Chapter 1: Awake

Chapter 1:  Awake

Location:  Unknown

Time:  Unknown

I woke up to a mind numbing headache and the noise of a mechanical whirring not unlike that of an old fan.  A familiar noise, reminiscent of long summer days spent indoors in the Arizona heat.  

Something about that thought struck me as odd.  

As I sat up from the bed I found myself in and looked around at a dizzyingly familiar barracks room, my eyes were immediately drawn to a blaster pistol next to a dark blue Republic Judicial forces uniform folded neatly on the edge of my bunk.  My uniform.  

I shook my head and tried to get a better look at the room around me.  

The room was small, orderly, and largely spartan in furnishings save a single datapad placed on the desk built into the far side of the room. 

 My mind became increasingly clear, even as my head increasingly throbbed.  Despite the metaphorical fog slowly dissipating from the edge of my consciousness, the exact memory of my current situation still eluded me.  I easily recalled long days of helping out on my fathers' farm during the summer, yet I could also clearly remember my uncle Bail seeing me off from a platform on Coruscant near his apartment in 500 Republica as I departed to join the 3rd Judicial Legion stationed on the star rings of Bestine.  A decision I know he disapproved of, as he would prefer If I were to have joined a political institution such as The Legislative Youth Program on Chandrila in order to pursue a career that could help others. Rather than 'rashly chase vague notions of honor' and other such foolishness.  "As if the Senate could fix the galaxy's problems". I scoffed.  

That thought too felt strange…  Incomplete.

As I struggled to sort through my messy consciousness, I remembered a name.

Korynn Organa

It was at that moment that the rest of my memories fell loosely into place.

Waves of mental anguish sieged my consciousness as I began to remember where I was, and more importantly, who I am.  Flashes from my childhood both from Earth and Alderaan began to blur and fuse as if my brain was put in a blender and thrown in a fire.  I remember being mostly raised by servants with the oversight of my uncle on Alderaan after my parents passed away.  My memories of my life on Earth were vague, fleeting details mostly about a series I enjoyed growing up called Star wars…

I froze.  A sense of existential dread overcame me as I realized I had been sent to one of my favorite fictional universes.  But why were my memories of the forests and palaces of Alderaan so vivid?  Had I died and been sent here for a reason?  Was this all a dream?  Was I Korynn Organa or an unknown from the planet Earth!?

I started to take a deep breath and then exhaled slowly as I forced myself to calm down and assess my current situation and what I knew.  I remembered that it is currently year 7948 on the CRC calendar and that I had finally turned eighteen and completed my initial six year training at the Coruscant Naval Academy. 

My current situation becoming increasingly clear to me as I remembered I was currently enroute to Bestine on board a consular class cruiser with a fresh batch of graduates. 

Unfortunately for me, that gave me little reference to confirm my dubious knowledge of this universe, but I also had no Idea how the calendar corresponds to my knowledge as I only knew the BBY dates.  

A sudden chime from the datapad startled me out of my thoughts.  Grasping at the timely distraction I lept off my bunk and onto my feet as I internally cursed at my still throbbing head while making my way over.  

On the datapad was a short message.  'All recruits are to assemble in the lounge area at 0900 for a briefing'.  I glanced at the Coruscant time on the datapad and realized I had roughly an hour and a half before this briefing. 

As I worked through my jumbled memories, I swiftly disassociated with my current predicament as I went through the motions of getting ready and trying to think through what is happening.

Stretching, I made my way over to the refresher I had previously overlooked near the door.  I had been lucky enough to bunk in what was usually the First Officer's quarters.  This had notably come with a private refresher and a separate bunk from the rest of my classmates. 

I had suspected it was because the captain wished to do my uncle a small favor in the hopes of some kind of reward, or perhaps a member of my family had simply arranged it to be so.  

As I halfheartedly mused at the possible corruption all too common in today's republic I made my way to the small sonic shower for a quick clean.  With practiced ease I stepped up to the controls and selected the option for a quick fifteen minute shower. 

While I distracted myself from my current predicament, I began to try and sort out the future knowledge I had, however vague.  The first thing that stood out from my memory as Korynn, from my time at the Coruscant Naval Academy, was the fact that the Battle of Naboo was three years ago and that Scheev Palpatine had already become the Chancellor.  

Me and my classmates had been forced to discuss the blockade in detail in class by our instructors as it could be considered one of the most important battles in recent history since the Stark Hyperspace war. 

Ever since the New Sith wars almost 1000 years ago large scale planetary battles had become increasingly uncommon in an era of relative peace. 

A peace I knew would end soon. 

With the start of the clone wars and the fall of The Republic soon after occurring only about eleven years after the Battle of Naboo.  This meant I had roughly eight years of relative peace before the war.  

Stepping out of the quick shower and putting on my uniform, I realized I have no Idea what to do with that information.  Although I thoroughly enjoyed the Star Wars universe in my other life, having lived in this galaxy for the past eighteen years, I felt that there wasn't much I could do in my current situation.  Given no direction except for a vague understanding of major future events, I was tempted to give in to my desire to simply ignore the problems of the galaxy and enjoy my life in this wonderful galaxy.  Almost…

There was only one problem with just ignoring everything and living my life in some remote corner of the galaxy as I waited out the clone wars, the galactic civil war, the Yuuzhan Vong…

'And whatever other mind numbing horror this galaxy throws my way.'  I thought grimly as I donned my jacket and put my blaster pistol in my side holster.

Alderaan, my wonderful homeworld unlike any other would be destroyed in just under 30 years along with most of my family if I did nothing.  Now That is something I simply could not allow.

Despite receiving these memories from a face I cannot name from a planet from what seems to be almost a dream, I still firmly believe myself to be simply Korynn.  Well, no longer quite so simply with the whole metaphorical weight of my world on my shoulders and the burden of future horrors I could only try and fathom how to stop, but I am still undeniably Korynn Organa.

With that thought I strengthened my determination and began to think about all the possible changes I could make, if only to save my home from the fires of annihilation.

 For this I need strength, both personal strength and political strength.  As I stepped back into my room, I promised myself I would not stop progressing.  I will not let my home be destroyed, I will not let my family die, and I will Never leave my life in the hands of a fate I don't believe in!

Shocking me out of my impassioned revery nearly immediately after my mental declaration of perseverance, a quick knock rasped on my door.  Slightly embarrassed, I quickly made my way over to the durasteel frame and opened the door.  

In front of me were two familiar human males around my age dressed in familiar blue uniforms with loose smiles.  As I Iooked at the two my memories as Korynn quickly presented me with two names: Elias Kase and Sol Corrino.  Two of my best friends from the academy and fellow graduates.  

"Are you going to just stand there gawking at my handsomeness, or are you gonna let us in, ensign Organa?"  Sol said in a playful tone. 

Elias, on the other hand, said nothing but his face had shifted into his usual stern look, as if preparing to chastise the both of us for our usual foolishness.  

"Give it a rest Sol."  Elias sighed, looking at me with a tired look reminding me of his displeasure at often playing the mediator for this particular argument.   

"We wanted to know if you wanted to play some pazaak with us before the briefing in an hour." He continued in an even tone as he glanced my way.  His eyes tried to convey that I shouldn't continue the argument my comparatively higher rank often caused with my lanky friend.  

Unfortunately for him, I was never known to take barbs gracefully.  Especially when the other party was being stupid.

We both knew it was due to my exceptional talent and hard work that I received my current rank, despite my early age.  Yet still, Sol insisted that it was because of my family's connections and status that I won the rank over him...

Despite him also being a noble from the notably influential Tapani Sector.  It felt as if he couldn't begin to fathom the possibility that I had beat him fair and square.

"I suppose I could allow you into my humble abode, warrant officer Corrino."  At that comment Sol scowled and clicked his tongue before reluctantly entering my quarters and taking out his set of cards.

Despite being one of my best friends, I had to admit that the Procopia native had quite the ego.  Though I was one to talk considering how often the two of us butted heads.  

"Play nice" Elias jokingly chided as he weakly looked between the two of us and rubbed his forehead.  To me it seemed like he was wondering why he even had us as friends in the first place.

"I'll try" I laughed out loud as I watched my stubborn friend clench his fist and glower.

"That's it.  I'm going to CRUSH you at pazaak." Sol grumbled as he shot me a dirty look.

"Glad to see that this Salutatorian thinks he can defeat me at something."  I said with a haughty smirk plastered on my face.

Elias merely eyed the two of us dryly as he too entered my room and began to sit on the bed Sol was setting up a game on.  

I smiled and promptly joined them.  Glad that I at the least had friends to distract me from my own thoughts.  

Even as I slowly lost the game of pazaak, the familiar banter and dynamic of spending time with my friends slowly relaxed me as I started to look forwards to tomorrow instead of dreading what had become of my former life on Earth, or the consequences of my future choices. 

I'd face my life as best I could and let the rest fall into place.