Chapter 2 up. How you enjoy and thanks for reading. Happy new year!
Kia hadn't been told where Gnost-Dural's team would be on the base, but she knew where she was going. Saying the soldier's morale was low was an understatement. Kia could sense their fear, anger and anxiety as soon as she entered the base. She was following the feelings now, though it was giving her a slight headache and threatened to discourage her.
Kia was unique when it came to her empathy. Most Jedi had a certain amount of empathic ability, but Kia's worked differently than most. She had to work extremely hard to get a reading from a fellow Force user, as if their sensitivity to the Force was blocking her own. Her connection to non-Force users, however, was a different story altogether. The padawan could sense every emotion coming from a non-Force user with exact detail. The talent had never been observed among the Jedi before and the council was cautiously eager to see how it would develop.
Rather than consider the oversensitivity a curse, since it causes headaches and lapses in concentration, Kia did all she could to find a use for her talent. She began to observe the interactions between people. She noticed how non-Force users got irritated when Jedi spoke using cryptic or philosophical statements related to the Force. As a result, she began to learn to address non-Force users in a more casual way, using her empathy and charisma to guide her in the right direction during conversations.
At first, the council was unsure of Kia's rougher, more honest language and tones, but her methods showed positive results each and every time and, more importantly, she showed no signs of the darkside from their use, regardless of her technique requiring a certain emotional component and a manipulation through the Force which was along a more gray area, rather than true lightside. With her natural charisma and her empathic sense, she could convince anyone to see things her way. At least on a one on one basis. Being in a large group, with so many emotions to sift through, was something she was still working on controlling.
This would be Kia's first time addressing a group. She knew how to talk with a single soldier, but she had yet to try her talents on a wider group, with so many possible negative emotions.
With a steadying breath, Kia entered the room where the most negative feelings were located. In the room were a dozen soldiers, all preparing for a mission. Her presence was acknowledged immediately, as one of the soldiers walked up to her. The Young man's emotions were scattered, but she could feel some disappointment.
"Don't tell me you're the Jedi sent to lead us. You can't be more than what, sixteen?" The soldier said. His words weren't mean, necessarily, but they were also far from friendly.
Kia thought it a touch hypocritical of the soldier to mention her age, since he looked like he was barely in his twenties, but she opted to keep the statement to herself. Rising to the comment wouldn't help things.
"I'm nineteen and no, I'm not the Jedi sent to lead you. That would be Gnost-Dural, my master. I'm merely a padawan, here to learn and assist where I can, while he leads you on your mission."
The soldier's contempt deflated a bit, but was replaced by anxiety.
"It probably would have been better if your master left you behind this time. We're all going to die anyway. There's no point in you dying with us." The soldier's words held more defeat than Kia thought possible. If these soldiers went on this mission with Gnost-Dural feeling like this, they would certainly be killed like they are predicting and would take her master with them. That was unacceptable.
"You think this Sith is going to kill you? Do you know what I'd say to that?" Kia took a step closer to the soldier, her tone of voice hard. "I'd say, pull your head out of your ass and don't let him! You kill him first!"
Her harsh words and her sharp, hard tone seemed to shock all of the soldiers in the room, being very un-Jedi like, but she didn't let their shock stop her. She used the sudden attention and allowed the Force to guide her and embrace everyone in the room. Their emotions were almost tangible to her.
"Dammit, you're Republic soldiers. You're the best trained soldiers in the galaxy and you're going to let one Sith lord intimidate you? You're not fighting a Sith lord, you're fighting men. Soldiers, just like yourselves, but you have an advantage over those Imperial soldiers. Do you know what that advantage is? It's hope and respect and honor! Each and every one of you signed up to be a soldier so you could defend the Republic. So you can defend all the men, women and children who can't defend themselves, who would otherwise become slaves to the Empire. You chose to be the best. You chose this fight!"
Kia was now pacing in front of the soldiers, hands behind her back. She now had their complete, undivided attention. Partially thru her own charisma and partially by using a kind of Force persuasion. She wasn't trying to manipulate their thoughts, just motivate them. It was a very fine line and she was learning to walk it very well.
"Those Imperial soldiers you're fighting most likely weren't given a choice. They're fighting because they're being told they must. You have conviction and a cause you believe in. Go out there and fight like it. Show every Imperial watching why you're the best in the galaxy."
All the soldiers cheered and Kia could feel their pride and determination skyrocket. She could also feel the satisfaction of both the general and her master, who had entered right when she started to talk, but had stayed in the background, so as not to interrupt. It was moments like this which made Kia proud to be a Jedi.
General Malcom stood quietly and listened to the young padawan's speech. He had to admit, the girl was good. She had said all the right things, sounding more like a high ranking military officer than a Jedi. Not once did she bring up fate or belief in the Force, resulting in a group of soldiers who were ready to fight for the Republic. The fact the pep talk was coming from a Jedi seemed to make all the difference.
The cheering of the men stopped abruptly as Malcom allowed himself and Master Gnost-Dural to enter the room fully. All the soldiers snapped to attention.
"You heard the Jedi, men. Ready yourselves to show the Empire what you're made of. You leave in one hour. Master Gnost-Dural will lead you to victory."
The soldiers again cheered, then scurried away to prepare to leave on the mission.
"Well done." Malcom said to Kia.
Kia smiled up at the general, blushing slightly. "I'm happy my talent can be of use."
"While I'm gone, I'd like you to continue speaking with the soldiers on base. A victory will help morale, but a little extra encouragement can't hurt." Gnost-Dural said. Even though Kia couldn't see the pride in her master's eyes, due to his protective mask, she could still feel it through the Force, though it took a little more effort than with the general.
"I'll do my best, Master." Kia replied.
"And follow General Malcom's orders." The Jedi added.
Kia nodded. That one was a given, but Gnost-Dural was always thorough and clear when addressing his padawan.
An hour later, Master Gnost-Dural and the dozen soldiers started their mission to save Alderaan.
To Be Continued...