Resting in the Temple before another battle has also become my peculiar tradition. By "battle," I mean that the Order has found a specialized mission for me. It concerned my direct spectrum – finding Force artifacts and dark-siders. As I was informed by the Council of First Knowledge, which I visited the day after I set Jaro to write an essay – they were investigating supply channels and possible connections of Seth Hart. Since I am responsible for Seth's death, or rather – I buried him in battle, I am also assigned the next investigation. In Seth Hart's deciphered data, he was listed as "The Primordial." Unfortunately, no one could explain the etymology of the name. Meanwhile, my experience suggests that his name – will help us reveal information about his approximate abilities and capabilities. I was to search for The Primordial in sectors from R6 to R3, S6 to S3, T6 to T5, and U6. This is the search zone they outlined for me. By the way, my favorite Drongar was even there, where Jedi now rule. Jarco, after all, is dead. And it was destroyed by the Order. And it would be foolish to stay on the planet Black Sun. However, The Primordial is not on Drongar, I would have felt it. And that means he is somewhere else. And I had a working theory, which I reached as soon as I received the assignment.
The first name, The Primordial, may be related to the fact that Seth Hart, whom I encountered on the planet Tsai, and then on Roysse-VIII – was a clone. Yes, Seth cloned himself, according to Star Wars lore. But what if that Seth was also a clone, separate from the original? This clone became Seth Hart, the aristocrat of Roysse. And the original became "The Primordial." By the way, no one knew about this Primordial, not even the Shadows. And that's an indicator and hints at Hart himself. Who was a hedonist and an egoist. He wouldn't have gotten into an open fight. But a clone, who might have turned out to be defective in a certain way – yes. True, I have no idea what exactly he was defective in, in that case. How an entire branch of "Seth Harts" separated from him – is a big question. And it so happened that I myself need to go to the northeast, specifically to Veinai, where, according to Revan, there are remnants of Tulak Hord's mask, which he himself found long ago on Korriban. Could "The Primordial," whom I am tasked to find, be the current owner of the mask? Yes. If this primordial is indeed Seth Hart, originating from the original – does it mean that he might have a whole storage of artifacts and practices of the gifted? Yes. Seth, whom I destroyed on Roysse – only suspected where "The Primordial" might be hiding and was looking for him very hard. However, it might be that this is not Seth Hart. Just one of my theories. Which can be tested on Veinai. Unfortunately, Revan did not provide the exact address. Meanwhile, this is a very popular resort planet, where the important figures of the Corporate Sector flock. I will start my investigation from there. But first... I need to figure out what that noise is in my common hall? Jaro shouldn't have returned from the archive yet, where I sent him to "train his mind." On the contrary, I feel the aura of Rela and Celestia...
It seems these two are making a racket. Coming out of my room, I saw a scene of an argument. Celestia was wrapped in a towel that clung to her figure, clearly having just showered. She sat on my sofa, phlegmatically sipping juice and with her legs propped on the "coffee table." Celestia was completely naked, except for the towel wrapped around her figure, which was large enough to conceal all her intimate parts. Her signature braid was undone, and her pitch-black hair fell to her waist. Rela stood opposite, dressed in tight white pants and a matching hoodie. Even with the naked eye, it was clear whose costume she was parodying. The Twi'lek generated emotions of "shock and disapproval" towards Celestia.
"L... Light, who is this?" the green-skinned Twi'lek asked. Mmm, so she doesn't have her braid anymore? She became a Knight.
"This is Celestia," I replied calmly. "By the way, hello, Rela. I see you've become a Knight. Congratulations. That Padawan braid is really annoying."
"Um," the girl was taken aback, "thank you. But... why was this Celestia showering in your room?! Is this your Padawan that Drallig was talking about? But your Padawan is a huge Lasat..."
"You can't fault her logic," Celestia said calmly. "If you can explain things so logically and calmly – then why did you start shouting as soon as you came in?"
"Maybe because you're half-naked in a Jedi man's room?"
"And what, would you like to be in my place?" Celestia smirked. Through the Force connection, I felt how Rela's reaction amused her. It seems that still waters run deep. "Oh, I see it. But, surprise – it's me who ended up in this place."
"J... We... We are forbidden such... such relationships! Light, you know that the Council can exile you for this!"
"Celestia – don't tease Rela," I pacified Morn. "Jedi are forbidden to form attachments, according to current rules, Rela. But engaging in sexual intercourse – no, although many sexual acts can be accompanied by uncontrolled passion and lust, which does not suit a Jedi."
"Delicious juice," Celestia said, smacking her lips. "So, sorry, friend, I beat you to it."
"WHAT?! I..."
"I told you," I said, raising my voice slightly, "enough!" The two girls looked at me. "Celeste Morne – don't mock her," I glanced into her blue eyes. "Rela – there was nothing between Celeste and me. She lay in stasis for four thousand years. I got her out, and she expressed a desire to return to the Order. It just so happened that I was assigned to help her get acquainted with our Galaxy."
"But the connection... The Force connection," Rela stammered, looking from me to Celeste.
"Well, I just saved her from Carnes Muur, and that's how the connection formed. That's how it is. Any more questions?"
The girl stared at the floor as I sat down next to Celeste.
"Want some juice?" I asked the Twi'lek. "You've already become a Jedi Knight. Sorry, I couldn't congratulate you, and we have nothing to celebrate with."
"Mmm... I, uh... I think I'll go for now," the Twi'lek mumbled.
"Rela," I looked into the blushing girl's eyes. She smiled guiltily and left the chambers.
"She's totally fallen for you," Celeste Morne said sarcastically. I glanced at her.
"Yes, I know. But I don't want to burden her too much. I've had enough childhood friends I'm in a relationship with," I recalled Rivi's silhouette and shuddered in surprise. I had some strange feeling towards her. But what was it connected to? "But you – you've shown me a different side. Dun Moch? On your fellow Order members? I thought you were above that."
"I only teased her a little," Celeste shrugged. "Although I won't deny it – for her sensory perception, we are much closer than you are to her. And that lecture of yours about the prohibition of attachments and sexual intercourse. You've given her something to think about."
"That's great. Let her occupy her beautiful head with something," I sighed. When I was an ugly geek, I dreamed... Oh, I dreamed of a harem, transmigration, and a pretty face. Of course, my complaints sound stupid – but now I regret the pretty face. And the thoughts of a harem make me shudder. If you think about it – I barely understand women in terms of relationships. Not just sex once or twice, but a full relationship. The only one with whom I had a unison was Mila Karnur. The rest are a dark mystery... And with a couple of such mysteries, I'll go crazy. No, thank you. Let's not abuse the beautiful, thankfully I have things to do.
"How pragmatic," Morne noted. I feel from her – some strange, contradictory cocktail. In it, I hear two echoes of two different emotions. Desire... And duty? Hmm... Another one for my head. However – now is not the time and certainly not the place to figure out the essence of my feelings towards Morne.
"I don't have time to get distracted by any foolishness," I said sternly, looking into the Jedi's eyes.
"You know, it's like in cheap novels that you can buy on any street in Coruscant. First, the main character pompously says he has no time for any foolishness, and then bam... He's already gotten involved in some foolishness."
Interesting. The thing is, when I read about the epic of Zayne Carrick – Celeste seemed much stricter, less flippant, as if – constrained. And now... As if she's much freer. Did circumstances influence her like that?
"You're looking at me too strangely."
"I thought you were much stricter. I was sent your profile from the archives, I don't know how they managed to preserve it, but there you are: 'strict, fair' and other characteristics that clearly hint that you are a Jedi. And you are behaving much stranger now, not like your profile."
She smiled. And quite nicely, if you think about it.
"It's quite strange, isn't it? You're used to looking for a catch in everything and everyone, Light?"
"I won't hide it, changes to something that was established – intrigue me."
"And why do you assume that that profile is established?" Celeste asked, tilting her head. "That I'm really like described in the profile? In any case – even if I was, then now I'm different. Did you hear? I can live as long as you, and maybe longer, without aging..."
"Does the realization of your own longevity and eternal youth hit your brain that hard?" I asked the girl.
"You're a Sephi – it's natural for you to live for four hundred years. Your race, although very similar to humans, lives so long. And you certainly can't understand those whose maximum age is about a hundred years. Plus, aging. Akara is a hundred percent right, Light. Whether I'm a Jedi or not, I'm a woman. And it's much more pleasant to see a young face in the mirror, even after a hundred years, than the face of an old woman," Celeste Morne said with delight. "For which I can be grateful to you. You can rewrite my profile now. I'm not who I was... four thousand years ago. I will remain a Jedi. This can't be burned out of me by any flame. But I doubt I'll be the one who lay down in Dreypa's sarcophagus. And you are responsible for that."
"Understood," I nodded, making a note in my memory that I could expect uncharacteristic actions from her. This means – her profile can be put aside for now.
"It's more important to ask you: what are you going to do, Light?" Celeste, finishing her juice, stood up. The girl walked over to a full-length mirror and, pulling a comb towards her with telekinesis, began to comb her hair.
"Do you really want to talk about this now?" I asked in surprise. "Am I not distracting you?"
"While combing my hair, I can easily kill a couple of sentient beings with a kitchen knife. Do you think, with such a skill, I can't hear you? What are you doing? You told me that you walk on thin ice between the dark and light sides, didn't you? I, as someone you saved... As someone with whom you have a Force connection... Let's just say – I can't and don't want to turn you in to anyone. But at the same time, I want to understand what you're doing. You're not just looking for dark artifacts, are you? Not just as a Shadow. You... Are you trying to learn from their owners?"
Astute, intelligent... Or did I just tell her more than I should have?
"Do you realize how dangerous this is?" Celeste continued. "Each of the Sith is strong in their own way, and each is capable of killing you. You don't give the impression of a mindless being... Although, if my latest guesses are correct..."
She will feel the lie through the Force connection. Lying to someone with whom you have a connection like mine is very difficult. We are more like lovers than teacher and student, if you judge by the nature of the "Force connection." With the same accuracy with which I can feel her feelings and emotions – she can feel mine too. So, if I manage to lie, it won't be for long. Here's the downside of the Force connection... I really dislike being cornered in any way possible.
"Alright," I folded my arms across my chest. "Let's assume. You're right. I can indeed summon former artifact owners, no matter who they are, into the real world. And yes, this ability is incredibly dangerous, because the summoned appears in his 'absolute form,' meaning a state when his abilities were, in fact, at their peak."
"How do you do it?" Morne asked, stopping her combing and looking at me, turning around for the last time. "And why do you do it?"
"How? With the help of an artifact. It also has a special failsafe element that allows you to send the summoned back to the Force if they try to attack the owner. I do it for 'acquiring experience from those who lived before'."
"Aren't Holocrons enough for you?" she asked.
"Not all Holocrons can be found," I replied. "My mentor was an archaeologist. And he found artifacts that belonged to gifted beings, but not Holocrons. And how are you supposed to get data about them? Of course – finding the artifact itself is good news. But, as usual, you want more. So we managed to find the medallion of a certain Sith. His name probably won't mean anything to you, he was secretive and came after you. Unfortunately, my mentor was killed by a mercenary from our competitors, and then I managed to get this medallion. And I was able to use it."
"And whom did you summon to use Force lightning?"
"My deceased mentor. He was an outstanding Jedi," I said sadly, closing my eyes. "Much better than me. That's how it is, Celeste Morne. You now know my secret. I need Tulak Hord because I heard he's an excellent swordsman. I want to resolve a couple of dilemmas in lightsaber dueling..."
"You?" the Jedi asked in surprise. "I've seen you duel. Believe me, you can defeat many. Not only in this time, certainly. Or are the standards of dueling completely different now?"
"Unlikely," I chuckled. "But, as usual, I desire more. To find a balance between defense and attack. To combine the incompatible – Soresu and Ataru."
"Uh-huh, and to understand the laws of the Force to such a level that you can create black holes out of thin air and hurl entire systems like balls," Celeste laughed. "You're a great duelist and you understand that combining attack and defense in 'that very, super-ideal proportion' is an impossible task. There will always be an imbalance. Or do you want to see the Lord of the Approaching Darkness – writhing on the floor from laughter?"
"Well, that's also a good spectacle," I noted.
"But it's incredibly dangerous," the girl still remarked. "I see that trying to dissuade you is foolish, you've already gotten into this idiocy enough. In a way, persistence adorns a sentient being. But... Not now. This persistence could bring death to all of us. Summoning someone so powerful? Whom else do you want to summon? Ulic Qel-Droma in the guise of a Sith? Or Exar Kun himself?"
"Uh-huh, and also Naga Sadow, Ajunta Pall, Marka Ragnos... Celeste, I only summon those who could help me in mastering any Force practices, combat specifics."
"You need help?!" she asked doubtfully. "Perhaps a psychiatrist. Are you blind? You are already stronger than many in your Order. I can feel it perfectly and compare. Not only by talent, as I saw on Jebble."
"You think this arose just like that? My current level was created in part thanks to training with the medallion and summoned beings. Or did you forget? I summoned my mentor back, and after him there was another sentient being."
"And who?" she asked.
"Whose droid do you think HK was... And how do you think I found out about Jebble and your situation? Just by the will of the Force?"
"Well, you definitely wanted to help me out of the goodness of your heart," Celeste walked up to me. "I can clearly feel that you felt sorry for me. I hope you won't deny that, at least?"
"No, I won't. And the fact that I was able to find you is thanks to that medallion and summoning Revan."
"Understood," Celeste stretched. "I understand everything."
"And so?" I looked into her blue eyes. "Am I 'dark' now? That should be killed, right?"
"You're a fool now," she declared. "Can't you feel my emotions through our connection? No matter who you are, I can't betray you, even after everything I've learned. It just so happened that you are my savior. In addition, Zayne taught me that everyone has their own path and their own responsibility. You have your path. And I will stand by you. Because you are the one he sent, no matter what you say. You have earned my loyalty with your actions. So, stop suspecting me, listen to the Force, and do whatever you've planned," she hugged me. "Ahem..."
She blushed when I hugged her back. But the feeling that a sentient being was standing behind the door to the chambers made me quickly end our embrace. Judging by the aura – it was Jarro. I sat back down on the sofa, and Celeste went into the second room. Only I could enter mine.
"Mentor," the Lasat entered. "I... I think I'm ready."
"Ready?" I asked him. "Do you think you're ready, or are you really ready?" I sat down just as Celeste had when she met Rela.
"Ready," he said confidently. "Although I still can't understand – why do I need to know all this, if you, I'm sure, already know everything about Hord?"
"And you trust me?" I asked him. "Unconditionally?" He looked at me intently. "I can do whatever I want with you. My abilities are enough to kill you with the comb that Celeste Morne uses to comb her hair. I think you've already felt the level of my abilities," he swallowed. "Why am I saying all this? We've only known each other for a short time – it's too early for unconditional trust, my Padawan. You should trust sentient beings," I recalled my conversation with Celeste. Yeah... I myself – I don't really trust anyone. Although this is more likely the remnants of my former personality, which had difficulty connecting with everyone. "But only after overcoming shared difficulties. When you see how a sentient being behaves in one situation or another. When you understand what he is capable of and what he desires... And if his desire coincides with what you want. But even then, you shouldn't lose vigilance... There is only one thing worth believing in – the Force. And I'm not talking about the strength of your muscles," I glanced at Jarro from head to toe. "I'm talking about the Force that we have as gifted beings. We can feel intentions towards us, towards others. The Force that you control – you can believe in it unconditionally."
"That I control?" Tapal asked.
"Correct," I agreed. "Not the 'Will of the Force.' I will try to quickly wean you off that concept, as it carries its own danger. No, you must learn to control your Force. The very one that is within you. And you should only trust your hands, your eyes... And your Force. Otherwise – you will face ruin. And now, tell me your essay."
"Tell?"
"And what, did you want me to listen to how you can read in Galactic Basic? I can read it too. No, you need to tell me the information you've gathered about Tulak Hord, and also – I want to hear your conclusions about this sentient being. Until you can fulfill these conditions – we will have to stay here."
And yet – Jarro managed to cope with the study, earning a satisfactory grade from me. I have to train this boy, and I keenly felt some pressure. Before me stood the Jarro from the game. And I would like to get a Jedi of approximately the same caliber. He wasn't a super-expert, of course. But he became a decent Jedi... And I also gained an ally, although I had questions about Celeste's motivation to help me, but, as I've already noted – everything will be resolved by deeds, not words. And so far, the beauty hasn't given me a reason to doubt her. We'll see how she behaves in the future.