The New Jedi Knights

Chapter 9: Jack in Training

Exhaustion clinging to him, he drifted in and out of sleep, her presence a constant vigil beside him. Eight hours melted away. Finally, he stirred, the groan escaping his lips a testament to his weariness. As he reached for consciousness, his eyes landed on Sam, peacefully slumbering in a nearby chair. The Force, their silent bond, flickered, and her eyelids fluttered open.

She looked at him. She smiled, "How do you feel?"

He smiled back and answered, "I'm feeling better. I'll feel even better if those food replicators can make Jell-O."

She laughed. The others came in when she was laughing.

Brandon said, "It sounds like things are turning out wonderfully for you."

"What was so funny?" Ben asked.

She laughed more at that question. She answered, "Jack just wanted Jell-O to eat."

The three did not understand. The expressions on their faces made both of them laugh the more. After they stopped laughing, Jack's Holocron glowed and Nomi came out. She smiled, "It is good to hear you laughing."

He gave her a warm smile, "Thank you. I'm feeling like myself. I was telling Sam what I wanted to eat."

She had never heard of that name before. Sam smiled and told her what he wanted.

She replied, "We had something similar to what you described, but it was more of a sweet energy food. We called it 'Jedi power treat.' I can tell you how to program the food replicators to make it."

On hearing that, Jack jumped out of bed and commented, "Why not program the replicators now."

Sam looked seriously at him and said, "First you need to start on your Jedi training. We'll do that later."

"Let's do it then," He replied.

They all went to the training course Nomi with her friends created so long ago.

As he was carrying the Holocron cube, he asked Nomi, "Does Ituor know about this course that all of you created?"

"You five are the only ones that have set eyes on it since we created it," She smiled at him and said, "do me proud."

Sam looked at Jack and said to Nomi, "He will. I'll make sure of it."

The air in the training chamber was thick with anticipation. The smooth metallic walls hummed with energy, the glow panels overhead casting an artificial daylight across the pristine floor. Jack tightened his grip around the hilt of his training saber, the cool metal steadying his nerves. Across from him, Sam and Emily stood with knowing expressions — veterans in the ways of the Force.

Sam smirked. "It's a good thing I had eight hours of sleep," Jack muttered, trying to mask his unease with humor.

Emily's eyes gleamed mischievously. "You'll need it today."

Ben placed a reassuring hand on Jack's shoulder. "We'll be with you in the Force as you train."

Jack exhaled sharply, nodding. "I think I'll need it."

Then came the familiar whirring of the laser droid as it activated in the center of the chamber. The spherical machine hovered into position, its small emitters rotating, warming up for the session. Jack swallowed hard. He had trained with the droid before, but never without direct guidance. This was different.

Sam handed him the blast shield helmet. "Time to rely on the Force, not your eyes."

Jack slid the helmet over his head, and the world went dark. The visor blocked out all sight, leaving him in an abyss of sound and sensation. His heart pounded. It was tempting to panic, but he steadied himself. He had to listen — feel — the Force.