Anticipation of Battle [Mantic Dorn]

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Mantic Dorn"] |

Ella Nova was stood within the Republic Enclave on Yutan. Hands held within either sleeve, with her arms resting along her stomach, the Jedi Knight wore the traditional robes of the Jedi. They were the same robes that she had been given the day that she had crash landed on Yutan following her escape from the Black Pyramid on Coruscant. It had been Jedi Master Mantic Dorn who had given her the robes she wore now, having lost the original set she had been given the day she had become Sochi Ru's Padawan learner.

It was precisely Ella's robes that was the reason why she and Mantic were meeting that day. They hadn't spoken much since he had recovered her following the successful dominion of Yutan. He had been busy founding the Enclave on Yutan, built for the Force-sensitives who still served the Galactic Republic and it's democracy. Ella had been away in a time of seclusion, requiring the time to recover from her time in the bowels of the Black Pyramid.

But battle was set to bring the Jedi Knight back into the fold. The One Sith were on the move and they were set to apply the finishing blow on the Galactic Republic. Intelligence suggested that the Togoria system was their next target. If Togoria was lost, then the Republic would lose it's connection to it's territories north of Yutan. It would be a catastrophic loss for the Republic, resulting in the end of the war. The Republic would lose and the One Sith would be free to rule the Galaxy, unopposed by the forces of good no longer.

Ella had contacted Mantic to come to the Republic Force Enclave to help her prepare for the battle. She required armour, something akin to that of a Jedi Guardian, that would give her protection that her current garments could not do. Waiting in the enclaves entrance, Ella took a deep breath as she waited for Mantic to arrive.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

These were busy days indeed and the Republic Knights along with the newly formed string of force academies opening up across Republic space had kept Mantic very busy.

But things were coming together and the future held hope, nothing was certain but the lingering of a shred of hope was enough to keep them all going.

The message from [member="Ella Nova"] was another add to Mantics personal hopes. She was a true and stable Jedi Kmight and she had chosen to stay with the Republic Knights. It had not been something to take for granted at all but her she was.

Moving through the temple there was still much to do in here but it did offer a roof an simple acoomondations for the jedi within. It would do for now.
Taking a fast paced march through the temple he found her at the entrance and he gave off a broad smile, halted about two meters away from her and offered a bow.

"Ella, it is good to see you here again. Its not much but we are at least starting something." He greeted.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Mantic Dorn"] |

Ella gave Mantic a light smile as she turned to face the Jedi Master. "We find ourselves in another generation of Jedi who are tasked with defending the liberty of the Republic. Like the generations before us who found themselves in the same precarious situation, we will emerge victorious over the Sith. The Force wills it."

Her smile faltered, then her face relaxed as she turned to walk alongside the Jedi Master. "The battle for Togoria looms over ourselves and we must prepare for it's defence. We both know that it will come down to the individual battles between us and the Sith that will determine it's fate."

"During the Battle of Contruum, I found myself against two Sith. They tried to attack me where I was exposed, such as the back or drawing my lightsaber one way to attack the other. If I had armour, I wouldn't have been that exposed by their attacks. That is what I have asked for you to join me, so that we can build a set of armour for me to wear when the One Sith attack Togoria, so that the same circumstances I found myself on Contruum are not replicated again."

In anticipation of their meeting, Ella had researched a great number of armours and materials that would best suit her and her fighting style. She was limited to basic slashes, stabs and cuts as dictated by Shii-cho. As she discovered on Contruum, the more advanced styles, such as Makashi, made her vulnerable. The armour that she would construct with Mantic would remove that vulnerability.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

Mantic nodded along as [member="Ella Nova"] gave the formal yet reassuring response to his greeting. It was a comfort to walk alongside a jedi with the same devotion and persistance as himself. He knew very well that his intentions to remain and promote the jedi to first and foremost serve democracy was not well liked, but he recognized that few openly contested it anylonger.

"We must of course prevail or the darkness will succum all." He replied to her opening phrace.

Then he settled in with listening to her reasoning around the new armor she had an idea around.

"I myself use a heavy armor on the field of battle." He added to ensure that she knew he was not wearing normal robes when heading into battle.

"But I suspect that you have something more personal in mind, yes?"

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Mantic Dorn"] |

"Yes, I have. In my research, I have discovered different types of armour. I first looked into the history of the Jedi, learning about the different armours that the Jedi have worn during battle. Then I looked into other types, such as Armorweaves and the different materials, such as durasteel. Ideally, I would like it to have been made out of Phrik or Cortosis but given their rarity, it would be impossible for us to get hold of them."

"I have also learned that materials can be imbued with the Force, so that the user's Force powers can be more powerful when worn. My idea is that my armour will be a traditional Jedi armour, with the extra upgrade of a Powersuit and imbued with Force energy to make my powers stronger in combat."

They entered a room that Ella had prepared earlier. Different materials and parts were lain for both Jedi to use in the creation of the armour. Arsix rolled forward with a welcoming beep to Mantic as they both entered. "I'm sure you remember Arsix?" Ella said, patting the droid affectionately before walking forward to begin the work.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

The mentioning of a coming war was sadly a common news for the Republic these days and Mantic found himself barely flinching as they kept talking about it. All Republican Knights had seen battle many times, and too many had fallen either in combat or ahving allowed the darkness to swallow them.

Yet, one of the greatest hardships were the many losses they kept facing and as [member="Ella Nova"] continued to talk about her armor Mantic saw a skilled and long term commited jedi before him. He would gladly help her.

"Hello Arsix," he spoke casually as they passed the droid. "Yes, it is good to see you again too."

Looking around the room Mantic and nodded to himself.

"I can see you have been busy."

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Mantic Dorn"] |

"Yeah. With Arsix's help, I managed to get in touch with the few allies the Republic has left. They are mostly broken pieces of Powersuits, Armorweaves, breast plates and legs but I think that we could piece together something that would be a complete set."

Ella gestured for Mantic to follow her to the nearby table. Set before them were several pieces. What used to be a Powersuit was lain beside several breast plates and legs. Each piece showed signs of damage and battle, with most of them useless. It was the pieces that could be used that was the most important.

Striking up conversation as she begun to craft her armour, Ella lifted her gaze to Mantic. "I never thanked you for saving me. By the way, how goes your dealings with the enclave? I've yet to meet any of them."

 

[Mantic Dorn]

The pieces of armor would do just fine for her purpose. These were parts that had seen battle and held them in memory. To imbue it with the force would be proper to honoer its former wearer. It was a silly notion perhaps but one Mantic felt appropriate at the time being.

"The Senate has tasked us to aid in instructing force sensitive across Republic worlds." Mantic began to reply.

"At first I was not fond of the idea, but as things have progressed I can see the necessity of helping all force users to harness the light side, not only jedi. In a perfect world everyone would have been jedi and the problem would have been solved though, but we do not live in perfect times..." He smirked at the irony.

"I will remember to summon you to our next gathering, I am actually rather proud of them all. It is not without risk one join the Republic Knights, and we both know there are options."

[member="Ella Nova"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Mantic Dorn"] |

"To devote yourself to the Jedi code and the mandate required of a Jedi is a sacrifice that few are able to make," Ella replied, as she begun to take apart the remnants of the Powersuit, cataloging the pieces that could be used to craft her Jedi armour. "It is understandable. The people that come to this enclave, to learn more about their powers, must find the prospect of becoming a Jedi daunting. But even if a few could be persuaded to embrace the code, then the Republic would be better for it."

Pausing, Ella lifted her gaze to Mantic. "I admit it. At times, I have found myself angered by the Jedi. It begun after the Battle of Coruscant, when the Silver Jedi were founded. And recently with Ryan Korr and the Jedi that left to form the Galactic Alliance. They abandoned democracy and left it to be destroyed by the One Sith. I am confident that the situation wouldn't be the way it is if they had not left."

Frowning, Ella lowered her gaze back to the pieces, continuing it's construction. She would utilize the Armourweave in the same way she wore her robes and it would be connected to the armour beneath. The pieces of the Powersuit would give the armour the same function, giving it the ability to survive in certain environments and able to take a blaster bolt, should Ella ever find herself shot.

But the style would be in the traditional style of Jedi armour, coloured white beneath the brown cloak that would be the Armourweave. She would be nearly impervious to her future opponents. A symbol for the Galactic Republic, in it's plight against it's enemies.

 

[Mantic Dorn]

Listening intently on what [member="Ella Nova"] tried to communicste Mantic produced a small pouch from his own satchel. It was a small bundle that appeared very well used but also neatly kept.

From it he lifted a needle and a thread along with a small patch.

Without never leaving her or her armor with his eyes nimble fingers started to work. There was no question that what Ella was watching was no less then a master sowman. Apart from honing his lightsaber skills sowing was Mantics prime skill.

To that Ella would feel a shift in the force, first merely a small and gentle breeze. Within a few seconds it grew and evolved. Mantic was opening the full capacity of a jedi master as he poured down his warmth and peace of mind into his work.

"I recognize your feelings, and I concur in that it was wrong of them to leave the Republic when it needed them the most." the soft breeze was now a strong wind blowing into the patch and the pattern he was creating.

"It is not right for a jedi to abandon something that clearly need guidance. Nor is it right to blame those that fails to ser this. It was not the Galactic Alliance or the Silver that failed. It is to be considered a victory for the dark side. Our schism is what gives the darkness its room to breath."

Carefully the fast fingers started to slow down.

"We are easily subject to dark thoughts [member="Ella Nova"] - it is no secret that your feelings are not unique among the Republic Knights. But we must not let it steer our hearts, nor give in to spite for our former sisters and brothers in the other orders."

As if Mantics full warmth and love could fly it wrapped itself into the patch and then the force calmed down.

"Let me give you this as a gift dear friend." He held out the patch. "If I may sow it into your armorweave, above your heart."

Mantic hoped it would strebgthen the wesrers sbility to remsin calm and at peace at times when hate and vengeance poked for attention in the heat of battle.

The patch resting in Mantics hand had now a tiny symbol engraved in it. The symbol of the jedi order.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Mantic Dorn"] |

Ella took the insignia of the Jedi Order into her hand. "Thank you, Mantic. May the Force be with you on Togoria. May the Force be with us all."

Hours had passed since Mantic had left Ella to her work. The symbol that the Jedi Master had crafted, with all his love and power in the Force, was the last piece to the armour that she was crafting. The combined abilities of a Powesuit was joined with the traditional style of Jedi armour. With her breastplate and legs made out of durasteel, painted in white and coloured with the symbol of the Galactic Republic above the left breast in blue, all that was required was for Ella to add the last piece.

The armourweave that made her cloak, which would hang from the shoulder guards on the armour itself, was brown in colour to symbolize the traditional robes of the Jedi; and on it's back Ella sowed the insignia that Mantic had given her, when they had discussed the upcoming battle and the state of the Jedi.

Wiping her brow, Ella stepped back to observe the armour as it hung on a mannequin. She was satisfied with her work. She could only hope that it would help to change the tide of the next upcoming battle with the One Sith. Leaving the piece behind, the Jedi Knight left to meditate. She would need to be in control of her emotions, upon her next fight with her enemies.

FIN