Industrious' Report

Chapter I; The Academy

 Laser fire was in the air, the screams of injured and dying rang out among the chaos. A small girl huddled in the ruins, hoping to survive this slaughter. Just this morning, she had been on her way to the Academy for her final exams. The city had been attacked by the vicious rebellion known only as Red Cell. There were troops from the Military Police, Reaper Battalion, even Combat Engineers. But even they were no match for the Red Cell who kept sending wave after wave of Templars and other unidentified troops from their dropships. Hours it seemed the battle went on, the girl huddling under the ruins of what she now recognized as her neighbor's apartment.

Eventually, everything quieted down. There were no longer screams of civilians trying to escape, the troops had stopped yelling their orders. Injured had stopped crying out, and that was when the girl tentatively looked up from behind her spot. There were many buildings around her on fire, troops were still moving around trying to gather what they could and recoup their wounded. Bodies lay everywhere, smoking from recent laser shots or being stuck down by the vicious Templars.

Slowly she walked from behind the ruins into the open, looking around and observing all the chaos. She was only 14, gazing at the damage and walking toward the troops. Upon reaching them she asked them what had happened, and they only shook their heads and told her she was lucky to be alive. She turned and decided to try finding the Academy if it were still standing. Her teachers would understand what to do, maybe she would still be able to take her exam and be able to enlist in training.

Her home, where she had grown up and known all her life had been destroyed. The rebels showed no mercy to even the civilians trying to stay out of the way and survive their attack. Looking at the bodies, she recognized even a few close neighbors, even being old, still had much to live in their life.

Reaching the Academy, she looked up, it was a miracle it still stood. Entering it cautiously, she peered around to check for any signs of rebels hiding around. Not seeming to find any, she moved through the halls quickly and kept alert for signs of her classmates or teachers. No one seemed to be in the lecture halls or any classrooms for the younger students. But it was then she remembered what they were drilled to do under attack, every week in those halls. Halting, she turned and went to the simulation rooms, where training for basic situations happened and where their safety room was hidden.

Students were gathered around in the room, and she searched to find the familiar face of her teacher. He spotted her first and motioned for her to join him on the side of the room. He sighed with relief when she came over. "I thought you had been caught in the attacks, I don't understand, the planet's defenses should have kept the rebels at bay." He said, "What happened out there, where were you? Industrious I thought you had been killed by those awful imperial traitors." She looked up at him, "I'm fine Mr.Granet, I had to hide in the ruins. It was truly awful what they did. They slaughtered our troops, even the Vanguards couldn't stop their Templars. We were overwhelmed out there, none of them would even tell me what happened after the battle. I came straight here, so many people died.." She turned her head down to stare at her shoes. "The civilians were slaughtered in their homes. Buildings were burned and blown up needlessly. The chaos was unspeakable, I can't describe it. I can't even find the words, but I know what I must do now. I'm sure of it after this morning." There was a determined look in her eyes now as their gazes met. "I'm sure you do, but don't be rash Indust, you know training is hard. Even if you pass the initial training, are you sure you could survive the rest? You've heard the rumors of what they do to cadets," he looked troubled as he spoke. "I don't want you to just be another brilliant mind wasted away in the Imperial Academy." "Sir, this time, I'm going to pass them all and I will get my revenge on the rebellion."