Hello readers! I know this is a bit sooner than my planned 'weekly update', but my family will be out of town for the weekend and I'm not entirely sure how much internet time I'll have so you have circumstance to thank for the early post. :D
Shoutout to Ensis96: Thanks for all the support and encouragement you've provided. Thanks for being the first official follower (and reviewer) of this fanfic. It means a lot to have an experienced writer send such high praise.
Shoutouts to crawler123 and XscouselondonerX for being my second and third followers respectively, I'm glad you enjoyed Chapter1 and I hope you enjoy the next installment.
To my other 30+ readers: Thanks for making it this far, I look forwards to your continued support :)
Lastly, thank you to the community "Fight to the Finish" for adding my story to your ever growing library. I cannot say in words how happy it made me to have joined your group.
And now, please enjoy Star Wars: A Smuggler's Story Chapter2!
-Ardoa88
The Jedi Temple was more a fortress than a place of solitude. With it's high, sloped walls and looming towers, it resembled that of a prison. The building was also twice as secure, with only Jedi and their allies being granted access to the mighty halls. The sanctuary was host to many rooms, including a library, the temple archives, training grounds, sleeping quarters, and a few public areas for the inhabitants to meet and discuss events of the day. Connecting each area was a web of long hallways unifying the wings of the temple; each supporting sizable windows to allow the filter of natural light- an exclusive benefit to those residing on Coruscant's surface levels. The windows on the upper floors of the temple were made of intricately stained glass from a lost monastery on Ossex- a faraway planet in some distant system- and at peak times of the day would cast an array of colors along the diametric surface.
Skiff was in a room far from the display of hues, the blinds drawn and the lights dimmed so only thin shafts of light penetrated the domed area. Or so he assumed; he couldn't really tell with the blindfold covering his eyes and all.
There was a movement by the far wall, a shift in the air. Slowly, the young man angled himself, placing the humming blade of the lightsaber between him and the practice bot. The apprentice opened his mind, allowing the Force to flow through him.
Focus.
The blaster bolt stung his upper arm, causing Skiff to draw in a quick gasp at the sting. Despite the short shocking pain, he stood ready, maintaining his aura of awareness. He sensed the circular machine move right, then up- following a preordained random pattern of grid like movements.
Focus!
Skiff moved to the left and heard the bolt smack into the floor where he'd been. Another one followed in rapid succession and the padawan angled the humming green weapon; successfully deflecting the shot. A surge of elation flowed through Skiff's mind at the success, only to be replaced with frustration as a third shot snared him on the leg.
"You need to focus, Skiffuei." his Master commented from the doorway.
Another round of blasts followed, two he deflected, the other he dodged.
"Clear your mind."
The next one hit him on the shoulder.
"Channel your energy through the blade."
Deflected.
"Focus; use the Force."
Dodged.
"Let it guide you."
Another hit on the arm.
"Focus!"
"I'm trying!" Skiff responded in frustration, "But it's hard to focus when I've got you blethering on and on about- Ow!" The apprentice swore as he was hit in his midriff. The padawan tore off the blindfold and, upon locating the bothersome practice bot, swept his lightsaber through the air, cleanly cleaving the orb in twain. The two remaining semicircles of the once whole machine crashed to the ground as Skiff deactivated his weapon.
Uvell was none too happy as he looked upon his student, arms crossed over his chest. Without a word to his apprentice the Master turned, exiting the room. Skiff was not far behind, trailing after the tall bearded man.
"Master, I-" Skiff took a moment to clear his mind, "I'm sorry master, I got frustrated."
"Well isn't that obvious." A pair of eyes equally as grey as his beard and hairline gazed at the young man. Skiff felt his pale cheeks flush in embarrassment.
"I just don't see the point." he continued, "Why train to fight while blindfolded? I'm not likely to close my eyes during a duel."
Uvell stopped and turned to face his student, "And what if you are fighting in a dark environment?"
"I'd use my lightsaber for light."
"And if you are captured? Blindfolded and restrained by your enemies?"
"I'd likely wait use mind control to have them release me."
"And if you are blinded- temporarily or permanently- by circumstance?"
"I-" Skiff frowned thoughtfully, "I'm not sure." he finally admitted.
Uvell nodded knowingly, "We must prepare for the unexpected, my impulsive student. The purpose of that particular exercise is not just to stimulate fighting in an unexpected environment. It's a drill used even by the youngest of younglings to expand their awareness of the Force. The uncanny ability to sense hidden foes is a valuable skill, Skiffuei. It served me and other masters countless times during the warring era." Those grey eyes stared off into the orange glow of the sunset, lost for a moment in a far away memory.
Then the moment passed and the Master's scrutining gaze fell back to his student. Another minute of silence passed before Uvell turned on his heels and continued down the corridor, "A Jedi must control his emotions, channel them through the force. Not react to them. You control your emotions, they don't control you. There is no emotion, there is peace." The mentor lectured.
Skiff rolled his eyes, "But wouldn't it be inhuman to ignore your feelings, Master?"
"Did I ever say to ignore them?" Uvell asked rhetorically, "No, I believe I said to control them. Just because anger, fear, love, sadness, joy, or embarrassment are present does not mean they should justify your actions. This is the lesson you have yet to learn, Skiffuei."
Skiff looked down, considering the advice. Uvell remained silent and after a time, the apprentice let his mind wander, allowed his senses flow through the halls of the great temple. His consciousness touched the psyche of others on their floor, and they felt him. The apprentice was not prying, so no mental walls were raised at the slight probe. The strongest of all presences was Master Uvell's- not surprising due to their close proximity; Skiff knew that the further from the user the more difficult the sensing became.
The bearded man smiled, amusement exuding from his thoughts. "Where was this level of focus back in the training hall?"
Skiff let the mind sense diminish with a wry smile, "Some wise old geezer once told me sometimes it's better to feel, not think."
Uvell frowned, "I am most certainly not old." After a side glance at his reflection in the glass he amended the statement, "Not that old, in any case." The pair soon reached another door, this one holding a more intricate design on it's face than the plain ones they'd passed. Uvell turned to his student,"When my meeting with Shaak Ti has concluded I will meet you in the room."
Skiff nodded curtly and watched as the doors opened to admit his Master, only to close swiftly behind him.
Alone now, the young Darthomirian made his way solemnly back to the private quarters; his mind deeply immersed in critiquing his last practice session. Yes, he'd lost his temper at the end of the training- it seemed he and his species were susceptible to rash mood swings- but other than that small surge, he'd done fairly well. Skiff admitted he wasn't the most adept in manipulating the Force, his specialty lie more in the technical fighting aspects- the sword swings, the acrobatic dancing during a fight, the concentration required to restrain or hinder an opponent long enough to go on the offensive.
The whole telekinesis, mind-tricks, and force sense was where he truly struggled: those skills required a more disciplined focus. Meanwhile, Skiff had a hard time standing still- or sitting still for that matter. The boy chuckled softly, recalling his last meditation session with Master Adi Gallia. She'd become quite irritated at his constant fidgeting, opting to willfully use a book to smack him upside the head whenever he squirmed too much.
As he wandered the many halls, he quickly found himself diverting from the original path he's been taking. Glancing around, Skiff realized he was walking down the corridor that lead to the main entrance. The private rooms could be accessed from the great hall with a side elevator, but he was heading in the opposite direction. Perplexed, the young apprentice slowed his pace, stopping at the top of the grand staircase. Flanking each set of stairs were statues of the original Jedi, their names long forgotten, but their presence imminent at the sight of the sublime statuettes.
Tearing his eyes from the legacies, he scanned the traffic in the streets below, all variety of aliens and people passing by without a second glance at the Temple. Naturally there were a few gawkers; children, tourists, a few off-world diplomats who'd never been to this side of the senate district.
There were five Padawans near the bottom of the entrance, tasked with the job of guarding the gates during the day; though they still received basic combative training, most of their skills were focused on sensing malicious thoughts of intruders or thieves. They would send out waves of mind sensing to determine possible threats that were within fifty yards or so. In the evenjng, two Temple Knights- former students who had completed their training- would be switched out to hold vigil. Eventually some of the apprentices would be admitted into the white-armor group, and one passionate adept would assume the distinct honor of being the Gate Master. The others would go on to be Temple Security, or perhaps rise to the prestigious title of Jedi Knight. That particular path was doubtful, as the five currently standing guard had been trained since birth to fulfill the sole purpose of ensuring no intruder breached the sanctuary.
A nagging sensation at the edge of his consciousness drew his attention and Skiff scanned the many faces at the base of the stairwell. There was a nefarious emanation from beyond the gates, he could sense it. Heck if he knew how, but the notion that someone was casting a critical surveillance of the structure persisted in the base of his forethought- a muffled perception, but present nonetheless.
Realizing the opportunity at hand, Skiff sat against the outer temple wall, crossing his legs meditatively and focusing his mind's eye before sending out a wave of force sense. The minds of the Padawan guards were calm and concentrated, but as Skiff was exposed to the bustle of the streets his head grew dizzy from the unchecked turmoil of everyday life. Simple worries, boundless happiness, excruciating guilt, they all crammed his mind until the lad was reeling, quickly pulling away and leaning back.
Breaths came laboriously and a thin trickle of sweat crawled down his brow. He felt the amusement in the minds of the apprentice gatekeepers at his failed attempt; their mental sniggering loud in his head as he finished retracting the mental wave.
Slightly ticked off at their reaction, Skiff took a meditative breath before standing and heading back to the private rooms. Uvell was right, controlling his emotions was something he- and the rest of Coruscant's population- needed to improve on.
Some last words:
First, to Ensis96: Yes, our smuggler from the last chapter does seem a bit stiff, but I agree it will be fun to watch her character develop as the story progresses.
To XscouselondonerX: I never expected such a great review! Oh my gawd it makes me smile from ear to ear to hear you liked the first chapter, I pray the enthusiasm holds through for this one as well ^_^ And I agree, I love it when cannon characters are used only sparingly to help spice up the story (some perfect examples can be found in your own work ;). As for including cannon characters, I have a few in mind, but they may not be the famous names we all know and love. If anything it'll be a name that makes readers scratch their head and say "I know I've heard that name somewhere..." But I will definitely consider more cannons for the future. Thank you so much for the review!
To the readers at large: I appreciate that you've read this far- even though it's only chapter2. I know I have a long way to go and my writing can always improve so please, drop me a comment or two- heck, write three if you feel like it. Sadly I cannot read minds like my jedi friends (tragic, right?) So your reviews are the only things I have to go on. If you enjoyed something, let me know, and if you think a part of the story didn't quite fit in, tell me about it.
I will always, always take into consideration what the fanbase thinks. Authors promise.
I also realize this chapter's a bit dull. But I ask you hang in there- more action is on the way!
I hope everyone has an exceptional weekend!
-Ardoa88