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"Our Oaths against attachment and exterior loyalties have made the Jedi Order the keepers of the Republic's peace for a thousand years. Attachment to another person that is as strong as what we are seeing here can lead to love, greed or jealousy and a lust for power, which inevitably leads to the Dark Side. Just look at the example of the misguided Gilthany from the New Sith Wars, or that horrible incident a few hundred years or so ago when three Jedi fell because of their lusts and jealousy towards one another." He summed up with a tone of condescension.
"That's Master Eeth Koth," Aayla supplied via their link. "He's, um, sort of an arrogant kriffer according to Master Vos. He's one of those that believe the Order can do no wrong, and that as long as we remain balanced in the Force that means whatever we do is the right thing to do."
Making no visible sign the two were in communication, Harry replied. "Don't worry Aayla, we've got this. They won't separate us, whatever happens."
"We allow attachments, and even now make allowances for physical attraction," Micah replied blandly. "And as has already been stated, we seem to be entering a time of great upheaval for the Republic as well. In such times we must change, to grow, to meet the dangers we face. Master Yoda's reforms are a step in that direction and they come originally from Harry. I think we're being rather ungrateful here."
Next to him his friend Master Plo Koon sat silently, unwilling to take part in this discussion one way or another, not certain in which direction justice lay at this point. The Kel Dor also felt that there was some reason the two padawans were being so silent, and he also wondered about why they were here at precisely this moment too. He feared it had something to do with young Aayla's last mission, and what that might entail.
"Further the reforms are about allowing more emotions under controlled setting and techniques, not an emotional attachment to the level we see here. Further there is a difference between a bond based on friendship or loyalty to one based on love. There are limits to how far most people will go for friendship. Not love, love is the most illogical and selfish of emotions," retorted Koth.
"Masters without that connection both myself and my padawan would be dead." Quinlan spoke up for the first time, arresting the ongoing debate. He explained their mission, how it had gone wrong first by Aurra Sing showing up then by Pol Secura recognizing Aayla when she was busy hiding her Force sense, trusting in her color change to hide her physical identity.
Sing's death at Quinlan's hands wound some grim nods of approval from the masters. She had proven a danger given her murder of several Jedi before this, and all of them knew she had Jedi training from her time as the Dark Lady's apprentice too. That it had been the new techniques which had let Quinlan cut her down also made Mace and Tiin nod toward Master Yoda. It was evident that none of these masters were willing to look askance at the techniques Clan Saa had already shared any longer.
However the council members stilled, their faces blank in shock as Aayla took up the tale from her perspective. Silent up to this point, she couldn't stop herself from glaring at the masters who had assigned her to this mission as she described how she had suddenly been gassed, and then what was going to happen. And none of the masters there could meet her eyes, never having realized what she could face. It had been ignorance and institutional arrogance not callousness that had sent Aayla on her last mission, not that it would have mattered.
"And then…" she said, smiling suddenly, a wide happy grin on her face as she took Harry's hand in hers. "And then Harry was there, in my mind, in my soul, using his mind to take control of my own Force powers and purging the drug in my system, bolstering my powers with his own. He saved me from a fate that many would call worse than death."
Her tone turned scathing as she went on. "And you sit here, safe in your high tower, removed from the normal people we Jedi are supposed to serve, and dare say our attachment is against the rules!" Aayla scoffed, turning away.
Harry spoke up then, the first time he had done so except for answering the questions about directed his way. And when he did, Fay and Lily both realized that Harry had figured out the same problem with the Order that they had. "The Order is supposed to be a force for good, for law, order and morality. Yet at the same time, the Order, as an intuition, follows the way of balance and at times seems to ignore the feelings of its members for an all too hard to grasp ideal, a Greater Good."
While Lily held in a laugh at Harry's word choice Harry went on calmly. "There are two sides to the Force, the Light and the Dark, but the Order seems to think that simply by abstaining from the Dark Side you are automatically of the Light. But good emotions, like love," and here he squeezed Aayla's hand sending a feeling of I love you through their link as she did the same. "Friendship, loyalty, a desire to defend, all these emotions can give you power just as much or more than keeping to a sense of serene balance, of calm or a sense of self-control."
After finishing his short passionate speech Harry looked around him then concentrated, his hand glowing white with the Light for a moment. "I am of the Light, I use my good emotions, while not letting anger, hate or arrogance into my heart. Can you say you serve the Light when all you do is try to not feel it because you are so afraid of the alternative?"
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