A Smuggler Turned Jedi [Michael Sardun]

[Arkyn Rane]

-- Tython; Jedi Temple​

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I'd never before been so appreciative of my lack of pride. Yeah, I felt some kind of way when people spoke ill of droids I'd designed, or ships I'd modified, but when faced with kids as young as six who knew more of the Force and the Jedi way than I did, I only felt grateful that they were willing to help me at all. People on the Outer Rim -- even kids -- weren't so nice and helpful as the Jedi younglings. And they were easily impressed; I spent most mornings during breakfast hours regaling them with tales of life on the Outer Rim, of outrunning pirates and outsmarting Hutts. They even enjoyed the more far-fetched tales, and never once called me for some obvious lies -- how couldn't I love the little brats?

But, after a scant few months of studying and meditating and studying and meditating, the Jedi Master who'd showed me how to use a lightsaber. a Mon Calamari called "Garai", judged me ready to begin my apprenticeship under a true Jedi. According to him, my connection to the Force belied my ignorance, and the trials of my life -- the death of my father, my enslavement and subsequent piracy and smuggling, escaping the bonds of addiction -- had prepared me for the rigors of Jedi training. I had a strong sense of justice and a stronger sense of self, and if Jedi Master Garai thought I was ready, then it had to be true, right?

To that end, I found myself standing idly outside the Jedi Temple, observing the everyday hustle and bustle. Something had compelled me to come here, and I felt that soon, I'd know why.

@[member="Michael Sardun"]​

 

[Arage Bao]

Michael was pacing in his room, a bit anxious on his current assignment. Master Garai had deemed him ready to take on a Padawan on his own. It seemed so long ago that he first arrived in the Jedi Temple and had meditated with Master Fabula. And now he was a Jedi Knight, responsible for the safety of the Galaxy, about to train a Padawan himself.

Standing by the window he could clearly see his future Padawan, deciding it would be good to finally meet him in person Michael left his room and headed to the Jedi Temple Entrance.

@[member="Kale Arkin"]

 

[Arkyn Rane]

Tired of standing, I moseyed over to the steps leading into the temple and took a seat on the top stair, off to the side so as not to be in the way of the comers and goers. There was something nice about Tython, something subtle yet profound, that I couldn't quite put into words. There was a unique quietness to everything -- it made it easy to connect to the Force, as easy as flipping a switch, in some cases.

I did just that, and felt my awareness expand. Sights, smells, sounds... each was a brushstroke on the canvas of life, painting a picture so vivid I could reach out and grab it.

Someone was walking up behind me. Someone who might've been my tutor in the ways of the Force. I didn't react, waiting to see if my instincts were correct. I had to entertain myself some kind of way. Testing the limits of my burgeoning Force Sense was just one of those ways.

@[member="Michael Sardun"]​

 

[Arage Bao]

Michael could feel how the lad was prancing about in the Force, grasping everything in his reach. Trying to establish a connection. He shook his head and suppressed a smile. He remembered the first time he opened his mind to the outside world. The wonder and amazement that filled him. It was a wonderful thing, the Force. But it should be handled with care. It was definitely not a trivial matter and toying with it without experience could be dangerous.

He had heard tales of people, so enveloped in the Force. They had forgotten to eat or to drink. Or they became distracted in a fight and lost their lives because of it. Yes, his new padawan would have to learn to respect the power of the Force.

Coming up closely, it was clear his student had already detected him. But instead of standing up and greet him. He had decided to wait and test out if his force enhanced instincts were right.

Again, the stern young man had to smile at his students eagerness. But sadly he could not show him his amusement. Michael had to step up and become the lad's Master. And sometimes Masters had to do the hard things. Call it though love.

Michael drafted the Force. Pulling it into him, until it felt that he was about to burst of all the power. Then he used it. Meaning to push the lad from the stairs into the mud. Oh he would be mad at his new Teacher. But this was only the first lesson in humility he would get.

Wiping the smirk of his face the young Jedi Knight regarded his new Student. Everyone needed to learn humility sometime..

@[member="Kale Arkin"]

 

[Arkyn Rane]

There I was, minding my own business, waiting for my teacher, who I was sure was walking up behind me; at least, that's the inkling I got from the Force...

When something shoved me in the back, off the top of the stairs! I tucked into a ball instinctively, saving myself from a few broken bones -- that said nothing of the bruises I felt forming as I bounced down the steps, landing flat on my back, in a shallow pool of mud of all things. Eh, the mud was better than landing on solid ground. That would've hurt even worse.

"Pushee wumpah skocha-kloonkee!!! What's your karking problem?!" I wiped mud away from my face so the perpetrator -- a young man who looked to be about my age -- could better see my scowl. My back was hurting something fierce, and I was pretty sure I'd bruised a rib or two. "Chuba doompa kung," I grumbled, pulling myself out of the muck. I was positively filthy, not to mention hurt, and angry, and confused --

And here I was thinking the Jedi were all roses, daisies and sunshine. Seemed like some of them were asshats too. I really hoped this guy wasn't my teacher. How had Master Garai said to deal with anger? Deep breaths and positive thoughts. Trust the Force.

That wasn't too hard. Not any harder than building a hypermatter engine, or converting a training saber into a localized EMP, anyway. Considering some of the shavit I'd had to deal with, this was nothing. I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, reaching again for the Force. Just like before, it was as easy as pie; uncomplicated, simple, instinctive. I let my anger fade away with each breath... but I was still annoyed. Who went around pushing people off of stairs?

@[member="Michael Sardun"]​

_______________________________​

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Pushee wumpah skocha-kloonkee - Watch out, exhaust for brains!
Chuba doompa kung - you low-down scum!

 

[Arage Bao]

It was hard for Michael to suppress his amusement, the young man in front of him was clearly of his age. But it did not feel that way. Again he was channeling the Force, to ease his mind. The lad was angry at him, which was understandable. But Michael had not expected him to react that furiously, maybe he had overdone it a bit?

"The first lesson is this. Never rely on the Force only. Always verify what you feel, because there are ways to deceive your Force Sense. Just as there are ways to deceive your eyes. Never assume anything, that can be your death in the field of battle."

Even with his explanation, Michael felt a bit bad about his lesson. He might have been too harsh on the boy. Instead of telling him though, he just reached out with the Force and showed him. At the same time he lent him a bit of his strength to aid him in his healing.

Then he gestured his padawan to follow him.

"As I understand it you have been living in the Temple for some time now. Now that you are a Jedi Padawan, you will be given new quarters. Be warned though, Jedi look down upon material possession. The only thing you need is your lightsaber and your robes. Any questions?"

@[member="Kale Arkin"]

 

[Arkyn Rane]

"The first lesson is this. Never rely on the Force only. Always verify what you feel, because there are ways to deceive your Force Sense. Just as there are ways to deceive your eyes. Never assume anything, that can be your death in the field of battle." ​

​

"Right." I didn't mention that I had been sitting on the steps at a Jedi academy! Field of battle my ass -- I was a spacer, not some wet-behind-the-ears Jedi youngling. I'd been on my fair share of fields, and my instincts had never let me down. Except for now, I thought to myself. My instincts had told me I could trust the guy walking up behind me, but that turned into a mistake. I also didn't mention that if someone could deceive my Force sense, then they could also deceive my eyes, ears, and nose -- those were the senses you had to be wary of.

Still, he seemed pretty contrite about pushing me off the steps. Not that he actually verbally apologized, but I figured showing me his feelings in the Force counted well enough. He even loaned me some energy to heal up my bruises.

"As I understand it you have been living in the Temple for some time now. Now that you are a Jedi Padawan, you will be given new quarters. Be warned though, Jedi look down upon material possession. The only thing you need is your lightsaber and your robes. Any questions?"​

​

"Not so much a question as a statement: I'm not giving up my ship, or my droids. They're just as necessary as a lightsaber -- more so, even, because you can't fly a lightsaber, nor can it reprogram rogue assassin droids and fix overheated hyperdrives."

@[member="Michael Sardun"]​