Felucia, a planet with a great connection to the force, but that is not the reason Jedi were being deployed there. War, The CIS have invaded the planet for reasons unknown. Jedi Knights Niremon Cal, Amber Skyvold, and Eric Betorn with their new Padawans Aresa Avun, Finnegan Stormcaster, and Jaros Belban. They have been sent with the 405-406 Legions to establish a beach head on the far side of the planet.

6,000 Total Clones, 1000 AT-TEs, 2000 Speeders, 250 ARC Troopers, and 6 Lightsabers. The landing party arrived across 4 Acclamator-Class Assault ships with the support of 3 Star Destroyers. The team of Jedi are being briefed as their ship lands in a clearing on the surface. "We will have less than half a rotation to establish a base of Operations before an army of Droids are upon us. We expect enemy scouts to be near as we land. Niremon will be leading the hunting party along with Aresa and clone squadron eight. Amber and Finnegan will be leading squads five and seven to scout the area. Eric and Jaros will be staying at base with the rest of Legion 405 to guard while Legion 406 constructs the base. IS that clear? Good, no prepare to land." The Admiral told the ship via Holo-communicators.

Niremon instructed her new Padawan over to her. "We should meditate before heading out on this mission. You must be at ease, lest your sight be clouded." This wisdom was true especially for the two as they were both Miraluka and lacked physical sight.

Aresa had recently been allowed to become an apprentice to further her connection to the Force. The Council deemed no other could help as well as another Miraluka could. Niremon had recently been promoted to Knight after Obi-Wan and Her had stopped Darth Maul, a dreaded Phantom Menace that killed Obi-Wan's old master Qui-Gon Jinn. This was deemed to be the trial needed for Nire to ascend to knight hood. Nire wanted to share her knowledge of the force and teach another the Ways of the Light side, a fellow Miraluka would make this even better.

The other Knights were certainly wise and Skillful, but Niremon could not help but be cautious. One was a former Sith, making it easier for the DarkSide to reach her and Her Apprentice. The other was born into a Race with inherent Dark tendencies, but She knew that the characteristics of a Race did not define the individual.

There was a slight bump as they entered the atmosphere and began their final decent towards the War torn planet. The Clones put on their helmets and loaded their blaster rifles. A report came in from the advanced party of ARC Troopers stating that there was no Droid presence at the site and it was clear to move ahead with the plan.

Aresa Avun

Aresa went over to her master after the admiral had contacted them, this was her first time going into combat, it was both thrilling and terrifying though she knew that she couldn't let that get to her, she had to stay focused on the task at hand, "Yes Master, though I don't know how much at ease I'll be, I've not seen any type of serious combat." She responded back to her Master. She was glad however that she was given a master who was the same species as her, whilst any other master may have been just as well, only another Miraluka could teach someone who was also the same species, she just hope that she wouldn't mess up.

She peered at the planet they were going to be descending too through the force before kneeling down next to her master, she couldn't help but be curious about the other Padawans and Masters, she heard that one of the masters was a former Sith, whilst she didn't have anything against the person in question, she wondered if a former pawn of the Dark Side truly could be reformed and stay on the light, though it's not like it wasn't heard of, she had studied how different Jedi and Sith both turned to their opposites, as long as the former Sith didn't do anything that might imply she was turning dark again, Aresa would give her the benefit of the doubt.

"Master, I'm a little curious, why would the Separatists attack Felucia? I mean isn't it just a jungle planet?" She couldn't help but ask, being a little distracted from her meditation, she couldn't help it though, until now, all she had seen was practice droids.

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Amber Skyvold

The redheaded former Sith woman glanced out the window as she got lost in her thoughts, she was mostly concerned about her new charge that she was given, she hoped that she'd be able to lead well, both her student and the troops that were with them aboard the ship, she knew that a lot of people aboard the ship knew who she was and that planted doubt in a lot of them, she wouldn't be surprised if the other Jedi Knights and Padawans felt the same way.

She glanced over at her student, unable to help but feel lucky she was trusted enough by the order to have a student of her own and then said to him, "So are you ready Finn? No doubt this mission is going to be big." It came out a little awkward, though she didn't know exactly how to speak like a master to a student, she was mostly playing it by ear.

Whilst Aresa may not have known about Felucia's importance, Amber certainly did, she remembered her former Sith master telling her about important trade routes and one of them she had been planning to secure for him was going to be Felucia's, well until she ran into Shaak Ti and was turned from the Dark Side of the force. She just hoped none of her old tendencies would show up, having only known aggression and hate, it was hard to shut yourself off from those emotions entirely, but she felt she had a grasp on herself enough to where it wouldn't flair up, well at least not too much anyways.

@Sohtem

Niremon felt the planet, felt the life on it, felt the Dark within it. She felt the blades of her Sabers, it had been a long time since she had to use them for fighting. She turned toward her Padawan. "It is uncertain why they attack the planet, it was not even aligned with the Republic. There is the trade routs and the resources. But I suspect that it has to do with the Dark Side residing within the Planet, surely you must feel it, see it as I do." Miraluka had such a strong connection to the Force that they could 'see' it eminating from everything. Amber had a background trace of darkness that was growing stronger as they got closer to landing.

Several teams of Clones ran past, all running to move into a formation to march onto the planet. One stopped by them, Him or It's 'name' was Charlie. "Good luck out there!" This Clone was particularly friendly. He had been saved by Niremon at the end of The First Battle of Geonosis. A Crab Droid was about to kill him when she stepped in and deflected the shot.

Nire began to walk around, feeling the various parts of the ship to prepare for her duty. "You preformed admirably on your combat exams, you will be fine." Her voice was calm and focused. She force pulled her Lightsabers to her hands and lit them, them purple energy crackling in the air. "But to be safe, you should do a few practice swings to get re-acclimated." Niremon did a few Makashi style thrusts towards an imaginary foe who had the strong resemblance of air on an assault cruiser.

Aresa felt through the force to sense some dark energy on the planets, it being much easier to sense for her and her master than it would be for other Jedi considering what species they both were and their strong affinity to the force. She didn't say anything for a few short moments as she felt out the dark energy coming from the planet, “Yes, I do master, it's...rather strange a planet like this would have any kind of Dark Side energy.” She responded back, aside from what she was just told, she didn't think an undeveloped, jungle planet at the very least would be neutral, but the fact that there was any kind of negative energy surprised her to say the least.

She couldn't help but also sense the small amount of dark energy coming from Amber as well, Aresa didn't think that part of her would ever truly be abolished by the light, from what she knew of the former Sith from other people discussing her, she had been raised from a young age to use the Dark Side, Aresa herself couldn't imagine what that must have been like, but she knew that she couldn't distract herself on the matter any further.

She followed Niremon as she began to walk, unable to help but feel a bit proud of her master's compliment to her, “Well thank you master, but it was just the great teachings of the Jedi that allowed me to do so well, I don't know how I would be if it wasn't for them.” She spoke before seeing through the force that her master had drawn her lightsabers and was practicing a few forms, she soon drew her own curved hilt from her waist, igniting the weapon as a bright, emerald colored blade emerged.

She soon started to practice her Soresu forms, practicing multiple blocks before pausing for a moment, “Master it may be out of place, but I was wondering if we could spar? I just want to know for myself if I'm capable against you, if so I don't think that I'll worry too much when we're on the planet.” Though she was more than ready to face any threat on Felucia, she always liked to be sure of herself, which usually meant testing her abilities through sparring with people, ultimately however, it was her master's call.

@Xiphonic

@Sohtem

Niremon had been thinking about a brief spar. It was always nice to get some practice with dueling. "It is good to be humble, as you are, but it is also good to be humbled!" She turned to her apprentice. Finding some enjoyment in combat was a part of Nire's being. In wouldn't matter what the other Jedi thought about their combat before heading into a War zone. She readied in a standard Niman stance with her other hand in a defensive bar across her chest with the handle on the right and blade going left.

Sparring was not uncommon with Obi-Wan, but he was impossible to get to due to his mastery of Soresu. Her Jack-of-All-Trades use of Niman meant she could do many things well. It would be hard for some this close to the Dark Side to give in and possibly even harm their Padawan, but she was able to channel all of that into further control, precision, and power.

It was highly unlikely that they would encounter anyone an the planet who could use a lightsaber to greater effect then those inside that room. A more aggressive form would be used to get her partner ready for constant attack. A advantage of an aggressive style with lightsaber resistant blades meant that the entire Saber was a weapon, not just the blade.

“Well I just know how we Jedi aren't supposed to be prideful, though I meant what I said, I don't think I'd be as good as I am without the tutelage of the Order.” She responded with a small smile before getting into a defensive position.

She prepared herself as she got into position, though she was a little nervous to make the first move, she was facing someone who was more trained than her after all, but she knew that she couldn't just be passive, sometimes they had to make the first move, even if the didn't want too or were unsure if they should.

“Alright, get ready Master and I do hope you won't go easy on me.” She added as she quickly rushed towards her master, getting ready to lunge before quickly leaping over her to try and surprise her with an attack to her master's other side. She'd be ready to switch to her Soresu form, that seemingly best for defensive combat, but she wanted to show her new master that she wasn't one to shy away from a fight, though she knew it should be a last resort, sometimes it was necessary to fight to keep the peace, an irony of sorts, but not much could be done about that.

@Xiphonic

@Sohtem

Finn stood up to greet his new master with enthusiasm. When he'd learned of his new assignment he'd been more than pleased. Many other padawans might have shied away fro a former Sith as their master, but Finn saw it as a great learning opportunity. Who better to teach you how to combat the Dark Side than a former wielder. "I'm sure it will be Master. I've never actually been off of Coruscant before this, other than my journey there. I'm quite excited to see this new planet," Finn said, smiling.

Finn could sense his master's awkwardness, and he moved to alleviate it. "I don't suppose we'll get into any battles? I've only ever gotten to fight with practice droids, and from what I've heard, there's something much more exciting about a real fight," he said, his eyes lit up with the thoughts of adventure. He'd always dreamed of going out and battling huge creatures, and now was finally his chance to shine.

Jaros was nervous. He didn't say this, nervous wasn't not a Jedi emotion. Though, most emotions weren't Jedi emotions. Yet, nervous he was. Here he was, a completely green Padawan, about to fight the CIS on Felucia. That brought on a new question, Why Felucia? He certainly didn't know. He knew that something was off about the planet, though he couldn't quite decide what that was. To ease his worry, he went over the Admiral's words in his mind. He and his master were to defend the 406th Clone Legion while they built a base. What do we need to defend them from?

"Excuse me, master?" He cleared his throat. "Do you know why the CIS is attacking Felucia?"

Eric had sat there quietly, a defensive objective. The planet below was an interesting one, covered in plant life both small and large, simple and exotic. Many dangerous beasts too. Eric watched as his fellow knights talked or started to even duel their padawans, which raises the question as to why Eric had one. Eric didn't feel ready for such a thing yet, but master Yoda's wisdom was not to be questioned.

Thinking of the apprentice, Jaros asked him a question. "I can't say I know padawan. This planet is near some useful trade routes but I don't believe that is the answer. Perhaps they're training Arkays to fight for them?" Eric joked.

@Sohtem

The Young one's moves seemed to indicate that they were attempting to show their sill and ability. The saber above her head easily protected in-case-of any attacks from above. Niremon spun as the Padawan leaped, meaning the two were still facing each other but at a closer distance. Nire used both blades in unison, attacking and blocking with both at the same time. Going for a swing at HER upper left and her upper right with speed and accuracy. The attack was followed with a forward slide.

"You must always be ready to shift from defense to offense in combat situations. Know the speed and movement of your opponent and you will find victory." The calm speaking seemed at contrast with the swift attacks. Use of the Force in this would be initiated by the Padawan at some point. The attacks were a mix of Shii-Cho and Makashi, steady footwork, some sweeping attacks and some attacks with little force behind them. The Other wold likely fall into Soresu, hold off until a weakness is presented and then strike at that. That is what any duel with a Soresu user was like, especially her old master Obi-Wan.

Aresa saw the attacks coming for her and then used her blade to block the blows, quickly putting some distance between the two of them, going for a defensive pose, a little more cautious now to go attacking at her, the stories about her master were true, she was quite good. It was the exact reason why she was now letting her master come at her, she didn't know what other moves she had and Aresa didn't want to be caught off guard by them.

“I know master, but its sometimes difficult to do that when you don't know how they'll fight or what secrets they have up their sleeve.” She continued her defensive Soresu position, waiting for her master to go on the attack. Perhaps she was being a tad overly cautious, but she felt it was better that way than being over-confident and end up getting herself killed.

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Amber couldn't help but smile at his eagerness, she too remembered what that was like, well when she was still in training as a Sith, but the principle still applied here, though she felt that she had to say a few things, so her student wouldn't fall down the path that she had.

“Well this will be a great learning opportunity then my young Padawan, but don't let your over eagerness and hunger for battle cloud your judgement.” She didn't want to try and give him a speech, but she felt that he at least had to warn him, to prevent him ending up like her.

“We may or may not get into any combat when we land on Felucia, but what I do know is that we should resort to fighting only if we have too, but don't let the excitement of battle consume, it can be real easy to fall to the Dark Side and I don't think that would be a good startting track record for me.” She lightly chuckled when she finished talking, trying not to be overly serious about it.

@Sohtem

Finn nodded at his masters words, recognizing the truth that lay within them. "Thank you master," he said with all sincerity. He felt the ship jolt slightly as they drew closer to Felucia, and he turned to look out and down at the planet. He turned back to his master, a questioning look in his blue-green eyes. "Master, I'm assuming that the Separatists don't just want Felucia for it's position in space?" the youn padawan asked. Ever since they'd begun their landing, Finn had been questioning why the Separatists might want Felucia. He'd heard others mention trade routes but he felt as if there was something more to it.

"This planet has the presence of the Dark Side. I've read about the Sith utilizing locations with Dark Side Force energy to gain power. Could that be their plan?" Finn was extremely curious. He knew that the Separatists were led in some part by the Sith, the involvement of Count Dooku proved as much. So he assumed there was something more to the supposed motives of the CIS.

@Sohtem

Nire moved slid closer, the defensive actions of Aresa giving plenty of time to prepare for the next attack. The master brought down a double side slash followed by an over head slam with one Blade. There was a way she could win in a few simple moves, but that path would be easy and lead to at least one of them being hurt. A lock with one saber and a slash with the other was almost impossible to block if one did not have two lightsabers. She could over hear some of the conversations from the other Knights and their Padawans. Many seemed to wonder 'Why Felucia?' But in all honesty, it did not matter why, just that it did. The Council sent them, so they would do their duty as Jedi.

"It can be difficult to know what secrets another could use to end you. That is why you must act fast of draw their secret out. Don't focus on what they could do, think about the whole picture, their technique and motives can betray their secrets." This was some of the better advice Niremon could give. Years of combat experience lent it's knowledge in full to Jedi teachings.

Amber walked up next to her Padawan, looking down at it, already feeling a small call from inside her, the call from some of the dark energy on the planet, it was a quite plea, begging to be taken in by her. She rested her hand on the wall as she tried to resist the call of the Dark Side, something that could be easily noticed by her Padawan. Trying to ignore her inner darkness' want to consume the dark power the planet was emanating, though soon started to meditate, calming herself a bit, she wouldn't let herself fall back to that, she wouldn't allow the Dark Side to have her once again, she'd make sure of that.

“To be honest my Padawan, we don't really know why the Separatists are here, it could be just for the trade routes, but other than that, we weren't given any other informtation than what we have now, but we'll have to be on our guard regardless, the Seps no doubt will have some nasty droids with them which won't make our task easy.”

She continued to gaze out the window, feeling the Dark Side's call just being a dull echo now thanks to her meditation, she just hoped as they got closer and eventually landed, it's call would remain like how it was now. She had a slight feeling this was also a test for her from the Council, she was a former Sith and they probably wanted to see if she could properly resist it, if so than she'd most likely no doubt have a long future with the Jedi Order.

@smarty0114

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Aresa did her best to block her master's attacks, though with it being just Aresa's one saber against Nire's two, it was difficult. She didn't doubt that if her master wanted too, she could have easily finished the spar between the two of them, but she wasn't about to be bested, at least not so easily anyways.

When one of their sabers locked, she noticed her master's other one coming in for her, she doubted her master would harm her, but she didn't want their practice to be over yet and then used the force to provide a temporary barrier around her that would deflect the blow. The barrier didn't and wasn't meant to last long, it provided about thirty-seconds of protection, she could protect others with it too, though she wasn't very efficient with it yet, so she was limited with how many times it could be casted.

“I understand master, I guess thinking about every little detail can also be a hinderance.” She responded as light partially reflected off her temporary barrier, “I'm glad that I got you as a teacher, Master.” She couldn't help but add. Soon starting to go after her master, using her Ataru form to quickly attack and leap all around her master, surely with her unpredictable movements, it would at least slightly catch her master off guard.

@Xiphonic

@neogreggory
Jaros chuckled at Eric's joke. It was good that he was trying to lighten the mood. He didn't know why, but he had a bad feeling about this.

"Master, perhaps we should have a quick duel, the others are doing it. I don't really believe you've seen me fight yet." Before Eric could respond, Jaros leapt backwards and drew his sabre. He held in a two-handed grip, the bright green blade behind his head at 45-degree angle. He waited for Eric to strike, ready to parry and counter-attack.

Eric watched as his apprentice suggested a duel, then leaped back into a stance suiting of a power oriented form. However, "It is not the time. I'm not sure it would be practical for everyone to start dueling in the same room, far to many risks for the meager rewards."

"We will soon be on the ground, there we will be able to duel safely. If we are attacked by droid forces however unlikely then we will also be prepared, rather than exhausted. It is important for a Jedi to know when to act, and when to wait. Remember that lesson if any mt padawan." Eric then felt another rock in the ship, they were getting more common. The ship was getting closer to the ground, closer to what would be the landing zone.

@Sohtem

Niremon smiled, though neither of them could actually 'see' it. "And I am glad I have the opportunity to teach you." this banter was nice and light. The use of the Force for that barrier was an excellent protective move... but also opened the door for a Force battle. The attack was to see how a response would be implemented, and it worked marvelously.

She was almost caught off guard when the Young ling charged and attacked with speed and force. Immediately falling back into a defensive Niman state, keeping protected while allowing for a counter attack. Such a time came in-between the strikes of the blinding offensive. The jumping left the legs mostly open for a second, this was all she needed. Niremon used one blade to lock with the Other's while she used the pommel of her free side to catch her foot off guard in air. She applied a Force Push to further off Her opponents balance. This presented two options: Use the Force to stop from falling and being disarmed, or try and push through Nire's force wall to buy time to recover, and the latter was nigh on impossible for any Padawan to do. "A wild offense can yield great results, but Defense must be maintained if there is any hope of winning beyond the first few swings." The lesson and reminder was a good warm up for the up coming battle.

Another Padwan wanted to duel their master, but that master went a different rout with a different lesson. The difference in that single choice intrigued Nire. A larger bump rocked the ship, they had landed. "All combatants are to immediately head to the surface. I repeat, All Combatants are to head to the surface immediately." The command echoed over the comms systems.

Aresa felt herself being pushed by her master's attack, causing her balance to shift, she knew she was stuck, there were only two options, one she didn't have the skill for and the other was that if she stopped herself from falling, she'd lose the grip of her saber. Having no choice she opted for the option to stop herself from falling, feeling her hilt turn out of her hand, the blade instantly deactivating as the hilt slid to the ground.

She was about to try and get her lightsaber back to go on the offensive again when she felt the ship settle and then heard someone speak over the intercoms that they had landed.”Well I guess you win this round master, shame our practice is over.” She lightly laughed, reaching out with the force to bring the weapon back to her where she settled it back on her belt.

”Well, I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Master.” She spoke as they got ready to disembark the ship they were on. She was a little curious as to what the planet 'looked' like, well at least how it could be viewed by her species, she'd only heard stories about a lot of the planets that were either occupied by the Separatists or were currently a battle ground for Republic and Separatist troops alike, no doubt it'd be interesting to say the least.

@Xiphonic

@Sohtem

Finn noticed his master was deep in concentration. He figured that if anyone could feel the pull of the Dark Side on this planet, it was her. Just as he was about to speak up and offer some support, the ship landed on Felucia. The command that echoed from the comms system was enough to send the young Jedi into a frenzy. With an excited look at his master he rushed off, sprinting through the corridors of the ship and out into the open world of Felucia.

All around him, clones were marching, already setting up. The massive flora of the planet towered over him as Finn looked all around. The air was different here than it was on Coruscant. It was cleaner, fresher. He breathed in deeply and allowed himself to be lost in this sensation of adventure, if only for a moment. He finally got a hold of himself and turned to face the ship's exit, awaiting the others.

@Sohtem

It was now time to head onto this dark planet. Niremon Cal put her sabers back at her waist. "Come now young one." She instructed as she went towards the door. One of the other Padawans was overly excited and ran off before their master, that was an action he would likely be scolded for.

They stepped down the large ramp to the surface, Clones were running supplies about and setting up rudimentary early barricades. Charlie ran up holding a holopad. "We have intel from the ARC Troopers, there have been no spotted spy droids in the area, but we should keep our guard up because a battalion is already on it's way here." Not surprising in the least. "Thank you Charlie, My team and I will head out in five." She told him as she awaited the others' arrival.