Book 1 Dark Secrets

Chapter One

Vishay Habyt force jumped onto the moving platform in the Padawan training arena, with a heavy grunt. She doubled over and placed her hands on her knees.

"Are.... we.... done.... yet?" Vishay panted.

"Vishay, you know the rules. You must reach me before you may finish," Manda Kart'oga, Vishay's Bothan master, said matter-of-factly. Manda smoothed the grey fur on her face. Manda was mostly grey, but had a white splash run the middle of her forehead, but trailed down to both her eyes in a triangle. She had all white robes and a silver necklace that trailed down to her core. Her left eye was a stern, dark grey eye and the other was a bright blue. Her long grey hair was gathered into a braid that was draped across her left shoulder. She had a light violet lightsaber with a gold and silver hilt.

Vishay groaned loudly and continued to scale the ever shifting training course. She took a deep breath in and out and force jumped right then left. She wall ran across a platform and jumped gracefully onto the last platform. She turned around and looked about 20 feet down and saw the other platforms begin to retract into their pockets until all that was left was the platform she now stood upon.

"Well done, my young Padawan, but you must remember not to complain nor doubt yourself because that could lead to a poorly done job," Manda said through the glass wall across from Vishay.

Vishay bowed respectfully. "Yes, Master. I will try harder next time," Vishay looked up and smiled mischievously. "Am I dismissed?"

Manda waved her hand "Yes, you are dismissed, but stay out of trouble!"

The platforms began to form a makeshift stairway and Vishay jumped down and ran out the door. Vishay grunted in surprise when she almost ran into a clone trooper. She quickly identified him as a lieutenant because of the blue markings on is white armor. "My apologies, lieutenant," Vishay said, then ran off before the clone could speak.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vishay knocked on a door at the belly of the Venator-Class Star Destroyer and rocked back and forth on her feet. The door slid open and she saw her old friend, Solomon Jinay, standing with a welcoming smile on his face. Solomon was easily ten years Vishay's senior, but they were inseparable. He had gained the rank of Jedi knight when he was twenty-five, which was two years ago.

"Ah, Vishay, how's my favorite fourteen year old ever?" Solomon said bending forward slightly, clasping his hands behind his back.

Vishay smiled brightly. "I'm great! Just finished training and almost ran into a bunch of people on the way here because I was so excited!" Vishay spread her arms on either side of her in emphasis, "I barely get to see you anymore. You are always on missions and doing cool stuff. It's not fair!"

Solomon made an exaggerated sigh. "I know," he groaned, "it's just so, so, sooooo boring without you kicking droid butt with me," He put his hand to his forehead dramatically. "Whatever will I do!"

Vishay and Solomon nearly collapsed in giggles. When they finished, they walked to the cafeteria to grab something to eat.

"So, how was your mission?" Vishay said once they sat down at Vishay's favorite table, right in the middle of the cafeteria.

"It wasn't really a mission. It was just a trip to Coruscant to visit the Jedi Temple for further training," he said, taking a bite of his food.

"Oh. Well, that's boring! I thought you were pounding droids to scrap on some super important base and you suddenly became, like, the hero of everyone and saving the day!" Vishay had a serious face on and started staring at Solomon, but suddenly burst into giggles.