Chapter 10
The next morning around seven, Jedron time, an alarm was sounded, awakening all the young Jedi. All except for one.
Jyo pounded on Denz's door, "C'mon, Denz! Wake up!"
Tahiri stood in front of the turbolifts and called to the students, "Please head outside of the--," she paused and asked one of the Jedi students what it was they had called their new home.
"A Jome," a young bothan female answered, her fur bristling as she smiled.
"Right," Tahiri nodded. "We will be eating morning meal outdoors today because we are having such fair weather."
The students began to file out of the hallway, into the lounge, and out the exit door. Zeek and Cordell followed. Jyo remained, still pounding on Denz's door. Tahiri approached the door and inquired as to the problem.
"He's just a heavy sleeper," Jyo sighed, shook his head in dismay, and then smiled. It was just impossible not to crack a grin when you talked to Tahiri.
The barefoot Jedi teacher returned his smile, "Please continue trying to wake him," she said and at a sudden thought, reached in one of her jumpsuit's pockets, and pulled out a piece of wire. "And when he does finally rouse, could you ask him if he lost this? I found it last night outside my door."
Jyo's eyes grew wide when he saw the wire. He hoped Tahiri didn't notice. "Sure, I'll ask him," he said trying not to sound nervous.
Tahiri smiled again and without another word, walked off to join Lowbacca and the other Jedi students outside.
Jyo was steamed, Dang it, Denz! You've been here one night and already you're oversleeping because you stayed up till who knows when making some stupid gadget!
Jyo was mad, and he channeled that energy into scanning Denz's room. He found Denz's Force signature in bed, of course. Jyo knew what he had to do. He focused on the energy signature and slowly lifted it. He decided to give Denz one more chance and dropped him from two feet off the floor. Denz seemed to stir, but he did not waken. Jyo picked Denz back up and moved him into the refresher. He dropped him once more, this time into the shower unit. No reaction. With one final Force motion, Jyo turned the cold water on full blast.
Outside, the young Jedi sat in a circle, waiting for the droids to bring their breakfast. They heard a distant sound that resembled a rather large bird's call. The eighteen students and two teachers scanned the sky for some giant flying creature. When they saw none, the students credited the noise to a ship engine or something mechanical.
Jyo was fighting laughter as he listened to Denz's running footsteps race to his door. When the door slid open, Jyo couldn't contain himself any longer. Standing in front of him, soaking wet was a very, very unhappy Denz Solo, who had apparently fallen asleep in his Jedi garb. Robe, undershirt, pants and boots were all drenched and dripping water. "Don't move!" Denz said through gritted teeth as he shut his door again.
Jyo composed himself enough to hear the drying unit running in Denz room. A few moments later, Denz emerged clad now in freshly dried Jedi clothes. Jyo thought he looked shorter. Glancing down, he realized that Denz wasn't wearing any boots.
As if reading Jyo's thoughts Denz said, "I can't put my boots in the dryer unit. It'll ruin them."
Jyo nodded and remembering that the piece of wire was still in his hand, gave it to Denz.
"I wondered where that went."
Denz went to put the wire on his desk, and Jyo stood amazed. If someone had done to Jyo what Jyo had just done to Denz, he would never have taken it so calmly. After the initial shock, Denz seemed to revert back to his normal, cheery self.
"Hey, Jyo."
Jyo jumped. He had not seen Denz come back out of his room, so he was surprised to see him standing there next to him all of the sudden.
"Pretty cool, huh?"
"What's pretty cool?" Jyo asked baffled.
"This," Denz said spreading his arms. "It's a hologram."
"It looks so real!" Jyo said in awe.
"And you probably thought I was up all night making something stupid."
Jyo wondered if it was possible that Denz had picked that thought from his mind, but he knew that wasn't Denz's style. Jyo suddenly slapped his forehead in remembrance. "Denz! Breakfast! Now!"
The hologram displayed a surprised expression before dissipating. Denz burst from his room, and he and Jyo rushed outside. Denz grinned to himself as he ran, He bought it! Jyo actually thinks I was up all last night making a hologram answering machine.
I'll keep it a secret for now. He'll know when …," Denz thoughts were interrupted as they emerged from the Jome. Luckily the robots were just arriving with the food. Jyo and Denz quickly found seats.
Tahiri had looked up when the two finally arrived and noticed Denz's bare feet. She walked over and touched his shoulder; "Flattery is not necessary, Denz. I forgive you for oversleeping."
Denz blushed a deep red and said nothing, while the other young Jedi giggled.
The meals provided were small but full of protein. They consisted of three scrambled nantsil eggs and a large piece of bantha steak, cooked to perfection.
The young Jedi finished their meal and sat patting their stomachs in satisfaction. After the dishes and such had been cleared away, Tahiri rose and stood outside of the circle of students. Today she wore her lightsaber clipped to her belt, and when Tahiri began to speak, she held it out for everyone to see. "Today you will be given a most important task." She ignited the green blade that matched the color of her eyes. "The construction of your lightsabers is a crucial step in the process of becoming an apprentice and eventually a Jedi Knight.
"There is no guide to follow in constructing a lightsaber. The process is purely instinct. Allow the Force to guide your hands and show you where to put what and so on.
"Not to put pressure on you or anything, but those who are unable to complete their lightsabers within the allotted twelve hour time limit will be deemed "not ready" for the responsibility and, as a result, be dropped from this class and reassigned to the next one down.
"If that statement has made any of you worry or feel nervous then you should tell me now. Acknowledging that you are not ready for such an important responsibility shows great wisdom and courage. Perhaps it is not your destiny to become a Jedi Knight." Tahiri speculated as she deactivated her lightsaber and clipped it back to her belt. "Maybe you feel your calling lies elsewhere."
Tahiri spread her arms, encompassing all twenty Jedi students. "Do not feel as though you are being pressured into Jedi Knighthood. Jedi Healers, Teachers, Pilots, Diplomats and more are also needed in addition to the warriors. And no, you will not be dropped from this class if you come forward now and express your desire to serve the Jedi cause differently."
No one moved at first. Then a lanky Twi'lek named Tay Norat'k slowly stood and stepped toward Tahiri. "Teacher," she began, "I humbly submit that I have felt a strong pull toward learning the art of a Jedi Healer." Tay's headtails twitched nervously as she spoke to Tahiri.
Tahiri squatted slightly so that she was eye to eye with Tay. "Are you positive that the Force has led you not to become a Jedi Knight, but a Jedi Healer?"
Tay nodded with the most confidence she could muster.
Tahiri stood to her full height, "Very well then! Tay Norat'k, you have my word that as soon as possible you will be made the apprentice of a Jedi Healer. Until then you may study and learn to your heart's content about this crucial position!"
Tay smiled and whispered her thanks to Tahiri.
Tahiri turned her gaze from Tay back to the rest of the Jedi students.
"Anyone else? Do not be afraid. Go where the Force leads you as Tay has done."
When no one else stood Tahiri frowned thoughtfully, but quickly hid that behind a smile. "Very good." She said plainly. "Now you will each receive your own focusing crystal necessary for the construction of your lightsabers. As I call your name, please come forward and receive it from Tay. If she would do the honors, that is."
The Twi'lek was clearly surprised as her pale skin turned bright red. She nodded and mumbled, "I would be delighted!"
At a signal from Tahiri a droid carrying a covered tray trundled up to her. She removed the cloth to reveal almost two-dozen clear plastic cases, round in shape, each containing a small crystal.
Tay picked one up and held it in her fragile hands as Tahiri called the first name. "Nayanll Omm!"
The small female Bothan jumped up from where she was sitting and walked quickly to Tay and received her crystal. She emitted a rumble of excitement from deep within her throat, and moved to stand to the right of Tay.
"Zeek Solo!"
Zeek almost seemed surprised that his name had been called. He shakily stood and went to receive his crystal from Tay. Zeek blushed when he received a smile from her as well. He then went to stand on the right of Nayanll.
"Todan Ems!"
The Jedi artist rose and received his crystal as well. After moving to stand next to Zeek, he held the crystal up to the light trying to discern every line and curve of the jewel.
"Salah Jem!"
The human girl with red hair the same shade as Tahiri's, but more tamed, stood and though she walked calmly, her eyes betrayed her excitement as Tay gave her the precious crystal.
And so the ceremony went until the remaining nineteen Jedi had received their crystals and stood, shoulder to shoulder, holding their prizes.
Lowbacca, who had been quiet throughout the entire ordeal, gave a roar of joy, startling several young Jedi as others chuckled.
Tahiri moved to stand so that she faced all the Jedi students. "This is likely the last time we will see each other for at least a day or two, for when you begin construction on your lightsabers I will be transported deep within that forest over there." She told them, pointing to a distant density of trees.
"Upon completing your Jedi weapons, you must set off in search of me using the Force to guide you. You may not wait for others to join you, and you may not test your lightsaber before leaving the Jome. Those who do so will be automatically failed. Lowbacca will ensure that you each receive a pack of rations and a canteen. I will not tell you what comes next until you have found my 'hiding place'. Now go! May the Force guide your hands and your feet."
With that, the young Jedi rushed back inside to construct their lightsabers. The clock was ticking, and even if they did finish in time, who knew what was lying in wait for them inside the forest?