Duel Training, Group 2

[Kit]

(Verlan, Christian and Nero)

A special training area had been set aside on The Will of the Force, a large open space specifically for the purposes of the training that the Battlemaster himself was preparing.

Three hand picked students, pulled from a larger group for specific training in the art of duelling.

The floors were slightly padded, racks of training weapons tucked away in one corner, as well as a collection of eclectic objects, each of which had been gathered by Augustus today, for this precise training session.

All that remained was for the students to arrive.

 

[Deloi]

It looked as if Verlan was going to be the first to arrive to her new training session with her training saber and blaster pistol on her belt. Verlan Decory was the androgynous girl known as "The Fighter" in the Jedi Order for her tenacity and excellent combat skills. She had natural talent in lightsaber training and knew some basics when it came to dueling. Verlan had proven time after time that she was just as competent and strong as the boys if not more. She was a warrior and a guardian.

"Looks like I'll be the first one to this training session... What was this about again?"

The young woman though out loud about what the whole class was going to be about. She was approximately fifty yards from where the class was going to take place. Verlan examined the padded floors and weapon racks that she had come to love about her home. So much combat and excitement to be had. Verlan approached a notably strong looking character. Whom she had approached was the Jedi Battlemaster and she was the first at class be it unknowingly.

"Hey do you know where the Jedi Battlemaster is? He was going to teach a class on dueling. I'm here for Djem So training, and I would like to know where he's at."

 

[Dmitri]

Nero ran down the halls of the Will of the Force, panting, "I'm late, I'm late." He panickly turned left and went down the corridor where Augustus had mentioned in their last lesson where the classroom for today's class would be. He found himself at a fork in the road. He chose right, but was not right, having to turn around. As he neared the classroom, he saw "The Fighter" enter a room.

"I guess that's it," said Nero.

Nero entered the classroom.

 

[Matt]

Christian opened the door to the training room and beamed at the battlemaster, the fellow had a fearsome reputation across the galaxy as the most dangerous force user in the galaxy but from what Christian had seen the fellow was a capital chap, he was most polite and a excellent teacher so Christian had no qualms when he met the chap again.

He bowed as deeply as he could smiling warmly at the man he hoped the emulate one day, a fellow had to have ambitions!

''Battlemaster, an absolute pleasure to meet you again as I hae been looking forward to this for days and days. I do so enjoy these lessons the council have been putting on! One wonders how you all have enough time to save the galaxy!''

 

[Kit]

The Battlemaster was pleased to see his latest students arriving. There was only one Jedi in this class that he had not yet trained directly, and she was the first to arrive. Almost immediately speaking once she had.

"Hey do you know where the Jedi Battlemaster is? He was going to teach a class on dueling. I'm here for Djem So training, and I would like to know where he's at."

It would seem that the girl, and a girl she was - despite her androgynous appearance, had no idea that Augustus was the Battlemaster. It was unusual, particularly on The Will. He was, after all, one of the council, a prolific group. He smiled, it was refreshing.

"Padawan Verlan, well met. I do indeed know where he is," he smiled again, a rare sight, "Because you're talking to him."

Almost instantly, one of his Padawan's, Nero entered wordlessly. It was in the nature of the boy; he didn't show off, or demand attention. Like Augustus, duty seemed to come first. Despite having never voiced such an opinion, the Battlemaster was growing ever prouder of the young man.

Finally, the third student arrived. One Augustus had something of a soft spot for, the Knight Christian Noble. A cheerful man, who was as polite as he was charming.

''Battlemaster, an absolute pleasure to meet you again as I have been looking forward to this for days and days. I do so enjoy these lessons the council have been putting on! One wonders how you all have enough time to save the galaxy!''

Augustus paused, after the Knight finished speaking. He had touched on something of a sore spot. The Battlemaster wanted desperately to be more pro-active in the oncoming war; to seize the initiative from the Sith. The rest of the council were less eager to launch the first galactic war in a thousand years.

"I am glad to see you as well, Knight Noble. I trust your Padawan's are progressing well?"

He allowed a moment to pass, marshaling his thoughts. He had selected these three because of the similarities they each held when it came to the blade.

"Now, I trust you are all ready to begin."

He shed his robes, the grey and red garment pooling on the floor around him, and pulled his lightsaber, one of the three he carried today, to his hand.

"I chose you three because of your particular choice of form; the style you have embraced. Each one of you has chosen a form that either complements, or opposes that of the other students here. Which is why I have brought you, specifically, to train."

Augustus was responsible for the training of the whole order, and as such, was able to access pretty much any information on any Jedi. He had trouble with some more than others, and it was always better to check.

"That being said, if you would each be so kind as to tell me precisely which form, or forms, you care to specialize in, and why, I would be much obliged."

 

[Deloi]

"Oh, Battlemaster Leonus. I had- We have never met before. I did not know what you looked like; sorry."

Verlan Decory had an embarrassed look on her face. In all the years she had lived on the Will of the Force, she had never met the Battlemaster whom watched over it. Verlan was very surprised to find him right out of the crowd. She was even more surprised that he was so big. Augustus Leonus was a tall man in comparison to Verlan, not to mention he looked heavy enough for Verlan to bench press. The others for the training session also started to show up. Without more than half a moment passing, another person had shown up whom was familiar with the Battlemaster. He was a knight by how Augustus had addressed him. Verlan was quite surprised to see a knight in a class with Padawans. When the battlemaster had said there was three of them there, Verlan looked around. There was a third person whom did not introduce himself. A boy named Nero was there, but Verlan simply turned back to Augustus and ignored the third Padawan. Battlemaster Leonus then posed a question to them. Verlan's favored lightsaber style was obvious.

"The lightsaber style I want to learn is the fifth form. I want to learn it because it is highly focused on strength, and I'm the strongest girl in the entire order. That's why they call me 'The Fighter'. Heck, I'm certainly stronger than these two."

Verlan Decory pointed to Nero and Christian and then made silly faces at them to mock them. Verlan also flexed her very toned yet less muscular arms. She was completely serious about how strong she was however. She bench pressed two hundred and could lift a grown man over her head with her powerful strength. If she was a man, Verlan would be really bulky too, but she lacked the testosterone.

 

[Matt]

Why on earth were there members of this order that were so very serious and depressing? The battlemaster was a little on the quiet side but then he was the greatest duelist in the galaxy and had an excuse but some of these newer padawans were very grumpy chaps indeed.

''Well Master, I have recently switched to using a double edged saber whilst my form is Makashi but I have added small elements of Juyo to my style and I'm finding it bloody hard adding in Juyo!''

Christian smiled at the battlemaster as he subconsciously fiddled with his saber, he in some ways modeled himself on the battlemaster, Christian was not a great force user but he was a formidable lightsaber duelist compared to other knights.

 

[Dmitri]

Nero decided that speaking immediately wouldn't look good for him and his classmates if they blurted out at the same time, so he allowed Verlan and Christian to answer first. Verlan revealed the form she specialized in was Shien; 'The Fighter' was obviously very cocky and arrogant about herself. It was probably true that she was stronger than him, but if she tried that against a Sith Marauder or a Jedi Knight, like Christian, she may be in for a rude awakening. Christian showed to be a little experimental, like Nero, having recently started a new lightsaber stance, though focusing on Makashi; unlike 'The Fighter', Christian admitted difficulties in training.

"Arrogance is a way of the Sith," Nero told Verlan in a matter-of-fact. He wasn't trying to taunt her, only noting an observation he spotted in her answer.

Nero returned his attention to Augustus. "As you know, Master Augustus, I have chosen the form Makashi, like Knight Christian, however, have found myself in an impasse, leaving me to possibly searching for another form if I find Makashi not working as I had hoped to." He gave Christian a glance. "I hope not to embarass you with poor usage of Makashi."

 

[Kit]

Augustus smiled. He had not been angry or annoyed at the padawan, rather, his idea of a joke was something out of kilter with what most others would consider amusing. A life of solemn duty had left little time for triviality.

"No apologies are required, Padawan Verlan. That you are here to learn from me is more than enough to satisfy my ego, young one. Form V is certainly a good choice to complement physical strength. We shall see how far along you are in a moment."

He paused, before responding to Knight Noble.

"Makashi and Juyo are a potent combination, I would recommend you do not give up, particularly in conjunction with a double bladed lightsaber. I am curious to see you in action, Christian."

Finally, he turned to Nero, one of the Padawan's he was personally training.

"You are wise not to rush to choose a form. It will define you as a swordsman, and should complement you as you do it. Hopefully, today will bring you a step closer to the correct path."

With each student addressed individually, the Battlemaster then spoke to them as a group.

"Today, as you know, we have gathered to train in the blade, to further your own knowledge of your chosen form, and to give you true dueling experience."

He sighed inwardly, he was about to do something he dislike immensely.

"You will have to use training sabers today. They make a poor substitute for a blade crafted by your own hand, but since you will be duelling, I cannot afford to have any of you hurt."

Pressing a button on a nearby wall with the force, a number of panels slid away, revealing a large selection of training blades. From shortsabers, to double bladed, there was a selection wide enough to suit all but the most unorthodox of duelists.

"Once you are suitably armed, I would care to see Nero duel Verlan. Once I am satisfied with your progress, I will duel with Knight Noble. Begin when you are ready, Padawans."