Stargate Force

Chapter 6: Mental Conditioning

Since Tumok Brugnat was an old war veteran, Sam had to bring him with them. There is no telling what they will be up against once they meet up with Palpatine. Tumok said, "Karabast, Sam. You need more than this Shaolin to face all that you have been through. I don't think I could deal with all of it all by myself. I have dealt with it... the best I could while training you."

"Master, he's a powerful individual, and has fought off many adversaries." She paused and continued, "You're right, he won't be the only one. This will be one gigantic dragon's wing."

He was calmer and asked, "What's a dragon's wing?"

"What I have learned from Kwai Chang Caine — many years ago — to create a dragon's wing is gathering the most loyal group of people to fight for a cause. You are right, Master, not one person can fight Palpatine alone, including me. Just the same, I need to face my past with him, or go out of my mind."

He looked at Cassandra. She replied to him in disgust, "I wished she would stop saying that too. If she keeps this up, after dealing with Palpatine, I'll kick her ass until the cows come home."

He made a disgruntled sound. He said, "Sam, the only thing you need to face is inside you. Going back in time won't do it. I understand what your mother had said, but I think you are going about it the wrong way. This isn't the first time you misinterpret things — my young Padawan."

With no emotions on her face, she said, "I think this time my mother wasn't talking metaphorically. What is in me will not leave until I..."

"You will have to do a lot — to sell this to me." He thought for a moment. "First, let us meet with this Kwai Chang Caine. If he's as good as you boast, then I want to hear from him on what you should do."

She knew it would be an unwinnable argument with her Master. She replied, "I think that's a wonderful idea." "There is another reason I want to meet him. I believe he is the only one that can remove this mental conditioning. He uses a power that is more dynamic than the Force, or I could have removed this a long time ago."

He smiled, "I want you to face all this, but there is something inside you that needs your attention before you or anyone else confronts Palpatine. I have told you this many times. You need to deal with what you have in front of you before you can take the next step in life."

"I know — Master. Whatever is inside me, I must get this out of my life, or it will haunt me forever. To have this with me for the rest of my life isn't something I want. I have tried many times to get rid of it with the powers I have now. I can't do it alone."

Brandon stated, "Master, you told me you would rather go to Palpatine on your terms. I suggest you ask yourself when that time should be. If you go at the wrong time, it could be on his terms than yours."

Tumok replied, "That's why I think having another person's opinion will make the difference. We already know my opinion. This is for you to decide, but you haven't shown me you can make the right decisions on this matter. You are still far too emotional."

She grunted under her breath. She said, "I wished my mother was more elaborate on this. I don't have a clue on what I should be doing."

He replied, "If she elaborated, she would be in the wrong. You know better to even think of having others to direct your life for you. When I was training you to be a Jedi Knight, you wouldn't allow anyone to run your life. I can rightfully say that no one should. That is why I think your mother is being metaphorical. There are many meanings to 'going to your past.' Your life is already non-linear and riddled with mysteries. I think you need to follow in its teachings than make things up to what you want them to become."