Ask Coruscant Home Sweet Home

[Ceris Odrosess]

"It is a great pleasure to see you again, young Ceris, or should I say, Admiral Odrossess?" The headmaster greeted the now 25 year old Alumna. A rush of nostalgia swarmed Ceris as the scent of the vintage office toyed with her sense of smell. The old man hadn't changed since the last time he was seen either, his circular shades and colorful bowties distinguished himself from others. "Ceris is fine within this space," she responded softly "I will say I didn't expect to return to this dreaded place so soon." She took off her white dress gloves as she approached the headmaster, meeting his hand to shake in the middle. "Dreaded?" He asked, pulling his hand back after the exchange and taking his seat. Ceris would sit across from him "You know what I mean. This place gave me many sleepless nights due to the amount of assignments we were given." She expressed a cheeky grin; the headmaster chuckled "Well it led you to be the summa cum laude of your class, and eventually to where you are now."

The two would spent the next few minutes catching up, and reminiscing about the past until the Headmaster's assistant entered the room. "Admiral Odrosses, the auditorium is ready." Ceris gave a nod and stood up, placed her gloves back on. She was in a well tailored admiral's dress uniform; a long white cape sat on her shoulders with a shined durasteel pauldron seated on the left. The assistant escorted Ceris to the backstage of the auditorium. Peeping through one of the curtains, Ceris took in the sight. She recalled being nervous when she had to give a speech for her own graduation, but this time she felt calm. Her time in service and the sights she has seen has changed her mentally, and she hoped to instill the same confidence into the crowd of Midshipman.

"Ladies and Gentleman," A man announced over a speaker "I know formerly introduce.... an alumna from this very academy who graduated summa cum laude, the only current female Fleet Admiral, AND the youngest individual to achieve the rank of Fleet Admiral since way back in the old republic.. Fleet Admiral Odrosses!" Ceris couldn't help but feel embarrassed by the drawn out introduction, but nevertheless walked on stage and waved to the crowd of students. She approached the podium and adjusted the microphone on stage for a moment. "You may take your seats everyone." Ceris scanned the crowd, observing the faces of many of the students as they sat down, eager to hear from her. "It is my pleasure to return here. I know that many of you were hoping the late chancellor would be the one to show up per tradition, but unfortunately he is at rest. Since the Chancellorship campaign is still underway, I was offered to give the speech to the newly arriving class."

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

The days at the Republic Naval Academy used to be always the same. Wilhelm would wake up, have breakfast, go to class, have a break, go to class, have lunch, go to class, another break, go to another class, have dinner and then finally go to sleep. Sometimes he would have some free time to study, but most of the days were like that. In the end, his life here wasn’t so different from how it was at the Sith Academy.

However, today was going to be different. Annually, the Chancellor would visit the Academy to watch the training of the cadets and to make a speech encouraging them. Since the position was still vacant, this time an ex-student was going to visit the place and make a speech for the cadets. From what Wilhelm heard, her name was Ceris Odrosses and she had recently been promoted as Admiral.

While he waited at the auditorium with the other cadets, Wilhelm studied the situation. He was at the Academy to infiltrate the Republic Navy, meeting a member of such a high position and establishing a connection with them could be very useful for him on this mission. The boy wondered if he would be able to talk with Ceris later.

Then, Wilhelm heard Professor Parr announce that the lecture was going to start and that Ceris was going to talk with them today. When he saw the woman, the Acolyte stared at her impressed. She was younger than he had expected. The boy wondered if he would be able to reach such a high position at this same age, or even younger.

Like the other cadets, Wilhelm rose from his seat while Ceris walked toward the stage. Since she was the Admiral, they needed to show respect for her. He sat when she said that they could do it and paid close attention to the speech that was going to happen. Perhaps she could explain how she reached such a high position so fast.

@Altaria

 

[Ceris Odrosess]

"Some of you may know about me already. For those of you that don't, it is just as my introduction was said. I too sat in the very seats you were sitting in, exactly seven years ago. I know all the struggles you will face here: room inspections, physical training, sleepless nights, and the time away from your family. I say this to show you that you too can accomplish the same things I've done." The projector board would turn on, showcasing many holographic photos of Ceris throughout her time in Service. They started out with the day of her graduation, and then photos she took on different planets. A warm-smiled young girl in uniform with long white hair that was always a hassle to brush. "I assume many of you would like to know how I earned my position at a blazing speed. It's simple really: just go out and do it." She scanned the room and saw a few confused faces, to which she continued "No seriously, just do something. Volunteer for everything, get up and study, sit in the front of your class, be the first to raise your hand... just be the first to want to go do something."

Ceris pointed throughout the crowd "I guarantee I had more volunteering hours in my brief time at this academy, then all of you combined. I also guarantee I've spent more time in the library than all of you combined. That level of commitment is what is needed to be like me." Ceris stopped speaking and scanned the crowd once more, but with her eyebrow raised. She was waiting for something, but the silence of the room was beginning to get awkward. "So is anyone going to ask me a question?"

A few hesitant hands creeped up and Ceris grinned. She pointed towards a Zeltron girl in the front row, "Go ahead." The girl quickly stood up and proposed her question "What is it like being a Fleet Admiral?" The girl sat back down as quickly as she stood up. "Well, I haven't done much, but so far it's been great. I pretty much can do whatever I want since I'm in control of an entire fleet. Currently only six men can really tell me what to do: the three Grand Admirals, the Secretary of the Navy, the Minister of Defense, and the Chancellor." Ceris pointed towards a male in the far back of the room this time. "Fleet Admiral, what is your favorite type of ship?" So far the questions have been pretty easy.. "Ah, probably any type of Carrier. I love having a lot of starfighters at my disposal; many people mistakingly believing that having one giant ship is the best. However, if you are able to take control of the surrounding space, then the battle will surely be won."

"How many of you come from military families or backgrounds?" Ceris asked to the crowd. There were a good amount of hands raised. She looked through the crowd, trying to see anyone of interest; her eyes stumbled upon a fairly average looking young boy. Tall, black hair, sharp jawline, but seemed to have a sense of arrogance over his face. Ceris pointed towards him "Tell me about yours."

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Wilhelm wasn’t the only one that was paying close attention to what Admiral Odrosses was saying. Other students around him were also focusing all their attention on the woman at the stage. However, not everyone was focused on her. There were some that were sleeping, while others were gossiping through their Datapads. The Acolyte knew that these would not be a problem, they didn’t have any ambition.

When Ceris mentioned that she reached her position by always taking the initiative to be the first in everything. Wilhelm knew very well how it was. It was the same strategy that he used since he was still part of the Sith Academy. He tried to impress his fellow students and professors, the next step would be to be more committed to the activities that the Academy made with the community. Winning the hearts of the citizens was also a good strategy.

Then, the Admiral started to answer the questions of some students. While he had some of his own, Wilhelm wanted to ask them in private. The boy saw the others around him as rivals and he didn’t want them to use his ideas.

Like many other students, Wilhelm raised his hand when Ceris asked who came from military families. While his origins were considered unnerving by many members of the Republic, the Acolyte didn’t felt ashamed by them. He needed to act as if he disliked it, but in reality his only complaint about the Tarkin of the past was that they were fool when choosing their side.

To his surprise, Ceris turned to him and asked about his background. The Acolyte didn’t expect that it was going to happen, but it could be a good opportunity for him. He rose from his seat and acted nervously, as if he didn’t want to do it. “Hello.” he muttered, while looking to the ground. It gave the impression that he wasn’t comfortable to talk. All of that was fake, to sell the idea of being a good boy that regretted the actions of his ancestors. “I’m Wilhelm Tarkin and some of my ancestors worked in the military. You of course heard about them.”

@Altaria

 

[Ceris Odrosess]

The room couldn't have been any more silent upon the young boy's response. Ceris stared at the boy intently. Although her expression was neutral, she found humor in the smallness of such a wide-spread galaxy. There she was, speaking to a young boy whose ancestor destroyed her grandparent's home. There was no ill-intent towards the boy, as the destruction of Alderaan didn't affect her at all. "Indeed I have. Although the term 'heard' undermines the academic history I have with the name." she responded. Ceris preyed on him, waiting to catch a glimpse into his eyes; she reads them well. "If the apple truly does not fall far from the tree, I'm sure I will hear your name again."

Whether he carried the same level of genius or ruthlessness, the boy had the potential to be a threat, but one of no concern in the moment. "Anyone here come from Alderaanian descent?" she asked as a segway. Ceris knew the boy would know what is up. A decent amount of hands were raised. "My family comes from a long line of Alderaanian Nobles. I too come from a militaristic background as some of you. Use the resources you have to help you throughout your career. Ask your family members that have prior service. All of your instructors have served as well and can offer great insight. With that being said, I have a challenge to all of you, and the winner will get an extraordinary prize."

The classroom was immediately filled with 'oohs' and 'aahs'. Ceris smiled and continued on "The student within this class that finishes the semester with the highest GPA, will be given a complete tour, by yours truly, of any ship within my command." Excitement grew within the crowd, Ceris raised her hand to regain their attention "On top of that, whoever is granted the title of summa cum laude will be immediately given the rank of Lieutenant and be my personal junior officer." A few students jumped with excitement. It was an extremely promising offer, to a student at leastatleast and surely a few more individuals would be motivated to increase their performance. Ceris waived them goodbye and walked off the stage the way she entered.

The Headmaster met her in the hallway "Quite the extravagant offer Admiral... were you forthright?" Ceris waved him off "When am I not? Regardless, I would like to walk the grounds one last time before I leave. Care to join?" "I'll pass," the Headmaster responded "I have work to intend to you know!" The two shared a quick chuckle and handshake before separating.

Ceris made her way to the Arboretum behind the the large library building that stood within the left corner of the campus. It was her favorite place to study, as it was both lively and clear of distractions. The library was too dull for her taste, with it's gray color scheme and simplistic decor. She walked through the garden, taking in the sights and smells which were forgotten over time. It was refreshing, and reminded Ceris of the youthful innocence she once had.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Wilhelm had expected that the Admiral would look at him with hatred, but she seemed to be calm, as if the revelation of his surname didn’t affect her at all. He knew that she was a New Alderaanian and probably had ancestors that survived the destruction of Alderaan. While he said his name because she had asked, the Acolyte had used it as an opportunity to study her reactions.

He was already seeking possible weakness that the woman could have and could discard hatred because of the destruction of Alderaan. This also showed that she would not hold a grudge against him. The last thing that he wanted was to have an Admiral hating him. This would force him to eliminate her, when Wilhelm only wanted to have an important ally.

After she finished talking with him, Wilhelm sat again. He ignored the speech of the Admiral with the descendants of Alderaanians. Most of them hated the Acolyte, or at least felt unease with his presence. It seemed that they didn’t understand that he wasn’t the Tarkin that ordered the Death Star to fire on Alderaan. Even if he was the Grand Moff at the time, he would have chosen another option. There were more ways to punish a planet than destroying it. Mass murder only creates martyrs and give more fuel to the enemy.

His attention would return to the Admiral when she announced her challenge and the prize. While the other students made their ‘ooh’ and ‘aahs’, a smile appeared on the boy’s lips. He would be the one with the highest GPA. He was already studying for it, now the idea of receiving a tour through any ship would make him study the double.

However, the icing of the cake was the offer of being a Lieutenant and personal junior officer of the Admiral if receiving the title of summa cum laude. If he aimed to be remembered, this was his greatest opportunity. As soon as this meeting was finished, the Acolyte would start to study. He needed to grasp this opportunity before anyone else.

Once Ceris left the stage, they were dispensed. Since he didn’t have more classes today, Wilhelm had moved away from the others. While he wanted to talk with the Admiral alone, the Acolyte preferred to study immediately. If he succeeded in the challenge, the boy would have all the time to talk to her.

With his Datapad in his hands, the boy walked toward the Arboretum. There he would have peace to study alone and would be close to the library if he wanted to pick some books. Although, he had many of them saved inside his Datapad.

To his surprise, when he arrived at the Arboretum, Wilhelm saw that the Admiral was walking around the place. Seeing that it could be an opportunity, the Acolyte opened a digital book about Astrography in his Datapad and started to walk while reading it. Acting as if he didn’t see her, the boy would sit on a stone bench located in a part of the path through where she would need to pass.

Like a fisherman, he set his bait for her. If she approached and talked with him, it would give him the opportunity to turn her into an important acquaintance. If she ignored him, then he would see that she really has a grudge with him.

@Altaria

 

[Ceris Odrosess]

After briefly taking in the scenery, Ceris turned to make her way out of the Arboretum, hoping to leave before anyone could bother her. Unfortunately her hope faded with the young Tarkin boy sitting within her sights. She studied him for a moment, before approaching for some fun.

Hands rested behind her back, she engaged the boy "Quite the coincidence to run into each other like this, would you agree Mr. Wilhelm?" The Admiral bent over to put her face closer and to an equal plane as his. With a smile she continued "I know I'm charming, but I don't appreciate a stalker." Ceris really didn't know whether or not she was followed, but she enjoyed teasing people. "Besides, I'm not interested in teenagers." The Admiral tilted her head downward to read Wilhelm's data pad. "Astrography... studying immediately?" She tilted her head back up to face him again, "You want to be in my company so badly?" Ceris pulled back and readjusted herself and laughed. "Keep that cute face of yours and maybe you have a chance once your older."

Reaching into her pocket, Ceris pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "I hope you don't mind, it's become a bad habit recently." She pulled one out and put the pack back in her pocket. "Oh, but I can't offer you one sadly" she teased as she lit the cigarette, put it to her lips, inhaling, and letting out a puff of smoke. The flirtatious and happy expression quickly turned dull "Go ahead. Ask away." Ceris glared down condescendingly as she spoke.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

While he read the book on his Datapad, Wilhelm could feel the Admiral's eyes on him. If he wasn’t wanting to pass off as being oblivious to her presence, the Acolyte would have smirked. She had seen his bait and was now contemplating if she should bite it. This situation reminded him of the fragment of a poem. "'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the Spider to the Fly."

Then, he felt through the Force that the woman was approaching him. She had bitten the bait and was now coming to his net. Rather than turning to look at her, Wilhelm remained reading his Datapad. The Acolyte would allow her to talk first to him, then he would act as surprised by their meeting as she probably was.

When she started to talk with him, Wilhelm would turn to look at her with a smile on his lips. However, he would really blush when she mentioned that he had a cute face. No one ever said something like that to him before and it made him stay in silence for some seconds, while staring at the Admiral.

“I was only wanting to study.” he said, after having recovered. “I like to study alone outside and since it’s close to the library, I can have easy access to the holobooks.” he justified his presence here at the Arboretum. He turned to look at the text of Astrography that he was reading. “I really want to win this challenge. With this opportunity, I can work for the good of the Republic and compensate for what my family did in the past.” he turned to look at her. His face was full of determination. “I want to prove that I’m not Wilhuff Tarkin.” this was true. The Acolyte would be better than the Grand Moff.

“I don’t mind.” he said, while seeing her take a cigarette and start to smoke it. Even if she could give one to him, Wilhelm would not accept. Smoking wasn’t something that he liked to do, at least for now. He noticed the change in her demeanor when she said that he could make questions. “How is your work as an admiral?”

@Altaria

 

[Ceris Odrosess]

Ceris wasn't really impressed with the boy's response; it was obviously the 'correct' thing to say, but she knew very well herself that the outward projection rarely matched the inner film through which it was projected. Ceris took another puff on her cigarette before answering the question, "The work is alright. It's the next step in my long-time goals."

The Admiral looked up and pointed to the sky "Every time I look up to the stars and other planets abroad, I think of the time Alex the Greatest wept and said: 'have I not good cause to weep, that being as there are an infinite number of worlds, I am not yet the lord of one?'" Her hand opened up as if she was reaching out "Everything always seems to be just out of my reach." Ceris brought her hand back down and looked back at Wilhelm "but I guess that is just what dreams are made for, that is, made to be chased."

Ceris dropped her cigarette to the ground, and smothered it with the bottom of her shoe. "Sooner or later everyone will forget about your ancestor, and the well-being of the Republic is really an after-thought. Chase what you truly desire, unless you wish to live in the shadow of your ancestor the rest of your life. What else ya got kid?"

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Ceris' answer to his question wasn’t exactly what he expected. It was even better. Wilhelm had thought that she would explain what she used to do as an Admiral, her administration of the fleet and the battles that she participated in. However, the woman gave him much more than simple military stories. She told him her ambitions and what she aimed to do with her position.

It wasn’t so different from what he wanted. While he aimed to make a legacy for himself, one that went beyond the one left by his ancestors, the Admiral wanted power beyond his position. From what he could notice of the woman, she seemed to be very ambitious like him. Perhaps not with the same disposition to make it come true, preferring to make it remain "as a dream to be chased" , as herself had said.

However, the Acolyte would not remain the rest of his life chasing dreams. He would make them come true. Perhaps this revelation about the Admiral could help him achieve his goals. Ceris could become his ally if he could give her the power that she wanted. Wilhelm could have found her weakness after all, her ambition. Next time that he meets his Master, the boy would tell him about it.

"Thank you for the advice, Admiral." he said, while smiling at her. What she said was exactly what he was going to do. He would chase his dreams and make them come true. When she asked if he had something else to say, Wilhelm showed to her the page about Astrography on his Datapad. "Well, maybe you could teach me some of the things that you learned about it? I like to learn from different sources."

@Altaria

 

[Ceris Odrosess]

Ceris leaned forward slightly to read the datapad and then returned to her normal position. "Well to spew off a few things I remember from that class specifically.... we're in a SBa galaxy that's 120,000 light years across, roughly 400 billion stars, 200 billion planets, 10% of those planets developed life, and 1 out of a 1000 of those planets developed sentient life..." Ceris rubbed her chin trying to think of what else to say, but that was pretty much what she could remember about the class. "I really don't do much involving astrography, that's more so the job of an astrographers mate and those that work the navigation computers. Really I just need to know the hyperspace lanes."

brrzt brrzt​

"ugh give me one moment.." Ceris pulled her phone out of the pocket, looking at the screen with a dissatisfied expression. It was a Holonet News notification about the Republic securing a truce with the Empire. Ceris knew Xerses sought peace, but she didn't expect it to occur this quickly. The news left a sour-taste in her mouth, and she knew Brum wouldn't be too happy with it either. Almost immediately she received a phone call from him and so she put the phone to her ear. "Yes?"

For a few minutes Ceris sat there, just listening to what her mentor had to say. She worked with the Grand Admiral for a few years, maintaining a sort of love-hate/father-moody daughter relationship. Ceris was always up for whatever task he wanted her to get done, and she knew that he would always watch her back. Brum was planning on talking to the Chancellor, and finished his call simply with "take care of things from here on out." The two hung-up and Ceris placed the phone back in her pocket.

"Looks like I got somewhere to be." Ceris offered a nod to the boy and began her exit, briefly turning around for a moment. "Young Tarkin, come find me if you succeed. I'll show you what it is you need to know. Don't waste my time with failure." Ceris waved and continued out of the arboretum.

@LouJoVi

 

[Wilhelm Tarkin]

Wilhelm watched Ceris lean to read what he was showing to her on his Datapad. When she started to talk, the Acolyte turned the device back to him and started to type here what she was saying. It wasn’t anything new to him, he was good with Astrography. However, the opportunity to have an Admiral of the Republic teaching him was too good to ignore, even if he already knew what was being taught.

He was going to ask her about hyperspace lanes when her phone started to ring. The Acolyte nodded when she asked for him to give her a moment and continued to type on his Datapad. While he did it, Wilhelm would continue to pay attention to the Admiral’s emotions through the Force. Whatever she was reading on it, was making her dissatisfied. He wondered what it could be.

Then, she received a call from someone. Ceris said nothing, which made the Acolyte a bit frustrated. He was curious to know what could have made the Admiral react this way. At this point, he wanted to have the hearing of an Sephi or of an Annfyn, perhaps this way he would be able to hear what the person was saying to her.

“Yes, Admiral. You’ll see how next time that we meet, I’ll have the highest GPA of the semester.” Wilhelm said to her, with a smile on his lips. Failure was never an option to him. He wanted to fulfill his dream and for that he couldn’t fail. “It was good to meet you.” he said, before the woman walked away.

Now he had much to do, he would tell about what happened during this meeting with his Master and would study to win Ceris’ challenge. As he had said to the Admiral, the next time that they saw each other he would have the highest GPA.

@Altaria