Jedi rationality

The informational basis of the actions was a complete zero. I mean, I had almost nothing but the history book in the secretary droid, and the level of the textbook, I think, is clear - there were no important details, and this time was described in one chapter, and that is extremely sparse. I didn't even know who I was going to - the Master of the Jedi Order was a shady figure. The power before the Ruusan Reform was much more stable and solid- the Chancellor had the army, Coruscant, which was a major business center, and the Chancellor had quite extensive powers. It was reassuring to know that I would see the Republic not in its decline, but in an acceptable state.

The lack of information made me a little uneasy, but not so much that I was afraid-the local magister is the magister anyway, and the chancellor is the chancellor, and I had not broken any laws, so I was not afraid to come into contact with the administration. In my time, I dodged the draft, so I was indirectly a troublemaker, but since the Order itself did not impose penalties for dodging the draft, they were not going to punish me. Even if they had found me, though I looked different from the Anakin Skywalker that Qui-Gon had photographed on my papers. Brown-eyed, dark-eyed, and childishly round-faced, a former slave from Tatooine... What people saw before them now was a blond man a few inches taller, with deep blue eyes, a thin face, different facial features, somewhat more... wiry, or something. More accurately, I had my own face. More decent, I suppose - I didn't have hundreds of generations of blue-blooded aristocracy, but I didn't associate my face or my appearance with the lowest strata of society, either.

The Jedi greeted me warily-as soon as I stepped out of the ship, two of them, judging by their emotions, were on duty and asked me about my visit in detail.

I simply handed them my lightsaber, asking them to give it to the head of the order. Since I could not hide myself, they read me just as easily and saw that I was telling them the truth. After a glance, the older Jedi sent the younger, "spirit" to rush to the command. I remained in the hangar - no one gave me a hospitable welcome, just a wary look. If I had come to Coruscant in my time, to a temple with the same conditions, they would have let me into the temple.

The calculation was simple-my sword was shielded, and it was impossible to look through the strands of neuranium by force, you need a very subtle sense of force to do that, it's like assembling a ship inside a bottle.

But even if the Master could look - an abundance of electronics, sensors, recording devices, calculations, a couple of bugs, it was too complicated for an ordinary sword. Surely he would be interested.

While I waited for a decision, I looked at the hangar. The hangar was quite large, with dozens of ships inside, like cars in a parking lot - along the walls. The main Jedi transport turned out to be a small ship, ten meters long, either a small yacht or a large fighter. Or rather something in between. There were bigger ships that had yachts in them, but they were rare. The ceilings were about twenty meters high, which was rather imposing, but the ships flew in, not out, so it was justified. Lamps shone from the ceiling. The room itself was square, there was no wall on one side, and by the wall opposite was a repairmen's corner - there were enough of these hard workers, both human and other creatures and droids.

While I was ogling the room, a "spirit" came in and informed me that I had an audience:

- Come, the Master summons you to his office.

- Where would I find him? - I asked perplexed. It's understandable, I didn't know my way around a temple like the local Jedi. The "Spirit" quickly realized that I did not know the layout and volunteered to escort me to the Chief's office.

The temple corridors resembled a labyrinth, since it was difficult to get my bearings here without spending at least a very long time in the temple, like the Junlings. But my guide navigated quite well. I could, I repented, have used my powers to find the office I wanted, but then the number of questions might have increased. I shouldn't have used my powers unnecessarily.

After ten minutes of wandering through corridors, elevators, and stairs, we finally reached the administration wing. It was a series of offices, like a hospital, the corridors equally ascetic and formal furnished, with no plants or living souls. The long rows of nameplates beside each door were inscribed with the names and titles of the occupants. It was understandable; it would be foolish to assume that the Jedi worked only on "hot" missions and waved a light-ball - making reports to their superiors, reading them, doing other paperwork.

At the end of the row was a door, obviously bigger than the previous one, signed "master."

Leaving me at the door, the guy in the classic Jedi outfit tried to get out as fast as he could, so he wouldn't have to see his bosses again.

There was no name on the sign, unlike the other signs on the door, which clearly indicated that everyone knew who was boss.

When I was alone, I didn't dare use any of my powers to see if anyone was around-I didn't rule out that others might not like being spied on. With ordinary people there was no such difficulty.

The door slid open to the side as I stood next to it. Inside the office was similarly ascetic, but rather cozy - inexpensive furniture, a heavy wooden desk, several cabinets with papers along one of the walls, and the place of the owner of the office - near a large panoramic window. Behind the desk sat a man, a man of rather aristocratic appearance, with gray hair. His eyes quickly scanned me and he spoke:

- Come in, sit down, young man. What brings you here? - he smiled a little, without taking his eyes off me. I had to spill everything I had.

- Hello, Anakin Skywalker," I bowed briefly, as we were taught at the academy. The man, as the older man, nodded and looked at me with interest. I kept my strength in check-I'd have to be an idiot to stare at the Master of the Order's emotions.

- Bael Lex," he introduced himself. - What is it?

I began by telling him my story, because I was sure he would be interested in the details.

He heard that I was a slave on Tatooine with no apparent interest, but the information about Qui-Gon made him jump forward with interest. There was no such master in the Order, and he would surely remember. But I was in no hurry to say what was important.

- And then what?

- I was presumed dead," I shrugged. - But I had no great desire to become a Jedi. Call it personal interest, but to take on that kind of responsibility and submit to the Council at the same time... no," the Master grimaced, and I continued. - I have not been idle long, however, for I have taken a job as a boarder on a smuggler ship," I replied, much to the Master's displeasure.

- Next," he said demandingly.

- Next, after a few months of my career, I decided to stop and went to Alderaan.

- Why should you go there? - The Master was astonished. - But go on, then.

- Studying. I went to the Academy and studied.

The Jedi hummed, but listened to my short story about my studies without much interest.

- Then I flew to Mandalore. I had heard a rumor that there were deposits of Beskar there, and I could use my powers to search for them.

- It is an interesting way to use the Force," the Jedi nodded, "but no more than that. The result?

I told him the result as well, from signing a contract with the KMK to the Mandalorian terrorist attack. The Master laughed when I told him, though when it came to Alessia, he stopped laughing...

- And then I came out of hyperspace here. In this time...

- Yes, it is..." the Jedi stretched out. - I know of several instances of travel where the time flowed differently as a result of disrupted circuits, but usually the ship jumps out a month to a year ahead of schedule. It's not that fatal.

- I have no idea how to shift backward in time either," I replied. - It requires a large negative field charge, but it's about something else. I have no idea how it happened to travel back in time.

- Yes, with such questions it is better to go straight to the great holocron. If there have been cases, only he can know.

- That's partly why I'm here," I nodded.

And then the Master pounced on me with questions about the state of affairs in the galaxy in my time. Yes, it wasn't a very quiet time, but it was better than here.

The Master accepted the news that the Sith had been nearly exterminated with a broad smile, but the information that a certain number of them were still lurking and possessed power strained him. As I was finishing my story, he interrupted me and asked for a pause.

- So," he said, breaking the silence. - I can't waste the Order's resources on helping you get home. I am sympathetic to your plight, but it is not within the Order's remit to aid errant travelers, particularly since, as you know, the threat to the Sith Empire persists.

- I understand," I nodded. "It would be egocentric to think that a Jedi would help me so easily.

- Next. As you know, there is only one thing I can offer you. Become one of us. You will have access to the archives, the holocrone, and I understand that you understand the difference between systematic training and independent endeavors.

- I understand," I nodded.

- It will also give you some technical help. We haven't dealt with such cases and I'm not going to waste resources on researching the problem, but I don't forbid you to look for your own way out of this situation. One last thing. Do not give to anyone and under no circumstances what you have brought from your time. If there is no mention of the technological revolution or such a Jedi as "Anakin Skywalker" in your archives, then you shouldn't break the course of history unnecessarily. Or rather, it should not be disturbed at all. That is, the fact that you are sitting here is more of a time loop of sorts.

The Master cleared his throat and continued in a clearer voice:

- If you want to think about it, I won't rush you...

- I agree," I said.

- Are you sure? - said the Master. - You fled from the Order in your own time. I wouldn't refuse an extra fighter, but if you're smart enough not to become a Sith, I won't force you. There are millions of Forsuzers in the galaxy that we don't touch. Most of these intelligent ones can just foresee trouble or have good intuition, nothing more, but still...

- I'm sure," I said. - After that reform I told you about, the Order was in for a big change...

- Wait, don't tell me. I don't even want to know what I am not supposed to know! - the Master said forcefully. - I do not want that knowledge would change my current worldview.

- As you wish," I shrugged, "I merely meant that the Jedi of my time have no right to property and keep a vow of celibacy. Not all of them do, of course, but...

- Oh," the Master frowned, "are you satisfied with the order without these rules?

- You could say so," I did not hide, "I just did not want the Council and Master Yoda to pry into my purse or dictate my personal life...

- We don't have a problem with that," the Master sighed.

I was really fine with the old Jedi oath. Protecting peace and order was what I was going to do. There were no clauses stating that I was to remain single until death, or that I was to surrender my money to the Order's treasury. On the contrary, I had the right to have a wife and a business, and even to pursue outside professions. The Jedi is not a profession, it is a religion, a pity that in my time it had degenerated to the level of a cult.

I had to briefly repeat everything I had said earlier while holding a datapad in the air above the table. The point was that no matter how skilled a Forsuzer was at cloaking, once he used even the smallest power ability, the cloak would go to the Hutts. No Forsuzer had ever been born that could cloak and use a force at the same time, because that was theoretically impossible. As far as I was concerned.

The repetition of the whole story led to a change of emotion on the face of the head of the Order - he was relieved. And immediately asked a question:

- Now that that's sorted out, why don't you tell us about how you created your sword?

- By force.

- I know it was forged by force, but how could you make it unreadable? Even the sensors in the council chamber didn't work so I couldn't read it.

I had to explain the details of how I came to live this way-as I studied on Tatooine, then worked as a flight mechanic and maintained the ship, fixed the hyperdrive...

The Master couldn't stand the last one, probably thinking I was bullshitting him. I had to take the datapad again and tell him honestly.

He believed me, although his doubts remained.

- You have to understand, this level is obviously not normal. Most Jedi can't figure out the complex circuitry, and it takes a lot of time, and hyperdrive is probably one of the most complex technologies in the galaxy. It took decades to master, even with working samples, not to mention the fact that changing it is considered impossible at all.

- Okay, okay, I understand. But I have these abilities.

- Where do they come from? - He asked.

- It just sort of...

- By itself," he grunted incredulously, "I believe you. I don't advise you to tell me anything about your special abilities, either. You'd get a lot of attention, or even envy, without any payback.

- I understand," I nodded.

- I'll find some use for your abilities, too. Since our masters of power forging use an entirely different principle in this matter, it makes no sense for you to be trained by the Order in forging. I take it you don't have much use for a sword, though.

- Well, it's not that...

- Tight, Anakin, you'll never learn to wield a sword on your own. So while you're gone, I'll see that you're registered and issued the proper supplies," he said. - Wait a minute, though. I'd rather not make more flesh and bone than put you under another name.

- What name? - I paused, for I had already risen and came to the door.

- I have no idea," he shrugged, "so as not to create unnecessary confusion in the archives, we'll write you down somehow...

All I had to do was shrug my shoulders and walk away. The Master was so overwhelmed that he had forgotten to give me a guide, but now I was relying on my strength to find my way back. Since no one told me exactly where I could spend the night, I went back to my yacht, which was quite comfortable. If it weren't for the traces of repairs and the bad memories of what had happened, which were quite painful, maybe I would have preferred to live in the yacht, since the temple clearly didn't have all the comforts.

But my constant companion was waiting for my return.

- How was it? - he asked me as soon as I came on board.

- It was all right. The local chief was a good man, but, as I expected, he told me not to tell too much and warned me straight away that there would be no special operations on our return.

- What were we flying for, then?

- That's why we flew," I walked past the droid into the spacious bathroom, shut the door, and continued through it. - That's why we flew, to get support, not to burden the locals with our problems. They're not fools to help everyone they meet. People have their own tasks to fulfill, and they fulfill them. We'll have to think our way out of this one," I ducked into the warm water. - We, Erdva, have great things to do, but some other time, and preferably after our return. In the meantime, let's keep our heads down and stay out of trouble - the Sith are still acting up, and frankly, once was enough for me, so I don't want to get in any more trouble before I build my own death star.

- What's a death star?" - asked the droid's voice from behind the door.

- Oh," I said meaningfully, "it's a big, dangerous thing. But as long as I don't have it, let's not look for trouble. Next. I was admitted to the Order, on the rights of... I don't know what. Birds' rights, I guess.

- Have you joined the Jedi Order yet?

- The Warden said he'd accept. The Jedi have one of the largest archives in the galaxy, as far as I know, and there's a local archilogron. I'm still a complete novice in this matter.

- So we're staying?

- What are we going to do with a submarine? No money, no fuel, no status, to work for criminals - it means to give up on the return, and they have no information or teachers. So becoming a Jedi is perfect for me. Besides, the rules are much better at this time than they are in our time. So I'm seizing the moment.

- Shouldn't you have gone to the Sith? - the droid wouldn't let up.

- If you ever suggest that again, I'll take the repulsors off," I threatened. - You'd better use your brains, because they don't have a fucking society. Mean and brash and aggressive... like some kind of stupid teenage subculture, living by the laws of child society, not adult society," I shrugged, splashing water on my shoulders. - So no options. Just the Jedi.

It was a familiar morning on the ship, only the ship was in a hangar, but that didn't make any difference.

As soon as I stepped out of the room, Erdva swooped in:

- Captain, a Jedi came to see you.

- Who-who?

- The Jedi said he'd be waiting for you outside the ship.

- Tactful," I said, surprised, and hurried to get ready. It didn't take long, because I was a tumbleweed as a human, and sitting in one place was depressing. A Jedi, a young Padawan by the looks of it, did appear near the ramp.

He introduced himself, though I didn't remember much, and took me through all the necessary procedures. First, to the medical examiners, where they took all my measurements, tests, and so on.

There was a problem-I forgot to tell the master about my midi-chlorian levels, which caused the local doctor's eyes to look rounded in surprise. She took the midi-chlorian test again and flew off with the results to her superiors, leaving me alone. While she was gone, I thought the examination was over and left the office to go to the mess hall, accompanied by my Sousan - a Jedi should not neglect food, much less any diet. From what I understood, using the Force was not a mental ability, and it required a Jedi to have some reserve of power. With frequent use of the Force, a Jedi would eat far more often and more than usual. My escort told me this, though I had already guessed that the Jedi's body and power were closely related-my rapid growth was proof of that.

For once, I'd begun to feel a thirst for knowledge, a thirst that had seemingly subsided the moment Ali died. I didn't even want to think about studying.