Argus knew where Tradek was heading and said to him through the Force, Try not to get too drunk my friend. Times are hard enough without having to have you drink my bottle of 'special' stuff along the way just to keep you in a fairly decent shape. Keep the comm open. Argus showed fairly roomy rooms for everyone to bed down. He then went away as if in a hurry to see someone.
Merios stood there. "I'm going back to the ship.." And with that, he headed back to the ship. You'll have to go this alone. This.. this presence. Whatever it is, it's making me uneasy.
"Dad, stop being so stubborn!" Zoe exclaimed. She continued, "Besides didn't you notice those shadow warriors watching us when we came in? I've been watching their movements and they mean no harm. Some are instructing the young, others are watching. You have to be blind not to see them." Zoe had seen these same warriors before on Alderaan. They were watching no one in particular, just watching and going about their business. She met one of them and knew they meant no harm but were fullfilling an ancient duty, one so old that it preceeded their written record.
"You can't hope to understand what I do." He said, walking into the ship gracefully, heading to his quarters. Argus, be on your guard. Watch Zoe for me he projected his thoughts to Argus as he sat down on the ground cross-legged, meditating.
She is right Merios. They mean no harm. Argus sent his thoughts to Merios and let him be to wander about the enclave. Zoe decided to follow and ask questions about the enclave. She was particularly interested in the gardens that were rebuilt, "Argus why the gardens?"
"To bring about an atmosphere of peaceful meditation," he replied. He was actually touched that this girl liked him for who he was. A Jedi with no clear alignment. He didn't show it as he gave her a tour. Zoe took everything in and marvelled at the ability of the shadow warriors and the remaining Jedi to rebuilt what had once been destroyed. She asked, "Why is my father so suspicious of everything?"
"As a father, I can't say except that you are his daughter, as a Jedi, he believes what he will. There are some things in this galaxy that cannot be met with a light or dark choice. I suspect you that from your time on Alderaan?"
"Yes," and Zoe was silent for a moment before speaking, "On Alderaan, when you called to me through the Force, you sounded well different than you do now. It touched me more than my father's pleading. It was as if you were a refuge or something," not sure how to voice her opinion.
Argus raised an eyebrow in surprise. He knew the extent of the impact his speaking though the Force had. Never before had anyone admitted to feeling something other than himself but then again something about Zoe made him think differently. The Jedi part of him took over in that she was lost and needed to find her way, the other well, he buried in his heart to protect it. Aware that Zoe was speaking, he listened, "I've been thinking about the Jedi and, well, I want to train again. The way of the Force seems so right some how. Will you train me?"
He kept meditating, listening in on their conversation, sad that his daughter had chosen to become a Jedi from a Grey Jedi.. or Sith. Either way, he was glad that his daughter had seen the light, even though it was dull.
((Nice that you say that I am soo dull. Just kidding))
Argus stared at Zoe, ready to drop his jaw in surprise. Instead he raised his brow and gazed into her eyes for a moment and dropped his gaze. Zoe didn't say anything but waited for his response. He said, "I haven't trained a Padawan since, well since I educated the younglings. I'm not sure that your father would approve."
"Dad is stubborn about things but he is entitled to what he thinks," Zoe replied, "Besides, I choose you, if you would have me."
Argus was touched that she was so determined and he thought inwardly how so alike she was to her father. He also knew that the council needed to hear this or at least Master Kira. He motioned for Zoe to follow and he introduced her to the wizened master who had seen much in his years. With a look at her, he acknowledged her potential in the Force. With a nod he asked, "You choose this padawan?"
Argus nodded, "Yes master."
Master Kira nodded and left to listen to a report on the Outer Rim. He also mentioned that the council will convene in four standard hours to decide the fate of Jacen. Argus bowed in respect and guided Zoe to a rebuilt meditation room. There he said, "I will train you," seing that she was going to call him master he said, "You may call me Argus still except in front of the masters. I think that would make your father feel a bit better."
Turning towards the door he projected to Merios, I noticed you have been listening. If you wish to say something, do so when you are ready. He then turned to Zoe and said, "To begin, intensive physical training will prepare you for the physical demands, meditation will help you to channel the power of the Force."
"Yes Argus."
"You have an extraordinary ability to channel the Force. We shall begin there," and he motioned her to a training room.
She's your problem now, Argus. I won't say anything, but so help me if you turn her against me i'll end your life myself.
The first signs of paleness appeared in his face as he was meditating.
Argus sensed the mistrust strongly and the anger. He couldn't deny it as he first felt it on Coruscant. Something was not right but he didn't want to worry Zoe as they continued their training. Zoe knew something was not right and she knew it had to do with her father. She decided not to ask but instead concentrated on the task that Argus had given her.
He stood up and heading towards the cargo hold, his stomach rumbling a little. He headed inside and walked to the food container, opening it, and grabbing a bag of freeze dried nerf sandwhiches and headed to the kitchen area, near the medical facility.
He slipped the sandwhiches into a small oven and pulls it out a few seconds later, taking the two sandwhiches out of the bag and onto a plate. He threw the bag in a trash compactor and sat down, eating the sandwhiches quietly.
Argus sighed and continued to train Zoe for the four hours. SHe learned quite a bit until a padawan came to inform him that the council was ready. He sent the message, The Council wishes to speak with us
Zoe could sense something was not rigth so she too sent, Dad, please not hard feelings.
Deal with yourself, you're being trained by him now, you'll be able to hndle yourself. Do not worry what I feel. He finished his sandwhiches and headed back to his quarters, sitting cross-legged on the ground, meditating.
Merios, the Council calls us. NOW! Argus put forcefully. For years he had been trodden upon by others and this time he had to make himself known.
He stood up, walking out of the ship and into the Enclave. He slowly headed towards the Council chambers, shouldering past Argus. Don't order me around. he thought as he walked into the chamber's seating area, taking a seat cross-legged on the ground.
Argus glanced at Merios as he walked into the chamber and gave a rather sad shake. Zoe had felt the anger and went to her father and admonished him in a fierce whisper, "Dad, stop it! You are a Jedi not a schutta!"
He ignored his daughter's attempt at insulting him. He whispered toward her, "Sit down and shut up."
He looked to the council, bowing a little. "So, why have you called us here?"
"Calm yourself Jedi Merios. The padawan is right, you are angry."
Argus was silent watching. The master continued, "We summon you concerning this Jacen you have brought but one of you is missing." Turning to Argus, he asked, "Where is Tradek?"
Argus bowed and closed his eyes to call to Tradek, Friend, the Council wishes you here. Bring Bob2 as well.
Zoe gazed respectfully at the masters but angry and hurt that her father was being, well, a jerk. She had never seen him that way in all the time that he ever came home. She tried to hide her hurt but Argus felt it. Argus was saddened that a great Jedi was beginning to fall. He reassured Zoe as best as he could but his thoughts were distracted by darkened feelings that were approaching.
"Angry that a Neutral Jedi is controlling my daughter.. I'd rather have the council take over training Zoe, but I know they do not train adults.." He said, glancing back at the two.
'We make special cases, but in this instance, we cannot.' Said the Master, watching Merios. He just scoffed.
"You see? And she'd rather have an ex-Sith train her than her own father."
The Master raised his eyebrow in disbelief and said, "Argus is no Sith. You feel betrayal from another, the boy that you brought and you suspect everyone that has no clearly defined intentions."
Argus entered into the conversation, "I would have been disregarded if Vrook were here because I don't see eye to eye with the teachings all the time. I command the Force and follow the Jedi way."
"You see things in grey rather than black, or white. And yet you call yourself a Jedi? Grey is just another shade of darkness." He said, looking back to the masters.
"I distrust all around me because when I needed them most, they took off. I bred against the Jedi code, and Zoe disrespects me and doesn't follow what I say. Argus and I have helped each other, but when push comes to shove, he backs out and leaves me with the trouble. Tradek is just a Pazaak playing drunk. No one around me deserves to be considered a friend.. or an ally."
He stood up, bowing to the Masters. "If you don't mind, I'd like to go to the study.." He said walking backwards then turning towards the Library.
Argus shook his head sadly. Zoe looked like she wanted to burst into tears. The masters seemed to come into an agreement that the others didn't hear, "Much anger and pain. Terrible pain. He must come to terms with it."
Argus gave a slight nod and Zoe left to follow Merios. She struggled to hold back the tears when she found him in the Library. She gazed with a hurt expression, "How could you even say that? About me and our friends? They are loyal to the Republic." Tears were brimming and she was barely holdin git together.
"The Republic is just a Facade for the true evil. Sure, they look fine. But secretly, i'm sure one of the main contributors is pure evil," he said, pulling out a holocron and sitting down at a table, turning it on and watching the holographic image.
He didn't look up from the holographic image, " Loyal is not the word for you, ungrateful and fools are the correct labels."
"You hurt Dad. I don't know you anymore. You've changed. Stop and come back to what I remembered you being," Zoe was pleading.
Argus had entered the library quietly intent on speaking reasonably to Merios or offer the other choice.
He ignored her, listening to the holocron speak, the holograpic image crackling a little from age.
"Please Dad. You're...you're breaking my heart like you did Mom's. You travel a path that I can't go. Please!" Zoe was begging and shedding tears.
Argus came in and softly said, "She is right, you have changed. You are not yourself. Stop the madness before it consumes you."
He looked up at Zoe. "I failed your mother because I had a duty! It's against Jedi code having a family, and now you are here, and that's a strike against me already. You think it's easy trying to cope with myself- and my family before I get exiled?" He said, then he glanced at Argus.
"You would know.. wouldn't you.." He said in a mocking tone of voice.
Argus' expression did not change but the words that came out were strong, "I do know what it is like, to be on Zoe's end. My parents were both Jedi but my mother left the order claiming that duty called to my homeworld. It was because she was carrying me. My father came as often as he could but it never felt like it was enough. He was happy to see me accepted into the order but saddened that he could not show me the love a father should. When he died in the war with Malak, he told me that he was sorry that he had failed me and my mother. He never did because he gave me life, a life worth living." Argus stared for the longest time not breaking gaze. It hurt that he had to divulge his past but he knew that it was no one's fault. That was why he never agreed to certain things of the Jedi.
Zoe was shedding tears not just for what her father was doing but because of her master's pain. He kept so many things from others that when he did sow himself, it was painful in certain ways. He felt vulnerable at times.
"Well your father died for a righteous cause, I killed many Jedi when I followed Revan to the Mandalorian wars. Bet I never told you that, Zoe." He said, knocking the holocron off onto the floor, but it was caught by a force whirlwind by a Jedi Master who happened to be the librarian.
'No damaging the goods, Master Mulas' He said, setting it on the shelf. Merios just scoffed. "I was exiled, but I turned my life around and joined the Order, redeeming myself. I left without their consent, that's when I met you in space.. Argus."
He glanced at Zoe. "Since Argus is your Master, you don't seem to need a father, nor want one."
"That is not true Dad. It was you who found me. Please," Zoe was still shedding tears. She looked so like her mother. Argus waited a second and then spoke, "Yes, you met me in space as you left. We came back to Dantooine. I spoke to the masters on Coruscant and they agreed to communicate with you."
"And those events that happened to be cannot be truely forgotten, and will always remain in the back of my mind as a reminder, but now I see that I cannot keep that hidden away forever."
He stood up and headed out of the room. "Zoe, you're my daughter, and there's no stopping me from loving you, but I must warn you, Argus is not a great Jedi.." He ignored Argus' comment about Coruscant, heading out of the room. Veins slowly starting to show as his face became even more pale.
I'll be in the mediation chambers in the ship, do not bother me.
Zoe was shedding tears uncontrollably. Argus let her cry and he tried to soothe her but when he approached, she grabbed him and still cried into his shoulder. Cautiously he put his arms around her and just held her. He let her cry her tears and he gazed up to the sky, as if an answer would come. He put his head on top of hers with his eyes closed, Merios, you turn your back now, you will lose everything. Zoe is still hanging on.
Been gone a while, sorry
Now what would those Jedi want with me. Oh well, might as well go see them. I headed to the council with Bob2 as Argus requested.
By a thread, Argus.
He thought, sitting down cross-legged and meditating, a faint greyish black aura starting to appear around him.
She loves you so that it shows. It is forbidden for the Jedi to love and yet she does. You did to and the fruit of your love is your daughter. Why do you turn her away?
I don't, you took her away from me. I had plans, Argus. Plans. And you ruined them. Since when did you start coming into my life?
What have I done but encourage her to listen to you? You brought her to the Jedi, not I. You never doubted me before. Why do you now?
You've taken her in as your Apprentice, in reality, you have no idea who she really is. I doubt you now because that you're leading my daughter down the very same path you took. And now she's putting on the waterworks trying to make me let you do whatever you're doing.
She wouldn't do that. I feel her pain and I'm sure you do too. What is it about her you think I don't know? Argus was trying to make Merios understand.
For one thing, you just met her. And you just now became her master. I've been her father for her whole life. I'd know more about her than you would ever think to know. I don't wish to speak with you about this matter anymore, it's like speaking to a wall. Leave me to my meditation.
He slowly closed his eyes again, beginning to meditate.
Argus was going to be persistent. He sent Zoe to speak to the masters and tomeet Tradek. He continued, What wall? I wish to understand why you think so for your logic is flawed in some places. A Jedi listens. You don't. Not anymore
He ignored Argus, as he was done talking. He kept mediating, getting more in tune with the area around him, coming in touch with what he thought was the light side, but in reality, it was the dark side.
Argus decided to stop speaking through the Forcce and go confront him directly when he was stopped by a Shadow Warrior. The warrior told him that the Jedi was being consumed. He must be made to leave but Argus would have none of it. He told the warrior that anyone could be redeemed. The warrior said that he had fallen. The mark of darkness was etched on his soul. Argus said nothing further and went to find Merios.
(In the quarters of the ship)
He broke from his concentration and opened his eyes quickly, the shadow warrior clawing at his throat, lifting into the air and wrenching over quickly, bones jutting out of his chest at crooked red angles. The man dropped to the ground and twitched, then lay still, dead. Several Jedi ran to help him, but it was too late.
Merios slowly closed his eyes again.
((Uh they didn't really follow. They watch but never that close))
(Didn't follow. That's the shadow warrior that was at his post. He recently talked to Argus.)
((I never said he followed Argus. He just told him that it was pointless to reason with Merios.))
Argus walked into the meditation chamber and felt the dark side so that it sent a shiver up his spine. He filled himself with the Force and walked in. He was wary of Merios and tentatively asked, "Merios, old friend?"
He opened his eyes slowly, red around the edges and bright yellow in the middle. "Don't call me friend, Argus." He said, turning fully to look him in the eyes, drawing down his hood, revealing his full head. Same as usual, just more dark side transition features.
"Why have you come here? I don't wish to speak with you," he said.
"Why do you do this? The darkside I sense in you." Argus never waved his gaze.
"What do you care?" He said, walking past him and into the main hold.
"I care for someone who is a great Jedi and still has much to give for the galaxy as a guardian of peace and justice."