Knock Off Suicide Squad

[GhostOfProtocol]

Kashyyyk​

Silver Jedi Order​

852 ABY​

[member="Ar'ekk"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]​

​

Kashyyyk was quiet. It was late, the moon penetrating the clouds in the night sky. A few wookies were strolling around but most of the Silver Jedi were sleeping. They admittidly had the right idea, a good night sleep had never hurt anyone and Kei was desperate for a few nights of decent sleep. He hadn't really slept since Korriban although his visit to Thyferra had really messed him up just a little. The halls were abandoned except for one human. Kei Raxis, wrapped up in his Jedi robes was walking down the corridor slowly.

Kei hadn't forgiven The Silver Jedi. He didn't know how to forgive The Silver Jedi. They had blown him up, there was nothing polite about blowing someone up. He couldn't forgive them but he knew that he had to work with them. He had established that they couldn't win the war against The Sith Empire unless they gave up pacifism and actually fought back and defended themselves when The Sith Empire came knocking on their front door. The First Order and Galactic Empire were also tearing up the galaxy, yet another issue.

Why was the galaxy full of war?

The great galactic civil war. Kei had heard someone refer to the war as the great galactic civil war. It made sense, so many sides tearing each other apart in battle. It was a civil war in the galaxy and the third galactic civil war didn't have the same effect as the great galactic civil war. Technically, it would be the fourth because the Omega issue would of probably been the third. It may of been the sixth or seventh civil war at this point, Kei wasn't fully sure nor did he truly care. All he cared about was that this war would be the last.

​

​

 

[Arekk]

KASHYYK​

Home of the Silver Jedi Order​

​

It's been ten years since Malachor V doomed the life of the half masked man to no avail even though he had decided to let the past go to shape up a new life. Its constant reminder ingrained on his body, everytime he looked in the mirror or simply performed an every day task would take him back to the battlefield in a flashback mixed with nightmares at night as well. Ten years later, being able to sleep was a foreign concept for the young man as the war had taken its toll against his peace of mind.

Walking around circles under the moon of Kashyyk, Ar'ekk contemplated life in its entirety. What was the purpose of being here? The Silver Jedi had abandoned him shortly after the war had ended and many things had occured since then. Why would you come back? Perhaps it was the threat of the Sith breathing down their necks again as the Great Galactic War would destroy everything he loved and protected that changed his mindset to finally forgive them and move forward instead of taking two steps back.

A Jedi Knight like himself didn't find the necessity to dress in their robes because they were nothing but mere clothes that gave you status amongst other people. He didn't think of himself above others.

The Sith would not win, not this time around. If it meant giving his life in battle in exchange for the freedom of the Galaxy then this would be his last war.

Sacrifice, a Jedi's life is based on that.

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Jerit could not sleep. He was too anxious about everything that is happening in his life. He is upset about the war. People called it The Great Galactic Civil War. But to the padawan boy, it was nothing but another conflict between the Jedi and Sith that would result in one very temporary victory. That is, until the next war would unfold and would lead to more lives being taken form the galaxy for a cause that will never seem to end. It was like an endless void and all of the lives of the hopeful people are filling it with no luck.

Padawan Kolomor did not like thinking about this, but he had no choice no to. He felt angry that both sides of the war try to just extinguish each other's power instead of finding a mutual ground for both parties. But nobody would take his consideration and thoughts on this war seriously. He is just a padawan. A rank that most Jedi do not take seriously when it comes to things like this. Along with the rank of padawan, Jerit was also young which also did not help him in his case.

He decided he had enough and got out of his quarters, making sure to sneak past the other rooms which would house padawans and knights. Tonight, he decided not to drink. He just needed to get out and experience the fresh, crisp and cool air of Kashyyyk. He now wondered around the halls of the temple, trying to get out of the SJO Stronghold when he ran into a man. Jerit wondered what he was doing out here at night. Maybe he had the same situation as him?

He approached the Jedi and greeted him.

"Greetings. My name is Jerit. How come you are out here alone? Is there anything troubling you?"

He kept a cool tone, making sure not to shake. It wouldn't hurt to make a new friend in these daunting times.

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Arekk"]​

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Jerit Kolomor"] | [member="Arekk"]​

The voice startled him. He was lost in thought, he wasn't paying attention. He turned his head towards the newest Jedi who had joined him, studying him. He was a human male, probably a padawan by the feel of his force presense. Kei thought back to his own days as a padawan, he had no formal guidance. Kei's only guidance were the temporary friends that he made on his travels. His cousin was a good example, Stardust Raxis taught him much of what he knew. The queen of Commenor was another good example. Kay had taught him much about masking his force presence from both friends and enemies who would try and kill him, execute him.

Was anything troubling him? It was a fair question to ask. The galaxy had gone wrong, the galaxy had basically collapsed in on itself in battle and the vicious cycle would continue. Even once the current war was finished, another would spark in the future. Someone would get power hungry and an entire army would raise up to overthrow them. They would raise up to bring security to the galaxy and even then that wouldn't last. Even then another war would occur and another. Another, another and then another. The galaxy would be locked in a war between light and dark, Jedi and Sith for years and years to come.

"It's almost weird. It's strange that above us there are battles waging and instead of helping we're sat here in the warmth and comfort. The galaxy is locked in a battle and it will be for years to come yet and the Jedi and the Sith tear each other apart in battle"

It was almost weird that Kei was being so open, so up front. He'd kept quiet on his thoughts for years. Why now did he release them?

"Have you ever read the story of the former Jedi Master Mace Windu? He studied on the light and the dark while dedicating his life to the Jedi. Sometimes it seems as if he has the right idea, as if studying both sides of the force is the only way to stop the galaxy tearing itself apart"

 

[Arekk]

Ar'ekk hid beneath the shadows as he eavesdropped on the conversation held between his brother-in-arms Kei and the young Padawan accompanying him. Certainly, the aspect of participating in another war was a distant thought for the Jedi Knight himself after everything he had gone through but if it meant keeping the peace of the Galaxy, he would fight so the light could prevail for the milennia to come.

Perhaps fighting the Sith in another war would be pointless as in the near future they'd just grow stronger and wage another war. But who was he to try and decypher the future? Live the present and stop worrying about the past. You come to, amidst the wreckage of your own making. Do you stay there, eyes squeezed shut, afraid to move, hoping to bleed to death? Or do you crawl out, fight, make sure the fire doesn't spread, try to fix it?

"War... is a hunger. And there are spirits in the galaxy whose hunger is never satisfied."

"Kei."

His modulated voice echoed under the night as the moon casted it lights under the trio, the two Jedi haven't seen each other since they left Deneba. You could tell from the hissing made by his mask as he breathed it was Ar'ekk.

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Jerit saw that he scared the man and felt a little remorse as a result.

"My apologies, I did not meant to startle you."

After he said this, he heard the man speak about the war and the boy agreed one million percent. What the stranger said was true. The galaxy was locked into a battle that will not end for years unless the Sith or Jedi tear each other apart. Rather than year, Jerit believed the war would last thousands of years. Maybe it would not end at all and the galaxy would be jeopardized by two very polar opposite sides of the force. The padawan boy thought about a possibility to the solving of this. For one side more powerful than the Sith and Jedi. One to bring true order to the galaxy and distinguish the powerful influence of both Jedi and Sith. If only that will happen.

Jerit heard the man speak further and he brought up Mace Windu and the padawan's eyes grew bright.

"I have indeed heard of Mace Windu. He was a spectacular warrior and force user of the Jedi. He invented Vaapad by fusing the light and dark together in lightsaber dueling. He was a genius. I do agree with you that he had the right idea. To me, I think a power far greater than the Jedi and Sith would end the never ending war. But you shouldn't listen to me. I am just a padawan. I could not possibly kno-"

Jerit saw a man come into view under the moonlight. He wore a mask that covered half of his face. On the inside, the boy was terrified by such a surprise. Upon further inspection, padawan Kolomor saw that he had a cybernetic left arm. He wondered what kind of accident someone had to have been in to get that. He greeted the cyborg with a wave.

"Greetings, friend. My name is Jerit."

​

[member="Arekk"] | [member="Kei Raxis"]​

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Jerit Kolomor"] | [member="Arekk"]​

​

He was startled by the metalic voice that he hadn't heard for so long. Ar'ekk had seen war, he had lost limbs and half of his face to war. That was, Kei reminded himself, the reason for the half mask. Ar'ekk had seen the true extent of war better than anyone. Ar'ekk had since given his life to peace. That was why Ar'ekk was on Deneba, that was why Ar'ekk had sought sanctuary in The Jedi Order. That's why Ar'ekk had put down his weapons, that's why Ar'ekk had joined The Jedi Order. War had torn him apart, physically and even Kei had to assume that the war had messed Ar'ekk up mentally. Kei almost felt sorry for the man.

"Ar'ekk"

That was it. That was the greeting shared between the two brothers. Just names, one word. Kei and Ar'ekk. Kei remembered the time where they were thick and theives, Nar Shaddaa. Ar'ekk's criminal enterprise that Kei had accidentally joined before the duo were taken to The Jedi Order. They had joined the order together and Kei had shot through the ranks while Ar'ekk had very much been left behind, the younger padawan. Kei hadn't seen the man since his knighting, even then it was only brief as the rescue of Master Kamon Vondiranch took priority over friends. The Jedi Master's life was in danger, only Ar'ekk's dignaty was in danger.

 

[Arekk]

War. War had changed him for the remainder of his life on the galaxy and he had seen death straight into its eyes, walking out alive from a place where only the strongest survive even though he has to endure with the guilt of not being able to save the ones he considered brothers. The way he moved around and walked could be interpreted like he held a ton of weight on his shoulders, the man's stare considered to be of a thousand yards at times. Flashbacks of ancient memories, hurtful ones. Being in the presence of a person like Kei who he considered more than a brother was like a calling to the present and to finally let the past go.

"It's good to see you."

Ar'ekk's gaze turned towards the Padawan standing still next to Kei, his demeanor changed drastically when he adressed the apprentice. Giving him a brief nod, the Jedi Knight introduced himself.

"Ar'ekk Daesharacor. Pleased to meet you too."

The moon's reflected upon the man's mask and the shadows seemed to make a distinctive imagery for the one who was able to see it through, the 'light' showing one side of his face and the darkness of the shadows hiding the other half. Ironic, perhaps. His constant struggle with the dark side and the light was less vibrant than before, more controlled maybe, but still present.

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Jerit stood a little bit awkward around these two men. He immediately knew they were friends form the greetings they gave each other. He looked back to the man whose name is Kei and then to the man whose name is Ar'ekk. The two looked like brother in unity.

"I see you two must be good friends. How did you guys meet?"

It was a sort of icebreaker question for them. He didn't want to be standing there just looking at the two. He wanted to know what they were all about. So to have an answer to that question, Jerit decided to inquiry them on how they met. Even with just meeting Kei, he could already tell that the man has a stance in the war very similar to Jerit's viewpoint. Although, he had not asked Ar'ekk just yet mostly because he could already see war on his body and decided to leave it at that for now.

[member="Arekk"] | [member="Kei Raxis"]​

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Jerit Kolomor"] | [member="Arekk"]​

​

How did he and Ar'ekk now each other? They'd fought alongside each other, criminals in arms. It was weird, both of them had known each other after they met while working the crminal underworld and both of them had ended up in The Jedi Order. They'd split up after the collapse of The Jedi Order. Both of them had gone the ways they wanted to go. Kei had gone to Thyferra where he'd rescued a Jedi Knight who'd been forcefully kidnapped by the Sith. He had to assume Ar'ekk had come straight to The Silver Jedi Order while Kei had took the longer way around, he'd took the longer path to The Silver Jedi Order.

"We were brothers in arms once"

It was true. They were basically family once, they still were in some ways but in others they had grown apart. Both of them had seen the effect of war, both of them had seen the effects of what both the good guys and the bad guys could do. Both of them had been taken out by the good guys and the bad guys both. Both of them had fought the Sith and both of them had fought the Jedi, alongside them and otherwise.

"Family"

 

[Arekk]

Even with all the misfortune the two Jedi had endured throughout their life, he was glad that they were able to find each other once again. It's been too long since he had felt at home when they were in Deneba and had gone on adventures of their own. Kei was a brother to Ar'ekk, much like the one he lost a long time ago. Sodden was the half masked man's adoptive brother but considered him his own blood and it would certainly take a bunch of trust to be considered that way in the young Jedi's life.

"We still are."

Nar Shaddaa was just a dark stint in their life, one that he personally swore to forget for the remainder of his stay within this galaxy. Of course, he became filthy reach and gained a status of power like he would've never thought but even then he felt miserable and feeling no control over his own life. That's why he chose the way of the Jedi again, the lifestyle that his adoptive brother and mother had seen him take the last he saw them alive.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Kei. But I'm glad you are."

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Jerit looked to Kei and then Arekk. Brothers in arms? It made Jerit felt like an outcast with these two men. He didn't have anyone to call brother or even family for that matter. All he had was his master to truly call family. Sure, he has Valkren and the others but not someone he can truly connect to on a deep level. He had not seen Valkren except for the space station he and the Silver Jedi order attacked and Ord Radama. He looked down at the floor and started to fidget with his hands.

​"​So, Arekk. How did you come to the Silver Jedi Order? I have not seen you around before."

To be fair, he had not seen Kei either in the Kashyyyk Stronghold, but something attracted Jerit to Arekk. Maybe it was because of the cybernetic arm and half mask that the man was wearing. Jerit definitely was more interested in that than anything. He had to be patient though. You just don't go up to a scarred warrior and ask where they got their prosthetic arm or anything. It's just rude. To kind of fulfill that hunger for information, Jerit decides to just ask him basic questions that he would ask anyone. He now waited for the man to give a response.

[member="Arekk"] | [member="Kei Raxis"]​

 

[Arekk]

"That was a long time ago, my friend. I came from Coruscant, discovered by a Jedi Master who was in the council of the Silver Jedi back then."

He reminisced of his training days when Rasu Gan was still present, their last encounter being after Malachor V. Everything revolved around that doomed planet where death roamed trying to seek their next unfortunate soul to finally consume it. There were dark places in the galaxy, where few tread. Ancient centers of learning, of knowledge. But this place? It was something different.

I didn't deserve to walk away. There are no happy endings. There are no choices. Nothing but a straight line.

The illusion comes afterwards, when you ask "why me?" and "what if?". When you look back and see the branches, like a pruned bonsai tree, or forked lightning. If you had done something differently, it wouldn't be you, it would be someone else looking back, asking a different set of questions. Your past has a way of sneaking up on you. You'll hear broken echoes of it everywhere, like a bad replay. You'll get mad at everyone for reminding you about it, even if it's all in your head.

When you're waking up, the world is a blur. What was clear in a dream, suddenly makes no sense. No surreal rescues. No easy, magic way out. But you are awake. And with no way to deal with the past, you keep your eyes on the road.

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Arekk"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]​

​

Kei listened to the response from Ar'ekk. He'd never known the man's origins lay upon Coruscant, the self proclaimed Galactic Capital. It was busy, Coruscant was one big city. It was loud, speeders overhead. It was never quiet, it was as if the city never slept or never knew how to sleep. The entire planet was just noise, it was horrible. Kei could hardly imagine what it was like to be born on the planet itself.

The young padawan was inquisitive. Kei liked that about him. The younger padawan reminded Kei of himself was he was younger. There was once when he would ask all the questions and try and learn the name of everyone, learn the backstory of everyone. He'd changed since those days, matured much more and knew to leave people alone. He knew not to pry, not to try and get information from people that they wouldn't willingly share.

"A Courscanti, A Commenori and a..."

He studied Jerit slowly, trying to figure out what race that the young padawan belong to. A humanoid race, that much was obvious. It was just a shame that there were thousands of humoid races in the galaxy. Each one had a difference though, none of them were the same although they may look it. Kei wouldn't of been surprised if one of the many humanoid races in the galaxy had three hearts and two brains.

"Whatever you are walk into a bar. Actually, that's a fair point. Where do you come from Jerit?"

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Jerit was very happy that he had finally met someone from Coruscant, even though the padawan left there at a young age. All he really remembered now was Lothal and that was it. So being discovered by a teacher and no living in a nice place. Coruscant was nice.... if you were rich. Lothal was a kind of different story. Just a planet full of farmers and merchants trying to feed their families. Jerit looked as Kei when he questioned the boy of his origins. He looked to Kei and then Arekk.

"I was born on Coruscant. My Mother was a Senator so I was fortunate enough to live in the nicer parts. I moved to Lothal. Not that exciting, really. What part did you live in, Arekk?"

It was a kind of invading question. Jerit knew all too well what goes on in Coruscant. The powerful people live in the tall towers on the surface, while everyone else lived in the lower levels. The ghettos. Hopefully Arekk was more fortunate than some in his life.

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Arekk"]​

 

[Arekk]

Coruscant was a distant thought for him. That place did him no good at all, crime lords trying to opress the hard working people that lived in the slums. Their family became a number to the statistics of people that succumbed to the hands of the opressors, of criminals and hoodlum. A forsaken planet ran by crooked politics and backstabbing people.

"The underworld."

Short and simple, straight to the bone. No need to beat around the bush, Ar'ekk had nothing to good to share about his homeworld. At least that's where he grew up since age one, might as well have been his birth planet although the real one was unknown. The man's life was a mystery since childbirth.

And clearly, Jerit and Ar'ekk lived the opposite lives in Coruscant. He was part of a rich family which the half masked man hated with his guts and in exchange he was a poor bastard forsaken to endure a life of pain and misery.

[member="Jerit Kolomor"] | [member="Kei Raxis"]

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Arekk"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]​

​

Kei watched slowly. He knew the troubles of the criminal underworld on Courscant, he knew what that could make people do just to try and survive. He knew what people would do just to survive down there. It explained why Ar'ekk had once explored the criminal lifestyle, he was like Kei. The criminal lifestyle was all he known in life, it was all he was raised with. Ever since Kei could walk he'd been rebellious, ever since he'd left his mother he'd been smuggling.

He always wondered if he'd meet his father. He was told once that he was the same as his father, cocky and rebellious. He wondered if his father had grown up the same as him, calm and caring. He was told once he had the Raxis gene, he was a rebellious idiot who didn't like staying still. When he was younger, he agreed with that statement. It was true, but now he had matured he had to disagree with that statement.

"That explains why you're as talented you are on a battlefield. They could use you Ar'ekk, use you on the front line. I can lead a fleet anyday but without good foot soldiers we'll never push back The Sith"

He shrugged softly. It was true, Kei had once watched Ar'ekk training. The man was talented with a lightsaber, the man was talented with a weapon. He would make a good general if he chose to lead soldiers into battle, he was good enough at leading to lead an entire army if he wished.

 

[St0rmSlaSh]

Kei can lead a fleet? That's pretty amazing! Hey... I have an idea.

Jerit looked intently at both Kei and Arekk. There was no doubt the two of them plus Jerit share the same views. Plus, the boy had always wanted to lead a squad of his own since he had some experience on the battlefield. That was one thing he loved more than anything. He loved to be a part of a squad. It was all just a bunch of guys trying to get through the war and help each other get back to their family or get rid of the evil in the galaxy.

"Say, Kei. You said you can lead a fleet easily. I also hear that Arekk is good with a lightsaber. So, I have an idea. You know how the SJO has all of these battalions and such. Right now, I accompany Valkren Calderon with the Radama Raiders. I was thinking, what if we made a battalion on our own? I know of special operations and you can handle a fleet, Kei. I know it may seem something that just came out of the blue, but it just seems a good idea."

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Arekk"]​

 

[Arekk]

The reluctancy to fight another pointless war had made Ar'ekk feel the sudden urgency of walking away from the conversation. Not again, he couldn't go through such experience twice. He had enough of that ten years ago and it brought him nothing but despair and doomed his life. It'd take a lot of convincing to even make him change his mind, tough as a rock.

"I can't do that. You just can't ask me to fight again, that will never happen."

His cybernetic hand balled into a fist, anger taking the best of him.

Calm down. Breath. Relax.

[member="Kei Raxis"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]

 

[GhostOfProtocol]

[member="Arekk"] | [member="Jerit Kolomor"]​

Kei shook his head.

The young padawan was making a fair suggestion but Kei knew that it would never work. For one, Kei would never make Ar'ekk fight again. Kei knew that war had scared Ar'ekk and that it was unfair on him to force him back into battle. Ar'ekk was a better teacher, he was needed to teach the next generation of light side belivers, The Jedi. He was needed to teach the next generation of Silver Jedi padawans.

He slowly rested his hand on Ar'ekk's chest, using the force to attempt to calm the man. Ar'ekk needed to calm down, Kei knew that. He didn't buy the whole "anger leads to hate and hate leads to the darkside" approach but he knew that Ar'ekk could probably crush an entire room if he got angry enough. Ar'ekk could probably break Kei into bits should he get angry enough and Kei wasn't looking interested in that.

"Calm down Ar'ekl, calm down. Jerit, leave us. I'll find you later".

He locked eyes with Ar'ekk, shaking his head.