Ask Semper Fortis

[Maiko Sigur]

​

Maiko had been to Kashyyyk once on a mission, and it wasn't a surprise that his reason for returning to the planet was because of another mission again.

The ongoing pandemic caused by the vicious AMS virus had finally touched Kashyyyk. With nearly thirty percent of the world's population infected, the Wookies found it prudent to call for one of their most trusted allies' help in keeping the rest of the planet safe from the dangers brought on by the virus' devastating effects. The Jedi were quick and willing to give their aid, providing whatever resource, protection, and medical assistance they could give the Wookies.

Standing beside a group of Wookies, the Padawan listened with rapt attention as the head of the group discussed a rescue mission they were about to pull. The group of sentient, furry beings were apprehensive at first in speaking with the young human, equal parts curious and confused if Maiko could understand them. Despite his incapacity to speak the language, however, Shyriiwook was one of the first alien languages Maiko had learned, courtesy of his parents and his adoptive older brother Woola who was a Wookie himself. With their worries cleared, the group of Wookies were quick to welcome the young Padawan to their team.

Apparently, a small contingent of Wookies were trapped in the Myyydril Caverns after being almost overrun by a horde of infected Wookies and refugees. Left with nowhere to run to, the group was forced to seek shelter and protection in the caverns while keeping the horde from breaching past the caverns' entrance. The Wookies were able to make contact and call for a rescue, along with aid for their agenda of clearing the area of any and all infected in sight. Time was of the essence, with the group finding themselves running low on ammunition. While there were still no casualties reported, the rescue had been put on the priority list and the Wookies were determined to save their brethren.

He would have stayed put, but the rescuers were in dire need of any hands who would offer their aid. Maiko was quick to sign up despite knowing the dangers and risks the rescue mission posed. He was learning to be more and more confident of his own skills, and having acquired his own lightsaber bolstered his growing confidence. The presence of his Master greatly helped, and despite the current mission being the first the two have been together for quite a while, Maiko was glad that Master Alex now recognized that the Padawan was now capable of handling dangerous missions such as this one.

He knew what had happened to Taris. And with Master Alex now promoted to a Councillor in the Jedi Council, Maiko's drive to face his Trials and reach Knighthood burned brighter than ever.

The rescuers now found themselves traversing the forest, on the lookout for any wandering infected. The leader of the rescue group, a male Wookie named Gwirfhu, stood beside Master and Padawan on the trek.

It was only reasonable to feel a little nervous, but Maiko steeled himself. Courage was what he needed in the face of danger, and despite the tinge of apprehension he felt he trusted that his Master and the Wookies would watch his back as much as he would theirs.

"Master," began the young Padawan in a quiet but steady voice, his pride and happiness ringing loud and clear in the Force, "congratulations on being made Councillor, as well as taking new Padawans under your wing. You've been doing a lot for the Order, and we're thankful for all of that. I'm sure... I'm sure Master Tionson's very proud of you as much as I am."

Bringing up the fallen Jedi Councilor in a conversation made a soft pang of pain flash in Maiko's chest, made all the more clearer as he felt nostalgia for a time and happenstances that didn't come to pass. He might not have interacted with Master Tionson in the past when he was still alive, the young Padawan was aware that the Councillor meant a lot to Master Alex.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The forest of Kashyyyk rose around them. Yavin’s jungles were peaceful tranquility, soft noises of planets greeting your ears. Kashyyyk was no tranquil forest. The sounds of a thousand different creatures bombarded your ears. Each one more dangerous than the next. The Force rang with a continued sense of danger. There was no peace on Kashyyyk. That was one of the reasons the Wookies were so damn strong. They constantly fought against death. AMS had come to test that strength. A small outbreak of the virus managed to develop deep in the forest. The Wookies were forced to act quickly. A small outbreak of AMS could rapidly devour the planet. Even one, infected escaping spelled disaster.

The Wookies asked for aid and the Jedi came. They were allies across centuries. The Order would not let them face this threat alone. Alexandria Voran, Jedi Councilor, found herself walking towards death yet again. Certain doomed seemed to find her in all corners of the galaxy. Luckily, she walked with the Wookies and Maiko. Her young student had done most of the heavy lifting. Maiko had investigated the outbreak, spoke to the rescue group, and marshalled many of the resourced. Alex was here to be the muscle of their efforts. Her skill in the Force shone brightly through the Darkness of Kashyyyk.

The group had a little way to go. She pulled her mind to the present, focusing on Maiko. Her Padawan had come so very far. She barely even recognized him. A pang of guilt ran up her spine. He still needed her, and she needed to remember that. She would not allow herself to be pulled away from all her responsibilities. “He would.” Speaking of Max no longer brought the same heartache. She wanted to remember him. “But he might disagree with some of our recent choices.” Max had never wanted to see the Order become a military. Alex now fought that same battle, but with a few more concession to reality. Concession she knew he would have disliked. “It feels wonderful to be out of the Temple.” Too much of her time was spent being a Councilor rather than a Jedi. They did not always seem to be the same. “I have been derelict in your teachings.” She smiled and laughed softly. “But you don’t seem to need me much anymore.” Maiko was close to Knighthood. Traditional trials or not, the Padawan had nearly completed his journey. How much more could she really teach him?

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

A soft smile tugged the corners of the Padawan's lips upwards at his Master's response, both from the comment about Master Tionson and the current direction the Jedi Order was headed for in their efforts against the threats of the Sith. A pacifist by heart, the Order's militarization brought the reasonable worry in Maiko with regards to the Jedi making the same mistakes the old Order had committed and paid for. And while certain actions were needed to be taken and made in order to face the perils brought by the Sith, he still couldn't help but disagree about the growing martial efforts the Jedi Order felt they needed to take to be able to match up against said threats.

The Sith and the dangers they brought wouldn't really eliminate themselves, however.

He agreed with her sentiment about being away from the Temple. Maiko had been in there a lot when Master Alex was away, and their time apart taught the young Padawan to use everything he had learned from her as he signed up for missions to be able to contribute to the Order's growth and expansion. After the mission from Endor his confidence had grown even further, even taking Isen and Master Thral's teachings to heart like he did with Master Alex's. Now, here on Kashyyyk, that very same confidence would be put to the test.

"Don't say that, Master," he told her kindly, sunshine smile in place as he looked up at her. He was mindful of the Wookies behind them, his senses through the Force spread subtly wide open in search for any immediate signs of danger. "You taught me a lot, and those teachings stayed even when we're apart. That says a lot about you as a teacher – and I'm not saying this because I'm biased or anything," he chuckled softly, "but you're one of the best Masters and teachers I've ever had."

Granted he only had two Masters including her, but still...! His older siblings did teach him that if the lessons stuck in his heart and mind, and if he always used them, then the teacher's skill and teachings were praiseworthy enough.

"Even if I did become a Knight or a Jedi Master, I will still look up to you for guidance, Master," he told her truthfully, the smile on his face remaining. "I know I have to make my own decisions, choose the path I shall take on my own, but you gotta expect me in your office in the Temple every now and again – seeking guidance, catching up..."

The trail soon became treacherous, natural light dwindling gradually as the group headed deeper into the forest. The foilage became thicker, the path more rough and uneven. Through his senses in the Force the Padawan felt signs of life growing fainter, the local fauna seemingly avoiding this part of the forest for a particular reason. Traces of death hung in the air, followed by dried blood and scattered dismembered limbs – both from animals, Wookies, and other alien races.

Gwirfhu halted and raised a hand, prompting the group to make a brief stop to investigate their immediate surroundings. He called for two of his kinsmen, and roared lowly, "Scout ahead, and stay close to each other. See if there are infected lurking ahead."

As the two Wookies complied, the leader of the group turned to face the two Jedi with a grateful nod of his shaggy head.

"Thank you for heeding our call, Master Jedi," he told the Councilor. "Pardon me, but I cannot help but listen to your conversation – young Maiko is your student, correct?" A large hand settled lightly on the Padawan's shoulder and continued earnestly. "He is a good child. You have taught him well."

It wasn't really the time to be blushing but Maiko felt his cheeks heat up at the sudden praise. Unable to help himself, he interjected with a shy grin, "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my Master."

The Padawan paused for a few moments, confused as to why some of the Wookies were looking at him funny before coming to the realization that he had spoken without context. Here, as in this dangerous mission? That was not what he meant! He signed up willingly for this to help! Face turning red, he hastily corrected himself. "I mean, developing my skills and getting close to being a Knight! Because she's a great teacher!"

The Wookies accompanying them would have laughed had their situation not been somber nor touched heavily by the threat of the AMS virus and the infected. Something rustled within the bushes ahead and out came the two Wookie scouts, unharmed but the younger between the two looking a little shaken. They reported that the path ahead was clear, save for a lone infected Wookie shambling aimlessly. The infected was swiftly and quietly put down so as to prevent attracting any more of the undead that might be lurking further.

The trek continued at Gwirfhu's command. Maiko gazed up at his Master and quietly told her his plans about his ever approaching Trials, taking advantage of the current absence of immediate threats. He'd heard that one of his friends, Crix, had undertaken his own Trials and was now promoted as a Knight. The half-Zabrak's decision to go through the traditional Trials inspired the young Padawan to walk the same path.

"Master, after this mission, I think..." he paused, shaking his head and correcting himself. "I'm ready to face my Trials. And with your blessing, I want to partake in the traditional Trials of Knighthood."

Skill, Courage, Flesh, Spirit, and Insight. He'd read about them in the library on the Temple, and while each Trial was unique to the Padawan undertaking them, Maiko had never felt more prepared and willing to face the unknown.

@Valen Pelora

Spoiler: Dice

Rolled to see if the path's clear of infected... for now. Odd for yes, even for no.
Rolled an even number.

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex continued her contemplative walk. For the first time in a long time, she really was not in charge. In hypothetical sense she was since she was sort of always in charge but not in reality. Maiko was leading the mission. Alex was here to support her student. Her mind wandered as they continued to walk. Would she ever truly get used to this feeling? Probably not. The first time she had never met Maiko, she had forced him out of the Temple. Now he was forcing her back into the galaxy. What a perfect little circle. She let her student and the Wookies plan their march. The Councilor was ready for whatever came. At least, she thought she was. Maiko was ready for the Trials, but Alex was not necessarily ready to let him go. She smiled soflty.

“I know.” Her eyes shifted to look at him. “You’ve been ready, for some time.” The Force hummed in approval. “The hardest part of any Master’s journey is when their student no longer needs them, but I am proud to reach this point.” The path was always more important than the destination…and what a path they had walked. “When we return to Yavin I will arrange for the traditional Trials…but.” She paused for a moment. “I can only administer one. Although, you may choose which Trial I administer. I’ll arrange for the rest to be covered.” It was a frustrating but necessary rule. The Order could not risk favoritism.

“You will pass and I will knight you.” Her voice was filled with unmistakable pride. Maiko had changed her as much as she changed him. Alex smiled wider. At that moment, a terrible screeched ripped through the forest. The Force quickly filled her chest. Another horrible screech sounded from the opposite side. The screaming was unmistakable. The infected were coming. She raised her voice. “Get ready!”

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

This was not the first time he'd heard his Master speak of his own readiness for the Trials, and yet pink dusted the Padawan's face again at the pride his mentor held for him. Maiko never considered himself to be the bravest of her students – nor any other learners in the Temple, really – but Master Alex's faith and trust in him always bolstered not just his courage but also his confidence. Would he grow the same way he did under her guidance if he'd been assigned to another Master? Or another Knight?

He smiled, pushing the thought away. Each Master and Knight's teachings were unique, and it was futile to compare one method with another. Perhaps being under Master Alex's tutelage was a will of the Force Itself, and anyone who saw would say that Maiko flourished and grew from her guidance. Why he was confident that he could face the Trials was the culmination of their combined efforts and the bond they shared as Master and student, and if Maiko would be given a chance to start over and choose his mentor he would go to his Master Alex. Always.

“Thank you, Master,“ he told her gratefully with a smile. At the mention of her being able to administer only a single Trial, the Padawan's smile fell for but a second before the brightness in them returned. Even if it was just one Trial he was still happy about it. Of course he would have to pass every Trial for him to reach Knighthood, but the pride in Master Alex's voice dispelled whatever present worry that attempted to make themselves known.

“I'll meditate on which Trial I'd face under your watch, Master.“ It would require introspection and rumination from his part, and guidance from the Force, too. He couldn't just pick from one Trial to another randomly – he needed to take time to choose, though hopefully not too long. With her arranging his Trials and him unable to learn which Master or Knight would administer each Trial were a little nerve-racking, but he needed to believe that he would be able to do just fine. His Master believed in him, after all, and the prospect of being Knighted by Master Alex herself made the Padawan's smile grow wider.

A horrible screech ripped through the unnatural silence of the forest, signifying that they were close to their destination. Maiko could feel the Wookies' agitation through the Force, and he fought the same feeling from rising in his heart. At Master Alex's command, one of Maiko's hands found the hilt of his lightsaber while the other lifted to signal their companions to keep to the path and not to stray too far.

“Keep close,“ he reminded the others calmly, signalling once again for the group to move forward. The Caverns must be close, as the arrival of the infected revealed. Three infected Wookies heralded the arrival of the herd, letting out terrible roars before lumbering towards the rescue groups. Maiko had taken the time to study about the infected and the AMS itself. “Aim for their heads! That's the quickest way of taking them down!“

“We learned that the hard way, lad,” Gwirfhu replied as he took down one infected with his bowcaster before it could get close. The lead Wookie seconded the Padawan's command to keep moving to create distance between them and the approaching herd. They needed to avoid being trapped on their way to the Caverns, or worse killed.

An infected human – possibly a refugee, by the looks of her attire – lunged at one of the younger Wookies in the rescue group. Before she could reach her target, however, her body froze in mid-air, held in place via the Force by Maiko whose free hand was outstretched towards the infected.

“Back off!“ the Padawan cautioned the young Wookie. “Don't let it's blood or any body fluids get into you!“

Nodding, the young Wookie did as she was told before shooting the infected on the head. Maiko let the corpse go before activating his lightsaber to decapitate another infected human that was gearing up to bite him. He had to remind himself that the human whose head he took wasn't a person any longer, that the virus had turned the infected into something worse. Maiko had to remind himself that these people were as good as dead. He couldn't falter now, tearing his gaze off the infected he had slain as he followed after the young Wookie he'd saved.

At least twenty infected – a mix of Wookies, human, and other races – emerged from the rescuers' trail, groaning and screeching. The risk of being overrun would escalate if their group didn't hurry towards their destination while at the same time thinning the herd's numbers.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

The infected poured from the forest. They seemed to come from every direction, sprinting towards the living. Alex did not take lives. She had taught that same principle to Maiko but the infected were different. You could not kill what was already gone. The infected were dead. It was the virus that drove them forward. They did a mercy for liberating those souls trapped within. Alex’s breathed the Force in at once. Her full strength quickly brought to bear. She was reminded of the warehouse on New Alderaan, the screams as the infected had burned. She would not be making that mistake again.

Her saber jumped into her hand, the indigo blade spinning to life. If she needed to use it then the infected had gotten too close. Her singular focus was protecting the group. Alex reached into the earth to feel the time beneath. Kashyyyk always rang darkly against her senses. It was no different this time…however life was of the Light and life greeted her. Her left hand reached up and the ground followed. Massive roots burst from beneath the surface to strike out at the infected. She wielded them as she would her saber, swaying back and forth to pound the dead into oblivion. The roots swept all around the perimeter of the group. She hammered at the waves of infected. Exhausting.

“We must keep moving!” Her eyes whipped to Maiko. “Maiko! Push forward!” Alex stepped behind the group. She pushed Light into her hands, light that would attract the infected. “I’ll cover our back.” Her strength would hold long enough to get them to their destination. Well…it had to hold. Alex could feel the Force burning through her reserve. The forests of Kashyyyk did not enjoy being commanded, they fought against her control. It didn’t matter. She was a master of the elements. For the time, the forest would obey, although it took considerable effort to maintain that control.

@Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

His Master's powers – a perhaps a mere fraction of it, to the Padawan's point of view – were on full display and Maiko allowed himself the briefest of moments to admire the way the Light of the Force weave around her. The ground yielded easily as roots rose from them, pushing the herd of infected back while at the same time diminishing their numbers. He was quick to relay her command to the group, urging the Wookies forward. One of them nearly tripped in his haste to run towards the direction, and the Wookie would have fallen had Maiko not quick enough to stabilize the former with the use of the Force.

"Be careful!" he advised the Wookie, leading them forward as he was instructed. Now at the vanguard, Maiko kept his own lightsaber at the ready as he tapped into the bond he shared with her. The Light within him bolstered hers in support, and through the Force he could feel the life of the forest itself fighting back for control.

There was a lesson he had learned when he was on Endor, something valuable he'd picked up on Master Izel Thral and Knight Isen Ramm's connection and the way they created a bond with the Condor Dragons. Life was not meant to be bended under one's will. Life was precious, a thing of beauty that shouldn't be taken – as Master Alex had taught him. The undead approaching them was a perversion of life, borne from a virus that shouldn't have existed.

He flung his senses as wide as he could through the Force, and through his bond with his Master Maiko attempted something he had never done before. As another batch of infected tried to overtake the Wookies before they could reach the cavern's mouth Maiko stopped on his tracks, dropped down on one knee, and slammed his free hand on the ground. An imitation of what his Master had done, Maiko willed the forest to work with him through the Force.

A wild, untamed presence in the Force, the forests of Kashyyyk responded to the Padawan as it did towards his Master – reluctantly. Vines hanging overhead began to overgrow to weigh down on the walking dead, and roots whipped upwards to pierce and block the infected's path. Wrapping around the infected and restricting their movements, the vines creeping on the ground pulled down the infected in a macabre display of burying them into the earth. All these happened too quickly, as if the forest had humored the Padawan's audacity to imitate a fraction of what the Jedi Councilor could do.

Mimicry, imitation... that was how he learned as a kid, and that was how he partially learned now.

As the Wookie rescuers made it past the barrier constructed by those they were here for, Maiko rose on his feet to follow after them but exhaustion ate at him. He had overestimated himself, and he would have paid the price if it weren't for the female Wookie he had helped earlier. When she spotted the Padawan had lagged behind she went back for him, hauling Maiko up and half-carried, half-dragged him into the cavern.

Master! Maiko called out to the Morellian Jedi through their bond. We made it in the Myydril Caverns. You can stop and follow after us now – we'll keep the barrier open for you!

Inside the cavern stood eighteen other Wookies, the ones Maiko's group were instructed to rescue. A pair stood guard by the entrance, keeping any stray infected at bay. Maiko himself would've helped them, but his sudden use of the Force to gather the forest's aid had burned through his energy reserves. The only thing he could do at the moment was to take as much of a breather as he could and wait for his Master's arrival.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Alexandria Voran]

Alex’s trust in Maiko was completed. Her young student would see the rescue party to their destination. She simply had to serve as an adequate distraction. Vaguely, she could feel Maiko working the Force. Their presences momentarily mingled as they guided the forests of Kashyyk. Alex was prepared for the toll it would take, Maiko was slightly less ready. There would have been a time that worried her, but now her confidence in the Padawan won out. Maiko knew his limits without her interference. She had a job to do.

The Morellian Jedi road the currents of the forest world. The planet bucked against her control as a wild stallion. She was used to working in tandem with the elements. They were allies in a unified goal. Kashyyk did not share such unity. Alex would never subjugate the will of living Force overflowing in the life around her, but she would strongly guide the direction it moved. Her fight with the infected was equal parts hurling them away from the rescue party and maintaining harmony with the forest. It was exhausting.

She stood in the middle of a torrent of planet life, vines, roots, and branches whipping all around her. Alex’s hands remained stretched at her sides, moving as she moved the Force. She felt no fear…only purpose. Finally, Maiko’s mind touched hers. She reached back across their bond. “Coming.” A wide vine whipped by and she grabbed. Alex flung herself through the branches of the massive trees. She haphazardly flew through the lower branches until she crashed in the cave with an audible thud. The Force dispersed her momentum into the ground, small cracks spiraling from her feet. A pent-up breath escaped. Blaster fire rained from the entrance of the cave as the wookies held off the infected. The forest floor was over run. She quickly scanned the group. No point in lying.

“We’ll never get out the way we came, there’s too many of them…even for us.” Alex could feel the press of the dead. A gapping unnatural hole in the Force. “Is there another way out?” Her mind searched for answer but none came. Going out the front and trying to fight through the infected was a poor option. They’d never all survive and she was not about to sacrifice lives.

@Forsythe Crowholde