Ahsoka

After a few months of hassling with bureaucracies of government change. and getting more involved in our ship repair and building corporation, and constantly being scrutinized by the Imperial interference it was obvious that the Empire was going to push us completely out of the assignment of supervising the dock and warehouse. 

So The Incorruptible crew were moving out. We all took shifts that were not obvious. different times on different days moving what we could into the ships that we salvaged and built to our new place on Kalevala. The other three only know about the building and yard. I have intentionally kept them out of the loop regarding what is under the building, after all as far as I knew it was just a big round room with nothing to it.

I was going to make one last sweep of the sealed area and take the last load. When something unexpected happened. 

As I approached the secretly locked doors just before I began to open it. I felt someone coming up behind me. 

"Hello Ahsoka, its good to see you again." I said as I turned around. 

She gave an inquisitive reply. "I've been better. How did you know it was me?"

"It has been a very busy year Ahsoka. It is good to see you." I responded. 

"I could use your help if you have some time." I mentioned as I turned, unlocked and opened the door with a wave of my hand. "Quick get in." 

After we got inside, I closed the door and faced her once again. Before she could reason out in her head and inquire I took the initiative. "After Darth Maul killed my Aunt / Mother .... " It took me about an hour of explaining and showing her my collection of light sabers how I can take them apart. I hurriedly explained what the four of us had tried to do to reduce corruption like she taught us and how we had to re locate because of the Empire. I was able to get all of this explaining done while loading all of my personal collections into the Reliable. Then I convinced her that she had to come along, which didn't take any time really. then we were off. 

It turned out that she was in hiding and on the run from her past. On the way to Kalevala she began explaining her plight. Choosing to leave the Jedi order after no one trusted her until she was vindicated after being falsely accused. She felt that the Order was not headed down the same path as she was and not a group to trust since they did not trust her. 

Needless to say she felt relieved to talk to someone since she left. It had been over a month of zig-zagging  from system to system so that no one not even Anakin would be able to figure out the route she took. 

As we approached the new place on Kalevala her demeanor had improved, and now became very focused on where we were headed. 

"What is this place?" she asked with some intensity. "The force is strong here."

"May be the force brought you here, so that we can find out together." the building's security system let us in and we landed not far from the doors  that covered the hole in the floor. 

As we got out, I asked if she was needing a drink, food or anything else or if she just wanted to jump in. she was already in the lift before she could answer so I guess that was the answer.

As we approached the engravings she turned to me and asked if I knew what they were.

I had spent more than a few hours staring at and meditating on the engravings. So I said "I believe that the symbols are for Knowledge for the top one, the second is the symbol for the force, and the third is the symbol for discipline, but so far the inscription has not revealed itself to me. Can you read it Ahsoka?"

"Your ability to use the force to interpret the environment around you is impressive for someone who has only been using it for a few months." she commended. "The text appears to be the same as it appears in the Jedi temple on Coruscant. Although the script is much older and the symbols are slightly different which is probably because they too are older. The text reads like a riddle. It says 'Knowledge, The force, and Discipline are attained through each other. You cannot gain knowledge of the force without discipline. You cannot learn the discipline of using the force without knowledge. Becoming disciplined in gaining knowledge shall lead to becoming more knowledgeable about being disciplined. The force is everywhere and is in everything.'"

"So, what does it mean?" I asked in a tone like a kid asks a parent why the sky is the color that it is.

"That is the riddle." she said. "Once you have that figured out, your knowledge of the force will be greater than many Jedi Masters."

"Who all knows about this place?" Ahsoka asked with sudden concern and intense sincerity.

"You are the only one that I have brought down here." I assured her. "Why? What is this place?"

"This, Korkie is a Jedi temple. a very old temple." she responded with awe in her voice. "Let's find out together what is inside."

"How do we do that?" I asked.

"First, you are going to have to get some training. I have read very little about how these temples can be accessed, and we cannot contact the order for help. SoI need to know what you can really do before we can take on such a task. But you were right earlier, the force brought me here, there is no doubt of that.?"

"How did this place come to be in your possession?" she asked. 

"Let's talk about that over dinner." I suggested. 

The rest of the night and the next day we talked Ahsoka, Ah-Zhna, and I. 

We learned quite a lot. The reason for the warring between the old Jedi order and the old Mandalorian warrior worlds, was because of this temple. Although the Mandalorians apparently never found out about the temple. 

Only when an old wise Jedi Master made piece with an old Mandalorian interested more in knowledge than becoming the most powerful warrior got together, a plan came together. 

For the knowledge contained within the temple had to be protected from the obsessions of both extremes. 

That knowledge has been passed on to a very select group of people for the last 3800 years.

"The temple had to be hidden until it was forgotten." Ah-Zhna outlined "So it was."