Chapter 5: Prologue 4
A/N: Sorry for the delay, just RL is making it hard to find the time with classes/exams to organize and a son to deal with.
Plus, I am having issues planning out the next arc.
I looked up from the datapad where I'd been reading up on how to program a hyperlight jump for the last hour as the ship shuddered and I saw that the constant blue swirling tunnel of hyper-speed was gone.
Quickly I moved to the pilot's chair and read the scanners, discovering I was entering orbit of a planet called Dormund Kaas, though I had no idea where that was. I really needed to learn the locations of the any planet I could remember from the movies.
One of the consoles was blinking, and thanks to reading up on starship operations, I knew this was the requesting access to the local Datanet; though no reply seemed to be coming.
Looking out the canopy, I spotted a single orbiting station, and though there was no light coming from it, I wasn't willing to risk hailing it since this was where the Sith wanted to take me.
After discovering that the navigation computer was now unlocked, I waited as calmly as I could without using Player's Mind for the next few minutes, ready to turn the ship around and run if anything approached, but nothing did, and I began to relax; though only a little.
"Right, now what to do." I said to myself as I continued to check the sensors for any approaching ship or incoming hail. "I've got five more days of rations, though I'd rather not have to keep eating those, so I could investigate the station to learn more about where I am, and why the Sith wanted me to come here. This planet looks abandoned, so maybe its just a layover location.
"Or I could head down to the planet and investigate it." A quick check at the scanners showed the remains of a handful of cities, though all had been overrun by jungle and swamp meaning they were abandoned years ago.
Quest Alert!Tremors of the Ancient Sith EmpireInvestigate the former capital of the Sith Empire that Revan tried to end then which later launched an all-out war on the Republic.Rating: S***Objective:Investigate Kaas CityInvestigate Kaas Command StationBonus: ?Bonus: ?Bonus: ?Bonus: ?Bonus: ?Rewards:8000XP5500XPPenalties:Possible deathProbable dismembermentAccept?Yes/No~~~NOTE:This quest does not have to attempted now, but not accepting could strengthen the Rise of the Sith under Darth Sidious.This Quest does not have to be attempted alone, though only you will receive the XP for completion.…
"Bloody… That's just…" my voice trailed off as I read through the quest and the note and I shook my head to clam myself. "Player's Mind on." I said, hoping the numbing effect of the power would help me process just what I was being asked to do.
"S-three? That's four levels higher the Prologue quest and I barely survived that Sith girl. Still, nothing says I have do this now, just that I need to complete it to weaken the Sidious." I read the quest again before shrugging. "Yes."
Well someone's feeling brave!Honestly, we weren't sure if you'd take that quest.Since you have, we will give you some free advice.This quest can be done in steps, but we suggest waiting until you are at least Level 20 and at least 3 other Force Users are with you.…
I blinked in surprise as that was the first message I'd gotten from the PtB in a while, and there was no snark in it; just solid advice, which I planned to listen to.
"Thanks," I said to the message as it disappeared and turned to the navigation computer. "Something about this place tells me I really shouldn't let others know it exists. If Sidious or others like him discover this place it could make things worse for the galaxy. I need to find a way to copy the flight logs of this ship then clear them before I reach Coruscant."
Damm, now that's smart thinking.Also, congratulations!~~~Quest Completed!PrologueObjectives:Survive and Escape [Yes]? Discover a holocron [2/1]? Defeat the Dark Jedi x2 [1/2]? Defeat 3 attackers [4/3]Rewards:3500EXPAccess to Force skills without needing to be trained by a Force Master [Via a Holocron]Sith lightsaber500 Credits200 EXP~~~Quest Completed!One with the ForceObjectives:Get the 4 powers to 15 Novice [Yes]? Get 2 powers to 25 Novice [1/2]? Get 1 Power to 1 Adept. [Yes]Rewards:300XP150XP…
I grunted at seeing that I'd managed to complete almost all the bonus objectives from both quests, though the fact the Sith lightsabers were already in my inventory felt a little cheap as a reward.
Still, realising that I could learn new Force powers from the two holocrons was a nice surprise as until then, I'd thought they were nothing more than personal journals or diaries and that meant I could hopefully complete the Force Power quest before I reached Coruscant.
I looked back at the navigation computer and, after checking it for a few minutes I discovered that there was a data slot that matched the one on the datapad I had been using to read new skills from.
I moved to plug the pad into the computer to wipe the worlds when I paused and realised that if I did that then maybe the computer would not be able to fly to Coruscant safely.
I placed the pad next to the pad down and accessed the nav-computer to program a trip to Coruscant. After a few minutes, the computer stated that such a jump would use most of the fuel onboard and I would need to refuel once I arrived before asking If I accepted the flight plan.
I went to confirm when a new alert appeared.
Quest Alert!Forge your own PathWhat will you do with your life?Unlike most quests, some of the objectives here are mutually exclusive.Objectives:Attempt to join the Jedi on Coruscant.Become leader of a planet of your choice.Travel the galaxy as an explorer.Join the Bounty Hunter's guild.Attempt to find other Force Users willing to train youJoin a criminal organizationRewards:Each objective opens up new quest chains.Certain objectives prevent other quest chains from being started/finished until their chain is completed.Accept?Yes/No…
I looked at the quest and frowned, having honestly not considered anything but joining the Jedi.
A few of the options were less than appealing, and given I was a boy of 8, dangerous to enter for now, but maybe they would useful to start later.
"Yes." I accepted the quest then confirmed my destination in the nav-computer, before piloting the ship slowly away from Dormund Kaas. After I was far enough away from the planet, I powered up the hyperdrive and watched the view change to the blue of white.
"Right, another 2 or so days of this then I can figure out how exactly I'm going to move from this era to just before the prequels." I muttered as I picked up the datapad again and went back to learning more about piloting.
…
…
Just before lunch on the second day of travel from Dormund Kaas I felt another shudder and quickly walked to the cockpit to see the ship had dropped out of hyperspeed.
"Whoa," I muttered as I took in the sight before me. I knew that Coruscant was a planet-wide city, but seeing it for real, and the sheer number of ships approaching from various directions was awe inspiring, and not a little intimidating.
The comms blinked like it did over Talravin, I had discovered that was the name of the world I'd come from by examining the nav-computers logs, and I opened the channel.
"Hello?"
"This is Coruscant System Patrol. Please state your identity and reason for arriving in-system on an unused vector." A voice asked. It was hard to tell over the channel, but I thought he sounded bored.
"Um, my name is Cameron Shan and I'm here to see the Jedi Council."
There was a laugh from the man.
"Yeah, you and thousands of others buddy. What makes you think they'll want to meet you?" His tone was dripping with sarcasm I was silently wondering if I could learn Force Choke from the Sith holocron so I could strangle the bastard at range.
Sure, I'd learnt a bunch of powers for Tardon's holocron, but I'd only scratched the surface of the Sith one as it pushed against my mind, trying to make me angry and while Player's mind would counter it, that special power only lasted for about 20 minutes before it had to recharge Player Points.
Still, I now had about 20 Force Powers, some more useful than others, and had managed to learn Huttese to Adept levels within a few days, so I couldn't complain too much.
"Well for one, I have the holocron of a Jedi who died to protect me and for another I killed a Sith on this ship."
Silence greeted my reply, which I had expected.
"What?"
"I have a Jedi holocron to return and a dead Sith onboard." I reply with a large smirk. "If this isn't sufficient to at least grant me a landing pad near the Jedi Temple I don't know what is." Yes, I was being cheeky, but this guy clearly wasn't interested in doing his job; plus, it was fun. "So can I land?"
"Um, I need to check with my Captain. Please hold."
I rolled my eyes at being put on hold – somethings clearly don't change no matter what galaxy you're in – and waited patiently as the time ticked away.
"Um, Mr Shan. You are ordered to heave too and prepare for an inspection. If we can corroborate your claims, then we will see about contacting the Jedi for you."
"Very well. I'm cutting engines now." I replied before closing the channel then watching as a ship approached.
…
Nearly two hours – and far too much bullshit from the customs officers – later, I was granted a landing slot in the Temple district where I was told that a member of the Council would meet me.
Though as I exited the ship – which I still did not actually know the name of – I stumbled at seeing a small green alien, no more than a metre in height waiting with two others.
"Hmm, surprising to you, my appearance is. Yes?" The green alien asked with a chuckle and unless all of his species had the same voice, then I was looking at Yoda; meaning I had somehow travelled forward in time.
"Um, no. Well, yes. I mean I didn't know there were aliens like yourself on the Council." I replied slowly, thinking on the fly and silently glad that I had activated Player's Mind before exiting the ship. I noted that the two humans that accompanied Yoda[?] were watching me carefully. "Um, forgive my manners. My name is Cameron Shan and…"
The far older of the two men waved his hand and seemed to scowl. "Yes, yes. We heard the story you concocted to gain landing permission and drag us out here. Now tell us your real reason for being here child."
I mentally wanted to slap the old git for a moment before Player's Mind cancelled out the anger and I smirked. "Perhaps some proof would help you?" I say as I pull Tardon's holocron, his lightsaber and one of the Sith weapons from my pocket. "I also have a five-day-old body of a dead Sith girl locked in an air-tight hold that I would happily show to you." Though I hoped that wouldn't be needed as I suspected the room smelled rank by now.
"Well that is definitely a holocron," The younger man said, lifting the object from my hand along with the lightsabers with the Force. He ignited the two blades, eyes narrowing at the red Sith blade. "And this is certainly a Sith blade."
"Preposterous!" The older man half-shouted with a wild wave of his arm. "Just because your Sentinels claim to be sensing the dark side rising does not make it, nor this boy's claims, true."
'Well you're on my shit list arsehole.' I opened my mouth to comment but Yoda[?] beat me too it.
"This to the temple, we should take. Brought in for examination, the body can be." He stepped closer to me, hobbling on his stick as he did. "Incredible, your story is. Help us decide on its validity, your proof will."
He turned and walked away, followed by the two humans, though not before the older one gave me a narrow stare.
Two Republic officers moved beside me, while another pair moved past me to enter the ship.
While the small transport took us towards the Jedi Temple I pondered just how I had ended up here – and when exactly here was – and what affect my arrival would have. Yes, I had been warned that the Prologue quest would transit me from past to present, but I was still at a loss as to how it happened.
As the transport landed, I was still working through what had happened to allow me travel almost 4000 years into the future, though I was broken from those thoughts as I took my first few steps up to the Jedi Temple as notice appeared.
Warning!Entering Force Nexus!Jedi Temple [Minor corruption]This nexus grants 25% XP boost to all Force Powers[1% chance per year to corrupt a Jedi]~~~Quest Alert!Cleanse the TempleSomething is off in the Jedi TempleRating: BObjective:Find the dark side taint and cleanse itRewards:3000XPPenalties:Possible deathAccept?Yes/No…
"Is everything alright young one?" the younger human Jedi asked as I stumbled.
"Um, yes. I just was caught off guard at how imposing this place is." I replied, using his question to accept a quest that I hadn't expected.
'25 percent boost to most Force Powers is going to be handy, but I never knew the Temple was corrupted. Guess I'll have to find out its history and see if I can work out when and where the corruption is. Though it would be nice is every quest given to me by the PtB didn't carry the chance of death'
I followed the three Jedi Masters into the temple, my eyes wide at seeing just how massive this place was as we entered and I couldn't help myself as I looked around, taking in the multi-floor entrance that seemed to stretch on and on. I
"Yes, it is quite an imposing sight." I turned at as the younger Human spoke. "Tell me, what can you feel?"
I frowned for a moment before closing my eyes and reaching out with Detection, though it was only level 5 Novice and gave 50 metres of sensing it was enough to make me gasp at the energy that seemed to radiate around the place, though it was strongest directly in front of me. The three Jedi also stood out, with Yoda[?] being the brightest and the old man having a hint of grey about him.
I relayed all that – barring the greyness – to the Jedi and he smiled.
"What you are sensing is the mountain on which the Temple is built. It is a Force nexus; a place where the Force is unusually strong in power and this helps the Jedi become closer to the Force."
I nodded at his words but didn't reply as we reached the end of the entrance hall and entered an elevator.
After a few minutes in that, we walked and again took another elevator until I followed the trio into a round room that I remembered seeing in the prequel movies and the Clone Wars cartoons; the Jedi Council Chamber.
I stopped near the door and looked at the other Jedi sitting around the room, several of whom I recognized from the movies and cartoon, though I struggled to remember any of their names save Mace Windu and Plo Koon.
The Jedi all began to talk quietly among themselves, gesturing at various datapads they all held; reminding me of the one in my inventory that held the locations of all the worlds around Dormund Kaas that I'd deleted from the computer before landing. Figuring that the Sith Empire mentioned when I was there would be more than one world, I decided to wipe all reference to worlds within a few hundred light-years around DK on the off chance those worlds were also strong in the Dark Side.
"Now, story to tell us, you have. Yes?" Yoda – and after seeing Windu and Plo I was no longer in doubt that I was in the era I had chosen during identity creation two weeks ago.
…
"And then I landed here." I finished, calmly, having just retold everything from when I first displayed Force powers to landing on Coruscant.
The Council sat silently, seemingly having a conversation without speaking and I began to wonder just what they would decide to do about me.
"We need to discuss your situation carefully," Windu said slowly, his eyes locking on mine. "For now, we will provide you with guest quarters. A member of our Order will escort you to your room."
I bowed slightly. "Thank you, sir." I replied, noting the amused look the younger Jedi from earlier gave me before he glanced at Plo Koon.
I turned on my heel and walked calmly out of the Council Chamber, wondering if being a Jedi was the right path to take.
Finally in the right time frame. How the OC got there, well someone got it right in a review.
Truthfully, I am unsure how long to spend at the temple.
Becoming a Jedi is probably too obvious a route for an OC in Star Wars, but he does need some training in the Force and lightsabers to begin with.
The next arc covers the first year or so at the temple, though after that I am split on Cam becoming a Padawan or leaving to forge his own path.