Evening meditation... I sat opposite my mentor, surrendered to the Force. More precisely, I was performing his idiotic control test, assembling a starship using a Lego constructor. With telekinesis... As my mentor told me: "Calm down. If only you knew what kind of tasks Teym gave me." As if I cared what that capricious Corellian was up to with him. In any case, even I, who has been practicing telekinesis for quite a long time and am one of the best practitioners among younglings, found this exercise to be strenuous. Force control is important primarily for combat.
According to Lorm himself, when you enter combat, no matter with whom, you hardly notice the expenditure of Force. And although we are not in a damned cultivation world and there is no specific Force volume, nor ranks assigned to this volume, the use of Force is exhausting. There are even energy-intensive techniques, after which you walk around like a squeezed lemon. What does control teach? Endurance. Roughly speaking, such small actions improve its level, allowing you to apply techniques during combat later, depleting yourself more slowly, and, as a consequence, using more powerful techniques.
It is these techniques that Lorm wanted to teach me, because, as an archaeologist, he had visited a huge number of ruins, studied different Orders of Force users. According to him, he even knows a weak version of pyrokinesis, fire control, but most importantly, he studied the method of physical enhancement of the Matukai. Although studying it through archaeological research sounds foolish. The Matukai are a quite established Order, existing to this day. Plus—he said he only knows part of their method. Lorm probably met a Matukai during his travels, and they had an "exchange of experience."
In any case, their method of body control interested me during my training at the Temple. I do not have the most physically developed body. Yes, compared to any sentient beings and some younglings in the Temple—I have developed myself quite well, but physical enhancement in my case still made a difference... Therefore, I was also looking for the Matukai method at the Temple itself, but our Force-user colleagues decided to preserve their uniqueness at the time and shared... Only a small part of their knowledge. They formed the basis of our hand-to-hand combat. And the Jedi enhancement is definitely inferior to that of the Matukai. Maybe I should find them myself later and ask them to teach me? Naturally, nothing is done so easily, but perhaps a new exchange of knowledge...
Sighing, I finished assembling the constructor.
"Well, well, well," Lorm's voice came. "This is more difficult than assembling a lightsaber, isn't it? In addition, you fuss over your weapon like it's the most beautiful woman in the Galaxy, taking it apart and reassembling it every morning, cleaning it, checking individual parts. Worthy of praise. You managed it now, well done. But this is just the beginning," Lorm cut off. "I will limit you by time, give you other tasks, and, of course, we will practice other Force techniques. You are my first student, but I think I need to teach you everything I know myself. I hope, however, that you will not do to me what those savage Sith did, who killed their own mentors after completing their training."
"That's what makes them savages," I snorted, adjusting my padawan braid. It really annoys me. I can't wait for them to cut it off. Just not like with Zane Kerrik's group—along with the head. "But you are studying one of them. Tulak Hord, it seems."
"Tulak Hord," the Zabrak smiled, "the Lord of Hate, known as the strongest duelist among the Sith. I've been studying him for only a couple of years. We Jedi hate the Sith and always oppose them, but the Sith themselves can't stand Jedi. A representative of each current can say many flattering things about their counterparts, but it's foolish to deny... You know what?"
"No," I shook my head.
"It's foolish to deny that part of what the Jedi have—is the legacy of the Sith, and vice versa. Throughout the millennia of Galactic history, we have cut each other to pieces, killed, tortured, tormented, and done everything else. But one cannot deny that we learned from each other. Tulak Hord was a Sith master of combat, an excellent duelist. He also knew that very style—Juyo, originally Sith, about which only Yoda has some idea. Tulak Hord understood lightsaber combat like no one before or after him. Just imagine what knowledge he can provide us. Let's ignore the Sith infusion; only the one who wields the weapon determines in whose name to wield it. Your dream, naive without his knowledge of combining Soresu and Ataru, and not only that. With his help, the entire Order can rise to a higher level."
"Yes, it sounds impressive," I agreed.
"And then," Lorm continued, "we will cease to be merely a pathetic appendage to the Senate."
"I don't think it will turn out that way, mentor," I interjected. "If you think about it, the Jedi already have the power to become better now, without Tulak Hord, without Sith knowledge."
"Explain," Lorm demanded sharply.
"Judge for yourself," I said. "We are an appendage to the Senate because we decided to be, we trapped ourselves, but even now we can change the Order's policy, implement appropriate reforms. And then we will develop, not stagnate. Knowledge of the greatness and power of the ancient Sith and Jedi, knowledge of their abilities, will help us little if we do not use them. You yourself said something similar: talent without training is nothing. The Force without use is also nothing."
"Hmm," Lorm mused, scratching his chin. "Quite possibly. I haven't thought much about it, lately just gathering knowledge, believing that only with it can all our troubles be solved. This needs to be..."
"Reflected upon?" I interjected.
"Meditated upon," Lorm Decer corrected me. "Yes. I need to meditate, because with such a consideration, it turns out I was looking at the problem one-sidedly! I, Lorm Decer, have always believed that I saw a lot, if not everything, and now it turns out I was only looking at one side of the coin? Foolish or not... Hmmm. Alright, that's my problem now, but you... Lich... No, my student, don't clutter your head with all sorts of nonsense for now. For now, you just need to learn and become stronger. Tell your parents I won't be having dinner. I need to put my body in order. And yes, tomorrow, closer to evening, we will most likely pick up your ship and leave. I'll give you the coordinates. Before flying on my research, I should give you some real training, and I know a couple of places where no one will bother us."
"I'm not letting you take the helm of my ship," I remarked. "You'll wreck it in the nearest asteroid field! And it cost so much!"
"As if I would!" Lorm exclaimed indignantly. "And anyway, what is this distrust of your own teacher, huh, student?"
"It's my ship, so I'll fly it."
After all, I fly pretty well on the simulator, and it should be the same in reality. Plus, I really need to get used to piloting the "Star Path." It's a beautiful ship, fast, stealthy, and if anything happens, it can even fend off pirates. What are seismic charges and medium blaster cannons worth?
"That's good," the teacher said, smiling unexpectedly. "You are already showing evolution, albeit partially. Well done!" He left the room so quickly that I didn't even have time to ask him what exactly I was showing.
Mom's dinner, when I found out I might be leaving tomorrow, became a hundred times tastier. Rivi, Grandma, and Gadji were even invited.
"And your mentor," Myla began, "he's not coming to dinner? Right, Light?"
"Well... how should I put it," I looked at Ziri and Rivi. If I could say it to the latter, then to a child? Mom understandingly moved closer. Oh well... "He went to rest his body, along with representatives of the oldest profession."
"I understand," Mother nodded. "It's not for me to judge him."
"What?" Father asked.
"I'll tell you everything later," Myla said. "And besides, if a sentient being doesn't want my food, well, that's fine, I'll survive."
"Indeed," Grandma nodded. "In our family, recipes for some dishes are always passed down. From generation to generation. So it's his problem if he doesn't try them. I think he couldn't care less about it from the highest tower of His Majesty Alaric's Palace."
"In any case, tomorrow we will go to the palace and pick up the 'Star Path' from the hangar," I said, sending a piece of steak into my mouth and continuing after chewing. "I'll also need an astromech droid."
"Don't worry about that," Father smiled. "I made an astromech droid from your sketch and presented it as my original idea to the patent office. It will even be put into production for a niche market. But the Palace, for His Majesty's ship park, has already ordered a trial batch. It's much faster than current droid versions, plus modern internals. For you, I made an improved model."
There was a dull thud. It seemed Mom's foot had bumped Dad's.
"And yes, Light, I almost forgot. Since you came up with this droid, I'll give you something else. An account at the Central Bank of Tustra, to which monthly, automatic payments will be made from the patent for the BB series droid."
"Mmm," I just drawled.
I wanted a custom astromech droid, and Father could have easily built and programmed one for me himself. But instead, he patented the design and colluded with a droid manufacturing company? Plus, he even managed to push through an order for the BB-8. *Author's Note: BB is written in Latin letters. This abbreviation is read as "Bee-Bee".* For the palace? The only one who, besides Din Djarin (the Mandalorian) and Ahsoka Tano, carried the new canon was precisely this droid, BB-8. After all, BB-8's personality is more substantial than the entire so-called "new generation." Rey is a useless Mary Sue and her character is only in name. Finn had a good start, but in the end, they decided to just discard his character development... Poe Dameron is something else, but still not quite right. As one reviewer said: "Some droids in Star Wars have more substantial characters than sentient beings."
"Regarding your order for the HK-47 droid," I perked up, though it sounds funny. Perking up ears for Sephi. How is that possible if they're already sharp? "Unfortunately, I couldn't find the materials for its creation," what materials? It's a combat droid. It needs durasteel. "And I didn't find the blueprints," Father apologized. "Although I read its history, the known part of it, and was slightly shocked. Light, where did you learn about this metal monster?"
"You can find anything on the HoloNet, Father," I excused myself, and screw it.
HK-47 also killed its masters until it fell into the hands of Meetra Surik. Although I know where it is. Mustafar, yes... But is it worth going there? HK could easily make some unplanned holes in me, and no Soresu would help. And I don't want to involve the teacher with it. Of course, once it was in the service of Revan himself, recognized as one of the greatest Jedi in the history of the Old Republic. It stood in the same rank as the Skywalker Clan, the so-called Arca Jeth, Yoda, Meetra Surik, and the Hero of Tython, truly, the last one's name is not preserved, but it is known that he was a man, a human, and all the events in the MMO are canon, as they are.
"Looking for information about a killer droid at a young age?" Father asked.
"I was looking for information about a protocol droid, and then it was the Will of the Force," and why am I justifying myself? Yes, I was looking. A little tweak to HK's motivator, and it would make a great guardian. Although, it seems the Separatists found it at the time and couldn't change its behavior.
"Alright," Gadji interrupted the discussion. "Besides, HK's help would be useful in your travels with your teacher. Although I wouldn't go looking for him unprepared."
"And Light's teacher is looking for some Hord," Ziri chimed in, it seems someone needs to have their tongue cut off! And their ears!
"Hord?" Mother asked. "And who is that?"
"Tulak Hord," Gadji explained. "He was a great Sith warrior of antiquity. For the glory of his Empire, he subjugated hundreds of planets to his will. The greatest warrior, the greatest commander. What?" he asked, catching my gaze. "The training of the Royal Guard includes studying great warriors, Sith, Jedi, Mandalorians, and others. And I always got the highest grade in history."
"Yes, I understood, I understood," I replied, emptying my glass.
"And isn't that dangerous?" Mother asked.
"It is dangerous," I answered honestly. "Tulak's Holocron is broken into a thousand pieces, and his legacy, besides the Holocron, has also scattered through the ages. But my mentor is an Archaeologist. So that's the point, that we'll be flying to different planets and studying all sorts of ruins."
"Ruins?" Ziri asked.
"Remains of different civilizations," Rivi explained. "Archaeologists study history."
"History?" Ziri asked. "Is that the boring stuff they teach us? Where they tell us how everything was before."
"What?" Grandma asked, piercing Ziri with her gaze. "You don't understand the importance of history?"
"Why is it needed?" the girl asked. "It's long gone! Am I right? What's important is what's happening now, right?"
"No," everyone present shook their heads sharply.
"History is needed so we don't repeat the mistakes of our ancestors," I said importantly. "That's its essence. By understanding how they lived, by finding their legacy, we will understand what mistakes they made."
"And not only that," Father interjected. "Comparing the technologies of our ancestors with the current ones allows us to find the pros and cons of technologies. To understand in which direction it is worth moving, and in which not."
"And this is only part of the importance of history, young lady," Grandma said sternly. "I cannot allow my granddaughter to know little about the history of our great people, and not only theirs, but the entire Galaxy. His Majesty's Ideal Maid is not some cleaner in a cafe or restaurant. She is a woman who is well-versed in many disciplines. Such are the traditions, the legacy—here Ziri is caught. I know how Grandma can even knock sense into you with basic etiquette. "And I will not let you disgrace us! From tomorrow, young lady, I will monitor your upbringing much more carefully."
"There you go..."
"Do you dare to object?" Grandma asked. Even without the Force, she suppressed the girl. "Your objections do not interest me. And if you act up, you will experience firsthand all the charms of my father's upbringing. Remember, Gadji?"
"How could I forget," Uncle literally turned pale. "I remember it, I remember every lash of his belt on my backside. Sometimes I think some people lack it," he looked at the dejected Ziri.
"You have Light, beat him!" the sister exclaimed.
"I will resist," I replied seriously. "Because I have no faults."
"It's a serious situation," Uncle said. "He'll take out a couple of guards in a couple of seconds. Besides, he is indeed well-mannered, and as for you, Ziri, we don't even need to look for a reason."
"Heh-heh-heh," Rivi's chuckle was heard. Everyone looked at her, so she coughed and mumbled something as an apology. "Sorry, my imagination just ran wild a bit."
"Don't get lost in the clouds," Myla said instructively.
"Alright," Father got up from the table. "My dear, thank you for dinner, everything is, as always, the best. And now, Light, let's go downstairs, I'll show you your BB model."
I, having also finished my portion and even dessert, quickly got up from the table. Ziri tried to follow us, but was stopped by a slightly annoyed Grandma. Rivi said goodbye to all of us, refusing to wait for me to be free, and went home herself this time. On the other hand, it's still light. Among other things, Father gave me a personalized credit chip, with a linked account, to which money for the droid model comes.
"So," Father's workshop, where we went down, had changed slightly. The equipment was newer, more modern. And at the workbench, to which a computer was also connected, was a deactivated BB droid, painted green. Father approached the droid and activated it. A welcome trill in binary sounded. "This model is called BB-7. It's the seventh model, it not only launched successfully but also functions perfectly. The internals are the most modern, plus I added something of my own. A stun gun," the droid extended a discharger, "Improved jet engines, they are in every serial model, in this one I put something 'cooler'. And most importantly, what I think might be useful to you as a Jedi someday is an improved program for hacking computer systems," meaning it can successfully cosplay R2D2, who hacked so many things in his entire great life. "Naturally, in about ten years, it can be updated. So drop by, Light, even for such a trivial reason. Well, and I'll give you the manual so that you can fix it yourself if anything happens. Did you hear that, BB-7?" he asked the droid. "This is your new master, Light Flaingstar. My son. He is the very creator I told you about, because he sketched your model."
"Beep-boop?" something was said in binary by the astromech.
"Yes. And, Light, learn binary language to understand what he's saying," Father smiled. "And he likes to talk."
"Biuip! Beep-dip, vrip!" the droid emitted a joyful trill and began to circle around me.
"Now he's happy to see you, how should I put it. BB-7 has the personality manifest of a loyal dog, in other words, having learned that you are its main creator and destined master, it is genuinely happy to see you. I also took him to your ship, so he is perfectly synchronized with it," Father remarked.
"I'd rather study Mech-deru," I said. "A Force technique that grants technopathy, which will allow me to understand technology on a new level."
"You can do that too," Father said in a shocked voice.
"That's right, Force techniques come easily to me, so I'll soon be able to understand this little one," I stroked the droid's "head," causing it to emit another trill, clearly joyful.
"Well," Father gestured invitingly to the sofa, "That's good. Well, now: let's talk like father and son, right? Come on, tell me about your life. I, as a man, know there are things you definitely won't tell your mother. Have you found a girl in your Temple yet? You can tell me."
"Jedi are forbidden to have such connections," I replied to my father.
"You don't say?" Father asked. "I know about that, but your master didn't hesitate to ask me about pleasure houses. I used to go there often before I married your mother. So don't delay with this, son, don't keep it in. Constant relationships are indeed forbidden for you, but you need to know how to relieve tension. And it would be better if you relieved it the good old-fashioned way."
"I'll think about it..."
"Don't pout, I wish you well," yeah, he does. I have a cute face, any woman looks at me strangely. But do I need it now? In the future? No, it only brings problems, even an unstable connection.
"Alright. Let's continue the conversation..."
An exhausting experience, to be honest...
"Would you like to sell me this ship?" Alaric asked me himself.
Lorm Decer, standing behind him, tensed up, and through the faint echoes of the Force, I felt something like "say something stupid and I'll bury you." We were in a huge hangar where the Royal Ships were kept. Yachts, fighters, and even one cruiser, according to the Anaksian system, stood gathering dust in a corner.
"One hundred million credits," the King smiled. "Think carefully, the ship is magnificent."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but you yourself gave me this ship as a gift..."
"And that was the right decision," the King smiled. "Because everything has its price, but there are truly priceless things that are shameful to sell. Although you are not very familiar with this ship, you received it as a gift, consider it deserved, and it suits you perfectly. Take care of it. I came to see off such a wonderful ship on its journey and you, Light. Because I remember you as a very small child, so serious, going to Coruscant. I want to assure you, I have always valued Jedi, especially Grand Master Yoda. And the fact that among the Force-sensitives there are Gifted ones who later become Jedi fills my heart with great joy."
"We are pleased by your words, Your Majesty," the Zabrak's voice was heard. Strange, one of the King's guard officers is looking at him strangely. And that bruise under his right eye, which he tried to cover up today... Wait, don't tell me he didn't make it to the brothel and tried to hit on an officer? "However, no matter how excellent the hospitality of your beautiful planet, it is time for us to fly. Jedi affairs cannot wait."
"You will always be welcome on our planet, Light, Lorm," the King smiled at him. "Especially Officer Dizzy," he said this to the mentor almost inaudibly as he passed the King.
"For the sake of your God of Wind, Your Majesty, do not mention that... beautiful woman to me again... Khm," he glanced at the brunette, who stood with her arms crossed. The mentor took me by the hand and led me inside the "Star Path." "Start your starship and let's get away from this planet. Especially from this woman!" Lorm demanded. "Where has it ever been heard that I, Lorm Decer, a student of Teym Cerullian, one of the greatest Jedi archaeologists, would 'take responsibility'!"
"Mentor?" I looked at him questioningly. It's good that this time I was allowed to say goodbye to my friend—Rivi. She even brought a couple of older children from our group. A few minutes, but we reminisced... about youth.
"What audacity!" Lorm exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" he asked me. "Why haven't you started the engines? The ramp is already closed!"
"Well, the captain's bridge is on the second floor, you said you read the ship's documentation," I remarked.
" Uhhh, I probably read it. Alright, let's go!" he led me to the elevator, which took us to the control panel. I sat in the pilot's seat, quite comfortable. Father told me they had slightly changed the furniture; the mercenary who came for me then was somewhat ascetic. Now the furniture looked more presentable.
I pressed the buttons for power, engines, and other ship systems in sequence.
"BB-7, I need a status report..."
"Biu-biwip," the droid replied. "Biwip, viw, bip."
"Display it on the screen," I asked.
"He said everything is ready. Fuel, arsenal, ship systems—everything is ready for flight. The next technique we will study is Mech-deru," the teacher replied, ceasing his indignation.
"Alright," I pressed the last switch, starting the ship.
It shuddered slightly, and then lifted off from the palace's landing platform. I connected the autopilot, and the ship received the flight path from Air Traffic Control. A corridor was organized for us. The ship smoothly flew along the path. Once in space, I allowed myself to admire the stars a bit before entering Lorm's coordinates into the navigation computer.
"It's a four-day flight there, mentor," I reported.
"Fast, although it has a good hyperdrive," Lorm grunted. "Alright, switch to hyperspace. You have four days, we'll train."
"Yes, sir, mentor," I reported, glancing at the system data. Unknown regions, the planet was discovered by Lorm Decer himself a couple of years ago. Jungle. Apparently for training. I pressed the lever and activated the hyperspace system... Well, now life will become... more fun? Back then, I didn't even know how much worse...