Big DLX Gold and pink painted the eastern sky as a stranger arrived on a Aratech 2-Z speeder at the south edge of Cold Water. With only a couple people and vehicles scurrying about, the stranger parked near a walkway with no other vehicles nearby. A smooth dismount brought forth a small dust cloud where the stranger’s light tanned rider boots landed on the hard dirt. Square buildings in town and farm fields to the distance covered the landscape. Occasional small animals went about as the speeder no longer hummed. The round light tanned speeder helmet with dark visor concealed the stranger, except for wisps of ginger hair protruding out. Scanning the surroundings, the stranger moved to the walkway then strolled it towards the center of town. More people came out as the sky brightened, interested in this new visitor. Murmurs came forth, the stranger’s an outlaw that’s going to do some mean business. Tight leggings of light tan with a matching midthigh miniskirt stood out. The accompanying poncho came stone colored, decorated at the edges with diamonds of the same light tanned color. The stranger wore a color scheme that accentuated the attire, despite the occasional dirt and pieces of plants on the outfit from the couple hours ride through the farmland. The poncho covered the front and back of the torso, only allowing a light tanned hood to stand out in the back. It did not, however, cover the large DLX blaster that slung at the right hip. Approaching an elderly Mirialan gentleman, green of skin with grey of hair, the stranger brought forth from underneath the poncho a round object with black edge and white sides. A small hologram popped up from one side, displaying a human man blond haired. Brown eyes stared menacingly. A scar from plasma heat shown at the right temple. Numbers and words also displayed. The age 24, and a name. Hutta Red. “Looking for him. He around?” came muffled from behind the visor with the slightest of accent. “Fraid don’t know” came with slight high pitch from the Mirialan. The stranger gave a slight nod, then proceeded down the walkway, satisfied with the answer not spoken. The air warmed as the sky brightened. People whispered, with occasional words reaching the stranger of big blaster, Red, and nasty business. “Stranger. Don’t want you hurt. Best you leave.” A young Twi’ lek woman, rocking back on a chair in the shade of a roof, twitched her blue fingers intermittently, her eyes darting about. A long sleeve shirt with rugged slacks and boots gave away her occupation as a farm worker. At least she did not dress skimpy for the fields. “Won’t be long. I’m looking for someone.” The stranger brought out again the round object that displayed the hologram. “Named Hutta Red. Seen him?” “Not today. I mean. No, don’t know him.” The Twi' lek jerked her head about, as her blue prehensile tentacles swayed with the motion. The helmet moved slightly with a nod, then the stranger turned and proceeded back down the walkway as the poncho moved slightly about. Continuing on, the stranger noticed then focused on a young man with blue and white striped montrels and head tails. A Togrutan, standing by a door, stared at the stranger then tried to look away. “You probably don’t know much about this town, nor if Hutta Red is behind that door.” “Been here many years, stranger. And I certainly know Red is in the saloon down yonder.” He pointed further down the road, then scrunched his face as the stranger started back towards the speeder. The Togrutan couldn’t understand what caused him to reply that way. “That felt good” whispered underneath the helmet for only the stranger to hear. The stranger didn’t have to see but felt the presence of the Togrutan running down the road towards the center of town. Continuing back on the walkway, the stranger soon came back to the speeder. Doors slid open, the Togrutan burst into the saloon. “Red! Some stranger lookin for you. Think for a bounty.” The blond man placed his sabacc cards down on the table. Taking a swig of his ale, his right index finger slid over the twenty notches on his DC-2 blaster. “Where?” “Down towards the south side of town.” The Togrutan pointed from whence he came. Hutta Red exhaled a long sigh. A smile came to his face, with a couple spaces where teeth used to be. After he finished the ale in his mug, he stood as he knocked his chair back, then shambled to the door as he ignored the stares from the saloon patrons. “Hi stranger. That’s, um, a nice speeder.” A human girl, probably not even ten years old, stood at the edge of the walkway, holding a bottle of dark carbonated liquid as she gazed at the stranger in marvel. In one smooth motion the stranger pulled off the helmet while she knelt by the girl. Green eyes peered back at the youngster from a young lady with light skin under a head of ginger hair. An exquisite braid laid on the right side of her head. “Hi there. Yes, it is. How bout you do me a favor? Go inside the building and keep a watch on it from that window, and I will buy you another one of those.” She pointed at the bottle. “Deal?” With a broadened smile, the girl enthusiastically nodded her head then proceeded inside. Standing up, the stranger went to the speeder then placed her helmet inside the speeder’s back compartment. Peering down the dirt road towards the center of town, the stranger focused. Not on a sight, a smell, nor a sound. The stranger focused on the energy from all living things. Numerous flows of light, but the harm of fear from so many people also came to her attention. Hutta Red exited the saloon and shambled out onto the dirt road. Slowly he made his way south, staring at the young woman on the dirt road while the townsfolk scurried off into buildings. With a slight strut north, “Red, you can come in body temperature or air temperature, but you’re coming in for your crimes.” She perceived the focus of his eyes, the big DLX blaster at her side. “Someone needs shut yer yap.” His right hand moved slightly towards the DC-2 blaster hanging on his hip. Her breaths even, focused on all around, she picked up the slight twist of his head as the front of her poncho moved to the left side, without either hand touching it. Hutta Red now eyeballed her chest, or more specifically the metallic cylindrical object on her chest. Sitting vertically in a small pouch on the front of her tunic, the object came with buttons, switches, and a handle. His head moved up a little, eyes staring at hers, until he squinted with a gritting of his teeth. He must not have appreciated the brief lift of her eyebrows. A quick jerk of Hutta Red’s hand, the DC-2 cleared the holster. Two bolts of orange plasma sped with death towards the stranger. Yet back they came, rebounded from twin green blades of plasma emanating from the cylindrical object. Quicker than any eye could see the stranger brought forth the cylinder with the blades. The orange plasma bolts zoomed back, grazing Hutta Red on the outer part of his right wrist, and the inner side of his left knee. Down Hutta Red went with a scream as the stranger gracefully moved towards him. As she neared, he lurched his left hand towards his DC-2, greeted by green plasma sticking through his palm. Profanities bellowed from Hutta Red towards the stranger, who responded with a smile. “Ya know, you must be so tired, overwhelmed by such a presence. A couple days sleep would do you well.” No more profanities, Hutta Red fell to a slumber with accompanying snores. Focused on the speeder, a whistle left her lips. The Aratech 2-Z roared to life. Moving towards its owner, the speeder halted beside the stranger. She removed cuffs for wrists and ankles, and a gag that went into his mouth. A few stares came to her attention. She couldn’t help but smile. With ease she lifted Red’s body and placed it onto the back of the speeder, then tied him into place with enjoyment. Walking to the south side of town with the speeder moving besides, the stranger stopped then gazed into a window. The girl staring, the stranger motioned for her to come out. “You did great.” The stranger pointed at the bottle. “And you’ve earned another one of those. Which store?” “That one” the girl replied as she pointed to a nearby general store. “Say, you one of those space angels?” A slight laugh escaped. “No, I’m not a space angel.” The stranger entered the store, then found a bottle of dark carbonated liquid. She moved to the counter and placed the bottle down. “On the house, stranger.” An older man, probably four times her age, nodded as he pushed the bottle towards her. The stranger smiled as she dropped a card with credits double the price of the bottle into a tips jar. “Appreciate the house.” The stranger strolled outside as she gave the girl her new bottle. The energy felt different. Reduced fear, less corruption. The force flowed. Comments made their way back and forth about the speed of the stranger as she approached the speeder. She brought out her helmet as the elderly Mirialan gentleman came up to her. “Stranger, much obliged what you did. But you don’t look like any Marshall. What are you? Some bounty hunter?” The stranger gently shook her head a few times as her ginger braid moved about. Before she placed her helmet, she blinked then spoke “Jedi.”

Thank you for spending the time to read this short story. I tried to have In the Mountain as one thread. However, it was not accepted due to having too many characters. Because of that, it became two threads, part 1 and part 2. Again, thank for for spending the time to read this fanfiction tale of Padawan Furia.

In the Mountain with Padawan Furia Part 2 Docking Bay Seven, Six, Five, Furia approached the destination with her master. Two guards stood outside the entrance of Docking Bay Three, and each possessed SC-2A carbines. She leisurely strolled towards the closer one while she pulled the cart. “Hey” Furia stated as she opened up her robe for the guard to view the new mining clothes. “I need to get your measurements for your new outfit.” She let go of the cart in between herself and the guard farther away. “Get. You don’t belong here.” The guard moved his right hand towards her left arm. Furia swiftly moved her left arm towards her, as she pivoted on her right foot. Her quick spin around brought her right elbow onto the temple of the guard’s head. The padawan knocked him unconscious with a concussion. “What!” exclaimed the other guard. The padawan pushed the cart, and slammed it into the other guard’s legs.he ran towards the other guard. A knee from her hit him at the chin, and knocked him unconscious. She caught him as he fell, then laid him down on the ground. “I didn’t give you permission to confront the guards.” Pricilli’s cowl could not hide the frown to her padawan as she moved towards the door of the docking bay. "You never said I couldn't." Furia moved close to the control panel of the door, then turned towards her master, with the panel behind her. "Wonder if it would make any difference. Do you ever listen to me, Furia? Did you even listen when you were in my class?" The padawan stood with calm, as she blinked with her long eyelashes a couple of times to her master. Lights and sounds came from the panel, then the door opened, without the panel touched. “All right, Furia. You made your point. Thank you for remembering my lessons on door locks. I’ll get the one near the door. You get the other one.” Furia followed her master through the open doorway. The sound of a lightsaber came from Furia’s side, as at the edge of her vision she noticed the blue blade of her master deflected a shot, which returned to the shooter at her chest. In the center of the bay, Furia’s target, an older man, stepped towards the padawan, as he grabbed his carbine. Right foot, left foot, right foot. Furia pushed off the ground, and went into the air. Before the man could aim his carbine, her left knee flew into his forehead. He fell back and hit his head on the ground of the bay, the victim of a concussion. “Is he alive?” Furia glanced at her master when Pricilli asked the question. She saw the body near Pricilli, then the crates at the far end of the docking bay. “Still alive, Master.” Furia moved towards the crates. “The blast was on kill, Furia.” As she moved away from her master, she noticed all the crates came labeled with TIN. “If I did that, you’d be criticizing me, Master.” “No I wouldn’t.” The sigh from her master was not a slight one. “You have before.” Furia opened one of the crates. “Now we know how they’re getting doonium off the planet.” She turned towards her master. “Only the top layer is tin. The rest of the crate is doonium.” “So that’s how they do it.” Her master gazed at the dead body for a bit. Furia leisurely strolled across the bay towards the unconscious man. She brought lines out from her belt, then tied up his hands and feet. The padawan noticed a small datapad on him. As she picked it up, Furia noticed something on his collar. When she turned up the collar, the insignia of a captain in the Sith Army showed. A gentle toss, she gave the datapad to her master. “Oh, my head” Furia heard as he tried to move his right hand, while she stepped away from him. She moved her lightsaber, and attached it to her belt. “Must be nice to take in the aroma of those ships parked here. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll get more responsibilities.” Furia kept her leisure pace towards her master. “I certainly know Lord Dodir’s plan to retrieve the doonium without it being noticed. I’m in charge of loading the doonium onto the smuggler vessels in this bay.” Furia did not hear anything for a couple seconds, then listened to that familiar phrase. “Jedi witch!” She kept her facial muscles still, but the glee erupted inside Furia. “How you?” Pricilli squinted her eyelids at the padawan. “Furia! You are not to do a mind trick unless instructed. I’ve told you that, young lady.” “Just trying to get the info, Master. Plus, I need the practice.” “That is one of the few things you don’t need practice.” Furia kept her pace towards the door. “You getting the other two?” “Yes, Master. Bringing them in the docking bay. Although people might like watching it out there, I think it would be better for me to tie them up in here.” Furia did a quick spin, then beamed a quick smile to her master. The response was as expected, another sigh. She turned back around, and walked outside. In a little bit of time, the two unconscious men floated into the docking bay, as Furia followed while she focused. She gently lowered the bodies onto the ground, not close to one another. She brought out more lines, then tied them up like she did the captain. “I’m notifying authorities. When they arrive, we can proceed.” Furia glanced at her master touching the wrist comm, when the padawan heard something else. "I shall look forward to your defeat by Lord Dodir.” Furia strolled a little closer to the tied up captain. “Ya know, it wouldn’t bother you so much if you weren’t squirming, like if you were asleep.” The captain soon fell asleep. “Furia!” “Less irritating.” Furia strolled back to her master. “Law enforcement should be here in a bit.” Voices could be heard outside. “Ahh, that’s them now.” Furia stood while her master moved towards the door. “Thank you, Master Jedi. We’ll take it from here.” The man that appeared to lead the group of six law enforcement officers bowed his head to her master. Furia stood, waited for the instruction from her master. She observed Pricilli went to the doorway, as her hand bumped into the edge. Perhaps it was from age, an accidental contact into the doorway. Furia knew better. The padawan also noticed the tense muscles and increased eye movement of the law enforcement members. With no effort at all, she felt the tension in the Force. “Come, Padawan.” With the repetitive curling of the Togrutan’s fingers, Furia followed Pricilli out of the docking bay. She took her standard position, to the right and a little behind her master as they walked away from the docking bays and towards Solitary Mountain. “Did you notice, Furia?” “Without the Force, it stood out. With it, blatant tension.” “We need to resolve the issue in the mountain. That right now is our primary concern. But I did secure the monitoring device.” Furia followed her master to a spot on the ground worn down from many boots. “We shall use the miners’ transportation to travel to the mountain.” In a few minutes, a transport emerged, as it traveled to their position. It stopped in front of the two Jedi, then opened its doors. No one occupied the compartment. Through the side window, Furia noticed a cylindrical droid in the cab. “At least it’s a droid driving.” Furia followed her master inside, then sat beside her. “What’s wrong with sentient drivers?” Furia watched her master glanced at the back window of the cab, then to her, then back to the window. “Droids don’t use stupid pickup lines.” Furia moved her eyes around, as she assessed for any potential threat. “What?” Furia observed her master shook her head a little with the question. “Sometimes sentient drivers are trying to ask us out. A few do it, even if they realize we’re padawans. A few weeks ago Dantella and I got a ride to the restaurant district after we did a test. This idiot guy was trying to ask both of us out. Dantella was ready to headbutt him with her horns.” Furia noticed they came closer to the mountain. “Well. I’m grateful she restrained herself.” The transport came to a stop. The doors opened, then the two Jedi departed. The mountain loomed in front of Furia, with its dark rock and snowcapped peak. The padawan followed her master up the short trail. Once they reached the top, Furia gazed around. The lake shimmered its dark blue, as its small waves hit the beach. Nock displayed its numerous square and rectangular buildings, as its populace moved about its dirt roads like small animals. The mine entrance gaped in front of them. It could have held four doors with its width. Lights inside penetrated the dark. Furia felt the two sources of cold in the Force nearby. “Don’t know how long our presence will go unnoticed, Furia.” The padawan followed her master to a mine shaft elevator. “We’ll go to the next lower level, then proceed from there.” The elevator came with railing that went up to the hip, and metal at four corners that connected the floor to the roof. Furia went onto the elevator after her master, who pushed on a control panel. The mine elevator went down, as Furia observed the dirt and rock sides of the elevator shaft. It stopped at a mining tunnel. She allowed her master to step out first, then the elevator suddenly dropped. Furia focused with the Force. She concentrated on the four sides of the mine shaft, as if pulling up. That slowed the decent of the elevator. An opening to a mining tunnel neared. As the elevator came by it, Furia jumped. She landed on the dirt floor as the elevator plunged into the mountain depths. The padawan picked herself up, then brushed off the dirt from her robe. “And Master is concerned about crumbs.” At the edges of the ceiling, numerous lights illuminated the tunnel. Furia took a couple steps, then the familiar voice sounded from her wrist comm. “Furia, are you there? Are you all right?” “Yes Master. I’m fine. I’m in another mine tunnel.” “Try to find a way up to me. I would prefer there be a passage than you climbing up the elevator shaft.” “I will, Master. And I think the Sithies know we’re here.” “Be careful. I will contact you to check up on you. Only contact me if needed. May the Force be with you.” “Force be with ya, Master.” Furia glanced at her wrist comm, and confirmed Pricilli ended the signal. She glanced back towards the elevator shaft, then proceeded forward. The cool air of the tunnel felt damp. Little dust filled the air, most likely no one traversed it lately. Furia felt with the Force. She sensed her master, the two Sith, and others. Nowhere did she feel increased tension. The Force flows. The Sith and their slave underestimates. Furia found the times she conversed with herself an interesting pattern. Totally haphazard. She never found a pattern. Sometimes it reminded her of Pricilli or her mother telling her something. Nevertheless, the statement seemed correct. The tunnel came to an end, and Furia viewed a large chamber. No sound came forth. Her face felt the dampness of the still air. Stalagmites pointed up from the rough floor, with a few puddles nearby. Stalactites hung from the ceiling. Rare columns of rock occupied the chamber. A light shown above an opening in the rock on the far side to illuminate the chamber, at least part of it. The Force flowed, and aided her perception of the two sentients. She moved into the chamber, and avoided the stalagmites as she kept her footing. “Did you think your trespassing would go unnoticed?” The male voice came from near the light. “Trespassing? I’m here to take your measurements for your new attire.” A few small steps around puddles brought Furia near a column. “I seriously doubt that, considering the concussions you caused the two.” She moved her hands in random directions, to her hair, her chest, her waist. She noted he mentioned two, the two outside the docking bay, but that could be him manipulating. He is not manipulating. “But I am. Knocking them out simply improved their personalities. Certainly better than listening to them gabble. Now, why don’t you come down here so I can make sure your sleeve length is correct.” “Why don’t you go back. A new elevator will come by, and take you to a safe place.” “Your lost. Get better fitting clothes than what you have right now, and more durable.” With even breaths, Furia felt the Force in the chamber. “In case you think you will proceed, you will be stopped before you get to that opening.” Furia felt the calmness in the man up on a ledge. She also felt in the Force someone else focused on her. “Really? Now why would you do that? What ya hiding?” Furia made sure the column stood between herself and the man that spoke. “This is a mountain. The ores one would expect.” Furia sensed the focus on her still. The thought to pull a trigger twice. “Tin, for manufacture.” The pull of the trigger twice, after she ignited one of her green blades and did a slight step. Two red plasma bolts came from behind and above Furia. Aimed at her back, without effort she deflected the first back with her lightsaber at the source of the shot. An exhaled grunt notified her of success. The sniper laid dead with a plasma burn above his left eye. She deflected the second shot up to the ceiling ahead of her. “Nice trick, Jedi.” This time Furia noticed he did not sound happy nor smug. “I thought Jedi respected life.” “Defense and knowledge.” Furia also noticed he still seemed certain of himself. “He chose to take the shot. He chose the kill setting. Even in your despot kingdom, there is individual responsibility. He could have left. He could have surrendered.” “You’re not one to talk about what kingdom to serve, Jedi. You listen and follow the orders of your Senators that are easily bribed, and your out of touch Jedi Council. Come on Jedi, is it really worth it to serve your Republic? Can you actually think of something worse for your Jedi than using your talents to satisfy the whims of your bureaucrats?” “Ahh, yea. Reading a bad story about Jedi with a stupid plot.” A chuckle came from the man, as she sensed with the Force his focus on her, his full focus. “You up there, serving the desires of your lords and ladies, working for a failed system. You shoot and kill people that can actually make this galaxy a better place. You can use your talents for a better purpose. Come down, and I will take you away from the Sith Empire. You can spend your life in better ways. A surveyor. That sounds good. Checking and measuring the land to make sure the foundation of a building is sound.” “Come now, Jedi. You can do better than that. A member of special forces, and I’m to make sure land is level?” Furia noticed he still had full focus on her. “Improve your life. Come down. If you surrender now, you will not be harmed. Yea, the Republic has its faults. A bunch. But it’s still better than a tyrant commanding what is best for you. Do something better. And just for you to know. I’ve seen glimpses into the future. The Sith will end, but there shall always be Jedi.” “More like you had wishful thinking, Jedi.” Furia’s slight mind trick kept him focused on her, although he kept free will to leave or surrender if he wished. “And just for you to know. You might be able to deflect my shots, but that entryway you see is surrounded by explosives to prevent someone getting inside. Although you would probably perish if you went inside, perhaps you would live. I would die, but the resulting cave-in would prevent you from proceeding further.” Although she sensed others in the mountain, including her master and the two Sith, no other close presence. “Something material so valuable you would sacrifice your life for? Must be something really special to do that. But really, nothing is so valuable to do that. Just come down.” “How little you know, young Jedi. And in case you think you can try the fabled Jedi mind trick, I have been trained by my lord to resist that.” Furia did not try to get him to lower his weapon. She did not try to get him to move. She simply used the Force to keep him focused on her. “So now we are at an impasse. If you go forward, Jedi, there will be the explosion. If you try to jump up here, you don’t have much room to maneuver, and before you slay me with your lightsaber, again there will be the explosion. You can wait me out, but that will be many days, and again you will not proceed. So take my advice, Jedi, just turn around and.” Furia heard the sound of a crack then break in rock that distracted the man. Above him, a stalactite fell from the ceiling. A quick scream, then the sound of rock hitting rock came forth. No longer did the man lecture. No longer did he make a presence in the Force. “His choice” came from her lips as she proceeded across the chamber. She went through the opening. Furia disconnected the explosives, then took apart the switch as she broke apart a few of its pieces underneath her boot. She noticed another doorway ahead, then proceeded. The open doorway gave way to a chasm, a deep chasm which the padawan could not see the bottom. The control panel to the door came with controls for operating the bridge. She touched the control panel, then nothing happened. “Wonderful. Technology at its finest.” She glanced around the chasm, then fixed her attention on a transponder above. The device was held in place above the chasm by wires that went to either side. Furia studied the distance to the other side, then glanced back at the transponder. She walked back a short distance, then turned back to the chasm. The padawan sprinted a short distance then jumped. With the depths of the chasm below Furia, a line flew out from her belt, which she controlled with the Force. The metal hook at the end of the line secured itself onto the transponder, as the Jedi padawan swung across the chasm. As she came near the far end of her swing, the hook came off. Furia landed on the far side with ease, while the line retracted into her belt. She touched a control panel, then the door in front of her opened. A lighted metal passageway with a doorway at the far end presented itself to her. She took a few steps through it, then suddenly the door in front and behind her closed. Yellow-green gas spewed forth, as the padawan spotted a camera on the ceiling at the far end. Furia stopped her breathing as she jumped. The gas would kill anyone that breathed it after a short time, but Furia followed her training. Pricilli trained the padawan several years ago to significantly increase the amount of oxygen in her body for such situations. Furia argued many times with her master over the years, but she also listened to her. As the passageway filled with the gas, the padawan braced herself by the ceiling, as she used her hands and feet on the walls. She focused on the camera with the Force. It shook for a few seconds, then made a loud sound as it yanked out of the wall, then sailed across the passageway. Furia waited a few seconds, then noticed her reward. The far door opened. Two figures walked in, then the door slid closed. Both gazed around in their chemical suits without making the effort to look up in the yellow-green gas. Furia dropped to the floor as she brought forth one of the green blades from her lightsaber. Before the two could bring up their weapons, Furia swung her blade with precision. The blade cut through the suits, and the jaws of her two targets. The two breathed in the gas meant for her, for they could not close their mouths, with their jaws burnt away from the plasma blade. Furia watched them drop to the ground, moved around a bit as they tried to cover up their exposed throats with their hands, then they ceased to move. She moved her hand close to the control panel, then felt the heat from it and the door. Heat flows. Where did that thought come from? She wondered. Furia focused, and with the Force felt the heat with its vibrated molecules. She imagined a stream of heat from the door through the passageway. As she concentrated, the door cooled. She touched the control panel, now cooled to room temperature. The green blade of her lightsaber followed the door as it opened. Two men stood in the blade’s way. One held a blowtorch, the other a carbine. Nothing impeded the blade as it burned through their chests, and left large cauterized wounds within their hearts and lungs. Furia strolled by them as their corpses fell to the ground. “Furia, you there?” Pricilli’s voice came through the wrist comm. “I’m here, Master. You doing all right?” Furia hiked up a passage towards an open doorway. “Don’t worry about me. Are you all right? “Yes. I’ll get up to you in a bit.” Furia kept her upward path. “By chance, have you used your lightsaber?” “Course I have.” Furia wondered what this next lecture would be about. “I said no saber.” “I don’t exactly have one of those metal gloves that can deflect plasma shots. And it be a bit difficult to float one of those by my back to deflect a sniper shot. Better a saber than me dead, Master.” “Just get to me when you can.” The comm signal ended, as Furia came up to the doorway. She felt the numerous sentients in the Force, then they came into sight. A squad of ten soldiers for the Sith Army stood within a large chamber. Before they brought up their carbines, her second green blade of plasma came forth. Furia ran a few steps towards them as plasma bolts came her way. The Force flowed through her, as she deflected the bolts back with her double-bladed lightsaber. Bodies began to fell from the deflected bolts as she jumped into the air. As her body spun around, her feet moved above her head in the path of a circle. The double green blades spun with her, as they deflected back any shots that came near. Furia’s feet landed on the ground on the other side of the soldiers. What few soldiers stood, they became the recipients of the green blades that blazed through their shoulders. Their bodies dropped to the ground, burned in half. Crates occupied the chamber, labeled TIN. Piles of doonium occupied numerous areas of the chamber. A few pieces of another metal caught Furia’s eyes, and she moved towards them. Pieces of aurodium littered the ground. She knelt then retrieved the pieces for herself. As she stood, Furia felt the conflict in the Force. Her master battled the Sith, but did not seem in distress. Nevertheless, Furia knew the sooner she could aid Pricilli, the better. Up the incline she went in the chamber. She left it at the top, and entered a passage that went forward a short distance. A quick jog brought her to another chamber. Some parts of the new chamber displayed a relatively smooth floor. Other parts showed rocks protruded up, the remnants of stalagmites. Numerous ores littered the chamber floor. However, the geology did not occupy Furia’s attention. The saber battle her master took part did. The Togrutan faced two humans, both male, on top of a ledge twice as high as the padawan’s height. One appeared older, and a little more skilled with a lightsaber than the other. The pair protruded red lightsaber blades. They wore kaftans with black and red vertical stripes, complete with a v-neck collar; a truly dismal display of clothing taste. Furia glanced at the older man, then the younger one. Naturally, she turned towards the more skilled Sith Lord. She viewed with a little amusement at the Sith Lord, who appeared a little startled as his eyes darted from one green blade to another as he jumped down. He struck with his lightsaber, however she easily blocked the swing with one blade then brought the other blade forth and made contact with the outer part of his right elbow. A scream came forth from the Sith Lord, then he advanced toward her, and forced her to retreat over the chamber floor where rocks protruded up. So he wished. Furia with grace stepped around the rocks as she retreated. The Sith Lord did not, as he stumbled to his detriment. A swung green blade caught him at the edge of his left ankle, another burned through his shoe and right big toe. Another stumble, then another scream as Furia touched a blade to his right hand. A grimace, with a stare of his yellow eyes, greeted the padawan before he stabbed forward with his red blade and gave a yell. A turn of her lightsaber, the retraction of one blade, Furia then pushed out with the remaining lightsaber blade pointed upward. No more screams, not even a sound, came from the Sith Lord, just the sound of cauterized flesh. When Furia brought back her lightsaber, she witnessed half a cylinder burnt into the Sith Lord, from the top of his head to the upper part of his chest. No nose, no mouth, no middle part of a forehead, but burnt flesh greeted the padawan. She quickly noticed the inside of the Sith’s brain. However, Furia needed to address more pressing matters than her handiwork. She glanced up at the ledge. Pricilli parried attacks, then tried to catch the Sith apprentice off guard. She didn’t make contact, but did held her own. Furia focused on the Force. “Hey Sithy! Time to check the want ads for a new apprentice!” The yell startled both combatants, then a stream of purple lightning shot forth from the apprentice’s right hand. With a small step to the side, Furia deflected the lightning towards her by using the Force and the aid of her double-bladed lightsaber. For several seconds the lightning coursed through the Sith Lord’s corpse on the ground. Then, the lightning stopped. Furia glanced at the turn of her master’s forearms, the failed parry of the Sith apprentice, then Pricilli’s blue blade burned through the Sith’s left arm and entered his chest. She pulled back the blade as he fell lifeless onto the ground. Furia knelt by the Sith Lord, concentrated on his lightsaber with the Force, then took apart the pieces until she found the kyber crystal. She floated it into the air, then placed in her hand. The padawan felt the pain of the crystal, then it lessened as the crystal broke away into fine particles and floated to the ground. Furia felt the relief as she stood up. “How did you?” The padawan subsequently felt once again the anger from her master. “Furia! You! Are! Not! To use a mind trick unless I’ve commanded you to.” “I didn’t want him to harm you. His master was a nice target to divert him.” “I had the situation under control. He wasn’t going to harm me.” Pricilli retrieved the kyber crystal from the apprentice’s lightsaber, then allowed it to dissipate in her hand. Furia tilted her head to the left, then to the right. “True. But I’d rather have him distracted than get a lucky swing.” “Your concern is noted, but you didn’t need to help. And what was that about you going after the Sith Lord? You could have been killed.” “Really? From Darth Doofus? I owned him.” Furia pointed at the corpse of the Sith Lord, then waved her hand near her nose. An aroma emerged from the electrocuted corpse. “Now if you said don’t get a Sith to shoot lightning at another Sith, that I’d agree. They stink.” The padawan moved away from her kill. “Own your space. I knew he wouldn’t be that good moving around the rocks. That dancing around glasses on a table is good practice.” Furia didn’t have to see the scowl on her master’s face, for Pricilli projected it so well in the Force. “Furia, you manipulate with the skill of a Sith Lady.” Furia noticed her master squinted at her. “You all right?” “Yes. Feel good.” The padawan took a quick glance of her body. “No injury.” “Furia, it’s like you’re pulsating.” “I feel fine, Master. I don’t feel it.” Furia picked up the slight shakes of her master’s head. “It went away. If you ever feel different with the Force, I want you to notify me.” “Ahh, yes, Master.” Furia noticed Pricilli went to inspect some boxes on the ledge, so the padawan knelt and picked up numerous pieces of aurodium. Soon Furia jumped up onto the ledge. “We ready to go and notify the authorities?” She started to walk towards the opening on the ledge. “I will do that. That is not your concern.” “But I need to learn by watching you.” “Another time, Furia. This one is a bit complicated. I will meet you back at the docking bay. Let’s say in three hours. “Yes, Master.” * * * Rays of the sunset colored the sky above her. A bit of dust lingered in the air above the road, its scent mixed with the aromas she smelt from food carts to the side. Dampness refreshed her face as a slight fog made its way from the lake. The hustle and bustle of sentients, with their lively conversations, energized the dirt road. She felt the joy and energy from the populace in the Force, and again she thought herself blessed that she felt it. Furia and Pricilli no longer needed the cowls over their heads. They strolled with their Jedi robes open. The master and padawan revealed Jedi walked amongst them. “Good evening, Master Jedis.” “Thank you for visiting Nock, Jedis.” “Anything you would like, Master Jedi and Master Padawan? It’s on the house.” Furia observed head nods and bows in her direction, with smiles from all around. The people of Nock beamed joy. Mission accomplished. “Don’t let this get to your head, Furia.” “Master, I will let it get to all of me. To feel their joy, there’s nothing like it.” “True, my padawan. We are blessed to feel it.” The padawan walked by more greetings with her master as they made their way back to their hotel. “You haven’t told me yet about your chat with the authorities.” Furia beamed a smile and waved at all that greeted her. “I needed those three hours. My monitor picked up the most interesting conversations. Most, not all, but most of Nock’s law enforcement were on the take. They knew smuggling came out of that docking bay, not realizing the doonium was smuggled in the tin crates. They took their payments and looked the other way, not realizing the smugglers were under the command of the Sith. The ones that took the bribes are now under arrest, including their chief. I notified the Republic to send new officers.” “That part I know, Master.” “How did you?” “Master, I’m your padawan. Unless need to know, you said I can look at your communications. I added a clothing store to your order, with a couple tailors and supporting droids.” “Furia, you what? Who gave you the authority?” “You did. I’m your padawan. The miners need better work clothes, you saw that. What I made works. The tailors know they’ll be employed by the Jedi. They get paid jobs, miners don’t get holes in their clothes, more joy.” “I wished you would have talked to me before you did that, young lady. And what do you plan to do with the profits, more clothes for you?” “Them.” Furia motioned her head in the direction of the children shelter they went by before. “These are fun!” “This is the best day of my life!” “I bet that redhead space angel got them for us.” “She’s not a space angel. She’s a Jedi!” “She’s not a Jedi. We didn’t see her lightsaber. She’s a space angel.” “She’s a pretty Jedi. You can tell without her lightsaber.” “I hired a droid repairer to fix their toy droids. There were a couple lying about on the street no one wanted, so he fixed those and brought them to the shelter. Children really like him. Building will get repairs. Badly needed. Especially the two leaks in the ceiling. Exterminator came by to clear out the creepy crawlies. Healthier food will be coming to them three times a day, every day.” “This is going to bring that shelter some attention, maybe unwanted attention, Furia. How are they going to be safe from someone wanting to take protection money from them?” “Ahh, I thought of that, Master.” Furia turned her head, as her ginger braid moved for all to see, then waved at the man in the armor. “He liked the job. Better than working for a cartel, getting money from people that took out personal loans. He got the security contract.” The Mandalorian briefly glanced at the wall of the shelter, then turned to the ginger haired padawan, and nodded his head with a bow. “Not to mention he liked the idea of helping the children in the shelter, he said the pay would help him get something Mandalorian armor.” “You mean beskar, Furia?” “That’s it. He said just having that on him will reduce the risk of the shelter getting extorted.” “The payment. Is that what you did with the aurordium?” “Yes, Master” the padawan replied without hesitation. Furia noticed at the side of her vision the turn on her master’s head, with the movement of Pricilli’s montrals. “Wait. You knew I saw you do that.” “You stalled for a second when I picked them up.” Furia noted her master did not say anything for a few seconds as they got close to the hotel. “So no clothes? You always want something new after a mission.” “The tin that was replaced by the doonium was hidden in another part of the mountain. Since no one had ownership, I sold it to the droid repairer at discount. He’s going to make droid parts out of it. Some parts really needed. I’ll think of something to buy back on Coruscant.” “Padawan Furia Tormenta. You truly manipulate with the skill of a Sith Lady.” “I’m just glad I’m not one, Master.” “So am I, Furia. So am I.” * * * “Bless you. Good morning. Thank you for being part of this wonderful day.” Furia greeted the sentients that went by in the plaza, with the Jedi Temple behind her, as she sat crossed legged on a bench. A slight breeze, cooler than expected, swayed her ginger padawan braid a little. “Blessed are all of you, for you help bring life and energy to the Force. I know these are trying times with this awful war.” Furia noticed none that walked by ignored her. Some smiled as they walked by. Some glanced at her Jedi robe, then scampered off quickly. Some stood and watched her for several seconds. A few sat there, as joy emanated from them that they could actually hear a Jedi speak. “It’s not easy living in a war. In fact, it could be pretty horrible. Yet even in such bad times, joy and good can come from it. When given the opportunity, the results of the bad work of some can be used to help the needs of others. When given the chance, any of us can find someone to help. More than just Jedi can bring joy to others. And we all together can make this galaxy a better place.” She may have been the only one speaking to others in the plaza, but Furia Tormenta knew she was not alone. Close by she could feel in the Force the presence of her three friends: Mecina, Dantella, and Stacy. Her fellow padawans watched and admired her for speaking to the populace. Furia returned to Coruscant with her master the previous evening, after another successful mission. With no classes at the temple for a couple days, she will celebrate with her friends at nighttime by clubbing, which they always do as a tradition when one of them comes back from a mission. They will sing, and dance, and be merry to the beat of the music and the Force. Yet Furia did not forget the life of the galaxy. It’s life that brought the Force she felt so blessed to be in harmony with. Her friends knew she did not take life for granted, and loved her for that. She knew that of her friends, and as much loved them back.

In the Mountain with Padawan Furia The Force flowed here, and it felt good to her. Thud. The accompanied slight shake notified the young lady, and all inside, that the transport shuttle landed on Fodienda. Double doors opened, which allowed her to smell the air with its slight dust from the docking bay mingle with the recycled air of the shuttle. She stood a little behind and to the right of another figure. As the crowd slowly dispersed out of the shuttle, the young lady followed the other as the two figures flowed with the crowd in an unassuming manner out of the craft and onto the floor of the docking bay. The young lady followed obediently in step with the other figure, as she stayed slightly back and to the right. She observed her surroundings, with the occasional glance at the other’s inconspicuous dark robe. The cowl hid the striped montrals and head-tails, as it effectively concealed a Torgrutan walked amongst the crowd. Brown tunic and trousers, with matched calf high boots, stayed hidden underneath the robe, as did the other’s lightsaber. The robe effectively concealed the identity of Jedi Knight Pricilli. The young lady thought of one word to describe her master’s attire. Boring. She obligingly wore the same designed dark brown robe. The body of the robe covered her black crewneck shirt. The shirt was covered by a dark brown blouse with ruffles at the V-neck collar, and ends of the cuffs. Her outfit came along with dark brown ankle high boots, matching dark brown belt, and black tights. The cowl hid her ginger hair, and the braid on the right side of her head, with the result it concealed her as a Jedi padawan. The robe hid the hilt of a double-bladed lightsaber, and a dark brown mid-thigh skirt, with the result it concealed Furia Tormenta. Furia retrieved her large black backpack from baggage after Pricilli, then strolled out of the docking bay in lock step with her master. With purpose the padawan traversed over the dirt roads, as she avoided speeders that moved carefully or recklessly. The conversations and sqabbles of the citizens filled the air, as did the variety of sounds from the two story buildings that lined the roads. How fortunate she felt that she did not wore light-tanned clothes, for dirt soon displayed on her attire. Yet the feel. This mining town came with life. Again, she felt so blessed she could feel the Force. The energy from all the living beings of the town, no feel could ever match it. The walk did not take long until Furia reached her destination with her master. The Grubby Inn. Not original, but she admitted a catchy title to grab the attention. The two story building occupied a long chunk of land on one side of the dirt road. She followed her master through the double doors into the lobby, then waited at her position as Pricilli checked them in. The force flowed bountifully and freely, the energy that surrounded and bounded all life at the inn, town, and this part of the planet. A slight smile emerged on her impassive face, unseen by others because of her cowl. Two sentients. Hate. Cold. Her master did not explain the mission so far, but Furia knew she must be at the right place. She sensed two Siths nearby on Fodienda. Pricilli turned to Furia, then the padawan tilted her head a little and gave a slight nod to her master, who immediately recognized the gesture. Furia followed her master up the steps to the second floor, then down the hallway to an insignificant door. Room 217. With the wave of a rectangular key in her master’s hand, the door slid open. Furia followed Pricilli into the room with two single beds. Thank the Force Furia praised quietly, that she did not have to sleep in the same bed as her master. The accompanied bathroom came with a shower. “Nice job perceiving them, Furia.” A nice compliment from her master, Furia decided this will be an uncommon day. The Togrutan placed her pack on the floor, then took off her dusty robe. “Thank you, Master.” It took little effort from the padawan to perceive them, but she appreciated any compliment from her master. She disrobed herself, then immediately glanced at the squint of the Togrutan’s eyes. “You wore that?” Pricilli pointed at the ruffles of her blouse. Furia focused on her master’s face. “Yes. Why not? At least it’s cloth instead of showing skin.” “You know better, young lady. You’ve studied the dress code more than anyone else. The Council hasn’t banned that from official Jedi attire yet, but keep on standing out by wearing that, you know they will.” “The Council more concerned about ruffles than Sith on Coruscant? Really? And those two Sithies why we’re here?” “Not specifically. We are to find out about a significant reduction in”. Furia picked up the knowingly smile from Pricilli. Furia didn’t divert the subject matter of the conversation unnoticed by her master. She needed to work more on that. “Significant reduction in shipping of doonium recently. Soon there will be a stoppage of warship construction in this sector. We are to find out why, and get the shipments going again.” “Master, since we’re not going in with lightsabers blazing, how are we to do this covert mission?” Furia glanced at the room and felt with the Force. She didn’t perceive any recording devices. No one outside the window looked into their room. “We are bringing a new style of clothes for the mine workers. Tomorrow we give our proposal to the administration of the mine, then pick up a supply of fabric at the docks to make into the clothes.” Pricilli made the same check of the surroundings as did her padawan. A broadened smile appeared on the padawan’s face. “New fashion for the miners. This ought to be fun.” Furia’s smile dropped when she spoke again. “Wonder how long it will take before we’re picked up in the Force.” “If not already, won’t be long. Question is will they attack, or sneak away? But are focus is the doonium shipments. The Sith are a secondary concern.” Pricilli replied to Furia with that look on her face, don’t question this. “So what now?” Furia wondered if the afternoon and evening would become interesting, or an outright bore. “We meditate. Then we shall go to dinner. And not make a scene.” The corners of Furia’s mouth rose quickly, then came back down to their previous positions. She knelt down, as her toes touched the floor. Her eyes gazed down as she closed her eyelids. With even breaths, the padawan meditated near her master. The Force flowed through them, as Furia felt the joys, fears, excitements, and sorrows from the life around. Furia easily sensed the Force coming from her master, and the slight increase of it that flowed between herself and her master. Again, she felt the two figures of hate, cold. They continued until dinner time, when the padawan noticed Pricilli opened her eyelids, which Furia quickly followed. “Master, I would think my left side gets braided?” “Most would not know the symbolism of the hair braided on the right side, but a few would. That would be prudent, Furia. Need help?” “Not sure. Let me try on my own.” Furia closed her eyes, then three sections of her ginger hair floated on the left side of her head. Sections weaved from near her scalp down the hair strands. A nearly invisible band floated from her backpack, then tied the sections together. “Good job, Furia. Nice fine control.” “Thank you, Master.” This will be a day long remembered for Furia. Her master complimented her twice in one day. “Secured?” “Underneath my blouse, Master.” Furia studied her master’s glance at her, vision briefly fixed on the ruffles without noticing the metal handle concealed by her attire. She followed her master out of the room, where they left their dark robes, dirtied from the road. Down the stairs, Furia followed Pricilli through the lobby to an adjoining room. A host seated them, as the padawan perceived several pairs of eyes glanced at her and the Togrutan she followed. Soon a waiter came to their table, dark hair with a matching beard and moustache. “Welcome. Would you two ladies like to start with something to drink?” Furia always allowed her master to order first, out of respect. “Starblossom nectar.” “Rishi punch.” Furia grabbed every chance she had to order her favorite drink. “The young lady will have a hyperdrive.” Furia wrinkled her nose, her only display of contempt for her master changing her drink order. Furia noted she needed more practice to control her emotions. “You don’t need alcohol.” “The body makes the equivalent of two drinks in a full day.” Furia accepted her master changed her drink, but won’t back down on her reason to want one. “Coruscant doesn’t allow serving seventeen year old’s alcohol.” “Doesn’t allow, but some do. And other planets do allow. Fact, some planets don’t even have an age. Been there.” Furia easily picked up the squint of her master’s eyes again. The padawan won this argument. “Got the taste of Starblossom from Gianna?” Master Gianna, the master of her friend Stacy Organa of Alderaan, also came from that same planet, and enjoyed its fine tastes. “Good” whispered back her master. Furia avoided the title Master Gianna, and thereby avoided the exposure that came from using a Jedi title. The waiter brought their drinks, then went to serve another table. “I got it on my own. But it is nice to share a drink with her on occasions.” The Togrutan took a sip, and savored the drink. Furia picked up a laminated sheet in front of her, then gazed at the menu on both sides as she took a drink of the hyperdrive. Pretty good taste. Definitely came with the berry flavor. “Know what you want to order?” “Grilled lake fish. With the veggie beans as a side.” Furia took another drink, as she observed her master’s eyes fixed on one part of the menu. “Tomorrow morning, we give our presentation. I expect they will accept. Afterwards, we retrieve the fabric from the docking bay, then find a location to start making their new clothes. Furia glanced with the corner of her eye as the waiter came back towards their table. “Have you ladies decided what you want to order? “The young lady will have grilled lake fish with the side of veggie beans. I will have the shaak roast with the fruit salad side.” “Would the young lady like a refill on that hyperdrive?” The waiter turned back to Furia. She appreciated the waiter paid attention to their table. “Yes please.” The waiter went away to place their orders, as Furia pondered what to discuss without giving away themselves as Jedi. “What look do you think will grab their attention?” “An outfit has been designed.” “Hmm.” Furia wondered what the design would be. “By the way, what is the name of this town? I didn’t get a chance to notice at the docks.” “Nock.” A smiled emerged, then broadened, on the face of the young lady with a ginger hair braid on either side of her head. “For real? That can have more than one meaning. Perfect for a mining town.” A quick frown came upon her master’s face, which Furia easily picked up. Pricilli finished the drink in her glass. The waiter brought their dinners, and placed the plates in front of them. “Would you like another glass of Starblossom?” “Yes I would. Thank you.” Furia observed with calm as Pricilli took her first bite. “What?” “Really? You complain of me having a drink, yet you order two.” Furia took a bite of the beans, then cut off a piece of fish. “I will be fine, Furia. And if I happen to consume too much, and in a disadvantageous position, I’m sure you’ll try to defend me.” The smile reemerged on Furia’s face. “I’ll try.” She placed the piece of fish in her mouth, moved it around with her lips closed, tilted her head a little back and forth, then swallowed the piece. “Not bad.” Furia focused back on Pricilli. “I don’t take going to The Grille every month for granted.” “I know, Furia. It’s a treat you well deserve.” Pricilli ate a couple pieces of the fruit salad, next a piece of the shaak steak, then nodded after she ate them. Furia deduced her master accepted the chef’s skills. The padawan and her master ate the rest of their meal with little discussion. They desired not to give away themselves as Jedi, and didn’t want to extend the time needed to eat dinner. Furia observed Pricilli’s eyelids rose when the padawan said no to dessert. After the master paid for their dinner, they proceeded up the stairs to room 217. “We checking anything tonight, Master?” “We shall rest tonight. Tomorrow we will be fresh and well energized when we give our presentation.” Furia kept her composure, able to hide her brief disappointment of not having a potential adventurous night. More meditation. Furia felt the flow of the Force, the strength of it from her master, the many ebbs and flows from the populace, and the two blotches of cold, hate. They didn’t seem to notice her, nor her master. Immediately after her master finished meditation, Furia followed. She changed into a Barbados sea colored silk nightshirt, then proceeded to her bed. “Where did you get that, Furia?” “What?” She glanced at her attire, then faced her master. “This? Mecina and I ordered one each, so we got a deal. And there’s no Jedi rules on what can be worn to bed, as long as wearing something.” She went under the blanket, and snuggled herself in for a night’s rest. “Please don’t push them to make more rules, my padawan. You most certainly can do that.” Pricilli settled herself into the bed, then turned off the light. “Good night, Master.” “Good night, Furia.” With a full night of restful sleep, Furia woke up refreshed and ready to take on the day. Her first sight of the morning entailed her master finished getting dressed. Again, Furia thanked the Force she did not have to sleep in the same bed as her master. After she finished dressing in the same attire she wore the previous day, which actually didn’t disturb her, Furia went out the door after her master. Again they went to the restaurant at the inn. Pricilli ordered fruit with cream, while Furia picked grain flakes with breakfast milk. The padawan noticed her master stared at her while she picked a small lifeform off of one of the flakes. “You’re not going to complain to the management, are you?” “Nope. I know this isn’t like the fancy restaurants near the Senate Building.” Furia looked up from her food to her master. “Can you see all those politicians freak if they had to pick something out of their food? They’d all panic that they were poisoned.” Pricilli sighed. “You should have more respect for our representatives in the Senate.” “Fools of a bantha’s backside, that’s what they are. Be nice if they got out of their aurodium bubble and spent time with the populace.” Furia began eating her breakfast. “Although I have to admit, a few actually care and have a clue.” Another sigh came from Pricilli as she shook her head a little. Furia noticed her master went back to her breakfast, probably to avoid another argument. After the two finished their meal, Pricilli paid then the two left. As the two strolled towards their destination, Furia focused on the mountain in the distance while she kept her appropriate position in relation to her master. It stood majestically by itself, not far from the town, its top covered with snow. “I thought mountains were in chains, like volcanoes in a line or edges of tectonic plates.” “I’m glad you learned something from your classes other than sentient behavior. It’s called Solitary Mountain, but the chain of mountains extend away behind it.” “Ahh.” Furia heard the sounds and viewed the sentients as they traveled to their occupations. The slight scent of dust permeated the air. The hard dirt moved a little under her steps. The cowl of her robe kept the dust out of her eyes when she needed to use it as a shield. The padawan observed several miners as they traveled to their work. Hard hats laid on top of their heads. Goggles covered their eyes. Yet the work clothes kept Furia’s focus. Holes at the knees and elbows. Pockets laid partly ripped from trousers and shirts. Olive and white pin striped colored. Blah. It did not take long before Furia sighted their destination, The Solitary Mining Company. Unoriginal name, but the padawan focused more on what needed to be conveyed at the upcoming meeting. “Let me do the talking, Furia.” “Of course.” What else was new. Furia followed her master into the building, the proceeded to the uniform office. She stood again slightly behind and to the right of her master, as they both faced a desk. Behind the desk, sat the man in charge of uniforms. A Balosar, with his twin antennae on top of his head, she examined him as he took in the view of Furia and her master, as his eyes moved up and down. At least he wasn’t a Gungan. Furia didn’t want to practice at the moment her skills at patience. “Welcome. Welcome to Nock, you two. I’m Ash. So, what is it you bring me today?” Furia noticed he sat without squirming in his seat. He put out the vibes of being confident and a little arrogant. “Thank you for allowing us to visit you. As my message stated, we are from the Togrutans of Coruscant Clothing Company.” Pricilli stayed calm stating that company name. Furia thought her master should have vomited after stating that. If Pricilli drank a bottle of Rishi rum, she probably would have come up with a more original name. “My apprentice and I wish to improve the attire of your workers. We want to make them something that makes them comfortable at work.” “You.” Ash pointed straight at Furia. “You are a human. You work for this Togrutan clothing company?” “It’s a multicultural corporation.” Furia kept her composure, as she noticed with the Force that her master’s skin stayed relaxed while her skeletal muscles tightened from the padawan’s last comment. Pricilli brought out an information chip, then placed it into a slot on a projector on the desk. The device displayed above it a picture of a male miner. The one piece black suit came with a zipper in front. It tightly clung to his body. It appeared tight to move in, and difficult to kneel. Furia summarized the suit must have been created in the halls of the Jedi Temple. That would explain why it looked so stupid. Jedi had no idea of fashion, and Furia continued to relish that she went by her own fashion tastes. The padawan noticed with ease the Balosar also disapproved of the look. “This, this is no good.” He turned to Furia. “You. You think you could do better?” Furia stood still, kept her slight smile as she motioned her left hand towards her master. “The young lady will try. Perhaps she can make an improvement.” The padawan wondered why her master’s head tails didn’t turn red in anger from having to make that statement. Furia kept her slight smile without uttering a word as she bowed her head, as she knew if she made another statement her master would probably become more irritated. “Good. Good. Come back in four hours.” He turned his head downwards to read a datapad, without saying goodbye to the two ladies. It confirmed to Furia that Ash was an arrogant fool of a bantha’s backside. Furia followed Pricilli out of the office, then out of the building. “Multicultural corporation. Can’t believe you said that.” Furia noticed her master’s muscles still seemed a little tense as Pricilli shook her head. “Got to admit it was funny.” “No it wasn’t Furia.” “Yes it was. Where is this shipment of fabric? I need a good look to see how to modify it.” “Why do you need to modify?” Pricilli grimaced again. Furia recognized her master noticed the padawan once again deftly changed the subject of the conversation. “Docking Bay Twenty.” “I’m going to need to do something on the knees and elbows.” Images popped into Furia’s imagination of different designs. The padawan did not view it, but she sensed her master’s eyelids went up, as the Togrutan realized the Jedi order did not think through the new clothes for the miners. Furia stayed in step with her master, as they walked closer to the docks. Solitary Mountain loomed ahead on the horizon, and a large lake covered the terrain to the right of the mountain. Furia tilted and twisted head to her left, then viewed a man in durasteel armor, with a T-shaped visor, as he pushed a Rodian male into a wall. Furia sensed with ease in the Force fear, but also greed, from the Rodian. Hopefully the Rodian wasn’t a relative of Grand Master Wassach; that would have been an embarrassment. With her right hand, the padawan wiggled her fingers in a greeting towards the man in armor. He briefly turned to her and stared as she continued towards the docks. “Focus.” Furia picked up the slightest irritation with the one word from her master. “I’m just greeting the Mandy. Maybe he could use a nice greeting from someone.” “Focus.” The irritation went up slightly. Furia did as instructed, but for only a brief time. A clamor of voices, children and adult, came from a yard walled off from the road. Furia began to veer towards the voices. “Focus Furia.” “If I can feel it, you can feel it. Their hurt, their pain, their fear, their loneliness.” Furia’s cowl successfully hid her clenched jaw.” “Unfortunately they are not the only ones. But we have a mission to fulfill.” Pricilli continued on to the docks, unimpeded by the hurt she felt in the Force. “Yes, M.” Furia caught herself and did not say Master. Eventually Furia came to the dock with her master. She followed her to Docking Bay Twenty. Pricilli went up to a large crate, then pressed a panel several times. As it opened, it displayed its contents of dark blue cloth. A smile emerged on the Togrutan’s face. However, no smile came upon the face of the ginger haired padawan. “No good.” “What?” “No good. This stuff will get ripped. Need to make these threads more durable. Boss” Furia turned in her robe and displayed her teeth to Pricilli in a widened smile. Furia made sure she didn’t say Master. She also didn’t mind one bit using a term masters didn’t like to hear from their padawans. With the extended sigh from Pricilli, Furia got her little bit of fun. “So, what do we do with it?” Furia observed without trying her master kept her breaths even. “Need to find a tailor that can mix this with other threads. Then can make some good work clothes.” Furia glanced around the dock. “I’m guessing some equipment is somewhere around to help us move it?” As she turned to face her master, her eyebrows quickly went up and down. Furia could easily lift it and bring it with them using the Force. After all, she lifted a starfighter a few times. However, that would easily blow their cover. “In there.” Pricilli pointed to a door on the far end of the docking bay. Furia strolled over to the door. She touched the control panel, then it slid open. She turned around and saw her master on the other side of the docking bay, with a smile and tightness of her facial muscles. “You’re kidding.” “Get it assistant.” Furia easily picked up her master’s enjoyment on forcing this upon the padawan. She picked up the object, then Furia turned the object on its side. She brought it out then set it down. A cart with two wheels and a long handle sat parked in front of Furia. “Going for the nostalgic presentation? Bound to get better sales than that clothing design.” Furia turned from her master to the cart, then grabbed its handle and pulled it across the docking bay. She may of had to use the cart to move the crate, but at least she got to put in her little revenge of the padawan. Furia parked the cart by the crate. “You can do it. You’ve got the muscles.” Pricilli finished her comment with another smile which Furia deduced came with a complete lack of sincerity. By stating Furia had the muscles, her master concealed the command Furia could not use the Force. That would be difficult, since like the other Jedi, Furia came with the potential to use the Force without realizing it at times. The padawan put the cart’s stand up, which let it sit upright. Next, she picked the crate, then placed it on the cart. Pricilli moved and placed straps over the crate, which secured it. “Why, so helpful. Thank you.” Furia effectively did not sound sarcastic, but her master squinted her eyes. Pricilli knew. Furia picked up the handle of the cart, then followed her master out of the docking bay. “Let’s try that road” stated Pricilli as she pointed. Furia followed the direction her master pointed, to a different road. She pulled the cart as she followed her master, as they passed numerous docking bays. “Go on. Nothing to see here” ordered a man. Near the end of the row of hangers, a few human males that treaded around one docking bay wore unassuming clothes of slacks and long sleeve shirts. The colors did not stand out. Brown, dark blue, grey. What they held, however, did stand out. SC-2A carbines. Standard issue for the Sith Army. All possessed one. Different clothes, but same firearm. Furia dutifully followed her master as she pulled the cart, away from the docking bays as they traversed a new dirt road. “That’s it” came softly from her lips. “Not now, Furia. Let’s find a place to make your outfit.” After passing a few buildings, Furia observed her master pointed at a particular building. “That should do.” Mountain Tailors. The painted sign above the door didn’t stood out, but that did not matter to Furia. She wondered how good the tailor would follow her instruction. She parked the cart outside the door, then followed her master inside as she carried the crate. A modest sized lobby allowed Furia to put the crate at the side. She glimpsed her master’s face and picked up the little frown. She followed her master’s gaze, then broadly smiled at the lettering of a sign on the wall. Huttese. Slightly taller than Furia, a grey droid shuffled out, as its head moved back and forth between herself and her master. “Hello. Can you help us?” Furia picked up a bit of hesitancy from her master’s voice. “I do not understand your language.” Furia observed the increased tension of her master’s muscles, as the droid continued to turn back and forth from Pricilli to herself after it spoke in Huttese. “We wish to pay for your services to create new wardrobe. Also, the fabric we brought along needs modification.” With the slightest Stella III accent, Furia spoke Huttese effortlessly. She moved over to the crate, opened it, then retrieved a piece of fabric. “This needs to be improved. Three by one right hand twill. Can it be done?” “It will be an extra cost, but it can be done.” The droid extended out four hands to retrieve the fabric from the padawan. “Of course” Furia replied. She went over to a holoprojector control, then began to push different parts of it. “I should never have allowed you to take that class, Furia.” “What? Huttese? What’s wrong with that? It’s a regular language class taught at the school. And I already knew a little bit from living on Stella III.” “I’m so grateful we took you away from there. But I’m not fond that my.” Pricilli restrained herself from saying padawan. “My assistant easily speaks a cartel language.” A hologram popped up of a female mannequin. Pants emerged, blue of color, with metal rivets at pockets and buttons on the front. Next, a long sleeved shirt appeared of the same blue color, buttons down the front, collared with a pocket on either side of the chest covered with a flap. Each sleeve ended with a couple rivets that allowed the thickened cuff to be openend. Finally, a jacket emerged over the shirt, also with its pockets accompanied by flaps, an elongated collar at the back, and riveted buttons down the front. “Shoes.” Furia looked around the room, then glanced through the window as a miner walked by. “That won’t do. Actually that would some of the time.” She turned back to the droid then spoke Huttese with ease. “You make shoes here?” “Of course” the droid replied in Huttese with a matter of fact tone. “Of course you do” she spoke in the basic language as she tapped on the control. “Anything for a Hutt to make credit.” She duplicated the form. On one she put the design of the heavy work shoe at the feet. On the other, a boot not as thick covered the ankles, high enough so the jeans went over the tops. Finally, she popped up male mannequins and did the same design. “There” she spoke again in Huttese. “How much?” “With the fabric modification, two hundred twenty five galactic credits.” Furia reached inside her robe to retrieve her card to pay, then her master spoke. “I will get this Furia.” Pricilli took out her card then moved it above the payment machine. “What measurements do I use?” asked the droid as it confirmed the payment. “What?” Furia realized Pricilli did not know that phrase in Huttese. “Mine. Scan me.” Furia took off her boots, let her robe slide off onto the floor, then undressed herself until only her undergarments stayed on. “Furia!” Furia became amused as her master went behind her to block the view from the window, as the padawan stood there while lasers came out of the droid’s eyes, and scanned her form. When the droid appeared finished, she turned around so it could scan her other side. “Can’t believe you just did that, young lady!” Furia didn’t need the Force to sense the anger from her master, with Pricilli’s voice raised. However, the padawan easily confirmed it with the emotion sensed through the Force. “We need the sell. I’m going to be the model.” As the droid finished the scan, Furia began to redress. “Please stay here to allow fitting.” The droid appeared oblivious to the drama between the two customers. “It needs me to stay. Can you come back in an hour with a bite to eat?” Furia observed the usual sigh before her master answered. “I can do that. In an hour.” She watched her master leave the store, then went into a fitting room. The hour passed, then Pricilli returned with a package of nuts with dried fruit, and a bottle of mineral water fortified with vitamins. “Blue is not your color, Furia.” “Wonderful.” Furia retrieved the package and bottle. “Thanks.” She ate some of the snack, then took a swig of water. “This should work, though.” The blue attire with jacket came with reinforced elbows and knees. Furia definitely displayed the miner look. Furia collected the new cloth, then placed it into the crate. “Thanks for the new threads.” Furia finished her statement in Huttese with a slight nod to the droid. She moved the cart, then the crate out of the building. She followed her master as they proceeded towards The Solitary Mining Company by a different road. “When do I get to store the cloth and this helpful cart?” Furia finished eating her lunch, then wiped her hand on her Jedi robe. “In due time.” Furia noticed her master became fixated with her hand. Fortunately, Pricilli was not about to walk into something. “What are you doing?” “What? I’m walking with you and having a drink of water.” Furia took another swig of water after she brought out the bottle from a pocket in her robe. “You know that’s not what I mean. You just wiped your hand on the outside of your robe.” “And?” Another issue Master Pricilli picked to have an argument over. Furia wondered when in the future they will have an argument about how to slay a Sith. Pricilli leaned in close to Furia. “You know better, young lady. It’s simply not appropriate for THAT type of robe.” “Pulling this cart around is inappropriate. These robes have seen fire, ice, acid, and shocky over the years. And someone is concerned over crumbs? Bring a fire to it, and that will get rid of any stains. Not to mention a good cleaner works. And I’ve seen several you know who wipe their hands or appendages involuntarily on their robes.” “They are no longer apprentices.” Pricilli sighed, then noticed their destination emerged. “Like that should make a difference.” Furia followed her master as she crossed the dirt road to the building. “I don’t want to hear about it, Furia.” Pricilli pushed the door ringer, then the control to open the door. Furia parked the cart in the lobby, then followed her master back to the office with Ash the Balosar. “Have? Have you come back with a new look for our workers?” Furia noticed him turn his head back and forth from her to Pricilli. He started the move of his head back to see her. She pulled back her cowl, tilted her head back to allow her ginger hair to hang down behind her, deftly moved her hands to her robe at the shoulders and gave a gentle pull, then allowed the robe to slide off her. “Wow!” came from Ash, as Furia observed his antennae stood up, while she twirled a couple times around slowly. She finished then gazed at his eyes, and noticed his slightly opened mouth, his quickened breaths. Success. “This. This will be good for the miners. I’ll buy.” Furia could not help but notice his dilated pupils as he took in the look of her jacket, shirt, and jeans. She also could not help but notice her master’s eyelids stayed raised for a few seconds. “We need to get measurements of your workers at the mine and docks in order to proceed.” Her master turned back to Ash, and kept a controlled pace with her breaths, probably with effort. “By. By all means.” He touched a control panel a couple times, then a card came out. “Here is your pass. Thank you.” He handed the pass to her master, as Furia nodded her head to him in unison with her master. She picked up her robe, then slid it back on. After retrieving the cart, she followed her master outside, then down the dirt road towards the docks. “While you were being, fitted, I had the chance to ask around. Metal is moved on transports from the larger docking bays, which are the lowered numbered ones. I sensed hesitancy when Docking Bay Three was mentioned.” Furia occasionally glanced at her master, who looked straight ahead and not at all at her. Furia’s smile beamed from her master’s behavior, as she proceeded ahead while she pulled the cart. “By the way, Furia. No saber unless instructed.” “Really?” Furia controlled her frustration. Barely. “Really.”

Cutie Cuddlees “May I order Kowakian monkey Master?” The Togrutan woman, in her dark brown Jedi robe, looked from her menu shown on the tabletop to her fourteen-year-old padawan. The two waited for their Onodone waiter while the green planet Onod One, with all its flowers, spun on its axis through the window. “Why couldn’t you Furia?” Jedi Knight Pricilli Tonna prepared herself for the unusual answer that may come from her padawan of nine years. It happened before. It will happen again. “Some people think they are sentient beings with their own language and culture. That they are advisors to the Hutts.” “Irritating things more likely. They don’t have a language. They don’t have their own villages or other social gatherings. Someone is fooling you Furia. They are pets of Hutts, not advisors. Who told you that?" “Padawan Jankin. He told me one time when I was practicing in the martial arts training area.” Furia referred to an older padawan that recently passed his survival test, and will soon take part with his trials. “Well, I need to talk with his Master. The only people you need to learn from are either myself, or one of the teachers in the classroom. And back to your question. Yes, you may have Kowakian lizard monkey.” “Thank you Master. Ho ho ho.” Pricilli narrowed her eyelids as her padawan just replied in Huttese, using the Force to perfectly sound like a Hutt. People around the café glanced over at their table. Pricilli felt grateful Furia had an interest in the Huttese language. The ginger haired padawan will most likely take the class when she is older. It was just Furia picked wrong times to speak it. The waiter eventually came to their table, with a floating small spherical translator droid. An Onodone from the planet below, he portrayed brown skin with a very long trunk for a nose. His trunk filtered out pollen when breathing on the planet below. An individual experienced a beautiful sight walking on the planet, gazing on all the colors of its flowers. In addition, colors moved about with all the little creatures pollinating those flowers. However, because of all the flowers, Onod One had the title of the allergy capital of the galaxy. Most sentients needed to wear a helmet to breathe due to the abundance of pollen. “Welcome to Onod One Space Station Café. Would you like to start with a drink?” The droid spoke in basic after the waiter talked in his language, with an extreme nasal sound due to his long trunk. “We are actually ready to order. Padawan, you may proceed.” Pricilli responded while looking at the face of the waiter, not distracted by the long trunk since she observed so many different species of sentients from all her years as a Jedi. She then turned to Furia to see what she would order. Wearing a forest green long sleeve shirt and tights, with a dark brown miniskirt to go along with a narrow belt and ankle high running boots, nothing was the typical look of a Jedi for Furia other than her mandatory Jedi robe that showed the same dark brown color as her own. Her padawan loved pushing the boundaries of what attire would be allowed. Perhaps this was Furia’s way of acting out since they recently moved from Tython to Coruscant. “No” Pricilli thought to herself. Furia displayed this behavior even before they moved to Coruscant. “Grilled Kowakian lizard monkey, medium well, with sweet vegetable side and prohibitionist Rishi punch for the drink. Pricilli wrinkled her face a little. How did this fourteen-year-old know the term prohibitionist punch? “And you ma’am?” The waiter asked as he turned to the Togrutan. After a little sigh, Pricilli responded. “Dinner plant with Amanzi nuts and a glass of blue milk.” Pricilli wanted to make sure her meal had plenty of protein. She did not need the extra lipids and sugar. Furia had a little grin on her face. “Those nuts are soooo good. Mecina gave me some the last time I visited her home at the temple. Her family sent them from her planet.” Furia referred to one of her three great friends, the one from the planet with a lot of water and an overabundance of daylight. She was her padawan friend whose parents once upon a time were Jedi, but decided to resign from the order so they could have a romantic relationship and have a family. “Glad we again have similar tastes Padawan. Where did you learn about prohibitionist Rishi punch?” Furia moved up her hands a little as her jaw dropped a bit. “Rishi? It’s near Stella III. I learned it on the pathways. And no, not the singularity pathways. I know not to have those two carbon units right now.” Furia mentioned the pathways, the information system anyone can access from a monitor, datapad, or another device. She also mentioned the singularity pathways, the illegal information system used by the underworld and by others. Then there was the fact the ginger haired padawan mentioned alcohol. Pricilli could tell with the Force her padawan once again was not lying. With how much information on the pathways, and with Furia’s ingenuity, it didn’t surprise the Jedi Knight that her padawan acquired this knowledge. “How are you doing with that time we spent on Onod One?” “Fine Master. Those outfits worked. No problems breathing. No watery eyes. No pollen on my clothes.” Pricilli nodded. Their mission, ordered by the Jedi Council, was to help the local government on Onod One find and apprehend the planet’s White Worm set. Pricilli succeeded, with some unexpected help from Furia. Her padawan deduced the crime syndicate’s location, underneath an old spaceport with numerous caverns below the surface. The members of the set were all arrested without any violence. “A mission success” Pricilli thought to herself. She was impressed by Furia’s investigative skills; however, she was troubled when her fourteen-year-old padawan looked forward to go to battle with them. Then there was the last thing Furia said. Her clothes. Furia so much focused on fashion. “When we get back home, what are you going to do with your spare time?” Pricilli anticipated all types of answers from her padawan with this question. “Martial training. Work on my lightsaber moves. Also work on my moves when not using a saber.” Furia definitely enjoyed learning about combat. She was the rarity for a padawan that felt comfortable with the double blade. “You’re already one of the better students at martial combat. You should work on something you are weak at.” “Yea, but I can be better at combat. And I am going to work on something I am weak at. Dosh. Taking it the next cycle of classes. I want to know how to speak to that nice Sergeant at the front desk of the military hospital without using a translator.” Furia referred to the Transdoshan language Dosh, spoken by the reptilian sentients. The Sergeant she mentioned was Sergeant Crassi, who worked the front desk of the military hospital after many years on the front line for the Republic military. Pricilli thought that Furia once again showed perception of her situation, and being a caring person. She then wondered when they get back to Coruscant, if she would be assigned to a military unit to defend Kashyyyk or Mon Cala, and whether that was with Furia or without her. This war with the Sith. War was never easy on a person’s life. It was especially not easy when one is trying to train a teenage padawan. “In a couple cycles, I’m hoping the four of you will take my Mechanics class.” “Oh, definitely plan on it Master. Dantella, Mecina, and Stacy all plan on taking it with me. Maybe I can build a speeder bike and hook it up to the wall outside the window.” The Togrutan raised her eyelids. “Hang a speeder bike on the outside wall of the Jedi Temple? Furia.” “Must admit would be quick to get a ride.” “No.” Pricilli would have been surprised by anyone making such a suggestion. However, this was her padawan, who came up with these wild ideas all the time. She looked at her padawan have a dejected look on her face, but the look only lasted a second. Furia continued to improve at controlling her emotions. After a few minutes their drinks were brought to the table. Pricilli drank a little of her blue milk while noticing her padawan savor the taste of the non-alcohol Rishi punch. “Padawan, we will be waiting here after dinner until our transportation arrives. It may be several hours.” Furia put her glass on the table. “Yea, I know. Wish we had our own ride. Some Jedi do. Like a nice Corvette with a bunch of closet space and a martial training room.” Pricilli sighed. The ideas her padawan came up with. “Jedi are not supposed to have private possessions, or at least minimize it. We are supposed to share with other Jedi.” Furia grabbed hold of her forest green shirt with both hands and shook it a couple times. “Share my clothes with Master Wassach or Master Ratcher so they can wear it. Kree. Pee.” Pricilli could not avoid making another sigh. She had no argument for what her padawan just stated. “You made your point Furia. But we still at least for now don’t have our own ship, and we need to wait for the Jedi to send a ship.” “At least a shuttle one of these days Master. Make your life easier if you had your own.” “Can’t argue against that Furia.” It did not take long for their dinners to be brought out. The waiter put each of the dinners in front of Pricilli and Furia. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” the translator droid interpreted after the Onodone spoke. “Let me pay now in case we need to leave early.” Pricilli brought out her identification card. As the waiter put the check device on the table, she moved her card near it and pushed for a fifteen percent tip for the waiter. The waiter picked up the device, then looked at each of the Jedi. “Thank you. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time at Onod One.” After the droid translated, the waiter bowed a little then left to get an order from another table. Furia took a bite of the grilled Kowakian lizard monkey, chewing it slowly while relishing the taste. “Oh, this is so good. Thank you Master.” She finished the bite then drank from her glass. “You’re welcome Furia.” Pricilli smiled, noting how her padawan did not take the meal for granted and appreciated it. The Togrutan began eating her meal, eating the plants and enjoying the nuts. Amanzi nuts were possibly the tastiest nuts in the galaxy. The Jedi Knight and her padawan continued eating their dinner, each enjoying the tastes of their meal and drink. A little over halfway done with their meal, they noticed a medium sized transport come into view, then docked at the station. Both of them noticed a leak of hypermatter particles coming from a crack in the back of the hull. Furia took a sip of her punch, then narrowed her eyelids and opened her mouth a little as she turned to look at her master. “Cold” she stated softly. Pricilli did a small nod of her head, then got up out of her chair. Furia stood up and followed her master out of the café, walking towards the gate the transport docked to. The transport connected to the space station by a boarding bridge. As the two came towards the open doorway to that bridge, an Onodone with the uniform of an employee of the station moved from a lectern near the door to stand in the middle of the doorway. Again, a small droid floated in the air near the Onodone, being the translator. “You are not allowed to go in there. It is restricted.” The droid translated in basic after the Onodone spoke in its language. Before Pricilli could do anything, Furia stood in front of the Onodone. “She and I need to check the hypermatter leak.” Without Furia moving her hands, the master could tell through the Force that her fourteen-year-old padawan just did a perfect Jedi mind trick. “She and you need to check the hypermatter leak.” The Onodone spoke, then the droid translated as he stepped aside from the doorway, allowing the two Jedi to pass. Walking with a brisk pace down the boarding bridge, Pricilli darted a brief look at Furia. “Too good.” Furia raised her eyebrows as she shrugged her shoulders, wondering why her master seemed to be complaining when she just helped them get through the doorway unimpeded. Pricilli had more pressing issues with the cold feeling from the transport at the moment, than to speak to Furia about how she as a teenage padawan just did a mind trick better than many Jedi Knights. Over halfway down the boarding bridge, Pricilli became aware of an immediate pressing issue. The hatch door to the transport opened, and in a second blaster fire came at them from two individuals wearing unassuming grey one-piece work suits. The Jedi Knight turned on her lightsaber at the same time, the blue blade emerging a meter in length. She immediately deflected what plasma bolts she could. Concern then gripped her as she noticed the two assailants now shot at her teenage padawan. Soon a different concern caught her focus. In one quick fluid motion, Furia brought out her double-bladed lightsaber while extending both green blades. As if her motion flowed in harmony with the Force, the plasma bolts fired at the padawan became all deflected back at the shooters. One that knelt received a couple bolts deflected directly at the blaster, causing the power cell to explode, killing the shooter. The other shooter tried to get cover with the hatch doorway, but it was to no avail. One plasma bolt hit the left shoulder, one the left knee, but a third hit the left part of the chest, killing the shooter with a smoldering wound where the heart resided. “Furia, we are Jedi. We are supposed to stop them and capture them, not quickly kill them.” Concern shown on the Togrutan’s voice as she looked at her padawan’s face. Pricilli next looked at the boarding bridge, making sure the exploding power cell did not cause a leak in the structure. “I was aiming for shoulders and knees. Need to work on my deflection Master.” Furia did not sound troubled one bit that she just ended the life of two people. The padawan looked down at the bodies and the one firearm not destroyed. “Sith Serenno blaster. One of the standard issues.” “Just stay behind me.” Pricilli went through the hatch, then turned to head towards the bridge. “Yes Master.” Furia followed her master through the hatch, staying a little more than a meter behind the Togrutan while keeping her lightsaber on, just as her Master did. Down the hallway a door opened in front of them. Through the doorway Pricilli glanced at seven individuals with the same grey work suits and blasters. Firing away, they hoped to keep Pricilli on the defensive and distracted. Pricilli readied for what happened next. Furia also readied. Behind them, another door opened towards the back of the ship. Two people came with blasters pulled, ready to shoot as the door opened. However, they were not ready for the blazing speed of the padawan coming upon them with green lightsaber blades, burning completely through both shoulder joints and both thighs of each shooter. Screaming, their torsos fell to the ground, their wounds completely cauterized, as the two assailants now had no arms and no legs below midthigh. The seven shooters in front of Pricilli stopped firing for a couple seconds, stunned by seeing this ginger haired teenager cause such violent trauma. Pricilli quickly came close to them. One pulled out a thermal grenade and activated it. Tossing it at Pricilli, the Jedi used the Force to keep it from getting to her. The seven shot at her, ready to die in the explosion as long as they could take the Jedi with them. Pricilli moved her lightsaber as quick as she could to deflect the plasma bolts coming towards her. While holding the grenade in the air, she couldn’t get all the bolts. She didn’t need to. Furia came to the aid of her master, once she knew there would be no attack from the back of the transport. The green blades moved effortlessly through the air, deflecting plasma bolts to the ceiling. Pricilli held the grenade in place for three seconds, then it exploded. With all her focus with the Force, she kept the heat blast and shockwave away from herself and her padawan, keeping both safe. The remaining shooters were not so lucky. Trying to kill the Jedi Knight, they killed themselves instead in the explosion. The master and padawan looked in the direction of a sound they heard at the upper part of the hull. Air leaked out of a crack in the hull. “Wonderful” the padawan stated, knowing the two of them needed to get to the other side of a door or else they will be without air soon. The two turned a corner and came near a double door. The padawan and her master felt the cold in the Force, and when the double door opened, they found out why. A middle-aged man stood there, with a slight balding of the scalp to go with a dark moustache and goatee. Yellow eyes stared at the master and padawan. Purple, maroon, and a touch of black colored his shirt and trousers. His trench coat and tall boots came with the same colors. A Sith lord. Furia felt the sudden pull of the Force from him, as he tried to pull her to his red lightsaber blade. The ginger haired padawan resisted by holding her place, prepared for the move. She practiced this move before in the martial training area of the Jedi Temple. The Sith, however, did not prepare for what happened next. From around the corner a large piece of flesh, from one of the bodies, flew towards the ginger haired padawan. Manipulating the Force pull from the Sith, Furia flung the piece at his head. Brining his single red blade up, he cut through the piece, with the resulting pieces hitting his face and upper chest. Enraged, the Sith lunged at Furia with his lightsaber. Pricilli easily deflected the swing. Foretelling the Sith’s next move, Furia brought one of her green blades in between her master and the Sith, preventing his backswing from hitting Pricilli. Furia swung towards his left thigh with her other blade, yet the Sith brought his blade to stop her assault. Furia planned perfectly. She quickly swung with her other blade towards him, forcing him to quickly defend that blade. Furia continued her swings. When one blade became impeded by the Sith, she came immediately with a swing from the other. Pricilli stabbed with her blue blade while this kept on, forcing the Sith to move away from her attacks, making it more difficult for him to keep his balance. Pricilli focused on the control of the double door while stabbing, closing the doors to prevent the air from leaking out of this area of the hallway. With the difficulty of keeping his balance and having to defend against Furia’s quick swings, the Sith began to tire. Even while using the Force, he became more exhausted than he expected. It felt as if less of the Force flowed to him, and he could not fully control it. Another stab from Pricilli caused him to move back, his right foot planting firmly on the deck of the transport. “Back Furia!” Pricilli tried to warn her padawan, anticipating what the Sith would do next. However, it became too late. Too late for the Sith, that is. While using his lightsaber to make a feint attack towards Pricilli, he kicked up with his left foot towards Furia’s face. Fast he moved, yet nowhere near as fast as the padawan. Turning off one of her blades, she stood the other one up in front of her. Before he realized what was happening, the Sith’s left foot kicked into the blade. The loudest scream came from him, as he felt such an excruciating pain. Furia swiftly moved her blade forward, as the intense heat of the blade, the heat of the center of a star, carved through his leg without resistance. The blade moved through his tibia, knee joint, and femur, until the tip of the green blade came inside his hip joint. Immediately she moved the tip of her blade through his hip, bringing the tip into his other hip joint. Furia immediately brought the blade back, positioning herself in a defensive position. Falling hard onto the metal floor of the transport, the Sith lord shot lightning out of his left hand at the padawan, hoping he could have a shot killing this youngster that injured him severely. Pricilli moved in the way, positioning her blue lightsaber blade to block the attack. She stood ever determined. This Sith will not harm her padawan. Lightning leapt from the Sith lord’s left hand towards the two Jedi, mainly to keep his enemies at a distance. With his right hand still holding onto his lightsaber hilt, he retracted the blade, quickly moved the hilt so the aperture laid on his chest, and turned the lightsaber back on. Neither Pricilli nor Furia impeded his move, both waiting for an unexpected attack. The red blade extended from the hilt, burning a hole through the Sith’s chest and heart, continuing to blaze its path through the metal floor underneath the Sith’s body. Looking at Pricilli, he shook his head a little, then stopped breathing. His heart burned through by the lightsaber blade, he died there on the floor, making sure he would not be captured by this Togrutan woman nor her ginger haired apprentice. Pricilli picked up the Sith’s lightsaber, putting it in a pocket of her Jedi robe. She could smell the burnt flesh on his cadaver made by the lightsabers of the Sith lord and Furia. “You all right?” Pricilli asked as she turned towards Furia. “Yes Master.” The Jedi Knight did not notice any fear nor revulsion coming from her padawan. In fact, Furia appeared unmoved for someone that just did a brutal injury with a lightsaber. Her padawan did not feel cold through the Force, but seemed to be pulsing as if on fire. Pricilli never noticed that with Furia before, and the master did not like the feeling coming from her padawan. At least the feeling seemed to be going away. “Let’s find out what this transport is carrying. What do you notice?” Pricilli wondered how in tune Furia was to the Force, now that the fight with the Sith finished. “The cold is gone. But there’s like a bunch of fear, causing the creation of a little more of the dark side.” Furia displayed her strong perception with the Force, as usual. Pricilli touched a part of her wrist communicator. “Onod One Space Station. This is Jedi Pricilli Tonna. There was a Sith on board the transport docked here. Repairs will be needed for a hull breach at the forward section. There’s also a hypermatter leak.” A droid’s voice responded after she heard sounds from an Onodone. “Jedi Tonna. Understood. We will immediately bring security and repair on board.” “Understood Onod.” Pricilli turned off her wrist communicator and looked at her padawan. “Let’s see what’s on board.” The Togrutan Jedi noticed a stairwell, and proceeded to it. Furia blew on the green plasma as if blowing on a flame, then retracted her lightsaber blade. She followed her master down the stairwell, coming upon a locked door. “Let’s see if you’ve been practicing.” The Jedi Knight recently taught her padawan a few ways one can use the Force, including opening locked doors. She wanted to see if Furia listened and practiced. Furia turned to look at her master, with her back to the door. “Really? What you think I’ve been doing. Watching reality shows?” Furia did her best to minimize the frustration look on her face. Pricilli looked at her padawan’s face, wondering if they were about to get into another useless argument. In the corner of her vision, she saw lights flicker on the control panel, then the door opened. That was not the teacher opening the lock with the Force. That was her padawan, opening the lock without looking at the panel nor moving her arms. “Oh she’s good” Pricilli thought to herself. Pricilli held back a sigh, and instead went through the open doorway. A short walk with Furia behind her master brought them to another door. Pricilli noticed lights blinking on the control panel, and the locked door slid open. “Thank you Furia.” The master did not want to sound sarcastic that Furia opened the door without being asked to, but instead wanted to show she appreciated her padawan’s skills. It concerned Pricilli though, that her padawan’s skills displayed better than she expected. Pricilli no longer thought about Furia when the door opened. Looking at the transport’s cargo hold, she became occupied at what she saw. Many small creatures occupied the hold. Smaller in stature than either herself or her padawan, there were perhaps a hundred of them sitting on the floor with the appearance of dejection on their faces. Fur covered their entire bodies, brown and black in color. A hooded gown covered their torso and heads, with holes allowing their furry ears to stick out. Their eyes were a solid shade of brown. Nothing attired on their feet. Their hands appeared to each have a thumb and two fingers. Cuffs enclosed all of their wrists and ankles. The master and the padawan felt the misery coming from all of them. “Aww, they’re so cute.” Furia looked around, surprised and excited at what they found. “Focus Furia. Try to get their cuffs off them. Try not to startle them. We don’t need them to attack us in desperation.” “Focus. Like this?” Furia looked at her master, keeping a calm look on her face despite being ready to argue. One click, then another, came from the furry sentient closest to Furia. The cuffs came off his wrists, then he shook off the ones on his ankles. The little furry creature stood with a stunned look on his face, but easily through the Force the padawan and her master could tell he was now happy. “Where did you learn that? I’m supposed to be in charge of your learning.” A stern look came over Pricilli’s face, wondering what her padawan was doing without her knowing. “Ahh, mechanics, you teach, I live with you?” Furia moved her hands outward, losing control of her frustration with her master. “Master, I haven’t taken your class, but you would think after living with you for nine years I would learn something.” “All right Furia. You’ve made your point.” Pricilli knew she should not have been surprised her padawan learned that, considering Furia at times was very resourceful. The furry creature pointed at his companions, grabbing Furia’s left hand and gave it a slight pull, then gave the padawan a quick hug. “Free the rest. Please watch out that you don’t scare them. I’m going to the bridge to find out what this is all about.” “Yes Master.” Pricilli’s gaze followed her padawan as Furia walked with the creature, holding his hand as they went to the closest one cuffed. Pricilli turned and walked out the doorway, with the door sliding close behind her. Pricilli went up the stairs, hearing the noise of the repair on the transport. Proceeding to the bridge, the double doors opened. She walked in, noticing no one occupied it. Going to navigation, she looked to see where the vessel came from, and where would be the destination with its cargo. “Endor” the Togrutan noted out loud to herself. She never heard of it. It was a moon that orbited a gas giant planet of the same name. Endor was located in the outer rim, in a part of the galaxy far from the planets she knew. Heading is towards a planet Chil Vol, somewhere in Sith space. Pricilli looked around to see if she could find more information. On the captain’s chair laid a datapad. She focused on it for a few seconds, making sure it did not contain a trap. “There they are” she stated softly to herself as two needles came out of each side. Feeling with the Force, she noticed the poison on each needle. “Glad Furia listened to me when I taught her this.” Focusing on the needles, all four came out of the datapad, floated in the air, then put in a waste container. She brought out a small device from her belt, one that she designed herself, and touched the datapad with it. In a few seconds, the digital lock opened. Putting the device back, she looked at the information on the datapad. “Lord Gavstin. Seems he had only one name, not a first nor a last.” She read the datapad out loud so she would remember its information better. “Chil Vol has many resources under its surface.” She looked further down the passage of words. “Due to its cold climate, servants will be needed that can do their duties under the environmental conditions.” She paused her reading. “He doesn’t even have the decency to call them what they are. Slaves.” She went back to the passage. “A species has been found suitable for this working environment. There is a moon named Endor that orbits a gas planet of the same name, in a binary star system with stars of the same name, Endor One and Endor Two.” Oh, how glad Pricilli felt that Furia did not read this right now. Her padawan would start making comments about how unoriginal those names were. “The species is named Ewok. A short primitive sentient, they are covered with fur and have strong padding for feet. They would be able to tolerate the weather conditions, and can work in small spaces that are part of a mining environment. Due to their primitive nature, they would be excellent specimens to make into a subservient condition.” Pricilli never heard of Ewoks before. Pricilli concluded what this transport was about. Taking these Ewoks from a mostly unknown world would be unnoticed. The species would have great difficulty defending themselves against Sith technology. The Sith would look like some deity to them, and being away from their homes on a different planet would take away all their spirit to be independent. Plans changed for Pricilli and Furia. These Ewoks needed to go back to their homes. The sooner the better. She will have to contact the Jedi Council about the situation so the delay on returning to Coruscant will be justified. Also, their ride needed to know they can skip picking up Pricilli and her padawan. Perhaps Furia would be better off taking the ride back by herself. No, the Togrutan thought to herself. She would be able to learn something being exposed to these Ewoks and where they live. Also, she was too unpredictable to be left on her own. A powerful padawan on her own was not something Pricilli wanted to deal with later. She needed to check on how Furia was doing, being left alone with these Ewoks. They might be scared and try to corner her or attack her. Touching her wrist communicator, “Onod One Space Station, this is Jedi Knight Pricilli Tonna. Bridge and transport are secure. There are sentients that were taken from their world by the Sith, and will need to be returned. Once repairs are done, I will be using the transport to take them back home. What is the situation with repairs?” She heard an Onodone make the sounds of its language, then a droid spoke. “Jedi Tonna, we are currently working on repairs on the hull breach that caused part of a deck to lose air. We know of the hypermatter leak. Once repairs are completed and inspection is done, this vessel will be under the supervision of Onod One. You will depart the vessel once repairs are completed." That did not sit well with the Jedi Knight. “Onod One Space Station, this is Jedi Knight Pricilli Tonna. Under the authority of the Jedi Order, I hereby notify this vessel is under command of the Jedi. I will be taking the sentients aboard this vessel back to their home world. Any interference will be considered a hostile act.” It was a little elaborate for Pricilli to state that, however the main meaning became accurately conveyed. A pause for numerous seconds, then Pricilli heard the droid translate after its owner spoke. “Jedi Pricilli Tonna. We are sorry for any misunderstanding. Once your transport is repaired, you will have an unobstructed passage out of the system.” “Thank you. Please let me know when the repairs and refueling are completed. Jedi Tonna out.” She won that unnecessary battle. She wanted to make sure she didn’t need to do another one for the fuel that will be needed. She will have to go back on the station before they depart to report the situation to the Jedi Council. A message from an unknown transport that happened to have a Sith onboard would probably not be believable. “Time to check on Furia” she stated for only her to hear. She left the bridge, hearing the repairs on the ship in the hallway. Going down the stairwell, she came upon the first door and opened it. She thought she heard sounds beyond the second door, as if a mostly rhythmic beat being made. She opened the second door, then looked wide eyed and dropped jaw at the scene. “What are you doing!” Pricilli could not hide her surprise and anger from what she gazed upon. Smoke wafted through the air. A metal sheet, probably used for hull repairs, laid above a fire made from burning refuse. Numerous plants and premade meals rested on the sheet. Numerous of these Ewoks appeared to be dancing, others were hitting different objects in close unison to make sounds, and a few stood by her padawan helping her. Furia cooked at the fire, appearing to broil the food she could find, causing a scene of jubilation. None of the Ewoks wore cuffs, as the Jedi master noticed the cuffs piled at the side of the cargo hold. Smoke concentrated at the ceiling, where vents took it away. “Cooking. Give me a couple minutes then you should try some.” Furia continued cooking without being bothered the slightest by the anger coming from her master. It occurred before numerous times, and she became used to it. The padawan was having too much fun with the Ewoks to get in an argument with her master. Furia went back to flipping and moving the items she cooked on the hot metal sheet. Pricilli stood speechless. She could not think of any response to Furia. Her padawan did get all the cuffs off the Ewoks, and the primitive creatures were no longer in any distress. In her own unique way, Furia made the little furry sentients at ease. “So you know padawan, these are Ewoks.” The furry sentients stopped what they were doing and looked at the Togrutan. They knew that name she surmised. “They are from a moon called Endor.” The Ewoks looked at each other. “Once this vessel is fixed, we are going to take them back home.” “Aww. Can we keep one? As a pet?” Furia rubbed behind the ears of one near her, causing him to express a joyful look on his face as he appeared to purr. “Padawan Furia Tormenta. These may be primitive, but they are sentients. Even if one liked it, you certainly cannot keep it as a pet. That would be like slavery, which is what the Sith planned to do with them for mining.” The disappointed look on Furia’s face shown only for a second. “I understand Master. I’m grateful we did save them.” She looked at the metal sheet, got out from a crate near her a plate with a Sith Empire insignia on it, used the Force to move some plants from the metal sheet to the plate, then offered the food to her master. “Try some Master. Not bad.” One of the Ewoks came up to Pricilli. “Chu chu” she heard from the friendly furry creature as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the food being cooked. The Togrutan could not help but smile as she allowed the Ewok to guide her towards Furia, and took the plate from her padawan. The Ewok pointed to Furia, then spoke “Furya”. Pricilli took one of the cooked pieces of plant off the plate with her fingers and took a bite. After chewing it for several seconds then swallowing it, she looked at her padawan and smiled. “Pretty good Furia.” She ate the rest of the cooked pieces on her plate while the Ewoks went back to making their music and dance to the beat. Eventually they all finished eating. Pricilli went back up to the main deck. She talked with the Onodones once the hull repairs became completed and that section of the deck pressurized with air. She went onboard the station to send a report to the Jedi Council on Coruscant about all that transpired on their mission to Onod One. She walked with a few maintenance workers and a delegate from the planet government throughout the transport, making sure everything was repaired. The delegate wanted to make sure the Jedi received assistance any way possible. The last thing his government needed was a Jedi poorly treated after the help they received with the White Worms. Furia looked around the ship to acquire bedding for all the Ewoks. What she could not get on the transport, she acquired from the Onodones, who appeared very willing to help anyway they could. She also received different foods to cook for her new furry friends. With the transport ready to travel, Pricilli and Furia said their goodbyes to the delegate and the director of the station, who both were emphatic to tell the Jedi master and her padawan how appreciative Onod One was for their help, and apologizing for any inappropriate behavior from their staff. No one mentioned the mind trick done on one of the staff by Furia. Once back on the transport, Pricilli went to the bridge while Furia went back to the cargo hold. The Jedi Knight set the vessel’s course for the moon Endor, detached from the space station, moved away from the planet to be free of its gravity well, then put the transport into hyperspace. She stayed up on the bridge for most of the trip, making sure the transport did not get damaged. She did take brief breaks to check on her padawan, and to eat. Furia spent the whole trip with her new friends. She learned to make the sounds of their music. She learned a few words in their language, like “yub yub.” She cooked with them, and slept with them. The Ewoks enjoyed themselves immensely being with the padawan. This girl they just met naturally interacted so friendly and personable to them. After a night of sleeping on the bridge, and eating the breakfast Furia and the Ewoks cooked with all the smoke, Pricilli took the transport out of hyperspace into the Endor system. She noticed the two stars for the system in the distance, and the gas giant planet getting ever larger as she brought the ship closer. With ease she piloted the transport to the other side of the planet, where the moon Endor orbited. Furia spent some time with the Ewok that helped most with the cooking, the one that earlier grabbed Pricilli’s hand to bring her to the food. She went to a monitor in the cargo hold to study the moon and the stars around it. Using the Force to help go through the memories of her new furry friend, with looking at the landscape and the stars at night in the memories, she was able to narrow down the location of their home, a large land mass at the southern hemisphere. Pricilli allowed Furia to bring the Ewok onto the bridge with her to gaze out the bridge window. The transport moved not far above the ground. The three looked at the trees and the ground to find where the home was. In under an hour, the Ewok jumped up and down, shouting “Aiyee!” “Think we found their home Master” Furia stated with a broadened smile on her face. “Yes we did padawan. That was good work you did with the Ewok.” Pricilli slowed the transport, looking for a leveled area to land. “Thank you Master.” It was nice for Furia to hear a compliment from her master. She thought it should happen more often, however she will enjoy it whenever it happens. She gently held the hand of her new friend, then proceeded to the cargo hold with him to try to get all the Ewoks ready to leave the transport once they landed. Pricilli lowered the landing gear, gently landed on the planet, then turned off the engine. After a long sigh, she got out of her seat and went down to the cargo hold to help her padawan. After dealing with the smell of smoke and fur in the hold with all the Ewoks, she helped Furia get them all to disembark. Calmer than Pricilli expected, the Ewoks walked to their homes, going into their buildings and getting situated back to their daily lives. Furia sat on the ground by the last one with them, the one that went on the bridge with her. “Furia” she said in a friendly way as she pointed to herself, “Rahwah” as she pointed at the Ewok. She took her two index fingers and hooked them to each other. “Rahwah” he pronounced as he pointed to himself. “Furya” he exclaimed before he hugged her. As they broke their hug, Rahwah walked confidently back to his home. Furia got up and brushed the dirt off her. Pricilli looked at her padawan. A tear started forming from the inner part of Furia's left eye. This mission became more than expected, but it was a resounding success. The White Worms became eliminated from Onod One. A Sith lord was thwarted from using the Ewoks as slaves. The Ewoks were safely brought back home. Her padawan handled herself mostly well. Furia showed much better skill than expected with her lightsaber. She used the Jedi mind trick with the skill of a Jedi Master, which concerned Pricilli since Furia was only a padawan. Nevertheless, Pricilli did not feel any cold nor hate coming from her padawan. Furia worked exceptionally with the Ewoks, and figured out approximately where their home was. “Furia, don’t cry. You did it. You helped them get back home.” “I know Master. It’s just. It’s just I’m going to miss them.” She turned to look at her master. “Time to go back to Coruscant?” “We need to first look over the transport to make sure everything is working properly, but yes.” Pricilli wanted to make sure none of the repairs broke during the spaceflight. “When we get back, you know how it’s inconvenient to wear the Jedi robe in the pool, and you’ve made comments that drabby dark brown swimsuit of mine is getting too small?” “Yes” Pricilli stated without emotion, afraid where this conversation would head to. “There’s this hot pink two-piece water suit with a front tie. It's being sold at a store near the restaurant district. May I get it to help with my water training at the Temple pool?” The Togrutan Jedi master looked up at the sky, seeing a few clouds and the large shape of the gas giant planet hovering near the horizon. “Why me?”

NIce story. It would be interesting if these characters were introduced into a flashpoint.

Specialist Jon Ferma scanned the area around him with his macrobinoculars while lying on the crest of a hill, making sure no one was slipping past that would be able to attack from the rear. Easily fitting the binoculars to his helmet, he looked for movement or signs of the forces from the Sith Empire. Nothing so far. Reports came in that the Sith Army landed on the planet. His scout squad was ordered to confirm they are here. He wore the standard full body armor of a Republic scout, made of plastoid and covering every part of him. The issued armor was painted to camouflage with the environment of their location. As a scout he knew that would only work with regular infantry. He used clear adhesive to attach foliage to his armor to blend in better, then had his battle buddy add modifications for the parts he wasn’t aware of. As a battle buddy, he did the same for his fellow sniper. Here. Al Saltu. An outer rim world not far from Mon Cala. The third planet for the star Al Setta. A world with much water and a lot of plants. The poles of the planet had frozen icecaps on oceans, and icy plains that became cool forests while moving closer to the equator. Then jungle. Lots and lots of jungle. Most of the land mass was covered with jungle. Some places less dense, some more dense. Oceans, inland seas, and numerous lakes covered where the jungle didn’t. It was hard to walk easily in this place. Tall trees with vines, bushes where they could find light to grow, holes in the ground to easily sprain an ankle, and the wildlife. Then there’s the bugs. Bugs. Bunch of bugs. They went from the tiniest ones that cannot be seen with the naked eye, to ones taller than a person. It was bad enough to have to deal with the bugs, but then supply forgot the bug repellant. A deployment to a planet with all the bugs, and no repellant. It was bad enough there was a shortage of food so only two meals were served per day, and that came with a breakfast served at room temperature when it was supposed to be cooked properly. But no. Let’s be in a symbiotic relationship with these beautiful life forms in this expansive tropical rainforest. It’s a jungle! Fool of a bantha’s backside for someone to think this is some wonderful place. Let someone else try to eat or go to the restroom without bug spray. The planet doesn’t even have any sentient life forms. Any sentients that would try to live here would get bitten so much their skin would wart, or get sick from the bacteria the bugs carry. Nothing with hair lives here. Certainly nothing with tendrils lived here either. Join the Republic Army. Protect the Galactic Republic. Explore exciting worlds and meet intriguing people. A chance to get away from Forty-Nine Ninety-Four of the undersurface of Coruscant. Experience daylight. Experience daylight all right. Got a sunburn training at Ord Mantell. The mission was important, the people in his squad and the rest of the brigade were told by their superiors. If Al Saltu came under the control of the Sith, they would have a planet that can be used to launch a successful attack on Mon Cala or Lothal. Sith already controlled Felucia and Karkaris. If this planet fell to the Sith, then the Mon Calamari, the Quarren, and the sentient life of Lothal could end up getting subjugated to the Sith lords. Those people do not deserve that. Sith can keep Karkaris. Water freaks that like to bite people. They can go ahead and be Sith slaves. Nothing was showing up on infrared nor ultraviolet. Specialist Ferma attached the macrobinoculars to his belt, then turned his head one way then the other, trying to find something out of the ordinary he could not pick up with the binoculars. The ground did not show any displacement of plants from someone walking. Ground is just awful for a tank to move. A walker would even have problems unless it had wide feet. He observed that the wind was going from front left to back right. “Check.” Staff Sergeant Beihei wanted the roll call to make sure all were safe, and for any info not called in. The Iridonian wasn’t the nicest of sergeants to serve under, but Jon Ferma had seen worse. There were a few times he felt like grabbing the horns on the sergeant’s head and shake them. He listened to the numbers being called in with report. Finally, his turn. “Gundark six, clear.” Gundark. Why did they have to name their squad after those ugly gundarks? Why couldn’t they be loth-wolves? The numbers went through twelve. All clear. A majority of the squad were together in groups of two. Specialist Ferma and his battle buddy, Specialist Justin Mintu of Corellia, preferred to be alone. The sergeant allowed it. No one would disturb their concentration, and they were not that far from each other if help was needed. Both of them were snipers, the snipers for the scout squad. Each had a Kuat Stealth Scout for their sniper rifle, in addition to the BlasTech DT-2 sidearm, and the Republic vibroknife. All weapons were inspected before the deployment. No irregularities were found with the knife. The sidearm shot with precision up to twenty-five meters. Three shots within a square of three centimeters per side at the distance of one hundred meters showed that the sniper rifle was zeroed. There was an instant memory. Jace receiving the Stealth Scout. He looked revolted for a second when he was told the name of the weapon. Here he was, a guy from the starship land of Corellia, getting a weapon from the planet of Corellia’s rival shipbuilder, Kuat. However, Jace found out that the Kuat sniper rifle was an excellent firearm. Jace was the oddball of his family. The others in the family that were in the military went Republic Navy, just like most of Corellia. Jace instead went Army. Then there’s himself. A boy from Coruscant’s undersurface told time and time again by family and friends that he won’t come to anything special. Yet he became one of the best shots in the company. Most scouts applying for the sniper position don’t make it. He did. Maybe the jungle isn’t so bad. It’s definitely better than Forty-Nine Ninety-Four. Ready to grab his binoculars, something looked off in the distance. Some leaves in one tree moved right to left, when the wind was going the opposite direction. Goggles back up, nothing infrared nor ultraviolet. Some spots on the tree he observed had a little bit of starlight reflected, but one spot over a meter tall was dark. “Six. Tree. Dark spot. Probable jetpack.” “Six. Take the shot.” Sergeant Beihei’s voice came over the speaker calmly in the sniper’s helmet. Grabbing Sue, the name he gave his Kuat Stealth Scout sniper rifle, he brought it to bear. It was named after the nice brunette he met while he was in basic at Ord Mantell. The cute gal worked at the diner he and the others went to when done with a section of basic training. She was so nice and friendly. When he was done with basic and wanted to go out with her, she said sorry. She was being friendly because she just wanted nice tips. Slowing his breathing, slowing his heart rate, he looked in the scope. He wasn’t looking for any person. He was looking for the darkest part of that particular tree. Something that would absorb light in a tree was probably a Sith jetpack trooper in all black armor to conceal oneself. They were known to move in trees to take advantage of the foliage while staying off the ground. Yet through training, a Republic scout learned to pick up where there was no light but should be. There. Upper middle part of the tall tree. The dark area. He studied what he could of the wind in the dark between himself and the target. Wind caused less deviation with plasma bolts compared to solid projectiles, but there still was a little. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out all of the air. Specialist Ferma pulled the trigger, hearing the plasma bolt as his finger continued moving, having steady pressure until it came fully to rear, then released. The tiniest of recoils moved the sniper rifle back into him, keeping the scope looking at the same location. There was no need to readjust the rifle later. The dark figure moved down slowly a little, then dropped. It did not move from its own volition, but from gravity. Once the body was found, the kill would be confirmed later unless the recipient of the plasma bolt happened to have survived the shot and the fall. “One fall” he spoke inside his helmet. That gave the alert to the squad they had unwelcome guests in the area. Specialist Ferma observed the surroundings again then brought out the macrobinoculars to get a detailed look. “Engagement. Look for targets” he heard over the speakers in his helmet. At a further distance than his target, he began to notice heat signatures of some devices. He then noticed the outlines of the devices that appeared cylinder shape until they moved and he couldn’t see the devices anymore. His helmet covered up the raising of his eyebrows and slight opening of his mouth as he calmly stated “not good.” He backed away with his belongings as quick as he could on the ground, crawling away from the crest of the hill. Explosions commenced around him from the projectiles fired. Shockwaves were around him and came at him. Luckily the plastoid armor protected his body and especially his ears. Also, this seemed light artillery fire. Still deadly, but not as powerful as heavy artillery. As he backed, he thought he saw something in the air. “Airborne troopers” he heard from the voice of his battle buddy Jace Mintu. Looking up he noticed a few stars were blocked by some flying objects. Specialist Ferma knew there were probably eleven in the air. Twelve for the amount in a typical Sith squad minus the one he shot. Below the horizon of the hill, he got up in a crouch and started going to his right. The fire of some Republic assault cannons could now be heard. “Ground troop movement away from target. Two trailer speeders damaged.” That was two speaking, Sergeant Sinclair from Alderaan. Basically, he was the second in command of the squad, and would take over if something happened to the staff sergeant. Those were noble people from Alderaan, he had noticed on more than one occasion since being active duty. Each one of them devoted to the ideal of the Galactic Republic. The speeders reported must have been the vehicles pulling the cannons. With those Sith troops moving, this firefight was about to explode he concluded to himself as he moved forward to his right. He followed his order to go to Point Cookout when there was engagement. It was the spot where the battalion would meet up for an advance, and if by chance he and the other scouts could drag some of the enemy into the area, easy targets. But who thought of the name Cookout for the spot on the battlefield? Idiot. “Ten. Empire brigade spotted. Right ten degrees at one point five kilometers. Saturated ground with numerous roots. No identifiable traps.” Specialist Duran, the sole Devaronian of the squad, found the main body of the opposition. That would be the main target, but he and the other scouts knew to look for loose squads that could circle around. A long time ago in the Galactic Republic Army the personnel of a squad was determined by what species and gender someone was. Unfortunately, that brought about bitter rivalries, harassment, and conflicts between the squads. That was not an issue currently with the mixed squads. Now there was just that occasional problem of those pregnancies. Specialist Duran was the first to spot the main body of the enemy, but it wasn’t quick enough. Plasma fire from cannons began hurling toward the spot of the Republic assault cannons, and other spots in the large area. The Sith Army knew of one spot where the Republic was, and was trying to blanket cover the remaining area with artillery area. In the speaker of his helmet, he heard two screams. Members of his squad, but Specialist Ferma could not tell who. Republic artillery fire began. Most of the Sith cannon fire missed Republic positions, not knowing exactly where they were. Republic artillery was not perfect, but had the advantage of knowing where the opposition was. Specialist Ferma proceeded to Point Cookout, crouching so he would not be an easy target to shoot at in the dark. Moving amongst the trees, he went as fast as he could with his crouched form, making sure he didn’t trip over a root or put his foot in a hole in the saturated ground. Coming upon the position of the assault cannons, he went to it, hoping the Sith Army would not shoot at that location since it was already pummeled from cannon fire. Several Republic soldiers lied dead in their armor, including the ones possessing the assault cannons. The assault cannon did have enormous firepower as a handheld weapon, but it was so bulky and heavy that hydraulics was needed in the armor to be able to wield it. A sniper rifle had less firepower, but was more efficient. He did remember though that one time he saw someone quite proficient with the assault cannon. A Pheo woman that was recently promoted to captain of the Dragon Company. She was cute too for an older woman. “Oh, don’t go there” he thought to himself. There was no good being attracted to an older officer. Some in the position were uninjured, some were seriously injured and started to be cared for by the medics, and others who were slightly injured were given quick care and told to go on their way. He went back to proceed towards Point Cookout. He saw a Republic infantry squad ahead of him. What caught his attention though was in the air. A moving black silhouette, blocking briefly the stars above as it moved, flying towards the squad with flames shooting behind it. Falling to the ground in front of him, he made a little splash from the few puddles of water he fell in. He brought his sniper rifle Sue to shooting position, looking through the trees with his scope, hoping the flying silhouette would come to a stationary position. Tree in the way, spot for second then moves, tree in the way, moves and another tree in the way. He brought out his sidearm while lying in place. Breathe in, breathe out, target moving while breathe in, breathe out, target still moving while breathe in, target aiming while breathe all air out, steady pressure he pulled the trigger all the way back. The plasma bolt went through the right side of the chest below the armpit. Head slumping over, the jetpack started moving the body forward and upward in an uncontrolled path. Another kill. Specialist Ferma knew he had no time to celebrate with the battle continuing on. When he heard what sounded like the rocket from a jetpack above him, he really knew he had no time to celebrate. “No good” he said out loud, mainly for himself. He quickly rolled to his right then got up to get behind a tree. Blaster fire from a sidearm followed him, trying to get him while lying on the ground. When he got up, the airborne trooper tried to shoot ahead of him, trying to predict where he would go. The shots would have succeeded in hitting him, except the tree he was behind got in the way, wood chips flying everywhere from the impact of the plasma bolts hitting the trunk. Bringing the sniper rifle up, he made his shots while moving on the ground, trying to make it more difficult for the airborne trooper to shoot him. Without the time for proper aim, he was at best a stalemate with the Sith trooper in the sky. Continuing moving and using the trees for disruption of the line of sight, he at least made it more difficult for proper aim on him. He then saw the Sith trooper put the side arm in the left hand while grabbing a circular object with the right. His eyelids raised behind the visor, he jumped to his right in the middle of the motion of his opponent’s right arm. Water, mud, and his armor helped lessen the impact of the grenade as it hit the ground. He got up, but not as quick as he could from the dazed effect of the grenade. The Sith airborne trooper saw the advantage, coming to a hard landing on the ground with the jetpack turning off while bringing out a Sith vibroblade. Coming upon the specialist, Jon Ferma brought up his sniper rifle, holding on with both hands. He was able to deflect the lunge of the blade, however the vibroblade was able to make a large cut into the barrel of the rifle. The airborne trooper tried to grab the sidearm with the left hand. Specialist Ferma shoved the rifle into the visor of his assailant. Moving to his right he was able to use his left hand to grab the left wrist of the Sith trooper. The right foot of the trooper got stuck under a root, losing balance and unable to stab effectively with the vibroblade, having it deflect off the left arm instead of a stab to the torso of the specialist. With his right hand free, Jon Ferma grabbed his sidearm, and quickly brought it up and shot at the head of his opponent. Plastoid armor and flesh came flying from the impact of the plasma bolt. The airborne trooper’s body slumped to the ground, with the top left part of the head blown away from the plasma bolt shot at point blank range. Shaking his head for a few seconds, being dazed from the impact of plastoid pieces hitting his helmet, he soon noticed the cracks on the left side of his visor. He grabbed the two sidearms of the dead airborne trigger to see if he could use them, but noticed they did not activate. “Signature firearms” he stated to himself softly. He surmised the damaged visor wouldn’t be good if there was a chemical attack. He quickly looked at his surroundings, seeing between the trees trunks the flying plasma bolts near Point Cookout. An artillery projectile from the Republic side fell onto the area, coming with it the loud explosion. He heard another person scream in his helmet. Looking at the point, less movement was seen and the faint shape of figures lied on the ground, from both Sith and Republic side. The artillery came too close to the Republic troops. He then thought he saw something in the distance moving to his left. Putting on infrared, the cracks in the visor distorted the view. Nevertheless, a small line of heat chest high was moving. That wasn’t an insect. It was most likely a Sith trooper that got the chest armor cracked, and body heat was coming out. Specialist Ferma moved to his left, crouched to try to minimize the chance he would be detected. Finding a spot between a tree and a bush, he laid forward into the mud, bringing out his sidearm. The sniper rifle would not be safe to use with the cut in the barrel. Waiting patiently, the targets began moving closer, unaware of him lying there in the mud at night. He wanted a chance to have several shots in short succession to get as many targets as he could with surprise. He also wanted to have a decent view of the targets, made more difficult with the cracked visor. Coming closer, coming closer, there. A Sith squad of infantry, probably of twelve soldiers, trying to flank the Republic. He may die from the retaliatory fire, but he had the advantage of some cover, and it will eliminate their chance of circling and having the jump on Republic troops. Several came under twenty meters away. Focusing on the targets as best he could with the cracks in his visor, he aimed his pistol. Two steady pulls of the trigger, aim for another, two pulls, aim for another, two pulls. Two Sith troopers fell to the ground, one yelled while getting on knees as the shoulder was grabbed from an injury. The remaining troopers responded with return fire, aiming for chest high but missed due to not knowing he was lying on the ground. Two more shots he let loose, then rifle fire from elsewhere sent plasma bolts into the now exposed Sith squad as his target went down. More of the squad went down as a few retreated. “Lucky” he stated calmly to himself, fortunate of the situation. He got up then walked a little to his left. He saw the Republic squad with their rifles, and gave them a little salute with two fingers from his right hand. He then saw past the squad a medic, a red stripe across his arms and chest of his armor to designate he was medical, moving toward a trooper on the ground. A plasma bolt went that direction. The medic, while grabbing the right arm, went down onto the knees. Specialist Ferma evaluated the situation. Unusable sniper rifle, no long-range weapon, damaged visor, and others were in need. Unable to use his sniper skills, he would be more of a benefit to the brigade by helping others accomplish their roles. Watching for plasma bolts, he moved over to the medic. Seeing the medic on the ground panting hard, the sniper’s focus went to the right arm. Armor and flesh from the outer part of the arm was burned away. At least the wound wasn’t so deep that it got to the bone. “What can I do?” Specialist Ferma asked as he lowered his head to the level of the medic. “Bacta. Gel. In pack” the medic answered in between large breaths. Opening the pack on the medic’s back, Specialist Ferma brought out a tube then spread it on the injury. “Ouch” came from the medic when the gel was first put on, then his breathing slowed and evened, as his body appeared less in pain. “Let me get you back to the field hospital” responded Specialist Ferma as he helped the medic onto his feet. “Aid station. Pain is getting better. I can at least help some with my left arm.” The medic put his left hand on the sniper’s right shoulder to help with balance. Eyebrows were raised behind the visor so they weren’t seen. This medic was a brave one. Eventually the two made it to the nearest aid station. The medic took off his helmet, showing his chestnut hair cut short. “Thank you” he said as he bowed his head a little to the sniper, then went to work helping with triage and minor wound care with his left arm. Looking around, he saw another medic in armor, ready to head out. “Need help?” he asked, noticing this medic was a woman from the shape of the armor. “Always” she responded, as she started to walk out of the aid station. The sniper came up to walk beside the medic. “Specialist Jon Ferma” he stated as he looked to see that she had no firearm. Some medics were willing to work for the military but didn’t want a firearm. Some were honored to help save the life of someone in the brigade, but felt with their role they should not carry a weapon. Some medics were willing or happy to carry a firearm, but had no business since they were such lousy shots. “Second Lieutenant Rosie Sanguine. Nice to meet you specialist. Let’s get to some of the wounded.” The two walked away from the aid station, trying to find the nearest wounded. Both could see plasma bolts flying through the air, and hear the cannons firing away. It was definite the Republic was not losing, but there was no way to tell if they were winning. It was difficult to see the wounded on the ground, with their armor covering up their heat so infrared setting would be no good. Finally, they found someone on the ground, moving a little and in exquisite pain. “Blast got the left hip.” Lieutenant Sanguine looked at where the armor came apart. The left side of the hip was bleeding, and the way the bones looked it was evident the soldier had a hip fracture. She got some bacta gel and applied it to where the bleeding occurred. “It’s said that stuff can fix anything.” Specialist Ferma scanned the area, making sure there wouldn’t be an attack soon. “It helps, but nothing cures or fixes everything.” She got up and did her best to check the soldier’s condition with his armor on. “Won’t cure that hip fracture. Need to get the trooper to the field hospital.” She knelt down to pick him up to put over her shoulders. There was no stretcher available, nor a craft that could move him. “I’ll do that lieutenant.” Specialist Ferma knelt down, ready to pick him up. “Let me give him a pain med. Make the pain not as bad. Could you please take off his helmet for a bit Specialist?” “Yes ma’am.” He put his hands on either side of the soldier’s helmet, and released the locks. Slowly he took it off, showing the agony on the face. “Take this” ordered Lieutenant Sanguine in a gentle way. She squirted some purple liquid from a small bottle into the soldier’s mouth. With a little difficulty, the liquid was swallowed. After a minute, the soldier appeared more relaxed. The helmet was put back on. Specialist Ferma squatted down. With some help from the lieutenant, he picked up the soldier, put him over his shoulders, got up, then started walking the direction of the field hospital. Lieutenant Sanguine was able to do the triage in the field. When they got to the field hospital, he was put on a bed and started getting prepped for his surgery when the battle ceased. The two went back to look for more. They searched, then eventually found another body. Specialist Ferma raised his eyebrows behind his visor, looking at the markings on the armor. The markings were for a sniper from Gundark Squad. “Jace Mintu, my battle buddy.” He was unconscious from a concussion that his helmet could not protect him from fully. The area looked like it got hit by a projectile. Numerous bodies and body parts were around in the mud. Specialist Mintu was breathing, but when Jon looked over at the right leg, it looked like a bloodied heap. “I’m sorry Specialist Ferma. Let’s get him ready then we can take him to the field hospital." “Helmet off?” Specialist Ferma was wondering if his battle buddy would also get pain medication. Now he knows why he didn’t hear for a little while his buddy’s voice. He was knocked out of action. “Yes please.” She squirted some purple liquid into his mouth, then put some bacta gel around the edge of the part of the leg that wasn’t injured. “It will lessen the pain when he wakes up, like giving pain medicine while in surgery.” The helmet was put back on, and Specialist Ferma got his battle buddy over his shoulders. The two of them practiced this with each other in case it was needed on the battlefield, but Jon never thought he would have to carry Jace like this. Eventually they made it back to the field hospital, and Specialist Mintu was put on a bed to get prepped for his surgery. Both the sniper and the medic still had energy, but they were starting to get exhausted. They went back towards the action to see if there was anyone else. As he observed the battle, there still was the plasma bolts flying towards their targets and cannons still making their sounds, but no lightsabers. That means no Sith. That was good since there was no chance now of troops getting overwhelmed by one of those Sith lords. That also meant the Sith troopers would be more likely to retreat, and try to escape to an unchartered planet if they were losing. When a Sith lord was present, retreat was not an option. Since no lightsabers, that also meant no Jedi. Too bad. Jedi would be an asset right now. They were famed in the galaxy for how helpful they were, and their ability to turn the tide of battle. There were stories recently going around with the Republic troops of four padawans that have been fun to work with, especially that over-the-top redhead that was wicked on the battlefield. Looking around, they stayed together as they walked and surveyed the battlefield. Hearing something whizzing in the air, Specialist Ferma pushed the medic onto the ground then got on top of her. A second later an explosion went off near them. Mud and pieces of trees went through the air as the explosion was followed by screams. The shockwave mostly went over them, but a little of it hit the sniper. “Specialist, I appreciate your valor, but you can get off. I’m not more important than anyone else here.” She felt a bit uncomfortable with the man she just met lying on top of her on a battlefield. “Your very important Lieutenant. You’re keeping some of us alive.” He scanned the situation, then got up when he realized for the moment it was safe. He put out a hand, and she grabbed it in appreciation as he pulled her up. Walking closer to the area of the explosion, a quick loud breath came from her. On the ground was another medic, however the armor was wrecked at the head and chest. She quickly went up and knelt by the figure. “Alex Hippo. From my unit. Chest wounds with suction indicate lungs punctured. Pupils of different sizes, stiffness of neck, in stupor. Probable intracerebral hemorrhage. Not good.” She took out more bacta and put it quickly on the numerous sites of bleeding. Specialist Ferma started kneeling down, then she put a hand on his knee. “He’s my unit. Let me.” The sniper nodded to her as he helped get the injured medic up on her shoulders, then helped her up with keeping her balance. With a little stumbling and a hand to help with balance from Specialist Ferma, Second Lieutenant Sanguine made her way close to the field hospital. When they got within twenty meters, Second Lieutenant Hippo began seizing on her shoulders. Jon held out his hand again to help with her balance. “Really not good” she expressed in a mostly calm way. Around ten meters away the seizing stopped. Going through the entrance, she found the nearest bed and put him down, with her sniper companion helping. She took off the wrecked helmet and the rest of the armor. Grabbing an oxygen tube, she put the cannulas in each of his nostrils. After she hooked up equipment, she saw the vitals were unstable. She began putting in data needed for head surgery to stop the internal bleeding, then an alarm went off as his heart stopped beating. Hooking up the cardiac restarter, she made sure people kept their distance as an electric charge dispensed into Alex Hippo’s chest. No change. He was not breathing. Another charge. There still was no heartbeat. A third charge went. There was no change. His body lied there lifeless. She looked at the instruments and noticed the time. Oh Two One Four. Time of death. She put the numbers into a datapad next to the bed. Taking a deep breath, she took off her helmet then looked at Specialist Jon Ferma. He took off his helmet to get a better look at her. Easily he could tell she was a Pantoran. Blue skin with light blond hair and golden eyes. “A beauty” he thought to himself. A few tears strolled down her cheeks. She looked up at the human a little taller than her while holding onto her helmet. Light complexion, dark chestnut hair with brown eyes, he stood there with his chiseled chin as steady as steel. “Lieutenant Sanguine, you’re now off duty.” Coming into the triage room, an older human male in his late fifties walked towards them, noticing how exhausted his medic was and knew she wouldn’t be able to do her duties for long. She already did much, and he didn’t want her to fall apart. He has seen that before with his medics, doctors, nurses, and techs. He has seen that all too often over the years. She turned to look at him, the tears starting to dry up. “Yes, yes sir. I will go to the break area in a bit.” He then turned to look at the sniper. “Specialist, what’s your name?” “Sir, Ferma. Jon Ferma sir.” The sniper looked at the coronel while standing tall. “Thank you for your help Specialist Ferma. I would think you have your duties that need to be finished. Again, thank you.” The older man nodded his head a little, then left. “Thank you Coronel” he responded as the doctor left the triage area. Specialist Ferma looked back at the medic. She went to a pack on her belt and brought out a small piece of ancient plant paper and a writing instrument. Writing for a few seconds, she put the instrument back, then stuck the small piece just inside his armor at the top of his chest. With the look of hesitancy for a couple seconds, she tilted her head up and gave a quick kiss on the lips of the sniper. “Contact me when this madness is over.” She turned and walked with a quick pace out of the triage area. Eyelids raised for a few seconds, he watched the lieutenant walk out of the area. “Wow” he said with little emotion, stunned from the experience of the whole night. He put on his helmet, then walked out of the field hospital and proceeded to the firefight. It was quite obvious the first thing he noticed. There was no longer any cannon fire. He then gazed at the swath of the jungle, noticing the amount of plasma bolts was decreasing rapidly. Republic troopers were sweeping the area, looking for any Sith troopers that planned on a late attack. The plasma bolts stopped. More wounded were being taken away. He saw a few of them were in Sith trooper armor. Movement at a distance indicated some Republic infantry was advancing, making sure none of the Sith troops were reforming for another attack. “Clear.” In his helmet he heard the single syllable from the brigade commander, Colonel Orio, an older Lasat, who was indicating the conflict was over. He waited for his squad leader to speak to check on the members, but didn’t hear anything. “Sergeant Beihei? Staff Sergeant Beihei?” Specialist was a little nervous that there wasn’t a response. “Sergeant Sinclair?” No response from either sergeant. The sniper shook a little for a second. “This is Gundark six. Check.” “Gundark four, clear. Three sent to hospital.” “Gundark five is at the hospital. Six clear.” There was a pause for several seconds. “Gundark nine, clear.” “Gundark ten, clear.” “Gundark twelve, clear. Eleven is dead.” Specialist Ferma took a big sigh. Five in his squad were still on duty. Two were in the hospital, and he knew Justin Mintu would be in the hospital for an extended stay. Five were most likely dead, including the two sergeants. “Meet up at the battalion spot.” Specialist Ferma waanted the squad to gather up so they can go over what occurred and the results of the mission. As he headed to the spot, he looked around. The Republic won, but it looked like they took heavy casualties. An outright majority of the Sith force was dead. Rare ones were injured but still living and now in the hospital. No one was captured unharmed. The Sith troopers were trained to never, never surrender. A few retreated. If they went back to Sith space they would be executed for retreating. Specialist Ferma knew what the retreaters would most likely do. Some would find an obscure planet far from Sith space that had no inhabitants, or one with a sparse sentient population. They would lie low so not to catch the attention of the Sith Empire. They would try to make a new life for themselves. Others would go the mercenary route, and then be hired by the Hutt Cartel or go to other bidders. A few would become pirates. He came to the site by the tree where he took out his first target. There, lying on the ground, was his first kill of the encounter. The Sith airborne trooper lied there, dark armor with a jetpack, and a hole in the left side of the chest. The sniper crouched down and took off the armor. Lying there with no life was a woman, light complexion with sandy brown hair in a ponytail and bangs cut short. “What a day” he commented for only himself to hear. The woman looked similar to Sue, the woman he knew from the diner on Ord Mantell. Specialist Ferma made it to the rendezvous point. He was the first one of his squad at the spot, which gave him a chance to observe the troopers from the different units. All were exhausted. A noticeable few looked numb. Numerous trees had their tops blown off. Gundark twelve came first. Specialist Bush, the Mirialan from Mirial, took off his helmet. He stood there stunned with his green complexion and chopped dark hair. He said nothing as he stood there facing the sniper. Gundark nine came next with the unique shaped helmet. It had a place on either side to stick the Twi’lek’s lekkus, the tails coming from the head that helped so much with balance. Private Cassandra took off her helmet, showing her blue complexion. Although a Twi’lek, she was born and raised on Coruscant just like Specialist Ferma. For being inexperienced and new to the Republic forces, she did appear calm. Right behind her was the Pheo Private Evora Castellano, Gundark ten, taking off her helmet. Pink was her skin, amber was her eyes, and what little there was of brunette hair was in a buzz cut. She also seemed unscathed from the battle. The sulfur smell, well known from the Pheos, was evident from her. No one cared. She was alive, that’s what cared. The two women definitely were great battle buddies that supported each other. Finally, Gundark four. Specialist Bombus, a Duros that was born and raised on Ord Mantell, the planet they all did their basic training at. He was the munitions expert for the squad. Taking off his helmet, he nodded a little to the sniper, then went to checking his equipment. Although victory, the Republic forces sustained heavy losses. There were the two thousand four hundred twenty that were not hit or only received minor injuries. One thousand four hundred and fifteen lost their lives, including five in their squad. One thousand nine hundred and thirty-six were injured and hospitalized, including the squad’s two. For the next several hours, the squad went to officially identify the five Gundarks that lost their lives, including their two sergeants. They helped set up tents and beds in the new camp, one tent for the males and another for the females. They finally crashed, falling on their beds exhausted after taking off their armor. The remaining squad members slept through the night, knowing there were fresh guards able to patrol the camp. Waking up the next morning, they reported to the second lieutenant for their platoon, then rested for the day while checking on their gear. The camp, now named Camp Al Republica, was starting to transform into a permanent camp. The second day after the battle was reserved for the funeral. A raised large plot of land that sustained damage to the trees was cleared and made into a cemetery. All of the fallen were given a large service, the sermon done by the colonel. Afterwards, each trooper was given a small funeral with members of their small unit in attendance. The squad knew this would likely happen after a battle, but they never expected funerals for five squad members in one day. The third day became a more joyful one. Medals for recognition were given to the squad by their company’s major, Eric Thom from Alderaan. “Next we recognize Specialist Ferma. For your success at the last engagement, I am honored to present to you the Republic sniper commendation ribbon.” Claps came from the people around as the ribbon was put on his uniform. Later, he will get another of the same ribbon for his formal attire. “Also, for actions beyond the line of duty, medical has awarded you the medic meritorious ribbon.” Louder claps and a few cheers came from the crowd as the second ribbon was put on, with one of those clapping a Pantoran lady who was in the back. “Because of your service Jon Ferma, you are now promoted to Sergeant Jon Ferma, in command of your scout squad. Jon Ferma smiled and raised his eyebrows. He did not expect this. His battle buddy Justin Mintu smiled and cheered from his bed in the field hospital, watching the live ceremony as it was being transmitted to his monitor by the bed. Sergeant Ferma saluted the major while responding. “Thank you sir. It is an honor to lead this fine squad.” For the next few days, Sergeant Ferma fixed his armor and realigned his weapons. He spent a full day with Sue, repairing the barrel and realigning the scope. It took hours with readjusting the sniper rifle before he had it the way he wanted, three shots in a row within a square three centimeters per side at a distance of one hundred meters. His battle buddy Justin Mintu was there that day, now with a cybernetic right leg, helping him readjust the sniper rifle. Less time was needed to work on his own rifle. Although he was still a specialist, he was now second in command of the squad, assigned to help the new sergeant and to continue his sniper duties. Also coming back to the squad from injury was Gundark three, Specialist Chi from Denon. He was injured from a plasma bolt hitting the edge of his left shoulder. He would still need physical therapy to get back into top shape, but he was enthusiastic to be back. However, he was no longer Gundark three. He was now Loth-wolf three. Sergeant Jon Ferma was allowed to change the nickname for the squad, and all were happy about the change. Five privates fresh out of basic training came to the squad. Each of them was given a sponsor from within the squad to help acclimate to active duty life. They were then paired up with each other as battle buddies, except one Togrutan was given to Specialist Bush. Through training together, the Loth-wolf scout squad became a well-oiled machine. Camp Al Republica became Fort Al Republica, with a village that became a town to support it. Al Saltu became a successful defense point for the Republic in the outer rim. It was not all work and no play for Loth-wolf squad. Ten days after the battle of Al Saltu, they were given a fifteen-day block leave to relax and enjoy themselves. * * * Sitting in a restaurant overlooking the vast ocean of Mon Cala, Jon Ferma enjoyed the view of the water with the puffy clouds in the daylight sky. His forest green sweater kept him warm and dry from the Mon Cala weather. The brown trousers, with matching belt and boots, did the same. A large animal jumped out of the water in the distance. He hoped his order of mollusk soup with broiled krakana was the right choice. Although he enjoyed the view of Mon Cala from outside the window, he enjoyed the view from across the table even more. There sitting across the table from him, in a maroon dress with gold jewelry, was a Pantoran medic, just recently promoted to first lieutenant. “So, Rosie, what type of music do you like to listen to?”

Chapter 12 The Call

Chapter 11 part 2 Time at Alpha Templi

Chapter 11 Part 1 Time at Alpha Templi

Chapter 10 Arriving at Templi

Chapter 9 The Trip to Templi

Chapter 7 The Hospital Then the Plaza

Chapter 6 An Interesting Day on Coruscant

Chapter 5 Coming Home

Chapter 4 An Evening After School

Chapter 3 Afternoon at the Jedi Temple

Chapter 2 Coming Home

Chapter 8 Before the Journey

Chapter 7 The Hospital Then the Plaza Furia was in the clothes she wore to school when she arrived at the Republic Military Hospital. Once she was inside she went to the desk by the door and had her faced scanned. There at the door to check people’s credentials was the old Transdoshan Sergeant Crassi. He had known Furia for around 5 years. Padawans at times come to the hospital to help out. “Am I allowed to enter?” Furia asked the old Transdoshan, and he did a little reptilian laugh and waved her to go through. She went to the turbolift. When the door opened, she went in with a few others and pushed the panel for the fifth floor. She exited on the recovery floor. This floor was devoted to the troopers that were injured and got their surgeries or other treatment, but needed to rest and recuperate from their injuries. Furia went to the desk and bowed her head a little. “Hi.” “Nice to see you again Lady Furia. How have you been.” Nurse Jin said to the padawan that had come here occasionally for a few years. Furia and several of the padawans were known for the help they have done at different times. “Doing pretty good.” Furia wondered at times why people at times called her Lady Furia since Lady was not an official title with the Jedi. She had heard conflicting stories of women in the Sith Empire called that. Some stories the women were called Lord, and other times called Lady. Furia didn’t mind being called it, just unusual other Jedi weren’t called that. Pricilli would be called Jedi Pricilli, not Lady Pricilli. “How have you been?” “Busy unfortunately. Numerous wounded coming back lately from the battles. One good thing though. You certainly are popular with the troops. There is talk about the fun they had watching your dancing yesterday. But back to business. We heard you were coming. If it is all right with you, rooms 9 through 12 will be the ones you will be helping with.” “I’m ready to start.” Furia was going to make the best out of the situation. She has for several years had the attitude of getting a bad situation and trying to turn it into a good experience. This “penance”, irritating Jedi Masters, was no different. She was going to make the best of it. Who knows, she may meet new people. That’s always a good thing. Going into room 9, she saw a med droid scanning a man. She did not know his treatment, but he was being scanned for his electrolytes. He was injured on a desert planet in a firefight, and the salts in his body were off. The droid was making sure the trooper got appropriate amounts but not too much of electrolytes. “Hi. Need any help?” The droid answered. “No assistant. Thank you.” The man sighed and smiled. “Hi miss. Any chance you can get me some Moogan tea?” “Served cold?” “Yes. That would be nice.” He smiled at the young lady who was helping, not realizing she was a padawan. “That would be a sufficient intake for the patient” the droid said as it turned to Furia then back to the patient in the bed. Furia made a little sarcastic smiled to the droid then left for the food galley. The trooper laughed a little as she walked out. Since Furia had been on that floor of the hospital before, she knew where to go. The galley was not being used by anyone. She touched a few times on a screen on the wall and then below the screen a glass came out then it was filled with the tea. Feeling the glass to make sure it was cool, Furia went back to room 9 and gave the trooper the glass. He smiled at her. “Thank you.” She turned around and started walking out. As he saw her walking out of the room he noticed the braid of her hair. “Padawan?” he asked as she walked out the doorway. Furia turned around and smiled at the trooper. “Yes.” She then walked away to the next room. He shook his head a little. “Wow. She’s the babe.” Room 10 had a Duros, a younger male. He was resting in bed with eyes closed. Blue skinned, it was evident there was some explosion because of the burns on one part of his body that was bandaged up. Connected to his headboard was a screen that she could look at to see what happened and his treatment, but she knew “need to know.” She is not treating him, so she had no business to look at his medical treatment. He appeared to be shaking a little bit. He opened his eyes, and his red eyes looked at her. “Fuel explosion. Nice tattoo it gave me. Any chance you can get me an extra blanket?” Furia knew a few languages, but not Durese. Focusing with the Force she was able to pick up some of what he meant, but she had to look at a translator screen above his head to understand all that he was saying. Without the screen she sensed he was cold, but not how he got his injuries. She nodded her head and went to a shelf built into the wall in the room. There were two folded blankets on top of each other. She grabbed the top one. It wasn’t that warm. She unfolded it a little bit while walking back to him. She unfolded and spread out the blanket on top of the blanket already covering him. “Ahh, warm. Thank you.” The Duros closed his eyes and smiled as he appeared to be falling asleep. Furia felt no need to tell him how she warmed up the blanket. Walking into room 11, a middle aged trooper was sitting up in her bed. Seeing the insignia on the sleeve of a jacket that was draped over the chair in the room, Furia could tell she was a nurse for one of the hospital ships, probably one recently attacked. “Go out!” the woman yelled at Furia. “I don’t need some teenage flunkey in here trying to pick up on a soldier. Now go!” Furia smiled, turned, then walked out. It was easy for Furia, while she walked out of the room, to sense why the woman was so agitated. No husband, she wasn’t promoted in her unit, then before she left for this most recent deployment she met a younger man at a tavern. She brought him home and got romantic, he left the next morning without telling her, and she hasn’t seen him since. She now has to take an antibiotic for the infection he passed on to her. No wonder that she was bitter. Furia finally checked the last room, room 12. A younger human was laying on the bed. He was half asleep in his bed, moving a little bit and moaning at times. Furia walked out to the desk and told the nurse stationed there “did the patient in room 12 receive his comfort meds?” “Honey, he is maxed out on his comfort medicines. He can’t get any more for a while.” The nurse said with a matter of fact look towards Furia. The padawan turned and walked back to room 12. Going close to his bed, she noticed a datapad on the bed beside him. On the screen was simply a short letter. It seems he, Private John Smithson, sent a letter to what appears his mother about his injuries. She, Gwyn, sent a short response. “You could have done better”. She did not put anything else in the letter, not even signing it. Furia went out of the room for a few seconds to see if he had any visitors since it was now visiting time. Several other of the troopers that were patients had visitors of family, friends, or fellow troopers in their unit. Private Smithson had no one. Furia walked back into room 12 and made sure the door was closed. She walked to be by his bed. Leaning down, Furia kissed the injured trooper on the forehead. He immediately started to relax a little. “No wonder” she said softly. She didn’t need the Force to know he was hurting as much or even more emotionally compared to physically. She looked at the door, then looked back at the private as she took off her shoes. Pulling the blanket up that was covering him, she slipped into the bed under the blanket. She lay on his right side, facing him. She moved her right arm to lay it on top of him. Furia snuggled her body next to his, feeling his skin except for the single pair of shorts he had on. He was no longer moving in the bed, but resting calmly with the look of peace on his face. She could tell he no longer appeared in pain, nor restless. He was in peace and soon began to fall asleep. After several minutes Furia got out of the bed, put on her shoes, and walked out the door. She avoided room 11, and went to check on rooms 9 and 10. In 10 the Duros soldier was sleeping comfortably. In room 9 the man said he was good. He didn’t need anything. He thanked her again for the tea. Furia went up to the nurse’s desk. “Sorry about that nasty one in room 11. And whatever you did in room 12, his life signs have definitely improved.” “Just some tender care” Furia replied. “Anything else?” “No. That little bit of time you gave definitely helped. Two of them are now asleep, one didn’t want you in the room, and the last one was quite thankful you got him that simple glass of tea. Nothing else for you to do here. It’s leaving early, but no need for you to bother a patient that’s sleeping. We’ll send a message to your Master. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon Furia.” Furia nodded to the nurse, then walked to the turbolift. As she walked to the door, she heard from a distance “Get ready for tomorrow. New set of admits.” When the door opened, she walked in and pressed on the panel for the first floor. She rode the it down to the first floor. She walked out of the turbolift, and started walking to the entrance of the building. To the side she noticed a Cathar trooper standing alone. She appeared nervous standing there. Furia walked over to see if she needed any help. “Hi. Do you need help with anything?” Furia smiled a little as she asked the trooper who still appeared nervous. “Oh, ah, excuse me. Hi. I need to talk with a few of the soldiers about return to duty. I’m not sure where to ask for where their rooms are. The sergeant looks too busy to ask.” “Let’s see if he knows where they’re at. I’m Furia.” The padawan started walking to Sergeant Crassi, keeping pace with the nervous trooper who had the patch of a lieutenant on her uniform. “Hi, um. I’m Lieutenant Darci Grahrama.” “New to Coruscant?” Furia asked. “Why, um, yes. And thank you for helping.” The two women went up to the Transdoshan Sergeant. “Hey Sergeant. This is Lieutenant Darci Grahrama. Lieutenant, this is Sergeant Crassi. Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite. That hard at least. Can you help us find some troopers she needs to see?” Sergeant Crassi laughed as he looked at Darci’s list that she had on a datapad. He held it close to a monitor he had on his desk. With a motion of one of his fingers back and forth, information from his monitor went on to the datapad. “There you go” he said in Dosh, the Transdoshan language. “Thank you, Sergeant, sir.” Darci appeared thankful, but still nervous. Furia surmised the Cathar Lieutenant was probably not many days out of finishing training. Darci turned to Furia “Again thank you Furia.” Darci then noticed the braid. “Oh, excuse me, Master Jedi Furia.” Sergeant Crassi was smiling at the interaction between the two women while he continued to do his work checking credentials to allow people in. Furia smiled. “It’s just Furia. Or Padawan Furia. I’m not yet a Jedi Knight.” “Yet” said the Transdoshan sergeant. Furia smiled a little more. It’s nice when people outside of the Jedi Temple appreciate her. “Oh” replied Darci, a little surprised. “I’m sorry Furia, I mean Padawan Furia.” “Hey, nothing to apologize for. You know where to go?” Furia was still smiling, enjoying the time she was having meeting Darci. “Yes ma’am. That I know. Thank you.” Furia laughed. Sergeant Crassi was so much enjoying the exchange between Furia and Darci. “Ma’am. You’re going to make me feel old.” Furia was smiling away. “Hey, let’s get numbers. We can meet later this week in the evening. Furia brought out her card, then touched it to Darci’s when the Cathar brought her card out. Darci was now beaming. She liked this Jedi. “That would be nice. It was nice meeting you Furia.” Furia leaned over a little and gave Darci a little hug. “Nice meeting you too. Bye.” “Goodbye” replied Darci. The lieutenant turned then walked to the turbolift with what appeared a little more confidence. As the door opened, she went in it, turned around, then waved at Furia and Sergeant Crassi. The door then closed. Furia turned back to the Transdoshan. She leaned over and kissed his forehead. “Thanks. Bye.” The padawan then walked out of the hospital. Sergeant Crassi laughed and smiled as he saw one of his favorite Jedi walk out of the building. * * * It was late afternoon as Furia walked from the Republic Military Hospital to the Jedi Temple. She was walking across the plaza. Numerous flowers were in bloom in flower plots, blueblossoms and roses of different colors. A plaza connecting something of the Jedi with the military. As Furia looked around the plaza she had walked through many times, she saw people walking through, and people sitting on some of the benches. At her left across the plaza she noticed an empty bench with people walking by it. Taking her index finger to her chin, she did her pondering look as she had an idea. Walking over to the bench she greeted the people walking near her. She went to the bench, turned, and sat on it cross legged. Sitting there in her dark brown Jedi robe, she greeted more people as she thought she likes the look of a skirt better than the trousers. “Skirt is just more me” she thought to herself. Nevertheless she knew she looked like a Jedi sitting there on the bench. “Blessed are all of you” she started saying to the people walking in the plaza. “For all of you are blessed by the Force, and you are all special. The Force, that which binds our galaxy together, is created by all of you. We are in a horrible war, but through that there are bright spots where the Republic shines brightly. Each of us have bad days, like the Republic has bad days. Yet with the help of others, we persevere through the bad days to become better people, and be grateful of the good days. For each of you is a Temple. A part of the great Force. No one is insignificant. For each one of us is special. Do not damage your Temple. Life is hard, and sometimes it is so hard people turn to quick fixes to cover up the pain. Narcs, alcohol, spice, all feel good but in the end cause cracks in your Temple. Yet if you take the time to stop for a little bit, rest, let your body and mind come to calm, the hardships will flow away from your Temple, and you become one in peace with the Force. Not only would you help yourself, but others”. “Little girl, who are you to preach?” A middle aged man came walking up to Furia with his daughter who appeared ten years old. The girl stood a little back and to the side of her father. Furia thought that was interesting since padawans would many times stand that way with their Masters. “You don’t even look old enough to drink alcohol. Who are you to tell us? You dress up thinking you are some Jedi.” Near the father and daughter was a hovercart. In it was a large box. They must have bought something earlier. “You are no Jedi. You don’t know about people dying.” Furia thought of a few Sith apprentices whose bodies met the blades of her lightsaber, and the Republic Army personnel she saw die near her. “We are just people. We don’t have any special privilege like those aristocrats that live over there.” The man was using his thumb to point back at the Jedi Temple, not noticing that the hovercart was raising higher off the ground. “Your father and mother make you responsible enough that you even know what a chore is? Do your parents even know you are here?” The hovercart was raising even higher off the ground. “Dad” the girl said as she looked at the hovercart going higher without someone touching it, then looked at her father. Being able to smile without mocking the man, Furia continued to preach. “What I look like does not matter. We are all lovely beings that create the Force. All of us, including Jedi, become better beings when around people that care for themselves and others. For no matter who or what makes the words, the words are truth. Don’t look down or criticize another, for that life is as valuable as your own and may be great if allowed to grow. The great mistake of a child may become that child’s greatest learning experience. The mistake of cooking a recipe may become a new way of cooking food that so many will enjoy. The spouse that seems not to listen now may be planning on something better for the family in the future. The injured soldier that can no longer battle, may become the future teacher of perseverance, and how to successfully avoid battle.” “You have no idea what you are talking about!” The man yelled at Furia while others walking in the plaza stopped to listen to the conversation. They also were noticing the hovercart that was floating a meter in the air behind the man. “You spew nonsense dressed up as some Jedi sorceress. My employee that keeps on failing won’t change. The waitress that got the order wrong gets another’s order wrong. My wife, ahh” he stopped mid-sentence. “You don’t even know what it’s like to be a mother.” “Thank the Force” Furia said silently to herself, thinking for a brief second what it would be like being a mother. “Oh Daaad” the girl said to her father. “For when we help one do better, that one causes another do better. It continues like a reaction. The Force flows more free, giving more energy to all life. Do not fall to hate, for that causes disruptions to the Force and unintended harm to others.” Furia was speaking as she went, with no set speech but talking about what she felt as if coming from her soul. “Those Jedi don’t even talk like that” the man said in a derogatory way towards Furia, as his daughter pulled on his clothes. “Dad!!” He turned around to scold his daughter, then looked at the hovercart floating in the air. Looking frustrated, the man took his daughter’s wrist. “Let’s go!” He walked away from Furia, holding on to his daughter and bringing the hovercart. After walking several meters, the girl did a quick turn of her head and waved at Furia. Smiling, Furia waved back at the girl. A woman standing not far from Furia asked the padawan “Master Jedi, how does us being blessed by the Force explain the war?” Furia made a little bow of her head towards the woman. “When one does not treat well someone even in the far past, the results can be like waves then ripples coming from a splash of a great rock falling into a pond. The ripples continue until something blocks them. The block could be something bad, but could also be something good that stops the ripples and helps bring more life into the pond. Such can be like when someone steps in a pond to stop the ripples, and causes a little water to flow to a plant nearby that needs water because it is in dry dirt.” Several floors up, watching out of a window in the Jedi Temple, a Togrutan and a Mon Calamari Jedi were looking down on the plaza. Even from the distance, both knew who the crowd was gathering around. “Did someone actually tell her to do this?” Gial asked Pricilli. “No. This is on her own. She talks numerous times that Jedi need to be out more interacting with people, other than in a battlefield. This is her own idea.” “Is this even allowed for a padawan?” Gial appeared to have a perplexed look on his face, or at least something that one would think looked perplexed on an aquatic being. Pricilli looked at her padawan in the distance. “There is no rule against a padawan preaching. I checked. It doesn’t interfere with her studies. She is not doing anything that is giving the Jedi Order a bad name. She doesn’t think of what she is doing as a chore. She enjoys it. At times I admire my padawan’s free spirit.” Pricilli sighed, knowing she had to stop looking at her padawan’s preaching to the crowd. “Let’s get our snacks. We need to go back.” * * * After speaking to the crowd, Furia went home to see Pricilli was not there again. “I’ll find out soon enough” Furia said out loud as she went into her bedroom to change into some nice fitting shirt and shorts. She started cooking a prepared meal, Wild Herbs and Nuts. “Wild, yea right” she thought. It was from food grown on a farming space station. While it was cooking, Furia talked to the holoprojector and sent a message to her Master. “I’m home”. She heard the sound that her dinner was finished cooking. She took the dinner to the table. She got a glass and filled it with water, then set it by the dinner on the table. She thought about how her day went. Good day. A fun time at lunch. Got to meet a new person at the hospital. Preaching at the plaza felt good. Needs practice, but felt good. Furia ate her dinner, enjoying the taste despite knowing the term wild was fake. Finishing her dinner and water, she put the plate and glass in the dish cleaner. She went to the main room, then sat in her meditation stance. She is not going to practice tonight the disconnect from the Force. That is not the easiest thing to do with one’s body. She closed her eyes, looked down, took several calm breaths. She then took a few deeper breaths then stopped breathing. Focusing on the extra oxygen she put into her body, she calmly thought of different moves she could do while dueling. Cutting the hands off, slashing the back of a leg when someone tried to kick her, cutting the sides of hands when trying to grab her lightsaber or her wrists. She went several minutes without breathing. She stayed awake and did not pass out since she prepared her body by having extra oxygen in her. After what appeared ten minutes, she did a large exhale of carbon dioxide straight ahead of her. Looking forward for a few seconds, she breathed at a normal pace to help get excess carbon dioxide out of her. She closed her eyelids again, and looked down. Feeling the energy of the Force flow through her, she didn’t think of anything. No disturbance with the natural flow of the Force. Barely could Furia feel the force emanating from Pricilli. Her master is probably at the library still. Furia now focused on her lightsaber. With the Force she disconnected it from its holder. Allowing it to float in the air in front of her, she grabbed her lightsaber with her right hand and turned it on. Sensing something wrong with the blades, she opened her eyes. The green blades would go fully out then slightly retract, then go back out. “At some point I am going to have to take it all apart and look at all the different parts” she thought. Furia turned off the lightsaber and strapped it back in its holder. “Enough of meditation for now”. Furia thought what she could do. Go out and rent a speeder? Fun, but not the best thing to do with Master Pricilli still upset for the devastating hits Furia did to Reyno. Holovid someone, later. Her friends are probably studying. Go to practice dueling? Master Pricilli said it was asked for Furia not to go there for a few days. Club hopping? Did that yesterday with Stacy, which was fun. Giving a sigh, Furia decided to study. Galactic Cultures and Huttese would be good, with Huttese last since it was the most fun. Study of the Force and History of the Jedi she had a firm understanding, so no need to study tonight. Going to her room, she sat at her desk in quiet to study. After studying for a few hours, she concentrated for a second with the Force to know what time it was in the evening. There was some time before she would be going to bed. Thinking what to do, she had an idea: holovid! None of her good friends would be studying, hopefully, and it would be fun to chat. Going in the main room, she pressed several times on the control panel of the holoprojector. Within a few seconds Furia got to see the holograms of her friends Stacy, Mecina, and Dantella. “Hey. Oops, let me get a drink.” A little laugh came from Dantella as Furia quickly went to the kitchen and got a bottle of tropical lunch drink from the refrigerator. Coming back to the main room, she noticed the holograms of the other three were reemerging on the holoprojector. The others also got a drink after seeing Furia get one. Furia spoke like a Hutt in the deep voice “that was fun at lunch”. Mecina responded, also as a Hutt. “I do not think you will be asked a question at lunch for a while”. “Heard what you did at the training area. Scum deserved it.” Stacy said. “It was talked about in the Jedi Temple by numerous students.” “Not going to mess with you Furia Tormenta. You were rough.” Dantella responded. “He set me up. He shouldn’t mess with anyone like that.” Furia was going to ask about Master Plootu, but decided against it. “That’s true.” Stacy said. “Wonder if anyone will ask you out for dinner now Furia?” “Don’t think anyone is going to ask her out. Cause ‘em to shake in their shoes” Dantella the Iridonian replied. Furia laughed. “Oh what a headache that would be. Can you see the guys at the Temple trying to go out with me? Making stupid statements about the size of their sabers, or mind trick me to kiss them.” The other three laughed. Mecina replied. “Mind trick you girl? You would have them licking the ground.” All of the four friends were laughing. “Bad enough a month ago that Senator’s aide try to ask you out.” “Oh did that get Pricilli ticked. She took the Senator to a room and when they came out he looked freaked. Didn’t see that aide again.” “That pool maintenance guy that wanted to dry me off when I got out of the pool. Remember that?” Stacy chirped in. “Oh I do. Did he ever back off when we all stared at him.” Dantella remembered that day, seeing the guy trying to be flirting with her friend when they were at the pool. “So nice not to have to deal with a boyfriend. Too much drama. And motherhood, oh no” Mecina said as she shook her head. The girls chatted for a while on clothes, and what should be new styles they could wear as Jedi robes. Stacy talked about the Solar Flare and how much fun it was the previous night. “Girls, getting bedtime. I need to go to bed.” Dantella then gave a yawn. “Was fun chatting” Mecina replied. “Good night” said Stacy Organa. “Good night.” They all replied. The holovids of all three of Furia’s friends disappeared. “Good chat” she thought to herself. Furia then went to her room to get ready for sleep. Master Pricilli is still not back. This isn’t some tiny assignment. Furia cleaned herself up, then changed clothes and put on her sleep shirt and shorts. She went to her bed, and positioned herself in her meditation stance. Closing her eyes, she meditated and felt the Force. Master Pricilli seems to be getting a little closer. Hopefully that means she is done for the night at the library. The flow of the Force caused by all the life on Coruscant was easily sensed. The move she did today on Reyno was thought through, how she should position her body throughout the move, and different alterations of the move if someone tried different defenses. Faint from the great distance, she felt the pain and suffering from the war. That horrible war. There must be more casualties today. Numerous days Furia would not have that feeling. A pillar of fire shooting up for a second at a great distance then it disappeared. What is that from? Numerous small disruptions of the Force from the lower levels of Coruscant. That must be from the people living down there. The struggles for safety, food, a place for a home. Coruscant’s government seem to care for those citizens they do see, but not those they don’t see. The flow of the Force from all the Jedi that live nearby, strong does it feel tonight. A little special flicker of the Force Furia was able to perceive from her three friends. She couldn’t help it when she smiled at feeling the presence of her great friends. Furia opened her eyes, and focused at what was around her. Feeling calm, she laid down to go to bed, put the lightsaber on the nightstand, turned off the light, and soon after went to sleep.

Chapter 6 An Interesting Day on Coruscant After having breakfast, Coruscant Chocolate Breakfast Bar with bean milk, Furia cleaned up and got ready for the day. Master Pricilli was already gone from their home. “Must be an important project” Furia said out loud when she noticed her Master was not there. She dressed in a tan long sleeve tunic and trousers, then put on her dark brown Jedi robes. She packed her pink two piece bathing suit. After the workout at the martial practice area, she would go get a nice swim at the pool. She put on her workout shoes. There was no need to pack them. She can wear them throughout the day. No need to have fancy shoes for classes. She will eat lunch at the dining hall by the classrooms. After putting on the backpack, she walked out of her home. The door automatically locked so no one could go in other than herself or Pricilli. Furia liked walking with her backpack. One day she hoped she could go to a distant planet and explore it, where she would then be comfortable trekking with a backpack full of gear to make the journey more enjoyable. Using the backpack was good practice, not to mention increasing her stamina. She proceeded to her first class: Study of the Force. She went into the classroom with numerous older padawans. For not the first time once again the discussion was about if The Force was alive. Arguments and counter-arguments were made if it was. Some like her thought it was an energy, vaguely like fire. Others thought it was alive, which brought talk if you can kill it. An interesting class that was today, with Furia spending the time listening to all the different views. Next was The History of the Jedi. Today the lecture was on a totally benign subject, she thought to herself sarcastically. It was on the subject of a few hundred years ago about those Jedi that disobeyed the Jedi Council and went to protect many planets led by a legend. Furia noticed a few Jedi would involuntarily wince when hearing the name. Today’s class was not to be a discussion, but a lecture about where those Jedi started their defense against the assault and how they did it. Her third class was Galactic Cultures. Today Rodia was talked about. The jungle planet with its domed cities, and the crime rate a little bit higher than average. “Do the Hutts have influence with any of the politicians there?” Furia asked during the class, which the professor said not that is known with a little bit of a frown on his face that Furia would ask such a question. Her final class for the morning was her favorite of the ones she was taking right now, the entertaining language class of Huttese. All the chairs were full for that class. Students would learn then practice with the teacher and each other speaking the language of the Hutts. Furia was not the only one who liked pretending to be a Hutt, using the Force to speak with a deep voice the Hutts were famous for. Going over the appropriate ways to discuss food and meals, the instructor got the students to work together with a partner. Furia worked with her friend Mecina Chanasa, the padawan from Amanzi Izihala. Ebony skin with toned muscles, brown eyes, dark hair that had strands that came down to mid neck, she was a child of two Jedi that left the order to have their family on the hot planet of islands and oceans. “Let me sell you this incredible meal. Crunchy leaves with a bounty of vitamins sprinkled with vanilla spice to add that special taste you so much deserve. Added to it these tasty nuts to supplement the taste of your well-deserved meal. It will help lower your lipids in your blood to give you such a wonderful longer life. All for the price of 100 credits.” Furia laughed as she finished her practice statement in Huttese. Mecina couldn’t help herself and laughed with her friend. “Furia.” The instructor said to her. “You are supposed to be learning to appreciate the language, not to mock them.” “You got to admit it was funny.” Furia replied. “No it wasn’t” her instructor answered with great difficulty trying to keep a straight face. Furia had a little smirk on her face, knowing that the instructor was lying. After finishing Huttese, Furia went with Mecina to the dining hall near the classrooms. They went to the buffet and looked what was available. Mecina got some grilled fish that was grown in the tanks of Coruscant. Not as good as the fish from her home Amanzi Izihala, but good enough. Looking at the buffet, Furia was still thinking of the fun she had in the Huttese class and got herself some leaves and nuts, with vanilla spice sprinkled all over it. Both padawans got a glass of water, then saw Stacy Organa and their Iridonian friend Dantella Sidero at a table and went to sit with them. All four were ladies in their late teens, still padawans, and good friends for many years. They sat and chatted about their morning classes. Stacy talked about the fun she and Furia had at Solar Flare the night before. Grand Master Wassach liked to eat lunch as much as he could in the dining hall so he could talk and be with the padawans. Perhaps his greatest honor as the Grand Master was watching the younglings become padawans, and grow as padawans to become Jedi Knights and add rich character to the Jedi Order. Looking calmly around the room, he got diverted by the laughter of the padawan who recently passed her survival test. There she was, Pricilli’s apprentice, laughing and having fun with her friends. She seemed to bring more energy to a room when she was present, he had noticed more often. Even yesterday when she was still in deference to her master in front of the Jedi Council, she seemed to bring a spark to the room. He wondered how she would respond to a question. “People, may I have your attention? I would like to ask one of our older padawans a question. Furia, could you give a summary of what you have learned this morning putting all your classes together?” Master Wassach liked the concept that a Jedi should think of learning as one encompassing subject that combined all the classes with at least in a little way they were all connected, instead of the idea they were separate classes. Furia raised her eyebrows in surprise, then put her index finger to her chin to think for several seconds. She then stood up slowly. All three of her friends raised their eyelids, knowing their friend all too well. As she stood up, Furia extended her arms and looked around the room. With a little focus of the Force, she was able to change her voice to sound like what she would be if she was a Hutt. “Ho ho ho ho ho ho” she laughed just like a Hutt. Furia then did her speaking in Huttese with the deep voice that got her friends laughing. “With the blessing of the Force, we Jedi as servants of the Republic, will gladly go forth to help the great people of Rodia purify their government from corruption, and introduce them to the cuisine of Rishi punch and vanilla cake.” She grabbed some vanilla pieces off her lunch tray and tossed them into the air, falling into her mouth and her friends balled up in laughter. After bowing to the crowd, Furia gracefully sat down and went back to finish eating her lunch as her friends tried to compose themselves. The older padawans that have taken Huttese were also laughing, younger padawans and the younglings at the tables were looking perplexed, and the knights either sighed or had a stern look on their face. Master Wassach remembered while Furia was giving her speech, that he talked in front of her around 30 days ago about his frustration with corrupt Rodian politicians. Now he realizes Furia was definitely paying attention then. “Thank. You. Padawan. Furia.” Wassach said in basic. Furia was difficult to say, since it was not a natural word in the Rodian language. “Your welcome.” She lifted her glass in a toast to the Grand Master, and finished drinking the water in the glass. Her friends were composed for a few seconds, but they couldn’t help themselves as they burst into laughter again. The older padawans were smiling away, the younger ones were asking their Jedi teachers what was so funny. A few Jedi were shaking their heads. Master Wassach was sitting calmly, realizing the comedy situation he unintentionally caused by asking what he thought was an innocent question to Pricilli’s padawan. Again, she brought more energy to the room. As the four friends finished their lunch, Mecina said to Furia “there’s a reason we all love you.” Furia had a look of innocence on her face that looked faked on purpose. “I’ll get the trays.” She grabbed the lunch trays of her three friends, and with hers put it where the dirty trays and dishes go to get washed. She walked back to her friends. “We ready to go?” she asked her three friends. Stacy looked at the others. “We’re ready.” The three padawans got up and walked with Furia out the open doorway of the eating hall. Dantella laughed a little again. “Furia, we need to get a copy of the holovid of your speech. That was classic!” Mecina then did the Hutt laugh, and the four friends laughed again for several seconds. After they composed themselves, they went to the one class they all had together. Piloting. If there was any class that Furia did not like and had problems with, it was this one. She was good if not great riding a speeder bike, but piloting a starship had always been a problem with Furia. There was no way she was anywhere near as good as Stacy or Dantella. Dantella seemed good at anything mechanical, and the princess that was her great friend was a natural pilot. The four friends sat in the middle of the seating area in the theatre that was used to simulate the bridge of a ship. Two seats and a large holoprojector were in the front. The instructor was teaching today about piloting a small maneuverable passenger vessel, the abilities it has and how to take advantage of it. He spent the usual first third of the class lecturing, then the remaining third he would have three students use the simulator. First was Stacy. She went down and sat in the pilot’s chair, took a breath, then was ready to go. The simulator started with her piloting the ship through an asteroid field. Effortlessly Stacy swerved the ship around the asteroids, only having the smallest of touches a few times. A surprise Sith battlecruiser started firing at her, yet she easily avoided the shots, numerous times putting asteroids between her and the battlecruiser as protection. Second came Jason Poseidon, the twenty year old man who soon should have his trials to become a Jedi Knight. Piloting over landscape of a airless planet, he was to avoid numerous mesas and chimney rock formations. For several minutes he did well, then he started clipping the formations, slowing his speed, then forced him to land early from losing control. Finally came Furia. She walked down calmly to the pilot seat as her three friends controlled themselves with much effort, preventing laughter at what they knew was to come. Furia was incredible with a lightsaber, but she was no expert pilot. “Ready” she stated after she settled in the seat. The simulator had her piloting the ship into an artificial ravine, moving through it for a while until she would reach the end point. Once reaching the ravine, it was a few seconds until she banged the ship on the side of the canyon, spun out of control, and exploded after it crashed through two enemy fighters. All three of her friends burst into laughter. Furia kept a straight face, controlling her frustration. “Let’s try another” stated the instructor. The holovid showed the asteroid field Stacy just went through. Furia swerved her ship through the asteroids, but for only a few seconds. The front right of her craft hit an asteroid and spun out of control. Instead of a surprise battlecruiser, she had a surprise space monster appear out of a crevice in a large asteroid. Continuing to spin out of control, Furia’s ship crashed into the creature’s eye before it spun into an asteroid, destroying the entire ship. Her friends fell to the ground in laughter. Furia kept her composure, giving herself a fake smile. “I, have, never seen that before. Padawan Furia, I know this is difficult for you. Let us try one more.” The simulation was for Furia to land on a desert planet. She brought the ship down through the atmosphere, seeing at the distance the landing field. As she neared it, the surprise came as a large gust of wind emerged. Furia did not compensate. She missed and went past the landing field, hit a sand dune, went into the air for a bit, then crashed into the side of a sandcrawler, watching Jawas scream as they fell off the crawler. Laughing the loudest now, her friends had watery eyes from how hard they were laughing. “Furia, all I can say is you need to practice with starship simulators. Not all of your traveling will be by speeder bikes.” “Yes. Thank you” she replied. Class was now over. “See you later” Dantella stated as she slowly ended her laughing. Furia had her sarcastic smile as she left and went to her last class, Metallurgy. For her last class, the discussion today was on different metals that could be used in combination to make starships. Certainly it was an easier class for Furia than her previous dealings with the piloting class, although less entertaining. Done with classes, Furia headed to the martial practice area. She went to change into her one piece white bodysuit with miniskirt attached. She put her bathing suit and backpack in the locker. Her lightsaber was strapped to the appropriate place on her outfit. The padawans were taught not to be far from their lightsaber, but not to activate it when practicing with others. She walked into the main practice area, then walked near the wall so not to be in someone’s way. She came to where the practice weapons were, and noticed no art doubles. That’s odd. One single blade was there. Beside it, was a practice piece of padding around a metal core, the length and weight of a single blade lightsaber. It was meant for beginners to practice learning using the swords. While holding the handle, she looked to the side and noticed the handle was loose on the art singe, so she opted not to grab it. Grabbing the metal handle of the practice piece, she started practicing moving the piece. Looking up she noticed the light was off for the recorder. That’s odd. She heard the double doors close, then looked to see the doors toward the pool were closed shut. Master Plootu wasn’t there, but Reyno Spurr was with a few padawans a couple years younger than her. “Look class, it’s the princess.” Reyno made the statement then looked at her. “I’m the teacher today.” Interesting that no Jedi Knight was here. That did happen sometimes, and if it did an older padawan would be considered in charge to help the younger padawans. The art singe that Reyno held had a glint of light come off the end, which Furia knew it meant that the art singe was at least a little sharpened at the end. “Today we are going to learn a lesson. We are going to teach Furia a lesson. On respect.” Reyno started walking towards her. Holding his art singe with his right hand, he quickly brought his left hand up to slap Furia with the back of his hand. She backed away, but the two padawans that closed the doors were behind her and got in her way so Reyno was able to cause a light cut with a fingernail in addition to reddening of her skin where he hit her at the lower part of the left side of her face. Keeping calm, Furia raised her eyebrows at him. Reyno screamed and brought his art singe up to swing while trying to grasp her right wrist. Ducking then sidestepping to her right, Furia brought the practice piece up to block the swing. Quickly stepping in a circle, she deflected the blows Reyno swung at her, and now did not have anyone behind her. She jumped backwards to avoid his attacks. Furia, sweating some, grabbed the top of her white bodysuit with her left hand and rubbed the sweat from the top of her chest with it. Reyno looked wide eyed at Furia, aroused at seeing what she was doing. With his eyes widened, Furia thought “got him.” She took a step with her left foot. Reyno was ready. He saw what she did with Master Plootu yesterday with the three steps then jump, and seen her do it before practicing the move. He will catch her in the air after the third step. Furia did her second step with her right foot but did not do a third step. She instead did a surprise jump into the air with her right foot. She caught Reyno by surprise. She blocked his swing of his art singe with the practice piece, brought her left knee to hit Reyno in the face, then while holding the practice piece with both hands slammed the metal base of it into the side of Reyno’s head. When she landed on her feet, Reyno collapsed onto the floor. He was knocked out. His body shook on the ground for numerous seconds then stopped shaking. Furia grabbed his art singe then jumped into the air, spinning in a circle with her feet going into the air, then landed on her feet, ready to be attacked. She looked at the two padawans that were earlier blocking her. They dropped their art singes. Furia then noticed the younglings in the room looked scared of what happened. Reyno started waking up, moaning and grabbing his head. Furia walked towards Reyno. As she got close, Furia looked down at Reyno. “Beware the dark side of the Force. For once down its path, forever will you be on your sorry backside.” Furia then went near the younglings and sat by them. “Hey, let’s go to the dining hall and get some Amanzi nuts with frozen sugar crème. Yummy!” The younglings smiled, and started following Furia as she walked towards the double doors. Turning to look at the two padawans, she said in her calm voice “Never do that to anyone again.” Furia unlocked the double doors, then took the younglings and the treats with them. People in charge of the younglings came to pick them up. All the younglings hugged Furia and thanked her for the treat. When all left, she walked to the locker room to change for her well-earned swim. Alone in the locker room, she meditated for a few minutes. “Perhaps I should have just let him hurt me, then he and his buddies would have been kicked out” she thought to herself. She was unable to clear her mind. “Then you would have been hurt bad. Perhaps he and the idiots with him should have had their heads cracked open.” Furia was arguing with herself, something she would do time to time. It was her own voice that she argued with, that at times would remind her of what her mother or Master Pricilli would say. Sometimes it would say something neither would say. “Given the situation, did best you could have done. Again the Force flowed through you, protecting you and giving you victory.” Furia then smiled as she opened her eyes and went to the pool. Furia laughed as she came to the pool. She walked to the deep end, then dived in and started her well-earned swim. * * * Pricilli spent the second day in a row working with her three fellow Jedi. They were figuring out what was significant about the Arma Procul system. There was no significant mineral deposit to mine. It was out of the way to be used for a port to try to invade the core worlds from the Sith Empire. In fact, a military force there would be more likely to invade Dathomir. Since no significant mineral deposits, it would not be a good place for a shipyard. A repair dock? That was a possibility the group thought of. A Sith Empire capital ship could be repaired there if it could make it to the repair dock. An out of the way spot, so most likely would not get attacked while repaired. Working with a cartel for smuggling of goods? Neither Lee, Melanie, nor Gial could see that being realistic. No cartel nor gang would want to lose their freedom working with the Sith Empire. There were no significant structures on any of the planets to set up a base quickly. There was no history of a Sith Temple there, nor a Jedi Temple. There was only the new Jedi Temple recently set up, and that is a small one. “There was a mention from around one thousand five hundred years ago about the planets in the system being explored by a group led by a Chrat, Mendar, and Tor” said Pricilli as she looked at reports and stories in the Jedi Library. The group was once again in a room locked so no one could bother them, nor look at what they were doing. “There was some disagreement and only one stayed. However no community prospered there. Here’s a mention about the group setting up a fashion with silicon.” Pricilli widened her eyelids when she read that. “Decorations? I could only see that with a permanent colony. Yet no colony stayed there. Ours is the first one in at least several hundred years. Maybe the Sith aren’t interested in the Arma Procul system, but instead a different one.” “For a little while recently there was some arguing back and forth over the communications between a Darth Exatio and a Lord Belkath. So much grumbling they couldn’t keep it secret.” Gial was summarizing the reports coming from that section of the galaxy. “Exatio was recently killed by his apprentice, on the Wookie colony of Kashyykyon. Pricilli, that’s where Furia was.” The Togrutan sighed. “Exatio was killed by his apprentice near the village. Furia was near picnic grounds that were celebrating the Summer Solstice at the time.” “Typical of the Siths” replied Melanie about the apprentice murdering the master. “Do we know what they were arguing about?” “Just who should be there. Each one thought they were more deserving than the other” answered Gial. “Yet no mention what was planned to be found there.” Looking at the map of the solar system, Lee stated “This does not look like some invasion of the planet. What Gial said yesterday is the probable scenario, a troop transport with a corvette for protection against other ships. The troop transport would carry a Sith platoon of 36 soldiers. Some of the civilians in the colony have military experience, so with the Jedi there they should be able to defend themselves. I just don’t like the idea of innocent people being in harm’s way especially all the children.” After finishing with talking Lee noticed a light blinking on a side panel and he walked over to it. “No movement yet of any Sith ships into the Arma Procul system or any by it. Still, it would be a good idea if I went there to find out what is going on, and give any help I can” Pricilli said as she looked at the map of the solar system. “It wouldn’t hurt, and it may help. You or your padawan might be able to find some useful information there to help find out if there was something special in that area of the galaxy. If you leave within a few days, you should be able to get there before any Sith military.” Melanie was saying to Pricilli as she faced her Togrutan friend. “Pricilli” Lee said as he faced her after looking at the message on the panel. “There has been an incident at the martial training area.” Pricilli sighed. “What has she done now?” * * * Furia was thoroughly enjoying her swim. She then felt a presence in the Force and looked up to see her. Master Pricilli was walking to be near the edge of the pool. Furia paused swimming, then went to swim towards her master. She got to the edge, then pulled herself out of the water. A few attendants of the pool and a few Jedi were looking at her coming out of the pool with her pink two piece swimsuit, dripping with water as she got out of the pool. She pointed to the cut on her face that was covered with bacta gel and a thin clear bandage. “Him first”. She walked past her Master to a clean towel to dry off. “You could have killed him” Pricilli replied. “He is in the hospital, and will be there for a couple days.” “You rather have me in the hospital?” Furia paused from drying herself as she looked at Pricilli. “He is the one that set it up. Noticed the recorders were out?” “Reyno didn’t know this, but Master Plootu put in secondary backup recorders in case someone tried to mess around with the primary and the backup. Myself and several others, including Plootu, saw what he did. I’m not condoning that. Furia, you have this habit of causing turmoil. And then walking over here, I get to hear from troopers talking to each other that on the Holonet there’s a redhead Jedi dancing on a table at a nightclub!” Furia felt like yelling in frustration, but kept her calm. “Bartender said it was fine. And I was pretty good. Got the crowd going. That time at Solar Flare has nothing to do with some padawan trying to set me up to get hurt.” Pricilli took a deep breath. “I have never heard of any teacher having to deal with the antics that I have had to put up with you.” “Certainly you’ve heard about the ones that defected to the Sith though. Think they get all that stupid personal power. And those kinky parties with the bloodbath stabbing each other in the back. Want me be like that?” Furia voice raised a little the volume which she was trying to control. “So kill a padawan and throw flowers at your feet since you didn’t join the Sith?” Pricilli was getting more frustrated with her padawan. “What would you have done?” Furia asked her Togrutan Master. “Walked immediately out when noticed none of the teachers were there. And as you have told me numerous times, yes I know that is hindsight bias, but with how upset Reyno got with you the day before you should have had the perception to know you shouldn’t be in the practice area if no teachers were there.” Furia pondered for a moment. “That’s true. By the way, what happened to that little irritating pimple?” Pricilli was a little surprised her padawan admitted to a mistake. It wasn’t the first time, but it was as rare as a Wookie doing choreographed dancing. “He is not your concern. He will have consequences for his actions.” “Like what? Give him a participation trophy because I hurt his feelings?” Furia was getting sarcastic, showing her frustration with the situation. “Furia! Let it go. Worry not about his consequences. Master Plootu won’t have him go unpunished. The other two will also have consequences, so don’t ask.” Pricilli was trying to not have Furia think she was getting targeted for something she didn’t start. Furia was going to make a statement about the two, but she quickly decided not to, so she wouldn’t get her Master more agitated with her. “The young ones OK?” “Yes. They were actually quite pleasant. You have that knack about you that once again you calmed down the little ones.” Furia had shown over the years she can calm down a lot of people when she tried. Furia was finished drying herself. “I’m going home. I’m going to study Huttese tonight.” “No. You are going over to the soldiers’ hospital and work as an aide this afternoon as a penance.” “What?” Furia can stay calmer than most, but even she has her limits. “That is fair. Some of the Masters want to send you away for a while and exile you for” Pricilli stopped mid-sentence, knowing what she just launched from her padawan. “Bet at a Hutt Casino they do! Exile me? They’re stupid enough to do it. Maybe they should! Then I can rebuild the Jedi Temple somewhere and set it up with competent people. I defend myself and they want to exile me for a time? Wonderful! Next thing you know I’ll defend a bunch of innocent people, and they can exile me like permanent! And what happens to those fools that tried to not let me walk out? How about put them on the Jedi Council for their infinite wisdom! You said the Masters saw it. What if Reyno succeeded, especially with the little ones there? Still send me away? He thinks he can teach me a lesson, and I get in trouble? I get hurt in front of little ones, and he probably gets a service medal because he’s Master Plootu’s pet. How about I get sent away, I help out a bunch of people, I come back and help here, then they can exile me again and send me off to the Outer Rim! Jawa used speeder sellers show more common sense. Masters Wassach and Ratcher want me temporary exile? Jeromia wants me exiled since he gets all hot and bothered on the inside when I am around.” “You done?” Pricilli asked politely. “Yes.” Furia calmed her breathing. “Sorry. I know I need to control my emotions, not my emotions control me." “Perhaps exile is not the most appropriate word. Some wonder if you need to go somewhere to get away. Clear your thoughts. Meditate without interference of classes. Know what it is to be a Jedi.” “I know what it is to be a Jedi. I just know there’s more than being in a temple. Get out and be with the people. You know, the Force is made from all living things? Not walls of a building or words of a code or regulation.” Furia was calm again, although frustrated with her situation. “Know what? I should do the penance there. At least I will be appreciated.” Pricilli wasn’t thrilled with Furia thinking she wasn’t appreciated by her or the other Jedi, but at least she will do what was told for her to do. Pricilli was then noticing the males in the pool area looking at Furia. She moved her eyes towards them, and Furia noticed. The padawan gave a sneaky smile for a second, then had an even demeanor on her face. Pricilli then walked with her padawan to the female’s changing area. Pricilli thought about how skilled Furia was as a manipulator, and in so many ways. Pricilli remembered doing a mechanics class with Furia and her other padawans several years ago. One thing that was taught was shock tubes, which looked like lightsaber hilts. It was a way to disrupt people trying to steal lightsabers. Furia took that class to heart, and had done several distinct looks with the shock tube and the lightsaber hilt. That was an enjoyable time. Not many times Pricilli got along with Furia, but that class they did. Then there was seeing Furia have such fun with her three friends in that class. Stacy, Mecina, and Dantella had such fun with Furia in that class. They were all great students. It may have been the best time she had with Furia teaching that class. Mechanics. Pricilli talked the basics on doors, speeders, holoprojectors, comlinks, and the mechanics of other daily items. Furia was not the best student, certainly not as good as she was at Sentient Behavior classes. She certainly was not the worst. Yet Pricilli interacting with the padawans and especially Furia’s friends was such fun. It was unfortunate Pricilli didn’t have the opportunity to teach more classes to Furia. Pricilli waited for Furia to change, then they walked outside of the Jedi Temple. “Go to the hospital. They are waiting for you at the recovery floor. After that I want you to go home. Please, nothing out of control Furia. I will be late home again tonight, so don’t wait. Fix yourself dinner.” Furia controlled herself to not raise her eyebrows. Something is up. She knew right now she should not pry because it was none of her business. “Yes Master. May the Force help guide you in your studies.” Furia did a little bow with her head towards her master, then turned to walk to the hospital. Pricilli looked at her padawan walk away for a couple seconds, knowing that Furia was cognizant that Pricilli was watching her. “She’s not a bad person” Pricilli thought. “But by the Force she is wild at times.” She didn’t want to tell Furia that part of the temporary exile, oh don’t use that word she thought to herself. Temporary separation, that sounds better. Part of the temporary separation was because the Jedi Council told Pricilli today they think Furia will soon be ready for her Trials of Knighthood, even though she would be at a young age to do the trials. Pricilli told them what they already knew. Furia is strong with the Force. She is ever learning. She is very skilled with martial arts. Pricilli wasn’t surprised, when Master Ratcher told her after the incident with Reyno, that people believe Furia was the best duelist of all the padawans. She likes to help people, oh how she enjoys that. However there are those times that she has that reckless abandon style, going by the beat of her own drum. With her abilities she may harm someone unintentionally if she doesn’t watch herself. Pricilli turned to walk back into the Jedi Temple and then proceeded to go back into the room in the library she was at with her team.

Nothing to apologize for. You are the good Samaritan that is doing this.

Chapter 5 Coming Home Furia walked with Stacy to her home. They hugged each other and said goodnight. Furia walked to the turbolift then took it to her floor. She went to the door of her home then went to push the panel to open it. As she pushed it, she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Enjoyed the night?” she heard from Pricilli. “Ohhh yes Master.” “I am surprised you did not bring someone home with that outfit. You going to be able to wake up tomorrow? “ Furia decided not to make a comment about bringing a man home. “I had one Little Lady Rishi Punch. Not the regular one, a Little Lady one. You know, the one with a touch of those two carbon units?” Furia was getting a little frustrated and showed that frustration in saying two carbon units instead of simply alcohol. “I very well know. I thought you were going to be doing studies tonight?” “I did earlier today. Also did a workout keeping the skills up.” “Oh I heard about that. Lucky you didn’t hurt Master Plootu permanently” Pricilli said with a little frown. “He told me not hold back. I didn’t want to hurt him.” Furia was trying not to get irritated after a nice evening with Stacy Organa and the new friends she met. “Yes, he explained that. He called later. He said several times it was his fault and he underestimated your martial skill. He actually complimented me at being a Master of such a fine padawan, and congratulated you at how much you have improved over the years. You certainly have been learning martial skills on your own. Nevertheless, you have to restrain yourself Furia. You can really hurt someone.” Furia was doing her best to keep calm, and was mostly successful. Walking through the doorway to their home she replied “I’m not out of control. You want a glass of water?” “I wonder at times. And, yes, I would like a glass of water. Thank you.” Furia’s master noticed once again how sly she was at diverting the conversation. Pricilli did admire that about her padawan, among Furia’s other skills. Pricilli looked at her padawan getting the glasses of water. Furia was not tipsy one bit. Once again, Furia was not lying to her master. Despite her flamboyant behavior at times, Furia was not a liar. Furia filled the two glasses with cold water then walked over to Pricilli and gave her one. She took a long sip then said “Successful afternoon Master?” “Oh she’s good” Pricilli thought. “Not exactly. Something may be going on in a system we don’t know much about, and I couldn’t find anything special about it.” “Need help tomorrow? I could skip the classes as long as I tell them ahead of time.” “I’m fine. The council have the people they need doing the assignment. Plus who knows what you may learn tomorrow.” Furia finished drinking the water in her glass. She took the glass from her Master who also finished drinking the water, and put both glasses into the dish cleaner and turned it on. “Going to my room to rest. Good night Master.” Furia and Pricilli knew when Pricilli said the council have the people they need, it is a hush hush assignment for only people that need to know, and right now there was no reason for Furia to know. Pricilli knew Furia meant she would meditate before going to sleep. Furia walked into her room and the door closed. Changing out of her outfit, Furia put it into the dirty clothes hamper in her room. She put on a tan colored sleep shirt with matching sleep shorts. She went to sit at the middle of her bed, noticing the corner of her sight the lightsaber hilt she put on the nightstand. There are actually people who sleep with the lightsaber hilt in their bed, she has heard before. Although no stories of it happening, it wouldn’t be fun if somebody accidentally started moving their body while dreaming in bed, and accidentally turned it on. It certainly would be painful if someone was carrying an active lightsaber while sleepwalking, and the blade hit the skin. Ouch! Sitting in her meditation position, Furia looked down with eyelids closed and concentrated on her breathing. The thought came to her about Master Pricilli being a little irritating tonight when she met Furia at the door. Furia immediately went back to focusing on her breathing. She felt calmness inside her, feeling the Force flowing through her. Furia was not trying to reach out in the Force. She was bringing herself serenity before going to bed, to allow a peaceful slumber instead of the possibility of an irritating dream. She also knew she was helping to prevent unwanted dreams during the night that she would not even remember. Focusing on her breathing out and breathing in at a constant and comfortable pace. The energy of the Force flowed through her body. All the trillion people on Coruscant helping to create the Force, surrounding everyone, flowing throughout the city planet, penetrating through her body. The energy felt good and helped give her the feeling of serenity, not some rush like a stimulant drug or drink. She had in classes gone over many times with other students and instructors about the temptations and dangers of the dark side of the Force. However right now she was not even thinking about that. She was focusing all on her breathing. Jedi noticing her through the Force when they were in her town on Stella III and taking her away. Why now that memory? She immediately went back to focusing on her breathing, which was at a constant pace but she wanted to keep it that way. She kept on breathing this way for many minutes. Focusing on herself she sensed from the top of her head all the way to the tips of her toes, feeling the calmness and relaxation at all the places of her. Satisfied that once again she was able to bring peace to herself, she opened her eyes and smiled. She got underneath the thick sheet on her bed. “Good night galaxy. Force be with ya” she whispered as she closed her eyes and went to sleep. Pricilli sat in her room with her eyes closed. She was getting a bit old to kneel without help. Her knees were not what they used to be. She focused on her padawan in the other room. Sensing the flow of the Force, Furia was not doing anything unusual. She was calming herself. Despite that, Furia had an exceptionally strong attraction for the Force, as if it was pulled towards the padawan. It was strong even for a Jedi. Then there was the unmistakable pulsing of the Force from Furia. Although much of the time it seemed only a little strong compared to a padawan of her age, a few times Pricilli would feel it pulsing from her padawan with an awesome amount of energy. It was a feeling Pricilli never felt with another Jedi. When the issue was brought up with the Jedi Council, the Masters all said they didn’t feel it from Furia when she was with them. It wasn’t a feeling like from a Sith, but it was something Pricilli worried about with her padawan. Pricilli admiited to herself she wasn’t the best fit of a teacher for her padawan, however she wasn’t the worst either. Over the years Pricilli had noticed matches of Master to padawan that should never have happened. Furia was now asleep, and Pricilli needed some too. She was going to have a full day at the Jedi Library tomorrow to find out what was special about Templi.

Chapter 4 An Evening After School Furia walked through the doorway of her home, then turned to walk into her room. Master Pricilli was not home yet. “Might be a long night at the library” she thought to herself as she hung up her robe, put the red outfit in dirty clothes, then brought out a tan shirt and shorts and put them on. She headed to the kitchen and looked for what she could have for dinner. Artificial milk to drink, leaves with some fruit she can mix in a dish for a salad, put a little bit of nuts in the dish, veggie steak flavored with herbs. Steak flavored with Spice; now that would be interesting although a bit disturbing. Grilled Kowakian cooked with sweet smoking sauce, now that would be a dinner! She put the steak in the food heater and let it cook while she made the salad and poured some milk into a glass. She put the bowl with salad in it on the kitchen table, then put the glass of milk on the table. A bell went off with the food heater, and she opened the door and touched the plate. It was hot, but the plate cooled down quickly and heated the air to her right for a bit. A little trick she learned on her own about the Force, moving fire and heat in different ways. No one else seemed to do it, and she wondered why since it seemed so easy for her. She put the plate on the table then sat down for her dinner. While eating her meal she thought about what she did today. She did learn from her studies. Some metals are better than others for wiring. Silicon was an important part of making holocrons. The crystals inside the holocron could still grow even when the holocron is made so it could then store more information. She wondered why there wasn’t much information about comparing silicon with carbon in different uses. Numerous other facts she got to learn with her studying in the afternoon. The workout in the practice area felt good, despite a little guilt hurting Master Plootu. Tomorrow will be another class day, which she will continue her studies on the force, cultures on different planets, history of the Jedi, and her language course which she picked a while ago Huttese. The language of the underworld, Furia thought it would help in the future. It wasn’t a difficult class since the language was similar to Rodian. She already knew some Rodian to help with talking to numerous Rodians like Master Wassach. She wasn’t the only one taking Huttese. Numerous padawans and even some Jedi Knights were in her class learning the language. One of these days she knew she would have to take the class to try to learn the droid speak. She really didn’t want to have to take that class, yet it probably would be beneficial in the future when working with some mech droids. It certainly would be better to take that class than have some assassin protocol droid do the translating with the mech, and then gloat about itself she mused. Then again, maybe it would be more fun to take that Jawa language class. That class would be a blast. After the classes she would go again to the practice area to learn her martial skills. Some people would say lightsaber skills, but she knew there was more to a Jedi being in combat than simply using a lightsaber. There was a reason the practice area was called martial arts area and not lightsaber area. She finished her meal, put the dish with bowl and glass in the dish cleaner. The eating utensils she put in the cleaner next. She went to see what she could have for dessert. Looking different places she found it. Chocolate pieces. Correlian Chocolate pieces. Yummy! She put some pieces on a plate then took the plate to the main room. After putting the plate on a table, she grabbed one piece and ate it then grabbed another and likewise ate. She went to stand in the middle of the room. She unstrapped her lightsaber then held it in the middle of the room. Twirling the hilt in her hands, she felt the weight of the saber and tried to hear for any loose pieces. So far, so good. Nothing seemed wrong. She turned the switch then watched to see the green blades of plasma come out. Raising her eyebrows, she watched the blades only come out halfway, sputter back and forth, then retract back into the handle. “Stupid lightsaber!” she yelled, finally losing her patience, then she got back her composure. She sat down in the middle of the room and held the hilt horizontally. She reactivated it, seeing the blades come out mostly, but then sputtered again. Furia turned off the lightsaber then closed her eyes and focused on her tool. She had always called it her tool; much better than calling it her weapon since sometimes the lightsaber was very helpful in a use other than defending herself from an attack. She just then had a quick memory of using it to free people on a large space freighter that were trapped behind a blast door that got triggered to close. Her thoughts went to trying to sense her kyber crystal, the crystal that created the plasma blade of the lightsaber. The crystal seemed right, but then she felt something in the Force. A crack in it? That is not supposed to happen. Those crystals are supposed to be practically indestructible. The only time she had heard of that is a couple stories of Jedi turning to the dark side, like when joining the Sith or going to be their own tyrants. There was no way Furia was thinking of joining the Sith. The feeling of a crack went away. Was that sense of the crack real, or was she having problems focusing with the Force? Opening her eyes she switched the lightsaber on again, and this time the green blades came out appropriately and stayed out. Hopefully the blades will work if she needs to defend herself. Walking back to the table she ate the rest of the chocolate. She sighed after eating the last piece of chocolate, satisfied at her choice for dessert. It was now evening. What to do? Thinking of what she can do, there came the idea. A few hours in a nightclub with a friend. Stacy might be free. She was a little older and given a little more freedom from her master. Within a couple years she is going to have her trials to become a Jedi Knight. Furia went over to the room’s holoprojector and pushed the buttons to call Stacy’s home. After a few rings, the hologram above the device went from distorted to the picture of her friend, Stacy Organa. “Hey!” Furia greeted her friend. “What’s up?” Stacy answered. “Let’s go out. Mecina and Dantella can’t, work. We could try that new club in the restaurant district.” The restaurant district Furia alluded to was not far from the Jedi Temple. “Younger crowd there.” “That the Solar Flare?” Stacy had heard of the place. “Yea. I will call for a ride and can pick us up in an hour.” “Sounds good. Go with the blue suit with the mini?” “I can go with my black one” answered Furia, referring to her one piece body suit that has a miniskirt that goes mid-thigh as part of it. “Doesn’t Pricilli complain of you looking like a Sith in that, and that you are inappropriate speech?” “Sometimes. I’ve got to go out at times and be able relax. What she want, me to go out in the public with an EVA suit?” Stacy laughed. Her friend could be funny at times. “K, I’ll be ready when you get here.” Furia went to her room and changed her clothes. The black body suit covered her from her neck to her toes. At the middle was a minidress that went down to mid-thigh. The suit and skirt had a red trim which accentuated the look of the outfit. Around her waist was a matching wide black belt. Her black boots were ankle high with a snug fit. They were easy to walk in, with few knowing it was easy to run in, and only she knew easy to kick in. “No need for high heels” she thought to herself. She had no desire to exaggerate her look tonight. Maybe some other time. Going over to a small vanity table in her room, she put on a little makeup. She didn’t need to put her hair in a bun since she wasn’t going to do Jedi Temple business, but she kept her padawan braid for her shoulder length ginger hair. Looking at herself in the mirror she proclaimed “Looks good.” She stood up and stretched, sensing all of her body and enjoying the feel. “It’s nice to be healthy” she thought. Furia walked into the main room of her home. She kneeled down in the middle of the room. Extending her feet so the tops of her toes were touching the rug, she closed her eyes to meditate for a couple minutes. Several years ago she learned from one of her Jedi teachers to sit in this fashion while meditating instead of cross legged because it was easier to get out of the position in case there was a surprise attack on oneself. With her eyelids closed, she looked down as if she would be looking at her thighs if her eyelids were open. Calmly she breathed. She felt the Force emanating from herself. She felt the Force flowing through this part of Coruscant, flowing through her home. The joys, hurts, boredom, fears, irritations, she could feel the emotions of the people near her home. The serenity of several Jedi near her home. The lust of someone not that far away. Hopefully that isn’t a Jedi. It wasn’t as strong of a feeling as that time several months ago she was at the open market with Master Pricilli. Calming herself on the bench, her Master told her to stay there while Pricilli was looking at art to buy for Pricilli’s room. Furia felt those two probably at a residential unit not far from the market. Those two were wild. There was the worry of someone that was not difficult to detect, probably someone worrying about that awful war. There in the Force she just felt the feeling of exhaustion with success. Good for that person. Furia prepared herself for her next action that was not easy to do. Keeping her calm, she put all her concentration into snapping apart her connection with the Force. The flow of the Force to her became now barely a trickle. She felt a massive stab as if to her entire body. She became mostly detached from the Force. No one could read her mind, no one would notice her by using the Force. She could not sense anyone except herself. An ability she learned a couple years ago studying in the Jedi Temple Library from a holocron that was a few hundred years old. She also studied there were attacks within the Force in which there was no defense. Perhaps from detaching, there would be a defense. She counted her breaths, keeping her breathing even. Twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty, she now focused on reconnecting to Force. She felt the Force at a distance as if it was a stream. Her mind sensed and tried to pull that stream towards her. Energy of the Force flowed from her. Pulling the Force from far towards her, it came to contact with that emanating from her. Furia felt the jolt as the two parts met. Before this would shake her, but now she became used to it. Keeping her body calm, she sensed the Force becoming a natural flow again through her. Master Pricilli doesn’t know about it, and probably shouldn’t since she would think Furia was doing a terrible and unnatural thing. As Furia would continue practicing this, she knew someday someone is going to notice this unique disturbance of the Force. At that time she would explain herself. Furia learned from her own studies that the Force does help a Jedi, but she can’t be dependent on it and one must be wary of an unusual attack through the Force. * * * Furia allowed a little smile on her face, then she got up and stood. It would be a little early to leave to go over to Stacy’s. Furia turned on the holoprojector to the program practicing speaking in Huttese. There was the holovid of a Hutt, saying a sentence then Furia would reply back, sometimes saying one sentence and sometimes saying a little more. Sometimes Furia would respond with her own voice, sometimes she would with the help of the Force speak like a Hutt, which never stopped entertaining her. Tonight she had the program set to practice on financial dealings. She hoped in the past the program would allow practice with hostage negotiations, but it was at least not yet set up for that. A Jedi padawan trying to learn being a diplomat, yet the Jedi program doesn’t allow it. Figures. The padawan finished her practice of speaking Huttese, then turned off the holoprojector. It was time to leave and get her friend. Furia attached her lightsaber hilt to the belt, having it loosely covered with fabric from the belt. Her identification card she put in a pouch on the belt. She called for a ride to meet at the front of the Jedi Temple. She walked out of her home onto the main passageway for her level, then walked towards the turbolift. She pushed a pad by the turbolift, and waited for the door to open. She heard the turbolift come to her floor and the door opened. She walked into the empty lift. She pushed on a panel in the lift, the door closed, then started moving lower. Hopefully this will be a fun night. The turbolift came to the level where Stacy lived, stopped, and the door opened. Furia walked out of the turbolift then turned to walk in the direction of her friend’s home. She walked the passageway with her graceful walk and finally came to the unit where Stacy Organa lived with her master, Gianna Magister of Alderaan. Furia pushed a panel on the wall and waited. The door opened with Stacy Organa near the doorway. “Hi” she said with a smile as she gave her friend a light hug, then walked out of her home. “Ready to go.” The two padawans walked the passageway to the turbolift. Stacy wore a blue body suit of the same style as her friend’s, also with a miniskirt and wide belt. Her lightsaber was attached with loose cover just like Furia’s. The blue color of her outfit matched the color of her eyes. Stacy Organa of Alderaan, born in a royal family from the planet of mountains, forests, crops, and nice wines. She had many relatives on that planet. Some were born into families with father and mother married, and plenty were born with parents not married. A bit too many times a member of the Organa family would have a fling with someone with a surprise pregnancy as a reward. She and her siblings were born into a family with her parents married, luckily for her. Her father worked in finance at a bank in the capital, and her mother worked part-time with the Agriculture Department. Jedi Gianna Magister knew numerous of the Organa family members, and on a trip back to her home planet she sensed the preschool aged girl’s force sensitivity. After some discussion with Gianna Magister and other Jedi, the Organa family allowed for Stacy to go with the Jedi for training. Although it was frowned upon for younglings or padawan to have contact with family members, Stacy was allowed to have chats with her relatives from time to time, and a few times went with Jedi Gianna Magister back home to see her family. Master Gianna was glad she did that with her padawan. It did not disrupt nor corrupt Stacy. Furia and her brunette friend from Alderaan made it to the turbolift. Furia pushed on a panel and the two padawans waited for the turbolift. Looking at her friend with the same type of padawan braid as her, she smiled thinking how similar their hairstyles were. Stacy also wore her hair shoulder length. The two padawans got along great over the years. They had fun in the classes they had together, and practiced well in their dueling. She was a good friend. The two walked into the turbolift after the door opened. “We can’t drink too much booze Furia” Stacy said to her younger friend. “Wouldn’t look good at the Temple tomorrow with a hangover. Funny, but not good.” Furia laughed a little. “All right. I wasn’t really planning on much anyways. Main thing is for us to hang out together and have some fun.” “Got that right” Stacy replied. The turbolift came to a stop then the door opened. The two padawans walked out of the door onto the main level of the Jedi Temple, then walked to the front entrance and awaited at the area for picking up rides. Waiting for less than a minute, a speeder driven by a cylinder shaped droid showed up with a roof and two comfortable seats in the back. The two ladies got inside then the doors lowered and shut lock. The top part of the droid spun its head to look back. Furia spoke to it “Solar Flare in the restaurant district.” “Droid driver. That’s probably better.” Stacy commented while she looked at the droid then turned her head and looked at Furia. “Droids at times are better than the breathing ones.” Furia laughed. “Remember that Twi’lek that asked why we weren’t modeling lately and wanted our home addresses because he was going to find us a job?” Stacy Organa laughed with her friend. “Or that Corellian creep that said he could set us up to do those diet drink commercials?” The two padawans laughed for many seconds as the droid driver took them into a traffic lane. It drove the speeder effortlessly in the lane, avoiding other vehicles, taking the ladies from the area of the Jedi Temple to the restaurant district. The craft moved through the air with ease. After several minutes it took a turn to the right and went downwards towards the ground. Gently it came close to the ground, moved to an area in front of the Solar Flare nightclub, and then stopped. Furia flicked her identification card near the droid, and the ride was paid. The doors opened and the ladies stepped out onto the pavement. The doors of the speeder closed and the speeder sped up into the sky. Furia and Stacy turned towards the front of the Solar Flare and walked to its front door. Both of their miniskirts moved a little as they walked. Stacy stopped first then Furia by a man at the front door. Stacy Organa brought a card from her belt and held the corner of it while the man scanned it with a device. He nodded to the brunette and she walked forward a couple of steps then stopped to wait for her friend. Furia brought her card out, and then the man likewise scanned the card then nodded to her. Both padawans walked through the doorway into the large room with loud music that played on speakers in the walls, and multiple colored lights going off and on illuminating the room. There was for a couple seconds less noise as the crowd noticed the two Jedi walking into the night club, each with their braid so those that noticed would have known these two were padawans. Solar Flare had its elongated bar and many small tables with chairs. There were so many bottles of different types of alcohol and mixers from different parts of the galaxy in their appropriate spots covering the wall. The young ladies looked around at who was there, and found a space at the bar they could go to so they can order their drinks. In the large room there were many people who worked at the nearby businesses. Furia noticed tailors, bankers, government officials, and merchants from the different businesses she has visited near the Temple and the Restaurant District. On the far side were some troopers in a circle talking, probably recently back from a deployment. There were several species in there, yet a vast majority were nevertheless people that lived not that far away and all were speaking Basic. Furia was thinking this was definitely a nice place. Certainly better than some dingy bar with its scum and villainy at some outlying world that she unfortunately had to visit with her master a year ago. The bartender came up to the two padawans. “What would you two ladies like to drink?” He looked at both of them when he asked, and waited patiently for their order. “Starblossom Nectar. I’m buying for the two of us.” “No, I can pay” replied Furia. “You paid for the ride. Beside, I’m older. My credit is a bit larger.” Stacy Organa said to her friend, then turned to look at the bartender. “All right” answered the ginger haired padawan. She looked at the balding human bartender. “Little Lady Rishi Punch.” “All right ladies. Coming up” he replied to the two ladies and then walked a little to the back to get the ingredients then make the drinks. Stacy laughed a little. “Keeping low on the alcohol tonight?” “Don’t want to get tipsy then have a headache tomorrow with class. The dash of rum is enough. And leave it to an Alderaanian to order Starblossom Nectar” said Furia as she smiled to her friend. Furia was enjoying herself, relaxing with the beat of the music, coloring of the lights, and being with one of her good friends. The two padawans looked around at the nightclub until the waiter brought their drinks in tall multicolored glasses. Stacy brought out her card and gave it to the bartender. He moved it above a machine behind the bar surface. The machine flickered lights then he gave the card back to Stacy. “Force be with ya” the two said to each other as they clicked the glasses touching each other, then had a drink. Both swirled the drink in their mouths before swallowing, savoring the taste. The group of troopers looked back occasionally at the two padawans, admiring the free spirit of the two. The troopers were unwinding, talking about their recent deployment in a generic way. They all knew not to give specifics. Who knew who might be listening. “Still having that saber problem?” Stacy asked her friend while the two chatted at the bar. Furia shrugged her shoulders then leaned in close to whisper in her friend’s ear. “For a little bit I felt as if the crystal was cracked.” Stacy raised her eyebrows. “That’s different.” “I know” Furia replied, took another drink, then noticed a group coming towards her. Three men and one woman. It was the troopers. Although not in armor, they wore nice long sleeved shirts with the Republic Army logo on them. Stacy then noticed them, had another drink of her Starblossom Nectar as the group walked towards the two ladies. One of the tallest of the group, a man in his early twenties with brown short hair, said to Stacy and Furia “Hello ladies”, and bowed his head a little. “Hi” Furia and Stacy said together. “I’m Stacy.” “I’m Furia” she said next. The two of them got this down. It certainly wasn’t the first time the two of them had been approached by people at a night spot. “I’m John Brotch.” He then pointed with his human finger at his three companions. “Xi Shien” said the other human male with dark hair. “Cathy Rilie” replied the human woman with brown hair that was on the short side. “Ibubes Wehlathi. People call me Ibu” said the Cathar in brown hair. Furia and Stacy bowed their heads a little. “Nice to meet you” they said in unison. “You two waiting for others?” asked Xi. “No. It’s simply the two of us enjoying drinks after dinner” replied Furia. “All of you back from a deployment?” “Reading our minds?” Cathy replied. She was joking a little, however it was evident with the braids worn, that these two who were catching the looks of numerous people in the nightclub were Jedi padawans. Stacy giggled. “No. It’s just with all the movement of people we see at the ports. Not a difficult guess.” “Got that right” answered Ibu. “We’ve been gone for months. Nice to be back home.” The Cathar then gave a sigh, then took a drink of Coruscant Red Ale. “Nice to have some sanity.” “Definitely nice to be back home” said Xi. The four troopers all drank some of the ale that they bought together. Stacy had a look of sympathy for a few seconds, then had a drink of the Nectar. Furia kept the composure of her face smiling, although inside she was thinking these troopers recently got back from a deployment in the war, and they saw some combat and are having a hard time coping. Furia was able to tell that without using the Force. With the slightest concentration with the Force, she was able to discern all were occasionally having nightmares, the Cathar more often than the others. They probably have been debriefed by Command about what they saw, however no one seems to have helped them since they have been back to Coruscant. Furia looked to the side and saw two tables right by each other became open. “Hey, let’s grab those tables” she said to the group. The four soldiers walked with the two padawans to the two empty tables while holding their drinks. Furia and Ibu scooted the tables together. The others moved six stools to be near the tables, then all sat on the stools. Ibu looked at Furia’s drink. “A Little Lady for the lady” he said as he pointed at her drink. “Why thank you” Furia answered. “A nice after dinner drink that doesn’t cause a hangover the next day.” The group smiled at her response. “This is a nice new club” Stacy said as she surveyed all the lights and decorations. “And a good selection of drinks” John replied. They all nodded. “Seems better than the other clubs in the district” Cathy then said. “With a crowd easy on the eyes” Xi said as he looked at the different people in the nightclub. “A good pickup place?” John asked. “Wouldn’t know” Stacy replied. “Jedi don’t pick up one night romances?” Cathy said with a little smirk. “The Force is not good birth control” Furia answered as she raised her eyebrows a little. The group laughed heartily at Furia’s response. “Good” she thought. It will help the troopers unwind from what they had faced on their last deployment, which appears to have been a rough one. “Neither of you someone special in your life?” Ibu asked. Both padawans shook their head. “No way” Stacy responded. “First, it’s against the Jedi Code. Second, that is drama that would be hideous and draining.” “You two got a presence” Xi interjected. “Guess it’s the braids that give us away.” “You two got a special presence” Ibu said. “Not all Jedi have it, but you two do.” “Really?” Furia said. “That could be a good thing or a bad thing.” “Well with you two it is a good thing” John replied. Stacy and Furia nodded their heads a little in a thank you to John for the comment. The two ladies then had another sip of their drinks. Another song started on the speakers. “Good music, wish this place had a dance floor” stated Xi. “Either of you four being naughty and should be home with someone?” Furia asked. “Notta” answered Cathy. “I know where you’re coming from talking about drama. Don’t need it. Have enough to worry about with our missions.” “I’m looking” said Xi. “But not in a rush. When I find someone that sparks my interest, I’ll then check.” “Nope. Be nice though” Ibu replied then gave a little involuntary sigh. “Want to wait until we are done with deployments. I’m not into long distance relationships. And far away star systems is quite long” stated John. Furia then just thought of an idea. She looked at the bartender who noticed her after a few seconds. She made a quick motion with her thumb to the table then moved two of her fingers like they were doing dancing. The bartender laughed a little, nodded his head in her direction then mouthed the word “yes” to Furia. She smiled then had another drink of her Little Lady Rishi Punch. The others were discussing the different restaurants in the district, and didn’t know what Furia was smiling about. “What’s your favorite restaurant in the district Furia?” asked Xi. “The Grill” Furia replied. It had a simple name and nothing fancy about its furnishings, but it cooked its food slowly with numerous spices added for a great taste. Master Pricilli would take her there once per month as a break from the home meals, and she has done that since Furia was a young padawan. Furia was listening to the music to wait for the right song to do her idea. “Good food” Cathy said. “And a great variety. I like the Bantha steaks.” “And tasty desserts. Good cooks they have there” replied Ibu. “You two still got awhile before your knights?” Asked Cathy. “You want to answer first?” Furia said to Stacy. “Sure. It’s not like an exact amount of time, like when you do basic training. You keep on learning and training until your master and the Jedi Council decide you’re ready for a test. Test can be quite an ordeal. When finished, the master and council decide if you have proven you’re a knight. There rarely some that become knights around our age, some a bit older, some a lot older, and some never become knights and are always padawans helping out here or some remote temple.” “Who knows when our masters will decide” then stated Furia. “Don’t want them to drag it, but no rush. It’s not the worst life right now to be a padawan.” “But don’t you want your little padawans?” asked Cathy. Stacy and Furia smiled with a little laugh. “That be different” answered Furia. “Be a combo single parent and teacher. Definitely be different” Stacy said next. Furia just thought of something. “Hey, weren’t you two near the fountain earlier today?” she asked pointing to John and XI. “That was us” chuckled John. “We heard of your adventure at Kashyyykyon from one of the Dragons. You seemed to be occupied walking with that older woman. “Yes” Furia said with a little irritation then took another drink of her Rishi Punch. “Pricilli?” asked Stacy. “Yea” responded Furia. A new song started in the nightclub. Furia listened to the beat for a few seconds, liked it, then moved the few drinks from her table to the other table. She jumped up to a stool, then immediately jumped onto the table. Moving her body to the beat of the music, she danced in place on the table. Lifting her arms up then moving them to the side, she moved her hips and swayed her head, catching the attention of everyone in the nightclub. The troopers were all in awe with open wide mouths. Stacy was laughing and started cheering her friend along. After a little while, the whole crowd of Solar Flare was cheering the ginger haired padawan, enjoying the show Furia was giving. The bartender was watching with a big smile on his face. “That girl is the life of a party” he thought. Furia kept up the energy with her dancing until the end of the song. When it ended, she stood, then gave a long bow to the cheers of the crowd in the nightclub. She took a little jump onto a stool, then jumped onto the floor. Stacy was laughing away. “Why am I not surprised” she said as she did a light slap to Furia’s shoulder. The four troopers were stunned with wide eyes. Here was this Jedi padawan dancing right by them with her heart’s content enjoying herself. No Jedi they have worked with, few times it had been, ever did anything like that. Not to mention she looked good doing it. Furia finished drinking what was left of her Rishi Punch in her glass then put it on the table she just danced on. The others then finished what they had left of their drinks. “Want another round? I’ll pay” John asked. “Thank you, but we have to go home and rest for tomorrow” Stacy replied. “But thank you for coming over to be with us. It was nice. And fun.” Furia then said “Hey, let me get your numbers so maybe we can get together again.” Furia was thinking of using the word blast, however she knew the four soldiers needed to relax without some reference to a battle. Furia and Stacy tapped their cards to the four soldiers’ cards. Unofficial numbers were exchanged among the two padawans and the four troopers so they can contact on another day if they want. The unofficial numbers were given, not the official. That was a standard policy so a person would know it is leisure and not official business that they were being contacted. Stacy put her hand out to shake the hands of each of the four soldiers. Furia instead stepped close to the troopers and gave each a quick kiss on the cheek, giggling as she had to get hair off her lips from kissing the Cathar’s cheek. John, Cathy, and Xi blushed, while Ibu raised his eyebrows. “Nice meeting all of you. Have a great rest of the night. Force be with ya.” Furia then gave a little wave to all of them. “Bye. Hope to see all of you soon” Stacy then said with a big smile on her face, following her friend as they walked towards the door of the Solar Flare. “Bye.” All four troopers said to the two ladies as they walked away. “Wow” Cathy said with a little exclamation. “You don’t see Jedi like that every day” replied Ibu. “Why can’t we have Jedi like that working with us in our Company?” asked Xi. John shook his head a little. “Because there are no Jedi like that. Stacy, and especially Furia, are one of a kind.” Xi brought out a comlink and spoke into it. Putting it close to his ear, he heard the response. “Should be only a few minutes for the ride to get here” he told his other soldiers. The four troopers walked to the entrance of Solar Flare then walked out. They stood outside waiting for their ride. All four looked more relaxed compared to when they first got there. A speeder showed up, and they got into the back and sat in the comfortable seats. They chatted to each other about going there again and about the restaurants in the district they should try out. Comments were made about hobbies they can take up while they are on leave. Ibu brought up a couple relatives he should send message to that he hasn’t contacted in a while. The others talked about people they are overdue to get in touch with. The speeder sped effortlessly through the air until it turned and lowered itself in front of several tall buildings. “The barracks”, as the buildings were nicknamed, were not far from the Jedi Temple. They were housing units for the active duty stationed at Coruscant. One building was for singles, the other for active duty that were married, or had children. All four of the troopers walked into the front entrance of the singles’ building. At the entrance were four soldiers in armor guarding the building. It was a protection to make sure no one tries a surprise attack when most of the active duty were sleeping. The four walked to a turbolift. Cathy pushed a panel near the door and the group waited, feeling at ease. The door opened and they all walked in, pushing a panel in the turbolift for the floors each lived on. The turbolift brought each to their floor. Saying goodnight to each other, they went to their single living units. All had the first good night sleep in a while. Instead of dreams about the conflicts they were in, all of them dreamt of people enjoying themselves at one place or another, laughing away and being merry. Also, in the dreams, there was a wild ginger haired young woman dancing amongst the crowd.

Chapter 3 Afternoon at the Jedi Temple Pricilli walked into a side room at the Jedi Library, then pushed a button and locked the door. She and the other Jedi would not be disturbed. Three Jedi knights were sitting at a circular table that surrounded a holoprojector that showed a picture of the galaxy. Melanie Boot, a human from Corellia, sat in between the two others. Lee Street was a human born and raised on Coruscant. To her other side was the Mon Calamari Gial Oki. He was back at Coruscant after spending many months commanding a republic cruiser in the fleet. Pricilli sat on the other side of Gial from Melanie. “Good afternoon Pricilli” stated Lee. He looked at the galaxy then pushed a button. The projection magnified to the Arma Procul system and the surrounding solar systems. Data popped up on the projection of Republic fleet activity, and then Sith fleet activity. The projection then focused on the planet Templi of the Arma Procul system. “Our recent new colony seems to be getting a little attention.” “Although a large invasion is quite unlikely, there are reports of Sith fleet movement nearby that indicates they might be ready to send a small force to Templi” noted Gial. “Also, an information chip that was found on the body of Darth Exatio on Kashyyykyon showed he planned to go there.” “It is an agrarian colony with a new and small Jedi temple nearby” replied Pricilli. “Why would they be interested in that? It doesn’t make sense since it is not near a route they would use to attack republic space.” “We don’t know, however we may have to send aid to help defend it” stated Melanie. “Six Jedi are there with some younglings. The main colony has a little more than two thousand people. Houses, storage facilities for the food, and some small support businesses are the structures there. The farms are doing quite well growing their first crops.” “We still have communication with the temple there, and they haven’t reported any problems from the Sith in that system. Actually, no serious problems have been reported. At this time we won’t send any extra help, however we should be ready in case the need arises. Pricilli, would you be able to go if need to?” “I can if need be. It wouldn’t take long to get my ship ready. Adequate supplies would be on the shuttle. Furia would be with me. We could keep in constant communication. If evacuation is needed, we could send the alert. We would also notify if troops are needed.” Gial looked at the projection of Templi. “If they do attack, it would likely be a troop transport with escorting corvette for support. If the Empire would send more ships, it would potentially cause a shortage of forces in another area. There just isn’t anything in particular here that a Sith would want. There are no reports of shortage of food. No particular resource in short supply. There is no history of the Sith being here before.” Lee looked at the group. “The team there haven’t reported anything special. They are doing what they wanted, to interact with people so the population has a better understanding of the Jedi, and help a new colony thrive. All six seem to be enjoying themselves and teaching the younglings to eventually be padawans.” “Wasn’t that a little risky taking younglings in close proximity to the conflict?” asked Pricilli. “The group told the Council it would be safe and showed no Sith activity at the time near Templi. We still don’t know if the Sith will attack the Arma Procul system. So far there hasn’t been any problems. They report the situation as mostly calm. They aren’t near any Sith bases or military campaigns.” Melanie answered. “Let me start researching to see if I can find anything special about Templi” Pricilli responded as she began searching to see if there was any relevant data stored in the computer or a holocrom about the Arma Procul system. Lee looked at the Togrutan. “Oh before I forget, that is an impressive flying spin Furia has developed.” “What flying spin?” Pricilli said with a raised voice. * * * Furia walked to the martial practice area after her Metallurgy class. She was done studying about the conduction of silver, auordium, aluminum, silicon, phrik. Mandalorian steel-tough stuff but not the best for a wire. She practiced her steps alone before deciding to unwind in the main practice area. Underneath her dark brown jedi robe was a red jumpsuit. An eye catcher, people have responded to her numerous times when she wore it before, however it was quite comfortable when she needed to workout. Strapped to the side of her hip was her lightsaber, ever near her, however pretty much an absolute not to activate in the practice area. She left the smaller room for the hallway. She traversed a small distance until she came to the entrance of the main room. The double door opened for her and she walked into the main practice area. She saw numerous students around the Kel Dor Master Plootu of the Jedi Council. He held the position of martial arts trainer, a position he enjoyed with honor. Furia walked to the side, hung up her robe, then grabbed an artificial double bladed lightsaber, or art double as she and others nicknamed it. It had the same weight and does color of a blade, except it simply was not a lightsaber and couldn’t turn on or off the blades. Foolish for people to think practice should be with a lightsaber she thought once again. The lightsaber could cut through the floor on an accidental swing, and plasma from the blade really, really hurts when it hits flesh. She grabbed it firmly and turned it in her hands, hearing the color blades cutting through the air. Feeling the weight of the blade in her hands, she then gracefully moved around in a random path, turning, thrusting, then holding the weapon as if blocking. The speed in which she moved the blades in the air increased, causing the weapon to soon be a blur. The younger padawans became distracted, admiring her form with the double bladed weapon. The older boys were looking wide eyed at how Furia looked in the outfit. The older girls all sighed watching Furia once again catching people’s attentions. Master Plootu noticed he could no longer keep the attention of the students with Furia practicing. She had every right to be there. She communicated to him earlier she finished the studying she did on metals, allowing him to defend her in case her Togrutan master asked why she was at the practice area instead of studying. She was one of his best students. She had a long history of being a distractor, however the students needed to learn how not to be distracted, especially because of clothes that are worn. At times she would help him with the younger padawans. She seemed to enjoy working with them, and had appeared to have the wisdom to learn from the questions and movements of the young padawans. “Furia, will you please come here?” said the Kel Dor Jedi to the ginger haired Jedi padawan. Furia stopped her movements and brought the weapon to her side, holding it ever ready in case there would be a surprise attack. She definitely learned her martial skills over the years. “Yes Master Plootu, I would be happy to.” Furia bowed to Master Plootu then she walked to be near the middle of the large room in her red jumpsuit. “We are now going to learn how to react to a surprise move. When in combat, not only do you need to be aware of the weapon of your opponent, you also need to know the position of your opponent’s body. Instead of cutting your ankle with a lightsaber, your attacker instead could kick your feet in front of you. A stab to the head could be replaced by a kick to the head. Furia is going to go after me with a surprise move, and I am going to respond to that surprise. After that, we will talk about the move and response.” “I am?” Furia responded with eyebrows raised. Master Plootu gave a short laugh. “Don’t worry. You can’t hurt me. I will even put on protection so you won’t be so worried.” “Ahhh, Master. You sure?” “Don’t worry.” He will be ready for the kick to the head if she tries it instead of using the double blade, which she probably would. She became quite proficient with that move. He put on a padded helmet and suit to protect him, which he knew he didn’t need to. He just hoped he didn’t hurt Furia. The Master and the Furia stood 8 meters away from each other. “Do not hold back Furia. Reyno, you say when to begin.” Reyno was Master Plootu’s apprentice, a human from Naboo. Reyno took a few breaths. He is going to enjoy his Master overtaking this princess of a padawan. Reyno was physically attracted to Furia, but thought she got too much attention and was overrated. “Go!” Planting his feet, Master Plootu had his artificial single blade, art singe as they’re nicknamed, held in front of him. She may do a regular stabbing with her weapon so he could easily deflect it. However, he was ready for her recently learned flying kick to his head. Furia went and stepped forward with her left foot, then her right foot. When she stepped again with her left foot, she jumped into the air towards the Jedi Master. She has learned to swing with her left leg and her right leg towards different parts of her opponent’s body, yet this is not what she did this time. She brought her right knee quickly into the side of the Master’s head, causing a loud sound with the contact, even with his padded helmet. He instantly fell to the floor. Furia landed near him, a bit of a worried look on her face. She knelt a little so her knees weren’t straight, a habit she picked up to protect against surprise attacks against her legs. “He did say do not hold back” she thought to herself. She saw the Master hold himself up with his arms into a sitting position. She held her right hand down to help him up. “Get away from him!” yelled Reyno as he came close to his Master and kicked at her leg, hitting Furia’s left thigh. “Reyno, stop” said Master Plootu calmly. “She did what I asked, and I was not prepared. You did no wrong Furia. That is a nasty move, padawan.” He slowly helped himself up so he could stand. Furia stared for a second at Reyno, then stood up, rubbing her thigh a little at where she was kicked. ‘”I, ah, glad you are not hurt bad Master Plootu.” She really didn’t want to hurt him. He did want a surprise though. “Class, let us go back to practicing your warm up moves. We will talk tomorrow about what happened here and how we can learn from it.” Master Plootu shook his head a little as he walked to a bench at the side of the room so he could sit and watch his class practice. Furia walked back to where she was practicing her moves before. She brought the art double up to chest high, then began to swing it around first with a pace people could follow, then at a random pace that couldn’t be followed. She breathed with regular movements of her chest to calm herself, not the deep breaths that people have suggested over the years that would cause her to feel light headed. The weapon felt comfortable in her grip, almost as good as a lightsaber. On purpose she kept the speed that she moved the blades slow. She didn’t want to get herself revved up after what she did to Master Plootu. Calmly she worked with random steps while keeping the blades constantly moving, changing the speed, time after time, that the blades sung through the air. She changed her moves at times to practice as if someone was trying to stab her directly forward. She didn’t have to look to notice the hatred that was on Reyno’s face; she felt it with the energy of the Force emanating from him. He was known as the best of the padawans with martial arts, but she thought of him now as a fool of a bantha’s backside. No matter. It didn’t affect her training or her life. It felt good though to get the practice this afternoon. After practicing her moves for a good amount of time, she put the weapon back on a rack where she got it, grabbed her robe, then headed for the showers. “Jedi don’t sweat” she has heard before. She wished.