Chapter Six

Art of the Lightsabre

Jahita Krass and the others in his class, of which he knew practically no one, were standing in the one of the many training rooms, which could be found at the Jedi Academy. There they were practicing in how to produce small waves in the Force, which could push objects where they wanted them. It was too easy for Jahita. He would usually be overjoyed when he would succeed in something, but now that Master Solusar had gone, things had changed. The only person who had noticed this was Eyoul Gaad, but he could not pinpoint the cause. Luckily for me, thought Jahita. He had felt how his Bith friend had sometimes tried to sense his thoughts. He wouldn't understand. No one would. Jahita was irritated by these petty tests. He wanted something more challenging, not moving rocks. He wanted to fight, to use his new lightsabre and strike down the mysterious invaders. Not moving stupid rocks!

"Hey, guys!" a voice echoed in the room. "Guess what Tionne just told me?" One of the students came running over to a group near Jahita in the training chamber with a very big smile.

"No, what?" some human said as he turned around.

"Aye, what?" Jahita said, being glad for an opportunity to ignore the rocks for once.

"Tionne just said to me that she'll allow me to build my own lightsabre!" the person, whose species Jahita recognised to be a Quarren, boomed excited.

"Great," the human said and patted the Quarren on the shoulder. "Hope we can practice against each other. Fighting friends ought to be funnier, if you catch my drift." They laughed – everyone but Jahita.

Envy coursed through Jahita. Sithspawn! Tionne allows that one to build one – and he's been here just a little more than I!

The Quarren turned towards him. "Oh, by the way, Tionne wants to speak to you, Jahita. She's at the library."

Jahita coughed once. "Oookay. Right now or…?"

"Yeah, now, if you like."

"All right, see you in a while, then." Jahita walked over to the door. As he passed the Quarren, he patted him on the arm. "Congratulations."

"Thanks. I almost can't wait." The Quarren took hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.

Jahita smiled and then walked out the door. Despite his anger, he could not stay mad at the others in his class. It was not them he was angry at.

After walking down some corridors, he arrived at the library. Before entering, he felt a little nervous. What if she did notice me last night? He swallowed once and opened the door. Between the shelves, he could see the white-haired Jedi historian looking through some books. As she heard him approaching, she looked up and smiled.

"Hello, Krass."

"Hi," he simply said and walked over to her.

"I trust you've heard about my decision about letting Tonfiya Bardonnon build his very first lightsabre?"

"Who?" Jahita asked.

Tionne arched an eyebrow. "Bardonnon. The Quarren in your class."

"Ah, right." He nodded.

"But before he goes that far, he'll need some training in how to handle such a delicate weapon."

"And…?"

"Your friend Gaad has one." Tionne put a book on a shelf and took out another one. She began to look through it.

"What's that got to do with me?" Jahita was beginning to wonder if the white-haired historian was not acting a little weird.

"Well, since I know how badly you wish to build one, and how your fellow classmates desire the same, I have decided you all could train with Gaad and me in how to handle one."

Jahita could not believe his ears. "What?"

"I'm not saying that you will build one soon, but I find it productive that you learned about the responsibilities that follow with this weapon." She looked up from the book. "There are many dangers, which follow as well."

"So you're saying that I'll…er, I mean we'll be getting some training even though we're not going to build our own just yet?"

Tionne smiled. "Am I that hard to understand?"

Jahita chuckled. "Thanks a lot, Tionne!" He hugged her and lifted her up from the floor.

"Whoa! Careful now, all right?" she grinned.

"You won't regret this, I promise you that!" He put her down and ran towards the door. After reaching it, he stopped and turned his head. "Oh, by the way, was there something else you wanted to talk about?"

"Only that this will be one of the final lessons before I leave for Coruscant. Just so that you know."

Jahita sighed slightly. "I understand." He looked down at the floor for a moment. "Anything else?"

"No, that was it. Just remember to tell your class when you get back. You may go." She smiled and nodded once.

"See you later, then, Tionne," he said and left the library.

Tionne turned her attention towards the book in her hands. It was about the lightsabres and how they were built. She had studied it often. It was used as a guideline by many, while others only wanted the instructions provided by the Masters; but since most of the Jedi Masters had left, Tionne wanted to use this old book, which had been uncovered on Ossus, the ancient planet of the Jedi of old. She closed it and walked over to the desk nearby. I hope that this will make Jahita understand, why he must wait. Patience is a virtue. Deep inside she also hoped that by letting Krass tell his class that he might finally begin to interact with the others. Ever since he had joined, he had kept to himself. Only a few senior students, such as Eyoul Gaad, Vrilas K'tor and Shiala Meno had managed to bring out the person inside Krass. However, it was in her opinion that Krass should spend more time learning to know his classmates, which were all roughly at the same level in the mastery of the Force.

She sat down by the desk and rested for a brief moment. It was a little hard to administrate the Academy with her husband gone. She missed him so much. A warm feeling coursed through her as she thought of seeing him again soon.

Eyoul Gaad, Jahita Krass and the rest of the class stood in a courtyard behind one of the temples. The weather was hot and damp, but the occasional winds that would pass the yard made the heat bearable. Jahita stood in deep thoughts, wondering how they would train sword fighting, when his classmates did not have a lightsabre and – officially – he did not have one either. He halted his thoughts. He almost could not wait to get back to his room again and feel it in his hands, his lightsabre, his very own! He smiled secretly. My own lightsabre. He suppressed a delighted chuckle. I've made it under their very noses and they don't have a single clue. He noticed Eyoul's eyes, watching him. Except for him He scolded himself in his mind. He wanted to tell Eyoul, but feared his reaction. What if he told Tionne? I would totally lose everyone's trust. No, I can't disgrace myself for all to see. His gaze lifted itself to the top of the temple in front of him. I sure as heck can't tell him about the strange markings in the old ruined temple – he wouldn't understand.

Though he could not read his thoughts, Eyoul had been ever watchful since Jahita's recent trip into the jungle. He seemed to be so different, even when he joked. The jokes were all the same, but it seemed to him that it was another person, who would tell them to him. It was as if someone had put on Jahita's body and appearance. Eyoul slightly shook her head. All but speculation. Is there any truth to what I sense? His eyes met Jahita's. In his eyes Eyoul could read nervousness, which did not seem to be caused by the upcoming lesson – it was something deeper, something more elusive, something Jahita hid from him. I can feel it in the core of my very bones. What could be the matter? A part of his soul felt so mournful and helpless. If only I could help him! he thought annoyed and covered his speculative look.
Close by the congregation Vrilas K'tor was viewing the younger students as he sat comfortably on a thick branch, which had once been attached to a tree. He rested in the shadow, did not like the heat. He missed the cold of the space, the stars, and the excitement when he would pass the security of the systems on his many 'travels'. Though he had not told any of his friends, he figured that they had probably suspected what he had been doing before he came to the Academy: Smuggling. Ever since he had been a very young man, he had known precisely how to hide his illegal cargo so well that even Imperial customs-stations had not found the spices or whatever he was smuggling. He had been well taught. I sure had a bunch of adventures. He smiled. Despite the recitation of the Jedi Master Yoda's words, which said that Jedi crave not adventures and excitement, he could not get it out of his blood. Sure, there was still the famous tale of Han Solo, who eventually married the Alderaannian Princess Leia Organa after being a general in the Alliance and hero, etc, but that was not he – not Vrilas K'tor.

But though he had speculated much about leaving the Academy, if not for a while, he had always been interrupted by something. Now it was his new friendship with this weird Coruscanti guy, Jahita Krass. He really liked the kiddo, who kept him at bay for the time being. But that doesn't get the desire out of my head. He sighed. What I wouldn't do for just one ride into space in my trusty old ship the Backspace. Barv! It has almost been too long.

Tionne stepped out of the temple and the three Jedi approached her. She was carrying a few long staffs, which had the length of an ignited lightsabre. Leather was wrapped on one end and covered about twenty-five centimetres of the staffs. She placed some of them nearby and kept one for herself. A smile erupted – its mere presence gave the Jedi students a comfortable feeling.

"Your faces are lit with the Force," she said, quoting from the speech that Master Skywalker had held the day Jahita arrived at the Academy.

"Thank you, Tionne," someone replied. "Yours, as well." Others greeted her similarly.

The white-haired woman's smile grew bigger. "Now I will demonstrate how the lightsabre can be used to perform a dance." She lay down her staff and took forth her lightsabre, which was hanging by her hip. She ignited it – and with a snap hiss! a beautiful silvery blade emerged from the hilt. She gestured to them that they should sit down with a little distance from her. "Observe," she said as her eyes closed.

Tionne held the hilt with two hands so that the silver blade was in front of her face, thus giving it a silvery colour. Slowly, but surely, she let go with her left hand and swung the blade to her right, holding it stretched. Another motion led the blade in a graceful arc above her head, while she pivoted on one heel until it rested peacefully to her left. The different stances were then made faster and more fluently. The movements she made seemed to signal that the energy blade was not an item in her hand, but a part of her arm. The students almost gasped by the totally controlled and yet beautiful movement that moved so gracefully – but this was only the beginning. She then started again moving slowly, but just as gradually, Tionne performed different motions and positions that all signalled guidance by the Force. It was very controlled and precise. Indeed, it looked like a dance.

A shiver ran down Jahita's spine. So beautiful, yet so deadly. Despite these thoughts, he still longed for a chance to use his own blade – for the purpose of justice. He watched in awe the white-haired Jedi performing one stance to the other until she stood still as a statue, presenting the blade in a last salute and then killed the energy blade. Jahita could not resist the urge to applause and clasped his hands together. The others quickly followed suit.

Tionne smiled and bowed briefly. "Thank you," she said and put the lightsabre back to its place beside her hip. "Now we will initiate you two in how to hold such a weapon. Eyoul Gaad will help me instructing you. And Vrilas K'tor has also volunteered to aid me in this."

Vrilas did not reply, but only smiled and nodded once to Jahita.

"It's a surprise," Jahita said cheerful and continued, "but a welcomed one."

"Good," Tionne said and picked up the staff, lying beside her feet. "Would you be so kind as to fetch yourselves a staff?"

The students hurried to fetch one, and soon everyone was ready. Under the supervision of Tionne, Eyoul and Vrilas the group was placed so that everyone got a chance to see what Tionne and her helpers would instruct them.

When everyone was ready Tionne held the staff in front of her face. The students did likewise. "Close your eyes and imagine it being a lightsabre. Feel it and imagine it giving the noise, which usually accompanies the energy blade. Imagine the ozone smell in the air. Let the Force flow freely and let go of all thoughts."

The group seemed to have no trouble in following the administrator's commands as they followed her and her helpers' movements despite having their eyes closed. As they trained, they learned of stances for defence and offence, though the offensive stances were not aggressive. To Eyoul and Vrilas, this was only a rehearsal of what they already knew by heart.

"Sometimes a Jedi Knight will have to draw his lightsabre and fight for that which is good. Preferably, the Jedi won't have to kill, but sometimes this action can become necessary. If such a situation occurs, you must be clear of any thought. When you must strike down a being, do so without regret, without remorse, without fear and above all without anger.There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no death; there is only the Force. But remember, a Jedi uses the Force in the wish of doing what is good, not to be an aggressor or conqueror. The Light side is his way, not the darkness of the other side, for that darkness is very dark indeed." Tionne spoke while she performed one movement till the other without halting in her speech. Each student followed her every move and listened at the same time.

Tionne continued. "The Dark Side is more seductive and a very slippery path. Often you will not discover that you've already trodden on it, before it's nearly or already too late." She halted in a stance and stood firm. The Jedi followed suit. "And with the approach of the new enemy, the Dark Side will not be easily quenched. Rather can it more easily draw new servants to its side by feeding upon the anger and hate, which some can generate by loss of family, friends and allies." She released herself from her position and turned towards the students. The look on her face was mixed with concern and compassion, along with sincerity. "But the Dark Side is not more powerful, and in the end it offers only death and total annihilation to its servant. Though some Sith have managed to preserve their spirits, they will succumb at some point, just as Exar Kun." She paused and looked at the top of the temple, which stood in front of her. The rays of light made the ziggurat almost shine.

"A Jedi can come to so great a knowledge of the Force that when he or she dies, will become one with the Force and vanish before the eyes of all."

The last words Tionne spoke awoke something within Jahita. The Force felt suddenly so near that he felt sure it wanted to tell him something.

He closed his eyes and opened them only a second later, he suddenly was not on the fourth moon of Yavin anymore – actually, he had no idea where he was.

What the Ffib? Where am I?

His surroundings seemed desolate, destroyed droids were lying everywhere, smoke rose from nearby craters and persons wandered among them. Their clothes seemed so old in their fashion that Jahita felt sure he had seen them in some museum or in some old holo regarding ancient history. He noticed that they were holding very delicately made lightsabres.

Jedi?

He suddenly noticed a man kneeling beside an elderly man, who was clearly dying. The old man spoke, his voice echoed in Jahita's mind, "The enemy has found me, Ulic, but the enemy knows only darkness. I know what the enemy does not… I know the light." The old man suddenly disappeared, only his clothes remained.

Another dream? Another nightmare? Jahita tried to close his eyes and then open them again only to find that he still was not on Yavin 4. What's going on?

He noticed a woman approaching the man, who still clung to the clothes of the old man. The wind played with her red hair. Her eyes were green, so green, and she was very beautiful. "Your Master is gone…what will you do now, Ulic?"

Jahita almost jumped up by surprise. Did she say Ulic? Didn't that old man say Ulic? He carefully walked closer. Can it be? Ulic Qel-Droma?

"Nomi…I will do what I said I would do. I will destroy the Krath from within."

"By all that is good in universe!" Jahita said aloud. "That's Nomi Sunrider!" The man and the woman did not hear him. It's a vision, for sure! What is the Force up to? What does it want to tell me?

"But Ulic, my own Master Thon told me that a Jedi who takes up the path of the Dark Side is no longer a Jedi…" She paused. Ulic was still clinging to the clothes of his dead Master. "He who learns the Dark way will become infected with darkness. His judgement will become clouded and he will forget the good things he learned. If a Jedi persists in this attempt to bridge between the two divergent roads, he will be torn apart in his very being. Ulic, you are a great Jedi. I believe you will choose the right course. I know you will."

Jahita stood totally still and listened to their conversation, but the question still lingered in his head. What does the Force want me to know?

Ulic finally looked up from the clothes in his hands. Nomi knelt beside him. His expression was filled with sorrow and he had a hint of being hurt by her words. "How can you know what I'm feeling? Arca saved my life…and I let him die If I had been a true Jedi, Arca would still be alive"

Nomi put her hand on his cheek. Her face was filled with love and worry. "Please…do not underestimate the power of the Dark Side…at all costs, do not underestimate the power of the Dark Side!"

Her words rang inside Jahita's head and were repeated again and again. He put his hands to his ears. What the Ffib? What's going on?What about the Dark Side?He tried to run away from the two kneeling Jedi who were embracing each other, but his movements were slow and he barely managed to move at all.

"I will do this for Master Arca…for all Jedi Knights…and for the good of the Republic! Ulic Qel-Droma will conquer the Dark Side of the Force!" Ulic said.

Finally, Jahita was released from the invisible grip, but a sentence became repeated and seemed to echo through the entire planet, as well as in his mind. "Do not underestimate the power of the Dark Side! Do not underestimate the power of the Dark Side!"

Jahita ran and continued to cover his ears. He yelled. "What do you want of me?Why do you let me see this?"

No direct answer was heard, only a repeated, "Do not underestimate the power of the Dark Side!"

"What is this? What do you want to tell me?" he screamed in panic.

Then darkness engulfed him, and a deep rustic voice echoed a cruel laughter, clearly mocking him.

"STOP IT! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Jahita screamed and fell to the ground. He opened his eyes and saw the startled expressions on Tionne and everyone else around him. I'm back! Thank the Force!

"Jahita? What happened?" Tionne said with concern filling her voice.

"Uh…I – I…" His voice flickered, he did not know whether to tell or not. What if it would reveal everything to Tionne? What if she finds out about me having built a lightsabre?

"Jahita?" Eyoul knelt beside him and tried to get him up. "Are you okay?"

"Aye," he said and nodded. "I – I'm all right. Just – just a, uh, just the voice, no, a vision. Uh – I – I, ah." He paused. "I just saw something in a vision, but, uhm, for a moment it – it seemed like it wouldn't stop, so…" He halted and tried to figure out what more to say.

Vrilas followed up the question. "And, so…?"

"I panicked. I thought that it wouldn't stop." He let out a chuckle. "Silly of me, I know."

Tionne nodded, but it was almost too clear that she had not accepted his explanation. Despite this, the lesson continued for about an hour.

There is no emotion; there is peace. There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no passion; there is serenity. There is no death; there is the Force. Shiala sat and meditated by her Z-95 Headhunter; she was preparing herself mentally for her. Shiala found it easier fixing and repairing things when filled with the Force. And recently she and her closest friends had spent a lot of time working with her doing this, as had the newest addition to the circle, Jahita Krass. Though a bit odd, and at times almost unbearable when he would come with the most ridiculous jokes and endless blabbing about some long forgotten note in some long forgotten history book, Shiala had to admit that his presence was in some way soothing. There were times when her boyfriend, Tarrik Wend, was somewhat too aloof and more concerned about gaining favour with the Jedi Master, Kyp Durron. Admitted, she did admire Master Durron, but not in the same extent as Tarrik. At times she was in doubt whom to side with when Tarrik and Eyoul Gaad would have their fiery discussions about proper Jedi conduct.

She sighed and once again inhaled deeply, thus removing yet another obstacle from the flow of the Force.

Her thoughts were led once again to Jahita Krass. Eyoul had told her about how he and his class had been initiated in the ways of the lightsabre by the use of staffs. These were of course only for practice, and had about the same length, making them ideal in learning how to handle that dangerous weapon of a Jedi Knight. A part of her felt uncomfortable about the strange part that Eyoul had told her about – how Jahita had apparently received some vision through the Force, and that it had scared the guts out of him. Nevertheless, Eyoul had said that Jahita had made great progress and was very good in handling the 'lightsabre' in combat, showing remarkable reflexes that one would think did not exist in a bookworm. Vrilas, Shiala, Tarrik and Eyoul had fought each other in several rounds both then and recently. A smile went over her face. She herself had adapted quickly in using the staff as a part of her arm, instead of using it as a mere tool. Tionne had spoken highly of her and her skills.

This reminded her again of Jahita. Yes, he seems excellent at almost anything. She paused mentally. Yeah, almost anything, she thought, remembering how Jahita had panicked when he had cut his hand. That notwithstanding it had appeared that Jahita needed only minimal training in many of the things he learned. The usual explanation was that he was more open to the Force, but Shiala knew that this could not be the only cause. Something was lying beneath his being, something that emanated of wrongness. Eyoul had sensed this first, and claimed that it had all started after his long trip into the jungle. She bowed her head and tried to disperse of the worry that troubled her. Sometimes she would deliberately forget what she felt and only enjoy herself in his company, but after Eyoul had brought this up and the fact that it kept coming back was not a good omen. There's something amiss.

Another thing that had furthered her concern was Jahita's frequent trips into the jungle. He would stay away for hours and not tell anyone where he had been. No, as Eyoul, she too did not like this at all; therefore, she had decided that she would follow him into the jungle, when he would make another trip. Eyoul had suggested this, since Jahita would possibly more easily notice the Bith, if he were to follow him into the jungle.

Better safe than sorry, she thought and breathed deeply, exhaling slowly. There is no emotion; there is peace. She opened her eyes and rose from her meditative position. Time to go to work. She walked over to her toolbox and picked it up. In it were all the necessary components for her work. The hangar bay was lit by the glowlamps, thus giving enough light for her to do what she needed to. She cast a look at her snubfighter and with a sudden feeling of anticipation, she began her delicate work.

Vrilas K'tor was not in his room. He was walking under the swirling trees of the jungle that bordered the temples. Speculations had coursed through his mind and always ended with the same conclusion. I'd be better off in space, doing what I've always done. Despite what all others would say, I just can't get rid of the longing of space – to be a spacer is my path. It must be. He sighed and turned towards the star-filled sky. Night had come. The stars. How often haven't I passed by thousands of them on my journeys? How often haven't I battled pirates and other scum, who were trying to best my mates and me? He gave a hint of a smile filled with sentimentality. Ah, yes, my pals. Wonder where they're now? His thoughts were then driven to his friends at the Academy. Barv. I've gotta tell them about me going away for a while. He inhaled deeply. Probably for a very long while. I'll probably run into some old customers and rearrange old deals, perhaps even make some new ones. Yeah, who knows?

The stars suddenly seemed closer to him and their silent songs became all too clear within him. The longing for dangers and adventures coursed strongly through Vrilas' veins. For all I know, I could be Corellian. He chuckled, but then remembered once again his friends, as well as the Coruscanti history geek. A sigh escaped him and he lowered his eyes. In front of him stood the ziggurat, where their rooms were situated. I hate long good-byes, but I owe 'em an explanation, or at least say that I'm leaving. He tried to take comfort by trying to visualise their reaction if he told them about his old life as a smuggler, but he knew that it would not make things easier. Back in their first days, when they had met each other for the first time they had immediately created a close bond, a strong bond, which had been bound by the Force itself. This Vrilas was sure of. No running away, I'll tell them tomorrow. He looked at the Great Temple nearby. But perhaps I best tell Tionne first.

Jahita was nearby Vrilas, but yet far away. Actually, he was on top the Great Temple, but well hidden by the night though its star-filled sky. With his legs crossed and sitting comfortably, he was looking at some notes he had just written down on his datapad – the translation of the most interesting part of a small wall section he had found, covered with ancient hieroglyphs that were probably written by the dead Sith Lord himself. His many trips to that particular temple had finally paid off.

He looked with pleasure at his deciphering work of the phrases he had seen. It was some sort of ancient Sith teaching, possibly written by Exar Kun himself. The very sentences gave Jahita a very cold shiver running down his spine.

'There is no peace; there is anger!

There is no fear; there is power!

There is no death; there is immortality!

There is no weakness; there is the Dark Side!

I know no fear! But rather I instil it in my enemies!

I am the destroyer of worlds!

I know the power of the Dark Side!

I am the fire of hate!

All the universe bows down before me!

I pledge myself to Darkness

For I have found true life

In the death of the Light!'

Jahita drew his cloak tighter around him. Och, the cold is almost unbearable – and what the Ffib was the matter with this bloke, anyway?

He halted his thoughts. A sudden inspiration had entered him. If this text speaks the truth, I've found the way to stop the pestilence, which threatens to devour the entire galaxy…

He began to rewrite some of the words, making unto himself a code of his own. A code that would tell all the reasons for why he had to go and fight the Yuuzhan Vong; why he had to build his lightsabre, thus disobeying his Masters. Then they'll judge me kindly. This is something I just have to do. I must make peace with my nightmares or they'll just haunt me for the rest of my life, which probably would become miserable. No, the Force is my ally; I follow its guidance. I have been given this great task of repulsing them.

After a few rearrangements, his 'code' had been finished. A smile erupted on his face – a smile of vengeance. I'll make them pay so dearly. And if I can get hold of some information in the library regarding my abilities I'll slay in millions with the power that I have within me – and no one is going to stop me. No one!