Chapter 9: Dantooine Part 1

Dawn was having a bad, bad week. First, she had experienced the death of an entire world. Then she woke up that morning feeling like she was having a massive hangover, with Mission curled up in the corner of the room refusing to speak and Zaalbar hitting himself over the head because Mission was ignoring him.

"Morning, Dawn," said Willow when Dawn entered the main hold.

"Morning," said Dawn with a sigh.

"What's wrong?"

Dawn sat down next to her friend and looked Willow in the eye. "A lot. First that is the destruction of Taris."

Willow sighed as she nodded. "Yeah. I know what you mean. Feeling that…"

"Yeah," Dawn agreed as she unconsciously started rubbing Willow's back in small circles. "I know people can be cruel, we've seen it on Earth after all. After all we've had the U.S. use an atomic bomb on Japan. But that level of cruelty, to wipe out an entire planet."

"I know," said Willow as she reached over and put an arm around Dawn. "People can be vindictive."

"Then there is this Force sensitive business," said Dawn. "I don't know how I know this, but I know there is something I'm not being told about it. It's like back home when Buffy was hiding about my being the Key. And we both know how well that turned out."

"While I understand why Buffy did it," said Willow as Dawn looked at her. "Think about it, Dawn. Wouldn't it have been better if you had known nothing about the Key. A chance to have a normal childhood, or as normal as can be had living in the house of the Slayer?"

"You're probably right there," said Dawn with a sigh.

"As I said I understood why Buffy did it," said Willow. "Which means there is likely a reason why we're not being told everything. Give it time."

"Your right of course," said Dawn. "It will be better if they reveal it in their own time than like when I found out about the Key. I know now that Buffy was hiding that because she did truly love me, but in my teenage brain I just couldn't see that there was a reason at the time."

"While you are only a year older, you have matured so much in that time," said Willow.

Dawn knew that Willow meant that as a compliment. She knew she had been a brat to Buffy during the deal with Glory. She now regretted how she had treated her sister. "Then there is Mission and Zaalbar. Mission reminds me of me. I feel like she needs someone to take care of her. But I am only a couple years older than she."

"You are the perfect choice though Dawn because you have already experienced what Mission is going through," said Willow. "Sure, I could help her with puberty and stuff. But you have experiences because of Glory that I feel are better suited to helping her."

"Then there is this life debt… Zaalbar keeps insisting to go with me wherever I go. That means when we go home, he is likely going to want to go with us," said Dawn.

"And if her were on Earth he couldn't go out in daylight for fear that he would be seen," said Willow in understanding. "Both you and he will have a difficult choice to make regarding that."

"Dawn?" Bastila said as she walked into the main hold. "Willow?"

"Hey," Dawn greeted. "How much did you hear?"

"Pretty much all of it," admitted Bastila. "You have your doubts and there are of course complications because of where you are from. Give it time as Willow said. All I am sure will be revealed."

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Dantooine was about as opposite from Taris as one could imagine. From space, it appeared to be nothing but wide grasslands with lush oceans. As the Ebon Hawk entered the atmosphere, the bright light of the sky filled the cockpit. The ship flew over wide grasslands before coming toward a large settlement. The spaceport wasn't very large but the dock area around it seemed up to good standards.

"Did you give the recognition code I gave you?" Bastila asked from the passenger seat.

Carth rolled his eyes. "No, I thought it better we come in a strange ship with no warning at all," he sarcastically said.

The ship settled down on the dock and the engines stilled. After making sure it was secure, Carth rose from his seat, Bastila following. They walked through the ship as the others soon gathered behind them. Carth lowered the ramp to let them step onto the planet's surface.

For Dawn, Willow and Mission, it was a unique experience as they had never been on another world before. Dawn sucked in a long breath of the crisp air and smiled. "Oh, man…This is great!"

"It's…it's so clear!" Mission said. "So crisp, no pollution or smells!"

Zaalbar smiled himself. "It reminds me a bit of my world, free of the corruption of those ugly cities."

Canderous just grunted. "It's only another planet. And it looks a dull one at that."

"Dantooine," Bastila intoned. "It feels like a lifetime since I last walked the surface. In truth, it has only been a few months."

They saw a small group standing by the entranceway to the dock. One was an attractive woman whose hair was in a bun underneath her cap which topped off her polished uniform. By her side were a pair of people Bastila knew well: Master Zhar and Master Vandar. Zhar was a purple-skinned Twi'lek who bowed his tentacled head as they entered. Vandar was barely two feet tall with gray and gravely skin. His eyes were wide and he had wisps of white hair along with a pair of long ears.

Bastila bowed deeply before them. "Masters," she said.

"Knight Shan," Zhar said in perfect Basic. "It is good to see you survived your ordeal."

"I had help, Master," Bastila said as she nodded to the others.

"I shouldn't be surprised," the uniformed woman said as she focused on Carth. The man was surprised to see her, bringing himself up and saluting.

"Admiral Dodonna!" Carth gasped. "I didn't…I didn't know you'd be here!"

Dodonna returned the salute and smiled. "Good to see you again, Carth. I was actually making a brief stopover to confer with the Council before I rejoined the fleet. I was actually about to leave when we received your message and I decided to stay. I am eager to hear your report."

"As we are eager to hear yours, Bastila," Vandar said in a strange voice that sounded high-pitched and yet booming at the same time. His wide eyes gazed over the others. "Your companions are welcome to stay here at the Enclave for as long as they wish."

"We're going to need some repair work for our ship," Canderous rumbled. Dodonna fixed him with a hard gaze, recognizing what he was.

"Commander Onasi, you do realize the company you are keeping?" Dodonna asked.

Carth nodded. "Frankly, I'm not happy with it either. But he did help us escape Taris. I don't exactly trust him but I don't think he'll stab us in the back either."

Canderous snorted. "Whatever else you may think of me, I'm no fool and I'm not suicidal. I'm not going to cause trouble in a settlement full of Jedi and Republic soldiers."

"I'll hold you to that," Dodonna said in a dangerous tone. She nodded to Carth. "I'll get some crews working on your ship. Come, we can discuss matters more at our command center. I'm eager to hear of what happened on Taris. Come. Masters." She gave the Jedi a nod and headed toward the Enclave.

"Come," Zhar commanded. "We must meet with the rest of the Council." He paused and his eyes focused on Dawn, Willow and Sarryn. "I believe…we have much to discuss." He and Bastila with Vandar waddling behind.

Mission frowned at Dawn. "What is going on here?"

Dawn shrugged. "I don' know."

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The main chamber of the Jedi Council was near the center of the Enclave, set off from the open-air courtyard with the large fountain in the center. The large circular chamber had a half dozen seats for the Council members set before a sunken dais. Bastila stood in the center of it, facing the four Masters. Zhar and Vandar were seated in the first and third seats. With them were Master Dorak, an elderly black man with balding head and dark mustache. Next to him was Master Vrook, a sour looking man with a wrinkled face. All were dressed in the elaborate robes of Council members.

Vandar rubbed his chin as Bastila finished. "Hmm…this is troubling. Malak is obviously losing control of his emotions, to order an entire planet massacred."

"It shows the danger the Sith pose is greater than we expected," Dorak stated. "We must discover the source of their fleet."

"Masters, I—" Bastila suddenly stopped in place, as did Buffy. She stared outward, seeing something in her mind. Everything faded away and an image came about as if she were actually there.

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Dark Lord Revan and is apprentice Malak stood in an ancient ruin. Ancient symbols lined the old walls, which had been surprisingly well-preserved. In front of the duo was a large, black door. Revan was pacing in front of the door, lost in deep thought. Malak was standing beside the door, watching his master.

"The dark side is strong in this place," Malak said, while breathing in deeply. "I can feel its power!"

"What did you expect?" Revan asked. "We both knew the true nature of the Star Forge." He turned to the door, looking for a way to open it.

"Is this wise? The ancient Jedi sealed this archway."

"The ancient Jedi were afraid of the dark side, just like the current ones," said Revan. "I'm just as afraid of the dark side as I am of the light side. Both are tools to be used to our advantage. As long as we're able to resist giving in to any of them completely we'll be fine."

"If we pass beyond this door, we can never go back," Malak interjected. "The Order will surely banish us."

"We are already banished. Going to the Mandalorian Wars sealed our fate, thanks Vrook."

The vision faded for a second. When the images returned the two had managed to open the door and were walking deeper into the ruins. Malak looked visibly shaken, like something terrible had happened. "Are the secrets of the Star Forge so valuable? Can its power truly be worth the risk?"

"If I didn't think they were I wouldn't be here. Have a little faith in your 'Dark Lord'." She used air quotes on her title and the sarcasm almost visibly dripped from her words.

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"Dawn?" Mission said with concern. She, Willow and Dawn had been walking through the hold of the Ebon Hawk when Dawn had gone unresponsive.

Dawn let out a gasp and staggered in place, a hand going to her head. She blinked as she tried to recover from what she had just seen.

"Dawn?" Willow said, she saw a stunned expression on her friend's face. "What happened?"

Dawn shook her head as she glanced back at Willow. "Vision," she said. She rushed to her bunk where she had left her pack, Mission and Willow not far behind. "Bastila."

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Bastila looked down at the commlink in her hand. Sarryn had just called and told her that he had just shared the vision she had seen. "Bastila," came Dawn's voice from the commlink.

"Yes, Dawn," Bastila said as she looked up at the Masters.

Dawn's voice echoed. "Um, Bastila…I hate to interrupt you but…well…I just had a vision."

"Are you still on the Ebon Hawk?" Bastila questioned.

"I am," Dawn answered.

"I will be there momentarily," Bastila said as she clicked off the commlink.

Zhar took a deep breath. "We have confirmation it seems that she could indeed be a Child of the Force," he stated as his fellow Masters nodded. He looked back at Bastila. "Is her friend seeing these visions as well?"

"Not yet," Bastila stated. "I believe that if a bond forms between Dawn and Willow that she could start seeing them. Either way though, Willow is very powerful. I do believe if the Council agrees to train Dawn but not Willow and Malak learns of Willow that…"

"That we could eventually face a new Dark Lord," Vrook said. "Still in training them we run the same risk."

"I do believe the risk is in our favor to train them and Revan," Vandar said. He turned and looked at Bastila. "Bring all three of them before us."

With a bow, Bastila moved out of the chamber and headed toward the Ebon Hawk.

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"Bastila has relayed the events that have taken place on Taris and the large part you two played in her rescue," Master Vandar said looking at Dawn and Sarryn. "First and foremost, we would like to extend our gratitude to you both for saving a member of our Order."

"I rescued her because she was my commanding officer and because I promised to protect her," Sarryn answered gruffly. "The possible gratefulness of her Order had nothing to do with that decision."

"I did it for multiple reasons," said Dawn. "The first was because it was the right thing to do. And second even if it hadn't been, I would have followed Sarryn's lead. After all Willow and I both are new to your universe."

"We have summoned you three here because Knight Shan has recognized you all as individuals with a strong connection to the Force," said Master Vrook. "She also claims that you two have developed a Force Bond with not only each other but with her as well." He looked at Willow. "And that in time you may develop a Force Bond with either your friend or Bastila." He looked back at Sarryn and Dawn. "And that the two of you and Bastila share visions. Is this true?"

"It is," Dawn and Sarryn answered.

"Knight Shan claims you two and she shared such a vision just this night." Dawn and Sarryn looked in surprise to Bastila. "Could you both please describe this dream fully, without leaving out any detail?"

Sarryn glanced at Dawn as if to ask, do you want to tell them what we saw last night? Dawn motioned for him to go on as he looked back at the Jedi Masters.

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"Revan didn't seem to like you very much, Master Vrook," Sarryn said after he and Dawn told them the entire vision.

Vrook shot Sarryn an angry glare, but Masters Zhar and Dorak seemed almost amused. "Yes, thank you," Vrook answered.

"It is clear you the two of you have shared the same vision with Bastila," Master Zhar said.

"Yes, thanks to their Force Bond. I would like to know why," Willow said. "Especially when Dawn and I aren't from around here. Why would Dawn have a bond, why would she receive these visions. And would Bastila think I would form one either with Dawn or her."

"I would like to know why I too have this bond with both Dawn and Bastilla," Sarryn said.

"The two of you and Bastila share a powerful connection to the Force…and each other. This is not unheard of; connections often form between master and apprentice," Master Zhar as he looked at Sarryn and Dawn and scratched his chin thoughtfully. He then looked at Willow. "And due to your connection with Dawn, Bastila believes at the very least you could form a bond with Dawn. After all you have a powerful connection the Force as well."

"But Bastila, Sarryn and I aren't exactly master and apprentice," Dawn countered. "In fact, Willow and I didn't even know about this Force stuff till it was explained to us on Taris. Am I to believe this Force Bond formed in such a relatively short amount of time?"

"That seems to be the case," Master Vandar answered. "The Force is acting through all three of you, as it acts in Bastila. It looks like it is guiding at least you, Dawn, and you, Sarryn, on a path."

"And which path would that be, exactly?" Dawn wondered.

"You two and Knight Shan are linked, as is your fates to hers. Together, you two," he looked at Sarryn and Dawn, "may be able to stop Darth Malak and the Sith. If you were all instructed in the ways of the Jedi you could become an exceptional Knights."

"If we were instructed. But we're too old, aren't we? With myself being the oldest of the three of us," said Sarryn.

"We have been studying your special cases," Master Zhar said. "The three of you are strong in the Force, extremely strong. It would be unwise to let any of you remain untrained. It could be potentially harmful to yourselves and your surroundings."

"I still don't understand why this Force took Sarryn, Dawn and Bastila, bonded them together and then started sending them vague visions intended to send them after this big bad," Willow said. "Or why Bastila thinks I may bond with Dawn or her."

"The Force works in mysterious ways," Master Vandar said simply. "We still do not understand most of the Force and it keeps surprising us every day. I am sorry we cannot give you three a satisfying answer to your question, but the Force has given us an opportunity to defeat Malak. We must not let this opportunity go to waste."

The bombardment of Taris flashed through Dawn's mind, what she had felt thanks to the Force, Mission's heartbroken face as she was forced to accept the death of Zaerdra and Zaalbar's ragged attempts to put his emotions into words. She knew what she had to do was somehow connected to Sarryn, so could she let this chance slip her by, especially if Sarryn was accepted to be trained?

"Alright," Sarryn said. "Let's say Dawn, Willow and I can muster up the faith to believe your 'The Force has a plan for us'-story. How will these visions lead us to the defeat of Malak?"

"We are losing this war," Master Vandar said solemnly. "The Sith command an endless army and more and more fall for their teachings every day, even Jedi from our own Order. It strengthens them and weakens us. Yours and Dawn's visions gives us a clue about the source of their power: The Star Forge."

"The object they were looking for in the vision," Dawn muttered thoughtfully. "Do you have any idea what this Star Forge might be?"

"No, but the vision clearly suggests it is tied directly to the dark side of the Force and the name implies it can be used to create things," Vandar said. "While we don't know the true nature of it, we did recognize the ruins from the vision. They are here on Dantooine."

"Those ruins have long been known to us, but we believed them to be merely burial mounds," Master Dorak added. "The Force has guided you three and Bastila there, so it is only natural that you four will have to investigate the ruins, in search for clues of the nature and location of this so-called Star Forge."

"But as we said, we can't let you go untrained," Zhar added gravely. "We will instruct you in the ways of the Jedi."

"Not so fast," Vrook interjected. "Can we be sure they will walk the path of the light side?"

"I will accept your teachings and make them my own," Sarryn said.

"A moment before Willow and I give you our decisions," Dawn said as she and Willow moved across the chamber.

"What is it, Dawn?" Willow wondered.

"I think I know why I may be receiving these visions," said Dawn. "While I do admit there is a connection to Sarryn and maybe even Bastila. I don't believe it has anything to do with the bond itself. It might for Sarryn, who knows. But for me I am fairly certain now that whatever I am here for has to do with Sarryn. That the visions I have seen and the visions of our past that he has seen is to help Sarryn with whatever he is destined to do."

"Then maybe training to be this Jedi would be of benefit to you," Willow said. "I agree. I just wonder why me? Why they think I could form a bond with you or Bastila?"

"I think they can sense how powerful of a witch you are," Dawn answered. "After all you opened a portal from our universe to theirs. And about the bond, think about it. I think you know why it could form between you and I. Not because we're Master and Apprentice. But because…"

"Let's tell them yes, then," Willow interjected before Dawn could finish. She knew her younger friend possibly had a crush on her. But she just didn't see Dawn that way, she saw Dawn as her sister. "With the condition that the two of us aren't split up for any reason."

"Agreed," Dawn said as she and Willow walked back across the chamber. "Willow and I consent to being trained. There is one caveat we are not to be separated."

"Once you are trained that will not be a problem, the three of you and Bastila will be placed on the mission together," Zhar said.

"In that case I have a request to make," Bastila suddenly said. She had been studying everything with keen interest. "I know that normally it is one Padawan to one Master. But I wish to take all three of them as my padawans." Seven faces looked at her in surprise.

"Not only is it not allowed for a Jedi to have more than one Padawan," Master Vrook said. "But you have no experience in these matters?"

"I have not, but isn't tutoring students a Jedi's duty as well? Isn't it something I must learn?" She glanced at Sarryn, who gave her an encouraging and grateful nod. "Considering the Force Bond with both Dawn and Sarryn and Dawn and Willow's request, I think it's prudent I be the one to train the three of them."

"Your abhorrent performance on Taris had made it clear it's far too early for you to take such responsibilities," Vrook said angrily.

"While I do not agree with Master Vrook's choice of words, I do agree Taris has shown you need more time to mature." Master Dorak's words were more softly, but no less painful.

Sarryn's mouth fell open in disbelief, he saw that Dawn and Willow had similar reactions. After all, Bastila was the one they all trusted. They watched as Bastila merely hung her head in shame. "Now wait just a second," he said loudly. "Abhorrent performance? Have any of your masters got any idea what you're talking about?"

"We actually do," Vrook countered. "Bastila told us herself, she let herself be captured by petty gangsters and had to be rescued by you and Dawn."

Dawn glanced at Bastila to see her face contorted in shame. "So, your conclusion is Bastila herself is to blame for all this?" she demanded. "Your conclusion is Bastila has suddenly become an incompetent child. Suddenly everything she has done her entire life means nothing?"

"A Jedi Knight is always in control," Vrook grumbled. "Relinquishing that control to a group of peasants is a sign of incompetence, yes."

"Then let me tell you this: I would be the first to lay the blame by my commanding officer, even if he or she only half deserves it," Sarryn said. "But Bastila doesn't deserve being blamed at all, because she did nothing wrong. We didn't know Malak had parked his fleet around Taris. You should've known that, before sending us into a deathtrap."

"We will run a full investi…" Vrook started to interrupt, but Sarryn didn't allow him.

"Silence! I am not done talking." Sarryn's words were spoken with such vigor and his stance and green eyes radiated so much authority that Vrook actually fell silent, surprising everyone in the room. "Our ship was destroyed before any of us could do anything, escaping in a pod was our only remaining option. Bastila was incapacitated by nastily banging her head when her pod crashed down on Taris. How could anyone defend him or herself against that?" He turned to Vrook. "Unless you have a very thick skull of course…"

"An incapacitated woman stands no chance against a gang, Jedi Knight or not. Personally, it surprises me that her captors didn't actually take advantage of her when she was unconscious. Anyways from the moment she was freed she has proven herself," Willow agreed.

"She in part is the reason we were able to acquire a ship and escape Taris alive," Sarryn added. "She defeated a gang leader while collared with an active neural disruptor, for crying out loud. If that doesn't show character and determination, I don't know what does."

Sarryn turned to Bastila, who was torn between gratefulness and shame. "And you! I don't know what happened to the proud knight Dawn, Willow and I worked with, but snap out of it already. These men have no right to trample over you like they did, even if they are your superiors. You're strong, powerful and smart and you shouldn't allow them talking down to you for mistakes you didn't make."

Bastilla inclined her head gratefully, barely visible, and turned to the Council. She folded her hands behind her back and stood as straight as an arrow, radiating pride and confidence. "Masters, I believe I have contributed enough to the Order to be allowed this opportunity. Unless the Council can put forward sufficient evidence against my competence, I suggest I am given this chance. Considering the Force Bond, I share with Dawn and Sarryn and the caveat Dawn and Willow have, I'm the most suitable candidate."

Bastila's words were spoken with such determination that it allowed zero contradiction. The Masters looked at Zhar for his opinion. "I, for one, think this is an excellent idea," the Twi'lek said with a proud smile. "Bastila has always been an outstanding Jedi, who'll no doubt train many successful apprentices in the years to come. This is the perfect moment to start honing those skills. The Force Bond will also make it considerably easier."

"Not for Willow it will not," Vrook said.

"Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell on that front," Zhar said. "But I believe that with Willow we will find that she picks up things rather quickly all on her own." He looked toward Willow. "Am I correct?"

"Yes," Willow said. "I was always a straight A student in school." She saw the quizzical looks on each of the Masters, Bastila and Sarryn's faces. "It means I excelled in school."

Zhar glanced at the other Masters, who nodded in agreement. Even Vrook gave his blessing, although more reluctantly. "Very well, Sarryn Baill, Dawn Summers and Willow Rosenberg shall be your apprentices. Master Vandar and I will keep a close eye on your progress and will aid you wherever we can, but they are your responsibility."

"Thank you for your trust masters." Bastila bowed gracefully. "There's one last matter. Two children escaped with us from Taris. They have lost everything yesterday, is there any chance they can get temporary shelter in the enclave?"

"A sad story," Master Vandar said in a fatherly manner. "The enclave shall be a safe haven for them, we will provide shelter, food and perhaps even some education. They can do chores around the enclave as a symbolic way of repayment."

"Thank you master, that is more than I could've hoped for."

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"What happened back there?" Sarryn wanted to know from Bastila, as they were making their way back to the Ebon Hawk to inform their companions about the latest developments. "Why did you allow them to say all those lies about you?"

"I…it was Master Vrook," Bastila admitted. "I allowed his cruel words to get to me. He managed to uncover my insecurities and used them against me, convincing me the outcome of our mission was purely my mistake."

"Except that it wasn't," Dawn countered firmly.

"I know, now that you both have told me." Bastila heaved a deep sigh and sat down on a bench in a circular patio in the center of the enclave. "I was taken to be a Jedi when I was five years old. For the next nineteen years I've been constantly told to respect the words of the masters."

"Brainwashed, more likely." Willow said. She sat down next to Bastila and placed a hand on the woman's knee. "But everyone can make mistakes and Vrook was clearly wrong."

"You're an exceptional knight," Sarryn agreed.

"Yes, I am," Bastila said proudly as she looked at each of her Initiates in turn. "Thanks for snapping me out of my trance of self-pity."

Sarryn smiled warmly. "I should be the one thanking you, for everything you've done for me. You didn't take me as your apprentice for yourself, did you? You did it for me."

Bastila allowed herself a tiny smile. "For all three of you," she said. She looked at Willow. "If I hadn't seen you use magic with my own eyes, I would never have believed you and Dawn were from another universe. And to separate you two, well it's something I could not let happen till the both of you are done with whatever you need to do."

"Thank you," Willow said.

"Heh, if Master Vrook were to be my master I probably wouldn't even last a week," Dawn laughed.

"Just so you three know, this is going to be difficult and intense for all of us. For the coming months we'll be spending most of our time together. I know you three are hard workers and so am I, so let's do this together." Bastila got to her feet, face turning serious. "Let's return to the Ebon Hawk. There's a lot to discuss and even more to do."

"Bastila," said Dawn as the Jedi Knight turned to face her. "I just want to say thank you for asking the Council to help in taking care of Mission and Zaalbar. I really appreciate that."

"They don't deserve any of this," Bastila answered with a sad look in her silver eyes. "Least I could do for them was offering them a temporary home."

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Perhaps the most difficult part of the Jedi training was the meditation. How was Dawn supposed to sit still for hours, emptying her mind, when there was so much to learn, so much to do? Every day was filled with interesting lessons, most from Bastila, but some from Zhar and Vandar as well. Every evening she was supposed to clear her mind and enter a meditational trance, but she had a hard time achieving it, let alone maintaining it.

Her mind was simply bogged with all new information the enclave kept throwing at her. Bastila bound her to a tight schedule to be able to get the most out of their days. Dawn woke up in the morning to do her regular routine: various exercises like crunches, pushups and lunges, followed by an hour of jogging through the grasslands around the enclave. After a quick shower and an extensive breakfast her lessons began, sometimes with Sarryn and Willow and sometimes without.

There was an incredible number of things to learn. There was the lightsaber combat, where she tried to master the blue training lightsaber she had been given. For now, she focused on the third lightsaber form, Soresu, which was the defensive form. When she had sufficiently mastered it, she would expand it with the fifth form, Shien, which added powerful counterattacks on top of the near immortality of Soresu's tight defense.

The reason she took the defensive form was her natural affinity to the Force. Bastila had let slip during one of their private training sessions that the Masters believed that Dawn was a Child of the Force. That she had been likely created, at the insistence of the Order of Dagon, by the Force itself. And that was likely the reason she was very adept with the various powers that could be derived from the Force. Healing, manipulating objects, affecting minds, combat attacks… Her strong connection to the Force allowed her to tap from it with little effort, meaning she could deploy it in battle without excessively tiring herself.

Then there were the theoretical lessons. Studying the Jedi Code, politics, strategy and tactics, history and more. Dawn followed them with mixed interest, some she adored, others she despised. All were required for her promotion to Padawan, so she studied hard to pass all of the tests, even the ones she didn't like. She wouldn't let it get her down, not now everyone was watching her with such high expectations.

"There is no emotion, there is peace."

Bastila's stern but soft voice reached her ears, reprimanding her for not clearing her mind as she was supposed to. Bastila had been tough on all of them, though Dawn thought she had been extremely tough on her at times. Mistakes were harshly punished and she was always pushed to go beyond her limits. The speed at which she picked up new things meant she quickly lost interest, so she required a constant stream of challenges to keep her sharp. Both of them knew this and Bastila wasted no opportunity to overwhelm her with workload.