Destiny Eclipse/Chapter XI

--6 ABY – One month after Xander is accepted into the Jedi Order--

Jedi Temple – Jedi Archive Classrooms
Xander typed notes into his datapad furiously as his mentor, Jedi Historian Obi-Tyler, poured out information on the Coruscanti Order from the time of its birth to its death at the hands of Darth Vader.

“The Jedi Order once numbered over ten thousand individuals, ranging from Devaronians to Trandoshans, though all were accepted without fail. The Jedi Order strived to maintain peace and prosperity in the Republic, and were known as the Guardians of the Republic for over a thousand generations. Then, in the waning weeks of the Clone Wars, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine deemed the Jedi to be traitors of the Republic, after an apparent foiled assassination attempt. The Clone Troopers who had served loyally under the Jedi Knights and Masters turned on them. None survived. The Jedi Temple-”

“Excuse me sir,” Xander said, raising his hand to staunch the flow of information.

“Yes, Xander?”

“Some did survive. One that I know of at least,” he said, almost embarrassed to have stopped the fascinating lecture.

“Ah, of course. How clumsy of me to forgotten whilst lecturing her own sun. Lysa Sornfree, serving on Maridun for nearly the entire war, was one of the most widely known survivors. Darth Vader and the new Emperor Palpatine continued to assure worried individuals who were concerned she may attack them, that she was dead. However, claims of her survival came from many back water worlds, and Darth Vader dutifully followed up nearly every single one. However, she was never found, and rebels against the Empire’s tyranny began to call her case the Sornfree Myth.

“Now, where was I, ah, yes. The Jedi Temple, which had stood for over fifty thousand years, and still stands, was the main focal pointy of Jedi support on Coruscant, and very nearly the entire Core. Shortly after the Clone betrayal, Darth Vader marched on what many speculate was once his home, killing all Jedi who lay within. Only one is rumoured to have survived, Shaak Ti, a Togrutan Jedi Council Member, not unlike our own Koras. She was reported dead twice during what is now known as the Days of Death. Once at the hands of General Greivous, the Jedi slayer, and the other at Darth Vader’s hands. However, people who claim to have insider information claim that Darth Vader, whilst on the look out for your mother, was also interested in the location of Shaak Ti, for one so powerful could prove a dangerous rallying point for your enemies.”

Catching up to Obi-Tyler, Xander dared pause and ask a question, “If the Emperor hated the Jedi so much, and the Clone Army turned on them, then how did so many survive?”

“I wouldn’t call it many,” Obi-Tyler said, chuckling, “At most I would estimate perhaps twenty could have survived, give or take a few. Now, put that figure up against the ten thousand Jedi that were in the Order at the start of the war. That’s, by my calculations, only a fifth of a percent, and the Galaxy is a big place for twenty Jedi to hide. Some may have assumed new identities, some may even have begun working in the Empire, to topple it from the inside, I can only guess, but I believe my point is proven.

“Now, our Order has a much different history. Many amongst us debate whether the Jedi Order was created by Golte and Feleah on Bespin, in the years after Freedon Nadd’s death, or by Cion and Elitha on Bakura, around the time Naboo was colonised, where we now preside. Golte and Feleah created a Jedi Order separate from the main Order, much as others did on Corellia, and other worlds. During their time, it was frowned upon for breakaway enclaves. However, during the Hyabb-Twith Campaigns, two Jedi, a husband and wife, were separated from the main group of Jedi, their ship damaged beyond control. Making it to Bespin, they begin what will become our Jedi Order. They were Feleah and Golte. Now, I’ll tell you a little secret,” Obi-Tyler said, leaning in, his eyes twinkling.

“What, Master?” Xander said, pausing in his typing.

“Do you know of the Kroprulan Sith? The ones who attacked you? They are ruled by the Zavian line, which started in Atalia Zaviar, who was born on Bespin, to Feleah and Golte.”

“So, our Orders are linked?” Xander said, almost speechless.

Obi-Tyler chuckled, “Yes, it’s a small world, isn’t it?” He said, grinning, “After their first child was born, they began to train her in the ways of the Jedi, until, ten years after her birth, the Order was attacked by unknown forces; possibly advance Sith, or pirates, we have never been able to trace the attack. Feleah and Golte tried to escape with their daughter in their craft, but fell into a coma, and their ship began to drift. There they remained for ten years, their craft supplying them with nutrients as soon as it detected the three of them as unconscious; one of the bonus features of craft then,” Obi-Tyler said, grinning, “They awoke ten years later, still in orbit around Bespin, and learnt of the Order’s destruction. They planned to return to Coruscant after exploring the Galaxy and showing it to their daughter, teaching her how to fly a craft. Obviously they didn’t know how to use it very well, as both they and their daughter crashed such craft only five years later; Feleah and Golte on Bakura, and Atalia on Kroprulu, where she founded her Empire.

“Feleah and Golte, who had stored all their knowledge in holocrons before they travelled to the Outer Rim, and Bakura, where they perished in one of the barren regions of the planet, already weakened from their coma and lack of good nourishment. Seventy-five years later, the barren region has slowly gained moisture, and is a sapling forest, and a colony has settled near it. Two Force Sensitive beings, Cion and Elitha came across the Holocrons, where they began to study the knowledge they contained. Slowly, over forty five years, they built a Jedi Temple based on the blue prints of the Bespin Temple. Cion and Elitha then married, and had a child, Athin, who was the first trainee of our order. The colony near the Holocron grew into one of the main cities of Bakura,” Obi-Tyler said. “The Jedi implemented a Council, much like the main Jedi Temple on Coruscant once had. A great enemy of the Jedi Order, Trask, returned nearly thirty years ago, and killed the entire Council. It was a disastrous day for the Jedi. Only Grand Master Nalrix survived the attack. He trained his Apprentice Abba well in the Force and, on his deathbed, named her the new Grand Master. For a year Abba sat on the Council alone, until Masters Rive, Shatterpoint and Vikro joined the Council. From there, Jedi Master Koras joined a year later, to form the Council we now have.

“Now, get some rest. Tomorrow we will begin work on constructing your lightsaber. If you are to become Vikro’s Apprentice, you will need to be strong with such a weapon.”

“Thank you Master,” Xander said, dutifully, “I shall rest well tonight for tomorrow’s lesson.”

Jedi Temple – Construction Chambers
“The crystal, is the heart of the blade,” Obi-Tyler said, watching on as Xander began to construct what would become his lightsaber, “The heart, is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the Force. The Force is the blade of the heart. All are intertwined. The crystal, the blade, the Jedi,”

Xander focussed on the lightsaber parts before him as Obi-Tyler recited the ancient mantra, drawing the parts together using the Force. Over the past month Obi-Tyler and he had been travelling here, constructing each part separately, and now Xander was ready to create the lightsaber itself. He drew the crystal into the air using the Force, bringing the focussing lenses around it, and sealing them shut. The body of the light saber, fitted with the correct parts already, split, and fit snug around the focussing lenses, and sealed shut. The two parts welded together instantly, the seam lost forever. His lightsaber was complete.

“You are one,” Obi-Tyler finished, “Now, your preliminary training is complete, Xander Vos. You are ready to become an Apprentice.”

“Thank you Master Obi-Tyler, you have taught me well,” Xander said, igniting his emerald blade in excitement. He was now truly a Jedi, and his parents would be proud.

Obi-Tyler smiled, and placed a hand on Xander’s shoulder, the real one, “No, thank you. You have been the first Jedi Initiate I have educated, and it has been a truly wonderful experience. I hope we can be friends on par, and not as a Master and a Knight, as I am sure you will become.”

“Thank you, that would be truly wonderful,” Xander said, smiling at the Jedi Historian.

“If I may ask,” Obi-Tyler put forward tentatively.

“Of course, Master, you may ask me anything,” Xander said.

“What Form do you seem to prefer? I mean, over all, which seems tailored to your desires the most?”

“Most probably either Makashi or Ataru,” Xander said, thinking hard, “Makashi would provide me with a grace I strive to perfect, but requires a precision that I lack. Ataru, on the other hand, is mainly athletic, which I am well prepared for, and contains little disadvantages for me and my style. Yes, I believe I will choose to learn Ataru, when the time comes, Master.”

“Thank you, Xander, may the Force be with you,” Obi-Tyler said.

“And with you, Obi-Tyler,” Xander said, smiling.

Jedi Temple – Council Chambers
“The Jedi Council will recognise the Apprenticeship of Xander Vos to Jedi Council Member Vikro, as of this moment until Jedi Apprentice Xander Vos’ trials,” announced Shatterpoint, standing at her seat, facing Vikro and Xander Vos who stood in the middle of the room.

For Vikro it felt odd to view the Council as the other Jedi did, and not from his now-vacant seat between Koras and Rive. But he felt reassured nonetheless to be standing by the side of the boy who would be his Apprentice for the next decade at least. He put a hand on Xander’s shoulder, the boy turning and glancing up at the older man, grinning.

“Thank you, Masters,” Xander said, “I promise to serve the Jedi Order well, to learn all that I can and more from Vikro, and most of all to remain loyal to this Order until all breath leaves my lungs.”

“Very well, congratulations Vikro, congratulations Xander Vos, your Apprenticeship to Vikro has begun. We shall have a mission for you as soon as one emerges,” Abba said, smiling at the two, pleased to see that all had gone to plan and that the boy knew the importance of the Order and its secrecy. Obi-Tyler had taught him their history well. She was pleased with Obi-Tyler, who was showing immense progress after his first two Padawans had fallen to the Dark Side, joining countless others at Empress Dell’s Empire. She glanced at the other Council Members, in case they had anything to add.

No one spoke for a moment, and then the silky tone of Koras filled the gap, spilling forth. “Xander Vos, ever since I first saw you, unconscious after the Sith attack on Loorta and your friend’s death, I knew there were great things in store for you. The power you have inherited should never be taken lightly, and that I must impress upon you with the utmost importance. No doubt Obi-Tyler has told you of the countless Jedi Padawans who have desired more power, traversing the thin line between darkness and light with arrogance. Vikro has told us of your actions on Kinyen, and how you felt about them, and I hope you keep that feeling in mind if ever you feel the seductive pull of the Dark Side.”

“I will, Master Koras,” Xander said solemnly, nodding his head in the Togruta’s direction, “Thank you, I will not forget that.”

“Then may the Force be with you all,” Vikro said, motioning for Xander to lead the way out of the room, and towards the Apprenticeship which would be known through the Temple for decades to come as one of the most famous of them all.