114 Chapter 111: Fifth Great Schism Episode III
[Jedi Temple, Galactic City, Coruscant]
(3rd Person: POV)
Not saying a word the other high council members simply listened as Plo Koon and the others sent on the mission to the Mandalore Sector, except for Shaak Ti, gave them a report.
Via hologram.
For the investigative team was still at Sundari on Mandalore.
They did not wish to stop their assigned mission before sharing their initial findings with the rest of the high council.
Soon Plo Koon and the others finished giving their initial report.
Upon doing so master Tiin was the first to speak up.
"I knew it. I knew Van Sunrider was going to cause trouble the moment he left the order." The Iktotchi Jedi master spoke. "But to think he would end up a Sith of all things."
"But he is not a Sith master Tiin." Master Gallia spoke up. "Yes, we sensed the dark-side from him and the other Jedi who left the order that stood with him, but they did not act like typical Sith. And as we said we also sensed they had not completely abandoned the light side of the Force. In fact, they were still as strong with it as when we last saw them."
"It makes no difference." Master Piell said. "What matters is these former Jedi have delved into the dark side, and must be stopped before they go any further. Otherwise we could be looking at another 'Brotherhood of the Sith' or 'Brotherhood of Darkness'." The Lannik Jedi master spoke.
"So you would have us condemn them simply because they practice what we do not master Piell?" Master Yaddle asked.
"This is not so simple Yaddle and you know it." Piell immediately retorted. "If we do not handle this master swiftly the galaxy might become engulfed in war like it has so many times in the past!" He exclaimed.
"Yes, but acting quickly and rashly out of fear is not the Jedi way." Yaddle responded. "Besides, we have no proof Van Sunrider and those with him have done anything to put innocent lives in danger or cause war. Should we attack with them without cause I fear the consequences will be grave."
"I am inclined to agree with master Yaddle." Plo Koon spoke up.
"As am I." Master Koth added.
"Enough, the both of you. Why cannot you not see it? This Jedaii order is dangerous." Mundi spoke. "And Master Plo Koon I am suprised you are so venehmently defending the actions of Van Sunrider. Considering what we now know about the boys, it's obvious he tempted and manipulated your former Padawan, Yennali Fonemys into leaving the order. First with the pleasures of the flesh and then with the dark side. Van Sunrider must see the girl as nothing but his play thing. Poor girl." He said.
Which if either Van or Yennali heard would cause them give into their dark urges and teach Ki-Adi-Mundi to keep his opinions to himself.
Violently.
"Mundi. Shut your mouth before I shut it for you." Plo Koon said in a low tone.
Clenching his fists as he did.
For he is getting very tired of the way Mundi speaks about Yennali.
"Why? I only speak the truth." Mundi replied.
"No. You speak out of spite and pettiness." Plo Koon retorted. "And if all it took was pleasures of the flesh to make a Jedi fall, then you would've fallen long ago. Given the number of wives you have."
Hearing Plo Koon's words Ki-Adi-Mundi felt like he was just slapped straight in the face. The Cerean Jedi got a flabbergasted expression on his face, and finally shut his mouth.
For he was left utterly speechless.
"That is enough!" Windu shouted, empowering his voice with the Force.
This in turn caused all the other members of the high council to close their mouths.
"We are the high council of the Jedi Order. We are supposed to be their leaders, and yet here we are squabbling like children." Windu spoke. "Enough is enough. If we cannot have a civilized conversation like adults then I propose we end this meeting right now." He spoke.
No one speaking up to question Windu's words.
Sensing the emotions of his fellow council members becoming calmer Windu gave a curt nod to them all.
He then let Master Yoda take the lead.
"Many things the investigation on Mandalore has revealed to us." Yoda began. "A Mandalore the Mandalorian people once again follow. Former Jedi drawing on the power of the dark side, yet not succumbing to it. Seek a balance between the light and the dark they do. The Jedaii Order we have become aware of. Yes. Mhm. Uncertain how these developments will affect the future I am."
"Then what are we to do master Yoda?" Master Yaddle question.
"Prepare best we can we must, as the Jedi have done before. Report the investigation teams findings to the chancellor those of us on Coruscant will. But no mention of the Jedaii Order we shall make." Yoda spoke.
For the Force was guiding his decision on the matter of the Jedaii, and it was telling him to keep its existence solely among the Jedi for now.
"Return to Coruscant your team shall, master Plo Koon. Nothing more on Mandalore you can do."
"I understand master Yoda. We shall be back at Coruscant within a few days. May the Force be with you." Plo Koon spoke.
"And you." Yoda replied.
Once this happened the holograms of Plo Koon's investigative team blinked out of existence.
Brining the high council meeting to its end.
---------------------
[Mandalore Sector, Mandalore System, Mandalore]
As the high council meeting ended the Jedi onboard their cruiser on Mandalore went their separate ways.
Leaving the conference room they were in.
After this happened Plo Koon found his thoughts drifting toward the Jedaii Order and his former apprentice Yennali.
Wondering about the true status of both.
Meanwhile, his emotions boiling Ki-Adi-Mundi got a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Why can Plo Koon and those like him not see it? These Jedaii and particularly Van Sunrider are dangerous." Mundi muttered to himself.
Reaching his room he stepped inside.
Mundi then turned his gaze to his lightsaber sitting atop his rooms nightstand.
A few seconds after he did so he went to pick it up. Gripping it tightly after he did.
"If those fools cannot make the tough decisions to deal with the danger in front of us, then it seems I have no choice but to deal with it myself." Mundi spoke.
He then left his room.
On his way to make the stupidest decision of his entire life.
--------------------------
(Van: POV)
Strolling through the streets of Sundari, HK-47 by my side, I was lost in thought.
Trying to figure out what the Jedi and the orders next move would be, now that they know of the existence of the Jedaii Order.
I can only reasonably hope they won't simply try to wipe us out, given Jedi arrogance.
But if they don't attack us I know they will not simply ignore us.
Especially once I begin calling on other members of the Jedi Order to join the ranks of the Jedaii.
A decision I really hope does not end with another Jedi Civil War.
For if that scenario does come to pass, then Palpatine won't have to lift a finger to destroy the Jedi. Because they will have done it themselves.
"Uh, if only those fools weren't so stubborn, close minded, and recognzied their own arrogance and pride." I said.
"Query: Master, did your statement just now refer to the Jedi meatbags?" HK-47 asked me.
"Yes HK." I replied. "For now that I have revealed the existence of the Jedaii Order to them there's no telling what the Jedi might do due to their fear and paranoia. Even though they always claim to be above such things."
"Statement: I understand master. Jedi meatbags are often the biggest hypocrites after all. Query: And if you are so worried about the Jedi meatbags I could eliminate them for you?" HK spoke. "Statement: Especially that Cerean Jedi meatbag you told me about who seems to cause you no end of irritation." He said.
Making it so tempting to simply say 'yes' to HK-47 proposal.
But not letting my reason and common sense falter, and ignoring the whispers of the dark side in my mind saying 'Do it', I shook my head.
"Thank you for offering HK, but there is no need for you to exterminate any Jedi meatbags at this time." I told him.
Though in the future that will definitely be different.
"Statement: Understood master." HK-47 replied.
"Thank you." I told him.
The two of us then continued our leisurely walk through the streets of Sundari.
But that soon came to an end.
For HK-47 and I suddenly found ourselves on a bridge, face to face with Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"Oh master Mundi, to what do I owe this unexpected meeting?" I asked him.
"Safe your words Sith. For I have not come to talk, but to end your tyranny before you can even truly begin it." Mundi replied.
He then activated his lightsaber.
Forfeiting his life,in my eyes,in the process.
