The Training of Zol Tsviet

[Malon]

Coruscant....

A planet of vast importance to both the Republic and its Jedi allies. Dominating the skyline of the planet was the restored Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Inside that temple, hundreds of Jedi trained to master the knowledge of the Force.

Four years had passed. Siri Firestorm, despite still being in her twenties, had aged; grown wiser. In these last four years, she'd become a Jedi Master; the most revered rank of the Jedi Order. This promotion had been humbling for her. She now walked straight and tall, brown robes billowing behind her like the clouds of the Coruscant skies.

In the past four years, she'd been reluctant to take on a new student. Wisdom had made her picky. She wanted students with real commitment. Now she'd found one. He was to be her fifth student, but he, by far, had been the most interesting candidate presented to her. In many ways, he was much like herself in lightsaber preference.

She looked forward to meeting him.

Siri arrived in the training room she'd reserved and awaited Zol Tsviet; her newest Padawan.

 

[Dmitri]

Even though he'd been with the Jedi Order for years, the site of the Coruscanti Jedi Temple always marvelled him.

Tsviets walked around the corridors. He went in search of his new Master, Siri Firestorm. The arrangements for a new teacher had been made but a mistake by registration had accidently omitted where he was supposed to meet them.

Tsviets walked over to a security officer. "Excuse me, but where may I Master Firestorm?"

 

[Malon]

The security officer studied the Padawan closely for a moment before picking up his datapad.

"Master Firestorm, did you say? Let me see..." the officer said, scrolling through the information on his viewscreen.

"Ah, here we are. Master Firestorm has reserved a room on the second floor of the temple. Take that turbolift right there..." he gestured towards a lift about twenty feet from them, on the other side of the lobby, "....and its the fourth room on your left when you get off. She should be in there."

 

[Dmitri]

"Thank you," thanked Zolotoy.

Zolotoy took the turbolift to the second floor. Four doors to the left, he found his master. Before speaking, he assessed his new master. She was known for her wisdom and skill, though he was unsure of her combat skill. He wondered how well she'd do.

"Hello, Master Firestorm," greeted Zolotoy. "I am Zolotoy Tsviets."

 

[Malon]

Siri pulled back the hood that was draped over her head, allowing herself to see her new student clearly. For a few moments she regarded him with a quizzical look, as if sizing him up before speaking.

"Welcome, Zolotoy. I hope you have come prepared to learn. I am a strict teacher, but, if you adhere to my teachings, you will leave here a far better Jedi then when you first came." she said.

A short pause of silence ensued, interrupted moments later when she again spoke.

"Tell me a little about yourself."

 

[Dmitri]

Siri seemed confident in herself. Zolotoy hoped that was because of skill, rather than arrogance.

"I shall do my best to learn all I can and do all I can," replied Zolotoy. When in a situation where one's being evaluated, the best course is to truthfully provide an answer that pleased the questioner while divulging little into the meaning behind it. However, this was crushed by her next statement.

"Well, I was born on Alderaan with my younger brother, Nol; we don't talk much anymore," said Zolotoy. "About eight years ago, the Jedi Order came to our family to recruit me and my brother into the Jedi Order. While I accepted, my brother did not. I did wait a while to officially join so that I could take care of my sick mother. When she died, I came to the Jedi and have been training ever since. After the Hutt War, I went on a mission with Knights Tak'n and Haven where we managed to free enslaved wookies, however the mission showed that I still needed to learn. Thus, for these past four years, I've been doing independent training and am now ready to learn under a teacher this time." He cocked an eyebrow. "Hopefully one better than my former one."

 

[Malon]

Siri did not change her facial expression, and she buried her personal feelings on the matter deep within her. He was hungry for knowledge. That was a good trait in a Jedi. However, beyond the external, Siri felt something else. Skepticism, perhaps? She couldn't be sure, so she swept the feeling aside.

"If you have already received some some Jedi instruction, then I assume you know the Jedi Code well?" she asked.

However, before he could answer, she'd already begun speaking again.

"Very well then, that will be your first test under me. Tell me what you think the meaning of the Jedi Code is without reciting a single line from the Code itself to illustrate your view."

Her face remained neutral. She folded her arms and studied her student carefully. She liked him so far. She hoped he could deliver.

 

[Dmitri]

"There are five tenets," said Zolotoy from memory. "First, we ought not to claim emotion doesn't exist, but put it aside. Let our mind be at peace, not chaotically clashing between feelings. Feelings cloud judgements.

"The second tenet is that one should not fear ignorance. Knowledge is the key to understanding and wisdom. However, we cannot just assume we know all the answers, or another has the answers. Instead, it is up to ourselves to look for the answers, whether in the normal places in some strange source.

"The third picks up on the first. It promotes that we not let our emotions and stressors cause us to lose our way. We cannot let ourselves be lost in our emotions, for drowning in too much emotion would result in being lured to the dark side.

"The fourth tenet is sometimes omitted but I'll talk about it. It details how everything is connected, most interpretations stating that everything's connected to the Force. It teaches that failures and disappointments are a way of life, and not to be ignored. We must not see the universe as chaotic but rather a large sequential chain of parallel events.

"The last goes over the concept of life and death. Dark siders focus on immortality, trying to escape from the inevitable. However, death is just as important in the cycle of life as any other point. It shouldn't be fear, yet not embraced unnecessarily. Instead, it should be acknowledged as a natural process of life."

Zolotoy looked at Siri to see what her reaction would be.

 

[Malon]

Siri smiled. She had to admit she was impressed. She'd never gotten such a well thought out answer; not to mention Zol was correct.

"Excellent interpretation, Zol." she applauded. "You've passed. Now to begin the real training. What have you learned of the Force?" she asked, uncrossing her arms and taking two long strides, bring her to the center of the room to face Zol from a much closer angle.

 

[Dmitri]

"The Force is metaphysical in nature," replied Zolotoy. "It has no true form. It all has to do with interpretation. Some believe the Force as some magical force. Others believe it to be what some call Fate, and the Force users' powers come from manipulating fate."

Zolotoy paused. He never had a problem stating his mind but he still wondered what his view of the Force was.

"For me, it's a way to seeing the world," said Zolotoy finally. "It's a way to achieve one's goals and ideals. For the Jedi, it's the strive for peace. For the Bogan, it's personal gain. There is no difference between the Force, just how it's used."

 

[Malon]

Siri considered Zol's words cautiously. It was clear that her apprentice didn't believe in a light or dark side to the Force. Few Jedi believed that way and it was a view that was often looked down upon by the Council.

"The Force is not neutral, Padawan. Some have come forward with the view that it is people, not the Force, that are light or dark. That is partially true, people can be light and dark, however, if that were completely true, and the Force isn't light or dark, then detecting a 'light' or 'dark' side to the Force would be impossible, yet we can. People influenced by the dark side feel cold, while those influenced by the light glow bright in their Force aura.

"Let's put it this way, saying there is no light and dark side to the Force is like saying there is no right or wrong, there is only perspective. To philosophical scholars, this would make a good fluff quote, but it fails to recognize the issue. The dark side represents all that is evil and corrupt; greed, hatred, arrogance, murder, etc. The light side represents everything that is good and just; protection, preservation, civilization, selflessness, etc. To deny this is to deny a fundamental teaching of the Jedi.

"If there is no dark side, then why follow the Jedi Code, which prevents one from falling? If there is no light side, how can we explain the countless dark siders that have been redeemed? There would be no answer. This is your first lesson from me. The light and dark sides are real. As real as you and I." she explained.

She took a moment to let this all sink in, then continued.

"The Archives here consist of thousands of records and Jedi holocrons. As a Padawan, you have access to these records. Spend the evening studying what the ancient Masters have to say about the Force. Tomorrow, our hands on lessons begin."

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy listened to Siri. She certainly seemed wise, as the rumors went. However, it seemed obvious to him that she was a big believer in light vs. dark.

"My apologies for not being specific," said Zolotoy, clarifying himself. "I didn't mean to make it seem like I believe the Force to be neutral, but instead made of both light and dark. Not one or the other, but two in the same. We Force users then choose which aspect of the Force we wish to tap into.

"Force nexi seem to disprove this yet while at the same time backing me up. The Force is all around. If that's the case, why is it concentrated in more places than others? My theory is that Force nexi are formed by an imbalance of the Force, a lack of equilibrium between light and dark. During my research, I've yet to find a 'neutral' Force nexus. It's always light-dominated or dark-dominated."

 

[Malon]

Siri nodded her approval, "That is a correct view of the Force. I apologize for not understanding what you originally meant. You have...greatly impressed me today with your knowledge. It is clear that if instructed properly, you will become a great Jedi. For now, study and rest. Tomorrow, I promise, our training will be...much more active. Come prepared."

 

[Dmitri]

"Understood...uh..." Zolotoy wasn't sure what to call Siri.

After Siri answered, Zolotoy headed toward his dorm where he wondered how tomorrow would turn out. Would Siri turn out a Force-using pacificist and teach the ways to use the Force to flee? Would she drill the importance of lightsaber combat? Zolotoy pondered multiple possibilities as he was lost in a bliss of sleep...



After eating breakfast, Zolotoy returned to the room he had gone before.

 

[Malon]

When Zol arrived, Siri was looking out the viewport, overlooking the sprawling Galactic City of Coruscant. Speeders whizzed by in the distance, forming lines of traffic that covered the blue sky. She felt Zol enter and turned to face him.

Instead of the long flowing robes of a Jedi Master, she wore a form fitting battle outfit. She knew today was going to require her to move her muscles a little.

"Good morning, Zolotoy. Today will serve as another test for you. After today, I will know exactly what kind of instruction you require to hone your skills into the Jedi you are to become. Today you will be putting your knowledge of the Force and lightsaber together. I see that you have a lightsaber of your own. That is unusual for a Padawan, but I suppose it cannot be helped. What styles of lightsaber combat do you practice?"

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy showed Siri his lightsaber. It had been customized by a Lamia named Sakaki Uchiwa. It was two lightsabers that could magnetically lock together to form a double-bladed lightsaber.

"I focus with Jar'Kai, but I prefer telekinetic lightsaber combat," informed Zolotoy.

 

[Malon]

Siri had three lightsabers with her. Her own, double-bladed, lightsaber hung from the back of her belt. Her master's old lightsaber hung from her left hip, while a twin lightsaber hung from her right hip. She reached back and unclipped the double-bladed lightsaber.

"Turn your weapon's power settings on low and let's see what you've got." she said, igniting the amethyst-hued blades of her weapon.

 

[Dmitri]

Zolotoy took a step back from surprise. He was already going to be dueling a Jedi Master? He didn't stand a chance.

Zolotoy complied and set his lightsabers to the lowest settings. He started his weapon out as a double-bladed lightsaber. The Padawan got into a stance.

"Is Force usage allowed?" asked Zolotoy.

Zolotoy waited for a response before charging at Siri. However, as he got into six feet of the Jedi Master, he suddenly stopped and stepped back before spinning his lightsaber like a propeller. He tilted it so that the spiralling blades were nearing Siri's left shoulder in hopes to herd her to the side. When he could get the chance, he'd disconnect the lightsabers and while one continued spinning. He'd used the then free lightsaber to attack her right in a jabbing motion.

 

[Malon]

"Yes, Force usage is encouraged." she replied.

Then her apprentice was in motion. The sudden backpedal movement caught Siri by surprise; this kid had received training in the usage of double-bladed lightsabers. However, that's how she knew all of his lightsaber's shortcomings. Syncing into Soresu, Siri brought her twin purple blades forward, pivoting her body to face Zol on her left and catching his spinning blade on her's, locking them in blade-lock.

That's when his lightsaber came apart, splitting into two weapons. With one blade holding her's down, he was free to strike at her right side. Had she not been attuned to the Force, he surely would've delivered a good blow. Reaching out with her right hand she caught the blade of her apprentice, using the Force to absorb the energy from the blade and dissipate it around her, keeping her arm free from harm.

Using the situation to her advantage, she unleashed a Force repulse of very small magnitude from her body; just enough to allow herself to get free of the blade lock, as well as free her right hand. Spinning her lightsaber above her head, she brought it down in a defensive stance and beckoned for her apprentice to come.

 

[Malon]

"Yes, Force usage is encouraged." she replied.

Then her apprentice was in motion. The sudden backpedal movement caught Siri by surprise; this kid had received training in the usage of double-bladed lightsabers. However, that's how she knew all of his lightsaber's shortcomings. Syncing into Soresu, Siri brought her twin purple blades forward, pivoting her body to face Zol on her left and catching his spinning blade on her's, locking them in blade-lock.

That's when his lightsaber came apart, splitting into two weapons. With one blade holding her's down, he was free to strike at her right side. Had she not been attuned to the Force, he surely would've delivered a good blow. Reaching out with her right hand she caught the blade of her apprentice, using the Force to absorb the energy from the blade and dissipate it around her, keeping her arm free from harm.

Using the situation to her advantage, she unleashed a Force repulse of very small magnitude from her body; just enough to allow herself to get free of the blade lock, as well as free her right hand. Spinning her lightsaber above her head, she brought it down in a defensive stance and beckoned for her apprentice to come.