The Longshot

[Dolin Hu]

Longer than the Jedi had been on Ossus, there had been the Ysanna. Once a thriving people, their civilization had been cut short by the ravaging of their planet. The Jedi left, as did most races, but the Ysanna were not weak. They would not run. They would stay and defend their home.

And so the Ysanna remained, ever alert for yet more treachery. In time, their civilization broke down, shattered into countless tribes, each finding their own purpose and meaning. The Force was strong with them, but they had little use for mystic thinking or fanciful saber combat. No, the Ysanna were practical, finding uses for the Force unlike those that had been left in the Jedi's great library. Hunting, warfare, locating water - these were the things the Ysanna found the Force most useful for, and in time, they nearly forgot the Jedi had even been among them, their library little more than a relic in poor hunting grounds.

Then the Jedi returned. It had sparked a firestorm of debate among tribal councils. Would they bring upon Ossus another apocalypse? Would they demand land back that they had abandoned so long ago? No, it was Ysanna land. All of Ossus was Ysanna land, that was the opinion of many councils. But the Ysanna possessed not the firepower with which to repel the invaders, and the thought of killing women and children did not sit well among the Ysanna warriors. So they hung back, staying to their forests, and watched as the Jedi, then the Cizerack and the Gossam, ate further into their lands. It became clear that the Jedi would not leave, they intended to make Ossus their new seat of power, with no regard to the Ysanna whose land they stole. The tribes agreed something had to be done, though the solution was not a unanimous decision. They would send one of their own to the Jedi, to learn their ways, and to represent the Ysanna on Ossus. Perhaps by understanding each other, they would not come to war.

It was that decision which found Dolin Hu, the teenage daughter of a chief, making her way onto the road which the Alliance had built. Her raven locks bounced and swayed in the breeze as she walked, a glittering gold circlet about her forehead representing her mark of station to all who saw. A leather corset of sorts fit her midriff like a glove, the symbol of the Ossan eagle in proud display over her breasts, while a warrior's skirt swung at her hips, along with a machete. Her shoulders bore a simple rucksack, and in her hand she carried a Ysannan rifle - a weapon with which she had considerable experience. Her dark eyes took in the sights around her. These Jedi appeared to abhor nature, having cleared it to build their foreign structures, instead of building within it for a harmonious existence. She had been told by one of them that it was a way to recreate the world they had known, and so she accepted it. That did not mean she had to like it.

She had been told where to find the council, and who to expect upon it. Her liaison had been most forthcoming with information of many sorts, which had been most helpful in avoiding conflict with the Jedi before that day. Light boots carried her steps through the growing complex to the doors of the Jedi Council chambers, and without invitation, she opened the doors, stepping inside.

"I am Dolin Hu, representative of the Ysanna," she announced. "And I have come to join your order."

[Jedi]

The three high-backed wooden chairs sat empty on the council dais. In fact, the whole rotunda was empty, save for motes of dust floating in the slanted beams of sunlight that beat through the tall, arched windows, and a very surprised-looking teenage human girl at the desk to the side of the dais with a stack of flimsi and a datapad. She rose awkwardly, scooting back her own chair with a scrape. She was rather plain, not very tall, with a stocky build and a thick drape of black hair pulled into a braid on one side of her face.

"Um... the Council is not in session right now," she said. "I'm Padawan Kestra Martel. I could probably find one of them for you?"

[Dolin Hu]

"Oh," the word slipped out of the Ysannan's mouth before she realized it. Her eyes darted back to the empty council chambers before returning to the girl.

Easing her stance, Dolin forced a smile. "I'm sorry, I was told this is where I was to find them," she announced. Shifting her rifle into her left hand, the young woman stepped forward, extending her right for a shake. "I am Dolin Hu, daughter of a Ysannan chief. I have been sent to join your Order, and to train as a Jedi." She hesitated, glancing around again. "...where should I do that?"

[Jedi]

Kestra gathered up her datapad and edged around the the desk to meet Dolin, and she reached out her hand to grasp the Ysanna's with a wary glance at the rifle in her other hand. "It's an honor, Miss Hu," she said. "And... well, you should definitely speak to a Council member. Master Solomon should be finishing with his morning classes. Why don't you follow me?"

The girl drummed up a smile with some effort, feeling not entirely unlike a mouse greeting a hawk, and motioned back through the doors Dolin had entered just a moment ago. "Does the Council know you're coming?"

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin's sculpted eyebrows came together in a pinch. "Would they not know I was coming? It is said that some Jedi Masters can glimpse the future," she replied. "Is this not true?"

Kresta appeared to be around her same age of seventeen, but other than dark hair, that was where the similarities ended. Dolin was tall, athletic, and held herself with the poise and grace of a stalking panther. Skin bronzed from the sun, she appeared wild and exotic compared to the nearly city-like lifestyle that these Jedi bore.

[Jedi]

Kestra led the Ysanna out through the antechamber and back into the morning sunslight, wondering at how Dolin had walked through the colony, armed and armored, to the Council rotunda itself without being challenged. She didn't exactly blend in, and now the pair of them drew second glances from robed padawans and Alliance workers in coveralls alike.

"It doesn't quite work like that," she said helplessly. "But then I'm not exactly sure how it does work. You could ask Master Laran - she has the gift of foresight. I just look after the younglings."

She laughed, somewhat artificially, and hunted vainly for any reciprocation on Dolin's face.

"Um... you said you were sent here? Who sent you?"

[Dolin Hu]

"My tribe, clearly," Dolin replied. She felt the stares as well, but as long as she kept the barrel of her rifle down, she knew she should not encounter trouble. "One of your Jedi has met with us, and has begun to explain your ways. They are unlike our own, but to prevent war, I must learn them, so that there may be a bridge between our peoples."

One of her eyebrows arched up as she added, "Looking after children is no light responsibility. They will someday be your clan's leaders. Do not make light of your role and responsibility, Jedi Kestra."

[Jedi]

Kestra looked back with wide, dark eyes. "Oh, I don't!" she said. "It's very important, especially since many of the children have never had a proper home before. We're all trying to do the best we can for them, it's just overwhelming sometimes."

She led Dolin away from the bustle of the market street and the new construction north of the colony and toward the padawan dormitories, classrooms, and wide open parade grounds, where it was quieter and cleaner, and wind carried the smell of the crop fields in hydroponics and the forests surrounding the colony.

"No one here wants war with your people, either," Kestra said solemnly. "I'm sure there's a lot we can learn from you, as well."

Between the school building and the parade grounds was a cluster of pavilion tents so lessons could be held in the open air but out of the beating sunslight. Kestra made her way for one of them, where a tall man in a black tunic and broad-brimmed hat sat on a stool, lecturing a crowd of students of varying species and ages, all of them seated on blankets with datapads and styluses. As Kestra and Dolin approached, some of the students began craning their necks for a better view and whispering among themselves.

[Dolin Hu]

So this was a Jedi teacher. She had been told in limited degree how how one was to advance through the ranks according to learned skill, but most she could see were initiates younger than herself, Dolin wondered if she would have to train among them, and endure simple lectures.

"You must learn their ways, and respect their culture. You are to be our emissary, and it is not your place to judge these outsiders." The words of her father rang in her ears.

At their edge, Dolin stopped. It was impolite to interrupt an elder, especially one engaged in instruction. Rifle tucked under her left arm, she placed her right behind her back, standing in a proud, warriorlike pose, but not deigning to intrude upon the lesson as it was being given. To the patient came all things, so long as they planned ahead.

[Rev Solomon]

"In the end, it's difficult to say where his true legacy lies. He took great risks for the sake of the Republic, risks that eventually cost him his morality, his apprentice, his followers, and even plunged the galaxy back into the horrors of war. Of course, he ultimately found his redemption. But many had already paid the price for his pride. Rather than judge the man, it is more beneficial to us to judge his decisions, to see how seductive the path of anger and hatred and revenge can be, and to consider how we can guard our own hearts from following that path."

Solomon could see, with ten minutes left in the lesson, that he was beginning to lose some of his students. He chanced a look over his shoulder to see what had drawn their attention and was surprised to see Padawan Martell escorting a young woman in tribal leathers carrying a longrifle - a Ysanna longrifle at that. Murmuring voices began to flutter from the students.

"I'd like you to finish reading Chapter Nine in The Chronicle of the Revanchist for tomorrow, and be prepared to discuss why Revan declared war on the Republic," he said. "I'll let you go early today. Go and enjoy the warm weather."

The Jedi preacher slid off his stool and moved briskly to meet Kestra and the Ysanna. Kestra, with equal parts hope and fear on her round face, smiled brightly and aid, "Master Solomon! This is Dolin Hu of the Ysanna. She's come to seek training with the Jedi."

"Has she?" Solomon couldn't quite conceal his surprise. The Council had sent envoys to the Ysanna before, which had been met with anything from open suspicion to shouted threats and warning shots. This was beyond a breakthrough. Solomon removed his hat and bowed.

"Miss Hu. You honor us with your presence."

[Dolin Hu]

A gentle bow came in reply from the Ysanna. "Thank you, Master Solomon," she replied, hoping she'd gotten the name right. "As I have told Jedi Kestra, here, I have been sent to join your order, so that I may be a bridge between our peoples."

Cresting six feet in height, Dolin found it refreshing to have a Jedi to look up to, literally, as the one she had experience with was far shorter. "I have been told your ways require training. When shall mine begin? I am ready."

[Rev Solomon]

"To join the Jedi Order is a lifetime commitment," Solomon said. "It will mean a very different lifestyle than the one you are accustomed to. We welcome your people's friendship with open arms--"

He paused, realizing that this was perhaps a poor choice of words in his case.

"--and we will gladly show you what hospitality we can provide. But I want to be certain you understand what you're committing yourself to. May I ask which tribe you represent?"

[Dolin Hu]

"I am of the Hu Ysanna, but I will represent all Ysanna, it has been decided," Dolin answered back with pride. "The Hu are the mightiest clan. What my father says is law, on this world."

She paused to pull an errant strand of hair from her face, and adjust her headband. "And, yes, I am aware than training will take years. Your representative has explained many things to us. It is part of the reason you have been allowed this site. The Gossam are allowed their own, as we are not without heart."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya was initially buoyed by the early dismissal from lessons. Not that the history was dull, but her mind had been fixated on more personal matters of growth recently. Still, as she scooped up her lesson materials to head back to the dorm, the Syragori couldn't help but pause, glancing back at Solomon as he moved to meet someone. It was a face she didn't know, but Draiya certainly knew the distinctive profile of the long-barrel slugthrower the woman carried.

Eyes wide and hawkish, Draiya froze suddenly in her tracks.

[Rev Solomon]

It has been decided. Solomon wondered if that had been decided in confederation, or if the Hu were merely confident that their fellows would fall in line. He noticed Draiya hovering nearby and was reminded of her brush with another Ysanna confederation while guarding a Gossam convoy. Aside from the attack by the Dauntless, that had been the bloodiest day for the colonists since they had landed on Ossus.

Whether the Syragori was hanging back because she was timid or because she wanted to be the first link in the colony gossip chain, Solomon decided he'd better encourage some forthrightness. "Draiya, come and meet our guest. Dolin, this is Draiya Naaianeya, another one of our Padawan learners. Draiya, this Dolin Hu of the Hu Ysanna. She wishes to join our Order."

The preacher turned back to the statuesque young woman. Something she'd said was agitating in his mind. "You said our representative has explained things to you. Which representative would that be?"

[Dolin Hu]

"Well met, Draiya Naaianeya," Dolin greeted the padawan with a curt nod. "We must become friends." It sounded more like a command than a friendly greeting, yet everyrhing about the Ysanna woman seemed severe.

Attention returning to the Master, she smiled, no less severe an expression than the words she had given to Draiya. "Why, your Knight Halajiin Rabeak, of course. We have had considerable discourse with him, over the past few seasons. He is a true credit to your Order, and I aspire to one day be held in such esteem as he is, among you."

[Draiya Naaianeya]

Draiya approached at Solomon's behest, her legs feeling somewhat leaden as she came to greet the Ysanna. It was easy for her mind to return to that deadly day on the path to Miwu Shanma. The Ysanna was armed, yet she'd come peacably, and Master Solomon did not seem to feel she was operating under deception. Still, the memories were too fresh and too vivid for Draiya to forget. She was mindful of Serena's teachings of respect of the minds of others, so she didn't dare cross Dolin's threshold. Still, the Syragori's senses were wary for anything outward manifest.

Finally standing alongside Solomon, Draiya greeted Dolin with a courteous yet cool bow.

"Welcome to Sanctuarry, Dolin."

Draiya rose from her bow, eyes fixed on the taller wild woman.

[Rev Solomon]

"Knight Rabeak?"

And all of a sudden, a great deal about Dolin's unexpected arrival became clear. Of course, now Solomon's mind was filling with new questions, as well as a rising tide of panic, which he labored to quell in the face of the Ysanna girl's earnest admiration. He needed to speak with Hal, and soon.

"I'm afraid there may have been a misunderstanding," he said. "Halajiin Rabeak is indeed a knight of our order, but we were not aware he was treating with the Ysanna. I am pleased to hear he has a good name among your people. Most of our attempts reach you have been unsuccessful so far."

[Dolin Hu]

Dolin's brow crimped. "Misunderstanding?" she asked. "He is one of your Knights, and I am here. What is there to misunderstand?" The Ysanna stared hard into Solomon's eyes, demanding an answer.

"If you do not believe me, then summon Knight Rabeak and he will surely dispel any doubts you may be harboring. We could have easily demanded one of your students to come and learn our ways, in exchange, but we did not. He made it clear that is not your way."

[Rev Solomon]

"I believe you sincerely, Dolin," Solomon replied. "And I have no doubt that Knight Rabeak has dealt with your people just as sincerely, and with the best of intentions. But as he did not speak to us about these arrangements, I'm afraid I and the other members of the Council have no knowledge of them. I would summon him right away, but he's on a mission offworld and has not yet returned."

He was keenly aware how perilous a situation this was. On one hand, a skeptic might suggest the Ysanna were using Hal's name to cunningly insert a spy into the Jedi ranks. But they could not possibly know that Hal was overdue from his mission to Taris, and a mere word from the Nehantite Jedi could easily unravel such a plot. On the other hand, Dolin might suspect that he was denying knowledge of Hal's negotiations so the Jedi could renege on any accords that had already been reached. If she carried a tale of Jedi treachery back to her countrymen, there might never be peace between the Jedi and the Ysanna.

One thing was certain. He sensed no deceit in the young woman, even though he could sense her fierce pride, her determination, and also her mounting indignation.

"Until Knight Rabeak returns to give his testimony, we will do everything in our power to honor his word. I must confer with my fellow Council members and make preparations to induct you formally into our Order. Until then, Padawan Martell, Padwaan Naaianeya, perhaps you can show Miss Hu around the colony. Answer all her questions as well as you can. I will contact you when we are ready."