Everything was ready. During this period of time, Assajj had learned everything necessary regarding espionage, assassination, the Force, and troop handling—and today would finally be her last lesson taught by me. She had learned to shoot, fight hand-to-hand, lead small groups, and even pilot starfighters, and today she would learn fencing. While she knew how to use short weapons such as knives, a sword was something completely different, as its use varied depending on the opponent's weapon.
I waited in the gym, where all the necessary equipment had been arranged. First, we would fight with non-lethal wooden weapons, and afterward we would gradually scale up; after all, "non-lethal" doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. After waiting a bit longer, my apprentice entered accompanied by Candara, who stepped aside once inside, while Assajj approached, and without wasting time, I began the lesson.
"Today, Assajj, you will learn to fight hand-to-hand. As you know, those capable of using the Force excel in this aspect, not only because they can augment their physical abilities with it, but also because they can manipulate the environment and their opponents during combat. Moreover, as you know, their weapons are capable of deflecting and redirecting blaster fire. Normally, we would begin with the basics: posture and forms. Where I come from, there are various dueling or fencing schools, so no single style is superior to the rest, as each one has a different essence. For that reason, I want you to choose one of the weapons in front of you. As a hint, today I will fight with a bō, that long staff. The choice is yours—after that, we will duel."
Giving her a hint is the least I can do, since I have the advantage of experience but the disadvantage of not being Force-sensitive. Also, Assajj already has Jedi training, and even if she only knows the First Form, Shii-Cho, that alone means she is no novice. She knows the stance and basic combat form; but today's challenge is defeating an experienced opponent, not a thug with a blaster.
In front of Assajj were a wooden bastard sword, a rapier and dagger, a bokken, a longsword, two tonfas, two daggers, and a shinai. Among all the options, she chose the shinai, as it was the closest to a lightsaber and the style she was accustomed to.
"Very well; now that you've chosen, you must defeat me without using the Force even once. Understood?"
"Yes, Master."
"In that case, let us begin," I said as we both assumed our combat stances.
Assajj quickly moved into Shii-Cho position: firm legs, aligned center, and the shinai held in front of her in a high guard, ready both to defend and attack—the most basic form of Jedi training. With a spin of the bō using only one hand, Max set the distance, revealing the gap between their skills.
Assajj attempted to close that distance quickly with wide steps, delivering a downward vertical strike aimed at her master's shoulder. However, it was easily deflected with the middle third of the staff, rotating his arms and absorbing part of the impact. Without pause, Assajj pivoted on her back foot, tracing a horizontal slash toward the torso. In response, he lowered his body, swept aside the shinai in a wide arc with the bō, and with a quick twist placed the opposite end of the staff at his student's throat.
"Again."
Despite the surprise of being defeated so easily after all her training, Assajj regained her high guard, choosing this time a more defensive posture, occasionally testing her master's defenses with probing attacks. He responded in kind, always keeping the perfect distance. Eventually, frustrated, Assajj launched a frontal attack with a vertical strike which, after being deflected, was countered with a hit to the wrist, forcing her to drop her weapon.
"Again."
The session continued for another two hours, during which Ventress was repeatedly defeated until she finally collapsed to the ground after a strike to the abdomen.
"How is it possible that I didn't hit you even once?"
"I'm afraid, my apprentice, that is called experience. But look at the bright side—had I allowed you to use the Force, you might have cornered me once or twice. For today, your lesson is finished. We will continue tomorrow."
Without another word, I headed to my chambers to prepare her upcoming lessons and other matters, including the acquisition of MandalMotors.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the galaxy:
"Brothers, today we rise against our oppressors! We are slaves to nothing and no one! Arm yourselves and fight with me for our freedom!" shouted a young man, raising a blaster pistol high, inciting more people to join his cause. One by one, they began approaching a station at the corner where they were given a rifle and a full ammo belt.
"For our brothers!"
"For our freedom!"
One by one, the fighters left the shelter, heading off to battle those who oppressed them.
At the same time, in one of the offices on the planet belonging to the Techno Union, a Skakoan was directing the planetary forces in the defense against one of the many militias that had formed to expel them under the accusation that they were stealing resources and exploiting the locals. Of course, all such claims were false—they were only there to bring the planet's backward civilization into the future, in exchange for small portions of its wealth. But the situation was beginning to spiral out of control exponentially.
The B-1 series droids were too spread out or were being ambushed in the rougher terrain. Some of the bolder partisan groups had carried out attacks within the cities and mining sites, and even at loading and unloading ports. The situation had escalated to the point where Droidekas and LM-432 Crab Droids had been deployed as auxiliary units, and the new, powerful B-2 super battle droids had proven superior to their predecessors—their armor and power helping to break rebel defenses on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, the rebels were increasingly better armed: fixed heavy weapons, rocket launchers, various explosives, and even mines.
It wasn't hard to figure out who was supplying them—the question was who was training and leading them. Mysteries for which no answer existed yet. All he could do was wait for reinforcements and for the new acquisition of DSD1 spider droids to hunt them in caves and jungles.