that the call was not entirely disconnected, but on hold, enabling the High Council to summon Jedi Rainwalker back the moment they had made their decision.

"Master Kilsar," Master Aloura interjected the moment Annan had disappeared. "Surely you are not considering sending Rainwalker off to loot convoys! I fully endorse the point of view put forth by Masters Shirrwa, Garrus and Arteri. The Sith have established a miniature Empire in the very heart of the Gordian Reach. They are rising as a collective power, and I feel that the Jedi and Alliance response to their rising challenge is already undermet! We cannot just allow our Knights to go off disappearing like this!"

"... If I may, I humbly object to this stance taken by my acclaimed consociates, Master Kilsar," Master Winters spoke up, dark-skinned human woman in purple robes turning in her cushion to face the Grand Master, who was sitting beside her. "Jedi Rainwalker has stated clearly that his decision came about through an Unveiling in the Force. As Master Elysar can attest, Jedi Rainwalker possesses a profound ability to foresee through the Force. He has been having visions since before he was a Knight. He even foresaw the Battle of Rhen Var..." at that, she turned her head to Mirialan sitting across from her.

The Mirialan Master Elysar concurred, "Indeed, I trust his foresight. He conveyed to me that Task Force Liberty would see battle, a few days before the actual intelligence concerning the Sith invasion arrived. It enabled to have the Task Force prepared in advance."

Nodding, Master Winters turned her attention back to Master Kilsar. "So when he says that that an Unveiling in the Force has directed him to this undertaking, I submit that we trust him. Who are we to object to the machinations of the Force? And if we cannot trust our own, who can we trust?"

“'Feel. Don’t think. Use your instincts,' a certain maverick Jedi Master of olde used to say,” Master Elysar added. “I believe many of us think too much,” the Mirialan levelled a pointed glance in the direction of the Mon Cala at that, who snorted but ignored the jibe, “but we can at least allow those who are more instinctual among us to follow the signs they are shown through the Ashla.”

With those against and those for all having spoken, the High Council members would then turn their attention to Master Naomi Kilsar, expecting the Grand Master to provide further insight into the conundrum that was Rainwalker.

[Ben Kenobi]

Annan Rainwalker was reduced to nothing more than a glowing orb in the middle of the Council Chamber floor. The debate flowed for several lengthy minutes but in the end the Council had resolved themselves in due time. Master Arteri continued his argument in that it was not the place of a Jedi Knight to decide where he was most needed and surely this had significant merit, but he was in the minority. As for Master Shirrwa, his concerns shifted from Arteri’s and fell in line with the loss of Annan would be significant, he did not want to see the Knight go and even though Annan was not actually leaving the Coalition, his absence would not go unnoticed. Ultimately when the votes were cast, Master Shirrwa had voted in favor of Rainwalker’s choice.

On Rainwalker’s end he would receive a signal in which the Council was once more prepared to speak to him. As the imagery of the Knight focused once more the Council was made quiet and Master Kilsar addressed the youth. “Annan, first of all, your request is granted. Though, consider this an official assignment. Your proximity to the underworld will put you in many situations where you may do some good and in other situations where you will continue to be tested. Trust in the Light of the Force,” she concluded with a genuine smile, “and all will be made well.”

Nods and mutterings cast over the Council, even Master Arteri gave his ascent finally. While the decision had not been unanimous, in finality the Council was together on this. However, the Council was not done with Rainwalker here and Master Kilsar added. “Before you go on your way, Annan.” She motioned to the doorway and the twin doors parted, an individual walked through and arrived to stand beside Annan. “You have shown yourself a growing Jedi Knight and are a trusted member of our Order. Your growth has come to a point in time where it is time to take your next step along this journey.” Finally she motioned to the young one standing to his left.

“May I introduce Padawan Learner Shaarn Ol’om Rucarn.” Shaarn was a lanky youthful male of the Kel Dor species, his eyes and mouth were covered by specialized breathing equipment and his four fingered hands were clasped within a non-standard black jump suit covered over by a dark brown Jedi cloak. A training saber dangled from his hip though his current preference was that of the lightstaff variant. However, a blaster pistol was tucked away underneath his left arm in a concealed cross draw holster. Not fully grown or aged, it seemed that Ol’om would grow into a considerable size due to a large frame.

“Shaarn, may I introduce Annan Rainwalker, Jedi Knight.” She clasped her hands together and smiled knowingly at Annan, “Padawan Learner Shaarn Rucarn, this Council promotes you to Padawan Apprentice, and Annan Rainwalker shall be your Master.” She turned to Annan and waited for him to close his mouth. “Annan, your Apprentice will be on the next shuttle leaving Permafrost. We’ll leave you to deal with the details of meeting him. Shaarn is high strung and at times his arrogance has gotten him into odds with his Jedi teachers here. He is in need of a teacher that is capable to adapt to his needs. The Council has decided on this already.”

“Good luck, and May the Force be with you.”