*PSHHHHT*
"User identified. Welcome back, Kyle. Just a moment and you'll be in the game!"
I was currently submerged in one of the spare tanks that my Uncle had. How one would even consider having spares of something that costs half a million? I didn't even bother to ask.
Several hours had passed since we took off from Republic Airport. In that time, I was made privy to all of the secrets that my Uncle's story had disclosed, we landed, and then were moved to a compound in an undisclosed location. All I knew was that it was somewhere in the midwest, had mountains, and the weather was quite nice.
We also had a virtual conference with my Aunt Susan, Skylar, and a bunch of old rich people. I had to suffer through the story again but the meeting ended on what I presumed was a good note. Skylar's investment division would be placing much more attention, both literally and financially, on the game's developments.
The only important part for me was that there would be a massive influx of funds. The number that was agreed upon as an "initial investment" looked more like a phone number than an amount of money.
Everything that had happened within the last several hours spun through my head as I stood within my virtual abode. I started pacing around as the loading bar progressed, eventually reaching 100%.
"You may now enter the game. Enjoy your play session!"
Without even turning towards the display, I willed for me to enter the game. My vision went black momentarily as faint noises and light of varying colors became apparent. As I came to, I realized that I was not in the hospital bed that I had been forcefully removed from.
Rather, I was in a much more plain bed with an IV in my left forearm. I felt that I was in much better condition than I was previously. I even managed to gently pull the IV from my arm and then use the tape to temporarily cover the point of entry.
I glanced around the room, finding it to be completely unfamiliar. What did delight me, however, was the cart of medical supplies and monitoring equipment that sat next to me. I quickly grabbed a cotton ball and a roll of tape. Using the two, I covered the spot on my wrist where the IV had just been removed from.
After a few seconds, I then remembered something and examined my left hand in a panic. This panic quickly turned to confusion. "The fuck?"
I tilted my head, examining my "hand" for several seconds. Didn't my hand get cut off? That stuff doesn't just grow back, right?
Upon some close observation, I found a seam that wrapped around my entire wrist. The skin color was slightly different but barely noticeable. I clenched my left hand into a fist and then realized what had happened. This was a prosthetic. A damn good one at that. Even the nerves were somehow connected to a sensory mechanism that allowed me to regain my sense of touch in my left hand. How is this even possible?
I shrugged, deciding that I would just take the free win and put my focus towards figuring out where I was. Across the room, I found that a set of clothing was neatly folded on a bench. Resting atop the folded clothing was my tactical belt, comm, and lightsabers. A pair of black leather boots were on the bench next to those items.
Carefully, I walked over to the folded clothing. After setting aside my accessories, I unfolded the clothing and found them to be a fresh set of Jedi robes. I quickly put them on before snapping my belt on, clipping my lightsabers to each hip, clasping my comm to my wrist, and then pulling the boots on. Fortunately, there was also a hair tie which allowed me to put my hair into a bun.
The hospital gown I had just set to the side wasn't optimal for a public appearance. I wouldn't dare walk around in that, showing everyone my ass for free. Like for free? Come on.
I took a final glance around the room before making my way to the door. This room treated me well, but I now had my wings back. It was time to depart.
*SHWEEEP*
I pressed the button on the security panel, causing the door to slide open. As soon as the door opened, I found two blasters pointed at my face. "Geez, gentlemen, can you put those away? I just woke up for fuck's sake."
The two men, who I quickly identified as Republic troopers, lowered the blasters and stood at attention. "Our apologies, commander. Our orders from General Kroos were to not allow anyone except Dr. Ourat into this room. We weren't told what to do if someone came out of the room so we proceeded with caution."
I shrugged, glancing around. I was inside a grand hallway. Huge carpet runners lined the floors. Girthy pillars and a wall of stone separated us from a large courtyard. Upon the walls were portraits of various sentient species, all of them wearing familiar robes.
I nodded, thinking that this made sense. "Jedi Temple. Well, you two can go. Tell the good general to give me a call. I'll be departing soon."
Without looking back, I walked away. I could feel the tension and confusion between the two men that had been assigned to guard me. They were unsure of what to do. The comatose patient that they had been guarding just stood up and walked away.
Unfortunately for them, it wasn't my problem. I decided that I would take a leisurely stroll through the temple. Or at least that was my intention until my comm lit up. "Yo."
A relieved voice came from the other end. "Oh, my padawan, it brings me great joy to know that you are okay."
I smiled, appreciating his genuine care. "How did you know I was up?"
A chuckle came through. "Hahaha, our bond is quite strong. I felt you stirring through the force and knew that something had changed. My gut told me to just try your comm. Regardless, that doesn't matter right now. You must report to the council chambers at once."
I tilted my head in confusion as I looked around. "Before I ask why, I don't even know how to get to the chambers from here."
Ven quickly replied with a hint of snarkiness in his voice. "Take the elevators on your left all the way up."
I sighed, directly hanging up without bothering to say anything. While scratching the side of my head, I entered one of the elevators and pressed the button to take me all the way up. It was one freaky elevator. If I wasn't mistaken, I had moved in more than one axis. I hadn't realized that I had found a golden ticket in my chocolate bar.
-GE-
That all too familiar mechanical and raspy voice called out as I stood in the center of the council chambers. "Padawan Soryn, please kneel."
I nodded, containing my sigh of annoyance. What was with all the theatrics?
Being down on one knee, I lowered my head. "Greetings, Master Zym."
I saw the Grandmaster nod out of the corner of my eye. "Padawan Soryn, while not in line with the traditional trials, the entire council agrees that sometimes an exception must be made."
"Your performance on Kashyyyk was most impressive. The valiance and uncompromised honor you displayed brought great pride to our Jedi Order. Your deeds will go down in the annals of history that this order has."
"As a member of our order, you should know very well that we traditionally forgo attachment to our material belongings. This, however, does not mean that your actions will go without recognition."
"Every padawan, force willing, ends their journey with the trials of knighthood. Upon the passing of these trials, they become Jedi Knights. Despite having not formally announced a trial for you, padawan, this council has agreed that the happenings on Kashyyyk were trying enough."
"Your perseverance through the adversity of a crash landing, your master being incapacitated, and then neutralizing an entire Imperial facility, has convinced this council to the point of a unanimous decision, that you, Soryn, have met the qualifications. Raise your head."
I looked up to see him holding out an ornate and ancient looking knife.
He let go of it, sending it floating through the air through the use of the force. I caught the dagger, holding it in my hand and taking a closer look. It was not ornate in that it was made of gold and encrusted with gems. Rather, it was made of a rather plain metal but held the most extravagant of engravings and carvings.
I looked back at him as he spoke once again. "With this blade, you shall part with your braid and then present it to your master."
I nodded, carefully taking the blade with my right hand and moving it towards my right ear. I reached around the back of my head with my left hand and grabbed the braid that signified my status as a padawan.
*Chsh*
With a swipe of the dagger, I cut off the braid and left nothing in its place. I then held the dagger out before Zym retrieved it once again with the force. After that, I stood up and walked over to my master who was sitting a few chairs to the right of Grandmaster Zym.
I once again knelt in front of him, presenting the braid as a symbol of our padawan-master relationship coming to an end. "It's been an honor, Master."
Ven nodded, reaching out and gently taking the braid and putting it in his pocket. "I owe you my life, Soryn. I hope to one day return this favor."
What was he going to do with the braid? Was he going to keep it? Put it in a jar? Ughh.
Zym then called out. "Padawan Soryn, by the power vested in me by this council and order, I pronounce you Jedi Knight. Now, rise. Never again, in good standing, shall you kneel before this council. As a knight, you stand tall alongside us."
I stood up to a brief round of applause. "Thank you, Masters. I will never forget this moment."
Well, I certainly couldn't forget it!
[Hidden Conditions Met]
[Title: Jedi Knight, +10 levels, Epic Holocron]
This brought my grand total of holocrons to 6 Epics and 1 Legendary. Maybe an unboxing session was in store?
After the applause ended, I turned to Grandmaster Zym with a stern expression on my face. "Master Zym, I have a request."
He looked me up and down and then made eye contact. "What can I do for you?"
I sighed, glancing out the window and admiring the view. "I would like to take leave from my duties. I would like to take some time to reflect on and recover from my experiences. Too much has happened in so little time."
Zym nodded. "Very well. I hereby grant you 2 months of leave starting later today. Before that, I believe that your presence is needed at Republic High Command."
I smiled, bowing to him. "Thank you, Master. I shall return as soon as I am ready. May the force be with you."
He nodded. "With you as well."