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Seven weeks. It had been seven weeks since they came to Brendok and Torbin was still sitting amongst the grass as he plucked strands from the soil and fed it into his scanner. It bleeped and whirred but ultimately turned up nothing of significance.

Seven weeks was a long time to be away from home. Especially when every hour felt like a thousand cycles. 

It was with reluctance that he continued on, pressing forward with what felt like nothing other than a waste of time. Jedi had better things to do than sit around scanning plants day in day out for so long. There were younglings that needed teaching, people, even planets that needed helping—and Brendok was not one of them

Brendok was alive and well. Nature was flourishing and there were no signs of intelligent life. No people to start wars or settlements in need of feeding. There was nothing for a Jedi to do on Brendok but still his master insisted their work was important.

The council had sent them on a fruitless errand but only he was the one who could see it. The force had been trying to warn him, to send him back home, but his master was persistent. He would not dare say it aloud but she was being foolish. If there was something to find, surely they would have found it by now.

How much longer were they to remain there? Another week? A few months? Years?

It was preposterous. They needed a much bigger team to cover more ground or they were better going off home. And still, Indara insisted they continue with their work. The important work that was so important that still no one had told the young padawan exactly what they were looking for. What if he had already found it unknowingly and just not realised because they had not confided in him?

What secrets were they hiding?

Who cared if the planet was catalogued as lifeless after a hyperspace disaster that happened a hundred years ago? Yes, it was thriving now and yes that could be considered strange but, as he had always been told, the Force can work in mysterious ways.

He just wanted to know that what they were doing was truly of some importance. That they were really going to make a difference. Although his master had assured him of such time and time again, she had still given him no proof of her claims and he could only give her so much of his faith.

Finally, when it came time for another bland meal of nuna legs, Master Sol decided it was time to bring the young padawan into the fold.

"We are looking for a vergence."

Torbin furrowed his brows and asked, "What's a vergence?"

He'd never heard of a vergence before. It had never come up in his training or even in passing conversation back at the temple. Whatever it was, he knew it couldn't be something common.

"A concentration of Force energy around a location," Master Indara explained, although she seemed displeased that Master Sol had so readily given the answers her padawan sought.

"A vergence could create life like we see on this planet. It's a power that should be studied. Protected. Nothing could be more important to the Jedi," Master Sol spoke as he spooned another mouthful of food into his mouth. "This is a noble mission."

Master Kelnacca spoke in agreement, he too affirming the importance of their mission.

Torbin thought for a moment before turning to his master. "Why did you not tell me this from the start? Why keep it from me?"

Master Indara's eyes softened in understanding as she looked at her young padawan. She set her meal aside and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the conversation that had been a long time coming.

"Torbin," she began, "I didn't keep this from you out of any desire to deceive or undermine you. My intention was never to cause you frustration or doubt. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I wanted to help you develop something far more important than knowledge of our mission. I wanted you to focus your patience and trust in the Force."

Torbin's expression didn't change, his eyes still searching hers for more answers. He was young and hungry for purpose. He needed a better explanation than that to quell his frustration.

"By withholding this information, I was hoping to guide you toward that understanding," she continued. "I wanted you to rely on the Force, to learn to listen to its subtle guidance, rather than being driven solely by the need to complete a task"

Torbin's frustration began to ebb as he considered her words. He had always been told to trust in the Force, but this experience had tested that trust in ways he hadn't expected. He felt as though he had failed his master by allowing his patience to fall through but was it really so bad to wish to be home? To want to see Kandra's warm smile once again?

"But it's been seven weeks," he said, his voice quieter now but still tinged with uncertainty. "How long must we wait? How do we even know if we're in the right place?"

Indara smiled, the kind of smile that held years of wisdom behind it. "Seven weeks is a long time, I know. But time is not the only measure of progress. The Force brought us here, and it will reveal what we seek when we are ready."

Master Sol chimed in, his tone reinforcing Indara's words. "Torbin, this mission is as much about your growth as it is about the vergence. Every moment you've spent here has been a test of your patience, your connection to the Force, and your ability to trust in something beyond immediate understanding. These are the qualities that make a Jedi strong."

Kelnacca rumbled his agreement, his deep voice adding weight to their words.

Torbin nodded slowly, the pieces beginning to fall into place. He realised that this mission was more than just about finding something hidden in the wilds of Brendok, at least it was for him. It was about understanding the deeper mysteries of the Force and his place within it. His master had not brought him along to witness a vergence or sit around scanning grass and dirt, but to teach him things that would make him a stronger Jedi going forward.

"I understand now," Torbin said with a newfound resolve. "I'm sorry for questioning the importance of our mission. I'll do better from now on, I promise."

Indara placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression warm and encouraging as she passed him a bowl of food. "You've already come so far, Torbin. Remember, the Force is with you—always. Trust in it, and it will guide you where you need to go."

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