"Are you serious about this?" The quiver in the soldier's voice was absolutely unmistakable. It nearly brought a smile to the my face, but for all the wrong reasons. I though I nearly sensed revulsion in the man's features. That was one thing that I could not stand. I could put up with many things ranging from envy to disgust, but revulsion was a whole different matter.

"I think that you are forgetting yourself, Seargent." I stressed the last word especially hard. That kind of things always made the underlings squirm. Some of the Sadowans were a little more squirrely, but appealing to the general respect for authority seemed far more effective than anyting as paltry as a clear threat. "The operations of the Orian Empire are for the benefit of us all. I assure you, that I wouldn't ask if it was not vital." I paused for effect, before narrowing my eyes just enough to blend the line between feigned suspicion and feigned anger. "Or is there another reason that you are failing to comply with a lawful request?"

This seemed to do the trick. Confusion was replaced with resignation. I am not sure if I had appropriately appealed to some innate sense of duty or just reminded him that service and security went hand in hand, but it did the trick. "I just don't understand the good of patrolling an asteroid field, sir." He waved a hand in the air as though gesturing at something unseen. "We have enough to deal with given the encampments on Sepros proper. I am just genuinely puzzled on what you expect us to find.

"Ah." I uttered the single word, and let the silence hang for four heartbeats before I continued. "That is the beautiful thing! I have sensed a disturbance in the Force. Using our temples as a focal point has revealed something in our system that is creating a great eddy of energy. Given that such things tend to tie into troves of secrets, the connection cannot be denied. Look at Korriban, look at Yavin, look at Operation: Antiquity, Dentaavi or the site of any other number of Sadowan or Brotherhood campaigns and what do you find? You find secrets, you find artifacts, magics, rituals and antiques. You find sources of power, wells of might, and sometimes we find ancient weapons which we can use to save our homes or destroy our enemies. It is like I told young Kharno back during the Ziost campaign-"

"Sir," the word brought my words to a stop. I felt the anger well up in me, but I stifled a snarl of anger. "Forgive me, but when were you at Ziost? I am familiar with our most recent campaigns, but I have not seen on any action on any world called Ziost."

"It was a marvelous campaign. It was back during the height of the Sith Empire." I could hear my voice take on a proud tone. Then I saw the confusion etch itself more deeply on the man's face. I had been prepared to launch into a lecture on the time period. I had almost forgotten myself. I felt that tickle in the back of my skull, as a small part inside me struggled before I wrestled it back down. "It was during a different time in my life. It was from a point where I most enjoyed myself. The blood, the steel, and the power we wielded back then was an unbelievable high."

"I see, sir." Though the words were compliant, it did see the uncertainty.

"I will have to tell you more about it. The pursuit of secrets, of power, of pieces of history is unparalleled. There are few greater joys to be experienced."

“It’s the simple things in life. A roof over our head with a warm bed, and a stocked refrigerator. Not everyone has that. Sure, we may live in a chaotic galaxy. It’s filled with selfishness, temptations, and suffering. Allowing yourself to be influenced by the negativity of others, or filling yourself with depression over existential evils is a self-affliction. But these are things outside of your control as an individual, and trying to claim the power to change it all is only going to corrupt you. Just look at the Empire or First Order for example. I don’t think “order” will fix the problems we face, rather love.”

“Heh, it seems a tad cliché when you put it that way.”

“I suppose it is. But you can’t root out the things that make people unhappy from the top down, it has to come from the bottom um. It begins with yourself by finding your own inner peace and happiness in moderation. Then it should be your desire to spread your happiness like a fire to those close to you, be it your family or community. This will in turn amplify your own joy, and the family or community you influenced will repeat the process with those around them.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Sure its ideal, but I don’t think it’s impossible. I envision a galaxy where people are polite and kind to one another.”

“There will always be those who only look out for themselves.”

“This is true, but if you think about enough, the person who only serves themselves will come to a bad ending. We all know this. Hell, the Jedi have been preaching it for centuries. A kind and caring society can easily recognize that manner of behavior. The selfish person is naturally shunned until they learn to turn themselves around. I honestly think selfishness isn’t a moral instinct, but rather a habit of immaturity. As we grow wiser, we realize that it doesn’t benefit us as much in the means of seeking happiness as altruism.”

“I don’t know… I’ve seen old men still stuck in their own ways, Creon.”
“Age and wisdom are not the same. It is only expected of our elders to be wise because they have had more time to learn. When I say maturity, I mean in a mental and emotional manner. It even effects our spirits. Those who dwell on the virtuous nature of the Force see a longer lifespan, a venerated presence, and powers to perform great miracles. Those who plunge themselves into darkness will only find just that, as well as hunger. They grow pale and sickly, with eyes that have no emotion inside.”

“So just so we are clear, it’s the small joys in life and the connections we make that are key to happiness?”

“That’s how I see it, yes. I’m sure every other person in this universe has their own subjective view on the things that make them happy. But I think what I describe goes beyond the typical “pleasure seeking” that our brains are hardwired to seek, and more of a philosophy that can lead to a wealth of true enlightened merriment, even in the face of adversity.

“Hmm… Well I can see your point, and I’ll take time to reflect on what you said. I appreciate your time in coming to talk with me Creon.”

“The pleasure is all mine Master Sol, I wish you a happy Life Day, and May the Force be with you.”