>>5657415“That means its working, innit?” counters Suzel, stabbing his fork into the communal pancake tray. “Considering her boss’ line of work. Hell, sounds like you all could benefit from some yourself considering…y’know.”
Farr chortles dryly. “Perhaps. But given the man who taught her master, I fear for the galaxy and the Empire if a third, stealthy Brethon Larid is unleashed upon it.”
“Given what her master did to Potkin,” Arana interjects smoothly, “I fail to see the problem.”
Stealth is both a mental and physical state of being. There’s what you can control, moving silently by crouching close to the ground or using toe-to-heel steps to get around. Breath control is critical – in and out through the nose, instead of the mouth. Blending in with one’s environment, be it hiding behind objects, dim lighting or wearing clothing that makes little noise.
And then come the mental aspects. Focusing on the task at hand and staying in the present. Being aware of not only the environment, but every move and sound you make. The patience to wait for the opportune moment to slip away and remain calm in high-pressure situations. Adapting to changing circumstances…
“Have you seen Ceyla?” asks Sia-Lann one day. “Bultar and I wanted to check in on her.”
Elba grunts a ‘no’. Similarly, you shake your head. “Did you need her for something?”
“To be blunt, girl talk.” Bultar makes a gesture with her hand, and a wry grin. “But in all seriousness, it’s…three droids and four males compared to herself? Poor thing must be clawing at the walls.”
Trykov coughs to mask a snort. You aren’t nearly amused. “I’d like to think I’m running a ship, not a frat house.”
“To which you’re doing an exceptional job.” Sia-Lann grimaces as a thought flash in her eyes. “Force knows that as much as I loved traveling with them, my old friends knew how to make a mess out of things.”
“We’re hardly asking for a spa day, Farren,” jokes Bultar, “But there are lines of solidarity that go beyond the bonds of Jedi-”
“I’m actually in them, Master Swann.”
Bultar and Sia-Lann visibly jump as a subdeck hatch by your feet pops open. Coughing and blowing dirty hair out of her face, Ceyla pokes her head above the grate, then gives a cheery wave and a smile. “Erm, the walls. I meant the walls. But I wouldn’t mind that, actually. Maybe after dinner tonight?”
When they hesitantly nod, your padawan gives you a thumbs-up, then disappears back into the access passage. It takes her all of ten seconds for her to scurry away, only bumping her head and cursing once before she practically vanishes.
At the pointed looks that both female Jedi give you, you shrug. "Stealth training."
Perk of the E-9 Explorer models – subdeck crawls spaces through the entire ship. Large enough for a wookiee of Elba's size to crawl through, more than enough for a young girl of Ceyla's age to practice in.
(cont.)
