The Lantilles Officers' Assembly was impressive at first glance — vast panoramic windows, a polished stone floor that shimmered under the lights, rare woods, crystal, leather furniture, and ornate interiors — everything practically screamed opulence and luxury.
Ilius Terbon, appointed to the position of Moff — commander of the Twelfth Sector Army Azure Spear — had spared no expense, generously "repurposing" a luxurious two-story restaurant in the heart of one of the planetary megacity's districts for the Fleet's use.
The first floor, located a hundred meters above the ground in one of the skyscrapers, was reserved for junior officers, while the second floor — with a vast transparent section in its center — belonged to senior command staff.
As before the war, the Officers' Assembly remained the main gathering place for the Navy's personnel. Access to it was considered a privilege to be earned. It wasn't publicized, but many important strategic — and particularly personnel — matters were decided here, in an informal setting, over a bottle or two of expensive wine.
On the first floor, a group of freshly commissioned midshipmen and second lieutenants were celebrating the start of their service, excitedly rehashing the day's events. Those who had missed the remarkable spectacle listened in awe to the accounts of those who had witnessed it firsthand. The young officers, who had become unwitting spectators to the starship skirmish, were already a little tipsy.
At one of the tables sat a group of friends who had been inseparable since their first year at the Academy.
"And yet, I still think it was a planned action!" Sumeragi Li Noriega, a second lieutenant and the best student in the course, shook her mane of luxurious red hair "It couldn't have been a coincidence! There was barely any time between dropping out of hyperspace and opening fire! Even the guns were already trained on the enemy!"
"Now, now, little one!" Ensign Grace O'Connor teased playfully. "If you say so, we'll take your word for it! Just don't frown like that — it doesn't suit you."
Sumeraqi shot her petite friend a look full of indignation.
"Grace, that's why you're still only a midshipman — try being serious for once!"
The dark-skinned Zeltron laughed, stretching languidly. Her uniform fit her more-than-decent figure quite well, and her white hair naturally emphasized the rich color of her skin.
"Girls, don't fight over trifles," Christen Mirro said carelessly, waving a hand as he clutched a glass of salastian. "Let's drink instead!"
"Chris, I think you've had enough," Lichtendal Cerri remarked reproachfully.
"Heartless bastard!" Chris threw up his hands dramatically. "And this comes from my best friend..."
"You're remarkably perceptive, my dear friend," the second lieutenant replied with a smile. "I really don't have a heart — just like any proper Atoan."
Sumera silently watched yet another argument between her friends, knowing full well they'd make up soon enough. The probability of that happening, by her estimate, was ninety-nine point seven percent.
***
Leaving the speeder taxi, Ahsoka and I headed for the entrance to the restaurant where the Officers' Assembly was located. A very real doorman stood by the doorway, but he didn't dare stop us — we looked too confident, too sure of ourselves.
Inside, I took in the lavish interior. Decadent Europe decays so beautifully...
"Snips, you should probably stay down here among the young officers. I've got dull conversations with old men like myself ahead, and you'll be bored..."
"You're not old, Master!"
"There, you said it yourself!"
Those anime eyes really suit her, I swear.
"Whe-en?" the Togruta protested. "I never said that!"
"Okay, okay, I'm joking. Don't be bored."
Patting the Togruta on the shoulder, I made my way to the stairs leading to the second floor.
***
Meanwhile, Chris stopped his antics, leaned over the table, and whispered conspiratorially:
"Look who just walked in!"
The young officers turned toward the entrance, where a striking pair had just entered — a man of about twenty-five wearing unfamiliar armor, and a small, twelve- or thirteen-year-old Togruta girl also dressed in something that resembled armor.
"Jedi?!" Sumeragi whispered, noticing the lightsabers hanging from their belts.
"No way!" Chris replied. "Are they really Jedi?"
Indeed, the two didn't fit the typical image of monastic Jedi — they looked more like soldiers or bounty hunters.
A moment later, the pair split up: the man clapped the Togruta on the shoulder and headed upstairs, while the girl strode confidently into the hall.
"Be right back!" Grace exclaimed, darting from the table. Her friends could only watch as the Zeltron approached the young girl with purpose. After a brief exchange, the two returned together.
"Gentlemen!" O'Connor announced with a playful bow. "Allow me to introduce this lovely creature — Ahsoka Tano! And these are my friends: Sumeragi, Lichtendal, and Chris."
The Togruta took the empty seat and greeted them politely.
"Good evening!"
"May I ask who you are and what brings you to our gathering?" Chris inquired.
"I'm the Padawan of Jedi Knight Mikore Vikt," Ahsoka said proudly. "We arrived this morning to reinforce the troops. Commander Rinaun invited the Master, and I just tagged along."
"So you're the one who destroyed the Separatist frigate today?" Sumeragi asked eagerly, studying the Togruta. "How did you manage to catch the enemy off guard? The battle lasted less than a minute! According to statistics—"
"Don't mind her, Ahsoka," Sumeragi went into a frenzy, but was unceremoniously interrupted by O'Connor. "Sumeragi's brilliant, but sometimes too brilliant — she's a Fondorian, even if not pure-blooded. Her brain works faster than anyone else's, but she's such a nerd!" Grace laughed.
"Oh, that reminds me of someone! Exactly — my Master." The Togruta pointed toward the ceiling. "He's so smart — always reading something or talking with clones about the most complicated things."
"Just like our Sumeragi! Always in the library or the simulator," O'Connor chuckled.
"Two peas in a pod!" Ahsoka agreed brightly.
"Gr-r-race!" Sumeragi hissed.
The two young men couldn't hold back their laughter. Chris was shaking with barely contained amusement. It seemed the two girls had definitely found a common wavelength.
Fortunately, a droid waiter approached the table at that moment.
"What would you like, officers?" the android asked in a velvety tone.
"Fruit juice, please. And... cakes!" Ahsoka declared.
"Oh, they make excellent cream cakes here! That's settled — I'll have the same!" Grace clapped her hands.
A short while later, Sumeragi stared at the rapidly disappearing pile of pastries, unable to fathom how a girl and a child could consume so many sweets — and yet, with such a diet, both maintained perfect figures. The contradiction puzzled the second lieutenant deeply, defying all logic and common sense.