Star Wars: Jedi Academy [A Pub RP] (IC)

[Beiarusia]

A long time ago in a galaxy far,
far away. . . .





-| JEDI ACADEMY |-

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-| The Pub: A P2tM RP Group |-

- RESOURCES -
Star Wars Wikia | Galaxy Map
Force Abilities | Lightsaber Forms | Name Generator

-| OOC |-

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> D'Qar

The transport skimmed the upper atmosphere, its four engines propelling it forward at a respectable cruising speed, past the detritus of the planetary ring — the remains of a ruined moon — and into a shallow descent. The vessel was utilitarian in design. Rectangular with a slanted bow and colored an unassuming matte grey, its elongated body accommodating upwards of sixty passengers with room to spare. Today only a fraction of that space was utilized. The transport descended further into the atmosphere with minimal turbulence, maintaining an altitude of approximately four kilometers, well above the jungle canopy, a vast forest stretching uninterrupted between low mountains on the horizon. Glades could be seen even from this height but such clearings were infrequent.

"We'll be landing soon," announcing the pilot, a general warning for all passengers to restrain themselves for final approach.

They descended once more as the transport neared its destination, a few meters up beyond the tallest of trees. Another half-minute of uneventful flight and then arrival.

The outpost was situated in the center of a small clearing with various outbuildings and hangars encircling a simply defined landing zone. During the Galactic Civil War the planet had been utilized by the Alliance. D'Qar was isolated, a perfect hideaway for the nascent rebellion, but as the war progressed its strategic location as a remote backwater would prove useful less and less, and in 4 ABY the planet was abandoned. Regardless, D'Qar was never viewed as having been as important a stronghold as Yavin 4 or Hoth.

Now, a decade later, the planet had been re-inhabited and the outpost restored to some degree.

The transport slowed as it approached its designated spot, guided by a marshal using vibrant, orange batons to signal to the pilot to direct a gentle, textbook landing. The engines powered-down with a spooling whine. Another moment and the hatch slipped open to allow the passengers to disembark. A man was there to greet them, middle-aged and wearing the standard New Republic uniform. "Welcome to D'Qar," he said. "Rory Makay, the man in charge of this little slice of nowhere. I oversee logistics. The other volunteers, well, they do whatever it is needs doing. Pay is bantha fodder but it's for a good cause." He smiled a bit, a gesture that softened his rough features. "Right on time. Just like he said. Alright, you have somewhere to be, so go ahead and leave the luggage and follow me. And congratulations. You're not Jedi yet but close enough."

Rory led the Jedi Recruits away from the transport, past a pair of U-Wings and a row of Z-95 Headhunters, a few X-Wings, and the odd A-Wing undergoing maintenance, to the interior of the base that had since been reclaimed for use by the New Republic, or, more officially, the New Jedi Order. The outpost was manned by New Republic volunteers; the Jedi Academy was beyond the hill.

The would-be Jedi were a varied collection of humans and aliens, both young and old, and coming from all walks of life.

Soldiers.

Civilians.

The downtrodden.

The privileged.

Even a few Imperials.

A diverse cast of individuals with lives and histories as dissimilar as could be, joined now in the bond that was the Force. Some were hardly able to contain their excitement whereas a few others were serious to a fault. Most everyone was nervous. That was to be expected. A life changing moment that could never truly be readied for.

"Someone's running late," said Rean Rayl'lie in a singsong voice. A Bimm with reddish-blond fur, she was pointing to an old starship swooping down to land, a Republic-era Deep-X Explorer.

"Running late on his first day? So not cool," added Gai Aldaoso, his dark skin adorned in the cultural markings of the Kiffar.

The Jedi Academy was only a few minutes walk from the main outpost. Simply a matter of following the passageway cut through the thicket, up-and-over the shallow hill. Unlike the Massassi Temple on Yavin 4, the academy on D'Qar was mostly new construction built atop the remnants of the old Alliance base, revitalized for a new purpose. A central courtyard was the primary focus. On either side were auxiliary buildings to serve as housing, commons, and other functions as dictated by the needs of the Jedi. Directly ahead was the Assembly Hall and, atop that, the Council Chambers, a section of the building vaguely pyramidal in shape. The structures were modern in their design, and although decor was limited some care had gone into recreating the style of the Massassi Temple and, to a small degree, the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Aesthetic but without the associated ego.

They crossed the courtyard and made way towards the Assembly Hall. "Head on inside," Rory said, this being as far as he went.

Inside was spacious. No structural bracing to support the high ceiling, instead the construction relied on a durasteel skeleton to shore the canted walls of stone, plastic, and other assorted metal alloys found commonly in prefabricated structures. Skylights allowed the sunshine to flood into the room, the light diffused by the glass to a soft intensity. The four walls were austere in decoration, bare mostly against the markings of intricate craftsmanship, the most prominent embellishment being the painted symbol of the New Jedi order presiding at the front of the vestibule where the stone flooring terraced in wide steps to create the illusion of a stage.

Standing atop this stage was Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Pensive, his arms crossed behind his back. He wore the traditional robes of the Jedi, but underneath one could see the black attire that was his usual ensemble when traveling the galaxy, and on his waist the silver of his lightsaber. Flanking him were the Jedi Knights, the first of the reestablished Order, and behind him his personal apprentice, a near-human girl with grayish-blue skin.

She, unlike Master Skywalker and the Jedi Knights, all of whom remained relatively motionless, was peering over to one side to get a better look at those entering the Assembly Hall. Another apprentice was here as well, standing behind her Zabrak master.

"I'd like to welcome all our new students to the Jedi Academy," said Master Skywalker once the recruits had all arrived. His voice was light, nothing at all like one would expect of the man who had defeated both the Emperor and Darth Vader. An inviting kindness to his tone but with an underlying quality of expression of someone having experienced far more than one could understand. "Here we will train you in the ways of the Force. You will learn how to defend yourselves with a lightsaber, and you will study diplomacy, history, and more. It has been a practice of the Jedi to assign each student to a master, however, since there are still so few of us we will be assigning multiple students to a master, but that assignment will come later." He looked over the Jedi gathered before him, seeming to make eye contact with each and every one of them before going on. "I'm sure you've had a long journey. D'Qar is not the most accessible of places, and as much as I'd like to give you a moment's rest we must begin our training.

"For the time being you will be granted a training lightsaber." Tarryyn, a Wookiee Jedi Knight, approached the newcomers carrying a box, inside being the aforementioned training lightsabers. Everybody was allowed to select one. Basic design with synthetic crystals, blue or green, but a yellow one may have been mixed in with the lot. "These lightsabers have a limited power output and cannot cut. Linea, if you could please demonstrate."

She wasn't expecting to be used as an example, so was caught off guard, but she hurried around to stand in front of Master Skywalker with her own training lightsaber in hand. She activated the blade which manifested itself as a streak of brilliant blue light. Her master then reached out to grab onto the blade.

Master Skywalker kept his fingers intact. "As you can see the blade cannot cut, however, it is hot, so be careful to avoid any burns or electrical shocks. Thank you." Linea deactivated the lightsaber and returned to her place. "Today you will undergo a simple trial. There exists an abandoned mining complex not far from the academy, and an item of great importance has been hidden inside its depths. I ask that you retrieve what is hidden there. Do not worry, this is merely a test of your abilities, so rest assured that your lives are not in any danger." His eyes scanned the Jedi once more, joined now by a small, mischievous grin breaking his usual passiveness. "The first one to claim the item will be rewarded accordingly. Think of this as a contest. Please use only your lightsaber for this assignment. If anyone has questions then by all mean ask, but if not then you may begin."

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

J'Dar Kalla

Well, a new start of life. He didn't expect that he would starts it on this planet, with the Jedi. Nor would he expects to be given a mission straight away. He'd remember the time when he was in Naboo, when he met the Jedi Knight (or Master, not sure about that) that recognized his Force-sensitivity, his Imperial background. Luke Skywalker, a legend among the Rebels and a thorn among the Imperials. Now he has to respects him, no matter how hard it is for him for even like him. He told them of the mission, and to picked up a lightsaber. He took the green one.

And now to the mission. Retrieving something from a mining complex. Lots of caves, too, probably. An abandoned simply means...abandoned? Or...? He'd better asked this. He raised his hand, as per a proper student asking their master. "Master, I have a question. When you said the mining complex as abandoned, did you meant they were abandoned by its occupants, right?" he asked so. If Master Skywalker answered yes or along those lines, it means yes, there might be...non-occupants reside there. Considering they need to use lightsaber and just their chosen lightsaber. If he said no, well, he should be relaxed and just do the mission correctly.

Right?

[Yvren]

A'ro Stelwaas
Kel-Dor Aprentice

‘Thank god that’s over’

A’ro had thought tucking himself in the back corner of the passenger compartment would keep him from having to interact with any of the other apprentices ‘is that right? Students maybe? Cadets? Uhg that doesn’t sound right, apprentices then’, but he was sitting close enough to the engine compartment that now he was sure something was malfunctioning. It was slight, but he could hear something skipping ever since they broke atmosphere, and the fact that he couldn’t do anything about it was driving him crazy.

A-D3L, a droid shaped like a floating ball with jellyfish-like arms, noticed their master getting twitchy and tried to distract him by quizzing him on Old Republic history. Which really only served to annoy her master.

When they landed A’ro waited for the others to disembark before approaching the pilot and trying to explain that he was pretty sure there was a microfracture in the ships starboard auxiliary motivator. The pilot kindly asked him to get the hell off his ship, and while the very fiber of his being told him to stay and fix the poor ship a sharp trill from A-D3L broke his resolve and he leaves the ship muttering under his breath, “Fine but when the fuel efficiency of the starboard engine falls below optimal levels don’t come crawling to me, Maya Wermo.”

A’ro began to follow the group after the Administrator’s welcome but was suddenly yanked back by his pack. He turned back to see two of A-D3L’s manipulator arms grabbing his bag pulling it back.

“What?” A’ro asked.
“BEEP BOOP,” A-D3L beeped back.
“No, I don’t think he actually meant leave everything,”
“BEEP WOOP,” A-D3L whooped back
“What do you mean I always do this? I don’t-”
“BEEP BEEP” A-D3L beeped cutting him off.
“Okay, that’s uncalled for,”
“BEEP BEEP BOOP,” the droid trilled back.
“Adele let go of the bag,” A’ro stated, adding an edge to his already deep voice.
“BoooOOOooOOOP,” A-D3L let out in a low tone.

‘Oh, I’m not letting THAT slide!’ A’ro inhaled ready for a terse and witty response when he noticed some strange looks and thought better of it. “Fine,” A’ro dropped the pack, causing A-D3L to drop a foot from the sudden weight.
A’ro turned in a huff to walk off with the other apprentice's, but only got a few meters before being hailed.

“BEEP!”

“FINE!” A’ro called back over his shoulder loosely tossing his pistol over to the droid. Which extended an additional manipulator arm to catch the blaster, before dragging her master's gear over with the other luggage.

A’ro marches behind their others, only absentmindedly being impressed by his new surroundings. And not fully paying attention to Skywalker’s introduction, humming slightly as he began pondering the mechanics of the training saber until he processed that he was supposed to wander into an abandoned mining complex, without most of his equipment, disarmed, and handed a blinding death sword…

‘Kark me’

[Arengin Union]

Jalelvi Garekk

He couldn't believe it, Jale was actually inside a Jedi temple, in the same room with the Luke Skywalker. Jale almost felt that he should bow down at the mere sight of such a man, the living legend that had brought down the Empire, was addressing Jale and the others around him with such words of vibrancy and friendliness that he didn't expect from such a man of his reputation. Nonetheless Jale couldn't bear but smile as he saw Skywalker up above, looking over around the platforms he could see the Jedi Knights, all with their robes, their sabers hanging from their belts, the actual real deal. Such moment that had been imagined over and over in his mind was unfolding right before his eyes, getting a light saber, well perhaps it wasn't a real light saber, and it wasn't his of course. But it felt so authentic that as he hold it Jale couldn't hold the smile, he fought off the temptation to immediately turn it on, choosing instead to heed by Master Skywalker's words that embodied so much more wisdom than Jale could ever dream to have.

Oh by all that is whole, I'm actually gonna train to become a Jedi. I'm so ready for this, what should I ask? What should I say? Im in front of THE Skywalker. So much in my mind! I can't even believe I actually made it!

Jale's mind turned around and around with so many thoughts and questions to himself. What would their first assignment be like, would it be dangerous, would they have to do it alone? so many questions, Jale couldn't think of any one by one. Master Skywalker explained what their first trial would be, Jale made sure to listen carefully at every word of the Jedi master, his mouth nearly wide open as he looked at the legendary man talk.

"The first one to claim the item will be rewarded accordingly. Think of this as a contest. Please use only your lightsaber for this assignment. If anyone has questions then by all mean ask, but if not then you may begin."

What's the reward? Will you be watching? Should we head out now? Is it true your hand is cybernetic? Jale couldn't straighten his mind, it was simply too good to be true, he had a first chance to show his commitment to the New Jedi Order, he couldn't fail Master Skywalker, he had to show he was ready to be on the path to be a Jedi. Jale was about to speak, but he absented himself as one of the new students spoke first, Jale simply kept his eyes down and his head high to try and show confidence when in reality it was anything but.

Alon Windtine

The Knight had remained concentrated on each and everyone of the new apprentices, each one carried a different disposition to each other. Alon wasn't a mindmaster but it was clear none of them was fully prepared for this, no one really was. He still remembered the first years of his training, how much he failed and how much he kept trying to master himself everyday, the same would be done by these new apprentices, hopefully they all could be up to the challenge. However, Alon felt something in a few of them, doubt, arrogance, and even anger and hatred. The Jedi tried to not jump into conclusions unlike some others among his fellow Knights, but this bunch was quite the diverse one. So many different emotions articulating within themselves, all rambling and seeking a way out, a way to dominate their holder. But at the very best was also, excitement and hope, he could sense that many of these new students were looking to be part of something greater than themselves, and many were excited to be part of such thing, it reminded Alon that doubt was as great an enemy to himself as well as to these new apprentices. He was in no way a master to detect the conflicts within people, as he himself had been struggling with his own, so it was better for him to keep a level head and stick to what he knew, leave the rest to wiser people like Skywalker. Not allow instinct to take a hold.

All of this he couldn't say didn't mirror himself when he had began his training with Skywalker. He was filled with anger, poisoned by the drink, bitterness in his heart over the end of a fight he once saw as righteous but couldn't no longer since there was no fight anymore. But Skywalker, and the Jedi had brought him to actually become something more than himself, bring back peace and justice to a shattered Galaxy, bring real hope with these apprentices, he couldn't think of a better cause than that.

As Master Skywalker finished his speech and subsequently gave the instructions for the first trial, a question by a particular individual rose from the new pupils.

"Master, I have a question. When you said the mining complex as abandoned, did you meant they were abandoned by its occupants, right?"

Alon gave a small smirk at the question, this one seemed young but smart. Alon waited for Master Skywalker to answer, as he kept eyeing each student from a far. He noticed the one he had meet on Bothanwui a few months ago, quite the exited one, was impossible not to tell, it made Alon give a genuine small smile rather than a snarky one. To him it was better to see someone come in with the enthusiasm he once lacked when in his beginning years as a trainee, he only hoped they would remain the same through it.

[Anowa]

Bo Ganthor
Jedi Knight
D'Qar, 15ABY

Bo couldn't help but cast a third eye upon the wills and temperaments of those assembled. Though a few not outward with it, some were rather excited, one could see that based on their body language alone. He gave a slight smile at that, three years of what amounted to a prolonged crash course was actually good for something. One in particular, was actually agape in awe at the sight of Master Skywalker.

The boy was somewhat of a polar opposite of his own apprentice, Xin. The boy's first encounter with master Skywalker was much the opposite as Bo's apprentice. A single utterance of the title 'Master' and she looked near ready to tear someone's arm off, namely Bo's. Though the Zabrak was swift to ensure that the title was not anywhere near the same as that a slaveowner would hold. Didn't stop the woman from smoldering whenever she heard it.

Xin did have a rather positive quirk about her though, out of everyone in the room, every species and every mentality, as well as age and personality, all of them shared the conduit that amounted to a tiny lighthouse in a sea of energy, all expect for one. Xin Endoni was not simply a tall human as many initially expected, she was an Epicanthix, and on top of their rather athletic demeanor and penchant for hand to hand fighting, they had a congenital ability to have a literal force barrier about their minds, much like a Hutt. Tricks, reason, information, and anything relating to using the force on her mind wouldn't work, it'd have to be done the old fashioned way, though coercion and charisma. Bo took pride in knowing that he managed to get the former slave to trust him like family without anything more than his tongue and intellect.

His gaze returned to the obviously excited younger boy, perhaps he'd make a good contrast for the woman that stood behind him. He would see.

Xin Endoni
Jedi Padawan
D'Qar, 15ABY

They were always so small.

For once she had wished for someone that she wouldn't have to physically look down upon. No one present even came up to her chin. Shan, the tallest behind Tarryn was a good 16 inches shorter than her. It was irritating at the best, infuriating at worst, not to mention it left a sub-consciously bad impression, being looked down upon, or seemingly intimidated was not something she wanted to deal with. Ganthor head rotated a bit and their eyes met for the third time in ten minutes.

That was the other thing, her mind was likened to a hardly flickering lantern in a sea of white. Skywalker has said that, and apparently it was both a good and a bad thing, good because it meant no one could mess with her mind, try to coerce her into doing something she wouldn't do, read her next play like an open book, or otherwise. Bad because it made people suspicious of her, of what she was thinking, what she planned to do. Most weren't open about it, she didn't particularly care what they thought, just that they didn't try yo screw her over.

Her gaze cast upon the neophytes. She remembered how the Droids within were kitted out prior, and she felt a slight pang of pity for the task they'd been given. That was, before she remembered the fact that Bo had played around with them a bit, a lifetime of engineering helping the Academy get their first honest batch of apprentices ready for the challenges ahead, non-lethally of course. Even if there were injuries, the Academy did have a few healers present, and while she herself was still learning, her skills were still nothing to scoff at.

BO spoke up, enough for her to hear, but not for anyone else. Granted she did lean down a bit to make it easier on her teacher, but the message was still clear, "You have three years on them Xin, why don't you go with?"

Xin raised a brow, a small change from her otherwise stony visage, "I'm... not comfortable in caves. You know this."

Bo rose his own eyebrow... ridge, in response, "These aren't womprat tunnels, it's an actual cave, ceiling goes up much higher than your head. Besides nothing in there is a risk to you."

Xin paused, her gaze flipping between Bo and the newly gathered recruits.

Bo sighed, "Xin, you're going to need to get to know them eventually, and they're going to need to know you. Better sooner than later."

Xin frowned, "I... Okay. I'll go with."

Bo gave a simple nod. Returning his attention back to the apprentices. To others it may have seemed callous to simply end a conversation like that, but Xin was more receptive to brevity and simplicity. Emotional and supportive talk had the rather paradoxical outcome of simply gaining her ire. Pity and attention weren't her forte.

[Northern Poland]

Rudolph Thompson
D'Qar
Rudolph Hummed and tapped his fingers while on the transport, looking around at everyone else. He had always hoped he'd be on some kind of adventure, and here he is, flying with the Luke Skywalker. He barely held back his excitement, meeting a war hero, who you happen to be with? He was really excited being here, as he didn't want to get by with the skin of his teeth of Naboo, now he could have a chance of doing something that might manage him to get some credits. He watched everyone else for a moment, then realized that the Pilot said to strap in for the final approach. He did so, waiting until the Thud indicated that the transport had landed. He listened to the Man talk, so he left his stuff like he said.



He followed the Group containing the other Recruits and the man who was talking, looking at the starfighters for a moment. He noticed he had fallen behind from watching, so he jogged up to the group, falling back in place. He followed them along the trail to the jedi Academy, looking around them. When they finally reached the Academy, he looked around at the Academy. He muttered, "Man, I wish i lived here a, this is really nice." Then he heard to walk into the auditorium, so he did as he was told. He walked in, seeing Master Luke Standing. He finds a spot among the others, listening closely for instructions.

When he heard he was getting a lightsaber, his face lit up like a lamp, as he had always wanted to hold one. When the box got to him, he pulled out a random one, it happening to be a Blue one (Without his knowledge for the Moment). When he heard about the assignment, his first thought being, "Hmm, this might be a good chance to excel faster than the others, or fail miserably." He looked at everyone milling about, with some people making small talk. He stood there, thinking of a strategy.

[Brusia]

Martius Shan
D'Qar
Jedi Academy

Martius looked somewhat out of place as he stood alongside the other Jedi Knights flanking Master Skywalker; unlike many of the others, he donned his ancient armor even within the sanctuary of the Academy, never feeling quite safe even within the well hidden compound's walls with the thought of the devastated temples of the old Jedi Order always lingering in his mind. As if that weren't peculiar enough, emblazoned upon the worn but well taken care of armor was not the emblem of the New Jedi Order, which could be seen in many places in the Academy around them, but was the ancient symbol of the old Order. Ostensibly, this was because Martius was not skilled enough an artist to paint the new symbol over the old one, but in reality was more because, even after his exile, Martius still felt more like a member of the old Order than he did of the new one.

Perhaps it was simply because he had only been with the New Jedi Order for a few months at this point, having only recently found the Academy and Master Skywalker, who to his surprise not only allowed him to join the New Jedi Order in spite of his past crimes but restored to him his former rank of Knight (though, admittedly, the Jedi Holocron he presented to the Order as a gift may have helped his case somewhat). Whatever the reasons, the old emblems and armor couldn't help but make Martius look like something of an anachronism compared to those he stood beside; like a picture ripped from a history text about an era long since ended.

As the newly arrived apprentices began filing into the room, Martius remained perfectly still. While he could sense some strong emotions coming from the apprentices, a fact which was concerning in and of itself, he still had difficulty reading exactly what those emotions were; an unfortunate side effect of his ongoing recovery from having been severed from the Force. Fortunately, in his time as a bounty hunter, he'd learned abit about reading faces the old fashioned way, and while not as reliable as sensing emotions through the Force, it was at least knowledge enough to see that most of the future students were wearing looks of either excitement, trepidation, or something in between. While they would need to learn to control their emotions, a task which may be more difficult than it was in his case given how much older these students were than those brought in by the old Order, he could understand why they'd feel that way on their first day; things were more difficult for most people in the Galaxy now than they were when he was brought into the Order after all, and any who failed in their training may be forced to return to...less than pleasant circumstances.

As Master Skywalker began to address the crowd, Martius hoped that he'd be able to train whichever apprentices were assigned to him well enough that failing a student would not be something he'd have to worry about, but then he'd never had to train anyone before, let alone multiple students, having decided to focus on the war effort during the Clone Wars instead of taking on a Padawan, so he didn't really know what would lie in store over the course of their training. He only hoped that he could be half as good an instructor to these students as his Master had been to him. When Skywalker had finished his speech and issued the students' first assignment, Martius watched to see what sorts of questions they asked, and waited with some curiosity himself to find out which of these students he would be tasked with training...

[Stristia]

James Windweaver
Joker was so relieved to have landed. The ride to D’Qar hadn’t been particularly long but the present company was...lacking to say the least. A sort of nervous energy had buzzed about the ship, and despite attempts by him to make conversation this heavy veil had a dampening effect on that. He didn’t blame the other recruits, he could feel it too. It just left him with a decent amount of time to just sit and think, something he loathed doing. He distracted himself instead with a quiet game of observation. He tried to gauge the temperaments and conditions of the various other passengers on the ship, and although he was certain he hadn’t gotten any of them correct, he liked the thought that at least a few of them were in a similar situation to him. As they all made their way off the ship he snapped to attention as a man bearing the uniform of the New Republic greeted them.

Windweaver shuddered upon seeing the iconic rebel insignia, the three-pronged flamelike symbol that had been his enemy earlier on in his life. It was an instinctive reaction, and it drew up a few emotions in him that he had to subdue. He told himself that he a firm supporter of the new galactic administration, but many years of bad blood had made that hard to instill. The man himself, one Rory Makay, had the exact opposite effect. Any of the tension driving him insane had been eased by crude, yet effective, joke. Joker didn’t particularly want to give up his gear, he wasn’t exactly excited about the prospect of handing over the helmet and blaster of the enemy that these men had likely fought years against, but he had no choice, and just had to hope that New Republic security wasn’t the questioning sort. He did get a good chuckle out of a fellow apprentice arguing with one a droid companion, he was glad that he wasn’t the only one to be apprehensive about the whole experience.

Walking somewhere in the centre of the group, the ex-Imperial found himself getting lost in the architecture of the massive temple in front of him. He realised he didn’t even know much about the Jedi themselves. He had a very surface level understanding of the Force as well, but he was certainly eager to find out about it. The most details he had ever received in his life were of the whispers and hushed stories about Lord Vader killing those officers which displeased him before, during, and after combat. He didn’t much envy his superiors after the first few stories of telekinetic suffocation passed around. And the man they were about meet, the person who had orchestrated the entire academy and all of its operations, had bested the Emperor’s best commander in combat. What kind of things could he do if Vader was so feared? He found himself subconsciously rubbing his neck to check if it was still intact. ”Great, windpipe not yet crushed, I’m glad I thought this through before heading into the place where possibly hundreds of them could be.”

As they (sadly) left Makay behind, the apprentices made their way into the temple into view of the legendary Rebel hero, Luke Skywalker. This was it. The man who had beaten Lord Vader, the Emperor, and destroyed the Death Star. This was the pilot who changed the course of Joker’s entire life, he enlisted after news of the Death Star’s destruction came out. The Alliance’s general didn’t exactly look the part of lofty Knight, but a simple glance to his laser sword at his belt said otherwise. As soon as he started speaking, all of his thoughts ceased and he became hyper attentive, the only thing he caught before he drowned everything out was the awestrucken look on the face of a nearby recruit. By the time Master Skywalker had stopped speaking, he had taken a few things away. One, that the weapon they called a “lightsaber” was fascinating. It looked like a concentrated blaster bolt suspended in middair from the hilt of the weapon. It was magnificent and colourful, and even from where he was standing he could hear a sight hum coming from it that reminded James of a ship’s engine. Secondly, that he had better used to getting vague instructions, while he did want to ask every question in the world to get more specifics, he had a feeling that it was exactly this sort of vagueness he had intended to make the first bit of training harder. Finally, he saw a bit of himself in Luke’s smile. He didn’t like that, because whenever Joker smiled like that, it usually meant something bad for those he gave it to.

[Relikai]

Sen Zuroki Wren
Jedi Academy, D'Qar
15ABY

The last preparations of the cave was complete, the Jedi knight stepping out to see the arrival of the transport carrying the new batch of padawans for training in the Academy. She stood casually, relaxed as her flaming mane flowed with the wind from the forests of the planet, taking a final look at the mining complex before nodding to herself. Being a former padawan of Luke himself, it has been a trying period for the woman before finally emerging as a qualified Knight, someone able to stand side by side with adequate training in the Force to aid where and when the Republic needed help. Her many assignments since when were catching smugglers, investigating anomalous situations, and even salvaging wrecks of research ships from dangerous creatures.

It was a long and hard journey indeed, but she now stands as a trainer, soon to receive a padawan of her own as she placed the device in her hand back into its secured box, before donning a set of robes, hood down, moving towards the gathering where Luke was speaking as she stood behind and by the side, slowly observing the crowd. They seem eager, nervous, and few emanated fear. She remembered her first time here, a scared child unsure of what the Force was when she grew up in the environment of harsh Mandalorian training and the Correlian tradition of engineering.

Focus. She thought, eyes sweeping the crowd as she smiled slightly at the questions. Mostly about the cave it seems, as she continued to wait behind her fellow knights.

[Tayner]

Tillisk'Tor'Vih
Hyperspace
15BBY

Of course the Uulshos manufactured hyperdrive would pick now to act up. The engine managed to work for over four decades near flawlessly, even when Torr neglected to maintain them at times. However, on this particular day Torr cursed Uulshos' name. He would be late, even compounding the knot that had tied up in his gut out of excitement, or maybe nervousness. However he punched the coordinates in, swallowed his nerves, and sent the old ship into Hyperspace as fast as he could.

He came out of Hyperspace nearly in the atmosphere of D'Qar, and in a second Torr diverted more power to his shields and reversed the sublight engines to reduce speed so he wouldn't burn up in the atmosphere. Lucky, he had dropped out of hyperspace relatively near the Academy, he wouldn't have to cross the entire planet. However, he was still going to be late. He brought his ship to the Academy, coordinating with the ATC and landing crew. As soon as he landed, he stripped off his flight helmet, flight vest, harness, and his gloves.

He exited the ship with nothing but the orange fatigues of a Rebel Pilot's uniform. The rank ensign was sewn onto his collar, whatever that rank meant with the Rebellion dispanded and the Republic reformed. Torr had abstained from joining the Starfighter Corps, content with spending the rest of his days exploring, maybe heading into the galactic core one day. However, a call to explore something else, something rather elaborate to Torr drew him to D'Qar, a call from General Skywalker, or rather Master Skywalker.

And so Torr made best speed to the temple, setting out to find his way to the meeting.

When Torr entered the Assembly Hall more than a few pairs of eyes found themselves gazing at him, a feeling he hadn't felt since, well, the Old Order, or even back during early schooling in the Ascendancy. Skywalker began to speak, his voice dismissing Torr's apprehension. Skywalker seemed to peer into Torr whenever he glanced at him. After all, he was the last Jedi before going on his quest to rebuild the Order, and undoubtedly became able to study people, with or without the force.

Soon enough a box containing lightsabers was brought out, and a demonstration on their non-lethality was given, accompanied with a warning to not play around with the sabres, after all, they weren't toys. As some crowded around the box, Torr outstretched his hand and used the force to retrieve a random silver-grey lightsaber. He ignited the blade, taking care to not point it towards anyone, to see a bright green streak of plasma act as the blade. He let out a huff of air and attached the blade to his belt.

It wasn't until Skywalker told them of their first trials when alarms started to go off in his head.

"The first one to claim the item will be rewarded accordingly. Think of this as a contest." He spoke.

One of the main principles of the old order was teamwork, depending on the mettle of the Jedi next to you. While there were competitions, they weren't commonplace in training. However, Torr didn't think too much of it. Whatever Skywalker had planned, he was sure he and the other apprentices could adapt and overcome.

[The Imperial Warglorian Empire]

Drasten Kellic
Jedi Academy, D'Qar
Note: Drasten basically speaks in a Scottish Accent, like David Tennant
As Drasten exited the craft with the rest of the recruits, he cracked his neck, rolled his shoulders and gave out a sigh of relief. Kriffing hell, that was not the most comfortable of rides, and he was glad to have gotten out of there. To freshen himself up, Drasten pulled got out a small ornate and silver case, opening it, revealing a variety of different cigarras, and picking one at random. Drasten put the cigarra to his lips as he pulled out his multi-function tool from his pocket and used the lighter function, generating a small flame which he used to light up the cigarra. Drasten took in a drag, before proceeding to cough heavily. "Ah, Mandalorian," Drasten thought to himself as he kept coughing, "Why'd I have to pick Mandalorian? Ah, kriff it, something strong is needed once in a while to give people a boost, that's what Narki always used to say,"

After Drasten recovered from his coughing fit and resisting the urge to cough again as he took in another puff, Drasten got out his GMMS (Galactic Mobile Music Station) which consisted of two earbuds and putting only one of them on (the one on the left) so to be able to listen to any information that comes by later. Once he plugged it in his left ear, he tapped it and a small blue hologram screen appeared in front of him, being projected from the earbud, which showed a list. "Let's see what's on recommended today then. Tatooine Shanpa? No. Nar Shaddaa Yerk? Erm, not in an illegal system right now, so thank you very much but no. Corellian Minga? What am I, 15? No. Huh, Bespin Jizz, sure why not." Drasten pressed it and the holographic screen disappeared as he heard the catchy and smooth music enter his left ear, closing his eyes for a moment before reopening them and following the group.

As they walked towards the Academy, Drasten did a quick check up on all his bits and pieces. "Alright, Blaster? Primed and holstered. Vibromachete? Secured and sharpened." Drasten muttered as he checked the blaster holstered on his hip and the vibromachete holstered on his back. "Chord Launcher? Armed and loaded. Jacket? Relatively clean. Scarf? Tight on that neck. Sense of style?......sufficiently stylish." Drasten continued on as he looked around the base as they continued to walk. Had to admit, it was hard to see how this ragtag group of rebels were able to kick the Empire's Arse, everything was just so.....disorganised. Then again, he looked at himself in the mirror sometimes and, well, there really was no excuse. As the group entered the Academy, Drasten noticed the design of the building. "Seems to be loosely based on Massassi Temples, what with the rather specific architectural similarities, go figures," Drasten muttered to himself. Jedi, always have to have impressive structures, he'd seen old pictures of the Jedi Temple and it seemed that Jedi always attempted to live with style.

As they entered the temple, Drasten laid his eyes on Luke Skywalker. So this was the Empire's Most Wanted man, eh? Didn't look so bad. According to propaganda back in the Navy, Skywalker was a blood-thirsty terrorist with no sense of mercy and slaughterer of millions (just ask the Death Star). But he had a kindness to his voice that told him that all of that was a complete lie (which he already knew, he wasn't one of those mindless citizens like his parents were). That is unless he was a very good actor, anything was possible he supposed. Drasten followed the speech, and soon approached the large box full of practice lightsabers, and picked one up at random. Bloody Hell, it was always his dream to pick one of these, lightsabers are one of the most valuable antiquities you could get on the market these days, and he always wanted to personally hold one, even if it was temporary. He couldn't wait to take one apart.

As he went back to his spot he perked up at the mention of the test taking place in an abandoned mining complex. Exploring dangerous, old and abandoned structures was literally what he did for a living! Well, what he used to do anyway. This was going to be a piece o' piss. Though he did slightly frown at the rule of only using lightsabers. Eh, he'd do fine, he didn't need a blaster or machete to raid an old base. Afterwards, he simply milled about a bit, continuing to take agonising drags from his High-Quality Mandalorian Branded-Concordian Tobacco Cigarra, waiting for the next set of directions.

[Beiarusia]

> D'Qar

"Master, I have a question." A youngish man with pale-coloured hair stepped forward, a very slight movement, his hand raised high over his head like an eager student jockeying for the teacher's notice. A human named J'Dar Kalla. The other Apprentices turned to peer at him expectantly. "When you said the mining complex was abandoned, you meant it was abandoned by its occupants, right?"

Luke Skywalker considered the question for only a brief moment before answering. "Before the Rebel Alliance established themselves here on D'Qar a corpor—" He'd yet to finish his sentence when he was interrupted by the unmistakable hum of a lightsaber igniting. All eyes fell upon Tillisk'Tor'Vih, a Chiss who appeared to be entirely oblivious to the distraction he causing. The Jedi Knights looked to the Apprentice with varying levels of bemusement, some going as far as to shake their heads in dismay, a few snickering despite themselves. Even Skywalker grinned a fraction of a bit. Once the lightsaber was put away he continued as if nothing at all had happened. "The mine was abandoned after several years in operation. The heavier equipment was left behind, but the tunnels are empty of anything living, aside from a stray animal or two, none of which are likely to cause you harm."

Another Apprentice raised their hand. Krygen Lann, a green-eyed Zelosian with unnaturally dyed hair worn long in a messy ponytail. "What are we looking for?" she asked.

"You'll know when you find it. Jedi sometimes have no choice but to act when knowledge is limited, so consider this a lesson to be mindful of anything that may seem important or out-of-place." A valid teaching point, but Krygen seemed unsatisfied as she lowered her arm with a slight pout. When no other questions came forward Luke dismissed them. When no one turned to leave he said, "You can begin now." Those words were enough to get the Apprentices heading out of the Assembly Hall, some taking to heart the nature of the contest and rushing ahead. Others walked at a leisurely pace.

The Jedi Knights were dismissed as well. Some, like Tarryyn, had other duties to attend to, but a few would follow after the new students to observe and to ensure that no one was seriously injured in some unforeseen mishap. Luke trusted Wren with the preparations but accidents would always find a way.

He looked to his own apprentice. "You should go as well."

"Why?" she asked, arms crossed in stubborn defiance.

"I think you could use some friends," teased Luke in his usual lightheartedness. When she humphed he added, "Or we can continue with our meditation practice." The threat of sitting idly by, trying in vain to clear her mind, was enough to motivate her unwilling participation. Linea ran after the other with remarkably less sass than usual. Luke watched her go, glad that she was at least making an effort. He could only hope that she would open herself to the spark of friendship.

Mara Jade chuckled as she walked off towards the mine. "That one's a handful, isn't she?"

Luke couldn't disagree.

[Arengin Union]

Jalelvi Garekk

Jale couldn't hold his excitement as he was one of the first to begin making his way out of the temple, out into the unknown, a world yet to be discovered by him and his fellow learners. Jale tried to contain the euphoria within him, the wish to go in ahead to the mine in a search for glory and a chance to impress master Skywalker and all the Jedi Knights who had been present at the hall. Jale wondered who'd be teaching him out of them all, it could be the same one that had sensed the force in him, "Windtine" as he remembered his name was. Or it could even be Skywalker himself! The mere thought of that made Jale smile like a child receiving a birthday gift, he then took a closer look at his training saber, it didn't look like anything special, and then he activate it to reveal a blue colored brightly shining saber. Amazing, perhaps not the real thing but it was damn near authentic, he'd only heard stories of light sabers and at most had seen them on holograms but he was holding something that closely resembled one. Jale again tried to control the overwhelming and obvious eagerness as he got out of the temple into the wilds of D'Quar, deactivating his saber he set it on his belt as he began to look around for the mining complex, ready to head over there quickly.

Jale then remembered that he was not all by himself, as he turned his head to see the other students come out of the temple. Jale felt the urge to ignore them, to go on ahead and try to get all the glory for himself, the reward that he so wanted to get. But something inside Jale told him that it wouldn't be an easy task, sure they wouldn't die but it couldn't be as easy as just waltzing in and getting whatever they needed to get, and that was something else they didn't know what they had to get. It would give them better chances if they all tried to do this together as true Jedi's did, at least that's how Jale thought Jedi worked, or was it not? He wasn't entirely sure. Jale turned to his fellow apprentices and with some nervousness in his voice spoke out.

"G-guys... maybe we should try and stick together, you know we can work together and find whatever we have to find and get the reward for all of us?" Hi's nervousness turned into an optimistic look towards the many people who had come to become Jedi. Jale hope they would be up for it, at least he had to try.

Alon Windtine

As the apprentices began to head out, Alon stood on the pillar for a few second watching as they all headed out. So much enthusiasm but also skepticism as well as the anger he had sense before were all in there. It was hard to clearly make out who had what within them, Alon's mediation had helped him become more able to sense the people around him yet he still had much to learn about the Force and about himself. What if this didn't turn out how it was supposed to? Alon had studied what little was of the history of the Old Order, how it had fell apart so quick and through the actions of two single men, it boggled his mind that something like that could happen again. It couldn't, not again, not after all the pain and all the blood that had been spilled.

Alon began making his way out, but not before he saw Master Skywalker dismissing his apprentice Linea, she seemed to be somewhat displeased as she walked by Alon, he didn't bother himself with it as he had more things to mind at the moment. The Knight walked towards the Jedi Master, passing by fellow Knight Mara Jade she gave Alon a small nod and so did he to her as both walked in opposite directions, both giving slight smiles at the other. Alon respected Jade's prowess with the Force, and in a fight he was sure that she would always have his back, and the same was of him to her, years in the New Order and training together with the other Knights created a sense of camaraderie for all of them.

Alon approached Master Skywalker, bowing his head in respect as Skywalker did the same. Alon then spoke, his tone echoing that of someone carrying worry and trying to hide inner fear within themselves, his eyes looking straight at Skywalker's to make clear the worry in his words.

"Master Skywalker, I was just wondering... you think we are ready? To take in all these apprentices... I sense, so many emotions within them, all raging with differing passion that it makes me fearful we might be risking more than we are to win..." The Knight then quickly moved his eyes to look away from Master Skywalker's, trying his best not to give a vibe of disrespect.

Skywalker paused to consider the question, pensive in his thoughts. His eventual answer was unusually pragmatic. "The luxury of being more selective is something that we simply cannot afford. Not yet. We could spend years searching for the perfect candidate, but the galaxy needs the Jedi now, more than ever. After the Empire the galaxy needs hope. The trials ahead will be difficult, that I can say is a certainty, but you are ready, all of you, and if not I've already taught you everything that I know. One day at a time and we'll figure things out as we go."

Alon took in these words with care as he considered all of what Skywalker had said, he couldn't say it was the answer he had hoped for but it was also hard for him to really know what answer he had really wanted in the first place. But his inner self dictated he take in Master Skywalker's better judgment and continue on to teach these new students of the force, perhaps he was right, one day at a time.

"Thank you master... I shall take your words with great weight. I must be off to make sure the new students to get into more trouble than they should." And with that, Alon walked back towards the exit of the Temple to the Mines.

[Beiarusia]

> D'Qar

The first trial. A simple test of their capabilities. The students were eager to prove themselves, some more-so than others, and hurried off into the dense forest with only a vague understanding of where the abandoned mining complex was located.

"G-guys... maybe we should try and stick together," said a younger student, Jalelvi Garekk.

His words fell on deaf ears mostly. A few considered the offer, but many wished to ascertain for themselves the challenge before agreeing wholeheartedly to the idea of teamwork. Others had fallen prey to the allure of competition. This was a contest, after all, to be the first to reach the as-of-yet unspecified goal, and in their eyes everyone else was opposition to be bested. The student's plea for cooperation was likely to go unanswered for a time.

Linea ignored the boy as she passed. Truthfully, she'd rather not participate in this game, but it was preferable to mediation, a sincere threat that Master Skywalker had followed through with on many occasions, so she hurried after the others, into the forest, but unlike the new arrivals the child was at a slight advantage. The Icarii homeworld, Vestar, was forested, and Linea could move easily without a path to follow. Furthermore, unlike the jackets worn by some, she was dressed in attire appropriate for the hot, muggy climate of D'Qar. She wore loose-fitting pants and a sleeveless vest that showed off her midriff. Black was likely a poor choice in colour, but it contrasted nicely with her blue-grey skin. Most importantly, she knew exactly where to find the abandoned mine. No guessing or relying on the Force to guide her.

The mine exploited a natural cave formation tunneling deep into the side of a hill. Unfortunately, the primary entrance was sealed behind a closed gate, low-tech security, but the training lightsabers would have little chance of cutting through considering their negligible power output. To get inside the students would be forced to traverse an alternate cave entrance (a small, forgotten passage further up the hill) or to locate the switch controlling the gate. A small clearing had been cut just in front of the cave, and in it were several prefab buildings that, slowly, were being overtaken by nature. Three square, bland structures with faded logos painted on the side to identify a now defunct corporation.

The switch was located in the tallest of the three building. Two stories high, and just as dilapidated as the others. Aside from looking to be the most important of the structures, a thick wire could be seen half-buried connecting it to the gate, so an obvious assumption would be to assume that the key to opening the mine lay inside.

If one could get past the droids.

The mining outpost was heavily guarded by a small army of droids. Scavenged B1 Battle Droids, repurposed and reprogrammed to assist the Jedi in their training. Most were painted a simple grey colour and carried stun blasters, but mixed in were a handful of bronze-coloured "commanders" that would direct the simpleminded machines, coordinating them against any perceived threat. The B1's were lacking in intelligence, could only communicate in the most basic of binary, beeps and whistles, and were entirely incapable of utilizing tactics more advanced than "swarm" when left alone without a leader.

A few droids would present little challenge even to an untrained Jedi, but Linea counted at least two dozen, the vast majority busying themselves by marching in lazy patrols that followed no discernible pattern.

The child was hiding in the brush. She was the first to arrive, which was unsurprising, yet already she'd come to an obstacle she could not easily surpass. Sneaking by would be difficult, and she still needed to find a way inside the mine. Fighting was not an option. There were simply too many droids, and, admittedly, she wasn't the best of warriors. She was small and weak and frail.

Neither was she smart enough to out-think the situation.

A hand clasped its way around her mouth, stifling a startled yelp. It was Gai Aldaoso, the dark-skinned Kiffar, and with him, ducking low so as to avoid being seen,was Rean Rayl'lie and Kyrgen Lann. They had found the abandoned mine a lot sooner than Linea had expected them to. Either it was blind luck or the Force had pointed them in the right direction. "That's a lot of droids," said Gai with considerable nonchalance. He removed his hand from Linea's face. She had contemplated biting him. "So, how do we do this?"

"I don't know," she grumbled.

"Sure you do. You're Skywalker's brat. You gotta know something."

"I don't."

Gai looked a bit disappointed if only for a fraction of a second. Looking to the outpost, he surveyed the scene before speaking aloud to himself. "So, we need to get inside that mine. Gate's locked. How do we open it?"

Rean pointed to the tall building. "There's probably a control panel inside."

"And the droids? Do we fight them?" asked Kyrgen.

A nearby B1 paused to peer at the forest, it's simple "face" scanning over where the foursome lay hiding, and then it continued on without so much as feigned interest. "I don't think that's a good idea," said Linea, unwittingly involving herself with the group.

Gai watched for a moment longer, trying to identify a pattern, and although the patrols appeared to be random there was some order to the apparent nonsense, not so much an established system but simply the outline of one. After a few minutes he saw an opening. "Alright. Head to the closest building and circle around."

Krygen shook her head. "And then what?"

There was no answer as Gai was already on the move. Rean followed after, as did Krygen, and finally a reluctant Linea who was swept along in foolishness. They hurried across open ground and, surprisingly, reached the nearest building without being spotted, backs pressed against the metal wall, its blue paint faded after years of exposure to the elements. Gai peeked around the corner, saw a way forward, and then hurried on—

—only to run into a droid emerging from a doorway.

The B1 chirped angrily and attempted to raise its weapon but Gai was faster, igniting his lightsaber and slashing upwards across its chest, the blue energy of the blade flaring in near-white brilliance. The droid suffered no physical damaged but was merely deactivated, however, its "death" had alerted the others, a signal to begin a single-minded extermination. A bronze-coloured commander quickly identified the intruders, pointing to their location with an open hand. The grey-coloured droids within range quickly turned and opened fire. The students were quickly swarmed.

"Inside!" Gai yelled, stumbling into the open doorway.

More droids were inside. Gai rushed the closest to him, slashing with his lightsaber as Rean downed another, her lightsaber a blur of green light. Krygen tried to ignite her own lightsaber but was holding it backwards and very nearly stabbed herself in the gut. She dropped it, the blade of blue plasma sputtering before deactivating. A droid took aim at the defenseless woman. Linea moved quickly, putting herself between it and Krygen, hand raised, and with some effort the droid stumbled backwards. Gai finished it with a strike to the head.

"Thanks," Kyrgen said as she retrieved her lightsaber, careful now to be mindful of how she was holding it.

Linea ignored her. "What now?"

"We improvise," answered Gai as blaster-fire hit the building, a few shots making their way through the doorway and inside. He moved to put cover between himself and the outside but quickly came under attack from droids in an adjacent room. He repositioned. "Maybe this was a bad idea."

"You think!"

A good number of droids were converging on the building, firing indiscriminately. Those who hadn't yet found the mining outpost would hear the blaster-fire, and they'd be presented with an opportunity to reach the control panel with less opposition, or else a chance to head higher up the hill in search of another way inside. Or they could assist the students who now found themselves trapped between a rock and a hard place, but such a battle would not be easy. To advance further or to help the competition was the choice to be had.

[The Imperial Warglorian Empire]

Drasten Kellic
D'Qar
As Luke Skywalker finished, Drasten smiled, taking off his earpiece and putting in back in his pocket. He quickly jogged outside along with many other initiates. Some were taking a leisurely pace, while others were rushing into the nearby forest. Before Drasten followed, he heard a voice call out from his side: a very young one. "G-guys... maybe we should try and stick together," The man.....no actually, more like a boy, called out. Drasten resisted the urge to facepalm. Bloody hell, in every group there's that one person in the pack that's always naive, that hasn't seen the Galaxy yet, that thinks that the Galaxy is some innocent adventure filled place with good guys, bad guys and honour. Drasten had a feeling he might know who that kid was. Everyone pretty much ignored him, but Drasten felt a bit of sympathy for the gu- boy. Once upon a time he felt the same, of course, it was a rude awakening when he was forced into the Imperial Navy but go figure. Eh, still had a few minutes, might as well save the boy some trouble.

Drasten jogged up to the boy's side. "Hey kid," Drasten said, "If there's one you should know, it's that when initiates want to impress their new bosses, they try everything for the chance to give an everlasting first impression no matter what, so in this case, it's every man for himself, so save your breath kid, I doubt anyone's going to be teaming up if only to betray each other later," with that Drasten left, running towards the forest, before turning back for a second and calling out "Oh, and may the best man win! Try to make yourself that best man kid. Good Luck! You'll need it!" As he rushed into the forest. To some people, it may seem unfamiliar, but to Drasten it felt like he was on the job again. Back when he was an explorer Drasten had travelled to a lot of harsh environments, this place was nothing compared to what he'd seen before. Especially Rannon, bloody Rannon.

"Alright now, where would I put a mining facility? Damn, if only I had a map." Drasten muttered to himself. "Alright, so most likely looking for a large hill, obviously for a mining operation, there's got to some sort of disturbance in this forest, perhaps old signs of machinery and movement that came by this area towards the mine? Maybe a few recently disturbed trees tha-" Drasten turned sharply as he heard the sound of blaster fire and yelling people. "Or just follow the sounds of blasters and incompetent children, way to ruin my analysation moment you stoopas," Drasten muttered to himself as he rushed towards the blaster fire. When he arrived on the edge of the clearing, he saw the main mine outpost, along with several other smaller buildings by it. He also saw a small group of initiates fighting the ever-growing mass of old CIS Era Battledroids. Drasten simply hid there, thinking of the best course of action.

[The Olog-Hai]

Kaidin Thelcar,
D'Qar

D'Qar was an interesting planet, Kaidin decided. Jungle-covered, like some sections of Eshan, the plant life was vibrant. Made even more interesting by the Jedi, obviously. The Master, Luke Skywalker, announced the first challenge, as Kaidin did his best to assess the other apprentices. That was a challenge, as he and his kind didn't do body language very well. A good fight, however, now that was the best way to learn someone. He hadn't had time to spar with any of the apprentices yet, so he hadn't gotten to know them well. There would be time, however. Battles always happened.

There was quite the diverse amount of apprentices. A Chiss, who evidently had no awareness of his surroundings, randomly igniting his saber while Luke gave his speech about the challenge. An ex-Imperial or two. Kaidin tuned back to the speech as Luke finished, answering the question of one of the apprentices, about what they were actually looking for. A vague answer, very Jedi-like. "You'll know when you find it."

As the apprentices were released, and rushed off, Kaidin waited for a moment, then followed, having not paid enough attention to the speech to know the precise location as to where they were going. A group of apprentices rushed off, racing to be the first to finish. Others hung back, taking it at a leisurely walk. The latter group had more of a right idea. This was a typical strategy, rewarding patience and not pushing yourself, but they were going a bit too slow for his liking, so Kaidin broke into a jog, keeping a decent pace but reserving some of his energy for the actual trial itself. Not entirely sure where he was heading, Kaidin began to hear blaster fire, and surmised the right direction was that way.

Following the sounds of blaster fire, Kaidin arrived at the site of the challenge. It was a small clearing, with several buildings covered in plants, in front of a mine covered by a large and heavy gate. Kaidin traced with his eyes a large wire leading from the gate to the tallest of the buildings. He was willing to bet that whatever way there was to get into the mine, it was going to be in there. As he watched, he saw the droids wandering the clearing. Old Separatist battle droids, they had to be. No way they'd have been given lethal blasters, but it never hurt to be careful, and the blasters were going to be a problem. Melee was more his style.

Kaidin hunted for the source of the blaster fire, and found it soon, A group of droids must have someone, or something pinned up in a building, and they were advancing upon it, blasters constantly firing, the source of the noise. The distraction of the droids would make getting to the control for the mine gate a lot easier, but at the same time, there was likely someone in trouble inside the building.

Kaidin sighed, and ignited his saber, giving it a few swings to test the weight. It was a lot lighter than the vibroblades he was proficient with, and that was going to be disorienting. He then turned off his saber, and stretched, making sure he had full mobility in what he was wearing. Kaidin would need to cover as much ground as possible before being noticed to have any sort of chance against those droids. Kaidin then began to run towards the droids, wordlessly breaking into a sprint. The droids took some time to notice him, being mostly distracted by whatever they were firing at, but as he got closer, a few noticed him, and turned, preparing to fire. Kaidin laughed, and ignited his training saber. The battle had begun.

[Yvren]

A'ro Stelwaas
D'Qar

After the students were dismissed A’ro decided to shadow the main group of students from a distance. However, he lost most of them not long after entering the jungle and starting to feel the discomfort from walking in the foreign environment in the wrong gear as he tried to find a path to the Mining base.

He had to stop and catch his breath after a few minutes to remove his Overcoat and roll up his sleeves and pant legs. The heat and humidity of the terrain were finally starting to drain his constitution. The heat and humidity being a far cry from his native Dorin or his long years spent on climate-controlled merchant ships. And even aside from the whole... dying horribly of Oxygen poisoning he knew he would be having a hard time breathing without his mask. “Kark ,I didn’t think I was this out of shape.”

He was broken from his reverie by the sound of blaster fire in the distance. He instinctively reached for his blaster. Only to find the lightsaber that he had haphazardly stowed in the holster. He paused looking at the lightsaber, pausing to look at it before turning and running towards the sounds of blaster fire.

He stumbled through the jungle weapon in one hand and coat in the other coming to a stop at the edge of a clearing surrounding a few buildings and a large cave entrance. His focus, however, was on one of the outbuildings surrounded by what appeared to be old CIS battle droids unloading a hail of fire into the building. He thumbed the lightsaber in preparation to jump into action when the rational part of his brain stopped him and forced him to examine what was happening. Immediately he recognized that the blaster bolts were actually stun bolts which helped deescalate down from jumping in. He sat back running through the logic of Skywalker putting his new students into a situation where they might die, realizing that this wasn’t a situation where any of them would be in much danger.

Taking that into account, with the people in that building being safe from real harm, he turned to examine the whole situation. The outbuildings were being overgrown by nature and he didn’t see any evidence of disturbance, minus the very recent ones. So, it was unlikely what he was looking for was in any of them. Besides where else would the thing be but INSIDE the mines. He would need to find away into the cave, and past those battle droids.

I doubt they would have gone through the trouble of setting up an Actual Droid Controller Array, if they could even find one, meaning unless the new Jedi dug up an old CIS commander droid these B1’s was operating off their normal dumb programming. So not a huge threat, but they have numbers and guns. So, I’ll be best off staying out of their way. With that though he turned his attention to the gates.

Now if this was a legit mining operation then there was no way that the Gate was the only way into the Mine. If there was a disaster and their tech shut down there would have to be another way-out for the miners. If it still exists that will be my best chance in. Now just to find it.

A’ro began circling around the Mining Site making his way to the hill above the cave entrance to search for the bolt hole.

[Arengin Union]

Jalelvi Garekk

His words falling on deaf ears Jale couldn't hold but look down on the floor with embarrassment over the cold indifference that he had just received from his peers. He looked around him as everyone began to go their separate ways, each of them with their own interest and their own self wish to glory. Jale felt saddened at how he had been virtually ignored by the people who he would've expect shared his own view of the world and what a Jedi was supposed to be, not driven by competition or personal glory, he himself had tried to deflect that wish and try to take the initiative in inspiring brotherhood as he believed the Jedi to be but that would't happen. He realized he was by himself now, but he wouldn't let it put him down, he had the feeling they would come around soon.

Jale turned around to face the unknown once again, the others gone to do follow their own way he was decided to find whatever he was meant to find. At least he hoped. Before he could proceed, a much older man appeared from Jale's side.

"Hey Kid"

Jale looked surprised and a bit bemused, not able to say anything before the much older and robust man spoke to him. He was obviously much older than Jale, by a large margin. He bode the attitude of a man that had seen a lot of stuff in his life, much more experience and actual life outside in the galaxy.

"If there's one you should know, it's that when initiates want to impress their new bosses, they try everything for the chance to give an everlasting first impression no matter what, so in this case, it's every man for himself, so save your breath kid, I doubt anyone's going to be teaming up if only to betray each other later,"

Quickly the man began to move quickly run the unknown luscious forest of D'Quar. Not before turning around for a few seconds to say some last words of encouragement to the younger apprentice.

"Oh, and may the best man win! Try to make yourself that best man kid. Good Luck! You'll need it!"

With that he disappeared into the forest. Jale could only keep a still face, he felt his body tingle as he was left for himself as the man said, "Every man for himself," so Jale was on his own and out to go at it. At least the last words of the man had stuck with him, he would indeed do his best to become that best man. Jale looked at his training lightsaber, activating it he took a few steps, closing into the tall dense forest, he felt nervous but also determined to show he was capable. They didn't seem so different from the forest in Bothanwui, his uncle had taught him to always stay near the edge of the forest so to not get lost and be able to get back home, but this wasn't home anymore, well at least not Bothanwui, it was his new home but not one he knew. Jale gathered up courage and jogged into the forest, right on the same direction as the man had went, lightsaber flashing with its blue bright Jale moved through the bushes and undergrowth, and then he heard the sounds of blaster fire. He looked around and could hear them not too far away, he began to move in the direction of the blaster fire, hoping to find the challenge Master Skywalker had set them all on.

[Stristia]

James Windweaver

The situation looked grim from where Joker was standing. He stood at the ready, unignited lightsaber in hand from a small, hidden alcove in the jungle. He had never much cared for the humidity provided by environments like D’Qar, but currently there were more important things on his mind. A small army of droids had taken up positions in front of the blocked mine shaft, and Windweaver’s suspicions of the Jedi’s first trial had come true. He had spotted Skywalker’s girl and a group of other apprentices in the forest, but before he could go over there and get and idea of what to do, they had rushed out into the open with no discernible plan or course of action. It was a pain in more than one way, but the foremost being that he was lacking in the one thing that Jedi relied upon, an ability to use the Force. Anyone could wave around a blaster, but it took a trained veteran to use one, and anyone could wield a laser sword, but only a Jedi could use it to its best effect. With his first choice out of the way, he began to search for others.

Joker thought about the massive giant of a woman he had seen next to a Zabrak Jedi earlier, but ruled her out quickly via experience. The last time he had ever approached something that tall it was a Wookie he was to put in a detainment camp, and the poor private he had been serving with got his arms ripped out of his sockets by the furry monster. He decided internally that anything over two heads his height was not to be taken lightly. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a familiar figure and the tell tale signs of a blue lightsaber, hum and all. Joker himself had tested the weapon in the jungle for a few minutes before taking off and it reminded him of the stun batons he had used in CoreSec. The weight was all off and he only knew basic strikes, but anything was better than nothing at this point. Between the trees was a young man who had asked for to team up earlier, and while before he was reluctant to give up on his chance for a full reward, now he realised that nothing less than a well organised group could get this done.

Rushing to the kid’s side, he quietly but quickly introduced himself

“Hey you there! The name’s James Windweaver, but just call me Joker. But that’s besides the point, up ahead is an army of droids that Skywalker’s own apprentice is struggling to fight, and right now she and the rest of the only experienced cadets have successfully proven that astromech is more suited to wielding the Force than trained warriors. As far as I see, our best chance is to either rapidly become cyborgs or group up like you talked about. I used to do some soldiering, the more men in the squad, the merrier, and of course, the better chance to not get shot. Let’s grab some others and see what we can do about saving the Skywalker girl, I figure if anyone can beat this trial, she can, and it never hurts to be a hero too, eh?”

While certainly breaking records with the amount of thoughts he was thinking a minute, a saw the Kel Dor who had been arguing earlier with a droid of his own. If he recalled correctly, the man spoke Droid, a technical skill for sure. Who better to help them take out the buckets of bolts?

“Alright, well, now’s our chance. That alien over there, the Kel Dor, he could be useful in (at this point, anyone who can hold a weapon is). Are you coming or not?”

[Arengin Union]

Jalelvi Garekk

Well this was surely unexpected, it was as if an unknown entity had answered to Jale's hopes of his fellow Jedi aspirers to look at thing less as a competition and more of a test. Jale was shook at first when a man in a mixture of old weathered out storm trooper gear and normal clothes approached from out of nowhere. Jale flinched but was able to keep himself from yelling or doing any loud noises that would attract the droids.

“Hey you there! The name’s James Windweaver, but just call me Joker. But that’s besides the point, up ahead is an army of droids that Skywalker’s own apprentice is struggling to fight, and right now she and the rest of the only experienced cadets have successfully proven that astromech is more suited to wielding the Force than trained warriors. As far as I see, our best chance is to either rapidly become cyborgs or group up like you talked about. I used to do some soldiering, the more men in the squad, the merrier, and of course, the better chance to not get shot. Let’s grab some others and see what we can do about saving the Skywalker girl, I figure if anyone can beat this trial, she can, and it never hurts to be a hero too, eh?”

James? What an odd name, almost alien like more so than other names known, Jale liked it's oddness if he were to be honest. But the man who preferred to be called Joker had a point, as Jale subtly looked through the forest bushes the apprentice of THE Luke Skywalker was struggling with some old droids. So Joker's argument of sticking together made more sense than Jale's previous poor attempt to make a team up. He nodded in agreement at what the more experienced man said. He didn't have time to say anything before Joker continued with his military like analysis of the situation.

“Alright, well, now’s our chance. That alien over there, the Kel Dor, he could be useful in (at this point, anyone who can hold a weapon is). Are you coming or not?”

"Y-yes! I'm coming, I'm coming!" Jale said trying to keep a low voice but also trying to impress Joker with a fake deepened voice, as if trying to hide the fact he was actually pretty nervous. He moved the lightsaber up, right on Joker's face who quickly shoved it away from his face back downward with an annoyed look, though making a small smirk at Jale's clumsiness.

"S-sorry... We should get going. I'll follow your lead." Jale said, his deepened voice falling back to his still boyish like tone.

[The Knockout Gun Gals]

J'Dar Kalla
D'Qar

To say that the training wasn't easy is an underestimation. As the Jedi apprentices moved to the mining complex, he followed but rather slow, as he was rather working alone in this case. Yeah, teamwork must be important and so on. But he'd rather work alone, or rather working together but ditched the rest as soon as he able to get in. The mining complex was surrounded by three buildings, and sounds of blasters firing were already heard. "A bit of accident, but nonetheless a good distraction," he summed up the whole thing.

Now to the gate. Obviously their lightsabers are not meant to cut into the gate, which means they have to traverse the narrow passegaway, the only way available for them. Droids everywhere, seems to be old ones, but the Separatist ones. Wonderful. Their blasters are wonderful weapons, should one be able to get hold on one. He turned on his lightsaber and practiced with it. Seems a lot easier with just one on his hand, he prefers two though. Turned it off again, he watched the current scene. His focus right now is to get that item, as that is the target of this mission. Those droids and their stun blasters are tiresome, though.

"Not an easy mission," as he tried to traverse the roads leading to the hill. An easier path than trying to put yourself in a suicide.

[Relikai]

Jedi Knight Sen Zuroki Wren
Trial Site, D'Qar
15ABY

The cadets were enthusiastic, and it was something positive to note as she took off a short distance behind them. Close enough to sense the padawans but far enough to evade her own being from their senses. All this while as they ran, she gave them a head start, finding some space away from the rest of the Masters as she focused herself in the Force. Wisps of blue flowed around her fingertips, the grass nearby leaning towards her as if she was absorbing the wind around her being, before a great leap had her soaring towards a nearby tree, a hand shooting for a branch as she used it to pivot her body, sending her shooting towards the direction of the mine.

Never once did her feet touch the soil, the Force propelling her body through the forest of trees from trunk to trunk. The soles of her boots seemed to glow, as if the Jedi was focusing the center point of her Force energies onto them. Her kicks propelled her, arms guiding her body and pushing branches away before she came to a familiar spot, a small clearing without any trees to find traction in as her body flew downwards, palms open and stretched forward as she came out of a mid-air roll, a hand barely inches from touching the ground...

When the grass and soil parted before her as a telekinetic blast sent the woman flying back upwards, her eyes closed as she pictured the entire scene before her mid-air, the Force guiding her senses as it continued to be channeled through her body. This felt like what it was to be one with the Force, the core tenet of her training leaning towards a conduit of the Force. Her robes flowed behind, caught with the wind as she finally allowed herself to float slowly downwards, her boots touching softly against a fallen log as she took down the hood around her head, eyes turning towards the mines and where several padawans seemed to have gotten themselves into a pinch.

It would be interesting, seeing them run through a training she has been part of in the past. Of course, there wasn't any refined methods of training back then, Master Skywalker teaching her and her fellow padawans the best he could. Yet it was more than sufficient as the Mandalorian observed the scene nearby. Her senses saw what her eyes couldn't, her mind mapping out an image of each droid and padawan. Of course this took a large amount of concentration to maintain, and familiarity of this place together with its richness in the Force helped out plenty in her concentration. Part of her considered giving those padawans a bit of a boost, but it was quickly suppressed by the practical self, the logical self which told her that should they pass this trial only with her help, won't she be cheapening the worth of these prospects in the Academy?

She continued to look, and observe. It was a spot easy to find, a spot she helped to clear some time ago when preparing the mines for the trials. This spot and a few others, perhaps the other Knights who wanted to observe the padawans could join her here.

[Brusia]

Martius Shan
D'Qar
Trial Site

As Martius was about as close to an expert on B1 battle droids as the New Order had, he was one of the Knights selected to observe the new students' trial, and to provide assistance if necessary in the event any of the droids should malfunction. To that end, the former Jedi General made sure to scout out the mining complex and surrounding terrain well ahead of time, and made note of several shortcuts leading to the areas which had been cleared out for observation purposes. As he approached one such area he noticed one of the Knights had already arrived at the clearing, and not wanting to startle them stated: "Hello there, do you mind if I join you?"

[Stristia]

James Windweaver
Joker and the boy raced around the perimeter to the Kel Dor who was making his way as stealthily as possible around. Unfortunately for him, the pair were bounding after him as quickly as possible. They could still here the blaster fire coming from the buildings and at this rate things were looking grim. What the kid lacked in experience he made up for in youthful eagerness and athleticism, and he nearly pulled away from Joker. But Windweaver was at peak physical condition and managed to keep up with him. He liked the boyish naïveté that his partner brought with him, and all the way up he found himself concerned a stray shot might hit the two of them, but it did not. Joker also began to attempt to formulate a plan. He was never particularly one for making plans, usually he followed somebody else’s, but right now he had to do the best he could without relying on a leader.

He didn’t get very far into thinking before they jumped in front of the odd alien. In the moment of him processing their doing so, Joker jumped into action.

“Hello there, my name’s Joker, this is...uh, the kid, and right now as I see it, none of us are going to get in there and back out without some nasty shots if we don’t take care of the droids out here. Just over there, in the far building from the mine’s opening, there are four apprentices, just like you, me, or this kid currently about to get fried, and one of them is Skywalker’s own apprentice. If anyone can pull us through this, it’s her, but we can’t do that if she’s babbling incoherently from several shots to the head. If we can help them, we’d have seven potential Jedi all working towards getting the prize, and I guarantee you that’s better than you just floundering on your own out here. I saw you talking to your droid, I know you must have some idea of what we’re up against, or even a vague amount of information that would help us. Are you in or not?”

[Yvren]

A’ro Stelwaas
Mining Site, D’Qar

A’ro thought he might have seen a path farther up the hill and was looking for the best way forward. He looked over his shoulder and saw a pair of humans running through the site.

Where are those two running too? If they keep that up they’ll get noticed. A’ro turned his attention away to check the next spot he would bolt too before turning back to the check if the coast was clear and saw that the pair was closer and moving indirectly towards him.

What they doing? They’re going to run right over me, they’ll get me spotted. Where are they even They're? There not going up the hill, what are they running to- oh no…The other students continued their beeline towards him to his growing distress, no, no, no, I had a plan! Don’t do this to me you Wermo’s! The pair came to a stop before the stunned mechanic and before he could formulate a response the older looking one started speaking.

James Windweaver
“Hello there, my name’s Joker, this is...uh, the kid,-”

Oh no...

James Windweaver
“-Just over there, in the far building from the mine’s opening, there are four apprentices, just like you, me, or this kid currently about to get fried, and one of them is Skywalker’s own apprentice. If anyone can pull us through this, it’s her, but we can’t do that if she’s babbling incoherently from several shots to the head. If we can help them, we’d have seven potential Jedi all working towards getting the prize, and I guarantee you that’s better than you just floundering on your own out here-”

... had a plan

James Windweaver
“-I saw you talking to your droid, I know you must have some idea of what we’re up against, or even a vague amount of information that would help us. Are you in or not?”

A’ro looked between the two and as the tall guy finished talking he came to a realization, ‘They have even less of an idea of what there doing than I do.’ Suddenly crushed under the weight of a combination of pity and Baran Do guilt. He sighed shaking his head and said, “Okay fine, but I’m not just going to rush in. So let’s make a plan.” A’ro began backing farther into the jungle becoming the two with him, “These things were built to be dumb and slow, so let’s take advantage of that.”

The Kel Dor paused and looked down at a fallen vine that he almost fell over. “How opposed do you think the Space Monks would be to a Minor forest fire?”