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Sitting on a bench edging along the sidelines of a training floor, Jake observed the two combatants duel it out in a training circle trying to best each other and push one another out of from the mat.
"You're not tired are you Master?" Ahsoka raised a white marked brow at Skywalker, giving him a smirk as she prepared for his next strike.
"Are you kidding Snips, I'm just warming up" Her Master returned with a smile of his own, both challenging each other to make the next move. They both watched for movement and sizing each other up for any indication of where the next strike the opponent will come from. For Jake it was an opportunity to see their fabled lightsabers in action.
Two days had passed since he was brought before the Chancellor for a brief conversation and since then the marine was restricted to the Temple premises for the time being. As vast and elegant as it is he hated being stuck in one place, trapped like some caged animal gawking out to the larger world outside. On more than one occasion he dropped hints about venturing outside to investigate more of this alien world but Ahsoka always came back saying the same thing.
"The Jedi Council have ordered me to keep you within the Temple complex unless they give authorisation, you'll have to stay here"
It was a shame to hear for sure but in the meantime it gave Jake the chance to learn about the Jedi, the Republic and other interesting things about this strange new universe he had been thrown into. He learned the name of Ahsoka's species were called Togruta and several names of aliens races such as Twi'leks, Mirialans, Mon Calamari amongst others and humans were one of the more dominant species of the galaxy. He was even more surprised to find the Galactic Republic was in fact 25 thousand years old, even older than the dawn of his people's civilisation.
The 'Padawan', as she called herself, had explained it had on more than one occasion fragmented over a thousand of year period before finally put together again, enjoying a millennia of peace and prosperity until now. A unified government was unheard of on Earth and Jake very much doubted his people would ever live under one flag in his lifetime. Humans had always been a fickle race. Centuries of warfare changed the faces of nations, traditions and religious beliefs, structure of governments and whoever rose as the new superpower once the old one fell from grace. Just like his own country had.
The technological marvels he came across easily put some of the most advanced products of his people to shame. One that caught his interest in particular was the 'lightsabers' Ahsoka and the rest of the Jedi possessed. The cylinder shaped object clipped to her belt turned out to be weapon her Order used for combat, explaining it was energy sword of sorts that all Jedi used. At first he was sceptic that an advance civilisation such as theirs still used swords for war, until Ahsoka demonstrated her lightsabers' abilities.
With two practice robots she pressed the button on both her lightsabers lighting up a green and yellow energy blades, the green being longer than the yellow one and showed they were capable of deflecting laser bolts away or back at the robots. Impressive was one word he thought up for the laser swords and now he was sat on the sidelines watching Master and Apprentice sparring for dominance in the circle with their lightsabers.
The speed of their attacks and sword play was a certainly a sight to behold for Jake, to witness that would make professional fencers look like children with foam softball bats.
"Admit it Master, I'm getting better"
"Maybe, but you still have a thing or two to learn before you can best me" The two continued to banter between blows, much like the type Jake would have with his fellow marines and friends. Natural light suddenly came through the room from the metal, curved door of the training room opening up to a in walking Kenobi.
"I see they're hard at it again" He grinned as he neared where the spectating Corporal sat.
"Nice of you to join us Master" Skywalker said just he blocked an oncoming overhead slash from the alien teen.
"Oh I've nothing to do for the moment, other than see my old apprentice try teaching something that is accordance with the Jedi Code" Kenobi jested back to the dueling pair. He then turned his head down to the him and raised a questioning brow "It appears you've gone native Corporal Matthews"
Jake looked down his robe style clothes again and thought on the odd clothing. Yesterday he was given the brown and cream coloured robes and leather boots by a skinny, blue robot and an explanation from Ahsoka assuring it was only to be temporary until his own fatigues were clean. Apparently wearing the same set of clothes for three days straight was considered to be unhygienic.
He tried protesting since he had worn them for a lot longer before but she pointed out that a couple small stains on different parts of his green and brown camouflage fatigues.
With reluctance he put them on, with her out of the room, and immediately felt uncomfortable wearing the awkward robes. It didn't help with sniggers from the kid at his blatant distaste for the attire.
"To be honest General, I'm looking forward to wearing my own gear again as soon as it's ready"
"I think it suits you" The alien teen poked fun, blocking a sideways jab from her Master's blue lightsaber.
"I feel like a monk. No offence" It clearly amused everyone in the room at his discomfort. The low pitch hum and clashes of the energy blades echoed all throughout the training room giving the two observers a show to behold.
"Do they practice this sort of thing where you're from Matthews?" Kenobi quizzed him as he sat down on the other end of the bench.
"Martial arts and stuff yeah but swordplay, not really. It's been some time since any military on Earth used swords in warfare" The sound of a triumphant 'ha' brought both their attention back to the training circle, to see a victorious Skywalker pushing Ahsoka out of the ring.
"Another round to me" He gave her smug grin and pressed onto the red button of energy sword, bringing it's azure blue blade back into the steel constructed hilt.
"You were lucky"
"If you say so Snips. But I think you will find it's because I am the Master"
"You're not invincible Master, I've beaten you before and I'll continue to catch you out" Ahsoka replied mirroring his actions with her own lightsabers.
"I think you were most impressive Ahsoka. You forget Anakin, you yourself were a Padawan not too long ago and if remember correctly you couldn't beat me much at her age" The Jedi continued to go back and forth over past memories, leaving Jake sitting patiently to let them finish waffling on who did what at what time.
"Anyway back to the reason why I'm here. We just received word the Separatists have invaded Nubia. Fortunately enough Master Secura and the 327th are holding, but they're in need of support to push the Separatists out of the system"
"And let me guess, we're the ones who'll be backing them up?" Skywalker folded his arms and turned to Ahsoka briefly, then back to the bearded Jedi again"When do we leave?"
"In two hours. I won't be coming with you this time, me and the 7th have other joyous work to attend to"
"What about Corporal Matthews, Master?" Ahsoka pointed out, drawing them all to back to him.
"For obvious reasons you'll have to stay here Corporal. The Council will probably assign somebody else to escort you around in the meantime" Kenobi suggested to the marine with a shrug.
"Understood sir" Jake hoped if their Council was to do so, it wasn't going to be some bore or perhaps they might give him somebody who would bend the rule and allow him the chance to explore Coruscant outside the Temple.
"I'll alert Rex and the 501st. Ahsoka could you take Matthews back to his quarters, I'll comm you when we're ready to go"
"Yes Master" Ahsoka inclined her head to the door for him to follow her out of the training room. The Corporal did so her in annoyance and resisted the urge to grit his teeth at having to be restricted to his quarters yet again like some misbehaved child.
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Mace was going over the latest reports on Separatists activity in the Outer Rim sectors with Yoda and several other Jedi when he received a call from Master Rig Neema over something regarding their Forceless guest. The Korun Jedi Master, like many on the Council, felt uncomfortable at this Earth soldier's presence. Not being able to sense him in the Force was something naturally unheard of and grew suspicions from a number of others on the Council.
It was a shocker but it was the fact that when trying to sense him, it was best described as a silent and dark blank spot in a non stop movement of energy from a number of fellow High Councillors. Needless to say it unnerved him and everyone else who tried feeling him through the Force.
It was a great mystery that nobody as of yet could find an logical explanation as to how one of the main ingredients of life for over trillions of beings in the galaxy were not present in this human. Mace was very suspicious of the 'Royal Marine', especially since he wouldn't disclose about his sudden appearance claiming he doesn't remember but the Jedi Master was certain he was lying. Arriving at the entrance of the medbay the doors slid open automatically at his and Master Yoda's approach and both walked in to see Neema hovering by a monitor alongside a medical droid.
"Master Neema, what is that you wished to show us?"
"A problem is there?" Yoda asked the Jedi doctor. Mace sensed she was worried and when she turned around to meet them he saw a look of disturbance on her face.
"Yes Masters. I was researching on the DNA sample I took from Corporal Matthews and found something...distressing" She went back to the monitor and typed into the panel, propping up two detailed images on the screen of some biological nature "On the right as you know, is the normal projection of midichlorians in an average strand of human DNA in the known galaxy. On the left is the Corporal's own DNA strand"
As she pointed to the two contrasting images the Jedi Master inspected the differences. The one on the right appeared as conventional as any plain DNA extract from a healthy human in the Republic, the bodily cells and midichlorians floating around in a symbiotically partnership. Then there was the Earthen's sample displaying blood cells and the like not too different from their own, except for some grey coloured cells he couldn't put his finger on and the missing microscopic lifeforms.
"An interesting comparison, but we already know he doesn't possess any"
"Yes Master Windu. However, when I injected some midichlorians into his DNA sample I extracted on his first visit to see a reaction. Well, see if for yourself " Neema left the sentence hanging typing into the panel again and brought up different image of Matthews' DNA with the newly injected midichlorians. They floated aimlessly around momentarily then clusters of small groups of white cells latched on and started attacking the midichlorians. They tore into the lifeforms like a beast ripping open it's prey, not stopping until there was no trace of them left in his system.
"What just happened?" Mace asked dumbfounded over what he just witnessed right before his eyes.
"They...were killed Master" Neema struggled to put her words together, her statement echoing around Mace's head. He knew of substances around the galaxy that had the ability to suppress the living organisms, as well as techniques taught by a few who could actively block Force users. But for something to physically eradicate midichlorians at a cellular level sent chills up Mace's spine.
"Troubling this is. Know why the cells do this, do you hmm?" Yoda asked, his face not showing any evidence of worry over the barbaric display.
"My best guess is that the white blood cells treated the midichlorians like they would an infection. It makes sense since they are a foreign body but I never would've expected this"
It was a difficult dilemma for the trio of Jedi to comprehend, to have the source of the Jedi's powers to face a danger like this was terrifying to say the least. This wasn't just one person or a fluke caused by the strength of nature itself in one individual, but possibly an entire civilisation. A whole species to have this nature ability was a frightening prospect. Mace wondered for second maybe it was perhaps a good idea not to search these type of humans out after all.
"Keep this between ourselves, for now we must"
"I agree" Neema stared at the pair incredulously.
"But why Masters?"
"If this information became public we might have an uproar on our hands"
"And endanger Corporal Matthews' life, it could" Mace knew the ancient Jedi had a good point. There was already a long list of possible dangers formed in his head from certain groups who would love to get their hands on the soldier. A potential weapon to use against the Jedi would attract a lot of unsavoury attention.
"Very well Master Yoda" The doctor bowed though Mace could sense her hesitancy over the issue.
"We must depart Master Neema, there are battle plans to made for our next offensives" With a departing bow he and Yoda left Rig to her duties, still feeling slightly disturbed by the new findings.
"Troubled you are" The Grand Mastered commented without so much as an upward glance.
"Do you not find it disturbing yourself, Master Yoda?"
"Different we all are in this universe. New understandings and opportunities this has given us. Corporal Matthews' people offer us new understanding of life, they have" Yoda explained in his usual cryptic way of speaking.
"If you say so Master"
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Ahsoka walked down the steps of the briefing room behind her Master, following Obi Wan for the details of their next mission. Having dropped off Jake at the dormitory level and escorted him to his quarters, she went back to turbolift to a waiting Anakin and Obi wan to find out more of their deployment to the Nubus system. The young Togruta felt sorry for the marine at having to be locked up until the Council decide what to do with him. She most likely go crazy too if she were in his situation.
"Thank you all for coming" Master Windu welcomed them in his usual gruff manner. Standing around the holo display table she saw Windu, Yoda, R2 and the fluttering hologram of Aayla Secura waiting patiently for the meeting to begin.
"I hear we off to give you a hand Master Secura" Anakin said casting over at the blue skinned Twi'lek.
"We have the Separatists bogged down for now but we are in need of reinforcements if we are to push them out of the system"
"We believe the Separatists are wanting to use Nubia as a staging post for more invasions deeper into the Core Worlds" The Korun human clarified further.
"A bold move"
"Indeed, however we also think there is another motive behind their attack" Master Windu stopped for a second and pushed onto a button under the table, projecting a new hologram of schematics for some type of new armoured walker.
"I have spoken with the scientists at the laboratory, and they report their work is ready for removal to a safer location"
"Sounds intriguing. The men have been noted and we'll be leaving within the hour Masters" Her Master said about to turn to leave when she heard Yoda's old, croaky voice speak up for the first time.
"A suggestion, I wish to make" Ahsoka and the others in the room looked down at the little green alien, waiting for what he had in mind.
"What is it Master Yoda?"
"Bring along the Earth soldier, you should" Everyone in the room eyes widened at the old Jedi, except for Aayla who had no idea who he was referring to.
"With all due respect Master but I don't think that's a good idea"
"Who is this Earth soldier you speak of?"
"Explain later, I shall. Gives him perspective for our cause, it will"
"We can ask him but I don't think he'll take a liking to it" Anakin said in uncertainty at the at the Grand Master's idea.
"Not as a combatant but as an observer, he should. See what we are up against and the opinion of those we have liberated from the Separatists control" Ahsoka exchanged an awkward glance with Anakin, knowing this wasn't going to end well. With a not so sure sigh her Master gave in.
"Fine. Ahsoka could you go down and see about getting him to come with us" Giving him a glare of disbelief she was tempted to make a retort but remembered the company she was in. Lucky for her Obi Wan spoke up.
"I think we should go along with her Anakin. I get the feeling he won't be too pleased about being brought into the war he's unfamiliar with"
"Alright, then let's go now before Yularen decides to leave without us" Giving the rest of the Jedi a quick departing bow, Ahsoka went with the two older Jedi out the briefing room and to give the bored marine the good news.
With hope she believed he wouldn't object at the idea of finally getting out of the temple and seeing more of the Republic.
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"No, bloody, way!" Jake frowned at the trio of Jedi standing in front of him in his quarters. He had just finished changing back into freshly cleaned fatigues and was flicking around his ipod's playlist when the Jedi gang rang, telling him he'll be travelling with Skywalker and Ahsoka to their new battleground.
"Corporal-"
"I am not getting involved in any action that could wrongly implement Earth's involvement in your war"
"I highly doubt the Separatists know of your presence here Corporal. We're not asking you to fight but to watch from afar, to see the Separatists first hand" Kenobi tried calming him down, guessing he was trying to make him see reason.
"You want me as an observer?"
"Yes. It would be great opportunity for you to see how we help those in need of our help"
"C'mon Corporal, Ahsoka tells me you're 'bouncing off the walls' in this place. Surely you would love the chance to get out this place" Skywalker added backing up the bearded bloke's argument.
"Preferably without walking into a conflict" For moment he stared them down, pissed at them requesting he come along for a battle filled ride. He was a Royal Marine, conflict was something he was no stranger to but it wasn't his fight and the safety of his world was not at risk so why should he go. Maybe if it was an order from Major General Wallace or any of his superiors in the Royal Marine Corps then yeah he would follow it without question but these people weren't, he didn't have to comply with anything they'd order him to.
Then there was that niggling voice in his head again that pushes and encourages, the voice of curiosity to adventure out into the unknown that many throughout human history did. Throwing caution out again, hoping it won't start turning into a habit, he gave sigh before answering "Ok fine. But since we're going into a warzone, I very much like to have my weapons back"
"We shall see in good time Matthews. Now pack up everything you need"
"It's not like I came here for a holiday mister Kenobi, I've got everything I brought from the ship on me"
"Very well then, let's go" Letting them leave first to lead the way, Jake trudged behind with the Jedi thinking over the list of bad decisions he had been making since he woke up on their spaceship. Now he can add going to an alien warzone to that growing list.
"Cheer up Jake, it's not like you're going down to fight the tinnies" The teen attempted to lighten his mood, feeling a tad glad she was finally calling him by his first name.
"I know. I'm about to travel to new worlds, a dream billions back home would jump at the chance at and it's to see two civilisations battle over some world stuck in the middle of it"
"I sympathise Corporal Matthews. When this war is over and your Earth is found, we can establish peaceful exchanges again. It's what I miss the most" The red bearded Jedi walked in line of him and Ahsoka.
"If you ever do find Earth, then I hope you do offer us peace and not stir more trouble"
"It would be faster if you just tell us where your homeworld was"
"Sorry Skywalker sir, but for the time being, it's better it remain hidden" Receiving an eye roll from the bloke in front he continued walking with his hosts, left to let his mind wander of the possible outcomes from his 'observation' of the coming battle. Hopefully it would go smoothly but from his experience, nothing ever went as planned.