The Power of Many

Master M'tz and Natalie sat quietly at the kitchen table after their conversation. He looked at the quiet girl.

"The boys need training before they can help you. Beating Zaran was a fluke; if that man were seriously trying to kill any of you, well," Master M'tz stood up got a couple of cups, and filled the cups with something from one of the liquid dispensers. 

"I understand, it's just that if we don't do something soon --"

"You and other sisters will face your graduation, and the training is likely to kill more of your sisters. It's a difficult problem. How long do you have until you're missed?" Master M'tz walked to Natalie and gave her a cup; he sat down. 

"Maybe a week, and if they hear Zaran is after me; they may send a more experienced Widow to find me," Natalie swirled the liquid in her cup. 

"Sol is training to become a bounty hunter, you'll need to issue a mission and pay him. Gar will naturally help without any compensation. You know Sol would help you without payment, but you must respect his path. All of you are young, and even though you want a way out before you're forced to kill someone. We both know that the program has affected you. Being close to others, empathy, and viewing others as tools, you won't be able to affect these immediately. 

The boys have treated you as a friend, don't use them or you will regret it later," Natalie looked at Master M'tz like she was shocked awake. Her eyes narrowed.

"Don't look at me like that; I wasn't making a threat. I meant later as you are learning to be human and not a cold-blooded assassin. You will regret the way you treated these new friends. Plus, the boys are naive now, but they won't always be. 

I've seen many children like you. The Empire used so many children and forged them into weapons. The aftermath of children like you trying to rejoin civilization as regular people is unpredictable. 

There was a Jedi Master who, like you, was forced to become the Hand of the Emperor. There's a lot of things you have in common with her, she even had red hair like you. Her job was to do anything the Emperor needed done, she was even trained in the dark side. Perhaps he saw her as a future disciple. Most of her work was assassination. 

Anyway, after the Emperor's death, she was lost. Then she received her last command, kill Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi and the man who killed the Emperor. Now there was a conflict. She received an order, but she also had an opportunity for freedom. Much like you, she decided to attempt freedom. She ignored her order and became a smuggler. Isn't that something?" Master M'tz laughed. 

It was clear Natalie was very interested in the story of this woman. A woman like her, trained like her, and receiving an opportunity to become something else. 

"What happened to this woman, you said she became a Jedi Master?" Natalie asked.

"Ah, that's where things get interesting. The galaxy was in turmoil due to the death of the Emperor. Even though the Empire was ruled by a Sith Lord and promoted injustice according to the selfish whims of the Emperor. Surprisingly, the Empire was well-run and exerted order on the galaxy. 

Of course, the order was of the despotism of the Emperor. He ruled through fear and when he died the fear died with him. The fragile order broke apart. It leads to a Galactic Civil War. Even though she was a smuggler, she was also a good person. She had great power, and with that power came responsibility. 

Eventually, she interacted with Grandmaster Luke Skywalker, that's what he became. She grew to respect him, and over time her respect evolved something more. She fell in love with him, and they eventually married and had a son, Ben Skywalker. It's quite the story, yes?"

Natalie nodded her head. She was thinking about this story, but she sensed someone coming.

Walking in with grand strides, Gar was followed by an Asian man, "Master M'tz, this is Shang-Chi. He says he has a meeting with you?"

"Ah, my friend, it's good to finally meet in person, Master Shang-Chi," Master M'tz walked to the man and shook hands warmly. 

"It is my good fortune to meet with you. Our conversations provided many opportunities. I have been enlightened on numerous occasions," Shang-Chi stepped back and clasped his hands while giving a slight bow. Master M'tz returned the action, "You are not the only person who benefited from our conversations, Master Shang-Chi. 

"Please have a seat, may I get you something?" Master M'tz invited the youthful man while treating him as a peer. 

"I am curious about the tea you've mentioned before," Shang-Chi smiled as he sat. 

Master M'tz became animated, "Of course, I'm sure you will enjoy it. The leaves are from a planet called Kashyyyk. The inhabitants are both fierce warriors, but honorable and powerful. It is a planet of magnificent beauty and great danger. I won't spoil it for you, give me a moment to prepare it for you." 

"Your tea preparations show great skill, I am curious to taste this tea," Shang-Chi sat comfortably. Natalie looked at him, she knew of this man. Perhaps the most skilled martial artist in the world. He was at the actual top of the martial arts world, he wasn't one of the lower-level "Best of the best" like Zaran. He was a true master at the peak. 

Master M'tz saw Natalie and Gar staring at the man, "Too many eyes can spoil the taste of the tea. Natalie, Gar, would the two of you find Sol and join us in around thirty minutes, please?" Gar nodded and Natalie left with him without saying anything. 

The pair walked down the hallway in silence before Gar broke the silence, "You were able to have a nice conversation with Master M'tz. What do you think about him?" Gar asked.

"What do you mean?" Natalie glanced at her new 'friend' as Master M'tz referred to him.

Gar placed his hands behind him like some old martial arts master, it was a pose Natalie saw him take on many occasions. He seemed to like doing this before he discussed 'deep' subjects. Perhaps he thought it made him look more profound?

"Neither Sol nor myself have had a long conversation with the old man. We've only known him for a couple of days. Even though our time with him has been limited; his teachings are profound, and impacted our lives deeply and dramatically."

 "He is a very wise man," Natalie agreed.

"So, what do you think about him?" Gar asked again.

"Do you know of the wife of Grandmaster Skywalker?" Natalie was more curious about this woman she had so many things in common with than talking about Master M'tz.

"You mean Mara Jade Skywalker? One of the greatest modern Jedi; she was a very wise and powerful Jedi master."

"Was?" Natalie asked.

"As absurd as I found it, she was betrayed and sacrificed by her nephew Jacen Solo. Although her force ghost has appeared to a few people over the years. We all die, but her death always saddens me for some reason," Gar admitted.

Natalie felt sad as well, "What's a Force ghost?" 

"Powerful Jedi masters learn a special technique that allows them to live on for some time as a separate entity from the Force. Mostly they impart their wisdom to those they choose. Although followers of the dark side are blood-thirsty, they hesitate to kill powerful Jedi. When a Jedi Master dies and forms a Force ghost their power becomes greater than you can possibly imagine."

Natalie looked confused, "It sounds more like they just talk to people, has is that more powerful than I can possibly imagine?" 

Gar shrugged his shoulders, "I've never met a Force ghost, these are just stories to me. Maybe we can ask Master M'tz later." 

Natalie accepted his response as they found Sol outside practicing some of his techniques, "Hey, Sol, Master M'tz wants to see us in about half an hour. We have a visitor."

Without looking at Sol or Natalie, Sol continued to exercise, "Is it that guy I saw you with earlier?"

"Yeah. Okay, so wrap it up. You should visit the refresher before the meeting," Gar instructed.

"Maybe you should take your advice," Sol said without breaking a sweat.

"I guess I have gotten pretty dirty working on the car. I'll see you two there later," Gar departed from the group.

Natalie smiled at Sol and left a few words before heading inside to her room. Sol finished his practice, "Could this be the trainer we've been waiting for?