Chapter 20: Thicc Saber

I slouched in my seat, the hum of the lecture hall droning like a distant starship engine. Professor Elama's voice sliced through the haze, sharp and clear a beacon for wandering minds. She was talking about the intricacies of lightsaber combat, movements as fluid as the rivers. But my thoughts? They were skirting the edges of something bigger, something wilder.

'Dude, I literally can't stop thinking about him.'

"Professor," I blurted out, not quite catching the wave of silence that crashed over the class as my voice echoed. My senses honed like an autist about to talk about his special interest.

'Thick lightsaber, thick lightsaber, thick lightsaber.'

My thoughts drumming along like a damn about to burst.

"Is it, uh, possible to get a gigantic lightsaber? Like, one that would make even Guts from Berserker feel inadequate? Like super thick and super long?" I hold my arms out to illustrate great length and girth.

A couple of students snickered while others swapped confused glances.

"What the kriff is berserker? What's a guts? Why does he always sit there smelling his fingers?"

Berserker clearly wasn't on their Holocron watchlist.

'Also, I don't sniff my fingers. What the fuck?'

Elama paused, her gaze locking onto me like tractor beams. That look could've frozen Mustafar's lava lakes, but she just sighed, letting the moment thaw.

"Vex," she began, her tone schooling me before her words did, "while I appreciate your... creative enthusiasm, constructing such a weapon is not practical."

The class tittered, and I could feel my cheeks flaring bright red, but Elama continued, her eyes softening just a notch.

"However, theoretically, it could be possible. You would likely need an array of focusing lenses and, I presume, no fewer than three kyber crystals to sustain such a blade."

Three kyber crystals. The thought gnawed at me, worming its way into the crevices of my brain where possibility met madness. I nodded, sinking back into my chair as Elama moved on, the rest of the lecture melding into a background whisper. My mind was already racing through dark tunnels, chasing after the glow of an idea that was as dangerous as it was alluring.

"Professor Elama!" I blurted out again, unable to contain my curiosity. "How would one go about constructing a pauldron resistant enough to withstand a lightsaber's blade?"

The class erupted into giggles and whispers, amused by my seemingly absurd question. But Professor Elama simply raised an eyebrow, considering me with her piercing gaze.

"An intriguing theoretical question, Vex," she finally replied. "Lightsaber-resistant armor would require some incredibly durable materials. Perhaps a cortosis weave or phrik alloy paneling." She pondered a little bit more deeply. "Perhaps Beskar if you could get your hands on some?"

She stroked her chin thoughtfully before continuing. "The pauldron would need to be expertly crafted to deflect and disperse the lightsaber's energy rather than absorb it. The joints and padding beneath would also require reinforcement to protect the wearer."

I soaked up her words eagerly, picturing the proposed pauldron design in my mind. To be able to craft armor capable of withstanding a lightsaber...the possibilities made my head spin. I had to know more.

"So, like, I could just rest the thick blade on my shoulder right and, like, then take gigantic fucking swings at traitors?" I look around the worms in class. "Real quick guys. Uhhhh," I get nervous talking to so many people. "Would you guys bug out if you saw someone with a super thick and long lightsaber sprinting at you and then trying to kill you?"

"Vex, please don't do that to us."

One of the stronger-willed boys in the class spoke up suddenly, nervous.

"ahhh, yeah, no, I meant hypothetically."

'That's gotta be a yes. Operation Guts sword is a go.'

*****

As the last echoes of the lecture faded into a forgettable buzz, I felt the weight of my own ridiculous question sink like a star destroyer in a swamp. That's when Hawk, with her signature swagger that could knock a Rancor off balance, cornered me outside the classroom.

"Vex!"

she said, her voice cutting through the clamor of students shuffling to their next class.

"Are you and Sola, you know... a thing?"

Her eyes drilled into mine, searching for something I wasn't sure I wanted to give away. The corners of her lips twitched, fighting a battle between annoyance and something softer.

"It's complicated,"

I muttered, suddenly finding the pattern on the floor incredibly offensive.

'Oh shit, is the floor swastikas? Oh no, it's just lowercase t crosses, thank god,' I nervously thought as I briefly mistook the floor pattern.'

"Complicated, huh?"

Her arms folded across her chest, muscles flexing beneath the fabric of her utilitarian jacket. She huffed, a strand of her cropped hair falling defiantly across her brow.

"Sure, keep your secrets."

I watched her stalk off, a whirlwind of conflicting signals. My mind was still reeling when I found myself at the café, sitting opposite Sola.

"Vexxy, darling" Sola began, her tone as smooth as a polished vibroblade, "why were you wasting time with Hawk? When you have access to..." She trailed off, gesturing to herself with a manicured hand, "...all of this."

I sipped my coffee, feeling the heat snake down my throat—a temporary distraction from the chilling undercurrent of her words.

'Thicc lightsaber.' My thoughts were resolute.

"Hawk and I just had some... course stuff to go over."

'What the fuck, don't lie, you mongo.'

"Is that so?"

Sola purred, leaning forward. Her stare locked onto mine, and I could almost see the possessive fire flickering behind those piercing eyes.

"Because you're mine, Vex. Don't make me remind you of that."

'Yeah, complicated didn't even begin to cover it.'

Suddenly, I hear the clack of powerful heels against the floor tiles echoing through café sithé, each step a staccato rhythm breaking into my thoughts. I didn't need to look up; that stride belonged to Zenna, proud, unwavering, and now tinged with frustration.

"Still no leads,"

she snapped, pulling up a chair with more force than necessary. Her eyes were stormy as she glared at the datapad in her hand, her fingers tapping an impatient beat on its edge.

'Dude, stop looking for me. It's a bad vibe in general.'

"Nothing on Darth Relic?"

I kept my voice level, but inside, the familiar knot of anxiety pulled tighter. Zenna's obsession was a blade hanging over us both, a secret identity I juggled like a thermal detonator.

"Nothing," Zenna confirmed, her tone sharp. "It's like he's vanished into thin air."

She tossed the datapad onto the table, where it skidded to a stop by my cup.

"Maybe we're looking in the wrong places," I suggested, trying to sound helpful while steering her away from the truth.

"Or maybe..." Sola interjected, her gaze flicking between us, "Darth Relic wants to be found only when he is ready."

Zenna considered this for a moment, then rose abruptly, her chair scraping back.

"I've got training."

She spoke curtly, leaving as quickly as she'd arrived, her presence lingering like the afterimage of a bright light.

With Zenna gone, the air felt lighter, and I turned to Sola, her eyes fixed on me with unsettling intensity.

"You've been patient," I began, choosing my words carefully. "but i need something of you."

Her lips curled into a smile, sharp and expectant. "What do you require of me, Master?"

"It's time for a test," I said, feeling the weight of my own duplicity. "To prove your worth as my apprentice."

"Anything," she breathed out, leaning closer.

'Literal psycho….. but like, I fuck with it fr fr.'

"Baron Halcorr's son," I continued, watching her reaction closely. "He's one of the weaker year threes in upper Korriban. Take him out."

Her laughter surprised me, light and gleeful. "Really? That boy?" Delight danced in her eyes, a predator relishing the hunt. "Consider it done."

"Ahhh!" I remembered as if it was more important than the mission given to me by my mother. "Collect his saber too. I mean, I'll be there to watch over you. I just want the kyber crystal for a pet project."

"Pet project?" Her lips twisted into a creepy smile, blatantly misunderstanding whatever it was I was hinting at.

'What the fuck do you even think I'm talking about?' My gaze lingered on her curves for longer than I meant.

"What would Darth Relic need an extra crystal for? Perhaps a new saber?"

'Oh, I guess I assumed she didn't know what I wanted. VEX! you moron, now you've made an ass out of the both of you!' 'JASON YOU IDIOT!' My earthling father's voice echoed through my mind. He was a huge proponent of not making assumptions, something that got him killed when I was young.'

"What?" I've completely lost sight of what she asked me.

Her face looked annoyed. "Vex, why are you so weird?"

"No, no, You don't get it. Thick!"

"What the fuck are you talking about Vex?"

"Since when do you use fuck?" I questioned her with fervor.

'What the fuck is happening?'

"I don't know. you say it all the time, and it just rolls off the fucking tongue?" She spoke with a melodic, sultry voice. Hearing another drop the F-bomb was weirdly comforting.

"It suits you."

Sola blushed a deep red.

"Anyways, I need three kyber crystals. Let's focus your training on killing some phonies for the time being." I channel my inner Holden Caulfield.

'Kill John Lennon.'

'Relax.'

My mind wandered once again.