Star Wars: The Old Republic

The Cursed World

3960 BBY

Coruscant:

Anaka sighed. Council meetings were always mentally taxing, but the more the war dragged on the worse it became. Vrook and Atris being especially bad. "As we've discussed before," Nomi said calmly, "the decision has been made, Revan and his followers are free to continue their involvement." "Yes but..." Vrook tried to interject. "So, you would have innocent people be killed," Anaka asked, "just let the Mandalorians burn the outer rim to the ground? I thought it was our duty to protect people." "We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers Master Skywalker," Atris smugly pointed out, "and conflict is a path to the dark side." Anaka rolled her eyes, of course Atris would say that. "Yes, the dark side is corrupting by nature," Anaka admitted, "but isn't it only corrupting and evil if you relish in killing? If you enjoy it? Most people wouldn't call killing the Mandalorians murder, but justice." "It is not your place to decide what is corrupting and what isn't," Vandar said. "It is quite obvious why you of all people have these opinions," Atris said. "Why? Because you think I've fallen or will fall," Anaka demanded, "every Jedi in this order has the capacity to fall to the dark side, same as me." "Not just that, you disregard the code. Just like your friends," Vrook said, "can you even recite the code?" "If I had fallen, like you claim, I would not be here, in this pointless council meeting," Anaka snarled, "If I had fallen, I would have killed most of you." Anaka took in breaths as all the Jedi stared at her. Nomi gave her a look. Anaka sighed. "There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the force," Anaka repeated in a robotic voice, "there. I know the code. Are you happy?" "It is not just about knowing the code, Anaka," Nomi spoke softly, "it is about following it as well." "Like you have any right to lecture me on following the code, Master," Anaka snapped, "the results of that are sitting on this council." Anaka met Nomi's gaze evenly. She felt terrible, but she would not apologize. Not now, at least. "The Revanchist will still be able to operate as they have," Nomi said, "and that will not change. Council dismissed." Anaka got up and walked out with the other masters. "Anaka, a word," Nomi's voice cut through her ears. Anaka sighed before turning around. Vima gave her a look as they passed each other but Anaka ignored it. "Yes master," Anaka asked, "would you like an apology?" Nomi sighed, the way she would whenever Anaka asked her questions as a child and teenager that would horrify the other council members. "I realise I was in the wrong," Nomi conceded, "it was hypocritical of me to tell you to follow the code. As you pointed out, I also have trouble following the code." "I did not mean to snap at you," Anaka said, "it's just, every council meeting I have to defend myself and my friends because they think they're doing the right thing. The council thinks they are evil for it, and I'm stuck here defending them." "But you won't stop," Nomi asked, "you won't stop defending them?" "No," Anaka said, "not for this war."

Anaka fidgeted with C2-Z5. Hydrospanner firmly gripped in hand, mask firmly over her eyes. "Master Anaka," C2 said, "I appreciate your care with the repairs, but you've been going at it for the past 2 hours. Perhaps a break." "I don't need a break, C2," Anaka snapped, "council thinks I'm gonna turn. How? I've been cooped up here nearly the whole war, that's more likely gonna cause me to fall." "Thought I'd find you here," Meetra called out. "When'd you get back, Mee," Anaka asked. "I arrived at Foreost a few weeks ago, there were some things Republic intelligence wanted to go over with me," Meetra said, "got to the temple about an hour ago. Caught Master Vima after the council meeting." "Ah. Where's Revan and Alek," Anaka asked "They're still at Fondor, I think," Meetra replied, "their fleet was a lot more banged up then mine." "Fondor," Anaka spoke in thought, "that's the new shipyards, right?" "Yea," Meetra confirmed, "I think they also wanted to stay out there. Neither of them can relax." Meetra looked out sadly. "This war has taken much from everyone," Anaka agreed. Meetra smiled. A sad, distant smile. "I know you were shaken up on what happened on Onderon between you and Cassus Fett," Anaka spoke softly, "are you ok?" Meetra was about to answer before an interruption ran in. "Master Skywalker, someone has dyed the room of a thousand fountains," Ahe'a cried, "they dyed it green! Master Atris was there, she looked really angry. Oh, I didn't know you had a guest." Anaka let her brain catch up with what Ahe'a had said, sometimes forgetting the difference in maturity the two had. "Someone dyed the room of a thousand fountains," Anaka asked for clarification. "Master Skywalker," Meetra questioned, "Nomi finally convince you to take on a padawan?" "More like forced me to," Anaka muttered, "Ahe'a, this is Meetra Surik, Mee, this is my apprentice, Ahe'a Kaffa." "Master Anaka," C2 asked, "can you please remove the hydrospanner from my head." Anaka yanked the hydrospanner out. "Go find out how much time I have before Master Nomi gets me to continue with Master duty," Anaka ordered. "I'm not a protocol droid," C2 muttered while walking out. "Loose the attitude," Anaka called out after him. "I remember when your master was, what, 5 years old maybe," Meetra began, "I met her here. She told me and I quote 'kriff off blondie.' Mouthy child your master was." "I'll still tell you to kriff off if you really want me to, Mee," Anaka replied. Meetra smiled. "You you've known each other since you were younglings," Ahe'a asked, "that's so cool. Master, your friend is way cooler than you are." "Thank you for the vote of confidence Ahe'a," Anaka laughed. "Master Meetra," Ahe'a said, "you know someone dyed the room of a thousand fountains." "I know," Meetra said, smiling. Ahe'a gaped. "It was you," Ahe'a laughed. Meetra winked before her commlink buzzed. "Sorry, duty calls," Meetra said, "you're a much cooler padawan then the ones I've met. Just be glad you weren't stuck with Bastila Shan." Meetra smiled at Anaka before walking out.