I found myself floating in darkness, again god damn it, but this time I felt as though this was just a temporary thing as the device I had been sucked into began whatever it was supposed to do. With a flash I found myself staring through the eyes of whom I assumed to be the alien wearing the device. I could even hear his thoughts and feel what he felt. ‘So the device must have been some kind of personal experience recorder. If that’s the case I feel no harm in letting it run its course.’ With that thought I sat back and watched what I would assumed to be this alien’s final days.
[Gunter’s POV]
I awoke from the procedure groggy and disoriented. It took me a while before I could make sense of my immediate surroundings. I seemed to be laying in the medical center of Shining Sword, the ship I was assigned to as an engineer, as the fog cleared from my mind.
I remember now, I had volunteered to be the first one to wear the memory transfer device. It was a great honor as my training methods to become the youngest sword master would be viewed by countless future generations, hopefully speeding their training in the way of the sword and the honor associated with it.
I flexed first my upper arms, used for strength, then my lower arms, used for delicate work, as I reacquainted myself to my body after the invasive procedure. I notice a female nurse come in from the hallway holding what I would assume would be my medical chart.
“Good you’re up, I’m Nurse Joy and I’ll be over seeing you as you go through a series of tests to make sure nothing was damaged during the procedure. I’m sure you want to get up and moving but first let’s make sure all your precise motion controls are doing okay.”
I nod my accent and with that we begin. Nurse Joy runs me through a battery of tests including eyes, fingers and toes control as well as mental challenges to make sure my cognitive functions were working well. Everything went well and she allowed me to stand up from the bed and take a few tentative steps.
Even this small effort tired me greatly but Nurse Joy assured me that it was just the effects of the drugs that had been pumping through my veins recently. Reassured I let the compulsion of sleep to over take me as I drifted off. The next few weeks passed quickly as I continued my physical therapy and completed every test they threw at me.
Finally the tests were complete and I was pronounced fit for duty aboard the ship, I was also informed that the device would periodically send an update to a server. I had no worries about this I was loyal to the Emperor and this would only serve as proof of my devotion.
As soon as I was released I raced towards my room and gathered my beloved swords, two longer curved blades, which would be held by my upper arms, and two shorter blades, held by my lower arms. Task complete I rushed to the training room to practice my forms.
I bowed to the training master and went to an unused corner where no one would interrupt me. I removed the swords from their sheaths and readied my 7 foot frame for the Dance of Blades. My movements slow but precise moving from one form to another increasing in speed as I went. I went to a speed I was comfortable with as my fluid movements whipped the swords around, in a beautiful but deadly display, until with a final flourish my movements ceased.
I awoke from my near trance to the sound of clapping. Turning towards the sound I spot the Emperor’s Chief of Staff and immediately drop to a knee and bow my head. “This lowly warrior apologizes for his lack of awareness my lord.”
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“Raise your head Gunter,’ I’m shocked that someone so important would know my name, ‘I will not take offense when a warrior such as yourself is so deeply within the Dance. I’ve actually come on the behalf of the Emperor, he wishes to grace you with his presence and honor you for being the first to test the memory device.”
My head bows once again, “I’m not worthy of this honor my lord.” “Nonsense you do us all proud with your courage. The Emperor is aboard the fleet capital ship Talon, he will see you tonight after his dinner. Bring your swords along with you, a warrior should never be without them.”
The Chief of Staff bangs his right fists over his heart, “For the Emperor.” I salute with my swords, still kneeling, and with the rest of the room say, “His will be done.” I remain kneeling until the Chief of Staff is gone from the room then I swiftly retrieve my sheaths and retire to my room in order to be presentable for the Emperor.
Several hours later I’m standing with the Captain of the ship waiting for the transport to be ready. I can’t help but be nervous as even the Captain went over every detail of my uniform to check for imperfections. The transport takes off and all too soon we arrive at Talon. The Captain leaves me to go dine with the Emperor but not before giving me one last inspection. After he leaves I am lead to a small antechamber to await the Emperor’s pleasure.
It feels like an eternity before an aide motions me in and I see the Emperor sitting resplendent upon the dais, with his ten Honor Guards standing below him. I stop, thirty paces away, and kneel, my right hands upon my chest waiting for him to speak.
“Raise your head Gunter, We wish to see the face of the Longarian brave enough to wear the first memory device.’ I raise my head so he can look upon me, ‘We see an honorable Longarian before me, ask and We shall grant you one boon.”
“Merely being in your Majesties presence is enough for a simple warrior such as I.” I can hear his chuckle as he says,
“Honorable, courageous and humble We have not seen such a thing for a long time. We do believe it to be advantageous to Us to raise one such as yourself to the ranks of nobility. Let it be known that henceforth Gunter shall be raised to the rank of Daimyo and shall be granted the estates of house Dalton as they have no legal heirs at the time of the heads death.”
I fall to both knees and bow, “I am not worth of this honor your Majesty.” “It is Our will that it shall be done, now go to your family and tell them the joyous news.”
With that I know I am dismissed, so I stand, ram rod straight, salute once more and say “Your will be done,” before shuffling backwards out of the room.
I feel I’m in a daze as I go through the necessary paperwork and board the transport down to Logan. It doesn’t really hit me until I step off the transport and onto the tarmac that I’m a noble now.
Any feeling of happiness is shattered as the night sky illuminates with the sudden explosion of one of our fleet ships. The transport crew is yelling at me to stand clear so they can lift off and as I run out of the way it lifts off, roaring back to space.
“What in the Emperor’s name is happening?”
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Boom aliens. Gunter's POV should only run around 1-2 chapters more. I may add more chapters today but writing from an alien's perspective is hard.