Blade Ta’var

Lightsaber and Knighting Ceremony

34 ABY

March Isles of Judecca

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Deep within the bowels of March Isles of Judecca, the young Aedile of Imperium sat on the floor of her sparsely decorated room, where she was hunched over a brightly burning forge, her hands reaching out as if she was grabbing objects in midair. She was usually one of motion, but today she sat completely still and focused all of her energy on the black forge in front of her. She was specifically trying her very best to create her own primary crystal, which would become the heart and soul of her new lightsaber. It was a daunting task, but she had the Force on her side and a few tricks at her disposal.

For her first trick, she used her imagination to help shape her focus. She imagined a red coalescing blob between her hands, where her fingers would twitch every once in awhile as if she was snagging something nearby to drag into the blob. It was already starting to develop several spikes in a pyramidal pattern, though its soft edges betrayed their relative youth. As she sat there almost motionless, message after message hit her terminal, but she didn't move or acknowledge its existence. In fact, nothing anyone did broke her focus, though the guards outside helped. This seclusion was most unlike Blade, but she had embarked on a classic Jedi trial made more difficult by the Sith, the creation of her own lightsaber.

Blade had been saving up for the parts for a while, and finally had all the supplies she needed to construct her very own. A few feet in front of the forge were carefully laid out pieces, which included metal of various shapes and sizes, electrical wiring, power supply, focusing crystals, and other various parts. Once she finished creating her primary crystal, she could then combine everything together to form the vaunted lightsaber. It had been her fascination since she set foot in the Shadow Academy, and today was finally the day she would make her childhood dream come true. She even splurged a bit in order to buy the tritanium power supply. All of these remained untouched until she finished her primary crystal, since a moment’s lapse would result in failure and she would have to begin all over again.

Blade continued her intense focus over the next day or two, signs of weariness etched on her face as she used the Force to slow her body’s energy consumption in order to keep herself awake. The creation of the primary crystal required absolute, unbroken concentration for two to three days, and she was almost done finally. In all honesty it was quite a toll on her body, and she felt as if her body was dying on the inside just a bit. She used the Force to feel around her forge for spare bits of ground rubat, pulling it into her maturing crystal in precise locations in order to keep its pyramidal shape. It felt like molding semi-liquid metal that could change its shape, it’s oozing ebb and flow strangely pleasing. She mentally felt her way around the sharp edges of her newly formed crystal, and pleased with her end product turned the forge off with her mind. The switch made a pleasing click but Blade’s task was not yet done.

She didn’t move for fear of disturbing her newborn crystal, using the Force to hold it in a perfect suspension until the forge cooled enough to allow her crystal to harden. This meant so much to her, since it signified her prowess as a Sith and her skill in the Force. Most of the other Jedi Hunters she knew received their lightsaber, but what value did a stolen lightsaber have compared to one you made yourself? There was no comparison.

She felt her crystal fully solidify, and floated it out of the forge to inspect it, her eyes seeing her newborn crystal for the first time. It wasn’t a masterpiece, but she could feel its strong affinity with the Force. It would do the job well. She felt her eyes drooping, but kept telling herself to push forward just a bit further. There were several bowls full of water lined up on her left, which she proceeded to use in order to cool her still hot crystal. Each time she submerged it under the water a pleasant splash accompanied the hissing as it cooled. She repeated this several times until it was completely cooled.

Exhausted and exhilarated, she floated the crystal into her hand, the slightly damp cool surface nothing compared to its bright red hue. It was simply sublime. She caressed the edges of the pyramidal crystal, thinking that she finally understood why some people could fall madly in love with inanimate objects. Moreover, when she reached out with the Force she felt as if the crystal in her hand connected with her, like a family pet greeting you. She grinned as she looked down at her little red crystal. It suited her, even though she didn’t always want to admit it. She laid down on the floor on her side with her left hand holding the bright red crystal, staring at it with adoration. As she let herself drift off to sleep, she wondered if anything could be as beautiful as its red fire.

-1 day later-

Blade’s hibernation trance had lasted for as long as it was required, in this case a full day. She opened her eyes to see the bright red stone in front of her and smiled. It hadn’t been a dream, and she really had made her own primary crystal. Now came the fun part. Picking herself up off the floor she bent down to move the forge out the way, and placed her primary crystal next to her focusing crystals. Excitement flooded her body and she wanted to start immediately, but first some nourishment. She carefully crossed over to her stash of food by her desk, opened a top draw, and pulled out a Mon Calamari “It’s a trap!” bar. She quickly ripped off the packaging and hungrily consumed it in three bites. She dearly wanted to eat more, but first she needed to finish what she had started. Sighing to herself, she repositioned herself on the floor behind all of her parts.

Blade took a deep breath, pulled her tools close to her, and set about her work. She had already invested a lot of practice and research into this step, so she felt prepared even if she relied more on the Force than her mechanical abilities. She would pick up a tool from time to time to tweak the position of one part or another, but when it came to parts that required a very specific position she relied on the Force to guide its path and secure its position. She would feel that part’s position in relation to its neighbors, hold it there using the Force, and then let the Force guide her hand to secure it. It was a process that could have been a lot quicker, but she made steady progress.

After several hours, Blade was ready for the crystals. She reached out to the Force and guided her primary crystal into perfect alignment, its holder keeping the crystal in place. She then guided the focusing crystals into their crystal mounts, arranging them in perfect alignment. She certainly hoped so or this dream would die soon. She put down her tools and prepared for the final steps, since everything was done besides putting the last four pieces together. She lifted her right hand up as if she was reaching for something and closed her eyes, drawing on the Force to guide her phantom hand. She first slid the internal parts of the lightsaber into its durasteel exterior tube, carefully lining them up with their designated notches and buttons. Keeping that section afloat, she then secured the bottom end of her handle, sealing it with the Force using a twisting motion of her hand. Lastly, she guided the top portion of her lightsaber into the top side of the tube, aligning it with the internal circuits and feedback loops before sealing it with the Force.

She levitated her newly formed lightsaber and searched for any imperfections by reaching into all of its pathways, circuits, parts, and positions. She was no tech weaver, but she would get a general picture from the Force and she trusted it to alert her to danger. Everything seemed fine. Blade reached out her hand and grabbed her own saber for the first time in her life, her finger tracing the contours of her blade shroud. She wanted to celebrate, but first she would test it out. She moved her hands onto the handle, and was about to ignite it until she felt a small warning from the Force. Unfortunately, it didn’t tell her what was wrong. Frustrated, she rechecked her saber over and over again, each time pulling back as she felt a warning. She wished she was a tech weaver in this scenario, but unfortunately she wasn’t so she just kept trying and consulting her notes.

It required a rebuild of some of the energy modulation circuits, a realignment of the focusing crystals, and a few other odd ends but eventually she had a completed lightsaber that didn’t make her feel uneasy. It had already taken her the entire day, but in comparison to her crystal marathon it barely made a dent. Her thumb moved to the ignition and she decided to go for it. A bright red blade came into life, a glorious humming filling her ears and she gave it a few swings.

“YES!” Blade yelled in exaltation.

Tears of joy welled in her eyes as she tracked the lightsaber as it swung through the air. She had done it. She was a real Sith, and had even proven herself worthy of at least one Jedi trial. She felt her parents would be proud of her, even if they didn’t agree with the color of her blade. This wasn’t just any lightsaber, but rather it was her lightsaber inside and out. She turned off her saber and clipped it to her belt, grinning widely from the joys of success and the prospects of her future. Now it was time for the student to become the master.

Reaching towards the table and tugging the holocommunicator with the Force, Blade caught the device and inputted the security codes to her master. A cerulean hologram fizzed and crackled to life in the form of the Quarren, who stood proper and firm, patiently waiting. “This didn’t seem normal,” She thought. “Why isn’t he neck deep in some fish?” Blade searched her mind for answers, his schedule was linear, even for lunch and dinner. The Battlemaster coughed purposefully into his fist, as those cold eyes steeled a glare towards the Zeltron. “I assume you want me for something, young one?” His authoritative voice cackled through the audio, but Blade was adamant in her mission. It was time for the Sith power to change hands, to become the master. The Zeltron placed her calloused hand onto the table and yanked herself up, she felt ready to address him. “My lord, where are you?” She thought her voice was shaky, it certainly felt like it was. Her heartbeat raced and palpitated across her tightening fists and chest, Blade wanted him close, to stand in his way and be unstoppable. “Ohmen City, i’m with the Emperor. Come join us, if you wish.” The transmission was cut short and Blade gleed with satisfaction. “An audience of the most powerful Sith in our Clan, watching me overthrow my master? There’s no time to waste!” The Hunter said to herself, as she grabbed all she needed. Blade hooked her lightsaber to her belt, she grabbed her ceremonial robes from nearby and pulled the hood up, then she yanked her bag over her shoulder and raced out the door.

-Several hours later-

The sapphire sky glistened behind a vast blanket of storm clouds, rolling the greys and cream together in a windy vortex over Ohmen City. The steep and angular mountains surrounding the proud city started to dance in rainwater, as the skies above opened in thunderous applause. A shuttle broke free from the chaos above and glided into the city’s canopy, the wings clipping the flocks of birds that fly above. The hums and sub-vibrations of the amber engines lit the mirrored skyscrapers in a glorious light show, as the shuttle began to descend and fold it’s wings up. The landing bay seemed empty and desolate, despite the entrance to the citadel open. Too busy getting herself ready for combat, the pilot droid began to count down their arrival for landing. She ignited her ruby lightsaber and weaved it about, her movements swift and unpredictable. Blade kicked her legs into the air and came down onto the hull floor with an explosive strike, her Vaapad training was getting better. With a heavy and sudden stop, the shuttle halted as it’s legs extended onto the landing platform. Hissing to life, the ramp unfolded itself and lowered while Blade jumped and sprinted out.

She raced through the main hallways of the citadel and headed towards the throne room of the Emperor, she felt he was there, the bond between her and Lexiconus was strong enough to direct her. Her senses oozed with vibrations of warnings and hazards, and evidence along the way was starting to proving her theories right. Guards missing from their post, a change in Lexic’s schedule and the Dark Side resonated so strongly in the citadel, it was inspiring and motivating the Hunter. She craved for victory, for blood shed as her body pushed forward, she finally made it to the throne room hallway. Much to her surprise four guards stood proudly at the double doors, locked into place by the dark side. Blade slowed to a walking pace with her lightsaber firmly in grip but the guards surprised her. Moving aside and waving their hands, the doors to the throne room opened wide and the guards entered inside in single file. The Zeltron was cautious, but she felt Lexiconus was inside.

Cautiously striding into the room with her newly fashioned lightsaber in grip, her eyes darting around the room as she inspected the obsidian darkness. The dome above her filled with the void as the Force swirled and drowned the room with an infallible power, Blade couldn’t detect her master anymore. Then a familiar brown shroud appeared from the shadows and unhooded itself, as an orange beard of tentacles extended down and hissed softly. “Welcome, my apprentice. Why did you come?” Blade didn’t need to reply, her master felt the anger inside her bubbling and boiling to the top, she saw her opportunity to overthrow him. The Zeltron dropped her bag and ignited her ruby blade, then rushed with her blade aimed high.

Qor snapped his silver blade to life and rushed head first at Blade, the dark side sparking aggression in their actions. Their blades clashed in a rainfall of cinders, as Blade held her blade tightly her master bombarded her with heavy slashes and hammered his lightsaber down. Their stamina in battle became equal as the Battlemaster thrashed and pounded against the Hunter’s cross-guards and counter movements, but Lexiconus was too quick. Panting and gasping for breath, sweat covered her pink forearms as they shook and receded, she was failing in her battle. But so was he. His powerful swings became slower and less enhanced by the dark side, as the gills on his neck flustered and shook for air. Her defense was unshaken but his attacks were unstoppable. “I have had enough.” Blade gasped out, it was all she could muster. With a heavy nod, Lexic agreed.

“Good, then kneel my apprentice.” The Zeltron fell onto one knee and bowed her head in respect, she was unsure what this was for but she felt it was necessary. Then the room’s void dissipated and the figures of a dozen robed members appeared with their lightsabers drawn and a familiar masked man stepped forward to Blade. “Blade Ta’var, you have demonstrated the skill, wisdom and experience that of the Sith Order needs. Your master testifies you are ready and by the powers within me as your Emperor, I knight you into the Sith Order.” The Consul carefully lowered his lightsaber onto each of her shoulders, then his eyes turned to the lightsaber in her own hand. His palm flicked open the weapon immediately jumped into it, his dark eyes inspecting the work. “Wonderful crafting techniques, Knight Ta’var. You must tell me how you did this.” Xen’Mordin inquired, his tone still authoritative. The excitement on Blade’s face glowed bright, she finally made it.