The foundations of the Republic shake. Many systems along the Rim express their dissatisfaction with the Galactic Senate.
The Senate calls for negotiated settlements and punitive tariffs to bring the Separatists back into line. These measures entrench the ill feeling in the Outer Rim. Many of the powerful corporations, among them the Trade Federation, win goodwill by refusing to collect the additional taxes. As tensions rise, there are signs of military buildup.
In the midst of it all, the Jedi receive a perplexing distress call, signed with the code of someone long missing and presumed dead. Jedi Master Elesse Vendar and her Padawan Anakin Skywalker are dispatched to investigate the coordinates in the mysterious message...
"Nothing so convenient as a training manual. Outsider descriptions, one or two autobiographies. It is- was- a reminder of times the Jedi would prefer stayed in the past."
"Consider it a foretaste of your Knighthood. Most problems don't have a well-defined solution."
"I may not be able to duplicate your feats, but I can still sense what you are doing. I will try to offer what help I can."
"Thanks. You're - really good at helping."
"You make me feel like I can do anything, eventually."
"It's - more than that. I like working with you. Wanna find paths we can travel together."
Elesse smiles.
"I have been planning on recommending you for Knighthood soon. When we finish this mission, I think."
That quiets her mood, a bit.
"...I think I'm probably ready in general, but - "
She shrugs.
"I don't really want to - or maybe I'm not really ready to - take missions without you. Sounds... Lonely."
"I'd like that." Elesse is so good.
"...I feel really lonely in my head right now too, so I - might calm down eventually."
"...I think so, yeah. It's - a sort of restless feeling I get a lot. It goes down when I'm floating in the Force, or when I'm around you, or when I'm touching someone... And it reduced a lot during the battle."
"I don't think the battle meditation caused it, just that it made me notice it more. Might just be a - me thing."
"Most of what I say is true. It's one of my better qualities, according to most."
She laughs. "Then it must be impressive, given all your good qualities."
She smiles back.
Then: "Hm... Where should I start, do you think? On figuring the battle meditation out? If that's even possible on this trip..."
"It might be difficult without a large body of people to coordinate. But you can practice reaching out to me, without leaning on our bond."
She nods. "Probably the girls wouldn't mind drilling with me, too, once we're done with this mission..."
"Is now okay for us to practice?"