Tyrell Omi-Ren, Jedi Master Talia Meetrik, and Jedi Master Luke Skywalker
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The Nighthawk rippled through hyperspace, within it her crew went about their duties. Relani sat in the pilot chair browsing through her holodramas, making sure she was up to date on all the latest gossip meanwhile Thriik was in the hold cataloguing their latest find. The old Gotal wasn’t incredibly happy with the idea of handing over some of what they had found to a stranger on a backwater planet, it didn’t matter that he was a war hero and apparently trying to rebuild the Jedi Order. As far as he saw it he had been working with Tali and Tyrell in order to preserve Jedi artifacts, not hand them out. Eventually it came down to a vote, and even then the deal was that only artifacts that had been thoroughly studied and catalogued could be removed from the repository. Even now they didn’t have much, but it was a start.
Tyrell and Talia sat meditating in the common room. Eyes closed, Tyrell felt the flow of life as the Nighthawk passed planets and systems, some mapped and others left behind. He opened his eyes as he felt the ship drop out of hyperspace. Standing up he took the short walk to the cockpit, settling himself into the co-pilot seat beside Relani. He gave her a friendly punch on the shoulder. “Thought you said we’d be here hours ago?”
She flashed a scowl back at him. “I’d like to see you do better.”
“Well maybe if you’d ever let me fly…”
“After last time? No chance you’re flying my ship.” Tyrell feigned a look of horror.
“First of all, not my fault. I was distracted, secondly its technically my ship-” The door behind them opened as Talia walked in.
“Technically young Jedi, you stole it.”
“Commandeered It sounds so much better that way.”
Relani shook her head as she keyed in the cycle to bring them to the fourth moon of Yavin, meanwhile Tyrell spun his chair around to face his master. “So, if this is the real deal and not some Imperial Trick, will that make me a Jedi Knight?”
Talia chuckled. “Yes, I think it will. You’ve faced many trials, far more than what I needed to do to become a Knight.”
“So what will we do next?” As Tyrell asked the question Relani turned slightly as she listened in on the conversation.
A somewhat sad look crossed the aging Jedis face. “A question for another time-” she nodded at the window. “-We have company.” Two X-Wings approached, s-foils in attack position coming up on either side of the freighter.
Tyrell hit the comm button as the transmission came in. “-This is Blue-One to the vessel Nighthawk you are entering restricted Jedi Space. Please identify or leave immediately.”
Once the transmission ended Tyrell responded. “This is Jedi Knight Tyrell Omi-Ren-” He felt a well of pride at the identification of himself as a Jedi Knight. “-alongside Jedi Master Talia Meetrik. We have come to meet Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.”
Luke Skywalker did his best to contain his excitement as he made his way to the landing pad closest to the Great Temple. The X-Wing patrol around Yavin IV had made contact with a ship that claimed to have a pair of Jedi on board. However, he had his doubts about the authenticity of their claims. He knew that some Jedi had managed to survive the Jedi Purge, yet he had encountered so few of them that doubt was planted and allowed to take root. Yet, he remained cautiously optimistic that these two supposed Jedi were exactly who they claimed to be.
He stood near the landing platform as Nighthawk descended, finally gently touching down. Luke took a calming breath as the ramp extended and the pair of Jedi, a man and an older woman made their way from the ship. If the pair had any ill intentions, Luke couldn’t sense it. Instead, he could feel their apprehension about meeting him, and their suspicions about his intentions. Luke smiled jovially as he stepped toward the pair, extending his hand.
“Hello. I’m Luke Skywalker. You must be Tyrell Omi-Ren-” He said to the younger man, before turning his head to regard the older woman. “-and Master Meetrik. Welcome to the Praxeum.”
Talia led the pairing, while Tyrell brought up the rear as was more traditional for the pair of them during their missions as Master and Apprentice. They both bowed their heads and upper torso towards the Jedi before them. He certainly wore the robes, and had the hair of a Jedi. Tyrell probed with his feelings and could find no feelings of ill-intent or betrayal. All his senses picked up nearby was the surrounding wildlife, and the students within the temple. It eased his conscious, for all extensive purposes this was as it was meant to be. An academy for learning, the rebirth of the Jedi Order.
Talia smiled. “Thankyou, Master Skywalker-” She indicated the temple, even from their spot on the landing platform they could see some people working around a nearby hangar, elsewhere in the shadows some of the younger more curious students could be seen trying to see what was going on. “-I never thought I would live to see this day. I felt that the legacy of the Jedi would be to pass on knowledge from Master to Apprentice with no hope for it ever truly rising again. For the chance to return, I thank you.” She bowed again, overcome with emotion.
Tyrell stepped forward. “I heard about you, y’know. While I was being trained, we heard tales right up to before we went into hiding. I’ll be honest, I thought you were just Rebel Propaganda. It is a pleasure to meet you-” He reached into his robe and pulled out a glowing blue cube, ornate golden patterns inlaid around the surface. “-me and my master have sought to preserve the knowledge of the Jedi. We’ve recovered some old tomes, a couple of lightsabers, armours and robes. Though this is one of our prize possessions, which we give to you-”
Talia interrupted. “-On one condition. Only a Jedi can open a Jedi Holocron, I hope you would not find it rude Master Skywalker if you were to prove you are what you say you are.”
“Of course.” Luke said, understanding what the pair of Jedi were asking.
Luke took the glowing cube from Tyrell and nodded. Since the fall of the Empire, Luke had done some extensive traveling through the galaxy searching for Jedi artifacts, anything that could help him in beginning the Jedi Order anew. During those travels he had come across several of these miraculous devices, and as he held the object in his hand, he was reminded of the first of the holocrons that he had encountered. He had found himself on Zeltros following rumors of a virtual treasure trove that had managed to find itself on the planet which had been known for its tendency for over indulgence. When Luke had arrived, he saw the elaborate architecture and the constant revelry and found it hard to believe that such artifacts would be found in such a place. However, on his second day, he had found what he was looking for. Luke had left the confines of the capital city which shared a name with the world, and found himself in a forest. His guide, a male Zeltron who’s name escaped him at the moment, had led him to a small cave. As Luke had stood at the entrance of the cave, he could feel something inside, an echo in the Force, yet he had to admit that the Force presence he felt was much smaller than he had expected. As he feared when he made his way into the cave, illuminating his way with the green glow of his lightsaber, the “vast Jedi treasure” that he found consisted of exactly a single Jedi holocron. While the discovery of the holocron could prove invaluable to him, he had been led to believe that there would be much more. It was difficult not to feel disappointed by the find, yet Luke had been grateful for the lone artifact.
He clutched the small cube in his hand and tried pulling at the various pieces of it, he tried pulling at it, and pushing it, all in an attempt to get it to open...to no avail. Already disappointed in the lack of Jedi artifacts, he began to grow frustrated with his inability to get the device to open. He became aware of his growing frustration and took a deep breath to center himself. He reached out with the Force, and in doing so, he imagined himself in a long hallway, with only one way out: a single door at the end of the hall. He made his way to the door, and using the Force, he willed it to open. The door resisted at first, however, with little effort, the door pushed open. That was when he heard a voice. He opened his eyes to find the glowing blue figure of a Twi’lek male. He was dressed in ornate Jedi robes, and he seemed to radiate confidence in the Force.
“I am Jedi Master Loden Greatstorm…”
Luke suddenly found himself back in the present, and just as it had back on Zeltros, the Jedi holocron that he held now began to open.
Talia chuckled, Tyrell did so too but more out of nerves than anything else. He wasn’t sure why his former master was chuckling, but that was part of the reason why he was doing it. “Forgive me Master Skywalker though you are an interesting phenomenon. In some ways you radiate power and wisdom beyond your years, and what I myself probably hold. Yet in other ways you are like a young padawan learning the ways of the Force for the very first time.” She ignored the holocron, the image of the long dead Jedi Master appearing. Waving her hand nonchalantly the pieces of the holocron locked themselves back into place, appearing once more to be no more than an ornate cube.
Tyrell offered a very sheepish grin. “Don’t worry Master, she tends to do this to everyone-”
Talia scowled at her former padawan before turning her attention back to Luke. “I wish to rejoin the order, Master Skywalker that I never thought I would see again after Palpatine killed all of my comrades. I predict we’ll have much to learn from each other-” She indicated towards Tyrell. “-My former Padawan, with your permission, will continue his mission to recover ancient Jedi Artifacts.”
Tyrell bowed to the both of them. “It would be my honour, to return more Jedi artifacts and history to its rightful place, while helping restore peace and justice where I can.”
“The honor would be mine.” Luke said to the older woman after her request to join the Order. “I believe that if we work together, we can accomplish great things-” he then looked to the younger Jedi. “If there is anything that I can do to help you in your mission, by all means let me know.”
Tyrell clicked his tongue as he looked at the ground, in all honesty he wasn’t sure what was meant to happen now. They had asked to join the order, Luke had agreed. What was supposed to come next? Some form of exciting ceremony?
Talia spoke up next. “Thank you. I have some other artifacts to one day bring here, though our resident scholar wants to make sure this place is secure and that you are what you say you are first. We’ve at least checked one of these things-” She winked at the younger man and Tyrell rolled his eyes. “-I know you are no doubt busy, though perhaps there is someone who could give us a tour of the praxeum?”
Tyrell cleared his throat. “Actually Masters, I have found something more pressing.” He nodded towards Luke. “I have found a lead on Grakkus the Hutt, the infamous Jedi Collector who tried on one occasion to collect you. I believe that in heading to Nar Shaddaa I can locate his stash of Jedi Artifacts and bring them here-” He nudged Talia “-for Archivist Meetrik to catalogue.”
“Of course. I can arrange that.” Luke said to the older Jedi Master as he motioned for one of his students, the Ithorian, Rhoda who was nearby, to join them. As they waited for the student to get to the landing pad, he turned again to face Tyrell.
The mention of Grakkus the Hutt gave the Jedi Master pause. Grakkus was a ruthless criminal, perhaps almost as dangerous as Jabba had been. However, the last he heard, after the Empire had arrested Grakkus, his entire collection had disappeared. There had been rumors, whispers, that Vader had taken possession of the collection himself, but the truth was, that was only rumors. Nobody knew for sure what had actually happened to the collection. However, if Tyrell had a lead on where the collection was, he had to do what he could to see that it was returned to the Jedi Order, where it belonged.
“That’s...that’s incredible news. By all means, go to Nar Shaddaa. But be careful, it’s a dangerous place. You may even want to take some of the students with you-” Luke suggested, -though, I understand if you would rather go on your own.”
Talia walked off with the Ithorian, leaving Tyrell alone with the older (though not by much) Jedi. “I wouldn’t truly be alone, we have a small crew. A former Guardian of the Whills from Jedha, as well as a university professor. Though if you know of someone who could be of use, then by all means, I bow to your wisdom.” Tyrell threw in a small bow for good measure, a mischievous grin on his face letting the Master know that he was trying to lighten the mood a little bit.
“I do have someone in mind, actually. She’s one of my more advanced students, in fact, if this were the old order, she’d have been ready for the Trials some time ago. I think you might find her useful for your mission.” Luke said with a smile, trying not to laugh at Tyrell’s antics.
“Well technically I never have trails, does that mean I’m not a Jedi Knight?” Tyrell raised his eyebrow, the notion of the other Jedi joining them momentarily forgotten. His master had said he was a Jedi Knight, he certainly felt like one. From what he had been told he was pretty much the embodiment of what a Jedi Knight was. Was there some ritual or ceremony missing?
“It seems to me that you have been through an extraordinary journey, one unlike any that had come before you. I believe that you have already passed your trials, and that you are one of the few Jedi Knights that remain in the galaxy.” Luke told the younger man.
Tyrell radiated pride, it was one thing for his master to say it. Another thing for someone entirely new to say it. “Very well, I shall return to the ship and await the Jedi you are sending with us.” with that he bowed to Luke Skywalker, and retreated back to the ship.
Kaylee Starsmore sat cross-legged at the base of a tree near the main temple. As she meditated, she concentrated on the numerous medium sized stones that rotated around her. It was a nice day, if somewhat humid, however, a slight breeze offered some relief.She often found that this spot, at in front of this particular tree was a good place to come and meditate, particularly when she needed to unburden herself.
There is no emotion, there is peace. she thought to herself as she meditated.
However, as hard as she tried, she just couldn’t keep her mind clear. She had been growing tired of the antics of Rush and Horn. Though she had grown to see them as brothers, they had a way of getting under her skin, particularly when they conspired to subject her to their various pranks. Though, the seemingly constant teasing from her two contemporaries wasn’t the only thing that had been bothering her. While she was growing up, she had grown accustomed to traveling as the daughter of a politician. Whether it was a trip with her father while he was on business, or just a simple vacation, she had grown used to traveling. However, it had been over a year since she had last left Yavin IV on a trip to Chandrila for a ceremony to show off the first students of the Jedi Praxeum. Before that, it had been two years before she had left the moon.
As she sat mulling over her current situation, one of the smaller stones that she was levitating began to orbit around one of the larger stones. Suddenly, there was a large cracking sound, like the sound of a tree trunk was being split in two behind her, followed by a loud crash. Before she could react, the trunk of a tree crashed down before her, followed by a massive boulder, burying the stone that she had been concentrating on beneath the debris.
Kaylee just sat there, her mouth agape as she looked at the mess before her. Then there was a flash of annoyance that rippled through her.
“You smelly nerf herder…” She began to say, ready to give Rush, or Horn, whoever it had been that had interrupted her meditation a piece of her mind.
“Now lift your rock again.” Came a voice that belonged to neither.
“Master Skywalker?” Kaylee exclaimed, unable to hide the surprise from her voice. Luke just stood there with a mischievous grin on his face as he regarded her.
“Kaylee, I have a mission for you.” He told her.
“A mission?” Kaylee asked excitedly.
Luke nodded in response.
“I’m sure you’re aware that we had visitors today. They were a Jedi Master from the old order, who had survived the Jedi Purge, and her apprentice. They will be joining us here, however, he believes that he has found a lead that could uncover the location of a massive collection of Jedi artifacts. He is going to travel to Nar Shaddaa to look into this. I want you to go with him.” Luke explained.
“Me, Master?-” She questioned, “-wouldn’t…” Luke cut her off.
“Kaylee, you’re ready. You’ve been ready for a long time now.” He told her.
“Yes Master.” She said.
“Now go, get your things and meet Tyrell at the landing pad.”
“Yes Master.” She said again, this time with a smile as she raced off toward the Temple.
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