The transition from the scorched, twin-sun intensity of Tatooine to the perpetual, horizontal deluge of Kamino was a localized thermodynamic whiplash that Revan Shan met with a high-end waterproof academic cloak, a fresh batch of "Seaside-Rain" latte pods, and a very particular brand of 11th-Doctor-esque curiosity. As 60 BBY washed over the galactic timeline, the Black Pearl breached the swirling storms of the Wild Space sector, its Automatic Stealth Generator tuned to mimic the rhythmic electrostatic discharge of a localized lightning cell.
Revan sat in his Sovereign's Command Chair, reclined at a forty-two-degree "Submerged Contemplation" angle. Biologically, he was eighty-three years old, yet the face reflected in the condensation-streaked viewport remained a youthful twenty-three—a masterpiece of Force Immortality. Calculus was curled into a ball on the warm navigation console, while Theorem, the sleek adult Loth-cat, was industriously trying to "audit" the structural integrity of Jaro Tapal's heavy-duty Lasat boots.
"You see, Jaro," Revan murmured, his voice a dry, rhythmic rasp. "According to my 2nd Doctorate in Planetary Ecology, Kamino is a masterpiece of 'Hydro-Dynamic Persistence.' It's a world that decided to be an ocean and stayed that way out of pure spite. It's statistically magnificent, remarkably damp, and the source of the 'Biological Stutter' Cortana flagged in the Banking Clan's ledgers. We're here to see what a billion credits worth of nutrient vats actually looks like."
Jaro Tapal, now twenty-four and possessing the physical presence of a localized mountain range, adjusted his utility belt. His purple eyes were sharp, reflecting the decade of Maverick training. "Discreetly, Master? Or are we sassing the locals?"
"A bit of both, Jaro. A bit of both."
The Kamino Audit: Idealism in the Dark
The Black Pearl landed on a secluded, wave-battered platform on the outskirts of Tipoca City. Revan and Jaro, operating under the 'Dr. John Smith' pseudonym, were met not by clones, but by a young, remarkably tall, and still-idealistic Kaminoan. Lama Su, the future Prime Minister, was currently an administrator overseeing localized genetic research.
"Welcome, Dr. Smith," Lama Su said, his voice a melodic, rhythmic warble. "We rarely see visitors from the Core interested in our... specific biological datasets."
"According to my 11th Doctorate in Xenobiology, your datasets are the most tidy in the galaxy," Revan sassed, clicking his Sonic Screwdriver to "shush" a localized electrical short in the greeting droid. "But according to my audit, your supply lines are being harassed. A localized 'unkindness' from the Rancor-Bait Syndicate, I believe?"
Lama Su's long neck tilted in surprise. "Your information is... statistically accurate. The pirates have intercepted three of our high-yield medical shipments. The Republic has ignored our petitions."
"Well," Revan grinned, his 11th-Doctor-spark flaring. "The Republic is busy with its own rhythmic stagnation. But according to my heart, a world of scientists shouldn't have to deal with thugs. Jaro, grab your Kyber Green Sonic. We're going to perform a 'Service Audit' on those pirates."
The Pirate Skirmish: A Masterpiece of Niman and Soresu
Revan and Jaro didn't wait for a formal mission. They intercepted the pirate fleet in the Kaminoan orbit using the Star-Sass and the Black Pearl. Revan stayed on the bridge, coordinating the "Ahsoka Protocol" for the ship's hidden turbolasers, while Jaro led a boarding party of HK-51 units.
> The Tactical Redirection Variable (\Sigma_{tr}):
> By his internal audit, Jaro Tapal moved through the pirate flagship like a rhythmic engine of destruction. He utilized his Double-Bladed Saberstaff to create a perfect Form III Soresu dome, catching blaster bolts and snapping them back with Form V Djem So precision. When surrounded, he unleashed a Force Repulse that cleared the hangar floor, leaving only the sound of rain and the trill of his Sonic Screwdriver as he 'shushed' the ship's primary life-support.
>
The pirates were neutralized without a single Jedi casualty. Revan ensured the "Kindness" was maintained by slaving the pirate ships to the Kaminoan defense grid.
"There," Revan noted to a stunned Lama Su. "A good impression on the Jedi Order. Free of charge. Try to be nice to the next Jedi who comes knocking, Lama Su. They might not be as sarcastic as I am."
The Final Curriculum: Mobility and The Last Lecture
The return journey to Coruscant was the "Final Semester." Revan pushed Jaro's mobility to the statistical limit.
"Tag, Jaro! Senate rooftops, Coruscant!" Revan laughed, utilizing Force Enhance to leap between the staggering spires.
Parkour was no longer just an exercise; it was a rhythmic necessity. Jaro, despite his massive size, moved with the fluid, energy-minimizing grace of Form II Makashi and the explosive mobility of Form IV Ataru.
"According to my 9th Doctorate in Advanced Mathematics," Revan called out as they perched on the edge of the Temple Spire, "your reaction time is now 0.04 seconds ahead of the average Master. You've mastered the wall, Jaro. Now, you must remember the bridge."
Revan sat Jaro down for the final lecture of his Padawan days: Survival in the 1%.
"The shadow is coming, Jaro. Palpatine is a Senior Aide now. Plagueis is Hego Damask. The books are being cooked on a galactic scale," Revan said, his voice softening into the 12th Doctor's weary kindness. "I have taught you physics, engineering, and history so that if the Temple falls—and it will—you have the variables to build something new. Be a wall for the 96%. Be a bridge for those lost in the 4%. But never fail to be kind."
The Knight Trials: Graduation and the Sovereign Gift
Upon arrival at the Temple, Revan formally requested an audience with the High Council. Grandmaster Yoda sat in the center, sensing the weight of the moment.
"Master Shan," Yoda rasped. "Padawan Tapal... grown, he has. Ready, is he?"
"According to my audit, Yoda," Revan replied, sassing the Council with a tray of fresh Naboo pastries. "Jaro Tapal has reached a 100% proficiency in the Maverick Curriculum. He has saved worlds, fixed hyperdrives, and out-parkoured me three times this month. I recommend him for the Knight Trials."
The Council agreed. Jaro passed the trials with a rhythmic ease that left the observers stunned. He was no longer a student; he was Jedi Knight Jaro Tapal.
Back at the 1313 Penthouse, Revan presented Jaro with his "Maverick Graduation Package."
* The Armor: A form-fitting set of body armor made from a weave of Beskar, Phrik, and Cortosis. Colored black with deep purple highlights. Lightweight, lightsaber-resistant, and durable.
* The Credits: A secure, untraceable credit-chit containing 60 Million Credits—the full winnings from the Boonta Eve Classic.
"A gift for the wall," Revan smiled, his eyes bright. "The armor is for your skin; the credits are for your future. Use them to keep the galaxy tidy when I'm not around. According to my heart, Jaro, you're the best variable I ever calculated."
Jaro bowed, his massive Lasat frame shaking with emotion. "I will never fail to be kind, Master."
The Sovereign's Nap: End of 60 BBY
The year concluded with the Black Pearl ghosting through the upper-city lights. Revan was slumped in his chair, Calculus purring on his lap. Knight Jaro Tapal sat in the secondary Sovereign chair, looking at his new armor with the quiet peace of a man who knew he was ready.
"Status, Cortana," Revan whispered.
"Jaro Tapal is officially a Knight," Cortana reported. "The 3 Billion credits are stable and growing. And on Naboo, young Sheev Palpatine has been noted as a potential candidate for the regional legislature. The shadow has its first office, Master."
"Let it have its office," Revan yawned, the chair reclining to the Calculated Nap Angle of 134.5 degrees. "Adventure is the journey, D6. And 60 BBY was a masterpiece of Lasat Knighting and Kaminoan rain. Try to be nice, 59 BBY. I think I'm going to take a very long nap before the next audit."
He closed his eyes. The Maverick was eighty-three, his student was a Master of the 96%, and the galaxy continued its slow, binary drift.