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| - Ten minutes later, I was marching in cadence along the perimeter of the courtyard, helmet firmly secure and all of my armor's systems activated. Part of me had thought that Master Vrook might just forbid its use, but he hadn't, and that selfsame part thought that perhaps the only reason for this was that he had been unaware of what a Marine's helmet allowed her to see and do. It was really a wonderful contraption; aside from sealing my armor and making it vac-rated, its visor contained a heads-up display that tracked movement, low-light and thermal vision modes, as well as an auto-polarizer and sound-dampener that negated the effects of flashbang grenades. It also had an internal comlink/loudspeaker as well as small reservoirs of pure water and nutrient paste, and it could crack open a humanoid skull like an overripe breadfruit. Musing to myself about what it would be like to fend off meter-high insectoid creatures, unarmed, in full Republic Marine battle armor, I began hiking toward the cave. I knew that the outer edge of the Sandral estate was at least five klicks from the enclave's perimeter, and that the cavern's entrance was on the far side. This amounted to roughly eight kilometers of walking, but I was so used to making such trots that I didn't even feel winded as I set off at double-time toward my objective. I didn't even have to call upon the Force to sustain or refresh myself, and that very fact made me feel even more confident. Though I now considered myself a Jedi, as the run progressed, I felt my roots as a Marine taking hold, as though my inner soldier was finally waking up after a very long nap. As I approached to within sight of the cavern entrance, I slowed to normal marching speed, took a bite of nutrient paste and a sip of water, and closed the distance as I prepared myself for what lurked inside. Deciding then and there that I was going to do this right despite my earlier bravado, I used my helmet's tongue-switches to flick off all of its enhancements and extra features. Almost immediately, and even through several meters of stone, I could pick up the diffuse auras of the kinrath that lurked closest to the cave mouth. Tapping into the currents of the Force, I used it to deaden my footsteps and the clinking of my armor, as well as my scent, hoping to make it as far down the subterranean crevasse as possible before the creatures inevitably picked up on my presence. My armor proved to be an asset in doing this, as its vac-seals prevented my own body's odor from leaking out. Now I just have to get in there, I mused as I crossed the threshold. Several meters in, the cave made a sharp bend to the left, which I followed, plunging into darkness after several more paces. With the help of the Force, I could make out the uneven terrain of the cavern floor, which was studded here and there with small stalagmites. The walls, however, were unnaturally smooth; this I chalked up to the local fauna maintaining their habitat. Working my way still deeper, I picked up the auras of still more of the creatures, which surrounded them in a barely-discernible halo that matched the color of their skin. As I worked my way toward a T-junction, I caught the sense and sound of a cluster of the little beasties as they made their way through the long axis of the cavern, from my right to my left. Crouching behind a boulder lodged between the wall and the floor, I sensed rather than watched them as they passed, realizing as they did so that I didn't have a clue where I was going. Not wanting to be stuck wandering aimlessly for hours, I extended my awareness, backtracking the route that the insectoids had taken up to the next-closest branch point. Here I stopped to center myself, seeking out which passage felt “right.” The left fork, I thought to myself as I resumed my trek, turning right at the junction and proceeding with caution, my senses prepared. Taking the indicated fork after walking several dozen meters deeper, I caught the barest hint of a glow at the end of the passageway. Wondering what could possibly be emitting such light this far underground, I crept forward in a crouch-walk, taking extra care to minimize noise. After another ten meters or so, the back of my neck began to tingle; closing my eyes, I could sense that at least a dozen life forms of various sizes awaited me at the source of the diffuse illumination. This is going to get ugly, I ground out as I crept ever closer. Finally, I reached the bend in the cavern, and the light source became readily apparent. Miniature mountains of crystalline formations lined the walls and floor of this chamber, with more poking out of a central column that had formed at the center. As I took this in, a chitinous rattling met my ears, which was interrupted by the screeching of several insectoids. In the wake of the apparent battle-cry, the dozen kinrath surged toward me, the nearest one leaping at me as it came to within striking distance. Reacting on pure instinct, I rolled to my left, lashing out with a wall of Force-energy that deflected the flying creature, sending it careening into a cluster of rocks. As the rest of its fellows joined the fray, I charged, jumping over the wave of kinrath; kicking out as I landed, I sent another tumbling off into the darkness behind me. Before the swarm could regroup and come at me again, I sprinted into the chamber itself, surging my awareness into the mounds of crystals, which, to my amazement, echoed back with their own senses. Wasting as little time as possible, I let the Force guide my hand as I felt for the most natural-feeling crystal, finally finding one that seemed to glow with an inner blue light. Taking care though I knew I didn't have much time, I extracted it, tucked it into a pouch in my utility belt, and began to assess my exit options. I had barely begun to formulate a tactical plan when the first of the remaining kinrath was upon me, its fifth limb, tipped with a vicious-looking fang, smashing for all it was worth against my breastplate. Grunting with the effort, I pulled the creature off me, sending it skidding into a cluster of its mates with a shove from the Force. Tapping into its currents once again, I executed a Force-enhanced backflip to regain my footing, then charged once again toward the oncoming horde. Another insectoid leaped up at me as I attempted to once again jump over their line of attack, but I met it with a full-force headbutt that connected with a sickening crunch. The beast fell limply as I landed, using my momentum to tuck into a shoulder roll to put more distance between me and the swarm. Without looking back, I ran full-tilt back the way I had come, pouring on the Force-coal as more kinrath joined in the pursuit. Barely a few moments later I was dashing out into exquisite daylight, leaving the few insectoids that that tried to jump me at the cavern mouth far behind. I was three quarters across the Sandral estate before I let myself slow down to something approaching normal running speeds; even then, I didn't dare ease my pace, lest any plains-dwelling beasties see me as an opportune target. Finally, as I crossed the enclave's perimeter, I cantered to a halt to take stock of what had just transpired. I had, with Marine training and the Force as my ally, tackled a dozen or more hostile creatures unarmed, and come out not only with my objective intact, but not a scratch on me. Flushed with a euphoria such as I hadn't known since that first obstacle course run on Carida, I strode confidently into the enclave itself, doffing my helmet as I crossed the entryway and walked toward the stairway to the sublevel to find Master Vrook. “Back already?” he asked from out of nowhere. Whirling around to face him, I gave him my best salute, then extricated the crystal from my pouch, presenting it to him for inspection. He took it, turning it over in his fingers and regarding it with more than just his sight. “A good specimen,” he said finally. “It will make an excellent focusing crystal. Come, we have much to do.” — — — Military-grade vibroblades, I hear, can take about ten work-hours to make, depending on length. Low-grade blaster pistols, due to their ubiquitous nature, can be churned out by the airtruck-load on a daily basis. A Marine-issue sniper rifle, honed to personal perfection by some of the finest weaponsmiths in Republic space, can take a full week to customize and assemble. None of these weapons, however, can hold a glowlamp when compared to the time and effort involved in the crafting of a lightsaber. For a solid month I threw every fiber of my being into the task, meditating over each component so that I could comprehend its nature and how it would interact with the weapon I was assembling, all under the direction and guidance of Master Vrook. Bonding with the crystal was one of the highlights of this part of the rituals, as it seemed to embody who I was both as a Jedi and a Marine. Assembling the hilt felt more to me as though I were rebuilding my life, one bit at a time, reconciling who I was, who I had become, and who I would forever be, long after my spirit departed from my body—for the final time. The culmination of the entire process came when it was time to charge the lightsaber's power cell for the first time. I had prepared myself for the occasion by following the strict diet and meditation schedule that had been outlined by countless Jedi Masters as they passed their knowledge along to their apprentices. The task itself, which involved channeling the power from the charger to the cell through my own body, would normally have required a level of skill that none but the most powerful Master on the Council possessed, but through countless generations, it had been ritualized so that even an initiate could do it. On that fateful occasion, I sequestered myself in my quarters with my nearly-completed hilt and a small, portable generator. Following my Master's instructions, I touched my left index finger to the charging port on the power cell itself, left exposed by the removal of the pommel cap, then placed my right index finger on the generator's circuit lead, and, after opening myself completely to the Force, used it to touch the charger's ON switch. Almost immediately, I felt waves of electricity pass through me, and I soon left body and conscious thought behind as my spirit undertook a most important journey. At its core, the building of one's first lightsaber not only represented a coming of age, but the fusion of the many aspects of being. As the power supply received its first charging through me, I sent waves of Force energy flowing throughout the weapon, bringing its disparate components together in one rapturous whole. Everything that I had ever experienced, every facet of my personality, was brought together into solid clarity. I was a Marine, but I was also a Jedi, a colony kid, a woman who wanted nothing more than to protect those who could not protect themselves. It no longer mattered what tradition I followed, or what discipline I used, as long as I stayed true to myself. And, finally, I knew who I was: Laera Reyolé, defender of the Republic. — — — The final ritual ended two days after it had begun. Exhausted, both physically and mentally, I was brought out of my trance by the sudden absence of current flowing through my body. Thankfully, I possessed sufficient reserves of energy so that I was able to screw the pommel cap back onto the hilt and test it for the first time. Apprehensive and confident all at the same time, I pressed the activation switch, sliding it forward into locking position as a cerulean shaft of light erupted from its tip in that unforgettable snap-hiss. Grinning my elation, I inhaled deeply the slight scent of ozone that indicated that every component was working as it should, and that the bottom of the blade was not eating away at the hilt. Just to make sure, I extinguished the blade and reactivated it, and sure enough, it sprouted to life once more. Rising shakily, I once again deactivated the blade and, clipping the hilt to my belt, I left the room to visit the refresher and take in a badly-needed meal. The next morning, I awoke to find that I felt, for the first time, complete, whole, ready for whatever future awaited me. My strength had returned in full, and then some, and I marveled at how easily I could access the Force. I once again took in a simpler breakfast—no more heavy, greasy foods for me—then made my way to the Council chambers to present myself and my new weapon for inspection. "Masters, it is good to see you well," I said as I approached their seats, unclipping my lightsaber and presenting its hilt to Master Vrook, who stood up to take it. "Indeed," said Master Vandar, his tone light. "I see that you have completed work on your first lightasber. Your apprenticeship will soon be at an end." I exchanged a look with Master Zhar, who also stood. "To continue, you must prove that you know the Jedi Code," he said, his tone solemn. “There is no emotion, there is peace," I began, feeling the words resonating within me as I recited them. "There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force.” “You know the Code indeed,” Master Vandar said, nodding his approval. “Your sincerity and commitment shine like a bright light.” Finally, Master Vrook spoke up. “Your weapon is complete, and as fine an example as I have seen,” he said, his tone grave, but with a little hint of pride. “You are no longer my apprentice. You are a Jedi in full, Padawan Reyolé.” As Master Vrook made to hand my lightsaber back to me, a tow-headed apprentice, his robes askew and his face wearing a pained expression, rushed into the Council chamber carrying a portable holocomm pad. Placing it on the floor between where the Masters and I stood, he hurriedly plugged it into the nearest comm outlet. As the device activated, a hauntingly familiar figure resolved itself in the air between us. "Greetings, citizens of the Republic," said an instantly-recognizable voice from beneath a masked and hooded head. "I am Darth Revan, Dark Lord of the Sith. As you hear this, forces loyal to me have gathered together at Foerost, and a third of your fleet there is now in ruins, while the rest belong to me. I regret that this step must be taken, but it is for the greater good. If the Senate and the Supreme Chancellor acquiesce to my demands, than this war can be ended immediately, without further bloodshed. They are but two: first, that the Jedi Order join with me, uniting our power in order to prevent a greater tragedy; second, that the Republic Senate confirms upon me the title of Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, with all the rights and responsibilities inherent therein. I await your response." The message began to repeat, at which the apprentice unplugged the holopad and made to return it to its proper place. A thunderous silence descended upon the chamber, and my innards felt as though they had been replaced by a young dianoga, which squirmed and slithered inside me. Without warning, I felt somehow corrupted, as though part of me had played a hand in this; denials to the contrary died in my mind almost as they formed. The Masters exchanged glances with one another, communing in a plane above normal conversation. Though I could not make out what they pondered, what they shared with themselves, I could sense the flurry of activity within their auras. Finally, Master Vandar broke the silence. “Fallen to the dark side, they have,” he said gravely. “Not just Revan and Malak, but all the Jedi who fought with him and lived. Taken with them they have, the soldiers, starships, and leaders under their command.” “I must contact the High Council,” Master Vrook announced. “Doubtless they have heard this message as well, but we must coordinate our efforts if we are to stop the Sith.” As he made to leave the room, I reached out and grabbed his arm. “Master, wait,” I said, grasping for words. “I fought with Revan, I knew a lot of the people he took with him. If there is anything I can do to help stop the invasion to come, please, let me know.” “I am no longer your Master,” Vrook said, turning to face me and placing his hands on my shoulders. “You are free to choose your own path of service.” The elder Jedi's hands were warm on my shoulders, and the corruption that had begun to snake through me was swept away. I closed my eyes then, and pondered my next move, reaching within myself for the answer. It blossomed forth in a wave of white-hot resolve, burning away all doubt, emblazoning my psyche once again with the seal of the Marine Corps. In a moment of perfect clarity, I knew that this was what I was destined for, this was why I had been brought back to life. I was to be an instrument of strength for the Republic, to serve as the hammer that would temper its sword, so that every sentient being might someday live in peace. My eyes blazed with triumph as I opened and locked them with the man who had been my teacher, who had helped to guide me to this one pivotal moment. “We Marines, we Jedi, have a new saying,” I said. “Sic Semper Tyrannis—thus always to tyrants. I will return to the Republic, and bring with me the will to resist the oncoming darkness.” Fin
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