Private Feel The Force

[Samatharis]

Sam stood up straight and tilted her head a bit. That... Was not the answer she had expected?

"Oh. Hm?"

She took her time as she walked back across the room. Rubbing her chin as Tann slowly bounced to a stop. Pondering how she might help the young woman with this certain obstacle. When she finally came to stand before her student, all Sam could do was shrug.

"What are you scared of?"

There was a certain constant with Jedi training. Hope, faith, and trusting in the Force helped you accomplish your task. Fear, doubt, and loathing always seemed to hold you back. However, many a Jedi had found their greatest abilities in simple adrenaline-fueled determination and gusto. Many a Guardian prospered when thrown into a do-or-die situation. Fear, or no fear. Sometimes, their abilities even strengthened under such duress. If faced with some impossible challenge or attempting some impossible deed? They always seemed to summon the strength to succeed and prosper. Just when needed.

Well. Clearly. This was not one of those situations. Either that or, perhaps Tann had just stressed herself out. Or, again, her student being of alien biology. Maybe it something else entirely? Sam wasn't quite sure where to put the needle just yet.

Best to stick to the easy questions for now. It was probably something simple anyway.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

Her master would come to return to Tann's side. She'd now stopped bouncing entirely and even moved off the mat. She asked her what it was she was afraid of. Tann reached one arm around her chest and held the other. She felt embarrassed. She was happy to get off the mat for it felt like a bigger challenge than it had a moment ago. She was having fun up until now. But closing her eyes and trying to visualize what she was doing seemed to be too big of a risk.

"I'm scared of falling," she admitted. "Heights aren't really my sort of thing."

Tann knew she was just overreacting. But wasn't it best to be truthful? She didn't want to lie and say that everything was ok when it wasn't. That's how accidents happened. She looked to her master with sad eyes hoping the human would have some better words of encouragement for the Twi'lek.

"Is that a problem? I know it's silly. You made that jump look so easy. What if I screw it up and land wrong? What if....what if it just goes wrong?" She didn't know what else to say. Even her mind was jumbled from the confusion.

Samatharis

 

[Samatharis]

Sam smiled and took Hope's hand. Caressing it gently and closing her eyes. Then she used the power of the Force to fill Hope's mind with love. Pure, love. Sharing with her some of her most cherished experiences. You could almost see the memories. Taste the lush green grass. Smell the flowers in the air. Feel the laughter of the other girls against your skin. It was warm and welcoming here. Like a wedding party in the great outdoors. Or, like the first time you feel real speed on the back of a speeder bike. Like being awash in a fragrant, fuzzy, wonderful dream.

Then... Slowly. Sam let the feeling fade. Leaving just their two warm hands touching. The only two women in the world.

"Hi Hope."

Sam smiled.

Welcome back.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

With a tentative grab, Sam would take Tann's hand and gently start to caress it. Tann was about to ask what she was doing when a calming aura fell over her. She closed her eyes and soaked it in. Her body relaxed: her shoulders dropped, her neck muscles folded, and her jaw loosened. Her entire posture seemed to chill.

Love took over Tann's mind. Memories that clearly Sam held dear flashed within her mind. Tastes and smells and feels alike would overome her. True love. Like a mother's care for her daughter. Her own memories would be shown to Sam as well. Early memories of her as a baby when her mother held her. When her mother sang to her lullabies to help the young noodle sleep. She would see childhood wonder as she used the Force to play with her toys. Then she'd see amusement parks and the joy of seeing her beloved holovid characters come to life in person.

The feeling would pass and soon it was just the two of them again. Tann opened her luscious green eyes to look at Sam's dark ones. A feeling came over her so strongly that all she wanted to do was express it to Sam. She wanted to kiss her. To share that love. But would that be appropriate? Probably not. So, the Twi'lek made a last second change and instead wrapped her arms around her master and laid her head against her shoulder; her lekku brushed Sam's cheek softly.

"Hi....Sam," she said with a giggle. "Thank you for that. That.....was really something." Pulling away she moved her hands up to Sam's shoulders and nodded with determination. "Ok. I think I'm ready,."

Keeping her mind set on that powerful feeling she'd just experienced, Tann would turn and break off into a run. She got up to full speed and then jumped as high and as far as she could. It wouldn't be nearly the distance as her mentor's was, but it was more supernatural than any normal humans would be. She landed smoothly and without concern. Tann turned and shrieked loudly with success. She had done it.

 

[Samatharis]

There was a white light lingering in Sam's eyes as Tann turned and celebrated her victory. Ah. Well done lass. The flame slowly faded as Sam smiled and flexed a bicep for her student. Strong. Well done.

Sam sighed and turned to face the long windows. Remembering something. And determining it was good. So, she turned back to her student and smiled.

"Good job. I think you're getting the hang of this. Hehe."

Sam folded her arms over chest and nodded. It was enough. Now, it was time to break it down.

"So? Tell me. What changed? Hmm? Not afraid of heights anymore."

She smiled. Then pointed to the mats.

"Do it again."

Do it for yourself.

Trust in the Force. Win.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

Tann would come to return to her master's side. Her mentor had given her a strong gesture, but it was the smile that made her the most proud. She congratulated her again as she got closer and then asked what had changed in her mind.

"I don't really know. I can't explain it. It was....a feeling. Like you gave me all this courage. I felt so full of energy I felt like I could do anything."

But her trial wasn't over yet. Now, she had to do it again. This time, from the mat. Tann nodded. "Alright," she said in her head. She could do this. She was ready. Tann moved to the mat and began to jump on it. Getting higher and higher. She then slowly closed her eyes. She felt the warmth she had felt before. All that love. The Light side. She trusted in it, trusted it not to let her fall. SHe could visualize the mat coming down before her feet and she bent her knees just at the right time to reflect the bounce.

Boing! She went up. She went higher and higher, letting the Force boost her with every jump until before she knew it...her hand was reaching up to touch the ceiling. The same ceiling she thought she'd never be able to reach. Tann looked up as she fell back down in wonder. She'd done it. She'd touched the ceiling. She looked down and caught herself on the mat to jump back up only this time she would not go as high. She also pivoted her heel from the last jump so that she would come down on the hard floor.

Tann landed like a pro. Her body absorbed the shock of the fall -or rather the Force did it. Tann was a natural. She was learning so fast. All she had to do was put her mind to it. Which wasn't always an easy task. Biting her lower lip she looked to her master for acceptance and praise once more.

 

[Samatharis]

Sam just stood there. Beaming with pride. Then let slip a smile.

"Show off."

Her Master unfolded her arms and quietly began to clap. Well done Hopeful One.

Then. With a happy sigh, Sam returned her arms behind her back, and gave an easy nod.

"You have attained. Well done. Class. Dismissed. Hehe."

She nailed it.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

By no means did she try to be a show off. But it did feel good that her master complimented her so. She would jog on over back to her mentor and say, "Well it's all thanks to my teacher." Tann was just as pleased as Sam was. It felt good to jump like that. It really did. She could actually feel the air around her as she jumped. Now she'd have to work on flips. That was an even scarier idea for the girl. But one she was excited to overcome.

But that was the end of that. Class was over. So suddenly. Tara pursed her lips. "Alright, Master. I understand. I'm going to stick around and practice some more though. I've got all this energy to shake off." She had no reason to think Sam would have any problem with it. So that's what she would do. She went back to the mat and started jumping again. Trying to clear the ceiling as she had the first time.

Samatharis

 

[Samatharis]

Sam was indeed pleased that Tann decided to stick around and train. It was the key. Practice, practice, practice. Nothing gets rid of the fear of heights like mastering a proficiency. Even if the fear never fades. Strength will always be with her.

"Very good. ...Oh. And before I forget."

Sam raised a finger and withdrew a small datachip from her pocket.

"There's a slot in the Infirmary later this evening for newcomers. It's across campus in the medical building. But, well. Since you're new? I figured it was a great opportunity to get introduced to basic medical. Snaffets should be teaching too. So you'll get to meet a professional in the business. Should be good."

Sam threw Tann the chip and nodded.

"Get something to eat before you arrive at the front desk. I think it's gonna be a long shift. Heh."

Nothing like a challenge to end the day. Hopefully, Hope didn't have plans.

Then Sam checked her phone and took her leave. She might hit the pool herself in the meantime.


* * *

​

Silver Rest United Health Building
Kashyyyk

Later, in the evening.

Samatharis was standing in the front lobby of the United Health building. Silver Rest had a large campus that included many such white towers and giant superstructures. Each with a special purpose that contributed to the Jedi Initiative in it's own special way. Today they would be visiting the Infirmary on the ground floor. A sprawling, technological wonder filled with aquautic themes and enough white scenery to flatter Alderaanian Royalty.

Sam stood leaning on the front desk in a black fur-lined moto jacket. Waiting for her student to arrive.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

Before she headed off, her master would pull a datachip out and offer it over to Tann. The Twi'lek took it and looked at it as if she'd be able to read it without a device. Not so likely. Sam explained she was to take a shift at the infirmary this evening. A new teacher would be there to teach, and Sam wanted her there to learn.

Tann nodded her head, "I will be there, my master."

From there she watched her master leave and would put the data chip in her boot along with her other gear. She practiced her jumping and flipping for a good hour before actual exhaustion hit her. She decided it was bets to hit the refresher before going out to eat. So after returning to her room and showering, Tann headed to the main cafeteria for dinner. All the while she kept a close eye on the time. Sam hadn't exactly said when they were meeting, but Tann wanted to get there early anyways.

Despite her best efforts Sam had still beaten the young Twi'lek there. Tann scoffed with a smile. How did she do that? Or rather, how long had she been waiting. Tann went over to her and bowed, showing the respect that was owed to her. She'd changed out of her workout clothes and was now wearing a white jacket with a new but similar pair of pants. The jacket covered her arms and her chest but left her midriff exposed. She liked showing skin.

"This place is beautiful, master. I've never seen anything like it." She was most impressed by the aquatic tanks. "I mean just look at them all. So shiny."

Samatharis

 

[Samatharis]

Sam stood up from the counter and nodded to their surroundings. It was indeed a sign of tremendous strength.

"The healing world has long existed in the water. Long before our time, even bacta came from the sea. Many worlds tell of the beginning. Of the beginning of life. Formed in the water and crawled out onto land. So too in healing, do many believe we must return to the beginning. We all must return to the sea."

She gesture theatrically to the air. To the old ways. To stories and myths and to the dark times.

"The Silvers respect culture and legend in this way. However, it is not superstitions nor science alone which heal the body on Kashyyyk. Oh no. Today you might see something new. Today you might witness the miracle of The Force. Even how it heals the soul."

She let her hand fall down slowly. Like a feather upon the wind. Then she smiled to the old ways and nodded to the door. Time to return to the present. They had a task to complete and a new Master to introduce.

"Padawan Tann Po'rah. Allow me to introduce Master Snaffets of Dubrillion. A member of the Circle of Healers on Kashyyyk."

Sam moved her hand to present a newcomer.

I kid you not, he looked just like a otter. A dry, fuzzy otter wearing the smallest spectacles your eyes had ever seen. He walked upright and with the dignity of an old man, long in his years. His arms folded easily behind his back and wearing a brown vest underneath his white, perfectly smooth coat. His long teeth and full whiskers always stumbling out somewhere in the middle of his words as he spoke.

"Welcome. Knight Samatharis and Padawan Tann Po'rah. I am glad to see our call for volunteers was successful tonight. We have much to accomplish. Come. Come. The Crystals are just this way."

He smiled. In an, otter'ly sort of way. Then gesture for them to follow. His long tail swishing against the ground like a janitor's broom. He was easy to keep up with and did not skitter nor scratch.

Sam nodded and motioned for Tann to take the lead.

"Tell me, young Padawan." Master Snaffets mused without turning, "Have you ever heard of the Shard race before?"

Sam nodded. She'd met a few before. Usually, droids. Then she turned to Hope.

Master Snaffets stopped in front of the elevator and pushed the call button. Then briskly turned to touch his glasses. Waiting to see what Tann would say.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

Tann smiled as her master gave her a little more of an understanding to the significance of water. Tann loved listening to Sam. She was so knowledgeable about so many things. Tann hoped one day she could share this knowledge with her own Padawan one day. The idea brought a smile to her face.

To the notion of seeing something new, the Twi'lek would respond, "I am excited, Master." She was then introduced to Master Snaffets who came up slowly beside them. Tann nodded and said. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The two would follow after the master otter while Tann looked to Sam with hopeful eyes. "Crystals?" she'd mouth silently. Whatever those were. Jedi Kyber crystals hopefully. Those would be......well amazing. Tann still needed her own.

In the lift she would be asked if she knew what the Shard race was. "Wait....like for real? Sure I've heard of them. Just stories. Sentient crystals right? But those are just...stories aren't they? They can't be real....can they?"

Samatharis

 

[Samatharis]

The lift came and the party boarded. Snaffets seemed to smile underneath his large whiskers. He enjoyed Tann's answer. Sam chuckled and gestured to the air,

"Oh yes. Shards are quite real. More common than you'd expect too."

The otterly doctor nodded, "Given their long lifespans, Shards can be very slothful in the common sense. Most peoples don't plan their daily routines out four or five hundred years from now. But Shards certainly can and very often, do."

Sam nodded, "They are also very acutely aware of The Force and it's galactic impact over eons of time. So they have a fascinating perspective on the nature of the Force and how it behaves. Eons of data really."

Snaffets brushed his whiskers, "Oh yes. A very reasonable common sense, they possess. And an intimate knowledge of some of the greatest galactic threats the stars have ever faced. Indeed. Where ever there is trouble on a galactic scale? You'd be hard pressed not to find a Shard snooping about nearby. Usually, in the guise of a droid."

The lift stopped and opened to basement level two. A secure location. The hallways kept their white beauty but traded minimalism for high-tech security. Cameras, glassteel, and shield doors abounded. Though neither Sam nor Snaffets seemed to care. They continued onward as if they owned the place.

Ajacent the hallway were four immediately discernible labs or operating rooms. Protected from the outside world by a series of air-locks and giant glassteel windows. The machinery became less intimate too and more industrial. Less dentist's office and more laser-cutter factory. This was obviously a special purpose area.

The otter doctor touched his badge to the air-lock and the first set of transparent doors swished open. Inside, at the center of the laboratory, laying on a segmented table - was a bronze HK droid of ancient make and model. Like a tribal relic from some long lost civilization.

Snaffets stopped at the inner door and paused,

"This is Number Four. ...Not his real name but what he presented himself as. We picked him up out on Fondor after a disastrous encounter with an Info Broker. His skeleton is made of Phrik and nearly indestructible. Alas, his enemies obviously did a number on his crystalline complex inside the suit. He's been sitting there for days at this point. Poor old sod."

Sam approached the transparent door and shrugged,

"What have you tried?"

Snaffets toggled his spectacles, "Circle Healing, Fire Crystal, Alchemy, soft music, some disco but..."

"Mechu-deru?" Sam interrupted.

"No. We've... Um. Hesitated on that one. Not to mention we don't keep a specialist on staff for that. It's a rare skill among Jedi, you know." The otter sighed.

Sam nodded. This must be a difficult case. Anyway, she quickly turned to Tann and nodded,

"Alright. So? What would like my student and I to do?"

Snaffets turned and looked at Tann.

"I hear the young lady has an unusual talent with sprockets. A unique way of concentrating. Yes?"

Sam shrugged as her only answer. She wasn't quite sure where this was going.

"Well?" The otter continued quickly, "I'd like her to talk to him. Through the Force."

Sam raised an eyebrow, "Through the Force? What do you mean? We all know telepathy. How would this be different?"

Snaffets raised a paw, "Now now. Nothing risky. We'd be right there next to her. Naturally. ...No, what I'm asking is if she'd help him dream a bit?"

Sam seemed flabbergasted. This obviously wasn't the trip to the hospital she'd been expecting. No wonder the timing was so strange. Snaffets wanted lab rats and obviously he thought Tann was perfect for the job.

Samatharis seemed offended at the idea but she slowly turned and offered Hope a chance to reply. It would be her choice, after all.

"Well Padawan. I generally don't like the idea of poking around a Shard's brain while it's sleeping but..."

"I'm awake."

Both Sam and Snaffets spun on a dime!

Number Four was sitting up pleasantly on his bedside. His two dark photoreceptors staring right at them through the door. He looked every bit the imposing Hunter Killer model he'd been designed to be. Even if he was far, far older. He seemed to be amused nobody had noticed his awakening either. Just sitting there. Waiting for them to continue.

"Ah! Oh! Number Four! Um. Good! You're awake." Snaffets struggled.

"Yes. And I see you've brought me some company. Fascinating. I'm feeling much better, by the way. I think Doctor Karl's last micro-adjustment might have helped a bit."

Sam frowned. She didn't like this. It felt... Sneaky. Meanwhile, the Phrik droid turned it's head to look right at Tann.

"Ah. So you're the new doctor then eh? Funny. Your Force Power seems... mmm, rather weak for a Silver. Just a student then eh? Interesting."

The unit turned to Snaffets and cocked it's head, "Trying something new, eh doctor?"

"Erm. Well, yes." The otter stumbled to say, "You see. To learn more about the attack that crippled you? We've been unable thus far to identify the energy stream that caused the damage. I hypothesized that perhaps a Dreaming could unlock the memories and give us a better idea of what happened during the attack. And, I believe this young lady might be a compatible Dreamer."

He turned to look at Tann and gestured with his hands,

"She's unique. She has an affinity for fixing things, you could say."

"I'll allow it."

Sam and Snaffets both balked. The droid was calm and quick to decide the issue. His swiftness was, unsettling. Sam held up a hand and shook her head.

"Wait a moment. She's never dreamed before. Err... Well. Once before, I suppose. We shared a bond and..."

"You calmed her down." The droid interrupted musingly. As if he already knew everything Sam was thinking. It caused Sam to almost take a step back in surprise. The droid chuckled and continued,

"Have no fear. I can sense your Force Bond from here, young Knight. You made a connection with your student and shared some faint memories together. Touching really. Quite. And yes, it is rather similar to Dreaming. However..."

The HK unit stood and stretched it's arm. It was taller than anybody here present by a large margin. Though, he seemed slower than most. Like he was sore or tired. He took a deep pause, then continued,

"She and I would not need to create a Bond in order for it to work. We can do it the old fashioned way."

He moved to a table filled with machines and plugged himself into one. A holo-screen in the high corner of the room began to broadcast gray static.

"See. I'll do the Dreaming here. She can guide me through the Force. And you two can watch the memories on the screen. There. And if you're student is as good as you say she is? Well. We should get a clearer picture of the attack on Fondor too. The one that injured me with strange Energy."

Snaffets was playing with his nails in frustration. The concern in his voice was obvious.

"Uh. Well. Yes. Erm, I suppose that could work. Uh... How about you Knight? Are you, okay with something like this? It seems... Um. Rather straightforward. Yes?"

Sam frowned and folded her arms.

"As long as no Bond is created between them. And, I'll be watching. Hmph. Then... I suppose the decision to guide his Dreaming is hers."

She turned to Hope with a calming smile.

"Hope. Look. This is a bit above the usual Force Jumping lesson. Still? I believe Snaffets is right. It would be good to exercise your affinity a bit more often. And, it's not like it could hurt either. We'll be right there beside you. All the way."

The droid nodded in reply.

"Indeed. She will come to no harm in my care. I surrendered to the Silvers with full knowledge of my obligations. And, besides. The sooner this is over. The sooner I can be on my way."

He was large, immortal, scary, nearly indestructible, and probably had a kill count somewhere in the high millions - yet still? It seemed an honest statement as any. If Number Four wanted violence. He probably could have had it by now.

Sam relented and sighed again.

"Anyway. It's a once in a lifetime chance to try out an esoteric Force Power. I don't see why not? ...Your call Hope. First time for everything, I suppose."

The whole room turned to face Tann. A transparent blast door between her and her metal patient inside. Everyone seemingly on the edge of a new frontier too. What would they even call it? Jedi Guided Machine-Dreaming? Would... Would it even work? Number Four seemed to think so? But, how? Sam sure didn't know. This was all new to her too.

I guess. It was all up to Tann Po'rah now. Whatever happened next? ...Happened.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

Tann was rather surprised that Shards were real. All the stories she'd heard were true. What did you know? He then explained that they planned their days out centuries apart. Tann couldn't even remember what she had for lunch let alone plan a full day ahead of her. Shards must be rather amazing creatures. Creatures? Things? Sentient life forms. There you go.

Sam chimed in, saying they were very aware of the Force. That was something she would have to be mindful of. She'd never met anyone else besides Sam who was keenly aware of it. She'd only ever met other Padawans up until now. She was equally parts excited as she was nervous. That feeling only grew worse -better?- as they entered into the basement floor and based by all the high tech machines. Tann's eyes glowed with anticipation. She couldn't wait to come down here herself and take a look at everything. Another time.

As they entered into the room Tann immediately saw the HK droid lying on a table. Her first thought was, "why was there a droid here?" She didn't quite put together that the Shard was inside it. Were they going to pull the droid apart to get to the crystal inside? Or was she here to inspect and repair the droid. It was an older model, one she didn't recognize. Which didn't mean much. She wasn't all knowing. But any droid would follow the same basic schematic. She could figure out how it ticked no matter what.

"Number Four huh?" she would repeat. "Were one through three taken...?" Not a time for jokes.

Her mentor and new teacher would then discuss treatments that all sounded simple enough to have worked. Yet they didn't. She then suggested mechu-duru which Tann looked to her master for explanation. Sadly she would not get one. Tann made a mental note to herself to ask her master about that. If it was such a rare skill, why not pick it up herself? That way she'd be useful in the future to the Order.

Snaffet would then ask about Tann's skill to which she'd add in, "I can fix droids, sure. Is that what you want me to do?"

Not so much. She was going to speak to the droid via the Force. Was...that even possible? Sam argued a little with the good doctor about what it was she was going to be doing. Sam was practically in disbelief while the doctor was hopefully being pushy. He seemed eager to test his hypothesis and Tann was stuck in the middle of it all.

That's when Tann nearly had a heart attack. The droid had moved and spoke to them without any of the three noticing. Tann put her hand over her chest to slow down her breathing; her heart had skipped a beat and was now going a mile a minute. He would converse a little small talk and then turn its dead to Tann. Weak? That seemed insulting. Tann had an excellent connection to the Force. She had half a mind to show him too! This went on for some time as the three of them went back and forth over if Tann was even capable of doing this. She clenched her hand as annoyance and anger settled in.

"I can do it," she finally spoke up. Tann was eager to prove herself. "I can."

She would nod to her master and then move through the transparent door. Tann walked over to the droid and would sit up on the table with him. She crossed her legs and gave the droid a determined look.

"Alright, number four. Sit here and uh....relax I guess?"

She tried to seem strong. In truth she had no idea what she was doing. But it relieved her to think that neither of the other two behind her would either. So if she failed, it wasn't like she would get scolded for it. This was trial and error now. And Tann was going all in. She put one hand in her lap and with the other took out her three lugnuts from one of her pouches. Her lucky charms. She then folded them in her left hand while raising her right toward the droid's head casing.

Tann would close her eyes. She wasn't sure what to feel. What to expect. What to do. But the Force would provide. That much was obvious. To her. She'd been told so again and again. All she had to do was trust in it. And that's what she would do. Allowing herself to mentally connect with the Force she pushed herself into the droid's mind and tried to lull him to sleep. She wasn't sure if she was bonding or not, but she kept going anyways. She felt its presence, the Shard. She wanted to connect with it. To see what it was. Tann let her own mind go blank -not an easy thing for her to do. She clutched the nuts in her hand to give her more focus.

"Sleep," she would say in a soft and commanding tone.

 

[Samatharis]

Snaffets and Sam shuffled into the room behind Tann and stood to watch. Four took a seat easily and seemed compelled to follow Po'rah's command. Whether by his own power or under a spell from Tann, he quickly seemed to succumb to sleep. His head falling slightly and his eyes blinking off.

Nearby, the static from the holo screen seemed to slowly fade up into uncertain imagery. Mostly just bursts of light. But only at first.

"Do droids dream of electric sheep?" Sam smiled.

"Shards do." Snaffets said. Almost matter-of-factly. "They're not droids at all."

Sam nodded and let the rite continue.

Meanwhile, Four's mind began to wander. Much like the dreams of people, it was scattered and easily changeable. There were no smells or emotions either. Just sights and sounds. Tann would need to guide Four using only those two senses.

The first image seemed to be of a fast car. The sound was of a race day and everybody looked happy to be there.

The second image was of a dark haired woman with orange eyes and garbed in a black cloak. The sound was a verbal warning that someone named Hilde was not to be trifled with. She seemed displeased.

The last image was of a calm and serene lakeside. Here, on Kashyyyk. The sounds were those of nature and of stillness. It was unsure of how Four felt at that time. But the location seemed important to him somehow.

Sam and Snaffets could not yet discern these images or sounds on the holo-screen. As, they seemed to pass too quickly and merge back and forth with each other. Tann would need to pick one and help Four experience the event. All the way through.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

The droid's eyes would shut off and enter into a dream-like state. What it drempt of was chaos. Not in a bad way, just in a sense of no order to anything. Tann had difficulty organizing her own thoughts. The dreams flashed through her vision in random intervals and non-sequential lengths. Tara winced in real time and made a pained sound.

She was getting sucked into it all. Too many flashes and too many scenes. It was quite overwhelming. There was little she could do to stop the droid or direct him. Her instincts knew what to do, but in this moment it was hard to succeed. She groaned again as she leaned forward and placed her hand on the droid's....face plate. Tann made more sounds of pain as she tried harder to force the matter. She felt something. One image of a woman in black. She had to focus on that.

Tann was beginning to sweat. This was taking quite a large toll on her. But she was determined to push through it. "Come on," she'd tell herself. "Give me what I want!"

The image of the woman became clearer. She could see it. She could see the woman raising her hand. What happened next she couldn't explain. That's when the bond happened. Tann began to scream as she felt the droid's pain from whatever the woman was doing....

Samatharis

 

[Samatharis]

Sam's eyes bladed.

Then she thrust out with her hand, "Stop!"

Hope was blown back and the sleeping Number Four flipped right over the table. Both came down with a thunderous crash of force. Snaffets covered his eyes but otherwise understood the frantic gesture. The Padawan hadn't been guiding the Shard's dream. She'd pulled herself into it. Forcing herself into his mind.

The terrible crashing sounds quickly subsided and Sam found herself kneeling down at Tann's side. Her eyes piercing far deeper than looking for a flesh wound. She was searching her student for something else. Luckily, she did not find it.

"Snaffets? Did you get that?" Sam balked back at the otter.

"Yes. Yes. I saw it. Our Info Chant was an energy vampire. She clearly tried to attack our friend here and instead created a feedback loop. That's why none of our traditional methods worked."

Sam nodded with distaste. But she was satisfied that Tann seemed alright. She helped the poor girl stand.

Meanwhile, Number Four's eyes reactivated and he found his current place on the ground rather curious. Slowly moving to stand,

"Well Doctor, I must say." He pulled himself up to full height, "Your gal is quite the Dark Side user. She nearly forced herself right into my mind itself. Haha."

He brushed himself off and seemed to chuckle.

"Maybe she should be my student and not yours after all. Ha."

Snaffets ignored him and shuffled over to the holoscreen. Rewinding the scene and hitting pause.

"Yes! Yes! This because I was right again! I knew the Padawan would succeed! Look. Look. Here is the image you had forgotten Number Four. An Energy Vampire. Aha!"

The droid nodded and unplugged himself from the monitor. He seemed content with this revelation.

"Indeed. That woman was a fool to initiate such an attack. No wonder both of us ended up in such rough shape afterward. She nearly killed us both. Keh."

Snaffets turned and seemed to sympathize with Tann for the first time since she'd fallen.

"Poor lass. I'm sorry to have bothered you so. Though, it was necessary that an attempt be made. Without recovering Four's memory of the attack? We'd never had been able to transcribe a cure for his condition. I'm sure you understand, yes?"

"Shut it." Sam snapped at him. She seemed down right angry at the outcome thus far. "...Now. You have what you need. Can it be finished then?"

"Oh! Well, I suppose..."

"Yes."

Four finished for him. The droid turned and sat back down on the med chair. Got comfortable. Then continued,

"We'll do an infusion and reset the cycle my enemy confused. For there, I shall recover in good time."

The otter nodded. Agreeing silently and with a quiet shame. His eyes never matching Sam's hostile, hovering gaze.

"Good. Then we're finished here."

"Not quite." Four raised a heavy finger. "If you don't mind. I'd like to sever my bond with the student. As, a do so hate, loose ends."

Sam balked. She didn't sense any Force Bond between Four and Hope? She had severed it herself the moment it had appeared.

"What?"

"Padawan." Four said calmly and extended a handshake. "Thank you for your assistance. And, when you get bored of the Jedi. Do come look us up on Denon. The Iron Lords always appreciate new talent. Especially those who are not afraid to express their own passions."

Sam's eyes narrowed. But she did not object nor did she interfere anymore. Now was not the time nor the place. No. It was time to finish this and move on.

Snaffet's nose twitched uncomfortably and he raised a finger as if to speak. Then, he thought better of it and simply took his leave of the room. Closing the massive glassteel door behind him and shuffling out into the hall.

Sam merely folded her arms and looked on disdainfully as Four said his goodbyes to Hope. Pfft. So much for a thoughtful visit to the infirmary. Blast it all.

She was quite intent on leaving as soon as possible. What a mess.

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

With a painful tug Tann was ripped from the Shard's mind, both mentally and physically. She was thrown back from the table and crashed into the wall behind her. Her head hit rather hard. When she opened her eyes again Sam was kneeling beside her with a look of worry. The Twi'lek grumbled in pain. "...Master?"

Tann was then helped to her feet. She rubbed the back of her head where she hit it. It caused a wince. Her head was blurry. The others were talking about something but Tann wasn't paying them the most attention. Only when the doctor directed his focus on her did she start to pay attention.

"You're um....welcome?"

Ok. So she wasn't completely back in the loop yet. But her master was livid. Sam snapped at him for the events that had transpired and her padawan's failure. Tann could feel the anger and it made her blood go cold. She zoned out again, covering her arm with her other in front of her chest. When Number Four spoke about their bond she would look up in confusion. Bond? Was she still connected to him somehow? She didn't feel any different. And she couldn't read his thoughts. But maybe he could still feel hers?

Number Four would offer a handshake to the Twi'lek. She hesitantly took it and shook back. He then offered her an invitation; Tann returned the gesture with a kind smile. "Thank you, Number Four. I would like to see more of your ways. In the future of course."

With that, she turned her back to the droid and to the medical lab as she silently walked away. Only when she was back in the lift would she try and apologize. "Master.....I'm sorry. I should have tried harder. I should have....." She didn't know. She looked away then back down at her feet. She wasn't sure honestly what she could have done differently. It wasn't like there was any sort of manual she could follow.

 

[Jsc]

Sam returned to the hallway. Completely ready to give Doctor Snaffets a piece of her mind. Alas, the good otter had completely disappeared. Lucky him. Grrr.

Sam followed Hope into the lift and hit the ground floor. She needed a moment calm herself and clear her own guilt in the matter. Knights should know better than to let their Padawan's attempt things they haven't tested themselves. Sam felt a good deal of shame for what happened back in the med lab. But her military training reminded her of how life really was. Sometimes, kark just happens. Soldiers power through it. Sam, would power through it.

Then Hope spoke and Sam felt a warmth for the poor girl she hadn't felt in a long time.

"Padawan." Sam smiled. Really, really smiled. "You are perfect."

She touched her shoulder and nodded. She couldn't have been prouder.

"What happened back in there was nothing short of a miracle. You just saved the life of an alien organism thousand of years old and far, far more powerful any Jedi in that room, combined. Your spirit was exactly the miracle that life needed, in that moment. Your affinity. No. Your hope. ...It was exactly as it was supposed to be. You. Hope. Are exactly what you were supposed to be."

She smiled again. Samatharis, the soldier. Then she breathed deeply and returned to resting posture. Remembering something too.

"I couldn't be any prouder."

Tann Po'rah

 

[Tann Po'rah]

That same warmth that Sam was feeling helped Tann a great deal. Sam spoke with soothing words, saying that she was perfect for what had happened. Even in favor of what had happened, she regarded Tann as coming out on top. She told the Twi'lek that what she'd done was a miracle. That made her mile.

"Thank you, Master. That means....that means the world to me."

What Sam said next Tann would remember for the rest of her life. She couldn't be any more prouder. Tann beamed, blushing a little as she turned her head away. She couldn't help but hide her happiness. Turning around she would do something incredibly unexpected. She would give her master a hug.

END THREAD​