Private The Science of Defense

[Nathan Bloodscrawl]

Wearing: Nathan's Robes

Armed With: Nathan's Training Lightsaber

Location: Epica Plains, Epica

Operating out of: Keren-Class Corvette (Lysandra's Reckoning)

Nathan prepared hot tea in the open morning air of Epica the fresh air hopefully lightening to the senses. Epica was the one planet that he felt at home at in the modern era. It didn't hurt that he was watchman of the system.

Since becoming aware that Michael Angellus was a grand nephew of Vanagor, and was also Force Sensitive, Nathan had sought to get in touch with him. He finally had, and sent a message offering to teach him the basics of Soresu.

Internally, he was still wrestling with the events of Ilum. The one time he had bothered to express his opinion in public as to how they were doing things and almost all it had gotten him was being shouted down by blind traditionalists.

But at least he now fully understood what had caused his daughter to completely rebel.

He felt a sympathy where he hadn't before. How fiercely had she argued, how passionately had she protested, only to be dismissed time and again by people like Caelan Valoren or Jand Talo ? It must have been maddening. No wonder she had started listening to the Cult. No wonder she had turned to the only people left she felt understood where she was coming from.

The 39 that had willingly left with him at Ilum were having their wounds treated with the best of care by Bacta-Works physicians. Some would remain disfigured for life. Others would require minor cybernetic implants. But all would make a full recovery. The ones who were relatively uninjured were helping the others get acclimated to where he was sending them. He had a nice little spot picked out on this world

Nathan patiently waited for Michael to show, the tea brewing. He wanted Michael to feel comfortable. To understand what he wanted to get out of the training on a personal level before the actual instruction could begin ...

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

PERSONAL FLIGHT LOG – Entry #
Location: Epica Plains–Epica
Assigned Craft: My X-Wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: Annoyed listening to BRED complain
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: You know we’re in atmo, right?.]

BRED had been complaining the entire trip, it was normal, but today was ridiculous. He just did not shut up. I mean, communication is important, but I get it, he didn’t want to come. I don’t get what the big deal is. I couldn’t focus on the day with his constant beeping. I knew he was just trying to get under my skin, but it was working. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that this was just another day in the cockpit with BRED.

“Weeep-bwoo.” [Translation: I wanted to get an oil bath. You asked me what I wanted to do. I thought my opinion meant something.]

A guilt trip? Really?

“Chrrp.” [Translation: Bro! We’re in atmo!]

Do you have a point to make?

“Chrrp.” [Translation: Oh, you mean like the one on top of your head? SLOW DOWN?]

I guess he forgot I know how to fly. Yeah, we were screaming to the ground, but I had the controls, and a quick pull back on the stick and we… oh yeah I forgot about the inertial dampeners.

“Booeeep.” [Translation: I’m not going to say “I told you so”... wait… yes I am! I TOLD YOU SO!.]

Yeah, my gut was feeling it.

“Chrrp.” [Translation: If you throw up in there, you clean it up.]

Gee, thanks.

Anyway, I was here because a Jedi wanted to teach me a lightsaber form, so needless to say, I’m a bit excited about it. I don’t get a lot of chances to learn anything anymore. I mean, the Jedi Order, they’re great but I never fit in. It made me shy; well, I was already but, it didn’t help my chances to learn.
So yeah, this is going to be fun.

I hope.

I remember Bloodscrawl from Odessen. Seems nice enough.

“Awoooo!” [Translation: Wake up, you idiot! I’m not going to die on this dustball because you like to fantasize.]

Rude.

Anyway I approached to set down.

– Michael A.
Optimistic about potential peace and quiet comparatively… at least for a little bit.
TAG:

This is where he is speaking

 

[Nathan Bloodscrawl]

The small folding table and chairs had been laid out, the tea being poured by Nathan when he saw the X-wing of Michael Angellus coming in fast, only pulling up at the last moment to land properly.

Nathan sat at the table laid out, two steaming, large cups of tea set out. Once Michael was landed and out of the cockpit. Nathan initiated conversation.

"Greetings. Please, sit. Have some tea..." Nathan encouraged. "You look a little sick there. Tea always helps an upset stomach. I can always prepare some caf if Tea isn't your thing."

Once Michael was seated and listening (Up to you whether Nathan had Caf prepared instead, Nathan began.

"I seek to teach you Soresu. The basics of both battlefield and dueling-centric variants of it. But my methods may seem unorthodox. Even unfair at points. Because I will seek to gauge exactly what you can handle and what needs working on. I try to simulate actual battle field conditions--non lethally of course. But still as close to the real thing as I dare. No training remotes. I have a number of droids aboard armed with rifles that sting but otherwise do no true damage. And when learning the Dueling focused type of Soresu, I will attack you just as I would an actual opponent...though I too will be armed with only a training saber."

Nathan took a sip of his tea

"Please understand. I can't afford to go easy on you because the enemy won't. If at any point you truly feel you cannot continue, say so, and the session will end there and we can pick it up some other time when you feel you are ready once more. But I would also like to know what else you might hope to gain from this training. I want to understand you in order to be the best instructor possible."

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

PERSONAL FLIGHT LOG – Entry # 1785
Location: Epica Plains–Epica
Assigned Craft: My X-Wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: A but queasy but open to learning.
Background Noise: I can’t hear anything over the spherical Diva.

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: You know that he’s trying to kill you, right?.]

Shut up and watch the ship.

“Weeep-bwoo.” [Translation: Fine, you owe me an oil bath, and I owe you an “I told you so” when you’re running to me yelling at me to start up the ship.]

I get it. He sounds like uncle Caltin used to. That was his method of teaching. It’s cool. I can work with that, besides, I may not know “jack” about using a lightsaber except what I learned with Master Siasides, but I can still handle myself with a blade. The military taught me that much. I wasn’t really interested in the tea, but maybe it could settle my stomach as I still wanted to hurl. So I took a sip.

SOUR!

“Weeep-bwoo.” [Translation: Can’t even handle tea...]

Don’t you have a ship to watch?

“Chrrp.” [Translation: Don’t say “I didn’t warn you”. Or do, either way I’ll be winning this bet.] At least he rolled away.

There was a question in my head I couldn’t shake.

Sorry about my "friend" there. He means well, he just has no filter. Anyway, I appreciate your willingness to work with me sir… er Master Bloodscrawl. Sorry about the mixup, force of habit. I’ll be prepared, but I have to ask. You said you seek to teach me. What makes me so special? I’m not fishing for compliments, or trying to look a gift-ronto in the mouth… it’s just… I never really fit in with the Jedi Order… noone’s fault… though probably mine if fault had to be given… but I’m sure there are more deserving Padawans out there. I’m more a pilot than anything.

“BooeEEP” [Translation: A suicidal one that’s going to take me down with him if he isn’t careful!]

Stupid Diva… I pulled out a protein bar and threw it at him. Though I gotta admit. His auditory receptors are ON POINT! To be able to hear me from THAT far!

– Michael A.
Not trying to sound unappreciative. Just curious. No matter how annoyed BRED is.

TAG:

This is where he is speaking

 

[Nathan Bloodscrawl]

"Why? Two reasons. One, because I don't think it's your fault that you didn't fit in to their mold. I think they just didn't know what to do with you..." Nathan answered. "Its a continued flaw amongst various Jedi Orders, one that has nothing to do with you, personally."

Nathan took a sip of his tea.

"Two, those such as yourself, on the front lines, who feel the Force and can find little peace in serene, gilded temples must still have the discipline necessary to resist the Dark Side and to fight back against its minions...and I feel this purpose is something I am suited to."

Another Sip of tea.

"Are you special in particular? In the sense that you have untapped potential, yes. But there are so many like you who never get the training they truly need, should they get cornered by a Sith. I had people reach out to me when I needed that sort of guidance. I wish to pass that help forward. It is my hope simply that what I teach you will save your life down the road." Nathan finished.

"Do you have any further questions?" He asked Michael Angellus

 

[Michael Angellus]

​

PERSONAL FLIGHT LOG – Entry # 1786
Location: Epica Plains–Epica
Assigned Craft: My X-Wing
Astromech Partner: BRED (BB-30)
Current Mood: A bit more excited
Background Noise: Ignoring something that BRED had said a few moments before.

“Wooo-beeep.” [Translation: You know you hear me, I get it, you don’t want to accept the truth!]

Droid aside, this was making sense. He was right, it wasn’t my fault I didn’t fit in, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. I mean, Master Jade’s “25 steps” thing or whatever it’s called is really cool, but it’s not how I learn the best. I’ve always been more of a hands-on learner, someone who figures things out by doing rather than following a rigid set of steps. Master Jade’s method might work for others, but it’s just not the right fit for me. Maybe I need a different approach to truly understand and grow.

I get that. I don’t blame them though either. These things happen, right?

What bothers me though, is yeah, the galaxy is on fire right now, but there is happiness in the small things. I have to believe that. Maybe this guy had a tough life, but I don’t want that for me. I’ll learn what he has to offer here though. It would be insulting not to.

I guess the only real question is, “when do we start”?

I’m not looking for anything warmongering or anything like that, but I’m going to get something out of this, and hopefully he’ll feel like I wasn’t wasting his time. I don’t want that.

“BooeEEP” [Translation: How are you gonna use a lightsaber in an X-wing?!]

Stupid Diva!!

– Michael A.
Oiii

TAG:

This is where he is speaking