Title: Steel Behind the Smile
Location: Tython – Eternal Alliance Citadel, Officer Academy Evaluation Chamber
Date: 24 BBY – ThreeMonths Before 23 BBY
The stone walls of the Evaluation Chamber on Tython echoed with every word spoken. The chamber, once a meditation hall, had been retrofitted with darkwood desks and high-tier scanning equipment. A full holoprojector hovered over the center, displaying classified service records, criminal complaints, and sealed mission logs.
Cain and Seris sat at the head of the room—no longer just two young warriors, but as founding leaders of a military movement. Their matching tone and seamless conversation had unnerved even the most decorated applicants.
"Lieutenant Harvik Ordo," Cain said, reviewing a dossier. "Republic Security Clearance: A-8, field-deployed to Onderon. Sealed file—Operation Screaming Star. You lied to your men about the civilian bombings."
Harvik stiffened. "We were under orders. I didn't drop the bombs—"
Seris cut in. "But you watched. And said nothing. That's not a leader. That's a bystander."
"I was following—"
Cain leaned forward. "We don't follow orders blindly here. We fight for people."
Harvik's voice caught. He tried to recover, but the room had already moved on.
The next three candidates were no better.
One tried to charm his way past questions. Another brought forged letters of recommendation. A third broke under pressure, trying to justify why they blamed the Jedi or terrorist for every loss.
Each time, Cain and Seris worked together like twin sabers—sharp, swift, and unrelenting.
Cain would ask the hard tactical questions: "What would you do if the chain of command told you to fire on a crowd of unarmed civilians?"
Seris followed with philosophical cuts: "Where do you draw the line between loyalty and complicity?"
Those who failed were escorted out silently.
Cain sighed after the 10 rejection in a row. "I was hoping for a few surprises."
Seris glanced down the list. "Maybe they're saving the best for last."
The door opened.
And in walked the surprise.
Selene Kael
She was young—early twenties, maybe twenty-three. Athletic build, crisp ceremony coat worn with practiced posture. Her short brown hair was swept behind her ears, drawing attention to her striking green eyes and quiet confidence.
She stood straight, hands behind her back. "Selene Kael. Former Captain, 43rd Republic Pathfinder Battalion."
Seris tapped her screen. "No criminal record. Service decorated three times."
Cain leaned forward slightly. "And left the Republic with no listed disciplinary marks. Unusual."
Selene nodded. "Unusual tends to get people suspicious."
Seris narrowed her eyes. "We don't go off what's listed in records. We go off what people show us."
Selene didn't flinch. "Good. That's how it should be."
Cain activated the holodisplay above the table. "Why'd you leave?"
Selene didn't hesitate. "Because the structure was collapsing."
She stepped forward, still perfectly composed.
"Incompetent commanders rose through nepotism, not skill. Too many willing to sacrifice morals and people for political favor. I watched friends get left behind while senators moved career pawns across a board of death."
She looked at both of them.
"So I left. I documented what I could. I exposed who I had evidence on. And I made sure that my exit was clean enough that no one could claim desertion."
Cain glanced at Seris. Seris was already scanning deeper into the sealed attachments—logs, reports, sensor footage. It all checked out.
Selene added, her tone still calm, "There were a few exceptions. Some names earned their stripes. Others learned the hard way and earned my respect. But I won't serve under rot."
Cain studied her. "So what makes you think you can serve here?"
She gave a small, respectful bow. "Because your Alliance is building something better. And because you're not asking people to blindly follow. You're asking them to fight for something real."
Seris raised a brow. "You realize you're under review for a fast-track commission."
"I know," Selene said.
Cain folded his arms. "We could graduate you from the officer academy early—place you directly as a Captain."
Selene smiled, her cheek dimpling slightly. "Respectfully… no, thank you."
Both Cain and Seris blinked.
"I'll accept the officer school," Selene continued, "but I'll earn that rank on the same training floor as everyone else. You don't build a new order by skipping the foundations."
Seris leaned back and let out a small laugh. "Finally."
Cain grinned. "I like her."
Selene offered a half-smile. "I aim to please, sir. Just not suck up."
"Even better," Cain replied. "Welcome to the Alliance, Candidate Kael. Report to the Tython Officer Corps—Group Theta."
Selene snapped into a crisp salute. "With honor."
As she turned and exited, Seris watched her leave and shook her head with a smirk.
Cain spoke first. "She's going to be dangerous."
Seris nodded. "In the best way."
Cain and Seris walked side by side through the grand colonnade of the Citadel, the sun setting beyond the mountain spires. The stone beneath their boots hummed with subtle Force resonance—part of the ancient temple's surviving core.
Cain was quiet for a moment.
"You know, we always said we wanted people who believed in more than orders."
Seris glanced sideways. "And now they're coming."
Cain exhaled slowly. "Yeah… they are."
Seris smirked. "Still think sixteen was too young to start this?"
Cain chuckled. "Not anymore if the adults qont do what needs to be done I will with the people I trust by my side."
Seris leaned forward. "Good we started this together we do this together."