2.0 - Lure of the Lost

"Ok... I guess agree to disagree it is. Anything else?" Heyop states ready to break up the conversation.

A sudden guffaw rings out from the doorway. Looking back I am standing there listening to the exchange. Why WOULD you not hate and fear someone who could use their political power to destroy a civilization?, I say back to the trooper. The Emperor was the one to put an end to the Senate. Is he not the one that has the most political power now?

You should learn a little more from the lower grumblings of those that live in the bowels of the inner rim. Of course you just follow orders right? Go where you're told. Do as you're told, I add with a big grin on my face.

Mal catches some snippets of the conversation in the rear about "following orders" and the ills of the empire and sets a grim expression on his face. It's still hard to hear even though he severed ties with the empire

Urik frowns and looks pensive, "You're right. Murder is all too easy." Urik sits down cross legged in front of the the troopers, like a student settling in for a lecture, "What if I wanted to repent? Change my ways, and work for and with the Empire? Would you still try to kill me? Or would you take me in? What would have happened to me if I had surrendered to Ironarm? He had me defenseless and was prepared to strike me dead anyway.

You should know that we are no Jedi. We wield no political power and I personally desire none. My own personal motivation is to find those who kill the innocent, like the man who murdered my parents in cold blood, and stop them whatever the cost. Is that contrary to the Empire's motives and mission? Or do you condone wanton killing? I read once that men like you fought against droid armies in the Clone Wars. You do not look like each other. Are you clones? Droids? Or men who make their own choices?"

Urik looks up at Heyop, "Why do you not want us to talk Heyop?"

"Soldiers follow orders. It's part of the job and their duty, it helps them to stay sane when everything around them screams to be an abnormal and horrific existence. It's not always guard nothing out in the sticks." Heyop states standing up clearing his throat and stretching. "I take it we're close to touchdown?"

Urik stares at Heyop, "And you? Whose orders do you follow soldier?"

"Because convincing others of you're viewpoint is valid and coming to an understanding and a solution for all involved is complicated Urik." he adds.

Urik looks back to the troopers, "I'm not trying to change your mind. I'm trying to understand. I've spent most of my life isolated from the Empire and galaxy at large. I just want to understand."

"You really want to do this Urik?"

Not much to understand. Those that follow the orders of corrupt and evil men do evil and corrupt things, I add as my grin fades. I then turn and leave the room heading back to the bunks.

"Do what? The holoc-...we've been told that we should use the Force for knowledge and defense. I seek knowledge."

"Malefax sought knowledge as well. Acquiring and understanding are two very different things. So is application of knowledge. It can be helpful or deadly."

Urik's face looks angry again for the first time since he crawled from his bunk, but he visibly masters himself, "Are you saying learning about the Empire is dangerous for me Heyop? Or dangerous for you perhaps? Is there something you'd like to tell us?"

"Knowing your enemy isn't a bad thing, but at what costs? If you're chipping away at yourself and who you are to fight them it isn't worth it. Find another way. And yes there is something I'd like to tell everyone, you're young and when you get riled up you run around with your head up your rear and don't think straight. It's great you want to protect people but more often than not lately you seem more likely to just want to kick ass and rage. So yes it is dangerous to you and the rest of us since you may not think when you see red." Heyop states bluntly.

Urik's face turns a dark shade of red, but he doesn't get riled up or even raise his voice, "Anger and hate are branded on me. The scars have not fully healed, and perhaps never will. What I want to understand is why these men," Urik gestures to the troopers, "Are "the enemy". You were a soldier, you think in these terms. I am not, and never was."

After a long pause he adds, "And I do not want to rage. Anger takes me. Rides me like beast of burden..." in a barely audible voice.

"You're scars aren't going to fully heal and go away Urik, they're going to be a part of you now and you'll have to learn to accept it or let it consume you. I was a soldier and you're right you weren't but some things you just won't understand because there's things you haven't and won't experience. So let me ask you this do you really think someone who thinks they're doing the right thing for the right reason is the enemy? They think we're the enemy and you state them to be the same. They're just doing what they think is the right thing to do within their limits, that's how the military works, orders are orders and when there's little room for interpretation you follow orders at times and make hard decisions. I can't speak for their own platoon but these two here consider us the enemy since we're designated as enemies to the Empire regardless of if we think they're wrong to them the proof is their orders." Heyop shots back.

"Well than you need to learn to bridal that anger and temper that rage. Tame it so you can be in control of yourself. That isn't easy and excuses come easy, but I can give you one reason and it's a low plow but it's a damn good reason." he adds almost talking to Urik like a new recruit. "Do you want to hear it?"

Urik's face is blank as a wall. He stare Heyop directly in the eyes, unblinking, "Tell me."

"Be the better man your parents wanted you to be."

Urik actually smiles, "That's not low at all Heyop. Not even a blow." his voice is husky with emotion, but his eyes are dry.

He turns back to the troopers, "Heyop seems to think I should not pester you and make you justify your actions. He says I have declared you my enemy, but I have not. I am not a soldier. Nobody tells me who my enemies are, I choose them. It is difficult for me to accept that you would not have thoughts and feelings about why your orders are given to you, but perhaps it is so.

Is there anything more you have to say to me, or anyone else here, before we let you off?"