The Love of a Jedi

Chapter Two

It had been nearly a year since his vacation on Naboo, and this morning Naes awoke from a Force dream that because of decisions he made while on Naboo the universe was unfolding in a dramatically different direction. What that direction was he could not tell, and to top things off, while he was meditating trying to clear his mind and make sense of the dream, the Masters Council summoned him to appear before them immediately. In his year since knighting and the mission to Naboo Naes had become an adept Knight, his sparring sessions with Master Windu had paid off, his saber skills were developing rapidly; to the point that at times he could give Master Windu a real test sometimes. He had also begun to develop a reputation as a minor diplomat as well.

As he slowed down in approaching the Council Chambers, after all a Jedi never hurried anywhere, Naes smoothed his dark brown robe and dark brown tunic and began a basic calming exercise so that when he entered the chamber he could present the appropriate image to the council. A being who was cool, calm, collected, and at peace with himself and his surroundings. As he entered he noticed Padawan Rhea Sirgon, he felt a moment of empathy for her, she had just returned from a disaster of a mission at Zeltros. To make matters worse, during the mission her master Lena Nabar had perished. They were an odd pairing to say the least, so far as appearances went, Lena was an extremely short statured brunette with a dusky hue to her and only standing at 1.55 meters with Rhea being fairer skinned with blond hair and blue eyes with just a hint of curl in her hair and standing at 1.7 meters. Naes had no idea who would be able to complete her training, all the Masters were already paired with Padawan's of their own. Naes knew Rhea fairly well, they were within a couple months of each other in age and they had grown up in the crèche together. Just then Master Yoda spoke up, "Knight Nemelc, how feel you about taking on a Padawan?"

"Master Yoda, I know that you and the Council feel that I am ready to take a Padawan, however I do not believe that I am, what's more were I to take a Padawan from the group of aspirants, I would not be able to be sent out on missions of urgent importance for the Council and Republic as it would be years before my Padawan would be of age to assist in the mission types I have been sent on of late." Secretly Naes really did not want the burden or responsibility of becoming a Master just yet.

Master Yoda responded, "All very good points, but know this, a Jedi is duty bound to pass on what he has learned. That is why the Council is assigning you to complete the training of Padawan Sirgon. After much deliberation, the Council does not feel she is ready for the trials as of yet. But she is old enough to accompany you on missions. That way, you can pass on what you have learned and still continue to go out on missions that entail more hazard than if you picked an aspirant as a Padawan.

Naes had no comment on that statement from Master Yoda, so instead he inclined his head to Master Yoda and said "I serve at the Council's discretion; and am honored in their faith in me to complete this assignment."

With that, the Council dismissed Naes and Rhea.

In the hallway outside the Council chambers as Naes and Rhea were leaving he was telling her, "I want to first go down to the sparring chamber, I need to see what level your saber skills are. After that, I will check with the Council on having you reassigned to the quarters next to mine on the habitat area. What form of lightsaber combat did your master have you train in?"

Rhea replied, "Niman-Form Six; the Moderation Form."

Naes continued and said "Hmmm, a decent and practical form, no strengths but no weaknesses either. A form that the Jedi are encouraged to learn today, I know the basics of the form but I have no great like of it. It is often referred to as the diplomat's form because it is less intensive in its demands than other disciplines, allowing a Jedi to spend more time developing ones skills in perception, political strategy, and negotiation. And in my opinion, a form that would prove itself ineffective should you ever find yourself in pitched combat."

Rhea replied "But are Jedi not encouraged to be diplomats and use diplomacy whenever possible?"

"Very true, but a diplomat in theory negotiates unarmed and yet Jedi never go anywhere without their lightsabers near at hand; do not forget that we are diplomats and mediators. But we are also warriors and protectors as well as many other things. We serve the Republic and the Senate first and foremost. Question, how long did the negotiations last during the Blockade of Naboo five years ago?"

"Master Qui Gon's report said that he and Obi Wan Kenobi were escorted into the meeting room, being told that their host would meet with them momentarily. But the negotiations never even got started. The Trade Federation destroyed their ship and then attempted to poison Master Jinn and Kenobi."

"Correct, the negotiations never even got started, and in fact later Master Jinn perished in combat against a Sith on Naboo. In the past year I have been sent on various missions and I have learned one thing, the galaxy is undergoing a period of great upheaval and has become a very dangerous place, even for a fully trained Jedi. Thus, I want you to learn Soresu, the Resilience Form. It is good for either opponents armed with blasters or lightsabers. Its focus is on defense and drawing one's opponents into making a mistake. Overall an almost passive form of lightsaber combat. Now Master Drallig or I can teach you Soresu, I incorporate parts of it in my own personal form of lightsaber combat, but one of the better practioners of Soresu would be Master Kenobi. I want you to talk to him about taking lessons and learning the finer points of Soresu."

"Master, may I inquire what combat form you use?"

Naes smiled at Rhea, he could tell that she was not one to take anything on blind faith alone, and in fact she wanted things proven and to achieve that deeper understanding of a subject. Naes could tell right then that she would make a fine Jedi once she was fully trained. "I tend towards using Shien/Djem-So, Form Five, or Perseverance Form. True this form is more focused on overwhelming and overpowering an opponent, the old saying of Peace through superior firepower is how I have heard Djem described. Though I have developed a personally hybrid style, I have a lot of Soresu mixed in with my Djem So. That is partly necessity, I am of medium build and height, thus against some opponents it would be difficult to overpower them as is traditionally called for in Form Five. I can use Soresu and once they tire, I can switch to the offensive immediately. Or to trick an opponent, I will start in Soresu and switch to Djem So. I also have trained with Master Windu and thrown in some Vaaped as well, though Vaaped is as much a state of mind as it is a combat form. Now you are wondering why I suggested that you learn just Soresu and not Djem So? Simply put, you do not possess the physical strength to be a proper practioner of Djem, with your height and build Soresu is better suited for you. The key to Soresu is in the wrist, instead of maneuvering your saber with your hands, you maneuver it with your wrists. With a flick of your wrist you can move your saber; it requires that you have a light touch with your hands."

With that the two walked into the sparring chamber and saw Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. When Naes saw them, he smiled and called out "Master Kenobi, how are you?"

Obi Wan looked over and smiled and said "Knight Nemelc good to see you." Then he frowned just a touch, and asked "Why is Padawan Sirgon with you?"

Naes answered "The Council just assigned her as my Padawan for me to complete her training. Do you mind if we spar, I want Rhea to see a Soresu master at work?"

"No problem, though I would hardly classify myself a Soresu master."

With that, Naes and Obi Wan began to circle each other in the middle of the floor, neither quite willing to commit to an attack just yet. Of course, Naes knew that was the nature of Soresu; never commit to an attack defend only in the opening stages. With that, Naes committed in a basic Djem opening move, a powerful over handed blow. With that the duel was on. Naes began to push Obi Wan back, but he knew once again that giving ground was part of Soresu. Naes also knew that Obi Wan would know the moves a Djem practioner; Anakin had chosen Djem as his personal form as well. Just then, to make the duel interesting, Naes threw in some very quick strikes from Vaaped. Obi Wan was able to block them, just barely and from the expression on his face Naes could tell that he was surprised. At that, Naes allowed himself to be fully immersed in the sparring session and let the Force guide his actions. He and Obi Wan continued in the give and take of a duel until Naes decided to set a trap for Obi Wan, he intentionally made a mistake in his move and when Obi Wan committed to a strike Naes turned and twisted next to Obi Wan, and slapped his saber down hard with a powerful close in overhand strike. The strike rattled Obi Wan's teeth, and knocked his saber out of position and before he could defend himself Naes had his saber up and at Obi Wan's throat. The duel was over; Obi Wan stood there, his eyes on Naes's saber and smiled.

"Very good move Naes, very ingenious; I don't think I have seen a move quite like that one."

"Probably not Master Kenobi, I have developed a really hybridized style to suit me and my strengths."

Anakin meanwhile had been watching the entire duel with just a hint of a sullen expression on his face. Even though he was only fifteen years old, he was already nearly as tall as Naes and Obi Wan. The flip side was that his skills still needed working on, though in his mind he was very advanced. He stepped forward inclined his head to Naes and said, "Master Nemelc would you mind sparring with me? I am sure that I can provide you with a challenge."

Naes looked over at Obi Wan and asked "Would it be alright if I sparred with your Padawan? At times it can be difficult finding a fellow Djem So practioner. I promise to take it easy on him." Naes said with a smile.

Obi Wan looked at Anakin and then at Naes and said, "Feel free to, my over eager Padawan can take care of himself. And don't worry about taking it easy on him; he still needs to learn humility."

With that, Naes turned to Anakin, turned his lightsaber back on and saluted him. Immediately Anakin launched a furious full speed onslaught of Djem moves. At first Naes had a hard time keeping up with the onslaught, but then he allowed himself to sink into the Force and relaxed; allowing the Force to guide his actions. He could see Anakin as a fiery column of Force energy. His Force aura was one of reds and yellows, very bright and very brilliant. He fairly radiated Force energy off of himself. One day he would be a very powerful Jedi, there was no doubt about that; the only question is would he develop the wisdom and skills to truly be a great Jedi.

After a couple of minutes, Naes decided that it was time to switch from Soresu to Djem So, from that time he placed Anakin on the defensive and kept him there, backing him around the room controlling the pace and speed of the sparring match. Naes from his Soresu training was accustomed to longer duration matches. So for him, his match with countered them all without a second thought, though he was not prepared just yet to claim victory. He was one with the Force.

Anakin being forced into being on the defensive for so long a period of time was new for him as well as unusual and totally unexpected; causing him to become frustrated. Even worse, his frustration was becoming evident for the onlookers as well. With the duel lasting this long Anakin was becoming winded and had begun to perspire profusely.

After several minutes of this, Naes decided that it was time to end the match; with a flourish he sprang Anakin's lightsaber from his grasp. At the same time he brought his lightsaber up and held it mere inches from Anakin's neck and without blinking or looking caught Anakin's lightsaber in his left hand. Anakin was standing there sweat pouring off of him and breathing hard, his anger at being handled so completely fairly rolling off of him. Naes, on the other hand had just a sheen of sweat and hardly any loss of breath, stepped back, deactivated both lightsabers and tossed Anakin his lightsaber and said, "Not a bad match, you did well for a Padawan your age."

Then Obi Wan stepped forward and said, "Anakin that is what happens when you decide that you wish to take on a fully trained Jedi, especially one who is gaining a reputation as one of the better Jedi swordsmen around today. You are good for your age, but Master Nemelc is a Jedi Master and he has a lot more experience than you do."

Just then Master Yoda came up, "Ah teaching sparring classes are we Master Nemelc. Put Master Drallig out of job your goal is?"

"Not at all Master Yoda, I wanted to show my Padawan the finer points of Soresu, and so Master Kenobi and I sparred briefly. Afterwards, young Skywalker wanted to test himself against me as well, so with Master Kenobi's permission we sparred as well."

Yoda looked at Naes for just a moment and then said, "Great potential you have, a master swordsman you will become. Even better, potential to be a great Jedi you have. First learn wisdom you must to accomplish that. Master Salgoud proud should be at your progress, tell him that I will. Come I have to give you and your padawan your next assignment. To Dac you will travel. Mediate a dispute between the Mon Calamari and the Quarren you must. Vital to the peace and stability of the Republic this is. Quickly must you go."

Naes inclined his to Yoda and said, "Then we shall leave for Dac immediately." Then he turned to Rhea and said, "I apologize, but it would appear that your sparring will have to wait for later."

With that he and Rhea headed to the main spaceport and their first assignment together as Master and Padawan.