Training of Pravus

[Dual]

The nondescript, clunky ship trailed a bit of smoke as it came down through the atmosphere on Ando Prime. The soft orange light from the sun barely reflected off of the tarnished gray metal of the freighter, and as it decelerated, the engines moving it flickered for a brief second and resumed normal function. Landing on the nearest open pad, the air was punctuated only by the dying engines while the hatch slowly lowered, creaking all the while.

Pravus emerged from the interior, shielding his eyes from the sun with a scowl on his face. The captain of the freighter looked back at him and shouted something in Huttese, a language Pravus never bothered to understand without the use of the Force. Relying on that gift provided him, he simply replied in an irritated tone, and with a short and blunt-sounding answer. The captain, a blue Twi'lek with age marks the size of a moon, cursed at him in the customary and adopted language of his people, and Pravus simply ignored his shouts. The hatch raised after the time delay and the dark-robed, ex-Jedi man scanned the port, looking for anyone else. He had been contacted to come to these coordinates with the promise of vengeance against the Jedi. Not surprisingly, he had come quickly after paying for a ride in that clunker of a freighter.

"What in the Force's name am I supposed to find here?" He muttered, casting his dark eyes around the region and lowering his hand to his lightsaber hilt, ready to draw it in case this was a setup. It wouldn't be the first time someone had tried to kill him...

 

[Mars]

Aiden had been sitting outside the Bogan temple meditating when the ship landed. It was not snowing for a change on Ando Prime and the sun reflected off all the snow from the last few days. He wore his usual attire, black light armour underneath black robes with a red sash around his waist and a red silk headband covering where his eyes would be. Clipped to the left side of his waist was his ornate, curved-hilt lightsaber. His other was left in his room and would be retrieved if his student was interested in learning how to use both.

His new acoylte's name was Pravus and was, from what Aiden had heard, an ex-Jedi. Aiden had come from married Jedi Master's himself and was raised in the order untill he left. Standing from his sitting position, he walked down towards the newcomer wearing dark robes.

"Are you Pravus, the new Acolyte?" Aiden asked.

 

[Dual]

From the shadows near the temple above emerged a man wearing a strip of red silk over his eyes, and his dark robes seemed to absorb all of the light in the orange glow of the area. For everything that Pravus had learned as a Jedi, he knew well how to use his instincts to distinguish others. Right now, his own intuition was quietly whispering that this man, whoever he was, was not one to be trifled with. The red and black clothing typically favored by ex-Jedi such as himself was ever-presnt on the other man's attire. This figure was, without a doubt, someone of importance to Pravus, himself.

"Indeed," he replied with a respectful bow, though he suspected that the man would be unable to see it. Regardless, it never hurt to be polite, even if such courtesies would go unnoticed.
"I am Pravus. But as for being an Acolyte, that- I must confess- is something I'm not certain of. Acolyte of what, exactly? I was merely told to come here if I wanted to get revenge against the Jedi fools. Your presence here implies that I am expected by more than yourself... That would explain the temple, then. Is this place some sort of haven for enemies of the Jedi, sir?"

 

[Mars]

Aiden stood and listened to the new arrival. Unlike many of the new ones, he actually did not know of the Bogan and merely hated Jedi. He was respectful which Aiden appreciated greatly. A good start for the young man.

"An acolyte of the Bogan. The terror of the Jedi. I have no doubt that you have heard of the assault on the Corruscant temple that we performed. This is not merely a haven for those who hate the Jedi or wish to practice the Dark Side, this is the greatest haven." Aiden said to the youth. "Come, we shall speak inside the temple." He said as he motioned for the newcomer to follow him.

 

[Dual]

Ah, yes. Now it fits. He had heard about the attack, but there was a great deal of information that was willfully left out in the coverage. He suspected that this measure was taken in order to keep morale high and to ward off naysayers in the Senate and Jedi Council. It suited the Republic, really. Purposeful misinformation in order to win a conflict, and deception was one thing the Jedi knew all too well...

"Yes, sir." Pravus replied again, though when he observed the man again, he thought that his fellow looked somewhat younger than himself. Well, no matter. He could be wrong, after all. Appearances are deceiving, and if he was right, then what did age matter when it came to like-minded individuals? Nevermind a fellow force-sensitive and an enemy of the Jedi.

He closely followed behind the blindfolded man and kept his attention focused expressly on his guide, whoever it may have been. Such an odd being, this man. Once more, Pravus's instincts kicked in and he quietly made the mental note to himself.
How can this man even move around without the use of a cane or a guide, unless he has sight through other means? It wasn't unheard of, especially not with force-users. He remembered a few races of humanoids that didn't need eyes to see anyway, the Miraluka being one of those races. Though he'd never seen one in person or in his studies, he'd heard fanciful tales of the "Force-sighted" people who knew no other forms of vision other than the one gifted to them by the Force, itself.

Perhaps this man was one of the Miraluka? Did he, too, have more power than he let on? It stood to reason that he did. The ever-insistent Jedi would easily track a "Bogan" if they constantly used displays of power and the Force in public or in trivial matters. Deceit was the key to combatting their foes. What better way to give the opponent a false sense of security other than behaving as though one were blind and never showing off their skills of battle or the Force?

Pravus smiled a little at his guide, suddenly appreciating his welcoming party all the more. To be greeted by such a devastating weapon against the Jedi, and one so symbolic of the "Bogan" was likely a rare honor. He kept up his pace and followed the other man at a comfortable distance, but kept his guard up nontheless. Trust was a fool's plaything, and one that often got the Jedi killed. Trust no one, live long.

 

[Mars]

The two climbed a large set of stone steps and walked through a gate past a pair of guards. Both knew Aiden and let the pair pass without any questioning. From there they walked into the temple and into a large room with high ceilings. In the room there was much commotion, between those practicing lightsaber combat and force powers to those debating about similar topics and other acolytes being trained hard by their masters.

Aiden led Pravus past this room and into a smaller, but still quite big, side chamber. There was a small chest, a table with three chairs, and a metallic ball sitting in the room. Aiden took a seat at the table and motioned for his student to do the same.

"Sit Pravus." He said warmly. "You are probably wondering why my eyes, or where they would be, is covered. It is something that most acolytes, and people in general, are curious about. I am a Miraluka, and was born without them. I see through the Force. Now, tell me of your past. Why are you here?"

 

[Dual]

Led into the temple, Pravus simply watched the other students participate in their lessons and was in awe. This place was a sanctuary, true, but he had never imagined that there was a training army inside... The Bogan must have enough resources here to fund whatever they desire. Curious, really. Either they had politicians in their pocket, or they knew very well how to disguise their funds coming in.

Once they arrived into the next chamber with the large ball and the table, he heard the man tell him to take a seat. He did so, and waited patiently while the other individual confirmed his suspicions that he was, in fact, a Miraluka. His instincts were right again; he didn't even need the Force to figure that out. However, the confession of the Miralukan came as a surprise. He was divulging himself to someone he didn't even know; was this common practice? Well, the man asked the same of him in return, so he took a deep breath and nodded to himself.

"Years ago, I was a Jedi, sir. I was raised from my childhood to be one of the servants of the Light. But I was not satisfied with the meager teachings that the Jedi instructors provided. I wanted to know more; I told myself that I craved knowledge and power because I wanted to help people. Being born on Nar Shadaa, I had seen the worst the galaxy had to offer, the slime and refuse of the species. I wanted to reform them, to correct them. Yet, as my studies went on, I became cynical and harsh from my experiences as an apprentice. In my travels with my teachers, I came to see that reform was impossible. People would never change of their own volition. It had to be forced upon them if anything was to be done. I expressed to my teachers this sentiment, and they were... critical. They told me that my philosophy was too close to the dark side, I was too angry, too passionate. I needed serenity in my life."

Pravus paused for a moment, and recollected himself fairly quickly. He had to get this explanation done if he ever hoped to see what these "Bogan" had to offer.

"There was a girl, sir. Halisae was her name. We were students under the same teachers, and there were moments between us that I cherish still. For years, we simply baited each other, knowing that the teachers would not approve of any relationship that early in our studies. But we didn't listen to them, to the arrogant masters that were used to living in seclusion. We became... intimate. It was in the first year of the Hutt War that everything fell apart. We had been involved with each other for more than three years, and I finally had made the decision to marry her. But the Jedi do not believe in worldly possessions, and so it was difficult for me to procure a ring to propose. I didn't let her know of my intentions, wanting to surprise her. I was a fool..."

Looking up at the Miralukan, he watched the other man for a long moment, wondering if he was boring his guide. Nontheless, he leaned on his elbows on the table and felt his emotions rise within him.

"She was sent on an infiltration mission back to Nar Shadaa. She was captured by the Hutts, and held for ransom. They believed her to be a very important figure to the Republic. She, apparently, didn't dispute this. She was loyal to her masters, unwilling to compromise her mission. The Jedi were not so faithful to her. They decided to do nothing in order to save their Order and the mission, and Halisae... She died. I was told of her demise when I returned from a goodwill venture to Coruscant. I left the Jedi and their stagnant Order immediately. I hate them, sir, with every fiber of my being. I will see my vengeance fulfilled, and the Jedi must be punished."

 

[Mars]

Aiden listened untill his student was finished speaking. He felt the emotion run strongly in his new student and he was not unlike Aiden. He too had left the order after the death of a very close friend. He felt not love as in a spouse for him, but like that of a best friend and a brother. The emotion felt through the last statement was huge. Pravus geniuenly wanted the Jedi to crumble. He had great potential and Aiden would see to it that it was maximized.

"Excellent. Feel that emotion Acolyte. Now, control it do not let it consume you just yet. Do you have any questions about me or my past? I will answer any you have. and after will tell you somethings I think you should know. After that we will begin some basic Force training." Aiden said. That was the purpose of the metal ball. It would be used to perfect his skill with the basic force skills. But first were the questions of Aiden's past.

 

[Dual]

Pravus looked up from the table to stare at the man's face. So... he was his mentor? He would be learning how to use the Dark Side of the force from this being? Pravus felt pride swell within his chest. He had no doubt that he would learn much from this individual. And he had an open invitation to inquire about his past? Overwhelmed with newfound respect for his apparent mentor, he bowed his head and nodded.

"I have a few questions... Master." He had searched for the proper honorific, but unsure of which one to call this man, he had at last settled on the one he deemed the most appropriate.
"First, I would like to know your name. And second, I would welcome the information regarding your history. I believe that no information is insignificant, Master. Tell me everything that you want, and I will listen. I am curious as to your evolution. You seem... familiar, somehow. I sense a kindred spirit inside you, Master."

 

[Mars]

Aiden smiled as he felt his student swell with pride and feelings of excitement through the force.

"Well, first of all, my name is Aiden Dekker. My parents were, and if nothing happened, still are Jedi. I was raised in the order, alongside the son of my father's best friend. We grew up together and trained together." Aiden said with a smile still on his face.

"We grew up throughout the years and became as brothers. Both of us trained for knighthood. He was sent on a mission....and..." Aiden choked up a bit and his eyebrows narrowed. "The foolish Jedi got my brother and best friend killed."

Aiden calmed himself and contnued. "Then I took up a carreer in bounty hunting. My force sensativity made it easy and I earned a lot of money. I built a lightsaber, the one I carry now, out of exotic and powerful materials that would not break or short on me. But something was missing. I wanted to learn more. I needed to learn more. So, when I learned of this place, I jumped at the chance." He said continuing. Aiden spoke very freely and truthfully.

"Here I was trained under a man named Slaner and crafted another lightsaber that is in my room and I'll get if you wish to learn how to fight with two blades. After my accension to becoming a Crusader came the now infamous assault on the Jedi temple. I was there and claimed the lives of three Jedi, a knight and two Padowans. I still have the knights light blue blade here in my armour as a reminder of that day and of our duel. Afterwords I began my training to become an Assassin under Master Mirrik. We have done a few missions together as well as some that I went on that I may not speak of at this point in time, perhaps after you become a Crusader." Aiden said and finished with. "And here I sit today Pravus, as your trainer in the Dark side. Have you any questions?" He asked.