Angor Animi

[Cameron Centurion]

Fortunately...Cameron was fantastically unconcerned with what the Jedi were thinking or doing to prepare for a 'worst case scenario'. However, it no doubt would have amused him to know they were set to such purpose by the appearance of one vessel carrying a handful of Sith. It would probably shake his confidence in the Jedi of...present. It might even deliver the final illustration of [member="Kiskla Grayson"]'s failure to fully realize and embrace that which he'd spoken to her about months ago.

Once the Nemesis nestled onto the ground near the Jedi Temple, the loading ramp extended and two individuals cloaked in robes of dark blue and gray descended to the surface of Ossus. They remained stationary by the vessel and would continue to do so...present only for the stewardship of their Lord and Master's vessel. Swiftly, the large form of Cameron followed. Silver-green yes focused on the object of his visit from beneath the veil of darkness provided by the hood of his cloak.

Drawing to within two feet of the female Jedi, Cameron clasped his hands behind his back and gazed down at her, for skiing the presence of any others...including those that had accompanied him. "Why do you fight? Why drag the people you stand in stubborn defense of through a continuous existence of war?"

Cameron had heard all the typical responses in his time. Blame was always laid solidly at the feet of the opponent. The Jedi were always the noble protagonists just trying to stem future bloodshed and destruction. History would repeat itself...the Sith would only cause pain and suffering. Yet...in that last stereotypical belief there existed several layers of truth. History would repeat itself. Why? Because both parties always did precisely the same thing, never changing, never learning, never growing. It was why neither school of thought was particularly strong or effective without the other...and yet one could not effectively manipulate both at once. Regardless of whatever possessions or fantastic training the misguided routinely laid claim to.

No. Cameron had not come here as a Sith combating a Jedi. He was evolved...an entity of faith in the strength of the Force and the awareness that his foe kept his strong. So he kept them inexplicapably close.

[member="Crystal"] | [member="Azlyn Ike"] | [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"] | [member="Talon Vosra"] | [member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

"The Jedi don't initiate hostilities." The blonde replied to the Shadow's question. She spoke at the moment the ship touched the ground, pressing down into the grass. Light eyes immediately trained on the drophatch.

Figures filed out, and assembled in a uniformed fashion. They were statuesque in voice and posture. Silent and rigid.

A B-line was made for her, and the Sith squared with her before speaking. Their relationship was a confusing one indeed. He'd met her when she was a vengeful fifteen year old-- and he'd been wise then, as he was wise now. Perhaps she was somewhat of a project to him, in a demented fashion, but she did learn from it. Maybe.

His question was not as simple as it may have sounded. The Jedi fought mostly because that's what they were trained to do-- some of them. Honed to be weapons of The Force. Herself being one of the capable warriors referred to.

Her head tilted slightly and she drew her lips into a thin line. Her cheeks flexed as words scraped at the pink lining of her mouth, wanting to slip out, but she withheld for a moment.

"For existence." She replied finally. If the Jedi didn't fight, The Sith and their shadows would devour them. If the Jedi didn't bring the force to the republic's efforts, they wouldn't stand a chance. They stood for peace, but they fought for survival-- whether that survival be peace, light, democracy, whatever. They needed to exist to bring any sort of benefit. With the Jedi's existence would come peace for most. The dark side was a wretched thing, and the majority was not so careful with it was Cameron.

Hiding away in a cavern didn't suit her, and she doubted it wouldn't suit the students within the academy's walls either.

"Why are you here." Okay, she could maybe understand why Ashmedei was here, but his acolytes? "With an entourage."

[member="Cameron Centurion"] | [member="Vulpesen"] | [member="Talon Vosra"] | [member="Crystal"] | @insanename | [member="Azlyn Ike"]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

The dark side was a method. No, it was the result of a method. The Force existed in every living organism and surrounded everything else. It was the very fabric of the galaxy, and it responded to those around it as such. Those blessed with an affinity for manipulating the galaxy's life force were cursed with the ability to effect it deeply. The 'dark side' was merely the Jedi Order's method of describing the resultant effect of interacting with the Force in a manner other than desired by the Jedi Order of old.

Cameron was not so much careful as he was calculating. He fought not for light or dark...for they were merely two sides of precisely the same coin. Cameron fought for a way of life, a creed, a religion - and not the false one upon which he stood to achieve a specific goal. The concept that every being in the galaxy recognized their full potential when pushed by the impending threat of failure, regardless of what that failure was perceived to be. "Existence..."

Cameron tasted the word on his tongue before offering more of a retort. "You drag the people you claim to defend through continuous war so that you, the Jedi Order, might exist? What makes you so definitively necessary? From what moral purpose or authority to you draw such an audacious point of view?"

The Sith Lord's purposeful lack of acknowledgment to [member="Kiskla Grayson"]'s question spoke volumes about how relevant he believed the answer to be to his current objective. They served a purpose...just as Kiskla and her Order served a purpose.

For Cameron.

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen felt a slight twitch, likely unnoticed by the two as they continued to speak to other. The questions were blunt and the diplomacy in this particular meeting was as one he had rarely seen before. Audacious fellows these sith. They come to a jedi's planet then ask why they even bother to fight. Honestly, Vulpesen had one simple answer in his head right then. "Last I checked, we weren't offensive when the sith took Coruscant, our home. One side is always fighting. It is up to us whether or not we retaliate. I for one, would like my home back before they continue to take away my other safe havens." Vulpesen wasn't only speaking as a jedi in this. He was speaking as a Republican. Coruscant was a busy world. Suddenly being taken over by the sith had to cause a major kink in that planet's governmental structure.

Of course, Vulpesen very rarely if ever met a nice or a generous sith not driven by some form of greed and that was to be taken into account as well. If they took Coruscant, they'd go for Anaxes. If they took Anaxes, they'd take another. If they took another, they'd keep growing until eventually they took Amar, or someone stopped them. And it was best to stop them, now. Before they got too far ahead. "Unless the people of Coruscant voted to have the sith take over their, which I can assure you they did not in the midst of watching their planet being blasted by soldiers, I believe that we are right to defend the homes and rights of the Republic citizens."

[member="Cameron Centurion"]
[member="Kiskla Grayson"]

 

[Arage Bao]

Ossus, beautiful planet. It practically vibrated with the Light of the Force, which was in stark contrast to places like Coruscant and the like. Too heavy populated, too much crime to be of any serenity. Sardun had been called back into duty by Kiskla, lured in he liked to say. Fact of the matter was that she had been right, the Sith had not been defeated. Never would be, an everlasting cycle of war. Michael had come to terms with that, didn’t mean he had to like it.

He was her… apprentice? of some kind. Wasn’t much more lessons to be had though, not that he implied there wasn’t anything to learn. There was always something new to learn, but with the Sith on their doorstep. The CIS falling apart, and the Mandalorians back on warpath (Towards another Sith party, granted) Well.. ther wasn’t much time for studying these days.

Didn’t mean he didn’t try to follow her around like a little loyal golden retriever, there seemed to be always more action around the Grandmaster. Which was just as well, because even though he would never admit it Michael loved being part of action. So when the False God and his Master were having the verbal equivalent of a show-down, Sardun casually stood by her side.

Well.. not so much casual really, back straight and arms interlocked behind his back, face rigid and stern.. looked more like the man was readying himself for War. Which he might very well be, as he studied the faces (or masks, depending on what they were wearing)

Didn’t say anything though, there was no reason to. Not yet at least, though he had to admit mister God was a pretty amusing guy. Self-righteous to a fault though, which honestly wasn’t that surprising. Most people were these days, no matter on what side they always thought they knew what’s best.

Pretty ignorant notion, if you asked Sardun.

Eventually he did speak though, right after the Fox Master 2000. Not before yawning just a little bit.

“Pardon me, I enjoy needless chit-chat as much as the next boorish Jedi Knight. But can you get to the point of this meeting? My hot tea is waiting in the Temple, and every minute I listen to the self-righteous preaching is a minute my tea gets colder."

A moment passed, and then Sardun added to that.

"My apologies, Grandmaster Grayson. It's very tasty tea."

It was hard to see if the boorish Knight was being serious, or not.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

The first interruption from [member="Vulpesen"] went without acknoedgment. Cameron was...basically positive he'd said nothing about the Jedi being aggressors. In fact, only [member="Kiskla Grayson"] had. The Sith Lord presumed the man was, effectively, to analytically deficient to understand the simple truth of Cameron's questions.

However, when [member="Michael Sardun"] spoke, Cameron's patience frayed. Slowly, he leveled a casual smile at Moron #2. No words left the Sith Lord's mouth. How did one preach by asking questions...about one topic. Or...were the Jedi simply too uncomfortable maintaining some level of realistic insight to their own actions? Or perhaps they just didn't care. Whatever their decision, the realty was that the two Jedi that had just spoken represented roughly every facet and habit that contributed to the Order's general failure.

Shifting his attentions back to the blonde Jedi Master, Cameron's easy smile broadened ever so slightly. Kiskla knew Cameron quite well...certainly well enough to know that he did not smile out of simple joy...but the anticipation of taking pleasure quite soon.

For an organization attempting to promote peace around the galaxy, they did a shitty job. Moross had no quarrel with the Jedi. Just this moment, Cameron was pretty sure the Jedi could ill afford to add to the list of organizations that would rather expend the energy to remove them from existence than simply ignore them.

As the power of the Force continued to build and swirl within his body, Cameron offered Kiskla one word. One indication of how he was presently feeling. "Kiffu." At least those that had come with Cameron knew how to remain silent.

Through the Force, Cameron spoke briefly with Crystal. Take your apprentices up the steps of the Temple. Two strikes for the half-measures brigade. A third would be costly.

[member="Crystal"]

 

[Crystal]

With the landing of the Nemesis, Crystal came to her feet. She'd be shortly behind Cameron, and probably closely followed by her apprentices. The hood of her cloak was up, and her features shrouded. Silently she stood to the right of Cameron, simply listening to the conversation and for whispers from the Force.

The conversation began in typical Cameron fashion, with a question that had no right answer, and no matter what answer you gave he'd ultimately make you feel stupid for giving it. Inwardly she winced at Kiskla's response. Not that it mattered what she said, but it would only make Cameron's point.

Her inquiry as to their presence was not surprising. But, it was not her plan to speak in this exchange. As two other Jedi spoke, she sensed that things were going to get a lot more interesting now. And then, Cameron spoke to her telepathically.

To the Temple. Crystal smiled beneath the hood of her cloak. She spoke telepathically to Asylen and Azlyn ~Follow me. We're going for a walk.~

Crystal began to head toward the Temple, accompanied by her apprentices.

[member="Cameron Centurion"] [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"] [member="Azlyn Ike"] [member="Kiskla Grayson"] [member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Azlyn Ike]

[member="Crystal"] [member="Cameron Centurion"] [member="Michael Sardun"] [member="Vulpesen"] [member="Kiskla Grayson"]

Azlyn had followed her master and remained silent in her little space. No need to work at it yet or make herself known that would come later as she listened. Her eyes following everything she could under the bangs of her hair and letting herself stand closer to Asylen until their master gave the message. She shifted and followed her wondering what the plan was while she walked feeling her body straighten up more so she was walking tallerish still smaller then most. She spoke inwardly to herself more from reflex then trying to send her master a message. Yes master

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"] [member="Cameron Centurion"] [member="Crystal"] [member="Michael Sardun"] [member="Vulpesen"]

Talon stepped forward keeping his hands clasped behind his back. He was not amused by the hubris of Centurion nor the liberties he seemed to think due to him.

"I'm afraid you'll have to desist from further aggressive behavior, please." Talon said calmly, "neither you nor your group have business inside this academy and I refuse to believe you're foolish enough to think that we would see this as anything but aggressive."

He looked at the two women moving up the steps.

"You say the Jedi have dragged people through wars but you forget we are not politicians nor do we command armies." He pasued, "We exist and will continue to exist as long as the force wills. We do not claim to be infallible false gods but we do our best to protect the weak from the mighty who would use them ill. Now please explain the reason you and your people have come here in plain terms or kindly leave."

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla's throat hitched. While she appreciated the loyalty of the three by her side, Centurion's temper was not one to toy with. If Kiskla herself wasn't in such a protective position, the same could be said for her.

Or could have, when Cameron had known her. She'd been a hunter then, proficient with her tracking due to her Psychometery. She'd spent many days falling into the wrong sorts of crowds, Cameron just happened to be one of those crowds. She'd tried to kill him, he returned the favour, and they'd both ended up having to jump ship together with some sort of mutual truce. After all, she'd only been a puffy-lipped fifteen year old. But his meticulous use of the desert planet as leverage was an excellent point of communication.

Let me fill you all in .

Kiskla was not a seer. Never had been, never will be. But she used to have dreams, nightmares even. Over a series of evenings, she'd had a repeated dream with no understanding of what it could possibly mean. In travelling, The Sith had grown weary of the child's midnight murmurings from her cot. Naively, she had explained she was seeing something. The core of a planet being ripped apart like a cotton ball. He'd asked which planet. Without much thought, she'd answered with her home planet-- whether or not the requiem world was actually Kiffu or not, that was her answer.

That had been during a shift of Kiskla's life, when she still had fragments of trust to share. She hadn't anticipated, in her nïeve and youthful state, that it would be used against her. Even if she and the Sith walked different paths.

Kiskla wouldn't be so abrasive to assume that his threat had nothing to do with the topic on hand. He was weaving and sewing his own little tapestry with little regard that he was on a Jedi world; and should at least pay his respects to that.

Her light eyes studied his dark features, that menacing grin was not reassuring in the slightest. He had said the Jedi were too concerned about others, and that The Sith would not allow anything to prevent them from their goals. The Jedi had hurdles, the Sith had road kill. His use of a hurdle as manipulation was not well-received. Especially after his banter about fighting and why. Her lips pursed with annoyance and she spoke once more.

"That wasn't why you came here." The Jedi observed, glancing at the row of Sith filing to the steps. It was apparent Cameron wanted a one-on-one conversation-- and if it meant preserving those around her: he would have it. "To this Jedi sanctuary."

Her eyes returned to look over the manipulative Sith Lord, and for a moment of the most finite brevity, she envied his lack of conscience and ownership. His only necessity was his own wants.

"Masters, our guests appear to be restless. Be their escorts." She did hope they'd recall her offer of not being the agitators of the situation, and that they would not be the first to strike. And these Sith were not.guests, as they hadn't been invited and nor were they welcome, but it was the first word to mind. Other Jedi might have told Cameron to scram, but she was unfortunately curious.

"If you wanted some alone time, you could have just come unaccompanied." Kiskla frowned, but continued "You're expecting me to answer your questions while you ignore mine.

You deem it time for another psychological lesson? Why are you here, on Ossus, Ashmedei." He literally could have gone to any other planet she was known to frequent if he were simply interested in a conversation.

[member="Cameron Centurion"] | [member="Talon Vosra"] | [member="Vulpesen"] | [member="Michael Sardun"]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

No.

It was very much fortunate that [member="Kiskla Grayson"] was curious. For whom...well that was largely irrelevant. As the Sith Lord was...once again...given some kind of foolish ultimatum, Cameron allowed his dark eyelids to close over his silver-green eyes. This trip was already so very tiring. Why so many insisted on making life difficult was a touch beyond Cameron. Very simple questions. Very simple. Kiskla would be entitled to all the answers she wished once Cameron was done.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. "You're clearly not perceptive enough to understand the motivation for my actions, Grandmaster." There was no air of sarcasm when using the title that Kiskla, near as Cameron could tell, had earned for one reason or another. "The presence of others is irrelevant to me." He had come to them after all. This was their planet, they could walk where they so chose. In truth, they could speak if they so chose, but they did so at their own peril. "Your question went unanswered because it has quite the obvious answer. However, given my declarative statement from just a moment ago, it would seem necessary to convey the simple truth to you. I am here to ask you questions and receive answers. It is the very least you can do after I granted you my personal time to answer all of your questions and concerns not long ago."

He most certainly could have gone anywhere. The anywhere he chose was Ossus. Now...perhaps all of this nonsensical crap could take a seat, and the line of questioning could be completed before the sun went down. Further more...Crystal was actually here for a reason. Her apprentices less so, he supposed she had some instructive purpose for their presence. That reason would not be realized if they couldn't get past the simple things first.

Or if people really kept trying to honestly pass aside the reality that the wars endured by the vast majority of the Republic were a result of...confrontation, opposition. It was a simple question. If they truly cared, why not surrender and stem the bloodshed? The only answer he'd received thus far was...so they could exist. Or that the Jedi Order...an armed entity training in advanced combat techniques was not an army. Why? Because they didn't wear armor? Oh wait, 99% of them did. No command structure? Wrong again. No militaristic training or doctrine? Good joke.

Morale of the story, no more moronic interjections. Straight forward answers to the questions would set them all free. Funny though...the real question was, why didn't the Sith merely cease to attack? The answer, the real, objective answer, to all questions asked thus far was simply delicious.

[member="Crystal"] | [member="Azlyn Ike"] | [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"] | [member="Talon Vosra"]

 

[Ashra'syle'nuruodo]

As [member="Crystal"] the way down the landing ramp of the Nemesis Ashra’syle’nuruodo rose from her own seat following close behind. She noted how close [member="Azlyn Ike"] was and considered warning her away, she didn’t trust anyone else fully least of all her fellow apprentice and the rival for the attention of her master. She thought better of it however, Crystal had instructed them follow and listen quietly certainly not to cause a scene. The Chiss stepped up behind Cameron and Crystal she relaxed her posture a little, she had no experience with Jedi and certainly bore no ill will to any of them personally. If they attacked she wouldn’t hesitate to act on her aggressive tendencies.

Looking over the three Jedi that stood before them she evaluated each one in turn silently her red eyes glowing coldly her expression neutral. From the way that [member="Cameron Centurion"] addressed [member="Kiskla Grayson"] she figured the Jedi woman was in charge. She couldn’t help but notice how arrogant and disrespectful the two men beside the woman were. Glancing at Crystal as she gave them new instructions via the force Ashra’syle’nuruodo followed close behind.

As the Jedi presumed to order them to depart the planet as if they were going to follow the instructions of a man the Chiss glared at him, she didn’t speak however it wasn’t her place to do so. The punishment for disobeying their master were clear enough and though she wasn’t afraid of either of the Sith that had brought them here she did fear disappointing the gods they represented. Asylen continued up the stairs after Crystal quietly undeterred by the Jedi.

 

[Adele Adonai]

A'dele would not be too far, standing just at the top of the stairs of the Ossus Academy. Her expression would be seemingly placid, unperturbed, not a single wrinkle across her lavender tattooed visage.

Taking a deep breath, the Zabrak Jedi Knight would lightly clasp her hands over her waist, simply waiting. The healer would not interfere, but she would be poised for any circumstance in support should they escalate.

There is no emotion, there is peace...

 

[Writer]

Aaralyn frowned as she watched from a short distance behind [member="Kiskla Grayson"] and @Talon Vorsa. A gloved hand came up to her brow to brush away some strands of hair, rather unimpressed by the intrusion of these dark siders, a deep sigh escaping her lips as she turned her attention to [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"]. The arrogant woman kept moving up the stairs as if she had an intention or a mission, Aaralyn counted the steps the woman took, her hand counting down from five as she closed her fist upon reaching zero. She spoke up in a calm tone, her eyes closing for a brief moment as she did.



"I think that is close enough. Your Master or whomever he is is apparently discussing something with Master Grayson on amicable terms for the moment so I believe we should leave it that way." She pushed herself off the wall, amber-red eyes fluttering open. She took a few steps forward, her hands coming to clasp infront of her very carefully. She turned her attention to [member="Cameron Centurion"]. "If you wish to speak to Master Grayson alone, then by all means I'm sure that can be arranged within reason. As I can see that you wish to discuss things with Master Grayson without an audience." She held a hand up in an attempt to show some restraint to her own desire to kick the Sith woman approaching the top of the stairs, back down it. "There does not need to be bloodshed. There has been enough spilt over the past few months to last anyone present here a thousand lifetimes."

Aaralyn didn't care about his temper, nor the temper of his comrades he brought with him. It was about respecting the grounds in which the Jedi practiced their beliefs on, and about the Jedi standing their ground in the face of adversity instead of allowing a group of Sith come to their home turf and start pushing them around. This was a measurement, atleast in her eyes, of how they would either stand together or be split apart. Defend their home or let just anyone waltz in and do what they want because the Jedi Order was perceived as a weak group with no backbone to stand up for themselves.

 

[Talon Vosra]

[member="Kiskla Grayson"] [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] [member="A'dele Adonai"] [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"] [member="Cameron Centurion"] [member="Azlyn Ike"] [member="Crystal"] [member="Michael Sardun"] [member="Vulpesen"]

Of all the pompus behavior he had seen among the Sith this was top five. The Zelosian Jedi shook his head and turned hands still clasped behind his back. His eyes took in the rest of the Man's little group and he shook his head again. Talon walked up the stairs to the academy unconcerned with the Sith at this point they were by far out of their league, but as they were sith it was unlikely to have the sense to know better. Talon walked over to the door passing everyone and stopped to talk into the intercom on the wall.

"This Is Head Master Vosra." he said with a sigh, "Could you have some refreshments sent out, apparently the darksiders have come for tea. The Sith have run out of the good kind."

 

[Zion Krayt]

Zaren Bouqi frowned when he had exited the Jedi Temple to see what was going on outside. He was late, from what it looked like.

He hadn't expected to be so many people at the front of the Temple, but that wasn't relevant at the moment. He felt when [member="Kiskla Grayson"] had become the centre of tranquility and intended to calm any Jedi that were feeling hostile and were going to take things to the extreme. It's not like he was going to attack, that was until they were apparently going up the steps towards the Temple. From behind the veil on his face he frowned.

Why are you doing that? He questioned, but it was only to himself, he didn't want to an answer, nor did he care for one. He just dubbed it as Sith trickery and manipulation to try and get an aggressive response from the Jedi and then cause battle. The Protector of Tython was always prejudice, and he wouldn't change that for anyone, not even the Jedi Order. All Sith were the same for him at first contact. Usually contacts ended the same way with some sort of betrayal, whether upon a large scale or upon a small scale, whichever it was this time, he hoped it wouldn't be upon the large scale.

Mostly because a young teenager by the name of [member="Lupe Baracka"] would have probably gotten himself killed within five minutes of opening his mouth. Within their first few meetings, the Jedi Knight had already gotten his Padawan to ran around the whole of the Jedi Order upon Ossus five times. Four times unofficially since he had a heart and didn't want his Padawan to run himself into the ground, and he meant to get that last lap before his Apprentice became a Jedi Knight.

No matter how long it took.

Although he was interested in how his Padawan would react in the presence of Sith. And so the command through the Force was directed to his Padawan, mostly in hopes that he wasn't sleeping like he usually did. Or annoying someone else in the absence of his Master.

He clenched his fists while he looked out to the ongoings, and he stood directly in the centre of the threshold before walking forwards, fists still clenched and stopped beside [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] as if he were her sentinel.

"Do you know why they are here?" He asked without turning his head to the Sword of the Jedi, while he watched the trio at the bottom of the steps. From what he could tell the Sith Lord, [member="Cameron Centurion"] knew the Grandmaster based off of how close they were physically, or simply because he was just trying to be intimidating. Not like he knew, not that he cared.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

A blonde brow arched. Fair enough — she’d had a moment of arrogance, demanding answers similarly to the way Cameron was. When he called her out on it, she realized she did owe him. Wait, no. Or, rather, would have if she hadn’t sought out his offspring (that had turned out well. Not.). So in reality, they were equal and she owed him nothing.

She frowned.

“You want to know why we fight? Because like every organization we stand for something. The Jedi represent beacons of hope—
It's not just a pedagogy, it's a way of life. Just as you have your purposes, so does The Order. We fight to continue serving those purposes.

If we simply rescind into the shadows," Kiskla lifted her hands from her sides and gestured lightly to those around her, who she was still metaphysically reassuring with an exertion of benevolence "that gives no confidence to those we serve to defend." She quirked a brow in the Sith's direction. That was a fairly obvious statement, but it made her point. How could people have confidence in something that cowered into the shadows?

He'd likely unimpressed by her answer, but she couldn't keep feeding him explanations that meant nothing. She was a girl who believed in fairness-- if [member="Cameron Centurion"] was interested she'd answer; though she didn't doubt ulterior motives in the slightest.

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Anything uttered or otherwise intimated in Cameron's general vicinity was paid the same level of concern he offered to children throwing tantrums. That is to say...none. There was one individual on the planet, however, that he actually did respect beyond the simple relationship of an aggressor and their foe. It transcended the rather superfluous reality that was the obscure concept of friendship, and it was vested in a much deeper understanding of life and the galaxy. [member="Kiskla Grayson"] had his respect because of her unwaivering passion - regardles of what it prompted her to do. She was an individual that knew who she was completely and even when tested...remained true to whatever sliver of identity she had carved for herself.

Did he know this because he'd personally tested her? Not in the slightest. In fact, he had never once attempted to dissuade Kiskla from being anything other than she was. As a matter of fact, he had only ever encouraged her to be better, provided her with the tools to prevail. Whether she was succeeding in this or rising to failure, Cameron could not be sure. So...he visited. He came to see what she had created and what she had become with his own eyes. Based on everything that had happened, he came to one resounding conclusion. "Thank you."

As a genuine smile swept across his features, Cameron reached up and pulled back the hood of his cloak. "You know. It's a funny thing, emotion. Its strengths cannot be denied. So strong in fact that it can cause otherwise composed individuals to behave as bumbling idiots, stumbling around to find meaning in their existence. Threats..." For a moment, Cameron's voice tapered as his eyes briefly shifted to his three compatriots he'd ordered to the top of the steps. The Jedi had responded as he'd expected. That is to say...less than intelligently. They were four individuals...on a planet filled with Jedi. Their concern spoke to their level of preparedness and inclination towards unorganized action. None of the former, plenty of the latter.

That will suffice Crystal, thank you.

His words would be received only by the Sith Master leading the group of apprentices. Shifting his attention back to Kiskla, Cameron continued to smile. "...are generally the manifestation of such individuals. Perhaps not always, though." After all, if someone were truly threatening, there would be no need to make claims to such. No need to give warning. If Cameron were here to attack or take some aggressive action, he would have simply done so and never been seen. Unlike The One Sith that were sweeping across the galaxy, Cameron did not care for the order of the galaxy, the freedom of citizens, or...really any care habored by those that served him no purpose. He had no desire to destroy the Jedi Order, they provided far too much entertainment. Much more fun to lay waste to innocent populations and rest the blame and burden of protection at the feet of the galaxy's silver knights. Silver...that reminded him...

"I think perhaps that is not a unifying thought amongst the Jedi, however. So many flavors. I guess the same could be said of the Sith." Though he argued that any true Sith existed off the reality of supremacy through conflict. The only way to truly rise to one's complete potential. Waving a dismissive hand, Cameron redirected the conversation. "Now. With regard to your comments...do you actually believe that? Do you honestly believe the people of the galaxy regard your Order as a 'Beacon of Hope'? Wherever you exist, innocent people invariably die. Are you going to tell me the Republic planets that are attacked are attacked...because of the system of government? Do you really believe anyone cares? Or do you think that, just maybe, it is the existence and perception of the Jedi that spurs so many to attack you. The Jedi."

Pausing for a moment, Cameron simplified the question. "Would there be any less death and destruction in the galaxy if you ceased to combat the Sith and, instead, joined their cause?" The answer to that was, of course, not really. It was inevitable...the continuous cycle of destruction and bloodshed. Yet...if that was true, then what purpose did the Jedi serve if any? A beacon of false hope? Give people the idea they can prevail only to be brutally silenced?

Cameron had never met a Sith Lord as a cruel as a hypothetical, well-intentioned Jedi Master. Imagine that.

[member="Crystal"] | [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"] | [member="Azlyn Ike"]

OOC: I'm not...tagging everyone. Only the people I even remotely interacted with. Tell your friends. Also...I am nowehere near close enough to hear the comments of the peanut gallery beyond Vulpesen and Talon (and not even him now that he has repositioend). So if you're trying to get my attention from the top of some stairs or something, you'll have to be more direct. Thanks!

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Did she really believe people saw the Jedi as a beacon of hope? Yes. They were conditioned to. The generalization across worlds was that Jedi were the good guys, and Sith were the bad guys. Blue versus red. White versus black. A perpetual conflict that could only be suffocated for a few short seasons. Good versus evil never died.

As usual, Kiskla had an answer for each question [member="Cameron Centurion"] reeled off. However, he chose to summarize his lengthly thought process into a singular question, to which she promptly replied as;

“No.”

It was the fate of the galaxy — to be restless. Even if the Jedi and the Sith coalesced, there would be a mutiny somewhere. There would be bloodshed. Whether it be internal struggles between the coalition or from those they oversaw, there would always be fighting.

The galaxy was not made to be tamed — but it could be mediated. The Jedi were not the mediators the galaxy deserved, but the ones it needed. They just didn’t wear black and drop their voices several gruff octaves.

“Free will means there will always be opposition to a cause, be it The Sith’s or The Jedi’s.

I just happen to believe in the Jedi’s.”

[member=“A’dele Adonai”] | [member="Talon Vosra"] | [member="Michael Sardun"] | [member="Aaralyn Rekali"] | [member="Crystal"] Carter | [member="Azlyn Ike"] | [member="Vulpesen"] | [member=“Ashra’syle’nuruodo”]

 

[Cameron Centurion]

Cameron laughed warmly at Kiskla's response. "Free will..." This was not the point...or even a concern. Whether Kiskla believed in a cause or not was entirely irrelevant and he had thought her...intelligent enough to remain objective in this particular conversation. Either way, the purpose for Cameron's trip to Ossus had been satisfied. Had [member="Kiskla Grayson"] grown and become all that he wished her to be, or had she finally succumbed to the languid uselessness of the Jedi Order's general existence.

The latter.

Offering the blonde woman a subtle nod of the head, the Sith Lord allowed his features to neutralize. "Foolish." Whether he was referring to the concept of free will or just...her general demeanor, Cameron did not bother to clarify. In truth...it did not matter. "It's been a pleasure, Grandmaster. I look forward to our interaction in the not-too-distant future." Pulling the hood of his cloak back over his head, the Sith Lord turned to leave - expecting the others to follow. Though if they preffered a vacation on Ossus - so be it.

After four casual steps, Cameron paused and turned his head to regard Kiskla with his silver-green gaze once more. "Look to your friends on Voss. They have a wonderful message for you." Silence followed in the wake of the large Sith's comments as he contiued along his present path towards his vessel. In as little time as it had taken him to arrive and initiate conversation, Cameron retreated up the loading ramp of his modified vessel. The repulsorlift engines roared to life shortly thereafter.

Settling in the lounge area, the Sith Lord awaited the arrival of the others. They, most certainly, were not yet finished.

There was a sad truth. The galaxy deserved much better than the galaxy.

The sadder truth...the Jedi were just a touch too stubborn to visualize and accept that reality.

[member="Crystal"] | [member="Ashra'syle'nuruodo"] | [member="Azlyn Ike"]