Private Back to School

[Ali Kare]

The shuttle touched down on the landing platform at Kirima Academy before the sun had risen above the tall, icy mountains. Ali yawned as she unbuckled her crash webbing, then stood up to stretch. The ride had been a couple of hours, and in that time she'd taken an amazing nap. After her stretch, she fixed on her serious expression, now exuding confidence, and slapped the release on the hatch. As she exited the shuttle, she found herself facing a large building, painted light blue (blending in with its icy surroundings). Waiting just ahead before the entrance were four armored guards, standing at attention. Their visors were turned to face her. Between them was a suited Cerean, smile etched onto his face.

She strode towards them, appreciating the guards' professionalism as they saluted their superior. Ali nodded back. She stopped a meter away from the Cerean, extending a hand. "Captain Kare, here on Laphisto 's orders," she introduced herself.

The man took her hand and shook it firmly, responding, "Fal Sorver, director of the academy. It is excellent to meet you, especially after what I heard about you from the High Commander. But please, come inside and we can talk over a cup of caf."

Ali followed Fal, flanked by the Lilaste troops, into the academy. She was astonished at the cleanliness of the walls and floor, gleaming a cold blue, like the outside. The ceiling, in contrast, was painted black with white dots, which she identified as stars, giving the illusion of outer space. Some of the stars actually doubled as lights, adding to the illusion.

The director lead her some sort of conference room, and the soldiers broke off from them and went back outside. "Take a seat, Ms. Kare," Sorver said, drawing a chair away from the main table and gesturing to it.

"Thank you, Director," Ali nodded to him as she took her seat. She noticed that there was another chair next to her, and some hope flickered in her that the dragon would arrive soon. She would understand if he didn't; he was a busy man managing this entire faction. But something in her just hoped that he would be here to see this captain ascend to the rank of High Admiral, defeating what other "contestants" he was talking about.

 

[Laphisto]

Ali Kare didnt have to wait much longer. as laphisto did eventually step into the room and sat next to Ali Kare leaning forwards and shaking the hand of the director, "director, this is one of the other captains I told you about. Ones that, I think, would be a grand test for your new naval academy here on kirima."

as laphisto sat and spoke he leaned forwards slightly with a raised brow " that is if you havent already kicked out the other applicants by now" he gave a small chuckle shaking his head gently at his words. he knew the answer, after all ali was the last candidate to be chosen for this program. a program that would determine the fate of the new high admiral. With his deteriorating health, it was imperative that they found a replacement sooner rather than later.

 

[Ali Kare]

Ali smiled inwardly as the door slid open behind her, and heavy footsteps heralded the arrival of Laphisto . It seemed the busy man had made time in his schedule to observe his new High Admiral's performance. "High Commander, a pleasure to see you," she greeted him. His presence would put great pressure on all of the competitors, including Ali. However, she would become stronger under his weighty presence. She just hoped the others would crack.

"Ah, High Commander," Fal said, taking the dragon's hand and shaking it enthusiastically. "Welcome to the academy! And no, we haven't quite parted ways with the others. That will change, however, with these upcoming trials. My team and I have made them extremely difficult to pass. Only the best will proceed," he continued, his tone becoming one of warning as he glanced at Captain Kare.

She nodded at him. "I am up to the challenge, Director Sorver," she promised.

"That remains to be seen. Come, we will observe the first test. Would you like to enlighten your captain of the test she is about to face? Or will she walk into it unprepared?" Fal asked Laphisto, walking down the illusionary corridor again.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto gave a small smirk towards the director and chuckled, shaking his head before standing up and dusting himself off slightly, "it wouldn't be fare if she got a taste of what she has coming her way. We will assign her to her quarters and from there we will let her mingle with the other cadets and start first thing in the morning"

With that, laphisto brought a fist to his chest, smacking it against his breastplate and giving a small bow towards the director." till tomorrow then"
with that laphisto turned to the captain, " I can see great promise in you, try not to let me down" a small chuckle rolled from his lips before he turned to leave, heading out of the heavy-duty blast doors. He let his words linger and hang in the air. Almost as if to put just an extra bit of pressure on the girl. Was it a test? Or deliberate? It remained to be seen

 

[Ali Kare]

"Excellent, High Commander. Captain, your quarters are just down the corridor. The rest of your competitors are there already," Fal said, stopping and gesturing down the hall.

"I see. When will the first test take place?" Ali asked, eager to show her skill.

"Within the hour. Worry not: you will be able to show off soon," Fal said with a knowing gleam in his eyes. It was as if he was reading her mind. Was he a Force user too? It seemed like there were many of them running around the galaxy at any given time. She reminded herself that she was one of them now too.

The captain turned to Laphisto with a cold grin. She wouldn't merely defeat her opponents. She would destroy their self-esteem with how completely she beat them at every test and trial. "You don't have to worry about that, High Commander," she assured him confidently before approaching the entrance to her quarters.

Normies would have taken a breath to compose themselves before entering the toughest test of their lifetime. Ali was not a normie. She pressed the admittance button and watched the door slide open, face without expression. There were five people gathered at a table, one of them passing out sabaac cards. They all turned at her entrance.

The captain stepped past the threshold of the hallway and swept her gaze about the room. It looked like a waiting lobby, with leather couches and a water dispenser being the only objects inside. There was another door labeled as the refresher at the back. The dealer looked at her, and her at him. He was a human, face drawn in a sneer. He dropped the cards on the table and swaggered towards her, stopping less than a meter from her face. Ali didn't budge.

"Well, well, look who we have here. Heh, might as well say there are only five contestants! Go home, mi'lady, and stop wasting your time," he said, snickering. The rest of the officers at the table laughed and jeered at her, all of them male.

Did they expect her to accept their 'advice'? How foolish. Was this all the Order had? The best of the best? Ali laughed. It was a harsh sound, definitely different than what they were expecting based off of their ideas about women. This was an icy, haunting sound. It seemed to get to the man. He took a step back, face now uncertain.

When her episode of hysterical laughter ended, she looked into his eyes. "What is your name?" she asked, leaving no room for evasion or more mockery.

"Zalen."

"I'll remember that name, when I become High Admiral," Ali promised, threat in her tone.

"We'll see," Zalen responded, voice weaker than before.

 

[Laphisto]

it was only a few moments till the light above the door turned green and an announcement rang out within the room of the contestants

"captains proceed through the door and into the training room immediately. do not deviate from your course." the voice was not of the High commander or even of owen gisk, just some soldier delivering orders to the delegates for the new High admiral position and with thatthe metal doors were pushed open by thier own hydrolic systems
As the candidates step into the training room fofor their first trial, they are immediately struck by the sheer scale and complexity of the simulation environment. The room is dimly lit, with the soft hum of advanced machinery filling the air. The walls curve upwards and outwards, creating a dome that is lined with holographic projectors. These projectors are currently inactive, leaving the room in a state of quiet anticipation.

The floor beneath them is made of polished obsidian metal, cool to the touch, with subtle, glowing lines that trace patterns across its surface—lines that pulse gently, as if alive. In the center of the room stands a raised platform, accessible by a set of sleek, metallic stairs. This platform is surrounded by a ring of consoles and control panels, each equipped with holographic interfaces that flicker with potential energy.

Above the platform, suspended in mid-air, is a massive, circular holoprojector. When activated, it will display the full scope of the simulated battlefield in a three-dimensional, rotating map, providing a god's-eye view of the naval engagement to come.

The air is thick with the weight of expectation. A faint scent of ozone lingers, hinting at the immense power that the simulation systems are capable of harnessing. The candidates can feel the eyes of the unseen observers—high-ranking officers and council members—who are monitoring every move they make from hidden observation decks high above.

As they approach the central platform, they notice that each console is already keyed to their personal identifications, awaiting their commands. The consoles display preliminary information: the composition of their fleets, the layout of the battlefield, and the mission objectives that will soon become clear. The silence is almost palpable, broken only by the low, rhythmic hum of the station's systems.

on the computer system they will be able to see an empty fleet composition with numbered slots. allowing for a total of 3 Star Destroyers, 5 Cruisers, 8 Frigates and 10 Corvettes. teh enemy fleet composition was far from visable almost as if it wasnt assigned just yet.

Above, the dome begins to flicker to life. The walls dissolve into a vast, star-filled expanse, the illusion so complete that it feels as though they are standing in the void of space itself. The simulation is ready, and in a matter of moments, the holographic display will ignite with the chaos of battle—starships, enemy fleets, and the cold, merciless calculations of war.

Ali Kare

 

[Ali Kare]

Laphisto