Chapter 3 Meetings and Meditations
A/N: Well harvest is done so here, have this.
Reviews and criticism are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
A/N: Well harvest is done so here, have this.
Reviews and criticism are always welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
I had stood outside the Council chambers for I don't know how long. Two, Three hours? I paced back and forth on the floor. Seeing the Jedi Council was sort of a big deal. I should have meditated or something, but I was nervous. Meditation often irritated my bond with Master Tal'or and I didn't want to inflame the connection. The close proximity to him was challenging to be around. It was too hard not to check in on him through the bond. I could only imagine what pain Master Tal'or was feeling that he would cut me off damn near to the point of outright breaking the bond. Where did that damn pirate get that beast from?
"Padawan." A voice called from inside the chambers. I looked up to see the doors had opened while I was stuck in my thoughts. Poodoo. They actually had to use a vocal command. That was not good on my part. Normally they would use the Force to beckon me inside with a mental brush. I nervously adjusted my long skirt and robes before I marched in.
"Relax Padawan," The rumbling growling language of Master Tyvokka said. His voice was rough for a Wookie and direct to the point. It coincided with what I had heard about the Wookie Jedi Master growing up in the temple. "We are aware of your Master's condition. It is part of the reason we called you here."
"However, there is another matter that requires discussion." I knew that voice. The serious tone and don't mess with me attitude. His voice was the one that had called me in. I turned to see a dark-skinned human man giving me his trademark scowl. Mace Windu. I had heard of his accession to the Council earlier this year.
"Galidraan." I stated.
"Hmm, hectic, the battle was. Deceived by the Governor we were," The ancient and tiny Grandmaster of the Order piped up. "Mentioned, your part in all the chaos, Master Dooku has. An ancient and special art, Battle Meditation is."
I nodded. I had to meditate damn near a whole day after I got back on the ship to sort out the Mando'a and other memories I absorbed using the power for the first time. I still find myself mumbling in Mando'a from time to time. I hope that is not a common thing with this power.
Tyvokka spoke next. "For one so young to stumble upon the ability is rare. Yet to master it on your first try is an amazing feat."
"I was just hoping to keep him alive until help arrived." I admitted. Then I nervously rambled on. "I felt his worry for his Vode. Apologies, fellow warriors, and his connections to them seemed to latch on to me and-."
Yoda held up a hand to stop me. His expression was still serious, but I sensed no irritation at my approximation. "Strong in the Force, You have grown under Tal'or. Aware we are of your enthusiasm to learn the ways. Complain, the Battlemaster and his Temple Guard still do, of your late night practice sessions as an initiate." I tried not to blush and Yoda chuckled, helping relieve the tension I felt.
I regained myself before asking, "What does this mean?"
"It means your training under my tutelage has come to a close." I felt my master's presence and looked to see a hoverchair bound Tal'or being pushed in the chamber by Jocasta Nu. The aged Librarian of the Archives. She had a worried look on her face. It was clear to see why as well. Tal'or's dark green skin was flushed and his eyes had sunken in. His long bright white hair had half fallen out. He was never a large man, but even I could see the emaciated body underneath his robes.
I was about to rush over when he held up a hand. "Stop! Do not come any closer." And now I could sense why. His body was being eaten as we spoke. His connection to the Force had suffered just as badly under the venom if not worse. I was about to reach into the bond and get a better sense.
"Do not breach the bond!" He coughed. "I fear the poison may transfer via the Force on to you."
I could feel a tidal wave in the Force as the other masters recoiled. I slowly withdrew myself as well. We were all aware of his condition, but the poison's power was a shock to all of us.
"Master I… there has to be something that can be done?" I said. Tears nearly welling at the sides of my eyes. I wanted more than anything to go to help him. I thought feeling the pull of the Darkside amid the battle of Galidraan was bad. This was my master's life though. He showed me so much of this galaxy. I was blessed so much to have him as a Mentor. I felt an anger that welled within me and rage began to surface at the thought of that creature. I wanted to go back to that station and rip apart its corpse. To break its bones. I halted that line of thought. I took a deep breath, banishing the darkness, and calmly waited for a reply from Tal'or. My thoughts raced, but slowly wound down.
Tal'or had a smile on face. Knowing full well what I was going through. "I knew you were ready." He grasped briefly and I felt the Master/Student bond dissipate. It was a bizarre emptiness that was left in its wake. He looked to the Grandmaster. His voice was stained, but he kept it level. "I promptly submit that my Padawan is ready for Knighthood. Her experiences under my tutelage, and the Battle of Galidraan has proven her commitment to the values of our Order."
"Been called to the Ranks, Another has. Step Forward." The Grandmaster stood in his chair. The other Master's stood up as well. All their lightsabers ignited and the room darkened, say for one light in the center where I stood. I did as bid and stepped over to the small green Jedi Master. I knelt and bowed my head. I carefully removed my headdress and looked up, meeting the Grandmaster's gaze as he nodded his approval. My dark gray hair was tied in a geometric Mirialian style as Tal'or always insisted. It was hell to put together in the morning. But it held my shoulder length hair tight and out of the way. Only the padawan braid ruined the symmetry of the hair style.
Yoda ignited his blade.
"By the right of the Council," His blade tapped my right shoulder with such precision as to not make a mark.
"By the Will of the Force," His blade leapt over my head and tapped my left shoulder.
"Dub thee I do, Jedi," His blade swung around my head once again, it tapped my right shoulder one more time before it sliced up carving off my braid as he finished the ceremony.
"Knight of the Republic."
I sensed that Tyvokka was not impressed, but I wasn't too concerned about what the old Wookie thought of me at the moment. It was something I had worked hard for, though it happened sooner than expected. The circumstances made it a bittersweet sensation. I rose, grabbing my braid from where it had fallen and donned my veil.
Jocosta Nu approached as I returned to the center of the chamber. She had an item on a small tray. It was a square shaped cube barring the rounded corners and had a blue luminance about it. It was a Holocron. Jedi data storage device that kept the personality of its former owner. Many Jedi Masters could choose to create these if they desired.
"This Holocron should help you master your gift." I took it and picked it up.
Thank you and she went back to pushing Tal'or out of the room. I turned and bowed, allowing the Master's to dismiss me. The Grandmaster did with a wave.
I exited the Council chamber. Nu and Tal'or were waiting for me. The aged librarian walked off to the other side of the chamber to give us time.
"You feel that you weren't ready." He chuckled.
"Not really. Well, maybe a little." I admitted, still holding the Holocron.
He nodded, "You were ready. I could barely keep up at times when I took you on. So eager to see the Galaxy. It was heartwarming to see a padawan so engaged in the aspects of the Force. Though I could always sense you were a Affacseir."
"A what?"
He chuckled. "It is a Zeltron word for Old Soul."
"I was given a chance to live a life many in the galaxy merely dream about." Not to mention other universes. "I didn't want to squander it." I said and meant it. It truly was a surreal feeling. "Thank you Master Tal'or for taking me on as your padawan." I bowed.
He managed another nod. "Thank you for being such a great student. I hope you hone that gift to its full potential." He indicated the Holocron I still held. "Sadly this is goodbye. I must go find a proper resting place."
"So there really is no cure?" I asked once more to be certain. I knew that Jocasta would have delved in the archives. If it was there she would have found it. None knew them better than she. I had to accept there was nothing that could be done. The venom's progression was too far advanced.
He shook his head. "If there was, Jocasta and I cannot find it in the archives. The holocron vault holds little as well. The Jedi thought the beasts were all purged in the Great Hunt and must not have seen the need to research the beasts further."
"So it was a Terentatek then." I had to look the name up in the Archives after Galidraan but still wasn't sure. I was lucky in a way to not know what the beast was at the time. I might have hesitated in some of the stupid stunts I had pulled to beat it after Tal'or was knocked out of the fight.
He smiled ruefully, "Seems the ancient Jedi missed one." He coughed once more and this time spit up a speckle of blood.
Jocosta Nu rushed forward. "Time to go back to the Infirmary, Old Friend."
"Thank you Jocasta." he said fondly. He looked back at me. "Goodbye Knight Luminara. I must go to a place where the venom will do no damage to others."
"Where is that?"
His smile was sad. "Best no one knows." With that Tal'or left the room.
"Goodbye Master," I whispered. I never saw him again. I did try once more to see him, but the Temple Guard barred my path before his departure. I never learned where he went.
I dived into training to deal with the stress. I mostly worked on Makashi or Form II to keep my mind off Tal'or and Galidraan. Of course doing that meant all I had to think about was the Sith. They had been on my mind a lot lately now that I had nothing else to keep from finally addressing their existence. I knew Plaguies was still kicking around this time and I think I saw Senator Palpatine on the news once or twice. Frustrating knowing they were so close. Confronting them now was a damn death sentence though. I needed to get stronger before I did that. I had to do everything I could to be ready for that day. So I practiced.
That is all I really did for four months. I managed to reach a milestone on the road to mastering Soresu, and Shien/Djem So, Form III and V respectively, by training with the other Knights and the Battlemaster himself. I had been working on those two forms since I was able to hold a lightsaber. Form II was basically fencing. I had no experience with fencing, but I could recognise it straight off. It's rather fun, but this form would take a while to really master. It would be a couple years before I dared enter the Mid-Year Fete.
The Holocron sat in my quarters most of the time. During Meditations I would try to open it on occasion. Fail. Then let it sit some more. I felt it was denying me its wisdom on purpose at this point. How rude. Most likely my fault I am sure.
Regardless, I sat in my chambers in my meditation pad, and reached out. The Holocron lifted and began to twist and form until it was activated. I called directly to it for once. Gatekeeper. I seek knowledge, and wisdom regarding the power I have unlocked within me… Please?"
"You are a persistent one aren't you." I opened my eyes and saw a human woman, pale skin, brown eyes, brown hair and frown that I found very recognizable.
"Bastila Shan?" I said with surprise? I mean I shouldn't have been. She was probably the most famous of the Battle meditation practitioners. I honestly expected someone more obscure.
"Master Shan to you Knight. Or is it Padawan?" She answered haughtily.
"Knight Luminara,' I answered her query. I didn't want to get smart and have her go back in the cube again.
The Gatekeeper looked at me, "I see. I will get straight to the matter at hand then. How did the talent manifest?"
"During the battle of Galidraan." I proceeded to tell of the events that transpired. She scoffed when she heard about the Mandolorians. I ignored that and continued. Getting to the part with Myles.
Bastila was quiet for a moment. "You are very lucky, Knight. You sound like you were a moment away from overloading your mind."
"I still have some bleedover rolling around in my kovid. Oh apologies, head." Bastila nodded and frowned.
"You left your mind too open in the heat of the moment. Typical inexperience. We will have to work on that. Above all remember that battle is a war fought in the mind much as it is on the battlefield. Battle Meditation turns that battle of wills on its head, giving you the keys to move the pieces where you may. To take and give at your leisure. Now I sense someone is standing outside your door. This will have to wait."
How did she know that? What were Holocrons? I guess I will learn more in time.
The person outside the door had been a Temple Guard telling me to report to Master Tyvokka. My first mission as a Jedi Knight was on the docket. I was to be present for negotiations for a meeting between the Stark Combine and Trade Federation on Trioken. That was important for some reason. I couldn't remember why, but it had something to do with the Bacta shortages in the Outer Rim.
I was forced to go as apparently Master Tyvokka requested me specifically along with a few other Jedi. Qui-gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were also among them. It wasn't long before we departed for the negotiations. Considering the players involved I really should have expected the total shabtengaanar (shitshow) that was about to entail.