CWDP...sort of

[the_force_abides]

It's been months now since he was rescued by Ibani and things have been going well. They have helped many systems, with food and medical supplies, rescued innocents from labor camps, and even started teaching skills that would allow those from underdeveloped systems to do more than base labor if they so chose. All was going well but a nagging fear sat within Quin's heart.

The kids were learning force skills at a rapid pace as well. Their senses seemed born to the task and they were already accomplishing things he struggled with even after he became a jedi master. But, still, there was a nagging fear within his heart.

Was it right to teach them? Yes it kept them safe but what was he teaching them beyond that? What was their purpose to be with no more jedi? And even if the jedi were still a force within the galaxy, would he have wished to have them trained as he was?

His thoughts a snarl, he sought meditation to calm it. And to seek answers.

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[the_force_abides]

His breathing steady, Quin easily settles into mediation and, soon after, a trance.

He finds himself on Kiffar, in his Aunt's receiving room. She sits upon her seat of office, up on the dais, and glares, frozen in time.

"What is a jedi?" He hears himself ask and from the shadows, a younger master Tholme steps forward.

"You could help bring peace and order to an entire galaxy, rather than just one system."

"But what is a jedi's purpose?" He asks again as the receiving room fades and he is in the youth hall at the Jedi Temple. Master Yoda is there and everyone is frightened and eyeing Quinlan and his impertinent question.

"To protect the republic and bring peace. Yeesssssss." Master Yoda says with a grumpy look, before he ambles off.

"But what is the republic, the people or the government?" He asks again, now a padawan.

Master Luminara smiles from the center of the room. "A truly worthy question. Tradition dictates that we serve the Republic through the Senate. This is to ensure that the jedi are not tempted with political power."

"But government does not help the people, not those who truly need it!" He says, now older, as he assembles his lightsaber.

"Is it truly helping if you feed someone rather than teaching them to feed themselves?" Counters Master Plo, his voice buzzing through his breathing device.

"What is the Force?" He asks, changing out of the spiral he was falling into.

"That which binds all life together." Master Yoda replies confidently.

"Then it is of life yes?" Quinlan asks, young again, as the rain falls on them both.

"Of speaking in a manner. Yes."

"Then why must we hide from our emotions?"

"Strong fear is. Strong anger is. The Dark Side they lead."

"What is the Dark Side?" He asks, grown again and standing on the control deck of a Separatist ship.


"Power. The power to control the galaxy and make it grow. Without conflict, there can be no growth." Count Dooku says calmly from the command chair.

"Does conflict always have to be violent? Must it always lead to war? Is it the only way to grow? What of teaching, learning skills? One may grow with knowledge."

"Maybe, dear heart, the galaxy is large enough for more than two philosophies." Khaleen says in the cave where he found her and their new born son.

Slowly, he returned to his awareness and breathing. He didn't find answers but the fear in his heart was quieted.