"Karmic. Contact those who are close to you and bring them to Illum."
That was all she heard before Taelios cut contact and shutdown his com. She frowned, curious. She was now with Saline on her ship, heading to Illum. She had made sure to contact a few more people who were close to her; having no idea what Taelios wanted with everyone but following orders as best she could given the limited information.
They arrived on Illum and quickly made their way down to the Cantina at the base - no one was outside so Karmic figured this was the best bet for a gathering place involving Master. She was not disappointed. As they came in sight of the Cantina, she saw everyone she had called there. Jen'rhak and Deius, Ampere and Adeel, and even Annette was there.
She smiled, still a bit surprised and curious about what Taelios was up to. She waved and greeted everyone, "Afternoon...nice to see you all here..."
But before anyone could say anything further, Taelios walked past all of them heading out of the Cantina. "Please, if you will all come with me..."
Karmic turned, shrugging, and followed him. As did everyone else.
He gathered them in front of the Imperial Base, just outside. Not speaking until they had all arrived and looked expectantly at him. Karmic observed the others, frowning at the tension she was perceiving between Deius, Jen, and Taelios. She glanced to each of them, but said nothing.
"I imagine you are curious as to why I asked you to come here, correct?" Talieos announced.
Everyone gathered nodded or otherwise responded that yes, they were curious. Karmic merely smiled at him, "Ahh...yes Master, I am."
"Very good. A curious mind is an active one and one that does not stagnate. Your curiosity will be sated in time, dear Apprentice. First, a philosophical question." Taelios continued to address everyone, speaking slowly and calmly - a stark contrast, most would feel, to his usual mannerisms.
Tae continued, "What is the definition of Power? I ask this to all those present."
Karmic thought a moment, wanting to hold her answer in until some of those Senior to her responded. But in the end she couldn't stop herself from just going ahead and answering first. "Power is...the ability to effect others. In any way." Karmic smirked. Boiling down a more complex answer into its simplest parts, she felt.
Tae nods at her words, "There is more to it, though. Anyone else?"
Saline offered up, "To effect or manipulate others without resistance."
It was quiet for another handful of seconds, Deius and Jen just stood looking at Tae. Finally Tae remarked, "Deius. Jen'rhak. I find myself waiting for your answers. Indulge me."
Jen shifted her gaze from Tae to Deius and then back again, giving him a frosty look. "In addition to manipulating the environment in which you move and the people in it, those with power command the respect of those around them, such that they will be willing to subjugate themselves to your will. And, interestingly, those who wield it most adeptly, do it for the betterment of those surrounding them, with the goal of serving a higher cause...Power 'inspires' some may say."
Karmic smiles hearing Jen's answer, but she keeps whatever she is thinking to herself.
Deius clears his throat a moment, looking up to Taelios. His voice had a hint of frustration, almost as if he was hinting at something. "I will define it to you as my old Master, with whom I am sure you have much experience with, explained it to me. Power is the ability to control your surroundings, and those around you. It is the ability to act effectively, even in the face of unfavorable circumstances. In a sense, it's the ability to have some control over your destiny."
Taelios nods at Deius, snickering softly at the mention of 'my old Master.' Deius tenses his right hand at the Sith's reaction. Karmic raises an eyeridge and sighs softly, glancing between them both.
Taelios continues, "Those of you present have in some way been affected by Karmic's power, deeply enough that it has moved you to heed her call."
His words cause Karmic to blink a bit in shock and surprise. She would have started blushing thinking about that statement but Taelios turned, "Very good, very good. Let's continue our excursion," and started walking. She could only resume following him. But her mind was whirling.
They walked a short distance in silence. Karmic took the opportunity to look up at the skies of Illum, and smiled. They were always beautiful and she never got tired of looking at them. The vastness of Illum's sky put her at ease for some reason, and its beauty never failed to make her smile.
She returned her attention back down to the group, as they had apparently arrived to where Tae wanted to be. He spoke again, "I am of the opinion that power can be defined as prowess in combat, prowess in the force, influence in the political spectrum, or simply the ability to go unnoticed and as such, undisturbed in one's labors."
They climbed up onto some ice ridges before Taelios stopped, and turned to face Karmic.
"Fight me. Now. It is my intent to slay you so you had better slay me first."
