Goodwood

A single snubfighter winked into existance in the starry expanse above the lush world of Naboo, passing by the closest of her moons as it vectored in for the surface. Even from this great height, the vast espanse of life in the dense jungles, the wide grasslands, and the cities and waterways called out to Ben'a as he brought the X-wing into the atmosphere, unhurridly circling the beautiful world as he decended gradually. Seeing the terrain and the promises they held let Ben'a lapse into a relaxation as he had not done in a long time, and he was glad for it. His friends and the other Jedi could take care of themselves for the moment; the best way to serve them, he knew, would be to come here, and rebuild his power after the battle. He would call his apprentices in due time to continue their training. "Its good to be back here," he muttered distractedly as he picked out a landing spot, just outside of the swampy expanse nearest Theed, the planetary capital. Ben'a's droid, ensconced in his compartment hehind the cockpit, warbled and beeped. "Many life-forms about..." came the translation. "I know," Ben'a sighed. "I can feel them, R8, that's why we're here." As his droid beeped acknowledgement, Ben'a sat the X-wing down gently in a small clearing in the borderlands between a large area of the Naboo grasslands, and the immense expanse of the Gungan swamps and jungles. It seemed to him like a good enough balance point, and as he touched the fighter down, he felt a few animals scatter. As he popped the canopy and climbed out, the warmness of the day flooded over him, soothing and caressing him as if he had stepped into a warm bath; after Hoth, this was definately welcome. As Ben'a walked off, away from his fighter, the tall, somewhat dry, grass crunched underfoot, and the scents of many unnamed varieties of flora permiated his nostrils. The Force flowed like a torrent through this place; the natural beauty of it almost overwhelmed Ben'a, and he was glad, now more then ever, to be a Jedi; to be able to see the true beauty of this haven of life. "Secure the ship, R8," Ben'a said with a smile, peering back over his shoulder just long enough to hear his droid's reply. "Better leave the machines with the machines, while I'm here..." he thought as he walked into the forest, ignoring the hissing coming from his X-wing as it battened itself down. If the clearing was teeming with life, the swampy jungle ahead was a veritable maelstrom of living energy. Redbirds and rodents, preditors and prey, wildflowers and even wilder trees of all varieties competed for attention as the Jedi Knight passed, unhindered, through the undebrush and deeper into the realm of the Gungans, feeling the natural benevolance of his surroundings. Ben'a was in no hurry -- he knew that the important things here would come to him when they were ready. And being content to walk and observe, Ben'a strode deeper into the jungle, with his senses focused out and attuned to the pure, unadultered energy of all living beings. _______________ ((Extended post)) As Ben'a continued deeper into the jungle and swamps, darkness began to fall. The screeches and calls of thousands of nocturnal species soon replaced the gentle songs and warblings of creatures that lived in the light of day. But secure in the knowledge that no harm would come to him, the Jedi continued, ever deeper, into the jungle. With each passing hour, he became quieter as he walked; with the Force at minimum connection, Ben'a relied on his own stealth skills to advance unheard and unseen, deeper into the greenery. After what seemed like hours, Ben'a heard the violent snapping of a branch and the rustling of foliage about twenty meters behind him. Ben'a froze, letting the Force flow back into him so he could peer out beyond normal vision to feel for what lay out there, lurking behind him. But no sooner had he expanded his awareness, a cry from the creature made using the Force quite unnecessary; a Gungan riding-beast was running full-tilt right at him, pursued by something -- a much bigger and fiercer something -- clearly intent on making the creature his dinner. With reflexes borne of his Jedi training, Ben'a lept three meters into the air, landing softly on the creature's back with the aid of the Forcee. "You'd better let me guide you," the Jedi said to the creature through the Force, as he placed his right hand on its head. The predator was seadily gaining, however, and as it did, two options presented themselves to Ben'a; he could either fight and kill the beast, or 'pursuade' it to find another target. Maintaining his control of his mount, Ben'a probed the simple predatory mind, and, spotting an interesting point in its brain, pinched a nerve. With a tremendus howling and an earth-shaking series of noises, the beast fell, mid-lunge, to the jungle floor, landing in a puddle of mud. The Jedi brought his mount around, heading back in the direction it had come, feeling, for once, that he might know where he was going. With a soothing touch, he urged the creature on, but not before a break so that the pair of them had a chance to find some food for the journey ahead. _____________________ ((Extended Post -- again)) The warm Naboo sun had climbed to its full height -- as far as could be seen in the jungle below -- before Ben'a and his mount stopped again. The pace from the encounter the night before had been quick, but not strenuous; the creature seemed to be quite happy to please its rexcuer, and Ben'a could sense there were more of its kind further on ahead. But something was nagging at him to go elsewhere, so he dismounted, and spurred his friend on, back to its herd. And as soon as it was off, Ben'a recieved the Force-message... "Come to Manaan -- the floating temple..." But Ben'a was not yet ready to answer this call -- something needed to be done -- someone needed to be met. In a flash of memory, he realized where he was near; and in another flash, he was gone, propelled forward at an amazing rate with the Force guiding him -- back to where he had been knighted. "How long ago was that?" Ben'a asked himself as he ran, but the thought was immaterial. There was a presence waiting for him, and as he approached an unusually neatly felled tree, he saw it -- a bluish apparition that could only be a Jedi spirit. "Welcome back, my son..." it said soothingly. Ben'a knew that must have been what was calling him -- the only thing that could have called him this far, and that would have called him to this place, of all places. And from his casual browsing of the Jedi libraries, a faint wave of recognition passed over him,,, "Dad, it can't be..." Ben'a said, aghast. "Indeed," replied the spirit of Jacen Solo. "Though I suspect your mother may have wanted to keep it from you at some point in time, I think she realized that was impossible, shortly after she sent you out to the Jedi." "But, why?" Jacen sighed. "Your mother and I were -- never meant to be. I may have saved her and her fellows from slavery, but she took it upon herself to do what she did to become pregnant with you." There was a pause, and then the old spirit sighed heavily before continuing. "That is why you never saw me, nor I, you, until I finally became one with the Force." "But, my visions," Ben'a began, as if to try to dismiss this fact. "They always had you with a blaster..." "Oh, that..." the spirit chortled. "During that particular incident, my lightsaber had shorted out -- Ayevit was repairing it, but in the meantime I had to rely on your grandfather's ancient DL-44 --" "Ayevit?" Ben'a asked, confused. "Yes, my -- and now your -- droid. A prototype astromech that Jaina and I built not long after the Vong war. He's everything Artoo was, and a bit more...you would do well to take care of him, as I know you have. You are strong in the Force, my son, and I feel that you have a destiny before you, that will come in its own time. For now, you must return to the Jedi, you still have much to learn..." The spirit faded away, but a new power awoke in Ben'a Solo as he reflected on what he had heard. It seemed an incredulous story -- that for as long as he had lived, he had denied membership in the famous Solo clan, but he was, in fact, a scion of it, though not intended. But aside from the fact that the Jedi spirit of his father -- of Jacen Solo -- had spoke the words, they felt just so right. It was a feeling that gave him strength, and a new resolve to do what needed to be done. It seemed so unfortunate that the Sith, thought extinct in the elder Solo's time, had made such a comeback. But if the destiny that his father had mentioned called, Ben'a was prepared to answer it, with all his knowledge, wisdom, skill and power behind the quest for peace. The peace of mind he now posessed overtook him at his own behest, and the Jedi sat and meditated on what lay ahead.

((OOC: Edited for new destination planet -- sorry BoB, Tarrian)) A sole snubfighter streaked silently through hyperspace heading for Naboo. As far as he was concerned, Ben'a had spent entirely too much time on that frigid iceball he had just left; the cold and the lack of abundant life was a drain on him. It was like what his master had told him on Naboo, the last time he had been there -- to know the Living Force, one must be where there was life, and lots of it. And for Ben'a, that life was most easily found back where he had been trained. The Gungans in turn would provide an interesting diversion; getting to know them, he might be able to know himself a little better. But there were other things, there, too. Remains of horrible things that were thought to be long dead, but which seemed to have returned. Something eerie, something dark, nagged at the back of Ben'a's mind as his ship soared ever nearer the world. Perhaps it was a clue to the present that so threatened the fate of the galaxy, perhaps just some old Trade Federation wreckage long rusted... But whatever it was, the Jedi in the snubfighter had to find out...

The pain was intense from the white blade in his thigh, but Ben'a gritted his teeth in the face of the pain. "You're right...it ends now..." The pain in his leg became inconsiquential as he formed his next move...his next attack, because that was the only thing that was going to finish this now. Accepting that the blade in his leg wasn't going anywhere, Ben'a brought up his own in a flash, slicing off Keiran's sword hand before he could pull it back. As Keiran sprawled in the sand, cradling the stump of his arm, Ben'a leaped back, the glow in his eyes disapating. "It is over." Ben'a deactivated the saber embedded in his thigh, collapsing in a heap as he let the pain wash over him. And he slowly drew the Force around him, healing the damage.

Ben'a watched as Keiran threw his saber like a lance at him, he could see his former master charging him, ready to strike -- and then something came over him... Something unlocked in his mind -- he had been focusing too much on who he was fighting, and not on the fight itself. At this realization, the Force was unlocked in him -- he could see everything that was happening around him and everything that was about to happen. With a quick flash, Ben'a batted the white blade of Keiran aside with his own, sending it tumbling in the sand. Immediately, he jumped above Keiran's incoming attack, flipping in midair and sending a kick of his own to land squarely in the small of Keiran's back, sending him skidding through the sand after his saber. "Now it ends... Ben'a crouched down and put his hand to the arena floor, and slowly, the vortex of sand swirling about the fighters disapated as Ben'a sucked the Force energy back into him. Ben'a looked back up at Keiran, who was now on his feet. There was a white glow playing about the former apprentice's eyes as he charged, saber blazing...

Indeed, it was time to finish this, the old-fashioned way. Ben'a charged Keiran, saber flashing in a determined arc, but he swerved at the last moment, sidestepping the block and, arm up and his saber pointing downwards, he pulled the entangled white blade of Keiran's back behind him, dragging him to face Ben'a. He wasted no time sending a series of staccato attacks in seemingly random patterns at Keiran, pushing him back to the edge of the sandstorm. Suddenly, Ben'a sensed what could be pulled from the vortex about him, and lept back for the center of the eye, readying himself for the inevitable charge, gathering the Force about him...

Ben'a lay there, his face in the sand, waiting. He wasn't all that surprised that his sandhammer hadn't worked, really...or that Keiran had so easily tripped him... Sure, keep pacing... With his connection to the Force still absent, Keiran didn't see the globs of sand forming into a solid state behind him as he paced about Ben'a. Wait for it...wait for it...NOW! The chunck of packed sand hit Keiran over the head from behind, sending him sprawling over Ben'a, who quickly grabbed at his tunic and sent him sliding away with a push of the Force. With one deft maneuver, Ben'a got to his feet, disengaging his own connection to the Force as Keiran got up.

The move surprised Ben'a as it happened, but he had enough sense to keep his focus and his connection to the Force. He called out to his blade to prevent himself being skewered by it, at the same time rolling so his feet would hit the ground first. He was on the arena floor for barely an instant as he immediately sprang forward again... You've left yourself open, Master... As Ben'a sped forward with speed augmented with the Force, he gathered up an intense cloud of dust by twirling his saber and scraping the arena floor. He watched as Keiran landed finally, and sent the cloud hurtling toward his mouth, intending to jam it down his throat if he had to. And he ran toward his target, his shadow drowned out in the speeding sand.

Keiran's opening move wasn't any surprise to Ben'a; his own trademark maneuver was similar. With a quick flick of his blade, Ben'a batted aside the stroke and lept backwards, bringing the cloud of dust with him. "Sometimes a little showmanship can go a long way..." With the Force as his ally, Ben'a streaked off to his left, at the same time sending his own lightsaber hurtling towards his former Master. He didn't wait for it to strike home; instead he ran right after it, jumping high right over Keiran's head, reaching out for the saber, trying to anticipate how Keiran would react...

Ben'a emerged from the arena tunnel to answer his former Master's call, a swirl of dust playing about him that covered him in a gritty fog and hid his face from view. "I feel your presence, Master. Let us begin the test." Without hesitation, Ben'a Force-summoned his saber from his belt, the blade half out before he clenched it in his hand. He relaxed himself, allowing hte Force to infuse his being, and held his saber up, over his head, his feet apart...

*As the former Sith Infiltrator Strife III cruises through hyperspace en route to the Jedi temple on Hoth, Ben'a Solo continues to sleep. It was perhaps the most fulfilling rest he had had since comming to Hoth in the first place, but there was no doubt in anyone's mind that he had thoroughly earned it.* He was a Jedi now, all that remained was the formality. The Force served as a gentle pillow to the sleeping man, who rested, undisturbed and free of distracting thoughts or visions. He hadn't even been aware of being placed on the ship, or the jump to lightspeed.

*Ben'a allowed himself to be helped up by his Master -- no, his fellow Jedi -- Keiran Valoria. Though he was bruised form the fall, though he was nearly exhausted from the fight before, Ben'a still managed a weak smile as he began to focus on healing himself. But there still remained much to be said.* "I am glad that you feel you can be proud of me. That display, when the birds and the insects took flight -- I could sense its power, a living, breathing, thriving power! I will be forever grateful to you for showing me this." Ben'a sat down on the remains of the tree there, as did Keiran. Though his master seemed bothered by the fact that he hadn't properly exposed him to the Dark Side, at that point it didn't seem to matter. There was life here, and thinking on dark entities light-years apart could only serve to spoil the bliss that was this living Force. In due time...in due time... The thought was just enough to provoke a sense of destiny in Ben'a. But somehow he knew that, through that thought alone, the waiting would be as nothing. "If you mean that, by simulating a Sith, you have taught me to be ever mindful of my surroundings, you have succeeded. If your intention was to show their merciless nature, I need no further convincing. My feelings will be as nothing if ever I meet the Darkness; they will have nothing to cling to. "Thanks to you." *And with that, Ben'a Solo the Jedi fell asleep right there on that tree-trunk, somewhere in the depths of the Naboo jungle, the comforting presence of his friend and mentor close at hand.* In due time...[/u][/b]

*Ben'a scraped an eyeful of muck out of his face as he got up, seeing his master already looking him over from next to the tree.* He's got a point, the Padawan thought to himself. But two can play at this game... *Without warning, Ben'a jumped a full ten meters into the damp jungle air, landing on a thick, gnarled branch that was wet with slime. But he held on, sturdy in the Force, and soon he was aware of just how much life was in this place, apart from the Jedi staring from below, looking awestruck, up at him.* I could get used to this place, the Padawan thought briefly before focusing his energy on what lay before him. In the back of his mind, he knew that he should have expected more then a simple lightsaber duel for his trials, but he didn't quite know what else there would, or could, be involved. *And then it hit him.* The Living Force! *That was what enabled Master Keiran to summon the mynocks to help him...and Ben'a must do the same. But as he thought about his next course of action, a wistful flicker came over him, and he remembered what he had once told his friend Aryian Darkfire back on Hoth.* Training to be a Jedi is not a game, nor should it be treated as such. *Master Keiran continued to stare up at his Padawan, unsure what Ben'a could be up to -- but then, Ben'a wasn't quite sure either. There were so many possibilities in just this jungle, let alone the rest of the universe -- the rest of the Force -- that one could spend an eternity contemplating them. And it was obvious to Ben'a that his Master could sense the thoughts circulating in his mind, as he had made no attempts to hide them. His mind was an open book, one that both would work to fill.* *Ben'a, still standing on that branch ten meters above the jungle floor, pulled up his legs and began to meditate...*

((OOC: That tree was already fallen, but we'll do it your way)) *Ben'a knew it wasn't quite over yet. As the mynocks attacked, he could only surmise that his Master had caught onto him, but the saberslash to the tree caught him slightly off-guard. With the aid of the Force, he was able to maneuver out of the tangle of branches as they fell, but his cover was blown.* Time to take this up a notch... *With a newfound quickness that surprised Master Keiran, Ben'a lunged at him, executing a perfect base-slide at the last second just as the elder Jedi attempted to bring up his blade to defend against an attacking slash. The resultant maneuver once again had the Padawan in behind his Master, and this time Ben'a did not hold back. He launched a fury of slashes and up-under thrusts, careful not to injure his Master, but still demonstrating his skills with his saber -- the odd thing was, it no longer felt to Ben'a like he was weilding a lightsaber, but rather the weapon was an extension of his own hands...* *Ben'a continued to drive his Master back with powerful attacks, mindful of the lesson learned back on Hoth to always be on the offensive when in battle...*

*Ben'a wasn't quite surprised by the unorthadox thrust, as he hadn't made the mistake of being right behind Master Keiran. Instead of parrying the thrust, however, and risking making his master loose an arm, Ben'a lashed out with the Force, sending his Jedi teacher flying forward, where he landed face-first, but more or less intact, in a clump of dead leaves.* *Ben'a knew, however, that this wasn't over, so he tried a different tack -- he tried to completely disconnect from the Force. Though it might not work if the pair of them were on Hoth or Tatooine, the Padawan might get away with it here in the Naboo jungle. Once disconnected, Ben'a began to slowly creep off to the side, hidden for the moment behind a large, fallen tree.*

*It was something of a consolation what Master Keiran had to say. At least Ben'a now knew that he wasn't going mad, nor was he being too hasty in his feelings. But still... -- there was a sudden motion of the elder Jedi's saber -- in a flash Ben'a had jumped back, a full three meters out of range of the slash. Quickly, the Padawan yanked his own lightsaber from his belt and had its emerald blade activated and ready to fend off the renewed attacks from his Master.* So this is the trials, eh? *As soon as the thought occured to Ben'a, he batted it aside -- this wasn't a time for wistful thoughts, as far as he could tell this wasn't a stunsaber being weilded against him. Ben'a saw with the Force before his eyes precived the renewed charging of his Master, and letting himself slip once again into its guidence, the Padawan batted aside strike after strike. The last stroke, aimed at his midsection, missed Ben'a by inches -- the Padawan used the momentum of his sidestep to get behind his Master...*

*Ben'a looked up at his Master, perhaps a little confused himself.* "It wasn't so much a 'disturbance' as it was a 'tickling', it was something like a seductive touch that could only have come from the Dark Side, or so I felt. Anyway, it wasn't so much a 'local' thing anyway...but I can't place it." *Ben'a fell silent for a moment as he brooded on what he had felt. Realizing what this thought could possibly be left a bad taste in the Padawan's mouth, and the fact that Master Keiran hadn't felt it at all made it even more unattractive. Without warning, Ben'a stood up from his cross-legged position (without using his hands or the Force) and began walking off into the jungle, his Master close behind him.* "Where is the ship, Master? Suddenly I don't feel quite right here, though I am at a loss as to why that is...."

*Ben'a sat in a meditative position as he heard DJK and the hopeful discuss their future. It seemed kind of unusual to the Padawan for someone who had only recently lost his family to suddenly throw himself back into the Jedi Order. But it was, perhaps, fortunate that the Dark Side did not claim this Master, at any rate. As the two headed off to begin their own adventures, Ben'a opened himself up fully to the Force, sensing that something momentus was on the horizon for himself, and perhaps for others.* I'm feeling something funny, a disturbance in the Force... *There was, indeed, something odd within the Padawan's expanding sphere of Force-sensitivity that was tickling his perceptions. Something that was beckoning him onward, almost trying to seduce him to explore further...something very dark, yet still seemingly lightyears away. Ben'a's eyes snapped open as he realized what this could mean. The Sith were getting stronger and planning something...but as to the specifics, Ben'a had no clue. As quickly as he had percived the tickling disturbance, it was once again smoothed. But though the perception was dim, the Padawan knew it could not be ignored.* "Master Keiran, I'm sensing a disturbance in the Force..."

*Ben'a was slightly surprised to hear what his Master told him, but it made sense as well. The Force connects through the mind, and armor does not...* "I understand, Master. However, if armor would limit physical motion, would it not also serve to affect Force-feats like Speed and Jump?" *Ben'a walked over to where the armored hopeful sat, and offered a hand to help him up.* "Why have you come all the way out to Naboo, my friend?"

*Ben'a turned to DJK as he remembered who this was before him -- a hopeful he had conversed breifly with while training on Hoth just before coming to Naboo.* "I remember this man from the Temple on Hoth, Master Kenobi, but not his name. Why he is here, I can't say; all I said to him was that his heavy armor might impede his use of the Force." *Ben'a regarded the green armor-clad man once again, there was definately something odd about him. But then another question for his Master bubbled up to the surface.* "Master Keiran, is it true that Force-ability can suffer while wearing armor? If so, that would explain a few things..."

*Instead of feeling out with the Force, Ben'a focused his awareness back inward; into his body, his organs, and into the very cells that made up his being...Master Keiran was right, each cell was a living creature in and of itself. The Padawan brought his concentration down through his leg and into the wound itself, feeling the damaged and dead cells. With an enormous effort, he slowly began to will the undamaged parts of his body to work to heal himself, and to expel the dead cells.* Bite the bullet, buddy... *After what seemed like hours, Ben'a opened his eyes to look about him, the pain from the blaster wound now gone. He dared not glance at his leg, but instead introduced himself to the now conscious man before him.* "Greetings, friend...I am Ben'a Solo, and this is my Master, Keiran Valorian. This other person is (insert name here), who I understand is my master's former Master."

*The appearence of Keiran's former master, and the Force-sensitive man from the wrecked starfighter took Ben'a completely by suprise. He didn't even get a chance to introduce himself before the older Jedi had pulled out his blaster to begin the lesson in healing.* Ahh, sithspit, this isn't exactly comfortable... the Padawan thought to himself as he listened to his Master recall his own training. He had never known that Master Keiran had a mechano-hand, and he didn't want to think about how he had gotten it. *Instead, Ben'a focused on healing himself with the Force, but the pain of the blaster wound was distracting him...it took him longer then usual to lapse into the Force. He took a seat on a fallen log and tried to relax...and eventually, he was able to see past the pain and into the Force, into the cells of his body, and the damage the blaster had caused...*

*Ben'a observed the actions of his Master, as well as the words he spoke. The Padawan could feel the nudge into the Gungan's fairly simple mind...and realized just what was involved. It was simply altering the perceptions of the target -- or was it?* The machines are gone -- you are needed at home... "Whersa dey go? Oh what...mesa going home now. Oui-bouie, whosa are yousa?" *The Padawan smiled at his new aquaintence, this carefree Gungan, as he spotted him and his Master. And again, Ben'a felt into the creature's mind with the Force.* Don't worry about us, friend...we were never here... "Atta, disen kadibug ista no botheren..." *The Gungan traipsed off the swamp, clearly headed for home -- wherever that was. With a small grin, Ben'a turned to his Master.* "I believe I understand, Master..." *Ben'a chuckled to himself lightly as he thought about this exercise -- it was the first time he could remember laughing out loud since he had come to the Jedi Temple -- but it seemed to make sense to the tingling of thought he had picked up from his friend Aryian as he had left Hoth. It occured to Ben'a that maybe he did need to learn to loosen up a bit, but he wasn't sure how. So much seemed to be on his mind these days, and yet, so much remained to be done.*

*Ben'a exited the former Sith Infiltrator after his Master into the dense swamps. He could feel the presence of thousands upon thousands of unseen creatures, though they were light, and easily shunted aside to focus on more important things. At the mention of renewed mind-training, the Padawan remembered with a small twitch the last time Master Keiran had "trained" him thusly.* "Yes, Master, I would like to complete that part of my training. How shall we begin?" *Though he wasn't sure what would happen next, Ben'a fortified his mind...he wasn't in the mood to be manipulated again.*

*Ben'a thought about this creature his Master mentioned. It didn't quite make sense to the Padawan that, if the Force flows through all living things and non-living things alike, that there could be something that would negate the Force... But there were more pressing issues at hand.* "Yes Master, we probably should return to Hoth... if there is anything the Jedi Council would have us do, we should try and find out. And if there is time, I would like to be able to train a little on my own -- but I doubt that would be possible..."

*Ben'a smiled at his master through the pain in his knees; the fight had indeed taken an interesting turn, once the Force and their lightsabers had been put aside. Yet, the Padawan could tell there was a lesson in all this.* "Well it seems we both fight pretty good without the Force, Master. Is it true that there are certain creatures that block the Force and its use? If so, then this exercise definately had merit..." *Ben'a smiled again as he sat facing his Master, the fight clearly over for now. He could tell that Master Keiran had definately seen his share of adventure and excitement, both before and during his days as a Jedi Knight. Again, the wisdom of these practical lessons in the harsh universe outside of the Jedi Temples of the galaxy made itself known to the yound Padawan...* "Well Master, what shall we learn next?"