Jedi Insurgency 270

Whilst Corvus was snoozing at the top of the Order Master's tower, a group of Padawans, and freshly inducted Knights from the same class reconvened 

Situated at a cliffside overseeing the valley beneath the temple, a campfire raged on, and the teens formed a circle, passing around a bag of marshmallows stolen from who knew where. 

Amongst the survivors of Order 66 were Jax, Yon, and Omega sitting closely to one another. Then, clutching Omega's side like an overly cheerful ray of sunshine was the pink skinned Twi'lek & student to Keira, Linyin. Squinting at a scroll in the dim firelight, the green-blue dragon-like alien, Zork had his tail flickering in happiness as he studied some ancient knowledge. Lastly, a pair of skinny boys huddled near one another. The pale faced ginger, Cal Kestis poked a stick into the dust, looking like he wanted to tell a big story, or talk big, but tried to be polite, and aloof like Jax. The other boy-Caleb Dume-stared blankly at the fire pit, silent as the grave, the fight on Coruscant had been incredibly brutal, and his death had been particularly graphic. It was only thanks to Master Revan that he had this second chance. 

Yon sat on a flat stone with his knees drawn up, and ran a hand through his short black hair. He held his marshmallow over the flames with the grave seriousness of a duelist preparing an opening strike.

“You’re doing it wrong.” Yon declared at Cal-who was still poking the dust-and said with a sniff. All but scoffing peasant. 

“That is a bold claim from someone whose marshmallow is literally on fire.” Linyin lightly chuckled, covering her mouth with a girlish grin. 

Yon glanced at the blackening lump at the end of his stick. A small blue-orange flame danced over it.

“That is intentional.” He said in an incredibly straight tone, yet Jax-who knew him best-caught his rival's face minutely twitch. 

“It is?” Omega asked innocently. “This is my first time seeing a marshmallow, much less roasting one.” 

“Yes. Master Revan says destruction and creation are often divided by perspective.”

“I don't recall him saying that?” She tilted her head to the side, trying to think back. 

Yon hesitated to come up with a plausible lie, when Jax reached out without a word, plucked Yon’s stick from his hand, and calmly blew the flame out.

The marshmallow sagged, beginning to char and become brittle. Waving his hand, the white haired teen manipulated [Heal], reconstructing it into a perfect gooey-yet not entirely melted-state of perfection. 

Yon stared at it in longing, but was quick to glare at his rival. Jax handed the stick back without so much as looking at the shorter boy. Pulling back two sticks that he already had roasting, he handed one to Omega, then the other to Cal. 

“Thanks, Jacksh!” Omega said between a mouthful of sugary sweetness. .

“...heh heh, thanks, uhh, I'll repay you later.” Cal awkwardly replied, scratching the back of his head as he accepted the roasted marshmallow on a stick. 

“I won't lose!” Linyin declared, and immediately began to roast two of her own. 

Yon scowled at all of them. “You know, it takes a very confident warrior to admit when his marshmallow strategy requires outside assistance.”

Jax sat back beside the fire, silent as ever, ignoring the barb. He raised an eyebrow in challenge, and skewered another white gelatinous treat onto a new stick. “Let Omega be the taste tester, her experience is most pure.”

Yon's frown deepened. “No way. She likes you most, we need someone impartial for this competition, someone like…you!” 

Caleb felt a trio of sticks suddenly thrust at him, and almost jumped back, his hand already at the hilt of his lightsaber, acting like a skittish cat. 

Jax furrowed his brow, then focusing, released [Valor] on him. Caleb's tense shoulders immediately loosened, and he shot the group a sheepish smile. 

“Sorry.” He said in an embarrassed tone. 

Jax stared deeply at the Padawan, his ice blue eyes held the wild depth of a Zillo Beast. The other teen was momentarily startled, but Jax seemed to sense something, and leaned close to whisper. “I've experienced what you have. Meet me later, and we can talk.” 

Cal raised an eyebrow, catching some of Jax's words. He glanced between the two of them, and was surprised to sense a new, small ember of hope kindled within Caleb's spirit. 

It was strange, Cal thought. Jax did not command, or lecture anyone, yet from just a few words and actions, everyone present felt welcome. 

In the past, Cal might have thought that leadership sounded like a speech from a High Councilor or a sharp command from a clone commander. For example, Master Revan was an eloquent speaker, one who made Cal yearn for the future. Yet who knew his student could create such an impact through actions instead of speech? 

Cal turned his new marshmallow slowly, trying not to leak his thoughts out into the world. His former classmate sure had changed. All of them had…

“You’re doing fine, be careful though. Not too close to the flame. Let the heat do the work.” Linyin offered in a somewhat serious, competitive tone. 

“I know. Not that I've done this sort of thing before though. Master Tapal has taught me much, but not this.” Cal said with a small smile. 

“Oh? Tell us about how great your Master is.” Yon said in a baiting tone. 

“He's good. Strict, strong…he makes me feel like I could survive anything if I just keep moving, use my head, and trusting the Force.” Cal said with pride. 

Omega looked towards Cal with longing, hoping she could find a Master like that. Caleb looked away, recalling how his own Master was mercilessly gunned down by clone troopers. 

Jax looked at Cal for a long moment. Then he reached over, took one of the unburnt marshmallows from the bag, and tossed it gently to him. Cal caught it against his chest, blinking in surprise at the sudden act. 

“Again.” Jax steadily said. 

It was only one word. Quiet, flat, almost too soft to hear, but Cal understood. This time, Jax tossed the next marshmallow with enhanced speed & strength. Holding out a stick, Cal caught it on the first try. 

“Heh heh, this is nothing compared to blasterbolts.” Cal laughed, and began to roast it. 

“All in favor to petition Master Revan teach younglings with marshmallows instead of those stupid training helmets & stun bolts, say aye!” Linyin exclaimed, raising her hand. 

Yon snorted, and booed. “Is that the kind of attitude Master Keira has been teaching you? While we were on the frontlines taking names, and freeing slaves, has peace dulled your senses?” 

“She says if you can complain, you can stand. And if you can stand, you can fight. And if you can fight, you can win. I think you're just scared to lose, and want to change the topic.” Linyin laughed off Yon's provocation, and wiggled the pair of branches in her hands. 

“Just roast your marshmallows in peace, you two, I'm getting to a good part.” Zork said, whilst at the same time, he was using his tail to roast three marshmallows simultaneously. 

“Woah, so cool, and you're not even looking.” Omega gushed. 

“I have been attempting to determine the optimal duration of exposure. There appears to be a narrow thermal window between structural softening and catastrophic carbonization.” Zork said in a scientific tone without looking away from his scroll. 

“That is the nerdiest way anyone has ever said, ‘Don’t burn it.’” Yon replied, rolling his eyes. 

“Amusing as always, Yon. I do hope you brought some games along, I seem to recall you quite enjoy them?” Zork said in a somewhat triumphant tone. 

“Hmph, you must've cheated last time…besides, I've been practicing! I even defeat Master Revan sometimes.” Yon boasted. 

“Which one tastes best? I bet it's the middle one.” Omega said, ignoring Yon, and pointed at one of Zork's marshmallows. 

“I have not yet gathered sufficient data.” Zork replied. 

“So eat one.” Linyin butted in. 

“That would reduce the sample size.” Zork shook his head. 

“That is the point of marshmallows.” Linyin chuckled. 

Zork considered this gravely, then selected the middle marshmallow and bit into it. His eyes widened a fraction.

“Well?” Cal asked.

Zork chewed with great seriousness. “Further study is required.”

Omega laughed, alongside Linyin, eliciting a small smile from the dragon-like alien. 

The blonde teen had placed herself slightly outside the circle at first, not so far as to be rude, but far enough to make it clear she did not know whether she belonged. She had been with Revan’s strange band for six months now. She had crossed battlefields with them, hidden in ships with them, eaten meals beside them, watched Jedi meditate and argue and lift stones and speak of things she could feel only in flashes.

Sometimes she sensed warmth before someone entered a room. Other times she knew when danger was about to turn a corner. The Force was real, she had a connection with it, but she had no Master.

Cal had Jaro Tapal.

Linyin had Keira.

Yon and Jax had Revan.

Caleb had Rahm Kota. 

Even Zork must have someone! 

Omega had Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Echo, and Crosshair. They were the greatest brothers one could ask for…but they were also a symbol of fear, trepidation, and betrayal in the eyes of many Jedi. Staring at Jax, she silently prayed he could help her find a Master. 

Nodding at the tiny blonde, Jax rubbed her hair. He would go looking for Master Shaak Ti in the morrow. Jax sensed that the two of them would compliment one another well. 

Upon seeing this reassuring nod, Omega rubbed her head into the pat like a loyal animal companion, happy to be watched over by such a reliable friend. 

“Master Kota doesn’t talk much about what happened, what with Order 66.” Caleb suddenly said, keeping his eyes on the fire. “He talks about what comes next. How to fight when you’re outnumbered. How to keep soldiers alive when everything goes wrong. He’s not like Master Billaba.”

Caleb paused, the name of his old Master flickering through the clearing like a ghost.

“She was calm, even at the end…Especially at the end. She made everything feel…ordered. Like the Force had a shape, and if I trusted it, I could find my way through.” He gave a humorless little smile. “Master Kota is more like an old war General…but I don't want to be a soldier.” 

“...I also wanted to die after losing my Master, and my closest friend. You are not a soldier, Caleb, we are not soldiers. We are Jedi Knights, protectors of the Republic.” Jax said in a low, steady tone. 

The campfire flickered, and every eye turned to the white haired teen. 

Meeting Caleb's eyes, Jax nodded. “With the Force, we are never alone. Together, we stand strong. And if you wish to avoid the battlefield, my Master will talk to yours. He cannot force you.” 

“...thank you Jax. But you are right, I am a Jedi, not a soldier. As long as the Order needs me, I'll be there. It's just. Do you have any idea when the war might end? I'm so, so tired of it. Ever since we graduated and became Padawans for the last five years it's been nothing but war.” Caleb whispered woodenly. 

Jax & Yon exchanged a glance, and the two teens sighed. 

“Master is the strongest Jedi…but there are hundreds of billions of planets, right?” Yon said, not nearly as confident as per usual. 

“I'm sorry.” Jax solemnly nodded along in agreement. 

Caleb hung his head.

“So we get stronger!” Linyin announced, and stood to her feet, clenching her fists. 

“In this short time on Tython, I'm already stronger than most adult Jedi Knights. You guys can be too. Starting tomorrow, we're going to spar everyday! It's like Master Revan said in his speech, a new dawn has fallen upon the Jedi Order. C'mon guys, we can't give up now. We're all that's left of our class…we can't let the younger Padawans or future Younglings down!” She continued to say in a passionate tone. 

Jax slowly stood up, prompting everyone else-save Zork who was lazily reclining-to also stand. A serious, solemn energy surrounded the teens, and Jax was like a vortex of the primal Force as an icy deep blue seemed to seep out of his eyes. 

“We won't leave you behind, Caleb, none of you…but right now, I need something from you, something only you can decide.” Jax said so incredibly seriously, even Yon got goosebumps. 

“Wot is it, Jax?” Omega tentatively asked. 

“Whatever it is. I can do it.” Caleb grit his teeth, felt his heart speed up, and his hands become increasingly sweaty. 

“I need you to taste test these marshmallows.” Jax said in a serious deadpan. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: As a reminder, I'll be taking next week off to move residences. I'll see everyone back on Jul 13!