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"In my view, it's possible to know too much about combat and the Force- if it means you know next to nothing about intelligence gathering, computer slicing, technological surveillance, or espionage. Sentinels approach these disciplines from the bottom up, without assuming that the Force will reveal all the answers. When you do this, you'll find there's a great deal the civilians of the galaxy can teach us."

~ Jedi Recruiter Morrit Ch'gally

"This... this is a joke, right?" Syrra asked the two of them, smiling uncertainly as her eyes darted between each male.

Master Skywalker looked as he usually did, peaceful and unconcerned, perhaps even a little amused; Kajex looked awkward, not looking directly at Syrra as he rubbed the back of his neck. She frowned as neither one of them answered in the positive.

"This isn't a joke," she realized, looking thoroughly confused. She stared at Master Skywalker. "Why?"

"Because I talked to him and I've concluded that he's been an incredibly positive influence on you, more than you might be aware," Luke explained. "Since you two have clearly gotten along very well to the point of him teaching you useful skills, it might help you to advance your own training through an alternative approach."

"But he's not a Jedi," she said. "I mean, that's not to say you aren't incredibly skilled, Kajex," she said quickly, hoping she hadn't insulted her lover.

He chuckled. "No, I know what you meant. And trust me, I have my own reservations for doing this, but... well, you convinced me, Master Skywalker- you're the wise guy, so you convince Syrra."

Skywalker nodded. "Fair enough. It goes without saying that this Jedi Order has had to build itself from the ground up- even our own Masters are constantly learning something new, something they can pass on to younger students to enhance their training. Yet many of them came from backgrounds that not only utilized very little in the way of Force ability, but in many ways were more efficient or at least easier to access for them. If I could choose one thing that I've learned since starting this academy that I would like to pass on to you, it's that the civilians of the universe are just as capable of teaching the Jedi as the Jedi are capable of learning through the Force."

"Most of my students were experts in other fields before they turned to the academy to become Jedi. As an example, Maste-- excuse me, Kyle Katarn used to be a Rebellion field agent with top training in the Imperial academy. Master Corran Horn excelled as an investigator for the Corellian Security Force, not so different from your Trianii Rangers, and was a pilot for Rogue Squadron."

"And you think that pairing me with Kajex will help me develop my Force talents?" she asked skeptically.

"Both Kyle and Corran developed those skills before they came to train here. It's certainly possible to become a very capable Jedi without the aid of a Master- though very difficult. I believe that all you need is someone to teach you the necessary skills to survive, to supplement your already impressive fighting skills and growing Force abilities." He glanced at the wolf. "Captain Surnahm has already been a positive force in your life, it's plainly evident. His work and skillset are just as robust as both Katarn's and Horn's, I'm certain he has much to teach you. I see no sense in separating the two of you, particularly since he asked to be employed."

She stared at Kajex, who looked hopeful. "I'm not going to say no. But isn't this a little unorthodox?"

Master Skywalker laughed. "I should have thought you'd been here long enough to know that, in almost every respect, the academy can't exactly afford to take the orthodox approach. We may as well discard the methods of the old order in lieu of alternatives, while keeping the core parts of Jedi training alive."

"I guess," Syrra shrugged, not fully convinced. "I'm just... not sure it's what a Jedi would normally do."

"You'd be surprised," Luke smiled.

"How so?"

He looked between them a few moments before continuing. "Back in the days before the Clone Wars, going all the way to the days of the Old Republic, Jedi could be broadly classed by which of the three separate paths they chose to undertake. The first, and probably most numerous were Jedi Guardians- they consisted mostly of fighters, warriors who trained to fight against those who threatened the Republic and the Jedi Order. Jedi star pilots, temple security guards, even liaisons to local authorities were among those who followed the path of the Guardian."

"The second path was that of the Jedi Consular, traversed by those who wished to hone their abilities in negotiation, healing and research. Their main focus was the study of the Force itself, and the utilization of that deep knowledge to see into the future, passing on knowledge to new generations or using that knowledge to encourage diplomatic solutions to political problems. The development of new Force abilities were often attributed to such wielders of the Force. Master Moarn was one such Consular, and it's a noble path my sister and I have also tried to follow closely."

"The third path, however, was a path that few undertook- that of the Jedi Sentinel."

"The Sentinel?" Syrra asked, curious and interested.

"A Sentinel was both considerably skilled in lightsaber combat and knowledgeable in the intricacies of the Force, but their main focus was not strictly on either. It was something of a middle ground between the Guardian and Consular- and yet at the same time, something more. I've heard it said that while a Guardian would bash down a door and a Consular would knock, a Sentinel would pick the lock or slice a terminal to open it. A Sentinel's forte consisted of the use of more pragmatic, civilian skills to conduct their work- things like slicing, security manipulation, the utilization of stealth techniques, mechanical repair and the application of resistance to outside forces through mental conditioning." He turned his eyes to Kajex. "In many ways, the Sentinel was the connection between the Jedi Order and the universe at large. They were far more integrated with the population of Republic worlds, and more in-tune with culture and public opinion. They were not as insulated as the Consulars, nor as single-mindedly devoted as the Guardian. They were often spies, tech specialists, field medics, saboteurs... and investigators," he added, smiling at the wolf.

The wolf cleared his throat, jamming his paws in his pockets. "What he's getting at is that all the skills that these 'Sentinels' used are the same skills I use when I'm on the job. My only weak point is medicine, which you know a lot about as it is- but everything else like slicing computers, fixing machinery like my ship and sneaking around fortified bases and stations- well, you've seen me at work, you know what I'm capable of."

"His resume is fairly impressive," Luke agreed. "I'd put at least ten credits on him outshining Katarn in terms of investigation."

"Wait, just ten?" Kajex remarked indignantly. "Oh, c'mon..."

Syrra nodded, feeling a little more warmed up to the idea, not least because it meant she'd be spending more time with him. Questions still lingered, however. "What about lightsaber and Force training? If Kajex can't teach me how to use the Force..."

"You still have access to the demonstration holovids Captain Surnahm gave you- and he's agreed to help you on that front," Luke added. "If he's studied those recordings long enough to demonstrate enough skill with a vibroblade, then the both of you can learn from and teach each other in that regard- a mutually beneficial education, as it were. I can offer training sabers for you both to use while you're on-mission. And as for developing your Jedi abilities, there are plenty of resources I can offer you, easily copied to a holodisc for your own perusal at any time."

"And... you believe this will really help me excel?" she asked hopefully.

Skywalker nodded, smiling warmly. "You're in love with him. You don't even need to exude that feeling unconsciously for me to know- you wouldn't be looking at him the way you do, sharing your culture with him," he said, pointing at both their hair bead, "if you didn't feel that way. I can't tell you not to love him- and I wouldn't want to. By separating the both of you, your relationship with him would risk degrading, with no means to mature responsibly. Time together will give you a better insight into each other, instead of encouraging rash passion." He regarded both of them seriously. "There may come a time when one of you may fall in the line of duty. It's a risk we all take when we bond so closely with others- but the risk of that tragedy leading to the dark side is only exacerbated when that bond is not melded with wisdom."

She said nothing, reflecting on his words. If she had to be honest with herself, her relationship with Kajex, while incredible and genuine, had come about at lightspeed. There wasn't a moment of their time together that she would take back, she realized as she looked into the wolf's hopeful visage. And while the idea of losing him scared her badly, she knew Luke was right. They needed more time to talk, to experience, to share and love; if they were ever expected to make what they had together work.

"So... are you okay with this?" Kajex asked, looking hesitant. "Would you like me to be your mentor?"

She looked to him, at once realizing that he had his reservations- but there was no way to know without trying.

"Yes," she finally said, a smile on her muzzle. "I want to learn from you." There was a pause, then a nervous chuckle. "Although, how should I address you, then? 'Master?' 'Teacher?'"

Looking encouraged by her acceptance, he smiled back and held out his paw.

"'Partner.'"

She took his paw and shook. "Alright then... 'partner.'"

It didn't last long- the next moment they embraced. And while Syrra was certain the next few weeks would be interesting, perhaps even difficult, at the very least it would be with him.