No Chaos/narrative

''There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.''

Jordo Ghar meditated silently, his mind focused on his mantra. Four years of training in the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine had mellowed the Telosian. He'd been a Jedi apprentice longer than a navy ensign, so the visible ticks were all but gone. The phrase 'yessir' hadn't come out of his mouth for almost three years, and he didn't even default to an attention stance before the Enclave's Council anymore. Nevertheless, he hadn't forgotten the navy, nor had he forgotten why he had joined in the first place.

“They're all dead,” someone had whispered. “An entire species nearly wiped out.”

Jordo had never meet a Cathar when the news of the Mandalorian assault reached Telos, and he still hadn't all these years later. A Jedi had once described them as 'feline humanoids,' but that didn't help Jordo picture them. Not that he needed to. He'd felt angry when he heard of the Cathar slaughter, but now, as a Jedi apprentice, he could feel when he thought about it. There was a violent, deep pain in the Force. He felt a burning sensation in his chest whenever he thought of them. He could almost hear the screams.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

Master Vrook gave noncommittal answers about the interconnection of life whenever apprentices asked, and Master Vandar looked so depressed at the subject that no one was willing to ask him. It was the quiet old man, Nemo, who had give Jordo the best answer.

“So much death has left a wound in the Force,” he said. “The best course of action, in my experience, is to do your best to accept the pain and let it go. Serenity in the Force.”

There is no passion, there is serenity.

He sensed someone entering the meditation chamber, so he opened his eyes.

“Easier said than done, Nemo,” Jordo whispered.

“Apprentice Ghar,” the Twi'lek said.

“Master Zhar,” Jordo nodded. “Can I help you, Master?”

“I hear you've been constructing a lightsaber,” Zhar said. “How is that going?”

“Well, thank you,” Jordo said. “After the construction of my third standard model, Master Dorak had me build a lightfoil.”

“Dorak does love his archaic knowledge,” Zhar said.

“It was very... different, but he said I was ready to build my own after that,” Jordo said.

“And?”

“I finished the shell yesterday,” Jordo said. “Dorak let me test it with a practice crystal, but I haven't been given my own yet.”

“Typically one needs to know their branch before receiving a crystal,” Zhar said.

Guardian.

“As you say, Master. Is there something I can do to help you?”

“There is, apprentice,” Zhar said. “There is a delicate off-world operation that requires an extra set of hands. I was hoping you might be willing to help.”

“Of course, Master,” Jordo said.

He stood and followed Zhar out of the meditation chamber. They walked down the hall in silence, but instead of turning towards the council chamber, they walked to the landing platform.

“Am I leaving now?” Jordo asked.

“What more do you need?” Zhar asked.

“How could I possibly know that?” Jordo asked. “I don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing.”

“Trust in the Force, apprentice Ghar,” Zhar said. “There is no chaos, there is harmony.”

Jordo raised an eyebrow, but he boarded the small freighter all the same.

“May the Force be with you, Master Zhar,” he said.

“May the Force be with you, Jordo,” Zhar said.

As the ramp slid closed, Jordo walked into the main hold of the ship. It wasn't large, just a single table with some benches, but the human sitting there stood and smiled.

“Jaci,” Jordo laughed. “I haven't seen you ages. How are you?”

“Good,” Jaci said.

He indicated the bench, so Jordo sat down.

“How's life with a Master?” Jordo asked.

“It's a handful,” Jaci said. “Imagine Vrook watching your every moment and always offering, um, 'constructive criticism.'”

“That bad?”

“Nah. She's actually really cool.”

“Is she piloting?” Jordo asked.

“Just until we get to the Braxant Run,” Jaci said.

“The Braxant Run? Where the kriff are we going?”

“Corsin.”

“Son of a Murglak,” Jordo said. “Why?”

“I should probably let her tell you,” Jaci said.

“Now you decide...” Jordo muttered.

“That pack's yours,” Jaci said. “You can kill some time doing inventory.”

“Kriffing great,” Jordo said.

There wasn't much on interest in the pack: a comlink, macrobinoculars, some extra clothes.

“Huh,” Jordo muttered.

His lightsaber was sitting in the bottom of the pack. Tucked in with the lightsaber were three crystals.

“Blue, yellow, and green,” Jaci laughed. “Someone's heading for the big leagues.”

“Zhar, or maybe Dorak,” Jordo said. “Is this some sort of test?”

“Not everything is about you, apprentice,” a voice said.

An older woman walked into the hold. She had a long brown cloak on, a lightsaber at her belt, and a cane in her hand which she leaned on.

“Our mission is bigger than some Padawan test,” she said. “We're retrieving a member of the Mercy Corps.”

“From Corsin?” Jordo asked.

“Yes,” she said.

“Why us, Master...?”

“Master Lem Rye,” she said. “And Jaci and I were close.”

“Wouldn't it be easier for Jedi from the Core Worlds to just fly up the Corsin Run, Master Rye?” Jordo asked.

“The Mandalorians are watching that direction. They won't expect us to come down from Bandomeer,” she said.

“Bandomeer past Taris to Corsin... and back,” Jordo said. “That's all Mandalorian space.”

“There is no emotion, there is peace,” Master Rye said. “We must do our part. Now I suggest you both meditate. You should be centered before we arrive.”

. ..

The ship emerged from hyperspace in the Bandomeer system. The scanners indicated a sizable fleet, but it was on the opposite side of the planet.

“They'll have scanned us,” Jaci said.

“They aren't Mandalorian,” Master Rye said. “Those are Meerian ships. They aren't interested in us unless we try to land.”

“Would they help us?” Jordo asked.

“No,” Master Rye said. “They've signed a non-aggression treaty with the Mandalorians.”

“Cowards,” Jaci said.

“No,” Master Rye said, this time sharper. “The Mandalorians took Gargon in a few days. The Meerians don't have a military capable of standing up to the Mandalorians. This way, the Mandalorians have turned their eyes towards the Core Worlds and Hutt Space.”

“Forgive me if I hold my applause,” Jaci said.

Master Rye turned to stare directly at her Padawan.

“Sorry, Master,” he quickly muttered.

. ..

Some time later, Jordo wasn't sure exactly how long, something started beeping on the console.

“We're being hailed,” Master Rye said.

“Mandalorians?” Jordo asked.

“I don't think so,” she said, “but go get Jaci.”

Jordo nodded and hurried to back to the hold, where the Padawan was meditating.

“Jaci,” Jordo said. “Someone's out there.”

Jaci opened his eyes. “Who?”

“Don't know yet,” Jordo said.

Returning to the cockpit, they found Master Rye speaking with someone.

“I know it's irregular, but the code checked out, didn't it?” she said.

“Yes, ma'am, but these are dangerous times,” the voice said. “I'm afraid you'll just have to allow it.”

“We don't have this kind of time,” she said. “Do the words 'Mercy Corps' mean nothing to you?”

“They mean a great deal, ma'am, but so does 'Tarisian security.' Power down your engines and stand by to be boarded. The Reliance, out.”

Master Rye sighed. She flicked a switch, and the ship slowed to a near standstill.

A small crew of soldiers boarded the ship first. Five soldiers kept their blasters trained on Jaci and Jordo in the hold while two walked with Master Rye around the ship.

When they determined no one else was on the ship, a bomb squad performed their own sweep. Once they departed, a young woman entered the ship.

“A Jedi?” Jaci said.

“Not anymore,” she said.

She was still dressed in her Jedi robes, but where a lightsaber would have been in her belt, she had a field survival pistol.

“Carrie Payne,” she nodded. “I'm serving in an unofficial, volunteer capacity with the Republic Navy.”

“Why didn't you sweep us on your flagship?” Jaci asked.

“We've already had a ship blown to hell by a smuggler freighter crammed full of plasma grenades or some such. We can't be too careful these days,” she said.

“I see,” Master Rye said. “Are you quite finished?”

Carrie frowned.

“I'm glad to see Jedi near Mandalorian space again,” she said. “Are you here to help us?”

“I'm afraid not,” Master Rye said.

“That's a pity,” Carrie said. “We could use more Jedi help.”

“The Council isn't sanctioning such work,” Master Rye said.

“I know,” Carrie said, indicating the blaster pistol.

“If you're quite finished, we have work to do,” Master Rye said.

“You're lucky,” Carrie continued. “The Mandalorians have been silent lately. Most of us think they're planning something. A lot of us think it's an assault on Taris. If that's true, then they're building up their numbers to come crashing down on us.”

“There is no chaos, there is harmony,” Master Rye said. “All as the Force wills.”

“Sure,” Carrie said. “All as the Force wills. Why does the Force will so much death, I wonder? How many of these soldiers do you think will be alive in a year? In two years? Or five years? Will Admiral Veltraa save us alone?”

“We have work to do,” Master Rye said. “Good day.”

Carrie turned to Jaci and Jordo.

“Remember me,” she said. “When the Mandalorians burn our fleet. When they burn Taris. Like they did to Cathar. If I'm not around anymore, remember I died to save them.”

She spun on her heel and marched out of the ship.

“I'll get us back on course,” Master Rye said. “You two should meditate.”

''There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony.''

. ..

There is no emotion, there is peace.

Screams echoed somewhere deep in Jordo's subconscious.

There is no emotion, there is peace.

He breathed in and out, trying to calm his heart.

''There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge''.

Jordo opened his eyes. He heard the sound of Jaci exercising in the other room. Master Rye was meditating, but she turned her heard slightly towards him. Without opening her eyes, she spoke.

“What is it?”

“Do you feel it?” Jordo asked. “It's so strong out here.”

“We're passing Cathar, apprentice,” Master Rye said. “I would be surprised if you didn't feel something.”

“Master Nemo called it a wound,” Jordo said.

“A simplification, with all due respect,” Master Rye said. “But there is pain in the Force. The Mandalorians have done much harm, and I fear more is coming.”

Jordo glanced at his lightsaber, and when he turned back to Master Rye, her eyes were open.

“A Jedi wields a lightsaber in defense of those who cannot protect themselves, apprentice, not as a tool for revenge.”

“I know,” Jordo said.

There is no passion, there is serenity.

“Why has the Order done nothing?” he asked.

“You presume much, apprentice,” Master Rye said. “The Jedi Council has spent much time deliberating. If you believe they are ignoring Cathar, you are mistaken.”

“I've heard of Jedi who want to take a more active role. Crusaders who—”

“These crusaders are petulant children, moaning at the Council until they get their way,” Master Rye said. “Ignore them, Jordo Ghar. They will fade soon, though not soon enough.”

“As you say, Master,” Jordo said.

His eyes fell to his lightsaber again.

“May I see it?” Master Rye asked.

“Of course.”

He handed it to her, and she turned it over slowly.

“Not designed for Makashi,” she said. “Beyond that, I don't have the knowledge to say much.”

“Are you a Makashi fighter?” Jordo asked.

“Oh, no,” she laughed. “I'm a Jedi Consular. I don't use a lightsaber when I can help it. I prefer to use words and healing and the Force.”

“I see.”

“Do you have a branch yet?”

Jordo shook his head as Jaci returned to the hold. He was sweating slightly, but he put on a smile.

“Care to spar?”

“I can't without a crystal,” Jordo said.

Master Rye passed him back the lightsaber and then indicated the crystals in his pack.

“I suggest you choose before we arrive, apprentice,” she said. “You may need a lightsaber where we're going. Speaking of which, I should check on our progress.”

She swept from the room, surprisingly quickly for a woman with a cane, and left Jaci and Jordo alone.

“How'd you end up with a Consular?” Jordo asked.

Jaci shrugged.

“We don't get to pick our Masters,” he said. “I've learned a lot from her. She's taught me to call upon the Force during combat way better than I used to be able to.”

“That sounds useful,” Jordo said.

“It is,” Jaci nodded. “Now come on. Pop in that blue crystal and let's go.”

Jordo reached for the crystal. As his fingers brushed them, he felt a stab of pain in his temple, like a burn from blaster fire.

''There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no passion.''

“Guardian,” Jordo said.

He slid the blue crystal into the hilt, closed it up, and ignited the blade. It shimmered into existence, even more chilling than he'd expected.

“Let's spar, Master Ghar,” Jaci said.

As they circled each other in the open cargo bay, Jordo reached out with the Force. He wanted to tap into it like Jaci suggested. He felt a thrill as he anticipated the lightsaber swings and parried. His lunge was cautious, and Jaci batted it aside.

“Be more confident, Jordo,” he said.

“I don't want to hurt you,” Jordo said.

“You won't,” Jaci laughed.

. ..

“Corsin,” Master Rye said.

“It's more blue than Telos,” Jordo said.

She smiled but said nothing else. Instead, she piloted the ship towards the planet. Jordo watched as the colors grew before them. After the ship broke the atmosphere, Master Rye directed it away from the sweeping blue waves and towards the green of the jungle.

Jaci entered the cockpit and leaned against the wall.

“Too bad they couldn't give us a ship with better cloaking abilities,” he said. “If they're scanning the sky, they'll know someone is here.”

“We'll deal with it,” Master Rye said.

She put the ship down and powered it off.

“Let's go.”

They trudged out into the jungle. Master Rye walked slowly with her cane, breathing deeply. It wasn't long before Jaci and Jordo had outpaced her. Jordo kept glancing over his shoulder to ensure they weren't too far ahead. If there was any chance of an ambush, he wanted them to be together.

He glanced back again and almost walked into Jaci.

“Why'd you stop?” he asked.

“Look,” Jaci said.

They were near the edge of a cliff, and Jordo leaned tentatively over the edge to look. A massive stretch of the jungle below them had been burned away. Charred stumps of trees, shattered stones from the cliffside, and uneven craters covered the area.

“Bombing run,” Jordo muttered.

''There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony.''

Farther on, they had to walk through a similar area. Everything living had been burned away, but as they scrambled over the blackened ruin, they realized there was duracrete mixed in with the stone.

“There used to be a building here,” Jaci said.

“Do you think it was military or civilian?” Jordo asked.

Jaci only shook his head.

“It could have been either,” Jordo continued. “I wouldn't put bombing a hospital past the Mandalorians. They—”

Jaci grabbed his arm and held a finger to his lips.

“Wha—”

He hushed Jordo again. They listened for a moment, and Jordo heard the noise.

“Patrol,” Jaci whispered.

He slipped away in the direction of the noise, and Jordo followed as quickly and quietly as possible. The two made their way back in the direction of the cliffs before dropping to the ground and crawling up to the edge. Three soldiers dressed in full Mandalorian armor were marching below them.

“We can take three,” Jordo said.

Jaci pulled his lightsaber from his belt.

“On my signal,” he said.

Jordo pulled out his lightsaber and nodded.

“You have much to learn, my Padawan.”

Jordo rolled over and found Master Rye standing over them.

“Get down,” he hissed. “They'll see you.”

“I doubt it,” she said. “Get up out of the dirt, and stop pretending to be Echani silencers or whatever you think this is.”

“We have the numbers right now,” Jaci said.

“Peace, Jaci,” Master Rye said. “We can follow them to the camp. That's the same direction as the last logged contact I have on file. So stay behind me, this time.”

“As you wish, Master,” Jaci said.

She led the two of them along the cliff, keeping the Mandalorians well ahead of them. After another hour or so of hiking, she lifted the datapad and mouthed “last contact.” Jordo nodded.

It wasn't long before the Mandalorians turned and marched into the cliff.

“Let's drop down,” Jaci said.

“It's too steep for me,” Master Rye said, holding up her cane.

“Master, let us do this,” Jaci said. “Jordo and I can handle it.”

“No,” Master Rye said. “I sense too much conflict in you.”

“But—” Jordo started.

“Both of you,” Master Rye said.

“We won't engage without you, Master,” Jaci said.

She narrowed her eyes and then nodded.

“Thank you, Master,” Jaci said.

He and Jordo slid down the side of the cliff, using the Force to guide their descent. Even with the aid of the Force, it was rough going. Jordo smashed his knee against a rock, landed hard on his ankle, and scraped his hand breaking the fall.

“Kriff,” Jordo hissed.

“You all right?” Jaci asked.

“Yeah,” Jordo said. “Come on.”

They crept along the cliff until they reached an opening. After exchanging a glance, they both unclipped their lightsabers and slipped into the cave.

It wasn't a large area. A dozen crates were stacked against one wall. Blaster carbines stuck out of the top crates along with a single Mandalorian helmet. Two small speeder bikes were against another wall, and a portable communications array was set up just beyond them.

Nine Mandalorians stood around the area. The three Mandalorians from outside were reporting to three others. Two more had a prisoner in a Force cage between them. The last Mandalorian was only a few feet ahead of Jaci and Jordo.

“We killed the rest of the Miraluka,” one of the Mandalorians was saying. “They actually thought they would make it to the Core from here. I'd have run to Hutt Space if I was on Katarr.”

“They wouldn't have escaped that way either,” another said. “The entire galaxy will fall for Mandalore.”

Jordo pointed his lightsaber at the near Mandalorian, and Jaci nodded. They rushed forward, Jaci swept the Mandalorian's legs out from under him, and Jordo quickly flashed his lightsaber on and off.

A jolt of pain shot through his head, and he staggered back, falling to the ground. For a moment he felt the screams again.

There is no...

“Jedi,” a voice was saying somewhere far away. “Always so slow to arrive.”

One of the Mandalorians reached down towards Jordo to pulled him up, and Jordo lashed out with his lightsaber again. The blue blade slide through the Mandalorian's arm, and she jerked back. He jumped up and plunged the blade into her chest, but his vision blurred as he grabbed at his head in pain.

He blinked the cave back into focus, but he was on his knees again. His lightsaber lay several feet away, and Jaci was between him and the Mandalorians, his own blade raised defensively. All seven pointed blasters at the two Jedi.

“Your move, Jedi,” one said.

Jaci took a step forward, and they fired. He deflected the first two blasts but took another in the leg and fell.

“Heh,” another Mandalorian said. “Too easy.”

He fired again, but the shot froze in the air.

“Wha—”

The Mandalorian started forward and stopped. None of them moved. Jordo and Jaci staggered to their feet and examined the unmoving soldiers. As they watched, the carbines in the Mandalorians' hands cracked, fractured, and broke apart.

“You were not to engage,” Master Rye said.

She walked slowly into the cage, leaning even more heavily on her cane than before, her other hand raised.

“Master, I—”

“Enough,” she said. “You will not speak again until we are off this planet.”

She walked over to them and placed her hand on Jaci's leg for a moment. Then she walked to Jordo and put her hand on his forehead. He felt his head clear, and the pain in his body faded.

“Get him out,” she said.

Jordo silently deactivated the Force cage and let the body fall into his arms.

“Grab that datapad, Jaci,” Master Rye said, “then help Jordo.”

He did as bid, and together they carried the body from the cave. As they did, Master Rye pointed her hand at the speeders and directed them, with the Force, back down the passage. Finally, she followed them out, limping on her cane the whole way. Once outside, she made a fist with her hand, and the passage into the cliff collapsed.

“That won't hold them for long,” she said. “You'll have to ride with him between you to ensure his safety.”

Jaci nodded. They rode in pained silence back to the small freighter. Master Rye told them to load the man as she disabled the speeders, then she climbed aboard herself and fired up the engines.

“Back to Dantooine,” she said coldly.

. ..

“We need to wake him up,” Master Rye said, walking into the hold.

“Why?” Jaci asked.

She ignored him. Instead, she bent down and placed her hand on the man's forehead. After a moment, his eyes opened.

“I contacted Dantooine, and they gave new orders. We're to drop you off with the Republic's troops at Taris.”

“Jedi,” he mumbled.

A smile crossed his face.

“So the Order hasn't completely forgotten,” he said.

“There's been a lot of forgetting,” she said, looking at Jaci. “I need to go hail the Reliance.”

“She doesn't sound happy,” the man said.

“She's not,” Jaci said. “We attacked the Mandalorians without her.”

“Hmm,” he said. “She doesn't carry herself like a Jedi Guardian.”

“Consular,” Jaci said.

“That explains why I'm not feeling as badly as I should be,” he said.

“She can heal with the Force?” Jordo asked. “How is that possible?”

The man shrugged.

“Jedi Guardians know how to fight, but I'll take a really skilled Consular over a Guardian any day.”

“Who are you?” Jordo asked.

“Doesn't matter,” he said. “When it goes down, I'll just be another soldier to die trying to protect the innocent of the Republic.”

“When what goes down?” Jaci asked.

“Whatever it is,” he said. “Mark my words, kid, in the next few years, something's going to happen that's too much for the Jedi. Cathar... Cathar was close. Maybe the Mandos will kill a big ol' Master. Maybe they'll blockage a Jedi world. Hell, it may not even be the Mandos, but something'll happen, and it'll be one thing too many. When the crusader calls, consider answering. Some of us are already waiting for it.”

Jordo frowned, but before he could ask anything else, Master Rye walked back in.

“We have clearance to land,” she said.

“Excellent,” the man said. “I appreciate the assistance, Master Jedi.”

She nodded and returned to the cockpit.

“What do you by 'crusader?'” Jaci asked. “What call?”

The man sighed.

“Keep training, kid. The Navy's going to need all the Jedi it can get soon, and that's all I've got to say on the matter.”

“But—”

“Kid, don't the Jedi believe everything happens for according to 'the Will of the Force?' If that's true, then you're destined to find out. And if it isn't... because honestly, the Force 'willed' Cathar, the bombings of Corsin, the swipe at Katarr, Jaminere, Taskeed, Dennogra...”

He sighed again.

“There is no harmony, kid. It's all chaos. When the Jedi finally realize that, we might stand a kriffing chance.”

He was silent as they docked, and said only, “Thanks,” before heading down the ramp.

“May the Force be with you,” Master Rye said.

He turned back.

“May the Force be will us all,” he said.

. ..

They returned to Dantooine in tense silence. Twice the scanners picked up ships, but Master Rye said nothing to either Jaci or Jordo about the alarm. She adjusted course in silence.

Once they landed at the Enclave, Jordo finally spoke.

“I'm sorry she's mad at you,” he said.

“Nah,” Jaci said. “She'll get over it soon. Trust me.”

They walked down the ramp together.

“Should be get a drink or something?” Jordo asked.

“Excuse me, apprentice,” a protocol droid said, “but the Council wishes to speak with you.”

“Oh,” Jordo said. “I guess I'm off..”

He turned to leave, but Master Rye called out as she descended the ramp.

“A moment, apprentice,” she said.

“Yes?” Jordo asked.

She glanced at Jaci, and he nodded before stepping away.

“Beware the dark side,” Master Rye said. “I felt it in that cave. To take someone's life... that's something you can't shake. It has a lasting effect on you. Be careful. It's a dangerous thing to strike so easily.”

“Yes, Master,” Jordo said. “I, I think I felt it, Master.”

“Good,” she said. “Don't forget.”

“Will I see you again?” he asked.

“Perhaps, apprentice,” she said. “Jaci and I will leave for Coruscant in the morning.”

“Coruscant? Why?” Jordo asked.

“Because the Council asked, and we obey the will of the Council. Speaking of which...”

She indicated the hallway with her cane.

“Right,” Jordo said. “I wouldn't want to keep Master Vrook waiting.”

She smiled then.

“May the Force be with you, Jordo Ghar.”

“May the Force be with you.”

. ..

“Thank you for your assistance, Apprentice Ghar,” Zhar said. “Master Rye said she appreciated the extra body.”

“I'm afraid we'll need those lightsaber crystals back though,” Vrook said.

“Oh,” Jordo's face fell. “I thought, maybe, I was going to get to keep it.”

“Not quite yet, I'm afraid,” Dorak said. “Soon though.”

“I see you chose the Guardian's colors,” Vrook said as Jordo took the crystal out of his hilt.

“Did that suite you?” Zhar asked.

“I'm not sure,” Jordo said.

He passed over the yellow crystal, then the blue one, but he held the green for a moment before passing it along.

“I think you're in need of a meditation session,” Vrook said. “Perhaps you will be able to see things more clearly away from the chaos of Mandalorian space.”

“Yes, Master,” Jordo inclined his head.

He turned to leave, but he stopped.

“Yes?” Dorak asked.

“Forgive me, Masters, but I have a question,” Jordo said. “If this is all the will of the Force, how does a Jedi know when to act and when to stay still.”

“The great masters, the Council, they help us determine the Force's will,” Dorak said.

“There is no chaos, there is harmony,” Zhar said.

“If the Council asked a Jedi to kill, does that make it all right?” Jordo asked.

“Killing is never good,” Vrook said, “but it is sometimes necessary.”

“But if there is no death, why does it matter?” Jordo asked.

“Death is not the end,” Zhar said. “Death is natural, in it's time. But to end a life prematurely is to destroy the natural order of things. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force.”

“Beware your feelings, apprentice,” Vrook said. “They reveal much. The Jedi will not abandon worlds to the Mandalorians, but we will follow the lead of the Council.”

“Lest the past be repeated,” Dorak said, “and the dark side return.”

“All as the Force wills,” Zhar said. “Good day, Apprentice Ghar.”

Jordo nodded and walked from the chamber.

''There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony.''