Separation of Church and State

[Phylis Alince]

Phylis Alince…wished she had missed this meeting. She had some archiving to do…some cataloguing even! Some people might think that too boring, but on the plus side it would mean she wouldn’t have to listen to these random petitions.
She put her head in her hands. She had a headache, and these people were using words which had no meaning. ‘Faction’, ‘Dominion’, what did these even mean? The Jedi Master felt even more than usual that she’d missed a memo.
There was no point arguing. She looked at the ceiling.
“There’s a crack up there. Need to get a plasterer in,” she said to herself.

That seemed as profound a revelation as any being offered.

 

[Kiskla Grayson-Matteo]

Kiskla oft wanted to smack @[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"]'s arm for his colloquial methodology that he labeled as charismatic. A Padawan was approaching them with a similar concern she had brought up a month ago, before they had charged O'reen and had to shamefully return with their figurative tales between their legs. He could at least not be condescending!

"We appreciate your confidence in considering our communication channels open," Kiskla began, doing as she usually did with a more practiced voice which was necessary.

The Order benefited from the concessions of The Republic, that was obvious. Kiskla too had considered that perhaps the Order and the Republic divorce. In fact, she'd met with grandmasters of old and Jedi who had left on conscience decisions to help her decide. This conversation was a repeat of what she had already brought up, and that said, she was likely the most empathetic listener in the room. Which surprised her, because Josh had given a very different answer when she had spoken.

"It is not a matter of separating from the State, which you seek." The blonde woman stated, recalling the words of Master Ur-Rahn on Kiffu.
"It is a matter of making sure those that are within our Order understand the meanings of Peacemaking.

Power is attractive, undeniable and I'm not refuting that, and I never will. How each Jedi conducts themselves they have to take responsibility for. As a whole, the Jedi have not stepped over any lines yet. Each planet we liberate is necessary. For the most part.

Ossus, our home.
Dac, a planet of The republic.
Korriban, an entity of The Sith." She didn't comment on O'reen because she strongly disagreed with it.

She wanted to quote Ben Watts now, but she'd promised him she'd keep his life a secret. "There will always be discordance among the Jedi.
Some have a more modern mindset, relishing The Republic more than their roots. Those that go too far are dealt with by The Council. Others are traditionalists. There is not a right or wrong between these two, and it is how you yourselves represent The Order that makes an impact."

She sighed deeply. Many were putting their two cents into a subject that she cared about.

"I don't want to discourage your passion for The Jedi heritage. In fact, I insist that you hold on tight to it and not be discouraged by the actions of few to reflect on the many."

She shifted in her seat, adjusting some of the fabrics of her robe before continuing. "Your concerns are not as unfounded as some are suggesting. It's true that The Order has become more active in advancing The Republic's borders. But there's a reason we are affiliated with their structure; The Republic is a democracy and therefore a beacon of hope that offers each world that is a part of it a voice.

Not all Jedi are involved in dominions, nor liberations. Those that have the skillset and the desire, are. We cannot prevent them from doing so. I agree that many have taken the lead in doing so, I’ve even headed a strike team on Ossus and Dac. I cannot argue from a completely unattached standpoint. Actually, I’m not going to argue at all, as this meeting is in evidence for itself.

I do, however, request that The Order and The Republic are not referred to as an Empire. There is no supreme authority, even now you are able to approach us with your concerns, worries that are mirrored by some in this room. Myself, for one.
The Republic is a Republic. The leaders are elected as representatives of the mass. As it stands, the mass haven’t had qualms with the actions of The Order until recently. And The Order is still a separate entity, as Preacher has mentioned. Our decisions are not written by a senator's script; although sometimes it would be easier to argue that it was.” Oh goodness this was a mess. Ashin Varanin had been right — embarrassingly enough.

"The Treaty of Telos was an act of realization in my opinion. I encourage you to stand strong with your beliefs, and evidence them in your actions. Whatever is right, will inevitably gain followers; the right way may not be popular one, but The Jedi are not raised to be daft. They have enough knowledge of history to have their eyes opened. And as it stands for dominions, the ongoing ones are peaceful as far as I'm aware."

@[member="Joshua DragonsFlame"] | @[member="Valx Raizod"] | @[member="Doc"] | @[member="Kira Liadain"] | @[member="Syn"] | @Trisha

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

If Jaxton Ravos was still in the Jedi Order he'd be confused at the terminology of "Major Faction" and "Dominion" just like all of the other people in the room. If he was in the room today however, and heard the offhand comments about those who'd left and 'become grey and dark jedi who claimed to be better than the orginal' he'd be a little miffed in honesty. He'd left because he had personally witness a Jedi Master unleash storm on thousands of innocent men and Republic POW's to kill a few Sith, some of which were force-less soldiers who were forced to serve the Theocratic Empire of the Sith or die. He'd left because he'd witnessed the Jedi mobilized by the Republic to attack and conquer a world because they argued with tax laws, a battle that haunted him that he fought in to this day. He'd left because he'd seen the Grandmaster of the Jedi tell a sixteen year old girl to leave the Jedi so she could run for Supreme Chancellor, so the Jedi could maintain 'stability' in Republic politics. He'd left because he'd read the reports of the Republic killing thousands on Contruum by leading a civil war.

He didn't leave for glory, he leave to be 'better' than anybody else, he'd left because he didn't fit in anymore. If he was there he'd say that he'd never claimed to be better than anybody, nor did he ever claim to be dark, grey, light or whatever. He was simply a man with the blessing of having the Force. To him, that meant a responsibility to help the people of the galaxy, not fight men you had non-aggression pacts with for the hell of it. But his opinion didn't matter, he wasn't there, he was in his kitchen making a sandwich for his daughter, and watching an emergency hail he had in his house, that went off whenever someone in the Levantine Sanctum signaled for help. If he was there though, and his opinion did matter, he'd have lauded @[member="Valx Raizod"] and @[member="Kira Liadain"].. They understood that being a Jedi had nothing to do with the Republic. A government was a government, the Force was the Force. One, at least in his opinion, should not have dictated the other, but it did so often, and with such fury. It made him sad really, but inspired him to, along with his friends, found the Levantine Sanctum. A place where the government of the people were controlled by the people and studying of the Force could study as they pleased. A place where he wouldn't be asked to serve in the government, or fight in half-justified invasions, a place where he protected the people because he wanted to, and he knew that there were threats out there who would 'take the planets' for the sake of taking the planets.

So, sandwich in hand, he got out of the kitchen, carrying his beacon with him, and returned to Kida, and her lessons. Being a dad wasn't the most glamorous or glorified position he'd had, or been offered, in his life, but it was the one he treasured most, and it was best not to dwell on the misfortunes of others.

 

[Valx Raizod]

"The Jedi are blinded, as I have been. I guess history does repeat itself. I hold no quarrel with you, the Council, I had only wished you'd see what is happening around you. What a vile thing we have become..." Valx shook his head, "I do not feel as though this is any way a Jedi should act. When you are willing to see reason, come find me, but as of now, you are all blinded--your judgment clouded..."

Valx sighed heavily and shook his head. He was starting to wonder if this had been the Jedi Order he'd originally signed onto...

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

"It is you who are blinded, in this moment. We are encouraging you to bring us evidence. We are encouraging you to voice your opinion. We are, also, however, encouraging you to do so with hard evidence, not over-excited opinions. If you see problems, tell us who started them and what they are. Don't just show up and say 'there are problems' and then, when queried, simply repeat 'there are problems.' Being vague does not help us in the slightest, nor does it help you."

 

[Matsu Ike]

"She is right Dragonsflame it cannot be denied others have left because of reasons and then railed and mocked the jedi. Cried when it and the Republic was faltering they they weren't better. Such pride such compassion such stroking of their own ego. It is a wonder that without them we managed to at all actually survive." Her face was neutral and only raised an eyebrow listening to Kiskla while she sat there then the padawan again. "One moment you wish to go through the ranks by dishonoring your brothers, by dishonoring their efforts for peace and you think what padawan? That is makes you righteous? As preacher said show evidence, stop being vague, stop dodging questions and show proof beyond your own opinion using events that do not have any meaning to you, that do not apply to you. That should have been lost in the datawipe and dark ages but are disregarded so ones can feel special."

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

"Master Ike, you hardly seem at peace. This is most disheartening."

 

[Matsu Ike]

"Perhaps preacher I just find it strange when information that would have been lost is said by ones to feel important. I will go to meditation at this rate I am liable to create a twister. Thank you"

 

[Selena Halcyon]

"Then leave," Selena said with absolute calm in her voice over the hologram. "You wish to leave then do so. The Jedi Order has never required you to participate in anything that some of us have chosen to aid the Republic in. Your being a part of the order never was dependent upon you helping us secure peace throughout a destabilized region, or taking down an Empire which had its people under a yoke. Both actions which are noble, but if you choose to stay out of them then that is up to you. However, if you wish to insist upon complaining that we are actually acting to lend aid to this galaxy because it is not your way then nothing is to be discussed. I hear many complaints spoken in beautiful sentiment but all lack substance when compared to what is actually being done. But if you are that unhappy and are blind to that reality then leave. Leave the Order. Stop clouding it with your complaints that we need to act more at peace or for peaceful things. We do. And we have not required you to do anything that many of us have. So please, propose something of substance and act to move this Order, or leave.

"But remember, when you committed yourself to the Order you made a commitment to life. It is not the Order which is at wrong here, it is you. It is you who choose to be unsatisfied with the peace that the Jedi have brought to the galaxy in the last year. It is you who choose to ignored the history of the Jedi and how we act in accord with what they did in history. It is you who fail to understand your commitment. So leave because you clearly lack to resolve to be what you committed yourself to."

With that her hologram flickered out of existence.

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

"Force be with you, Master Ike. Remember that there is no emotion, only peace." The man was smiling beneath his mask as he bowed his head respectfully. "We all lose our way from time to time, it is merely a matter of finding the path again."

Slowly, his head turned towards the group. "I see Master Halycon decided to grace us with her presence. Who'd have thought it would be so angry?" The polite tone he had left no question as to whether or not he'd expected it.

 

[Darth Metus]

Having only returned to the Order recently, Josiah Denko found himself woefully ignorant to the vast majority of occurrences that had transpired over the time of his absence. Regardless, what he did know was the current state of the Republic and that seeds of discontent had been taking root; reeking of a potential schism. As such, whilst he generally left the addressing of such matters to those above him; such as the Council or politicians, the Jedi decided to toss in his two credits.

"Ladies. Gentlemen." he said calmly, addressing his fellows with nods of respect. Then, he placed his attention upon the young man who had spoken first: @[member="Valx Raizod"]. "Padawan Raizod," he began, carefully considering the words he was to say, "what I am hearing from you is a general dissatisfaction of current events and a desire to remove ourselves from our current relationship with the Republic. While I respect that you have come forward and shared your concerns with us, I must disagree with your desire. The simple fact of the matter is, since the days of old, the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic have been family. This is because the Republic epitomizes the values that we Jedi hold dear. Look to the worlds which are represented in the Galactic Senate my young friend. Do you see those worlds oppressed by a tyrannical regime? Do you see genocide occurring? Slavery? Any atrocities whatsoever? To my knowledge, the answer to those questions is: no."

"Now, it is no secret that in recent history, the Republic took up the sword and cut down the Sith Empire. And we Jedi led the charge in numerous instances; but that is to be expected of our Order young one. Furthermore, in the wake of this government, it is our duty as keepers of the peace to make absolutely certain that the worlds formerly ravaged by the Sith are welcomed into the embrace of democracy and freedom that is within the Galactic Republic." he paused, taking a moment to allow his words to linger before continuing. "Valx, consider for a moment...if such a schism were to occur, would seclusion on Tython truly be the answer? Would casting a blind eye to the Galaxy and allowing the darkness of corruption and oppression take root be a correct course of action?"

"The answer is: absolutely not."

He then took a moment to lean back in his seat and to regard the woman who had stood alongside the Padawan in voicing her concerns. "To the both of you, I simply advise evidence. The Jedi Council takes all matters of violence, radicalism, foul play, and otherwise un-Jedi like behavior very seriously. If there are members within the Order committing such acts that are then encouraging others to leave, then give the Council that which it requires to act. Names, locations, etc. Now then, I would much rather not see anyone leave the Order; especially since I haven't even finished unpacking yet. Can we not all come to some resolution that keeps us all unified once again?"

@[member="Kira Liadain"].

 

[Saki]

Saki held her hands up whiole hearing the grandmaster. She made it like a scale. "Jedi sit around and meditate.... they're evil for doing nothing.... Jedi defend peace and stop murderers they're evil and no longer jedi. I'm going back to something that makes sense."

 

[Phylis Alince]

The headache was getting worse. All these people appearing, disappearing, yelling, complaining, arguing.
Phylis abruptly stood. “I…have to go sort the books,” she said, hustling for the door.
She did not like arguments, and this one to her seemed more pointless than ever. Padawan was upset, demanding the Jedi leave the Republic. Beyond the practical issues inherent in this, of which there were many, he had expected the Council to instantly obey. Such an approach was…problematic.
Standing at the door, she looked back and sighed. Maybe she should have given at least @[member="Kiskla Grayson"] some moral support…but whatever she said would be instantly countered by rash and excitable words.
At least in the archives no one was yelling all the time. Well, except when some of the students thought it’d be a good idea to play with a Sith holocron…that had not gone well.

 

[Kira Talith]

"Thank you for all of your council." Kira said, nodding. As she had stated earlier, the council will be receiving a full report on what she had born witness to since her return to the Order, along with a thorough investigation on the events that transpired before.

"As stated, you shall receive my report with my findings by day's end." she gave an incline of her head.

It was disappointing, just how many masters fell away from their sense of peace and balance. Perhaps, Kira simply held an ideal of a Jedi Order that was no longer there. With that, she took her leave, encouraging the padawan by her to do so as well.

As the Grand Master had simply put it; one just had to.

 

[Valx Raizod]

"Aah, Grandmaster, how nice of you to join us. Or...former Grandmaster. I believe it was you who aided the Republic in the "warmongerings?" And you know, maybe I will leave the Jedi, because right now, there are a lot of other places that look a lot friendlier than here. You all have pulled what it means to be a Jedi out of context..."

Valx only hoped and prayed that they would see the error of their ways. A storm was coming. A dark storm, he could sense it. He felt the growing emotion inside of him. This had been his greatest weakness since he had began his padawan training--emotions.

 

[Tallia Farn]

Tallia had heard news of the meeting via wristcomm, and she had hurried as fast as her long, often cumbersome robes allowed her to the council chamber. She checked briefly with the guard outside to get caught up with what was happening in the debate then rushed inside. She could feel the tension among the Jedi in the room. They made no efforts to hide their displeasure with each other.

She stepped up and placed a hand on @[member="Valx Raizod"]'s shoulder. It was time for her to bail out her padawan as best she could.

"Council, I apologize for the brashness of Padawan Raizod. I also understand, that he has a good point. What he says may not be worded the most elegantly, but his heart is in the right place. The Jedi have been increasingly militant as of late, though I agree with you that the circumstances demanded action. I was present for Ossus, and Korriban (or Moriband if you prefer ) I backed those campaigns... But I believe that now is the time to realize peace. The Empire is gone, and balance has been bought for a time. If we continue with military actions, we risk losing ourselves. Look at Darth Revan. He marched against the mandalorians in the name of freedom and justice and the Republic." She emphasized the last word.

"The Mandalorian Wars were in protection of the Republic, yet they also lead to the Dark-Side for many young Jedi. I do not agree that we should separate ourselves from the Republic completely, but I think distancing ourselves would be a wise course of action."

Tallia then waved a hand, gesturing to everyone in the room. "Can't you feel the emotion swelling in here? The tensions of either side rubbing shoulders relentlessly? We must take action before the Order rips itself apart."

She hoped she could smooth things out, but it was looking doubtful. Coming to a mutual agreement would be impossible if both sides continued to be stubborn.

 

[Nameless Knight]

"Selena Halcyon is the grandmaster padawan and you have been given your options just like you choose to ignore facts for your own farce we will not. You have provided no evidence to show anything aside from your own delusions, you have done nothing but seek to throw us back itno the chaos that nearly destroyed the Republic and jedi order months ago before the chancellor and Selena took over because the galaxy needed it. By insulting her and calling her a warmonger you only serve to show your own failings in this order. I feel sad for you, that the order could not teach you to banish that pride and arrogance perhaps we can learn something from you after all. That we need to better educate our inititates."

Then she looked at Talia and spoke. "Then stop this idiotic farce and actually provide something if you want it. The jedi who fought are a small fraction of those in the order, the jedi working with the republic are a small fraction. If you want to have a point, have some weight to your claims stop being fools and make one that doesn't use the few to represent the many. Actually show something aside from saying "your militant." "you're a warmonger" All you do is cause strife and betray your own cause. I am glad the benefits of peace that the people in this room fought for to protect can be enjoyed while you condemn the ones who gave you that chance."

 

[Talon Vosra]

@[member="Valx Raizod"] @[member="Kira Liadain"]

Talon stood back by the door and listened with crossed arms. He had seen abuse of power. He had tasted warmongering. He had seen an entire planets population murdered. Complete genocide!

There were some Jedi that had taken a more militant attitude while in the field but that was something to handle on a case by case basis not a public witch hunt.

Kira was speeking honestly and with real concern for a people she cared for. The padawan was just learning to walk and he was already trying to run. Talon pushed back his hair the black tattoos of a Sith Marauder still stark against his pale skin.

This was sad to watch. He had left darkness and murder for this? He shook his head and put out a hand as Knight Liadain moved to leave.

"You spoke with conviction and calm." He said "for a Little Blue girl."

He patted her shoulder kindly.

"Don't give up."

Talon returned to the conversation and listened as the padawan made threats to leave for other places. Talon had heard enough.

"Padawan Raizod!" he said to get the young mans attention. "I promise you those friendly places you see from afar will not bring you what you think they will. Here in the republic you are a Jedi. For those other orders you are the tool, please meditate on this with the aid of a master or experienced knight before saying or doing anything more. Please, let the force guide you not your feelings."

 

[Tallia Farn]

"So.. for expressing my opinion and trying to present a reasonable compromise I am an idiot and a fool?" Her eyebrows raised. "I am not condemning you or anyone in the Order, nor did I claim that the Jedi were warmongers. I played a part in the war, just as many of the Jedi in this room did. The war with the Sith was necessary for balance in the force. Please, calm yourself and cease from putting words in my mouth."

She faced the remaining Masters and spoke directly to them. "When did the Jedi resort to name calling to belittle each other? I had hoped that the war's end would bring peace, not more conflict. This is outrageous!"

Tallia again turned to the rest of the chamber. "Can't you see why I feel the way I do?"

 

[Selena Halcyon]

"The meeting is closed," Selena said with a serene voice. Still her ever unwavering calm, which confused people. "You all speak of that which you do not understand and with hostility. Meditate if you intend to stay. If you truly desire to leave. Then leave. This ends now for it is clear that most of you lack the peace which you claim to champion, this holds true for either side. Behave with respect and dignity. Meditate on this. Calm yourselves. Seek the Force and decide then."