Nov 11, 2023
This comic was brought to you by the suggestion of Vrook kicking his feet as he and the Jedi Council rearrange the letters from Revan's name in order to give them a new alias post brainwashing.
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This comic was brought to you by the suggestion of Vrook kicking his feet as he and the Jedi Council rearrange the letters from Revan's name in order to give them a new alias post brainwashing.
To be honest, he was right.
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I’ve submitted the last of my essays (all that’s left to do is my Master’s dissertation), so to celebrate, here’s a quick bit of art I did in an hour!
Dantooine - Chapter 49
Link to the masterpost. Chapter 48. Chapter 50.
I feel a little silly for picking which door to go through first, which is why I only do it in my head - “Eenie meanie miney moe, catch a kath hound by the toe, if he bites you let him go, eenie meanie miney moe, my mother told me to pick the very best one and you are it.” The east door. Okay. Here goes. I open the door and a blaster bolt comes out. Droid. “Cover me, guys.” And then another blaster bolt flies and the droid blows up. Carth puts his blaster back in its holster. “Nice shot,” I say, stunned a bit, “You hit the power module dead on.”
“Can we keep going please?” I would bask in the astonishment a bit longer but, hey, dude, it’s up to you.
I slide past the fallen beam that divides the room in two, towards a computer terminal. If it speaks in ancient Selkath, too, this should be interesting to say the least. The computer, I guess, senses me coming, and turns on before I even touch it. The screen lights up and shows me a stream of pretty-looking but unintelligible characters. “Alright, buddy, what are you trying to tell me?”
“Rena, are you… talking to the computer?” Bastila asks me, looking a bit weirded out.
“Hey, you never know, it could work.”
“Has it ever worked before?”
“Well, no, but that’s no reason to stop.”
She rolls her eyes and mumbles something that I can’t understand so I turn back to the computer. It stops humming and the screen goes blank. Then it starts beeping, emitting a bunch of tones until it stops. From my datapad, I hear one of the same tones. My datapad doesn’t generally beep. Then a slot opens up on the terminal, just the right size for my datapad. So I pull it out of my back pocket. “Is this what you want?”
“You’re seriously going to give your datapad to a strange computer?” Bastila asks. (And at the same time, Carth asks, “You keep your datapad in your back pocket?” I can’t believe everybody doesn’t do that.)
“It’s not like I can’t get another datapad,” I say with a shrug, “Besides, I’ve got a hunch.” And I put my datapad into the slot. It hums and beeps some more, before some characters I recognize appear on the screen.. if not in a comprehensible order.
“Hrsiki? Jsoofs oiuwn so h itasoo'khf?” is what the screen displays.
“Keep trying, bud, you’ll get there,” I say to the computer. It hums again, and the gibberish disappears from the screen. Then it ejects my datapad and a comprehensible sentence appears on the screen. “Data Interpretation – Complete. Language Analysis – Complete. Interrogative: Identify the three primary life-giving seed world types.” I think I understood that. It displays a list of six habitat types - oceanic, grassland, desert, volcanic, arboreal, and barren. Well, only three of them have much life on them, oceanic, arboreal, and grassland, so those are the ones I go with. “Breaking life seal,” the computer says, and it shuts off.
“Well, that was simple enough,” I say, “Let’s hope the second is just as simple.”
We head for the west door, and the exact same thing happens - a droid fires a bolt off at us, and we duck out of sight against the wall. “Carth, any chance at another good shot?”
He takes a look very quickly, and dodges another bolt. “No, there’s an energy shield up, it won’t do a damn thing.”
Okay. Deep breath, deep breath. “Bastila, Carth, I’m going to jump over the droid right to the computer…”
“You can do that?” Carth interrupts.
“I know, surprised me, too,” I say quickly before getting back to my plan, “I jump over, you two cover me. Sound good?”
Both nod and say something to the affirmative. “Okay, one… two… three… go!” And like a well-orchestrated piece, we all spring into action. As I jump over the droid, Bastila and Carth rush the droid. Working well together - it’s neat to look at but I don’t have the time. The computer is what I should focus on right now. It spits out the same unintelligible characters the other one did. “Come on, buddy, work with me,” I mutter at it quickly, hearing the sounds of Carth and Bastila fighting behind me. (“The shield’s down!” I hear Bastila shout. Great, maybe the battle will end fairly quickly.) A slot opens up for my datapad just like before, and I put it in, getting the same nonsense as before. “Keep going, figure out the language.” And after another moment to process, it spits my datapad back out, having completed language analysis.
“Interrogative: Identify the three primary death-giving seed world types.” It gives me the same list of six as the other computer did, and I put in the three that I didn’t use before - barren, volcanic, and desert. “Breaking death seal.” The sounds of the battle stop with a final slice from Bastila’s lightsaber, cutting the droid’s head unit off from the rest of its body. Well, okay, I was thinking that getting the computer out of the way would shut the droid down, but I guess now we’ll never know.
“I guess that means we’re worthy,” I say. And we head back and open the south door, behind the Guardian droid.
In the center of the room is a strange spire. But as we step closer, it opens with a loud mechanical whir. I see a big ball spin, and then a star chart appears, illuminating the cold, dark room. “This…” Bastila starts to say softly, “this must be what Revan and Malak found when they entered this temple. This must be where their journey down the Dark Side began.”
“I don’t get it,” I say, “I mean, it’s just a star chart.”
“Yes, you’re right,” she says, “Revan and Malak must have used this to lead them to the Star Forge. We could use this map to follow their path and find the Star Forge ourselves. But we must be wary… they may have laid traps or concealed what they found.”
“We don’t even have any idea what the Star Forge does, though,” I say, “Or even why they wanted to find it.”
“No, but they obviously did want to find it,” Bastila says, “It must be a tool of some type... or maybe a weapon. Perhaps the Council can tell us more. But I think this map might be the key to finding the Star Forge, whatever it is. See this world here?” I look where she points. This looks like Korriban, a Sith world.” I have to take her word for it there - it’s been a while since I studied the charts for anything closer than the Outer Rim. “And if that's Korriban, then this is... Kashyyyk... and Tatooine... and here's Manaan.” Again, I trust her. “But there are pieces missing: incomplete hyperspace coordinates, corrupted data... and there doesn't seem to be anything indicating where the Star Forge itself might be.”
I take a look at the map. “Maybe there are clues on those worlds - maps like this one with more complete data.”
“My thoughts precisely,” she says, “This map can't take us to the Star Forge, but I know that Revan and Malak visited Korriban at least once. Perhaps they discovered something more there. They may have found something on each of the other worlds that completed this map. Maybe if we find all the pieces they will lead us to the Star Forge… and some way to destroy it.”
“That sounds like quite a supposition,” Carth says, “What if you’re wrong?”
“What if I'm right?” Bastila says, coming off harsher than she probably meant, “We can't ignore this. Finding the Star Forge might very well be the key to defeating the Sith! We must inform the Council of what we have discovered. They must decide our next course of action, though I suspect our task has only just begun…”
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The Council takes us right into their Chambers, again leaving Carth outside. Honestly, if I were him I’d hate that. Master Vandar sees us first. “Ah,” he says, “you have returned, young Padawan. Have you discovered what it was that Revan and Malak sought in those ruins?”
“We found a Star Map, incomplete, and a droid that kept talking about something called the Star Forge,” I say, “The droid’s memory and processing units were in good shape, so it wasn’t babbling, and it gave the impression that this Star Forge is pretty serious business.”
“This news of a Star Forge is disturbing,” Master Vandar says, “Action is required, but we must not do so in haste. We must discuss recent events in light of this new information.”
“We should consult the Jedi archives to see if there is any mention of this 'Star Forge' and what it might do,” Master Vrook says, “We must learn why Revan and Malak sought it out.”
“Return to your ship with Bastila,” Master Vandar says, “and we will summon you when we are done.”
It’s several hours and several hands of Pazaak before the Council calls us back. Again, Vandar is the first to speak. “Padawan,” he says, “you have done well in discovering the Star Map hidden within the ancient ruins. But there is more you must do in the battle against Malak and the Sith. We Jedi know victory over the Sith will not come through martial might. The Council has a mission for you, Padawan.”
Master Dorak, looking frazzled, tells us, “I have consulted our vast archives in an effort to discover the nature of this 'Star Forge', but all my efforts have been in vain.”
“Still,” Vrook says, “the Council are in agreement: the Star Forge must be found! Revan and Malak sought it out when they began their tragic fall; the Star Forge is surely a powerful tool of the Dark Side.”
“The Star Map in the ruins showed you four planets, but it was incomplete,” Master Vandar says, “It did not show the location of the Star Forge itself. We believe there may be similar Star Maps on other planets. Each Star Map is likely a small piece of a larger puzzle. Find the Star Maps on Kashyyyk, Tatooine, Manaan and Korriban and we believe they will lead you to the Star Forge.”
“I’ll do my best,” I say.
“The Jedi numbers have been ravaged by this war,” Vandar says, “by defections to Malak's cause and by Sith assassins. But we realize the importance of this mission. Yet if we sent a company of Jedi Knights with you we would surely draw the full attention of Malak and the Sith, dooming your efforts to failure.”
“But I don’t think I’d be well off alone, either.”
“Secrecy is our best defense against the Sith, but it would be foolish to send you on this quest without someone to aid you, young Padawan. Bastila will accompany you, for there is a powerful connection between you two… a connection that might be the key to unravelling the mysteries uncovered by Revan. And Juhani has also asked to accompany you. After long deliberation we have granted her request.” Juhani! I'll be glad to spend time with her!
“Juhani nearly fell to the dark side,” Vrook says, ever the downer, “Perhaps her presence will serve as a reminder to you of the dangers of that path.”
“I would like my friends from Taris to come as well.” I’d be lost with my best friends Carth and Mission, Canderous’ stories, T3’s skills, Zaalbar’s… Zaalbar.
“Of course,” Vandar says, “They possess skills you may find useful in your quest. Remember that secrecy and discretion are paramount to your success. You will not be able to hide the fact that you are Jedi, nor should you. But the true nature of your mission must not reach Malak's ears. You may return here at any time. Dantooine will be a sanctuary for you, a safe haven. Here you can find supplies and whatever advice or other aid we may give you.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” I say.
“You can leave whenever you wish; the sooner the better,” Vrook says, “The longer you wait the stronger Malak becomes. But first a warning, young Padawan: The lure of the Dark Side is difficult to resist. I fear this quest to find the Star Forge could lead you down an all too familiar path.”
“The fate of the galaxy is in your hands, young Padawan,” Vandar concludes, “We pray you are up to the challenge. May the Force be with you.”
Someone at my school really wants us Library workers (and patrons, I guess) to have a great day. I usually don’t care about stuff like this (I find it a very unnuanced and surficial take on mental health) but I actually have been having some great days recently so. It worked??
Dantooine - Chapter 46
Link to the masterpost. Chapter 45. Chapter 47.
We’re back at the Enclave by early evening, and Mission and Canderous head back to the Hawk. I see Juhani in the courtyard, and she looks to be at peace, more so than she was earlier, at least. For a minute I think about going to talk to her, but another Jedi is talking to her. I need to go see Master Zhar anyway.
But then Carth comes up to me. “Hey,” he asks, sounding a bit urgent, “can I talk to you?”
“Oh,” I say, a bit surprised because he just came up rather fast, “Sure. I’m going to go see Master Zhar, though, we can talk after.”
For a minute, I think I see a bit of irritation on his face, but just as quickly it fades. “Yeah,” he says, “Sure.” I start to walk away, but then he stammers a bit. “I’ll walk with you.”
Seems weird but sure, I won’t stop you. “Sure!” I’m almost glad for the company. Canderous mostly complained on the walk back, Mission didn’t say much. And I really missed Carth when I was training. He said he wanted to see me while I was training but the Masters wouldn’t let him. He also said that they said they’d tell me but I didn’t hear anything about it. I can’t fathom why. It couldn’t be that they didn’t want me to see my friends, because I saw plenty of Bastila. She at least tried to be a friend. I suppose I could ask, but I’d probably get a really cryptic answer, or no real answer at all.
Master Zhar sees me, and greets me briefly before looking at Carth. He doesn’t say anything, but Carth gets the message. “I’ll… wait outside, then,” he says, half-mumbling. Clearly not happy about it. I wonder what he’s got going on.
“You have done well, my pupil,” Master Zhar says, sounding proud, “The ancient grove has been purified, and Juhani's journey down the dark path has been halted. Because of you she walks once more in the light.”
“She seemed confused,” I say, “I’m just glad I could help.”
“Indeed,” he says neutrally, “But though she was saved, do not dismiss what happened to her. Juhani is both dedicated and true to the ideals of the Order, yet she was still vulnerable to the dark side. As are we all. She struck her master in anger during training, and injured her greatly.” Oh, so she’s still alive, then? I hope someone told Juhani, she was really worked up about it. “But it was Quatra's choice to test Juhani this way, and it seems to have made its point. Juhani has been redeemed, and you have passed your final test. Congratulations, apprentice.
“Or should I say congratulations, Padawan?” He smiles warmly. “You have proven yourself worthy of joining the Jedi. Let me be the first to welcome you as a full-fledged member of our Order.”
“Thank you, Master Zhar,” I say, “For everything.”
“Please,” he says, “Come with me to the Council chambers. We have something we’d like to share with you.”
“Of course.” I follow him out.
Carth, who had been leaning against the wall, picks up when he sees us come out. “What’s going on?”
“My apologies, Commander Onasi,” Master Zhar says to him, “but the Council has business with your friend still. You will have to wait out here.”
He looks even more upset. “I’ll fill you in later,” I tell him.
“Yeah,” he says neutrally, “Right.” Feels like something up there. And I’d love to ask him about it but right now the Council wants to talk to me again.
I step in and a big sliding door closes behind me. “Your training is now complete, young Padawan,” Master Vandar says to me as I approach, “And perhaps now it is time we dealt with the matter of the dream you and Bastila shared.” I had almost forgotten about that.
“When we heard of the ruins in your dreams, Master Dorak recognized it as one of a series of ancient structures here on Dantooine. This one in particular lies to the east of this Enclave,” Vandar continues.
“What do we know about the ruins? Where did they come from?”
“Very little is known about the ruins,” Master Dorak says, “They were here before the Enclave was here. Early histories recorded by settlers say the ruins are cursed, but over time such stories faded from common knowledge, and when the Enclave came to this planet, the Jedi felt the Dark Side there, and advised Padawans to stay away.”
“Out of fear?”
“If it is fear, it’s fear of the Dark Side,” Master Vrook says, “A healthy fear you would do well to cultivate.”
“We sent a Jedi to investigate,” Master Vandar continues, “but he has not returned. Perhaps sending him in the first place was a mistake.” He shakes his head sadly, then continues. “The Force is guiding you through your visions; it may be that exploring the ruins is a task tied to your destiny. That is why the Council has now decided you should be the one to investigate this. The secrets to stopping Malak may be hidden within those ruins. You must investigate them and find what Revan and Malak were looking for.”
Admittedly, I’m not so sure about this, but I’ve been given an assignment. I can’t exactly say no. “I will look into the ruins first thing in the morning.”
“Be sure to bring Bastila with you,” Vandar says, and he nods at her, “There is a powerful link between you, and you will need to draw strength from each other during the trials ahead.”
And with that we are dismissed. Carth is still waiting outside, and he still doesn’t look happy about it. “So what’s the story?” he asks me.
“That is hardly any of your business, Carth,” Bastila says with a huff, walking off ahead of us back to the Hawk.
“I have no idea what that was about,” I say to him.
“You know what, forget it,” he says. Definitely sounding angry now. “It’s none of my business, apparently.”
“No, it is,” I say, and he stops and turns back to me, “There’s some ruins not far from here, the Council wants Bastila and me to investigate them. I’d like you to come, too. Watch our backs.”
“Why? What’s there?” he asks.
“No idea,” I say, heading back to the Hawk, Carth at my side, “I mean, Bastila and I shared a dream about it - because that’s a thing that can happen, apparently - and we saw Revan and Malak there, but other than that not even the Council knows what’s there.”
“So they’re just sending you in there without any indication of what you’ll face?” he says, not happy with the idea, it seems.
“I’ll admit, I’m a little uneasy about it, too,” I say, “But I can’t exactly say no, can I? Anyway, that’s why I want you there. I figure that way we’ll be prepared for anything. Bastila from the Force angle, me for the exploration, you for the combat and strategy and stuff, seems like a good team to me.”
“If you want me to come, I’ll come,” he says neutrally. But almost like he’s got something else on his mind.
“You wanted to talk to me about something,” I remember, “What was it?”
He starts to open his mouth, but then he changes his mind. “Never mind,” he says, “Forget about it. It’s not important.”
“You sure?”
“I said forget about it,” he says firmly. Hey, there’s no reason to get callous about it, dude, chill out. He walks ahead of me a bit, then stops and sighs shortly. “I’m sorry,” he says, “It’s just -- it’s nothing. I don’t want to bother you with it.”
“You’re not bothering me, Carth,” I reassure him.
“No, I know, but…” He stops again, like he’s having a hard time with it. “Forget it. Anyway, you’ve got a big day tomorrow, we can talk when that’s done.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Yeah,” he says, “Don’t worry about it.”
I don’t believe him, but pushing the matter right now feels like a bad move, so I don’t. “Okay,” I say, “I’m going to get something to eat, you wanna come?”
“No, thanks,” he says, “I’m actually feeling pretty tired. I think I’ll turn in.”
“I’ll see you in the morning, then.”
Dantooine - Chapter 42
Link to the masterpost. Chapter 41. Chapter 43.
@isquirtleinyoureye thank you for reading, you get a tag. sorry i didn’t tag you on the last one, i spent a good hour trying to turn some of the text orange.
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“Really?” I can tell he’s honest (which, I love that part of the Force, this sense I have about people and what they’re feeling, and being able to actually understand it rather than just this vague sense about people.) “Thank you, Master Zhar.”
“Your training is not quite complete, however,” he says, and he sits down in front of me. “Soon your apprenticeship will end,” he says, “and you will be granted the title of Padawan, the lowest rank of those within the Jedi Order. Yet first you must prove yourself worthy.”
Okay, no problem. I’ve already come this far. “What do I have to do?”
“In the traditions and customs of our Order, as handed down from Master to pupil for a thousand generations, you must successfully complete three tests before you earn your place among the Jedi.”
“What sort of tests?”
“These tests will see if you have truly mastered the training you have been given, both mental and physical. Upon completing these tests you will pass from apprentice to Padawan, and join the ranks of the Jedi.
“First I will test your knowledge of the Jedi Code. These tenets must always guide your actions, in everything you do you must always be conscious of their wisdom. You must prove you have a Jedi's understanding of the Code. I will wait here. Return when you feel you are ready for this challenge.”
Challenge? Doesn’t seem like much of a challenge to me. But okay, sure. “Do you mind if I give it a shot now? See how much I picked up.”
“As you wish, apprentice,” he says neutrally, the way he’s said a lot of things since we started training, “but I would strongly advise that you study before your first attempt.”
“I understand. I just want to see where I am.”
“Very well. Complete the phrase as I speak it. There is no emotion…”
“There is peace.” I know that one, thanks Bastila.
“There is no ignorance…”
“There is knowledge.” I don’t know how I knew that one, but it makes sense, I guess. Ignorance and knowledge, they’re opposites.
“There is no passion…”
“There is…” I take a second for this one, closing my eyes, sorting my thoughts out. Out of nowhere it comes to me. “...serenity.”
“There is no chaos…”
Well, I know the answer isn’t “peace”, we already had that one. “There is…” Opposites, opposites… “harmony.”
“There is no death…”
That’s an easy one, so many of the readings have talked about “becoming one with the Force,” I can only assume that’s Jedi speak for physical death. “There is the Force.”
Zhar looks skeptical. “That is correct, apprentice. But I am curious whether you truly understand the code or whether that was simple recitation. A question for you, then -- based solely on the words of the Code, what is the Jedi stance on love?” Love? “Take your time.”
“Define love.”
“You are correct in that there are a number of possible definitions for love. However, I will leave the answer to that to you.”
“What happened to ‘there is no ignorance?’”
“Rena…” Bastila starts to scold.
“It is a valid question, Padawan,” Zhar stops her, “What I mean is, your answer can be nuanced so as to include multiple definitions, or only one. Feel free to talk your answer out, if it helps.”
Multiple definitions. Okay. “Well, I guess… at first glance, love would be an emotion, but I don’t think that tenet is telling us not to feel, just not to lead solely based on feelings. To think things over and approach things rationally, not just emotionally.”
“A wise distinction,” he nods, “What else?”
“It certainly isn’t frowned upon to have friends,” I say, “So being close with others is fine.” Bastila’s told me before that whatever “feelings” I have for Carth are a bad idea, so clearly romantic love is out. “It’s important to care for others, so that broader type of love is fine.”
“True. Jedi are peacekeepers,” he says, “To have an interest in the affairs of others can be considered love, and is critical to being a Jedi.”
“Right, otherwise there could be chaos, and we can’t have that,” I say, “This is a harmony-only zone.” I think that’s the first time I’ve seen Zhar laugh. “It’s important that the greater good is considered,” I say, glancing briefly at Bastila, “When the love we feel for another prevents us from considering the greater good, that’s when it becomes a problem.”
“Correct, but this is not a problem solely for the Jedi.”
“No, it isn’t.” There as something Bastila said to me before. “Passion can lead to the Dark Side,” I say slowly, remembering. (Bastila straightens a little, like she’s surprised I listened to her.) “Passion, deep personal love for someone else, can be manipulated.” (For a moment, I remember the nightmare I had when we first came to Dantooine, and try to shake it off. Much as I hate to admit it, if someone threatened Carth - or any of my friends for that matter - I would probably seriously consider whatever they ask of me, if not actually do it.) “Which means we can be manipulated and corrupted.” Can’t have that, not with the power we have. “I think I have my answer.”
“And that answer is?”
“Love is encouraged and important. But if that love turns to passion, it could have disastrous consequences. So deeper love should be avoided.”
“Well done, apprentice,” he says with a smile, “You pass.”
I release a breath and relax. That felt tense.
The second test takes me to Master Doark for a lightsaber crystal. And I’m not embarrassed to say I’m more than a little excited about the prospect of having a lightsaber. Am I going to be a single blade, or two lightsabers? (I’m still reluctant to go with a double bladed one like Bastila - one clumsy moment and they’ll be calling me Lefty.) What color am I going to go with? If I go with two lightsabers, will I have two different colors or stick with one? I’m pumped. But I try to rein that in some before I go in to see Master Dorak.
When Dorak sees me coming, he knows why I’m here. “Ah, you have come, young apprentice, at Master Zhar's bidding. He sees great promise in you... as do I.” (Aw, shucks, boys, you’re going to make me blush.) “The time has come for you to choose the color of your lightsaber.” Now? I don’t just ask for a crystal to make my lightsaber now and change it later? “This color also reflects your demeanor and position within the Order.”
“Why do I get set with a single color?”
“A Jedi is not restricted to a single color.” Oh, good, I was worried there for a second. “Rather, that color is a badge of pride for the Jedi path it signifies. Should you have an appropriate crystal, you may change your blade to anything you desire. There is a cave here on Dantooine with such crystals. But first you should learn of the different paths a Jedi may take.”
“What are the positions?”
“Blue is the color of the Jedi Guardian.” I like blue. “This Jedi battles against the forces of evil and the dark side. They focus more on combat training and use of the lightsaber.” That sounds best for me so far. “Yellow is the color of the Jedi Sentinel. This Jedi ferrets out deceit and injustice, bringing it to light. They focus less on combat and more on other skills and abilities.” Yeah, that sounds like Bastila. “Green is the color of the Jedi Consular. This Jedi seeks to bring balance to the universe. They mediate between other groups, using their powers to end conflict and preserve peace.”
“Jedi Guardian sounds right for me,” I say.
“Indeed. We shall see,” he says, “I will now ask you questions, and your responses will indicate which class you lean most towards.
“A woman and her small child are beset by a desperate-looking group of thugs. They are menacing her with weapons and she screams to you for help. What do you do?”
“She needs my help, I attack the thugs.”
“Hmm… indeed,” he says neutrally, “Very well, on to the next question. You are in combat with a Dark Jedi allied with the Sith. There is a pause in the combat. What do you do?”
Happens in duels all the time - it’s their loss, usually literally. “Attack him again.”
“Yes, I suspected as much,” he says, and his words say condescension but his tone says nothing, “Now for the next question. There is a locked door and your goal lies on the other side. What do you do?”
“Probably break the lock,” I say.
“I am beginning to see a pattern here, apprentice. I have a feeling about what you would be best at. But first, the final question. You are the head of an Enclave on a contested world. The Dark Jedi have infiltrated and are causing unrest across the planet. What do you do?”
“Track them down, get them off the planet.”
“Yes, I thought as much,” he says, “You would be most suitable as a Jedi Guardian.”
“That’s what I thought, too.”
“Here is a blue crystal for your lightsaber.,” he says, handing me one, “Go speak to Master Zhar again and he will instruct you in how to construct it.”
I’ve tinkered with enough swords before that I can see where everything should go in the lightsaber. It almost feels like muscle memory. It doesn't take very long before I feel content with my work, and I hand it to Master Zhar. “You have done extremely well in constructing your lightsaber, apprentice,” he says, “Your crystal seems to have been set perfectly. It is rare indeed for that to happen the first time one constructs their lightsaber.
“I just did what made sense,” I say with a shrug.
“Your lightsaber identifies you as a member of the Jedi Order. With such recognition comes honor and respect... and the attention of dangerous enemies.” That’s not exactly new, unfortunately. “The Sith and Dark Jedi will seek to destroy you, apprentice. And you must prove yourself worthy in battle against a foe who wields a lightsaber. Are you ready to face the final challenge, apprentice?”
“It’s a duel, right? I’m ready.”
“Not precisely. For every Jedi the threat of the Dark Side is always present. You must truly understand this before you are accepted into the Order. You must see the corruption of the Dark Side for yourself.” So not a duel, then.
“Even here on Dantooine there are places where the Dark Side holds sway, twisting and tainting nature itself. The ancient grove once used for deep meditation by the Jedi is now tainted, a wave of darkness perverts the region around it. The kath hounds in the area have become savage and ruthless. They have become a threat to the settlers, a threat the Jedi have promised to stop.”
“So you want me to go kill the kath hounds?” I’m disappointed, almost. I hate killing animals - couldn’t we just fix the problem rather than a symptom?
“The kath hounds are but a symptom of the true problem.” Exactly. “You must journey into the grove and confront the true source of the darkness. That is your task.”
I feel… something. “You know more than you’re telling me.”
“I can say no more; some things you must see for yourself. None of the other Jedi at the academy are permitted to help you in this task. But remember this, my young apprentice: a Jedi acts with patience and care, and those on the dark path are not always lost forever. May the Force be with you.”
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