-Darin-

"You've been here forever. Why don't you take a break?" I had the picture of Mace Windu still so I could copy his position.

"No. Shut up."

I had finished working on soresu and had transitioned to the other forms. I was currently finishing up vaapad.

"Why do you keep practicing what you are already skilled at?" I didn't think that AI could get tired. Then again, I didn't think that they would have personalities that are on par with sentients.

"I'm good. But not perfect."

Seth chuckled. "So determined. You would make a wonderful Sith."

"You'd make a wonderful doorstop."

This caught Seth off guard. "A what?"

"A doorstop."

"I'll have you know that I am an advanced AI with access to a near infinite wealth of information and would nev- HEY! PUT ME DOWN!"

I took the triangle to the bathroom door in the corner, opened it, and placed Seth on the floor to keep the door open.

"This is an outrage! I am priceless! You cannot place me on the floor near a… a lavatory!"

"I just did. Now be quiet."

I haven't just been working on lightsaber combat. I've also spent days developing my new force powers. Seth was surprisingly useful. I know the dark side is taboo, but a lot of the stuff is actually really interesting. I'm sure that if I used it for the right reasons, it'd be fine.

My commlink beeped. I sheathed my saber and answered it. "Darin here."

"The Council wishes to speak with you."

The Council? Why? What did I do this time?

"I'll be there shortly."

I put the commlink on my wrist and packed my bag.

"Good luck!" Jodi said enthusiastically.

"Thanks. I'll need it." I went to leave.

"HEY! WHAT ABOUT ME?!" Seth yelled from the corner.

Oh yeah. Forgot about that. I walked to the bathroom and picked up the little pyramid.

"As I said. A wonderful doorstop."

Silence from Seth. Probably pouting. I put him back on the table and left the room.

The Council was located at the very top of the Jedi Temple and was made up of 12 Grand Masters, none of which had ever liked me very much. Each was selected from the Senate, which included members from each system within the galaxy as well as the Jedi who represented the different departments within the Order.

I left my bag with the droid and opened the door. I walked inside and all eyes turned to me. A few members were here, but most were using holograms. In the middle of the room sat Grand Master Sorsee, the Grand Ass himself who ran the whole stupid thing.

"Greetings Masters."

Silence. Great. I focused my attention on a very interesting knot in the wooden table..

Sorsee cleared his throat. "I apologize for the short notice. This was a bit of an emergency." Grumbling from the other members filled the room. "General Joren has contacted us. He brings distressing news. We have lost General Ports. Please. A moment of silence."

I have no idea who General Ports is but I bowed my head with the others.

"Thank you. As you all may know, this is the third Jedi Knight we have lost this month. The Sith are striking devastating blows against us. However, He did suggest an… interesting proposal. Masters, before us is his old apprentice, Darin Kravhenn."

My face turned a deep shade of red as everyone examined me.

"A fine specimen," muttered the Kaminoan Jedi Dora Tun.

Great. Just great. The Gene Freak liked me.

"General Joren says that you are rather skilled with the saber. I have seen it myself and can confirm that it is true."

"Thank you."

"However, he has always been incredibly weak with the Force. After his apprenticeship, he became a Scholar."

The curious gazes turned into ones of spite. I liked this look better. At least I was used to it.

"Master Joren did tell me something that piqued my interest. He said that about six months ago, you woke up and your Force powers seemed to grow exponentially. Is that true?"

I nodded.

"You must understand I have my doubts. A case such as the one you describe is most unheard of."

An elderly Mon Calamari spoke up. "The Force does work in mysterious ways. Perhaps it has chosen him."

Sorsee nodded. "Perhaps. But… I still have doubts."

Sorsee stood up and walked to a cart that was against the wall. He picked up a glass and took a drink.

"I'm terribly sorry. I have not gotten to eat yet."

Suddenly, his hand shot out at me. Food and silverware went flying at me. Instinctively, I raised my arm, and the food and silverware froze in mid air. Sorsee smiled. "Impressive. I see the Force really has grown in you. Is there anything else I have not covered?"

The members all shook their heads. They'd seen enough. I put all the stuff that was in the air back in the cart, careful to make sure it was precise. Didn't want to step on any toes.

"I do thank you for saving my lunch. I get rather grumpy without it," said Sorsee.

This got a chuckle from the other Council members. I held my tongue and avoided making any sarcastic comments.

"So have you all decided?"

There was a general nodding from the seats.

"Fantastic. Darin Kravhenn, you have been promoted effective immediately. You will begin studying for an exam to become a General in the Jedi Order. A servant will show you to your new room. Please be moved in by tomorrow. After you pass the exam, then you will be assigned a squadron of troopers, and when you are fully prepared you will be deployed."

I was stunned.

I tried to mask the smile that threatened to appear. "Thank you Grand Masters."

"You are most welcome."

A servant droid was leading me to my room. The entire building it was in was nice. The lift was just as fast as the one in the Jedi temple. The walls were ornately decorated with intricate fine golden lines. Everything was very, very clean. The droid stopped at a door.

"This is yours."

"Thank you." I gave it a couple credits. The droid took them excitedly, thanked me, and went off. I opened the door and my jaw dropped. This place was MASSIVE. I walked into a nice living room with couches and a rather large holoscreen. One wall was just a large window, with a door that led to a balcony that overlooked the surrounding cityscape. To one side was a kitchen and dining room. To the other side was a bedroom and bathroom. I walked into the bathroom which had a bathtub, a shower, and a large mirror spanning one wall. I checked out my reflection. I looked like I did before the procedure. The only thing different was the beard which I'd been growing. I grabbed my bag which I'd carried with me and pulled out the picture of Obi-Wan Kenobi. I compared my beard to his. I finally got it to look like his.

I put the picture away and walked into the bedroom. It alone looked to be as big as my old place was. There was a massive bed on one side of the wall. On it was a large case with a little note from Master Joren, congratulating me. I opened it and found it to be filled with credits.

I spent most of the afternoon moving. After I finished moving all my stuff from my old place to the new one, I walked in and grabbed Sadie's helmet and the scrap of paper in it off of a table. I spun it around in my hands, just looking at it and admiring the designs. It truly was beautiful. I've been meaning to return it for so long. The scrap of paper had an address on it. I did a bit of snooping around for any property owned by Wren. This address was the only place within a 20 kilometer radius. It wasn't owned by a Sadie though. Instead, it said Carter Wren. Probably a brother or parent. Or a husband.

I felt a sudden surge of motivation. I've put this off for long enough. I emptied my bag and stuffed the helmet in it. I don't want to be seen walking around with a Mandalorian helmet. Especially in the Jedi halls. Too many questions.

I don't have a clue where I'd be if I hadn't gotten this bag. It's so useful.

I jumped on the lift and took a quick trip down to the ground level. I fetched a cab and told them to go to a building four blocks away from the address I was after and paid him extra when he got there to not tell anybody about my location.

I may be slightly paranoid. I am in a part of the city that Jedi don't generally allow people to come.

The place was rough. I got a lot of dirty looks as I walked past the usual hooligans in this part of town. I realized that I left my Jedi robes on. Like an idiot. And now I was walking through a part of town where Jedi are less than welcome.

I was able to go about 25 meters before a large, bald, tattooed hulk of a man stepped in front of me. He was about my height but probably weighed 60 kilos more than I did. He had muscles over his muscles. It was a little intimidating, but I tried not to let it show.

"Oy. Where ya headed?"

I smiled. "Oh just a few blocks down. Why do you ask?"

He cracked his knuckles and gave me a grin. "Yer bag. Hand it over."

I heard some footsteps behind me. I felt two more men come up behind me.

I sighed. "Do you recognize these robes?"

"Exactly. Ye must have some good stuff in that bag. We wants it."

"What for?"

"Mans gotta make a livin'" a nasal voice said behind me.

I focused with the Force and gave a small hand wave. "You do not want this bag."

"I do not want the bag," they all mumbled in unison.

"Leave," I commanded, and all three of them left at once, all walking in step with each other.

A wave of guilt washed over me for some reason. I felt bad for everyone living in these conditions. It wasn't MY fault, but for some reason I still felt guilt.

I'll do something, I vowed to myself. I'll try to help a little. Force knows nobody else does.