Master Gant Rannow shook his head as he watched the combat droid take a hit to its side, and then power down.  He stepped forward and stood in front of the droid to address its sparring partner.

"No no no.  That is not right.  You cannot come in at this angle."  He grabbed a practice lightsaber and used it to demonstrate.  "If you do, you leave yourself open to a counter attack.  If your enemy spots it, or is quick enough to exploit it, you will be defenseless.  And if they do get a weapon under it they can open you up.  I told you before the correct method of parrying that attack.  Here, watch again."

He waited for the other Jedi to back away before going into his combat stance.  Once there, he executed a series of moves, slowly, to show his form.  He did this multiple times, speeding up each time, to make sure that his student saw each step.

"And then come in like this.  That negates them being able to counter and slide under your blade.  Of course, if they have multiple arms, then that method is not workable.  But we will worry about that later. For now, let me see if you get it."

He stepped back, sweating a little but otherwise looking perfectly calm, to watch his student's form.  He powered up the droid and watched it get into the combat stance.

Maliq returned to his battle stance. His eyes narrowed as he focused intently on getting it right this time. As he went through the motions, the room became a blur of blue and Maliq's saber once again found its mark. A smirk formed on his lips and a bead of sweat ran down his head before continuing down his cheek and falling to the floor. The Sound of the droid whirring in a de crescendo was music to Maliq's ears; a sign of victory and progress toward his eventual goals.
"How was that, Master, he said in a somewhat arrogant tone, sure he had perfected the angle his instructor was attempting to teach.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:55, Wed 03 Dec 2014.

Master Rannow watched the younger Jedi attack the combat droid with his attack.  As the droid powered down he stepped forward and next to the Jedi.

"That was better.  I see you have brought your form in closer to yourself. That will leave you less open to counters or being interrupted. However, you are still focusing too much. I can see you mind and eyes focused just on the droid and its actions.  That is fine when fighting one opponent.  But if there are more then 1, that level of focus will not serve you.  I want you to try again, but this time... " he motions another droid over and it takes a combat position. "I want you to try it against 2 opponents.  They will attack at different times and from different directions. Remember this."

Maliq nodded to his instructor and once again returned to his stance. He watched as the first droid was reactivated and both droids now stood at the ready position. With a stone cold face of determination and focus, Maliq engaged his opponents. It seemed as if the triumph would come easily. With each parry and counterattack, the saber would find its way closer and closer to an opening in the droids' defenses. As Maliq's saber flew through the air, his body looked almost like he was in the midst of an elaborate dance of some sort; quickly and gracefully moving to strike here, then moving to block there.
Suddenly, Maliq's dance was cut short. "Ahhhhh!" The exclamation was one of frustration more than pain, though the attack did hurt. The droid had struck just behind Maliq's left knee, causing it to buckle and send a shocking twinge of pain through the whole leg. Both droids now stood over him with weapons drawn. " I would like to go again, Master."

The Weapons Master watched the Jedi in training and saw the obvious misstep before Maliq even started it.  He watched the second droid strike him behind the knee with the shock stick and almost chuckled in the yell of pain that accompanied it.  "Do not feel bad, apprentice. I have seen Masters fall for that move. It is one that I programmed specifically into the droids programming. It is something that happened to a former student of mine during an encounter with a wannabe-Sith."

He grabbed his training saber and walked out to stand between the droids. "Watch my form and I will show you how to avoid such a move."

He then turned the droids on and went through a series of motions striking, blocking, and evading the droids. When the time came, and the first droid struck out towards his head, causing him to lean backwards and open himself up to the second droid, he made his move. Instead of leaning backwards and then coming forward, making the same move Maliq did earlier, he followed the lean in by lifting his feet and flipping himself over.  This caused him to go over the attack that would take out his knee, and then land on his feet after the strike moved through. Then he quickly tapped the first droid, then the second, in their control sensor.

Turning to face Maliq he grinned a little, happy that he was able to successfully show the proper procedure. "Now, Maliq, I want to see if you can do that yourself."

Perfection is mandatory, therefore, this is a necessary frustration., Maliq thought to himself as he returned to his battle stance once more. The droids did the same. Still irritated from the failure of his previous attempt, Maliq inhaled and exhaled slowly and steadily to relax his nerves, making sure not to allow them to show in his movements.
The droids began their assault simultaneously. One attack was swept to the side just in time by Maliq's training saber while he twisted  to avoid the other. The three continued their exchange for what seemed like forever but was, in actuality, only moments. Their pattern of attack, parry/dodge, counterattack was full of acrobatic feats by Maliq. He lept  into the air, spinning with his body parallel to the floor to evade a low sweep from his left and landed on his feet. A droid then lunged at his head, forcing Maliq to lean back but instead of leaning forward again to counter the attack, he followed through with a flip, just as his instructor had displayed, landing once more on his feet. Mimicking the example, he then struck the droids in quick succession, causing them to emit a whirring sound and power down.
Maliq paused in his stance and exhaled slowly before relaxing his guard and deactivating his saber. With a smile on his face he nodded to his instructor, hoping the exercise was over.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Fri 05 Dec 2014.

Master Rannow watched Maliq fight the droids, and was ready for him to fail.  As he saw Maliq pull off the flip and counterattack he nodded and smiled slightly to himself.  I am proud that Maliq pulled off the maneuver the first time. And he looked halfway decent as well. Maybe he has some potential yet.

He clapped as Maliq turned around to look at him.  "Good job. Not great, but good. Can use some more practice and polish, but it was good for a first attempt. Now, I think we can call it a day here. I have others to attend to, and you look like you can use some rest. Just do not forget what I taught you today. Not only will we train it some more, but it is an important maneuver for field use as well."

He walked over and held his hand out to Maliq. "You can give me the practice saber, then you are done for the day."

After deactivating his saber and passing it to Master Rannow, Maliq bowed to his instructor and made his way out into the main hall of the temple. Padawans and masters alike walked the halls, on their way to various different parts of the facility. No matter how many times Maliq walked through the Jedi temple, it never ceased to amaze him in a number of different ways. The entire building was immaculate. The workmanship that went into the structure and design was genius. It was a great honor to be among those that called it home.
Maliq greeted a number of his peers as he headed to his quarters. It was amazing to ponder how many different species lived, learned, taught, and lead in this place. Many of them, Maliq didn't even recognize as familiar species while others had to wear funny looking gear to even be able to survive the climate or atmosphere.
As he passed a hall filled with the names and likenesses of numerous famous Jedi, Maliq thought to himself. One day, my name will be among them as the best Jedi swordsman that has ever lived. One day.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Mon 08 Dec 2014.

As Maliq paused outside the memorial hall, he saw three droids working on installing a new plaque.  It showed a female Nikto Jedi with a description underneath showing that she was killed 2 months prior.  The droids were clearing a spot on the wall and carefully putting up the holoplaque in honor of the fallen master.

Just then, Maliq's communicator started to go off. A communication droid began talking once it was answered. "Jedi Maliq. You are requested to report to Master Ulric's office as soon as you are available."

A map then appeared showing Master Ulric's office on one of the upper levels reserved for Council Level Masters.

Maliq responded to the droid voice. "Right away." Wondering what the summons may be for, he turned around and made his way to the lift. Maybe a new mission; opportunity to test his new moves. Whatever the situation was, a Jedi must always be ready.

When Maliq arrived at Master Ulric's office the door opened and a Kel Dor Jedi walked out.  He moved to pass Maliq and continued down the hallway.  The door to Master Ulric's office stayed open, and Maliq could see there were at least 4 others inside. A droid stood just inside the door off to the side and seemed to be greeting everyone.

Maliq was cautious entering Master Ulric's office, making sure to familiarize himself with the other faces in the room, as well as the room itself. He had never been in this part of the temple before, nor had he met any of the individuals he now faced. He nodded his greeting first to the droid, then walked over to greet the master and the others with a bow, respectively. "My name is Maliq. How may I be of assistance?"

Master Ulric looked up from the data pad in his hands.  He looked tired and worn out.  He stared at Maliq for a moment before he started talking.

"Jedi Maliq. Thank you for joining me.  I have a mission I would like to send someone of your skills on.  But first I want to ask  you a few questions.  Do you feel you are ready for the field? Do you think your skills are at their appropriate level.  And finally, what are your thoughts on the Sith?"

"I'm ready, Master." Maliq responded quickly, betraying the excitement he so desperately attempted to hide. He regretted the tone and pace with which the words flew from his lips. That also showed. After a short pause, Maliq continued, more calmly. " My skills are adequate to handle a field mission. My instructors can vouch for that fact. Moreover, I trust your judgement as a Jedi Master. I know you would not send me into a situation beyond my capabilities." Another pause. Unlike the other young Jedi in training, Maliq had never thought too deeply about the Sith. His only thoughts concerning them, up until this point, have been those of curiosity. Maliq had heard the stories just like all the other Padawans. The danger of facing one was well known to every Jedi, which is what brought Maliq to his conclusive statement. "As for the Sith...I believe they are a great threat and need to be eliminated either through a change in their philosophy or in battle. I am willing and able to approach them on either front." Finally. The opportunity to test his abilities against a real opponent. No holding back.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:30, Tue 09 Dec 2014.

Master Ulric remained quiet and listened to the Jedi's answers.  The human leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes as he reached out to sense the emotions behind the Jedi's answers.

"Your instructors have given you good marks.  There is some concern that you let your emotions take over during a fight. While that might make you stronger or faster, it also can blind and limit your reactions and responses.  I understand that is something you are working on with Master Rannow. I am pleased that your opinions on the Sith are more open minded. Many Jedi see them as pure evil and necessary of murdering.  That is not the case. You should always seek the peaceful method before violence is used. That might not always be possible with the Sith, but to immediately jump into combat or murder will lead to the Dark Side." 

He paused for a moment to let his words sink into the Jedi, and to feel how they might impact his emotional state.

"The reason I called you here is to undertake a mission. A known agent of the Sith has been spotted on the planet Balmorra. This is a neutrally aligned planet that produces military and security weapons for the galaxy at large. While we do not have an official jurisdiction, the Republic is allowed onto the planet as long as we follow the local rules. I want you to go to the planet and determine if there is a Sith presence there, and if so, what they are up to. We are worried they might be persuading the Balmorrans to join them officially and throw their military resources to the Sith.  Obviously this would be VERY bad for the Republic."

"I agree. The less support the Sith have, the better the situation we find ourselves in, thus the Galaxy and the Republic are safer." Maliq stood tall, proud to have been chosen for this mission. "I will not disappoint you."

Master Ulric nodded at the answer, and motioned his droid to hand over a datapad to Maliq.  "Good. Then you are hereby assigned to investigate this potential Sith presence on Balmorra. If you do find any proof, contact me immedietly. Do not engange unless absolutely necessary. I do not want you risking yourself or any others unless you have no other choice."

He waited for the droid to hand over the data pad, and then continued.  "Take this down to the quartermaster Tan Aleeko.  He will provide you with the necessary items to complete your mission. Remember, we technically do not have any jurisdiction on this planet. You will be there as just a normal citizen. And you might not want to dress as a Jedi."

He paused to see if Maliq had any final questions.

"Yes, Master. I will not fail you." Maliq bows after taking hold of the datapad and heading toward the door.

Master Ulric nodded at Maliq, then called in the next Jedi who needed his attention.

As Maliq made his way through the temple, he found the quartermaster's office in the deepest level he had ever been.  As he went deeper the hallways were more and more empty.  It seemed the only ones on the levels leading up to the quartermaster's office were droids.