STAR WARS: EARTHBORN JEDI
Chapter Two: The Path of Three
Coruscant, 32 BBY | Jedi Temple
The Jedi High Council had reconvened shortly after sunrise.
Twelve Masters occupied their customary seats, the morning light filtering through the chamber's tall windows. Beyond them, Coruscant was already alive with traffic.
Anakin Skywalker was not present.
The Council had completed its assessment of the boy, and the results had done little to settle the disagreement surrounding his future.
"He possesses extraordinary potential," Ki-Adi-Mundi acknowledged. "That much is beyond dispute."
"Potential alone is not the question," Mace Windu replied. "His emotional development, his age and his existing attachments must all be considered."
Plo Koon turned towards him.
"Those concerns are precisely why proper guidance is necessary."
"Provided that guidance proves sufficient."
"Master Windu," Depa Billaba said, "we cannot demand certainty from a decision involving a child's entire future."
Mace looked towards her.
"Nor can we ignore the possibility that our decision may affect the entire Order."
Martus Kael Vorran listened from his seat beside Yoda.
He had expected the debate to continue. In fact, he would have been rather concerned if the Council had approved his proposal without properly considering it.
Nevertheless, there were only so many ways to discuss the same objections.
"May I make an observation?" he asked.
Mace looked towards him.
"I suspect you're going to regardless."
"How reassuring that we've come to understand one another."
A faint smile crossed Plo Koon's face.
Martus leaned forward.
"We've established that Anakin is unusually powerful. We've established that he's frightened of losing his mother. And we've established that beginning his training at nine presents difficulties."
"Correct," Mace replied.
"Then perhaps we should discuss what we're actually going to do about those difficulties."
Ki-Adi-Mundi regarded him.
"You remain determined to train him?"
"Yes."
"Even knowing that his emotional attachments could compromise his judgement?"
"Especially knowing that."
Mace's expression tightened.
"Explain."
Martus folded his hands.
"Anakin's fear doesn't exist because he's inherently dangerous. It exists because he's spent his childhood in circumstances no child should experience. He's been enslaved, separated from his mother and brought to a world he barely understands."
He looked around the chamber.
"Now imagine we refuse to train him. What happens?"
"Qui-Gon has expressed his willingness to take responsibility for him," Plo Koon replied.
"Without formal approval, that would create its own difficulties. And whether he remains here or leaves, Anakin's connection to the Force won't simply disappear."
Yoda regarded his former apprentice.
"What solution, then, do you offer?"
"An individual training programme. Regular assessments. Direct oversight from this Council. And a teaching philosophy built around three principles."
Martus raised three fingers.
"Mind. Body. Spirit."
Depa tilted her head.
"Explain how you would apply them."
"The mind teaches discipline, emotional understanding and sound judgement. The body develops coordination, endurance and control. The spirit concerns his connection to the Force, his values and the choices he makes."
"Those are not entirely foreign to Jedi teachings," Plo Koon observed.
"No. Nor should they be. I'm not proposing we abandon thousands of years of accumulated knowledge."
Martus glanced towards Mace.
"I'm proposing we stop pretending one teaching method is equally effective for every student."
Mace considered that.
"And your views on attachment?"
"I won't teach Anakin that loving his mother is a failing. I'll teach him that love and fear are different things, and that neither gives him permission to act without considering the consequences."
"And anger?"
"Something to recognise, understand and manage. Not something to indulge."
Yoda's gaze remained fixed on him.
"Walk close to dangerous teachings, you sometimes do."
"I know, Master."
"Careful, you must remain."
"I intend to."
For several moments, nobody spoke.
Then Plo Koon addressed the Council.
"I support Master Vorran's proposal."
Depa nodded.
"As do I, provided the Council receives regular reports on the boy's progress."
Ki-Adi-Mundi considered the matter before speaking.
"His training should remain subject to review."
"Agreed," Martus replied.
Mace looked towards Yoda.
"And you, Master?"
Yoda closed his eyes.
Martus had been his apprentice many years earlier. He knew his strengths, his unconventional methods and the stubbornness that occasionally accompanied both.
He also knew Martus did not make commitments lightly.
"Much responsibility, this decision carries," Yoda said at last. "But abandon the boy to uncertainty, we should not."
He opened his eyes.
"Train Anakin Skywalker, Master Vorran shall."
Mace remained silent for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Under the conditions discussed."
Martus inclined his head.
"Naturally."
"And Martus?"
"Yes, Mace?"
"Do try not to turn the boy into a second version of yourself."
Martus smiled.
"Good heavens, no. One of me is quite sufficient."
Even Yoda appeared amused.
Anakin was waiting in one of the Temple's smaller gardens when Martus found him.
He sat beneath a tree with the Superman comic resting across his knees. He had been trying to read, but every few moments his attention wandered towards the entrance.
When Martus approached, Anakin scrambled to his feet.
"Master Martus!"
"Good morning, Anakin."
"Did they decide?"
"They did."
Anakin clutched the comic.
"Am I going to be a Jedi?"
Martus crouched in front of him.
"The Council has agreed to your training."
For a moment, Anakin simply stared.
"Really?"
"Really."
"And you're going to teach me?"
"Provided you still want me to."
Anakin nodded so enthusiastically that Martus almost laughed.
"Yes!"
"Then I suppose that settles it."
Anakin threw his arms around him.
Martus was briefly surprised, but returned the embrace.
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Anakin stepped back.
"Does that mean you're my master now?"
"It does."
The boy grinned.
"Wizard!"
Martus rose.
"Now, before you get too excited, there are a few things we should discuss."
Anakin's smile faltered.
"Am I in trouble?"
"Not remotely. But being a Padawan involves responsibilities, and I intend to explain them before you agree to anything."
"Okay."
"First, you'll attend lessons with other younglings. Reading, galactic history, languages, mathematics and the foundations of Jedi philosophy."
Anakin nodded.
"Second, we'll continue your engineering education."
His eyes brightened.
"Really?"
"Of course. I'd be rather foolish to ignore a talent like yours."
"What about lightsabers?"
"In due course."
"How soon?"
"You're going to discover that asking the same question repeatedly doesn't make time pass faster."
Anakin grinned.
"Does it sometimes?"
"Not in my experience."
They began walking through the garden.
"There's something else," Martus continued. "My training methods are slightly different from those of most Jedi."
"Different how?"
"Well, for one thing, I'm going to teach you some things from Earth."
"Like Superman?"
"Not precisely. Although I suspect we can find a lesson or two in those stories."
Anakin looked interested.
"What kind of things?"
Martus held up three fingers.
"Mind. Body. Spirit."
Anakin studied them.
"What's that mean?"
"It means we're going to train how you think, how you move and how you understand the Force. All three are connected."
"Can we start today?"
Martus glanced at the brightening sky.
"I don't see why not."
The following morning, Anakin arrived at the training courtyard before sunrise.
Martus was already there.
He wore simple training clothes rather than his usual Jedi robes, revealing the muscular build normally concealed beneath the heavier fabric. At five feet six inches, he was considerably shorter than some of the Temple's other instructors, but his movements carried the easy coordination of someone accustomed to physical discipline.
Anakin approached carrying a small bag.
"Morning, Master!"
"Good morning. Sleep well?"
"Mostly."
"Mostly?"
"I kept thinking about training."
"Understandable."
Martus gestured towards a pair of mats beneath the covered section of the courtyard.
"Put your things down. We're starting with something simple."
Anakin looked around.
There were no training remotes, no lightsabers and no obstacle courses.
"Where's everything?"
"Everything?"
"The training stuff."
Martus pointed at him.
"You're standing in it."
Anakin looked confused.
Martus smiled.
"Today we're beginning with the mind."
He sat on one of the mats.
"Come along."
Anakin settled opposite him.
"Are we meditating?"
"Eventually. First, I want you to tell me what you're thinking about."
Anakin blinked.
"Right now?"
"Yes."
"Training."
"Anything else?"
Anakin hesitated.
"My mom."
"Anything else?"
"Whether I can build a lightsaber. And whether I can see your workshop again. And I was wondering if Superman could beat a rancor."
Martus laughed.
"An interesting collection of thoughts."
"Sorry."
"What are you apologising for?"
"Thinking about too many things."
"Anakin, there's nothing wrong with having an active mind."
"Really?"
"Of course. The trick is learning where to direct your attention."
Martus placed a small metal sphere between them.
"Look at this."
Anakin obeyed.
"Now close your eyes."
The boy did.
"Tell me what you can hear."
Anakin concentrated.
"Speeders."
"Good."
"Birds."
"Yes."
"Someone walking."
"Anything else?"
Anakin listened.
"Your breathing."
"Excellent. Now choose one sound."
"Which one?"
"Whichever you like."
Anakin thought for a moment.
"The birds."
"Focus on them. You don't need to stop hearing everything else. Just bring your attention back to the birds whenever it wanders."
They remained seated for several minutes.
Then Anakin opened one eye.
"Master?"
"Yes?"
"My legs hurt."
Martus opened his eyes.
"Then change position."
Anakin looked surprised.
"I can?"
"Anakin, meditation isn't a competition to see who can tolerate the most uncomfortable sitting position."
The boy shifted his legs.
"That's better."
"Good. Now we'll try again."
Over the following days, Martus introduced Anakin to a series of mental exercises.
Some involved meditation. Others involved memory, observation, problem-solving and recognising emotional responses.
One afternoon, Martus placed several objects on a table.
A hydrospanner, a small crystal, a metallic ring, a folded cloth and a damaged circuit board.
"Study these."
Anakin examined them.
After thirty seconds, Martus covered the table.
"How many objects?"
"Five."
"Name them."
Anakin did so without hesitation.
"Very good. What colour was the cloth?"
"Blue."
"And the ring?"
"Silver."
"What was wrong with the circuit board?"
Anakin frowned.
"The third connection was damaged."
Martus uncovered the table.
"Correct."
Anakin grinned.
"That was easy."
"Then we'll make it harder."
Martus rearranged the objects.
This time, he asked Anakin to remember their positions, identify changes and explain how he had reached his conclusions.
Some exercises came naturally.
Others frustrated him.
On one occasion, Anakin pushed away from the table.
"I can't do it!"
Martus looked up from his datapad.
"Can't do what?"
"Remember everything!"
"Who asked you to remember everything?"
"You did!"
"I asked you to try."
Anakin folded his arms.
"It's the same thing."
"No, it isn't."
Martus set down the datapad.
"Come here."
Anakin reluctantly returned.
"Tell me what went wrong."
"I forgot where two things were."
"All right. What did you remember?"
"The others."
"Then you remembered most of them."
"But not all."
"And now we know what needs more practice."
Anakin considered that.
"So I don't have to get everything right?"
"Not immediately. Mistakes are useful, provided we learn something from them."
The boy looked towards the objects.
"Can I try again?"
Martus smiled.
"Certainly."
The second part of Anakin's training concerned his body.
Martus approached it carefully.
Anakin was nine years old, still developing physically and accustomed to the harsh conditions of Tatooine. His experience repairing machinery and racing podracers had given him excellent hand-eye coordination, but structured physical training was unfamiliar.
They began with stretching, balance exercises, running games and basic movement patterns.
Martus also introduced simple resistance exercises appropriate for his age, prioritising technique rather than heavy weights.
One morning, Anakin watched as his master demonstrated a series of movements.
Martus shifted his weight, stepped forward and delivered a controlled palm strike against a padded training target.
"Your turn."
Anakin copied him.
His first attempt sent him stumbling forward.
Martus caught him by the shoulder.
"Careful."
"I did what you did!"
"Almost."
"What's the difference?"
"Watch my feet."
Martus repeated the movement slowly.
Anakin studied him.
"Oh!"
He tried again.
This time, he remained balanced.
"Better," Martus said.
Anakin grinned.
"Again?"
"Again."
They practised until Anakin could perform the movement comfortably.
Later, while taking a break, Martus activated his Earth communications device.
A holographic recording appeared.
A lean, athletic man moved across the projection, demonstrating rapid strikes, footwork and fluid defensive movements.
Anakin leaned forward.
"Who's that?"
"Bruce Lee."
"Is he a Jedi?"
"No. He was a martial artist from Earth."
"He's fast!"
"Extremely."
The recording showed Bruce Lee demonstrating a sequence of movements.
Anakin watched closely.
"How does he move like that?"
"Practice, coordination and an excellent understanding of how the body works."
"Can you do that?"
"Some of it."
"Show me!"
Martus smiled.
"Stand up."
Anakin scrambled to his feet.
Martus demonstrated a short sequence of footwork and controlled strikes, moving smoothly around the training mat.
Anakin attempted to copy him.
His feet became tangled almost immediately.
Martus stopped.
"You're trying to move faster than you can control."
"But he moves really fast!"
"Yes. After years of practice."
Anakin looked at the hologram.
"So I have to practise for years?"
"If you want to become genuinely skilled, yes."
"Years?"
Martus raised an eyebrow.
"Did you build your podracer in an afternoon?"
"No."
"Did it work perfectly the first time?"
Anakin laughed.
"Definitely not."
"Then you already understand."
The boy looked down at his feet.
"Can we try it slowly?"
"An excellent idea."
The third part of their training concerned the Force.
Martus began with exercises familiar to most Jedi younglings, but adapted them to Anakin's temperament.
One afternoon, they sat opposite each other in a quiet training room.
A small stone rested between them.
"Lift it," Martus instructed.
Anakin extended his hand.
The stone trembled.
Then it rose several centimetres above the floor.
"Good. Now hold it there."
Anakin concentrated.
The stone wobbled.
"Steady," Martus said.
"I'm trying."
"I know. Pay attention to what changes when it starts moving."
Anakin frowned.
The stone fell.
He sighed.
"Sorry."
"Nothing to apologise for."
Martus picked up the stone.
"Tell me what happened."
"I lost control."
"Why?"
Anakin thought about it.
"I started worrying about dropping it."
"Exactly."
Martus placed the stone between them again.
"The moment you became concerned about failing, you stopped paying attention to what you were actually doing."
Anakin looked at the stone.
"So I shouldn't worry?"
"You should notice when you're worrying, then return your attention to the task."
"How?"
"Practice."
Anakin gave him a look.
"You say that a lot."
"Because it's frequently the answer."
The boy laughed.
They continued.
Over the following weeks, Anakin learned to move small objects with greater consistency. He practised sensing movement, recognising disturbances in the Force and distinguishing his own emotions from those he perceived in others.
Martus also began introducing the foundations of mental shielding.
Rather than encouraging Anakin to imagine an impenetrable fortress, he taught him to recognise the difference between his own thoughts and outside influences.
One evening, they sat together in meditation.
"Imagine your mind as a room," Martus said. "A room that belongs to you."
Anakin closed his eyes.
"Okay."
"Now imagine it has a door."
"What kind?"
"Whatever kind you like."
"A really big metal one?"
"If that's what you prefer."
"With a lock?"
"Certainly."
"And a security system?"
Martus opened one eye.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Anakin grinned without opening his eyes.
"Yep."
"Very well. Build your security system."
The boy concentrated.
Martus allowed him several minutes before continuing.
"The purpose isn't to hide from every thought or feeling. It's to learn that you have a choice about what you allow to influence you."
Anakin nodded.
"Like not letting someone trick me?"
"Precisely. Although recognising manipulation takes more than a mental barrier. You must learn to question what people tell you."
"Even Jedi?"
Martus smiled.
"Especially Jedi who insist they're always right."
Anakin opened his eyes.
"Does that include you?"
"Most definitely."
The weeks passed.
Anakin attended his lessons, made acquaintances among the Temple's younglings and spent much of his free time either reading Earth comic books or examining the machines in Martus's workshop.
He remained impatient.
He still worried about his mother.
Sometimes he became frustrated when lessons proved difficult, and occasionally he argued when Martus refused to let him attempt something beyond his current abilities.
But he was learning.
One morning, Martus found him sitting alone in the courtyard.
Anakin was staring at the distant city.
"Something on your mind?"
The boy nodded.
"My mom."
Martus sat beside him.
"Would you like to talk about her?"
Anakin hesitated.
"I had a dream."
"What happened?"
"She was calling for me. But I couldn't find her."
Martus listened.
"That sounds frightening."
"It was."
Anakin looked towards him.
"Do you think something bad's going to happen?"
"I don't know, Anakin. Dreams can reflect our fears, and sometimes the Force can show us things we don't yet understand. We shouldn't assume which it is without more information."
The boy lowered his head.
"I miss her."
"I know."
"Have you found anything?"
Martus nodded.
"I've been researching the laws governing slavery on Tatooine and speaking with a few contacts who understand Hutt territory."
Anakin looked up immediately.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Can we get her?"
"Possibly. There are several ways we might approach it, but I want to make sure we don't put her in danger."
Anakin considered that.
"Because of Watto?"
"Partly. We need to understand her circumstances before making a move."
"Okay."
Martus placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I haven't forgotten my promise."
Anakin nodded.
"I know."
Sixty-five days after the Council approved his apprenticeship, Anakin stood in the courtyard practising a movement sequence.
Martus watched from a nearby bench.
The boy's footwork had improved considerably. He was still occasionally too eager to rush through the movements, but he had begun correcting himself without needing constant reminders.
He completed the sequence and turned.
"How was that?"
"Better."
"Just better?"
"Considerably better."
Anakin grinned.
"Can we practise with lightsabers now?"
"Training sabers, perhaps. And only after you've finished your other lessons."
Anakin groaned.
"Master!"
"Anakin."
The boy laughed.
Martus stood.
"Actually, there's something I need to discuss with you."
Anakin noticed the change in his tone.
"What is it?"
"I've received a response from one of my contacts on Tatooine."
The boy went still.
"About my mom?"
"Yes."
Martus approached him.
"I believe we have a workable way to secure her freedom."
Anakin stared.
"You're serious?"
"Entirely."
"Does that mean we're going to Tatooine?"
"That's the plan. But first, I need to speak with the Council and arrange transport."
Anakin looked down, then back up.
"Can I come?"
Martus regarded him.
"Anakin, she's your mother. I wouldn't arrange this without discussing it with you."
The boy's eyes filled with tears.
"You're really going to help her?"
"Yes."
Anakin stepped forward and embraced him.
Martus rested a hand against the back of his head.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Anakin pulled away.
"Thank you, Master."
"You're welcome."
The boy wiped his eyes.
"When do we leave?"
"As soon as the necessary arrangements are made."
Anakin nodded.
Then he hesitated.
"Master?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask something?"
"Of course."
"If we free my mom, can she come to Coruscant?"
Martus considered the question.
"That depends on what she wants, Anakin. Once she's free, she'll have the right to decide where she lives."
The boy thought about that.
"She might want to stay on Tatooine?"
"She might. Or she might want to start somewhere new. That's a decision she should be allowed to make for herself."
Anakin nodded slowly.
"I just want her to be safe."
"So do I."
Martus looked towards the distant towers of Coruscant.
There were still practical matters to resolve, not least explaining his proposed journey to the Council.
He suspected Mace Windu would have several questions.
Possibly quite a few.
"Come along," Martus said.
"Where are we going?"
"To speak with Master Yoda."
Anakin hurried after him.
"Do you think he'll say yes?"
"I intend to make a persuasive argument."
"What if he says no?"
Martus glanced down at his apprentice.
"Then we'll listen to his reasons and determine what needs to be done."
Anakin considered that answer.
"You're not worried?"
"Concerned, perhaps. But worrying won't improve my argument."
The boy smiled.
"Mind, body, spirit?"
Martus returned the smile.
"Precisely."
Together, they crossed the courtyard towards the Council chambers.
For Anakin, the prospect of returning to Tatooine brought a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
For Martus, it represented something equally important.
His apprentice was beginning to understand that having power did not mean every problem could be solved by force.
Sometimes the first step was simply keeping a promise.
End of Chapter Two