“True, but we are not at war now. We are the farthest thing from it,” said Rana Kant.

“Not the farthest,” replied Yarael Poof. “There have been times in our history when the Order was reduced to but a handful of members.”

“Why are we talking about history?” said Ephru Shinn, the newest member of the Council, a Mon Calamari, selected by Yoda to hold his seat while the great Master was on his sabbatical from Council business. “We should be concerned with now, not old empires or victories or defeats. What is our role in this Republic, at this precise moment?”

She lifted a hand.

“I believe that the Jedi should, at all times, present to the many peoples of the galaxy a way of life centered on peace. We must show them the way. The Republic is uniquely receptive to such an idea at this moment.”

“Yes, but we are guardians of two ideals, are we not?” said Yarael Poof. “Sometimes, unfortunately, they come into conflict. We must always strive for peace, but also justice. Peace without justice is flawed, hollow at its core. It is the peace provided by tyranny.”

“I do not believe there has been a single instance of the Jedi getting involved in the military matters of galactic government that has generated anything but endless complexity,” Ephru replied.

“So we should strive only for simplicity? The galaxy is not a simple place, Master Shinn,” said Grandmaster Lahru.

And on it went. Jora listened, but did not speak, letting the other Council members make their positions clear. Those positions settled with five in favor of agreeing to the chancellor’s request to include Jedi in the mission against the Nihil, and five against.

The final choice was down to Jora, which seemed appropriate to her, since it would be her ship, the Ataraxia, that would accompany Republic forces on the mission.

The other members of the Council looked at her, waiting for her to speak. And so she did.

“You know I am not much for words. I prefer to act. In this case, I think the decision is simple enough. It’s the same question I ask myself whenever I do anything at all.”

She again wished Reath were with her, thinking of the lesson he might learn here. She would have to pass it along to him later.

“Does the action I’m about to take bring more light to the galaxy?”

She spread her hands.

“In this case, I believe the answer is clear. The Nihil have snuffed out countless people across the Outer Rim, and caused endless strife and suffering. We should act to reduce their ability to do anything like this again. I will take the Ataraxia and accompany Admiral Kronara’s fleet.”

“And then what?” asked Oppo Rancisis. “Do you have any sense of what you will do once the Nihil are found?”

“Yes, Master Rancisis,” Jora said. “Whatever the Force wills.”

Part Three

Chapter Thirty-six