- UL-13...Wild Space...

As the Terminator rose across the planet designated as UL-13 close to Wild Space, the seventeen starships making up Republic Battle Group Victor for ‘Victory’, entered the planetary void completely unaware that a passing Sith Armada had tracked them and set up close to catch them coming into the system. The Great Hyperspace War was coming to a close and Battle Group Victor represented a renewed strength and vigor the Republic did not possess at the onset of the initial invasion years prior. The pride of the Coruscanti Shipyards, the ships which made up the fleet represented the pinnacle of Republic technology and a display of the Republic having ‘won’ the war. All but vanquished, the Sith were no longer a threat. This was a training cruise, most of the ships of the fleet would be separated from the larger group after the cruise or made to sit outside the outer markers of planets which were aligned with the Republic as a reminder that the Republic was still there, that it still watched over them. And that the Republic was the reason the galaxy enjoyed the freedoms they were afforded.

Due to the gravity well of a new dwarf star the fleet had to alter course and make three hyperspace jumps instead of two. They found themselves close to UL-13 a planetoid well inside the unknown regions and well outside of Republic support. This was a perfect storm of all the things that could go wrong with a new fleet: Newly appointed Fleet Officers, lack of training, new/untested ships and a region that the Republic was not used to navigating within. The Sith, having been forced off Koribban in search of weak prey and trying to survive with the last of their forces; stumbled on to the Republic fleet as they made calculations for their second jump and merely 'ghosted' the Republic’s hyperspace trail. Setting up the ambush was a matter of getting there first.

Rounding the Terminator in low orbit, Battle Group Victor did not attempt to use the planet or the systems many stars and anomalous gravity eating entities to hide its location. They didn't feel they had too. This fleet, in the Republic's mindset, was superior in every respect. Three of the ships were Fleet Carriers capable of putting its close to 250,000 Soldiers on a battleground in a moment’s notice. With its large compliment of fighter support, no one would dare challenge the larger ships to close combat and if they did get through the screen of fighters, they would need to contend with a large array of turbolaser batteries and ship to ship missile pods. Six of the Dreadnaught Class ships ran the screen in front of the larger vessels making it incredibly difficult for anyone to drop in on them. Unfortunately, they didn’t account for anomalies which prevented that screen from being effective.

Arrogance and vanity were a trait not common to the Republic, but for the crown jewel fleet it existed in mass quantity. The first ships hit were the Escorts. The Sith annihilated them in short order leaving the Carriers to fend for themselves. As the battle progressed, it took only 20 minutes for the Sith to completely destroy Battle Group Victor. The Sith jumped from the system leaving the burning hulks of the ships to rot in orbit around UL-13. It would be a hollow victory for the Sith Empire, having been defeated by the Galactic Republic. But it was a profound victory in spirit, the loss of so many Ships and Soldiers would have lasting effects. As the Carriers made their final descent, crashing into the surface of UL-13 and carrying with them the bodies of over 250,000 Troopers, their loss plus the grievous losses incurred during the Hyperspace Conflict brought the combined military loss of the Republic close to Twenty-Two Million and that was just on the Core Worlds. Not even the greatest Republic the galaxy had ever seen could sustain that kind of loss. And something had to be done about it.

--

- Coruscant, Seat of the Galactic Republic….Ten Years after the UL-13 Disaster….

It was no coincidence that the Senate Tower on Coruscant loomed over the Jedi Temple. Or that one was in view of the other. The Senate and people of the Republic always wanted their Jedi heroes to remember their place and the shadow cast by the Tower was a constant reminder of that fact. Not that the Jedi cared or paid any attention. It had been decades since the last war. Korriban was under Republic control, the Sith leaders scattered or dead; the Jedi returned to their meditations and studies. Political standing and their place in the societal pecking order was now the furthest thing from the minds of the Jedi. On that particular day the Supreme Chancellor wished his Tower's shadow was slightly less foreboding. He needed their support.

Supreme Chancellor Pultimo, shortly on his way out of the job, had a few loose ends to tie up. As he entered the palatial office already seeing the brown robed figure sitting across from his desk, he wondered if it was meant for a Grandmaster of the Jedi Order to look so ordinary. What was he expecting? Long had he served alongside the Grandmaster. Not one for grandiose displays, a colorful robe would have fallen into that category. The Jedi weren’t into fashion, looking more like Mirialan monks. Like an average Jedi, but far from it, the Grandmaster sat with his eyes closed not opening them as the Chancellor entered the room. Simply giving him a bland greeting of, ‘Good Morning’. The Jedi Master, seated across from the highly polished desk made from a Wroshyr tree on the forest world of Kashyyyk, held immense power within the Jedi Order. The Chancellor took a seat at the desk across from the simple brown-robed man smiling faintly, not sure if the Jedi Master could even see his face. Brown hood low over the recessed features of the human Grandmaster’s Face, the Chancellor did not notice the eyes were closed until the blue of them peeked out from under the hood after opening them. A look of plain serenity within the dark of the hood. Opening his eyes slowly, the Grandmaster took on a pleasant expression, nodding his head slightly.

"As always, Supreme Chancellor….it is our continued privilege to Serve the Republic." The Chancellor didn't have to be a Jedi to sense the man. Years in the political arena taught him how to read people. Despite the Grandmaster’s expression and greeting he was getting straight to the point. Something Pultimo appreciated about the Jedi. There was no love lost between the Jedi and the hierarchy of the Republic. Politics was something the Jedi tried very hard to avoid, but the Grandmaster had to play the game from time to time. It came with the position. Ordinary Jedi never saw the intricacies of politics. Never had to deal with the day to day subterfuge that was the Galactic Senate. Those were a politician’s course to navigate. But the Grandmaster was that link between the Order and the Republic. And as the face of the Jedi Order, the Grandmaster knew he wouldn’t have been called to the Supreme Chancellor’s office for something as simple as having tea or a friendly chat. No one summoned, much less a Jedi, needed The Force to know that the Supreme Chancellor wanted something. Having been hardened by the last War, the Grandmaster had no taste for politics and even less for politicians. Not unlike most Jedi. The two men smiled at one another, but the Grandmaster remained placid. Nervously, The Chancellor cleared his throat.

"It is about serving the Republic that I....asked to see you today." The Chancellor was extremely close to using the word 'summoned' but knew that word would presume some measure of authority over the Jedi and today he needed that they be equals. The long history of the Jedi and the Republic went back millennia. And as time went on and regimes came and went within the Republic, the Jedi became more of a tenant on Coruscant than a fixture. There were more people in the galaxy that didn’t possess the mystical power of The Force than there were people that had the power. The majority always outweighed the minority and even the Guardians of Justice throughout the galaxy were sometimes viewed as more of a nuisance than a benefit. For no other reason than they lacked oversight.

Raising an eyebrow, the Jedi Master was understandably curious as to why the Chancellor needed to see him on that particular day. Reaching out in The Force, the Grandmaster sensed an unusual amount of anxiety in the Supreme Chancellor. Both knew, the Chancellor’s time was short. Term limits and politics dictating a need for retirement. The brown robed figure immediately felt ashamed for having used his power for such a purpose. Frowning slightly. Politics sometimes dictated the necessity of using The Force when it wasn’t called for. War was one of those purposes and to many; Politics was War, “You have my undivided attention.” Stated simply and antiseptically. To give nothing away in what could be a prolonged verbal match.

"May I ask you something? This may seem like an unorthodox question, but approximately how many Jedi are in the Order right now?" The Jedi Master crinkled his brow at the question, but could sense no ulterior motive. He answered, just as placidly as the expression on his face.

"Spread throughout our various Temples and counting the Padawans, Auxiliary Corps, support branches I would say close to Forty Thousand. Forgive me for being inaccurate, Chancellor. We DO have a Master on the Council assigned to the rolls." Numbers were lower than before. War decimated the Jedi Order, just as it decimated the Republic Military. It was far easier to train troops than it was to train a Jedi from near infancy to adulthood. It was matter of numbers, the galaxy had more non-force users than those possessed of the power. And the standards for recruitment and training of the Jedi were just as rigid after the war as they had been before it. Even faced with a number shortage and stretched thin across the cosmos, the Grandmaster was considered a traditionalist. Outside entities, such as the Ministry of Defense or the Galactic Senate tried and failed many times to exert some measure of influence over the Jedi and their recruitment. Leading the Order with a traditional spirit the Grandmaster stuck hard and very close to the tenets which made up the foundation of the Jedi Order. They all trusted in the Force, if the Force willed that there be more, then there would be.

Writing the number on a datapad with a very finely gilded stylus the Supreme Chancellor busied himself with some quick calculations. The Grandmaster resisted the urge to ask why the question was asked or where any of the discourse was going instead translating his unease by losing his composure slightly and shifting in his seat. Chancellor Pultimo finally looked up.

"Do you have any idea of the ratio between the number of Jedi versus Republic Soldiers?", This time the Jedi Master could no longer contain himself.

"No I don't…excuse me Supreme Chancellor, but where is this going...", the Jedi Master said quickly.

"Nearly One-hundred to One, Master Jedi...one-zero-zero to.....one. And that’s a pre-war number. I didn’t bother using the number you just gave me, the ratio would have been much worse…" The Supreme Chancellor spoke before getting up and rounding his desk to sit on the corner facing the other man. Pultimo placed his hands in his lap looking at the Master plainly, "That's a large number to be sure...", Noticing the other man was getting agitated, the Chancellor raised his hand defensively, "...too large a number to be sacrificed so easily in the next conflict, we must plan ahead. What I want to speak to you about today is the opportunity to increase the chances of the Jedi never seeing the end of extinction." The Grandmaster raised his eyebrows.

"We will never see the end of extinction; the Force is infinite. As long as there is a Force....there will always be Jedi..." Brow creasing slightly, The Grandmaster reached up and lowered his hood. “Unless you know something…I do not, we are not planning for another conflict. The Sith are gone.”

Laughing slightly, The Chancellor raised his hands allowing them to come down slapping both thighs loudly. “Then why train? Why continue to practice the principles that make up the Jedi Order? To maintain a peace for a war that will never come?”

A very skeptical look. The Grandmaster never expected a politician to understand what it was to be a Jedi. Most of the galaxy saw them as super-soldiers that carried amazing plasma swords. Others saw them as the Marshals, who enforced law and justice where ever they went. And yet others saw them as glorified diplomats, forcing the Republic’s will at the tip of a saber.

“Chancellor, we have been over this many times. What it means to be a Jedi is so much more than you or anyone not of the Order could ever truly understand. Our principles were handed down by the Force itself; to study and learn…to listen to what the Force tells us in order to better understand ourselves and the galaxy as a whole. We serve the Force as our way of better understanding it. Service, it’s our duty. Not just to the Republic, but to the Galaxy.”

The explanation was ‘watered down’, something a Jedi spoke or told those not of the Order so the one asking the question could get a broad overview of what the Force meant to them. But the true meaning was much more complex. The Chancellor smiled at the explanation, seeing right through it for what it was.

“An excellent recruitment speech.” The Chancellor stood raising his arms mockingly. “Worthy of any Senator in the halls of the Senate itself.” Turning sharply, he glared. “Your service…your studies include the skills which keep the Republic safe. As a resource, it would be a shame to squander it.”

“I don’t consider my duty to the Order or to the Light any sort of squander. And we are NOT a resource. At least not one of the Republic’s choosing.” After speaking, the Grandmaster crossed his legs and his arms. It did not appear he glared in return, but the sudden release of the placid muscles of his face spoke volumes of annoyance.

“You may not be a resource, at least not one we count within the Ministry. Jedi are not like other Republic assets. We aren’t counting tanks here or soldiers in a regiment.” The Chancellor spoke quickly. “I’m sure you’ve heard…they are forwarding a motion to disband the Republic Army. Save some credits, stop funding the military. There are, of course, a million ways to use military funding within the Republic.” The Chancellor referred to the Senate. Clearly, he didn’t agree. The Grandmaster frowned, feeling the disagreement on another level. Jedi guarded the peace. There was no reason to fight a war if that peace was upheld. Both men were veterans of the last conflict. Both men understood the need for a strong defense, even if both of them saw it differently. A Jedi’s eyes were always tainted with the peace and serenity they sought all of their lives.

“I’ve heard….” The Grandmaster relaxed, sitting back in the chair to release a pent-up sigh.

“You see this as I do. You may not be soldiers of the Republic, the Sith may be gone…but there will always be war, always be strife. If it’s not the Sith, then it’s the Hutts…if it’s not the Hutts, then it’s the corporations. War is an inevitability. In some circles, the Senate is a war. Politics is war. And in the absence of a true enemy we will even turn on one another.”

“I will admit…” Speaking reluctantly and with another sigh, the Master looked up. “…my faith in the goodness of humanoid kind has been shaken. But that doesn’t mean the Senate is wrong—” The Chancellor started to speak, the Master raising a finger gently. “—nor, does it mean you or I are wrong. What it means is, change. There will always be change. As a politician, you know this. Regimes come and go. What stands the test of time are our beliefs and traditions.”

“That’s what I’m referring to!!” Grabbing a chair, the Chancellor broke form. Dragging the chair behind himself he plopped down next to the Master and leaned in close. “Listen to me. This isn’t political. I….am coming to my end here. My service to the Republic in this capacity is nearly over. All I have left are my beliefs. And I believe, after the last conflict, things are only going to get worse. It was Two Million last time. Next time, what if it’s twenty-two or two-hundred and twenty-two?” Releasing a breath after speaking fast, the Chancellor sagged and looked down. “If they get what they want, we will be left with nothing between us and the rest of the galaxy when it comes calling.”

“The Republic has the Jedi.” The Grandmaster stated simply causing the Chancellor to look up.

“You can’t honestly believe ‘they’ are gone?” Asking the question of the Master caused the brown robed figure to look away momentarily.

“At this point it would be my duty as a servant to the Republic and by that virtue, to you; to council you on your obsession with the Sith. But I am hardly in a position to do so.” Their eyes met. One burning into the other. Two veterans of the same mind. The Jedi Master finally relented. “No. They are not gone. As long as there is a light, there will always be a darkness. Either from within…or without. We vanquished them. Had we wiped them out I would have felt it. Even you, not possessed of the Force would have felt it.” He paused, narrowing his eyes. “And I sense THAT is where all of this is coming from. You may not be a Jedi, Chancellor, but you sense as we all do that they will return at some point. But I must caution you, these are things you should not speak of and should you choose to use this to force that resolution to be tabled—”

“No, no…” Waving his arms the Chancellor smiled. “…this is bigger than that. They want to vote, let them vote.” The Chancellor spoke interrupting the Master. His expression and posture clearing up as he got back on task as to why he ‘summoned’ the Grandmaster. "Let’s face it Master Jedi...even you are not invulnerable. None of us are...your training makes you more survivable than the average Soldier, but even Jedi can be killed."

Sadly, the Grandmaster lowered his gaze nodding to himself. In part to give a silent prayer in the Force for all of those lost in the last conflict. It was true, the Jedi were not invulnerable. But it was the Will of the Force that they die. The Grandmaster wanted to believe that. During the last war, he made himself believe it. Having to watch so many young and veteran Jedi die at the hands of the Sith. Testing his faith in the Force. War created questions of morality and faith. The Jedi were never designed to be warriors, but rather Guardians of Peace and Freedom. With a heavy heart, it was the Grandmaster who led the Jedi to war. The Grandmaster huffed a laugh to himself as he thought. ‘As if we had a choice…’ It was the Jedi’s destiny to face the Sith. No one else could. And once the Dark Side rose, the light had to rise to meet it. That message was clear in the Force; of that, the Grandmaster had no doubts.

Looking up, the Grandmaster smiled. “Yes, unfortunately that is part of our lot as Jedi. As I said, Darkness must always be confronted by the light.” For the first time since entering the office, the Grandmaster sat back and relaxed completely. As Supreme Chancellors went, Pultimo wasn’t a bad one. He had given many successions to the Jedi. The Grandmaster couldn’t remember the Supreme Chancellor ever denying them anything he asked for. If the truth was known, The Grandmaster actually liked Pultimo on a personal level. Though due to his position he could never admit that. The Grandmaster needed to remain unbiased and above the fray of politics and ‘liking’ or ‘disliking’ anyone. Those types of voiced feelings could be made to serve against them. The lessons of the past Grandmasters echoed in his head. “I understand the need for a strong Republic. And a standing Army. But what do numbers and calculations have to do with—” The Grandmaster sat up. Once again, he reached out in the Force and felt something from the Supreme Chancellor. Only he wasn’t ashamed for using his power in The Force once he felt the thoughts emanating from the Chancellor. "What are you driving at? The Republic has found a way to replenish those losses? I sense--” Not just relying on his senses, the Grandmaster took into account the looming Senate resolution and the rumors swirling around the Halls of the Senate building. Scrutinizing the Chancellor, he spoke carefully. “Please tell me you are thinking about droids, because the alternative—this, doesn’t have to do with the pending resolution? Does it?"

The Chancellor stood, bringing himself to his full height and towering over the Jedi Master.

"I asked you here to bring you in on my last great act as Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. What I want to show you is much better than an army of droids.” Opening his arms in a welcoming manner, the Chancellor placed a hand on the Grandmaster’s shoulder as the other man stood. "Come, let me show you."