Shield of the Jedi

The last day of the Temple of the Eagle was much like the others that had preceeded them.

The Fledgings continued using their rudimentary connections with the Force with the orbs: Reyes causing his to burst into flames, and Elena causing hers to whip back and forth, which led to Ruben calling her Jedi Yo Yo. The resulting tears led to a conversation from Jedi Mack about how fellow Jedi treated each other.

The Padiwans went about their day as normal. Meditation training with May, Defensive drilling with Garrett and Gonzales, history of the Eagle's Shield with Coulson. After lunch, the Padiwans were set to work, alongside their mentors, within the Temple (much to Padiwan Skye's disgust - she had liked the patrols with the troopers)

As the day progressed, though, many of the Jedi began to grow...uneasy. As if some dark ripples were echoing through the Force.

Jedi Coulson was with Padiwan Simmons in the Temple library when Jedi Hand came in.

"Coulson, do you have the tablets uploaded?" Hand asked.

Simmons handed them over.

"We've uploaded the precepts and the Eagle's Nest, Jedi Hand. There's the history, and the manuals, and Jedi Coulson said to give you..."

"That's enough, Simmons," smiled Coulson "We could be here all day if you were to itemize everything."

"Your Padiwan is very efficient, Jedi Coulson." Simmons beamed with pride.

Hand scrolled through the tablet, and then hesitated.

"Jedi Coulson...I need the children's primer as well."

"All right. Padiwan, if you please?"

As Simmons went to retrieve the tablet, Coulson shot a piercing look at Hand.

"The Beast myth, Victoria? Don't we just use that to encourage caution in the Fledgings?"

"We teach that all myths have some basis in truth, Phil. Or at least deliver a warning. It can't hurt. And I have a nagging feeling that something is wrong."

"Are you sure it isn't just lunch?  I thought those Romastos were a little off..." 

"Really, nothing, Coulson?"

Coulson checked to see that Simmons was out of earshot.

"All right...just a pricking at the back of my neck. But you and May have a stronger sense of that part of the Force than I. I didn't even sense that Sith Apprentice until after General Kenobi had killed him - you were right on top of it."

"You're better with the younglings here at the Temple, anyways. And, even though you hate the politics, there is no one I would trust the future of the Eagle's Shield to. Absolutely no one."

She continued, "Coulson, Garrett's moved up my departure. I'm leaving tonight."

Coulson frowned. "That's rather unusual..."

Leaning closer, Hand whispered "Have Simmons keep a copy of the tablets with her until I return. Phil, keep your Padiwans close. Keep the Fledgings closer if you can. Besides Fury, we are the eldest Jedi here. It may be something. Or... it may just be the Romastos."

Simmons returned.

"I've updated the tablet, Jedi Hand."

"Thank you, Padiwan, truly a credit to your mentor." 

Simmons preened. Coulson snorted.

"Jedi Hand, remember you owe me a game of chess on your return."

"That I do. Jedi Coulson, Padiwan, may the Force be with you." Hand's eyes glistened a little. "Now and always." She abruptly turned and left the library.

"And with you, Victoria." Coulson said softly.

"Jedi Coulson, is everything all right?"

"I'm not sure, Simmons." Coulson looked at her. "Do you know where Padiwan Fitz is?" 

"Of course, I always do."

"Let's go find him."

 "Padiwan Skye!"

"Well, if it isn't the Grand Master Jedi himself!" Skye laughed, as she hugged her friend.

Ward hugged her back, a little tighter than necessary, perhaps.

"How is my favourite Force Quake today?"

"Still working on control, unfortunately," groaned Skye. "I nearly knocked Coulson across the room this morning."

"Too bad you didn't succeed." muttered Ward quietly.

"Are you still mad at him, Ward? I heard you were trying to poach his Padiwans this morning at Council..."

"How'd you find out about that? Council meetings are off limits to Padiwans and Fledgings!"

"I have my sources," smirked Skye.

"You've been hacking the meeting feeds again, haven't you?"

"Like I'd admit that to a full Jedi!"

"How about to Grant?"

"Waarrdd!!" Skye shook her head. "All right, all right! I admit, it's nice to know what the Council has in mind before they spring it on us sometimes."

Ward laughed. "Your secret is safe with me."

Skye started down the hall.

"I gotta go, oh great Jedi Ward. Jedi May has some meditation techniques she thinks could be quite helpful in controlling my emotions, and therefore the quakes, and therefore I will be sitting in a quiet room for the next 3 hours."

As she moved off, Ward called, "Skye, wait a moment." The Padiwan stopped, and Ward leaned in closer.

"You know you can trust me, right?"

"Of course."

"I want you to know, whatever happens in the next little while, you can always turn to me. I will always be here for you."

"Ward, what're you talking about? What's going on?"

"I can't say anything just now…"

"Does this have to do with raising us to full Jedi?" Skye asked excitedly.

"Look, you're not supposed to know. Just be ready. Things are going to start happening soon. Great things. And everyone is going to have to make a choice. Just make sure you make the right one." He hesitated, then dropped a kiss on her head. "Follow my lead, and it will all be OK."

Ward hurried down the hallway, leaving a confused and troubled Skye staring after him.

Jedi Director Fury was not happy. He scowled at the two Jedi standing before him in his office.

"You're late." he snarled.

"We were on patrol, just got back." from the first, a taller blonde woman.

"Jedi are no longer supposed to be on patrol."

"We were not informed of that."

"You would have been if you had been at this morning's meeting!"

"But we were on patrol then, sir" Her partner was a smaller dusty veteran who clearly was not taking this seriously enough.

Fury sighed. "And we wonder where the younger Padiwans are getting their lip from these days."

"Not from me, Director Fury, sir. I am nothing but respectful to my elders." A sideways glance from his partner had him amend his statement. "Mostly. To their faces, at least."

Fury held his head in his hands. "I have a headache, Jedi Hunter. And you are not helping."

"I hear the lotoberry root can..."

"Enough, Hunter!" Fury growled. "Go take a shower or something. Leave me in peace with your partner."

Jedi Morse quirked an eyebrow at Director Fury as Jedi Hunter sauntered out the office door.

"He's not wrong about the lotoberry root, sir."

"Can it, Morse. Besides, it's not that type of headache."

Fury motioned her to a seat.

"There are dark tidings in the Force. Hand is our strongest diviner, and she is being sent off world faster than expected. Most of my Jedi are ranging from taking the bloody lotoberry root to outright peering over their shoulders."

"I heard you had Romastos for lunch, perhaps it's that?"

Fury glared at her. "Then, there are the Jedi who either don't sense a thing, like your partner, or worse, are pretending not to."

"Garrett?"

"And his old Padiwan, Ward."

"Huh. I thought he was raised sooner than I liked."

"Garrett swore he passed the trials. I had no reason to doubt him. Now, I wonder."

Morse took a breath and then paused. "Sir, you know why Hunter and I were on patrol. I have to say, chasing down a children's bogeyman has not been one of the more interesting missions I have been on as a Jedi."

Fury looked at her. "Did you find it?"

"Nothing, sir. Nothing but old traces, almost whispers of a dark force. Maybe the tale we tell is true, that the Eagle did drop the Beast into the lake, never to be seen again."

"Just because something is not seen, does not mean it is not there, Jedi Morse."

"Do you want us to go out again, Director?"

"No, just...keep an eye out. At least on your partner. The man may be strong in the Force...but his common sense is woefully lacking."

"You're telling me, Director. Uh, can you pass the lotoberry jar?"

"Take the whole thing, Morse."

Deep in the mountains, impassible, inhospitable, there is a green mountain lake.

On the shore of that lake stood a older man, polishing his glasses.

Worlds away, the saga was to begin to play itself out. If everything went as foreseen, soon the Jedi and the Temple of the Eagle, long a thorn in the side of the Beast would be no more. The pieces were in position, all was ready for the Order.

If you exist long enough, thought the man, known by some as Whitehall, sometimes you pass into myth. The Jedi would soon learn the price of forgetfulness.

He strode away into the caves surrounding the water. Behind him, the placid green water stirred, as if brushed by a hundred different tentacles, and then stilled again.