Kyle Katarn hadn't taken on an apprentice in awhile. Luke Skywalker had tried to encourage him to but Kyle held the suggestion off each time. So when the news from the Nuwai Council came through no one was sure that he would accept Luke's request.
"What's going on?" Kyle asked as he walked into the council room. A hologram image of Shi-Ray was paused in the centre of the room.
"Kyle, this message has come from the Nuwai Academy Council, Master Skywalker has a request for you." One of the Council members spoke up.
Kyle folded his arms.
"Is this about taking on a Padawan?" he asked suspiciously.
"In a way." The same Council member said and played the message.
"Greetings Yavin 4 Academy Council." Shi-Ray began. "Master Skywalker has asked me to request that Jedi Master Kyle Katarn be re-appointed to the Nuwai Academy. Master Skywalker would like to assign a Jedi Knight to work with him who is in need of his guidance. It would be appreciated if he could arrive as soon as he is able. Thank-you for your time." The image bowed before fading.
Kyle raised his eyebrow quizzically and scanned the room for any hints of this rather cryptic message.
"I guess I'll have to go then." He finally said.
"We have a transport ship heading for Nuwai this evening. You may travel that way and be there in twelve hours." another member spoke up this time.
"Thanks," Kyle said, "I think."
--
At the same time but in the Nuwai Academy, Luke was breaking his news to Cara.
"I don't know Luke… I trust your judgment but you know I've always worked alone. I don't even go on many assignments with Joran and his my best friend." Cara was saying.
"I know that's true Cara, but trust me when I say that I believe you will work well with this Jedi if you allow yourself to." Luke replied.
"Well…" Cara started to say.
"At least try on my behalf, your one of my friends and I would like to help you." Luke cut her off.
Joran could see that Cara gave up on that comment.
"Okay Luke, I'll try." She sighed.
"Thank-you Cara, he arrives tomorrow."
--
The next morning Cara got up earlier then usual and walked to the large window in her room. Nuwai was always beautiful in the early morning and Cara loved to watch the many creatures come onto the vast fields of grass for the day. Morning was also the easiest time to meditate.
Meditating had once been difficult for Cara. She hated to admit that her Sith training had forced her to focus better but, if she was truthful, it had. Combining that focus with the techniques employed by the Jedi Order and she could achieve a decent level of peaceful meditation.
After some time has passed Cara reluctantly stopped and started to get ready for the day. It didn't take her long and she was soon sitting on the edge of the bed and cleaning her lightsabers when Luke arrived to tell her that the transport ship had landed.
Before following Luke she glanced at her twin sabers. "The lightsaber reflects its maker" Luke had once told her. Cara was very attached to the sabers she had built. Identical in design they gave a powerful balance in the hilt that, Cara felt, allowed for extra speed. The sabers also were a little more powerful then average and when the blade was extended to an above average length she knew that not many foes could survive the blows.
Often she would fight with one blade longer then the other but no matter how she used them though they were always hers. And she loved them.
Cara attached both sabers to her belt and stood up to follow Luke. She was trying to feel optimistic when they stopped at the landing bay.
--
Kyle had slept easily through the night on the transport ship. He was ready to meet Luke as the transport ship drew to a stop.
"Hey Luke." He said in his usual laid back way.
Luke returned the greeting.
Kyle's eyes fell to the girl beside his friend. From what he could tell she was about twenty looked more like a Padawan then a Knight. His eyes then analysed her as an opponent. It was then he realised who she must be, the dual lightsabers of strange design where attached at her belt told him she must be Galena-Cara. The strange colour of her eyes confirmed the thought.
--
Cara quickly took in the new Jedi. He seemed an average person and had a single lightsaber at his side. The only thing that stood out where his non-traditional Jedi clothes, although that didn't prove too much since many Jedi wore their own choice of clothing, and the fact that his hair was shorter then that of most Jedi Masters.
Luke observed the too Jedi size each other up and decided to introduce them.
"Kyle this is Jedi Knight Galena-Cara, Cara this is Jedi Master Kyle Katarn."
"Pleasure," Kyle said.
"And that returned to you," Cara responded.
At this point both Jedi knew why they where here. Both Jedi also wanted to speak with Luke about it.
"Cara I need to speak with Kyle at the moment. You two can properly introduce yourselves later." Luke said as he turned to speak to her.
Cara nodded and walked off too speak with Joran.
--
"You brought me here to work with her? Luke I know her reputation she has led to the attacks on the Sith Lords! She doesn't need any more training!" Kyle exclaimed to Luke quickly.
"Kyle I know your more perceptive then that. She has defeated the Dark Side and yet an aura of it still clings to her. She needs your help." Luke replied.
"Well why me?" Kyle shot back.
"Because you have been through the same struggle, and I can't help her any more then I already have. It's time for someone else to help her." Luke said right back.
"How come your always so calm…" Kyle said as he gave in.
"How come your always so sarcastic?" Luke said back.
"I practice…" Kyle responded.
--
Cara was going through a set of faced paced Saber Staff Velocities when Kyle came to speak to her. He halted at the door to watch for a while.
She definitely had traces of Sith training showing through. When she started to slow down Kyle stepped in and activated his own lightsaber to block one of her attack stances.
Cara must have known he had been there for a while because there was no sign of shock.
"How good are you with a single saber?" he asked her.
"Want to find out?" she asked and stepped back long enough to disengage one side of the staff and pull it in half. She attached the saber at her side and went into a ready stance.
Kyle shocked her by attacking first. As she blocked it and returned it she realised he was a lot more talented then she had heard.
As they continued through the Velocities Cara was further impressed by his fighting style. Where hers could be quite aggressive his was forward and strong without the same aggression. Each attack and parry was an easy fluid motion.
"Solah!" Cara said after awhile.
"Wow, I've defeated the great Cara in a Velocities." Kyle joked.
"I haven't fought anyone like that before! How do you fight like that?" Cara asked out of breath.
"Without the anger you still have inside of you." Kyle replied seriously.
"How do you get rid of anger like that? …" Cara said quietly.
"It's not easy, but I think you're on the right track." Kyle answered.