"How did you figure it out?" Rayden asked, his curiosity piqued by Lexi's sudden insight into his abilities. They were lounging in a cozy spot under the shade of a large tree, the sounds of laughter and chatter from their fellow classmates fading into the background.
Lexi smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "When we were racing, I noticed those small bursts of speed you had. It was like you were propelled forward almost effortlessly. After watching you for a while, I remembered my mother mentioning a few abilities Jedi have, and it struck me—you were using the Force!"
Rayden leaned back slightly, surprised by her keen observation. "Impressive."
"So, how did you find out you were Force-sensitive?" Lexi continued, her voice a blend of awe and excitement. She rocked back and forth in her chair, her dark hair swaying with her movement. "Do your parents know? What can you do?"
"Wow, calm down, Lexi," Rayden chuckled, amused by her enthusiasm. "I found out about a year ago during an obstacle course test. My parents told me I used the Force unconsciously while jumping between platforms."
Lexi's eyes widened as she absorbed his words.
"I've been working on my connection to the Force too," he continued, taking a sip of his drink, the cool liquid refreshing against the warm sun. "So right now, all I can really do is move small items if I concentrate really hard. But I can also feel attacks like blaster bolts, which helps me react quickly. Plus, I can use the Force to boost my physical abilities—a bit like a surge of energy for speed and strength—and it helps protect me from hits during training."
"That one's my favorite for when I'm training with the lightsabers," Rayden added, his eyes drifting to the horizon as he remembered how the Force helped him tank his during his training.
Lexi was stunned by his answers, her mind racing as she tried to wrap her head around the fact that he could wield the Force. A twinge of envy stirred within her, and she imagined how cool she would look igniting a lightsaber, a surge of power flowing through her. The possibility seemed both thrilling and far out of reach.
"Wait," she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Did you say lightsabers? How do you have lightsabers? Jedi protect those dearly." Her eyes were wide, filled with curiosity and disbelief, but as she leaned closer, Rayden shifted back slightly to regain some personal space.
"Well, guess what? My mom built them," he said, a hint of smugness creeping into his tone, which made his grin more playful.
"Your mom?!" Lexi jumped up, almost knocking over her drink in shock. "How did she build a lightsaber? I thought only Jedi could…" Her voice trailed off as she realized what she had just said. She quickly glanced at Rayden's smug face, a mix of embarrassment and admiration across her features.
Rayden noticed Lexi's realization and couldn't help but feel amused. He found her reaction entertaining, but was a tad disappointed that she pieced it together so quickly. It left him little room to boast about his mother.
Typically a reserved person about his abilities, Rayden found himself sharing more than he normally would. Sitting under the expansive branches of the tree, with sunlight filtering through, he felt an unexpected bond growing with Lexi. Trusting people quickly wasn't something he usually did, but there was something about her that felt reassuring. He often relied on his instinct, which, thanks to the Force, gave him a knack for sensing those who could be trusted.
After spending time chatting, laughing, and participating in the competition, Rayden felt a strong sense of affirmation about his instincts. He had never been wrong about whom to trust, so why question his intuition now? With the warmth of friendship blossoming between them, Rayden felt lighter than he had in a long time.
The two of them spent the next two hours resting, chatting, and even taking a nap while leaning against each other before it was time to start the survival challenge.
After waking from their nap, they shared an embarrassed look before making their way to the arena. Some of the adult competitions had already started during their break, and they watched the shooting competition currently taking place.
As for the youth division, the rankings were as follows:
Clan Knight Clan Tov'ra Clan Serdran Clan Vhar'kar Clan Drav'korr
The two of them then looked at the supplies each individual would receive based on their team's ranking. The supplies were as follows:
- Luxury Kit: Contains 3 days of food, water purifier bottles, a tent, 1 medpac, tools (knife, axe, and shovel), a firestarter, and a sleeping bag.
- High-Quality Kit: 2 days of food, a water purifier bottle, a sleeping bag, tools, and a firestarter
- Standard Kit: 1.5 days of food, a knife, a sleeping bag, and a firestarter
- Basic Kit: Contains 1 day of food, a knife, and a firestarter.
- For those at the very bottom, they receive only 1 meal and 1 knife.
To transport all the kids to the designated area for the challenge, two sleek gauntlet starfighters were prepped and ready on the tarmac, glistening under the bright sun. Each starfighter was equipped to accommodate a mixed group of excited but nervous kids, all eager to prove they could last on their own out there.
As they boarded, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The kids knew that they would be dropped at different locations, ensuring that they would be separated from their original teams, thus fostering new interactions and teamwork challenges.
During the boarding process, the pilots casually instructed the children on safety measures while ensuring everyone was securely strapped in. Bright panels lit up the control consoles inside the fighters, displaying an array of colors that captivated the young passengers.
Rayden stepped into his starfighter, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. He glanced over to see Lexi climbing into her fighter, a determined look on her face.
"Good luck, Lexi," Rayden called out, flashing her a thumbs-up as the engines roared to life.
"Good luck, Ray," she replied with a wink, her confidence shining as she walked on to the ship.
As the engines hummed, each starfighter began to lift off the ground, leaving the familiar sights behind. The kids could hardly contain their excitement as they felt the rush of takeoff, the ground falling away beneath them. They chatted amongst themselves, the sound of their laughter and nervous chatter mixing with the roar of the engines, all while the pilots navigated a path to the challenge site.
======
At the heart of the Royal Palace, an extravagant banquet unfolded beneath soaring crystal chandeliers, casting a warm glow over the elegantly adorned hall.
This evening was more than just a social gathering; it was a heartfelt farewell dinner hosted by the duke for his beloved daughter, Satine.
With the looming threat of civil war on the horizon, he was acutely aware that this might be one of their final moments together for an indefinite period.
The duke yearned for the evening to be etched in both their memories as one of joy and warmth amidst the uncertainty.
The guest list was a veritable tapestry of influential figures, comprising clan leaders loyal to House Kyrze and advocates of the duke's pacifist vision for the future. The atmosphere buzzed with hushed conversations, lively laughter, and the soft melodies of a string quartet.
Guests had dressed for the occasion in exquisite attire; women glided in flowing gowns of silk and satin, each shade accentuating their beauty, while men presented themselves in impeccably tailored suits that echoed authority and elegance.
Guards, clad in polished armor, stood sentinel every five feet, their vigilant eyes scanning the crowd, a measure the duke took to ensure the evening's safety.
Elyse made her entrance, capturing the attention of many with her striking purple dress that shimmered subtly under the lights, complemented by a sleek black overcoat. Hidden beneath the coat was her lightsaber, while her protective armor was safely stored with one of the clansmen.
Her twelve armored clansmen stood in strategic formation at a discreet angle outside, their vigilance unwavering in anticipation of any unforeseen disturbances. Ready to jump into action in case of an emergency.
As the duke and Katrine caught sight of her, they excused themselves from a conversation with a group of dignitaries and approached Elyse with smiles.
"You look stunning in that dress, Elyse," the duke proclaimed, his voice warm as he extended a drink from a nearby waiter droid for her to accept. Katrine nodded in earnest agreement, her eyes shining with pride. "The dress and coat fit you perfectly."
"Thank you, both," Elyse replied, a small smile gracing her lips as she took a sip of her drink, her gaze drifting over the guests mingling around her. "How is the party going so far?"
"It's going exceptionally well," Katrine responded, her voice laced with relief. "Most everyone is already here, and thankfully, we have yet to encounter any issues with Death Watch or the traditionalists."
Hearing that the evening was proceeding smoothly allowed Elyse to exhale a quiet sigh of relief, though an unsettling feeling lingered just beneath the surface.
As they conversed, Elyse's gaze wandered to Qui-Gon, who was deep in discussion with a council member known for his shrewd political insights—a man who had been instrumental in advising the duke on matters of governance.
Meanwhile, Obi-Wan chatted animatedly with a small group of children, all around his age, their laughter resonating amidst the symphony of the banquet.
"Where is Satine? After all, this party is for her," Elyse inquired, her tone shifting to one of concern as she scanned the room for her friend, noticing that neither Satine nor her sister Bo-Katan was in sight. It seemed out of character for them to be absent, especially during such a significant occasion.
"Satine has been meticulously packing her belongings for the past few hours, while Bo Katan has been assisting her. They both should be getting ready right now and will be down any moment," Katrine mentioned, her gaze drifting upward toward the grand staircase that led to the second floor, a fond smile gracing her lips.
Five minutes later, as laughter and animated conversations filled the air, the duke and duchess ascended the ornate staircase, their polished shoes echoing against the marble floor. The duke raised his glass, tapping it gently to gain everyone's attention. The lively band fell silent, recognizing the moment and allowing the duke to address the gathered guests.
He cleared his throat, his voice rich and resonant, commanding the room's focus. At that moment, Satine and Bo Katan emerged from the shadows of the staircase, standing proudly next to their parents, showing grace and elegance in their dresses.
"Welcome, dear friends and esteemed guests, to this splendid banquet," the duke announced, his gaze radiating pride as he looked out over the room filled with familiar faces. "We are here tonight to honor my daughter Satine, who will soon embark on a momentous journey to Coruscant. It is there that she will learn, grow, and represent our great Mandalore in the Senate, with the aspiration of one day taking my position as duchess."
He paused, allowing the words to resonate, then continued, "As a father, I have watched Satine bloom into a formidable advocate for our cause, tirelessly working to steer Mandalore toward a brighter future. I could not be prouder of the woman she has become, and I am filled with anticipation for the remarkable leader she will evolve into in the years to come."
The duke's gaze softened as he looked at Satine, whose eyes glistened with unshed tears, emotion swelling within her as she absorbed her father's heartfelt words. "Satine, dear, tonight's celebration is for you. I hope that you will carry the memories of this night with you forever and always know that our love follows you—whether you are here in our home or out exploring the vast galaxy."
With a look of love, joy, and a hint of melancholy, the duke raised his glass high, prompting the guests around him to do the same. The clinking of crystal glasses echoed through the room as those gathered toasted to Satine's bright future.