"You're not surprised that we're flying a regular flight," the mentor's voice came from beside me.
Everything went quickly. I said goodbye to the rest of our group, listened to Drallig's lamentations about not being taken as an apprentice (many don't like his excessively wild nature). Lorm Decer prepared a set of things for me. I even visited his Knight's quarters — the kind issued to all Knights for living with their Padawans. I had never seen so much dust. According to Lorm himself, he hadn't left the Outer Rim for almost seven standard years, reaching even into the Unknown Regions in his research — at this rate, he'd find the Yuuzhan Vong.
We were inside the cafeteria of a huge ship. Sentients of various races, statuses, and appearances scurried past us from time to time. Two Jedi, in principle, don't attract much attention in the center of the Galaxy and... No, wait. Did I say "Jedi"? Jedi clothing itself is not a hallmark of "high status" sentients, and if you don't periodically look at the belt where lightsaber hilts are attached, it's hard to guess our affiliation with the Jedi Order. I wouldn't call us Jedi, but rather two bums... We were dressed differently: I was in light-colored clothes, and Lorm in beige, with a brown cloak over it.
"What's there to be surprised about, Master?" I asked him. "You warned me about it."
"Did I? I'm talking about something else," the Zabrak remarked calmly, taking a drink from a tray that a waitress woman had helpfully brought him. Taking a sip, he continued. "Usually, kids after the Temple are in a daze. The world outside is much bigger."
If only he knew what kind of hovel I crawled out of.
"I get used to new things quickly," I remarked.
"Well then, you'll quickly get used to the circumstances I'm going to put you in," the mentor concluded, draining his glass in one gulp. "My friend, however, thinks it's excessive, but I know it will help."
"What will help?" I asked the Master, pausing my notes in the book The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force and closing the datapad. "The training?"
"Yes," he said. "To make you stop being a worthless Jedi larva faster, we'll use a common technique. Heard of the Force Bond? Of course you have. Or I'll be disappointed in you."
"A connection formed by the Force between two sentients," I recalled the description.
"Correct, larva," said Lorm. "And we will form this bond with you. In this way, I will help you master Force skills. This will solve the question, in the next couple of years, regarding your skills; only the mental aspect will remain."
"Mental aspect?" I asked.
"Based on your current skills, you're already suitable to become a Jedi Knight. You've mastered many things at a below-average level, yes, but now even the worst become Knights. The times of the Order's former glory, when people like you were at most younglings, are past. However, despite your overall development, your character is too soft; you lack it. A Jedi cannot afford to be soft-bodied, Larva."
"Soft-bodied?" I asked him. "Then stop calling me 'larva.'"
"Make me," the Zabrak said mockingly. "What will you do to me? Attack me? I'll smear you across the wall!"
Yeah... And what can I do to him? He's my teacher. His aura literally loomed over me, threatening to crush me.
"Something like that," Lorm chuckled. "That's what we're going to change. At the end, I'll call you by your name if you become better. For now — only 'larva,' or 'student,' but after creating the Force Bond. Now concentrate, close your eyes, enter meditation."
I immediately followed his instruction... Did he grind his teeth? But why?
"Since you started, finish it," the teacher's voice came.
The world around me transformed. A multitude of bright auras flickered around us. Suddenly, something touched my head.
"Can you feel me?" the mentor's voice asked. "You can feel my presence, right? I'll help. Together we'll temporarily unite our minds. Don't be afraid, larva. I won't look at how you peeked at girls in the shower. Or are you going to say you didn't peek? In that case, you're not just a Jedi larva, but an impotent Jedi larva," the mentor's mocking laughter sounded.
My body tensed; I literally felt his mind open and merge with mine. I suspect he felt the same. At the periphery of my consciousness, a thought flashed: "Just don't let him see the truth." After all, my knowledge of this Galaxy's future is only my knowledge. And I want to be the only one to use it. He could interfere with my plan. The plan for manipulation. But my prayers were heard, and either he didn't want to delve into the open mind, or he couldn't; it all stopped abruptly.
I found myself leaning excessively against the back of my chair, as if trying to sleep. Sweat streamed down my body, my head ached, as if it had been thrust into fire. Probably a temperature around forty.
"Not bad for the first time," the mentor's voice came. "But not enough. The Force Bond forms slowly. There are, of course, options where the bond arises spontaneously and instantly. But that's not our choice, is it, larva? This will be the start of every morning for us. Alas, we won't be able to practice fencing. I hope the victory in the watered-down Tournament hasn't made you arrogant? I use Niman, so I can help you develop Soresu and learn Ataru."
"I know," I hissed, trying to catch my breath.
"Then to more practical matters. What's your relationship with your parents?" he asked me.
"We parted ways when I was five," I replied. "And someone tried to kidnap me. But why this question?"
"To the fact that we'll be staying with them for a couple of days," Lorm nodded. "My motto: 'maximum comfort.' You know, so many years I've spent sleeping in sleeping bags or some flea-bitten dumps that any place with a proper night's sleep feels like paradise to my mind."
"And what about your ship, mentor?"
"Not funny. Do you have any idea what I flew? I captured it from pirates about fifteen years ago, and even then it was falling apart. Some compartments had to be completely removed by our techs," Lorm snorted. "But that little ship of yours..."
"'Star Trek'..."
"There," he nodded. "'Star Trek' is more modern, and apparently even covered in stygium. Excellent mineral. I always wanted a lightsaber with a unique mineral — even flew to Tatooine for a krayt dragon once. Didn't find one."
"Hey," I protested as quietly as possible. "My ship isn't a toy for you!"
"Forget it," the teacher smirked. "I was joking."
What kind of jokes are these? The guy smiles like that Jew from that exact meme! https://youtu.be/kxqDwN0ChqA?t=7
"Hey," an unwanted voice rang out.
I knew it — discussing this in the transport ship's mess hall was a bad idea. We both looked toward the speaker. A group with that thuggish look. Three tall men, of the "human" race, of "below average" intelligence, approached two Jedi. They looked standard for their "thug-idiot" class. Worn-out clothes, patched and re-patched. A belt with blasters. Short-cropped hair, though apparently the fleas had still managed to settle — not in their hair but right in their brains. And these guys clearly had some kind of vision dysfunction, because how else could they not see our lightsabers? Several individuals had tried to sit next to us, but they'd quickly noticed the sabers and decided there wasn't enough room here. But these guys... Complete idiots? Or just blind?
"We heard from our buddies that you folks have a valuable ship. That ain't right. How about handing it over to us folks in need? You xenos shouldn't give a damn anyway."
"And why is such a nobody flying to my Homeland?" I asked out loud.
"Damn it, larva," Lorm hissed. "You can't do that."
"Did I say that out loud?" I feigned surprise. "I apologize, I didn't mean to offend you."
"You're an idiot, larva," the mentor shook his head, drawing his lightsaber. "Who in their right mind apologizes for a compliment?"
"So the word 'nobody' is a compliment?" I asked the mentor.
"That's politics, my 'almost-student.' For some sentients that word is an insult to their dignity, but for this one," he nodded toward the group, "these... 'nobody' is a compliment!"
"Listen here, you—" the second man started, but was immediately cut off by the sound of a lightsaber activating.
"Listen to me, pup," the mentor began literally suppressing them with his aura. He pressed the light-blue cyan blade to the man's throat. "One move and you'll be without arms and legs. Or maybe," he lowered the saber, "should I cut off your manhood, huh? Or we can come to an agreement according to the Jedi Code. Diplomatically. I cut nothing off. And you take your friends and go screw off somewhere far away. Do we understand each other?"
"Y-yes," he breathed.
"Then get out of here before I throw you out the airlock," Lorm growled.
They vanished without a trace. If I didn't know they weren't Force-sensitives, I'd think they were under some enhancement.
"Quite the Jedi conversation. I can really feel the methodology."
"Let them piss off," Lorm spat, not even caring that the four women at the next table grimaced. "Or I'll gut those bastards and toss them out the airlock. And what the hell is security doing?"
"According to the data received," a robotic voice sounded, "you are ninety-seven percent likely to be a Jedi Knight. Therefore, the priority of your protection was lower, since individuals like you are capable of protecting themselves."
"Gave up your data, did you? Well, then hobble off. And what are you staring at?" he asked the other sentients.
Yeah. I got myself just an awful teacher, through and through! Not a cultured and diplomatic Jedi, but some back-alley thug.
"Alright, fine," the mentor turned to me. "Sit down and eat for now. After meditation, you need a little rest, especially after the one we just did."
"Yes, mentor."
"And warn your parents that you'll be arriving in the company of... Sephi, right," he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Your race is quite beautiful... What do your women look like?"
"What are you planning, mentor?" I asked.
"What's with the sharp tone?" he blinked. "We're heading to the Outer Rim, and I'd like to rest both body and soul. So I'm studying our future destination. Fools only care about saving the world; I want to enjoy myself too."
I've heard that phrase somewhere before. I just don't remember where.
"Anyway, I'm not going after your mother — I'm a responsible sentient. Only unmarried women and only by mutual consent. I heard you have a sister..."
"She's five years younger than me," I noted.
"We'll meet in about ten years, then," Lorm rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully.
"I'll castrate you by then, mentor," I said. "Much earlier, actually. And I'll cut out your tongue too. Who did they assign me as a mentor? I get it — the Force, knowledge, experience. But this mentor is completely useless! How long do I have to put up with him?"
"Oh, look at Mr. Big Shot here — beat a bunch of weaklings and now thinks he's the strongest. A truncated tournament doesn't show your skills, larva," Decer chuckled. "You don't even know jack about Dun Moch if you let yourself get destabilized like that. A worthless Jedi larva."
"Then maybe enlighten me," I said, cutting off a piece of steak — pretty watery stuff. Was it steamed? Was it even meat at all?
"Listen. Every word and action should express superiority — you know that already. But do you know how to use it? You should mock everything. Race, parents, origin, abilities. If you know a lot about your opponent, use that knowledge. Jedi always depend on their emotional state. No emotion — there is peace. If you knock a Jedi out of their emotional detachment, their connection to the Force can be disrupted. You're weak because you fall for it, and... you're weak because you can't do it yourself. Your pathetic character limits you. And do you know the worst part? It wasn't created by the Jedi Code — you created it yourself."
"My character..."
"Is rare garbage. You're a wimp," Lorm declared. "I've insulted you, many times. I've provoked you, and what did you do? You didn't even move — just kept making excuses. Only once did you manage to say something back, but you didn't even follow through. Your abilities, compared to your peers, are incredible. But you're ruining them with your worthlessness, your naivety, and your excessive kindness. Doubts and indecision eat at you, making you hesitate even about whether you should shut me up or not — and we're in the middle of a busy ship's mess hall, with everyone around hearing this about you."
"I..."
"You. Your excuses: 'But you're my Teacher, Knight! How could I think of fighting you over words!' But there's a limit to everything, larva. And you don't see that limit. But we'll fix that — we'll free your skills from the burden of your character's ignorance. By the time I finish your training, you'll either become better, or you'll die!"
* * *
The ship dropped out of hyperspace in the Sumitra Sector. It was a direct flight to Tustra. Generally, not many made it to Tustra. The Sephi were arrogant and didn't hesitate to show it. The moment two Jedi set foot on border control soil, we were let through without any questions and out of line. Everyone else would have to wait and carefully detail their reasons for coming here. After all, Tustra's status was "habitable world." Moreover, the Sephi Kings cultivated the idea that the other planets in the Sumitra Sector, which my race had successfully colonized, were used for trade and production, while the capital world played only the role of Capital. On the planet itself, only a couple of industrial complexes were located, producing clothing, food, or computers. Power stations were also here. Heavy industry — starships, weapons, speeders, and everything else — was produced on a specialized planet. Thus, Tustra was and remained a flowering paradise, a garden with green parks and blue lakes.
My fellow citizens were prospering — it was visible in their smiles, in their mood.
"Beautiful place," Lorm admired. "I've traversed half the galaxy in my search for Tulak Hord's holocron, but I've still seen very little. There are still planets that aren't spoiled by industry and waste."
We exited the spaceport, and Lorm Decer was literally staring. Though he pretended it wasn't a big deal for him.
"His Majesty is extremely protective of His Royal Domain," I noted, taking a deep breath of the air so familiar and dear to my Homeland. Tustra Prime — the star in whose orbit our planet orbited — shone warmly. As always...
Suddenly my gaze caught a familiar face. Him? Yes, according to messages, my father had promised to meet us — he'd taken time off work. He stood there, almost unchanged, except for the weariness frozen on his face. Probably my little sister — who else... My heart tightened strangely. I didn't have a sister, nor a brother. Though the caretaker at the orphanage where I grew up in my first life was young and naive — she believed we were all brothers and sisters to each other. But that's nonsense... Those bastards were never my brothers and sisters. My Clan is closer to me than those degenerates.
"Light!" my father exclaimed, raising his hand. The speeder was yellow and quite modern, a four-seater. Dennis quickly approached me. He was dressed in decent enough clothes. Closing the distance quickly, my father grabbed my right hand and began shaking it vigorously. His purple eyes ran over me. "Gods, how you've grown. You were just a little thing when you left for Coruscant, and now! My son is twelve! Though you wouldn't say so — you look all of fourteen! So much to discuss with you..."
"Hm..." came the mentor's cough, and my father turned a questioning gaze to him.
"Zabrak?" he asked.
"Dad," I called to him. "Allow me to introduce Knight Lorm Decer, Jedi Archaeologist, my teacher."
"Ah, yes," my father smiled, bowing slightly. "Jedi Master. Forgive my manners. I haven't seen my son in so many years."
"Nothing to worry about," Lorm smiled gently, making my eyes hurt. They hurt because my pupils had dilated too much. What the hell? "I'd... be lying if I said I 'understand,' since I don't have children. But I can roughly imagine what you're feeling — after all, your emotions are perfectly perceptible through the Force."
"The Force, yes," my father nodded. "Light, Mayla and everyone else are burning with anticipation. Your mother will prepare your favorite food. And it's time you met your little sister — she's already seven! And gods! What a wonderful child you were. Ziri is just a whirlwind! She's not sensitive to this Force of yours, and thank all the Gods for that! Otherwise, our house would have been reduced to rubble — something she's managing quite successfully even without the Force."
"Seriously?" I asked my father.
"You'll see for yourself," my father smiled. "Please, get in the speeder."
Little had changed on Tustra over the years. Truly, this was paradise. Not like that nearby Mandalore — those idiots are always hanging around there. Even after Kryze, who's a pacifist, takes over, it won't get better. If only because Mandalorians understand only the language of strength, not peace-loving shouts. No, you can shout about peace, but only after you've blown the heads off the most odious opponents first. Still, not for me to judge... The flight home took about twenty minutes — it was still located in the Palace Complex. And the house had improved — clearly they'd done renovations. The atmosphere outside, and as I later discovered, inside, had become richer.
At the threshold, my mother greeted me. And she was less ceremonial than my father. Mayla immediately embraced me, completely ignoring Lorm's gaze, who — miracle of miracles — decided to tactfully stay silent. Also present were my grandmother and Gadji. And there was also a little black-haired girl, dressed in a white, light sundress. Her black hair fell to her shoulders. She was laughing merrily, sitting in Gadji's arms. So this was...
"This is Ziri Flyingstar," my father said when Mayla had gone to the kitchen. "Ziri, say hello to your brother."
"Brother?" The girl turned her curious purple-eyed gaze to me. "Hmm... This is my brother, the Great Jedi?!" she squealed, nearly knocking me off my feet, earning a mocking snort from the mentor. "Tell me..."
And then it started. She bombarded me with all kinds of questions. First, she demanded to see the lightsaber. While we waited for "mother's finishing touches," I decided to spend time with Ziri — my... cute little sister. And no, I'm not a lolicon, and I couldn't stand some harem anime because of the premise where a brother has strange relations with his sister. Ziri hugged me about twenty times total. She looked at the lightsaber with admiration, even held it in her hands — though she didn't swing it around. Even a child understands that cutting off your own hand with such a "toy" isn't the best idea. Then, to her cheerful, gleeful laughter, I lifted her off the ground with the Force. The tension that had bound me when my mentor was nearby had disappeared somewhere. I was just talking with my family until my mother called us.
Over the years, Mayla Flyingstar's culinary skills had improved dramatically. The best gift for me was pizza — seemingly simple, just with sausage, but my mother's abilities had turned even pizza into a work of art. And Lorm Decer was a completely different person when in decent company. https://youtu.be/zCVfmrw2UjM?t=574 Suddenly the house door opened... Another figure slipped inside. It was a tall girl, half a head taller than me, with black, shiny hair. She was dressed in a purple sundress.
"Aunt Mayla, I brought you the documents..." The girl stopped in the passage between the hallway and the kitchen. Her regular features twisted into a strange grimace as her dark eyes examined me.
"Rivi," I recognized my friend's aura. My peer had grown quite a bit — the awkward figure of a girl was just beginning to form into the proper figure of a young woman. "It's been so long."
"Light!" she exclaimed. "You... You... Long time no see," she handed my mother some datachips. "Umm..."
"Join us," my mother nodded, pointing to an empty seat. "As you can see, Light has arrived with his mentor, Master Lorm Decer."
"I'm a Knight," Lorm corrected her. "Though most sentients call even Padawans Jedi Masters. Doesn't matter, I suppose."
The conversation stretched into the late night. We talked about absolutely everything. My father, Uncle Gadji, Lorm, and I formed a so-called men's circle and discussed politics, starships, weapons, and — at my father's prompting — droid construction. The women tried to chime in at first — they wanted to talk with me and Knight Lorm too — but eventually gave up, noticing that the men were pushing them aside intentionally, and formed their own circle.
* * *
"Wow, it's so late!" Rivi startled, looking at her watch. "Mom will be angry."
"Well, stay the night with us then," my mother suggested. "I'll talk to Viri — she won't mind."
"No," Rivi shook her head sharply. "Sorry, but I don't want to impose, Lady Mayla. I'll go home. I only need to walk two streets anyway."
"Then let Light walk you," Lorm Decer interjected.
"Walk her?" my father chuckled. "This is Tustra, not Coruscant. Crime here is so rare it's funny to even show statistics. Besides, we live in the palace distri— Ow!" my father grabbed the back of his head as my mother smacked it. "What for?"
"Of course Light will walk you, Rivi," Mayla smiled softly. "Right, Light?" she looked at me. "You never know. And you can't find a better protector than a Jedi. I imagine even His Majesty's Guard would think twice before tangling with a Jedi."
"That's right," the mentor noted.
"I'll walk you," I nodded, getting up from the couch.
I remember where Rivi lives — I've been to her house a couple of times. So walking her won't be hard. But why Decer suggested the idea, I have no idea. Should I ask?
"Y-yes?" Rivi turned her head toward me. "Y-you'll walk me? M-me?"
"Yes," I nodded. "And why are you blushing? What's the big deal? I'm just walking you to your doorstep — you never know."
"O-okay," the girl nodded. "Then let's go..."
She headed suspiciously quickly toward the exit, so much so that I had to catch up. When I did, I grabbed her hand, making her slow down a little.
"W-what are you doing?" Rivi asked me.
"That's my question," I noted. "Are you in a hurry?"
"Well... Yes! It's late! I want to go home! Walk me, since you... you of-offered..."
She fell silent, and I'd never really dealt with situations like this before. Actually, I don't know what to say. I hadn't seen Rivi in almost seven years. And what am I supposed to say to her? I don't know about her interests or what to talk about with an old friend. So I focused on moving meditation, probing the surroundings for threats... Yeah, a threat in the center of Tustra — funny joke. A five-year-old could walk safely here at midnight and nothing would happen to them. So this whole walking-Rivi-home idea is strange... Stupid, I'd say.
"So how is it at the Jedi Temple?" Rivi suddenly broke the silence, pulling me out of my meditative state. I wish you'd stayed quiet.
"I trained a lot, Rivi," I sighed. "Almost never rested. They taught us a lot. After becoming a Youngling, all children are sorted into Clans. Each age group is roughly sorted out. In my Clan group, there were four boys and three girls."
"Yes?" There was a strange sternness in Rivi's voice.
"That's right. A Wookiee and two humans, plus me — that's four boys. And among the girls: a Twi'lek, a Tholothian, and a Togruta," I explained. "We've all entered the age of becoming Padawans, and each of us will be taken by a teacher of at least Jedi Knight rank."
"Knight?" Rivi asked. "I thought that teacher of yours, Master Lorm, was so courteous — by the way, how does he manage that? — that he was a Master. Is there a difference between a Knight and a Master?"
"There is," I nodded. "A Jedi is considered a Master if they have trained at least one Knight. Or the rank is given for special merits. One of the two."
"So when you become a Knight, your mentor will become a Master," Rivi said.
"Right..."
"And you... You... Will you come here when you become a Knight? You left so abruptly after the kidnapping attempt, Light — I was scared. And now you're coming here as a... Padawan, right? Will you come here only when you're a Knight?"
"Maybe sooner," I smiled at Rivi as we reached her house.
"Sooner?" the girl asked.
"I got a headstrong Knight — who knows when I'll show up on Tustra again. Maybe he'll want to visit our planet again — after all, it's not just us who like it."
"That's true. I've been to Corulag with my father on family business — it's nowhere near Tustra. Everyone there is so worthless," the girl snorted.
"Best demonstration that home is better," I noted. "So don't worry, Rivi. I'll come here, and quite often. Someone has to walk you home," Force, what did I just blurt out?!
"Good," the girl turned to face me with a strange smile. "I'll be waiting — just don't forget to tell me about it, Light."
She hugged me and disappeared into her yard suspiciously quickly. And what was that all about? Anyway... Time to go back to my room and get some sleep — I'm too tired after today.