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[the_force_abides]

 The Dragon proved to be quite a good purchase. It is fast, comfortable, and with lots of cargo space for Khaleen's shipment. As they flew, Korvas introduced everyone to Hay-Re, the contact for the Patitite who lived with them aboard the ship. The meeting went well, especially once Korvas got a promise from the kids not to hunt for any Patities and to ensure their bogwings did the same. And for his part, Hay-Re promised to give the kids a good word and let the others of his race decide on their own if they wished to play with the kids.

The kids also loved the name of the ship, as did the diminutive Patities; if the appearance of small drawings of dragons about the ship could be any indication. One of the kids (Korvas suspected Korto) even started a drawing of a dragon head above the NavCom. Secretly, Korvas was happy they didn't have the pressure suits within easy access or he would have feared the kids would try and decorate the outside of the ship while they were flying.

Eventually, they came out of hyperspace to the system Khaleen's contact hired her to deliver to and pulled into orbit around the small moon. Something felt off though...

Cutting the power to minimal settings, Korvas said, "Larin, give me a lifescan of the planet."

"What's wrong?" Khaleen said, coming to attention and looking over the scanners herself as Larin reported, "I'm not getting much. Low levels and almost no power."

"I've got a bad feeling about this. Kids, open yourself to the Force but don't reach out." He instructed as he did the same himself. Khaleen for her part ran a more thorough series of scans of the moon, its planet and the surrounding space. "What do you feel?"

"There is life below, but it doesn't feel sentient," Larin replied, just as Korto said, "Something feels...not dangerous but not safe. As if a danger has passed but another might come."

"Kids, you guys are going to stay onboard and fly the ship to the upper atmosphere after you drop your mother and I off moonside. We'll call when we're ready to be picked up. Keep an eye on the scanners. First sign of a ship, you jump to Uncle Tholme okay? I've already programmed the NavCom."

"Don't worry kids," Khaleen said giving Korvas a glare for scaring them, "this is likely nothing. We're just being careful. Korto said the danger was past right?"

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[the_force_abides]

"Korvas, what an unexpected pleasure," Tholme, once master Jedi, said over the holocom. Khalen had proved to be correct in that she and Korvas had found no danger on the moon. Unfortunately, the settlement she was supposed to have made her delivery to was deserted, or so it seemed. As they searched, Korvas found the spent battery pack of an Imperial blaster and using his racial ability of psychometry, discovered the settlements residents had been pressed into "service" to the Empire and taken to a labor camp.

"A pleasure returned," Korvas replied with a smile. "I hope T'raa is doing well?"

"She is. She is currently walking the forest, other wise I would have her say hello. I trust Khaleen is well?"

"Couldn't be better," she answered, leaning in so her old friend could see her. "And the kids are doing great also. In fact, we were hoping we could visit?"

"I can't think of a better time!" Tholme replied with enthusiasm, which still seemed odd to Korvas. He still expected the grim Jedi spymaster, but the years of "retirement" proved to be what Tholme needed. "But I suspect there is something more at work here?"

"There is," Korvas confirmed as Khaleen went back to flying the ship. He outlined all they had found out about the missing settlement and the Imperial labor camp and as he spoke, he saw his grim master return. "We think we can free the residents but would feel better if the kids stayed with you while we did it. Are you available?"

"Two against an entire labor camp? Not good odds. Why don't I join you? T'raa can care for Korto and Larin. Khaleen would be needed to wipe the datacore so the inevitable search doesn't find them or us but I see no reason for T'raa to join us."

"Her healing skill might prove useful but I see your point. You know we can't use sabers of course?"

"Did you think I'd gone daft? Of course not. But I've some blades of beskar we can use instead, if blasters prove ill advised."

[the_force_abides]

"Let me see that arm," T'raa said to Korvas as they all settled into her and Tholme's living area. The raid had gone perfectly, with nothing but minor injuries. Well except for Korvas's shoulder. His fault for paying more attention to Khaleen than the Imperial troopers running towards them.

"Thank you," he said as the cool warmth of the Force soothed the burn and began the healing process. It felt good to sit after all the action. Oddly enough Tholme and Khaleen paced, still flushed with the success of the adventure. "Are our guests going to be alright?"

"A few cases of poor nutrition and extreme exhaustion but nothing I cannot handle. Enough food might be problematic."

"Khaleen and I can return with some food stores. As well as take those that wish to return to their home systems."

"Of course," Khaleen added. "But what are we going to do now?"

"Go and get food?" Korvas replied, not quite getting her point.

"What your wife means, my old apprentice, is do we stop here or keep going? We did a good thing, freeing those people. We could do even more. Perhaps there are even others willing to join us; to do as we did."

T'raa and Korvas turned to look at each other with equally worried expressions.

"Yes! We could be the start of a rebellion!" Khaleen exclaimed.

"Perhaps. It does bear thinking about." Tholme said stroking his chin in thought.

"No," Korvas, once Quinlan, said.

"The idea has merit," Tholme insisted.

"No," Korvas said again, standing after gently pushing T'raa's hands away. "Think about it. Truly think about it. What if what you suggest comes to pass. You and I going forth into the galaxy, inspiring, no leading a rebellion to tear down the Empire! How great, glorious and grand. Did we learn nothing from the Clone Wars?"

"Jedi should not lead. Not in battle and not in politics. Our place is to serve. There is a need in the galaxy, the Empire is abusing its power as we knew it must, but the people should be our focus. Jedi should not be a tool of politic change. Our true purpose is to serve the people. I say we feed those who are hungry, free those falsely imprisoned, heal those that are sick, and train and teach those who would learn."

"If there is to be rebellion, it must come from the people, not the Jedi. No matter that we are Jedi no longer," T'raa added in her quiet voice.

"Then we will make the galaxy a better place no matter who rules it," Tholme answered, proud of his one time padawan.

"And make the ground fertile for when the rebellion comes," Khaleen finished, not willing to be quite so noble.

"Together." Quinlan said. "As Jedi, if not in name."