Stirring Up an Anthill

[Riamah]

During a recent excursion, Ra had acquired a Sith Holocron. At the time she picked it up, she had no idea what it was or even anything about the Force for that matter. Soon after getting the holocron, Ra learned she could indeed use the Force, but lacked training and knowledge in it. Even now, she did not know what the strange red pyramid was or its function. Unsure now of her place in the galaxy, Ra was on her ship thinking about that pyramid.

Taking it out of her personal area, Ra sat down with it turning the holocron over and around with her hands. The markings were beautiful, but in a dark way. The edges were of a fine and dark metal looking material, the angled slopes of its side a crimson red. It was these slopes that contained writing so fine she could barely make it out. She had found it in a ruined library on Ossus, so it had to contain knowledge of something. Problem was she could find no way to open it.

Setting it down on the table in front of her, Ra closed her eyes to focus on it through the Force.

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[Daxton Bane]

For a monent nothing seemed to happen, then there was slight audible click as the top part of the device rose slightly. Without warning a series of multi strobing lights began to emit as the device began to map out the room. Once its task was complete, the lights disappeared and room slowly returned to its normal hue as a hologram appeared in the corner of the room.

The hologram was that of a middle aged human male, with a receeding hair line, thick reading glasses and paunch torso indicative of his love of good food and drink. Dressed in simple dark grey scholar robes there is no indication of alliance to which he belongs to. On his right ring finger there is a well crafted plantinum ring with an opal setting, a possible indicator of a rich merchant or trader background.

Upon 'seeing' someone else in the room, the scholar cleared his throat and greeted his 'visior' properly. "Welcome, welcome. It would seem that someone has found me and about bloody time if you ask me. You have no idea how its good to be speaking with a being of flesh and bone. This work is entitled Practical Applications of the Force, a basic introduction to the Force and its many applications. My name is Professor Samuel Niche. Might I have the pleasure of your acquaintance?"

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

In the privacy of her own ship, Ra didn't need to worry about keeping a façade on or wearing anything special, so she was dressed in a pale green tunic and grey leggings. On her feet, she only wore socks and no shoes nor was her hair pulled back or braided. Being free of the tail, it flows all the way down her back, the ends slightly discolored from where she normally has a spiked ball.

When the holocron clicked open, she kept her eyes closed, not sure if it was the Force that activated it or if the pyramid would go dormant again if she opened her eyes. After only a few seconds though and when a voice addressed her, did Ra open her eyes.

In the corner of the room, stood what almost looked like a real person, but Ra could see through him. He looked like a middle aged human, he was dressed in simple clothes, but a few items indicted he was more than he appeared. He cleared his throat and with some personality introduced himself.

Ra stood up and walked over to the figure, not entirely sure what to make if him. This holocron (she doesn't know what it is) is clearly something more than just files of information. It's like a small piece of the creator himself is part of it.

"I'm Ra'a'mah Numare, just call me Ra though."

When she stood up, a fraction of her hair fell from behind her ear and Ra pushed it back naturally.

"What are you?"

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[Daxton Bane]

The hologram pauses and nods as if processing the information given to it like a living creature, clearly this is a very interactive creation far superior to the grainy holograms which were nothing more than glorified video recordings.

"Ra. Such a lovely name. Did you know that the source of that name goes back to the very earliest literature of humans? But I get ahead of myself, to answer your question, consider me more of a who than a what. Since I am here, it is likely you have come to learn more of the Force, yes? No need for secrets, my dear. I am here to share my knowledge on the subject, but free from the blind dogma which is usually accompanied by such knowledge. I speak of both Jedi and Sith, two halves of the same coin, each blind to the truth possessed by the other, each thinking they are the sole correct version of the Force."

"To begin with sit down and relax, our journey will be a long one fraught with peril and discovery, know that everything I share has a purpose, how you choose to use that information, well that is something only you can decide on."



"The Force. What is it? Pause to consider that everything is comprised of the Force, it is both part of and outside of these things. The air you breathe, the clothes you wear, just about anything you think of is comprised of the Force. The ignorant call it magic, the unschooled call it luck, but those who study it will eventually learn to sense and master the tides of the Force."

"The first lesson we will do today is learning to attune yourself to the Force, this will allow you to not only grant you access to the Force but with enough training you will learn to sense it others as well. Experienced Force users can do this as a reflex, akin to breathing because they are so attuned to the Force. I want you to close your eyes and listen to my voice. Let the troubles of the universe fall away like the grime of the earth washed away by the cool gift of the heavens. You are going to a place of safety, where you are in control. You hear no voice save my own, feel no emotion but peace. The light will surround you and fill you with tranquilty and joy. Now with your eyes still closed, expand your sense, do you sense where everything in this room is?"


@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

Ra listened to the hologram, it would appear the figure was fully aware and willing to provide guidance in learning the Force. It told her almost more than she knew in just a few sentences. He stated some things she already knew, she took this in stride though and didn't say anything. A rehash is something many teachers do as a matter of course.

She wanted to ask what the pyramid actually was, but the hologram continued on, not giving her the chance. The question fell to the back of Ra's mind as the professor went right into the first lesson.

Already having meditated before, Ra knew what to do. She got herself sitting in a comfortable position, closed her eyes as instructed and listened to the voice. In her mind, she pictured herself in a small, but clean lake. Walking into the water, she allowed it to cleanse her. No troubles or concerns were in her mind. Once she felt as washed as she was going to be, she pictured a small, but secure cabin by the lake shore. A place nobody knew about, but her and where she was safe.

For the first time for as long as she could remember, Ra felt peace wash over her. Though in her vision, she was outside a cabin, when she walked in, it was her ship. Walking through the room, she saw where everything was located.

"Yes."

It was all Ra spoke to ​[member="Daxton Bane"], but it was all that was needed to be said.

 

[Daxton Bane]

"Good. Now consider the Force, as neither good or evil. It is tool used to exert your will upon, like a flame burning hot and bright, it cares not for intentions or motives. Just like a fire can bring warmth and security, it can also burn hot like a raging inferno. Only through constant use will it be honed as something useful. Before we go to the next lesson, I am sure you have questions for me. Now is the time to ask."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

Ra listened to the Professor talk about the Force being neutral, she mentally nodded, already knowing this. The Force was formed by the intentions of the user, making it light or dark at that time.

"I was told that Sith or dark side users polluted the Force by making it flow out of its natural current and Jedi, light side users only slightly nudged it for use."

She figured practicing using the Force was the only way to master it as with anything.

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[Daxton Bane]

"While dealing with the Force, you will learn that statement is an oversimplification of the facts. While dark side users then to be more raw and emotional and light siders more detached and neutral, neither actually actual impact on the Force. Again the Force is in everything and everyone, all that really differs is methodology."

"I want you to consider how is a dark sider using Force Lightning to defeat his foes any different from a Light sider bendimg the will of others to agree to do their bidding. Intent and justification aside, they are basically the same, they used the Force to obtain their objectives. Both believed that they were doing the right thing at the time."

"As I mentioned, how you use the Force will be entirely up to you. Consider this, just how far would you do to exert your will on the universe? The stronger the desire, the more powerful in tue Force you will become. I can only teachnyou the basics, the rest is entirely up to you."

"Before we continue further I want you to view this," suddenly an diagram instructive model appeared hovering in the air, "Here are instructions for creating a very simple training droid. You will need to build two to start with. As you will note, the materials needed are fairly common and easy to obtain. In fact, these are commonly found in most Jedi and Sith temples, but I have a feeling you want to avoid the attention."

"As you can see, they basically heavy metal balls with a light stun blaster. For now you need the weight for the lifting and movement exercises we will do, the blaster will be of use later when we determine what style you are proficient in."

 

[Riamah]

Ra listened to the answer provided by the hologram. It's true, both the Jedi and Sith use the Force to achieve certain objective. One tended to be more violent than the other. Neither of them actually made an effect on the Force itself. Ra tilted her head to consider what she just heard, not at all like what she heard before. Not knowing which one to be true, she filed it away in her mind for later.

The hologram asks her how far she exerts herself on the universe and the question surprises her. However, before she can even think of an answer, he continues with his instruction. He wants her to acquire or make two training droids. Just like the little training ball she used when she practiced with her staff.

"I already have one and just go get another. That shouldn't take too long provided the shop has one in stock."

She rubs one of her hands slightly, remembering the jolts of the many shocks she got from it.

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[Daxton Bane]

"Do you have a lightsaber or any other similar weapon to begin your training? I need to understand how you plan to defend yourself in order for me to prepare a proper curriculum fpr your training. The road ahead will be tough and challenging, the more information I have the bettef I can prepare your training."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

"I have a staff I've been practicing with, but that's all. It's not a real lightsaber and that is what I will be using. I also use arm and boot knives as well a spiked ball in my hair."

Ra nodded when she finished stating her weapons of choice.

He says the road a head will be tough and challenging, Ra just rolls her eyes at that.

"What isn't?

She said that more to herself than the hologram.

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[Daxton Bane]

"A staff eh? Your choice of weapons indicates to me reluctance to take life, which I have to admit is quite refreshing. I grow tired of instructing those who only desire to hurt and destroy. I have take the liberty of preusing my library for appropriate suggestions so please so please consider this option."

A 3D hologram appears before her so she could check the specs. Made from wood and bone, the telescoping design was intended for ease in concealment in mind, once activate it would extend to its full length in a matter of seconds. Inbeded in the head were a series of low frequency disguised as runes, which encompassed the weapon and arms of the user in low protective field. While significantly weaker than a force field, if would allow the weapon to deflect blaster shots and incoming energy based weapons with equal effect.

"Should you be alchemically enclined we can further enhance it further with other options. I hope you would consider this suggestion based on the information you provided to me."

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

"There are other ways to go about getting the desired outcome without killing somebody."

Again that annoying piece of hair fell down, but Ra was so lost in the meditation and conversation with the hologram, she didn't notice.

"I have a broken double bladed lightsaber hilt and had planned on repairing it once I had mastered using the staff. There can't be many differences. Are there?"

In her meditation, Ra made herself comfortable on a couch that wouldn't have actually been on her ship. This is her vision though and she can do what she wants since she's in full control.

The design of the bone staff that the professor suggested looked intreguing though. Ra mentally nodded and planned to make that as well. More weapons, the most options she had.

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[Daxton Bane]

@Ra'a'mah

"While a staff is more versatile in both offensive and defensive options, a double bladed saber is a more offensive focused option. I csn prepare a training regime for both should that be of interest to you. But there will time enough for weapons practice later, for now let us focus on your training in the basics."

"The schematics I have given you for training droids would in essence create a heavy metal sphere that is capable of rapid movement changes as well as firing sustained short burst stun blasts. Those will become useful later when you start weapons training. For now we focus on their unpowered status."

"The unpowered droid is roughly the size of two fists and roughly weighs about 10 pounds, more or less. You mentioned you have one and can acquire another another yes? Good. We can start with two for now but we will need more in the future. For this exercise you will place the balls at a distance of 5 to 10 meters away. Then I want you to concentrate, visualize exerting your will on those balls and pulling them towards you with nothing more than the Force, then push them back to where they came from again using nothing kore than the Force. You will do this push pull exercise, until it becomes almost as a reflex to manipulate small objects in this way. With time, we can gradually increase the size and weight of the objects we attempt to move but for now these training droids will suffice."

 

[Riamah]

Ra nodded at the instructor and got a second training ball, letting the vendor know she would like come for more later.

She returned to her ship with the ball in its little box, opened it and set it on the floor next to the other one she had. Closing her eyes, she brushed the holocron with the force again, awakening it from its slumber of a few days.

"Sorry about the delay, but I acquired a second ball like requested."

Having thought about it more, Ra would like to repair the lightsaber she possessed and learn about using the staff. Knowledge is power and learning is how you gain that.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

@Ra'a'mah

Despite his student's impatience, he kept her training until he was satisfied with her Force Push and Pull skills. Once her proficiency was sufficient he said to her, "Before we can proceed with weapons training, you must learn first to move using the Force. Activate the drones and learn to use the Force to detect when they will attack and dodge out of the way. It will not be easy and do not try to cheat, their attack patterns were designed to be random, just like that of a possible future opponent. Entune yourself to the force, you can use the Force to jump, dodge and even run away from attack. Once you have learned to evade, I will teach you how to manipulate the weak minded. These are skills you will need to first master before we can even begin to touch on weapons."

She was a bright student, impatient and brash, already on the way to the dark side without knowing it. He was forcing her to follow a slower path of progression intentionally. If she was more open to the dark side, she would be more willing to caution to the winds, but if not she would accept the training as it was given. Either way it was a gauge to test her willingness, and see just how far she was willing to go for the power she sought.

 

[Riamah]

In one of the breaks in training the professor gave her. Ra mastered moving the inactivated training balls and a few heavier objects. Now their lessons would move into evading the shock attacks from the same balls. Already practiced with one of them, Ra was fully aware of the irritation one caused and couldn't imagine what more would be like.

She looked up at the hologram before speaking.

"I already know how to manipulate people, done it in the past, but haven't needed to lately."

Ra shrugged her shoulders at the last part of the comment.

"I've tried to practice with a ball before and ended up getting zapped way more often than I blocked. However, that was before I knew I could use the Force."

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[Daxton Bane]

@Ra'a'mah

If a hologram could scowl disapproval, it would be how her teacher looked at that moment. "Have I been wasting my time and teaching you nothing? Did I not teach you that the only way you will grow stronger in Force is by using it at every opportunity, until it becomes like a reflex like breathing. So tell me why have you stopped then? Do you feel remorse for adjustijg the weak minded?"

 

[Riamah]

Ra could tell what she said didn't make her hologram teacher pleased.

"You have taught me so much! I haven't needed to manipulate people because there hasn't been a situation where it could be done!"

She considered her answer before speaking her mind.

"No, I don't feel bad for what I did, I needed to do it to accomplish something. I haven't stopped using the force though."

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[Daxton Bane]

@Ra'a'mah

"Remorse is a waste of time and energy. We do what we must by whatever means we have at our disposal. This is true, whether you follow the Light or the Dark Side. To have to explain your actions means you accept the authority of others over you and that gives them power. Remember my student, you and you alone are the sole person responsible for your actions. A heavy cross to bear perhaps but such is the price of the Force."

"Continue your execises for another week and then I will test your knowledge. For this we will need a a larger room, one which you can move freely, with out restriction. Do you have a place in mind which can suit our purposes?"