The New Adventures of Nomi Darklighter

Chapter 86 - Time to train

Dash was up early to get everything ready for the first training session.
Shug Ninx had told him about an abandoned warehouse where he could set up a shooting range and an obstacle course. Satisfied, he looked at his work and smiled at Tarik, who was standing at his side.
"I think that will do it, my old friend."
Tarik laughed his chirping laugh and patted Dash on the shoulder.
"Do you want to try it out?"
The former mercenary grinned.
"Of course, you'll be the first to have the honor of testing it."
His friend looked at him with wide eyes.
"Me? You can't be serious, I'm a pilot, not an infantryman."
Rendar grinned before pulling the former ambassador towards the obstacle course.
"We all have to adapt to the circumstances. The commander said that every single one of our warriors must be able to take on any role."
"You mean Nomi. It's strange to see her as our leader now," Tarik replied and started to take on the obstacle course.
He jumped, dodged and crawled with flapping wings. By the time he was halfway through and the more difficult obstacles were waiting for him, he was starting to sweat. The alien sighed and jumped onto the platform sticking out of the wall. He cursed as the platform retracted and he almost fell off.
"Damn it, Dash!" He yelled at his friend as he jumped onto the next platform.
It wasn't easy, but he made it in time and Dash nodded his head in approval.
"Not bad for someone your age," he said, glancing at the timer.
His old brother in arms chuckled and wiped the sweat from his brow, smoothing his feathers after finally finishing the course.
"You thought a former ambassador wasn't fit enough. Admit it, my friend."
Dash Rendar laughed and slapped Tarik on the shoulder.
"You know me well. That was exactly what I was thinking. Do you think the others will pass the obstacle course?"
"Oh, I'm pretty sure they will. If not, you'll drill them until they do."
Tarik's chirping laughter could be heard again.
"You're a good instructor, Dash, and you know it."
The former mercenary gave the former ambassador a wide grin before opening the door for the first newly recruited Resistance members he was about to train when he heard the secret knock.

But Dash Rendar wasn't the only one up early.
Kyle Katarn stood at the boarding ramp of the Trader's Luck and called out to his son.
"Jaden! It's me, your father!"
Hearing his father's voice, Jaden woke up with a start and glanced at the chrono. He carefully wiggled out of Tasherit's arms, got out of bed and pulled on his pants before opening the hatch. His father came up the ramp with a smile.
"Good morning, son."
"Good morning, father," the young man replied as he stifled a yawn. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Of course, it's time for training, Jaden," the Jedi said with a mischievous grin and entered the freighter. "You wanted to train as a Jedi, am I right?"
"Yes, you're right." Jaden couldn't hide his excitement that his father was going to train him.
He led Kyle into the middle section of the freighter and sat down on the bench.
"And now we begin, son," the elder Katarn said as he sat down on the floor and crossed his legs. "Come here, Jaden."
His son rose, settled down on the floor opposite his father and also crossed his legs. Kyle nodded his head in approval.
"Have you ever tried to use the Force on purpose?" The Jedi asked his son.
Jaden shook his head.
"Tash asked me to try, but I was too afraid of doing something wrong."
His father nodded thoughtfully.
"Close your eyes, Jaden."
The young man did as he was told and tried to breathe calmly. But he was too excited to manage it. Kyle sensed his son's excitement in the Force and smiled.
"Calm down and breathe evenly," Kyle said and moments later he felt Jaden was completely calm.
"And now clear your mind. Don't think, just feel. Feel the Force. It surrounds you and connects you to everything that lives."
Jaden tried and failed completely.
"I don't feel anything, father."
"You're trying too hard. I can feel it," the elder Katarn replied. "Let go and open yourself to the Force. I know it's hard to do this for the first time."
His son nodded his head and took a few calming breaths. Then he closed his eyes again. A smile lit up Jaden's face.
"I can feel it, father. It's warm and gentle."
"That's right, my son. The Force touches you and you can touch the Force. You can use it, but never try to bend it to your will. Never force it to do anything, only use its natural flow and its connection to all living things. Anything else would lead you to the dark side."

Jaden had opened his eyes and Kyle Katarn gave his son a stern look.
"I know, father," said the young Katarn, "Tash has already told me about the two aspects of the Force."
"Yes," his father replied, "the light side and the dark side. Some believe that we should be open to both sides. That we can use what the dark side offers if we want
to use it for good. But it's hard to keep the balance. Most of those who have tried have failed."
Jaden looked at him and nodded his head. After sitting cross-legged for several minutes, he began to feel uncomfortable. He wasn't used to it and had the urge to stand up and stretch his legs.
"You'll get used to meditating and sitting this way," Kyle said, sensing his son's feelings.
At that moment, Tasherit came out of the bunk and stifled a yawn. "Good morning, Kyle. Good morning, Jaden. What are you doing?"
Jaden stood up, beaming with joy.
"Father's finally teaching me how to use the Force, Tash."
"So it was your reaching for the Force that woke me up." Tasherit gave her fiancé a wide smile. "You've taken the first step into a greater world. I'm proud of you, darling. But now we should have breakfast. You're invited, Kyle."
She went over to the small galley to prepare breakfast and caf while Jaden and his father sat down at the table and made plans on how to proceed with the Jedi training.
Tasherit smiled at the thought that her future husband would soon be like her.