"There was some trouble in the training room." Skywalker's voice echoed along the Academy meditation temple's long stone hallways. Jaster stopped in his tracks and folded his arms expectantly; waiting for the punishment. It didn't come, so he began his prepared speech.

"This isn't the place for me, Skywalker," He began, "I don't belong in the Academy, and I'm not sure what sort of trick you used to get me to agree to this nonsense." Skywalker cut him off passively, still seated, his back to the Mandalorian on a stone sledge in front of a large Jedi meditation circle on the temple floor.

"I didn't trick you, Jaster, no one did. You made the decision to join the academy like everyone else; of your own free will." He said. "I know your anger is deep, and I'm not sure how exactly you have managed to instruct yourself so effectively in the ways of the force, but your method relies on anger. Anger and the Dark Side flow together, and may seem the easier path, but the power stems from a weaker source. I hope these evils are not influencing you to abandon your studies here before you learn better control."

"Control!" Shouted Jaster, frustrated and suddenly very tired. "All I hear here is control and patience! I find only weakness in your style!"

At this the Jedi Master turned slowly to face the Mandalorian. His face was concerned, not offended or impatient, as the young man had thought it would be, and his reply was as fluid and calm as his demeanor.

"When you learn to control your anger; to manage and level out your hate, then you can harness the true power of the force; an immeasurable wealth of knowledge and insight through the force." Jaster sighed wearily as he heard the doors behind him slide open, dreading the arrival of Azekel and the immanent scolding he thought he would receive. The newcomer said nothing, however, and Mereel kept his eyes on Skywalker.

"The dark side is tempting, yes, it offers a quick route to power and ability, but the true insights and knowledge the side of light offers us will open the pathways to even greater ability and opportunities, and I fear that if you can't complete your training here, as hard as it may seem, that you may become as clouded and disillusioned as the man who once wielded your lightsaber."

Jaster sighed again, and looked down to the battered and aged weapon by his side. He thought the Jedi would have figured it out, but not so soon.

"How did you know?" He asked, almost remorseful for the feelings the discovery must have put the Master through. Skywalker shrugged.

"I've felt it's touch before," He said, his right hand rising into the light of the room, "It is the blade of my father, Anikan Skywalker, former right hand of the Emperor himself. How you got it I can only guess; a stormtrooper or other soldier found it discarded and forgotten in the final Death Star as I pulled him to the Hangars. I realized I missed it as I made my escape, but thought it was destroyed in the explosion. I can only assume someone carried it safely away and pawned it, perhaps, on some backwater planet to an eager young mercenary hopeful …"

Jaster nodded silently.

"Or that same hopeful stole it from the belongings of a drunken old soldier disillusioned with the new Republic and drowning his hate in Corellian Ale." He offered. Skywalker half smiled and looked ready to say more, but he was cut off by a voice from behind them.

"That is the lightsaber of Darth Vader himself?" The two looked around, and Jaster was more than surprised to find not Azekel but the young woman who had stared him down on the platforms. She saw his frown and hurried to explain. "I followed you out of the training center. I thought you were going to desert us." Jaster looked away and plunged back into his thought; should he leave still? He wasn't convinced at all that the way of the Jedi was the way for him.

"Jaster, you have met Lena?" Skywalker broke in on his thoughts, "She is one of the more advanced of our students for her age, and is nearing a level appropriate for preliminary Knighthood testing." He boasted for the red faced Lena.

"In a few years perhaps if I am fortunate." She added humbly. "Jaster? Is that your name, then, young Sith warrior?" she changed the subject.

"Lena; the Sith …" Skywalker began cautiously, but Mereel had held out his hand already to confront his comrade with a wicked grin.

"Jaster Mereel, last of the Mandalore race; and let it be known that the Sith tremble before my power." The Jedi Master shook his head exasperated behind them as the Jedi Apprentice and the Mandalorian recounted Mereel's battle in the arena.

"When did you come in to the arena? I had not seen you in the academy before today." Jaster was curious.

"I have actually just returned from my home system of Corellia, the festival of independence has just begun in the capital and I had been long missed by my parents and family." The student explained, "I was hoping to find Master Jakome when I came in to you trouncing the remainder of your classmates, you even gave Master Jakome a run for his credits."

Mereel lowered his head in half shame, half secretive pride as he caught Skywalker's upraised eyebrows. The Master had obviously not sensed all of the events that had occurred.

"We have had our differences, you could say." He allowed in a low voice, "Thank you for your help back there, Jedi woman." He added formally.

"Oh I am no Jedi, not yet, Jaster Mereel, for now call me Lena, Lena Gorakos." She held out her hand with an amiable smile.

"A pleasure to meet you, lady Gorakos, but I think I have to go now; Azekel will probably want to yell at me soon for bruising his class …"

"Please, Jaster," Skywalker interrupted politely, "try to learn to call him 'Master Jakome?' it might help you two get along better; and it is a honorable formality for when your own teacher accepts you as a padawan learner."

"So you're staying then?" Lena asked hopefully.

"For now, if 'Master' Azekel doesn't mind giving me a few more chances …" and with that he took his leave to search for the Knight. Lena turned with a pitying glance to the still seated Jedi Master.

"He's a tough one, Master."

"He sure is, Lena; but welcome back, how was your trip?" and the two conversed on.