During one of the clinches, however, the Jedi abruptly shifted to a different form—Soresu. The rhythm of the fight changed; now the Jedi was pressing the Sith. Yet the outcome wasunexpected—the Sith's blade pierced the Jedistraight through. The recording cut off. Shaak Ti gasped softly.
"He lost," Master Windu concluded, leaning back in his chair.
"It is sad to lose such a promising young man," Ki-Adi-Mundi remarked gravely.
"Not all of it, Master Zui-Tswang, mm?" Yodaasked, his ears twitching. "Stopped the recording, you did?"
"That is correct, Grand Master," the Guardian replied with a respectful bow. "Now the most interesting part begins."
The Masters exchanged puzzled glances as the Guardian resumed the recording.
They watched in astonishment as the supposedly fallen Jedi threw the Sith aside and re-entered the fight. Despite taking more and more wounds, he refused to retreat and continued to battle. Shaak Ti, like the others present, was astonished beyond words.
Then came the denouement—the Jedi's left arm was severed at the shoulder by a crimson blade, while his own blue saber pierced the Sith's thigh. The girl staggered back but, a heartbeat later, lunged forward to deliver the finishing blow. At that moment, clone commandos appeared on-screen; their blaster fire forced the Sith to retreat.
Shaak Ti held her breath as she watched the wounded Jedi rise slowly, leaning on one of the clones. The recording ended soon after.
"Master Yoda, how is this possible? After such injuries, most beings would die—or at least collapse from shock. But this Jedi is moving as if nothing happened!" Ki-Adi-Mundi askedincredulously.
Yoda grunted, closed his eyes, and fell into thought.
"Crucitorn. One of the ancient techniques. A discipline for overcoming physical pain beyond the normal threshold—allowing one to block the mind from external interference. Through mental focus, it was possible to redirect awareness and increase the target's pain sensation. Once, this technique was widespread. It requires long meditation to grasp its essence, and great concentration to perform..." The Keeper of Knowledge once again confirmed that she had a tenacious mind and a good memory.
"I've never heard of such a thing," Windu said doubtfully. "It sounds more like an ancient Sith art."
"As always, correct your answer is, Master Nu — yet slightly mistaken you are," the old Grand Master replied, opening his eyes. "A Force technique it is not — but the strength of the Jedi's own spirit. Unafraid of death, the young Jedi values life. Strong his will is, and by that strength continue the fight he could."
The Grand Master's ears drooped slightly. The Council members recognized that gesture; it meant sad memories had surfaced.
"Once, these techniques I too mastered, mentioned by the esteemed Jocasta. Few students there were — only Count Dooku did I teach. To Qui-Gon he tried to pass it, butpatience the Padawan lacked, mm. Hard to grasp, these techniques are. And on them alone rely one must not."
Master Eeth Koth leaned forward. "Master Yoda speaks the truth. Much knowledge has been lost. My Master taught me Crucitorn, but I doubt I could achieve the same."
"Then how could this Jedi?" Oppo Rancisis asked, turning to Yoda in surprise.
"Who is he, anyway?" the Guardian interjected. "I don't recognize this Jedi—and that armor..."
"He is Jedi Knight Mikore Vikt of the Balance Corps," Plo Koon supplied calmly.
The head of the Balance Corps, Hiram Mardin, frowned and muttered, "Mikore... Mikore... MIKORE?!" He suddenly cried out, as though struck by the realization. "That slacker? I'll never believe it's him! You must be joking, Master Plo?!"
"I assure you, this is no mistake. I spoke with him personally. Yes, he's a little eccentric, but he's a successful general—well-mannered and responsible. I believe he even has a Padawan..."
"What? That lazy as—excuse me, slacker—is responsible? And he even took on a Padawan? I'd sooner believe delegate Jar Jar Binks is a Sith Lord!" the old Feeorin threw up his hands. "It can't be him, because it can't be. He's a slob! And a Padawan... ha! He avoided that word like tobacco avoids chippo! His favorite pastime is meditating for days on end! You can't keep track of him—he even forgets to eat! Always hanging around other lazy bums like himself. I don't believe it's him!"
"Yes, it does seem strange—and the use of armor... not something typical for a Jedi," Agen Kolar noted.
"I agree," Jocasta Nu said, shaking her head. "As you observed, he was wearing a helmet, and Jedi rarely use them. Even during the Mandalorian Wars, when many Jedi donned captured Mandalorian armor—or even fought under Mandalorian command—they seldom used helmets."
"That explains his abilities and techniques—long meditations," Ki-Adi-Mundi mused, rubbing his chin. "Perhaps he reached this level on his own."
"Could it be the influence of a Sith holocron?" Even Piell asked, turning toward Mardin.
"Impossible. Even his trial was given a conditional credit —he was too weak to fight a Sith. And he's not a frequent visitor to the Archives," the Feeorin replied dismissively.
"How many midi-chlorians does he have in his blood?" Windu asked in surprise.
"Just under ten thousand."
Windu snorted. "Oh, I see. Then all this takes on... a new light."
Shaak Ti nodded thoughtfully. Though midi-chlorians existed in nearly all known life forms, to "break through" and become attuned to the Force, one needed a count of at least six thousand three hundred, the lowest known case; seven thousand was considered optimal. With his numbers, Vikt was quite good.
"Why such a change?" Windu asked.
"As far as I know, he was injured during that rescue operation on Geonosis," Shaak Ti reported.
"Oh, so that's what it is." Mardin chuckled, scratching his chin. "So, to get my freeloaders moving, I just need to shoot them with a blaster? Worth a try..."
"Should not such radical methods we use, mm?" Yoda interjected, leaning on his cane. "Decide how the Order will respond to this duel, we must. That is what matters."
The Masters fell silent, each lost in thought.
"Nevertheless, the Order must somehow respond," Windu said finally, who was precisely responsible for the Order's foreign policy and relations with the Senate. "I suppose the Senate will raise the issue today."
"What is there to discuss? A Jedi met a Sith and, naturally, fought," someone muttered.
"Which he nearly lost," Windu countered, steepling his fingers. "To the Senate, such things are never clear-cut. Many will try to twist this to their advantage—or against us."
"You must handle this, my friend," Yoda concluded.
"Of course," Windu nodded.
Shaak Ti turned to Plo Koon. "Master, you are still on Lantilles, correct?"
"Yes, Master Ti."
"Master Unduli has been dispatched to you. Her Padawan is said to possess strong healing skills."
"I will inform them immediately—and have the operating room prepared."
"That would be wonderful," Shaak Ti said, inclining her head.