Private Easy Arrival

[Aiden Porte]

Kattada Jedi Temple
Hangar
Feng Huang

It had been too long, many years since he had been to the honorable place where he had learned much from. He was only eight years old when his father brought he and his sister here to get some more different sort of knowledge and wisdom from one of the wisest and greatest leaders that his father had ever known. Coren Starchaser had erected and build a Jedi Temple that would surely stand the test of time. He was only here for a few months until they went back to Tanaab but that was a memorable time that he wouldn't ever forget.

Aiden had returned to as he did then get some more training and use of what he now was granted access to Advanced Warfare Training Center. The days were getting longer and it was getting colder. The darkness that was rising from the abyss reached out to consume them all, Aiden had to grow stronger and that meant more knowledge with the force and its respective fields. He had to better increase his mental acuity to better combat the darkside of the force. As well as grow more in his trainings with the blade.

Yet for right now, Aiden was in the Hangar laying underneath a portion of his ship, plasma torch in han as well as face shield visor as work a portion of his ship that was damaged during a recent incursion into the Core Worlds.

There was something new happening every day. He wondered beside the repairs, what today would bring to him.

 

[Feng Huang]

Kattada Jedi Temple
Aiden Porte

Feng Huang was humming along to a Aakaashian pop band listening to the music in her native tongue. She was dancing and enjoying herself, eyes closed depending on her Force senses to guide her down the hallway, moving in and around people as she danced.

"Beauty in the broken glass!" Feng Huang sang along uncaring of the looks she got along the way.

Most of the Jedi gave her amused looks, some few were bemused. One sent a gentle breeze of the force through her hair to break her out of her revelry. Feng Huang scowled and opened her eyes.

"People are trying to contemplate and meditate young lady." A cranky old Jedi full of himself scolded her.

"Sorry!" Feng Huang apologised profusely then as soon as his back was turned stuck out her tongue and made face at him. Unfortunately he must have sensed something and turned around just as she was doing a look best described as 'na na na na na'.

Feng Huang froze embarrassed, the Jedi grew red in the face, sod did Feng Huang for two very different emotional reactions

"Who is your master young lady!" The stuffy Jedi asked.

"Master Wuxia Wukong! The greatest Jedi Master ever! And I don't care if you tell on me!" Feng stuck out her tongue again this time directly to his face and stormed off.

Feng stalked away, head held high in a haughty manner, as if she truly didn't care. Truthfully she did care she didn't want Master Wu to be disappointed or give her that gentle chided long suffering disapproval look he somehow managed to do so well. Feng hated that look. It made her feel like a child. She'd tried practicing it in the mirror but couldn't get it right.

Feng sighed now she was riled up and anxious she needed to meditate. All she really wanted to do was go back to her music and keep training her force senses. That's what she had really been doing, a practical guide to relying on force senses while blind and distracted by audio stimulation. A gentle way of doing so, but hopefully practical on the battlefield.

Feng took off her headphones, and made her way to the hangar. Working on engines was the best way for her to meditate. Arriving at the hangar she found a well known young Jedi already there. Feng panicked briefly. It was him! Aiden Porte was a young Jedi but already a growing legend. Feng hid around the corner trying not to disturb him.

"Be cool. Be cool." Feng muttered to herself took a deep breath and entered the hangar.

"Hi Aiden! Don't mind me. I'm just going to work on the engine of my eta 2200 jedi interceptor. she's called the Lightning Bolt. I modified her to give her extra speed, had to take out some the defences to do so, but it's worth it for the extra speed. I was hoping to work on her manoeuvrability, she's been a little stalled on the turns recently."

"What are you working on?" Feng asked with a big goofy grin.

Way to be cool. She thought miserably to herself

 

[Aiden Porte]

"I didn't think it would be this bad." Aiden muttered as he stopped for a moment, the plasma torch shutting down. He removed the visor, he moved the panel to the side as it revealing heavy scorch marks and damaged circuitry. "Oh great...." Aiden let out a small sigh as he looked to the side almost absentmindedly.

"Hi Aiden!

Aiden heard a familiar voice as he turned and showed a smile and gave a polite wave. "Hey Feng!" He turned his attention towards her, happy that there was a good distraction around. It kept him from wondering if he would have to purchase parts for his ship. So that was indeed a welcome change. They had met several times before and have gone on a mission or two together.

I'm just going to work on the engine of my eta 2200 jedi interceptor. she's called the Lightning Bolt. I modified her to give her extra speed, had to take out some the defences to do so, but it's worth it for the extra speed. I was hoping to work on her manoeuvrability, she's been a little stalled on the turns recently."

"That's a pretty good fighter. I like the idea of having a higher maneuvering speed. I am by far, not the best pilot in the world. My sister definitely took that role. But the repairs and mechanical stuff I can handle pretty good." Aiden said with a laugh as he turned back to his ship for a brief moment.

"Had some carbon scoring and damage from a rescue mission on Tython. I was just doing basic repairs instead of completely fixing the problem, and well...." Aiden laughed. "It's caught up to me now."

"How have you been doing?"

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Oh my force he knows my name! Feng's mouth almos t popped open but she recomposed herself rather quickly and she hoped with dignity. Be cool Feng! Be cool!

Feng attempted to settle into what she hoped was a relaxed nonchalant pose.

"Oh you know I'm alright some fussy buddy. Nearly ruined my day, I was training my force senses eyes closed with auditory stimulation, have you ever tried that? Anyway some stuffy old codger didn't appreciate my methods or my singing told me to knock it off. He'll probably report me to Master Wu and I'll have to get a gentle reprimand, ugh I hate those I mean I'm nearly a Jedi in my own right? right?! but engines always cheer me up, get me to focus and relax into meditation."

"What's the damage?" Feng asked her curiosity about engines getting the better of her. Feng ran up to Aiden's fighter and started poking around "Circuitry huh? You should check the power couplings as well sometimes when the circuitry gets damaged and the power has nowhere to go the power feeds back in on itself in a loop, building up power until kabloowey. A nasty shock if you're already in flight and you find out your power couplings are damaged as well due to bad circuitry."

Feng was so focused on the engine she didn't realise she was yammering. She got that way around engines. It was easier to focus on then Aiden's hair or rugged jawline. Feng rushed over to her work station and started perusing through boxes. Pretty soon machine parts were being tossed aside and thrown over her shoulder as she searched through the draws behind her interceptor.

"I saw some circuits and power couplings around here somewhere… ah here they are. I needed the extra circuits and power couplings when I was installing them for speed in the Lightning Bolt. Here you can have them if you like."

Feng almost regretted saying it as soon as it was out of her mouth. Extra parts were expensive. Feng had requisitioned some and saved up the rest by… well to be honest she had been swoop racing. Still a Jedi shouldn't have personal attachments to material objects especially to the point of not aiding fellow jedi. Besides it wasn't like Feng needed them anymore right now they were just spare parts.

"Vigilant class huh? Do you have a name for her? How are you finding the lack of firepower?" Feng asked rapidly to brush off her uncertainty.

"I was considering asking for one myself after my trials. I just think it needs a bit more of a kick to its armament if I'm going to be taking it into battle. Probably have to trade off it's stealth capabilities to do so though."

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

"Oh you know I'm alright some fussy buddy. Nearly ruined my day, I was training my force senses eyes closed with auditory stimulation, have you ever tried that? Anyway some stuffy old codger didn't appreciate my methods or my singing told me to knock it off. He'll probably report me to Master Wu and I'll have to get a gentle reprimand, ugh I hate those I mean I'm nearly a Jedi in my own right? right?! but engines always cheer me up, get me to focus and relax into meditation."

"Ah, I wouldn't worry about that too much. Just focus on yourself and find what gets you some peace of mind. Even when I was younger there was always a instructor or two that got on my nerves from time to time. Yes, we are Jedi and held to a higher standard of decorum and such. Yet at the end of the day we are allowed to be normal from time to time."

"Circuitry huh? You should check the power couplings as well sometimes when the circuitry gets damaged and the power has nowhere to go the power feeds back in on itself in a loop, building up power until kabloowey. A nasty shock if you're already in flight and you find out your power couplings are damaged as well due to bad circuitry."

"I saw some circuits and power couplings around here somewhere… ah here they are. I needed the extra circuits and power couplings when I was installing them for speed in the Lightning Bolt. Here you can have them if you like."

Aiden watched as she moved over to her workstation and began rummaging through stuff, and she had returned with spare parts and he showed a small smile. "Oh Feng..." Aiden said with a smile and a chuckled. "I couldn't accept that, those are yours, you never know when you might need them." Aiden said, as he placed a hand on her shoulder giving it a small squeeze. "I really appreciate it though."

The Knight looked back to his ship "And the damage I hope isn't too bad."

"Vigilant class huh? Do you have a name for her? How are you finding the lack of firepower?"

"I was considering asking for one myself after my trials. I just think it needs a bit more of a kick to its armament if I'm going to be taking it into battle. Probably have to trade off it's stealth capabilities to do so though."

"Well, I primarily got it for its defensive and stealth capabilities. I don't plan on attack in this vessel too much. Primarily used if I'm shuttling civilians and wounded. Want to make sure they got the best shot to return home. Are you more of an attack and speed person?" The Jedi Knight inquired with a small smile.

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng smiled shyly.

"Yeah. I mean I'm ok with respect, but decorum has always been a tricky one for me. Comes from growing up in the slums really. Decorum can get you beat up in the slums." Feng got lost in memories of street fights with the other kids outside her fathers garage, her brother protecting her from the real bad ones. Feng missed her brother. She sighed. "but that was a long time ago. I'm a Jedi now… well almost a Jedi."

"Oh yeah… I like a bit a of firepower. It's half the reason I don't go with an A Wing, that and the shields." Feng shrugged normally she liked gushing about her ship, but she wanted to ask Knight Aiden something.

"Can I ask you something?" Feng asked chewing her lip.

"What made you just to become a Guardian?" Feng asked.

"Not that I'm judging you or anything! You just don't seem like the type who enjoys fighting. I mean I know no Jedi is supposed to enjoy it, and I try not to I really do! Master Wu says it's a passion I should be aware of. To use it to defend never to seek conflict, and I don't think I ever do, but once I'm in battle whether it's with a Lightsaber in my hand or in the cockpit… I just get this rush, this thrill."

Feng stopped and blushed, looked down and away ashamed.

"Master Wu is preparing me for the Jedi Trials… but what if my… my passion is too… against the Jedi Code, the Jedi way. What if I fail the Trial of Spirit and Insight?" Feng rubbed at her eyes and shrugged.

"I love being a Jedi, I mean Padawan. Not just the fighting, but helping people you know. I make sure I spend the aftermath of every battle in the hospital tent… I'm not much of a healer, but I'm a hell of a nurse!"

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

He nodded with an easy smile as she spoke about her preferences. It was good to have such good and simple talks with his follow Jedi. It was something that hadn't happened to often, recently.

The Jedi Knight had been too busy.

"Can I ask you something?"

"What made you just to become a Guardian?"

"Not that I'm judging you or anything! You just don't seem like the type who enjoys fighting. I mean I know no Jedi is supposed to enjoy it, and I try not to I really do! Master Wu says it's a passion I should be aware of. To use it to defend never to seek conflict, and I don't think I ever do, but once I'm in battle whether it's with a Lightsaber in my hand or in the cockpit… I just get this rush, this thrill."

"No offense it taken at all." Aiden said with a small chuckle, he was happy she was asking questions. She was curious and it showed that she wanted to learn more, and that was probably the best thing any Jedi could do. Grow and learn more about the force and others' understanding of it.

"Well, I don't actively enjoy fighting, I don't get any sort of rush or thrill from it. But I do know is that we can't sit by and never seek conflict when their are Imperials and Sith threatening our way of life. We use our gifts to defend yes, but when we are being threatened. When Justice, the Republic and the innocents are being threatened with slavery and death. It is the up to us, to act. To strike out and root out that darkness." Aiden spoke easily and quickly but in truth this wasn't how he thought he would be. Growing up, he wasn't the warrior fit like his father was. Aiden was always in the archives reading, studying up on something. He had some lessons in healing, and that was what he thought he was to do.

But when the threat of the Dark Exchange came, and such.

That changed everything....

"Master Wu is preparing me for the Jedi Trials… but what if my… my passion is too… against the Jedi Code, the Jedi way. What if I fail the Trial of Spirit and Insight?"

"I love being a Jedi, I mean Padawan. Not just the fighting, but helping people you know. I make sure I spend the aftermath of every battle in the hospital tent… I'm not much of a healer, but I'm a hell of a nurse!"

"You don't have to the follow the Jedi code don't to the wire. As long as you know in your mind that you are doing the right thing. It's okay to have passion about what we do. The Jedi have long since evolved from where we were over a thousand generations ago. Things are not so clear and concise anymore. It's good that you have such a passion for what you do. Don't lose that, continue to be the best person you can be. The fact that you spend time in the medical tents to heal those that are wounded, it shows much about your character. You should be proud of yourself my friend."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng nodded a little sadly.

"I wish I had that clarity. Master Wu says my anxiety is a sign of how much I care. I just…" Feng sighed "It's hard not to let my passion turn to hatred for what they do, and I know that leads to the dark side so I try to meditate, or train, but everytime I see the suffering they inflict in refugee camps and field hospitals."

Feng sighed and shrugged.

"I worry sometimes, that someday I'll turn to the dark side for good. I wish there was some way to monitor my dark side light side meter like a power cell." Feng already had an idea of how that might be done, but she wasn't ready to share it yet.

"I used to think Master Wu had made a mistake adopting me the way he did. He offered to train me in how to let my powers fade you know. Right after I used my powers on one of the men who attacked my village. I used to think he should have done so"

Feng paused and sniffled, remembering her doubt before she found the purple path as she liked to think of it.

"I don't think that any more!" Feng rushed to assure Aiden. "I love my life, not just the fighting, the Kattadan is my home, I love it here. I get to work on my ship whenever I want. Learn to study the force. Do real good helping people! And I'm at peace with my path as a Jedi! Honestly! I just worry about my choices and what paths of Jediness I'll lead myself down. Master Wu says it's my choice, but I know he hopes I'll choose Pathfinder and in times of peace I honestly wouldn't mind it, but the galaxy is at constant war! I can't just turn my back on the suffering and explore the stars."

"Plus I think I'd miss the people you know? I like meeting new people and cultures, but I can't help but feel if they're isolated from the rest of the galaxy they're missing out on the true diversity on offer."

"Jedi Xenoanthropology is one of my fields of interest" Feng admitted shyly "I like to listen to podcasts on cultures, races, ships, organisations, nations and factions while working on my engine or piloting or fitness training. Not combat training though, too much of a distraction."

Feng realised she was babbling again and stopped blushing.

Great here she was oversharing and being a great big baby. Well done Feng way to show you're a stoic wise Jedi.

"Anyway what about you? Any future paths your interested in Council Member someday? Your own Enclave? You sound a bit like a Lightsworn with your conviction that darkness should be rooted out"

Feng stopped realising that may not be the most tactical thing to say.

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

Aiden smiled and simply nodded. "You will get that clarity in time, we have all started somewhere. We come from different placed yet sometimes our paths align. If I can provide some decent insight, that's something I can do for you."

"I worry sometimes, that someday I'll turn to the dark side for good. I wish there was some way to monitor my dark side light side meter like a power cell."

"I used to think Master Wu had made a mistake adopting me the way he did. He offered to train me in how to let my powers fade you know. Right after I used my powers on one of the men who attacked my village. I used to think he should have done so"

"I love my life, not just the fighting, the Kattadan is my home, I love it here. I get to work on my ship whenever I want. Learn to study the force. Do real good helping people! And I'm at peace with my path as a Jedi! Honestly! I just worry about my choices and what paths of Jediness I'll lead myself down. Master Wu says it's my choice, but I know he hopes I'll choose Pathfinder and in times of peace I honestly wouldn't mind it, but the galaxy is at constant war! I can't just turn my back on the suffering and explore the stars."

"Plus I think I'd miss the people you know? I like meeting new people and cultures, but I can't help but feel if they're isolated from the rest of the galaxy they're missing out on the true diversity on offer."

"We will lock you up if you do turn to the dark side!" Aiden spoke quickly and passionately, yet he retreated as he started to laugh slightly. "I'm just teasing, but you shouldn't worry so much about that. I have never met Master Wu, but I would like to think he wouldn't have adopted you if he didn't seen potential and the good in you. I can sense it, I believe in you. You must believe in yourself and you will do just fine."

She was indeed quite the character, vibrant, alive and funny to boot. The Jedi Knight was quite pleased that he had met her.

"People would miss you, I know I would. And many others would as well. If you ever feel like you are falling down, don't hesitate to look my way and ask for help. I will help you to your feet and find your ground once more." Aiden giving her a small talk of wisdom as he bowed his head towards her. Aiden listened to her speak of her interest and what she enjoyed doing more often than other things. He listened attentively, showing genuine interest in her words and what they meant to him.

"Anyway what about you? Any future paths your interested in Council Member someday? Your own Enclave? You sound a bit like a Lightsworn with your conviction that darkness should be rooted out"

"It's too early to tell, I feel I belong in the field right now. Helping all those that can't help themselves. Because they are shrouded by their own fear and the tyranny of others. There's a lot of people out there that need help, and I intend to keep helping them. And I do agree that the darkness should be rooted out, but not at the risk of condemning ourselves and sacrificing what honor and dignity we have."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng frowned and nodded, hesitating before she spoke.

"The thing is I'm not sure clarity is… not just impossible for me, but not quite the right path for myself either. My nature is fire. That can means warmth, healing from the cold, a light in the darkness or it can rage out of control, burn, hurt and destroy. I seem to bounce back and forth between the two. I keep trying for control, clarity, but I think what I need is balance. Just enough fuel to keep warm, shine brightly when necessary, but not enough to burn the forest down."

Feng shrugged.

"My mind is like my nature, bounces back and forth between ideas, and concepts. Even politics. Sometimes I have to struggle the urge to wipe out the Sith to the last man. Other times I hope we can redeem atleast a few. Then the practical part of my mind analyses the tactical situation and is forced to acknowledge the Sith and Imperial are powerful, oh they rise and fall with their empires, but they keep popping back up. Is this our purpose a never ending battle, trying to dominate the galaxy to protect it? Isn't that the exact philosophy of the Imperials?"

Feng sighed.

"I keep trying to fight for control, now I'm trying to find balance. Help whom I can, where I can without burning myself out. Or lighting myself on fire to be put out."

Feng rolled her eyes at being locked up. Her greater fear was that she would become a monster who needed to be put down. She didn't think Master Wu had the strength to do it. Maybe Master Nathan Bloodscrawl could, but she didn't want to put him in that position either.

Feng listened to Aiden's personal philosophy of his path in life.

"You don't ever dream of the future? What could be?" Feng asked curiously. "What paths you might take? Say we one day won and there was a thousand year peace in the galaxy? What would your path be? I don't mean ambition or greed. More… what paths of life you might take. Might live. I sometimes think Sentinal until I'm an elder. I think I'd still go to the worst places, undercities and the like, but it'd be nice to have a system of law to depend on. Then I'd like to… not retire exactly, but Pathfinder sounds ideal for an older Jedi. Spending the last few years exploring undiscovered planets."

Feng shrugged. At least she'd stopped crying.

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

Aiden nodded as he listened to what she spoke off, listening to her views and opinions and he showed a small smile at her thought. She was inquisitive, seemingly sure of her nature and what the future held for her. Aiden was silent for a few seconds before he placed his hands behind his back and thus responded to her question.

"Path's can divert at times, I would need a whole to tell you about the times my path has diverted. But it usually always winds up in the same category of what I believe and what I seek. I would like to think that's the forces' way of telling me that I am doing something right, or maybe I'm doing something wrong. That's why it is so important to trust in yourself, don't tarry in the future too much."

He spent much of his padawan years dealing with pain and loss, because of his own inability to let go of the past, and worrying what everyone thought of him. He wondered if they would think he was weak, that he wasn't strong like this father. He wondered why Esme had to die as she did, and why the she came back just as easily.

And then she was gone once more, why the Dark Exchange burned their home down and why his father had to die.

Aiden, back then didn't think this was the place he was going to end up. But somehow, he was here back on his path.

"I would like to believe that we will truly one day have to stop fighting, yet I can't predict the future. I'm not a seer, and if I was visions of the future can be an unsure thing. Our emotions, especially our fear can alter and change them. All we can do is our best and stay the course for as long as we can, and if we sometimes falter, that's where our fellow Jedi come into play. They can help you, be a guide for you when the storm becomes to much to overcome."

Aiden placed his hand together in front of him as he pondered on her question for a few seconds.

"If I am going to take a shot in the dark, it would be an explorer. There's hundreds of planets out there and I haven't been to them all. I could see myself one day going from planet to planet, exploring and aiding those that our less fortunate. Unfortunately, even if we won, there are still people out there that would take advantage of those that are weaker. It is human nature, it's sad to say."

Feng Huang

 

[Feng Huang]

Feng listened to Aiden's perspective on his path through the force.

"It must be nice to have such certainty of your path being guided by the force" Feng said with a sigh. "The force is… I rarely feel it as a guiding force. More as a sense, not quite a tool or a weapon. I'm not a Sith, but Master Wu talks of the Living Force, connecting and binding us all together, but the only time I feel it is if I'm concentrating on it mostly as connecting everyone around me is in battle. Even then it's only threads like strings connecting my allies and threads connecting my enemies. Sometimes I think I can feel an individual troopers emotions, their fear, their courage, their rage."

"It's…. exhilarating" Feng admitted sadly.

Feng sighed, closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, harnessing the Force and feeling herself and Aiden's presence in the force. Aiden's presence was soothing, calm, she let her certainty envelop her with peace. Feng finished the short meditation with running small amount of force throughout her muscles. It was the closest she could come to force healing, more like a force massage than anything else. Effective in battle when you were tired or had minor injuries not to heal, but just relax the throbbing.

Feng smiled as she opened her eyes.

"Perhaps we can explore those planets together someday." Feng smiled sadly doubtfully. She doubted because the galaxy had been at war for so long and showed no signs of stopping.

Factions rise and fell like the wheat. We do not protect the crop that feed the farmer. We protect the farmer.

Master Wu's voice in her head. Feng wasn't sure she believed that. Without the crop the Farmer will die, will have lost their home, left starving and destitute. There had to be a community in place to feed the farmer, a force to protect the home.

Feng sighed.

"I knew that I will be spending the rest of her life fighting. I just hope I won't spend it fighting myself as well. Perhaps find some peace. Perhaps even love if I'm lucky."

Feng shrugged. She wanted to give Aiden a hug, but knew they weren't there yet. Instead she smiled a genuine smile this time and bowed.

"Now let's have a look at your ship. Can't be saving the galaxy with no ship."

Aiden Porte

 

[Aiden Porte]

"The force is… I rarely feel it as a guiding force. More as a sense, not quite a tool or a weapon. I'm not a Sith, but Master Wu talks of the Living Force, connecting and binding us all together, but the only time I feel it is if I'm concentrating on it mostly as connecting everyone around me is in battle. Even then it's only threads like strings connecting my allies and threads connecting my enemies. Sometimes I think I can feel an individual troopers emotions, their fear, their courage, their rage."

"It's…. exhilarating"

"It's different for all of us, if Jedi were all the same. Then we would all be under one banner instead of split up as we are. Truthfully it is good that are different. It means we have learned and evolved."

"Perhaps we can explore those planets together someday."

"I knew that I will be spending the rest of her life fighting. I just hope I won't spend it fighting myself as well. Perhaps find some peace. Perhaps even love if I'm lucky."

"I'm sure our path's will cross many more times even after today. Can't have you running off by yourself getting into trouble?" The Jedi Knight said in a teasing manner that was accompanied with a nice smile. "You will find your peace and whatever else that you want. It might take a little bit of time, but it comes to us all in someway, shape and form." Aiden giggled lightly as he knew this was the part people hated hearing. "It just takes a little bit of patience."

"Now let's have a look at your ship. Can't be saving the galaxy with no ship."

"Let's do it. Now that I got this panel off, do you want to go inside and run a diagnostic check, just to confirm what is showing red or damaged?" Aiden inquired as he moved to look back where he removed the panel.

Feng Huang