Time to train

Dash was up early to prepare everything for the first training. Shug had told him about an abandoned warehouse where he could set up a shooting range and an obstacle course. Content he looked at his work and smiled at Tarik who stood at his side.
"I think this will do, my old friend."
Tarik laughed his chirping laughter and slapped Dash on the shoulder. "Do you want to test it?"
The former mercenary smirked. "Of course, you will be the first one to have the honor to try it."
His friend looked at him wide eyed. "Me? You can't be serious; I'm a pilot and not a foot soldier."
Rendar grinned before he pulled the former ambassador to the obstacle course. "We all must adapt to the circumstances. The commander said that every single one of our warriors must be able to fit in every role."
"You mean Nomi. It's strange to see her as our leader now," Tarik answered then he took on the obstacle course. Jumping, dodging and crawling with flapping wings. He started to sweat when he was half ways through and the more difficult obstacles were waiting for him. The non-human sighed and leaped on the platform which protruded from the wall. He cursed when the platform retracted and he nearly fell down. "Damn, Dash!" He yelled at his friend while leaping on the next platform. It wasn't easy but he made it in time and Dash nodded his head approvingly. "Not bad for a man of your age," he said casting another glance at the timer.
His old brother in arms chuckled and wiped sweat from his forehead after he had finished the course finally. "You thought that a former ambassador can't be up to the mark. Admit it, my friend."
Dash Rendar chuckled and slapped Tarik on the shoulder. "You know me well, Tarik. This was exactly what I thought. Do you think the others will pass the obstacle course?"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure that they can handle this. If not you will drill them until they will pass."
Tarik's chirping laughter was to be heard again. "You are a good instructor, Dash and you know it."
The former mercenary gave the former ambassador a wide grin, before he opened the door for the first newly recruited Resistance members he wanted to train when he heard the secret knock.

But Dash wasn't the only one who was up early. Kyle Katarn stood at the Trader's Luck's boarding ramp calling for his son: "Jaden! It's me your father!"
Hearing his father's voice Jaden woke with a start and cast a glance at the chrono. He wiggled carefully out of Tasherit's arms, went out of bed and put on his pants before opening the hatch. His father walked up the ramp with a smile. "Good morning, Jaden."
"Good morning, father," the young man answered while stifling a yawn. "Do you have any idea about the time?"
"Of course, it's time to train, son," the Jedi said with a mischievous grin and entered the freighter. "You wanted to train to become a Jedi, am I right?"
His son led Kyle to the mid section of the freighter and sat down on the bench. "Yes, you are right." Jaden was unable to hide his joy that his father would start to train him.
"And now we can begin, son," the older Katarn said as he settled down on the floor and crossed his legs. "Come here, Jaden."
His son settled down on the floor opposite of his father and crossed also his legs. Kyle nodded his head approvingly.
"Have you ever tried to access the Force with purpose?" The Jedi asked his son.
Jaden shook his head. "Tash asked me to try, but I was too afraid to do something wrong."
His father nodded thoughtfully. "Close your eyes, Jaden."
The young man did as he was asked to do and tried to breathe calmly. He was too excited to manage it. Kyle felt his son's excitement in the Force and smiled.
"Calm down and breathe evenly," Kyle said and shortly after he felt that Jaden was totally at peace. "And now empty your mind. Don't think, only feel. Feel the Force. It surrounds you and binds you to all living things."
Jaden tried and failed utterly. "I feel nothing, father."
"You are trying too hard. I can feel it," the elder Katarn answered. "Let go and open yourself to the Force. I know it's difficult to do this for the very first time."
His son nodded his head and took some calming breaths. Then he closed his eyes again. A smile lit up Jaden's face. "I can feel it, father. It's warm and gentle."
"That's right, son. The Force is touching you and you can touch the Force. You can use it but never try to bend it to your will. Never force it to do something, only use the natural flow of it and its connection to all living things. Anything else would lead you to the dark side." Jaden had opened his eyes and Kyle Katarn gave his son a stern look.
"I know, father," the young Katarn said, "Tash told me about the two aspects of the Force already."
"Yes," his father answered, "the light side and the dark side. Some believe that we should be open to both sides. That we can use what the dark side offers if we will use it for the good. But it is hard to hold the balance. Most of those who tried failed utterly."
Jaden looked at him and nodded his head. He began to feel uncomfortable after sitting cross legged since several minutes. He wasn't used to it and had the urge to stand up and stretch his legs.
"You will get used to meditate and sitting this way doing it, my son," Kyle said as he sensed Jaden's emotions.
At this moment Tasherit came out of the bunk stifling a yawn. "Good morning, Kyle. Good morning, Jaden. What are you doing?"
Jaden stood up and beamed with joy. "Father's finally teaching me how to use the Force, Tash."
"So it was your tapping in the Force waking me." Tasherit gave her fiancé a wide smile. "You did the first step in a larger world. I'm proud of you, darling. But now we should have breakfast. You are also invited, Kyle."
She went over to the small galley to prepare breakfast and caf, while Jaden and his father sat down at the table making plans how to proceed with the Jedi training. Tasherit smiled by the thought that her future husband would be like her soon.