"That was all so long ago" You hear as a response "And yet, the Galaxy now looks much as it did than. Torn apart, divided. Hopeless. I had run away from it, from myself, for years, until events occurred that forced me to return. Forced me to rebuild the Jedi Order that had once forsaken and abandoned me."

Tache inclined his head. "Then I invite you to correct me as we walk this path. And thank you, for all that you have done, all you are doing, and all that you shall do." He took his time about everything else, he had time to burn and spent it pondering voices and the dark start of Vin.

The area around you appears dark, and time slowed, as the spirit of the Jedi you were speaking to manifests itself, but only to your eyes "If you wish to walk the path I once walked, The path of the Jedi, and help restore peace to the Galaxy, I will guide you on that path. It is difficult, and perilous, and you will need to find allies and friends. Followers, who learn from you, just as you learn from me."

"Fate has brought you together with the Captain. He wants what you possess, but does not have the aptitude for it. Shield him from jealousy and envy, or the Dark Side will corrode him from the inside. Where he is leading you next will be a good first step into a much larger world"

"Ah, so I am not talking to the force itself." He smiled through his surprise. "There go the dreams of being the husband of the force." There was a small chuckle behind it. "Is the core of this natural or is the source of that corruption his friend Vin? I don't want to assume too much but to be honest, she seems to want the best for people."

"The pale one is a product of her environment, true of us all" The ghost replies "She too, reminds me of myself, in a different way. Like her, I was once willing to do whatever it took for the good of the Republic. In so doing, in fighting against the Mandalorian threat, we lost ourselves, and awakened an even greater evil. She may yet do the same. Vin truly wants what is in the best interest of the Republic and it's citizens, but this does not make her immune from temptation."

Speaking with someone long dead was a feeling that struck Tache suddenly. He could see how folks unaware of them could give rise to gods and other such spirits. The force, a being of such power as to bend the universe. It may even be something that was around before the start of physical time and space. Even then it's equation was simple to the extreme. Zero Equaled One.

It was so elegant that a mind killed some time ago now spoke with the living. It was so beautiful that suffering had merit and wasn't for nothing. This was sure proof that there was more to creation than physical life. It made clear that every drop of experience in life had a direction and meaning. All the dark in the whole of time did not blemish the glory of that single fact. This one-woman proving that the whole of creation could die and it would not diminish the deeds done.

Tache smiled, "Sorry, I got caught up there. It will be a Joy to me to walk this path with you. And I have no doubt you did as you felt you had to, but judging by the fact you are talking to me now I get the feeling you haven't yet given up. So long as you are willing to go on, so shall I. Bad days be damned we will keep moving forward.."

"In the darkest of places, in the grimmest of outcomes, when it seems we have nothing left, we always have Hope. The Jedi of ages past are always watching. As we all watched the one who defeated the Emperor, we now look outwards to those who may be that beacon of hope. Together, we may light the way for the galaxy, to defeat the darkness and restore peace and freedom."

She makes a slight smile and bow "Go now. The future is always in motion, and you need to move with it."

Tache smiled, an act that took a fair bit of effort, and returned her bow. "It is the lot of many to burn their candle at both ends, but what light they give." He chuckled, "I look forward to talking with you again given some time."

Ne only assumed that she could manifest for so long so he made his exit. He had to catch the ship and he had no idea on just how much time is spent in a medication. For all he knew he could have been standing there for hours.

Though the whole thing did add many layers to the equation of the force for him.

Starting point for Zhongli

The hyperspace journey to the heart of the Republic was finally over. There was a great amount of anxiety, leaving Fherandia and making a home in Chandrila, to say nothing of the reasoning for it. Job opportunities are one in a million, and being selected as an aide Senator Zapala to the new Galactic Republic was too good to pass up.

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Senator Yion Zapala was a legend back home, and in many of the more rambunctious corners of the galaxy. He was a still junior Senator when he was in the Meeting of 2000, a grouping of Republic Senators in the waning days, before it's immediate and sudden fall into the Galactic Empire. He was able to posture himself well to avoid attention at first, but seeing how things were even worse than he first feared they would be, he became a strong supporter of the Rebel Alliance to Restore the Republic, though often quietly. Having been so involved, so vital, it was only natural that he would return to the New Republic as a Senator, this time without the benefit and privilege of anonymity. That he was respected regardless of his politics was rare, especially as the New Republic became increasingly cantankerous.

The luxury craft you had called your temporary home for the past few days was grand, but exiting it at the space port to see the beauty of Chandrila itself, was all together different.

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"Well, young man" Zapala said with a deep breath "No amount of credits spent in a starship will ever make me not eager to get off. Here we are, the cradle upon which our New Republic is born. Long may it grow and prosper." There was an awkward sigh and change of tone.

"If it does not, I will beg for forgiveness in the afterlife that I gave up so much for it."

Having spent so much time on the spaceship Zhongli is glad to see that they have reached their destination.

"I agree sir. A fine ship this is but it cannot compare to be on a planet" Zhongli reply to his new employer with a smile. "And as long as good people continue the fight the Republic will continue to survive, isn't that right sir?"

Zapala returned one smile with another, repsectful and calculated. His eyes glanced through you to the crowd of other aides and retainers also departing. "A war is determined by a myriad of things, but surely, greatest among them is what stands between us and the enemy at the front lines. The common soldier will be the one who decides victory, and not the least of us."

He starts walking away from the mass behind you, and discretely motions for you to follow suit. Putting distance between you and eavesdroppers, he speaks more candidly. "Finding those good people is proving harder and harder to come by the day." There is palpable frustration in his voice "Everything we've fought for and sacrificed was almost lost in a single instance, when General Organa's fleet was pinned down, saved by a miracle of the Jedi, only to face the same peril again at Exagol. The Resistance and the Republic would be nothing but a memory right now if not for General Calrissian marshalling that force from every conceivable corner of the galaxy."

The Senator reaches the end of the platform above the city, waiting for a speeder to take you to the surface below, grasping the rails. "We are at the teetering point in the war. Exagol is the first real victory we've had since this whole thing began. Combined with that staggering loss, they are without leadership. Snoke is dead, as is Kylo Ren, and their most important general's. They're turning on each other to jockey for position and power, which gives us time we can't afford to waste"

Following closely behind his new employer Zhongli keeps a somewhat easy smile on his face.

"It's as you say sir, the common folk bear the hard work and we can only try and help. Do we have any ideas on how to proceed and what can I do?" he reply and slowly scratch his jaw. "We need to get the upper hand this time so the previous sacrifices are not in vain"

"Acclimate yourself to Chandrila, to the people, and to your work. Get comfortable while you can, because it won't last long."

The chartered speeder approached, taking you and the Senator along. "Any time one wants to see if an organism is sick, the first step is to check it's temperature, and that's what we're going to do when the Senate reconvenes" He handed you a datapad, with a legislative draft for an award.

"If the entirety of the Republic is in debt to General Calrissian, than it falls upon us to ensure he is remembered and commemorated for it. This is a draft to award Calrissian the Senatorial Medal of Honor. This isn't something that the Senate should have any problem awarding on it's face, but there are technical problems. Such an award is supposed to be nominated either by his chain of command, or by his representative in the Senate. Calrissian is too high in the Chain of Command to have someone nominate it for him, and his home of record is a system that has no representation in the Republic."

"If our esteemed colleagues in the Senate choose to berate the measure because of bureacratic jargon, than we could be in some real trouble. See to it that the draft is in perfect order before it is presented tomorrow. Beyond that, there are some friends I would like to introduce you to, including someone who I believe has already reached out to you. Senator Parr."

OOC: Senator Xyzas Parr sent you a personal and vague message.

"I understand, sir. I will try and use this limited time as good as I can" he reply with small grimace. "I presume a Chancellor could theoretically give it to General Calrissian, to represent all free people in the Republic?"

Taking the datapad Zhongli opens the message and make sure to keep the message hidden from possible snooping eyes.

"You are correct, but that's also a little besides the point. Who gives the award is immaterial to the process of who is allowed to nominate for it. Do not worry about that, as that's part of the plan. I need to see, the galaxy needs to see, whether their leaders in the Senate are capable of accomplishing something without tripping over themselves in bureaucracy and bickering."

The private speeder takes you just outside the Senate Chambers, and the nearby offices corresponding to the same. Neither space was made for such a purpose, but they were the only spaces large and deeemed the necessary reverence for the job.

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"This is where I will take my leave of you. I have work my own to do, and so do you." He makes a sweeping hand towards the office "Get yourself acclimated. You'll know this place better than your own apartment. Senator Parr tends to keep long hours, I'm sure you'll have a pleasant visit. Also, before you leave, speak with my Chief of Staff. Just, be patient with them."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Sat 23 Oct 2021.

"Thanks sir, I will do just that" Zhongli reply and once having directions to the chief of staff he heads over there while sending a reply to senator Xyzas.

Asking for directions was in fact, imperative. Because the building operating as the offices for the Senate was not meant for this purpose, it had little sense of organization or formality.

A gaunt old man stood from behind a desk as you found and entered Zapala's office.

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 "Ahhh you must be the new troublemaker." As he extended his hand "Xio Mulliss, Chief of Staff. Should expect you know what that means" As he extends his hand to a chair.

Taking the offered seat Zhongli offered a small smile.

"I will try and keep the trouble to minimum but at these times I can't really promise anything, as you can understand" he adjust him somewhat in the seat and look around the office. "Is there anything I should know or know before starting the workday tomorrow?"

"A few boundaries" As Xio sat back down, leaning forward on your desk "You are always on the clock, for starters. If an emergency comes up and we need you, you respond, or you don't come in the next day. You are also always representing Senator Zapala, and the New Republic. If you're found outside your mind on spice, or in a compromised position with..." He let the thought trail off, so as not to give any ideas "You know. It won't take long in a place like this to figure out who you are, and who you work for. If you prove to be an impediment, you will be discarded as such, without a second's thought."

"The flip side to that is that if you prove capable and loyal, the inverse is also true. We will do everything that we can to make sure you are taken care of properly, should there be a need, and that starts now." Having lost his traing of thought for a second, Xio spent a moment looking through his desk for something.

"Now, things you should know. Don't be surprised or hurt if the thing we ask for at the start of the day becomes irrelevant by the end of the day. It's a fast paced galaxy, and we play with live ammo here. the Senator often wants sanity checks, even after he's made up his mind. If it looks like this office suddenly took a different position, don't be thrown by it. And please, whatever you do, don't go yacking to the press or some pretty thing in a bar to impress them, you'll just make yourself look dumb."

"Beyond that, nothing that can't wait until tomorrow. You've no doubt been told about the proposal to be put forward. As a matter of formality, we need someone to reach out to the armed service liason, so we can find out where General Calrissian is, so he can be duly informed, and if need be, retrieved. It may be entirely possible that they don't know where he is or what he's doing, and it may be entirely possible that they'll lie to you to protect an operation. Once we get a temperature check, we'll have to see on how we want to approach the bigger problems. The war is, understandably, taking up nearly all of the attention of the Senate, and Zapala especially."

While it was something he would never agree with himself, he already knew that the world of politics threw away those pieces they no longer needed.

"Gotcha, better stay on the safe side then" he reply with a small shrug before continuing. "As long as our senators are ready to listen to us, I have little problem the guidelines"

"If there is nothing else I have another meeting waiting, so I will take my leave. Thanks for your time, Chief Mulliss" he offer his hand before rising and leave the office and heads towards senator Parr.

"You can call me simply Xio." Mulliss rose to offer his hand in turn. " or Mr. Mulliss. I don't care for titles, I'm simply a good friend of the Senator, whose job it is to ensure he doesn't go too far off the rails. Speaking of good friends, please give my regards to Senator Parr."

The other Senator's office was not far at all; the doors of either office within visible distance to one another. As you make your way out, a woman walks out of Parr's office. She seems to show an inner resolve as she stands tall and proud, in defiance of age's toll on her body. She is regally dressed in a robe of golds and silvers, pairing with the completely silver hair. In front of her eyes were a series of pendants, sewn together and pulled across her eyes; each pendant had small specks of reflective material that showed quiet brightly in the golden hour before sunset.

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"Ahhhh, mister Zhongli. How nice to finally see you in person."

'How did he know about my meeting with the senator?' he muse as he heads towards his next destination

"The pleasure is all mine, senator Parr" Zhongli smile and offer a polite bow. "I hope I have not kept you waiting for too long?"

"I have waited this long to get to where I am in my story, I'd hate to rush to the ending." She opens the door behind her and leads you in to a pair of old, well cushioned chairs. "Of all traits, I find patience pays the greatest dividends. Of course, patience is not always something we can afford, as the whole galaxy found out first hand."

She takes a seat, bidding you to do the same opposite "What ghastly business. I'm sure you must have been as scared as the rest of us when that message came from the Final Order."

"Yes I agree, patience is a good trait" Zhongli reply and take the offered seat.

"Who was not? Thankfully we should have some breathing room as Snoke and the others are..dead hopefully"

The elderly Senator let out a deep sigh as she looked out a window "We had once thought so about Palpatine, and his apprentice, Darth Vader. We thought that with them dead and the Death Star's defeated, that we had won, that the light of democracy and the Republic would burn bright once again. Clearly, there are plenty of dark places left in the Galaxy."

"Supreme Leader Snoke has been dead for some time. The First Order have admitted as much, and though they are many things, feigning weakness is not one of them. Kylo Ren, and many of the others are dead as well, according to Republic Intelligence. We have dealt the largest blow yet in this war, but it is not enough."

She looked down for a moment, than back to you, with a slight laugh "Listen to me, talking as though I know anything about the military. My time with the Rebellion, I was often little more than the motivator, and the distraction. The Empire always suspected that if there was going to be a safe haven for the Jedi, it would be among my people. We took on that banner, putting the focus on us, standing up against their inquisitions, always having the tenacity to withstand them. Beyond that and stories, I'm afraid I'm not useful for much anymore."

With a start, she reaches into a table next to her "Well, maybe a few things. Tell me, young man, have you come to understand the galaxy differently since Exagol?"