Private Wild Mountain Time

[Jairdain]

There weren't too many landmarks Jairdain hadn't visited on Kashyyyk, however "the mountain" was one of them. Having heard more than a few tales about its owner and what had transpired there, she decided to visit. So she found herself approaching and not feeling anything foreboding about it. She walked openly and did not try to hide her presence or anything. Nothing wrong with a Jedi Master paying a visit to a location new to her on Kashyyyk.

Hopefully, the owner was just as open to being visited by somebody that was pretty much a total stranger. The two of them had never met but that didn't mean he hadn't heard of her. Jairdain was a rather well-known figure and a Master of the Order. Even though she was no warrior.

Something that might be noticed about the Master, she did not dress like a typical Jedi in robes. Instead, she wore what was comfortable. Specifically tailored to fit the woman and of fine quality. The only thing that indicated she was a Force user was the lightsaber clipped to her belt. A simple and well-worn device that was silver. Other than that, a person really wouldn't be able to tell.

Walking up the winding path that lead to the doors, she stopped when she reached them. Lifting a fist to knock, when it connected with the door, it sounded hollow. Waiting for a moment or two for them to open, she knocked again. Taking a step back, all she needed was a bit of patience. That was not an issue for the diplomat and so she waited.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen was alone in his armor counting barrels of Tihaar when he heard the knock at the front door. Who could this be? I don't have any pickups today... He cautiously walked over to the door controls and pressed the open button, a hand on his holster as he got ready for whatever came through that door. Color him surprised when Master Jairdain appeared through the opening doors. The Clone quickly took his hand off his verp pistol and dipped his head in welcome before coming back up with a small smirk on his face. "Welcome, oh great talker and slayer of the Multiheaded EE snake to my humble abode. What can I do for you other than criticize your every decision since I have 20/20 hindsight? Can I offer you a cool beverage perhaps?" The Trooper was clearly joking around as he gestured for the fashionable diplomate to come in. Might as well show the Master what she was dealing with before she got the wrong idea that he was a mountain hermit when he really was a fun mountain hermit.

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

Hearing the sound of the doors opening, the Master walked in and stopped after a step or two. Just to make sure she wasn't going to get shot. These Mandalorians always were a bit trigger-happy. Having encountered more Mandalorians than even cared to admit, she had made friends with one. Her name...Stardust. However, their meeting hadn't been because of any sort of confrontation but because they were both close friends with another woman named Ra'a'mah. The two of them had been present at a party put on by the other woman...just when Jairdain's life had been rather dark. Shaking that thought away, she focused on the present and smiled at Omen.

Nodding her head at the respect shown by the man, she walked into the building in front of her. Much like her own home, it was rather empty of people. In fact, she couldn't sense any other soul here. As Omen welcomed her, she tilted her head in curiosity at one of his comments.

"What have I done you wish to criticize?"

Without any form of invitation, she sat down on a chair near to him.

"What do you have to offer to drink?"

While he might be joking, there was usually a bit of truth in what was said. Her question was serious but said with a smile.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen waited for her to ask her two questions, choosing to deal with the second on first. For a Jedi, she was surprisingly casual and he admired that she was easy to approach. It made him offer the Master a flask even faster. "Try it, its Jogan fruit-flavored with a lot of kick. As for your first question..." Where should he start? It was a long list... Might as well start from the beginning. "One. You haven't come out against the NIO or the AC for their various warcrimes in the former TSE slice. Hell, I have 100 refuges that are now staff that I had to smuggle illegally from Galidraan that could tell you the same story of NIO backed mobs hanging and executing their loved ones because those two groups put all things they can label Sith in one grave including innocent people that are tortured and beaten till they admit they are Sith supporters."

His staff was in Silver Reach spending their recent raise on personal supplies which was why the bay was empty right now. Whose knows how long that would last for so he needed to get these issues out now. He trusted his staff without question but they didn't need to know this information or that Jairdain had been here. You never knew what walls had ears.

"Two. You are negotiating with the Eternal Empire which has proven to be unreliable and untrustworthy in the past. Their Empress has been under pressure by the GA for who knows how long and border skirmishes are starting to break out. What are we going to do when both sides call for help, try to be the go-between more peace negotiations that are bound to break down? Plus the Empress has been seen by myself and others of the SJC such as the famous Stardust in the "initiate" company of possible Maw agents which again, I have evidence for."

The Clone was already off to the races and he wasn't going to stop now. These issues had been weighing on his mind since his thawing out and he wasn't going to pause until he could breathe easy with regret. He had only one opportunity to talk with a Council Member that wouldn't push him aside and the Clone would make the most of it.

"Third. What is the Silver's stance on the Mandolarian Enclave? The NIO and GA have already have declared favorable arrangements for both parties. Why can't the Silvers be next? We might as well get on the ball on this issue while the iron is hot. Hell, I would honestly be while to go across the aisle and try to get some talks going but I'm only agreeing to that if we give them guarantees of military support that will actually not fall through."

Omen panted as he closed his eyes for a moment, waiting for his mouth to catch out with his mouth before asking one last question towards the Jedi Master. "Who even is the leader of the Silvers right now since the Grandmaster has fallen. We civilians have never gotten a straight answer and now all the other governments see is are a leaderless group of beings, hacking away at the Maw at random without a thought at the future which they can exploit towards their own goals like the NIO has done. What are your answers to these various critical issues?"

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

The blind Master accepted the fruit-flavored drink and smelled it before actually taking a sip of it. As if she could see, she held the flask out in front of her for a moment or two before making her comment on it. All the while, she listened to what Omen had to say. None of it was really a criticism of her personally but of the Silvers as a whole.

"You should sometime try the drink of my people. If you think this has a kick, mine will knock you on your butt."

Taking another sip, he might see the thoughts swirling around in her unfocused eyes. Jairdain was first and foremost a diplomat and she was trying to choose her words carefully before giving voice to them. Not that she was afraid to offend this man.

"Why should we speak out for or against the NIO or AC when they aren't knocking on our doors? What business do we have sticking our noses in what they do? Thank you for taking on the refugees."

She was speaking for the Council at this moment and not her own personal feelings. Keeping those to herself, if he was at all empathic, he might be able to pick up on what she was feeling. However, that was unlikely since she had strong mental barriers in place at all times. Surface emotions were different though.

When he brought up his second point, Jairdain smiled just a little. Almost shaking her head, she instead took another sip and attempted to hand the flask back to Omen.

"Do you even know what we are negotiating about? And I am aware of the pressure the Empress has gotten from the Alliance. I can say with a great amount of confidence, they are not asking for some sort of peace treaty. Trade and scientific relations."

Finding it a bit funny he mentioned Star just moments after she had thought of her friend. Choosing to not think too much about it, she would keep her relationship with Star to herself. Maybe sometime, that truth could come out between them but he did not need to know.

"Unfortunately, I am unable to entirely use certain technologies we have. Here, take this."

Handing him a datapad from her pocket, she instructed him to look up a few things.

"First, our Grandmaster is Wenton Graff. Second, we don't dislike the Enclave in any way shape, or form AND if you look up some history, you'll learn we have a history of aiding Mandalorian clans. We provided a ton of help to the Union."

Intuition spoke to the woman and she leaned forward just slightly.

"Do you really think the Council controls the government?"

There was a tone of maybe surprise but there was certainly total curiosity in it.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen chuckled at her little remark. "Thanks but I'll stay sober and conscious. Drink doesn't agree with me so I only brew my beverages".

He raised an eyebrow when Jair said that the SJC should stay out of other people's business. "Wow, Jedi that don't want to get into other people's business, that's a first. Alright, I'll just tell my people that the Jedi don't care about them and they will never be able to stay on their homeworld in peace. I'm sure they will just love that..."

His feelings were that of open disgust as he grabbed the flask out of her hand. The GA had gotten into the SJC's business just fine for what ultimately was a much lesser offense. Why wouldn't the Silvers do the same now for something so horrible as genocide? Being isolationist was the best answer he could come up with and even that didn't have much of an answer in it.

The Clone listened till she had completed her answer to his second question before answering in a more measured tone. "No, I didn't know what you were negotiating about because it was a closed meeting and the Jedi Council hasn't released the result on the meeting yet. They probably won't either till later today. I guess just trade and scientific relations are acceptable. Hopefully, the GA will think so too..."

Omen glance at her suspiciously before taking the datapad and looking at it before his face turned to genuine surprise. Who was this Wenton Graff and why hadn't he heard of him before. Hell, why hadn't there been a galaxy-wide announcement about him? The Clone thumbed at his temples before finally answering her comments about the enclave. "I've read the history and yes you supported the Union and I never said the Silvers did dislike them. But waving a hand to say hello is very different than actually reaching out a hand to help. To them, back then doesn't matter. Only what you can do for the Enclave now which since the whole government is turning isolationist is not a whole lot. Basically, you are saying "Hi I supported your people in the past but I won't now for reasons I just have created up in my head on the fly."" No wonder they are falling into the NIO's zone of influence...

The Trooper very nearly growled as Jair looked in at him like he was some sort of uncultured freak. No, this was not the point to burst like a balloon filled with anger. He needed to keep his cool. Taking a step back away from the Jedi diplomate, he quickly told her that he knew otherwise. "Yes, I know that there is a government not unlike the GA but how much do you hear about them versus how much do people look at the Jedi and the Silver Council as the SJC's real leaders? Besides, if the latest planet of Garos IV to get involved with the SJC is any example, the leaders within the Silver government are all spice heads anyways. Tell me Jedi, how do you think outsiders see the Silvers at this point, a place that has stalled to a halt with the death of its previous Grand Master and somewhere they can take advantage of or somewhere still worthy of their respect? Tell me what you think."

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

"I didn't bring any with me anyway. You'll have to visit me sometime."

Giving Omen a smile in return, she allowed him to react to what she had said. It soon became clear, the man took her words as she had said them. Plus he did not quite hear all of them as she intended.

"Would you like to see us in constant war with everybody that does something that is wrong, in your opinion?"

What the Bryn had done to the worlds they conquered was genocide. It was possible other governments did the same thing. Listening as he spoke, Jairdain did her best to keep her face neutral in expression. On the bright side of this conversation, he seemed to accept that trade and scientific relations with the Eternal Empire were just fine. That was all they had asked for and she would answer them as soon as she could.

He had seemed to imply the Silvers had never done anything to help any of the Mandalorians. So now, he admitted he had read the history. Almost changing his attitude, he indicated that nobody from the Silvers had actually reached out to them. Nodding just a little, an idea came into her mind but she kept silent on it, for the moment.

After hearing what Omen was saying, it was clear to her, he really did not entirely understand how the Galaxy worked. There was no real easy way to explain everything on short notice. She would do her best though.

"They might still maintain their independence. Generally, when governments bring planets and systems under their control, they work out agreements with those already established there."

Being an empath, Jairdain was easily able to pick up on the feelings he was having. Usually, her calm presence helped soothe frayed nerves but it appeared that wasn't the case with him. As he regained some control, she remained quiet, calm, and collected.

At least, he knew the Council did not hold total sway over the government of the Silvers. Most likely, he had not been involved in any of the meetings of their government. Time would tell if that happened.

"Oh, we're out there. Trust me. Remember, we are also recovering from being tortured by the Bryn'Adul. As they swept across the Galaxy, they targeted us. They're gone now, to my knowledge. Soon the Silvers will be known again and interfering where we're not always wanted."

While the last part was said in a serious tone, she smiled slightly to indicate it was said as more of a joke.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

Omen let out a sigh that showed how tired he was already of going round and round in circles. Talk with a Jedi in a debate was like trying to blow up the Death Star. You could blow up their arguments in one shot but it was notoriously hard. "It seems to work for the Imperials. War does have a way of binding a large population together after all. In all seriousness, I don't want war everywhere. I would have liked actual discussions between the GA, SJC, NIO, and Ashlanders about what would happen to the TSE slice before the Sith's defeat at the Battle of Korriban. At least then we would be able to sanction them for their misdeeds rather than just watch as they and the Ashlanders put a flamethrower to the entire Eastern part of the galaxy"

At her talk about independence just seemed... too idealist at best and blind at worst. "Maybe with the Silvers that happens but the Imperials are not so kind. Ord Radama just got its "independence" taken away because the Imps wanted more direct control, ripping up any previous agreements. Nothing is guaranteed in this galaxy Master, nothing..."

The Trooper held his tongue as she explained why the Silvers had been away from galactic affairs as of recently. In his mind, he conceded that the Bryn had done a number on the Silver's infrastructure and probably made the Silvers look inside rather than outside as a result. It made sense. But the Jedi's false sense of security did not. "Nothing is truly gone Master... If anything was seen from the Nether incident it should be that but I'll take your word. Nw may we talk about something else more... pleasent? How do yu like my brew?"

 

[Jairdain]

Keeping calm and collected while speaking to new people and making deals across board room tables was something Jairdain had mastered long ago. It almost seemed that both of them were idealistic in their own ways. Different ways and that was fine with her.

"There have been many times in the past when the Jedi had to take these types of actions. Also, there were quite a few planets that actually liked it under Imperial rule."

As they spoke, something in the back of her mind told her to shut up and listen. So she did. The two of them had not met until today but there was something similar to his voice. Like she had heard it before. Yet, she did not know Omen until now.

Then it dawned on her. He sounded like a bounty hunter that had captured her more than once. A man she rarely thought of these days. One she almost wished she could locate. Another thing about Koda that she remembered. He was a clone. Did that mean Omen was too?

Blinking at him with her blind eyes, she nodded in agreement when he said nothing was truly gone. A touch of sorrow went across her face but it was replaced by her normal appearance.

"That is not entirely true. Mostly though."

Accepting his suggestion at changing the topic, he asked about his drink and if she liked it.

"I did like it. I imagine you could drink it like juice and pay a price for it the next day."

Giving him an almost sly smile, it wasn't a price she would ever have to play and one of the reasons she had said she could drink him under the table. Not that she was going to challenge him to a drinking contest.

"If you ever visit me, I'll share one of mine with you too. It's fair."

Her thoughts returned to his voice...

"You're a clone aren't you?"

So much for keeping the topic pleasant...

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

The headache only worsened as the Jedi Master spoke. His mind couldn't afford to make these arguments all day especially when they only got thrown back in his face.

"No one is truly innocent or truly guilty and everyone wants to point fingers at problems with no ways to solve them, including me. As for the Imps back then, for every Core world that prospered, there were two Outer Rim worlds that felt the Empire's wraith. Maybe in an ideal world, the Empire would have been okay but that government was far from ideal."

Omen raised an eyebrow as the Master's eyes seemed to water but thought twice before getting into her personal business. He wasn't exactly a therapist after all.

"I'll take most. Better than nothing."

The Clone gave a wide grin when the Jedi gave his drink a thumbs up.

"Glad you like it. It feels good to have the Jedi seal of approval. The only thing now is to remodel the label and put Silver Jedi approved on the lids. As for the offer, I might take you up on that some time."

The ARC nodded in affirmative to her question. "Umm... Yes I am... Why do you ask?" The pit in his stomach told him he wouldn't like the answer...

 

[Jairdain]

Tipping her head at his point, it was clear both of them would like to put this topic in the past. Listening to his statement though, things sounded so similar to what was still happening today.

"History seems to repeat itself, huh?"

Such was the fate of the Galaxy. At least, in her opinion.

"Now, you have my personal approval. Not that of the Jedi."

Laughing just a little, her sour thoughts returned when he answered her question.

"You have any more of that drink? I think I could use it."

Halfway said in jest, Jairdain was also serious. Recalling all of the encounters she had with Koda would make pretty much anyone drink. Eventually, she let out a sigh.

"I knew a man several years ago that was also a clone. He turned to hunting bounties and I was one of his targets. Needless to say, he captured me...more than once. The last time we met, I took the fight to him. Not really, but I can dream. He had taken from me, my lightsaber and I wanted it back. That was the last time we saw each other."

Perhaps, she could try and track him down again. Something for the future. Right now, she was talking to another Fett clone and not the same one as before.

"Did you know a Koda Fett by chance?"

Probably not. She had to ask though.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

"That it does, with little variations here and there."

At least they agreed on that point. Omen nodded his thanks at Jairdain, glad that he got something for all this arguing though he did raise an eyebrow at her question. "Why..."

Omen then listened to her story and then shook his head. "Not that I remember... Who set a target on your head in the first place?" It could be a lot of people and while the Jedi was here he might as well get the whole story.

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

Deciding to answer his second question first, she shrugged her shoulders slightly before speaking.

"It wasn't anything I did other than being a Jedi. The now fallen Sith Empire put bounties out on all of us as a whole. Of course, some people might have had higher ones but I was just a simple Knight and only worth a few thousand credits. However, it was enough to tempt Koda. He found me on Iridonia...twice."

Her question had been more out of curiosity. If Omen had known Koda, she might have been able to learn about anything that had happened with him. Then again...maybe it was best left in the past and forgotten. Well, not forgotten but put in the past for sure.

"Same for the second time I think. It's been quite a few years. The second time though, he stole my lightsaber. Once I was able to find him, I got it back. That was the last time I saw him. So I was curious if you knew him. I'm sure there were so many clones though. You could not have known all of them."

Like Jairdain did not know all of the Jedi. There were just too many.

Sergeant Omen

 

[Sergeant Omen]

It wasn't a surprise that the Sith Empire had put bounties on the Jedi. It was commonplace for bounties to fly back and forth between the Jedi and Sith as much as blaster bullets but hunters often tended to stay away from those due to the wraith of each side's allies. He guessed this Koda was a outlier in this regard.

"Your story sounds very interesting but I'm sorry I can't help you more. I've mostly kept to myself since I have arrived here and even among the people I have met I've never run into a Koda. At least you ended up even in the end. As for back then, well you know how many of us there were."

To be completely honest, Omen really had never met a clone named Koda either in this life or the last. Though he did seem like a powerful being in his own right. One more person to look out for.

"Well its been a pleasure talking to you Master Jairdain. I'm sure we will have time to meet more in the future but unless you would like to check my chimney for spice, I suggest we plan another visit before you drink all of my stock."

Jairdain

 

[Jairdain]

Inclining her head at the answer Omen gave her, she smiled just a little in understanding.

"I'm sometimes surprised at how many clones have resurfaced after so many years. Though that war you were bred for has ended, there are countless others to call you into duty. Maybe someday, we will be working together, Omen."

Knowing the conversation and meeting were close to an end, she stood up when he mentioned it had been a pleasure to talk to her. Nodding, she gave him a full smile before bowing just slightly and taking her leave.

"May the Force be with you and we will have to chat again. Perhaps I'll invite you to share a drink with me in my home. Yours is lovely and I'll see you later."

Leaving the way she came, Jairdain left but did feel they would meet again and it would be less of a surprise.

Sergeant Omen