Chapter 18

The hum of lightsabers filled the air of the private training dojo, punctuated by the occasional grunt of exertion. Mace Windu stood at the center, his purple blade a blur of motion as he demonstrated a complex sequence of Form VII, Vaapad. Kaedan Dorn watched intently, his own twin sabers held in a reverse grip that had become his signature style over the past two weeks.

"Remember, Padawan," Windu's deep voice resonated through the room, "Vaapad is more than just a fighting style. It's a state of mind. You must channel your inner darkness, control it, use it without letting it use you."

Kaedan nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. He had made remarkable progress in the short time since becoming Windu's apprentice, but Vaapad remained a challenge. Its philosophy of riding the edge between light and dark resonated with him on a deep level, yet mastering it required a level of control he was still struggling to achieve.

"Now," Windu continued, deactivating his saber, "show me the sequence. Remember to incorporate the Niman elements we discussed yesterday."

Taking a deep breath, Kaedan ignited his sabers – one green, one purple – and began the intricate dance of Vaapad. His reverse grip lent a unique flavor to the movements, turning what was already an unpredictable form into something truly extraordinary.

As he moved through the sequence, Kaedan felt the familiar rush of power that came with channeling his emotions through the Force. The memory of Zara's death, the anger and guilt he still carried, became fuel for his movements. But this time, instead of letting those dark emotions control him, he shaped them, directed them.

Windu watched his apprentice with a mixture of pride and concern. The boy's progress was unprecedented, his natural talent amplified by a depth of understanding that seemed impossible for one so young. But there was something else there too, a shadow that Windu couldn't quite place.

As Kaedan completed the sequence, ending in a defensive stance with his sabers crossed before him, Windu nodded in approval. "Well done, Padawan. Your control is improving. But remember, Vaapad is as much about knowing when not to strike as it is about attack."

Kaedan deactivated his sabers, bowing respectfully. "Thank you, Master. I'll keep working on it."

Windu's expression softened slightly. "See that you do. Now, clean up and meet me in the hangar bay in one hour. It's time for your first official mission as my Padawan."

Kaedan's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "A mission? Where are we going, Master?"

"The Coruscant underworld," Windu replied, his tone grave. "We've received reports of a new strain of spice being distributed in the lower levels. The Senate is concerned it might be tied to Separatist activity."

As Windu left the dojo, Kaedan felt a mix of emotions wash over him. Excitement at the prospect of his first real mission warred with anxiety about what they might face. And beneath it all, a nagging sense of familiarity. The Coruscant underworld... had there been something about that in the stories from his past life? He couldn't quite remember.

An hour later, Kaedan stood beside his Master in a nondescript speeder, descending into the depths of Coruscant's lower levels. As they dropped below the surface, the gleaming towers and pristine walkways of the upper city gave way to a maze of dimly lit streets and crumbling infrastructure.

"Remember your training, Padawan," Windu said as they approached their destination. "The underworld is a dangerous place, full of desperate people and hidden threats. Stay alert, and trust in the Force."

Kaedan nodded, his hand instinctively moving to the hilts of his lightsabers. As they touched down in a dingy landing bay, the reality of their situation hit home. This wasn't the sanitized version of the Star Wars universe he had known from films and books. This was real, gritty, and potentially lethal.

They made their way through winding alleys and crowded marketplaces, Windu's imposing presence parting the crowds before them. Kaedan tried to take in everything at once – the cacophony of alien languages, the pungent mix of odors, the flashing neon signs advertising everything from exotic dancers to black market cybernetics.

Their first stop was a seedy cantina called "The Rusty Hutt." As they entered, the raucous noise inside dimmed noticeably, dozens of eyes turning to regard the two Jedi with a mixture of fear and hostility.

Windu approached the bar, his voice low but carrying an unmistakable note of authority. "We're looking for information on a new type of spice. Blue crystals, supposedly delivers a high like nothing else. Ring any bells?"

The bartender, a grizzled Devaronian, glanced nervously around the room before leaning in. "Look, I don't want any trouble with the Jedi. But if you're asking about that stuff, you're poking at a real nasty hive, if you catch my meaning."

Before he could elaborate, a commotion erupted at the back of the cantina. Three rough-looking humans had cornered a Twi'lek woman, their intentions clearly less than honorable.

Kaedan felt a surge of anger and moved to intervene, but Windu's hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Wait," the Jedi Master said softly. "Observe. Sometimes the best way to gather information is to let events unfold."

Kaedan bristled at the idea of standing by while someone was in danger, but he trusted his Master's judgment. As they watched, the situation escalated, voices rising.

"Come on, sweetheart," one of the men slurred, his hand reaching for the Twi'lek's arm. "We just want to show you a good time."

The Twi'lek's eyes narrowed, and in a move so fast it was almost invisible, she produced a vibroblade from somewhere in her clothing. "Touch me again," she hissed, "and you'll lose that hand."

The man's face contorted with rage, and he reached for a blaster at his hip. That was when Windu decided they'd seen enough.

Moving with incredible speed, the Jedi Master was across the room in an instant, his lightsaber humming to life. Kaedan was right behind him, his own sabers casting their green and purple glow across the startled faces of the cantina's patrons.

"I suggest," Windu said, his voice cold as ice, "that you gentlemen reconsider your actions."

The three men, suddenly faced with two Jedi, seemed to deflate. They backed away, muttering curses under their breath. The Twi'lek woman shot Windu a look that was part gratitude, part annoyance at having her own handle on the situation interrupted.

As the tension in the room dissipated, Kaedan noticed something odd. One of the men, as he was backing away, had dropped something. A small, blue crystal that seemed to pulse with an inner light.

"Master," Kaedan said softly, nodding towards the dropped item.

Windu's eyes narrowed as he saw the crystal. "Well, Padawan," he murmured. "It seems we may have found our lead after all."