The Encounter

            It couldn’t be. The short one in the dark cloak; the encounter on Topan, where it all started; his good friend Jethra, gone in an instant; all of it was coming back to him now.  He shuddered as he came to grips with the memories the one in front of him brought to mind. Fear gripped him now, true fear.
            And who could be next to him but Master Jurix, whom up until the incident after the riot he had trusted his life to. And now he was here, discussing, perhaps conspiring with the enemy. And not just any enemy, but his enemy. He was the one responsible for Jethra’s death.
            “If it isn’t the one from the measly planet Topan” the Jedi began. “Well, young one, you’ve come a long way since then. What could have brought you here? Oh yes, your good friend here.” He pointed to Master Jurix, who was now standing almost behind the dark one. It looked as if, subtly, the human was trying to hide himself, though his height did not help him in this regard. “I told them to train the best of force adepts they could find on each of the planets we’d picked out. When I saw you, and felt your connection to the Force, I almost considered taking you to train, but you were gone before we could deal with that.”
            Master Jurix spoke sarcastically. “Only considering?”
            The dark Jedi whipped around and held out his hand in the shape of a fist. He picked Master Jurix off the floor, who had grabbed his throat as if being choked, and threw him backwards up against the wall. “I never told you to speak” he said as he turned back around. “Where was I. Oh yes. Now you’re here. What are your plans, Jedi? Did you come into headquarters to assassinate me, thinking that would do your new cause good? I’m quite sure you’re mistaken, and I’ll tell you why. The people trust me. I’ve brought nothing but economic gain and benefit to the entire Republic. Capula is more powerful than the Jedi council now. Our decisions mean more than the Senate. For who do people trust? The ones who seem to give them more. Who may I ask would that be? Corrupt bureaucrats, who bring the Republic into constant bickering over small and unimportant political issues? The Jedi Council, who many believe sit high and mighty above everyone else because of their “gifts”? No, they trust Capula, because we give the people directly what they want: money. We may be conquering outer-rim planets and stealing riches in order to obtain that wealth, but the people don’t see it. Neither would they care, when they can sit snug in their homes without worry of financial trouble. You see, once people have what they want, what they need, they don’t care where it comes from, as long as they can have it.”
            “That’s not true!” Corik blurted out. He couldn’t stand being silent any longer. Anger consumed his fear as he listened to the villainy of what this wretch preached.
            “Oh it is.” The dark Jedi stared back at Master Jurix as he spoke. “You truly believe you can assassinate me? Stop the corruption by destroying President Capula? Go ahead, strike me down, the one who picked up your very mighty master and threw him against the wall like you would a small stone. The one who controls the economic power in the universe, whose death would inspire the whole Republic’s wrath to come crashing down on whoever caused the ‘tragedy’!”
            Corik could no longer say a word, for however much he wished to deny it, it was probably true. What could he do? All Corik wanted was to put this murderer in his place, to slaughter him more mercilessly than he did Jethra. But how? The options seemed slim to none.
            “You see, it’s hopeless. You can’t defeat me. So I ask you, bow before me. Submit to me as the Jedi Council has, as the entire Republic has, and all this conflict will end. It is the only way. Hand me your lightsaber in honor of your allegiance to this noble cause.”
            It seemed so simple. All he was required to do was submit to Capula and he, like everyone else, would be free. But was it true freedom? Would things all work out in the end with Capula as the ruler of the Republic? Would peace and justice result with such a corrupt ruler as its center? Was any other way possible?
            “Don’t feel, think. You know you want this. You know it is for the best. Give me your weapon.”
            Every influence seemed strong, his feelings bringing him one way, his thoughts another. He looked over at Master Jurix, who was beginning to recover. His hand was clenched on his lightsaber, so tightly it began to hurt.  Though it was but a short instant, it felt like an eternity of conflict. And in that instant he chose.

Submit to Capula
Refuse to submit to Capula
Kill Capula
Kill them both