I have achieved much over this time. Soresu, the Force, necessary survival skills, the ability to pilot spacecraft, diplomacy stood apart, the techniques of which I also studied. Although not particularly exerting myself, perfectly understanding where the Force would throw me – first of all, I would find myself somewhere in the Mid Rim or Outer Rim, where I would have to fight. And if I had to participate in negotiations, then at best, I would be running errands for an experienced Jedi diplomat. I thought about survival separately. I was a bit confused by the Jedi's equivalent of a grappling hook. The gadget itself was not built-in anywhere and was simply taken out of a pocket. And if I could understand the special device for breathing underwater, then the grappling hook just begged to be attached to my bracer.
But to attach something to a bracer, you need to have a bracer. I decided to take the typical assassin's bracer from the famous game Assassin's Creed as a basis. Throughout the game series, the hidden blade and bracer have been modified, accumulating upgrades. For my specific case, I didn't plan to mount a hidden blade. I simply don't need it, since I have a lightsaber, and if I don't have time to draw it – then you shouldn't underestimate me anyway. In hand-to-hand combat, my style is slightly different from my lightsaber combat style. Here, one could say that in unarmed combat, I preferred the "mobility of Ataru." I almost never stood still during unarmed combat, mainly dodging and striking at the sides and back, after jumping over the opponent.
However, I faced many questions about how to combine the design of the classic Jedi grappling hook, which Obi-Wan used during "Attack of the Clones" in his fight with Jango Fett, when he kindly offered Obi-Wan a water procedure on Kamino. It's not enough to just make a bracer that you put on your arm. More precisely, I mastered Force Forging while assembling and reassembling my lightsaber a hundred times; this procedure became mandatory for my morning meditation. Although it's foolish to claim it was easy. Force Forging allows you to change the shape of force-infused material.
And it turned out to be a rather difficult science. I sifted through hundreds of pages of literature on the subject, studied the composition of alloys, searched the warehouse, and experimented. At a certain stage, I realized that a bracer made of pure metal wouldn't work. Bracers are made on a fabric base, and metal can be used as an additional insert, as well as a means of attaching the grappling hook. I had to take care of a suitable fabric material for the base as well. I threw away the bracer blanks that were previously made purely of metal. As a result… I managed to come to the conclusion that I needed a light metal, from which I would make the attachments for the bracer. I'm making the bracer for my left hand… Attach the adjustment for the circumference of the arm…
First, I got a sufficient amount of bronzium. My saber is made of it, and I disassembled my lightsaber so many times that forging bronzium didn't cause me any difficulties. The mechanism for attaching the grappling hook should be assembled separately from the fabric, and then I would see how exactly it should be attached. And here I cursed my predispositions three times. Even with the Force, I moved very slowly. I studied dozens of similar devices from Mandalorian armor, which for some reason were in the Temple's warehouse. But even so – creating the attachment caused me a real torrent of curses.
When I created the first prototype, I was as happy as a sentient being who had diarrhea and… "managed to reach the toilet." But that wasn't all; the attachment was created for the bracer, but I had to check how everything would work. I set the activation to the Force. Mandalorian weapons, built into armor, are usually activated by specific movements of the user. I made everything much simpler for myself: the hook is activated by my will, which I communicate through a hidden button in the mechanism itself. Thus, an unprepared sentient being will definitely not be able to use my invention. Although who needs it? Cin, who asked what I was doing, just waved his hand, only saying that he would take a part of the Mandalorian armor that was in huge quantities in the warehouse.
Well. If he likes to use what was used before him – please. In my own personal armament, I prefer to figure it out myself and personally go through every part, so that there are no hitches… There is also my ship, by the way, the technical documentation for which I received not so long ago. And already now, I have memorized absolutely everything that I needed to know about my ship. Yes, in general, I was not bored at all during the rest of my younglinghood. I could feel that my life would soon change drastically, precisely because I would have a teacher, a Jedi Knight. Based on my potential in the Force, I could assume that they would give me a Jedi Consular. This includes everyone who focuses on the Force. Healers, diplomats, seers… Even archaeologists who study the mysteries of the Force in ancient ruins.
Adjusting the bracer, feeling the mechanism once more, I looked up. The Hall of a Thousand Fountains is a beautiful place for meditation and calming the mind. The water in the fountains gurgled pleasantly, relaxing many of those present. Directly above me, in disassembled state, was my lightsaber. The parts of the hilt, made of yellowish bronzium, sparkled in the rays of Coruscant Prime.
"Meditating?" a familiar voice sounded nearby. "I see you like to take care of your saber."
A couple of moments, and the saber reassembled into its familiar cylinder. Jedi standing not far away greeted Master Yoda, who interrupted my meditation. Although I was already finishing. I activated the lightsaber, checking its functionality after another assembly. A green blade of light appeared from the cylinder. As always, excellent. Pressing the button, I extinguished the blade.
"Master Yoda," I bowed slightly, getting up from my usual spot by the fountain and returning the saber to my belt.
"Progress, I see, you make significant," he nodded in the direction of my left hand, where the bracer was worn. "Device interesting and individual."
"There won't always be a solid surface underfoot," I nodded, raising my hand to eye level and pointing towards the side. A second of concentration, and the hook shot towards the nearest wall.
"Wise it is," Yoda praised me.
"All thanks to Your teachings, Master," I bowed slightly to Yoda. "Perhaps in the future, I will launch my lightsaber with the Force without any unnecessary buttons."
"Assumption good it is, your level it will show, but haste you should not, lest lose you may. Know you the meaning of 'do or do not'?"
"There are no attempts," I nodded. "That is, everything must be done the first time."
"That's not entirely true," Yoda shook his head. "When you do something, you must be sure of your abilities. Confidence in your strength grows from training. That's why we train. Even I have something to learn from you younglings. Just as you must listen to the wise Jedi Council and take their advice."
"I am perfectly aware of that, Master..."
"Is your answer serious?" Yoda interrupted, looking me in the eyes. "I've heard of your successes in Soresu. Though we all advised you something else entirely."
"Why such attention, Master?" I asked Yoda. "I remember the beginning of studying a new style. Back then, even the service droids were voicing their opinions."
"And would you have liked that?"
"I think I would have gone on a bender then..."
"Do you consider this a joke, hmm?" Yoda asked seriously. "Trained knights can clearly see your potential in mastering all forms. It's intuition; you have everything for Ataru, Ataru is made for you. Talents should always be developed, I understand your desire to master Soresu, but believe me—having mastered Ataru, you can almost forget about other forms."
"Nevertheless, I myself do not consider Ataru a form worthy of my attention," I shook my head. "Ataru's attack is one of the best, I don't argue with that, but what about defense? Will I always have time to dodge?"
"The Force is given to you for that," Yoda stated. "You have shown excellent results in mastering sensory techniques. You would become a great swordsman by dedicating yourself only to Ataru. I myself would teach you the way of the sword."
"It's too late," Yoda would teach me swordsmanship! Restrain yourself, it's impolite to tear out your beautiful, black hair in front of a Master. "Besides, I told you exactly why I need Soresu. Now that I have defense, I will focus on Ataru."
"It is too late for you," Yoda pointed at me with his cane. "If you had started mastering it immediately, you would have become much stronger, but as it is—you will have to master it during your apprenticeship with a Knight. Knowing him—you will have no time for it."
"Him?" I asked Yoda. "You found me a teacher."
"A teacher finds his own student," Yoda shook his head. "After the Tournament, I will introduce you to him, but he has agreed to take you as a Padawan. He is a Jedi archaeologist, one who has studied many Jedi and Sith burial sites. He is strong in the Force, he will help you master many Force techniques and deepen your existing ones."
An archaeologist? Jedi who dedicate themselves to archaeology fly across the Galaxy, searching for temples, burial sites, anything connected to the Force. The reality is that even in our times, after more than twenty thousand years of Jedi existence—we still have much to discover about the Force. Many eras are unstudied, many planets unexplored.
"You will have no time to study your talent," Yoda concluded. "You will fly to the Outer Rim, and he has already been distracted from excavations, Lorm doesn't like it."
Yoda came up to me, rummaged in the folds of his robes, and pulled out a cube that shimmered with blue light.
"This?"
"A Holocron," Yoda nodded. "I have given you knowledge of Ataru in it. The least I can do for you. I feel that you will greatly influence the Jedi. I just don't know when... Not now, not soon, but your thoughts will lead to something new and change the Galaxy in the future. You must be strong. The Holocron will not replace a teacher, but when you return to the Temple, I will pay attention to you."
"Thank you..."
"You should listen to those who have lived much longer than you, Light," Yoda said, walking around me.
"I listen to you and..."
"You don't listen enough. You can and should have your own point of view on your surroundings, but you are too young to judge many things. I have been teaching Jedi for almost nine hundred years; many of your teachers have gone through a lot... You have yet to go through it. You will understand that your talent is not where you are trying to find it, you will understand only if it's not too late. Your strength is not in defense..."
Well, yes, well, yes... What do you know? Soresu helps with defense like nothing else. Even now, standing still, I can deflect shots from five training droids with my eyes closed. Jedi do not see this world as I see it. Throughout the series and films, Soresu has been the most effective form. It allowed Obi-Wan to survive the Clone Wars, defeat Grievous and Anakin. Yes, Anakin defeated Dooku, while Kenobi took a beating from him. But Kenobi won in the end, largely thanks to his perfect defense. And where was Qui-Gon's Ataru? Maul pierced him through. It's not about talents and predisposition. You have to live to reach Yoda's level, who could defeat almost anyone with Ataru. It's about effectiveness and survivability. Foresight, sensing, plus the movements of Soresu. If all this is combined, you get perfect defense. Yes, Ataru's attack is also quite strong... In general, there are only three purely offensive forms. Juyo, also known as Vaapad... I believe it is the most philosophical form of all. In the sense that each form has its own philosophy. Shi-Cho's desire to "resolve disputes peacefully," Makashi's elegant and precise movements, Soresu's "center of the storm," where the Jedi is at the epicenter of the battle, Ataru's "hurricane of blades," which is how I personally named the basis of the style, when an adept moves from side to side around the opponent and attacks him, "suppression" of Shien/Djem So—pure brute force, "barbaric," as some aristocrats would say, but it once overpowered Dooku's elegance... Niman, which combines all the techniques of the previous forms. And Juyo... More precisely, Vaapad, invented by Mace Windu.
There is still enough time before its invention, but I was already thinking about it. And I came to the conclusion that if I invented Vaapad myself—it would differ from Windu's Vaapad. Windu himself taught several Jedi this form, but that was the wrong decision. He should not have taught them this form; they should have created their own variation of Vaapad based on his teachings.
"Didn't you always teach us to defend, Master Yoda? What is the duty of a Jedi? Is it not to defend the citizens of the Galaxy?"
"Every form defends in its own way," Yoda said.
"So the means are not important," I concluded. "If they correspond to the great goal—then Force Lightning, if used for defense, is also worth it."
"You are engaging in dangerous talk," Yoda pointed at me with his cane. "You do not know all the requirements for executing this technique. I will speak with your future teacher. This technique is of the Dark Side, I hope you never touch this side," Yoda sighed heavily. Ha, I would like to see what would make me fall, with my kind of pacifism. After so many years, I think I have eliminated any possibility of falling to the Dark Side of the Force... I have always liked the Jedi, I just need to do everything according to plan. "You should prepare for the Tournament."
"But don't I already have a teacher?" I asked Yoda. "Why do I need a dueling tournament? What's the point if everything is already clear?"
"You must test your conclusions," Yoda said, walking away completely, leaving me by the fountain.
"And for that, one must calm the mind in meditation," I hid the Holocron in my pocket. Jedi... Could they really not have heard our conversation? No, I don't feel any auras.
I plunged into meditation, reassembling my Lightsaber. Strange...
"Funny boy," a whisper came from somewhere behind me.
"Who's there?" I asked, collecting my saber and activating the blade... Wait, what's this reaction? This is the Jedi Temple, and there won't be any particular excesses here.
All I saw was black hair flying up. A strange Jedi woman left the hall. Well, screw her... And why am I funny?
***
"Master Yoda," a tall Zabrak man in Jedi robes greeted the Grand Master.
Adjusting his cloak, he sat before the Grand Master on a soft pouf in a meditative pose. Lorm Decer looked at the old Master. Though, is such a concept applicable to Yoda? This "old man" is the strongest duelist in the Order, possesses incredible knowledge of the Force, even if he pretends to be old.
"Knight Lorm," Yoda nodded. "I summoned you to talk."
"Regarding my new Padawan, I presume?" Lorm asked Yoda. "I studied his profile and am a little unhappy with who you are sending me. Isn't he too soft and pliable? Despite his 'harmless profession'," Lorm emphasized the phrase, "I deal with some dark artifacts during excavations. This is not a joke."
"You possess sufficient knowledge of the Force," Yoda stated. "You must reveal his talents."
"I am not concerned about the sphere of his talents; Masters don't eat their rations for nothing," Lorm snorted. "I am concerned about his character. Light Flaingstar is kind, even excessively so, and naive."
"You only see what you have read; meanwhile, live communication is a much more effective method," Yoda sighed.
"Tell me directly, why do you think I should train him?" Archaeology, despite its apparent ease, is a rather difficult science. "Do you want me to train him only in Force Techniques or to break his character?"
"Breaking his character is beyond anyone's power in this Temple," Yoda snorted. "Only experience will transform him, which he can gain by traveling with you. But yes—I want you to teach him the Force. The Council wants to receive a Master of the Force; Light has potential."
"Hmph," Lorm snorted. "I don't see his potential."
"You must believe in him. He will teach you much as well. I remember you; you were no less than Dooku or anyone else, but you delved into knowledge, forgetting everything..."
"Forgetting? The only valuable thing left in our Galaxy is knowledge. I don't understand the Order's attempts to play politics when we have already lost, Master Yoda. I simply accepted the truth. There is no point in political games; there is only the point in comprehending the Force."
"That's exactly what I was talking about, yes," Yoda nodded. "The student should help you."
"If you think so," Lorm said, getting up from his seat. "Why do I need an extra sixty kilograms of sentient being? And yes..." he stood at the exit of the meditation room. "My ship has completely fallen apart. I need a new one, and in the warehouse, there are either fighters or too large Consulars."
"Light has his own ship..."
Impossible! Has someone in the Temple been allowed to have something? Lorm thought that the Outer Rim had taught him not to be surprised.
"What?" he turned sharply to Yoda.
"A mercenary tried to kidnap Light, apparently belonging to some Dark Cult. King Alaric gifted this ship as compensation. It awaits its owner on Tustra..."
"Master Yoda?" Lorm called him.
"Knight Lorm?"
"Where do I sign? I agree to take him as a student and teach him everything I know!"
"I knew you would agree," even if for such a mercenary reason, unworthy of a true Jedi.
Lorm would have been expelled from the Order for his not-so-"Jedi character," but he is and was a brilliant archaeologist, one of the best in the Jedi Order itself. And it is precisely such a character, slightly hardened, that Light needs. Yoda planned everything; Light Flaingstar truly has all the chances to become a second Dooku in terms of potential. Only if his favorite student is more about dueling, Light is a kind of universal Jedi. A guardian who knows a lot, with a focus on the Force and... Lightsaber. It's strange that even classic Guardians have a bias towards something; Light's skills seem "even." He is helped in the Force by incredible talent, and in dueling—by incredible persistence. In the end, however sad it may be to admit, among the younglings and some of the Padawans—Light is the best in Soresu and the Force. He just needs to change his character a little, and Lorm is the best choice. And Lorm knows many Force techniques that Light needs to learn and master. The cost of traveling through ancient Sith and Jedi Temples, and not only of two Orders. Yoda himself heard about some techniques for the first time. Plus, Lorm has a cynical and pragmatic character, which Light objectively lacks. To break him in the style of the Sith? But they are not Sith, they are Jedi!
They do not break; they re-educate. And Lorm is perfectly suited for this, with his somewhat "soldierly" manners and cynicism... Light has incredible resistance to suggestion, which he demonstrated during his training. He will certainly not be imbued with Lorm's cynicism, but he will take the best from his teacher... Yoda rubbed his hands; the combination is not bad, and as a result, a strong Master will emerge in the Council... Yoda felt perfectly that since Light's appearance in the Temple, thousands of timelines growing around one, large and thick, like a centuries-old tree from Kashyyyk, leading to one thing that Yoda could not discern, had been cut off. But something new definitely appeared.
"Oh, really?" the Zabrak asked, arching a non-existent eyebrow.
"True," Yoda nodded, answering his question. "And even if you convince yourself that it's for the ship, after teaching young Light, you will understand what we wanted to convey."
"It would be better if he understood..." The Knight sharply turned, his cloak flying up, and left the room.