((The Kid, The Jedi, the Wookie, and D))

Kalens personal log-

Easy money Dath Kossir had said. Quick job, no problems. Its on your way to the job on Arx he said! Little did I know the kid I was hired to escort has some rich, powerful, and downright evil enemies. We were lucky to have made it out of this one alive, honestly, I might stop taking jobs from Dath after this one....and to finish it all off the kid ended up wanting to go home 5 minutes after we arrived....I mean I would have wanted to go home too if 17 different assasin droids of various makes and models had tried to kill me within minutes of arriving. It was craziness.

The Trune kid doesn't deserve this. So, on my own dime, I have decided to make sure the people who sent the assailants are brought to justice. The fact that the conspirators include a few members of Connors own family are truly disturbing. Connors currently resides with an aunt from the other side of the family. They've already gone into hiding now, and she has contracted me to see to the sale of the farm, as her and Connor simply want this entire sad safe of their lives to finally end.

I mean can you blame them though? And all of this over a family farm that is worth a million or 1.2 million credits at the most. Sure that seems like a fair amount of money...but come on, is that amount of money worth killing a child who is a member of your own family? Now I know there's obviously got to be more to this then meets the eye, but man.

I heard about an aunt or cousin some Distant relation of the kid who apparently betrayed some faction or other 20 or 30 years ago, but thats no excuse for attempted murder.

D(Kalen's 3PO droid) is doing fine now, he got shot in the ankle again, same one as last time too. He did spot the first assasin droid coming out of the treeline towards us though. Might have saved all our lives come to think of it....But my my, how he complained...like, you'd think with all of his whining that he's actually feeling pain, Hahaha. Karracca, had him patched up and working fine again before we even reached orbit.

Anyway, now I've gotta get some fuel, and have my ion turret repaired because a few of those assassin droids shot the Sith out of it.

Some contacts I have made with Clan Vizsla have agreed to shelter the Aunt and the boy in hiding at one of their compounds. I will wire them the credits when the sale of the property and assets is complete....so strange though, what could be so important on that property that they'd be willing to kill their own family for it?

*Something clicked in Kalens brain, and he considered turning around and heading right back to the homestead...was it treasure, was it weapons, was it a dark secret so great that the 17 assasin droids were justified? Kalen knew though, there was something hidden on that farm.
Kalen stopped himself from thinking too much into it. He had been hired to do a job, and now he had already accepted another(acting as middle man and selling the estate). It was time to go home to his girlfriend Corra and finally enjoy some time off, in the name of the force, he certainly had earned it.*

((Aliso City, Hillview Hotel))

Kalen couldn't afford to stay at the fancy Flitz hotel up the hill because the price was too high since he wasn’t a 'member'. Member of what? He had no idea, it had all sounded mighty shady to him. His digs here at the Hillview suited him just fine, it was cheap, cleanish, and the owner had allowed him to keep the same room each time he completed or returned from a 'contract'.

He was relaxing on the small sofa in the corner of the hotel room when his commlink chirped.

'Hey, kid, you there?' It was the voice of one Furious' goons. Furious had been the cagefighter from the encounter at the spaceport the week before. He had met Furious the same day he had collected his first major bounty, bought a ship, and had gone out of a date with the daughter of the local tailor(Corra). That had also been just a few days before being inducted into the Brotherhood, as an associate of House Ventress.

'Yeah, hey, whats up?' He replied after retrieving his comm from his pocket.

'Oh you're there, great. Hey, Furious and I have gotta head off world tonight for some business. He's got 2 tickets to the Pinnacle Banquet at the main hall up the hill from you. Did you want em? They're the hottest tickets on the Aliso social scene this month.' His pals goon urged him.

Kalen raised his eyebrow and smiled. 'Yeah, for sure, I'll take em, thanks brother. Very generous of you...' he said, using the term "brother" colloquially as he had heard several others do over the past few months. It felt natural enough, and was in keeping with Jedi traditions to refer to someone that way.

Furious knew that Kalen was seeing his tailors daughter on the side. And to be honest, he was more interested in getting back at the tailor. Having one of his guys dating her almost made up for him overcharging Furios a few weeks ago on some alterations. And he had actually told his henchman to say, 'Have fun kid, but stay outta major trouble, I'll leave the tickets at the front desk for you...and this time....maybe bring her home before the suns up this time Mr. Romance' Furious could be heard bellowing in laughter as his goon closed the comm.

Kalen sighed....his friend hadn't been lying when he said he had 'eyes all over the city'. Regardless of his big friends ribbing, he immediately called Cora on her comm. 'Hey, do you have time to talk about those alterations?' He used the code they had came up with during their second date 3 nights ago.

"Yeah Kal, dads in the back right now, that dinner was so good the other night. Are you back already?' Cora said somewhat absently as she was sewing a complicated inseem as she spoke.

'Yeah, the courier job was a quick one. So, hey, got any plans for tonight? Apparently I got 2 tickets to the Pinnacle Ball tonight. Wanna be my date?'

'The Pinnacle Banquet you mean? You? Have tickets?....Yeah, Holy Sith, of course I want to go. Are you serious? Or are you playing with me Kal?' Cora rambled.

"I'm serious, apparently a friend doesn't need his tickets and gave them to me.' Kalen replied calmly, though he was quickly realizing maybe this Banquet was a bit of a big deal.

'Holy Sith! This is so cool, ok, ok, I'll come to your place to get changed right after work. The Pinnacle?....you and me this so awesome? Kk, gotta go, I have to figure out what I'm going to wear...see you in a couple hours. Kk bye.' Cora said speedily. For her, this was the most auspicious social event she had ever attended, and she realized it. For Kalen it would also be the biggest, and most important social event he had ever attended, but he had no idea yet.

((3 hours later))

After having a passionate 'dress up party' in his hotel room, Kalen and Cora got dressed into what they planned to wear to the Banquet. Cora wore a blue and gold flowing, ankle length dress with slits up both thighs and puffy shoulders. It had been a design of her own making, and she had last worn it a few years prior, to her cousins(the cobblers son) wedding.

Kalen wore the new generic but professional looking formal attire he had purchased from Corra's father the week before. It was a dark blue tunic with gray pants and a black belt. He planned to wear his shiny scale pattern Armourweave Cloak as an accessory, and for safety of course.

Corra scrunched her nose a bit as Kalen finished dressing and then looked to her for approval.

'Whats wrong dear?' He tried the "dear" honoric on Cora to guage her response as he was genuinely starting to fall for her.

'Ahhh, nothing, I dunno...it just seems kinna plain is all babe.' Cora replied as she walked over to him and straightened his cloak before kissing him.

'Well...should I wear my medals, and my pendant and my medallion then, ya think?' Kalen asked, not wanting to appear 'underdressed'.

'Uh, yeaaaaah, you're....like, taking me to a fancy banquet Kal. Of course you wear all your medals..." She gave him the 'gosh your naive' look that Kal was quickly getting used to.

((2 minutes later))

Now fully adorned with his 'medals' on. They were actually just carefully crafted, stamped circular and triangle shaped pieces of durasteel attached to red, blue, and green ribbons respectively. He wore them on his left beast. The pendant was actually his grandfathers Jedi Pendant and was 3 inches wide, and was worn on a chain around his neck. The small bronze coloured medallion which he had explained to Cora was called the 'Lifesavers Medallion', he wore pinned to his right breast. He had earned that last one by risking his life to rescue the crew of a downed shuttle during a storm back on their small colony in the other galaxy.

After hearing this Cora kissed him again, and before they jumped back in bed, Kalen mentioned he didn't want to be late and they gleefully departed.

((1 hour later))

After arriving and being allowed in at the front desk(Furious having dropped the tickets off himself), the 2 lovebirds grabbed some snacks and a few drinks. Kalen had noticed the tables all had assigned seating. After about 10 minutes of trying they were able to find their seats in the large hall full of banquet tables and people.

Corra was busy ooglin all the local underworld celebrities in attendance. Pro fighters, underbosses, pirate Captains, a Commander from the Ventress fleet, Colonels from the Asdendant Legion. Aside from the underworld types she recognized the Deputy Mayor of Aliso, financiers and a few famous diplomats in the room as well. She would look back on this evening years down the road and realize that this had been the night she had fallen in love with Kalen.

He was apparently the kind, optimistic, yet somehow rugged and mysterious 'bad boy' she had been looking for her entire adult life. He last relationship a year before, had beem with a smuggler who was later caught and was now rotting in a prison on Arx. It was obvious that Kalen was a good person. He also had these clear connections to the 'Brotherhood', and Clan Plaguies that owned the city, and she couldn't figure it all out, adding to the mystery about him. This and Kalens cute face and innocent naivety only made her more into him.

After finding their seats, at a table with the bounty broker/contractor Dath Kossir no less. They proceeded to make small talk and eventually sat down to eat. Kossir had heard about Kalen being 'inducted' and even offered him a lucrative contract doing VIP security work the following week. Kalen had graciously accepted the offer, it was a 4 day conference of bankers, financiers and politicians, and Kalen would be a guard for the House Ventress delegation.

Cora in the meantime had begun chatting up Kossirs date, both complimenting the other on their hairstyles and dresses. During dinner their had been speeches by several people up on the dais. At one point Kalen even had his name called along with 4 others, the speaker simply mentioned that they were -new members- and should be recognized. Kalen eventually stood, and gave a curt wave after Corra had slapped his arm and given him a -look-.

The person giving the speeches was the Deputy Proconsul of Clan Plagueis, Kossir had then explained. Kalen didn’t recall filing out any paperwork or joining anything called Clan Plagueis recently, only House Ventress, but he dismissed it at the time. The sour bubbly alcoholic beverages he and Corra had been drinking up until then likely played a factor in his nonchalant attitude.

After dinner and Kossir and Kalen went to the bar to refill everyone's drinks. As they neared the bar the 2 were stopped by 2 large human males and a Trandoshan. One said 'Are you Joss?'

Kalen felt a bit apprehensive but responded "Yes, can I help you?" He was getting ready to retreive his saber with one hand and his pistol with the other if neccesary. He had seen a bunch of gangster holovids in the last few months...he knew how this was going to go down. Or so he thought.

One of the human males reached out and handed Kalen a datalink pad. "Boss wants to see you tomorrow morning....and stop hanging out with this loser by the way.' He laughed as he glared at Kossir who scowled in return but didn't dare say a word in retort.

Kalen read the datalink after thanking the messengers. It didn't appear to be too serious, it looked like someone from House Ventress had reviewed the info he had given them about his past. They wanted him to come and 'test' for a few different jobs in the organization. Apparently, they had openings for 'gunboat flotilla leaders' and 'capital ship navigation officers' that they thought he would be ideal for. He put the datalink in his pocket, and headed back to the table with a fresh round of drinks.

((2 hours later))

After spending the rest of the banquet listening to speeches and dancing to high brow chamber music, the 2 smitten lovers had gone back to his hotel room again. As Corra was getting out of her formal attire, Kalen had simply sat on the sofa, staring at the datalink that the bosses goons had delivered. It was the biggest opportunity Kalen had been presented with since arriving in this galaxy. One offer would see him deploy with 'the fleet' for a 6 month tour on a Star Frigate. The other would see him in charge of a gunboat flotilla that operated as security for the Aliso system. He would 'command' the flotilla from the Pinnacle. Which meant he could come home to Corra every night after work. Well he could if they got their own place together that was. He usually didn’t do things on a whim, but Kalen decided to go with his gut this time.

"Hey hun...if I got a...you know, more permanent job...say here in Aliso City...would you...I dunno...want to maybe, move in together?" Kalen fumbled the words out of his mouth. He was a novice at this romance thing, but he couldn't help but -know- that Cora was the one for him.

"Sure, I'd love to babe...but you're going to have to speak to my father about it. You know how much he hates the idea of me dating...you know...someone like you or your friends....now turn the light off and come to bed." Cora growled at him playfully.

'Someone like him or his friends, why whatever does she mean?' Kalen thought to himself before Cora grabbed him and pulled himself onto the bed.

Gunboat Diplomacy-

En route to the Fllaxxis system

It had been about 3 weeks since Kalen had taken the job with the Aliso Defense Forces(it was a fake name, and simply a front for Clan Plagueis to use for a semblance of impartiality). Officially Kalen held the rank of Warrant Officer, and the position of Flotilla Leader. In essence he was in charge of 5 new sleek gunboats. He commanded 15 people and about 100 droids split evenly among all 5 ships. Each gunboat had a Captain, Gunner, and Engineer as the only 'people' onboard.

Kalen walked through the tight central corridor of gunboat and into the small cockpit area. 'Juna, how long until we drop out of hyperspace?'

'About 20 minutes sir. We're gonna hit em so hard they wont know what to do.' Juna checked his dials on the command console.

'They certainly made a mistake bombing that market on Uvul. And our intelligence is showing that they are vying to become a major player in the drug trade in this region. Not on our watch" Kalen didn't know that he was simply striking at Clan Plagueis' rivals. He was naive and idealistic enough to buy into the notion that he was actually helping dismantle a drug cartel for the good of the galaxy. In the end, his goals and that of his Clans certainly weren't mutually exclusive. And it was a drug cartel after all.

'Hey Commander? Our port side weapons power coupling has destabilized' the droid co-pilot nervously fidgeted at his console.

'Well get someone to fix it then.' The Captain said.

'Roger roger' the dried began typing in the commands. Droids after all, weren't the most independant minded crew, as Kalen had reluctantly learned. The gunboats were a part time/on call force that stood by in case they were needed anywhere in the region. Kalen spent 7 days on duty, and 14 days off, in this role, rotating with 2 other crews. In this fashion, using the droids, Clan Plagueis could field a force of 15 gunboats while only using 'people' equivalent to 2 ships crews, Kalen had learned during his intake and orientation at the Citadel.

It was an  ingenious system, as Kalen had noticed, among other things recently. During his first 'tour' serving in this role a few weeks ago, he had helped intercept an infamous serial killer who had been fleeing from Scholae Palatinae, which certainly earned him some good will. The killer had been transiting through the Cilix spaceport, and Kalen had only been about 20 minutes away from the location. He had seen some of the inner workings of his new organization, some of its structure, its military wing and law enforcement apparatus. It was a profession outfit, but he was quickly seeing that the upper echelons appeared to be that of benevolent yet despotic regime.

He had also learned that his previous work for Dath Kossir had actually counted in terms of -'service to the clan'. Counted toward what? He had no idea. But apparently he had been earning clout and respect before even being inducted. Most of the brotherhood and its upper echelons though, was still a mystery to him, and he didnt mind that fact much.

The pay was good, the schedule was great, allowing him 2 weeks off to follow his own pursuits if he wished. The job itself too was easy enough. When not deployed on an operation, he usually served as a quasi-dispatcher for the little squadron of ships, from a command centre near the Pinnacle. At times like now, he would embark on the flotillas lead vessel and command the unit from there.

As Kalen had learned early in his orientation for this role, his area of responsibility was a roughly 2 parsec wide radius around Aliso. His unit, and the ADF were the only military operating in then region that actively patrolled. They were the primary response quick response unit within that area. This current mission had been made possible by other clans sharing their intel with his own. His flotilla would hopefully help vanquish the scourge of the new designer drug known as Daytripper from Clan Plagueis' space, atleast for the time being.

Kalen had even been contracted by Scholae Palatinae through Dath Kossir, to investigate and research the harms and impacts of the drug over a month ago. He had compiled a large report on the substance, its origin, manufacturing and distribution. A week ago he had learned that some of his reccomendations for increasing policing and interdiction of the drug supply had actually been acted on.

He had been given the assignment 3 days ago, and they had done several training runs to learn how best to attack drug cartels local hideout. During the training had learned some of then finer points of gunboat handling. And now he was about to perform some gunboat diplomacy.

The Planetary Governor-

(10 years in the future)

Kalen had been promoted through the organization over the years. He was often seen by his peers as a reliable choice for sensitive mission/jobs. From his early days up until now, he had always be a just, hardworking and dependable member of House Ventress and Clan Plagueis. Starting as an associate, contractor and bounty hunter, he had moved his way up the ranks. He had done it through both service directly to the Brotherhood, and service in the more gray areas of life in this galaxy as an entrepreneur of sorts.

Through the years he had served directly as a gunboat flotilla warrant officer, Starship navigator and later captain, ground force commander, and fighter pilot/flight leader along with several other roles. These were often temporary assignments lasting either weeks or months, and he had always continued to do his work on the side as a Peacekeeper, Bounty Hunter, Courier, Diplomat, Researcher, and Investigator.

He had married Cora(the tailors daughter from Aliso) almost 9 years ago now. And they had resided in the moderately sized modular home Kalen had bought off of the Galactic Facepadd Marketplace nearly 10 years ago. It was a modest 2 bedroom+den rancher style home with a large patio. He had built it on a small acreage he had bought. It was located on the very outskirts of Aliso City, on the side of the meadow at the edge of the treeline where they had had their first date at the campfire. A fact that Cora had constantly reminded him was 'very romantic'.

Kalen had been approached by the leader 1 of other clans in the brotherhood. A day later he recieved a similar comm from another clan leader. He had worked with or for both of them more then once throughout the years. The 2 clans had recently fought a nasty little turf war over control of several systems along their Frontiers with eachother. One of the leaders, whose clan currently controlled Askarta III, had reached out to Kalen with an interesting proposal. He wanted Kalen to become the Governor. The other clan leader had wanted Kalen to lead his revolutionary forces allied with him in the same system

The first clan leader had essentially offered Kalen the chance fo become the system Governor of Askarta. The system only had 2 habitable worlds, one ice moon around a mid sized gas giant, and Askarta III. A small but lively world with a population of around 400000, with 3 major cities and several towns all spread across the equatorial continent. It was a cool temperate world where then temperature usually hovered around 8-18 degrees Celsius.

The main issue was that atleast 1/3 of the world's population were staunchly loyal to the other clan. The first leader who had approached Kalen, had done so, because the world had become a bit of a hemmoraghing ulcer on then flank of his Clans territory. He wanted the fighting, piracy terrorism, gang violence and drug dealing and chaos to stop. But he needed to install a Governor who he AND his opponent could trust to deescalate then situation in the system.

Kalen had helped negotiated a treaty to end a similar dispute with another a few years before. His efforts were noted and his reputation for fairness and justice was fairly concrete around the brotherhood. The second clan leader, respected Kalen enough to accept him as the Governor(secretly thinking he could eventually turn Kalen to his side, and get the planet back later)

Kalen felt that to refuse would be to give in to the darkness and chaos he had worked to counter his entire adult life. His wife loved him for his curiosity, compassion, and his convictions, and therefore urged him to accept the offer. She had said to him 'you cannot deny who you are, and these people need you Kal'.

So with that, Kalen accepted the offer and his wife and their 2 year old child, packed up and moved to Askarta III. He would end up serving 2 back to back 2 year terms as the Governor. They had decided to keep the property on Aliso, and instead of selling it, they had decided to rent it out to a local family of Sullustan mechanics who worked at the spaceport.

His first year on the planet had been a flurry of activity, with him overhauling then government and law enforcement, as well as negotiating an official peace treaty between then 2 adversarial clans. It wasn't the biggest or most important treaty signed in the galaxy. Another treaty between 2 different clans in the brotherhood had overshadowed the one Kal had hammered out within 6 months. Regardless Kalens efforts had certainly helped bring about some sense of justice and peace in that small corner of the galaxy.

He had efficiently and nearly bloodlessly ended then roots and minor rebellion that had broken out in the southern continent in 56 ABY. He had plenty of help from his friends and allies along the way. Some were there just to enrich themselves, and others were there as genuine friends of the now middle aged Master Joss. But then planet's street and its seedy reputation as a dangerous cesspool had nearly vanished before he left office.

After this 'tour of duty' Kalen eventually decided that he would follow in his grandfathers and Luke Skywalkers footsteps and try to establish a Jedi Academy of his own. He had several friends and collegues who had offered to serve as instructors and lecturers. Syla(his on again off again Arch nemesis from Clan Arcona) had even offered to come and serve as his Rector of Students(2IC).

As a testament to what he accomplished in those four years as the Governor of the Askarta System. Here is a comprehensive list of his accomplishments:

-He reformed the government and police force into modern, sustainable and competent systems. He ended the corruption and chaotic sith shows they had been before.

- He helped negotiate the Treaty of Amity(53 ABY), that helped establish stability and peace jn the surrounding sector.

-The rate of terrorist attacks decreased but 68% in his first 2 years.

- The crime rate fell 40% over his 4 years in office.

-He offered an 'Amnesty For education' program in both of the prisons on the planet. This allowed prisoners there under non violent, non-capital offenses to have severely reduced sentences if they completed various educational program.

-The planet's GDP rose by nearly 55%

-Economic investment in the system increased by over 120 million credits but the start of his 3rd year as Governor.

-He organized the Askarta Militia, which would later become an independant peacekeeping force that was utilized by the Brotherhood heavily jn the following several years.

-He provided everyone in the system with free Healthcare. All it required was the implementation of a 1 percent sales tax, and a 1 percent import tariff. The revenue from these 2 sources, more then paid for the health care system, and the rest was usually spent on education.

- the University of Askarta decided to name their Philosphy campus the 'Kalen Joss Hall'