"So my training, Knight-Light…" the Kel Dor looked at me in surprise as I headed for the Dreadnaught's exit.
"It's already begun, Padawan Plo," I answered calmly. "How is your sensory perception?"
"Your sensory abilities, Knight?" Plo Koon asked thoughtfully. "In my clan, I was one of the best at using that Force technique."
"Commendable. But that's not enough; there's always another level. And the next level of sensory perception, the advanced one, is precognition. In battle, we entrust our hand to the Force, thus managing to catch blaster bolts on our lightsabers. To dodge things that some sentients can't always notice. But there's one problem. It's called the Will of the Force. You're probably surprised by that, since a Jedi is supposed to be a conduit for the Will of the Force. And saying it's a problem is a crime in some people's eyes. But that doesn't stop many others from learning true precognition."
"But isn't precognition a manifestation of the Will of the Force?" Plo asked. "And you're right. I can't foresee; I only rely on the Force in battle."
"The future is always in motion, but we can glimpse it through the Force. For instance, I've dreamed about it a couple of times. But I'm not talking about Jedi dreams in which we can even predict the fate of hundreds of billions of sentients by seeing some event. I'm talking about combat precognition. The technique has two levels. The first is learned in the Temple—when studying classical sensory perception. Among Knights, it's called the 'Will of the Force.' Through the Force, we can guide our movements so that we… deflect an attack or dodge. But you don't literally see the future. You are, roughly speaking, dependent on the Will of the Force, Padawan Plo. And what happens if the Will of the Force commands you to die?"
"But we are Jedi!" he suddenly said loudly. Yeah, he's still a Padawan, not a calm Knight. "We serve the Force; how could it…"
"Wish for our death? Easily," I shrugged. "That's why many Knights who know they'll be fighting try to develop the second level—actual precognition. An ordinary Jedi Knight is capable of seeing one or two seconds into the future."
"And you?"
I looked at him with curiosity.
"Three seconds, for now." That's why I dispatch non-Gifted sentients so easily. It's harder with Gifted ones; they can also glimpse the future. Not all of them—Jarko, for instance, clearly couldn't. But her specialization didn't involve direct confrontation. "You currently possess the first level. And apparently you assumed that my training, which I agreed to, would be a duel—since you're clearly aiming to be a Guardian, and for you, direct confrontation is fairly important. But I'll disappoint you. Teaching you swordsmanship, conducting a sparring session, is pointless."
"What do you mean?" the Kel Dor asked in surprise.
"What I mean is—look. I can't teach you through sparring because you don't meet the minimum level. And I can't lower my level far enough for you, because then you'd have to go through a whole training course with me, but neither you, as Padawan of Master Tivokka, nor I have time for a full course. So we can't just have a fencing match and call it done. I'd rather give you information that will help you improve. And we'll fight sometime later." I stopped. Plo Koon stood in front of me. Clenching my fist, I hit him in the stomach.
"Khah…" he coughed; the blow was sharp.
"Second-level precognition works best when you are calm and collected," I explained, landing a second blow to his chest. My strikes were too fast and unpleasant for the Kel Dor. "Oh, I sense you're uncomfortable with this change of pace. But you'll understand. Calm your mind as much as possible. I'm only using my hands and feet. Focus, try to see my actions. I'm moving at a speed that a Gifted one just beginning to grasp the second level of precognition can perceive. Don't try to rely on the Will of the Force. It will only help you cover yourself with your hands. Try to see my next strike and maybe counter it."
"But you… khah," he got hit in the stomach again, "said… that there wouldn't be a sparring session."
"This isn't a sparring session, Plo Koon. This is practical study of something you've been ripe for for a long time."
Still, I consciously lowered my level so I wouldn't completely beat him up. The kid tried to block at first, tried to use the Force, but I didn't let up. Lucky that the crew was busy with Admiral Graves's body right now. And Tivokka was standing right around the corner, not interfering, clearly watching his Padawan. He tried to throw a punch at my head, but I blocked his arm and immediately threw him off balance with sweeping blows. A hit to the head, chest, stomach, then a kick repeating to the stomach. He tried to block and counterattack; I grabbed his arm again and immediately struck him in the neck with my elbow. Plo Koon collapsed to the floor… I didn't give him time to catch his breath; I immediately aimed a kick at his ribs, but he swept my leg. Really? Jumping back, I closed in again, feinting with my left hand, which he blocked, and then he tried to land a sharp knee strike to my chin. I leaped back… Plo Koon didn't continue attacking me; instead, the Kel Dor stared at me in shock, then grabbed his head.
"Well?" I asked him. "Usually this is learned through meditation. Beating precognition into someone is out of fashion with Jedi these days. But it's more efficient, isn't it?"
"Head hurts, and not from your blows," the Kel Dor said.
"Yes, for now the sensory zones of your brain can't properly handle the fact that you're seeing the future. There's a phenomenon called 'desynchronization' that occurs with the first attempts to use precognition. It's like giving super-sensitivity to an unprepared body. Nothing good will come of it. If your body isn't sufficiently prepared for the sensory information it's receiving, the 'desynchronization' phenomenon occurs. That means—you can see everything in detail, but your body can't keep up with the information. For instance, you might see your head being cut off in full detail, but your body doesn't react in time, and bam… You just see your head falling to the ground in slow motion. But in your case, it's different. Your body and sensory zones in your brain are almost ready for this ability. I just helped you take the step and master it much faster; all that's left is… to train separately, Plo Koon."
The Padawan, apparently, understood exactly what I wanted him to get.
"Thank you, Knight-Light," he replied. "I still have a long way to go on this path, but you've helped me a great deal."
"Here." I activated a datapad and sent him the information. "This is information on developing sensory perception. I think it will help you a lot, including in fully mastering what you've just received. Complete mastery."
"Thank you, even though it was unpleasant," he rubbed his hands.
"Well, you could have spent a couple of months meditating," I shrugged.
"Yes, now," anticipation radiated from him, "things will change, Knight-Light! May the Force be with you." He turned sharply and walked off in his direction.
"I hope you enjoy training with him in the future, Master Tivokka," I grinned at the Wookiee as he appeared.
"Thanks, I'm sure," the Wookiee sighed, "but you went overboard. Plus, his development was previously balanced."
"Balanced development in a Gifted one?" I asked the Master. "Forgive me, but that's nonsense. He is calm and collected. He'll master precognition techniques, as well as Alteration techniques, like pyrokinesis, perfectly."
"Alteration techniques are dangerous, young Knight," Tivokka said importantly. "I do not approve of teaching them to young Padawans. That you mastered them at Padawan rank happened only because of your teacher and his specific views on this issue."
"I wouldn't say I've become worse because of it, Master." I casually folded my hands behind my head.
"But you have fallen to the Dark Side of the Force, Light." The Wookiee looked me in the eyes. "Alteration techniques hit hard on the unprepared minds of young Jedi. I would advise you, if you ever take a Padawan, not to rush into them. And I won't rush into them with Plo either."
"Teach him when he becomes a Knight?" I asked slyly. "I understand perfectly, Master Tivokka. But I need to fly now. Good luck with your upcoming training sessions with Padawan Plo. I foresee an increased number of sparring sessions and an increased amount of singed fur."
"Not the best joke," the Wookiee noted. "Well then. Once more—may the Force be with you," he said in farewell.
* * *
So that was my training session with Plo Koon. I have to say — he's genuinely talented. But I can't forget about my own problems either. Yes, no matter how talented and strong the canonical characters are — I also need to remember a phenomenon known as "plot armor." They can possess not only a fate foretold through comics, books, series, films, and games. They can also survive in places where I, without sufficient training, would die. And they can survive even while being weaker than me. That's why I kept exhausting myself with training. And that's why I intend to take the next step. My target is HK-47, as well as Revan, his master. I'm more than certain I can summon him if I establish contact between the medallion and HK. I just need to figure out — which one could be more dangerous to me? The Force Ghost of one of the strongest Gifted in all history? Or an assassin droid, created by Revan, the same Force Ghost I intended to acquire?
On the other hand, if I think about it, there's nothing to think about. Both are dangerous... I can't predict how Revan will react to being summoned and to someone like me asking him for training. But I also have a pretty good idea that HK might not be happy about waking up to someone other than his master. What is HK capable of, in theory? As an artificial intelligence, he could even crack my system. Yes, it's better protected than most. But he seems to have done something like that before. Or not? In any case, I need to consider all possibilities. According to my memories about HK — Separatist engineers found him on Mustafar near the very end of the Clone Wars. HK was in perfect condition, deactivated. That's a plus. The downside: if activated, he might go on a rampage. I'm strong, sure. But... HK-47 is not an opponent I particularly want to fight. So...
I need to implement a set of measures. First — I'll detach all his limbs, leaving only his head. Second — when trying to reprogram him, I'll use a separate computer, not BB. BB is too tightly synced with my ship. One tiny mistake and HK could upload himself out. I wouldn't like the consequences of that. Everything up to a machine uprising. That can't be allowed. Rewrite HK's program while he's deactivated? But what if there's some protection that activates him at the worst possible moment? No... I need to account for those scenarios too... Anyway... I need to start with HK before Revan. The droid will become a useful ally in the future. But Revan... If I can find HK and sway him to my side before meeting him — maybe that will show Revan the best side of me?
It took me almost a week to reach Mustafar. Considering I had to travel from one part of the galaxy, the galactic north, to the south — it was a long flight. The sphere of the planet Mustafar was red, understandably, because of the lava. Actually, originally this planet was covered in forests. The Jedi Order had established an enclave there. However, after some time — the Sith showed up and said, "This is our planet, hand it over." The battles that followed were so intense they triggered a change in the orbit of a nearby gas giant. As a result, the climate conditions on the entire planet changed... Again... And Mustafar became the lava world everyone knows.
According to the information I obtained — Mustafar was controlled by one people. The Mustafarians, who were themselves divided into Northern and Southern. The difference was that the Northern Mustafarians were tall sentients, while the Southern ones were stocky, somewhat stout. That's about where the differences ended. The two peoples didn't feud and their only occupation was extracting resources from Mustafar's lava. They traded these with everyone, taking little part in the politics of even their own sector — Atrivis. They were the ones everyone saw during that famous battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan.
Getting along with them, actually, is easy. The main thing is to assure them you don't want their planet's resources. And HK-47 isn't a resource. He's not supposed to bring them anything but trouble, so my search for him shouldn't concern them at all. Still, I need to observe propriety. By regulation, I have to let them inspect my ship to make sure I have no resource-extraction tools. I landed on one of the platforms, not far from the Northern Mustafarian settlement.
"Hello," no sooner had the ramp lowered than a representative of the Northern Mustafarians greeted me. "I am Overseer Ulk." Four other Mustafarians stood beside him. "I'd like to know the reason for your arrival here? You sent a request for a research mission, didn't you, Jedi?"
"Yes," I bowed slightly. BB stayed on the ship. "I received information that Jedi Temples and enclaves used to be located on the surface of this planet."
"If they were, your people cleaned everything out long ago," Ulk shrugged.
"Perhaps..." I agreed with him, "and perhaps not. Experience shows that some things that initially seem worthless can have their own, special value."
"That's your right to think so," Ulk said. "Nevertheless — we need to make sure you won't be stealing our resources. You'll allow us to inspect the ship, won't you?"
"Inspect it."
After about ten minutes, during which they searched the Star Trek stem to stern and found nothing, I was permitted to explore Mustafar. For a certain fee, they also uploaded a map of the planet itself, which was far more detailed than the one I'd found in public access. It was essentially the same as the one I'd seen in the Shadow databases. The planet's heat was felt even inside the ship. Taking off from the platform, I sent scout droids in all directions and chose my own heading. Mustafar had many different, strange structures. Unfortunately, I didn't find the target object right away because I couldn't remember exactly where they'd found it. And was it even mentioned anywhere? I was looking for the parameters of a Hammerhead-class cruiser. I spent a week searching unsuccessfully. Finally — one of my droids discovered interesting wreckage on the Blazing Plains. The droid sent information about strange debris located three hundred meters from a nest of bistomps — lizard-like creatures. The Blazing Plains consisted of a thin layer of crust floating on a sea of molten lava. An earthquake had occurred there not long ago. According to sensor data — my ship could land right next to the strange wreckage. Why should I check it? Because the wreckage belonged to a Hammerhead-class ship.
I deactivated all the scout droids and brought the ship up to the wreckage. It was surprisingly well-preserved.
"BB," I said, addressing the droid, "under no circumstances make contact with any signal that might come from this ship. Only with mine, and even then only after running it through a special program."
I pulled my lightsaber into my right hand. My precognition told me this was the ship I was looking for. I just needed to find the main target. I entered the ship, cutting through the hull with my lightsaber.
"What a pleasant place," the green light of my saber illuminated the corridor. "And charming." I looked down at my feet, then pulled an object to my eyes that had caught my attention. It was a bone, a blackened bone. Apparently from a crew member. So, what do we have here? The ship belonged to the Republic Fleet, attached to it three thousand six hundred seventy years ago. The purpose of its mission was a flight to Coruscant. In a week, I'd found about five ships similar to the Hammerhead. They were all from different construction periods, and even different factions. But this specific one belonged to the Republic, and was from the right production and service period.
The ship's corridors were littered with charred remains. Here and there, surviving cables hung down. What was also strange was that some remains lay next to the remnants of turrets — clearly from the internal security system. I needed to be careful. And what happened here? Though I have a guess. Carefully following the schematics I'd obtained, I descended underground. It was noticeably hotter; sweat poured from my forehead. My suit was made of a special fabric with Mandalorian steel woven into its texture. That gave it a certain durability. It also had a weak frost resistance. But it protected me poorly from this heat. Suddenly, a metallic clang came from above — I instantly jumped forward. One of the beams, obeying gravity, was about to fall right on me. Another instant, and my saber deflected a blaster shot... straight back at the shooter. A droid crashed in front of me. It was covered in scorch marks, with a single arm holding the blaster.
"What's this now?" I asked, walking up to the destroyed droid's remains. Wow, it was from a completely different era. But now it made sense. Most likely — the ship's control system, the main computer, judging by the remaining logs just barely present in this droid, had deemed all sentient life as enemies and decided to eliminate it. And I can imagine who could have reprogrammed the AI like that. It's amazing this thing still had enough charge to move. Maybe HK isn't fully deactivated either? No, according to the data, he's in an isolated compartment. There shouldn't be any power there. But this one — I kicked the remains — this exhibit came from the reactor compartment defense team. That's why it kept its energy charge. It managed to connect to the reactor. Alright... I moved down the corridor, carefully avoiding all obstacles, finally arriving at the door leading to the compartment I needed.
The compartment... was littered with the remains of droids and sentients, such as they were. It would all melt soon enough. And right in the middle stood a capsule — opened. And climbing out of it was the most intact inhabitant and droid here. My heart nearly raced away. I saw him... Only part of his shell was blackened from heat exposure. Other than that, he looked almost exactly as I remembered him from the games.
Rust-red shell with scorch marks. Height one meter eighty. Powerful limbs designed to eliminate his targets with maximum efficiency. I stepped carefully, wary of unpleasant surprises. Finally, the droid was within arm's length of my lightsaber. I could have cut him in half right then, destroyed him, but I decided to do otherwise. Carefully, I touched his chassis, stroking it and making sure no threat emanated from him. Calm, just calm. You can foresee attacks, especially now, while you're on edge. Taking a breath, I moved my saber slightly aside with telekinesis and, finding the right spots, began unscrewing HK's limbs one by one, detaching them from his body. After the limbs, I was satisfied... Now he couldn't pose a threat to me. So I inserted a backup power cell into the port, which would boot him up, and found the activation switch. The sensors where HK's eyes were instantly glowed orange.
"Surprised exclamation: where am I? Question: who are you, meatbag, and what are you doing? Question number two: why can't I feel my manipulators, which I could use to snap your neck?"
"Your questions require answers," I crouched next to HK. "And the answers will take a long time, HK-47."
"Surprised: you know me, meatbag? As warmly as possible: then I greet you. I am the droid HK-47. My primary function is to blast holes in meatbags."
Well, this was going to be interesting.