"Recalling Operatives"
By: Master Liam Zaneth
Master Laedra Vorrel
Master Koran Darr
Master Baen Novix
Master Jae Dyn Brael

Location: Jedi Safehouse
Date: Vadris 7, 5 ABY

***

Gathered in one of the rooms of the Jedi Order's safe house, a number of Jedi Masters sat in conference. It was dangerous for the Jedi to meet, but it was deemed important enough that they should risk it. The situation on the planet did not appear to be improving, and now that the Jau had taken control, there appeared to be little hope in seeing the planet return to the state they had been in before the Palace turned on the Order.

Seated around the room were several of the most powerful Jedi in this area of space: Laedra Vorrel, Koran Darr, Baen Novix, Jae Dyn Brael, and Liam Zaneth.

"The family has taken a house in Vendra," Jae Dyn was saying. "Somehow Reinrich Tas recognized Talara, and tried to use her as leverage. The house was bought under a false name, and there will be very little for anyone to trace back to Keeve or the rest of us. We are doing well enough, as far as I can tell. And, Talara seems to have survived her ordeal well enough. On the whole, I don't believe the situation has endangered the Jedi Order."

"True as that may be," Koran said, "it could have been much worse. Rather than using Talara for his own needs, the man could have turned over the whole household to the Jau. We must be more careful in the future. Perhaps it would be best if the Padawans were to return to us here where they could be safeguarded."

Jae Dyn narrowed her eyes. "You don't believe I am capable of that? Talara is nearly ready for knighthood and Zari has improved greatly over the time she's been there. Besides, she has her child to consider."

"And you have three of your own," Koran said.

Looking away mutely, Jae Dyn could think of nothing more she could say.

"Zari's future, in my opinion, is unclear," Laedra stated. "We have heard about the incident with her child - I believe she has chosen to put her training aside. Talara, however...it would be best if she were taken under our wing once again. It would benefit her, and everyone's safety." Laedra looked to the other Masters. "Is this agreed?"

The other Jedi Masters all affirmed Laedra's proposition.

"We are reaching a time when the strength of the Order will be required, and we will need to be ready for that," Master Novix said. "Talara is one of the best and most capable Padawans we have. We cannot afford to lose her."

"Then we shall have her summoned," Laedra decided. She looked around the table for any objectors, settling on Jae Dyn. "Would you like to do the honours?"

"Of course," Jae Dyn said. "I will speak to her as soon as I return tonight."

"And we will prepare accommodations for her." Satisfied that the topic of Talara's return was settled, Laedra moved onto the next point of discussion. "I know we have touched upon this briefly, but numerous times.... We are still not in agreement about our position in the matter of forming a resistance against the Jau. It is not our place to interfere in how this planet is ruled and by whom, but we are inhabitants - prisoners, might be more accurate - on this world. I recognize the Jedi's stance on intervening in the affairs of the planet and its people...but is this not a special circumstance? Are we, too, not affected? Have we not a valid right to revolt against the Jau?"

"We owe it to the people of this planet to help them fight back," Baen Novix said. "We set ourselves up as their protectors, and we've abandoned them."

"We went into hiding when the people turned on us," Koran said. "They chose to push us out. I am willing to help the people if they want our help, but I'm not sure where we stand in their eyes."

"Does it truly matter, Koran?" Baen asked. "They need our help, whether they'll turn on us or not. Otherwise, we might as well just pick up and leave, leaving the planet to whatever fate befalls it."

"If we offer our aid," Laedra reasoned, "will the people really reject us? They could not possibly desire to live out the remainder of their existence under the tyrannical rule of the Jau."

"It all depends on how desperate they are," Jae Dyn said. "If they seek to overthrow the Jau, they may accept our help. There very well could be some, like Reinrich Tas, who will seek to profit from it, and curry favour from the Jau for whatever benefits they can earn."

"There will always be people like that," Baen said. "They did it for Palpatine, some will do it for the Jau."

"So, we offer our assistance to the people of Tae'Karada," Koran said. "We take a hand in helping to resist them, and reclaim the planet. Who among our number shall we allow to join in this fight? Will this be voluntary service, or will this be an assignment?"

"I do not believe this is something we should enforce," Laedra stated. "Such actions are not a part of our teachings. It should be an individual decision."

"Kaylee Soras, the woman we encountered on Fala'kara, her people fight the Jau for a living," Liam Zaneth said. "Her help will be invaluable in helping us to form a resistance against them."

Laedra was silently pensive for a time before volunteering, "A group named New Dawn aided a couple of our Padawans some months ago. Could they not be potential allies if we can contact them?"

"I've done some more checking on the New Dawn," Master Novix said. "I'm not entirely sure what their operation is about, and much appears to be deliberately shrouded in mystery. I believe they were a crucial element in the kidnapping of a couple of citizens on the Drogen Shipyards a couple months back. I have a bad feeling about the New Dawn."

"But if they're bad, why would they assist us? Perhaps they wanted something in return, and perhaps whatever reasons they kidnapped those people were legitimate, at least as far as they go. If they are able to help, I don't think we should turn our backs. It's the same situation as with the people of the planet against us. If they're honestly willing to help, we should accept their help."

"Perhaps we are united by a like cause," Laedra proposed. "Even if they are not the most honourable of people, could we not benefit from their assistance?"

"I will agree to that," Novix said. "We will need to be careful, and consider carefully any demands the New Dawn makes. With the problem we've had with corruption and Padawans falling to the Dark Side, I believe it is imperative to not allow any potential corruption to seep into the Order."

"We will not give them our complete trust," Laedra stated. "It is by being wary that we will be able to detect any treachery on their part. It is wise to tread carefully in this matter."

"Currently, Kaylee is observing events in Arcadia," Liam said. "I'll talk to her. I'm certain she'll be happy to come here to meet with us."

Laedra smiled. "We would be glad to speak with her. Perhaps she will provide a new perspective on the situation. When can she be summoned?"

"I can speak to her right after the meeting," Liam said. "Probably would be easiest for her to join us here tomorrow. It would also give me an opportunity to stop in and see how Yelara's doing."

"Is she well?" Laedra asked in genuine concern. "She has been through much. I hope she can recover."

"There was a surgery," Liam said. "She's doing much better now, and she's expected to make a full recovery. She'll be in the hospital for a few more days recovering."

Laedra nodded thoughtfully. "It might be a good idea to get her into hiding when she is well enough to be moved. Her life may still be in danger if the Jau consider her a threat, even now."

"For now, we can get an apartment or house near here," Liam said. "I imagine something near the beaches will be nice. It's far enough away from here that if we get hit they're safe, and it's close enough that we can watch over them."

"So you do not plan to live with them?"

"I would like to live with them if I may," Liam said.

Again, Laedra looked to each of the other Masters inclusively. "Is this something we can risk?"

"If Liam is close by," Koran said, "I believe it will be acceptable. My concern is for Kael."

"Nieme mentioned what happened," Laedra affirmed. "I believe his wife could place him into peril. Nieme expressed that she seemed...unstable. If her actions attract the attention of the authorities, Kael could be exposed."

"Now that she's pregnant with her own child," Jae Dyn said, "it is possible she will be less likely to do anything that will attract attention."

"Have they decided where they will be living yet?" Koran asked.

Jae Dyn shook her head. "Last I heard, they were looking in New Plouton. I don't believe they are considering Arcadia. I am uncertain if they will choose to search for a home in Thanatos, especially since it is fairly close to the Jau's mining operation."

"I'm inclined to trust Kael to some extent in this," Laedra said. "I think he will be careful, but perhaps we should, just in case, offer him residence with us."

"It may be a hard sell to Raeila," Koran said, "but it will be safest for them."

"Then Kael may just have to choose," Laedra decided. "The Order, or his wife and child. His safety and our own are at stake."

"We will put that to him, and see how he responds," Koran said. "Another order of business is actually fighting the Jau. From the first encounter we had with them, we know that our lightsabers will be useless. We will need to improvise and find alternatives around that. According to Liam, when Dargus Kandran's lightsaber touched the Jau, the blade itself lost coherency. We must begin training using other means with which to fight."

"I am certain Kaylee can assist us with that," Liam stated.

"Very good," Koran said. "I do not believe it will be too difficult to obtain weapons with which we can fight the Jau, but we must begin now if we are to offer resistance."

Laedra nodded. "We should also consider altering our training to focus more heavily on hand-to-hand combat if our students are to be prepared."

"I know Master Andro focused heavily on hand-to-hand techniques with Talara," Koran added. "Perhaps she might be able to teach that. As I understand it's a martial art very useful against opponents who are armed."

"It would provide us an opportunity to assess Talara's current progress," Laedra suggested. "I volunteer to oversee her, if we will allow her to train the Padawans."

"I believe that is a good idea," Koran said.

"I concur," Master Novix said. The others voiced their assent as well.

"It sounds like that is settled then," Koran said.

"And unless there are any more topics for discussion," Laedra announced, "then we may consider this meeting adjourned. Master Brael" --she bowed her head to Kallia-- "you are free to contact Padawan Sorenne now."

"I will bring her here at once," Jae Dyn said. She bowed to Laedra, and the others, and strode from the chamber to return to Keeve's house.

Laedra raised an eyebrow at the others upon Jae Dyn's departure. "Do you believe Talara will return to us?"

"It is difficult to say," Master Novix said. "She has been through an ordeal. Before she was taken, she was dedicated to the Order and becoming a full Knight. I cannot see that her resolve would not have been strengthened after what she went through."

"Then if she is strong enough to return to us" --Laedra smiled-- "I can hardly wait to reunite with her."

"Let us hope Master Brael will return with Talara soon then," Koran said. "I look forward to seeing how much progress she's made. But, for now, I think I'm ready to find Orn and get something to eat."

With that, he stood and motioned for the others to follow. Together, they all filed out to head toward the makeshift kitchen where the Jedi Order's culinary wizard had set up shop.

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