The Beginning
"I…I'm…" Ethan isn't able to bring himself to say it. That's impossible. This can't be real.
"Why not?" Durron looks at the young man. "Why can't it be real?"
"Because you guys are characters in a series of books, movies and comics, see?" From his knee pocket, Ethan pulls out his book.
Setting down his lightsaber, Durron takes it and pages through. After a few seconds, he hands the book back to Ethan. "Where did you get that?"
"My brother sent it to me."
"No, I mean, the person who wrote it. Where did he get it?"
"'Star Wars.'"
Durron stares at him. "What's 'Star Wars?'"
"Over thirty years ago a filmmaker named George Lucas produced three films under the title 'Star Wars.' The first was about the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the first Death Star. The second began with the Battle of Hoth and ended with Luke Skywalker's fight with Darth Vader. The last one focused on the Battle of Endor."
Durron closes his eyes for a moment. "You said his name was Lucas, right?" Ethan nods. "There was a Lucas in the project. Since he wasn't a trained Jedi, I didn't really keep track of him after Antioch. If I remember right, he was a historian."
"That would explain why he had such detailed stories." Ethan sat down on the bunk. A million thoughts raced through his head at the speed of light; none of them making sense. "What happened when you got here?"
Durron stands across from the young man, leaning on the table as he lets out a long sigh. "Where do I start?"
"How about when you left."
The Jedi Master shrugs. "We left in 58 ABY, which was...here let me check something quick." Durron walks over to the computer bank, punching a couple buttons before staggering backwards slightly.
"Are you okay?" Ethan rushes up beside him. "What's wrong?"
Durron blinks a couple times before speaking. "According to this, it has been 1,983 years since we left."
