Open to All TLV style post

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Network; Video]

[A young man with violet-blue eyes, blue-black hair tucked away in a bun, dressed in green tabards with orange embroidery in somewhat organic patterns, over indigo tunics appears on the network. He solemnly tucks his hands into his sleeves, and bows toward the screen.]

Hello, Barge. My name is Ezra Bridger, and I recently arrived, as a warden. [A tiny pause, and only the momentary effort to put up a smooth, diplomatic front keeps him to wrinkling his nose a little, but one might perceive the hint of trepidation in his tone.] I haven't accepted a deal. At least not yet.

[He shakes his head slightly] Because I know there might be some here who at least know stories, I guess I should say that I am a Jedi Knight. Born at the same time as the rise of the Empire, on a planet named Lothal. I'm happy to answer any question anyone may have about that.[Some of the formality and calm even to his tone begins to fade.] But I haven't been in my home galaxy since I was 18, over three years ago, for me now.

I've traveled through several - I've taken to calling them nexuses? Experienced things rather like the floods and breaches, here, among other...well the last place I was called them Trials.

[His expression suddenly blossoms into a full, bright smile, as something occurs to him.] Oh! Are there any people here who do Jewish observances? I grew up Reform, in a life; I like to keep up with holidays when I can.

[A little more soberly-] And how well is the infirmary staffed? I have some medical training. Including mental health topics.
***
[Action]

DECK - Anyone who knows anything about the Jedi won't be surprised to find him folded into crossed legged sitting on the floor of the deck, hands in green cloth gloves on his knees but palm up, and eyes closed, in meditation. Any psychic, or the like, may notice that his mind is open, yet attentive, letting everything he senses flow around and through him.

Although - If someone's attention lingers on him for long, or he picks up a sense of urgency, he murmurs, without opening his eyes, yet, "Can I help you?"

OR

ENCLOSURE - Of course there's also lightsaber practice in the Enclosure, in varying landscapes, on different days, with his green blade. Anyone who knows much about Jedi lightsaber forms might notice Ezra's personal style is a core of Form III, with some Form IV, and Form I - in other words, a mostly defensive style. Anyone very familiar with the styles of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, or Ahsoka Tano might spot some specific influences.

Comments

[artistinexile]

[Thrawn returns a follow-up series of his own. The Death Star question gives him pause, and is warranted a reply all on its own]

I am aware of the Death Star. I suspected its construction when I was the First Weapons Officer early in my Imperial career, back when it was known as Project Stardust. I went so far as to kidnap away the director's right-hand man to stall its construction. Later I confronted the Emperor directly on how I felt it was a waste of resources and would act as a hammer where a surgical scalpel was needed. My TIE defender program was meant as an alternative, one I had hoped I could convince him of it in time. A shame your rebels blew it to pieces.

I suspected your partial literacy but am pleased to know you took well to lessons. Your writing style is compelling, if a little word-heavy.

[thrawn, you did not just accuse someone else of being wordy]

I have learned to expand my expectations of what you are capable of. While I always believed you had the stubbornness, Force talent, and raw intelligence to succeed, this is the first opportunity I've had to witness your ability to learn and grow from your mistakes.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Thrawn isn't the first person to accuse Ezra of wordiness. Ezra makes a face at his screen.]

I'm mildly impressed, and surprised you weren't executed for that stunt. He must have been convinced of your usefulness.

I see why you think destroying the TIE defender program was a mistake. If the Emperor were actually reasonable, I guess it might have been. Not that I could have known that. I was going after the threat I had solid intel on. [But he has wondered - if he'd gone with Saw Gerrera, despite their differences, might they have unraveled the Death Star before it went operational? It's not his fault. But still, he wonders.]


But I think you have some mistakes in your understanding of the Emperor. Palpatine - Darth Sidious - is not trying to hold an empire together with the most skillful means he can acquire. Not really. He just wants the power of the hammer. I have been told by people who came from versions of the future, that the Empire will use it on Alderaan. The Death Star will nearly instantly be destroyed, after that - by another Jedi in training with the Rebels, incidentally. Despite the Death Star being a glass canon, the Emperor has another built.

By that point, I believe, too many people's trust in the idea of the Empire and wisdom of the Emperor will be shaken. The Empire fragments. And Vader kills Sidious for reasons that have nothing to do with politics. Although does also stem from forgetting fear is a terrible way to control people, in the long term, I guess.

It's really sad, because Sidious is clearly *capable* of skillfully manipulating people to his viewpoint. He orchestrated his legal election, and the entirety of the Clone Wars to keep amassing political power and good will.

But there's no satisfying his desire for power, I don't think. He wanted me to try to gain power over *time itself*. What is a nice Tie fighter, compared to that?

[artistinexile]

He tolerated me but let it be known that his tolerance only went so far.

A fact that became more clear to me the longer I remained in Imperial space. Unfortunately my lack of foresight prohibited me from seeing the truth; that he wished for terror, not conquest. By then, I was far too ingrained to remove myself without placing a rather large target on my back, so I decided to rise instead. The Emperor was old; he was not destined to live for much longer, even without Vader's influence. I was on hand as one of twelve Grand Admirals to keep the Empire together and transform it into something else entirely.

A shame that too never had the chance to come to fruition.

Incidentally, do you know what happened to Vader after the Emperor's death?

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Ezra bursts into mildly hysterical laughter. Thrawn thought he could outlive the Emperor and makes reforms. Amazing. Incredibly stupid, in his opinion, and infuriating, but amazing.

He lefts that sit for a while. Goes and does some katas to burn off the tangle of emotions at this revelation. Comes back.]

I genuinely don't believe Sidious had any intention of dying and staying dead. That seems absurd, I'm sure, but he is a Sith Master. I've heard accounts of two different versions of the future where his spirit lingered, and attempted to return to a body - with varying degrees of success. I'm afraid I don't have many details. He doesn't restore the Empire to its former strength, in either version, at any rate.

For the record, I've also heard accounts of Sith in the old Empire living a very, very long time.

I hope at some point you might be willing to tell me more about your actual long term aims.

Vader died the same day as the Emperor. He took lethal hits in his attack against his master. I was told this directly from Vader's son by blood, the same Jedi who destroyed the Death Star, who was there for the confrontation.

Sidious tried to persuade Vader's son to join them. When he refused, Sidious decided to kill him instead. In that moment, desire for his son to live trumped Vader's fear and loyalty.

Why do you ask?

[artistinexile]

Perhaps. Recall that I too have heard these stories. I also know stories of what befell some Force wielders out in the Unknown Regions.

Speaking of any long term plans is something I rarely do even with my most trusted allies. Are you my ally, Ezra Bridger?


A shame. When I was a young man, I knew him once by a different name. He was a cunning warrior and a good friend. I believe I also met his wife.

[ezra_of_lothal]

I wouldn't go that far yet. Which is why I said I hoped at some point. Although, I'm not sure that I can sincerely fully ally myself with someone who hides their goals so carefully. Surely if they are worthy goals, they are worth sharing, to rally people to them?

I don't know much about the Unknown Regions, much less stories about Force users out there.

You knew Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala?

[artistinexile]

It is in my nature to not reveal everything or even most things. The future is always in motion: what good would it do to share with you a plan that may change rapidly depending on circumstances outside our control?

You may be surprised to find there is a long history of Force users enacting their will on others there. And that some stories make no distinction between Jedi and Sith.

I did. I met them on a mission of my own during the Clone Wars.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Are you intentionally quoting Jedi sayings about the future, or did you arrive at that independently?

Mutual trust and understanding are valuable, in my book. As well as more minds with enough information to help you adjust your plans.

Why would I be surprised? Sith are an offshoot of Jedi, historically, is my understanding. Much of their cultural trappings are distorted mirrors of each other.

I'm curious about other traditions, though. And also your missions back then.

I've met a couple of versions of both of them, from points near the end of the Clone Wars. Padme taught me some about writing and politics. I even shared a house with Anakin for about a year and half. But I can't say I got to know him as well as I would have liked.

Anakin was a bitterly unhappy man who mostly kept to himself, as I knew him. His son, who was also there, had told him about the Vader of it all. Anakin seemed to assume we all had to hate him.

Feeling like I failed getting through to him, then, is part of why I'm here now, actually.

[artistinexile]

Perhaps your Jedi and I have had the same tutelage.

You plead for trust and understanding, yet these things are hard won, Commander Bridger. I am disinclined to give you either at this time.

You seek to remedy your mistakes with Anakin Skywalker with me?

[ezra_of_lothal]

I'm not a Commander anymore. Knight, if you must use a rank, please.

I'm less pleading and more offering my perspective on these things. I'm not surprised they aren't things you currently give anything close to easily.

I can't atone for my mistakes with Anakin, by my actions with anyone else. That's between me, him, and the Force.

I can, I hope, learn from those mistakes and do better in supporting other people who are at crossroads in how they view themselves and their path in life, due to how nexuses like this work.

[artistinexile]

You speak of graduation.

[ezra_of_lothal]

That seems to be the paradigm the Admiral is very insistent we use, yes.

[artistinexile]

An awkward fit, wouldn't you agree? Prisoners are normally reformed, students graduated.

[ezra_of_lothal]

The mix of terms is odd, agreed. I don't dislike it, on a gut level, personally.

I can't tell yet if it's simply meant to emphasize that there's not an underlying idea of putative punishment.

Or it's a disconnect of the Admiral not actually understanding the people they bring onboard.

[artistinexile]

The Admiral is a 'he'.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Noted. [And that is not a mistake he intends to make again.]

The framing bothers you?

[artistinexile]

A passing interest only.

Have you had a chance to review the lists of those who have come and gone? Of who is a warden, and who is an inmate?

[ezra_of_lothal]

Briefly. There are a few names on board currently I believe I recognize, but not many and no one I was close to any version.

Tarkin stood out, on the historical roster. The Solo family name rings a bell, too.

[artistinexile]

The Admiral is collecting Imperials as inmates.

[ezra_of_lothal]

[Oh, boy, here we go.]

I've been informed by reliable sources that Tarkin was a man who delighted in having power over people and using it brutally while the Republic was still nominally the Republic, as well.

So that's two. Are there other names I'm missing?

[artistinexile]

I am familiar with Armitage Hux's father. An odious character who believed might made right.

[ezra_of_lothal]

Odious is an interesting choice of word given you once mocked making decisions based on morals, to my face, and me told that what matters is who has power.

Now, I speculated to myself, years ago, that you were probably trying to tell me something that I missed entirely at the time.

Care to explain a little more, since we don't have an Emperor breathing down our necks, and we have some time?

[artistinexile]

What matters is who has power, and what they decide to do with it.

You may have morals. You also had a power I could only speculate on, and never predict. Was it not your Force that allowed you to cast us out of Lothal in the first place?

Do you think it will be morals alone that will win you the day? While you are deciding the most compassionate choice, I assure you there are others whittling away at your defenses with only your destruction in mind.

[ezra_of_lothal]

I can't disagree with the two parts of that axiom put together. But the application is anything but simple.

Of course, morals alone won't win the day. They don't guarantee of any sort of material victory. I've always known that.

But I said it then, and I'll stand by it. The Force isn't a weapon.

It *can* be used as such. But that's unskillful use, that should be reserved for dire circumstances without better options, at best. Use it that way often it enough, and it begins to blind you to other options. I'd argue that's true of any form of power.

Sidious and his Empire was very good at manufacturing such blinding circumstances, for nearly everyone.

[artistinexile]

You think I am blind?