"Because Mandragos is the centre of my influence! The entire Synod will concentrate its energies on making a difference, on convincing the Senators. Some are on my side already. The others... they won't be able to shut their ears any more. We will make them listen! They won't be able to find any excuse to stop us from speaking, when we are their hosts."
"Brilliant, I must say, Abbott Sienar," Gallagher says. "I truely wish for your campaign to succeed. I may come from a rich family and Thespion, but I am very much against poverty and famine, as you are. We don't have that kind of influence, unfortunately."
Gallagher paces for a moment.
"I haven't had time to ask my friend, but what do the Jedi think of your efforts? I was told that they were important in the eyes of the Order, but they don't seem to be aiding you."
"Ah, the Jedi, yes. Well, as to why they are not aiding, that is very simple- it's not their job, and that is something I fully appreciate, though others of my Church do not. The Synod have never quite seen eye-to-eye with the Jedi, though I am assured that the Order supports our efforts in principle."
Gallagher stops pacing.
"They don't see eye-to-eye? Strange! You would think that two Orders of those who look to the Force for guidance would agree on many things. Though, the Synod is pacifist...and...well, sorry if I am offensive, but the Synod does not have the gift of the Force in the way that the Jedi do."
(Ok, that's pretty much how I was hoping it would work. I mean tying Varm into this mess, and possibly Kathya as well. I figured that I'd have to get more on Mirani, but at least I know he's in on it. I just wonder about the Abbot now. I really doubt it, but I can't rule him out completely, in my mind, yet.
He's certainly a caring individual, but many supposedly sane people will argue the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. You know, kill a few hundred to save Billions? They're probably dead anyhow, eventually; and they're rich, that provides a kind of Robin Hood mentality. Not accusing him, just can't rule him out yet is all.
Back to my predicament. I'd like to try to sneak out if/when Varm goes lower into the chamber to check things out. In case he comes my way first, how good is my hiding spot? Is Andro totally concealed, or can he be seen if Varm gets close enough?_
Kathya at this point wouold seem near impossible to get; she's a mite more elegant than Varm.
Actually, Varm IS going lower down, Andro, so this is probably a good opportunity to get out of there.
-
"The Jedi Order has a mandate to protect the people and promote the cause of peace and justice. That is a noble cause, and I wish them well in it. Fighting is not our way, even under extreme provocation, but they do truy and earnestly try and struggle in their own way for Balance just as we do and I find it hard to criticise them for that.
"But the Force is not something to be taken lightly, and by their gifts, the Jedi risk trivialising what is a vital Galactic concept. Each of us is bound to the Force, as the Jedi themselves can feel only too well. It guides us, tests us, binds us all together. Every being in the Galaxy has the capacity to be a better being than he/she is now; to improve oneself. Or, one can take choices that set one down upon a far less pleasant path. For the Jedi, with the force flowing through them with such strength, this is easily seen, yet to chose your destiny for the better, or reject it for a darker fate, is a choice that we ALL face, not just the Jedi. I am not talking but just one decision here; I am talking about the ultimate impact your life can have upon the Galaxy.
"The Jedi agree. But their approach to the matter is where we in the Synod have grave differences. We believe that this matter of your choice of destiny is the vital component of anyone's life- it is the purpose of existence. You must discern through your own wiles what will nebefit and what will harm the Balance of the Galaxy.
"But the Jedi use their powers with the Force to sense the future. That sullies the process. It defies the point of facing your destiny if you attempt to discern it in advance. Jedi make choices based on what they sense is coming. That is an error; one should make choices only on what one sees around him."
The Abbot shrugs.
"It may seme like a petty difference but these things are important to us. We see it as a matter of Purity. We believe our approach to the Force is indeed purer. And some of my colleagues extend that belief in purity to the pacifism as well, believing that such things reflect the true nature of the Light Side that the Jedi ignore, but I do not wish to get taken into that debate.
"As it is, the Jedi couldn't really help me anyway. You must understand, the Synod's position is unique. Many would seek to help with the famine problem, but being involved in politics sets these people back. Their opponents always find weaknesses to exploit, or can make fair claims of hypocrisy, that such people are just taking positiion for political advantage. Imagine if the Jedi got involved! How long before the lawyers of the Corporations started to make loud protest at these mere policemen trying to obstruct fair trade, sending people out of work and lowering pay to the workers by their actions, when they should be out catching criminals. Politics is a dangerous game and the Jedi are wise to keep clear. But the Synod is politically neutral; we are forbidden by our tenets form standing for election. No-one can make such accusations at us; not without looking foolish, in any case.
"So yes, a matter of purity. To my mind, the Jedi have their sturggles against evils without, as I mentioned before, as we have ours against evil within. Not all of my colleagues are quite so laid back about the matter, though."
-
C'mon, Roan! I even directly gave you something to do there. Time is passing pretty quick!
Oddly enoough, there is the occasional Jedi who feels that you should live more in the moment than the future, Gallagher, Qui-Gon was one. Mind you, that was down to his faith in the Living Force, rather than a belief that predicting your future would impair its value. Still, an interedting position the Synod has, and certainly one that is irreconcileable with the Jedi.
Sienar sighs.
"Very well, it seems I am not going to be able to escape this warning from you. I can but listen, at least. Tell me what you have to say,"
Gallagher nods. "I'm sorry, Abbott Sienar, but I really do wish for you to succeed in your mission.
"My friend that I spoke of is actually a Jedi Knight, hence his predictions. In his vision, he saw two figures laughing hysterically, a man and a woman, as you were murdered, and then millions of others withering and dying behind you. He was familiar with your work, and so recognized you. I told him that you were here at this facility, so he told me to watch out for you, as best I could."
Gallagher begins pacing again.
"Now that I know of your mission, I know of the millions whithering after your murder being those who will starve. You are right; there will be famine.
"However, I was able to pin names to the two others he saw in his vision. As much as I know you've already told me you will not hear this, I have no doubts that Kathya and Varm are those two."
Gallagher stops pacing, a little paler than usual.
"I began this inquiry after my bodyguard mentioned that Varm does not seem very...pacifist, for a priest of the Synod. I played hockey with him; he played with an instinct for combat that I have seen myself, in my bodyguards, and very vaguely in myself- I have taken a few lessons in martial arts for self-defense.
"So I decided I would pay you a visit, just to make your acquiantance. Varm and Kathya appeared and accused me of conspiracy against you; Varm very nearly pulled a gun on me. I know that sounds absurd, but I know the motion. I heard them speaking after I left...Varm spoke of becoming the Abbott after your death, and that you had a day. That was yesterday evening, just before the incident on the stairwell."
Gallagher continues pacing.
"As much as I know it was not right of me to do so, I ordered Akron to sneak into Varm's quarters, to see what he could find. He found the body of Deel Twain, which baffles me, seeing as Deel is still alive, stuffed into a drawer. At that point, Varm pulled a gun on him and tried to gas him. I sent Zaland to support Akron, but Kathya supported Varm, pulling her own weapon. They were all hiding guns when you and Dr. Mirani approached."
Gallagher goes on his knees before the Abbott.
"Forgive me, I know I sound mad, but it is the truth! Akron and Zaland can vouche for me. Forgive me, Abbott..."
"Well now, that story is rather ridiculous, isn't it? First of all, yuo ask me to have faith in some random 'visions'. Such things hardly carry the mandate of truth. Secondly, you claim to be able to identify the people in someone else's vision. This is also patently absurd. You say Varm has an instinct for combat; did it not occur to you that Varm is a keen sportsperson? He keeps a fit body as his commitment to balance and he indulges in many sports of self-defence and the like. You then say you recognise the motion of a gun being uplled; I believe that not of a noble of the Klinge-Fausts; you are not warriors, you use others to fight for you.
"Varm meanhile, would indeed like to be my successor. He wants to carry on my work when I am dead. I doubt it has escaped your notice that this is something it is rather sensible for my flock to think about. My treatments here cannot hold off my condition forever. Your talk of 'one day' seems rather vague. Meanwhile, your talk of TWain;s body is clearly just a fairy story. You cannot square it with Twain being very much alive. Your bodyguard must be mistaken.
"But more than all of that... I simply do not find the ring of truth in your story. I regularly deal with Senators in all matter of complex negotiaitons... and I know when someone is concealing truth from me. As you are.
"I am sorry, Mr. Klinge-Faust. Something obviously troubles you, but such fantasies are not something I can act on. Too many lives depend on my work for it to be disrupted by such wild things."