Ready For This

[Jairdain]

The Grand Master of the Imperial Knights of the Fel Empire was a very poor pilot. While it was never something Jairdain had given much thought on learning about, the Force spoke to her and suddenly felt the need to learn. Since she was blind, she needed to be taught by somebody that could understand what it was like. So going through the roster of people within the Empire, she found somebody she thought would be perfect.

Sending out a request for Kalic Daws to meet her, she now waited for him to show up.

There was a selection of ships that were able to carry two people. Little more than fighters really, but ideal what Jairdain wanted to accomplish. Being without sight, starmaps, writing and holographs were lost on her. She had been granted real vision a few times in her life and much preferred her own sight. It gave her a far better understanding of people.

Now knowing what to expect from Kalic, she hoped he was going to be patient with her.

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

Kalic, as usual when he wasn’t on mission, was keeping his fighter the Star Crest ready for action. It’s crossed systems were often a pain for any technician to work on, even if she worked fine most of the time. Sadly for him, Jee was programmed as a gunner not a repair droid, which meant the Miraluka usually did his best to keep the fighter running without help. As he double checked the outer engine connections, his datapad gave a tone that he had a message come in. He soon walked over and picked the custom pad. The message was definitely a surprised, and Kalic had to ask Jee if he was reading it correctly.

Grand Master Jairdain wanted to meet with him about flight lessons. Not something the pilot ever expected to receive, but he was quick to grab his stuff so he and Jee could head that way, not bothering with slipping his flight suit on. No real need. Kalic honestly didn’t know much about the Imperial Knights, only that they were similar to Jedi, and from her roster file, he could see why she had asked him to help. She was a blind Force user. This would be interesting.

Once he came to the location, Kalic noticed two things. One: Jairdain had already gotten some ships ready. And two: The Miraluka couldn’t see any specific pull to the Light or Dark Side of the Force from the person he assumed was Jairdain. Granted, he was never good at seeing someone’s Force alinement, but it was interesting to him. The near-human then walked up and extended his hand. “Grand Master Jairdain I assume. I’m Kalic Daws, and this is my droid, G3-D9.”

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

She was listening to a small device that was speaking to her on how to pilot a ship. Most of the directions were address for somebody with vision and it irritated her slightly. That was why she had requested to meet with Kalic. Hearing his approach, Jairdain turned the device off and listened to him as he introduced himself and his droid companion.

"Yes I am Jairdain. Thank you for coming and pleased to meet the two of you."

Shaking his extended hand, she turned and indicated the different ships.

"I am not sure which was best to learn on, so I figured I would give you the choice."

​What clothes he wore were lost on her, but she wore something comfortable and fitting for her position. Pants, not a skirt or dress and a white shirt. Her cloak she had for many years and would not part with it. It was brown with some green fabrics stitched in.

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

The Miraluka smiled as the Knight shook his hand. Like him, she didn't wear any dedicated flight gear. It wasn't really a problem. Most pilots went for comfort when not ready for a fight. He already figured why she asked him to help. Jairdain's file said she was blind, so most pilots would have trouble training her. Heck, he even had to use a special datapad. The pilot then adjusted his "eye" wrap before looking over the craft.

"Gotta admit. For someone who isn't a pilot you have some good choices."

Kalic looked over the various craft that were there, but then saw what he thought was a perfect craft. It was an aged Toscan 8-Q starfighter. Sure, the vessel was pre-Clone Wars, but is was a two-seater variant and had room for Jee to tag along. It did make him wonder why the Empire would have the old thing. Maybe it was taken from a pirate. Kalic then looked back at Jairdain, pointing to the craft.

"Believe it or not, the relic may be the best trainer here. About as quick a Y-Wing and less maneuverable, but a decent start."

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

The flight gear was not something actually known to Jairdain so it's not something she would have thought of. If she had, then that is what she would have worn.

She was patient while Kalic looked over the craft and had a little smile when he said she had made some good choices. They all met the specific requirements for her need and she hoped he would be able to work with them. After he made the selection of which ship he felt would be best, she nodded.

"It is quite similar to a ship I own, but since I have no training, it hasn't been used yet. A pure combat fighter called a quarrel."

Taking the opportunity to make the first move, Jairdain walked along and allowed her hand to feel its hull.

"Anything I need to know before we get started?"

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

Kalic looked curious when he heard Jairdain say what her fighter was. The name was unknown to him, making it difficult to imagine what she flew. She did say it was similar to the Toscan, so he at least had some idea of what it could be like.

The Knight then asked him if there was anything she would need to know. The Miraluka already knew just what to say.

“First off, while I’m sure you know the limits of Force Sight, it is important to remember. View screens either need to be specially designed, or turned into a mechanical display.” Kalic then showed his new student his data pad, checking if she could see what was there.

“Second, if that quarrel doesn’t have space for an astromech, I’d recommend modifying it. Jee here’s not only my gunner. She’s the one telling the jump computer where we need to go. Other than that, I assume you know basic flight controls?”

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

She was honestly not sure if her own sense of vision was the same as his, but it did have its limitations. Holograms and illusions meant nothing to her and Jairdain couldn't see them. When he held out his special datapad to her, she was able to feel the raising on it, but it did not mean anything to her.

"I can feel this just fine, but if it says anything, I can't tell you what it is. Nobody ever taught me how to read."

Taking a small device f​rom her pocket, she held it out to him. It was a little larger than two eggs end to end and about that thick. At one end was sensor eye that could read for her, a microphone at the other and a speaker. A few buttons dotted the side to turn the different functions on or off.

"Have not had the need to fly it into combat, so I'm not sure if there is a spot for a droid. What do I need one for?"

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

Kalic listened carefully to Jairdain as she explained that she could feel the rises on the screen, but she couldn’t read them. The Miraluka was somewhat surprised that the women had never learned to read. He began to wonder if anyone had even tried. At hearing this, the pilot’s brow raised, but didn’t get to speak before she pulled out a device. He examined it closely, turning it on and running it over G3-D9’s ID number. It spoke it out clearly, which prompted Kalic to hand the device back as he spoke.

“I’m sorry that you never got the chance to learn. I do have to ask if you can see the rises in the datapad’s screen?”

He then heard her ask about the need for an astromech. Kalic chuckled a bit, looking over at Jee as he did.

“Well, you can’t really use your device in combat, and since you can’t read at the moment having an astromech to put coordinates into a hyperdrive computer, and manage your fighter’s systems would be helpful. They can also help with repairs if they have the programming to.”

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

Taking a closer look at the datapad, she nodded.

"I can, but don't know what they mean."

Reading had never been something she had needed. He did have a point though, if there ever was a situation where she had to fight in combat, then that device wouldn't do her much good. However, there were work arounds to that. Even if she couldn't read exactly, she knew what each button did in her Quarrel and how to fly it.

"I've never actually been in space combat. Well, I take that back, I have never needed to pilot in space combat. Never have been a fighter, but with the light fading, I feel there may be a need for it."

As she thought on his answer though, she already had droids that did that job. None that could sense or name though. Since they weren't living or had emotions, they were more like furniture than an entity.

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

Kalic nodded at both answers. It was understandable that the Knight couldn’t read. Many people who relied on
Force Sight didn’t due to a lack of opinions. It was surprising, however, that she had never flown into combat, and her reasoning behind learning now. Daws was no Jedi or Sith, so he couldn’t tell what she meant. He’d have to remember what she said. It was then that the Miraluka climbed up towards the cockpit.

“Well then,” he said as he took the rear seat. “If you’re ready to learn, seems like a good time to begin.” He then motioned to Jee. “Ok. You’ll have to get in my lap.”

“(No way! I’m a Q7, not some toy.)” Kalic just shook his head and frowned.

“Look. It’s that or cling to the paneling.” The droid then let out an annoyed whistle before floating down to the pilot’s lap.

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

It shouldn't have mattered if he Jedi, Sith or not. The fact that the Coalition, Alliance and now Commenor had all fallen to the Sith should have been known by him. Of course, he did not give voice to his confusion, so Jairdain didn't know what caused it. If it wasn't important to him, then she wasn't going to push the topic.

"Yes, of course."

Allowing Kalic to climb in first with his droid, she followed him and took the other seat. The exchange between the droid and Kalic was funny and she had a small smile because of it.

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

(Sorry for the late post. Been busy.)

Kalic quickly got himself comfortable before looking over to seat at Jairdain.

“Ok. Take ‘er up nice and easy. I noticed something here that will help with training. Actually safer than other ways to train.” The Force Sighted pilot leaned back into the rear seat. He could actually still the Knight through the front seat; just a perk of his sight. It occasionally helped in dogfights too if the opponent was a strong enough Force Sensitive. But right now, he had to focus on training Jairdain in combat flight.

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"What did you notice?"

Clearance had been given for take off and she passed her finger tips along the controls to find the buttons she had done research on before. Knowing what did what was a huge help, even if she couldn't read what was said.
​
It wasn't done with any sort of finesse, but after a bit of wobbling of the wings, they were in flight and in the atmosphere of the world.

(No worries. First week of the month is always busy for me.)

 

[Kalic Daws]

Kalic chuckled at Jairdain’s question. It wasn’t that it was funny, it was just that he already knew he wasn’t going to say anything.

“It’s a surprise, but Jee here’ll give you the coordinates. Let’s just say it’s good training.”

The spherical astromech then plugged into the controls, and started telling the knight where to go.
[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"I don't speak droid..."

This was great. ​He would have to tell her what his droid said in addition to explaining how to fly the craft. It was going to be an interesting day for sure, but Jairdain was stubborn and wasn't going to give up easily.

Luckily the droid would be able to put the coordinates in and she could get them there after Kalic explained what needed to be done.

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

“Oh” Kalic remarked. “Sorry. Easy to forget not everyone’s versed in Binary.” The Miraluka pilot then looked out the cockpit for a moment before speaking again.

“Ok. I’ll tell you where to go. It’s not too far off.” The pilot then began to instruct Jairdain on where to go. He did, however, ask one more question on their way there.

“So, is your Force Sight honed enough to see clouds?”

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

"I think I'm rather uneducated in many things, but living."

She shrugged slightly, but didn't say anything else until he asked if she could see clouds. It posed an answer that was difficult for her to give. Following all his directions though, the actual flight of the craft was smooth. Flying itself wasn't an issue for her, but potentially fighting was.

"Yes, but not in a manner that somebody with sight sees them. It's difficult to explain and I am not sure if your and my vision are the same."

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

“Of course.”

Kalic kept guilding Jairdain until they were a ways away from the base. The Miraluka then looked around. This region seemed to have interesting cloud formations. Almost like an asteroid belt. The pilot then pointed out to the clouds in front of the nose of the craft.

“Can you see those clouds ahead of us? The almost asteroid-like way they form?”

[member="Jairdain"]

 

[Jairdain]

She followed his instructions exactly to get them safely to where he wanted them to go. He took them to flying out over the country and Jairdain could sense the life under them. Smiling slightly and humming quietly, she was listening to his directions and instructions. When he asked if she could see the clouds in front of them, she nodded and then remembered he probably wouldn't see it.

"Yes, they are oddly shaped."

Rather simple way to put it, but accurate.

[member="Kalic Daws"]

 

[Kalic Daws]

(Sorry for the really long wait.)

Kalic just smiled, pointing out to the clouds. “I want ya to fly through them like you’re flying through an asteroid belt. Try not to hit any of them. Jee here’ll keep track of how well you’re doing.”