So-Lin looked across at Nat.

The other Padawan like him was dressed in the traditional robes of a Padawan, although his were a deeper brown compared to So-Lin’s clothing. His hair was tied back tightly into a bun at the back of his head.

“Oh come on!” Master Skywalker, head of the new Jedi Order complained at the nervous expressions of the Padawans. “There’s two of you!”

So-Lin gave the Jedi Master a flat look and his grin only grew wider.

“I'm up for it if he is,” Nat said. So-Lin sighed. It wasn’t like they were in any danger, but this still caught him by surprise.

“Alright, alright,” Master Skywalker demurred. “Let's make it interesting.”

From behind him one of the helmets floated across to him and Luke caught it in his hands.

“Force techniques are allowed. I will be wearing this helmet. The first to hit me I'll take to the archives and help you study something new. Any technique. Your choice.”

Well that definitely changed things. So-Lin didn’t need to reach out in the Force to feel his friend’s excitement at the offer.

The old Order had discarded or forgotten so much due to politics or disinterest or a simple lack of need. The new Order had begun to regather old Holocrons, notes and manuals on Ach-To, nothing was being left out. There was all sorts of ways to use the Force that the Order was sifting through to ensure they were safe before allowing their wider spread through the Order. Master Skywalker was offering them the chance to find and study one such technique.

“Anything?” Nat asked.

“Anything safe for a Padawan to study,” Luke replied after a moment. “I don't want to get in trouble with the librarian, again,” he said ruefully. He shuddered theatrically, bringing out a few giggles from their young audience.

“Alright,” So-Lin agreed. His forms were more defensive than Nat's, he used Form 3, Soresu, while the other boy focused primarily on the more aggressive Form 4, Ataru. That didn't often mean much between them but it would probably give Nat an edge in this contest.

That didn’t matter. This was still an opportunity to practice against the Grandmaster of the Order and wasn't one to be turned down. So-Lin would just have to bug his friend into sharing knowledge on whatever prize he selected.

The two Padawans raised their lightsabers, safeties engaged.

“If you wouldn’t mind starting us off, Master Floo,” Luke asked of the other Jedi Master in the room.

And then Luke put the old, battered helmet over his head, the visor completely obscuring his eyes.

His hands then came together, clasped in front of him as the Jedi Master waited patiently for the spar to begin.

“Watch carefully,” Master Floo said to the younglings whose excitement and anticipation rang out in the Force. “Master Luke is demonstrating the first thing I shall be teaching you. Do not let your eyes or your ears blind you. Let the Force be your guide.”

So-Lin looked to Nat, feeling that competitive edge reasserting. Only this time he didn’t really care about beating his friend. They’d be lucky if either of them landed a hit on their opponent.

“Begin!”

So-Lin activated his lightsaber, a glowing white beam of energy emitting from the blade and at the same time so did the other Padawan.

Both of them swung forward, a diagonal cut coming from their respective right shoulders.

With a tilt of his hips and a twist the two lightsabers missed but they were far from done.

Nat spun around, transitioning into a wild swing while So-Lin stepped back before thrusting forward.

With grace that could only be borne of the Force, the Jedi Master stepped out of the path of So-Lin’s blade and bent underneath Nat’s lightsaber.

So-Lin instead of withdrawing chose to simply bring his blade to the side, trying to cut the Jedi out at the knees, only for Master Skywalker to twist, stepping over the blade while Nat’s assault transitioned into a vertical swing.

It was only then that a third blade ignited. A white blade matching theirs ignited, a bar of glowing while along Skywalker’s back knocked Nat’s blade away, sending him stumbling and in the same motion So-Lin found himself off balance. A foot struck out, kicking him away and the Padawan was barely able to keep on his feet as the force of the kick sent him back several steps.

He swung his blade in front of him to repel any further retaliation while he recovered, but the Padawan quickly realised as he returned to a ready stance that the Jedi Master had not capitalised on the obvious opening.

More wary, he considered what he was going to do and across from him Nat was in the same position.

Their eyes met. Nat tilted his head, sending a silent signal. They both knew neither of them were going to win this without working together, but they would need to coordinate if they wanted to succeed here. That wasn’t going to be a problem of course. The two boys knew each other since they were younglings.

Together, they came at the Master Jedi again. Both blades swinging and once again Master Skywalker either evaded or parried them. The two Padawans were more ready this time though, keeping to their forms they took turns trading blows with the Jedi in an effort to keep him moving, trying to find an opening to exploit.

All the while Luke remained in place, his blade almost effortless in how it found itself in the way of their own lightsabers and his movements were so fluid that despite working together and being careful the two Padawans still found their weapons colliding, such was the difference between them and their much older opponent.

They disengaged.

So-Lin was breathing heavily. Nat didn’t look much better.

Between them Master Skywalker stood at the ready, holding his Lightsaber forward in front of him. He wasn’t facing either of his opponents but they both knew he was more than ready to respond to another assault.

It was only slightly frustrating to see that the man did not look tired in the slightest. He barely looked to be breathing heavily.

“Do you see,” Master Floo said from the side. “This is the peak of what it means to be a Jedi. Master Skywalker is completely at one with the Force. It is this level of connection that you should all aspire to achieve.”

Nat was the one to lose patience first. Racing forwards he engaged again. So-Lin chose not to engage properly, only sending probing attacks at first. When the Master actually retaliated, swinging his own blade wide in his first attack that So-Lin chose to involve himself properly.

Lightsaber combat was a dance, at least when viewed from the outside. So-Lin had once read that the greatest of masters in Lightsaber combat could learn about each other, even come to understand each other through combat.

He wasn’t there yet, but one day he would be!

They moved around, both boys fighting desperately to breach the Jedi’s guard. They knew each other closely, they had grown up together and with the Force guiding them their attacks were in sync. So-Lin could feel as his friend attacked, or parried, could anticipate his next move.

Yet it wasn’t enough.

Again they found themselves knocked away, So-Lin having to narrowly avoid Master Skywalker’s blade and Nat receiving an open palm to the chest. A weak blast of Force energy sending him flying back to roll across the floor.

And again Luke returned to that ready position, waiting for them to come to him.

Nat recovered and stepped forward.

“This is harder than I thought,” he joked. There weren’t many Masters greater at Lightsaber combat than Master Skywalker. This was an uphill battle from the very beginning.

They paused, both of them thinking about a new plan of attack.

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“I have an idea,” Nat said, a hint of cheekiness in his tone. He stepped backwards a few steps until he was well out of reach of the Jedi Master.

It took So-Lin a few moments to realise what he was suggesting but when the other boy held his palm out with lightsaber presented as if an offering, So-Lin realised what the other boy was planning.

He chuckled and copied his friend.

Both of them concentrated in the Force, feeling for their Lightsabers.

It rattled in his hand for a moment, before lifting into the air.

Neither of them had practiced this much, but it was a fun exercise they’d gotten in trouble for once or twice.

With a flex of their wills, the two lightsabers ignited.

So-Lin opened his eyes, turning his hand to face palm forwards. He kept a hold of his lightsaber, the ever familiar blade responding to his will.

Two hovering blades struck forward.

There was no need for defence, only offence.

With a flurry they struck from either side and with a speed he had yet to demonstrate the Jedi Master between them deflected the blows.

But there was no body holding them, no need for a recovery before the next attack. Both Padawans wielded their lightsabers from afar and Master Skywalker even seemed to falter as the barraged him from two sides. Their audience gasped and watched in excitement as Master Skywalker spun and dodged and parried each consecutive attack. A line of fire ignited on his robes as So-Lin’s blade grazed over it and for a moment it looked like one of the blades might actually land a direct hit.

They were going to win. So-Lin almost couldn’t believe it.

Then he gasped as suddenly something heavy had landed on his head, covering his eyes and blocking his hearing. In his distraction he lost control of his lightsaber.

Spluttering and stumbling, So-Lin threw off the helmet.

Nat had experienced the same thing. The other Padawan likewise having just pulled off one of the training helmets.

Master Luke stood where he had been, holding two lightsabers in one hand and his own in the other.

“Word of advice,” he said humorously. “Never let go of your lightsaber.”

There was laughter from the younglings who had been watching. So-Lin felt a flush come to his cheeks.

“Well played Master Skywalker,” he said, bowing.

“You almost had me for a moment there,” Master Skywalker said as he returned their lightsabres. “What do you think everyone, should I let them have a go at the archives anyway?”

There was a mixture of cheers and denials from the younglings, although it was mostly positive.

“I’ll take that as a yes, the Jedi said.

It was then that the sound of a propeller interrupted. A small flying droid flew in from above, heading towards the Jedi Grandmaster.

Luke held out a hand and the droid landed in it. It beeped several times, it’s single eye sensor rotating around to take in the room it had found itself in.

“It looks like I need to go,” Master Luke said. He looked towards Master Floo.

“Thank you for letting me interrupt your lesson, Master Floo,” Luke said graciously. He bowed and the other Master was quick to bow back.

“We were grateful to receive your instruction,” the teacher replied. “But please, do not let us keep you.”

Luke smiled again. Before waving goodbye to the younglings.

“Come find me when you have a bit of time,” he told Nat. “We’ll sort out whatever you want to learn.”

“Yessir!” Nat replied brightly, bowing low. Luke nodded, pleased.

“Come on So-Lin,” Luke said. “I suspect that you should be included in these discussions too.”

“I’ll see you later,” So-Lin promised Nat before hurrying after the Master.

He was going to have to sit through a boring meeting amongst the Masters now to decide what to do about the planet they had found Nala on.

That was okay though. It would give him plenty of time to think of what he wanted to learn from the archives.

***

“That is certainly an interesting story,” Master Luke said, sat in his seat in the middle of the row of chairs. His brows were furrowed and Lofin could not tell what the older Jedi was thinking, a gift she had secretly wished for since they had first met.

The Council had received the report from Lofin, with commentary from B3M8, Nala and So-Lin to elaborate on what had happened. The existence of a cache of Mandalorain steel along with smithing techniques had been initially glossed over in favour of listening to Lofin’s commentary on the planet.

Beyond the apparent temporal anomalies however, the jedi could not honestly say she felt anything else in the Force. The planet had been foreboding in the Force, but it was a rogue planet with no star and that was typical of such things and perhaps to be expected.

The Council Chamber was well lit, with natural light coming in through the many large windows around the room and if one were to approach any of the windows then they would be treated to a grand sight of the Jedi settlement and the rolling waves that surrounded the islands.

“It’s a mystery how such a thing could exist naturally,” stated Master Velun Quinn. She was a Hassarian with a long willowy body and pink skin. Her face was vaguely equine with a long snout and her pink hair was tied up in a braid that went down her back. “And you are certain there was nothing there before?” She asked.

The woman’s tone was slightly harsh, but those who knew her knew that that was the way the Master generally behaved. She was once a Padawan with little martial training, having been working to become a healer. She barely escaped the purges and remained in hiding as an itinerant until the Empire fell, training her skills on those who needed her help along the way.

“I only identified the planet because I sensed Nala in the Force,” Lofin told them. “But Nala had been on the planet for a long time, along with her ship. We passed through that sector before and I should have sensed her the first time coming the other way.”

“Which means this is a very recent occurrence,” Master Quinn commented.

“Temporal anomalies are not entirely unheard of. I believe there are one or two mentioned somewhere in the old archives. Master Drellar Drell commented.

Master Drell was a Gamorrean in traditional Jedi robes which only partially hid the large bulk that was common to his species. His voice was gruff and his race’s features were not pleasing to the eye, but there was wisdom in his tone that often caught the unaware by surprise. “It could be mere chance that has seen Knight Lofin locate the planet,” he said.

““We should not ascribe to chance that which is clearly the Force putting its weight on the scales,” Quinn argued.

“If we ascribe all events in our lives to the Force then we ascribe to the philosophy of there being no true free will in the galaxy,” Drell rejoined. “I would rather not think that the rise of the Empire was the will of the Force.”

The Hassarian’s lips pursed at the Gamorrean’s argument, but she had no reply to it.

“In the old days we would have sent a research vessel to investigate something like this,” Master Paratus commented from his seat to the side. He had been quiet until this point, not often finding a need to speak during Council meetings, or occasionally even taking part.

“It would indeed be foolish not to carry out an investigation,” Master Drell agreed. “We should also send a vessel to recover the stocks of Mandalorian steel that were in Nala’s ship, along with her parents. They deserve an honourable burial for their service to the Jedi, even if it was so long ago.”

The Hassarian Jedi was about to open her mouth to respond but she was interrupted when Master Skywalker opened his eyes.

“I agree,” Master Skywalker said. “With all of you.”

The other Jedi were slightly taken aback by his words but Master Skywalker did not give them the chance to express confusion.

“The Force works in mysterious ways, I doubt I have to convince anyone here of that. But we should not assume this is the work of the Force or not before investigating further. I propose we send a research team along with a squad of knights to recover Nala’s ship for study along with everything else. We can carry out some research into the temporal anomaly too. Are we in agreement?”

“We are short on people, but an inspection would not be amiss,” Master Quinn agreed, sounding slightly resigned. “As long as things are done safely. The galaxy is still in turmoil. I do not like the idea of something both new and unusual appearing so suddenly.”

“Whether there is a danger on this new planet or not will remain unknown until we can confirm it either way,” agreed Master Drell. “The only thing to do is select a team to carry out the investigations.”

“It is better to be aware of the threats that surround us, than remain in the dark,” Paratus said softly. “It was through ignorance and willful blindness that the old Order fell.”

“Then we are in agreement,” Master Skywalker stated.

“That’s a start,” Master Drell agreed. “But who to send? Someone knowledgeable in ancient history would not go amiss. If the temporal anomaly is not natural then there will likely be remnants of some sort of civilisation that we may wish to investigate.”

“Master Floo is a study of history and archaeology,” Luke replied musingly. “I’ll speak to him later. Can I ask you to put together a security team?” He asked Master Drell.

“Of course. I know just who to send,” the Trandoshan said, nodding.

“And so the final matter to discuss should be what to do with the Mandalorian steel,” Paratus said.

Master Skywalker winced.

“If my sister were here she would be speaking very loudly about offending potential allies,” he said ruefully. “Perhaps we should discuss this at a later date with the rest of the Council present.”

There were nods of agreement from the other Council members present and the meeting was ended.

***

The room was dark. There was no light source except for the single small holoprojector held in a shadowy figure’s hand.

“Report,” came the command from the projection.

The figure on the projection was dressed in a long coat, arms clasped behind his back. Even though the projection was small, the man exuded an aura of command.

“The Jedi visited Naboo,” reported the other man. His glowing red eye stood out against the faint blue light from the holoprojector. It was the same man who had encountered the Jedi at the party a few days ago. “They had retrieved a girl, along with a droid and she was protective of them both, keeping them on her ship despite the King’s wishes and leaving quickly after retrieving the protocol droid. I wouldn’t have questioned it except that they had been on Skynar. There shouldn’t have been any humans present on that world and their travel times would indicate no diversion elsewhere on their way here.”

“You believe they have found something?” Asked the glowing projection.

“There is no way to tell, sir,” replied the red-eyed man. “But if they had been simply fortune enough to locate another Force sensitive child then there would have not been any such need for their behaviour.”

“Well done,” reported the officer. “Remain in position for the time being. I may have further orders for you.”

The spy nodded and then the holoprojector cut out.