Post by Jace on Apr 18, 2009 3:52:09 GMT -5
[Note: This thread is 20 years in the past, not 10, so yeah.]
Silence, it was the absence of sound, yet it rang clearly through Jace's ears. The human of 25 years remained motionless as the gazes of twelve other beings focused on him. His vision remaining directly in front of him, resisting the temptation to stray around the room. His shaggy black hair, his stubble, his robes tattered.This was not the manner he had imagined himself being presented to the Council. It seemed an eternity, even to Jace, but the Council finally spoke.
"Knight Beleren, you have been brought before us because the Order requires your skills" one of the twelve in the chambers stated.
"If the Order has need, than it is my duty to respond, what would the Council have me do?" Jace responded in a level tone.
"Do not be too hasty young one, for this is not a matter to be taken lightly." The council member quickly stated after Jace."Firstly and most importantly, this is an entirely voluntary assignment. Once you take on this assignment though, your path will have been laid. Do you understand this young Knight?" the seriousness of the council member's tone was not lost on Jace.
"I understand Master" Jace replied immediately with no hesitation whatsoever.
There was another few moments of silence before the Council member continued."If you accept, you will be granted the rank of Jedi Shadow. There are very few left in the Order, and those who are will never be openly known. So it shall be with same with you, if you so choose to become a Shadow. A Jedi Shadow's duty is to expose and deal with darkside elements in the galaxy. You will be sent undercover, for months, possibly years at a time. A new identity will be provided to you. You will never return to the Jedi Temple lest an enemy trace you back here. You will face unknown dangers, and possibly engage in less than legal activities. The Republic has enemies within and without, some on our doorstep, others as far as the Outer Rim. It is the job of the Shadow to prevent these enemies from causing harm to the Republic and its citizens. Do you understand what is being asked of you Jace Beleren?"
Jace felt the weight of the duty that he would take as his full name was spoken to him. "I understand" he responded evenly but with confidence.
"This is not a task for the lighthearted nor for any normal Knight. Your experiences have deemed your worthy in the eyes of this Council. This is a heavy decision, the council shall give you three days to deliberate-"
"I accept" Jace replied before the Master could continue eliciting a couple masters shifting in their seats. Jace had accepted the task from the moment the master had said the Order required his service. In truth, after the death of his Master, he had taken assignment after assignment. He was only in his twenties yet his demeanor was parallel to an older masters. He was efficient, he was talented,he had almost no ties to any other Jedi, he was the ideal candidate.
Jace's tone and the look on his face told the Council all they needed to know. They didn't even bother asking him if he was sure or not but the Master simply responded with a "Very well. You shall be recalled when you assignment is ready. Make sure you are ready to leave at a moments notice...and may the Force be with you"
He bowed, pivoted where he stood, and walked out of the Council chamber. There was no doubt, no anxiety, just a cold determination. As the lift descended back to the main floors of the Temple, he began running a checklist through his head. He made a mental note of items to make ready should he need to leave anywhere immediately. The lift came to a stop, and Jace walked without worry towards his room. He passed many Jedi on his way there, the thought that he would not see them for years didn't bother him at all. Jace rarely interacted with other Jedi, becoming a shadow would only widened the gap farther. The Council had a duty though, and Jace was not one to shirk from a call of duty. Duty, it had been instilled into Jace because of his former Master...no not his Master...his Father.
Silence, it was the absence of sound, yet it rang clearly through Jace's ears. The human of 25 years remained motionless as the gazes of twelve other beings focused on him. His vision remaining directly in front of him, resisting the temptation to stray around the room. His shaggy black hair, his stubble, his robes tattered.This was not the manner he had imagined himself being presented to the Council. It seemed an eternity, even to Jace, but the Council finally spoke.
"Knight Beleren, you have been brought before us because the Order requires your skills" one of the twelve in the chambers stated.
"If the Order has need, than it is my duty to respond, what would the Council have me do?" Jace responded in a level tone.
"Do not be too hasty young one, for this is not a matter to be taken lightly." The council member quickly stated after Jace."Firstly and most importantly, this is an entirely voluntary assignment. Once you take on this assignment though, your path will have been laid. Do you understand this young Knight?" the seriousness of the council member's tone was not lost on Jace.
"I understand Master" Jace replied immediately with no hesitation whatsoever.
There was another few moments of silence before the Council member continued."If you accept, you will be granted the rank of Jedi Shadow. There are very few left in the Order, and those who are will never be openly known. So it shall be with same with you, if you so choose to become a Shadow. A Jedi Shadow's duty is to expose and deal with darkside elements in the galaxy. You will be sent undercover, for months, possibly years at a time. A new identity will be provided to you. You will never return to the Jedi Temple lest an enemy trace you back here. You will face unknown dangers, and possibly engage in less than legal activities. The Republic has enemies within and without, some on our doorstep, others as far as the Outer Rim. It is the job of the Shadow to prevent these enemies from causing harm to the Republic and its citizens. Do you understand what is being asked of you Jace Beleren?"
Jace felt the weight of the duty that he would take as his full name was spoken to him. "I understand" he responded evenly but with confidence.
"This is not a task for the lighthearted nor for any normal Knight. Your experiences have deemed your worthy in the eyes of this Council. This is a heavy decision, the council shall give you three days to deliberate-"
"I accept" Jace replied before the Master could continue eliciting a couple masters shifting in their seats. Jace had accepted the task from the moment the master had said the Order required his service. In truth, after the death of his Master, he had taken assignment after assignment. He was only in his twenties yet his demeanor was parallel to an older masters. He was efficient, he was talented,he had almost no ties to any other Jedi, he was the ideal candidate.
Jace's tone and the look on his face told the Council all they needed to know. They didn't even bother asking him if he was sure or not but the Master simply responded with a "Very well. You shall be recalled when you assignment is ready. Make sure you are ready to leave at a moments notice...and may the Force be with you"
He bowed, pivoted where he stood, and walked out of the Council chamber. There was no doubt, no anxiety, just a cold determination. As the lift descended back to the main floors of the Temple, he began running a checklist through his head. He made a mental note of items to make ready should he need to leave anywhere immediately. The lift came to a stop, and Jace walked without worry towards his room. He passed many Jedi on his way there, the thought that he would not see them for years didn't bother him at all. Jace rarely interacted with other Jedi, becoming a shadow would only widened the gap farther. The Council had a duty though, and Jace was not one to shirk from a call of duty. Duty, it had been instilled into Jace because of his former Master...no not his Master...his Father.