Chapter 31

"So you just used the Jedi as what? Attack dogs?" Lonye asked feeling frustrated. They had lost 5 Jedi yesterday, one of which she was particularly close with. Although she knew that the Sith were a threat and had to be dealt with, the way that Jial worded it just sounded wrong in her ears. 

"So what if I did?" Jial did not deny the way he had used them. It was true. He sent them after someone he deemed a threat and annoying not caring about what happened to the Jedi that may fall in the process. "Is it not your duty to stop the Sith from rising again? Shouldn't you be grateful that I helped you find a Sith to eliminate?"

"We are truly grateful that you have helped us get rid of the Sith threat," Master Shep spoke up, not allowing Lonye to say something that may escalate the situation. 

'This girl is still so young. We may have raised her in rank too soon,' Master Shep considered going back to the Jedi Council and speaking with them about, while not lowering her rank, but have her continue some more Padawan studies in order to solidify her Jedi foundation. 

"Then why are you here?" Boxe asked, not sure what the Jedi had come for if it was not to thank them or accuse them of being a Sith-related organization

"We came to investigate you," Master Shep finally said what he had been tiptoeing around. "We want to perform searches all around the organization's facilities including your private rooms."

"You have no right," Suxon denied them

"The Anti-Sith Bill. It outlaws the Sith religion, its teaching, and any related organization," Master Shep told them

"And your point being?" Suxon questioned

"His point is that we had information that no organization had. This leads them to believe that we were part of the Sith organization and had a falling out, only reporting the other party in order to clean up after us," Zilvarth understood what angle the Republic was coming from but he couldn't agree with it. This was a very loose and forced connection that the Jedi were making

"Exactly. The Mandalorian knows what he is talking about," Master Shep approved of his words. These were the exact same sentiments that the Jedi held

"Really? Do you have a warrant?" Jial asked, unmoved

"As you are not part of the Republic, we do not need a warrant," Master Shep denied, falling right into Jial's trap

"So the Jedi are going to just raid whatever location they see fit? With no solid proof or evidence, just based on some feelings? I wonder how the Hutts or other independent planets would feel about this," Jial threatened. No system would want the Jedi or any other force to be able to just search them without a valid reason and the system's approval. 

"What proof can you give us that you are not involved with the Sith?" Master Shep knew that this was a dangerous line that they were walking on. If they made one misstep, the Jedi would be treated not as peacekeepers of the Republic but instead as an independent faction that was using the Republic to excuse whatever actions they took.

"I thought the saying was 'innocent until proven guilty'. Do the Jedi believe in something else?" Jial attacked their faith once again, using it as a weapon to keep them from acting recklessly. 

Master Shep had never met such a person before. Most would deny them outright or allow them to act since they were Jedi. But Jial was the only one who used their own words against them, trapping them in a labyrinth built by their own faith and beliefs. 

"So we should just leave?!" Lonye asked in frustration. She had trained to be a Jedi Knight, not a diplomat. Her skillset focused on combat so all of this talk was something that she was not prepared for

"Statement: I suggest that you do. Meatbags such as yourselves always act on emotion when pushed into a corner instead of logic. Such an approach will only bring about your certain deaths and a war that the Jedi and Republic cannot afford to engage in at the moment," HK-47 told her. While he had no issue with killing the Jedi present, the Republic and Jedi's response would end up as something dangerous that even Jial did not understand would happen.

"Quiet, droid! Sentients are speaking," Lonye yelled at HK-47, not wanting to be lectured 

"Quiet, droid!" HK-47 mimicked her voice perfectly. "Such an emotional outburst is unbefitting of a Jedi, according to your code. Suggestion: Go back to your ship and meditate, Meatbag."

"Call me a 'Meatbag' again, Circuit-Brain," Lonye ignited her lightsaber

HK-47 did not respond but unsheathed the blaster from his back, holding it while it was aimed toward the ground. The silent threat was obvious. The tension on the roof was palpable. Each side had reached for their weapons and were ready for the other side to make the first move so they would have the moral advantage. 

"Apologies, Master Shep. Master Jial. I was stuck dealing with another issue and am a little late," Master Fay appeared on the roof and apologized. "Is something going on here?"

"I don't think so. I think that your fellow Jedi were just about to leave since we denied their claims that we are related to the Sith and they have no evidence," Jial told Master Fay

"I don't think so. I think that we were going to investigate this location to see if they have been teaching any Sith lessons," Master Shep denied leaving. Although he had no proof, he felt that if he left, it would be a mistake. 

Both sides were at an impasse so that was when Master Fay stepped in. 

"It seems that we are having some disagreements. How about this? Master Jial is training two students. Even if he is a Sith and can hide himself well, they would not be able to. Do you mind if we test your students, Master Jial? I understand that this is a bit unfair to you as you all have been doing honest business so I apologize," Master Fay suggested a solution that could work.

This would prevent the deep search that the Jedi wanted to perform, giving into the Yautja but also allow the Jedi to at least try to understand the Yautja better and clear up any misunderstanding. 

"Fine with me," Jial responded, fine with this solution. It would allow Nott and Hash to test themselves against real Jedi that they may have to face in the future. 

"If that is what you suggest, Master Fay, we shall go along with it," Master Shep also agreed. He knew that if he wanted to get enough reason to conduct a real search, this was his best chance