Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy A Fan Novelization

Chapter Eight - Echo Base

Some days after returning from Corellia, Jaden was headed to the archives to get some extra reading done in the Ancient Jedi Texts. She passed the Meditation rooms, set aside for students, Jedi and masters alike to have a quiet place to reach out and connect with the Force. Masters often used the rooms to help teach their students the value of meditation and finding inner peace in the midst of anxiety or a stressful environment. But now, the sound and sense of this particular room she was passing was anything but peaceful or quiet. From what she could tell, Jaden was sure Kyle was in there, trying to teach this valuable lesson to Rosh. Trying, but not necessarily succeeding.

"Focus, control your emotions, Rosh," Kyle was saying.

Though she couldn't see his face, Jaden could sense Rosh's growing frustration. Feeling uncomfortable about standing near the door and listening in on such a private training moment, Jaden moved to go.

"Uggh! I've been sitting here for weeks and all you've taught me is how to sit still for hours on end! I'm getting nowhere!" Rosh roared. Suddenly, the door slid open and Rosh came barreling out, not looking where he was going he bumped into Jaden. She knew he knew it was her, but to spare himself further embarrassment, he kept on going without acknowledging her except to mutter a brief "Sorry," and continue hurriedly down the hall. But he wasn't fast enough to hide the extra flush burning in his cheeks. She stared at his retreating back in utter disbelief. She'd known he was getting increasingly frustrated over Kyle's teaching and most likely his "lack" of fostering Rosh's "talents" but this had built up farther than Jaden had thought it would.

Rosh had given them both the cold shoulder after they returned from Corellia. Jaden wasn't sure how it had been with Kyle, but Rosh barely spoke to her and had lately been extra confident in his behavior around the Academy. And it was getting more than a little annoying.

When she turned and saw Kyle standing in the doorway, her own cheeks colored. "Kyle, I'm-" she tried to explain, "I'm sorry, I wasn't purposely eavesdropping, I was just headed to the-"

"Don't sweat it kid." Kyle held his hand up. "You're both under my tutelage so at least it wasn't like you were standing outside of Luke's door. But in the future, try not to linger outside of conversations that are meant for other's ears only, okay?"

"I will." Jaden nodded.

Kyle tried to laugh it off, "Well, that could've been worse."

"Worse? From what I did hear it sounded pretty bad. What are you going to do?"

Kyle put a hand on her shoulder, "I appreciate the concern for your fellow student but that's something for me to worry about, not you. It's up to Rosh to find his own path and choose what he's going to learn, I can only take him so far."

Jaden bowed her head in agreement, "You're right, Kyle. Well, I guess I'd better get back to my studies. I was headed to the archives, unless you need me for something?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," Kyle said. "Luke has an announcement for the whole Academy and wants us in the Audience Chamber in two hours, so go and study, but keep an eye on the time okay?"

"Sure thing!" She answered and they parted ways.

*

Jaden rushed into the Audience Chamber, practically sliding to a stop beside Rosh. She'd decided to rest in her room instead of studying and had dozed off, nearly missing the time.

"Whoa, what's the rush?" Rosh said, looking at her sidelong, a cocky grin plastered on his face that was meant to be charming but only served to sour Jaden's mood. If she hadn't felt somewhat rested, she might have smacked Rosh across the face. Maybe I should confront him about his attitude? She wondered. But not now.