Jedi Council
This is the on-line section of my local Star Wars club known as The Jedi Council. My name is Lord Raith and I am it's leader. Together with my apprentice Darth Sadis (her story below) we will crush the Jedi once and for all from the inside.

More details on the club and this, it's on line presence are forthcoming.

12-20-99 A Two-Tone Sabre

by: Crell Mclachlan

disclaimer: sw belongs to george lucas, the two-toned lightsabre to the
owner of the Ecletia web-pages (variously known as jedi qui or darth
raith), and the story belongs to me, but i don't want any money for it- fan
work is meant for fun, not profit.

archiving: ask first

Karin stood in front of the cabinets filled with sabre crystals, sorting
through them carefully, trying to find one that spoke to her. There were no
instructions for how a Padawan was to select the crystals the first time
she constructed her own lightsabre. But there were plenty of rumors. Karin
had decided to just come down here and start looking. Eventually, she found
one crystal- a blue Cynthian sapphire. But, while there are no instructions
for choosing the crystals, Masters generally gave some technical
instructions to their Padawans, and hers said to include two crystals. She
continued to search through the tray of sapphires, but could not seem to
find one with a Force signature that matched the one she had already found.

"Is there something I can help you with, young Padawan?" Startled, Karin
spun around and came nose-to-nose with Master Cealon. Startled again, as
when she'd picked up new parts for her old student sabre a few months ago,
she barely come up to the Sullust's chin.

"Um, sorry, Master. I'm just trying to find a matching crystal." She bowed
slightly, and kept her eyes down to signal her wish to return to her search.

"Is your sabre in need of repair again so soon, Padawan Karin. I have come
to expect better than that from you." Karin's eyes snapped up to meet hers,
and Cealon's normally solemn face broke into a wide grin. "Apparently I
haven't been expecting enough," she chuckled. Lowering her voice
conspiratorially, she leaned forward and added, "Usually, selecting
crystals for your own sabre requires several days of meditation and
searching. In fact, Masters Yoda, Jinn, and Talone each found their first
crystals outside the Temple."

"But Master, I have already found one crystal. Now I only need to find a
match for it." Karin held out the Cythran sapphire for the Master's
inspection. Cealon pulled her eyepiece down so she could inspect the
crystal, chittering to herself as she discovered the properties which had
led this particular Padawan to chose it yet be unable to match it to any of
the other sapphires on hand.

"Do not be discouraged, young one. You are not expected to accomplish any
stage of constructing your own lightsabre in a single day. Cythran
sapphires are not uncommon. Keep your eyes open on your next few missions
with your master, I'm sure you will find what you seek soon enough."

"Thank you, Master." Karin bowed again and left the lab to return to her
quarters.

As she entered the common room she shared with her master, Karin noticed
that their bags were packed and sitting ready by the door.

"Padawan," came Master Talone's voice from the kitchen, "did you have any
success in the labs today?"

"Some, Master." She pulled out the crystal and walked over to the kitchen
to show him. "I found a Cythran sapphire that I feel will work."

"And how come you have only one, Padawan?"

"It does not match any of the other Cythran sapphires, and Master Cealon
said I should look during our next few missions."

"Well, it might take a while, because we are leaving this evening for a
week-long negotiation on Ojavan. All Cythran products are banned from that
system, and it seems to me that they are being optimistic as to the
negotiations taking only a week."

"That is okay, Master. Perhaps I shall discover what is special about this
crystal, and by the time we return have a better idea of what I need for
the other."

Talone reached out and ruffled her hair. "You are a good Padawan, Karin. Go
study the materials in the other room, and say good-bye to your friends. We
leave immediately after evening meal."

Karin bowed, then got a glint in her eye. "Yes, Master. And thank you for
packing my bags for me." Talone grinned at his student, then turned back to
his meal preparations as she left to obey.

Later that evening, Master and Padawan stood on the landing platform
waiting to board the transport that would take them to Ojavan. The ship's
crew was working swiftly on their pre-flight, talking in quiet voices,
moving efficiently between tasks, tools, and gestures emphasizing their
words. Talone turned to his apprentice and said, "Karin, I want you to
spend the time on the ship in meditation on the construction of your
lightsabre. Don't build anything, and don't worry about the mission, just
meditate.

"Yes, Master," Karin replied, and then they were being signaled to board
the ship. Karin stowed her bags and her Master's, then found a safe place
where she could meditate without being disturbed by liftoff or the jump to
hyperspace. She pulled out her crystal to use as a focus, and settled into
meditation.

"Karin."

Feeling her Master's hand on her shoulder and hearing her name, Karin
pulled her consciousness away from meditation and back to the moment. She
looked up and saw concern on her Master's face, and quickly rose to her
feet and bowed to him.

"We've arrived at Ojavan, Padawan. Gather our bags and meet me at the exit
ramp."

"Yes, Master."

A few minutes later they were waiting just outside the ship for their
escort to the negotiations. Karin was sitting on their bags, her crystal
once again in her hands. Talone smiled down at her and asked, "How did your
meditation go?"

"Fine, Master. I saw myself holding my completed lightsabre and presenting
it to you, so I know I will be successful. I am no longer worried about
this task. I will find my other crystal when it is there to be found, and
the construction will follow in order."

"Very good, Padawan." He looked back up and saw a figure approaching
through the crowds of the spaceport. "It appears as if our escort has
arrived."

Karin quickly stood and placed her crystal in its pouch on her belt, then
picked up their bags and followed her master as he stepped forward to meet
the escort. The Ojavanian returned the bows of the two Jedi, then removed
the pack she carried on her back and set it on the ground. When she had
straightened up, she slid her hands into her sleeves in imitation of the
Jedi and looked them both straight in the eyes before speaking.

"Welcome to Ojavan, Master Jedi Talone and Padawan Karin. I am Crell, a
Captain in the Ojavan Ceremonial Corps. My unit will be providing the
security for the Oskinwa-Ediban negotiations, and the two parties have
asked that we, as a neutral party, find an appropriate gift for Jedi. When
my Lieutenant identified a gift, both parties provided an equal amount for
the purchase of this gift."

"Thank you, Captain," said Master Talon, "and thank your lieutenant for us
as well. We will convey our thanks to the negotiators ourselves."

Capt. Crell knelt, and retrieved a small box from her bag, then stood
holding it in front of her in both hands. "While my Lieutenant was
researching what would be an appropriate gift for Jedi, he discovered that
your Padawan is approximately the age at which most Jedi apprentices
construct their first lightsabre, and thought an Ojavan emerald would be
appropriate. We do not know if it will actually work as a lightsabre
crystal, but at least it can be a symbol to you that we, Ojavan, Oskinwa,
and Ediban, all understand the importance of the Jedi to the Galaxy, and
appreciate your assistance in these negotiations." She held out the box and
opened it, and Karin caught her breath. Talone shot a quick glance at his
student, and say that she seemed to have slipped into a meditative state,
the same one, in fact, that she entered every time she held her Cythran
sapphire in her hands.

"Thank you, Captain. Karin is ready to construct her lightsabre and has
selected one crystal already, but was unable to find a match for it. I
believe you have." He placed his hand on his student's shoulder and
continued, "Karin, I will not require you to attend the negotiations. Take
the crystal and spend the week constructing your lightsabre." Karin came
out of her trance, plucked the Ojavan emerald from its box and placed it in
the pouch with her Cythran sapphire. The master turned back to the captain
and asked, "Captain, could my Padawan have use of a small electronics lab
for the duration of our stay?"

Capt. Crell snapped her mouth shut and swallowed once before speaking. "Yes
of course. And I will have someone contact the Jedi Temple to make
arrangements for spares."

On the last day of the negotiations, the Padawan joined her Master. After
the treaty had been signed, but before the group broke up to prepare for
the reception that evening, one of the junior negotiators stood and
addressed the Jedi.

"Master Talone, since you excused your Padawan so she could construct her
first lightsabre, and since she is now present, many of us are assuming she
has completed her task. We would ask the two of you for a demonstration."

The Master looked at the Padawan, who slowly stood and bowed to the
delegate. "Thank you. Since I have not been participating, I do not know if
you are aware that your gift to my Master and I was a Ojavan emerald. The
reason I was excused from the negotiations to build my lightsabre was
because this Ojavan emerald's Force signature matches that of the Cythran
sapphire I had already chosen." She strode out to the middle of the room
and pulled her lightsabre from her belt. "I would be pleased to demonstrate
for you, as I feel the joining of two stones from different worlds in my
lightsabre is an appropriate representation of the joining of your two
worlds in this treaty." She ignited her blade, and everyone in the room
rose to their feet. The blade was of two colors- bright green where it
extruded from the handle shading to bright blue at the tip.

She saluted the Captain of the Ceremonial corps where she stood by the
door, each of the leaders of the negotiating teams, and finally Master
Talone. "Master, would you join me in the Grand Dance?"

*end*

 Here is the story of my apprentice Darth Sadis and how she came to embrace the true power of the Force.
This story is very good, I highly recommend you read it.

<< "Master, why have I not been presented to the Counsel?" Asrid Nedlin asked, performing a last stretch. From where her master stood in the doorway, his ever present coat looked black. He wore it closed to his throat, the cowl pulled low over his eyes.
"Because I have one more lesson to teach you, young Padawan." He watched the disappointment flow across his apprentice's expressive face. The tall, muscular woman was indeed a credit to her training, and had she been any one else's apprentice, would have been a Jedi Knight by now. But Asrid wasn't just anyone's apprentice, and he smiled slightly, a dark light deep in his eyes. He watched her toss her head in annoyance and didn't need the Force to tell him that she was on the verge of anger. It was clear in her vivid green eyes. "Patience, my apprentice...your time is drawing near, I promise you."
Asrid nodded with as much humility as she could manage, assuming a meditative posture on her knees. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, waiting for the day's lesson. He contemplated her image, short, spiky auburn hair shaved into a horse's mane, the back tumbling to just past her thighs. His eye was again caught by the green black tatoos that adorned the shaved sides of her head, whorls and knots that tricked the mind. Tan clothing made paste of her pale skin, bringing out the faint bruises she still had from their last sparring session. Past her physical appearance, he knew there was strength, wisdom, all of the traits that made one a good Jedi. His smile turned into a sneer, oh she would have made an excellent Jedi, too bad she never would be one.
"Asrid, look at me."
"Yes, my Master?" she asked, doing as she was told. The pit beneath his cowl devowered her gaze, and for a moment he saw all of the questions that his own eyes had held back when....
He stepped from the door way and Asrid saw that today his coat was black. More confusion glittered in her eyes, Jedi did not wear black.
Before she could think of responding, he grabbed her throat with a hand made of Force and squeezed her windpipe closed. Her eyes bulged, fear and betrayal skittering across his senses. Good...she had stepped quickly upon the first stone.

Blackness swept her away, crushing in its insistence that she be there. She felt herself torn away from her body and thrown down into an abyss, falling, nothing but darkness her companion. For a long moment she huddled tightly about herself, wishing with all her might that she was back in the training room, moving through the practice exercises. Years of training attempted a rescue, the Force a dim beacon that tried to gain her a path to freedom. And she tried, her mind straining towards the tranquil power that the Force promised.
Fear kept her weak, kept her from attaining her goal. The Force remained tantalizingly out of reach, the blackness a taunting message that she was helpless.
Memory prodded, reminding her of the last time she had been truly afraid. A half forgotten vow surfaced, demanding that she stop whimpering like a child. A flash of anger, and she sought to draw her lightsaber, pitting the green brilliance against the overwhelming black. Cold and comfortable in her hand, the lightsaber that she had labored over for weeks ignited. She slashed at the dark, driving it from her with a woven lattice of coherent light.
She could not fight forever, weariness stole over her quickly, the dark stealing the light she had managed to generate. Anger ran from her, leaving her empty. The lightsaber fell from suddenly strengthless fingers, disappearing into the endless night. Cold to her heart, she dared the darkness to destroy her, spite making her bold. The wasteland responded by pressing closer, binding her limbs. At first she taunted the weight to drive her into oblivion, freezing rage sustaining her will.
The infinity pressed upon her mind, driving it wide from the training she had struggled with for so many years. Cornered, she thrashed, frenzied like an animal. Reason fled, leaving behind only a screaming hatred.
The gentle power of the Force spilled from her, a sweet burning taking over her self in its wake. It silenced her screaming as it invaded her secret places, crumbled her defenses, left her naked. First to be stripped was her pride, then her courage. Into the silence she tried to cry, but the fire left her voiceless. Trapped inside her own broken shell, she could only witness her unmaking. Soft emotions turned to ash, memory transformed to nightmare without them.
Layers of thought littered the space around her, picked over by the tide of fire that left her awash in a sea of agony. Every nerve was exposed, howling at the abuse.
Trembling in what was left of her core, she found two syllables whispered over and over. Soothing in their rhythm, she listened. New and familiar at once, the syllables grew louder, and she realized it was her own voice that spoke. It became a heartbeat, and she struggled to rebuild herself around it, placing her layers in a broken pattern. A small part of herself lamented what had been burned away, cried for the life she had lost. Shattered past truth, left to rot in the desert of insanity, she could only build using what the fire left. At the heart the syllables gave her a haven to hide in, a new truth to believe in, a new mirror to know herself in.
The fire that broke her, now tempered her, the pain of her rebirth ecstacy in this new awareness. Once more she stood whole in the darkness, the last broken puzzle piece of her self shoved into an ill fitting place. No longer did she fear, or rage, or hate, there was only the delicious suffering that the fire brought. Corrupted strength filled her, called the lightsaber back to her hand, gave her the will to ignite it.
With a lazy gesture, she slashed the darkness, and stepped back into herself...

Emerald eyes opened focusing quickly upon a wall of the training room. Muscles in her back complained at how tight she was still curled. Relaxing one group at a time, she slowly made her way back to her knees. She didn't look up to where she knew he was standing, in patient silence she waited.
Beads of sweat soaked into the black cloth of his deep cowl, but his lips were curled in a satisfied smile. She had crossed the divide, taking each stepping stone. There was one last thing...
"Well done, my apprentice," his voice had deepened, gained a hissing quality that slid against the ear. He observed her stillness, felt the coiled readiness that she now radiated. "But I fear that now I can never present you to the Counsel," irony tinted his tone and finally brought her eyes up to his black shrouded form. "You are no longer Asrid Nedlin are you?" When she failed to respond immediately, he asked, "Who are you?"
The two syllables that had granted her freedom spilled from lips that curled cruelly, "Sadis." >>

Just gives me chills, how about you???

 Here is the first story submitted to me.

The Krayt Dragon streaked through the cool night sky of the planet Rees
Domana.Kan Quiarnas piloted the modified freighter with ease and
grace,taking a quick moment to confer with his Padawan,Teer Halena,on the
location in which they should establish a new Jedi Praxeum for which they
had been given a square twenty kilometers to find a suitable
area."There,"Teer said."That clearing looks good.We'll even have room for a
landing pad.""I agree,my young Padawan,"Kan responded."Begin the landing
sequence.I'll go activate our equipment.""Yes,Master,"Teer said.Kan stepped
through the passageway and walked to the droid bay.He then moved to where
five astromech units were lined up,activating them all as he went by
them."Zeefive!"Kan called,and a green and black R2 unit trundled up to
him."Take these measurements and find if the clearing is large enough to
suit our needs."Kan slid a small data chip into the droid's data
socket."Teeone!"A bright red R7 unit left its clamps and rolled to
Kan."Scan the area for lifeforms."After a shrill affirmative,the droid left
the bay for the hatch."Deefive,Emone,and Geethree,make sure no one decides
to sneak around-iv'e heard rumours this place has a Dark Jedi Academy.I
tried to get someplace else,but I only got this."The three astromechs
trundled off.He walked down to where his gunner,Nya Dekayna,was running a
systems check."Boss!"she yelled,forgetting the proper title."We got strong
Force manistefations closing in-dark manifestations.""Dark Jedi."Kan
growled."Call Teer.Get him down here immediately.I'll deal with these dark
ones.""Okay,Boss."Nya said.Within moments,Kan was outside with his
lightsaber activated,its yellow blade thrumming.Seconds later,six scarlet
blades appeared in the forest.A seventh and eighth
appeared..horizantally?Kan frowned,and then realized what it was-a
double-bladed saber.The first six revealed themselves,but did not attack,as
if excpecting something-and then the double wielder came to face him.At
first he wore a large hood,but he took it off,revealing an
ugly,half-cybernetic warrior."I am Darth Serna,"he growled,"And I am your
doom."Darth Serna then performed a wild flip over Kan,striking with his
saber.Kan parried left,right,attacked,and suddenly was on the
offensive.Serna had just lost a cybernetic eye.Serna screamed in rage,and
perfomed a wild attack,knocking Kan to the ground.He held his saber bare
inches from Kan's face.He pulled back,ready to strike-and two saber blades
appeared,a green through Serna's head,a blue through his chest.Serna fell
to the ground,revealing Nya and Teer,weapons drawn.There was an audible
gasp of shock from the dark Jedi,but before they could attack,the Krayt
Dragon's autoguns came online and killed the dark Jedi."Come,let's go."Kan
said.

A month later.......

Kan stood on the flat top of the colossal pyramid that was his academy on
the moon of Yavin VI.It had taken some persuading,but he had gotten the
jungle moon for his academy.He already had eighteen students,including
Anakin Solo,who preferred Kan's academy over his uncle Luke's because it
was more sparesly populated.Yes,the sixth moon of Yavin was a good choice.
[Star Wars theme music]

The End

How to build the lightsaber you see to the left.

First the parts...starting from the far left and ending at the far right. The first piece is a portion of a small shower head assembly that cost about 11$ and was the single most expensive part of the hilt. I will get the product company name and model # later. the second piece is a washer which fits over the core piece (An alluminium shat that is 3/8 inch in diameter on THE INSIDE and 1/2 inch diameter on THE OUTSIDE, this is important.) this washer needs to be glued to the washer head. The next is a rubber stopper (called a #36 top bibb gasket stk no 35320b made by the danco company) This can be found with all the o- rings and stoppers in the plumbing section of home depot. this needs to be glued to the washer. (I use Araldite super instant Epoxy order number SY-IN it comes in a yellow bubble back and has the two cylinder squeege things) the next piece is another washer which need to be glued to the rubber stopper. . Make sure the washers you but fit over the core shaft you use. The next piece is a sawed off section of copper tubing measuring 9/16 inch on the inside diameter and 10/16 or 5/8 inch diameter on the out side. It must be this size to fit OVER the aluminim shaft. On either end of the copper shaft piece is some black electrical tape which I carefully cut into thin strips and carefully wrapped around each end to give the overall assembly a much more polished look. I suggest wrapping the tape just a little bit over the ends of each end so you can tuck it slightly undernaeth each side. (makes it looke better) To have the copper pieces fit on the aluminium shaft you need to wrap some electrical tape around the core shaft then fit the copper pieces over the tape.

(A note on the copper pieces. you will need a hack saw to cut off these pieces for the copper shafts are quite long. I also recommend a metal file to sand the sawed edges before applying them to your hilt or it will look like crap)

Next is one rubber stopper, two washers, one rubber stopper, and another piece of copper. Over this second piece of copper is the rubber washer from the unused portion of the shower head. the rubber stoppers need to be glued to the washers as they will curl up if not glued into place.(convienent huh?) then a series of rubber stoppers and washers follows. the first piece is a rbber stopper which needs to be glued to the following washer. The rest of the stoppers and washers need not be glued into place as they will hold each other in place.Make sure you end with a rubber stopper. The we reach the main hilt.

So far we have used

One shower head
Some copper tubing
Some aluminium tubing (for the core, don't cut this until nearly finished!!)
19 (give or take) Washers. Except for the ones used nearest the emitter these washers are grouped in groups of two or three washers each

The final washer need not be glued in place. The hilt can be found in the plumbing section and is 6 inches long. one end is slighlty wider than the other and this made certain aspects easier (explanation later) Just make sure one end is the SAME diameter as your washers!!! On the end of the plumbing piece that will fit up against the series of washers and stoppers (use the smaller end) wrap some electrical tape so that over half the width over hangs the end. Then tuck the excess tape inside the tube making sure it's firmly adhered to the inside. This will make the fit more snug. Make sure to fit the last stopper completely inside the hilt. this will also help make the fit more snug. After testing this fit measure your core shaft and make a mark on it where it will end just before the end of the hilt. Remove the hilt and saw off the excess aluminum shaft.

Now replace the hilt. put some washers inside the hilt over the core shaft so they fit up snug against the tapered section where the hilt becomes smaller. Glue these in place with LOTS of expoxy, and a couple more washers, Lots of Epoxy, washers, EPOXY you get the idea. This holds everything together so dont spare the epoxy. Just inject it right into the hilt then mix it up inside witha stick or something.

For the end I used a small sink drain I found at wal mart. I'm not happy with this end piece and am looking for another but for now that's what I used. for the belt attachment piece I used what was called a "2 wire rope clips with one thimble" package made by peerless chain company part no 4502105 that I found at wall mart. I removed the "saddle" from one of the wire rope clips and attached it to the sink drain with the nuts. To the wire rope clip I attached one end of on of thos "pully" key chains. That way they can be easily attached to a beltloop by attaching the other end of the keychain to the belt loop. Saber can be securely fastened, yet removed at will. Now just glue the sink drain over the end of the saber.

The grip on the saber is a series of different style O rings found at home depot. Just make sure to get the right size and get whatever style you like. Two O rings also are applied to the end of the hilt neer the series of washers and rubber stoppers. The buttons are two hearing aid batteries found at wall mart (duracell DA675) these needs to be epoxyed into place. The metal box on the side is two pieces from a package of assorted chokes and coils from radioshack cat no. 273-1601. these also need to be glued into place. and that's it!

Suggestions. TEST FIT EVERYTHING A BILLION TIMES! BEFORE GLUING!!! It makes things easier. Measure the appropriate space needed for the emitter to be glued on and do it last!! It makes glueing the hilt in blace so much easier! Be patient when sawing through your copper tubing. Bending off that last little bit will only make your filing take that much longer!