January 13, 11 BBY
Imperial Academy of Carida
Mess Hall…
"Only one more month until graduation guys , I surely hope i'm transferred to a star destroyer or a large cruiser preferably . " , Varko grey said as he used his fork to pick at his food.
"What about you , aren't you happy that we are leaving 'Mr Squadron leader'?" Varko asked william teasingly.
"Hmph, it's about time we left this place . I'm dying for some real action . Going on Patrol missions these past few months have proven to be very… dull", william said as he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"I'll agree with you on that one william , but as long as I'm not deployed to Mimban, then any station or ship is fine with me." Voiced Terisa Kerril as she gave the tarkin a half smile.
Visible enough for everyone at the table to see.
There were many speculations about the young tarkin and kerril , some say they've seen william leaving kerril's quarters secretly. While others say they were unquestionably lovers ; but they would never know the truth of their affair , for none dared to ask william of his relationship with the female tie fighter pilot and neither would he tell nor would kerril .
But the truth of the matter was that he didn't love kerril and she didn't love him they were just in it for the sex , it may seem undisciplined for imperial tie pilots but, the academy could be lonely at times and his swirly hormones bulsetered by the force became hard to control and he needed some one to release such feeling and Kerril was that someone and coincidentally it was the same for Terrisa and many other young men and women on carida.
"Hey what about you casido , where do you think you'll be deployed once you've left the academy" william asked coolly .
"Hopefully on a star destroyer or a cruiser like Varko . I may not be tie pilots like you lot, but navigations is my passion and hopefully I can climb the ranks with my skills ." Jan Casido replied
"Ah, don't worry casido, I have no doubt you'll become a captain in the next 10 years or so, possibly even an admiral, who knows " william said as he patted casido's shoulder and gave him a small smile.
What william was telling casido was the plain old truth, in about 10 years from now he'll be the the captain of the intimidator serving under admiral gorin who was in charge of Scarif's orbital defenses, thats if him being in the star wars universe didn't mess that future up.
"We are all friends and no matter where we are, or what we do. We must always stay in touch. If any of you get yourselves in any problems or troubles , feel free to reach out to me", William said as he gave his friends a half smile.
"I never thought you were the emotional type william" cross quipped.
" Oh, shut up cross. What does a 3rd year like you know ? Terrisa fired back.
"Emotional..., No. I'm just concerned. The dangerous journey that we're about to embark on can turn even the bravest man into a coward. We are humans not machines, we joined the empire to bring peace , order and prosperity throughout the galaxy!, because the empire is the only thing that is keeping the chaotic forces and criminality at bay and you cross, you know this, weren't your parents killed during the battle of Coruscant and how many of our comrades here have lost a brother, a mother, a sister, a father or some other relative , countless, that's why we desire change, a change to prevent another child where ever out there in this infinite galaxy from losing his/her family, a change to prevent them from feeling the pain of losing their loved ones, just as we here would know the pain of losing our friends, the same friends that you've bled with , fought with, went through countless hardships with, so forgive me cross if I seem a little concerned for my peers , for I have no doubt they would've done the same for me." willaim said sternly
" I 'll drink to that", varko said as he raised his glass.
"I'll second that" said kerril as she raised her glass as well, so did the rest at the table.
"To the future and where ever it leads!" Casido clamored
"To the future and where ever it leads !" everyone followed.
…
"What's going on down there?" Commodore Almudin asked. As he stared down at the rowdy cadets from the balcony.
"It's senior cadet Tarkin and his lot" Captain Nettic Whain said, looking almost displeased at the groups sudden outburst.
"Should, I disperse that boisterous group? Nettic asked.
"Nonsense, it's my first time seeing such behavior from the young Tarkin, and his group nonetheless , and most likely their first small offense , they all have a pristine records, good academic scores and the pilots..., some of the best in the academy. I don't even think that 3rd year delinquent Solo could go against Tarkin. What do you think captain? Almudin asked as he continued to stare at the lot.
"Well sir… , solo is a good pilot, one of the best in the academy; but Tarkin, he's in a different league. He strives to be the best , he surrounds himself with the best , someone with such drive and skill would outclass any cadet here." Nettic replied, confident of the young Tarkin's ability.
"Indeed. I've seen the young tarkin perform some maneuvers that even solo would find very ... difficult, I myself wouldn't even take such risk performing those stunts. But those two are extraordinary".
Nettic just gave a nod of approval at the commodore's statement.
"Come now captain, tell me about the preparations for the graduation ceremony" Almudin said as he began to walk away with Nettic in tow.
Meanwhile
Kuat Drive Yards
"Admiral , I can assure you , all modifications that you've asked for can be done in three months at most , but adding 360 degree point defense batteries on the superstructure of the ship will take more time, the electronics and removal of certain important compartments will be inevitable, plus having fully automated point defense batteries is unprecedented you must surely understand...
"I don't want excuses chief engineering zerin, I'm increasing your fees for a reason, you have thousands of engineers and technicians in your crew. I want it done in one month !." Garoche ordered; but as he was about to walk off suddenly stopped.
I can't believe i'm doing this, he thought.
"Come here Mr zerin" Garoche said as he gestured with his hand .
"Look at it this way, if you can modify the ship as i've asked , then i'll make you my personal shipwright , every maintenance and customization contract I have, i'll give to you. You and I both know your employers would be pleased if more income was streaming through their shipyards , so i'll propose a new offer , 36 million credits take it or leave?", he buttered the elderly engineer.
"I'll take it" , zerin said ,now smiling like a mad man
"Good, oh and one more thing, I want the ship to be repainted, preferably black, see to it that it's done". said Garoche ,as he walked off leaving the middle aged man with his mouth a gaped.
"Damn swindler", Garoche murmured with annoyance.