The New Jedi Knights

Chapter 3: Vacation Interrupted

As they stepped through the grand entrance of the Louvre, the two Jedi Knights felt as though they were crossing into another realm. Having marveled at art from countless cultures, nothing could have prepared them for the overwhelming magnificence that awaited within these storied walls. The museum itself was more than a repository of treasures — it was a living masterpiece. Every artifact seemed placed with a purpose, its presentation crafted to evoke wonder and contemplation. This was no mere collection of paintings and sculptures; it was a carefully curated odyssey through the evolution of human creativity, a symphony of reverence and insight into the timeless significance of art.

Brandon said in awe, "It is like we came to another planet. Amazingly, the world we left is full of crime and disarray. Here, it is harmonious, like nowhere in the universe. Ituor, Sofith, and others need to see this place."

As they wandered through the hallowed halls of the museum, their footsteps echoing faintly against the marble floors, the vibrant artwork lining the walls seemed to fade in comparison to the spectacle commanding the heart of the main hall. Towering over all who entered, a colossal statue stood proudly, its presence both humbling and awe-inspiring. The figures carved in stone bore an uncanny resemblance to the two Jedi, their forms rendered with meticulous precision, as though the artist had captured not just their likeness but their very essence. The sculpture evoked memories of ancient monuments from a distant desert planet — weathered yet enduring symbols of resilience and legacy.

Around the base of the statue, intricate carvings depicted scenes of sacrifice and heroism. One panel showed the two Jedi standing resolute before an unstoppable force — a cataclysmic storm of chaos that threatened to engulf the Earth. Another panel revealed them kneeling in solemn devotion, channeling all their strength and light into a radiant shield that encompassed the planet.

A bronze plaque, aged but polished to a gleaming finish, rested at the statue's feet. Its inscription, though cryptic, carried an unmistakable weight of gratitude and reverence:

"When Earth stood at the brink of annihilation, they gave everything—body, mind, and spirit — to save a world not their own. Their sacrifice became our salvation, their legacy our guiding light. May their courage echo across eternity."

The two Jedi exchanged a solemn glance, their hearts heavy with the memories of that fateful day. They had risked more than their lives—they had surrendered a piece of their very souls to halt the calamity that would have obliterated an entire civilization. The echoes of that sacrifice lingered still, not in grief but in the lives they had saved, in the enduring hope they had kindled.

The room seemed to hold its breath, the art and history around them paying silent homage to the protectors who had once turned their strength to shield an alien world. Standing before the monument, the Jedi felt both humbled and haunted, the weight of their deeds immortalized in stone, their legacy etched into the soul of humanity.

A sign on a small stand — both in English and French:

This statue is here in the Louvre to show homage to the two Earthly Jedi Knights: Master Jedi Samantha O'Neill and Master Jedi Brandon Bowers. Our thanks go out to them for saving not only every living thing on Earth but the treasures that go with it.

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Cette statue est ici dans le Louvre pour rendre hommage aux deux terrestres Chevaliers Jedi, Maître Jedi Sam O'Neill et Maître Jedi Brandon Bowers. Nos remerciements vont à eux pour sauver non seulement tout ce qui vit sur ​​Terre mais les trésors qui vont avec.

The crowd realized it was them. Everyone gave them a standing ovation and their gratitude. Sam and Brandon smiled. Then they drew out their lightsabers and posed as the statue.