Jedi Temple- Wednesday
Jaina had all sorts of mixed feelings about going to a funeral for Kenth Hamner, and there was no way she was the only one that felt that way. Though the last few months had been hard with him, she'd liked him just fine, and thought him a capable Jedi, but she also recognized that given the circumstances there wasn't really any other way this could end. And she felt sorry for Saba, who wasn't having the easiest time dealing with the fact that she'd had to be the one to do it.
To make matters more complicated, they'd only been able to hold it after they'd deposed of Daala. It had been their Plan Delta, which included staging a false Yuuzhaan Vong attack so that they could storm the Senate and remove her from office. Though she'd never, ever say it out loud, the last time she'd removed a leader from office had been a lot less complicated. But since Daala was gone and preparing for her own trial, they were finally able to pay their respects to the man who'd tried to keep the peace, in his own way.
The funeral was held in the Temple and while it was attended mostly by Jedi, visitors were allowed to pay their respects. Jag had come, though Jaina had argued that maybe that wasn't the statement he wanted to make right now. He'd insisted, though, and now Jaina couldn't say she was sorry for it. He and Jaina were even standing now watching the procession with her parents and Allana, Saba, Corran, Kam and Tionne, Cilghal, Octa and Kyp.
And because the procession was boring and depressing, Jaina caught Corran's eye and quietly asked, "Any word on Valin and Jysella?"
Corran shook his head. Though his kids had been dethawed from carbonite and seemed fine, they'd run off during the coup. “It’s pretty clear that they found someone who could do a sophisticated sweep on them for transmitters, found and discarded theirs... and then just disappeared. The only reasonable conclusion is that they’re still suffering the madness effects that plagued all the Shelter Jedi.”
"We must conclude that the fact that they were in carbonite suspension when the other Shelter Jedi Knights were cured prevented them from being cured, as well," Cilghal said, not sounding happy.
Corran offered an I-don’t-care-why shrug. “And there’s no telling where they might be hiding.”
“Are you joining the search?”
He somehow managed to look even unhappier as he said, “In any military, paramilitary, or security organization, including Corellian Security and the Jedi Order, there’s a rule that is sometimes implicit, usually explicit. You’re never assigned to a case involving your own loved ones, never allowed even to participate. Normally, I’m all in favor of that rule. At times like this, I just have to trust in others.”
Jaina reached out and gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. He nodded, but turned away to watch the procession, obviously pretty done with all of this.
They fell into silence for a moment, watching Wynn Dorvan pay his respects at the bier, with Senator Treen and General Jaxton waiting patiently behind him. Without Daala in power, and with there being a substitute substitute leader of the Jedi since the substitute leader of the Jedi was now dead, the Galactic Alliance had decided to go back to the Triumvirate for the time being until things had been settled. Part of it included Saba, who was also acting as said substitute leader of the Jedi, which she was obviously deeply uncomfortable with.
Jag almost smiled at the sight. "The Alliance’s Triumvirate and the Empire’s Head of State all gathered in one place, open to the sky, just one missile drop away from galaxywide chaos... my security people were not happy.”
Saba nodded. "Some- the friendz of Master Hamner from the armed forces- have been saying that such a strike would be appropriate. Where this one is concerned, that is.”
Jag looked sympathetic. He'd seen Jaina though the aftermath of having to kill someone you'd had a personal relationship with. He knew how hard it was, even if he didn't have that actual experience. The thing there though was that everyone had been agreed that Jacen had to be dealt with; plenty of others had supported Master Hamner and thought there was another way to go about it. “What about the Department of Justice?" he asked. "What’s their reaction?”
Saba glanced toward the crowd on the opposite side of the bier. “That man, the tall human with white hair. Commander Makken. He has been appointed as special investigator on this matter. The Department of Justice does not yet know whether to charge an interim Chief of State, or even if a duel between Jedi should be considered a criminal offense, so they investigate.”
“Even if they do decide to file charges, they won’t do so until the Triumvirate has broken up and there’s a properly selected Chief of State in place," Leia offered.
Saba looked over at her. “Explain, please.”
“I know it’s only been a day, but the signs are already in place. The Senate has tabled most of its committee discussions and debates. No new bills were introduced today. They’re going slack, Master.”
“Why?”
“The less they do, the more you, Treen, and Jaxton have to do, if only through examples of leadership. This puts even more pressure on you to leave that post as soon as you can. Also, any political problems that arise while you’re in charge can convincingly be blamed on the Triumvirate, meaning that problems the individual Senators have been grappling with can be allowed to worsen- and all blame will be laid at your feet," Leia replied. "In appointing a special investigator in the matter of Master Hamner’s death, they demonstrate to their constituents that they’re taking action, but by not authorizing him to press a criminal action against you, they suggest that there’s only so much they can do until you leave your post.”
Saba shook her head. “This one was never meant for politicz. Fortunately, Jedi Solo, you were.”
"Uh oh," Han said, and Jaina knew he was thinking Leia was about to get roped into that whole thing again.
His reaction drew a brief siss of amusement from Saba. “Yes, this one has an assignment for you. For both, since this one speakz as co-Chief of State.”
“So it is Klatooine," Leia said, giving Han a look to tell him to be quiet.
“Yes, but the situation there has developed even since we spoke last night. There is much anger at the fact that Chief Daala dispatched the Mandos against them. Yes, the Mandos were called off, but the rage continues. Now we hear that many groupz that have fought for the freedom of their kind are gathering on Klatooine. We wish to normalize relationz with them. Persuade them that new governing principles are in place. We wish you and General Solo to go there, participate in their discussionz.”
"To make any sort of lasting impression, we’re going to have to offer them something. Something substantial," Leia said.
“We have something to offer. Many of these groupz do speak for the enslaved or disenfranchised peoples of their homeworldz. Choose the one that is already closest to breaking away from their masterz, already most suitable to be a self-governing world... and offer full provisional membership in the Alliance. And a Senate seat.”
Han whistled. “That’s a prize.”
“It will demonstrate that we are serious, and take them seriously," Saba said. "It will also present a procesz for the otherz to follow if they want Alliance aid.”
"It might also divide them, as the other groups become unhappy with the one that wins the prize," Leia considered. "Meaning they might cease to exist as a united front, as a potential enemy of the Galactic Alliance. Master, you may have more political savvy than you’re admitting to.”
“This one categorically denies that charge.”
They watched the last few visitors pass by Kenth's body, including some that looked like they might be family members of some sort. Then four of them draped a blue cloth over his body to cover him from head to toe, and then stepped back into the crowd. Then Izal Waz, a dark-skinned, reptilian Jedi Knight, approached the bier with a torch to speak. “All through your life, you fulfilled your duties with strength, grace, and honor, and we will remember. Only
one duty remains. Go onward and break trail so that we may someday follow.”
He lowered the torch so that the wood of the bier caught fire, quickly consuming it and what had been left of Kenth Hamner.
[I waste a lot of time going "But that's gonna be hard to adapt" and then realizing I can skip it. Oops. NFB, NFI, OOC's cool and all. Dialogue from Conviction by Aaron Allston!]
To make matters more complicated, they'd only been able to hold it after they'd deposed of Daala. It had been their Plan Delta, which included staging a false Yuuzhaan Vong attack so that they could storm the Senate and remove her from office. Though she'd never, ever say it out loud, the last time she'd removed a leader from office had been a lot less complicated. But since Daala was gone and preparing for her own trial, they were finally able to pay their respects to the man who'd tried to keep the peace, in his own way.
The funeral was held in the Temple and while it was attended mostly by Jedi, visitors were allowed to pay their respects. Jag had come, though Jaina had argued that maybe that wasn't the statement he wanted to make right now. He'd insisted, though, and now Jaina couldn't say she was sorry for it. He and Jaina were even standing now watching the procession with her parents and Allana, Saba, Corran, Kam and Tionne, Cilghal, Octa and Kyp.
And because the procession was boring and depressing, Jaina caught Corran's eye and quietly asked, "Any word on Valin and Jysella?"
Corran shook his head. Though his kids had been dethawed from carbonite and seemed fine, they'd run off during the coup. “It’s pretty clear that they found someone who could do a sophisticated sweep on them for transmitters, found and discarded theirs... and then just disappeared. The only reasonable conclusion is that they’re still suffering the madness effects that plagued all the Shelter Jedi.”
"We must conclude that the fact that they were in carbonite suspension when the other Shelter Jedi Knights were cured prevented them from being cured, as well," Cilghal said, not sounding happy.
Corran offered an I-don’t-care-why shrug. “And there’s no telling where they might be hiding.”
“Are you joining the search?”
He somehow managed to look even unhappier as he said, “In any military, paramilitary, or security organization, including Corellian Security and the Jedi Order, there’s a rule that is sometimes implicit, usually explicit. You’re never assigned to a case involving your own loved ones, never allowed even to participate. Normally, I’m all in favor of that rule. At times like this, I just have to trust in others.”
Jaina reached out and gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. He nodded, but turned away to watch the procession, obviously pretty done with all of this.
They fell into silence for a moment, watching Wynn Dorvan pay his respects at the bier, with Senator Treen and General Jaxton waiting patiently behind him. Without Daala in power, and with there being a substitute substitute leader of the Jedi since the substitute leader of the Jedi was now dead, the Galactic Alliance had decided to go back to the Triumvirate for the time being until things had been settled. Part of it included Saba, who was also acting as said substitute leader of the Jedi, which she was obviously deeply uncomfortable with.
Jag almost smiled at the sight. "The Alliance’s Triumvirate and the Empire’s Head of State all gathered in one place, open to the sky, just one missile drop away from galaxywide chaos... my security people were not happy.”
Saba nodded. "Some- the friendz of Master Hamner from the armed forces- have been saying that such a strike would be appropriate. Where this one is concerned, that is.”
Jag looked sympathetic. He'd seen Jaina though the aftermath of having to kill someone you'd had a personal relationship with. He knew how hard it was, even if he didn't have that actual experience. The thing there though was that everyone had been agreed that Jacen had to be dealt with; plenty of others had supported Master Hamner and thought there was another way to go about it. “What about the Department of Justice?" he asked. "What’s their reaction?”
Saba glanced toward the crowd on the opposite side of the bier. “That man, the tall human with white hair. Commander Makken. He has been appointed as special investigator on this matter. The Department of Justice does not yet know whether to charge an interim Chief of State, or even if a duel between Jedi should be considered a criminal offense, so they investigate.”
“Even if they do decide to file charges, they won’t do so until the Triumvirate has broken up and there’s a properly selected Chief of State in place," Leia offered.
Saba looked over at her. “Explain, please.”
“I know it’s only been a day, but the signs are already in place. The Senate has tabled most of its committee discussions and debates. No new bills were introduced today. They’re going slack, Master.”
“Why?”
“The less they do, the more you, Treen, and Jaxton have to do, if only through examples of leadership. This puts even more pressure on you to leave that post as soon as you can. Also, any political problems that arise while you’re in charge can convincingly be blamed on the Triumvirate, meaning that problems the individual Senators have been grappling with can be allowed to worsen- and all blame will be laid at your feet," Leia replied. "In appointing a special investigator in the matter of Master Hamner’s death, they demonstrate to their constituents that they’re taking action, but by not authorizing him to press a criminal action against you, they suggest that there’s only so much they can do until you leave your post.”
Saba shook her head. “This one was never meant for politicz. Fortunately, Jedi Solo, you were.”
"Uh oh," Han said, and Jaina knew he was thinking Leia was about to get roped into that whole thing again.
His reaction drew a brief siss of amusement from Saba. “Yes, this one has an assignment for you. For both, since this one speakz as co-Chief of State.”
“So it is Klatooine," Leia said, giving Han a look to tell him to be quiet.
“Yes, but the situation there has developed even since we spoke last night. There is much anger at the fact that Chief Daala dispatched the Mandos against them. Yes, the Mandos were called off, but the rage continues. Now we hear that many groupz that have fought for the freedom of their kind are gathering on Klatooine. We wish to normalize relationz with them. Persuade them that new governing principles are in place. We wish you and General Solo to go there, participate in their discussionz.”
"To make any sort of lasting impression, we’re going to have to offer them something. Something substantial," Leia said.
“We have something to offer. Many of these groupz do speak for the enslaved or disenfranchised peoples of their homeworldz. Choose the one that is already closest to breaking away from their masterz, already most suitable to be a self-governing world... and offer full provisional membership in the Alliance. And a Senate seat.”
Han whistled. “That’s a prize.”
“It will demonstrate that we are serious, and take them seriously," Saba said. "It will also present a procesz for the otherz to follow if they want Alliance aid.”
"It might also divide them, as the other groups become unhappy with the one that wins the prize," Leia considered. "Meaning they might cease to exist as a united front, as a potential enemy of the Galactic Alliance. Master, you may have more political savvy than you’re admitting to.”
“This one categorically denies that charge.”
They watched the last few visitors pass by Kenth's body, including some that looked like they might be family members of some sort. Then four of them draped a blue cloth over his body to cover him from head to toe, and then stepped back into the crowd. Then Izal Waz, a dark-skinned, reptilian Jedi Knight, approached the bier with a torch to speak. “All through your life, you fulfilled your duties with strength, grace, and honor, and we will remember. Only
one duty remains. Go onward and break trail so that we may someday follow.”
He lowered the torch so that the wood of the bier caught fire, quickly consuming it and what had been left of Kenth Hamner.
[I waste a lot of time going "But that's gonna be hard to adapt" and then realizing I can skip it. Oops. NFB, NFI, OOC's cool and all. Dialogue from Conviction by Aaron Allston!]