"I know what you are."
"Looking into a mirror can be so enlightening sometimes."
-Hlord'icew'hrurnoe and Busc Notiv

Hlord'icew'hrurnoe, called Dice, was born on Csilla in the Chiss Acendancy. At the age of 8, his father died under mysterious circumstances. Dice's mother refused to discuss what happened, but she immediately took her son and left Chiss space, settling in a backwater world in the far west of the Outer Rim. Dice found life in his new home dull compared to the elegance of Chiss society, but he would never think of abandoning his mother. Dice's mother ran a small inn and cantina and the boy, who showed a peculiar familiarity with machines, found work as a mechanic in the small village. Overall, life would have been almost unbearable except for one strange situation, the presence of a Bothan hermit who lived a few miles outside the village.

The mysterious Bothan named Busc Notiv, but simply called "the Healer" by the locals had lived in the hills for decades. The oldest man in the village said he was just a boy when the Bothan arrived. He had a female Twi'lek companion with him, but she had died years ago. He was rarely seen, only visiting the village a few times a month, working as a doctor and healer in exchange for supplies. Most of the locals paid him little thought, but Dice was enthralled by him. The first time Dice had seen the Bothan in the market the two locked eyes and Dice felt like the stranger was peering into his soul. A few weeks later, the Healer appeared at the inn with a broken water purifier. As Dice worked on the repair, the Bothan studied him intently. When the Dice was done, the Healer smiled knowingly and left without a word.

Dice did not see Busc again for months, but the Bothan appeared suddenly and invited the Chiss boy to his home for a meal. This was the first of many visits and the start of a close relationship. Dice would visit the Bothan's home and be subjected to a series of questions and minor tasks. Dice thought the situation was strange, but he enjoyed his time with the Healer and never questioned it. After about a year of this, Dice arrived for one visit to find the home empty. He entered, determined to find out more about his mysterious friend. He was drawn to a small box that contained a strange cylindrical device. He was examining the item, contemplating taking it home to deconstruct the item when Busc appeared. With a wave of his hand, the cylinder flew across the room and into the Bothan's hand. "That is not for you, and it's useless without this," Busc said as he revealed a small gold crystal in his other hand. Dice lived on a remote planet, but he did have access to the holonet, and, while he had never been formally taught, the boy did show a knack for slicing. A quick search revealed the shocking truth about the cylinder.

Dice did not see the Healer for months after that, but eventually the Bothan reappeared. He seemed troubled as he finally revealed his past to Dice. He was a Jedi, and had been a sworn guardian of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, before he threw it all away for love. He had settled here with his wife and remained hidden even as the Jedi fell and the Empire rose. He explained what the Force was and that Dice had the potential to use the Force. Busc wanted to train Dice to use his abilities to actually do good, rather than hide out of greed and fear as Busc had done. Dice eagerly agreed and for the next year he spent more time with the Bothan than with his mother. Busc's training was rigorous, physical fitness, sword fighting, using an ancient training blade, strengthening the Chiss' will and resolve, and finally, learning to understand the Force and use the abilities it granted. One of the most exciting moments was when Busc revealed his Temple Guard armor to Dice. It was rare for Jedi to wear armor, but Busc, as a Temple Guardian, was an exception.

On Dice's 13th birthday, he was home, having lunch with his mother when the skies darkened. He went outside to see a squadron of Imperial drop ships landing just outside the town. Dice's mother opened a cabinet, drawing a blaster, Dice didn't even know she owned one. "Son, go, get the Healer." Dice sprinted from his home and ran to find Busc. He explained what he saw. Busc told him to take his blade, find his mother, and hide. Dice returned to the village to find his home a smoking ruin. He could not locate his mother. Stormtroopers in their menacing white armor were advancing through the village killing everyone they saw. The slaughter continued until a lone figure appeared. Busc stood at the edge of the village in his pristine Temple Guard armor. He held the cylinder that Dice had seen, but now a glowing yellow blade of energy emerged from it. Busc shouted, drawing the attention of the Stormtroopers. They opened fire, but Busc's blade was a blur, deflecting every blast. He then leaped, farther than Dice even thought was possible. He landed among the Imperial soldiers and blew them back with a burst of Force. Busc's blade then went to work, cutting the Stromtroopers to shreds.

Busc fought his way to where Dice stood. He pointed to an Imperial speederbike, it's driver dead. "Your mother is dead. I can feel it. Take the bike. Run. Get off this world. There is no victory here. Remember what I taught you. Do good. Follow the light. Beware the dark." With a nod, he ran off. Dice, without even having time to think, ran for the speederbike. The ride to the nearest city was a day long. Once there, he sold the bike and used the credits to get off world. During the voyage, Dice's thoughts were troubled. He had been powerless when the Empire arrived and his mother had perished for it. Only Busc, with his armor, his lightsaber, and the Force could oppose them. Dice vowed to become as powerful as Busc and fight the Empire any way he could.

5 - Tech Procurement