Future Shock

[Fromikeable]

Taas couldn't stop thinking about how much warmer the Temple seemed this morning. Sunlight gazed through every window and open doorway from the outside, the Coruscanti sky without a cloud as far as could be seen. It was almost unseasonable, but the effect it had on the Jedi walking the hallways was apparent. Bright smiles. Warm laughter and kind words. Even the angry and the sad and the confused seemed a bit less so, the edge of their moods being dulled by what just couldn't be perceived as anything other than a good day.

Taas knew, of course, that it was far more likely the defeat of the Archeri that had everyone in such high spirits. But he couldn't help but wonder if even the Force itself was a bit relieved, the tension in the galaxy finally slack and relaxed.

Such thoughts drifted as he walked through the dormitory halls of the Temple, focusing on his holopad. The Jedi Master he sought, Fera, might not share such spirits, and for good reason. To be left in statis for nearly a millennium must have had some dire health effects, mental and physical. Moreover, he had to assume that it had left her uncertain. Unbased, even. Without a proper frame of reference for a galaxy that, since her time, had changed much. To regain that sense of perspective would take more time than any of them wished.

That was why Taas was knocking at her door, holopad in hand, kind smile on his face.

"Master Fera." He cleared his throat. "Please forgive the intrusion, but I am Master Erastothene. I understand you may have some questions regarding the passage of time."

[Ash]

Everything was familiar yet somehow... different in this age. The temple was still more or less the same, but Fera noticed differences here and there. The stone being of a different quality, possibly from a different planet. Hallways different. The great hall was vastly different from before, containing more pillars and different artwork and designs from before. Yet it was still the Temple.

What got the woman the most, however, was the people who occupied the temple. Before, she could walk the halls and it seemed as if she knew everyone. Now... these could be the descendants of people she once knew. The faces were all alien to her, not one single soul she knew from when she first woke up. To top it off, one day she could see someone and make a new friend, before they are off into this conflict with these aliens called Archeri. Most of the time she didn't see them again. Either they were gone, killed off in the war, or just never made it back here.

Either way, it wasn't anything fun. But now the conflict was over, and Fera felt the difference in the atmosphere. Fera almost felt like she was at home again. Until her medical condition flared up again and she was back to her room. She was more or less cured of whatever was wrong with her, but she still had some lingering affects that the medical professionals said would be gone in time. During her down time, she ended up spending time catching up on some history.

Thats how this day was, as she had yet to leave her room except to gather up food and water for a day of continuous reading and meditation. Or so she had planned before there was a knock at her door. The woman looked up from her tablet, getting up from the large chair she had set herself in and tightening the belt around her tunic.

Opening the door, an older gentleman looked to her. He was just shorter than she was, and obviously lived a fine life. She smiled back at him, both hands gripping the datapad down by her thighs.

"Master Erastothene, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Please, come in and make yourself at home. May I interest you in a beverage or a snack?"

Fera had an unusual accent: it was obviously basic, that much was clear, but sounded... slightly older sounding, which was expected as she was 1500 years old technically.

"You are not intruding at all. And you are correct that I have questions. Being asleep for 1400 years doesn't do good with keeping up on current events."

She let out a small chuckle, sitting in a spare chair, her back strait and hands folded in her lap.

[Fromikeable]

"Ah, no, thank you. The hospitality is most kind, but I fear in accordance with an experiment currently in process, I cannot eat for the next seven hours." Taas patted his stomach gently to indicate what he meant. Earlier today, a team of Researchers had successfully qualified for their first sentient trial on a new form of non-invasive diagnostic testing, and Taas had been so excited about it that he'd volunteered to be one of their first test subjects. Although the process promised to be painless and unobtrusive, they had cautioned him strongly about eating beforehand.

Many of the small creatures they had tested on first, it had seemed, experienced "stomach-churning nausea". Taas couldn't wait to see if the trend would carry forward. The implications for cross-species lymphatic similarities could be thrilling.

Sitting across from Fera, he couldn't help but hum. "I can only imagine. If you'll pardon me saying so, your particular dialect of Galactic Basic betrays your origin." Crossing his legs, Taas withdrew a tiny holo-emitter and placed it on the edge of a table beside them both. Sitting back in his chair, he also withdrew a holopad from his bag, booting its cyan screen to life.

"Now then, there is obviously quite a bit to be covered in 1400 years of history. The galaxy, as I'm sure you know, is anything but static." The holo-emitter flickered to life with a tap of Taas's fingers, and a small map of the galaxy formed in the air between the two Jedi.

"Where would you like me to begin?"

[Ash]

Not eating for the next several hours... What an odd thing. Was that something he decided to do on his own? There had to be some sort of story behind the reason he cannot eat, even a simple little snack. She supposed it wasn't any of her business, and it was best left for her fellow Jedi.

She poured herself a glass of juice, leaving the pitcher on the counter for if she decided she wanted some more, or is Master Erastothene decided he would like something. She made her way back to her chair, sitting in a more formal manner than she was before this man arrived.

"I assume it does. At least nothing too terribly has changed in this lexicon."

She could also pass it off as something from her Sephi heritage, but she had no shame in explaining where she was from, time wise.

"What I was reviewing was the events over the past several years or so. It is interesting to see the Sith still around. Last i remember, they were assaulting Coruscant. At least in the galactic state of things. I have done some personal research on my family and possible blood line. I have... been holing off on digging too deep into anything."

[Fromikeable]

"Quite. Basic's resiliency is quite the anomaly." Tapping further on his holopad as they spoke, Taas hummed quietly. While the holoemitter spun the galaxy lazily, he opened a blank document on the screen, taking great care to format it well before bequeathing a title.

Fera P.E. 4 - 3591 BBY

Subject is of sound physical health, including appetite. No immediate crises, greatest current issue is unfamiliarity with Sith Order and accent. Concerning behavior in sudden need to track relatives.

"I fear the current Sith Order is not so different from the one remember. They assaulted Coruscant along with their Empire naught but two years ago." Tapping on the holopad, Taas zoomed into the galaxy until it project solely Coruscant. With another few taps, a simple holographic battle appeared in orbit, as well as numerous articles, pieces of news footage, and even official Republic reports.

The biggest one was an article that proudly declared "EMPIRE REPULSED FROM CAPITAL" above a triumphant picture of the Enduring Flame firing upon retreating Imperial ships.

"Keeping with historical precedent, the Sith have been eradicated and have returned a fair few times since your statis began. This most current iteration spawned around twenty years ago by the ministrations of users of the Dark side. The Empire itself reformed well before that thanks to the interests of the moneyed and powerful in the Outer Rim." The galactic map zoomed out as borders and a date appeared. As time in the projection began to advance, the borders of the Empire grew until it stopped at the present day.

"The Sith Order did not gain direct control over the state until Empress Renata's coup a few years ago. She eliminated her only remaining competitor, Darth Novus, before assuming power and integrating her order." The articles changed to show the Empress's coronation and the execution of Novus, both being heralded as great marks of progress in Imperial publications and dire disasters in the Republic.

"That is all to say that the Sith, for all intents and purposes, are still the Sith." Smiling, Taas shrugged lightly. "Tell me more of your family research."

[Ash]

Fera didn't really like the idea that the Sith ere still around, and that they had another assault on Coruscant a few years ago. She felt a small smile touch her lips and her thoughts wandered to how many times Coruscant have been attacked between her time and this time.

A small frown now... Her time was now. The past was the past, all 1500 years in the past. Everyone she knew and loved was long dead, and their descendants were long dead. Her heart beat began to elevate and she could feel her breath catch. She's been awake for a little while now and she still was having serious issues. She focused inwardly, calming herself down and taking a sip of her juice, looking at the image of the Galaxy being projected into the room become a showing of Coruscant and several ships in a fleeing battle.

Shield technology... that was just starting to be a thing when she went under, and now all ships had it. And the ships... they were absolutely massive. Even the smaller ones looked to be as big as some of the largest she has seen before. The Enduring Flame was overwelming. She nearly gawked at it.

"I suppose that with the Jedi, there will always be the Sith, even here in the future. Light and darkness, in a swirling pattern, intertwining for all of eternity."

She remained silent as the talk turned towards the more modern history of the order, a coup, and the assumption of power by a new Empress. At least it was a woman in power over a man these days.

"The Sith are still the Sith. That shall never change I fear. As for my family research... Petered out about 600 years after I went under. Couple generations later and my family line was more or less washed out of all records. Monarchs only last so long before a new name takes over. Such is history."

[Fromikeable]

"The great balance of the Force, Fera. Though I fear the debate on where exactly that balance lays has not been settled in the time that you've been gone." Taas rolled a hand, shaking his head. "Some claim the Sith are a part of that balance and such thinking explains their repeated resurgence. Others claim they are not and such explains their repeated defeat. Who is to say which camp is correct?" Another light shrug.

"Perhaps someone is qualified to give either perspective credence. Alas, I fear it is not me." He smiled. "You, perhaps!" He laughed lightly before returning to his datapad entry.

Idle research into family history produced dead end. Mentioned familial royal history.

"I had almost forgotten your biological ties." Crossing his legs, Taas took great care to avoid words like "familial" or "relatives". Such things weren't that of the Jedi; every Youngling admitted to the Order gave up their families in exchange for their new lives. Was it fair? That was for the sacrificing parents to decide. The Jedi did not force the Force-sensitive adolescents into their ranks.

It was always a choice, even if it was a hard one.

"This may strike you as an intrusive question, but I must ask." Leaning forward a bit, Taas studied her face, his expression quizzical.

"Has your time in stasis changed your views on having royal parentage?" He rolled his hand again.

"In retrospect, do you wish you had retained your hereditary title?"

[Ash]

"I fear it will never find balance. At least in my life. It nothing has happened in 1500 years then all we can do it make it easier for the younger generations to find peace."

Perhaps it wasn't the Sith that were causing the imbalance, but the Jedi existing. If there was a chance that there were no Jedi, and no Sith, then would there be balance? It was one way to think about it. She kept her thoughts to herself: it would help no one if they were spoken out loud.

Quickly, Fera's thoughts were turned back to the present when the ancient Jedi Master mentioned her biological ties. Red-brown eyes searched his old face for a moment before she smiled slightly. It was hard to believe, even before she was frozen for millennia, that she was older than her opposite here.

"You may ask anything you wish, Master. My views have not shifted since I woke up. I renounced my claim to the throne when I decided to dedicate my life to the order. I was called Princess back in my time as an honorary title based on my ties, but it was an honorific. I will forever be Princess Fera. Jedi Master Fera. Simple, plain Fera."

They were all titles. Her name was recorded in history, her mark made. She could continue to help now, teach others and do what she can to make life better for others.

[Fromikeable]

"I believe in balance over time, Master. Ours is an age of strife. The previous age was one of peace. War before that. Peace before that." Taas's hands mimicked two sides of a scale, rising and falling. "Just as every life experiences light times and dark times, so too do all lives as a whole. Peace shall return; it is only a question of 'when'." Smiling, he sighed lightly.

He could already hear the theological debates to be had over him saying as much. Alas.

"I am glad to hear that your adherence to Jedi principles remains strong. I could not have blamed you if they had changed; a millennium and a half could do much to alter the Order from what you once knew it to be." Making a few final notes in his holopad, Taas turned it off, stowing it beside him and the arm of his chair. Sitting back, he clasped his hands, relaxing a bit. Without the inquisitive purpose, he appeared much more as one would expect, his expression much warmer, his hands relaxed and striking a curious pose.

"At the risk of aggravating debate, how do you find the Order as it sits?" Taas's head tilted a bit. "Do the knights and masters of the present strike you much differently from those of the past?"

[Ash]

"The majority of my age was one of peace. Conflict began when... When I went under. To me, there has been no peace since then. The history I have read shows that there has been no true, lasting peace since my time. These Mandalorain wars. Sith wars. Conflicts everywhere, and not just border skirmishes that was the only worry for the longest time.

Fera could feel her frustration building up once again, for the thousandths time since she woke up. This age was so different and so wrought with strife that it was overwhelming even for the senior and ages Jedi Master. She still remained true to the order, as even a millennia and a half wouldn't change who she was, or felt. She would continue her duty to the order, whatever path that would be.

"Please excuse my outburst. This age is still different and I am still unaccustomed to it."

She took a few quiet breaths, the force calming her back to her calm self. Taas was speaking again, holopad down and spoke an interesting question to her. How did she find the order now? Were the Masters and Knights different? The Jedi took a few heartbeats to think it over, closing her eyes and reaching an inner peace.

"Emotion, yet peace.
Ignorance, yet knowledge.
Passion, yet serenity.
Chaos, yet harmony.
Death, yet the Force.

This is... was Jedi Code I live by. It was what brought us millennia of peace. This order is fine, but it is... disconnected from the rest of the galaxy in my eyes. Many Jedi few themselves as warriors, their only purpose is to fight. The rules they fallow, the new Jedi Code you all fallow... In my opinion shackles everyone. 'There is no emotion... There is no Ignorance... There is no passion? These tenants as they are now bring the structure away from the galaxy.

We Jedi aren't apart from the Galaxy, but are apart of it, just one person. There is emotion. There is ignorance. There is passion. Each and every Jedi here are sentient people, and we are able to feel just like anyone else. Back in my time, there were entire generations of Jedi. I was once part of that as my Mother was a Master. There were adults learning the force. We didn't rise above the rest our emotions or feelings, but used them to better ourselves and the rest of the galaxy."

Fera held back from saying more. She spoke enough now about her thoughts, despite having much more to say on the matter. Her views were very, very old fashion, and even her mannerisms were different than the modern Jedi.

[Fromikeable]

Taas’s brow rose as Fera spoke, the tilt in his head becoming a little stronger. Her frustration was palpable, Taas waving a hand at her apology to indicate that she should keep going. As her attention shifted to the Jedi Code and the role of emotion in the Order, he was downright invested, leaning in just a hair and giving a few seconds’ pause after she was done.

When he was sure he wouldn’t be cutting her off, he hummed. ”With all due respect, Master Fera, I find your position untenable.” Unclasping his hands, one came to his beard, stroking it slowly as he spoke.

”The Jedi Code has not undergone any changes since Odan-Urr’s omission, and that act is not only well-debated to this day, but well documented for the entirety of the Order to study.” Crossing his legs, Taas waved a hand.

”I know interpretation of the Code varies greatly, but the idea that it should promote passion and Jedi generations is… quite frankly disturbing, in a modern context.” Taas paused. ”In any context, really. Consider for a moment the other Code prevalent in the galaxy at the moment.” Clearing his throat, Taas booted the holopad again, pulling it up.

”Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.”

Putting the holopad back on his lap, Taas looked up to Fera.

”Do you not see what consequences might be borne of following passion to break chains?” Offering the holopad to Master Fera to read, Taas shook his head.

”The self-imposed limitations of the Jedi Order are the only definite qualities that keep us from being a slightly warmer shade of Sith, Master.”