Author Note: I got somewhat carried away while writing this chapter, I legit have no idea when it got so long but as a result it is split into 2 chapters which ends up a weird end for this chapter.
This and the next chapter have been updated. There is no need to reread if you have done so the only things fixed were grammar/spelling mistakes.
The next chapters after these are
1. Vaylin POV
2. Academy Day
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(Ember POV - 5 months later / 6 months till Academy)
The chronometer on her nightstand glowed softly in the darkness, displaying 02:47 standard time in pale blue digits that seemed to mock her with their steady progression. Ember lay on her back, staring at the ceiling of her room while her mind raced with thoughts she couldn't seem to organize or quiet. Sleep had been elusive for the past several hours, dancing just beyond her reach every time her eyes seemed to close.
Turning onto her side then back again, the comfortable mattress that had once felt like such a luxury now seeming to trap her in restless energy. Her Force sight remained active despite her exhaustion, painting the familiar contours of the apartment in ethereal outlines that shifted and flowed with each subtle movement. Through the walls, she could sense the steady peaceful signatures of her family, Vex and Sera in the master bedroom down the hall, their presences intertwined in sleep, and Cherry in the room next to hers, the younger girl's signature bright and untroubled.
The apartment felt different at night. During the day, it buzzed with activity and purpose, but in these quiet hours, it seemed to expand around her, every small sound amplified in the stillness. The distant hum of endless traffic, the gentle whisper of the ventilation system the occasional rumble of thunder from the perpetual storms outside, all of it combined into a symphony of urban life that should have been soothing but instead felt restless.
I felt a groan escape my lips as I rolled over to the nightstand, her fingers finding her personal comlink in the darkness. The device activated at her touch, its screen casting the glow of a thousand suns into her face and couldn't help but squint against the sudden brightness. The Imperial HoloNet connection indicator showed strong signal strength, and she found herself scrolling through her saved feeds almost automatically.
It had become one of her guilty pleasures over the past few months. Vex had helped her set up the account, explaining how to use privacy settings and warning her about the various security considerations that came with any online presence. The platform was called "LifeStream," and it allowed beings across the galaxy to share glimpses of their daily experiences, achievements, and thoughts with followers.
She navigated to her saved list of public figures, a collection of accounts she'd discovered over weeks of idle browsing. There was Jaxo Kanthar, a human actor from Alderaan who starred in popular holodramas and seemed to live a life of endless glamorous parties and exotic travel. His latest posts showed him attending a premiere on Coruscant, surrounded by other beautiful people in expensive clothing, their smiles perfect.
Ember scrolled past images of Kanthar's luxury speeder, his penthouse apartment with its sweeping views of the galactic capital, and candid shots of him dining at restaurants that probably cost more per meal than most beings made in a month. The contrast to her own experience felt stark—while she was grateful for the safety and comfort Vex and Sera had provided, she sometimes wondered what it would be like to live with even more apparent freedom and ease.
Next was Lyra Valance, a Twi'lek musician who had risen from the outer rim territories to become one of the galaxy's most popular recording artists. Her posts were a mixture of behind-the-scenes glimpses from recording studios, concert footage that showed thousands of screaming fans and personal moments that felt more genuine than the actor's carefully curated perfection. The singer didn't pretend her life was perfect—she shared her doubts, her failures, her moments of homesickness and anxiety. Her latest post was a simple image of her meditation room with the caption: "Some nights the mind won't quiet. Grateful for spaces that help me find peace."
She continued scrolling, passing through updates from Imperial Propaganda who shared sanitized glimpses of life in service, aristocrats from core worlds who documented their social functions and political gatherings, and entrepreneurs who promoted their various business ventures across the galaxy. Each account offered a window into lives that seemed more complete, more purposeful, than her current existence.
The restlessness in her chest intensified as she absorbed image after image of people who seemed to know exactly who they were and what they wanted from life. The Imperial Academy loomed ahead of her, offering structure and purpose but it still felt distant and felt like doing something now.
After thirty minutes of aimless scrolling, I scoffed in frustration and tossed the comlink onto the nightstand. The device clattered against the lamp base, the sound seeming unnaturally loud in the quiet room. She held her breath for a moment, listening to make sure no one was disturbed, but the Force signatures around her remained sleeping. Sleep was clearly not going to come naturally tonight she needed to do something, to move, to work off this restless energy that seemed to vibrate beneath her skin like electrical current.
Moving with the careful silence practiced during months of training sessions, Ember slipped out of bed and padded across her room to the dresser. She pulled out a pair of comfortable workout pants and a fitted top, garments that had become as familiar as her own skin during her intensive physical training regimen. The clothes were made from moisture-wicking fabric that Sera had selected for her, designed to move with the body during intense exercise while providing appropriate support.
The eyepatch lay on the dresser where she'd left it before bed, the familiar fabric soft against her palm as it was positioned carefully over her empty socket. The patch had become such an integral part of her identity that she felt oddly exposed without it, even though her Force sight functioned perfectly well regardless of conventional vision.
From the small lockbox beside her bed, I retrieved one of the metal cigars. The familiar weight settled into her palm with practiced ease, and she cracked it three times along its seam lines with quick, precise movements. The soft hiss of activation was barely audible, and she brought the device to her lips for a careful drag. The vapor filled her lungs and brought a wave of relaxation that ran across her body.
Exhaling slowly and silently, Ember felt the familiar harmony settle over her senses. Her Force sight and conventional vision merged into the seamless perception that allowed her to function at her best. The restless energy in her chest transformed from chaotic anxiety into focused anticipation.
She moved through her room like a ghost, her bare feet silent against the carpeted floor as she approached the door. The hallway beyond stretched in both directions, all surfaces clearly visible through her enhanced perception. She could sense the sleeping forms of her family members, their Force signatures steady and undisturbed. Satisfied that her movement hadn't alerted anyone, she opened her door and made way toward the stairs.
The apartment's layout had become second nature to her over the months of residence. She avoided the spots where the floorboards creaked, stepped carefully around furniture that might catch her clothing, and slid down the stair rail moving with the grace that Vex's training had instilled in her. The journey from her second-floor bedroom to the first-floor workout room took several careful minutes, but she accomplished it without making any sound that might wake the others.
The workout room's door opened silently at her approach, revealing the familiar space that had become her refuge during moments of stress or excess energy. But it was the mirror-covered wall that caught her attention as she entered, causing her to pause and truly look at herself for the first time in weeks. The reflection that stared back at her was noticeably different from the girl who had arrived at this apartment five months ago.
She'd grown. Not just in height, though she'd definitely gained at least two inches, but in overall presence and physicality. Her shoulders were broader now, more defined by months of consistent training and proper nutrition. Her arms, once thin and weak, now showed clear muscle definition that spoke of countless hours spent working with weights and combat practice. Her legs, visible beneath her workout pants, had developed the strong, lean lines of someone who ran regularly and trained intensively. Her crimson skin had regained its natural luster, no longer bearing the pallid undertones that had marked her captivity. Even her posture was different straighter more confident.
Ember took one last drag from her metallic device, savoring the way the vapor moved and floated in the air . When the cylinder was empty, I jumped a little and tossed it into a waste receptacle near the door, the soft clink of metal against plastic marking the end of this particular dose.
The next few minutes were devoted to stretching a ritual Vex had insisted upon from their earliest training sessions. Moving through a series of forms that combined elements of traditional calisthenics with techniques designed to prepare her body for combat. She stretched her shoulders and arms, loosened her back and core, and performed leg extensions that worked muscles she'd never known existed before beginning her training.
As she moved through the familiar routine her movements were fluid and controlled, no longer the awkward, uncertain gestures of someone unfamiliar with their own body. The stretching also helped focus on what she actually came here to do in the first place.
A few minutes later I felt prepped and tumbled my way to a control panel mounted besides the door. The interface was simple but effective, offering options for environmental controls, equipment activation, and privacy settings. Pressing a series of buttons that activated the room's soundproofing system.
A soft hum indicated that the acoustic dampening field was now active, creating a buffer zone that would contain even the loudest impacts and prevent sound from traveling to the rest of the apartment. The system was Imperial military grade apparently, a fact that Vex bragged about that was made possible due to her contacts and resources made such luxuries possible.
Reaching into her pocket she retrieved her comlink and a set of wireless headphones another upgrade that had come with her new life. The music library she'd compiled over the months contained a mixture of genres and artists, but tonight she selected something with a rhythm that would match the intensity of her planned workout. The sound quality was excellent, the bass resonating through her bones while the higher frequencies provided crisp detail that helped her maintain focus.
The punching bag hung from reinforced mounting points in the ceiling, its heavy leather surface worn smooth by months of use. It was a professional-grade piece of equipment, filled with materials that would absorb impact without excessive wear while providing realistic resistance for training purposes. Scuff marks and slight discoloration showed where her fists had found their target countless times before.
Hand wraps lay in a neat pile beside the bag, ember had become expert at the wrapping process, her fingers moving automatically as she wound the fabric around her hands and up her arms. Each loop was positioned to provide maximum support while maintaining flexibility, a technique that had taken weeks to master but now felt as natural as breathing.
The music pulsed through her headphones as she faced the bag, her wrapped hands raised in the familiar guard position that Vex had drilled into her muscle memory. Starting slowly she threw careful jabs and others going across the spectrum that focused on technique rather than power. Her form had improved dramatically over the months of time, transforming from wild uncontrolled swings into precise, efficient strikes that maximized effect while minimizing wasted energy. She could feel each punch landing cleanly, her fist connecting with the bag's sweet spot and sending vibrations up through her arms.
As the music's tempo increased, so did the intensity of her workout. Combinations flowed together in sequences that Vex had taught her breathing remained controlled despite the increasing pace, another sign of how her conditioning had developed. The bag swayed with each impact, its heavy mass absorbing and redirecting the energy of her strikes. Sweat began to form on her skin despite the room's climate control, her body warming to the demands of sustained physical effort. The restless energy that had kept her awake was finally finding an outlet, transforming into focused aggression directed at an appropriate target.
Increasing the pace again, her hands moving in blur-fast combinations that tested her technique and conditioning. The sound of her fists hitting the bag created a rhythmic percussion that blended with her music, creating a symphony of effort and achievement that filled her with satisfaction. Jab-cross-hook, slip left, uppercut-body shot-overhand right. The combinations flowed together like a violent dance, each movement building on the last in sequences that repeated itself at times to become a never-ending dance.
Time seemed to lose meaning as I lost myself in the rhythm of combat training. The music pulsed through the headphones, driving her forward as she worked through increasingly complex combinations. Shifting to the side with a foot I began incorporating footwork into the routine, pivoting around the bag as punches were thrown from different angles. Her legs carried her in smooth circles, her feet finding purchase on the specialized training mats that covered the floor. Each step was measured and purposefully designed to maintain optimal distance and positioning for maximum striking efficiency. Sweat dripped down her face and soaked through her workout clothes as the session intensified. The familiar burn of muscle fatigue began to spread through her arms and shoulders, but rather than deterring her, it only served to focus her determination. This was the kind of productive exhaustion she craved.
As her workout progressed, she found herself thinking about the Imperial Academy and the challenges that awaited her there. Vex refused to tell her about what she would face. What little was released to the public showed combat was only one component of the training she would face, but it was the foundation upon which everything else would be built. She threw a particularly vicious combination that sent the bag swinging wildly on its chain, the impact reverberating through her arms and into her core. For a moment, she paused to catch her breath, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her wrapped hand. But the brief respite only lasted seconds before she was back at work, throwing strikes with renewed intensity. Her form remained crisp despite the fatigue that was beginning to creep into her muscles.
The session continued for what felt like hours her world had narrowed to the immediate concerns. The bag became her opponent, a silent adversary that absorbed her attacks without retaliation but demanded perfect execution with every exchange.
She was deep in a sequence when something finally penetrated her focused awareness. A flicker of movement in her senses, barely noticeable through the haze of exertion and concentration.
I shuddered as someone was walking around in my force sight before I had noticed. I focused more on who was walking, it was a familiar presence approaching down the hallway outside the workout room, the controlled, steel-like energy signature that belonged unmistakably to Vex. The older woman was moving with her characteristic purposeful stride, heading directly toward the training area.
I put a hand on the bag to still it, realizing how completely absorbed in the workout she had been. She should have detected Vex's approach much earlier but her focus on training had apparently caused her to tune out everything beyond the immediate environment of the room. Glancing at the chronometer mounted on the far wall, its digital display showing [05:30] in bright red numbers. The time hit her like a physical shock she had been working out for nearly three hours without pause. No wonder her body was beginning to protest and her wraps were soaked with sweat.
The door to the workout room slid open with its characteristic soft hiss and Vex stepped through the entrance with the easy grace that marked all her movements. The tall woman paused just inside the threshold, taking in the view of Ember already present and engaged in training at such an early hour.
"Ember?" Vex's refined voice carried a note of something I couldn't place. "I wasn't expecting anyone else to be up at this hour."
I pulled off my headphones and set them aside, doing my best to catch my breath. Despite the early hour and exhaustion, I could feel a surge of warmth at seeing her. The relationship between them had evolved significantly over the months, growing from cautious trust to genuine family affection.
"Good morning, Vex" managing a tired but genuine smile as I stepped away from the punching bag.
Vex moved closer, her pale gray eyes taking in my sweat-soaked condition and the obvious signs of an extended training session. Rather than showing disapproval or concern about the early hour, her expression reflected something closer to professional assessment mixed with personal caring.
The two approached each other in the center of the room, and Vex opened her arms in the gesture that had become natural between them over the months. I stepped into the embrace without hesitation, feeling the familiar comfort of Vex's solid presence and the faint scent of her preferred soap that always seemed to cling to her hair and clothing. The hug lasted several seconds, long enough for Ember to feel some of the residual tension from her sleepless night begin to drain away.
"What brings you down here so early?" Vex asked as they separated her voice carrying the gentle concern "It's barely past dawn, even by the standards of someone who keeps military hours."
I shrugged, the gesture encompassing the complexity of emotions and physical needs that had driven her from her bed. "I couldn't sleep. Too much restless energy, I guess. Scrolling through social media wasn't helping, so I figured might as well do something productive with the time."
"That makes sense" she acknowledged.
As they spoke, Vex's attention was drawn down to my hands, which remained wrapped in the protective fabric she had applied before beginning her training session. The older woman's sharp eyes caught details that others might have missed subtle discoloration in the wraps that suggested more than just perspiration had soaked through the material.
Without asking permission Vex gently took them in her own, lifting them to examine the wrapping more closely. Her touch was professional but caring, the same combination of clinical assessment and personal concern that characterized much of their interaction.
"How long have you been at this?" Vex asked, her voice taking on the slightly stern tone that usually preceded medical attention or safety lectures.
"Since about two-thirty" suddenly aware of how that sounded. "I know it's probably too long, but I felt really good and didn't want to stop until I was properly tired."
"Here's what you're going to do" Vex said with the quiet authority "Go wake up Sera and ask her to patch up your knuckles. She's got medical training and the steady hands for that kind of work. Get yourself cleaned up and patched up."
Nodding that it was understood that this was not a suggestion but a directive. She had learned to recognize when Vex's requests were actually orders, and this one care fell firmly into that category.
"After that" Vex continued, and something in her tone shifted from concern to anticipation, "Get yourself ready for the day. Today we're doing blaster training."
The fatigue seemed to evaporate as excitement surged through my system like electrical current. Blaster training had been something she had been requesting for weeks, ever since she had demonstrated sufficient proficiency with hand-to-hand combat to satisfy Vex's requirements.
I pulled my hands back and thrust both arms into the air above my head breaking into the widest grin Vex had seen from her in weeks.
"Woo!" the sound echoing through the soundproofed training room as I began walking quickly toward the exit. My mounting exhaustion was forgotten, replaced by eager anticipation for what promised to be an exciting day.
As I passed the door I looked back to Vex with eyes bright with excitement. "Real blasters? Not just training simulators?"
"Real blasters" Vex confirmed with an indulgent smile. "But first, medical attention. I want those knuckles properly cleaned and bandaged before we handle any weapons."
"Yes ma'am!" I shouted making sure my tone carrying a mixture of mock formality and genuine enthusiasm as I practically bounced out of the training room, my rapid footsteps echoing in the hallway as making towards the stairs and the promise of a real weapons training session.
The excitement coursing through her system made the fatigue from her extended workout seem like a distant memory. Three hours of intensive punching bag work should have left her exhausted, but the prospect of finally learning to use actual blasters had energized her beyond anything she had experienced since arriving at the apartment. Her wrapped hands barely registered the dull ache that she knew would become more pronounced once the adrenaline wore off.
She leapt up the stairs two at a time, her feet finding purchase on the familiar steps. The apartment remained largely quiet around her, the early hour meaning that most of the household was still enjoying the last precious minutes of sleep before the day officially began.
As she reached the second floor landing and moving down the hallway toward the master bedroom with purposeful strides. Her Force sight confirmed what she expected to find Sera's presence was still in bed. Standing outside the master bedroom door, Ember raised her wrapped hand and knocked gently against the wooden surface. The sound was soft but sufficient to announce her presence without being aggressive or demanding. She had learned the importance of respecting boundaries
"Sera?" she called softly through the door. "It's Ember. Vex sent me to wake you up."
After waiting a moment for acknowledgment, carefully opening the door and stepped into the master bedroom. The room was larger and more luxuriously appointed than her own, with furnishings that spoke of comfort. Large windows offered the same spectacular view of Dromund Kaas that had amazed her on her first morning, though at this early hour the city's lights created a different kind of beauty against sky.
Sera was indeed still in bed, her auburn hair spread across the pillow in waves that caught the dim light filtering through the room's window treatments. Her breathing was the deep, even pattern of genuine sleep, and for a moment I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt about disturbing such peaceful rest.
Moving quietly to the side of the bed, I crouched by the edge of the mattress. The position felt natural and comfortable over the months, both Vex and Sera had made it clear that she was welcome to seek them out when needed, regardless of the hour or circumstance.
"Sera" this time reaching out to gently poke the sleeping woman's shoulder. "Time to wake up."
"Hmm?....Good morning, little fighter" Sera murmured, her voice carrying the slight hoarseness that often accompanied from sleep to wakefulness.
"Good morning" I sat settling more comfortably on the bed's edge. "Sorry to wake you up so early, but Vex sent me. She said you needed to patch up my hands before we start blaster training today."
The mention of medical attention caused Sera to come more fully awake, her mercenary instincts and natural caring combining to shift her into a more alert state. She pushed herself up against the headboard, her sharp green eyes immediately focusing on my wrapped hands with professional assessment.
"Oh, Ember" Sera said with a gentle shake of her head, her voice carrying the mixture of affection and mild disapproval that had become familiar over their months together. "What did you do to yourself down there?"
Without waiting for permission, Sera reached out and gently took my hands in her own. Her touch was careful and professional, Her fingers found the edge of the wrapping and began the careful process of unwinding the bloodstained fabric.
"I couldn't sleep, so I went down to the training room around two-thirty" I explained as Sera worked. "I guess I got a little carried away with the punching bag. Lost track of time and didn't realize I was pushing too hard until Vex showed up."
"Three hours on the bag?" Sera asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer from the condition of the wraps. "No wonder you're bleeding. Even with proper hand protection, that's asking for trouble."
As the bloodied fabric came away from Ember's hands, both women could see the extent of the damage. It was mostly abrasions around the knuckles where repeated impact had worn through skin despite the protective wrapping. The wounds were clean and relatively minor, the kind of injury that would heal quickly.
"It's mostly just torn skin around the knuckles" her assessment carrying the calm professionalism of someone who had dealt with far worse injuries in far more challenging circumstances. "Nothing too serious, but it needs proper attention before you handle weapons. Can't have you leaving blood on the blasters."
Sera sat up more fully in the bed, her movement causing the covers to shift and rustle softly. She reached across to her nightstand and pulled open the top drawer, revealing an organized collection of medical supplies, The drawer contained everything from basic bandages and antiseptic to more advanced treatments.
"Take a shower in our bathroom" Sera instructed, gesturing toward the room attached to the master bedroom. "Use the antimicrobial soap it's the blue bottle on the second shelf. Make sure you really scrub those knuckles to get all the dried blood and any debris out of the wounds. Don't worry about it stinging; that means it's working."
"I'll get the bacta ointment ready while you're cleaning up" Sera continued, holding up a small tube. "This stuff is expensive, but it'll have those knuckles healing properly within a day or two. Can't have you going into blaster training injured."
Ember felt a surge of gratitude toward Sera that had become familiar over their months together. The older woman's combination of practical care and emotional support had been crucial to her adjustment to life, providing a counterbalance to Vex's more formal approach to training and education.
"Thank you" Ember said simply, though the words carried weight that encompassed far more than just medical treatment. "For everything. For taking care of me, for not being angry about the early wake-up call, for helping me get ready for today."
"That's what family does" Sera replied with simple certainty. "We take care of each other. Now go get cleaned up so we can make sure you're properly ready for your first real weapons training session."
Standing from the bed and headed toward the bathroom, her mind already racing ahead to the day's promised activities. The minor injury to her hands was a small price to pay for the physical outlet that had finally allowed her to do something she enjoyed.
As she stepped inside the bathroom it was easily twice the size of her own, with polished fixtures and advanced technology that spoke to both comfort and efficiency. Multiple shower options were available through an integrated control panel mounted on the wall beside the entrance. She examined the options carefully, noting the traditional water shower, the sonic shower, and even a luxurious steam bath setting that would have taken considerably longer than she had available. The sonic shower appealed to her, activated the sonic shower with a few touches on the control panel, watching as the booth hummed to life with barely audible vibrations that would strip away dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells without the need for water.
As the sonic waves began their work, Ember heard the soft sound of footsteps indicating that Sera had left the bedroom, presumably to begin preparing for the day or to retrieve additional medical supplies. The gentle massage-like sensation of the sonic shower was exactly what her tired muscles needed after three hours of intensive training, and she found herself relaxing for the first time since her restless night had begun. After several minutes in the sonic shower, I felt completely refreshed and ready for whatever the day might bring.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she made her way through the master bedroom and toward the stairs, following the sounds of conversation that drifted up from the first floor. The familiar voices of Vex and Sera carried the sound of a discussion, though she couldn't make out specific words from where she was.
The kitchen came into view as she rounded the corner, revealing Vex and Sera standing near the central island with cups of caf in their hands. Both women looked up as she entered, and immediately it was hard not to notice a slight tension in the air
Vex's expression shifted slightly as Ember entered the room, and she let out a small sigh that carried the weight of someone about to deliver information that might complicate previously established plans.
"Ember" Vex began, her voice carrying the measured tone she used when significant changes were being introduced, "there's been a slight adjustment to today's training schedule."
"Sera will be accompanying you to the training session" Vex continued, her pale gray eyes meeting mine "Cherry and I will be handling some domestic preparations instead of joining you at the range."
Ember felt a brief moment of disappointment that Cherry wouldn't be joining them for what promised to be an exciting training session, but her curiosity was immediately piqued by the mention of domestic preparations that required Vex's attention.
"What kind of preparations?" she asked, settling onto one of the stools that surrounded the kitchen island and accepting the implied invitation to join their morning conversation.
It was Sera who answered, though her tone carried a note of resignation that suggested the preparations were not entirely welcome. "My aunt is coming to visit. Apparently, she's decided it's time to check up on how I'm doing in Imperial space."
As if summoned by the mention of family visits, Cherry appeared in the kitchen doorway, her auburn hair still tousled from sleep and her expression carrying the slightly unfocused look of someone who had just woken up.
"Who's the aunt?" Cherry asked as she tilted her head in the characteristic gesture that indicated she was processing information.
"Her name is Jorai Vance" Sera setting down her caf cup and running a hand through her hair. "She's from my clan, and she has very definite opinions about how clan members should conduct themselves, and all around she is just odd."
The mention of a clan caused both me and Cherry to exchange glances, our expressions reflecting confusion about family that had never been explained to them. During their months of living together, Sera had occasionally mentioned her background in the outer rim territories, but she had never provided more details. Sera paused, clearly processing the realization that she had never shared important information about her background with the two girls who had become her family. Her expression shifted to one of mild embarrassment.
"I should probably mention" she said slowly, her voice carrying the tone of someone acknowledging an oversight, "that I never actually told either of you that I'm from a Mandalorian clan."
Without further explanation, Sera turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Vex to offer a slight smile that suggested this revelation was not entirely surprising to her. The sound of Sera's footsteps could be heard moving through the apartment. She returned within minutes, carrying a small metallic object that caught the kitchen's lighting with the distinctive gleam of polished beskar. As she approached the island where the others waited, it became clear that she was holding a a flat, circular piece of metal roughly the size of a large coin.
"This is the symbol of Clan Zen'zat," Sera said, placing the marker on the island's surface where everyone could examine it clearly. "We're a smaller clan that specializes in mercenary work and Beast taming that sells to the rest of the clans and a few others, mostly we operate in the outer rim territories."
The clan marker displayed an intricate design that immediately captured attention. The central feature was a weird skull rendered in precise detail. The long skill and empty eyes made it look slightly intimidating.
"A Neebray" Vex's voice rang out "That's what their choice for a clan symbol is and what you two are looking at."
"Clan Zen'zat has always prided itself on being practical and adaptable" Sera explained, her finger tracing the outline of the skull on the marker.
"So when your aunt comes to visit" I said slowly, beginning to understand the implications of what this family connection might mean "she's not just checking up on you personally. She's evaluating how a member of Clan Zen'zat is representing the clan's interests in Sith space."
"Somewhat" Sera confirmed with a nod that carried both pride and slight apprehension. "Aunt Jorai takes clan reputation very seriously, and my decision to establish a permanent relationship with a Spy was something that was debated about a bit before I left. Especially the Whos, whats and whys."
"How long has it been since you've seen her?" Vex asked as she walked around the counter and put her arms around Sera's waist, softly leaning her head ontop of Sera's own.
"Almost three years" Sera replied. "The last time was at a clan gathering on Concordia, and that was before I took the contract that led to our meeting. She's going to have a lot of questions about changes in my life since then."
"This should be interesting"
"Well" Sera said, straightening up and stepping away from Vex picking up the clan marker and slipped it into her pocket "we should get moving if we're going to make the most of our training time. The range I have in mind opens early, but the good lanes get reserved quickly."
"Go get your hands properly treated, that still hasn't been done" Vex instructed, her voice returning to the authoritative tone as she looked at me. "I want those knuckles cleaned, medicated, and wrapped before you handle any weapons. No exceptions."
Nodding and moving toward Sera, who had already begun gathering the medical supplies she would need for proper wound treatment. The bacta ointment gleamed in its small tube, promising rapid healing that would have her hands fully functional within hours rather than days.
Twenty minutes later, after thorough cleaning and the application of expensive medical-grade bacta ointment, Ember's knuckles were properly bandaged and protected. The treatment had been thorough but gentle, with Sera's experienced hands ensuring that the wounds were completely clean and sealed against infection. The bacta had already begun its work, creating a tingling sensation that indicated accelerated cellular regeneration.
"Much better" Sera announced with satisfaction, examining her handiwork. "Those should be completely healed by tomorrow morning. The bacta will handle the tissue repair, and the protective wrapping will prevent any further damage during training."
They made their way down to the garage, where Sera's personal speeder and Vex's larger transport vehicle waited in their designated spaces. The morning light filtering through the garage's transparent panels created interesting patterns across the polished surfaces of both vehicles, highlighting their different purposes and capabilities.
Rather than approaching either of the personal vehicles, Sera extracted her comlink and activated a transportation application that Ember recognized as the same service they had used during their shopping expeditions to the market district.
"Automated taxi service" Sera explained as she input their destination coordinates. "More convenient than navigating traffic ourselves, especially when we'll be carrying weapons cases back from the range."
The confirmation chime indicated that a robotic taxi would arrive within minutes, giving them just enough time for final preparations.
"I'll be right back" Sera announced, heading toward a storage area that I haven't had a chance to go into yet. "Need to grab something important for today's session."
She disappeared into what appeared to be a secure storage room adjacent to the main garage space, leaving nothing to do except examine the various tools and equipment that filled the organized workspace. Everything was maintained with precision, from the cleaning kits to the specialized tools for vehicle maintenance. Sera emerged just as the distinctive whine of approaching repulsorlifts indicated their taxi's arrival. She carried a compact but obviously heavy case that bore the distinctive markings of Imperial military equipment. The case was matte black with reinforced corners and advanced locking mechanisms that suggested valuable contents.
"Training weapons?" I asked moving towards the taxi that had settled down. The moment Sera came out I looked into the case and all I saw was a gun with some ammo.
"Among other things" Sera replied with a smile that suggested pleasant surprises awaited. "Today's going to be comprehensive."
The robotic taxi was a standard civilian model. The automated systems greeted them with polite efficiency as they settled into the padded seats. As the taxi lifted off and began navigating through the City's morning traffic patterns, she found herself studying the urban landscape that had become familiar over her time of residence.
The city's endless towers stretched toward the stormy sky, their surfaces alive with the movement of countless beings pursuing their daily activities.
"Where exactly are we going for this range?" I was curious about what kind of facility Sera and Vex would find suitable for weapons training within the city's areas.
Sera's expression brightened with obvious amusement "A compound that offers a wide range of services" she said, emphasizing the word 'range' in a way that made her meaning clear.
I groaned at the pun but couldn't help smiling at Sera's obvious pleasure in the wordplay. The mercenary's sense of humor had become one of the things she appreciated most about their relationship, providing levity that balanced the more serious aspects of her training and education.
The taxi carried them through several different districts of the city, each with its own character and purpose. They passed through commercial areas filled with shops and entertainment venues, residential sectors with their towering apartment complexes, and government districts where Imperial administration buildings dominated the skyline with their imposing architecture. Eventually, their route took them toward the warehouse district, where the buildings were larger and more utilitarian, designed for industrial purposes rather than residential or commercial use.
As they descended toward their destination, Ember could see that this area of the city was less densely populated but more heavily regulated. Imperial security checkpoints were visible at several intersections, and the air traffic was more controlled and purposeful than any other districts they had passed through earlier.
The taxi settled onto a designated landing platform outside a large, imposing structure that dominated an entire city block. The building was constructed from reinforced duracrete and featured the kind of advanced security systems that suggested either valuable contents or dangerous activities within. As they disembarked from the taxi and gathered their equipment, she could already hear the distinctive sounds that confirmed the nature of their destination. The sharp crack of blaster fire echoed from within the building, along with the mechanical sounds of automated target systems.
The building's exterior bore a large sign rendered in Basic and several other languages, identifying the facility as "Krayt's Den Combat Sports & Training Emporium." The logo featured a stylized krayt dragon skull with crossed blasters beneath it Smaller text below the main sign advertised a comprehensive range of services: [blaster training, hand-to-hand combat instruction, tactical simulation courses, equipment sales, and private instruction for military and security personnel.]
"Impressive" I mumbled, taking in the scale of the place "This is much larger than I expected."
"Krayt's Den has been operating in this district for over a decade" Sera explained as they approached the main entrance. "They maintain contracts with several Imperial agencies for advanced training programs, which means they have access to all the best toys."
The massive reinforced doors of Krayt's Den slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the interior of what had to be the most impressive place I'd ever seen. I stepped through the entrance alongside Sera, immediately feeling the weight of advanced security systems focusing on us. The scanning area was more sophisticated than anything I'd encountered during our visits to Imperial government buildings—multiple sensor arrays built into the walls and ceiling tracked our movement while discrete scanners analyzed everything.
"First time visitors need to be processed individually" announced a polite but firm synthetic voice from hidden speakers. "Please proceed to the scanning stations and remain stationary during the identification process."
I moved toward the designated scanning area, watching as beams of blue light played across my body from multiple angles. The sensation was completely painless, but I could feel the scanners penetrating through my clothing and examining everything about me. Sera stepped into an adjacent scanning station, her movements relaxed and familiar clearly she had been through this process many times before. She placed the equipment case onto a separate scanner that went along on a conveyor belt before it led into a box.
"Sera Vance, Clan Zen'zat, Imperial contractor authorization confirmed" the system announced after completing its analysis of her biometric data. "Equipment case contents: weapon authorized for facility use. Please proceed."
When my scan completed, I felt a brief moment of anxiety about what the advanced sensors might have detected anything unusal, but the system's response was routine and professional.
"Ember Korrath, ward, no previous facility records. Generating visitor authorization. Please proceed and report to registration for orientation materials."
The scanning process completed, we moved through the security checkpoint and into the main floor of Krayt's Den. The sight that greeted me was unlike anything I had imagined when Sera mentioned visiting a "range."
The facility was an enormous space that combined the atmosphere of a high-end store with the organized efficiency of a training center. Multiple service counters stretched along one wall, each staffed by beings who carried themselves with the unmistakable bearing of former military personnel. Display cases throughout the space showcased weapons ranging from standard civilian blasters to equipment that would have been at home in an army.
I felt Sera's hand settle gently on my shoulder, guiding me toward an open service counter where a human male in his forties was organizing inventory displays. Walking through the crowd toward the service counter, I found myself looking up at Sera and suddenly realizing something that caught me off guard, where I had once had to crane my neck significantly to make eye contact with her, now I found that I was catching up to her five-foot-ten frame. The realization was startling and somehow made me feel more adult
The man behind the counter looked up as we approached, his weathered features immediately brightening with a smile. "Sera Vance!" he called out with genuine warmth, extending his hand in greeting. "Haven't seen you in a few months. How's business?"
"Keeping me busy, Koryn" Sera replied, shaking his hand with the easy familiarity of established professional relationship. "This is Ember, me and my partner's ward. She's starting weapons training in preparation for Imperial Academy admission."
Koryn's attention shifted to me with professional assessment, his eyes taking in my posture, my alertness, and the way I carried myself. I could sense him evaluating my readiness for weapons instruction with the practiced eye of someone who had trained thousands of students over the years.
"Academy prep" he said with an approving nod. "Smart to get her started early. The more comfortable she is with standard Imperial weapons systems before she arrives, the better she'll perform during the training phases."
He activated the display terminal built into his service counter, pulling up what appeared to be current pricing and availability information for various training programs and equipment rentals.
"Lucky timing today" Koryn continued with the enthusiasm of someone genuinely excited about the deals he could offer. "We're running specials on bulk training packages discounted rates on lane time when you purchase ammunition in larger quantities. Plus, all of our scenario simulation programs are available at half-price for Academy preparation courses."
As Sera and Koryn discussed the various options available, I found myself studying the weapon displays visible throughout the facility.
"I'll need a standard training blaster pistol and one training rifle" Sera said, her tone shifting. "Plus sufficient power packs for an extended training session let's say 2 spare packs total."
Koryn nodded and began entering the order into his terminal, his fingers moving with the quick efficiency of someone who had processed thousands of similar transactions. "Anything else I can help you with today?" Koryn asked as he finalized the ammunition order. "Training accessories, protective gear, instructional materials?"
"Actually" Sera said, her tone becoming more interested, "what do you have available for lane time or scenario programs? Something private where we can work without distractions."
Koryn consulted his scheduling system, scrolling through availability information that appeared on his terminal screen. His expression brightened as he found what he was looking for.
"Perfect timing" he announced with satisfaction. "Office Seven is open for the next four hours, and it comes with an attached private firing lane. Completely soundproof, full holographic scenario capability, and adjustable difficulty settings. It's actually our premium training suite.
Sera nodded her approval and completed the checkout process, transferring credits from her personal account to cover the costs of equipment rental, ammunition, and facility access. The transaction completed smoothly, speaking to the professional efficiency that characterized everything about Krayt's Den's operations.
"Here are your power packs" Koryn said, lifitng a few compact boxes from behind the counter and handing them to me. "The weapons themselves are stored in the armory. I'll get those for you right now."
When Koryn returned, he carried a reinforced case similar to the one Sera had brought from our apartment, though larger and bearing the distinctive markings of Krayt's Den training equipment. He placed the case on the counter and activated its locking mechanism, revealing the contents with obvious pride.
"Here we go" he announced, opening the case to display the training weapons in their protective foam housing. "One DC-15 side arm blasters, modified for training use with adjustable power settings and enhanced safety systems. And one DD-42 blaster rifle, also configured."
(Guns)
I moved slightly behind Sera to get a better view of the weapons, The blaster pistol was sleek and professional-looking, their metallic surfaces bearing distinctive styling while the blaster rifle was even more impressive Its longer barrel and additional components suggested some more weight but she couldn't wait to try it.
"The pistols are perfect for learning basic marksmanship and weapons handling," Koryn explained as Sera examined each weapon with professional thoroughness. "Adjustable power settings allow progression from completely safe light-stun training levels all the way up to near-combat intensity for advanced students."
He lifted one of the pistols from its housing, demonstrating the various controls and safety systems with practiced expertise. His movements were fluid and confident, reflecting years of experience with similar weapons in both training and operational environments.
"The rifle introduces concepts of longer-range accuracy, weapon stability, and advanced targeting systems," he continued, indicating the various features that distinguished it from the simpler sidearms. "It's designed to prepare students for the kind of equipment they'll encounter during military service."
Sera nodded with satisfaction as she completed her examination of the weapons, clearly impressed by their quality and suitability for training purposes. Her professional assessment confirmed that these were exactly the kind of tools needed for serious weapons instruction.
"These will work perfectly," she said, stepping back from the counter and gesturing for me to follow her. "Office Seven, you said?"
"Office Seven," Koryn confirmed, activating his terminal to transfer our access codes to the facility's security system. "Down the main corridor, third door on the right. The system will recognize your biometrics and grant access automatically. Have a great training session."