The New Guy

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Halajiin Rabeak closed his eyes, and in doing so, he went back in time. Back over a century, to an age where the Galactic Senate met in their countless meetings, and the Jedi stood as powerful, respected protectors of good. He lay in his bed, waiting for the subtle hum of his alarm clock before it would squeak into life in all its cacophonic glory, while he could hear the endless parades of ships flying outside his window.

For eight years, the Nehantite had fallen asleep to the sound of Coruscant traffic, and woke up to it just the same, lying in his regulation bed in a mostly Spartan apartment. At first, the noise had kept him up at night, but in time it became part of him; a calming presence and a comfort of home.

Home. It was funny to think of it in such a way. For well over a year of his own life, Hal had not stepped foot on Coruscant, but in his year, over one hundred and eight had passed for the rest of the galaxy. Engine notes changed, transparisteel windows had been re-glazed, but still, lying in his bed in the minutes before dawn, Hal could hear what he had woken to so many times, and he did not wish to open his eyes and shatter his time-travel illusuion.

But it was only an illusion, he told himself, much like the persona he had invented to hide himself from the Imperial Knights, and save his own pelt. On Phindar, Halajiin Rebeak, knight of the Jedi Order, had ceased to be, and in his place appeared Kyle Rayner, a partially trained Force adept with naïve understanding of the power he wielded. So, when he opened his eyes once more, Halajiin Rabeak vanished, and Kyle Rayner awoke. And sighed before reaching a paw down into his boxers for a good scratch for the cameras he was sure were in his room, acting as if he truly believed he had privacy.

Itch handled, the yellow-furred mongoose then contorted his back with a stretch, kicking his covers off of where they barely covered his lower legs, and he swung his footpaws out of bed and onto the floor, sitting with his back hunched forward, pink eyes squinting at the faint glimmer of purple which threatened the dark horizon over the glittering glare of the planetary mega-city. Dawn was coming, and with it a new day, and new challenges. To meet them with lazy slump would not do, and so Hal stood, getting a good stretch before wriggling his tail to wake it up, as well, and he paced to his small room’s window.

Like his living quarters of old, the window ran floor to ceiling, but he could not help but notice he had been stationed on a higher floor, looking out directly east instead of northeast, as he had been, so long ago. Clad in his boxers, Hal stood there, arms slack at his side, and he watched the purple horizon burn to copper, then orange before at last the first, brilliant rays of the sun screamed over the cityscape to blast into his room, warming through his fur in the most heavenly of ways. When his eyes ached from the brightness, Hal closed them but continued to stand there, still, letting memories flood through him – as well as thoughts of his new persona. When he’d had enough, it was off to his refresher to take a leak, have a quick wank, then take a sonic shower before getting dressed to face the day.

Gone were the clothes he had been captured in, likely never to be seen again, other than his boots, and in their place he had been given plain black fatigues, thankfully tailored to accommodate his tail. Aside from them, the only other thing Hal sported was a thick armband which acted as both tracking device and incapacitator, should he try and make a break for it. Kyle Rayner had given his word that he would not run, and the word of Kyle Rayner was worth its weight in gold. Sadly, Kyle Rayner himself was worth less than a three-credit bill, but the Imperials hadn’t quite figured that out, yet.

After a long talk with Baastian Cain, the night before, Hal had been given more freedom than he had expected within the Imperial Complex, and so when he opened his door, he found only two men standing guard.

“Morning,” Hal nodded, remaining on his side of the threshold. “Just going to go down and get breakfast, if that’s okay.”

“We’ll escort you,” replied one of his guards.

Hal smiled, trying to be disarming as possible, even going so far as to raise his empty paws in defense. “It’s cool, guys, I’m pretty sure I can make it to the cafeteria on my own. I always remember the way back to food.”

The guards were having none of it, however, and soon Hal let his paws drop with a soft clap against his sides before stuffing them into his pockets, his chunky wristband catching on one of them. “Fine. Lead the way,” Hal shrugged.

During his brief tour with Baastian, Hal had been allowed to be excited and curious, but as he could see that the safeties were off on the blasters of his two escorts, he came to the rapid determination that acting the fool would not be tolerated lightly, and so he resigned himself to full defeat, trudging along toward the lift.

Down, down and down, Hal looked out the window the whole way, making sure his face showed the awe of a tourist to the city-planet. It was important that they believed his cover story, but still, it was a difficult expression to fake, as the cityscape had changed greatly since his time among the halls of the Jedi Order. Before he knew it, his view vanished into a duracrete wall, and the lift’s bell bong’ed lightly, signaling the end of his brief sightseeing.

Garbed in regulation black, Hal did not attract the same manner of stares as he had, the night before, though he was clearly one of only a handful of aliens among the halls of Imperial Center. Despite his own rubbernecking at the layout of the structure, and a few unanswered questions, Hal was directed without delay to the cafeteria, where the previously appetizing smell of nerf stroganoff had been replaced by the distinctly noxious funk of meal cubes covered in “ham and eggs” sauce. The Nehantite’s ears drooped, knowing that to be one of the single worst sauces one could put over meal cubes, and even his stomach shrank as the mess was poured over his own tray. Hungry as he was, he could barely tolerate half his meal. He would be starving come lunch, but it was better than getting sick due to breakfast.

“Finished?” one of his guards asked. Hal could only nod, and his tray was cleared, allowing him to take a deeper breath that would not sour his nostrils.

Without argument, Hal allowed himself to be directed back to the main hallway, and to a kiosk where one of the guards swiped a badge, then pulled out a security cable from the kiosk’s surface, connecting it firmly to Hal’s wristband.

“Wait here. Your escort will come and fetch you,” the guard gunted.

Hal looked down at the cable with dismay, then back to the guard. “You mean, you’re just going to… leave me here?”

“Would you prefer we shoot you?” the guard replied. “Even on stun, be a hell of a whollop from this close.”

“No, no, I’m good!” Hal offered immediately, holding his paws up, his left one being pulled slightly down by the spring-loaded tension in the cable.

“Good,” was the only answer he received. His guards turned to head off, leaving him alone among the crowd of Imperials who walked freely up and down the main corridor.

All he could do was wait; wait and wonder who his escort would be. Would it be Baastian, again? Would it be someone else? Would it be that gorgeous Selonian who had clearly been putting the moves on him, now come to fetch him and whisk him off to her bedchambers? Hal adjusted his trousers while he waited and considered the possibilities.

[Palara Iscandar]

"Knight Iscandar."

She turned, her lekku swaying slightly as she shifted her weight. The two armed sentries saluted and bowed; they were students in the Citadel's program for those who could not use the Force, but were nearing graduation, and were serving in various capacities to give them experience before being placed in general circulation. Their uniforms were distinguishable even in the bad rendering of the hologram. She nodded in return.

"The prisoner, Rayner, has finished morning meal. Our orders were to contact you and send you to him."

"Very well," she answered. "Return to your duties."

The hologram blinked into nonexistence. She affixed the final buttons on her uniform jacket, and marched down to the mess hall.

Rayner was standing just outside the hall, attached to one of the kiosks used as a punishment for various infractions of the Citadel's code of conduct. She stopped and regarded the furred alien a moment, her face carefully blank. She'd heard the expression was called her 'bitch face'. She found a certain satisfaction in the description.

"Kyle Rayner," she said, swiping her own badge and disconnecting the person Knight-General Atrapes wanted watched. He felt something was off with the Jedi trainee. She personally couldn't feel what was so troubling about him in the Force, but logically, the events of his capture were curious. "I am Knight Iscandar. Follow me."

[Alexia Sturkov]

One more. One more. One more. One more...

That phrase repeated in her head as he pulled herself up on the bar again. The muscles in her arms wailed with exhaustion. Repeating again, she pulled, rising until her chin rested on top of the bar, and then back down again. Snickering barely audible over the sound of her own heavy breathing jarred her from the activity. Dropping down to the floor Alexia turned cover the gym with a quick glance, her eyes passing over the various exercise machines until it settled on a pair of men a standing at the door. They were muscle bound brutes. Infantry by the looks of them. They were dressed for the gym, in compression shorts and tanktops with towels thrown over their shoulders. What men of their station were doing in this gym was unknown. This room was reserved for more prestigious members of the military, and at this early hour it was usually abandoned. That's why she was here. She did not, as her handler put it, play nice with others.

The pair continued to snicker, then walked over to where she was standing. "Shouldn't you be home playing with your Tarkin Dolls?" One of them said, while the other went "Oooh!" and they bumped their fists together. It was shocking at first, but only because she was used to the respect her position as an Imperial Knight demanded. Here, in the gym, dressed in her own exercise clothing, they had no idea who she was. No idea at all.

The amused chuckle that escaped her throat wiped the grins off their faces. With a hand she wiped her sweaty red hair out of her face, running it up and over her head, and down to rest on the back of her neck. "That was funny." They went back to grinning. The victory in their eyes was misplaced. "Do you know what's even funnier. Your face." Grins turned into confusion. "Ain't nothing wrong with my face."

"Not yet."

Her other hand came up, and with it the talker was lifted off the ground, his hands grabbing at his throat, clawing to pull away something that wasn't there but was nevertheless choking the life out of him. His partner, with the ebony skin, cried in alarm and started to advance toward her, but his attention was all on them and failed to notice the barbell rise from it's rack and shuttle across the room, catching him in the foot midstep and sending him crashing to the floor. He got back up, hobbling on his fractured foot, but he never had a chance as a twenty pound weight spun into his knee, breaking. Crying he went down again. Each time he rose up again it would hit him again, breaking another bone. Eventually he stayed down.

"You should see your face now. It's funny." She quipped to the choking man, incapable of talking now. His face was red and purple, his eyes bulging from the pressure compressing his throat. She dismissed him with a wave of her hand, sending him ragdolling through the room only to collide with the wall and fall into the rack of barbells. Stepping over the broken and bleeding one she headed for the door, grabbing her own towel from where she left it on the elliptical machine and wiping of her forehead as the door closed behind her.

Returning to her room she meditated on the events of the morning while the sun rose. On her lap rested a datapad still open to a recently arrived message. It was from her handler. Turns out the gym confrontation was a set up, an exercise to test how she would react. In it he condemned her use of force, encouraging her to talk her way out of problems instead of resorting to violence, but he did not that they would live and congratulated her on making progress in the form of not killing everything that got in her way. That comment only made her more furious. Alexia did not like how this place was changing her. It was necessary in order to survive. That was the option that Atrapes gave her. Adapt or die. Still, every fiber of her being had wanted to rip those men apart. She was sick of being a slave. The leash grew longer every day, but it tightened around her throat just as much.

Leaving her unit, she strode through the halls of the Citadel. Passing an intersection of hallways she glanced down one as she passed, catching a glimpse of her favorite purple alien. Stopping and doubling back, she peaked around the corner and watched Palara walk up to the furry alien they had acquired some time ago. Alexia had been curious about the creature, and why Atrapes and Baastian were so interested in him. She would have sooner chopped his head off and been done with him. He looked like unnecessary baggage. Still, she would never miss an opportunity to bug Palara. Her thirst for blood was sated for today, but mischief was an endless hunger.

"Taking your new pet for a walk Palara?"

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Hal wasn't sure how long he had been standing there, effectively chained to the kiosk. Actually, no, that wasn't true at all. He knew exactly how long he had been there, as there was a clock upon the opposite wall, and it had been checked at least a dozen times a minute as he had waited. Fourteen minutes, and roughly fifteen seconds. Could have been worse.

Any complaints he might have had about having been made to wait were tossed in the bin the moment he saw a reddish twi'lek approaching, with all the right curves in all the right places.

Ooh, but look at that face. Somebody thinks we've been naught-tay! His base natures gave a murring chuckle.

Yeah, I don't think she's thinking that at all. His higher reasoning replied as it rolled its eyes.

Thankfully, the twi'lek spoke first, eliminating all manner of possible greetings from the Nehantite, forcing him into response mode. Shaking out his wrist now that the spring-loaded cable was disconnected, he sported a smile as if he'd never been tethered at all, and he was merely meeting a lovely woman in a casual setting. "Why, hello there, Miss Iscandar," he said. "Pleasure to meet you under more... favorable circumstances, than the last time. Do you mind if I call you Miss Iscandar? Or... is it Mrs. Iscandar?" His pink eyes shot down to see if he could catch a glint of a ring on her finger.

Before she could respond, however, another woman approached - one rather less comely.

She looks like Doggie Chew Toy Barbie.

Oh for fuck's sake, whatch what you're saying! What if they were reading our mind right then!

Then 1: we'd know it, and 2: we'd both have a headache. Seriously, look at this woman; it's like she got gang-banged by cheese graters. I'd still hit it, though.

You'd hit a sack of laundry.

Yeah, probably.

Could have left out the "probably."

And then she spoke.

Fuck this lady. And I don't mean I want to fuck her. I mean fuck her.

What a bitch. His higher reasoning concurred, getting his eyebrows to knit at the insult.

"I'm nobody's pet," Hal sneered. "I'm Kyle Rayner. I'm... sort of in tryouts with you guys, I guess."

[Palara Iscandar]

Iscandar glanced over at Rayner curiously before turning back to Sturkov.

"I am Knight Iscandar, Sturkov," the twi'lek said tightly. "And 'e is not my pet so much as 'e is ze Lord Knight-General's. I do not know why 'e is given such leeway. I am presently taking 'im to be registered and documented."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

"Leeway?" Hal blurted. He then held up his left arm, with the chunky armband on it. "This is leeway? What the hell? I haven't even done anything!"

Placing his paws on his head in exasperation, the Nehantite turned slowly, his back facing the pair as his tail lashed. "Just... whatever. Baastian said I'd get a trial run, alright?" he spoke as he turned back to face them.

[Alexia Sturkov]

"Is that so?" Alexia's interest was further piqued. She had thought that Palara was a rare exception to the otherwise all human Imperial Knights. It would seem that scrutiny of aliens in the ranks is lessening, or there is something truly remarkable about this individual for Atrapes to even consider testing him for enlistment possibility. Rumors of this Kyle Rayner had spread about, even here in the Citadel. Alexia had just assumed he was some spook that would get himself killed. By the look of him, and she made a show of the looking, he wouldn't last long.

"Don't mind me. I'll walk with you. I am Alexia. So tell me Kyle, you must be considerably talented to have caught the Knight-General's eye. What kind of power are you hiding in that delicious furry body of yours." It was less that she was even attracted to the Nehantite, and more that she knew that copious flirting would annoy Palara. Alexia had not missed the annoyance in the face of the furry man when she called him a pet. She made a note for later and knew how to poke his buttons when he stopped being amusing.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Oh, lady, there's more power in this *delicious* body than you'd ever imagine.

If you say that out loud, I will sabotage every sexual advance you make for an entire month.

Month? Dude, harsh!

I'll do it. Trust me. Me and the mouth, we're like this.

...like what?

Gar, I forget you can't actually see me. I had one finger crossed over the other.

Ah, okay. Yeah, that was totally a visual thing.

It was. I'll refrain from those in the future.

Gotcha. So, back to the story?

Good call.

"Yeah, it's so," Hal replied. His pink eyes studied the red-head, though not in the same manner in which she had so openly ogled him. He'd been on Coruscant for several days, at least, and this was the first time he had been let out of his room. The last thing he wanted was to go back there just yet.

"I wouldn't call myself talented, though," he continued. Stuffing his paws back into his pockets, he walked along beside Palara. He didn't actually need to follow her lead, as the hallways had changed little in a century, other than the paint scheme, but for the sake of his act, he stuck to her lead like guided tourist. "I was caught, after all. But, from what Knight Cain told me, you guys - and gals - have had a lot more training than I ever got. I was mostly operating on instinct. I'm interested to see what more I can do, with proper guidance."

A coy smile brightened his muzzle again as he lifted an eyebrow toward Palara. "I'm sure there's all manner of things you can teach me."

[Palara Iscandar]

"I will not teach you," the Twi'lek answered shortly. Alexia's flirting had indeed rankled her, though she was far more tempted to leave Hal to Alexia's 'tender' mercies than to try and make Alexia leave. "I 'ave far better zings to do zan to play tutor to some prisoner. I will believe you are being considered for induction into ze Knight when Knight Cain or even ze Knight-General 'imself tell me it is so, and only zen."

She remembered the chase. There was more to this simpleton than he was saying, her instincts were telling her, but she could sense or intuit nothing else. Everything he said was uttered with a plain certainty and wrapped in honesty. Or at least it felt honest enough. But then, she could do the same thing, trained as she was in infiltration and reconnaissance.

"Alexia," she said, his manner annoying her just as much as Alexia's. "I do not zink 'e 'as been tortured yet. Per'aps you could tutor 'im in torture resistance after I 'ave 'ad 'im registered, yes?"

[Halajiin Rabeak]

"Woah, I think we can skip the torture training bit," Hal held his paws up in defense. "I'm just telling you what they told me, that's all."

Letting his arms drop, he stepped back into line as they headed toward some bureaucratic mess or another. "Besides, what'd I do to piss you off, anyway? I've been the perfect gentleman. In fact, I was even going to ask you if you wanted to join me for dinner. I know a place that makes the most amazing meal cubes..."

Oh, how he tried to keep a straight face, but it seemed impossible, a smile drawing up his muzzle as he neared the end of his sentence, followed by a quite mirthful chuckle of laughter. Shaking his head, still grinning, he carried on. "Just kidding. They're not that great of meal cubes. Could totally go for some real food, at some point. Oh, wow, that's a really high ceiling. How do they get up there to change the lights?"

Droids, you idiot. His intelect minded him inside his own head.

Oh, whoops. Duh. His base natures replied.

Whether they were intentional or not, Hal's jokes made little headway with either of his new ladyfriends, and he soon found himself pushed into a line behind a dozen other men. Papers were asked for, pictures and prints taken, dental impressions, retinal scans, all manner of things, and Hal went through each check and procedure without question, though the dental impression did take some time to get, with his more animalistic jaws and large teeth. He was rewarded for his patience with an orange flavored sucker. Flavored more like the color orange, rather than the fruit, as far as he could tell, but at least it wasn't a meal cube.

Then came the waiting, while everything was being processed. If they hadn't matched his DNA already, then they surely weren't going to come up with anything, now, and Hal knew for a fact that the Empire had no access to Midlothian databases, due to yet more bureaucracy, so he felt relaxed, turning the sucker over on his tongue, the little white stick waggling about outside his lips as he did so. At long last, his number 2814-69 (which gave him a giggle) was called, and Hal stood. He could see his escorts eyeing him carefully, but Hal simply acted naturally, stepping up to the desk before him.

"Mr. Rayner," a plain-faced woman on the other side spoke, wholly devoid of emotion. "You are now registered, here's your uniform, training manual datapad, and your cap. We don't have boots in your size."

Hal simply grinned as he accepted the uniform of a cadet, and nodded before snatching that cap up and popping it directly onto his head. Grin a mile wide, the blonde Nehantite beamed at Palara and Alexia. "So, I'm a cadet. Guess you're gonna have to train me, after all!"

[Alexia Sturkov]

Alexia laughed at the meat cube joke; a hearty cackle full of mirth and exaggerated for the annoyance of her fellow Knight. She had to admit, as little as she liked, that Kyle's sense of humor was a bit of sunshine in this otherwise drab and serious lifestyle. Palara's straight, serious face was a testament to this fact. She would have to make sure Kyle stuck around, even if just to continue to annoy the more straight laced members of the Imperial Knights. Torture would have been a lot of fun, but watching Palara get more and more worked up was entertaining enough. You could almost see the ulcers growing.

"We use children strapped to repulsor packs to change the lights, and dust the windows. So many windows." She said, trying her own hand at continuing the humor. It was definitely not her strong suit, but cruelty to children is universally hilarious.

Kyle was ushered off to start his processing. Alexia stood with Palara off to the side keeping an eye on the curious creature. "What do you think Knight Iscandar? There seems to be more to that wretched creature than he lets on. He must be something special if the Knight-General is so interested in him."

Eventually he returned, boasting of his cadet status. Alexia gave him a wry smile and said, "Than we can start that torture training at once. I can guarantee one of us will enjoy it."

[Palara Iscandar]

Palara looked a bit sour as she took in the cadet's cap sitting jauntily atop Kyle's head.

"I cannot believe zis," she murmured and shook her head. "Vairy well. Cadet Rayner, follow me. Zere will be a tour for you and ze ozzer newer cadets."

She turned sharply on her heel and marched back down through the Citadel, making turns almost without a thought, until they entered a small assembly hall with a group of cadets standing at attention. Iscandar made her way to the front of the gathered students, who ranged in age from thirteen or so to their early twenties, and turned to face them, and said nothing, waiting for Hal to get into the group and stand at attention.

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

The door opposite the one from which Knight Iscandar delivered Kyle Rayner parted with a hiss, and Knight Matatek Sel Vissica stepped through the threshold. Standing with her webbed forepaws clasped behind her back, the Selonian remained where she was as the doors glided closed behind her, allowing her an opportunity to give the new crop of cadets a cursory visual inspection. Her whiskers rose and fell, and she winded the air as more a habitual act than anything that would glean useful information of this motley array of wet pups. She could see the sad state of things easily enough with her eyes. Sloppy parade stance, uniform in improper decor, Kyle Rayner.

Kyle Rayner

She paused, midway through walking down the ranks, looking at the very same Nehantite coward who surrendered to save his skin rather than test his resolve. A soft growl that revealed teeth was the extent on what commentary she'd waste on him. Vissica continued her slow walk to the fore of the assembly to stand next to her Twi'lek comrade.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

There are times in life where no amount of education, experience, or intuition can prepare you in the way that a good holomoviecan. Cap firmly tugged onto his head, and uniform jacket donned over the short-sleeved black tee he'd been wearing, Halajiin Rabeak summoned up all the memories he could of military movies, especially the crucial parts where the hero had just joined the army. Hal took his place in the first row, managing to bump a few other recruits down the line as he clapped his heels together, flattened his paws at his sides, swelled his chest with a deep breath and elevated his chin just slightly. Even his tail managed to behave as he played the part of the conspicuously poised cadet.

And then there appeared over six feet of gorgeous, powerful, pantsless dream otter. Hal's composure failed him for a moment, but he regained it quickly. If he was to have any chance of impressing her enough to get her into bed, he'd have to really up his game, and he knew it. Still, he could not resist a smile at the Selonian, or a tick of his eyebrows and glance up at his cap, to let her know that he knew he was a cadet, now.

He also had to work quite hard to refrain from standing at attention while standing at attention.

[Alexia Sturkov]

Tailing after the others, Alexia could not help but be amused by Palara's reaction to Kyle's acceptance into the Cadet program. They entered the gathering hall, where several other cadets stood in line formation. Her Twi'lek companion threw Kyle almost literally to the dogs, sending him scampering to get in formation with an exaggerated, and therefore sloppy, posture that made up for it's lack of military precision with an eagerness to impress. It was, like most things about this furry male, refreshing. The other cadets had spent time in military schools; already had the Empire stomp on their souls. Their postures were far more crisp and practiced than Kyle's. Where some saw ideal soldiers, Alexia saw robots being fed into the machine. Pity Kyle was likely to end up like the rest of them. A shame, really.

The far door opened and none other than Vissica stepped in. Now this was an Imperial Knight after Alexia's own heart. She was a little preachy at times, but her love for, and excellence at, combat gave them something in common. Of all the Knights Alexia preferred the company of Vissica over all the rest.

Leaning against a wall Alexia hid a smile behind her hand as she watched the comical display unraveling before her.

[Palara Iscandar]

"You 'ave been gazzered 'ere to be given a tour of ze building. By ze end of today, you will understand zat we do not mean tour like ze rest of ze galaxy."

A holoprojector whirred to life, and a general map of the Citadel was displayed.

"After you are shown ze major areas, you will be asked questions. If you cannot remember ze answer, you will 'ave physical training with Knight Vissica. If you 'esitate for longer zan a second, you will 'ave physical training with Knight Vissica. If we do not find you answer satisfying, you will 'ave physical training with Knight Vissica. Ze point of zis tour is to familiarize you with your new 'ome. Ask questions but do not wast my time."

She paused.

"Any questions?"

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Vissica waited to see what questions would come from the rabble assembled before them. She crossed her arms high on her chest, looking down on the cadets. Her eyes never spent long on a single one, moving here and there to detect some aberrant behavior that would have to be corrected.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

The rows of cadets stood silent, none daring to speak up. None except for one Halajiin Rabeak - or, Kyle Rayner, as he was calling himself. Taking a quick glance up and down his line confirmed that everyone else was too scared to ask anything. Or possibly too smart. Hal was neither of those things, and so his paw raised into the air. When called upon, he kept his head up, shoulders straight, and spoke clearly.

"When you say physical training with Knight Vissica, how physical are we talking, here? Combat training, or something more intimate?"
You... are the biggest idiot to ever step off of Nehantish.

Yeah, but she's just so dreamy.

You're going to get us killed.

Death by snoo-snoo, preferably.

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Vissica took a few strides back down from where she'd come, once again closing distance with Kyle Rayner. Some of the less-disciplined cadets turned their heads to catch sight of what was happening, which elicited a sharp rebuke of "Eyes forward!" from the Selonian, which was more than enough to scare the throng into obedience.

For a moment, she considered the impudent Nehantite's question. It was as foolish as she expected, but if he didn't learn from his foolishness then what was the point of this charade?

"There is no other physical training more intimate than combat training, Kyle Rayner. Two partners locked together, testing skill, strength, and endurance."

A paw reached out, snatching up a handful of Kyle's uniform collar as she hoisted him off his feet and up to her eye level.

"You're not ready for that."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Don't say it!

Say what?

I know you've gone some snappy, sexual comment right there on the tip of your tongue, but trust me, it's best if you don't say it!

But it's soooooo good! I can't NOT say it!

No! No no no! It's amazing we've managed to stay alive this long, I'm not letting you get us killed, now!

Fiiiiiine. Spoilsport. I'll go with a tame one.

Wait? What? No, I said-

It was too late, Hal's body put into motion the tamest of all the scandalous replies he could think of. Pink eyes locked onto the black beady eyes of he Selonian, Hal simply gave a dreamy smile, not resisting Vissica's grip in the slightest, and sighed, "Maybe not, but a guy can dream."

I hate you.

Worth it.

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

"And a dream alone will get you no closer to reality."

Vissica drew back with her other hand, then drove a closed fist up into the pit of Hal's stomach to knock out his breath. Upon hearing the wheeze she was expecting, she dropped the Nehantite to her feet in a heap.

"Push-ups. Fifty."

The Selonian's whiskers buoyed up a bit as she turned back to the dais.

"Cadet Rayner obviously wants a challenge. Knight Sturkov, perhaps you can stand on his shoulders."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Stars exploded in Hal's vision as the wind was driven from his lungs. Without oxygen, his muscles would not behave in anything resembling a reasonable fashion, and he found himself crashing, doubled over on the floor as he gasped and wheezed for breath.

Told you.

Still worth it.

His body itself did not share the joke, as he fought for enough oxygen to keep from blacking out. He'd expected some sort of physical reprimand, but certainly not that. In the back of his mind, Hal held on to a trick which would save him, but around so many knights, he didn't know if he dared use the Force at all, lest his skill be discovered too soon. Limbs burning, and the edges of his vision dim, Hal decided he had no choice, as the big, beautiful Selonian appeared ready to return to him and administer further encouragement. Disguising his effort by slamming his paws down on the floor, and pushing his booted footpaws back into place for a push-up, he gathered as much oxygen as he could directly before him and crammed it down his throat to re-inflate his lungs, hoping to pass off the burst of Force energy as just an expenditure to bring himself out of his fetal position.

It worked. Lungs still burning, and his stomach sore, Hal launched into his push-ups, struggling not out of show, but from true physical impairment as he attempted to maintain form while struggling through his punishment exercise.

[Alexia Sturkov]

"With pleasure." Was Alexia's only response as she pushed off the wall and strode across the polished floor to where Kyle laid stretched out on the floor. Hardly a challenge, Alexia thought as she stepped up on the furry creature's back. Her desiccated body hardly weighed that much in comparison to even other humans her own height. She imagined Redtails had at least a few kilos on her. Regardless she settled in, digging her standard issue boots into Kyle's back. Balance was never a strong point for her, but with the force as her crutch she easily stayed aloft.

She toyed with the idea of using the force to press herself down, but that would just be cruel. He was here to learn. Breaking him so soon would kill the fun.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Despite his winding, Hal had made it to eight push-ups before Alexia stepped up onto his back. Had he not been fully extended in the up position, her added weight - while a bit lighter than he expected - would surely have sent him to the floor. Easing down slowly, the Nehantite's muscles trembled, and the first push back up found him grunting, teeth grit and bared as he fought to endure his punishment.

He would do it, he told himself. He would show them that he was a real man, worthy of respect, and not some prisoner to be mistreated and tortured. Halajiin Rabeak would fight the good fight, and give the big, sexy otter the fifty push-ups she demanded of him. Well, Kyle Rayner would, at least.

Kyle Rayner turned out to be something of a wimp, much to Hal's dismay. Too much free time and not enough gym time had sapped his endurance, and by the time he reached fifteen push-ups, his arms were trembling, muscled burning. Eighteen and it was all he could do to keep his muzzle from being crushed against the floor with each dip. At twenty-one, he found his weighted limit reached.

It was his left arm that gave out first, and he did not have the strength left in his right to recover. With a "Hwummph!" Hal crashed to the floor, his lungs still aching from their lack of oxygen, while his brain spun, his muscles having used most of what he'd been able to take in. Paws clawed at the smooth, polished marble beneath him, but he could not muster the strength to push up while Alexia stood fully upon his back. This would not be taken well, and he knew it.

Will you listen to me, next time? Please?

I sure better. But it was still worth it.

[Palara Iscandar]

"Your flippancy does you no favours, Cadet." Iscandar's voice may have carried a bit of smugness in it. The twilek Imperial Knight's heavy lidded gaze drifted over the other assembled cadets.

"Any ozzer questions?"

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

"When do we get a lightsaber?"

Vissica's head turned at the impudent question, this time from an older teenage Chiss. He had a sturdy look to him for his age, and the Selonian slowed her pace to deathly still as she neared him.

"When do you get a lightsaber?"

The Selonian's eyes narrowed as she repeated his question back at him. To his credit, he remained eyes foward.

"I mean, we're recruited for our force talents, right? So, how long does it take for us to get a saber of our own."

Vissica snatched up a paw full of the boy's collar, wrenching him off his feet as she dragged him by the toes of his boots to stand clear from the other cadets, and next to where Hal now struggled.

"Cadet..."

The towering Selonian slouched momentarily to get a look at the Chiss' name badge.

"...Kawran wants to know when he will get a lightsaber."

Vissica released the Chiss, allowing him agency back on his own two feet. Standing to her full height, she surveyed the cadets, looking for any weakness to correct.

"A Cadet of the Imperial Knighthood gets nothing. You are entitled to nothing. That which you have is what you have earned. You are here because you have potential. If you squander that, you will find your stay cut short."

Leveling her severe expression back to Cadet Kawran, Vissica's whiskers sprang upward in a wry expression.

"You want a lightsaber, cadet?"

With a soft growl in her chest, Vissica reached over her shoulder, unclipping the hefty grip of her greatsaber from it's scabbard. She held the weapon aloft in her broad, open paw for the Chiss to inspect.

"Then take it."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Thank goodness someone was dumber than us.

He didn't get hit.

Yet. He didn't get hit *yet.*

Should we let him? We might be able to use a friend.

You make an uncannily good point. Tell you what, you get the muscles back in order, I'll see if I can handle this.

Blunt clawtips tapped against the polished marble floor. Deep breaths slowly lifted Knight Alexia, and the Nehantite's arms locked into place. Strength re-gathered, the mongoose shoved up. Twenty two. Twenty three. He would perform all fifty push-ups, and while he was at it, perhaps save a young man from a very grave error.

"Don't do it, kid," he grunted through grit teeth. "Trust me. Not fun."

Twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty. Halajiin's body was going to be sore, come morning, but Kyle Rayner was not going to give up in front of the Knights. That would be suicide.

[Alexia Sturkov]

The Chiss looked down, regarding the furry creature with something akin to disgust. Not surprising, Alexia thought, considering his xenophobic culture. It was also a culture of pride, and he was in the spotlight now, confronted by his teachers while his fellow cadets watched. He could either risk his career or lose face with his colleagues.

In typical Chiss fashion he stuck out his well defined jawline, set his gaze forward, and reached out firmly, without hesitation, and took the lightclub in both hands and stepped back. No sooner had his grip become solid than she yelled out at him "Cadet, defend yourself!"

Using the Nehantite as a springboard, Alexia launched herself into the air, a smooth airborne somersault, that landed her at the front of the class, between Vissica and the Chiss. He raised the weapon clumsily, it was too big for him, and felt along the body for the ignition plate. Before he could find it Alexia reached out with the force and snatched the hilt from his hands, causing it to fly across the small space and smack loudly into her hand. Her other hand raised up in an open handed uppercut, fingers tensed. The Chiss grabbed at his throat, scratching frantically at fingers that weren't there, even as his boots lifted off the ground.

"Remember Cadets; a lightsabre is not your only weapon. The power of the force is your greatest asset, along with your training and your devotion to the Empire. A lightsabre is but a channel; an extension of yourself. Only a fool relies on martial power alone. To succeed you must use every tool at your disposal."

It was surprising to hear it coming out of her own mouth; a mixture of the Truth the Empire had shown her and the words of her old master, Southstar, given manifest from her own lips. She was drawn from that reflection by the choking sounds from the Chiss. She wondered if he had turned more blue from the lack of oxygen. Released the cadet he crumpled to the ground, hacking and coughing for air.

"Want for naught, ask for naught. Becoming an Imperial Knight is an honor, and a great service to the Empire. You have been selected for candidacy. Nothing more. You must earn a place in the ranks." She handed the lightclub over her shoulder to the much larger Vissica behind her. Then she stepped aside, falling back in line with the other Imperial Knights.

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty! Free from his burden, Hal burned his muscles through the remainder of his punishment while the unfortunate Chiss learned the hard way how unforgiving the Empire was. Easing himself up from the floor, Hal smoothed out his clothing and adjusted his cap as he rejoined the ranks of his fellow cadets. There could be no mistaking he was no longer in the Jedi Order, despite the message about the Force being your ally. The Empire did not value compassion, courtesy and thoughtfulness, as his old Order had, instead placing priority on obedience and blind ambition.

Perhaps they would be able to make the model student out of Halajiin Rabeak, yet, as the soft-touch approach clearly hadn't worked for him among the Jedi.

I should have helped the Chiss up.

Are you insane? First, he's not really within arm's reach. Second, you'd surely get another punishment, and third, you'd embarass him in front of everyone else.

But it's sort of my fault that he got picked on.

No, it isn't. He asked a stupid question. Not as stupid as YOURS, but still stupid. Besides, if you're not the only one getting disciplined in front of the group, it means you won't be their sole target of bullying. If someone else decides to be a complete imbecile, we're in an even better place.

I still feel bad for him.

Then work on that later. Forge a bond, or something. I think almost all of these cadets are younger than us, so it's going to be really important to make ties, so we're not "the old guy."

I never in my life thought I'd be "the old guy."

We're one hundred and thirty-one. We're definitely "the old guy," whether we like it or not.

Well... at least I've still got my looks!

...why do I even try?

While the two halves of his personality bickered, the cadets fell into order, and the whole scene regained its former semblance of military structure. Ha, if only his dad could see him now. Halajiin Rabeak in the army; that would be the day, his father had always said. And yet it was so much more precarious than that, as Hal did not fight for the army he found himself amongst, but instead acted as an enemy combatant needing to play along until fortune smiled upon him and he could make his escape. How deep into the serpent's lair would he have to delve? Tailtip flicking in worry, Hal prayed it would not be far enough to come face to face with the cobra within.

[Palara Iscandar]

Iscandar stepped forward, eyeing each cadet intently; when she came to Rayner, she stepped away a bit. The little Shistavanen was adorable, she admitted within herself. The Chiss had closed his face quickly.

She wanted them to meet the Kaleesh.

"Right, face!" she shouted. All the cadets turned. "Remember, questions will be asked of you. Zis is a test."

"Being tested the day we enter?" one of the humans grunted quietly. "Intense."

"You expected anything different from the Knights?" a female Chiss, slightly younger than the disgraced Kawran, murmured.

"March!"

They were brought into the Atrium, and Iscandar began to speak.

"Ze Citadel, where you will be living and learning until you become a Knight or are discharged, was formerly ze 'eadquarters of ze Imperial Inquisition, and before zat was ze Grand Temple of ze Jedi. Zere are levels still untouched; do not enter zem. Wizzout proper training, you will likely die, due to at ze very least rare but documented cave-ins. Zere are almost five 'undred Knights in training or out in ze field at zis moment. You are expendable, if inconvenient to find a replacement for. Do not die needlessly."

She stood quietly for a moment, letting the trainees and students go around the small group standing in the middle of the Atrium.

"Any questions?"

[Halajiin Rabeak]

Falling into line, Hal attempted to march in sych as best he could, his footpaws padding along where everyone else's boots thumped upon the polished floors. Despite his attempts to keep himself in line, however, the Nehantite found his head practically on a swivel, taking in the familiar structure around him as its new history was presented. Occasional glances showed he was not the only one doing so, some looking in awe while others merely observed the architecture in passing. Meanwhile, he took in the information which was presented.

Five hundred Knights in training vastly outnumbered anything the Jedi could put together, causing his heart to sink, but the fact that they were still "in training" at buoyed some hope within him. But more than that, the Empire still hadn't managed to fully explore the temple was astounding at the very least, and Hal simply had to know what they hadn't come across, yet. A question bubbled up in the back of his mind.

Don't you dare ask something stupid.

It won't be stupid! I don't like pain, remember?

That is debatable, considering your track record for earning it.

Hal raised his paw, waiting to receive the okay to ask his question. "Will we be provided with a map or information detailing which levels we are not allowed to go into, so that we don't do so by accident?"

That... was actually a very good question. Hal's higher reasoning nodded its head in approval.

[Palara Iscandar]

The cadets around Hal shifted in awkward judgement; if they could have scoffed and rolled their eyes, they would have.

"Zere is no need to raise your 'and... Cadet," Iscandar said, still having trouble viewing the Nehantite as a real student. "Do not interrupt a teacher, wait for zem to ask for questions, and ask. During class sessions, ze proper protocol is to stand and wait to be called upon. In answer to your question, zere are no levels zat are open to cadets below ze fifth subfloor. If a door is locked, it is for a reason. Ze only time you will be asked to open a locked door, you will be given a code to open it. I warn you about untouched floors because we are not yet done repurposing zose floors for use by ze Knights, and zey still 'ave Inquisitional defences and old projects below, and curiosity is a constant. You are warned. Unaut'orized entry into zose floors and areas will be punished harshly, including death."

She allowed that to sink in for a moment.

"At zat point, 'owever, death is more a kindness zan a punishment."

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

As the throng of cadets began their guided movements through the sanctioned levels of the temple, Lady Vissica fell into a four-footed gait, her large paws clacking on the floor as she paced the students. For matters of coursing distance, a Selonian moved better on four than two. It gave the Knight an appearance of a very large hound of a sort, standing lower than all around her at the shoulder.

"Cadet Khoovi."

The Shistavanen's ears pricked as he heard his name called.

"When was the Jedi Order founded?"

[Palara Iscandar]

The little Shistavanen started, but stared forward and regained his stiff posture.

"It is unknown exactly when the Jedi Order first came together," the puppy said loudly. "However, the Jedi Order was well established when it first came to serve the Old Republic about five thousand years ago, with traditions described as 'ancient' and refined rituals and philosophies."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

"As a protective order, yes, over five thousand years ago. But as a religion, the Jedi Order was founded over seven thousand years ago," Hal spoke up. "Little documentation has survived from those earliest of days, but it appears to have started as a religion founded upon the peace of inner self, and awareness of the universe. In time that led to the discovery of manipulation of the Force, and in turn it bred peacekeeping warriors the like of which the galaxy had never seen. After there was dissent in the ranks, it was decided that a formal order with a governing council should be established. It was that way prior to their service to the formal government of the Old Republic."

He could feel all eyes upon him, but there was only silence in the chamber as the echo of his final words died out. Swallowing back the lump in his throat, the Nehantite attempted to finish his summary without giving away that he knew more. "Maipulation of the Force, however, was not confined specifically to the Jedi in those earliest of days, as other groups and orders which focused on meditation discovered their own abilities at around the same time. The Nightsisters of Dathomir are the most notable exceptions to the Jedi to learn the powers of the Force without outside intervention. It is believed that the Jedi Order succeeded in establishing dominance purely through its diplomatic ties among its council members."

[Matatek Sel Vissica]

Vissica ceased her pacing, eyes fixed upon Kyle Rayner as he gave an elaborate answer to say the least. Were this any other cadet, she would insist on a lengthy interrogation as to exactly how he'd acquired so much contraband knowledge. However, Kyle Rayner was far from just another cadet. The Nehantite apparently had learned a great deal from his old master.

A snort, and a thump of her tail along the floor preceeded a simple, "Very good, Cadets."

[Halajiin Rabeak]

All eyes were upon him, some more icy than others, but Hal just smiled as he clasped his paws behind his back. As usual, his stance and form weren't correct according to military precision, but it wasn't like he'd gone to boot camp like the rest of these cadets, right?

So far the whole Cadet thing had been a breeze, other than those push-ups. How hard could it all really be?