NOVEL NEXT Chapter 101: Chapter 101
---Next Day---
Heading to the Jedi Temple alone, as Mylene and Roxanne were called into a meeting with my other fiancées, I greeted everyone as I entered the High Council Chamber. Immediately presenting the Sunstar and Shadowstone to Master Tiin, he took a moment to examine them closely.
"I have never seen any kyber crystals like these before. They are perfect mirror opposites of one another, one possesses a strong connection to the light side, while the other is connected to the dark side.", Tiin commented, handing them to Master Yoda for his thoughts, "Moreover, the purple crystal's connection is far more stable than a red kyber crystal."
"Strange these crystals are. Fitting lightsabers they will become for you.", Yoda stated, returning the kyber crystals to me, "You retrieve the Darksaber did?"
Nodding my head in acknowledgement, I moved my cape out of the way and showed them the weapon affixed to my hip. Content to see it back in good hands once again, Anakin updated them on our brief operation on Concordia.
"In addition to retrieving the Darksaber, Victor may have stabilized the situation in the Mandalore System. The Pacifist and War Factions have come to an arrangement that satisfies both groups.", Anakin reported, "My apologies for not sending the report last night…"
"You got both sides to sit down and talk things out?", Windu remarked, with an impressed look, "What sort of arrangement did you help them strike?"
"The two groups will work towards a common goal, rebuilding their star system and surpassing their ancestors. While the Pacifist Faction restores the Mandalore System and takes it to new heights, the War Faction will be responsible for fighting off anything and anyone that comes to steal their newfound prosperity away from them.", I explained, with a grin, "Given the lack of attention the Outer Rim has received from the Republic, a rising Mandalore System could cause a positive change in the overall situation out there. A strong, united Outer Rim could be the kick in the pants the Galactic Republic needs to make positive changes as well."
Nodding their heads in agreement, the Jedi Masters saw this as a positive step for all parties involved. While there were still plenty of things that could go wrong, giving people hope for a better future for everyone was always a good thing. Getting back to my whole reason for coming to Coruscant, Master Tiin began speaking again.
"Now that you have your kyber crystals in hand, we would usually cut and polish the crystals, but that is not necessary in this case. Since your crystals are already in a spherical shape, the next step will be assembling the lightsabers themselves.", Tiin remarked, nodding to Master Koth.
Getting up from his seat, Master Koth left the room for a few minutes and came back with a cart full of lightsaber parts. Having assumed I was going to have to assemble them in the same area the Younglings did, it was nice to see that I was wrong.
"For first time assembly, we have a strict tradition of having our initiates use the Force to build their lightsabers. It is a rite of passage that demonstrates that one has the control and patience to progress further in our Order.", Tinn explained, "We would appreciate it if you did the same."
"I understand, do you mind if I make some minor alterations to the parts before assembly?", I inquired, having brought some of my own components and parts.
"Go right ahead.", Koth agreed, interested to see what I would do.
Selecting everything I needed from the cart, I scanned them into Jarvis' database and began the disassembly process. Using the Force for the entire process, I removed all the capacitors, fuses, relays, and resistors in each lightsaber component and replaced them with my customized parts. Reassembling everything once that was complete, the next step was adding the improvements I brought for the assembly. Pulling them out of my Storage, Koth stopped me for a moment and asked what they were for.
"These two glowing pucks are called Arc Reactors, instead of batteries, I will use these to power my lightsabers. They can produce several gigawatts of power per second, more than enough to properly power the lightsabers.", I chuckled, "Next is a quantum lock, it is wirelessly connected to my armor which will prevent others from using my lightsabers without permission. Lastly, I am adding a disruptor field projector which will allow me to temporarily disable energy weapons and shielding on contact."
"Hold on a moment…that would mean they can disable other lightsabers, right? Is that something you built, or did it come from somewhere else?", Windu asked, in a worried tone.
"The design I used came from the Imperium of Man. I managed to scan one of their Energy Swords, or Power Swords as they call them, and replicate the technology. Their Power Swords can momentarily disable your lightsabers, did you not know that?", I inquired, with a confused look, "They will cut right through your lightsabers and shielding like nothing is there."
"Alert our people at the frontlines of this news immediately!", Windu said, looking to Gallia, "If they encounter any enemies with a Power Sword, they are to engage them with extreme caution or retreat immediately."
"Understood, I will get a memo out immediately.", Gallia acknowledged, getting straight to work.
Thanking me for the information, as skirmishes were beginning to happen along that front again, Koth motioned for me to proceed with the assembly. Having taken apart my old lightsabers millions of times at this point, I sat back and enjoyed a cup of tea while my subconscious built both units. Startled by my ability to multitask with minimal effort, Koth watched as the units were completed in less than ten seconds.
"My word, you have clearly been practicing that quite a lot.", Koth remarked, with a smile.
"Yes, I had no mentors or training guide so I did what I could to hone my skills. It also helps that I visualized the assembly in my mind and know the exact tolerances I am working with to ensure parts do not bash into each other.", I said, with a proud grin.
"Go ahead and give them a try.", Tiin requested, as Koth and him stepped back a bit.
Activating both units, they instantaneously extended to their full length and began exhibiting unusual effects on the environment. The Sunstar Lightsaber radiated a very pleasant warmth and a brilliant light that created no shadows on everything it illuminated. My Shadowstone Lightsaber, on the other hand, radiated a chilling cold and a pale light that was barely visible to the naked eye. Taking a second to determine the temperatures they were releasing; I was dumbfounded by what I found.
'Both have a core temperature of ten thousand degrees Fahrenheit, but their external temperatures are far different. The Sunstar is sitting at fifty thousand degrees while the Shadowstone is at absolute zero, why I am not experiencing either effect directly? My armor and I are experiencing a warm summer's day and a pleasant winter's evening respectively.', I thought, as I spun them around, 'Interesting, no signature lightsaber hum or sound as they cut through the air. They are truly unique lightsabers, perfectly suited for me.'
"How do they feel?", Tiin asked.
"I understand the difference now between owning a lightsaber and having personal lightsabers. The sensation is completely different from what I am used too.", I answered, performing a few acrobatic stunts, "They feel like extensions of myself, not like pieces of equipment or tools."
"That is how lightsabers should be.", Tiin remarked, with a pleased grin, "Now then, Master Windu, there was something you wanted to say once the matter was completed?"
Thanking his colleague, Windu stepped toward me with a serious expression. Powering down the lightsabers, I affixed them to my hip and waited to see what was going to happen.
"Victor, the High Council has decided to bestow upon you the honorary title of Sage Master. The title was retired many generations ago as only two Jedi have ever reached that level of mastery. Given the many feats you have achieved while maintaining perfect balance, all of us believe it is a fitting title for you.", Windu stated, giving me a firm handshake, "While we do not expect you to follow our rules and tenants, we hope you will exercise restraint when using the title."
"Of course, I understand the weight of the title you are giving me. I assure you that I will only use the title to help aid those in need during my travels and work.", I promised them, before getting to another important topic, "On a side note, I wanted to briefly speak about an upcoming operation in the Imperium of Man that may require some assistance from the Order. As you all may or may not be aware, an enormous tear in reality has split the Imperium in half. This tear, the Great Rift as they call it, substantially increased the power that Chaos can bring into our reality. I am working with the Lord Commander of the Imperium, Roboute Guilliman, to close the tear and weaken our shared enemy. When we begin the operation, do you have anyone that can assist us?"
"Anakin and Ahsoka can help you. Unfortunately they are all we can spare right now.", Windu stated.
"I understand, their assistance will be most appreciated.", I said, "As for the Palpatine's clones, I will alert you the moment I have any information on them. Thank you again for allowing me to build my lightsabers here."
"No problem, farewell and safe travels. We look forward to seeing you again in the future.", Windu remarked, with a grin.
Saying goodbye to everyone else, I promptly teleported back to my ship and made a call to Guilliman. Wanting permission to head for the Precipice Space Station, now was the time to begin preparing for Operation Renewal.