Searching the Archives (see note)

[DeathToll]

Strutting into the hall of records, the short human male confidently made his way towards the interactive computers section in the center of the large structure. Kemp Aeschylos, wearing his black leather outfit with that open flap at his chest revealing the light blue tank top underneath, reached an open seat and took it.

Scooting in, the screen lit up his face a blue neon. His eyes were wide, and he began typing.

Having been here for some time, this was not his first attempt at learnin about lightsaber forms. Though, since he was in the middle of creating his own lightsabers, he wished to understand (at least in terms of textual knowledge)every lightsaber form and their use. He already knew that Ataru was to be his specialization, and he already had his eyes set on an interesting design for one of his lightsabers; a pike. This was to fully remind him of the verses of standard maneuvers in each form. He would know their basic weaknesses and their strengths. Kemp would beat them all!

His fingers vigorously tapping away, he scrolled through each page with a determination. He whispered to himself as he read certain titles and key points.

"The seven forms..."

Not once did his eyes lift from the screen, pulling up seperate windows overlapping each other. One showed the schematics of certain lightsaber hilts, another showd a full visual and animated demonstration of Ataru in specificity, and another listed the talking points of each of the seven forms.

"...Form one: Shi... ...tack, perries, body target zones, and training drills called..."

Kemp had already taken a class on lightsaber forms in which Shii-Cho was the main focus, so he read what was listed and then moved on.

 

[Guardian Six]

Kara Vaalki had been studying in the archives for some time, poring over the countless accounts of the Sith over the millenia. With the inevitable war on the horizon and the increasing presence of the Dark Side clouding the minds of the Jedi, she had decided the best course of action was to learn the patterns of her enemy in the past; knowledge in itself was strength in times of darkness.

She raised her head from the holoscreen, glancing over her shoulder at the latest interruption - one of many Jedi Apprentices (or Padawans, she supposed. That old title of the Old Order had never really sat well with her) had approached her for guidance. It was an age-old question asked by so many - few found the true strength in the Force without guidance.

Kara stood up, turning around to face the Apprentice, the barest hint of a crooked smirk on her features.

"Answering that question is far more complicated than you realize. So we'll start with the basics - why do you want more? Is it a feeling of inferiority? Perhaps lust for power? Maybe you are growing impatient with your lack of progress, hmm? Well, what is it? Speak up. I'm in the middle of something, you know."

"I fear that I won't have enough strength in the force to face our enemy. How can I fight in this coming war if I can't even lift a rock?"

Yuma looked at the Master as she turned around, she was clearly annoyed, but Yuma did not look away from the jawa. He wasn't the only one with this problem, but he was the only one who had little progress.

 

[DeathToll]

"Form II: Makashi, way of the... ... ...shifting of feet... ...fluid movement... slashes... and balance..."

Kemp read on, totally unaware of all other happenings within the large complex. He was utterly focused on the screen before him, reading as much detail as a window could hold. Scrolling down, clicking on links, and opening new windows - he found some new information on the forms he hadn't seen before and some basic information he already knew. Kemp's face was inches from the screen.

"Form III: Soresu... resilience... in response to blasters... tight, efficient movements... ... ...maximum defense coverage... ... ...within the eye of the storm..."

Sure, there were uses to these forms, but each duelist needed to find the form that harmonized with their own personality and skills in balance and unity there within. And so Kemp came to it. His form, the one he'd already chosen to follow all the way. It would work perfectly with him. And so he read on, searching for any new understanding of the form...

"Ataru..."

 

[Black Noise]

Niasa D'smase slowly made her way through the Archives on Typhon, her clawed Trandoshan hand brushing across the aisle after aisle of millions of archives of everything one could ever look for in the universe. The only hard part about the archives was finding what you wanted. But to Niasa, finding what you wanted was the fun part.

Niasa thought of searching the archives as a hunt in a way, and her passion for the hunt was unrivaled, this much she knew. Hunting through the archives satisfied and ancient, instinctive and feral part of her.

She knew that she could find her query much faster with the help of a master, but that was what she was indeed afraid of, for what she was looking for wasn't exactly very Jedi-like. Niasa was searching for information on the Sith, perhaps by learning about them she could find a way to better combat them. Though deep down she knew a master may disapprove of this, this is what she thought was necessary.

 

[DeathToll]

Ah... This is what Kemp lived for, the fight. Here he watched some clips of duels exerting maneuvers of note pertaining to Form IV: Ataru. Ataru, in Kemp's eyes, was pure innovation. It is creativity without boundaries. Of course there were guidlines, there were forms and technical maneuvers that had been recorded and integrated into standard teaching methods, and there was a break down of the basic level to which others would understand and begin to see the larger world. And of course there is a discipline to it. But Kemp couldn't wait to really, truly learn the subtleties of the lightsaber form.

Kemp had scrolled through the rest of the seven main forms, as well as seeing some listed techniques and fighting forms unrelated to the seve, but went back to the Ataru pages. He couldn't get enough of it. His hand made a fist in the air before the screen. Then something else caught his eye. Twisting his hand around to point at the lines where he read, he clicked on another link. Toggling back and forth now between different windows, Kemp was noticing certain attacks and movements as each recorded or animated maneuver was demonstrated. He noted something about each of these specific maneuvers and visualized them using a staff in place of their lightsabers. Kemp had a special kind of grin on his face as his imagination soared. What kind of whirlwind could somebody be using this form with a lightsaber pike. Then he wondered about other lightsabers and their strengths.

Pulling up new windows regarding lightsaber construction and materials used in them or against them, Kemp came across some interesting notes regarding Phrik. Phrik was a rare metallic compound that was one of only a few lightsaber-resistant substances known. It could be used in a hilt's creation. He'd heard of it back home, during his few days in the palace and even when eavesdropping on some crime bosses during his days in the slums. Kemp knew he wanted some right away, but it seemed it was a little more rare than he first thought. He'd read on, finding out as much as possible about lightsabers and combat with them. Running some checks, he'd find any place or person listed as having the metal and willing to part with it. Kemp would get his hands on some of that compound, he just knew it!

 

[Green Ranger]

Kara frowned. Did the less experienced Jedi really think they were going to be serving on the front lines? She would have to talk to the Council about ensuring such myths were quickly dispelled.

'Don't worry too much - I doubt you'll be dispatched to openly face Sith any time soon. The Order will only send those that have a fighting chance against such foes, and only because we have to defend the balance in the galaxy, as we always have.

'The Force isn't something that can just be found and learnt - discovering the Force in yourself is an experience unique to yourself. There is little the Archives can tell you other then what I'm about to tell you now: be patient, the Force will come to you when you're ready for it.'

 

[Guardian Six]

"Yes Master." Yuma left to meditiate.

 

[Black Noise]

Instead of finding more on the Sith, Niasa found something even more valuable, she discovered a small file on the specific saber style of Makashi. Grinning, the Trandoshan half ran to a viewing station, eager to learn and explore deeper into the refined style.

She soon was seated and soaking in every bit of information she could absorb without being overwhelmed. The Makashi form was the only form she had ever really wanted to learn, though she was trained a little in the basic form of Shii-Cho, which was taught to all Jedi.

Digging deeper, Niasa was swept up in the elegant and unique style of Makashi, the demonstrations were preformed by one of the greatest Makashi style users in all of history. A man by the name of Count Dooku, Niasa had studied him before, and knew he was one of the few jedi to ever leave the Jedi order. Though most of his records had been removed, this one still remained, most likely because he never actually spoke while moving, only demonstrating the awe-inspiring power of Makashi.

 

[DeathToll]

Scrambling to finish what he was doing, Kemp couldn't close out the running programs fast enough. He was extremely excited and finally managed to log out. Knocking over his seat - he took three steps away, turned back, reset the chair, and turned back away. Kemp dashed away with an energized sprint to the nearest exit.