The Jedi Archives

[Jenno]

(It's Master Hehe, not Haha... sigh... And just for fun, I'm going to say that your events occured a day after Baumm's last post.)

Jedi Master Meenu Baumm had returned from his quarters somewhat later than usual to begin his work in The Archives. Partially because his thoughts were elsewhere, and partially because he assumed that the Council would replace him as soon as they assigned a padawan to him. Not that the Ortolan had any issue with the idea of a padawan or of having one, he simply felt he had better things to do then to train another youth.

For instance, helping witless Jedi to find their ways in the Archives. Each day, on average, five Jedi became lost in the massive library of the Jedi Order. Part of Master Baumm's job was to show them where to go. So, in effect, his job was somewhat less complicated than that of a droid's. But tradition held, and the Jedi Archives would never be run by a droid. Which is why, upon his walk through the halls of the Archives, when he happened upon one who was obviously lost, the Master felt it necessary that he should aid the youth.


Appearing from around the corner of the aisle, the stocky blue Jedi turned to face what he assumed to be a youngling.

"You are searching for something?"

[Jenno]

Master Baumm made a mental sigh when the youth's response was that he had come to the Archives in search of Master Baumm himself. It seemed like only two kinds of people ever entered the Archives. Those who knew where whatever they were looking for was, and those who came to ask the Archivist where something was because they didn't feel like doing the research themselves.

"I am Master Baumm, may I help you find something?"

The response that followed, however, surprised the Ortolan. Apparently, the young Kel-dor had been assigned by the Council to be his new padawan. Silently, he cursed the arrogance of the Council. They had agreed that he was to choose his own student, and yet they had ignored his plea. Though, again, a point that could not seem to present itself too many times in Meenu Baumm's life, everybody ignored him.

For a total of six seconds, the Archivist thought over the situation, before reaching towards the nearest aisle wall and removing a datacard which detailed specifically the Aiwha species of Kamino and Naboo, and handing it to his new padawan.

"Commit this to memory."

He said, before heading off towards the next hapless Jedi who couldn't seem to find what they were looking for.

[\J|K/]

"Yes... master."

He took the card lightly. He knew the purpose of the card even if he had never studied in the Archives before. He scanned the card for any markings but only found that the card held information on the species of the Kaminoian and Naboo races.

Never before had anything of the sort interested him but something had given him inspiration. Possibly it was the fact that this was his first instruction given to him by his master. But something told him that the information on this card would be useful to him on what might be his first mission as a Jedi Student.

Taking the card with him, he sat on a bench near the center of the Archives, so it would be easy to find him if he was needed, and slipped the card into his data pad. And there he sat for the nest two and a half hours absorbing every word of information about the two species.

[Jenno]

After substantial time had been given for the youth to read the contents of the datacard (Master Baumm knew the exact length of the contents of every datacard in the Archives), the Archivist made his way back towards his newest student. Passing along with a row of new cataloguing parameters for the section on mycology, he spoke to the Kel-dor.

"Have you finished your memorization yet?"

[\J|K/]

The youngling gazed up. As of yet he had no knowledge that one specie could... create... another. Even if the species were transported from Naboo the concept of moving one animal life form to a new planet for use there was foreign as well.

"Yes, master, I have finished the file."

He pulled the disk from his datapad and held it loosely in his hand. Then he gazed around the room, so many... there were so many other files that could contain just as interesting information about the rest of the galaxy. He wondered how much of the galaxy would have been hidden to him if he had continued his idea of solely learning by experience.

"Master? Is it possible to create life? I have seen war and learned of its destruction to life, but... is it possible to bring it back?"

[Jenno]

Master Baumm took the datacard and gave it to one of the many Archival droids, who promptly turned and scurried off to replace it in the correct space. He then took another datacard, this one concerning the various effects gravity of planets have on an object in space, this one particularily focused on Lagrangian points. He wordlessly handed this card to the Kel dor as he listened to the youth's question.

"You think much of life and rebirth, I see..."

He said mostly to himself in his usual droning monotone.

[\J|K/]

"On my world the protection of life is vital. Our warriors were to void themselves of feeling and emotion in order to become the perfect defenders. Their life was forfeit for the betterment of others."

He nodded to his master pausing for a moment feeling a sharp pain.

"After my mother and father refused to let me learn with the Force-Sensitives on my planet, they prepared me to be a warrior. They wanted me to defend the land they loved. So when the Jedi came they were given the honor of allowing me to become a defender of planets. Not just our tribe."

The boy shifted in his chair. He was not yet able to grasp the expanses of the universe nor the trauma or pain that waited any who wandered to far but he was beginning to see things for what they were. This was a staggering realization.

"The Jedi will allow me to forfeit the betterment of my life to serve many. To fight for honor and to defend peace. I must not fail my father and mother. I will not fail you, my master.

I know things will be hard for us, I can see you do not care for me. But I swear to honor you and live by the Code... and maybe one day we will understand each other, but for now I will serve you and learn your teachings well for you are the one who can teach me to symbolize the true meaning of a Jedi defender."

[Jenno]

Master Baumm started walking away, leaving the student with more to learn.

"You do expect much..."

He said, as he made his way elsewhere, setting into effect a pattern that would continue for the next few weeks if left unchecked.

(So, yeah, basically, Chris, Baumm is just going to keep on giving you stuff to memorize until you do something about it. You can post now, or zip forward a few incredibly boring weeks, whatever you'd like.)

[\J|K/]

For the next five weeks, whenever he was not eating, sleeping, or taking his advanced saber courses, Taren was sitting in front of his Data Pad following as much as he could though Master Baumm's work load.

On occasion, after his work, he would slip a few extra holo disks. He figured his Master would not mind him cramming in any lesson he could on the inner depths of the Force in Lightdaber combat. This was where he was first introduced to Vaapad. A lightsaber form that could tap into their enemies power. One day he hoped to be powerful enough to learn the deadly form.

But, for now, he learned a hard mix of Form III and V. It was a hard blend but he felt that a Jedi must know how to be light and graceful, thus he trained on the fluidity of Form III. Also he felt the Jedi were called, at times, to be great warriors. So he studied the arts of Form V as well.

In his culture the warrior must be strong, so he trained hard every day. A warrior must be brave, so he acted boldly and welcomed the consequences. A warrior must have nothing to lose, so he filled himself with the Force and left behind all emotion and possessions. He fell in sync with his sabers and felt a connection to the Force stronger than ever.

After this five week period, Taren had championed the Padawan devision in Saber combat. It seemed that Baumm's sternness when it came to exercising the mind had been just as vital as any other muscle. He was feeling strong but undefined. He needed expierance... but that would only happen if Baumm would remove himself from the Archive long enough to take his padawan on a mission for the order. The odds of that were not good, but one could always hope.

[Jenno]

Though, in truth, these past few weeks had not been all good for the student. Indeed, he had studied well and performed excellently, but it seemed to go by mostly unnoticed by both Master Baumm, who never spoke to the boy except to give him another datacard, one which he never got around to qizzing the Kel Dor over. The other students, also, tended to ignore the Archivist's padawan. While their masters took them out on mission after mission, Master Baumm never deferred from his routine.

Worst of all were the whispers. The other students mirrored their masters, none of which respected the worn-out old Master Baumm. Students spoke of his worthlessness, his immerusable dullness. Stories were told that the Council had removed him of his lightsaber. And as these whispers grew around the student, new whispers came about that the Kel Dor was to be the next Archivist, and that he would never reach the rank of Knight under Master Baumm. Some even said these things to his face.

More and more, it became obvious that being Master Baumm's apprentice was not quite the blessing that it seemed to be. Day after day of monotony and studies over totally unrelated and irrelevant information, never any training, never any instruction, and the whispers, growing louder and louder. If something was not done now, this could very well go on forever...


Today was not even the slightest bit different, except that it was warmer today than yesterday. Master Baumm approached his student and handed him a datacard concerning the manner in which datacards were constructed. This was the third time the Archivist had assigned this same exact card to his student.


(And cue the drama between Master and Padawan. I love complex relation ships.)

[\J|K/]

He glanced up from his station at the desk after he felt his master approach. In that same moment of excitement he felt a low pain. By now he had recognized this card. Again he was to learn the scrupulous task of creating a data card.

"Master, please. For these weeks I have worked my hardest, can I at least have a lesson taught by you?

He took the card and set it roughly on the table next to him.

"Today is the warmest day of the year so far, may we go outside to at least talk? Or master, look.

He pulled out a data card of the former Jedi enclave on Dantooine.

"Master, Jedi have not studied there in years. Think of what we could find, of what we could learn. I bet after these years their Archive is in such a mess, you could begin putting it back together."

He looked hopeful, the very idea of leaving these halls dampened the... resentment... he had begun to harvest for the lack of attention. He knew this was overstepping his mark as Padawan but he felt some stimulation was needed in their Relationship.

[Jenno]

Master Baumm did not answer for a few moments. After that, he did not answer for many more moments. But niether did he look away. For the first time since their meeting, the Ortolan looked upon his padawan with inquisitive eyes. He took the seat across from Taren and took away the datacard, seating himself. After a few more tense moments, he spoke.

"What is it that you seek from our time together? Sparring matches? Leaving the temple? Performing missions for the Council? Do you wish to see the galaxy?"

He said, pausing for an answer.

[\J|K/]

"Not only do I want to see the Galaxy, master, I want to be a part of it. I don't want to stand back and watch the worlds pass me by. There are hundreds of worlds who need our help. Please, let us, master and apprentice, make a difference."

He looked around, "These halls are filled with the stories of countless Jedi who fought for freedom. They are filled with the life actions of Jedi who died for the Order and the Republic. Our stories are happening now but I am scared that no one will care to hear of them in the years to come.

[Jenno]

Master Baumm sighed.

"Soon, you will learn..."

He said, before standing up and gathering the datacards together.

"Though I do not approve of it, the Council has chosen us as a convoy to Dantooine. Gather your things, padawan. We will be leaving soon. I trust you will be excited."

He relayed, making his way back to his desk.

[\J|K/]

(you can continue on from here)

He looked down, excited tha the council had chosen him to go on a mission.

"Yes master, i will be ready."

He quickly gathered his things and left for his dorm where he prepared his Jedi Survival pack.

[Jenno]

(Moved to A Journey Long Overdue)

[Fellheart]

The youngling Fellheart whent in to the Jedi archives to ask a question to master Baumm

"Master Baumm, What is the dark side?"

[Jenno]

(Master Baumm actually left a while ago with his paddy. You can always request an NPC)

[Fellheart]

(In that case..)

The youngling Fellheart went in to the Jedi archives looking for someone to answer hes question
He saw a person that looked like he knew the answer "exuse me, can you tell me what the dark side is?"

[DreamKiLLeR]

Tekyr Mevek paused on entry into the Archives, half-expecting to be chided as if he were some lost youngling. The library was expansive. The idea of finding the information he sought was suddenly very bleak.

A hearty sigh came from the Knight that seemed to combat the sound of a growling stomach. One look around and he applied himself towards looking over one of the shelves. Perhaps if he were lucky he would be able to slip in and out, no questions asked and be on his way.

Removing a glove he touched the tips of his fingers to the first panel of the shelf he could come in contact with. This act in itself was dangerous, the use of Psychometry would require his complete concentration just so he didn't take in too much at once, the part about it that indicated danger was the traffic this place had received since it's creation. Eyes closing, the Force wrapping around him like some ethereal blanket he allowed himself to 'coast' with it visions of past faces flooding his minds eye as he walked slowly down the rack; from here he would move on to the next. Looking for two in particular images possibly a third.

Slowly the Jedi Knight collected brief images from shelf to shelf not giving thought to being interrupted. Seriously not wanting to deal with such a situation. In and out; he reminded himself again as a flurry of imagery cascaded his mind; sweat trickling down his forehead as he held focus and progressed.