Chapter 4 - 4
The speckled rays of morning light perforated my eyelids and forced me awake. My whole body ached and I felt as if I'd been run over with a landcrawler. I slowly opened my eyes and squinted, trying to make out my surroundings. I was on the jungle floor amongst the carpet moss and ferns. I looked to my left and noticed a tiny procession of stag beetles which curved abruptly around my head and continued past me into the hazy green light. Slowly, I pulled myself up, wincing as my knees cracked painfully.
I suppose you think you're awfully clever.
Korikan's voice startled me so badly I almost squashed the stag beetles, who backed away in horror.
"What happened? I don't remember-…oh…OH…" Images flooded back into my mind, the heat, the fall and the rushing wind. "How did I…?" Korikan whooshed down from a nearby branch and landed with a flourish; stag beetles went flying and he glared at them with distaste.
I saved your life. However, you almost took mine in the process; I don't suppose you remember trying to jump free from my grip thousands of feet in the air, do you?
"I tried to jump?" I was so confused. I remembered falling, but how had he saved me?
You shouted the word 'zerstes' and then tried to free yourself. I landed here before you could, though you nearly killed us both in the process. Foolish human.
"I'm sorry, I don't recall…" And then I remembered the crystals. For a second I feared they had been lost in the fall, but when I reached into my pocket I felt all three still in their place. Relief flooded through me and I flopped back down with a sigh. A slight squishing sound emanated from underneath my head.
I would like to leave now, if you are ready. A storm is coming.
He looked directly at me.
I hate flying in the rain.
"Yes, yes understandable," I babbled, whipping the guts out of my hair. I had done it. The sooner I could be at the Academy the better; I could complete my lightsaber! I followed Korikan stiffly onto a nearby Massassi and let him take me away and into the sky. After last night, flying like this no longer bothered me. At least, not too much.
When we broke the canopy I saw instantly what Korikan was referring to: there were enormous thunderheads off in the distance above the Academy. We flew in silence, I enjoying the time to rest, he concentrating on making good time. The sky slowly turned grey and ominous, and high above us lighting darted between clouds. I could practically taste the power flowing through the air; it was almost addicting how it felt. I closed my eyes and let the rush of wind and moisture cool me.
The sky was almost as dark as night, and in the not-so-distant distance I could see it was already raining. We neared the Academy and were almost there when Korikan slowed into a descent.
I can take you only this far. If I stay in the air any longer, I will be caught in the rain, and then we will both be out of luck.
"Thank you, Korikan. I know you didn't like carrying my around like this, but if I had taken a speeder instead I'd be dead right now." The regal hawk only bowed his head and swooped lower. Mist and sweat rolled off my forehead and my hair waved to the heavens as we skimmed over the massive trees. The Academy was a few hundred yards away when Korikan suddenly dipped and stabbed through the canopy. Green and grey blurred past us as he spun and flared his wings to slow the controlled fall. When he neared the forest floor I bit my lip and leapt off, collapsing when my knees locked from the impact.
Are you hurt?
I lay there panting for a few seconds before standing and looking skywards to Korikan's perch.
"I'll be fine. Take care of yourself, Korikan." He angled his beak at me and blinked.
You do the same, human.
I didn't watch as he swooped away and disappeared into the darkening haze. Instead I rushed the opposite direction towards the Academy. I felt exhausted, but at the same time elated. My knees pounded in agony, and my back felt strangely tight, but I jogged onward. When I broke the clearing that announced Academy grounds, I didn't see the pair of eyes watching me from the high tower above. For a second, I thought I felt the gaze, but when I looked up on my way across the field I saw only a shadow, then nothing but the yellow, aging stone.
The halls and niches of the Academy temple raced by as I headed to my room where the incomplete handgrip awaited. When I arrived I burst through the open door and shut it behind me. I leaned back and breathed slowly, trying to catch my breath. Now that I was here, I wanted to take my time, let the moment linger. I set my pack down, realizing I hadn't even eaten the food I'd packed. Oh well, I got what I needed. I can eat later. I walked to the bathroom and washed my hands. When I had, I pulled out the crystals and polished them with a clean towel. They were beautiful. I took them back to the workbench and placed them gently beside the handgrip. Then I paced around, glancing every so often at incomplete lightsaber, waiting for some unseen signal.
Outside a crack of thunder impacted the air and sent shivers down my spine. I stopped and looked out the window. The sky was a cavernous sea of rolling grey clouds, but far off in the distance a pillar of light shone through, brilliant and tinted with the blue of the sky. As I gazed out over the jungle, rain began to pelt the Academy. That was all I needed.
I turned once more to the pieces before me and strode purposely toward them. I knelt down and examined them for the last time, making sure everything was in place. Then I picked up the precision cutter, and braced against the floor and wall. I placed the first of the blue crystals in the clamp and, with the Force guiding my hand, slowly and delicately smoothed a facet across its surface. Then I flipped it over and directly on the other side, parallel to the first
facet, I cut another and let them cool. I did the same with the other two crystals and sat back while they also cooled, sweat dripping annoyingly down my nose. Once they had, I picked them up and with a steady hand placed them in the three available slots, each facet facing the next and the last one pressed snugly against the beam emitter. The more power crystals in a lightsaber, the stronger the blade intensity and the more the blade will take on the properties of the crystal itself.
When I was sure they were secure, I gently snapped the handgrip together with a satisfying click. There was a hiss as the self-combusting connectors fused the high grade metal together, leaving no trace of a seam. Smoke filtered out of the emitter hole at the end of the grip in a stream, and I waited until the last of it had crept free. Then I reached underneath the bench and pulled the gum-fiber grip pieces out of the old packaging. After I had applied cement to the grooves in the metal handgrip, I placed the pieces of gum-fiber in their slots and waited for the cement to work its magic.
Shivers rippled up and down my back and along my arms as I admired the gleaming handgrip. It was beautiful and truly worthy of the hard-won crystals it housed. I ran my hand along the smooth metal exterior and could almost feel the power emanating from it, begging to be used. I checked that the safety-ignition switch was set to 'off', and then picked up the handgrip for the first time. It was heavier than I thought it would be, probably three pounds evenly distributed. I had added weights to the inside to keep the balance perfect, and it seemed to have worked.
I let the handgrip roll along my fingers, feeling the potency of it, the power of it. I looked down and made sure the blade dial was locked at 1.3 meters, and then, with a smile spreading across my face, I slid the safety-ignition to 'auto' and held the handgrip out before my eyes. Behind me, the torrential rain darkened the room and drowned the noises of the jungle. I placed my thumb over the power button and took a breath.
The dark room was bathed in neon light as the famous snap-hiss brought the saber's blade to life. An electric turquoise blade thrummed and shimmered in front of me and the
handgrip vibrated almost imperceptibly up my arm. I stood mesmerized by the intense, blue blade. This I thought, is my own.
Resisting the urge to swing it about, I deactivated the lightsaber and checked it for malfunctions. I found none. Reverently, I set it back on the workbench where it had been born, and, with the rain pouring torrentially against my window, I collapsed into bed. A deep sleep took me and all else faded away.
I was on my way to Master Skywalker's quarters to tell him I had completed my lightsaber's construction. I held it in my hand, afraid to let go for fear of losing it in the enormous pyramid, but even that didn't worry me much, as I could sense it resting in my hand, calling to me, begging to be ignited. I passed a familiar group on my way. Brice turned and then saw the handgrip I carried. His eyes squinted and he glared at me with dislike. I returned it smugly and continued on. I knew I shouldn't be arrogant, but damn it, I had waited a long time for this moment. I shoved past them and sped on toward the upper terraces of the Academy. I arrived at the correct door and knocked.
"Yes, come in." Luke's muffled voice sounded weary. When I entered, I saw him standing by the window gazing out to the horizon as the storm was disappearing into the distance. I knelt down and held out my blade for him to inspect.
"I finished my lightsaber, Master," I said with a hint of pride. Luke shifted a bit but did not turn.
"Yes, very well," he answered distractedly. Then: "Oh! Oh, that's right, I'm sorry my boy, that is good to hear." Finally he turned and I was stunned. He appeared not to have slept in days. There were deep bags under his eyes and darkness crept around the contours of his face. I stayed respectfully where I was.
"You may stand, let me see that now," he said and he seemed to wake a little from his stupor. I stood and handed the lightsaber to him expectantly. He turned it over and over in his palms as I had, and then ignited it suddenly. I stood stock still as he began a simple kata pattern directly in front of me. The cobalt blade whirred past my shoulders at breakneck speed, but he seemed to be comfortable, and I dared not move. There was a glint in his eyes I had never seen before in the time I had been at the Academy. With masterful precision, he halted the blade and snapped it off.
"Trace, I must say this is quite a blade. Quite a blade indeed," he added to himself. I glowed secretly.
"Now," he began again, "you need to begin training, don't you?" I nodded, unwilling to let my voice betray my excitement. "Yes, yes you do. Here is what you need for now," he said as he handed me a stack of holotracks. I took them and tucked them into a pocket, waiting for him to hand my lightsaber back.
"And one last thing, Trace. Very soon I will be assigning you your training partner. I would like you to go through those first so you will be within her abilities to teach." This comment sent my head reeling for two reasons. He thinks I'm too inexperienced to have this person train with me? And…'Her'?? Masking my discontent, I bowed again and held my hand out for my lightsaber. "Yes, Master," I said respectfully.
I left Luke's quarters with thoughts flying through my mind at breakneck pace. Why does he feel I need to train with this girl? What good will it do? How am I supposed to concentrate if I'm being coddled by someone? This would all turn out better if I could train by myself. I realized halfway back to my room that I wouldn't be able to meditate in this state of mind. I needed to release some of this pent up stress and frustration; in training to be a Jedi, I had sworn to rebuke anger. Then again, I wasn't a Jedi yet.
In the time I had spent at the Academy, I had advanced but one level in Teras Kasi. Of course, any trainee knows this is no easy feat. I tore into my routine with an aggression that spun me into a frenzy of weaving patterns. Time passed without pause as I whittled down my
energy, focusing on every movement, keeping each action precise and direct. I lost myself in the art form, forgetting everything and seeing only the techniques I practiced.
I was breathing hard when at last I stopped. Sweat beaded on my forehead and ran slick along my arms. I straightened and looked at the lightsaber in my hand. I had never set it down. I glanced around, but nobody was watching. All the other trainees were grouped together in their own little worlds, practicing their own skills and letting me fade into the background.
I stood stock still, not knowing what to do next. My heart was racing, and yet, I felt antsy. I dug the holotracks out of my pocket and looked around. I found a holocorder and placed the first track inside. The machine hummed to life and then projected the image of an old Jedi Master before me. He bowed and then began preaching about the mentality of lightsaber combat and the regrettable necessity that sometimes came when an opponent would not back down: killing. I stared at the hologram for a second, then pulled the track out and replaced it with the next. This time, the Jedi held a lightsaber, and began slowly going through the motions and footwork involved in trainee level combat.
I kept my eyes on the Master, watching each movement and understanding their necessity, the simplicity of each step and progression. My scar tingled. I took my own lightsaber and, still deactivated, mimicked the movements of the old Jedi. It became a dance, one I felt at home with. It came to me naturally and I skirted across the field, handgrip before me, in an endless, twisting cycle. The moves became engrained in my muscles, each one feeling familiar, yet challenging. The instructor droned on about the importance of precision as I raced by, my mind in its own world, a world of action and reaction. My pace increased and I realized that I had at some point ignited my lightsaber. The gentle vibration coaxed more from me; I began to augment the routine, adding an extra slash here, a more complex riposte there. My scar was a glow of warmth and I was relaxed and calm as I whirled through the grass. The battlefield was my home.
Much later, in fact an entire stack of holotracks later, I came to rest, fingers aching and eyes unfocused on unseen foes. I let myself come back slowly, relishing the knowledge I had
hungrily absorbed. I felt as if I could have practiced for days on end. This was something I had been building to in all my training. Everything I had ever practiced, everything I had ever done had had a purpose to it: to build towards lightsaber training. If I felt being able to jump thirty feet in the air would help, I practiced that technique until my legs could no longer take it. This blade before me was the crux of who I was. Somehow, it made sense. I was born to bring war.
My mind slowly regained control and that fog of thoughts left me. That was a breakthrough I thought. I've never felt that way in any of my previous training. Always, I've had to work hard to grow stronger, but this…this is different. This comes to me naturally, as if I've known it for years. I let the memory of the blade thrumming in front of me wash over me. Then again, I did nearly lose my own leg. It was true, there had been some mistakes. A step taken too far, a bold swipe that was perhaps too bold. My reflexes had saved me in the end, where my impatience had endangered me.
A tingle in my scar woke me up finally. I turned instinctively and saw a form disappear behind a pillar near the Academy. This was different though, the feeling was not of danger, but something else. Mia? No, it can't be her. I left the holotracks where they lay and deactivated my lightsaber as I headed back to the temple. Exhaustion finally hit me in a billowing wave and I found it hard to even stand, but I made it to my room before I collapsed once more into my bed.
Everything you know has gone dark. Forms are shifting in front of you, struggling and panicked. Anger floods your senses, and your vision focuses…focuses on-
A loud rapping woke me from my sleep. I shook my head to clear the vision of the dream from my mind and looked around quickly. I lay exactly as I had fallen the day before, but my lightsaber had rolled from my hand to the floor. I sleepily picked it up and put it on my workbench. The rapping came again, from the door.
"Trace, are you awake?" It was Master Skywalker. My heart skipped and I looked around for some clean clothes to change into, but found none available. Shamefully, I crossed to the door and opened it. Luke stood there looking refreshed for once.
"Good night's sleep?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye; it must have been midday when I had woken.
"Yes, Master," I mumbled, still trying to clear the vivid dream from my mind. Luke smiled and gestured for me to follow him. He led me down the hall and toward the dining area.
"I see you've been practicing your forms already," he said a minute later. I nodded but said nothing. Somehow that seemed private to me. Why had he been watching?
"You are a natural, no doubt about it. But then, there is a difference between practicing forms by yourself…" he paused. "…and practicing against another being." He looked to see if I was listening. I was, raptly.
"Trace, I have known ever since our first meeting that you had an affinity for the more direct techniques." Stop dancing around the subject, Luke. If you want to say something, then say it. What is all this about?
He continued, "It's a sense I've picked up from years of teaching. Different students have different strengths, and you…well, I've had only one other student like you, Trace." He stopped for a bit, and I felt uncomfortable. What did this other student do?
"I think I always expected this moment to come, and I'm afraid to say, I had hoped to delay it. When I was watching you practice yesterday, I recognized your talent probably before you even did. I hope you understand, Trace, this is a dangerous road you are traveling. Please listen to me when I saw that arrogance has never led to anything but the Dark side." My heart stopped when he said this. Am I arrogant?
"I know what you're thinking, Trace, and it's understandable. The only thing I can tell you is that letting others who are better than yourself help shape your training is important to any Jedi's development. I realize there aren't enough Master's to teach each trainee as a padawan;
this is why I stress that groups of trainees should come together to learn. But you have strongly gone against this, carving your own path and heading like an arrow toward the creation of your lightsaber.
"That is dangerous, Trace. I'm not trying to preach to you or talk down to you. I'm saying this as a friend." He stopped walking and I turned to him, not sure what to think any more.
"The dark side of the Force will corrupt minds so eagerly heading on the path of violence. Especially," Luke added, "if they are alone." I nodded, waiting for him to finish. I felt as though he had slapped me. He's afraid I'm going to be turned to the Dark side? I thought about this a moment, and then sighed. He has a point, I am set strongly in the physical and combative techniques of the Force. I still don't feel I should have to train with another, though. I told myself that I had to be careful. Yes, I had found my place within the lightsaber, but that didn't mean I had to lose myself in it.
"I have decided," Luke continued, "that you should train with a young woman who I feel you will be quite…" Luke's eyes twinkled, "fittingly paired with." I let out my breath slowly, closed my eyes and forced myself to accept it. It wouldn't do me any good to argue.
"She is a focused and determined trainee, though for the time she's spent here, she may well be a Jedi Knight soon. That said, I've informed her that you will be meeting her on the sparring deck in an hour to begin." He turned and began to walk off. "And Trace," he said, turning suddenly. "Don't make the mistake of underestimating her, for any reason. You and her are somewhat similar in a few ways." With that, he turned and strode off, leaving me in bafflement. Underestimate her? What exactly did that mean?
I now had a choice: did I head the rest of the way to the dining area to eat, or did I shower and get properly dressed for the day? Since I didn't much like the dining area, I decided to grab some food and eat it on the way back to my room, and then shower. Why do one of the two, when you can do both?
When I had grabbed a handful of wafa cakes from the remaining food set out at lunch, I headed once more for my room. I tried to consume the meal slowly, but hunger took over and they were gone within minutes. I skirted around groups of trainees and Jedi who wandered about the Academy temple and arrived at my room with thirty minutes to spare. I looked down at my pants and frowned at the grass stains.
When I had started the water in the shower, I grabbed some fresh clothes and then stripped. The warm water felt invigorating and steam rose as I showered. This should be interesting, training with a girl. Nothing against them, but they just don't have the physicality needed in these matters. Was I jealous? Probably a little; she seemed to hold more esteem in Master Skywalker's mind than I. Still, if nothing else it'll be a new experience to deal with. I stepped out and dressed quickly, noting that I had little more than five minutes to make it to the sparring deck above the Academy. I looked around my room and double-checked for everything I needed: light training tunic, belt, pants and boots. Lastly, I picked up my lightsaber and carried it out of the room.
When I arrived at the wide sparring deck, which was really the roof of the Academy temple, I saw a tall, hooded figure standing far off near the edge. I took a deep breath and for the first time since my adventure in the jungle I felt nervous and jumpy. Take a breath, do this properly. She's expecting you, so there's no use in being shy. Still, my nature was taking hold; usually I hated meeting new people.
I took one step toward the cloaked figure when she turned toward me. I kept going, expecting her to meet me halfway; she did not. Slightly aggravated, I kept walking the forty yards across the marked deck and halted before her. The hood hid her face, and the cloak hid the rest of her; I got the feeling she was appraising me. I kept my mind where it belonged and waited. Silence. What do I say? I don't know her name, and she's not talking. I shifted my feet and finally said, "Are you here for a sparring partner?" She too shifted, and then finally lifted the hood away.
My eyes were drawn instantly to hers, and my heart stopped to watch. The intense shade of blue staring at me seemed eerily familiar, but I couldn't place it. She had me entranced. Her slim features were accented by the dark hair pulled back in a single braid. I was awestruck just looking at her. Get a hold of yourself! Her expression was not unkind. It was more that of someone who was in a situation they felt they didn't have to be in.
"Yes," was all she said. I sighed, and looked down for a second. When I looked up she was gazing out at the clouds towering in the sky like a whole other world. I followed her gaze and then looked back. She did not.
"Did you want to get started or what?" I asked. I thought of asking her name, but if she didn't want to tell me freely there was no sense in forcing it. Should I break the ice and mention how neither of us seems to want to do this? No, that's stupid, you'd be stating the obvious. She turned her head when I spoke and nodded once. With a fluid motion, the cloak was on the ground and her lightsaber was in hand. My heart leapt again, and I felt giddy and unsure of myself. Are their tunics always that tight?
Without warning, her foot swept out and took my legs out from under me. I hit the stone hard and before I knew it her hand was at my throat.
"Lesson one," she said with a hint of a smile. "Never let your guard down." I gagged, trying to keep my eyes where they should be. Wake up you idiot, focus on what you're doing! Still, my heart raced on in a world of its own.
She stepped back and allowed me to stand. I did so, picking up my lightsaber from where I had dropped it and wincing as my back pinched. I heard her lightsaber ignite and looked up. Her blade was a brilliant lime green and was poised in front of her, waiting. Finally I set my mind in gear and ignited my cobalt sword. She looked me up and down, and then said, "You're in an aggressive stance." I looked myself over, mimicking her, and then nodded. "Have it your way," she said and with startling alacrity her blade flipped up and toward my head. Instinctively I blocked it and stepped back to recover. The sight of that green blade heading for me had given me a rush like nothing else.
"Lesson two: never give ground willingly." I stared at her, trying to figure out if she was always going to be so aloof. Her next attack was every bit as swift as the first, but I kept pace and worked through pure instinct to keep her green saber at bay. After a minute she relaxed her stance and took a step back.
"You have the touch, but not the training," she stated flatly. This was beginning to grate my nerves.
"I understand that, I'm assuming that's why you're here." Her eyes flashed.
"And I was informed we were to be training partners," she said in annoyance. "Do you expect me to coddle you through it?" This girl's kind of a bitch I thought angrily. Why do looks never come with charm?
"So then maybe you were informed that I'm just beginning lightsaber training? Look, I don't need this shit, take it easy, whatever your name is." I deactivated my lightsaber angrily and turned to leave. My mind was racing, why was everyone so uptight in this place? Or was I just lucky enough to know the few who were? Before I even took a step, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and the energy blade coursing behind me stopped within inches of my ear.
"Lesson four," she said through gritted teeth. "Never turn your back on your opponent." I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw.
"Aren't you forgetting lesson three?" I asked, not expecting an answer.
"No." She took a step closer, the blade hovering far too close. "Lesson three: Never. Piss off. Your instructor!" In a flurry, she had my left arm bent behind my back and the blade whipped to the front of my neck. I winced as she twisted hard on my arm. That, I thought, is the last straw. With my free hand, I grabbed her lightsaber arm and forced it forward and up, while simultaneously snapping my left arm around to catch hers. Then I slowly pivoted, twisting both of her arms above and behind her head. This left us far too close together for comfort, but I was ticked off and didn't really care.
Her eyes were the picture of rebelliousness, but there was something else there, too, stirring.
"Lesson five," I said with controlled resentment. "Never underestimate your opponent." She gave me a quick, condescending smile.
"I haven't." And with that, she kneed me in the groin and turned furiously to leave.