Star Wars: The Old Republic: Resurrection/Introduction

Introduction "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."


Count Alde stared across the room at the opposite wall, wondering why in the all the galaxy he had to be put up with this. Out of all the people, across every single planet, every single city...he was one of the few who needed to make this decision. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of people had already done this, but now it was his turn.

He sighed and finally looked back toward the Nautolan seated in the high-backed chair across from him. The skin of the alien's face was green, like that of his species, but a burn scar at the crest of his head was a distraction to look at. His deep black eyes seemed to be focused on the Count, but without definite pupils, the Nautolan could be looking at the wall above him for all he knew.

Finally, Alde sighed and asked, "How in the world did you know that about him?"

The Nautolan smiled - a gesture that looked like a grimace on his face - and said, "He is Force-sensitive, thus when I reach out in the Force, I am able to sense his presence more strongly than I might that of..." He pointed at the Count. ..."someone like you, who is not as sensitive as he is."

What that an insult? The Nautolan's voice made it seem as though it might be, what with his obvious want to get his way in the conversation. Alde pondered the wisdom of the other man's earlier request...in fact, he had been pondering so had he feared he might have something in his brain pop. The decision to let his only offspring go off with a total stranger and an uncertain future...

"Will I be able to still bring him up by his birthright?"

This time, the Nautolan shook his head. "We do not allow our students to be influenced by their lives before joining the Order." He paused for a moment, seemingly to gauge Alde's reaction. When Alde's face remained stoic, he continued. "The fact that your son is already two years of age and has knowledge of the privileges that come with living at such a high status make me worry that he may not fit with us. But his potential strength in the Force is remarkable, and we can help him come to terms with it as he grows older."

Alde’s expression turned sour. “If he’s too old, then why take him? It’s not like he can decide his fate at this age.”

The Nautolan seemed to contemplate his answer for a second, than asked, “What reason do you have for denying his eventual future?”

“Eventual future?” Since when does a man…an alien, no less, come into his home and have the audacity to claim that his son’s future will not be decided by his father? “Have you all of a sudden forgotten where you sit? This is not your Temple! This is my domain, an embassy of peace and promise, and now you dare tell me that the boy sleeping down the hall is not my son, but is in fact your tool, to be stored for later use?”

This time, the Nautolan seemed to stare Alde straight in the eye, the deep black depths of his stare pouring into the Count’s being with every word the other man spoke. “Your child is special. Why deny him the chance to reach his full potential?”

The Count pushed back against the other man’s influence – no doubt using the Force to do so – and stood up. “My wife died in childbirth to deliver an heir to this house! Now, two years later, just because he happens to be special, you just want to take him and bring him up by your restrictions? Here he has freedom! Here he has more potential than your pitiful Order! Here he has-“

Pitiful Order? The Jedi were currently stationed on Alderaan. To insult them, when a member of that very same Order was sitting right across from him…that was an affront.

The Nautolan seemed not to react for a second, then stood up and began walking towards the chamber door. The tone of his voice was suddenly very placid. “Very well, if you’ve made your choice, I shall inform House Organa that House Alde is no longer interested in acting in the Republic’s best interests.”

“No!” Alde jumped up from his seat. “Master Traless, I can’t have you do that!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">The Nautolan looked back at the Count, a quizzical look on his face. Interesting that now, under duress, he could tell exactly what expression on the alien’s face. “You have already made up your mind, yes?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">It broke his heart to even think it, but the safety of Alderaan, especially in these troubled times, was paramount across all the Houses, whether that safety was found in the hands of the Republic or the Empire. To refuse to preserve that safety might prompt House Organa to view their alliance as less stable. Did giving up one child to the Jedi Order make that much of a difference in the long run?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">''But that’s my son. My only son. Ledeema would never approve. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">''But Ledeema isn’t here. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">''Oh darling, please forgive me. ''

<p class="MsoNormal">Traless continued to stare at Alde, but seemed to sense the Count’s change of mind, at least if his faint smile was anything to go by.

<p class="MsoNormal">A few minutes later, the Count saw the Jedi walking through the outer gates of the Alde Embassy, carrying his only offspring to a company of younger Jedi strangers on the walkway a few meters away. The child seemed to be unaffected, slumbering contentedly, completely unaware of his new change in surroundings.

<p class="MsoNormal">Then the child woke, whimpering slightly, and Alde was seized by the sudden urge to rush Traless and take his child back. Since when did Jedi threaten the safety of a whole house over a matter of accepting just one child into their ranks? It was unthinkable! He never should have agreed to this! He was about to call his guards and have them bring his son back inside the Embassy when the durasteel doors of the main gate swung shut, blocking the Count’s last view of the group of Jedi.

<p class="MsoNormal">''                Too late. ''