"I've managed, Master," the blue image of Master Jonnal Ezar was broadcast on the holoprojector in my ship. "We have the information. Our enemy was a bit too loose-lipped with the Antilles.
"Hmph, not for two years," Jonnal snorted, folding his arms across his chest. "I've received the data and have already begun analyzing it. Yes, it's all related to the fact that the Antilles are not like hiring pirates. He could have involved the House Security Service. They are, of course, not Jedi intelligence, but they can do something. And then they could have involved us. In short, he decided to disclose much more information. I have already created requests for some Shadows to check points, some of which may be his transit points."
"Only, I hope they won't go alone," I said.
"Don't teach your grandfather to cough," Jonnal looked at me. "Of course, in groups, two or three sentient beings."
"And what about me?" I asked Jonnal. "Should I leave Alderaan? Maybe help K'Baot with his mission? Or join one of the groups?"
"Jorus can handle it himself, besides, he's not even from our corps and the Shadows don't need to help him there," the man said importantly. "It's better for you not to move anywhere for now. The target is still on you. I wouldn't want to lose someone like you. I feel like a great future awaits you… But that's if you're helped to grow. Unfortunately, you haven't grown yet."
"Will you also inform my mother that I've grown, Master? And when will that be?"
"Your humor is inappropriate," he said, "and quite stupid. Also, I thought you enjoyed being in the company of local aristocrats. And even some… aristocrats," though his face was hidden behind a mask, I could literally feel his piercing gaze. "I hope I won't have to remind you not to get attached to her?"
So he knows? How? Did Jorus tell him?
"I remember, Master," I nodded, regaining my composure, "I remember. Don't worry, it's just a mission-related infatuation."
"A mission-related infatuation? Like you had with Mila Karnur? Don't play games, Light. A Jedi must stand above connections. How can we build justice for other sentient beings if we sin like them? You must understand that such behavior as yours is unacceptable. After all, we, the Jedi, are Keepers of Peace. Peace, you should know, is a state where you can influence something so that someone doesn't fight. But wars start for various motives, including women, do you understand the point?"
This is twisted logic. War because of women? And besides, in the Galactic Republic, wars mainly start either because of resources and influence, or because of differing views on political structure. Wars over women are rare in this world, if only because each race has its own preferences in that matter. Even humans from different planets can have completely different views on beauty. I think someone here is getting carried away with an alternative interpretation of the Jedi Code. Above emotions? Hah.
"Isn't it because love can become passion, and passion is more like the Sith?" I asked the Master.
"That is our way of fighting for a woman. Now, I'll tell you to kill Amella," I flinched, "because she threatens the Jedi, will you do it?"
I stared at Jonnal with anxiety. Silence fell, broken only by the operation of the holoprojector.
"You see," Jonnal summarized. "Emotions should not interfere with business. Your feelings should not become an obstacle. Therefore, a Jedi must reject the mundane. Not do what you are doing, Knight. You were fooling around with one girl, and now you've seduced a second one, an Alderaanian aristocrat."
"What can I do," I chuckled, "I'm charming. To some."
"You're trying to joke again. I thought you'd joked enough, boy," Jonnal's tone turned icy. "Your mentor died. And you're still joking. Well, fine. Stay on Alderaan for now. If we can't find him, then we'll proceed to plan B."
"And what is our plan B?"
"In short, I have a whole list of Jedi who, in one way or another, interfered with our current opponent. You are among them. We'll send them on missions, give them additional cover, and catch him as bait. It will be difficult, you know, for him to defeat, I think, five elite Shadows trained to kill the Gifted at once."
"And why can't we do that right away?" I asked with curiosity.
"Risks," Jonnal shook his head. "If you can solve a problem in two ways, choose the one with the lowest risk of failure. Extraordinary Jedi managed to annoy him… And the loss of each of them will be a loss for the Order. And such an operation increases the risk of loss manifold and distances our Order from justice."
Justice? Jonnal has completely turned around on all of this. Denial of emotions, Jedi justice. To me, he's even too radical.
"Alright," I grinned. "I'll stay on Alderaan, as you wish. Although, I must admit, I'm interested in it myself."
"Did you like studying?" Jonnal asked me. "I saw your grades. The Temple instructors noted that you have excellent aptitude in theoretical disciplines. But you decided to develop in the combat aspect and preferred meditation, mastering Force techniques, and fencing to diplomacy. And now you're studying diplomacy… The circle has closed, Light. The circle has closed. Or is it because of Amella?"
"You can obtain my grades from Aldera University, can't you? It's never too late to learn. As for the combat aspect – it paid off completely. Of course, I heard the story of how some nerd fended off pirates with infochips containing programming lectures. But first, he was still Gifted and had mastered telekinesis well. Second, the pirates were definitely on spice. And diplomacy would hardly have helped me in the early stages of my padawanhood under Master Lorr. I would have laughed if you tried to persuade a green dragon from a small planet, a monster whose scales even a lightsaber couldn't penetrate, to peacefully part ways with you, and I've seen such creatures. And not only them. As for now… Now is the time to master the theory that I disdained back then. When I've already formed and can better comprehend this theory."
"Hmph," Jonnal snorted. "Do as you wish. I'll provide instructions for your new mission when it's formulated. Until then, don't set foot off Alderaan."
***
Immersing myself deeper into the study of these disciplines in the context of the Galactic Republic, I analyzed the democratic-republican system that I so loved. The very idea of a republic and democracy always appealed to me… To allow different interest groups to express themselves on any issue. To resolve issues collegially, trying to find compromises, rather than by the will of a "single, super-wise regulator." Who might sometimes lose touch with reality, starting some foolish adventure that could quickly lead to ruin.
Although, studying the current political system of the Republic and democracy in general, I can say the following. The Republic is weak. The current Republic, because it has no room for centralized governance. Many wealthy sectors couldn't care less about the Senate's directives. And the Senate itself can often lobby the interests not of the people, but of huge financial groups, which push their laws and laugh maliciously in the background. Why does this happen? Democracies, in principle, like any other type of state, can be exceptionally strong within their territories. Only a handful of simpletons believe that only autocratic countries have a monopoly on power. In reality, if resources are allocated correctly, a Republic can be made to work properly. But why doesn't this happen?
And I saw a simple answer. What is the most important attribute of any state, regardless of whether it's a democracy, autocracy, or even a theocracy? Taxes? Its own currency? Social services? None of that. The most important thing in a state is the monopoly on violence. That is, the army and police. When only the state can wage war seriously, other groups, even financially powerful ones, can perfectly understand that all their credit cards are worthless, because the ruling structure can find their dirty dealings and send a contingent after them. One can, of course, go underground, but there, with a strong state, you can't fight much. Unless, of course, the underground possesses plot armor.
And the Republic lost this very monopoly on violence from the very beginning, during the Ruusan Reformation. It took the right to use force away from the Jedi, and that would have been fine, but it didn't start using it itself. At that time, the Republic could still be held together by memories of wars with the Sith, the Brotherhood of Kaan, and so on. But later, everyone interested noticed that the Republic, in the person of the Senate and the Chancellor, established a certain status quo for themselves. Which, for some reason, did not involve their monopoly on violence. The starfleet ships were either dismantled or sold off. And it went on – with each decade, almost, powerful groups became more and more brazen. Kuat even built a couple of dreadnoughts as if the Republic were some kind of joke to them. And the Senate turns a blind eye to this.
Naturally, the best profits, greatest strength, and power went to those in the center. But those on the periphery received scraps, or nothing at all, and began to be squeezed by the central regions. Later, this will certainly lead to war, the so-called Clone Wars. Thus, the Republic became weak. This, in general, does not prove the weakness of the democratic system, of which the Republic is a representative. Nor does it prove the strength of autocracy, considering that autocracies could also suffer humiliating defeats and did. The point is simple – it doesn't matter what the structure of the state is, the cogs of that structure are important. If the cogs and the mechanism itself are rusty, then whether you have an Empire spanning one-sixth of, say, the land, or a Republic with incredible development potential… The fact is the fact – something has rotted, and it will soon manifest. Only those who represent the system are important. If the Empire has excellent officials, united by the right idea and properly motivated – it will be an effective Empire. The same applies to Republics.
And the speeches that something is ineffective because it is a democracy/autocracy, underline as needed, are mainly spread by short-sighted idiots who don't understand: it's not the form of government that matters, but who holds power and who helps them implement that power. And I still believe that something can be extracted from democracy. At least, I felt that I would go on until something worked out. Either I would die along the way, or I would build something. And then we'll see what I build. On the other hand… What should I build and how? Who will listen to me? At what cost will my construction be? I somehow thought that after experiencing Palpatine's rule, many would rush to those who would offer an alternative, including me. So, should I allow Palpatine's rule? All the meat grinders he would arrange for his power? Or, on the contrary, protect everyone I can from him? And is it necessary to protect, Palpatine's Empire was certainly not a hellish place. He did a lot during his reign, much that Mon Mothma and Borsk Fey'lya later managed to even slightly mess up.
No… One thing is clear to me for sure, after so much time studying disciplines, and I delved into subjects that we hadn't even started reading yet, thinking that maybe I could pass everything externally. The current Republic is unviable as a state. It needs to be redone, and this is not even an opinion, it's a fact. Many understood this by the end of the Clone Wars, and Palpatine took advantage of it. Such a state cannot be reformed by reforms, it needs… A firm hand that can completely reformat all centers and poles of power. Who is best at this? Certainly not me, I objectively assess my abilities. It's unlikely that I will have special charisma, oratorical skills, and the ability to intrigue now or even later. I might develop it over time, but I certainly won't have enough time by the moment it's needed. In addition, Palpatine succeeded perfectly. He gave the Galaxy a shake-up, gave the Jedi a shake-up. Therefore… It's decided…
I walked to the window of my room, where I had returned after talking with Jonnal, and looked at the night Alderaan. The Galaxy needs this shake-up, not so that sentient beings realize how much they can be suffocated by a strong hand, no… But to completely reformat the centers of power in the Galaxy. Perhaps this sounds naive, but to use Palpatine's achievements after his death for the good of building a new state… But even to realize something like this, I need to study a lot, fight a lot, before I can show a worthy result. Fortunately, I've never been one to slack off, fully understanding that I'm unlikely to get a third life.
For a couple of months, I was again out of Jedi life. The second year of university began, the subjects became harder, the teachers angrier. Although I won't hide that I was interested in studying with a focus on politics and economics. I alternated visits to classes with training sessions with my new friends, as well as dates with Amella. The latter often ended in passionate nights. The woman seemed to be taking revenge on me for all the neglect I had subjected her to. But I didn't mind, and I was already taking revenge on her more for my not-so-successful first life among the beautiful representatives of the female sex. After all, what geek didn't dream of being reincarnated, becoming an overpowered isekai protagonist and gathering a harem of beautiful girls? Personally, I won't hide it, I dreamed of it… Until I became an isekai protagonist and realized that I could just as easily die somewhere, despite all my strength.
So the harem flew away into the distant reaches, but the plan to become strong didn't disappear anywhere, and it kept getting more detailed. In addition, if I learned anything – relationships with girls are a pain in the ass. With Mila, it was easy because of the Force connection, I intuitively understood what she needed, when she needed it, how to talk to her. But with Amella, there was no such thing, so sometimes we had arguments. And, naturally, the fact that I was a couple with such a girl couldn't help but catch the eye of some alternatively gifted individuals. Some were gifted with the Force… And some with a lack of brains. Although I am sure that I also had elements of the second characteristic. I confess, I was naive, maybe stupid, or maybe I thought too much that my knowledge of canon was a panacea for everything.
In any case, the attacks from some aristocrats got on my nerves, and besides, I discovered a huge amount of untouched nature on Alderaan, where I could fully devote myself to training. But one circumstance hindered me – I was still a student at Aldera University. I decided to deal with this circumstance in the most radical way. To pass everything externally… Which I started, by mid-semester of the second year of the second course, passing the exams for the second course, and then solemnly promised the teachers that I would pass the third course in the same way.
***
"You're a monster, Tayvi," the light summer breeze brought a pleasant freshness. Exams for the first semester of the third year, and externally at that. Bail was burning with envy. "Honestly, I don't even understand you."
"That's right," came from Amella's side. My friends met me in the university courtyard after the exam. "Do you want to finish university so quickly? Why?"
The others also looked at me with curiosity.
"Are you sure you want to leave Alderaan, that's why you're trying so hard?" Delon asked. "I thought you liked it here."
"I can't tell you everything," I said, although I had returned to my Jedi training, it still wasn't the same. I knew for sure what would make me stronger. Even if I couldn't go for a medallion now, or to some distant planet to, being a good Chinese cultivator, train alone, experiencing danger after danger, by the way – the logic worked here, dangers and meditation really tempered. But here, on Alderaan, I could truly become stronger. I can't waste time, so I diligently studied the theory of my chosen specialty, so that after I learned it to a decent level and demonstrated this knowledge to the teachers, I could engage in Force practice. Here, my attention was drawn to a tall man with golden hair and green eyes. And not only my attention, after all, not all sentient beings will carry a glaive the size of themselves on their backs. Some of the students were even looking at Amella, he resembled her. Only the eye color was different…
"I was waiting for you," he said, approaching our group.
"Sheydjen," I recognized the guy.
"You know him?" Rulana asked. "Who are you?"
"He knows me," Matukai nodded at me.
"That's right," I confirmed. "And you said you were waiting for me. Why? And how did you track me down, Sheydjen?"
"I didn't track you, my mentor did," Matukai grumbled. "He thinks you can help us."
"Respected Theodor? He's here? Then I'll address this question to him. Where is he?"
"Tayvi?" the aristocrats looked at me.
"Tayvi?" Sheydjen looked at me questioningly. "Never mind," he waved his hand.
"So, interestingly, what is it?"
"Let's just say, my mentor thinks he's on the trail of whoever was ordering Lotar," I looked at Sheydjen with surprise.
"Lotar?" Since I reported to Jonnal, there had been no news about Boss Lotar's case. I didn't know what the Master had planned; he hadn't contacted me for almost a year. The last time I received instructions from him was about two months ago; he informed me that they had raided enemy bases but found nothing. However, this did not mean that we were starting plan B; he still demanded that I stay on Alderaan… Which is quite strange, actually. "Why would Theodor be so sure?"
"You should talk to your mentor about that, Tayvi," Sheydjen grinned.
"It seems these holidays will be much more interesting than the previous ones," I smirked. Well, yes, Alderaan's political crisis had been brewing for a long time and quickly fizzled out. The engagement of Breha Antilles and Bail Organa had to be concluded. Now both families were like cats who had found a century's supply of sour cream. The Organas were not pushed away from the power trough, and the Antilles received their portion of power and calmed down.
"Tayvi? What are you going to do?" Amella asked me.
"Well, let's just say," I said. "Interesting information has appeared regarding some of my affairs. I really have no idea why you aren't trying to contact the Order? Let's leave Master Jonnal aside," I walked up close to Sheydjen so that few could hear me and quietly asked, "but Yoda could listen to you."
"Talk to your mentor about that. He only told me that someone in your Order might not have clean hands."
"Are you hinting at a specific person?" I looked into the man's eyes.
"You should talk to Master Theodor about that, not me. All speculations are his prerogative."
"Oh yes, I will," I promised. "And I agree to check your teacher's concerns. And I also want to ask, by the Force, how did you find me here? And not just that."
"Then come alone," Sheydjen said, "this evening, to the 'Pikabu' restaurant. There are private booths for negotiations there; ask the master, and they'll show you."
Sheydjen turned his back to me.
"Have a nice day, Tayvi."
"You too, Sheydjen."
The teenager left, and some of the aristocrats were very interested in what was happening.
"Tayvi…"
"Later, Amella, everything later," I bowed slightly to my friends. "Alas, I must leave you. Urgent matters have arisen."