Well thanks, you big Jerk(chicken)!

Of lasers, personal energy shields, and qi: In this universe standard infantry use lasers, and are equipped with personal energy shields to protect them from the same. Unbeknownst to most, however, the energy in these shields(whether it was an intentional development or not) utilize an almost identical energy to the one that flows in all living things. A master of qi can produce a shield from his own energy to ward off laser attacks. Qi(and the energy shields and weapons) comes in positive and negative. Unlike magnets, opposites repel, and laser guns use positive, shields use negative. A master could also use a negative qi strike to get through a shield.

The one putting together the rag-tag group of monks is the far-too-young Zhay, who was the eldest of those young monks who fled the temple five years ago. He has been practicing and has(to his own eyes) mastered these techniques. He could run through laser fire unharmed, striking quick and decisive blows to incapacitate enemies. He is the closest thing that the order has to a grandmaster. He tries his best to be patient and wise, but his greatest flaw is his belief that he has succeeded. His arrogance may undo him.

I'm going to write up a description of the various different martial disciplines. I'd love it if anyone else would jump in with suggestions.