Alderaan - Love and Intrigue

To say that she was not happy was an understatement

Thankfully she had a cybernetic arm to work on: engineering and machinery were her meditation.

The holo screen was on...the signal outgoing to the Jedi Order

"Good morning Baesal, or evening as I believe it is in your current location. How can I be of assistance?" Satele said by holo.

While the room was fairly well lit the late hours of the day brought their share of shadows. These, however, were banished periodically by the extra luminescence of the screen displays running the tests on Baesal's newest creation

''Good morning Grand Master.'' she replied sharing her attention between this screen and another ''I suspect you know why I am calling''

"You don't agree with our decision," she said calmly.

"Indeed." There was another series of flashes

"And since I am pretty sure I did not make a powerboard presentation in my sleep, I also wonder as to who informed you before I could do so"

"Several sources have come to us, actually, there were some concerns about your behavior and conduct with fellow Jedi and those outside the Order," she said honestly.

"We hope to have a further discussion on Tython, Baesal."

Baesal turned her head, her face dispassionate

''As things are developing I do not believe we will have that opportunity.''

She turned her head back to her work

''The Hives of Alderaan are currently under the threat of genocide. It can be delayed for a time but not indefinitely...the Lords of this planet have the will and now have the means to proceed. I will not let such a thing come to pass and migration is the better option for all involved''

"Until now they have lived in relative peace, what has changed?" Satele asked.

''Relative is a big word you are using.'' a frown drew itself ''I suppose your jedi sources mentioned the disturbance in the Force or did they fail to do so?''

"They did not, but we are listening Baesal," she responded.

''Paint me surprised'' she stopped her test and fully turned to the screen

''The second day of the festival at approximately nineteen hours at Alderaan time there was a tremor in the Force. I went to investigate along with Breela, Daz, Galen Sol and Sir Blai Frayus. I am sure any of them will share their experience with you if you ask, so will knight Hoshin.''

She laid her elbows on the table and leaned on it

''The disturbance came from the former Hive located on part of the grounds of house Syrush...the scene was...'' she paused ''It was a carnage. A device was deployed and the hive essentially destroyed itself out of sheer agony...only a few joiners managed to hold on until we managed to shut the device down.''

She readjusted her sitting position

''I managed to reverse engineer the device but the original design is still out there and the effects are known amongst the nobility. The spirit is out of the box, so to speak, and it won't be put back in. This is why the migration must happen.''

“Perhaps we can speak with the Queen and have the device banned from use, we do not like working so directly in planetary affairs like this and introduction of the killiks to a new environment is a political statement we can ill afford. I think we utilize diplomacy and you and other Jedi speak towards a reaffirmation of living with the killiks on Alderaan and not for wholesale genocide,” she said seriously.

“We think a solution that involved Alderaan taking accountability for their role in the killiks situation is best.”

''A myopic solution that may last for a generation or two...just kicking the can down the road for another to pull the trigger.'' she replied, unphased

''You are also are missing the bigger picture: the device can be weaponized to drive killiks into human territory...heck, I could do it easily. If you want to play politics then do so by convincing the crown that the relocation of some killik hives is a good thing. I am sure a bucket and a half of people will be thrilled.''

"Then let's work together to find a solution, that works for the Crown and the hives on their terms, plus the Council is not thrilled about the killiks in system when we know so little about them or how invasive they could be. I want to help them but we have to do so in a matter that encourages all have a seat at the table," she replied.

"Be their advocate."

Something the grand master said ticked the knight but she remained calm

''The killik species is, my all metrics, less invasive then the human one. Might I remind you that Alderaan is the Killik homeworld? To accuse the hives of being invasive while their planet is mostly taken over by an alien species is deeply and uncomfortably ironic.''

She crossed her arms

''I do not see why the crown of Alderaan as any right to tell the killiks they cannot leave this world should they wish to...and if the council is uncomfortable...'' she shrugs ''...I am not sure if I should dismiss it or be afraid, knowing how far the council can twist the jedi code anyway they want to suit their needs.'' she leans forward ''Even if that costs the lives of those they swore to protect.''

She leaned back

''I guess I will just have to terraform a world for the killiks''

"I just want to include all parties here but if you are bound and determined then perhaps we can find a world without sentients that the killiks could exploit. It is the bets we can offer but we are concerned that this is verging on obsession, Baesal," she said calmly.

"I believe this works best when all are involved, and yes I am not ignoring the role that Alderaanian Houses played in their history. But we can't change that now."

''If there are records of a suitable world then that would be the perfect compromise.'' she finally said ''I am sure there are records of habitable systems to far outside of hyperspace lanes and without valuable ressource, or too few of them to be exploited.''

She steeples her fingers, thinking

''We can then play diplomacy with the hives and the humans to manage the migration...so that all parties can be involved...I do not know if all the hives will go but even those who would remain might have enough room to not cause further problems.''

She grinned wide

''See? I can be reasonable''

"I will relay our plans to the Crown, then, and have Master Thy oversee the negotiations with your input, this should bring some relief both sides," she said.

''Wonderful''

She did seem quite satisfied with herself

''I will seek Thy tomorrow and...oh...one last thing''

She brought the new cybernetics into view

''I developed a new type of prosthesis tailored for force-users: the design and the materials make it so that it resonates with the Force to become a quasi-living extension of the user's body. This should help stop the loss of connection to the Force, or at least diminish it, for the jedi in need of cybernetic replacement...it's also more comfortable and looks amazing!''

"We can discuss that when you return to Tython, with more adept Jedi in that field," she responded. "May the Force be with you."