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.

The Louvre Museum in Paris is a breathtaking architectural marvel, blending centuries of history with modern elements. Its grand facade stretches across the landscape, an intricate masterpiece of French Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical design. Ornate columns and detailed friezes adorn its exterior, depicting scenes from mythology and history, while tall arched windows punctuate the walls, framed by elegant stone moldings. Sculpted rooftops rise above, crowned with statues and intricate balustrades, creating a majestic skyline against the Parisian sky.

Beyond its historical grandeur, the museum's vast courtyard, the Cour Napoléon, unfolds in a sweeping expanse. At its heart stands the iconic glass pyramid, a striking contrast to the classical stonework surrounding it. Designed by architect I. M. Pei, the pyramid's transparent glass panels and delicate steel framework catch the light, casting shifting reflections upon the courtyard's surface.

Stepping through the pyramid's entrance, visitors descend into the Carrousel du Louvre, a spacious underground lobby where modern design merges seamlessly with the timeless elegance above. The sleek glass and steel give way to vaulted ceilings, stone archways, and marble floors, echoing the grandeur of the former palace. Moving deeper within, arched corridors stretch into the galleries, lined with classical sculptures and masterpieces that whisper of the past, drawing all who enter into the depths of art and history.

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.