Aftermath of Thyferra: The Artifact

The smell of bacta still lingered in her hair. Perhaps the vanilla scented shampoo was not strong enough. Either way, the scent of defeat hung heavier over the Grandmaster. But for this moment, the Sith were not the concern. Instead, it was the Senate's actions over Thyferra.

"I will need to speak to the Order about the use of the artefact. Please. Speak your mind on the matter and I will take all of your counsel into consideration before delivering my message."


The artifact. That thing. With so much power. And handed to those with no real power aside from the power they kept giving themselves. Glad handing each other. Vodet may be more of a calm being than some of his contemporaries, but elected officials worked to line pockets first, help others second.

“It works against the Force. I know my people, Yinchorri, are the same. But they’re individuals. Being able to remove the Force. Didn’t our ancient namesake fight against this very thought?”


Sela frowned thoughtfully, the lines around her mouth and forehead all the more pronounced. She had not been present at Thyferra due to a research project that took her elsewhere, but she had read the reports. She didn't like it at all. "I have done all in my power, all within my capabilities, to give the Republic the benefit of the doubt. But this action -- activating the artifact with such limited notice -- borders on an act of aggression against the Order."

She glanced sidelong at the Grandmaster. She was certain the younger woman was starting to value Sela Basran's frank approach less and less.

"I am heartened -- a little -- to learn that it was not the Chancellor who ordered its activation. That is outweighed by how disheartened I am that the artifact was within the control of a man whose anti-Jedi sentiments are not so much an open secret as one announced by foghorn. And that he took it upon himself to disarm the Jedi that were defending the Republic as well as the Sith? I am troubled, Grandmaster."

Her gaze went to Vodet briefly, then Vizion. "I am deeply, deeply troubled."


Hearing words that somewhat mirrored his report, being that he had been posted to the Grace of Theed herself, allowed the complex knot of what had transpired in him due to these events, to swim through his consciousness, producing a mild grimace before eyes turned his way. But he met her gaze.

"Be that as it may, Master Basran, the initial activation of the artifact was, by my judgement, warranted."

He had warned them of the intrusion, himself; the power of the subsequent dark weaving that the witch had started, before that activation had forced a further reassessment, then. Record of her intrusion into and her particular style of exit from the bridge of the Grace had then solidified all of it—he would have been sorely outmatched. What information he could gather about that Dark Councillor had been appended to the report as a result.

"The first expansion of the artifact's reach was similiarly in response to the same threat," which without the benefit of a warning such as his, had torn through the Relief Fleet, "If not for the artifact..." would he have ended up with senatorial blood on his hands? Would he have turned the blade on himself? The potential outcomes were unsettling. "Beyond that, I can only wager a guess as to what went through the King's head to cause him to go so far."

But if it was anything like what flashed before his own eyes, then the lengths that Aurelian Veruna was willing to go to were deeply concerning.


"Thank you," Ala said, her eyes fixed squarely on the Sanctuary beyond the window. She needed to get down there, among the Order and get the temperature of the Padawan and Teachers. What were their concerns? What were their fears? She suspected a similar refrain from them all, but assuming would be in poor taste. These decisions shaped their destiny.

"It would be my desire...that in the interest of fostering cooperation with the government of the High Republic...that the artifact be destroyed."

A tear began to bead in the corner of her eye. She loved Naboo. It had welcomed her when she was estranged from all other places. It was the home she had fallen in love with...and fallen in love within.

"It is time for the Jedi Order to to find a new home."