“When you stand for nothing, you fall for anything.” - Alexander Hamilton
He was sitting backstage at a concert. He hadn’t been to one in a long time, not since his days in the Republic. It was an interesting scene to be sure. Stage managers running about, techs in place handling lights, sound techs at their stations. It was all choreographed to the music of one man and his band. That man was “The Golden Voice” Dak Hobson. It was amazing to see just how much of a crowd that he drew. This stadium was capable of holding nearly one-hundred thousand and it was packed to “standing room only”. The surrounding gathering points were filled as well.
He was not here for the concert though, his taste in music had long been “dead”, he was not here for the crowd or the band. Caltin was here for the man behind it all, and not because he was a fan. No, the big guy was here to see the singer for another reason. He was here because the man had a secret, it’s been one he’s held for a long time that only a handful of others know about.
The man was a Jedi, fully trained in the “Jedi Arts” and history of the light side of the Force. He believed in it, though there were others around him who believed otherwise. Caltin was not here for any of that, he was here because the man was “lost” in his own shadow of secrets. He was trapped in secrecy and the massive Jedi Master had a gut feeling that he was searching for something else. Something he could hold on to in the hopes of losing the beliefs he held dear for so long.
“Thank you! Good night!”
Soon he was off of the stage and with a crowd around him. Caltin waited, he had time. He was busy signing autographs and signing off on payment arrangements. The big guy just stood off, waiting, even turning away security. They were doing their jobs, but he had all of the necessary passes to be here, Caltin was not going to do anything out of the ordinary, even with his open stature as to being a Jedi himself. For the better part of the next hour, he waited, the after-party went down and appeared to be a lot of fun, but he waited. It was when everyone started to disperse that he slowly made his move.
At this point, it was a few around him, his manager, assistant, and personal security. That was when he noticed the big guy.
Hey there Master Jedi. Did you wait this long for an autograph?
Caltin just smiled.
I won’t say “no” to one, Mr. Hobson, but I’m here for something else.
With a shrug, he took one of his tour posters and began signing it.
Well, what can I do for you, big man? Who shall I make this out to?
” Caltin” is fine. I’m afraid what I need to discuss with you requires some privacy. Just the two of us.
This drew red flags(naturally) from the personal security, and his manager. They were not going to let this happen, regardless of how nice Dak was, and regardless of how big and intimidating this guy was.
That’s a big request. No pun intended.
This concerns the charm around your neck and the remains of your late grandfather’s cane.
He pointed at the “Eye of Pantor” charm. It took Dak a moment, but he and his manager(she knew of his secret) had gotten the hint.
You heard him, fellas. We’ll be but a few minutes and we’ll be fine.
“Sir? I must insist.” The senior bodyguard implored. He had no issue with the Jedi, but his job was the protection of his charge.
“I’m staying, regardless.” Dak’s manager said, “I’ll call you if there is trouble.” It was a fair compromise.
It took several moments, but the guards left the room and shut the door. They would not move away from it though, ready to move in at a moment’s notice. Inside, the mood of the room changed, it became one of concern.
I’ve heard of you, Master Vanagor. Is there something that I can do for the Silver Jedi?
Caltin just shook his head “no”.
I’m actually here for you.
I’m “Naboo” at heart. My loyalties remain to the Confederacy.
Caltin smiled and shook his head more.
You misunderstand. I’m here to remind you about the Jedi as a whole.
Do what?
You’ve obviously heard about what happened on Coruscant.
It was a rare showing of sadness on the normally jovial face of Hobson.
Yeah, that was a terrible day.
I was there.
Dak’s eyes just darted out in surprise.
That day. That day was a mark on history, but it was also a blessing. I watched disillusioned Lightsiders join in the fight to protect the planet and the Jedi temple. I watched those who were broken, all feeling how life wasn’t fair to them. Life isn’t fair at all, it never has been, it was never designed to be, it never will be. It can though be viewed as a blessing, an adventure that we only get for a brief moment. So we make the most of it. We revel in the good and endure in the bad. That is what being a Jedi is about. You know this.
Dak just chuckled.
Oh, do I?
]Why do you have so many fans?
That was an interesting question to be asked.
My music, of course.
Why do they stay your fans?
...
They know that they can approach you? They know that you are there for them? They know that they can count on you? That’s why. That’s what we are too. The people have forgotten that they can count on us. The people seemed to have lost that realization that they don’t need us to live their lives, but we’re out there should they do need us.
Dak was a little confused at this point.
With all due respect, Master Vanagor. What’s the point you’re trying to make.
Look, I get it. This all seems like some corny holo-vid show that you would see on a weekend morning. I just want to remind people that the Jedi are out there. That we’re not hiding. I want others to know that we’re there if they need us. Even if it is another Jedi.
He sighed.
There was a time when I felt “alone” out there. Like nothing that I did ever mattered, to anyone or anything. I don’t want others to feel that way. This is the second time I’ve seen betrayal lead ruin to a place that holds sentimental value to me… I’m not going to let it happen again. Look. I’m not trying to get you to join some fight or anything. Truth is…
With his hands on his hips, Caltin took a step or two towards the door.
I don’t know what I’m doing. I just feel like I’m failing.
Oddly enough he found a hand on his shoulder.
I get it, man. You’re trying to be there for others because you want someone there for you.
I guess I never thought of it like that. Anyway… thank you for your time. You put on a great show.
Dak just winked.
Thanks for reminding me why I do this.
He was sitting backstage at a concert. He hadn’t been to one in a long time, not since his days in the Republic. It was an interesting scene to be sure. Stage managers running about, techs in place handling lights, sound techs at their stations. It was all choreographed to the music of one man and his band. That man was “The Golden Voice” Dak Hobson. It was amazing to see just how much of a crowd that he drew. This stadium was capable of holding nearly one-hundred thousand and it was packed to “standing room only”. The surrounding gathering points were filled as well.
He was not here for the concert though, his taste in music had long been “dead”, he was not here for the crowd or the band. Caltin was here for the man behind it all, and not because he was a fan. No, the big guy was here to see the singer for another reason. He was here because the man had a secret, it’s been one he’s held for a long time that only a handful of others know about.
The man was a Jedi, fully trained in the “Jedi Arts” and history of the light side of the Force. He believed in it, though there were others around him who believed otherwise. Caltin was not here for any of that, he was here because the man was “lost” in his own shadow of secrets. He was trapped in secrecy and the massive Jedi Master had a gut feeling that he was searching for something else. Something he could hold on to in the hopes of losing the beliefs he held dear for so long.
“Thank you! Good night!”
Soon he was off of the stage and with a crowd around him. Caltin waited, he had time. He was busy signing autographs and signing off on payment arrangements. The big guy just stood off, waiting, even turning away security. They were doing their jobs, but he had all of the necessary passes to be here, Caltin was not going to do anything out of the ordinary, even with his open stature as to being a Jedi himself. For the better part of the next hour, he waited, the after-party went down and appeared to be a lot of fun, but he waited. It was when everyone started to disperse that he slowly made his move.
At this point, it was a few around him, his manager, assistant, and personal security. That was when he noticed the big guy.
Hey there Master Jedi. Did you wait this long for an autograph?
Caltin just smiled.
I won’t say “no” to one, Mr. Hobson, but I’m here for something else.
With a shrug, he took one of his tour posters and began signing it.
Well, what can I do for you, big man? Who shall I make this out to?
” Caltin” is fine. I’m afraid what I need to discuss with you requires some privacy. Just the two of us.
This drew red flags(naturally) from the personal security, and his manager. They were not going to let this happen, regardless of how nice Dak was, and regardless of how big and intimidating this guy was.
That’s a big request. No pun intended.
This concerns the charm around your neck and the remains of your late grandfather’s cane.
He pointed at the “Eye of Pantor” charm. It took Dak a moment, but he and his manager(she knew of his secret) had gotten the hint.
You heard him, fellas. We’ll be but a few minutes and we’ll be fine.
“Sir? I must insist.” The senior bodyguard implored. He had no issue with the Jedi, but his job was the protection of his charge.
“I’m staying, regardless.” Dak’s manager said, “I’ll call you if there is trouble.” It was a fair compromise.
It took several moments, but the guards left the room and shut the door. They would not move away from it though, ready to move in at a moment’s notice. Inside, the mood of the room changed, it became one of concern.
I’ve heard of you, Master Vanagor. Is there something that I can do for the Silver Jedi?
Caltin just shook his head “no”.
I’m actually here for you.
I’m “Naboo” at heart. My loyalties remain to the Confederacy.
Caltin smiled and shook his head more.
You misunderstand. I’m here to remind you about the Jedi as a whole.
Do what?
You’ve obviously heard about what happened on Coruscant.
It was a rare showing of sadness on the normally jovial face of Hobson.
Yeah, that was a terrible day.
I was there.
Dak’s eyes just darted out in surprise.
That day. That day was a mark on history, but it was also a blessing. I watched disillusioned Lightsiders join in the fight to protect the planet and the Jedi temple. I watched those who were broken, all feeling how life wasn’t fair to them. Life isn’t fair at all, it never has been, it was never designed to be, it never will be. It can though be viewed as a blessing, an adventure that we only get for a brief moment. So we make the most of it. We revel in the good and endure in the bad. That is what being a Jedi is about. You know this.
Dak just chuckled.
Oh, do I?
]Why do you have so many fans?
That was an interesting question to be asked.
My music, of course.
Why do they stay your fans?
...
They know that they can approach you? They know that you are there for them? They know that they can count on you? That’s why. That’s what we are too. The people have forgotten that they can count on us. The people seemed to have lost that realization that they don’t need us to live their lives, but we’re out there should they do need us.
Dak was a little confused at this point.
With all due respect, Master Vanagor. What’s the point you’re trying to make.
Look, I get it. This all seems like some corny holo-vid show that you would see on a weekend morning. I just want to remind people that the Jedi are out there. That we’re not hiding. I want others to know that we’re there if they need us. Even if it is another Jedi.
He sighed.
There was a time when I felt “alone” out there. Like nothing that I did ever mattered, to anyone or anything. I don’t want others to feel that way. This is the second time I’ve seen betrayal lead ruin to a place that holds sentimental value to me… I’m not going to let it happen again. Look. I’m not trying to get you to join some fight or anything. Truth is…
With his hands on his hips, Caltin took a step or two towards the door.
I don’t know what I’m doing. I just feel like I’m failing.
Oddly enough he found a hand on his shoulder.
I get it, man. You’re trying to be there for others because you want someone there for you.
I guess I never thought of it like that. Anyway… thank you for your time. You put on a great show.
Dak just winked.
Thanks for reminding me why I do this.
