Forced Perspective

[Jeryd Redsun]

"Sir," Jeryd blurted out at once, "The cadet's armour has potential for useful application in close quarters and hand-to-hand combat, sir."

He was standing. Wait. Why was he standing? No-one else had bothered to stand up. Baastian Cain was looking right at him. His thoughts raced to catch up with his galloping heart. He had to say more, which at once forced him to consider the eccentric wilderness man, himself. In the limited time they had spent in each other's company, not more than an utterance had passed between them. And, to be fair, that appeared to be standard procedure with Maalik. He didn't even have a surname, for star's sake. In order to get more than two words out of him, you had to be a Nabooian water lily, or something. But, there he was, bold as you please, turning a tiny seed into a brutal-looking gauntlet.

Jeryd had no idea he could that. Even where the Force was concerned, as vast and unknown as it might be, this was something that had to be seen to be believed. It was artistic, even. Onika would appreciate that, he reckoned. But he wasn't supposed to be thinking about Onika Zepparah; it was Maalik he had to consider, not only as a fellow cadet, but as a potential ally in the battlefield. Suddenly, his imagination took flight:

"Cadet Maalik would be a useful ally in situations where armour is required, but not readily available. His... talent may have other defensive applications, too, such as providing cover for fixed positions. And, though it is strong, this armour may be weak against blasters, and prone to catching fire, sir."

There was a quiet tremor of laughter that ran through the bleachers. Undeterred, Jeryd pressed on.

"Sir, from a tactical perspective, an ally with Cadet Maalik's unique skills would be best suited for non-urban combat environments, such as forests and woodland. The forest moon of Endor, for example, sir."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he found himself wishing that he could take them all back. In his eagerness to impress, Jeryd had plucked out the first forest world that had sprung to mind, and he chose the site of one of the Empire's most embarrassing defeats. He could've said Thyferra, Kashyyyk, Dathomir, even, anything other than the blasted Sanctuary Moon. And, of course, that was the moment Gorm Jolee decided to pipe up.

"Aw, is Redsun scared of the little teddy bears?"

[Khoovi Wan]

"The Ewoks managed to defeat some of the most experienced and well trained Stormtroopers of the Empire," Khoovi responded, not looking at Jolee. "Another weakness of the Cadet's ability is that by its nature he needs something to work with, which bolsters Cadet Redsun's assertion that he would be most useful in terrain featuring plant life. If he were caught without some seed or plant, he would be at a disadvantage."