Part 7: Face-off

Father’s Yacht approached the Nexus once again, this time it was followed by a small fleet of civilian craft. each one was loaded to capacity full of scholars and learned beings. All who were enticed to come to the Nexus to learn everything that the known universe had to offer. The Library of the Nexus caters to all who are willing, especially those that bring more knowledge to increase the ever expanding stock.

Raavik Yaan felt an uneasy stillness outside in the shipyard, the Voice of the Nexus had been quiet for some time. A few days, in fact. He knew that the Nexus had a tendency to overreact when presented with new forms to harness life from. If anything of the past experiences of the other apostles was of note then the Nexus was doing something stupid with its visitors.

Raavik followed by Keely and Tommy entered the Nexus through the great doors. Almost immediately  upon entering they were greeted by the slumped over figure of Jedi Master Omok, worn out and exhausted.

The Apostle looked down at the Jedi with an almost pitible look upon his face. Raavik felt Keely’s disdain for the old man and turned her gaze away from him. 

In the light that filtered in through the door, Raavik could see the mob, as well as a wraith of the Nexus. The mob was not unexpected, after all the Jedi probably had some thoughts about destroying the Nexus. The mob was the inner sanctuary’s defense, but not the most dangerous. That honor was left to the ghostly wraith. The actual spirit of the Nexus, a being that was the perfect balance of the Force. However, like everything else the balance achieved, self preservation maintained above all else. For the Nexus would not allow itself to be harmed. That was the purpose of the Apostle, to keep the Nexus from harm and to keep it from doing harm. To maintain the balance.

“Cease this foolish behavior!” Raavik commanded. His voice echoed all over the library. “Omok has made his choice, and he wishes not to be here.” 

The mob blinked once, then twice, then as if on cue the wraith dissipated and the mob dispersed. The Voice returned to Raavik’s side and it felt pleased to do so.

Raavik bent down and lifted Omok up by his arms. 

“What did you do to disturb the relative peace on board the Nexus? I mean, seriously, the Nexus would only defend itself if placed under threat.”

Omok straightened himself. “This whole place is a threat. The Republic should know of the evil in this place.”

“There is no evil here.” Raavik retorted. “There is only a sense of self protection. The mob that you saw only reacted out of a need to protect the status quo of the Nexus. If you threaten the sanctuary of the station, this place will respond in kind.”

“You call coordinated attacks for days, self-defense?” Omok was shocked with disbelief.

“I have told you before, these people are here of their own volition. The defense was that of several different groups that attacked you in such a way that may have seemed coordinated, that is because the groups are all some sort of combat veteran. They responded to your threat.” The Voice of the Nexus whispered into Raavik’s ear. “Frankly, I am impressed that you lasted as long as you did.”

“I must leave and warn the rest of the Jedi about this place. You teach Sith teachings. This place is dangerous to everything that we teach.” Omok’s voice was cracking with a sort of panic.

“Then you leave me with little choice…” Raavik said with a sigh. He unclipped his lightsaber from his belt. He felt the Voice join his consciousness. “You must never return to the Republic.”