STAR WARS: An Ill Wind
Session 00

INT. JEDI TEMPLE - DAY

The lacquered door of the anteroom where young Allori has been waiting slides open silently to admit the hunched form of Master Thra. Old even for his kind, Thra walks with a shuffling gait, supported by a cane gripped in his second set of arms. The first set are raised in greeting of his student.

Master Thra says, "It is time, my boy. Time for you to go before the Council and be formally vested with the rank of Jedi Knight."

Day-Lin Allori grins tightly. "So they agree that I'm ready?"

Master Thra's long body is draped with a homespun set of Jedi robes; the tip of his tail drags along behind them. His head bobs in a slow nod. "Yes. I told them that you had passed all the Trials, a full year ago."

Master Thra murmurs, "Now all that remains is this bit of tradition."

Day-Lin mutters, "I still think it's silly, Master. Surely they don't understand what it's really like out on the Rim."

Master Thra comes to a halt in front of Day-Lin and rises up to his full height, leaning back on his sturdy legs and placing his forehands on Day-Lin's shoulders. "Without the traditions of our order, what would we be?" he clucks in mild reproval.

Day-Lin sighs. "I know, Master. And you know I've studied all the traditions, but...that *you* think I'm ready is more important than the opinion of some musty old Jedi who probably haven't left the temple in years."

Thra smiles, the expression reaching all the way around his shovel-blade of a snout. His hair is long since gone grey, but the blue eyes in their deep round sockets are still bright. "I *know* you are ready, my boy." He cocks his head slightly. "No... a boy no longer. You've grown into a fine young man, Day-Lin."

Day-Lin glances down at the floor. "I've done my best, Master."

Master Thra nods again. "You have been one of my best students..." His gaze drops, and he starts to turn away. "And most likely, my last."

Master Thra sinks back down into his walking posture, closing his eyes for a moment.

Day-Lin half-frowns in concern. "No, Master, you're not so old. And that boy from Utthu IV -- who else will there be to train him? You said yourself the Force was strong with him."

Master Thra shakes his head, waves a hand. "No... no. It will be someone else. I am too old now. I would not have trained you, had the need not been so great."

Master Thra looks up. "But none of that should matter to you, not on this day - your day."

Day-Lin nods, folding his arms. "You taught me to think of others before myself," he offers as excuse.

Master Thra chuckles, a sound that comes from all the way down in his body. "So I did. And learned well, you did."

Master Thra says, "Now the last step of your path as my Padawan lies before you."

Day-Lin breathes in, and exhales slowly. "I'm ready," he says, confidently.

Master Thra says, "Answer their questions honestly. Be mindful of what I have taught you."

Day-Lin says "I will, Master."

Master Thra reaches out with a forehand to take one of Day-Lin's. Not so different after all. "From here, our paths will diverge. But even when I am gone, I will always be with you, through the Force."

Day-Lin attempts a smile. "I hope you'll be with me for a long while yet."

Master Thra nods in satisfaction and turns around (which is a fair undertaking). "Come."

Master Thra leaves the room.

Day-Lin takes a deep breath, and paces after.

INT. JEDI COUNCIL ROOM - DAY

Just as the city-world of Coruscant is the center of the Republic, so does this chamber represent the center of the millenia-old order of the Jedi Knights. The room is circular, with an elaborate design taking up much of the floor. Arranged around this mosaic are a variety of chairs; their occupants are just as varied physically, but all are Jedi.

Massive pillars support the roof, and between them windows look out across the endless cityscape. Ships of every size and shape pass in the distance, following their assigned traffic lanes. Coruscant never sleeps.

The double doors swing wide and Day-Lin enters, alone. All eyes turn to regard him in silence as his steps sound softly on the tile.

Day-Lin strides into the council chamber, coming to a halt in the center of the circle of chairs. Facing Yoda, he makes a slight bow. "Masters."

The small green being nods in acknowledgement, as do the two nearest to him - the coneheaded Knight, Ki Adi Mundi, and the polished ebony figure of Mace Windu, leader of the Council. Still, all is silent.

Day-Lin folds his arms, waiting. Patiently. Truly. Well, he's trying, anyway.

To Day-Lin, it seems as though the Jedi Masters - all impeccably dressed in robes that are traditional, yet of much finer cut and quality than his own - are staring right through him, as though his skin and sinew were as clear as the transparisteel windows. Measuring his worth against some unknown standard, perhaps. It is a cool regard... the whole room feels ineffably calm, yet expectant.

Day-Lin adjusts the set of his arms. Then shifts the placement of his feet.

It is Mundi who finally speaks, in a soft fluting voice. "Why are you here?"

Day-Lin Allori answers quickly; there's more than a hint of impatience there, relief that events are finally progressing. "To be acknowledged as a full Jedi."

That speed is noted by Yoda, who replies, "Sure of that, you are?"

Day-Lin answers, confident, "Yes, Master."

A glance is exchanged with Windu. "Sure of yourself. Confident. Perhaps even... prideful. Mm?" The wizened master's eyes glitter like jade as he leans forward in his seat.

Day-Lin says "I don't believe so, Master Yoda."

Yoda points a finger. "See into your heart, we can. Watched you, we have. Proud you are, yeees."

Yoda says, "Confident a Jedi must be, in himself, in the Force... but pride leads to the Dark Side."

Day-Lin says "Does Master Thra agree with you, Master Yoda?"

Yoda snorts, settling back in his chair. "Master Thra here is not. You are. Master Thra a Jedi already is. Are you?"

Day-Lin sounds a little less sure of himself this time. "Yes, Master Yoda. I think so."

Master Windu inquires in a deep, mellow voice, "Then why are you here?"

Day-Lin answers, after a moment, "Master Thra taught me to honor the traditions of the Jedi. By those traditions, I'm not truly a Jedi until the Council acknowledges it."

Master Windu nods infinitesimally. "So you are here merely to satisfy... tradition."

Day-Lin hesitates, then says, "I wouldn't say *merely*, Master Windu."

Master Windu says, "Then you have other reasons?"

Day-Lin says "I mean that I think it's more important than that implies, Master."

For one not used to the bustle of the Core, the steady stream of ship traffic in the window behind Windu's impassive visage is yet another distraction to be ignored.

Master Windu points out, "A Jedi Knight cannot simply 'go through the motions.' One must be a Jedi. Or not."

Master Windu says, "Master Thra has taught you what it means to be a Jedi. Now that choice is before you."

Day-Lin considers that for a moment, and nods fractionally. "Then I *am* a Jedi," he says, sounding confident again.

Yoda utters a rasping sound that might be a chuckle. "Not yet." He leans forward again, and despite his diminuitive size, the power in that stare is unmistakeable. "Once more must we ask you, Day-Lin Allori: why are you here?"

Day-Lin is silent for several long moments. His hands, still tucked into the sleeves of his robes, clench for a moment, and then he relaxes again. "To learn how much there is that I don't know, Master Yoda."

Again that ancient laugh, but this time Yoda is nodding, and Windu does the same. "No longer a Padawan learner will you be... but always, a student of the Force."

Day-Lin exhales slowly, and nods.

Yoda states with finality, "A Jedi Knight you are."

INT. JEDI TEMPLE HALLWAY - DAY

Pira Kunsai glides through the halls, stopping before the door to straighten her robes and tug absentmindedly at a now-vanished braid. She knocks, once.

From within comes the quiet but resonant voice of Pira's former master. "Enter."

Pira does so, pausing to incline her head respectfully. "Master."

As the door slides shut behind Pira, the door separating the front room - for receiving of guests - from the rest of Windu's chambers slides open. No mechanism is responsible for the frosted-glass panel doing so besides the tall Jedi Master's own hands, however.

A solemn man Mace Windu is, but not unemotional: at the sight of his former student, a smile lights his handsome face. "Pira. Hello."

Master Windu beckons. "Come. I was in the garden."

Pira's solemness lightens a little as she follows him into the light and flower-scented air.

More glass panels on silent runners divide the master's quarters into rooms (much as bamboo and paper screens might in a different time and place). Pira follows Master Windu through another into the garden area.

It is not a garden as some might expect; mostly bare sand and gravel, with rocks placed here and there, just so. There are patches of low grass in several different shades, as well as tall stalks of green so dark as to be nearly black, belled with colorful flowers.

Part of the garden is in disarray, with a damp cavity where a rock recently rested. The rock itself has been set aside.

Master Windu notes ruefully, "An infestation. Somehow, something got in."

The garden room is almost a balcony, extending out from the temple proper on three sides.

Pira crouches down beside the rocks. "Which ones this time, Master?" She prods delicately at the damp sand in the hollow.

Master Windu continues, "Coruscant's customs and security are supposed to be the best, but pests still find a way." He shakes his head and gets down on his knees on the gravel, reaching for a small box. Inside, tiny black things wiggle their feelers at the giants. A gesture of curiousity, greeting, or threat?

Master Windu picks up a trowel and continues his work, sifting through the sand and earth in search of more insects. "Greenery attracts them. They eat at the roots until the plant dies. Still, it is all part of the Force."

Pira says "Balance in all things. But perhaps not in the garden."

Master Windu sighs. "I hope I caught them in time. Otherwise, I may have to tear all of this out and start over." He waves at the garden.

Pira pauses for a moment, listening as a faint breeze drifts through the rock garden. "I hope not, Master. I never did tell you, but I enjoyed raking the garden." The corner of her mouth tilts up in the tiniest smile. "I thought you might give me something less pleasant to practice contemplation if I did."

Master Windu looks up with a similar half-smile. "I might, at that."

Pira leans down, examining the roots of another small plant.

Master Windu pauses to capture another black bug and put it with its brothers. "A new Jedi has come to us, from the Outer Rim territories."

The plant Pira is inspecting seems intact and healthy. For now.

Pira frowns a little. "They come so ill prepared from there, Master."

Master Windu nods solemnly. "Indeed. And this one is no different. He needs... tempering."

Pira says "He is to stay at the Temple for training?"

Hung at the corners of the garden, crystal chimes ring faintly in the wind.

Master Windu shakes his head. "He has passed the Trials, and been accepted by the Council. He is a Knight. But I would like to make sure that he does not go out into the Galaxy alone, at first."

Master Windu sits back on his heels, trowel in one hand still. "I believe that you could help balance him. He might listen to you, where he would not heed a Master."

Pira looks up sharply. "I am to leave the Temple."

Master Windu merely nods.

Pira stands up, channeling a rush of supressed excitement. "Will he listen to anybody, Master? Who was his own Master?"

Master Windu seems not to notice Pira's mood, returning to his gardening as he replies calmly, "Master Thra."

It's not a name Pira is familiar with, except perhaps from a passing mention in the records.

Pira says "I do not not know him, Master. Is he so reckless, to train children alone instead of sending them to us?"

Master Windu murmurs, "'Reckless' is hardly a term I would associate with Thra. No... the circumstances were unusual, and he used his own judgment. And done a fine job, given what he had to work with."

Master Windu sets the stone back in place and lifts another one to peer underneath. It seems all right.

Pira says "What did he have to work with, Master? What is this boy like?"

Master Windu muses. "Brash... perhaps a bit disrespectful. But loyal, to his Master and to the Jedi Code. And he admitted that he still has things to learn. I think he will make a fine Knight, with the proper guidance."

Pira says "And you think that I may provide it, Master?"

Master Windu's voice is deep, serene. "I do."

Pira bows her head respectfully. "I will strive to do so, then, Master."

Master Windu says warningly, "These are troubled times, Pira. The Senate is still in confusion with the recent change in leadership, and the incident with the Trade Federation shows how bad things have gotten in some parts of the Galaxy. Worse, there is the possibility that the Sith might have returned..."

Master Windu pushes himself to his feet and dusts off his robes. "I want you to be careful out there," he concludes.

Pira says "Was that truly a Sith Lord, on Naboo, Master? I had heard..."

Master Windu again simply nods.

Pira's voice is only a whisper. "But it has been a thousand years."

Master Windu says, "More. And we were so sure. But we may have been mistaken."

Master Windu straightens to his full height. "Come. I will walk you to the door."

Pira says "Yes, Master."

Pira trails behind, hands tucked inside her sleeves, gaze turned inward as she absorbs the conversation.

Master Windu leads Pira out, closing the glass door. Behind him, crystals sing and leaves wave in the air of Coruscant. And a single pair of feelers emerges from the sand at the base of the plant Pira was looking at...

(fin)