[center][b]Collab: [@Roosan], [@Midori], and [@Rethel34][/b][/center]

Once again, Alek found himself approached by one who had questions. But this one was different. He hadn't heard the entirety of Alek's speech. "Allow me to enlighten you," Alek said calmly. "Certainly by now you are aware of the atrocities reaped on Taris and other Outer Rim planets on part of the Mandalorians, correct?"

Stadak nodded gravely. [b][color=forestgreen]"Very much so, I am returning from the Republic's borders, where things are extremely unsettled. But you did not answer my question, Alek. I am eager to hear you set my fears to rest and tell me that the council has approved you recruiting knights for a mission to the Outer Rim."[/color][/b]

"Unfortunately, the Council would rather us abandon our duty of protecting the innocent in this conflict. That is why we act. We cannot continue to allow these Mandalorians to act out of line as they have. Not only are innocent men, women, and children being killed, but even our own members are being cut down. If this continues, they will have reached Coruscant in little time. That is why, with or without the Council's permission, we must act."

For a few moments, Stadak seemed almost speechless. Who could doubt the wisdom of the council? Surely even the most eager knight would rather give the council time to act than rush off on an unsanctioned crusade. Was he the only one who studied history, who knew where these roads led?

[b][color=forestgreen]"Knight Alek, I must profess disbelief. You cannot mean to defy the wishes of the council simply because they have not acted yet? The council are not unfeeling and nor are they blind, they know of the crimes that have been committed on Taris. There is not a doubt in my mind that the council means to put a stop to the Mandalorian menace. Surely it is better to wait, to follow the will of those wiser and more senior than ourselves?"[/color][/b]

At this, Revan broke his silence. "You should have seen the way they reacted when I pleaded with them to save the Republic from the Mandalorians. They truly believe this to be a conflict to be overlooked. Something not worth the time of the Jedi."

"My friend has never told me a lie," Alek added, "and I doubt he would do so to you. We are taught against chaos and emotion, yet these Mandalorians spread the very things that, as Jedi, we are to detest. Tell me, is allowing these people to spread hatred throughout the galaxy--is this the peace the Jedi seek?"

[b][color=forestgreen]"There is no emotion, there is peace"[/color][/b] murmured Stadak as he felt the coiling shape of Revan's emotions, so strong it was almost intoxicating. Anger, frustration, a desire for justice, they wrapped in on each other like a nest of vipers. [b][color=forestgreen]"I will speak to the council myself, Knight Revan. I cannot believe they are as against protecting the Republic as you say. And if they are... We will talk again."[/color][/b] Without another word, Stadak took off up the steps at a fast pace, almost a run.

Taiko had remained silent through the ordeal but Revan's words spoke to her on a level she understood greatly. It made sense in her mind for the Jedi to involve themselves and stop the Mandalorian war machine. Stadak took off in a way that almost seemed to be aggressive, which was unusual. She had never known him to be irrational or swayed by his emotions. In fact he was such a stoic figure sometimes that it made her uncomfortable. She did her best to keep pace. [color=lightblue][b]"But Master, doesn't it make sense for us to mobilize at the very least to alleviate casualties on Taris? How can we call ourselves peacekeepers if we don't keep the peace? Our own Order has suffered because of this menace, there has to be something we can do!"[/b][/color]  

Almost to his own surprise, Stadak felt a stab of irritation at his Padawan's questions, not least because he agreed with almost everything she said. He quashed the feeling and recited the Jedi teachings for a few moments. [b][color=forestgreen]"I do not feel that Knight Revan or Knight Alek are wrong in their intentions, they want to stem a tide of invasion and save lives. But the council are wise and have no doubt thought through their decision. I can't believe, will not believe, that they would have our order sit by and watch the Outer Rim burn." [i]Not until they say so themselves,[/i][/color][/b] he added silently.

The Knight and his apprentice stepped past a youngling and into the elevator. The council's chamber was located at the very top of the Temple. Looking down at Taiko, Stadak asked, [b][color=forestgreen]"What do you know of Taris, my Padawan?"[/color][/b]

She thought for a moment. [color=lightblue][b]"Actually, very little. Only that it's in the Outer Rim and that it's been under attack from the Mandalorians recently. Up until we've been together I've lived my life here at the Temple. I've heard stories about the things they've been doing. None of it sounded pleasant."[/b][/color] In fact she had tried her best not to think about it. The idea that sentient beings can willingly destroy each other was a terribly depressing thought. It was times like this that she wished she could be as calm and collected as her Master. He always seemed to have everything together, which was a stark contrast to herself, whom she felt was only ever hanging together by a thread. 

[b][color=forestgreen]"Taris is a planet much like Coruscant, only younger. It too is covered in a sprawling city, though I understand the lower levels are even worst than our own fair city. A cosmopolitan place in some respects but with a lingering xenophobic element among the planet's human citizens. With the Mandalorians sieging the planet, I have no doubt that such sentiments will only increase in the coming months."[/color][/b] Stadak let his mouth list a few facts about Taris while he calmed himself. No emotion, peace.

[color=lightblue][b]"So many thousands of people, trapped on that world with no hope of escape. Left to fend for themselves. Why would the Council hesitate to act? I know they're great Masters but... Is there something we don't know? Some reason they're hiding that they don't want us to know about? The council wouldn't do that would they? Keep secrets?"[/b][/color] She couldn't imagine that the Jedi Council, being such a benevolent Order would keep it's own members in the dark about something so great that it would keep them from saving lives. 

[b][color=forestgreen]"Taris is not defenseless Taiko, nor is the Republic. There is a Republic Navy and army for a reason, Padawan. Still, the mandalorians live for battle, to prove themselves in the theatre of war, and I doubt the Republic forces will be able to do more than slow them down without the intervention of our order. And as for secrets... I do not believe that the Council would keep secrets from the Knights of the order,"[/color][/b] said Stadak, carefully not mentioning that some things needed to be kept from Padawans for their own good. With a hiss, the elevator doors opened to reveal the doors to the Council chamber.

Stepping forward, Stadak looked to his apprentice with a trace of apology in his face and voice. [b][color=forestgreen]"I am afraid you will have to wait here Taiko, I will tell you what the Council informs me when I return."[/color][/b] With that, he turned and nodded to the door guards. Within a few moments, he was admitted to the room and the doors slid shut behind him with an ominous snap.

Complying with her Master's instruction she sat down on a bench in the hall and made every attempt to make an audible 'hmpf' as she sat. It was rather annoying to still be treated as a child at the Temple despite no longer being an initiate. She had spent so many years of her life here that she practically knew everyone by name. Still, she understood that her inexperience might 'lead her to act on her emotion' as she was often reminded. It was frustrating to live by such a contraditory code sometimes. You have to be compassionate to all living things but also emotionless and completely rational. You have all this power and can tap into the Force, the single most powerful... force... in the universe, but must do your best never to have to use it. [i]Being a Jedi is hard...[/i] She thought. 

As the doors closed, the Council turned their attention to the Knight who had entered. "Knight Stadak," Grand Master Nomi Sunrider addressed, "How was your expedition to Null? Was everything productive?"

[b][color=forestgreen]"Indeed Master, the mission proceeded as well as can be expected. Null is a beautiful planet, full of undocumented life forms. When circumstances are otherwise, I hope to return there. I saw some things that caused me to worry, however, both on Null and here at the temple, so I must ask you; what does the council intend to do about the Mandalorian invasion?"[/color][/b] Stadak mastered the growing dread inside himself and waited for an answer he now feared he would not like.

"Would you imply that the Mandalorians are a direct enemy to the Jedi?" asked Dorjander Kace, who had always seemed to sympathize with the Mandalorians.

Stadak went to shake his head and then paused for thought. [b][color=forestgreen]"Not in so many words, Master. I do not believe that the Republic forces will be able to do more than slow their advance down but it will take them many years to advance to Coruscant and the Inner Rim. They are an undeniable threat to the people of the Outer Rim and the Republic itself."[/color][/b]
[hr]
As the meeting commenced Taiko sat uncomfortably on the bench staring at the two guards by the elevator door. She had already begun incessantly swinging her legs and trying her best to imagine the Council sitting in their fancy chairs with her Master lecturing them on the various [i]oh so exciting[/i] species of flora and fauna before finally getting to the point. If there was one thing her Master wasw good at it was boring you to tears with information you'll never need to know about alien beetles and rare invertibrates. The two guards seemed somehow content to stand still forever. [color=lightblue][b]"So how has your day been?"[/b][/color] Neither of them budged. [color=lightblue][b]"Any hot young Padawans catch your eye?"[/b][/color] She tussled her hair a bit hoping to fish a compliment but again neither of them moved. Suddenly one of them glanced her way for a moment! It was a small victory at least but still they were as statues. 
[hr]
"However, this conflict is just that: a war for the Republic to fight," the hologram of Lucien Draay explained.

"We cannot fight their wars for them. We have told others this, as well: we are to be peacekeepers, not warriors," Master Kavar continued. "When a conflict escalates beyond standard diplomacy, the Jedi must step back and allow things to progress as the Force would have it."

[b][color=forestgreen]"But... the people of the Outer Rim are being slaughtered, Master."[/color][/b] It took some effort to keep his voice level, but Stadak's tone remained level and his face locked in an expression of reasoned objection. [b][color=forestgreen]"The Mandalorians kill those too weak to fight and forcibly recruit the rest. Surely it is not the will of the force to let the Republic fall to be replaced by a bastard Mandalorian empire, nor can it be the will of the Council."[/color][/b]

"We cannot allow our Jedi to be ruled by their emotions. Going to war would invite this upon us. The Mandalorians once served Exar Kun, and were far from a threat to the Republic. To believe that they have become one now is impossible," Vrook said, his voice as angry as always. "Warring against them would only lead to the Dark Side for the Jedi."

"The Jedi Council has already made up its mind on this matter," Atris interjected. "The Republic is to fight its own war, and the Jedi will not interfere. Why do you question us?"

[b][color=forestgreen]"Because I, like you Master Atris, have studied the chronicles of history. These events are not unseen before today, the Republic has been threatened before and the Jedi have risen to defend it without the Order falling into chaos. So too have Jedi gone to war without the blessing of the Council and fallen. I do not understand how the Council can condone standing by when the lessons of history tell us that we must move to defend the Republic with the full force of the Order."[/color][/b] Stadak pulled back from going into full monologue lecture mode, but barely. 

"Our decision on this matter is final," Master Sunrider stated. "You have stated your case, and we, ours. You are dismissed, Stadak."