Home?

Ethan opened his eyes but struggled to focus. Darkness surrounded him, but there were also lights. Some lights were like pinpricks in a dark veil, while the larger light sources were like strips, shapes, and images. 

"I guess the game has started," he looked to his right and saw Dylan still sleeping.

"Hey buddy, why are you sleeping, we're about to start the game!" Ethan nudged his friend.

"What?!" Dylan was startled awake. He looked down at his legs and raised his arms up like he was about to be consumed by some monster. He stopped and looked to his left seeing Ethan.

"You awake? I can't believe you fell asleep while the game loaded," Ethan laughed.

"You were also asleep unless the snoring belonged to another," Master M'tz appeared behind the duo.

"You're in the game as well?" Ethan asked. 

"Ah, so you still believe you are in a game, Initiate Finn," Master M'tz responded.

"You're saying we are not in a simulation?" Dylan asked.

"That is correct, trainee Herem," Master M'tz also acknowledges Dylan's name and rank.

The boys look at one another with concern, "Are you kidnapping us?" Ethan asked.

"No, you signed the paperwork before entering stating that you were participating of your own free will. I am simply flying you to your starting point," Master M'tz responded.

"Starting point for the game?" Ethan asked again.

"The starting point to the rest of your life. You will train until you reach the Jedi Master rank, any other rank above that is up to you. Mr. Herem, you will be trained until you become an Elite-ranked bounty hunter.

Ethan narrowed his eyes while undoing his restraints, "I don't believe you, now let us out of here!" Ethan roared and ran to attack Master M'tz. Dylan followed from his chair after releasing his chair restraints. 

Master M'tz raised his hand throwing both boys against the bulkhead. 

"I guess it's true what they say, men are 4,000% less effective at fighting than they believe. Being that both of you are boys and not men, perhaps the number is closer to 10,000%!" Master M'tz laughed as he Force-pushed the boys onto the ground. 

Both Ethan and Dylan looked at Master M'tz in shock, "You can use the Force?" Ethan exclaimed. 

"Indeed, and you will be able to as well once you have begun to train," Master M'tz smiled at Ethan who lay on the ground confounded. 

"Can I switch to Jedi?" Dylan asked when he realized this fantasy was true.

"No, too late for that, besides, I think you'll make an excellent bounty hunter and Mandalorian!"

"I guess that's still pretty great," Dylan smiled. 

"Where are we heading to Tatooine, Hoth, or Correlia?" Ethan asked.

"Earth," Master M'tz smiled at the boys. They gave blank looks that morphed into disappointment.

"That's underwhelming..."Ethan tried to fake a smile, but it was obvious that he didn't try too hard. It was like he wanted everyone to know that the smile was fake.

"Ha ha ha, but this is a very special Earth, my boys. This isn't like the Earth you came from. This Earth is filled with people with powers, sorcerers, and aliens, and all sorts of opportunities for adventures. 

You will start your training on Earth before moving to the stars. It's there you will discover alien civilizations, not one whit inferior to the Star Wars civilizations. In fact, you might find more adventure here than you would have in the Star Wars galaxy," Master M'tz continued to smile while observing the boys' faces change. Now, they looked excited. 

"How come I don't have a lightsaber, but he has a blaster, an R3 unit, and a Tie Bomber?" Ethan asked. 

"Like I said before, the bounty hunters start with a lot of equipment, but he's just a trainee, and dying won't take too much effort on his part. As for you, you're only an initiate, you can't have a lightsaber until your master allows you. You won't have a master until you are a Padawan learner."

"Are you going to be my master?" 

"N--"

"Do I get a master, you said I'm a trainee as a bounty hunter, do I have someone to learn from?" Dylan cut in.

"Wait a moment boys, one question at a time. No, Finn, I will not be your master. I am responsible for giving you missions until you become a Padawan. However, you already have a master assigned to you. Do well as a Padawan, and do well on your missions. 

As for you Mr. Herem, you will receive training from an ideal candidate for your trainee period. Once you reach the 'Grunt" level as a bounty hunter, that's when you'll get your own master. You better do well, we're paying him a lot of credits to train you."

"Is this a game still? Will we be able to save our spot and go home?" Ethan asked once more.

"Finn, I already told you that you are home. There is no attachment, even to home. That is the Jedi way," Master M'tz explained to Ethan. Ethan's face showed he wasn't resigned to the answer he was given.

"What about me, I'm not a Jedi, I can have as many attachments as I want," Dylan responded.

"Yes, but you are a bounty hunter. We have already made a contract with you and invested quite a few credits in bringing you here. If you want to go home, earn the credits it takes to transfer back. As a friendly warning, you probably will never make enough credits to go home in your lifetime. 

However, I know this bothers both of you, so I can, at the very least, promise both of you that if you work hard enough you might earn opportunities for short visits. With that settled let's get down to business." 

The boys looked at one another with some relief, at least there was a possibility of returning home, even for short durations. 

"We are going to set up a base near New York. Your first assignments are to procure documentation, money, a home, and transportation for yourselves within New York. We'll have a base for you to visit to get missions, make purchases, and so forth, but you need a home to live in. Find something in New York. This is both your first test and first mission. Good luck." Master M'tz smiled mischievously at the boys.