❶ "Jedi Master Revealed—Mynocks"—The Empire Strikes Back Extended ST
⊘ Silence
❷ "Scherzo for X-wings"—The Force Awakens OST
⊘ Silence
❸ "Anakin vs. Obi-Wan"—Revenge of the Sith OST
⊘ Silence
Luke escorted Ben throughout the complex, ending in the combat arena. Unlike military arenas that were open spaces, this arena boasted multiple platforms at different elevations throughout the massive gymnasium.
❶ Advanced Padawan sparred with training sabers against each other. Each weapon was set to stun, Naluma's modification now a standard design for new sabers. A few Padawan, including Jedi Naluma, used their lightsabers in battle against training remotes.
Ben leaned on the thick metal rail separating the arena floor from the spectator gallery. "What makes a good saberfighter?"
Master Skywalker pointed to Padawan Zeke Leer as he battled a training remote. "Speed, strength." He pointed toward Padawan Geryl who flipped in Ataru aerials. "Endurance, focus." Then he turned to Ben. "But the most important—a mind sharpened in strategy. The Force can compensate for physical shortcomings, but not that."
Two other Padawan passed by them. "Is there a particular body type that is better than the others?"
Luke corrected the couple passing in front of him. "Benae, mix it up a bit. Make your partner work for it. Zolaah, why aren't your lekku tied back? That's not going to work in battle."
"Yes, Master Skywalker," they said in unison as they charged each other. Benae blocked Zolaah's over-arm thrust and grunted as they struggled for dominance.
Master Skywalker turned his attention back to his charge. "Hmm, body type. Upper body strength is a must, but the longer your reach, the easier it will be." He looked Ben up and down. The boy's legs and arms seemed unusually long for his torso. Luke smiled at him. "Don't worry, you look like you'll be getting your height from your dad's side." He winked at the young boy.
Ben's firm lips almost cracked into a grin, but his neutral mask flowed over his face once again. "How long will it take me to become good at this?"
"Good, as in not being killed in the first few minutes? Three to five years just to get the basics down."
Ben gulped. "Years?"
Luke nodded.
After a few more moments of the graceful movements entrancing him, Ben asked, "Do Jedi Knights ever train against each other with live lightsabers?"
"Occasionally." Luke waved his arm toward a particular Padawan. "Benae, lift that arm. You drop it like that, your opponent will disarm you."
The tall, dark Mirialan girl said, "Yes, master." The girl raised her arm to defend the next blow from her Twi'lek partner Zolaah.
Luke turned back to Ben. "Usually with sabers on stun. The goal is to train, not kill."
"Can I watch you train against someone, Master Skywalker?" His eyes narrowed and he titled his head.
So that's what this is about. Testing the master? He stretched out his shoulders and arms. Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to show him what he could be. "Sure."
⊘ A siren boomed and lights flashed throughout the room. Naluma waved her hand at her training remote, deactivating it and sending it to the storage shelf. "Hit the showers. Tonight, I want you to review your vids and compare them with the archive training vid that we showed you last week. Identify three of your weaknesses and how you plan to address them tomorrow. I want your reports by 0700 tomorrow morning."
A group whine preceded the Padawan shuffling from the arena to the observation deck where Luke and Ben stood. Master Skywalker motioned Zeke over to him. "Zeke, this is Ben. He's visiting us today and would like to watch me duel. Would you be a gracious host while I prepare?"
"Of course, Master Skywalker." Zeke clipped his lightsaber to his belt and held out his hand to Ben. "Nice to meet you, Ben."
The boy stared at his hand and then turned his face to the arena.
Luke grabbed Zeke's arm. Watch that he doesn't try anything. You have my permission to disable him if he does.
Zeke nodded and stepped behind the boy to prevent a quick escape.
Luke announced to the arena, "Anyone want to spar with me? Live weapons."
The Padawan shook their heads in unison. Luke chuckled, glad that none of them were stupid enough to do that.
As Naluma quenched her parched throat, she said with a twinkle in her eye, "I will."
Are you sure? I know you're tired.
"I've got my second wind. We haven't worked out together in a long time, master. It will be good for both of us. Just let me catch my breath and drink some water while you warm up." She tilted the bottle to her lips.
"Accepted." Luke moved into a corner, stretched all his muscles, and took a few laps around the arena.
When they were both ready, they gamboled to the center of the arena. Senior Padawan Benae Wuda approached them. Naluma held out her lightsaber to Luke and Benae for inspection.
Luke held his out as well.
"Master Skywalker, please set your saber to stun." Benae's voice brooked no nonsense as officiator.
"Mine's the older model, Benae. It doesn't have one." Luke grabbed Naluma's saber, but she wouldn't release it. "Since I can't adjust my saber, let's put yours at full power."
Jedi Fau furrowed her brows. "No, Luke, it's too dangerous."
Don't make me pull rank on you in front of Ben.
Naluma glared at him but obeyed, changing the setting. She said under her breath, "I hope you know what you're doing."
Luke raised his voice so that the filling arena could hear him. "I could defeat you with my right hand tied behind my back."
She laughed. "You and what army, master?" They challenged each other with their eyes.
Padawan Benae stepped between them. "This will be an exercise with live weapons at full power. Spectators are required to stay in the observation area. No interference until one of the parties surrenders. Opponents, what are the rules of engagement?"
Naluma said with a twinkle in her eye, "No holds barred."
Luke smiled and nodded. "No holds barred."
Benae repeated, "No holds barred. Who will attack?"
Luke gestured to Naluma.
"Very well, let the contest begin." Benae hustled to the spectator's area and shut the railing gate.
The Jedi took the required five paces away from each other, turned, and bowed with ancient formality. Naluma activated her lightsaber, its purple hue shimmering in the air. Luke's green saber snapped and hissed to life. They circled the arena with sidesteps. Eyeing each other, they waited for the first move.
❷ Finally, Naluma attacked with a windmill motion, running straight at him. She beat him into a corner against a platform.
He parried and pushed her off before jumping in a reverse somersault to the platform above him. Their blades moved so quickly that it was difficult to see the formations.
Naluma jumped onto a pedestal in front of Luke, swinging her blade at his left arm as she flew. He blocked with a high outside swipe and parried her into a corner. As she swung her blade at his neck, she kicked him back with her right leg, sending him sliding across the platform.
The Jedi Master jumped up to the next level, about a meter up. Using his height advantage he was able to keep her at bay for a few passes, until she swung at his legs. When he jumped high, he hit his head on the ceiling, losing his balance and gaining a lump on his head. He fell five meters to the ground floor, rolled, and came up in a defensive stance, awaiting her attack.
Jedi Fau scurried around the platform, eyeing the best time to jump down and attack Master Luke. As she leaped down, he jumped backward, increasing the distance between them.
She ran to him, attacking with full eclipses. They came to a standstill, blades crossed and humming.
He kicked her off and sent her sprawling to the floor. He fell on top of her, his lightsaber high. Her saber barely held him off, his face so close his chin stubble rubbed her cheek. She blew softly into his ear, causing him to jump back.
Not fair! Don't mess with my mind in the middle of a fight.
Naluma gave a wicked chuckle. No holds barred, master. It was enough of a distraction that she was able to push him off her with her knee and stand above him with her saber. She pointed it at his throat.
He thrashed his saber up, knocking hers out of her hand. It skittered across the arena, as he kicked her leg, sending her back to the arena floor.
Both their hands shot out to reclaim the saber. It made it to Luke first. As Naluma lay on the ground, Luke ignited her saber and held it in a cross at her throat. "Vanquished?"
Not ready to give up yet, she Force-pushed a bench at Luke, plummeting him to the ground again with a nasty bruise to the back of his legs. As he fell down, she reclaimed her saber from him. She attacked again.
Luke defended each swipe with one of his own. As he attacked with a hit to her legs, she jumped up in the nick of time, somersaulted, and landed a few feet away in a defensive position. He advanced on her, whirling his saber in a dizzying display of swordsmanship.
When their blades locked in battle again, he wrapped a leg around hers to bring her down to the ground. She fell on top of him, and they struggled to hold each other's arms away.
Luke saw an opening as they grappled with each other's weapons. He grabbed her head and pressed his lips to hers, smothering the air from her. I can play dirty, too.
Not in front of the Padawan. Luke!
You started it. He ran his fingers across the nape of her neck, making her squirm. Admit it. You like it. His eyes gleamed with mischief.
She struggled against his embrace as he rolled her onto her back, their sabers still locked in tension. Now is not the time. Naluma thrust Luke's saber away and kneed him in the groin. She rolled out from under him and gasped for air, her cheeks flaming. She stood above him, her lightsaber challenging his throat but emotions conflicting her face.
Luke, incapacitated for a few moments, hurtled a bench and multiple gear bags at her with the Force.
She dodged most of them, sending them skittering across the room to the wall. However, holding the power button with the Force, he threw his lightsaber at her as she was dodging the objects. She barely turned in time to miss major damage from the lightsaber, but a gear bag hit her in the head from the other direction.
He retrieved his lightsaber and prepared for an attack. As blood ran down her face, she shook the stars out of her eyes. She assailed him again with lightning speed, pushing him back into a platform support. At long last, she aimed at his lightsaber and cut it from his right hand.
⊘ The Padawan gasped and then fell silent. Thud. Clank. Thud. Luke's severed hand and saber halves crashed to the floor. Luke cried out, holding the stump to his armpit.
Naluma gasped and raced to Luke, her face twisted in anguish. "Oh, Luke, I'm so sorry."
❸ Luke held out his left hand and grabbed the nearest lightsaber, which was attached to Padawan Leer's belt. He ignited it and began a left-handed attack against Naluma.
She quickly pulled up her purple saber in defense against Zeke's blue saber. The more she pulled away from him, the more he advanced. The blood from her gash ran into her eye. As Luke attacked with combat speed, she struggled to block each slash.
Luke disarmed her weapon and sent her to the floor with a swift kick. He stood over her, holding Zeke's saber to her throat.
"A wise soldier once told me, 'A battle is never over until the enemy is dead.'" Luke glared at her in the midst of his battle fever. "Are you vanquished, Jedi?"
Naluma skidded back. "I surrender."
⊘ Cheers broke out from some observers while others grumbled. Padawan Geryl pulled on her friend Eryl's arm. "But Master Luke cheated. He was not allowed to grab Zeke's saber."
Eryl laughed. "It was no holds barred, Geryl. In other words, there were no rules. Can't cheat if there are no rules. I'm just glad they didn't kill each other."
Dane said with a wave of his hand, "Ah, Master Luke and Jedi Naluma would never kill each other. Didn't you see that look of horror on her face when she sliced off his hand? That was unintentional." He scrunched his face and continued. "It was this pause that lost the match for her. She hesitated, and Master Luke took advantage of the situation." Dane shrugged. "All's fair when a hungry rancor is after you."
In the center of the arena, Luke opened the access port on his wrist and deactivated the nerve connections to his prosthetic hand. Zeke ran out with the medkit to Naluma and addressed her head wound. She fought past him to Luke.
He held it up, a melted stump of mechanics.
"Does it hurt?" she asked.
Luke shook his head. The hand isn't what hurts. They looked at each other, a little worse for wear, and both laughed. He held up the stump of his hand. "Guess it's time I got an upgrade anyway."
"Sorry about your hand, Master Skywalker." Naluma grimaced. "And your lightsaber."
Luke looked at the remains of it. "I guess I'll have to make a new one. Maybe I'll put a power regulator on it this time."
"Jedi Fau, you need a stitch or two," Zeke said as he dabbed her head wound with gauze.
Naluma held her eye up to the ceiling light. "Do your worst."
"In the medbay. Master Skywalker, we need to check out your hand, too."
Did you know ...
● Most chapters take me an hour to write. An action scene can take me days to write, especially if I'm researching fighting techniques.
● Luke and Naluma are evenly matched in saber skills now. If Luke hadn't pulled the second saber over, Naluma would have won.
● The hand we see in The Force Awakens (and also in The Last Jedi) does not match the internal parts of Luke's mechanical hand we see in The Empire Strikes Back on the medical frigate and also in Return of the Jedi after it is shot by Boba Fett. I felt I needed to write the reason Luke ended up with a new mechanical hand, and what better way than to prove it's the ones who love us the most who hurt us the worst. Don't worry, I also write how Luke loses the outer skin on the new hand, but not until the end of the sequel to this story, Rise of Ren.
Tell me what you think ...
● Do you think it was fair that Luke pulled the lightsaber from a spectator? Why or why not?
● Were Luke and Naluma upset with each other during the fight or just sparring with the spectators spiking their adrenaline? Why do you think that?