Another five hours later the troop decided to set up camp for the night on a small hill. They pitched a large tent that offered enough space for everyone. By now it had become dark. Everyone had already gone to sleep, only Shesprer was unable to do so, so he sat in the fresh air.

He hadn't spoken to anyone since the fight, except for the doctors to get a Kolto cast for his wrist. He just trotted along filled with guilt. He used the time to reflect on himself. Ken was right. It was his fault that there were so many losses. Because of his arrogance and selfishness, many comrades died unnecessarily. If he had listened to Ken and continued to defend them, they could have kept their casualties lower. So he couldn't come under the eyes of anyone who was still alive again. But especially not Ken, because he had disappointed him immensely. Not only was he hurt because of him, but he had proven himself unworthy of him. He had failed as a Jedi. But he didn't understand. He had given everything, so why had it gone so wrong? Was it perhaps his fate that he was always at the back?

No, it's definitely not like that. He was simply still too weak. If he had been stronger, he could have easily killed the commander and no one would have been in danger. All of this only happened because he overestimated himself. He had to keep training. This is the only way he will be able to prove himself at some point and protect others.

He picked up his lightsaber and began cutting through the air. He tried simple combos first. A downward slash followed by a retreat into an oblique defensive stance, a horizontal cut followed by a stab, and a few others. His gaze fell directly into the jungle. Now he also incorporated acrobatic jumps into his techniques. He noticed how it was becoming more and more intense, but also how he was losing more and more control. He forgot everything around him and just let out his frustration.

Suddenly something pushed him forward. He was kicked in the back and fell on his face, the lightsaber slipping from his hand. What was that? Were they attacked? Did they discover him because his lightsaber was so obvious? Did he trigger another catastrophe because he gave in to his frustration without thinking? He quickly turned around and jumped back to avoid another attack. But much to his surprise, neither a Mandalorian nor any other enemy stood before him. It was Ken, holding his lightsaber hilt and looking sternly down at him.

What was he doing here? Maybe he sensed his sadness and frustration and wanted to check on him? Or did he just want to punish him for what had happened?

Ken snorted disdainfully. "That was easier than expected. But it's no wonder either. You just gave in to your frustration, forgot everything around you and concentrated solely on the fight."

Shesprer looked around. There were glowing joints, burnt plants and even a dead lizard everywhere in the ground. He was shocked, he had given in so much to his frustration that he had killed an innocent animal and was so out of control that he hadn't even noticed.

"If you had concentrated better, you would have noticed me and been able to defend yourself. But you would have been killed if it hadn't been me."

Shesprer continued to remain silent. He was surprised that Ken only had words for this and said nothing about the chaos from before. After a few silent seconds, he was finally able to compose himself again.

"Are you okay again?", he asked sheepishly.

Ken touched his wound. "Oh, you don't have to worry about me. It's almost healed. Better ask the soldiers who died because of your hasty actions."

Shesprer lowers his head sadly. "Are the others at least okay?"

"Not thanks to you," Ken said provocatively.

This was starting to get on Shesprer's nerves. "I know that too," he hissed quietly.

"Then please explain to me what that was about!" grumbled Ken. "Instead of following my instructions, you just jump into the fray! You could have jeopardized everything with that!"

Shesprer didn't have an answer that would keep Ken quiet. He just decided to be honest. There was no way lying would get him anywhere now. "I finally wanted to show what I was made of. I constantly had to hold back, was injured, or simply useless. I finally saw the chance to prove myself here. I wanted to be a hero. The one who saves everyone." He was silent for a moment because it was uncomfortable for him to admit the following. "But most of all, I wanted to prove myself to you. Show that I am a worthy Jedi."

Ken just looked at him askance. Even if he didn't like the answer, Shesprer hoped that he could at least help him with this matter.

"So you ignored orders, acted stubbornly, and risked this entire mission just for prestige?"

Shesprer sighed. "Yes," he replied dryly.

"That's not what a Jedi wants." Ken softened a little. His tone almost reminded Shesprer of Master Hysha when he lectured him again. "Our primary goal is to protect others. This is the duty of all who are blessed with the Force. We were chosen at birth by the Force to maintain law and order. If we start using them for selfish purposes and become arrogant, sooner or later we will be taken over by the dark side and drawn into an eternal cycle of hatred and pain."

"And how can I escape this? After all, I can't resist the Force itself."

Ken didn't answer immediately. Shesprer then found himself hesitating, as if he didn't know the answer himself.

"You can't do that," he then replied. "After all, the dark side is already within you."

Shesprer felt a chill run down his spine. "Am I already lost?"

"If things continue like this with you, then yes."

This answer confused Shesprer even more. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"The dark side is in each of us, just like the light side. It is not a demon that takes possession of us and corrupts our minds, rather she is the demon that slumbers within us all. The one that will turn us into a monster if we let it run wild."

Shesprer then realized something. Ken wanted to tell him that all the bad qualities he has within him are his dark side, that this only comes from yourself.

"Your job is to learn to resist him and put the common good above your own. Only when you learn this and don't use the Force stubbornly you have proven yourself as a Jedi. Not through fighting or outstanding heroic deeds."

"But then why are we fighting at all?"

Ken took a quick look at Shesprer's lightsaber and sighed. "Well, sometimes 'putting your own needs aside for the benefit of others' also means putting your principles aside when necessary. Sometimes fighting is the only solution, and sometimes you even have to give up yourself if you want to save others."

He handed Shesprer his sword again. "Still, you should only do it as a last resort. Never like you did."

"I see," Shesprer said, finding his smile again. He accepted the lightsaber. "I'll think about it and do it. I owe it to everyone."

Now Ken found his smile again. "Now go get some rest," he advised. "If Mereel's directions are correct, then we should reach the bunker tomorrow. You should be strong then."

"I will." Full of new courage, Shesprer walked towards the tent. He now knows that it was the right decision to seek help. Master, he tried to speak to Hysha. I have probably disappointed you badly. But I promise you that I will make it up to you and that I will become a real Jedi.

….

Ornan had been lying here for hours without sleeping. He spent last night in a cell. It was hot, hard and overall uncomfortable, but at least he had had space. In this tent he didn't even have that. At least he was unguarded for a moment, but that was only because he was handcuffed and unarmed. They still didn't trust him. He wasn't even allowed to do anything during the fight before. He had appealed to their sense that they would need him and that he would only get in their way if they had to keep extra guard over him. But of course they remained stubborn. Something had to change suddenly. If things continued like this, he would die before his dream came true and the Mandalorians were redeemed. It shouldn't actually be a problem. He and Iasa had the same ambitions, after all, so why was everyone here so suspicious of him? Sure, he had served in Mandalore's army for a long time and it's hard to believe that he did all of this purely out of self-protection, but what else could he have done? The Jedi trusted him too, so why didn't the others? Although he didn't really trust him either. In any case, he had also spoken out in favor of Ornan remaining unarmed and tied up. The only thing he didn't want was to be killed. He still seemed unable to forgive Ornan for what he had done to his Jedi friends. But he is the only one who can convince this pack to trust Ornan. He knows he has to start with him.

He had noticed the Jedi going outside earlier. He got up quietly so as not to wake anyone. If he were to be seen sneaking out here there would be a huge uproar. He carefully crept through the sleeping crowd without touching anyone. Just before the entrance he noticed someone walking through. Ornan immediately lay down to give the impression that he was sleeping. He saw the little Pau'an Jedi enter.

He was probably just reprimanded by the other person. From what Ornan had noticed, he was probably responsible for the chaos that ensued during the fight today. But he seemed strangely satisfied. But that didn't matter now. He couldn't be his contact anyway. He was still young, inexperienced and he hated him even more than the other Jedi.

When he had also laid down, Ornan got up again and quickly sneaked outside. He looked around briefly, whereupon he saw the Jedi sitting on the right, his back turned to him. He had both hands placed on his face. Something seemed to be bothering him.

Ornan walked slowly towards him. However, he was careful not to approach too inconspicuously. The Jedi shouldn't be suspicious. Ornan faced it with respect, but knew that his charisma could convince anyone, even a Jedi.

"You don't have to sneak up on me like that," the Jedi suddenly growled. Ornan was startled. This was more than unexpected. How did he know that? "I sensed your coming from afar."

Ornan stood where he stood, speechless.

"What are you doing here?", the Jedi asked annoyed. "I already have enough problems. Just disappear."

Ornan didn't know what to say. It would probably be more difficult than expected to manipulate the Jedi in his favor. But he shouldn't think too much now, otherwise the Jedi will read his thoughts again.

"I just wanted to thank you for standing up for me this morning," was the first thing that came to mind. "Without you, this mob would have killed me straight away."

"Don't read too much into it. I only did it because I thought it was the right thing to do, not because I care about you." Not that Ornan would have thought that. "If it were up to me, they could have killed you too."

This statement shook Ornan to his core. From what he heard, the Jedi were keepers of peace, stood for harmony, and respected life. Hearing something like that come from one of their own was shocking to him. But Ornan stayed composed. "And yet you're the only one who trusts me here."

"I don't trust you. I simply know that you are on our side. That's a difference"

"Oh yes? And how?"

"I simply feel it," the Jedi replied impatiently.

"Right, I forgot," Ornan scoffed. "The famous cognitive abilities of the Jedi."

"Shut up and get out of here," the Jedi snapped.

"Hey, don't be so rude when someone wants to thank you."

The Jedi finally turned his head to him, who showed a desperate smile. "How could I?"

Ornan understood. Apparently he still hadn't forgotten the role Ornan played in the deaths of his friends. "Listen," Ornan said gently. "I have nothing to do with the deaths of your friends. I just stood guard that day and followed orders."

"Yes, you were just following orders. Like all the years before. And even though you knew they were wrong, you continued to carry them out without conscience."

"I had no choice," Ornan defended himself.

"You could have saved us straight away and cooperated with us."

"As I said, I didn't want open rebellion. I had to do all of this so that my plan wouldn't be exposed. He wasn't that back then."

"And was it worth letting hundreds die for it?"

Ornan was not impressed by this moral club. "I fought for a glorious future for my people. Any means is acceptable to me."

The Jedi desperately touched his forehead. "You sound like my former master," he sighed.

Ornan was surprised that there were some among the Jedi who thought that way. "If there were more like her, you Jedi would certainly be unstoppable."

The Jedi sighed heavily again. "Yes, you might even be right. I myself have often acted too naively and indecisively, which is what ultimately led us here. If I had accepted the sacrifices of a war right from the start, everything would have turned out differently, probably better."

"Then you should be able to understand quite well why I had to do that."

"It's not just that," the Jedi admitted. "I have lost one of my most important advisors and my moral support because of that. In addition, two of my best friends died and all that's left is me and a little, immature padawan, for whom I now have to take responsibility. All this hardship is slowly eating away at me."

Now Ornan slowly had him where he wanted him. But he felt something unusual. He felt pity for the Jedi. "I'm sorry," he said as he sat down next to him.

"Thank you," the Jedi said, and Ornan heard that it disgusted him to thank him.

"But that's exactly why it's now even more important for you to rely on your allies and for us to work as a team."

"What do you actually want from me now?"

"You all need to start trusting me completely and give me a weapon. If you constantly keep me prisoner and guard me, I will only be an obstacle. And if you know anyway that I'm not lying, then there shouldn't be anything against it."

The Jedi looked at him grimly. But Ornan already knew he had him now. "You have to do this, for your own sake and for the success of this mission.

He slowly turned his head away again. "I think I could talk to Iasa about it."

Ornan was relieved. "Thanks. I promise I won't betray your trust."

"I know you won't," the Jedi replied flippantly.

"Oh, right, I forgot."

"I didn't foresee this. It seemed logical to me that you wouldn't do that. At least you're not stupid."

Ornan was flattered. That was probably the biggest compliment he could give him.

"You really can't be fooled, can you?"

"It's better not to mess with it."

A short silence filled the following moments. In fact, the two smiled at each other.

"It just occurred to me that I don't even know your name," Ornan said. "Who do I have the honor of meeting?"

"My name is Ken Rav."