Welcome to Thund---Levantine Astro Academy

[Coren Starchaser]

Coren Starchaser, with the help of some people well placed in the Levantine Sanctum, found himself working as part of the staff of the Levantine Astronautical Academy. The academy, based on Oswaft Station around the world Laekia, had selected numerous applicants and spacers for their staff and student body, from all walks of life and all nations. One of the major rules in this Academy was that the outside world did not matter.

You could be a Dark Jedi working for the Fringe, as Coren was, or a Jedi working for the Republic, but when you were on Oswaft, there would be no rank, no indication of nation. They were here for the sharing and gaining of knowledge that would make them some of the finest spacers in the known and unknown galaxy. Even the staff had uniforms to close them off from the outside ranks.

The spacer watched as the Academy Administrator walked up to the podium. This was a small beginning of term meet up. To get to know the academy. The welcome speech was short, and simple. Starting by calming down the group, after all there were a few tables with hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks, a piloting academy after all, the Administrator spoke a few lines about how the Academy was pleased to have everyone here, how they were working for the advancement of space exploration, piloting and navigation. Courses would find people being challenged to learn the finer points of engineering, navigation, survival, command and tactics, and from here they could go anywhere. One major rule was that no one judged anyone on what they learned about them, who they were, where they came from. Here, everyone had their experience, but be they Republic or Imperial, Dark or Light, it didn’t matter.

Additionally, there would be points docked from exercises by people using the Force.

When the speech was over, Coren turned back to the group of Academy members. “Yeah. So, we’ve been doing final checks on the ships. Make sure they’re ready for the students to use.” He had a few plans for the students in his courses, mainly exploration, and getting them to navigate in the worst of conditions. Of course, he could only do so much to monitor Force use during these lessons.

Spoiler

OOC: A general 'start of term' get together. Get characters introduced to the setting before we start up doing other work

[member="Alec Rekali"] [member="Jinelu D'ysedri"] [member="Ærin Firebrand"] [member="Morgan Redeaux"] [member="Hakora Feanor"] [member="Isaiah Dashiell"] [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Coren Starchaser"]

Force rank was irrelevant here -- so it was a very good thing Jorus had run a long career before even discovering his Force sensitivity, a career that had continued to define his life even long afterward. He still couldn't swing a lightsabre or lift a pebble, but even cut off from the Force he could fly a ship, repair a hyperdrive, command a fleet, make first contact and chart a new hyperroute. He held captain's rank in two armed forces and a generalship in a third.

The Force was irrelevant here, and he loved it. It was the spiritual equivalent of a long sigh of relief. And to that end, the Sanctum had supplied handheld short-range Lightbringer Force detectors.

"Niathals, Terminus and Cutters, right?"

 

[Jinelu D'ysedri]

Jinelu watched the proceedings in uniform. It was recently cleaned and pressed. She looked impeccable. While she tried to remain as modest as she could, she could not help but fault the speaker. She did make no word of it, but only noted it in her mind. To live for many a millennium, one found ways to occupy the mind. Even if it mean't scrutinizing the posture, tone of voice, and manner of speaking, in ones behavior. She waited, for whatever next came.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

He knew who he was talking to. Coren had worked with Jorus in passing, during the Underground trips he took. He was there from time to time, but there was more than that. [member="Jorus Merrill"] was one of those men who just knew their way around the galaxy. Something Coren himself prided on, being Corellian, but being equally at home in the starfields. Sure, Coren himself had a career behind him, one that was laced with and without the Force, and most of it was finding his way around the galaxy, hunting objects, flying ships. Could he telekinetically shove anyone? No. But he could stop them in their tracks or knock them cold.

Still, that didn’t matter here. What mattered was the way one handled a ship. Coren wasn’t concerned where some order held his Force rank, even on the outside of this place. What mattered to him, and to those around him, was that he was a captain in a now defunct armed service, reinstated in another, a former Wing Commander and a sponsored hyper-lane explorer. He could, and did repair ships without the Force, on top of that, it was navigation, some of it had always been intertwined with his connection to that mystical energy field, but even without it? He’d know how to plot and smooth out most navigation charts.

Turning to Jorus, Coren nodded. “Yeah, pulling a few different vessels from the Levantines for this place. Have them in good repair for now, we’ll see how they last the term.” The Unknown Region explorer nodded. “Seems we’ll have a crop of students looking to burn through fuel, and a few that might burn through the ship itself. Might bring in some other ships later on, to give the variety, but…” Coren wasn’t really going to quartermaster this place. He’d just put in the requests and hope someone bought what they needed.

“What’re you going to be teaching, Merrill?”

 

[Jorus Merrill]

[member="Coren Starchaser"] was on Jorus' radar -- one of the few Undergrounders with legitimate Fringe ties, but not a problem as of yet. As an instructor, he was certainly qualified, and leaving politics at the door meant exactly that. Even if they'd almost certainly tangled in the small craft duels that often accompanied Fringers eradicating Underground bases.

Professionalism. Professionalism.

"Piloting, first contact protocols, and hyperspace navigation," he said. "I may wind up pinch-hitting for tactical, but I hope not. I've been lucky enough to go up against some pretty poor admirals in my time, but luck's not something I can teach. As for the ships, I'd like a variety too -- maybe bring in some fighters from the Republic and the Protectorate, though there'd be all sorts of national security obstacles." He glanced at a nearby student, [member="Jinelu D'ysedri"], and made eye contact. Her species was unique; he'd seen her file on the roster of his piloting class. Republic, with a very long piloting career. Maybe another of the competent looking for certification, a substantial fraction of their cadet base. "We're talking about diversifying the training ships we keep here on Oswaft Station. We currently have eight shuttles, two squadrons of two-seater fighters, and two squadrons of interceptors. What's your opinion, Cadet D'ysedri?"

He pronounced it more or less correctly. After a few dozen first contacts, he'd learned to be careful with obscure names, and to notice them when they came along.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

From Coren there was nothing but respect for [member="Jorus Merrill"]. Sure, he knew that the two were typically on other sides of the coin, with the Force, with their government styles, but they were both united here and as part of the Underground. For all that it was strange, Coren was also a part of the Fringe Federation, because he supported the way they ran their systems, and defended from the monsters of the Unknown Regions. There were certain missions Coren didn’t take. The joys of being part of a unique paramilitary asset. They got to pick their battles. But early on? There were definitely times when Coren was behind the stick of a TIE going head to head with Jorus, there just was something so damned… familiar about the other pilot.

Or it was respect. Still, there wouldn’t be a time when Coren wanted to go against him, unless of course, he went crazy with the Dark Side and chased the other around the galaxy. “Well, I think I’ll leave the tactics up to you. Navigation and first contact protocols, that’ll be something. I might need to sit in on a few of those lectures.” Just to see how others did it. Probably easier than ‘hey listen to us, or we open fire.’ He was a descendant of the Thrawn-style Imperials, not the crazy Sith-inspired ones. “I was thinking to see if we could purchase some Santhe craft, just to get everyone rounded on the ships they might be flying in and might be flying against, y’know?”

And when Merrill pulled @Jinelu D’ysedri into the conversation, he put on his professional face. The Republic did come up with some really good pilots. And as much as he was known to have his own opinions, lucky for them, the academy didn’t put people in houses (Imagine Space Slytherins). Looking at the blue-skinned species, he was recalling the file. Was good to see even veterans showing up.

 

[Dallen Thayne]

This was an exciting place. The Oswat Station that was the home of this Academy the Levantine Sanctum was putting together was an incredible place. Kela had been wide eyed when she had been on the shuttle to it with several other students. This section of space was new to Kela, she had never left her homeworld before fleeing with the rest of the defense fleet when the evacuation order had been given. She had been wandering a lot since then, lost on what to do after Rendili was taken by the Sith. Travel in and out was strictly watched, and she heard rumors she didn't like. Most of the Home Defense Fleet had joined up with the Republic after the code to get the ships out of the system so the Sith didn't get their hands on designs made for the Republic war effort or for any faction that wasn't a Sith ally.

However, Kela just couldn't bring herself to join up with the others with a galactic government that had abandoned their planet and allowed the Sith to invade it with minimal defenses. She had only just started attending the military academy on her homeworld too, so she hadn't learned much before everything fell apart. Already now though, she had a good feeling about things. The Oswat Station was much more impressive than the rather plain buildings on the ground on Rendili's surface. The station was impressive, and the whole concept was everything Kela had been looking for. Here she hoped she would learn and someday hone the skills needed to be useful in someone's galactic navy, whoever's that would come closest to liberating her home someday.

For now she was going to focus on her studies here though, and right now she would get started meeting other students she would likely spend much of her time with from now on. Everyone seemed to be mingling now with the majority of the administration's speech over with. So she supposed she just had to find someone worth talking to now.

 

[Camellia Swift]

So this was the Astronautical Academy the Levantine was setting up. Oswaft Station was definitely an incredible enough way to leave a great impression. It made Camellia consider proposing that Rendili's own Naval Defense Academy be renovated. It was a tad plain as far as universities and academies went, and it hadn't changed even from her grandfather's day if he was to be believed when had told such stories. It was on such things as this that she found herself distracted while the administration was busy giving a, somewhat short, speech.

Usually Camellia wouldn't attend such an event since it was so simple and there wasn't anything she actually was required to do here. Especially since she had her hands full making sure the population of her homeworld adjusted to the fact the majority of the world had been turned into a new species called Croa. Everything and everyone seemed to be transitioning and adjusting smoothly and happily, but it wasn't something many of the people in the galaxy would take kindly to learning about hence the secrecy even nowadays.

However, her attention wasn't required 24/7 since she had done a great deal of work ensuring a competent governing structure was in place if she took trips away, and due to the circumstances loyalty wasn't an issue at all thankfully. Plus business was slow since the Sith Empire didn't need Rendili Stardrive as much as the Republic had. The Sith just needed to keep resources out of the Republic's hand, and an Inner Rim world was strategically advantageous as well. Camellia wasn't complaining though, although the fact she now purred and had a tail swaying behind her, like every other Croa the people of Rendili had been turned into, may have something to do with that as well.

Perhaps that was going too long, in short there was some free time on Camellia's hands, and she generally made it a practice to broaden Rendili horizons. Making connections with people around the galaxy was always a plus, especially if someday it turned into new business for the world's renown shipwright. Rendili Stardrive selling ships around the galaxy and gaining new allies for itself would hopefully mean that whatever the climate her homeworld would always thrive. Besides, since she wasn't active as a naval officer at the moment since her and her world and people's place in the galaxy was uncertain, she had the time for hobbies, and she enjoyed the prospect of imparting knowledge to bring new talented officers and pilots into the galactic scene.

So she intended to enjoy herself at this gathering, to really see the place she would teach at from time to time when business and watching over her homeworld allowed her. To meet some of her future students, as well as to become acquainted with her fellow teachers. Some of whom seemed to be engaged in conversation already, and were broaching a topic right up her, rather convenient, alley. Thus prompting her approach to the pair she didn't quite recognize, were their names [member="Coren Starchaser"] and [member="Jorus Merrill"] if she remembered any notices sent out(?), tail flicking excitedly behind her. "Santhe craft are indeed nice, but if variety and getting ships for the cadets to use and to provide the Academy with resources then maybe I can help as well. Hello, I'm Camellia, I'll also be teaching occasionally when I have the time. I happen to also operate Rendili Stardrive. While I haven't been approached for such a deal yet, I am more than happy and willing to work out contracts to offer some more starfighters and other craft to the Academy at a discount. Since I'll be teaching here you could say I am rather favorable to seeing it succeed, and I can guarantee the quality of the designs the company can provide."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Camellia Swift"] | [member="Kela Thayne"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"] | [member="Jinelu D'ysedri"]​

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Aerin is late. Valkyri time, everything done at ones own pace. Coupled with this she it not in uniform, she has not been issued with one yet and so strode into the room dressed in her brown leathers, her long red hair falling down her back well below the rump only braided around the forehead to keep hair from her eyes. Her long bow and quiver stored in her quarters for now, not needed in a space station, but her saber firmly attached to her belt as is her long sword which hung on her left hip. She would come to learn that would not be required equally, but try telling her that.

She remained toward the back of the room as the speech concluded and others she had not met before gathered to speak of subjects she knew nothing of, well only little.

Her eyes found a familiar face, Camellia Swift, from whom Aerin had purchased her personal ship and had had lessons on how to fly it. From that day to this, Aerin had ventured out in her ship, with some success, landings proved tricky and some in the Order of the Silver Jedi will atest to. Although she has no real alliance with one group over the other, Midvinter rests within the bossom of Levantine Sanctum protected space and so she is here to not only learn to fly but see what LS is all about.

Having trained in the force under the guidance of a Sith master, she found them to be 'limited' in views as are the Jedi. Aerin considered the philosophies of both ends of the spectrum strifling, to her, there is the force and that is all that matters. Misguided? probably, but that is her stubborn way.

"Good morrow gentleman and good ladies, my apologies for my lateness", she bowed her head in reverance to the Elders. "Camellia, it is good to see you once more".

 

[Jinelu D'ysedri]

Jinelu's eyes began to wander through the crowd, but kept a close eye on her superiors. As she had finished surveying the room, her eyes fell on the returning gaze of [member="Jorus Merrill"], and her stomach sank. She had done her research prior to arriving, and knew all too well who this man was. This man was a legendary figure, the Alexander the Great of astrogation. For the first time in many years, she felt anxious to answer his question as he spoke, "We're talking about diversifying the training ships we keep here on Oswaft Station. We currently have eight shuttles, two squadrons of two-seater fighters, and two squadrons of interceptors. What's your opinion, Cadet D'ysedri?"

His pronunciation of her name was more-or-less accurate. She began to open her mouth, "Sir, I--" and then she had been cut off. A woman had approached, tail flicking wildly, interrupting D'ysedri. She bit her tongue, and frowned, politely clasping her hands behind her back. For all her years alive, there were sill behaviors of sentients that got on her nerves. Talking over someone was among them. She noticed the fiery haired woman greet them, and Dy'sedri nodded in return.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"] | [member="Camellia Swift"] | [member="Kela Thayne"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"]

 

[Jorus Merrill]

While he stood with [member="Coren Starchaser"] and his question went to [member="Jinelu D'ysedri"], [member="Camellia Swift"] arrived and offered Rendili's services; then [member="Ærin Firebrand"], clad in traditional Midvinter leathers, addressed Swift. Jorus nodded to Swift -- "I'm sure we can talk about that" -- as the Midvinter cadet engaged her. Then he met Starchaser's eyes and settled back on D'ysedri.

"You were saying? Santhe, Rendili...?"

 

[Coren Starchaser]

And it seemed as well timed as it could be, his discussion of Santhe products, a historic supporter of everything Imperial came up the Staff-member on loan from Rendili. Coren was taking a breath to not say anything too… nationalist? Patriotic? He nodded to [member="Camellia Swift"] and would handle any situation that arose from the interruption afterwards. He was supposed to be all sorts of mature to teach here, right? And balancing a variety of species wasn’t much different than a flight.

Granted he wasn’t really prepared for the battle of the East Galaxy. Nope. Coren, while Corellian born, and having spent a fair bit of time in and around the current Techno Union space, spent most of his time Unknown Region-ward of Bastion. That was his bread-and-butter, not the east, where Midvinter was. And apparently where people wore leather. That would take some time to adjust to, if he ever made it there. He preferred his fringer-spacer-trash worlds.

Diversity in the ranks would be good. Of coruse, it may be jumping the gun, but for returning students, and advanced classes, moving them out of Niathals and the fighters, into something used by either of the more populous and militant governments, it might be smart. The Sanctum WAS a nice collection of worlds, and quiet too. But the opinion of an active duty pilot was definitely something he wanted to here, so looking from Firebrand and Swift back to [member="Jorus Merrill"] and [member="Jinelu D'ysedri"], he awaited the cadet's opinion.

 

[Mya Jesel]

Mya strode into the gathering space, curious as to what this new academy would be like. Most planets and governments had their own training academies, with large governments having several. This was one of the first she had heard of being open to anyone from all factions with an enforced neutrality. Out of curiosity, she had went ahead and sent in her application to be an instructor, pulling on her experience as a freight captain and a politician, if still a somewhat new one. She'd been accepted and had headed off this way as a paying passenger for one of her constituents who had a trade route that came out this way.

So here she was in an unfamiliar uniform in an area of space she'd never been to before. Apparently many of them were discussing starfighters to use as part of the classes. She didn't have much opinion on them. Never flew one before. Only even been in one briefly during her own training during her own academy training. That would be a discussion best left others. Now, if they brought the impact of galactic politics on local economies and the impact on spacers, that she could contribute to. Susefvi spacers were her primary constituents, as they had no geographic region to have a representative for.

The politicking she'd do here was in the politics classroom though. It wasn't needed or welcome at the academy. She was there to teach, to push, and make cadets hate her for pushing their minds beyond what they thought they were capable of. She had every intention of doing everything possible to ensure that would happen.

 

[Anija Betna]

[member="Jorus Merrill"] [member="Coren Starchaser"]

Well, this was... different. Anija frowned for a moment, glancing around the room for a moment until her gaze settle on Jorus Merrill. He was.... really the only person she recognized right away. it was at his invitation that she was here. And, oddly enough, she wore the Academy uniform, with a few added items. Most notably, was the emblem of the United Clans of Mandalore on her left shoulder. Otherwise, nothing else distinguished her from much of the rest of the students and staff.

She had chosen to wear the uniform for many reasons. For one, she knew the opinions of some regarding Mandalorians were... less than favorable. And, she didn't want to add fuel to that fire. Not now. And certainly not here of all places. She was here to share her knowledge... and hopefully learn a few things of her own in the process.

Slowly, she made her way across the room towards Jorus and the others - just as they were discussing what craft were available to the students. She stopped a step or two to Jorus' left and cleared her throat, giving him a nod. "Anija Ordo, starfighter piloting and engineering instructor...I couldn't help overhearing the topic of conversation..." she said to the group at large. "If the Academy is interested, Mandal Hypernautics is developing the Mk II Cabur-class starfighter, for use by the Levantine Sanctum." She looked over at Jorus and pulled a small holoprojector from the pocket of her uniform. Activating it, a image sprang to life. "I can get the technical specs to any of you interested later.." she said, glancing around after a moment.

 

[Fadeyka]

[member="Jinelu D'ysedri"] Ærin Firebrand | Camellia Swift | Kela Thayne | Coren Starchaser | Jorus Merrill​

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Finding herself very at home in the uniform of the LSS. After all when she heard through the vine of the busy about this place. Being the wondering that one could label her. Coming to where by their own uniforms could tell that they was officers or even some kind of higher ups.

Her own eyes going to Jorus giving a salute, "Mr. Merrill, I think.", just what she to call him or the others. After which she forgot to introduce herself. "Cadet Hina reporting."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

[member="Fadeyka"] | [member="Anija Ordo"] | [member="Mya Jesel"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Jorus Merrill"] | [member="Jinelu D'ysedri"] | [member="Camellia Swift"]​

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She bowed her respects to Camellia noting the young girl busy and excited it seemed, flicking tail and twitching ears a give away. Aerin is always amazed by the variations of the peoples of this galaxy, in truth she struggled with it from time to time. She remember the first time she laid eyes on a wookiee, on Midvinter, a Mando come to visit and she believed it to be a man in a fur suit and asked what animal he had hunted for the fur. Innocent days, long gone thankfully. Well, there is a large slice of the innocence in her still.

Aerin moved to stand next to one of the new cadets, like her she seemed a little out of place. As she approached a girl she would come to know as Fadeyka, Aerin bowed her head, "Greetings, I am Aerin".