Chapter Five: Compromising

Meetra Surik was getting impatient.

She'd been working as Vrook's apprentice for a year now. Her techniques and abilities had improved as she did everything she was asked. But fulfilling her training regime did not seem to impress Vrook. He hardly ever had a shred of positive reinforcement.

Meetra's days were spent in ridged practice. Her nights were spent reading one historical piece after another. And yet Vrook would not teach her anything other than basic powers.

"Master Vrook, I finished the holobook," said Meetra, approaching him.

Vrook looked up. "I see. And what is your assessment?"

Meetra remembered constant stories of genocide. Of entire worlds laid to waste by a bunch of raving maniacs with lightsabers. Of Jedi who were scarcely able to hold on amidst a neverending tide of evil. "…The only good Sith is a dead Sith."

"An aggressive attitude unbefitting a Jedi," said Vrook. "Some among the Sith saw the error of their ways and returned to the light. Why do you believe some managed this feat and others failed to?"

"I guess because they chose to return," said Meetra.

"Why did they choose to return?" asked Vrook. "What did those who returned have in common?"

"I don't know," admitted Meetra, becoming a little annoyed. "Why don't you tell me?"

Vrook frowned. "There are two kinds of fallen Jedi. There are those who succumbed to the Dark Side because of a loss of faith in the light. And those who willingly shunned it out of a desire for power and greatness.

"The former may in time reform because the foundation of their fall was tragic. The latter almost never seek redemption, or if they do, it is out of desperation."

"Master Vrook, are you actually going to teach me anything?" asked Meetra.

"Your impatience for power does you no credit," said Vrook. "A strong foundation of knowledge is necessary. Otherwise, the power you might gain would consume you."

Meetra didn't question it. She knew he was supposed to pick the time and place for her to get the cool powers. But Malak had been training with Kreia in all kinds of things. She'd taught him to process out poisons from his system. Meetra was still stuck sensing things, and the most she'd learned was to control others pain as well as her own.

She knew she was better than this.

And then there was a loud bang, and Vrook looked up. "What was that?"

He followed the noise into the hall where smoke was pouring out of the dormitories of the vessel Bounty. Revan was coughing, his face blackened but a smile on his face. Vrook came forward. "Revan, what is the meaning of this?"

"Sorry, sorry, I was trying to create my lightsaber, and I guess I got the setup wrong," said Revan. "Too much power."

"Create your lightsaber?" asked Vrook. "You have been given neither the right nor the equipment to do so."

"First off, there is no rule specifically stating that I can't create my own lightsaber," said Revan flatly. "You just didn't give me the parts or instruction. As for said parts, I found some of the crystals and started trying to jury rig a lightsaber from it."

"It is a futile effort," said Vrook. "The khyber crystals used in training sabers do not channel enough power to create a lethal blade."

"They aren't training saber crystals," said Revan. "I stole these from a Kinrath nest. Thing is, it turns out training sabers don't operate on the same principles. They're designed to shock a bit, not kill. So I figured I'd fiddle around with the power flow a bit. Unfortunately, it just exploded.

"Although, if I really focused a lot of energy into a crystal it could make for a pretty good grenade…"

"Out of the question!" snapped Vrook. "The damages to this ship are coming out of your wages, Revan. And you are not to perform any more… experiments of this sort during the voyage. Give me the crystals you found."

"No," said Revan flatly.

"What?" said Vrook.

'I found them fair and square." snapped Revan. "I had to get near a lair of Kinrath to get these. I'm not handing them over to you just because you demand it. It's my property."

"And I judge your possession of them to be a danger to this voyage," said Vrook. "I am confiscating them as contraband. Hand them over."

Revan went very still. "…As you wish, Master Jedi. Here are the others I had." And he removed them from his pouch and handed them over.

Then he stalked off, hands clenched.

Meetra looked to Vrook. "Master Vrook, I've read everything you've given me. I've analyzed it and come to conclusions. Can I please learn something other than history."

Vrook remained silent for a moment. "…Given the situation, I am willing to begin work upon the basics. In the academy, you were taught the basics, learning to feel the force. I will teach you to control the force within yourself.

"However, for now, another matter demands my attention. Wait for me within the training room and meditate on all you have learned. I will meet you there when I am finished."

Other matters were frequently demanding Vrook's attention. And it was really starting to get on her nerves. What could be so important?


Revan was busy fixing his training saber. It was taking quite a bit of work. He'd had to replace several major components.

It didn't help that he was furious at what had happened. The Jedi Council were doing everything in their power to keep him weak. And when he started trying to make himself strong on his own, they interfered.

"Revan, why are you in such a bad mood?" asked Belaya. "You knew fooling around with those crystals was a bad idea."

"It's not the crystals, that's just a bit of fun." snapped Revan. "It's this whole mission."

"What about it?" asked Dak, hurling a dart at the board.

"What have we been doing while on this ship, Dak?" asked Revan. "Can you answer that question, Belaya?"

"We've been assigned to tending the greenhouses," said Belaya. "We've also been keeping track of the provisions."

"Yes, but all those things are taken care of by the crew," said Revan. "We could stay in bed all day for all the good we're doing. There's nothing for us to do."

"Bastila has been in and out a lot a lot," noted Dak.

"And she has so many stories to tell about her duties." scoffed Revan. "I think they're trying to get rid of us."

"What do you mean?" asked Belaya.

"Think about it," said Revan. "We were leaders. We talked, and the other kids listened. We got them together to train so we could accomplish something great. Even if we failed, it made them afraid."

"Afraid?" asked Belaya. "You're joking."

"Of course I'm not joking," said Revan. "Why did they not give us masters, do you think?"

"Because we were not qualified for the position of Padawan," said Belaya.

"And why were we not qualified?" asked Revan. "Because the Masters didn't think we fit their idea of what a Jedi should be. So they sent us to a dead-end job where we do inglorious jobs and stay weak and ignorant.

"But then we started working. We started getting stronger and organizing. They were afraid that we might become something great. Great and outside of their control."

"I won't listen to any more of his, Revan," said Belaya. "These kinds of speeches of yours have no place in the order.

"Why would they have rejected me if that was their agenda?"

"I wouldn't know, I didn't see your match," said Revan. "Does it matter? We all got demoted."

"It isn't a demotion, Dak," said Belaya insistently. "It's just another part of the service."

"Whatever you say," said Revan, finishing up. On a whim, he made an alternative modification with the crystal he hadn't given to Vrook. A blue one.

"In any case, going to Mileda Daan is an opportunity to prove ourselves," said Belaya.

"It's an opportunity to waste our time." snapped Revan.

"You didn't act like it was a waste when we were on Dantooine," noted Belaya.

"That's because the farmers on Dantooine aren't going to blow up everything we build-up," said Revan. "The people on Mileda Daan are a bunch of psychos. There have been dozens of truces between and it always ends the same way. Maybe it's an airstrike, or a betrayal, or an assassination attempt. But the end result doesn't change. The war will end when one side has killed the other and no sooner.

"My man Malak and I used to live there, you know."

"We may die there," said Malak from where he'd been meditating. "There is a certain poetic irony in it."

Revan smiled and looked up. "Malak, I see you've come out of your meditations. What secrets of the universe have you unlocked?"

Malak frowned in contemplation. "I'm not very good at meditation."

"Truly your time under Kreia has been well spent," said Revan.

"She has me learning it because I am bad at it," said Malak. "Her focus has been on improving my weak areas. What about you, Revan? What have you been up to?"

"Oh me?" said Revan, tossing the lightsaber at the wall and then drawing it back to his hand with the force. "I'm mostly just focusing on improving my control of the force. I've had the Agricultural Corps working on our powers and comparing notes. Which means that I'm already learning more than Meetra is."

"That's a bit harsh on Master Vrook," said Belaya. "He has chosen to instruct her in the histories of the order. It is a worthwhile pursuit."

"What I want to know is what Bastila has been doing all this time?" said Dak. "She is hardly ever there when we're working, and the Masters always say she had other duties. Nobody tells us what they are."

"Wherever she is, I'm not waiting for her anymore," said Revan, having a pretty good idea. "I'm going to go find her." And he grabbed a recording device and walked to the door.

'To what end?" asked Malak.

"Not really sure," said Revan. "I'll use the information when I find a use for it." And if it was what he suspected it was, he might just destroy Vrook's relationship with his student. "Now, let's see, focus outward with the force and seek the presence of Bastila. Hmm, it's all around us. She's using her powers.

"Then I'll just follow straight to them."

He walked through the halls, hands in his pockets. As he did, he passed a window and saw the fleet of ships flying through space. How scenic, they were just waiting to be blown out of the sky by pirates. The limited weapons on the ships wouldn't do them much good against a determined attacker. There was a Republic Escort on its way, but they hadn't met up yet.

Sensing for Bastila he felt her at last. He'd found he was good at finding Bastila and he moved quietly, keeping his presence low. No one marked him, and he came to a training room. Setting up the recorder, he peered around a corner to see Bastila meditating. Vrook was across from her.

"Can you feel the crew?" asked Vrook.

"Yes, Master Vrook," said Bastila. "I can. But influencing this many people over such a distance, it is difficult. I'm having trouble holding it."

"Don't hold it," said Vrook. "Allow your mind to drift. You will not control with your mind but nudge. Direct their minds to go about the duties they perform every day with greater enthusiasm. Motivate them."

Bastila's eyes were closed, and she was working. Finally, she gasped and opened her eyes. "I… I can't do anymore."

"Very well, we will halt for the moment," said Vrook. "You've done well in mastering this ability, Bastila. In time you may well become a valuable member of the order."

"But Master Vrook I… I am part of the Agricultural Corps," said Bastila. "I feel I ought to be part of their duties."

"The circumstances that led you to that role were highly unfortunate," said Vrook. "And the ability you possess has immense potential to aid the galaxy as a whole. In light of this, I am certain you will eventually be assigned a master.

"Your duties as a member of the Agricultural Corps come secondary to the greater good of the galaxy."

Revan walked off with the recorder, a smiling coming to his face. "Oh, this is going to be good."

All he'd have to do is play on some frustrations, and he'd destroy whatever trust Meetra had for Vrook. It would be an absolute humiliation for the old bastard, especially if he had to stop teaching his student. And since Vrook was probably acting on the orders of the Jedi Council, he'd feel resentment for them. All he had to do was give out the evidence at the right moment.

And he got back. Dak was trying one of the standing Agricultural Corp games Revan had put out. That being to throw a ball through the air and draw it back while doing something else. Practicing using the force while distracted seemed like a good skill to have.

"Revan, you're back," said Malak. "Find anything."

"A lot, but-"began Revan.

Then the door opened, and Master Kavar entered. Revan couldn't think of any reason he might have to resent this man. "Ah, there the three of you are."

"Master Kavar?" asked Belaya.

"I'm afraid so." laughed Kavar. "I've heard you've been helping out a great deal around the vessel. I might offer you the chance to provide more aid. If you want."

"I'm game," said Revan. "What do you need help with?"

"The engine crew has been having some issues, and they could use some extra hands," said Kavar. "Three young Jedi capable of operating things remotely could be of great help."

"Four," said Dak.

"Hmm?" asked Kavar.

"Four young Jedi," said Dak flatly. "Bastila is part of our group."

"Oh yes, of course," said Kavar. "I'll see if I can find her."

"Don't hold your breath," said Dak. "We'll do it."

"I'll go too," said Malak.

"Malak?" asked Revan.

"I'm not making any progress here so I might as well be of some help," said Malak as he stood.

"Thanks, man," said Revan.

If nothing else they had something interesting to do. Now Revan just needed to find a way to set the other Jedi Masters against each other. It would be hilarious.