Twelve standard weeks later. Evening
The room of a thousand fountains was one of the temple's major focal points.
This gigantic greenhouse was beautiful. Many jedi liked to rest and/or stroll here. The winding paths ran through the potted plants and a large display of exotic foliage. A visitor could observe this beauty from a series of elevated viewing terraces. The paths were made of dirt, crushed gravel and ornate cut stones. Benches, waterfalls, and fountains were scattered throughout the chamber. The artificial day-and-night cycle was maintained by the holoprojection suite that could emulate the skies of numerous planets.
The greenhouse was a home for many birds, butterflies, and insects.
The initiate Tu sat at the bench next to the working fountain and read the latest news from his datapad. Two major topics occupied the first page of the HoloNet News.
First one, the coming election of the new supreme chancellor because the current one – Sheev Palpatine - was reaching the end of his second term. It was written that he couldn't be elected the third time as stated by the Galactic Constitution. In the article the author guessed who would be the next supreme chancellor. As well, it was mentioned that some senators were discussing a possibility of implementing an amendment in the constitution to allow the acting chancellor to be elected the third time.
Second one, the corporations and planets were leaving the Galactic Republic and then a majority of them were joining the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The article presented the CIS as not the big threat to the Galactic Republic because “the CIS is a movement of various megacorps and planets who have just formed a loosely-organized affiliation to defend what they think is right”. Plus, it was written that many members of the CIS expressed their unwillingness to have a central government. The CIS looked weak and not serious.
The article stated that the Galactic Senate was in a heated discussion at the moment. Many senators thought that it would be right and democratic to allow the CIS to exist alongside the Galactic Republic while other senators disagreed and expressed their desire for bolstering the armed forces in response.
All of a sudden Shuu heard that someone was calling him. The man activated his handheld holoprojector to see a small hologram of Mace Windu.
“Master Windu.” Shuu greeted the member of the high council and lowered his head for a second.
He paid his respect for the man who was stronger than him and stood much higher in the temple's hierarchy.
“Jedi Shuu.” The master nodded. “I'm tasked to inform you that the ROCI has officially closed the case in which you are involved. Those ones who tried to kill you are arrested. Tomorrow you may return to Taanab to continue your service.”
The time has come. Shuu realized. The case is closed.
It's good that I've already downloaded all the useful information from the library on my memory crystal. Besides, the closed case means that I can leave Coruscant whenever I wish without worry that the ROCI will start my search for whatever reason.
The twelve weeks in the temple were productive for the young jedi. Every day he woke up early in the morning, meditated and went to train with his lightsaber in one of the holographic training suits (that could project holograms of different opponents) before breakfast. After eating his meal, the man headed to the library to study (usually for about an hour) and then he went to work.
Every evening the human studied in the library and/or trained with his lightsaber.
On days off the initiate Tu sparred with the padawans mostly. They were approximately the same age as the man, therefore it was easier for Shuu to communicate with them. Besides, many padawans looked for some extra combat experience themselves.
Unfortunately, Shuu couldn't learn Mechu-deru because this knowledge was restricted to him. But the jedi got acquainted with some initiates from the technical division when he had brought to them that pair of the damaged training droids from the training gallery. These jedi taught Shuu how the Force should be applied to the devices. Plus, they showed him some minor Force tricks that helped to make a repair process of different mechanisms easier.
Thus, Shuu bought a few cheap devices and worked with them in hope to realize what the Force could do to these devices. He discovered nothing grandiose but it deepened his understanding of how the Force could interact with the mechanisms.
“Yes, master Windu.” The young jedi said impassively. “I will leave the temple to do what I shall.”
The human wasn't going to inform the council about his decision of leaving the order because, in accordance with the tradition, he should leave his lightsaber in the temple.
Old Shuu had completed many trials to earn the right to assemble his own weapon. Both Shuu valued their lightsaber very much to part with it so easily.
“Do you have any questions, jedi Shuu?”
“No, master.”
“Good. May the Force be with you, jedi Shuu.”
“May the Force be with you, master Windu.”
The small hologram of Mace Windu disappeared and Shuu put the handheld holoprojector back in his pocket.
The human, sitting on the bench, looked at the fountain. He observed as the water was falling down on the stone for a while. Then he shut his eyes. Shuu could hear the birds' singing, the bubbling of brooks and the rush of the waterfalls from afar.
It seems that the greenhouse is especially beautiful and tranquil today.
Shuu sat for a minute, listening to the sounds of nature. Then he stood up and headed to his room.
+
On the way out of the temple, Shuu could see statues, tapestries, and mosaics that detailed the history of the order. He knew that many of these items were salvaged from the ancient jedi temples. Also, he could see the ancient tablets depicting the battles of the past. There were the tablets with the Jedi Code.
The Jedi Code was the cornerstone for the jedi. It forbade giving in to feelings towards other lifeforms. As well, no killing unarmed opponents, no revenge, no attachment, no marriage (although, the code didn't ban romantic feelings or familial love), and the jedi knight or master could teach no more than one padawan at a given time. The code supported the idea of compassion and stated that all lives were precious.
Soon the initiate Tu reached the main entrance of the temple. The four gigantic statues of jedi masters – two warriors and two sages – stood here, as well as the twelve massive pylons which were adorned with depictions of four masters – the founders of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The main entrance was guarded by a small number of padawans. Shuu knew that they stood watch here only during the day. At night it was the time of the knights to guard the main entrance.
The human came up to the staircase that descended to the “Processional Way”, the large boulevard, and halted here. The old Shuu's feelings awoke at that moment. The predecessor believed that this place was his home and the order was his family.
I'm sorry, Shuu, but I can't go back. I don't want to be killed. I don't want to hide as a frightened rat after the war. The CIS is my choice. But, perhaps, I will save some jedi during the war?
The human turned around and saw the massive temple. Shuu realized that it was likely the last time he could see the temple so close with his own eyes. Unexpectedly, his eyes became watery.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The jedi hurried to turn to the large boulevard. The past must stay in the past, Shuu.
He shook his head and went downstairs.
+
The same day. The InterGalactic Banking Clan arcology
Shuu left the high building of the Banking Clan where he had opened a bank account and transferred all his money (14820 credits) to it. It was all his savings.
The human opened the account in the Banking Clan because he believed that this organization would not block his account if the jedi or republic asked. At least they would not do it easily for the officials. Plus, Shuu withdrew 5000 credits in cash and put the money in his pocket.
Now I need to buy some goods. The human thought and went to the nearest airbus stop.
+
The airbus brought its passengers right to one of the many entrances of “Core Comestible Warehouse”, the enormous store, where a customer could buy everything. It was rumored that this store was larger than many cities in the Outer Rim.
Shuu got off the vehicle and looked around. It was a popular place. Many visitors were getting in and out of the store. The parking lot was occupied by numerous air vehicles and small spaceships.
The business is flourishing here.
The young jedi entered the store which looked like a typical warehouse inside, just the size was too huge.
Shuu stood on one of the small air platforms. He activated it and the air platform moved up to join the other customers in the air.
The holoprojector, installed in the platform, showed a brief advertisement and then it presented the categories of goods in the form of holomenu.
Weapons. The man touched the option on the hologram.
Standing on the platform, he could see as the labor droids, mostly of the ASP-series, worked on the floor.
Soon Shuu had chosen a compact Q2 hold-out blaster pistol, manufactured by MSM (Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc), that could be hidden in the clothes easily. It was an effective weapon against a small group of unarmored opponents at close range.
The air platform changed its direction of movement and sped up.
The man knew that many jedi considered the blaster weapons as an uncivilized instrument of war which a true jedi shouldn't use. Fortunately, the AgriCorps didn't share this standpoint. Every member of this organization had such a toy.
Old Shuu also had a blaster pistol on Taanab but he took this weapon on his missions rarely. The predecessor thought that his lightsaber was enough to deal with all possible threats.
It took about fifteen minutes for Shuu's air platform to reach one of the clusters of the giant racks, besieged from the base to the top by coming and leaving air platforms with customers aboard.
Soon a small round droid, holding a package in its manipulators, hovered in front of the man.
“Sir, your order.” The machine said.
Shuu took the package and opened it. He saw a new blaster pistol of small size.
The man took the weapon in his right arm.
Comfy. Shuu thought. It's a pity that the gas cartridges for this gun contain the gas only enough to produce six shots.
The human ordered a few additional cartridges, filled with the skevon gas. It was one of the many types of gases used in the blaster weapons. The same droid brought them.
The young jedi took the new credit chip of the Banking Clan from his belt and paid. The blaster cost three hundred. Plus, fifty for the cartridges.
Then the man returned to the holomenu and ordered a new comlink (750 credits), a cheap chrono (90 credits) and a datapad (150 credits). The comlink was an expensive civilian model with an integrated holo-messenger and holorecorder.
The man had destroyed the temple's datapad that he used because it stored the logs of his HoloNet's activity. Other devices that he owned, Shuu just threw into the trash bin not a long time ago.
The air platform moved to another cluster of giant racks. A droid brought the ordered goods.
The last purchase was a set of new clothes. Initially Shuu thought to go to the Galos mall or Embassy mall but these places were expensive and sold fancy clothes mostly. Thus, the young jedi ordered a set of everyday clothes (400 credits) which he tried on in one of the changing rooms.
He left the changing room in the new clothes.
Soon the platform moved to the exit. On the way Shuu saw a hologram that showed a huge message in aurebesh “If you haven't found the item here, then it just doesn't exist”.
An advertisement in the form of brag? The man thought. Indeed, many customers may memorize these pompous words.
As a result, this brag would have a chance to form the following association “the brag – the store” in the mind of buyers.
Reaching the exit will take some time. Perhaps, I shall take a look at the spaceships on sale?
Shuu turned on his new datapad. The spacecraft was a valuable possession that could give its owner a possibility to travel wherever he or she wishes. It made sense to buy it.
The human opened the specialized spaceships selling forum. There were numerous offers on Coruscant.
The new ones shall be expensive.
Thus, the young jedi opened the folder “Used spaceships”.
The first offer was [3-Z light freighter (modified)].
He read the model's characteristics.
[Manufacturer: Nova-Drive; line: YT-series; length: 28 meters; max/atmospheric speed: 800 km/h; hyperdrive rating: class 2, class 15 (backup); shielding and navigation system: equipped; armament: 2 laser cannon turrets; escaped pod: needs a new pod; crew: 2; passengers: 2; cargo capacity: 170 metric tons; consumables: 14 weeks; price: 24000 credits.]
It doesn't look bad, especially for its price.
As a jedi, Shuu knew a thing or two about the spaceships. Plus, he was a trained pilot.
The human entered the HoloNet to read about this model of spaceships. The 3-Z light freighter was based on the YT-1200. It was a sub-license of Corellian Engineering Corporation given to the Nova-Drive after the CEC stopped manufacturing YT-1200.
It's based on the YT-1200 model? This spacecraft must be old.
The 3-Z light freighter had a reinforced hull. This model had a better sensor than YT-1200 as well as some minor improvements.
The man scrolled down, looking through a dozen new offers, and stopped at the [Class 580 freighter].
[Manufacturer: Ghtroc Industries; length: 37 meters; max/atmospheric speed: 800 km/h; hyperdrive rating: class 2, class 15 (backup); shielding: equipped; navigation system: none; armament: 1 laser cannon; crew: 1; passengers: 6; cargo capacity: 200 metric tons; consumables: 6 months; price: 18500 credits.]
The spaceship was old, without even a navigation system, but the price was good. Plus, it had a larger cargo bay than most of its competitors.
But this is all of the model's advantages.
Suddenly Shuu saw as the platform with ten guards aboard, armed with buttons and blaster pistols, had dashed past him.
Something has happened. The man realized.
In such a big place like the “Core Comestible Warehouse” it was okay.
The jedi continued to look through the offers for a while until he saw the [Jermaguim-class light freighter].
[Manufacturer: SoroSuub Corporation; length: 25 meters; max/atmospheric speed: 950 km/h; hyperdrive rating: class 2, class 12 (backup); shielding and navigation system: equipped; armament: 1 laser cannon; crew: 2; passengers: 8; cargo capacity: 85 metric tons; consumables: 14 weeks; price: 25000 credits.]
It is a simple design with no advantages or disadvantages. A little overpriced, I guess?
Shuu continued to scroll down and stopped because he didn't expect to see this model of spaceship in the list.
Coruscant-class heavy courier? These spaceships were being produced about four thousand years back.
The man checked the HoloNet. Indeed, he was right. It was a very old spaceship.
Shuu continued to scroll down until he saw the [Kazellis-class light freighter].
[Manufacturer: Kazellis Corporation; length: 28 meters; max/atmospheric speed: 1000 km/h; hyperdrive rating: class 2, class 12 (backup); shielding and navigation system: equipped; armament: 4 laser cannons; crew: 1; passengers: 3; cargo capacity: 100 metric tons; consumables: 14 weeks; price: 45000 credits.]
Shuu opened the HoloNet. Kazellis Corporation was a new shipwright in the galaxy but its model of the light freighter was considered as a good one by the buyers.
Kazellis Corporation had managed to produce only about a hundred spacecraft until the present date.
It is a rare spaceship but it looks good. Plus, the four laser cannons may scare away some opportunistic pirates. But the price is expensive.
Next offer was another ancient spaceship – Delaya-class courier.
It must be old as the Coruscant-class heavy courier.
In a few minutes the jedi found the [YU-410 light freighter (modified)].
[Manufacturer: Corellian Engineering Corporation; line: YU-series; length: 44 meters; max/atmospheric speed: 800 km/h; hyperdrive rating: class 2, class 12 (backup); shielding and navigation system: equipped; armament: 4 double laser cannons; crew: 4; passengers: 50; cargo capacity: 100 metric tons; consumables: 14 weeks; price: 40000 credits.]
Huh, fifty passengers? Did the owner try to change this spaceship into the mini spaceliner? This spaceship isn't bad but overpriced, I think.
Shuu turned off his datapad because the air platform had reached the exit and landed. The jedi left the enormous building and caught an air taxi to go to the lower levels of the planet.
The plastic bag with the jedi apparel had been thrown into the trash can earlier.