Chapter 21: The Will of the Force
There's silence in the Council Chamber, each member staring at them in shock. That silence is broken by Mace Windu, his voice tightly controlled.
"You would oppose the Jedi, as well as train Sith?" Even if his voice is controlled, the hostility he's radiating is clear to all. And most of the other Jedi are the same.
Interestingly enough, a few of them still radiate peace. The first is Master Yoda, who simply looks on as he considers Bastila's words. The second is Qui-Gon who, while surprised, doesn't seem opposed to the idea. The final person radiating calm is Master Plo Koon, who mainly seems curious about what Bastila has planned.
Bastila opens her mouth, but Mission interjects before she can speak. "Nope! We aren't looking to pick fights with the Jedi. And who said anything about Sith? What, if you can use the Force but aren't a Jedi you're a Sith? You tryna imply something, baldy?" She plants her hands on her hips and leans in with a glare, daring him to challenge her.
Mace Windu grits his teeth and opens his mouth to berate the Twi'lek for interjecting in matters of the Force while being unable to feel it. But before he can, Yoda speaks up.
"The will of the Force, their goal is." Now everyone is looking at the Grandmaster in shock, even the two girls in the center! Imperceptibly, Bastila's eyes narrow.
'While not as strong as the Jedi in our time, his connection with the Force is a great deal stronger than the others in the room. Other than myself, of course. Impressive, considering the state of everyone else.'
She nods her head to the Grandmaster, a gesture that he returns. Fuming, the rest of the Council who disagree with allowing competition to their millenia old monopoly on Force Sensitives hold their tongues. Meanwhile those who've been looking to change the status quo, such as Qui-Gon, have small smiles on their faces.
But the surprises won't stop any time soon.
"Since your Grandmaster has spoken, I feel that starting the coexistence of our organizations would best be done with cooperation. As such, once we establish a location, we would invite a few of the Jedi to learn of our teachings, as well as a small number of younglings."
*Cough* Mission's eyes turn towards the cough while nobody else reacts. Her eyes rest on the Cerean Master, Ki-Adi Mundi. There she sees him surreptitiously wiping his hand on his robe, leaving a slightly redder spot behind. Her head tilts fractionally in confusion, but a moment later disregards it and returns her attention to the main event. How she wishes she had popcorn!
It's the woman who speaks. "You plan to operate a training facility with different views than our own, while claiming some of the few people that can enter our ranks, and are now even asking for us to give you our own students to expedite the process?" She shakes her head in disbelief. "Why would we do this?"
"Because the Force willed it!"
Everyone ignores Mission's answer and instead wait for Bastila's reply. She takes a moment to gather her thoughts before addressing them, knowing that she has only one chance of convincing them.
"You should not think of it as us claiming those who might otherwise join you. Instead, think of it as us helping to ensure that no Force Sensitive goes unfound. Those who might be turned to the Dark Side before even knowing their potential."
A few of the Councilors nod their heads, aware of the trouble those types of people can cause if left to their own devices. Though the majority still look unconvinced, and the Grandmaster shows no expression.
Bastila continues. "In regards to allowing younglings and Jedi to attend our teachings, it will simply provide a different perspective of the Force. Should they join our organization, then that is their choice. Or is the Jedi Order opposed to allowing their people to make their own decisions?" A single eyebrow rises in challenge to them.
Though angered by her question, none of them can speak against it. Should they try, they know they would come off as defensive, and replying in the affirmative would make them seen as tyrants! So they remain silent, treating her words as a rhetorical question.
Seeing the desired effect, Bastila nods, a small smile on her face.
"Excellent." But then she waves her hand, as if brushing the whole matter to the side. "Of course this will likely only matter in a few years. Afterall, it takes time to find a suitable location for an Academy, as well as a reliable source of Kyber Crystals. This does not even count having to build the Academy itself! So it is likely that any Force Sensitives found will continue to fall under your Order for the foreseeable future."
Realizing that her words are true, a few of the Councilors regain smiles. A few of the more observant ones though, frown at her choice of words. She claims that it will take a few years, but only says that it is 'likely', not that it will. Does she already know where they will set themselves up? Without knowing the inner-workings of her mind, they can only wonder.
Seeing that everyone is falling into an introspective trance, Mission decides to draw their attention to the important thing. "So are we done here? I'm getting hungry and want to see if there are any nice restaurants nearby!"
Bastila chuckles and pats her head, Mission leaning into her palm. "Indeed, I do believe that we are done here. If there is nothing else?" She directs the question to the gathered Councilors, and after a moment they shake their heads.
Nodding, the two women turn to leave. Unfortunately, the last surprise of the day chooses to rush through the doors, the guard panting from his run.
Shocked and upset at the unprecedented interruption after the stressful meeting, the Councilors prepare to berate the young Jedi Sentinel. But they are shocked into silence by the news he brings.
"Naboo has repelled the Trade Federation from the planet, as well as obtaining their army of droids!"
The pin-drop silence is broken by Bastila and Mission chuckling as they walk out the doors. "He never does anything by half measures."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nartleb
Nartleb Yo, p*treon is up, just put in a /Nartleb2 after the com and you're there!
I apologize for not posting on Sunday. I'm not sorry, but I do feel like I SHOULD apologize. So there ya go.
Anyways, might do a chapter of another story next week. Might not. Switching the POV back to Revan's attack on Naboo, so we'll see how I feel about it.
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