Logged Feb. 10, 2001
Logged by Katrick
Title - A Jedi in Training
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Characters -
Katrick
Terrick
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High above the skyscrapers reaching up towards the sky, this 
spaceport is one of the busiest in the galaxy. Several platforms 
extend outward in all directions with people boarding and 
disembarking various vessels parked at the end of the spidery arms 
of the platforms. Each platform has runners of various colored 
lights leading people to and from various places. A few vendors 
here and there are scattered about selling hot caf or teas to the 
passengers as they wait for their flights to arrive. Metal 
benches are set in some out of the way areas and are often times 
filled with the weary traveler as they wait patiently for the next 
leg of their trip.  

With superior air about him, Katrick strolls into the spaceport. 
Having been called away from Ossus for Council business, Katrick 
has sent a shuttle to pick up his new apprentice. Katrick waits 
near the pad where the shuttle is scheduled to land, waiting as 
patiently as any Jedi.

Several technicians scrambling about as a few red lights light the 
platform on a cold Coruscant night, The air has a frost to it as 
in the distance a shuttle comes into view streaking slowly and 
gracefully to the platform and setting down slowly. Technicians 
begin running hoses to it and checking the hull as the hatch 
opens. From the hatch Terrick Seth appears and walks down the ramp 
his arms linked under the sleeves of his robe. He moves to Katrick 
and bows slowly.

Katrick partially returns the bow, smiling. His attitude has 
changed towards Terrick, since the council meeting debated his 
acceptance into the order. Though he advocated against it, he has 
since taken on the task as he would any other apprentice of his, 
chosen or not. He motions towards the port authority and says, 
"I've already gotten the visa taken care of, and your Republic 
wide paperwork will show you as a member of the Jedi. Come with 
me, Terrick, and I will show you to your quarters in the Jedi 
Council tower by the senate building. I regret to say, most of 
your training will take place here, as I spend a lot of time in 
session with the Senate as leader of the Jedi Council."

Terrick smiles slowly absorbing the information, "Coruscant is a 
beautiful place in its own way" he says chuckling "nothing like a 
Corellia or Fondor but it has its own sense about it." He stares 
in awe, as he had never seen such thing, the buildings were 
fascinating yet intimidating to an old farm boy trying to make 
sense of the galaxy.

Katrick chuckles a bit, "Personally, I try not to think about it 
much. And you should do the same" he says as he turns and heads 
back towards the interior of the building. "You're sense in the 
Force is strong, but you must learn to concentrate on the here and 
now, or your training will fail even before it begins. Be aware of 
your surroundings, yes, but do not be distracted by them."

Terrick's face turns solemn and he bows pushing out some of his 
previous thoughts and concentrating on the voice of Katrick, "As 
you say Master" and picks up following Katrick toward the building.

Walking slowly, Katrick continues. "As your training progresses, 
the Force will open up to you in ways you cannot begin to imagine. 
Great power, you will come to realize, will be at your beck and 
call. " And he looks over at Terrick as if to check to make sure 
he is listening, and then continues, "But you must learn that the 
Truth of the Force is not in its use, but how it uses you. 
Remember one thing, if nothing else; The Jedi are followers of the 
Force. It directs us and guides us down the path it has already 
chosen for us. For, to think of it in any other way is to lead to 
Darkness, the destroyer of all life. The Force is not fancy 
tricks, or an advantage in a fight, but a companion to help guide 
us along the path of life."

Terrick nods slowly training to absorb philosophy he had never 
heard before to this point, "So it controls our actions?" he 
simply said looking down at his hands and cuffing them back under 
his robe. "I have been reading these teachings during study and on 
the way here... It is a difficult thing for some to grasp right 
away yes? The mechanics are the simplest to learn but we tend to 
forget the fundamental philosophies that hold the art together is 
it all about this balance?"

"Hmm, in a way, yes. Balance within the Force helps us to achieve 
greater things" Katrick says as they near then entrance to the 
airbus depot. "But it does not control anything. It is a guide, 
much like a book of learning, which gives us ideas and new ways to 
do things. New ways of thinking, breathing, reacting to any given 
situation. The Force is about feeling what is right, and then 
acting upon those feelings. Sometimes, the Force is a tool. It 
makes things easier and clearer, when the grayness of life 
interferes in our judgement. But, it can also present you with the 
right way to do things, and it will be the hardest thing you have 
ever done. Manipulating the Force is simple, and every being alive 
has that ability. The chosen few that get to bask in its warmth 
and flow have the obligation to be better."

Terrick nods slowly again. "I see so it guides our actions rather 
than controls when we seek its wisdom?" he pulled his hand to his 
chin and rubbed it interested in the subject. "It is truly 
fascinating and I will not fail you Master Katrick" he simply says 
and re-cuffed his hands falling silent as they stepped up to the 
airbus. He went from man to sentinel almost immediately that the 
military training could be seen in his rigid stance as they 
entered to depot.

Katrick chuckles and the change can be felt, as well as seen. 
"Yes, Terrick. Wisdom is the Force's greatest gift. But I wonder, 
are you seeking it now? Or relying on conventional thinking." He 
touches Terrick slightly on the shoulder as he turns to him. 
Hundreds of people are now milling about, some getting on 
airbuses, others getting off. Most people, too caught up in their 
daily lives, give little notice to the pair. "I want you to try 
something, Terrick. Look about you now; see the multitudes of 
beings. Then put that out of your mind and concentrate just on 
yourself. Find the inner light that is your being, and shut out 
all else that is around you."

Terrick turns to Katrick his eye flares slightly in surprise as 
it was quickly pushed away, "As you wish master." Terrick slowly 
closes his eyes moving his spiritual mind from the outside into 
himself in concentration loosing touch with reality itself. 
Physically his rigid stance dissipated and was replaced with a 
more relaxed state he stayed this way for several moments to him 
it seemed to be an Eternity as he raises his eyes slowly and 
looks about. "What is the purpose of this?" he asks as his naive 
farm boy tone leaks slowly out.

"Tut tut, do not ask questions, just do as I ask" Katrick says in 
a slightly harsh tone. "When you find that center, build upon it. 
Feel the Force as it flows into it, and let the Force guide you 
outward until you can see."

Terrick nods slowly and closes his eye once again feeling about 
and recognizing the unique feeling of each life form from algae's 
to the beings in the depot. Outside it could clearly be seen he 
was relaxed and the same was for the inside as he slipped into 
further concentration reaching for some invisible force.

"Now listen to my voice" Katrick says, as he concentrates along 
with him. "Find me in that flow. I may seem far away at first, but 
as your control progresses, so will your focus."

Keeping his eyes closed Terrick didn't see people but rather waves 
of energy and lights he scanned the area noticing some were more 
bright than others one in particular causing ripples in this 
continuum and making the largest impression on this field. Terrick 
reached out for this one focusing on it and it alone.

Unseen by Terrick, Katrick smiles as the first real exercise in 
the Force for his new apprentice goes well. He touches Terrick 
again, helping to bring him back to reality, and drops the smile. 
He pulls out a datapad and says, "Now, take this datapad, it will 
guide you up to your room. Once you have settled in, take some time 
to perform the same exercise in the solitude of your room. Attempt 
to locate myself again, now that you have a good idea of how the 
Force presents my presence. But do not be disheartened if you 
cannot do it right away, most padowan's take years to master it."

Terrick nods slowly as sweat beads down his right cheek; "This is 
a difficult process indeed." He seemed rather exhausted from the 
whole attempt. He takes hold of the datapad and begins to examine 
it. "I shall continue these efforts Master" he says simply as he 
places the datapad inside his cloak.

Katrick nods once and says; "Yes, but the Force can be like a 
muscle as well. The more you work it, the stronger it becomes. But 
it does take work. But be very wary of things that are Dark. They 
will show you easy ways; ways that take little effort, but never 
produce the result you are looking for. Also, keep in mind that 
you will always be training. Everything around you will be a test, 
or a new lesson to learn."

Terrick nods slowly, "In my experience master hard work pays off 
each year when we harvest. We never looked for the easy path when 
survival was the key function. If one cannot do it the hardest way 
he shouldn't consider himself mastered at it." His ice blue eyes 
twinkled slightly recalling those many long hot days on his farm 
harvesting wheat. His parents had almost refused him use anything 
but hand tools despite the inventions of droids who did it. As the 
term (It Builds Character) floods into his mind, he smiles 
remembering the good things.

Katrick nods, "Good advice to remember, Terrick. Now go, I shall 
call for you later to discuss what you learned while attempting 
the exercise."

"As you command Master" Terrick says as he slowly turns 
attempting to push his way slowly through a crowd. He closed his 
eyes and says in his mind knowing Katrick would hear, "Moving 
through this crowd is like the ripples of the force." He chuckles 
slowly as he keeps moving extending the distance between him and 
his master.

***End of Log***