"Is there any chance you can declassify the mission Arman Clash went on with Master Salekki for me, master Olis?" Zel asked.
"I've told you enough." Master Olis observed the twilek attentively.
"And I'm grateful, but I've been getting to know Arman quite well and there are important things I wish I could discuss with him about the time he faced the Sith Lord." Zel clarified.
"Ultimately, the details of the mission are for Arman's protection. After so many years, the need for the secrets have faded. I suppose if he is willing to share it with you, you have my blessing." Master Olis granted.
"For you and you alone, Zel Tal'ok." He insisted.
"Yes master. Thank you." Zel bowed graciously.
Zel couldn't wait until after class. Her sparring match with Arman gave her much to think about. She couldn't help but imagine scenarios in her mind about this human's dangerous mission and how it had ended at the hands of a powerful Sith Lord.
"Is it even something you want to tell me? I mean, when I first found out about it, I thought I had messed up things between us." Zel asked cautiously.
"I'd like to think we have made progress since then. Besides, you know the personal bits already. I also feel much more confident that you can keep a secret; the temptation to let our classmates know you found the person who fought the Sith Lord must be overwhelming." Arman smirked.
"I like being the center of attention in class, I can't deny that, but only when it relates to my lightsaber techniques... I can be modest about the other aspects of my life Mr. Standard Form." Zel Tal'ok said playfully.
"As you wish." Arman agreed.
"There are aspects of my version of the story that I haven't even shared with the council. I'd like for you to keep an open mind though; there is one other person in this story who may still be affected by what I'm about to tell you." Arman explained.
Arman told the story. The twilek listened like a youngling during story-time.
"As I stabbed and sliced Lord Sion, I could see his wounds close up right before my eyes. I thought to myself: with all of my power and knowledge, I can't defeat him." Arman explained the despair.
"I can't believe it! How can a Sith heal like that?" She was stunned.
Arman finished the story. Zel had questions.
"Meetra Surik, how was she?" The pink twilek asked.
"The most powerful Jedi I've ever met. I often wonder what has become of her and when the Jedi will take her back into the Order. I imagine she's out there right now finding a way to fix things all on her own." Arman said.
"You haven't seen her since?" Zel was surprised.
"I expected to. Perhaps she thinks I'm not ready. I know the force will bring us back together again." Arman said.
"I can't believe you defeated Lord Sion at age 15! Arman you are incredible!" Zel felt jealous.
"You haven't been paying attention Zel; I didn't defeat him... I couldn't defeat him." Arman clarified.
"You know what I mean. You outmatched him at fencing." Zel wondered about Arman's change in moods.
"We need to go. I'll see you tomorrow Zel." Arman said.
In the next class, the two of them were mostly on their own; they had more space than usual. Most of the class was watching the zabrak Tomac fight Tetriel Han, the mirialan with close enough strength to take him on. Zel, on the other hand, was having a field day with her human companion, and while the others gave them privacy, she felt her friend give it more than he usually did.
Zel pushed Arman harder than ever. Her body was graceful and her exertion pushed her to be more aggressive with him than ever before.
"There's no one around Arman. No one is watching. Why don't you show me what you got Mr. Standard Form?" She spoke after forcing her way as close to the human as her abilities in close quarters saber techniques allowed her.
"People are always watching: A lesson I learned the hard way a long time ago." Arman said through grinning teeth.
"Come on, you big faker! What's it gonna take?" Zel was frustrated, but far too motivated to let it upset her.
"Never in public Zel!" Arman slapped her blade aside like only the zabrak could... such strength.
"I've been thinking about that. I have an idea I'd like to run by you." Zel mused.
"At lunch time Zel." Arman said.
"At lunch time, Mr. Clash." Zel smiled at the thought of getting her way with him.
Lunch couldn't come soon enough. Not that her match with Arman wasn't exhilarating enough; she pushed him harder than ever, but in her mind, this was just the beginning and that prospect was worth even more to her.
"So, I ask again, Mr. Clash: What will it take for you and me to spar privately?" Zel asked seriously.
"I told you Zel: I have my responsibilities at the infirmary and every chance I get, I'm either in training or doing research. I have no time at all." Arman said defensively.
"What if I were to offer you something in exchange for your time?" Zel offered.
"I'm a Jedi Zel; I have no use for things." Arman dismissed it.
"If only there was a way I could help you with your research." Zel mused.
"That would defeat the purpose. I need to learn this first hand." Arman said.
"Right, but I'm very well connected with the council members; I can get things Mr. Clash. What is it you want?" Zel asked bluntly.
"There's really nothing Zel." Arman said with regret. Disappointing her was difficult for him.
"Now you're just plying hard to get!" Zel joked.
Arman smiled, but knew she wasn't going to give up.
"What is it you NEED, Arman?" Zel asked with emphasis.
"What I need, I have no right to ask of you." Arman said quickly and dismissively.
"You underestimate how important my sparring is to me Mr. Standard From." Zel said seriously. Arman bent over closer to her for more privacy.
"What I need is an unmarked ship to help me with my research." Arman explained in all seriousness.
"An unmarked ship?" Zel was not expecting this.
"You do know that all Jedi vessels are tracked and their flight records are carefully documented. I need to be able to go anywhere I want, no questions asked." Arman clarified.
"How will this help with your research?" Zel was confused.
"You know my research about redemption has brought me to look into the history of the Sith?" Arman asked. Zel nodded.
"Going after a living Sith is obviously out of the question, but I have it on good authority that the places strongest in the dark side of the force often contain the echoes of long lost Sith Lords who apparated on occasion; ghosts if you will. Nowhere near as dangerous as a living Sith, but also much older, more mature and regretful... Ripe. I recon they are far more open to my attempts to bring them back to the light... to heal their souls, so to speak, and return their spirits to the force." Arman explained.
"And those places of dark side power are off limits to Jedi." Zel understood. Arman nodded. Zel smiled her big smile and got up.
"I'll see what I can do." She said, happily. Arman was stunned and left speechless. Perhaps he did underestimate her willingness to succeed.
Zel didn't waste a second; She went straight to master Olis Tal, the Master Guardian of the Order. If anyone knew about unmarked Jedi ships, it would be him.
"How would a Jedi go about getting an unmarked ship?" Zel asked her teacher.
"An unmarked ship like a Jedi strike team would use?" Master Olis asked.
"Yes, one of those." Zel smiled.
"Such a ship is assigned by the council for very dangerous missions, normally for campaigns against the Sith." Master Olis clarified.
"The Sith, you say?" Zel mused, as she sat next to her teacher.
"What is this about, Zel Tal'ok?" Master Olis became suspicious.
"The thought occurred to me that perhaps all of this training in lightsaber combat makes me an ideal candidate for such a campaign, against the Sith, I mean." Zel said as she looked at the master.
"You need to understand that the Jedi strike teams that use such ships, against the Sith no less, are the Jedi who face the lowest survival rates of our order. Why would you want that?" Master Olis asked gravely.
"We are Jedi, aren't we master? Surely being one of the best fighters of our order would place me in the face of danger against the Sith." Zel said.
"Only the council decides which Jedi face such dangerous missions. That being said, if you do become Grand-Champion and you request to be placed at the head of our campaigns against the Sith, the council would hardly be able to refuse." Master Olis Tal said.
"Have one of those unmarked ships ready for me by the end of the year, Master. I will be Grand-Champion, you have my word." Zel smiled as she sat up, feeling hopeful.
"Have you kept up with your practice against the other masters?" Master Olis Tal said, before the young Knight could leave.
"As a matter of fact, I have a match with Master Alora Quinn this evening." Zel answered.
"Excellent. You are making progress, and I see you still choose to practice with Arman Clash during class. You two get along well. Have you asked him to practice with you outside of class?" Master Olis asked curiously.
"I've asked numerous times." Zel said with resignation.
"That's too bad. Nonetheless, your progress is notable." Master Olis said.
The next class, with the students no longer focused on the Zabrak and mirialan, Arman behaved with more reservation. Zel kept her mood high though, because she couldn't wait to tell the human the good news.
"I found a way to get you your ship Mr. Clash." Zel said relieved that she no longer had to keep that news locked away any longer.
"How?" The man was impressed.
"If you help me become Grand-Champion, I can almost guarantee that I'll have an unmarked ship for you to use." She said pleased with herself.
"At what cost, Zel?" Arman asked skeptically.
"Master Olis tells me that I would need to be in a strike team. Actually, he wants me to head campaigns against the Sith." Zel smiled proudly.
"The price is too high!" Arman said in disapproval.
"I thought you would be pleased." Zel was confused.
"Fighting the Sith is my mission. I can't believe I dragged you into this. It's all my fault: I should have known." Arman said in frustration.
"It was my choice Arman." Zel reassured him.
"I'm becoming a bad influence on you Zel." He said apologetically.
"Maybe now you know how serious I am!" Zel retorted.
"I suppose I had that coming." Arman said seriously.
"So, make it up to me Mr. Standard Form: Fight with me after class. This time, you show me what you can do!" Zel said with her hopes returning to her.
"I made a deal. I promise that I will help you win that tournament." Arman agreed seriously.
"It's settled, then." Zel smiled.
"Meet me at four, in the works." Arman said.
"The works?" Zel asked.
"Sublevel six, water works, the catwalks." Arman clarified.
"Right. I'll see you there." Zel was happy.
It had just occurred to her that she would miss her second match with master Alora Quinn, but she knew she belonged with Arman Clash.
The catwalks were damp and dark. The whole area was comprised of narrow walkways, either walled or suspended over water. It was an area that challenged the duelists with close combat, multi-level paths and an added danger of falling down into the water below.
"I'm impressed Arman. What made you think to duel here?" Zel asked as she gripped the handrails and looked at the numerous catwalks and waterworks around.
"It's fitting, don't you think? More importantly, it's far from prying eyes and free of recordings." Arman said as he inspected the area.
"Of course: Makes sense." Zel smirked. She admired how this human's mind worked.
"The rules will be the same as in the tournament: Lightsaber combat is the focus here, but force powers like push, pull, speed are all allowed." Arman said.
"I can't wait Mr. Standard Form." Zel couldn't contain her anticipation.
"Remember, give it all you've got." Zel said as she ignited her lightsaber and stood across from the human. Arman switched on his turquoise blade on and bowed.
This time, he gave Zel no opportunities. Arman struck with quick and powerful movements, keeping Zel on the defensive. Zel backed out of range and summersaulted up to the higher catwalk, expecting Arman to be too spent to follow, but he just flowed up to the next floor right up after her. She must have forgotten that he was previously a consular with a great reserve of force power. Zel smiled at him and charged up to him, taking the offensive.
Arman kept his cool and deflected her blade easily. On this catwalk, there was a wall on one side, keeping the two from reaching out with their lightsabers on that side. Zel kept a close distance to the human, making her quick and precise form more effective against the stronger man. Her gambit worked; without his advantage in strength, Zel tipped her lightsaber blade closer and closer to Arman's body.
Arman backed away to keep her from getting through his defenses and swung a low ark at her legs, forcing Zel to jump up. Arman took the opportunity to jump back down to the lower catwalk, where he had the advantage. Zel smiled down at him and jumped after him. She attempted the same maneuver against him, but she was getting tired. Zel was breathing hard. She decided to switch off her lightsaber and sit down on the floor of the catwalk, legs dangling down, waiting for the human to join her at rest.
"Just how strong are you, Arman? You're like the zabrak Tomac." Zel said as she calmed her heartrate. She still felt the high of the battle in her mind though.
"Stronger than the zabrak. Strong enough to break someone in two." Arman said.
Zel let out a belly laugh.
"You're funny Mr. Standard From." Zel smiled in admiration, not knowing just how much of his answer was exaggerated.
"You have your arena here with your lightsaber, but in hand-to-hand combat, I'm the champion." Arman answered more seriously.
"Well well well Mr. Clash! What happened to the quiet, modest human I used to know?" Zel laughed.
"He goes to class with the rest of you, but you won't find him here. You wanted to see what I can do? Well, now you get to see a whole new me." Arman explained.
"I can't believe it took us this long to do this. It's just what I need to defeat Tomac and hopefully any other Jedi who will come to this tournament." Zel said.
"Forgive me, but aren't you already getting training like this with the masters?" Arman asked curiously.
"I'm supposed to be sparring with one right now, as a matter of fact. In my experience, all the true talent of our order can be found in our classroom." Zel clarified.
"Interesting." Arman said.
"Arman, we are so closely matched; I can't really believe you can keep all of this to yourself, you big faker. You can be champion if you wanted, you know." Zel said in admiration.
"What happened to the overconfident twilek with the cute little pink lekkus?" Arman teased.
"Little? Oh, don't you go there, mister Standard From; you don't want me telling you what I find little about you!" Zel struck the man amicably on the shoulder. Arman flinched in pain.
"What's the matter human?" Zel asked as she watched her friend rub his shoulder.
"I overdid my workout today; I'm quite sore." He answered honestly.
"Are you kidding me? You fought me while tired from your workout?" Zel asked in disbelief.
"Life goes on Zel." Arman smiled.
"I feel like I belong here, Arman." Zel said seriously as she rested her hand on the man's shoulder.
"In the works?" Arman asked.
"No, you idiot; with you. Fighting, training, sharing laughs..." Zel said more seriously.
"I don't need to be flattered Zel; I said I was going to help you out." Arman said.
"You're misreading me Arman; I feel something between us, something in the force." Zel explained.
"I feel it too Zel." Arman said.
"What is it Arman?" Zel asked.
"I think it's safe to say that the force has more than your tournament in mind. I think there will be more between us than this class and this training." Arman said seriously.
"Any force visions lately?" Zel asked curiously as she dangled her feet over the waterworks.
"It's not my place to say: There are still choices left to be made." Arman answered honestly.
"Oh really? Are you confused about something?" Zel teased.
"Not my choice to make." Arman clarified.
"Interesting." Zel mused.
"Do I have to guess what choice?" Zel asked.
"It's a choice, not a guess; only time will tell where our paths will lead us." Arman said.
"Am I crazy to train this hard Arman? I feel alone here, reaching out to my goals." Zel said seriously.
"Not crazy Zel. It's lonely at the top, that's all. I was once like you." Arman said.
"I'm curious to know what it is you are at the top of, Mr. Clash." Zel teased.
"Hang out with me long enough and you'll inevitably find out." Arman answered.
"A mystery? Really, Mr. Clash? I'm a Jedi, remember? Mysteries are always solved." Zel smiled.
"I believe in you Zel." Arman smiled back.
The twilek stood up and extended her hand at the sore human. She helped him up slowly, the thought of him fighting her while sore just came across her mind. Such a close battle, and yet, he was not at his best. She brushed the thought aside and concentrated on her friendship with this human. He seemed to make it a point that his training was of utmost importance and she wanted to know what it was that drove him as intensely as her fencing drove her.
"You missed your match with master Alora Quinn; is everything ok with you Zel Tal'ok?" Master Olis Tal pulled the pink twilek away from the rest of the group.
"Yes master, everything is great. I've actually started practicing with Arman Clash after hours." Zel explained.
"I'm surprised; Arman Clash's focus is elsewhere." Olis Tal said in surprise.
"I've convinced him." Zel smirked.
"I see. Has he shared his pain with you?" Olis asked.
"He has." Zel confirmed.
"I'm pleased. He has kept to himself for years." Olis Tal said.
"He's very driven, like I am. You would be proud of him." Zel said.
"He is very unique. I'm honored to have him in my class. My warning to you remains; be careful with him, Zel Tal'ok, and whatever you do; don't fight him in hand-to-hand combat." Master Olis said seriously. Zel was taken aback by his comment. The thought of what Arman said about breaking a person in two came into her mind.
"He's much stronger than he looks." The master clarified after sensing Zel's pause.
"How strong is he Master?" Zel was curious.
"Stronger than any human." Olis said.
"Stronger than the zabrak?" She asked reflexively.
"Don't fight him Zel." Master Olis cut her short. Zel was confused. Was it fear she read in the master? Yes, it was. Zel couldn't help but frown at the master. She never witnessed this before today. Arman was right, the people who knew him the most feared him.
"I wasn't planning on it master. Our fights are with lightsabers only." Zel answered less amicably than she used to be.
"Very good. Carry on Zel Tal'ok." Master Olis dismissed her.