[b][i]"This is the freighter Starshine, awaiting contact at rally point. Please advise."[/i][/b]

There was a long silence as her Master, Satele Shan, made a call over the communication channel. Brye often sat in silence, watching her Master work, watching the process Satele took to do her tasks. Brye was an observer, and she always wished to learn from her Master. It had been two years since Satele took Brye under her wing, but those two years had given Brye many experiences to grow, and good reason to as well. It was a ceasefire in the war, [i]peace[/i] some would say, but Brye knew that was just a good way to cover up the truth. The time in the galaxy was many things, but it was not peace. 

So Brye took every chance, every moment she could to learn from Satele. It wasn't just in tactics or strategies, but in the way her Master presented herself. The way she carried her attitude or feelings in certain situations. The way she overcame issues, and utilized quick thinking to come up with a solution to anything. 

[b][i]"We should have already gotten a reply."[/i][/b]

"Perhaps there's a problem in our signal to his on the planet." Brye suggested, trying to offer a quick response, to show that she was thinking and aware of the problem. After a few long moments, her Master sighed and instructed her to prep the speeder bikes. It was a trap, as Satele had said, and Brye figured she understood why it was not one they could turn from. Nothing further needed to be said as Bryethe nodded, standing from her seat as co-pilot and hurrying towards the small bay that held the speeders. 

Taking a small electronic, tablet-like device in hand as it detached from the wall, Brye wasted no time in going over a checklist for the speeders. A small task, but something Brye tended to enjoy as it came up. 
She used a finger to scroll down the list, making notes of things she'd need to double and triple check after they returned to the ship, things that would be due for inspection after use. As everything checked out, Satele opened the cargo door and the speeder bikes were led down the cargo ramp.

Brye mounted her bike as Satele did the other, the Padawan doing her final checks before twisting the throttle and bringing the machine to life. She made some adjustments on the controls as her Master brought up the map of the road they'd be following. Brye noted the darker and blurred parts of the map, obviously thick foliage and trees that they wouldn't be able to cross. 

[b][i]"Watch the treeline on either side of the road."[/i][/b]

A brief instruction and a warning to young Brye, who took them full, seriously, and to heart. Satele had never steered Brye wrong before, had never given her bad advice, was always on point with her strategy and teachings; something Bryethe had quickly learned to respect and to listen to, closely. She had never been one of overconfidence and recklessness, and being the Padawan of Satele Shan helped to solidify the right state of mind, and had helped to steer any part of Brye's personality that had ever leaned that far out. 
Never one for words during a time of instruction, be them before a mission or in the interim, Bryethe gave a nod to show that she understood and was listening closely. 

Though, something bit at her chest when Satele instructed Brye to run should the words be said. Brye would obey and run, it would not be easy, and she would not abandon her Master unless Bryethe knew it was her only choice. That hard stare from Satele's green eyes bore into Brye like a lightsaber into the ground. Brye could sense the uneasiness in this mission, in the silence they had received on the ship, to the anxiety of the path they were about to take.

No further words were said before Satele took off on the speeder, Brye taking a few moments to leave some space before revving the engine of her bike and following behind.

Miles passed them as the speeder bikes bore along the path in the Dxun darkness. Brye watched the treeline as instructed, glancing behind them every now and then and watching above as well. 
Caution. It followed Brye everywhere. It wasn't always a good trait to have, but it had helped the young Padawan avoid some sticky situations in the past. Observing before attacking, listening before interrupting. Being attentive had its perks, and had allowed Brye to realize her Master was making space between them. Why? She wasn't sure, but the young Jedi didn't question it for long, and allowed the space to be made.

The gap was closed quickly however as she noticed her Master coming to a quick halt in front of a burning, overturned speeder and four beings which Brye had sensed quickly the closer the bikes had brought her and Satele. Brye was about twenty feet behind her Master, but she figured it wasn't enough space, but it was too late to fix that now.

[b][i]"You're early."[/i][/b]

That voice had inadvertently send a shiver down Bryethe's spine. It was dark, its tone menacing and intimidating. She moved, sliding off of her speeder bike and her Master did the same. The young Jedi watched as three of the Sith spread out, sizing her up, intent in their movements. Brye took her lightsaber from her belt, igniting it just after Satele did. 

[i][b]"Make this a fight and I promise only one of you will walk away."[/b][/i]

Many would question if the words of the Sith warrior were a threat or a promise. He was sure in his words. It would be a fight, and Brye knew which of the two Jedi they would walk away with; she was not of importance to their mission, just a hinderance. It seemed as though the four Sith had the fight planned to the end, Brye would die here and her Master would be whisked away with them. That did not hamper Bryethe's spirit, the thought of losing to these Sith would not cross her mind, for she wouldn't let it. She was scared, terrified of the Sith. This was a confrontation she knew was inevitable. She had [i]trained[/i] for it, but a Jedi could train for anything and never be completely prepared. 
Brye would not let fear win. She could fight, she could wield a lightsaber, she would not let fear be the deciding factor. Brye would not deny being afraid, but she would not let it cloud her judgement and focus either.

[i][b]"Brye, you're ready for this."[/b][/i]

Brye could feel her heart beating in her throat, she could feel her clammy hands as they held tightly onto the grip of her blue saber. Words spoken from her Master, words filled with confidence and trust. Brye took a quick breath in, then out, then nodded. 

"Now I am."

It had begun. Brye watched as her Master charged left. There was no hesitation, no question as she began, so Brye did the same. She kept her wits with her, charging close to the two Sith and trusting as her senses guided her actions. 
A quick deflection from their initial blow, and the slightest movement to the right as she deflected the second Sith's saber. Leaning forward and low, Brye avoided another glance. She could sense the Sith warming up, getting a feel for her preferences to fighting, and most likely trying to develop a way to counter that. 

Minutes into the fight, Brye remained agile but realized that avoiding two lightsabers was a completely different game. They moved to more physical attacks then just a saber. Kicks, punches, body blows, Brye was not fighting a fair fight and she was coming to realize that. Both Sith were larger in frame and stronger too, the only advantage that Brye had was her agility and speed. A body slam from the right and a leg from the left forced Brye down. Her left hand shot out to the ground while the right maintained steadiness with her saber. Two red lightsabers came down on Brye's and forced it closer to her face. The Padawan let her body fall to the ground, taking her left hand and helping to stabilize her saber against the strength of two.
Quick wits made Brye throw a leg out, hitting the back knee of one of the Sith above her. It threw him off balance, enough for Brye to roll to the side, avoiding the remaining red lightsaber as it clashed with the ground she had occupied a moment ago. She rolled to her feet. Adrenaline had almost hidden the pain she felt on her upper left arm. Singed from trying to roll and avoid the red saber, Brye tried to push it to the back of her mind. 

For what was a Jedi's downfall, was a Sith's strength. The slight advantage Brye had created for herself, hitting the back knee of the one Sith, was fuel on the fire for them. Their intensity increased, as did Brye's attempt to maintain her strength and stance. 
Bruises, cuts and scrapes, singes from the ends of the red sabers, Brye quickly became adorned with them as the Sith relentlessly challenged her. 

Keeping fuel on Brye's fire were the words Satele had said minutes past. She was ready. Despite the training, the lack of opportunity to engage in duels similar, Satele had said she was ready. Brye kept that in the forefront of her mind. Thinking of every lesson, every piece of advice Master Shan had given her previously, she pulled fire from every fiber of her body and kept fighting. She had to keep going.