The Thousand Springs Chamber, a sacred meditation sanctuary deep within the Jedi Temple.
Year-round, clear springs flowed from the mountainous structure of the Temple, their misty vapor creating a barrier that isolated the chamber from the outside world's clamor.
Solo and Ahsoka followed the bluestone path, the serene surroundings failing to detain them. They continued until they reached the stone door.
As the door slowly opened, a humid air carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees wafted out. The chamber was softly lit, its central stone platform graced by a murmuring stream that reflected the natural light streaming down from above.
Solo gently placed the Carbon-Freeze Container holding the Pota Grass on the smooth stone slab. Instead of opening it immediately, he sat down cross-legged.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, allowing the Force within him to resonate with the chamber's tranquility.
"Ahsoka, let's begin!"
The metal clasp of the Carbon-Freeze Container clicked open in his palm. The pale purple Pota Grass released its native, damp fragrance, its leaves still glistening with unfused frost crystals, faint light shimmering through their veins.
Solo's fingertip pierced a leaf. The cool sap seeped into his skin, instantly transforming into a gentle yet powerful warmth that surged through his veins, coursing through his limbs and bones.
At first, it was just a subtle pulsation of the midi-chlorians within his body, as if these long-dormant entities had been fully awakened and were now rhythmically pulsing through his veins.
Without needing to deliberately clear his mind, the Force surged into him like a tide, no longer thin and sluggish as before, but abundant as the atmosphere enveloping a planet, tangible and within reach.
The range of his consciousness expanded several times beyond its previous limits. The breathing rhythms of the Jedi in the Temple, the trajectories of dust particles dancing in the wind—all now unfolded with crystal clarity in his mind.
He tried to manipulate the Force. What had once required intense concentration to move an object through the air now needed only a thought. A stone in the corner obediently flew through the air at his will.
His Force Jumps soared higher and hung in the air longer than ever before. When he landed, a light tap of his toes against the ground allowed him to pivot swiftly sideways with the rebound force.
Even the residual strain from his infrequent use of teleportation had dissipated.
Solo could distinctly sense the midi-chlorians within him, now fully under his conscious control. Each midi-chlorian radiated vibrant energy, resonating with the others to form a dense network of the Force.
He gripped his lightsaber, feeling the surging yet docile Force coursing through him.
Just as he was about to delve deeper into refining his techniques, his communicator beeped. Aayla Secura's voice came through: "Warrior Victor, where are you?"
"Aayla!" Solo replied calmly. "I'm training in the Thousand Springs Chamber. What's the matter?"
"Um..." Aayla hesitated. "Master Yoda wishes to see you."
"Understood." Solo nodded calmly, showing no surprise. "Let's go, Spike!"
"Yes, Master!" The Togruta girl responded with high spirits, quickly falling into step behind him. Her potential was enhanced by the effects of Pota Grass.
In a conference room of the Senate Building, Chancellor Palpatine sat at a table with Master Windu and Senator Amidala, discussing the current situation.
Gradually, the soft glow of holographic projections lit up as members of the Jedi Council connected to the communication.
"Jabim is deep within Separatist-controlled territory," a holographic projection spoke, concern evident in their voice. "The risk of operating under their noses is simply too great."
"Risk has never stopped the Jedi from fulfilling their duties," Master Eeth Koth shrugged. "Moreover, Hutt Space serves as a natural barrier on one side of the sector. The Hutts remain neutral and are unlikely to intervene easily, providing us with a buffer."
"Under the jurisdiction of the Twelfth Sector's Army Corps, Jabim. Military division, hmm!" Master Yoda said slowly. "Internal conflicts should be resolved by the Sector's own armed forces."
Chancellor Palpatine looked at the assembled group, his tone earnest. "I hope the Council will send a few Jedi to assist."
"Of course, Your Excellency," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi replied through his holographic projection, nodding. "Those mineral resources are crucial to the war effort. We cannot allow them to fall into the hands of the Separatists, or the Republic's arms supply will face even greater passive constraints."
"More importantly, it's about the people," Senator Amidala added. "According to intelligence, some citizens on the planet still loyal to the Republic are arming themselves to resist Alto Stratus's nationalist forces. To consolidate his rule, Stratus has openly implemented ethnic cleansing. The civil war has already caused countless innocent casualties. Morally, we have an inescapable duty to intervene."
"But the situation is tense, and we'll need at least two to three weeks to assemble twenty Jedi," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi responded gravely, his voice tinged with helplessness.
"We can't wait that long!" Master Evan Piell protested, glancing at the data pad. "The Separatist Alliance's first cargo ships are preparing to jump into the Jabiim system, carrying industrial equipment and returning with mined ores and minerals. Once they complete their resupply, their subsequent actions will become increasingly difficult to counter."
"I believe we're not entirely without options," Master Shaak Ti interjected, drawing everyone's attention.
"What do you mean, Master Ti?" Master Plo Koon began, but his gaze suddenly shifted to his own data pad. He nodded slowly, seeming to understand her implication.
Master Shaak Ti, like Master Ki-Adi-Mundi beside her, was intently studying a report.
"You mean Jedi Knight Solo Victor?" Master Ki-Adi-Mundi confirmed, his voice carrying a hint of certainty.
"Exactly, Master Plo," Master Shaak Ti replied. "According to the latest briefing I received from Lantilles, although Knight Victor's team has just completed their mission on Royce VII, they happen to be stationed in the sector where Jabim is located. After sustaining significant losses in the battle over the destruction of the Donovia Fuel Factory, his unit urgently needs replenishment of technical equipment and ship repairs. Though not ideal, this is our only viable option at present."
Master Oppo Rancisis perked up. "As far as I know, a convoy is about to arrive in that sector, carrying reinforcements and equipment from Kuat and Rotana, including some experimental gear. It's entirely reasonable to supply Warrior Victor with everything he needs, grant him greater authority to quickly replenish his forces and repair his ships, and then send him to Jabim immediately."
"Send the orders to Sector Command now," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi declared. "Warrior Victor's unit should be standing by there. We need him to carry out the mission as soon as possible."
"Warrior Victor is currently at the Temple—"
"He's coming to see me! I'll hear his thoughts myself!"
Finally, Master Yoda spoke.
The meeting continued, focusing on the details of follow-up support. A preliminary plan for an emergency relief mission to Jabim was thus tentatively agreed upon.
Master Yoda chose to meet Solo in his usual meditation chamber, a serene and peaceful place where he liked to spend his time.
"Sit," Yoda said, pointing to the cushion opposite him.
Solo sat down and bowed slightly in greeting. "Master Yoda."
"I'm glad to see you safe and sound!" Yoda opened his eyes, his gaze piercing as he focused on Solo. "Solo!"
"You summoned me for a specific reason, Master Yoda," Solo stated, cutting straight to the point.
"Hmm—" Yoda frowned, pausing before speaking. "I wanted to see you... Yes, I wanted to ask you, Solo—"
Solo interrupted calmly, "Is this about whether the events I've experienced have changed me and my... worldview?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Yoda's wrinkled face before he composed himself, continuing to gaze intently at him. "This mission has taught you much. You have changed since I last saw you. Such transformation is not unprecedented, yes—"
"After all I've been through, it's hard to remain unchanged," Solo nodded. "You've trained countless Jedi and witnessed the rise and fall of many fates. No one understands this better than you."
It was a logical question.
First, he had encountered Asajj Ventress, a user of the Dark Side, and to survive, dark side fluctuations had emerged within him.
Now, he had faced a sentient being fully deserving of the title "Sith Lord," followed by betrayal from within the High Council itself.
In such circumstances, many might lose faith in the organization and leave, just as Ahsoka Tano did in the original story line.
"This time, the Shadow found you. It reveals a grave problem within the Warrior Order!" Yoda sighed. "I remember you differently. This isn't the first time such a thing has happened. Those who stagnate will eventually return to the Force."
The Master's tone turned solemn. "But remember this well: we must all hold fast to ourselves. No matter when, steadfast belief is the true essence of a Jedi."
"That requires a premise: knowing what you truly want," Solo replied. "Everything has two sides. Unchanging leads to stagnation, stagnation breeds dogmatism, dogmatism solidifies beliefs, and beliefs can ultimately devolve into fanaticism. History proves that fanaticism never brings good results. Count Dooku is a perfect example. He never changed his views, refused any compromise or compromise, and ultimately ended up in his current state."
"Hmm... you speak both truth and falsehood," Yoda sighed again. "Isn't spiritual resilience also a crucial quality of a Jedi?"
"Yes, it's important," Solo acknowledged calmly. "But more important is choosing the right path. Mental fortitude can keep one from deviating from a chosen direction, but if the path itself leads to the abyss, even the most steadfast belief will only plunge one deeper, wouldn't you say?"
"You mean you can now discern the rightness or wrongness of a path?" A flicker of curiosity crossed Master Yoda's eyes. "Can you clearly see the path to prosperity and the road to ruin?"
Solo immediately understood the core of this conversation: Master Yoda was probing to see if he had, like Dooku, become stubbornly judgmental of others' views, convinced that his own path was the only correct one.
He met Yoda's gaze and asked bluntly, "You summoned me because you wanted to confirm whether I've fallen to the Dark Side, didn't you?"
"That is one reason," Yoda admitted.
"Then tell me, Master," Solo said gravely, "all of us—Knights, Masters, even the Grand Master—hold deeply rooted views and beliefs, and these inevitably differ. But who has the right to judge the rightness or wrongness of these views? The members of the Warrior Order who judged Jonar?"
Yoda remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I agree with you, Solo. Everyone has their own perspective, even within the Jedi Order. We should judge actions, not opinions and beliefs themselves."
"Actions are merely an extension of opinions," Solo countered. "Few people think one way and act another."
"This is worth pondering," Yoda said after a pause. "I understand your current thoughts. So, what do you intend to do? Leave the Temple now, or wait for a new mission?"
"The war has already begun, and avoidance will solve nothing," Solo said firmly. "These events have left me with too many questions. I need answers."
"And so?" Yoda asked curiously. "What do you plan to do?"
"My 13th Legion is still on Lantilles," Solo replied, though he had other plans. "I intend to end this war that has spread across the galaxy."
"A conflict in the Twelfth Sector is imminent," Master Yoda said. "You were there before! Jabim... wishes to hear your thoughts!"
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