The dreaded day has arrived.  Field training with live fire.  Rumors abound about the sorts of dangers that will be faced.

"I heard one guy stepped on a landmine.  A landmine!  Supposedly the training mines only have enough bang in them to give you a good scare, but they look identical to the real thing so mistakes can happen."

"That's nothing.  I heard the old brass like bring in large game like Reeks or Rancors when the mood strikes them to go 'old school.'  Last year over half a dozen cadets were shredded and one guy got eaten!"

"As the saying goes, 'You don't have to be faster than the Rancor, just faster than the guy next to you.'  But even if they bring in dumb beasts, that wouldn't be the worst of it.  If you've made any enemies at the Achademy, this is their chance to 'accidentally' shoot you.  Watch your back."

But if anyone is caught talking about the exercise they are sharply punished.  Even if they're asking a drill instructor to dispel the rumors.

"Who told you you could ask questions, Cadet?!  Drop and give me twenty!"

One of the cadets, a young man with trimmed, dark hair and a shaggy mustache, glances at the unfortunate cadet doing 'twenty'. He then glances around at the group of cadets gathered about him, eyes wary and keen. When the drill instructor's attention is safely elsewhere, he murmurs to the young man next to him, careful not to turn his head from the forward position.

"Keep a sharp eye, Kurin. We've come this far, we'll make it through this."

Peate nods to Biggs with a grim frown.  "You keep a sharp eye too, buddy."

A voice then booms over the intercom.  "All cadets report immediately to your ground combat trainer.  All cadets report immediately to your ground combat trainer."

The cadets begin to head to their designated lecture halls, usually about 200 to a class.

Biggs follows the rest of his class in the direction of their lecture hall, keeping a wary eye for trouble as they walk. He is not expecting any foul play or dangerous trials yet, but it never hurts to be safe.

OOC: Biggs Darklighter rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Perception.

Biggs spots Hobbie wearing a sleazy smile as he enters the lecture hall, but what else is new?  He also happens to spot a security officer out of earshot of the cadets handing a datapad over to the ground tactics instructor, wearing a wicked grin.  "Look who we've got for the cadets.  Just now."

For the first time ever, the humorless drill instructor stifles a laugh.  "Perfect.  Props to whomever managed to bring him in.  Does the Dean know about this?"

"Is there anything he doesn't know about what goes on around here?  Yeah, yours is the lucky class that gets to be legends before even graduating.  Have fun."

The security guy salutes and heads off.  The instructor moves briskly for the lecture hall podium.

Biggs narrows his eyes as they meet Hobbie's. Somehow that guy just knows how to get under his skin. There's just something about him... But his attention swiftly turns to the instructor, though he is careful not to look directly at the pair conversing. He frowns as they speak of this 'him' who they have brought in. By the sounds of it 'he' is a sentient, so that rules out a rancor or a reek. That's a relief. But then if the instructor has to confirm the Dean's approval, it suggests that it is something worse than the previous years, which includes those creatures. So perhaps not such a relief after all. A dangerous criminal perhaps? A Trandoshan or a Wookiee would be pretty nasty to face off against.

He glances darkly after the security officer as he departs, before turning his attention back to the instructor.

Peate waited inside the lecture hall for Biggs and whispers, "What was that all about?"

But before he can get an answer the drill instructor commands over the P.A. system, "Look lively, cadets.  Take your assigned seats."

Unsurprisingly, Biggs' seat isn't next to anyone he particularly cares for.  Peate exhales in disappointment and heads off to his own seat.

Before everyone is even in the lecture hall, the drill instructor announces, "Everybody heard the order.  'Immediately' does not mean dawdle about and chit-chat.  All who have not made it in here by now will be court martialed for insubordination.  Guards, close the doors and take whomever tries to get in into custody.  Those of you still trying to find your seats will be docked points from your grade.  This is not high school!  Act like men!"

Many a smug look is given to the stragglers hurrying to sit down.

The instructor activates a holo projection of the training grounds.  "Your objective today was to simply capture the flag at this location."

He points at a tower in the center of the academy's mock battlefield.

"However there has been a complication.  Some rebel prisoners that were being temporarily held in our port detention cells have escaped."

Various holo portraits of the rebels are displayed.  Dozens of them.  Including Cupee, Constantine, and Rodger.  Below each face is a long list of crimes.

"They are to be presumed armed and dangerous.  But you will be armed, and you had better be more dangerous.  This is a perfect opportunity for you to prove your worth to the fleet.  You must still capture a flag to pass, but if you can confirm any rebel kill while you're at it, you'll be awarded a bronze star medal - a decorated soldier before even graduating!  But this man..."

The portrait with the longest list of crimes enlarges.  Bren Derlin.  Credited with an estimated 21,875 kills.  https://vignette.wikia.nocooki...st?cb=20080328131308

"...is a traitor to the Empire, a rebel commando commander, and the highest priority target.  The cadet that can take him down will be an instant legend!  Now get out there and make me proud!  Don't let the other classes steal your glory!"

The doors of the lecture hall open and cadets swarm out, eager to be the first to gain the glory.  Hobbie is more cunning, though, and waves over his groupies, organizing them into a squad.  They huddle close to him to listen to his strategy, which he shares far to quietly to be heard from any distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:44, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

Biggs is already at his seat by the time the instructor begins his announcement, and promptly seats himself as instructed. He glances around with a look of concern, but relaxes as he notes that Kurin and Delund are both safely seated. He turns his attention back to the drill instructor, staring grimly at each of the rebel escapees as he takes note of the data available on each. He frowns at Cupee's holo image. Surely she can't be that dangerous? But then he supposes he's known a few jawas in his time who he wouldn't want to have gotten on the wrong side of, and they weren't much bigger than Cupee. The droid looks more dangerous though, and Biggs takes note of its specifications.

Then the image of Bren Derlin enlarges. His eyes widen at the sheer number of beings this man has killed. He wonders whether these beings were all military personnel or if some were innocent civilians. He clasps the grip of his holstered blaster instinctively, before taking a breath and relaxing himself. As the briefing concludes, he rises along with the others, hurrying over to Kurin and Delund. He sends Klivian a suspicious glance as he passes, and finds himself secretly hoping the man and his groupies do run into Bren Derlin first.

"Peate! Jon!" he waves to his own friends as he hurries over to them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:57, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

While the two men approach with glances to Hobbie and his group, and the stampede of exiting cadets, the instructor takes notes on his datapad then exits.

"So I guess everyone's going to the armory first to get weapons," Peate surmises, "How do they expect anyone to prove a kill?  Is this even for real?  After all the rumors, I don't even know if this is some kinda test or if the brass deliberately brought in rebels or if they really did break out of prison."

"How much you wunna bet Hobbie's plan is to let the others do the hard part so he can swoop in and claim that he was the one to finish off the Rebel commando?"

He lowers his voice but his seething rage is palpable, "I've got half a mind to slip that Reb a grenade launcher."

Biggs doesn't try to suppress a grin as Delund mentions arming Bren Derlin against Klivian, but he quickly grows serious, leading the way toward the armory at a brisk jog.

"Speaking of weapons, we'd better get in quick, unless you guys feel like taking on Derlin with nothing better than a couple of EC-17's?"

As they jog he glances at Peate with a grim nod.

"It does seem convenient that these rebels just happen to escape in time for our test. And did you see that furry little bear? Or the kid? Can't imagine what they did to get locked up in a maximum security prison..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:54, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

Peate nods back.  "Can't judge a book by its cover, but if you're going to live by that rule, the same should apply to everyone and everything."

Including the Empire.  But he knows better than to say that out loud in the halls on the way to the Armory.

"I'd rather avoid any confrontation.  And we'll still pass if we don't bump into any Rebs.  Leave the 'glory' for the reckless."

Jon isn't so sure about trusting the Empire's claims about the prisoners either.

"Makes you wonder what they've been told about the crimes we've committed."

Almost at the destination the clamoring crowd of cadets at the entrance to the armory can be heard around the corner.

"Speaking of the glorious reckless," Jon grumbles, "I remember overhearing some spoiled rich kids bragging to one-another that the best weapons and gear is held 'round back.  Grease the a quartermaster's palm and you get your pick of the top-of-the-line stuff.  Anything to get ahead."

When the three arrive, the scene is shockingly chaotic.  Cadets jostling to get ahead of each other, a couple fistfights in progress over who shoved who, security troopers standing by laughing and betting on who'll win, the occasional shot fired from those cadets who managed to get a weapon and are defending themselves from the others who don't have the patience to wait in line for their own.

"I love this part," one of the troopers says as yet another cadet falls to a stun blast, "It's a brilliant way to weed out the weak.  How many of your classmates did you take out when you were in their shoes?"

"Just one," a second trooper answers, "That's why I'm stuck on guard duty.  But beats the heck out of the sanitation assignments given to those who don't take anyone down."

Biggs glances about for a sign of Hobbie. He can just imagine him and his cronies off getting their weapons from a crooked quartermaster as they speak. Still there is nothing for it, and with a deep breath he braces himself and plunges into the jostling crowd.

"Stick with me!" he calls to Peate and Jon as he dodges fists and elbows, gritting his teeth as a one strikes him in the ribs. He doesn't attempt to enter the brawl that has broken out around the rack of E-11 blaster rifles, instead forcing his way towards a cabinet full of SE-14C blaster pistols.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:56, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

Jon takes note of who elbowed Biggs.  While pressing his left arm against Biggs' back, he takes off his belt and uses it to whip the offending cadet across the face!  A foot gets stuck out of the crowd to try and trip up the advance of the trio, but Jon uses his improvised weapon to trap the foot and yoink it off balance!

Peate notices Jon's improvised weapon and frowns grimly.  He takes his own belt off then wraps it firmly around his knuckles.  WHAM!  He flattens the guy trying to get revenge against Jon for the whipping, only take an elbow himself.  SMASH!  That guy gets a face full of leather knuckles!

The trio manage to make it through the crowd and obtain the pistols Biggs was aiming for.  All the weapons have the selector soldered permanently in the "stun" setting, though it wouldn't take much to break the weak weld and be able to select kill.  His pick seems to be the right choice for avoiding any more confrontation with the crowd.  Perhaps they reason that sidearms aren't worth getting shot over, but whatever the reason it's the guys with rifles that have the hardest time keeping them.  A few cadets that got pistols ahead of Biggs take off sprinting for the battlefield.

Hobbie is nowhere to be seen.

Biggs makes sure to grab a second blaster from the crate, just in case.

"All right!" Biggs calls to the others, wiping a smear of blood (he isn't sure whose) from his cheek and hurrying away from the riot as quickly as he can, "Let's see what our instructors have in store for us!"

He keeps as low as he can as he sprints for the nearest cover, keeping a sharp eye for any sign of Hobbie the rebels as he does so.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Tue 16 Oct 2018.