Naturally, I didn't leave Corellia immediately after completing the mission. Because even before the mission started, I had arranged for Celeste and Jaro to fly in to meet me. From here, I planned to go to my first training planet, to begin the full-fledged education and training of my first Padawan. Master Piell seemed to have understood something about me. Now I was left guessing what conclusions he had drawn regarding my personality. But on the High Council, they were picking my bones clean again. As always… This time, it was because I had concealed the fact that my mentor hadn't just taught me Alteration, but had also taught me Force Lightning.
Yes, I had to attribute my knowledge of lightning to Lorm Decer's credit. Although — why attribute it? Yes, he was the one who taught it to me. "But you should have reported this to the Order!" And that's the main complaint. Unfortunately, for a dogmatist like Piell, it clearly wasn't enough for them to impose any sanctions on me. Because, oh miracle of miracles, I was fulfilling my duties, and fulfilling them effectively, not just spectacularly. True, I had to solemnly swear that I would use my lightning in the name of good, light, and pink ponies. As if that's hard for me? I mean, essentially, my goals are the same as the Order's.
As a Jedi, I want to protect the Galaxy's citizens from all the shit that awaits them. I understand that I can't protect every single one of them. But the lion's share… And for that, there's a lot of work to be done. Work on the Jedi Order, the Republic, the Republic's institutions of power… And myself, of course. Piell stayed on Corellia for another day, then went back to Coruscant. I checked into a rather expensive hotel. I've never liked denying myself comfort, especially since the money I paid for the room was honestly earned by me. And I don't care that it was ten years ago. I earned it, and now I have the right to spend it. So for the rest of the time until Celeste and Jaro arrived, I stress-tested my alcohol resistance, meditated, and worked on my projects for reforming the Order and the Republic.
Some points had already been reworked dozens of times. I'd even started writing a new draft constitution for the Galactic Republic. Absolutely every minute detail had to be accounted for — even a comma could give some other insane worthless creature an opportunity to seize power. I need to eliminate those dangers. Nothing should get in the way of some semblance of democracy and freedom. Yes, having seen the Galaxy from the inside and out, having studied its laws, I realized that the very name "Galactic Republic" doesn't guarantee that the state is democratic. Well, no… It's too democratic.
Too many freedoms; some spheres aren't regulated by any legislation. And any attempt to interfere only brings problems. This needs to be fixed. Even in the most liberal regime, in my opinion, the law should regulate the relationship between the state and its inhabitants. The draft for reforming the Republic included articles about ministries, about officials who would work in them, their relationship with the Senate, the Chancellor, and "orders of the Supreme Government." All this is, of course, excellent… I'm sure I won't create an ideal society — that's impossible — but I'll get as close as I can to its parameters… But even so, without a team, I can't do anything. I need sentients. Politicians, military commanders, bureaucrats, support in the Senate and the Jedi Order.
Otherwise—no matter how ideal the reforms you propose—you'll fail. First, the team. Both inside the Order and outside it. Second, the historical bifurcation point. In the end, what I'm proposing right now can be accepted by neither the Order nor the Senate. Because these changes are too radical. Overturn the Ruusan Reformation, give back to the Jedi not just police justice in the 'whatever works' form and Senate justice in the 'whatever the senator says, we do, even if we could do better by ignoring the senator's demand' form, but full executive authority in crime investigation and punishment—return our army, both the space fleet and ground units. At the same time, cultivate the right personnel within the Order who could serve in the army and the executive branch. All of this doesn't happen at the wave of a hand. You can't just pass a pile of papers at the highest level and say, 'Now we're this and that'... You have to forge those personnel. And for the Jedi's martial skill, the Clone Wars will serve best. This isn't a conflict with the Yinchorri, or Iaco Stark, which is coming soon. This is a full-scale war across the entire Galaxy. Advantageous to the Sith... But if we push ourselves, we can also gain from it. How does war fit with my goal of 'protecting as many innocents as possible'? After all, wars never protect sentients—only idiots think otherwise, that you can start a war in the name of protecting sentients. It's simple: if after the war, my reforms go through, the Republic's state apparatus will learn the proper lesson, and we can build a quality state. At least, that's how I see the situation.
My only restriction, which I had on Coronet, was the casino. As a Jedi, I was forbidden entry, which I was immediately informed of. I can't gamble because I can predict events ahead of time. Though, I never really liked gambling anyway. In the evenings, I'd go up to the hotel terrace, where the bar was open, and buy expensive brands of alcohol, enjoying the beautiful views of Coronet. This isn't that junkyard they showed in the failed Han Solo movie. The city was in no way inferior to Coruscant itself... The lights of the evening district, which had everything: bars, holotheaters, operas, clubs—they never seemed to go out. At least in my room, I could darken the windows so they wouldn't distract me during sleep. Ascending to the bar as usual, I noticed Lara... For two days now, she'd been following me, everywhere I went. At least she didn't follow me into the bathroom.
"Do you have some kind of problem, Knight Lara?" I approached her, holding a cocktail for myself and one for her. The woman looked at the glass I was offering and accepted it. "Forgive me, but you've been following me for two days now."
"No problems, thank you," she smiled. "I was simply assigned to you by the Council, to observe, to make sure you didn't have any problems, or that you didn't create them for the inhabitants of our planet."
"Hmph," I snorted, taking a sip of the alcoholic drink. "I solve problems. Even the ones I create for myself. Why would you suddenly be worried about me? Or is this related to my 'incredibly cruel actions toward Padawan Renak'? If so, if you please," I sat down at the table and gestured for Lara to sit opposite me. "Let's recall. On the planet where the excavations were taking place—Renak attacked a group of Jedi. One of whom was his master, with a Force Bond, the other two were the respected archaeologist-researcher Eno Cordova, who even at his young age had already earned a good reputation, and Master Tal, a decent archivist who systematizes excavation data perfectly. Moving on. Renak arrived on Corellia, wiped out a couple of gangs, including your creations, and then attempted to steal part of a dark artifact from under guard. And his mind was so addled that even noticing a Shadow, an assassin droid, and a Master of the Jedi High Council—he not only didn't retreat or surrender, but continued the attack. His people, like himself, killed sentients from CorSec..." I took a sip of the cocktail. Its taste was mostly tropical notes. "I'll be completely honest. I fell into the darkness too... But I managed to do far less damage than your nephew. And I gave him plenty of time. Even after realizing the difference between us—he didn't stop. Why would I regret anything, Knight Lara? Or are you afraid I'll interfere in something else?"
"No," the woman took a drink. "But such is the order of our Council. And I'll be honest with you, as you were with me," she saluted me. "My sister is not pleased with your action. As a Jedi, she can understand you, but as a mother, she cannot."
"Pray to the Force that the first part is stronger in her," I advised. "Otherwise, I won't stop with Renak. I agree to give sentients chances. But everything has its limit. Besides—an attack on a defender isn't a reason to hold back."
"And one more thing," Lara added when I commented on her sister's situation. "You hacked our database. If you weren't a member of the Coruscant Order, we'd have reacted already."
"I did hack it," I agreed, "but as soon as the mission ended, I left the database, and your specialists changed all the codes and passwords. I bet you even fired that degenerate who set the main server password to his own birthday. You fired him, didn't you?" I looked into Lara's eyes. "And I hope he's not someone's relative and you didn't come to tell me he's a relative of some master of yours who's also thinking about revenge."
"Heh-heh," Lara laughed at my joke. "You have a peculiar sense of humor."
"And some of your sentients have gone completely slack on operational work," I noted. "And that's not a funny situation... Or rather... History repeats itself many times. But the first time is usually tragedy, the rest is comedy. Have you already had your tragedy? Well, now the comedy is coming. Honestly, the dogmas of the Green Jedi attracted me more than the usual ones I was raised with. But decline has touched you too."
"I think everything's fine with me," the woman shrugged.
"Is this what fine looks like to you?" I asked her. "Many positions in the Order are filled by relatives of councilors. That's not normal. That's blatant cronyism—hiring not by ability, but by relation. I'm not arguing, gifted parents might have a slightly higher chance of having gifted children, but that doesn't mean those children can become great Jedi. Being a Jedi isn't just about the Force. Believe me, if anyone knows that, it's me. At birth, I had fourteen thousand midi-chlorians," Leniko's eyes widened. And she was quite a beautiful blonde. She reminded me of someone, but who? The name and surname were right on the tip of my tongue. "Later, through hard training, I increased that number. Now I'm not inferior to Master Yoda. But does the Force, or the number of midi-chlorians, make me great? No. Just as being born from two Gods won't make their child great. What makes one great are actions, mastered knowledge... Competence. And my advice to you: be strict with those you take from outside as a standard. But with your own children—be very strict. Otherwise, you'll simply rot from within."
"If I had children," Lara smirked. "It was my sister who married her archaeologist. I'm already twenty-five. And I'm unlikely to have children."
"You look wonderful," I nodded to her. "I'm sure you can find your betrothed. But I wouldn't forget about Sheila either, if I were you. What about her, by the way?"
"She's with Shelion," she replied. "In our Order, she, Shelion, and Rekan were a famous love triangle. Brilliant Rekan, whom Sheila was in love with, and Shelion—a picked-up orphan from the lower city, without parents, who loves Sheila. He's comforting her now..."
"Interesting—in what sense?" I asked her.
"In the best sense, I suppose," the Green Jedi shrugged. "Even if you're hinting at sex—remember, we're still Green Jedi. It's not forbidden to us."
"As it is to us," I replied. "What's forbidden to us is specifically forming attachments to anyone. So that we can, if necessary, 'let go.' But sex isn't forbidden."
"Is that you hinting at something?" she smiled. Meanwhile, I called the waiter, who was a sentient here, and ordered another round for myself. The man, dressed in dark pants, a white shirt, and a dark vest, nodded and went off to get my order.
"Maybe some other time," I replied. "And I am a man. We're hopeless with hints."
"So you'd say it outright if you wanted to," she concluded.
I just let my gaze slide across her pretty face, her blue eyes, and recalled her full height. Even though she wore Jedi robes, I could still get a sense of her figure. But on the other hand—did I want this, specifically with her, specifically now? Only if it would be something with no strings attached.
"Are you serious right now?" I asked her. "I killed your nephew right before your eyes. Your sister, by your own words, is seriously considering attacking me. And you're talking to me about this. Isn't that too much?"
"Mmmm, truth be told, part of me wants to punish you for that," noted Lara Leniko.
"Well, you see. You're a beautiful woman, I won't argue, but after the main event, I'd rather not wake up dead. So with you, I'd prefer not to slide into that kind of relationship," though it had been a long time for me. And a blonde like Lara was my type. "Better we stay..."
"Friends?"
"Ummm... The sentient being who's being watched and the sentient being who's watching," I corrected her. "Soon, a friend of mine will arrive here, with her Padawan, and I won't burden you anymore. Or be an eyesore to the Albin family."
Incidentally, Lara understood some things, and when we talked about relationships, she did throw out quite understandable hints. Strange winks, smiles... But I heroically withstood the womanly charms... It was all unpleasant. At the back of my mind was the thought that I would have had the ability to disarm Renak Albin, stun him, and force him to go through a thorough re-education, his relatives included. But then again, as I've noted more than once—nothing worthwhile would likely have come of it. Did I arrogate the right to judge? No. I don't think so. I've seen many dark-aligned gifted, fought some, and I believe Renak had no way back. The power of the dark side had too thoroughly addled the teenager's brain. I managed to recover, but Renak was completely consumed by it. The only possible rehabilitation scenario would have been: he kills almost everyone he loved, everyone he was friends with, and then goes, 'What have I done?' And he'd weep for about twenty years about what happened, maybe cut himself off from the Force, and so on. But at that moment, that scenario was completely out of the question. So I did everything that was required on the mission.
The next week passed essentially without change. Lara talked to me—or rather, I actively questioned the lady about her branch of the Order. She was clearly bored with these conversations, obviously hoping that a handsome, strong Jedi Knight would look at her not just as an information source, but as a woman. In that sense, I persistently ignored her, to her disappointment. Finally, after a week, Celeste and Jaro Tapal arrived on the planet. They looked energetic... Celeste had been informed that the Order considered her adapted to the current situation, so my mission to watch her could probably be considered complete. And Celeste was no longer required to stay close to me.
However, the girl clearly wanted something else and arrived on Corellia with Jaro. They found me in a restaurant when I was downing a cocktail made from Corellian whiskey, listlessly chatting with Lara about the brewing conflict. Those who kept their ear to the ground already knew about a man named Iaco Stark. And although the Green Jedi themselves took little interest in him, his name appeared in CorSec reports. Celeste and Jaro, with my permission, which I'd given to the hotel staff, managed to enter and found me on the roof in the company of a beautiful Jedi, drinking with her.
"Good evening, Celeste, Jaro," I turned my attention to the approaching pair. "You've finally arrived, I see. That's wonderful. Would you two like a drink?"
I nodded toward the free seats at the table where I was sitting. Celeste sat down next to me, pressing her body as close as possible. A pleasant scent emanated from her, and the Force Bond transmitted her pleasure at seeing me.
"I can't drink," the Lasat refused, settling down next to Lara, who amusingly wrinkled her nose. "I'm not eighteen yet, when by my race's laws I can consume alcohol."
"And I won't say no," Celeste shrugged. "The same for me," she told the waiter, "as he's having."
"Well, let me introduce you to each other," I said. "This is Jedi Knight Lara Leniko, from the Corellian Enclave," the blonde bowed slightly. "The Lasat is my Padawan—Jaro Tapal. And to my left sits Celeste Morne, a Jedi Knight."
"Pleasure to meet you," said Lara.
"Likewise," Celeste replied. "But we came here at your request, Light," she accepted the cocktail from the waiter and took a sip. "What do you intend to do next?"
"To the relief of Knight Lara and her colleagues, who are currently diligently pretending to be a romantic couple at the next table," Lara flinched. Yes, I'd spotted their extra surveillance almost from the start. "I intend to leave Corellia. As do you, I take it. Jaro will come with me. And as for you—after the mission with Jaro, the Order has recognized you as a full-fledged Jedi Shadow, which means you can begin your own path."
"I'd prefer to go with you, if you don't mind," said Celeste. I just shrugged. If she wanted to, let her come. I was planning to take Jaro for training and make a capable fighter out of him anyway. But lately, I'd been thinking about not just going to the planet where Lorm had trained me, but heading to Lehon. Though maybe I shouldn't go there? Too many dark-aligned sentients had lived there for too long, and Jaro wasn't ready for that planet yet. I shouldn't forget not only to teach him how to fight, but also basic survival. Or rather—to reinforce in practice what they taught at the Temple. During my Youngling years, unfortunately, we were never taken anywhere except Ilum. Though practice outside the Temple walls would definitely have done us good.
"In that case—we leave tomorrow, in the afternoon," I said. "At one o'clock local time. The Star Trek is in the central spaceport. Get yourselves a room at the hotel—I'll pay for it—and tomorrow, move all your things there... Actually, better do it tonight."
"So you're leaving us," Lara observed.
"Doesn't your sister want exactly that?" I asked. "Even though I didn't see her, because she wasn't here, I can sense that after everything that happened, your Order won't be loving me for a long time. Even though I pointed out your flaws," I stood up from the table. Celeste stood to let me pass. Approaching the two Jedi sitting at the next table, I placed a bottle of whiskey in front of them. "Colleagues, remember this—if you follow me without an invitation, it will be the last mistake of your lives. Got it?" I applied a little pressure with the Force.
The pair nodded in agreement.
"Enjoy yourselves," I said, waving my hand. "Good evening, Lara, Celeste, Jaro."
Leaving the terrace, I headed to my room. On the computer inside, my project for reforming the Order was open. But I decided not to work any more today. Uploading the document to the cloud, I logged out of all my accounts, since I was using the hotel computer, cleaned the registry, completely erasing any traces of my activity, and went to sleep. Tomorrow, a flight awaited me to a planet where I was supposed to turn the arrogant Jaro Tapal into a worthy Jedi Knight. Suddenly, there was a ring at the door...
"Well, who the hutt brought them here?" I opened the door with the Force. Celeste Morne walked into the room. "I thought I told you to get rooms and prepare for tomorrow's departure."
"I decided to save money," she said.