Star Wars: Plight of the Padawan/Chapter II

Plight of the Padawan Chapter I • Chapter II • Chapter III

Coruscant, 29 BBY
 * Xero swung his training saber furiously at the training droid in front of him, his eyes closed and arms locked in extension. Tainer looked upon the young child, his head kept propped up by his fist, as he sighed heavily and gently shook his head. "Keep your movement fluid, and your eyes open. You won't get very far if you can't see your opponent, young Heng," Tainer said, almost annoyed. It was one of many recent times that Xero had forgotten Tainer's—granted informal—training. The Knight watched Xero's struggle to put up an effective fight as Drosk entered the room. Tainer stood to face his partner. "Ah, glad to see your finally up. And what brings you hear this fine Corusca—"


 * "Quiet, Tainer," Drosk coldly interrupted. He looked into Tainer's eyes, and then at the rosy-skinned boy with the white lightsaber, still flailing it around wildly. "The Council wishes to speak with you about Xero." Before Tainer could think to ask what business they requested of him, Drosk had already turned to leave the two.


 * Tainer stood where he greeted Drosk, and watched as the door shut behind him. He scratched the bridge of his nose, relieved the talk wasn't more than just that, and called Xero to attention. "Xero, go get cleaned up. change into a new robe, as well. We've got to go talk to the Masters about your future."


 * Xero replied, "Okay, Master," in the innocent tone of a young child, content with his life. Because he didn't know any better. Xero walked into the restroom, robes in hand, as he readied himself for the meeting, and Tainer sat down on his sleeper. To think in retrospect the events of Xero's abduction three years prior, Tainer's heart was overwhelmed with pain and depression. He grieved over the loss of Salvor's hand, and Tatianna's pain of losing the child she birthed just moments before. He could relate to her pain.


 * In Tainer's mind rang shrills and explosions as flashbacks of his early childhood on Neque resurfaced. The vivid memories of his brother's death in their mother's arms and his father's abandoning, only to be shot dead soon after, shook Tainer. The event was bloodier than he remembered. Just as Tainer hid his face in his hands and held back tears, Xero emerged from the restroom, smiling. Tainer frowned as he looked into the child's eyes and saw his reflection. Just like his mother's, he thought.


 * Tainer rubbed his face—which now blushed red from his near-breakdown—clean of emotion and bent down a bit to take Xero's hand. He wore a smile as fake as Elen Santorini's breasts, and Xero returned the favor, albeit with a bit more emotion.