1: From Skystrike to Mandalore Part 1

(Imperial Lambda-Class T4a Shuttle Tydirium, Mandalore, Mandalore System, Mandalore Sector, Outer Rim Territories)

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Ionas Vonreg, was a model Cadet, having received commendations, citations, and record setting marks while at Skystrike Academy, even earning temporary rotations to Corulag, Arkanis, Raithal, and Carida. Yet for all his good and hard work the inescapable truth of his species being a Near-Human/Human Hybrid meant he faced Racial discrimination from instructors and fellow cadets alike. One instructor at Skystrike, there was only one who didn't judge him based on his Pantoran Blood.

And thanks to said instructor his Academy destination was changed to Mandalore. A last minute save if you will. Mandalore was a step-down so to speak in his Goal of becoming an Elite Imperial Navy TIE Fighter Pilot, but it wasn't a career ender by any means. Especially when one took into consideration that his Cadets Armor bore the Gold Marks of The 121st Carida Aces proudly. The 121st Academy Carida Aces were elite students whose skills stood far above the rest, those marks were testaments to their skill in the cockpit and their sheer tenacity.

He might no longer be at Carida, but He'll bear those marks proudly until the day he dies or is shot down, like any true Imperial Navy TIE Fighter Pilot. He knew that while not as bad as his pre-academy training at the Prefsbelt Fleet Camp or Royal Imperial Academy of Coruscant, he would still likely face Racial discrimination from instructors and certain cadets.

The only reason he got into the Academy Systems more prestigious Institutes was due to his grandfather's political connections. But in saying that it was his skills as a pilot that saw him not get thrown out based on his Species.

The Shuttle began it's descent into Mandalore's atmosphere signifying that the show was almost ready to begin.....

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(Imperial Academy of Mandalore, Mandalore, Mandalore System, Mandalore Sector, Outer Rim Territories)

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(Ionas Vonreg POV)

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As he disembarked from the Shuttle he saw a line of Cadets on either side of Viceroy Gar Saxon, the Imperial Governor of Mandalore and Leader of the Mandalorian Clan Saxon. At the Entrance ramp was a line of Imperial Supercommandos, Mandalorian Stormtroopers. Stood beside Saxon was Imperial Academy Commandant, Rook Kast.

''Welcome to Mandalore Cadet Vonreg, Lieutenant Commander Skeris spoke highly of your skills as a Pilot. I hope his Faith and his Praise was not misplaced.'' Says Saxon.

''Despite the attempts at career Sabotage, my record as a cadet speaks for itself Governor. I earned a place as an Elite Cadet in Carida Academies, 121st Academy Ace Squadron, receiving the designation CA-121-02. I expanded upon my otherwise purely Imperial pilots training to include Stormtrooper training at Raithal to give me the tools needed to survive in the event that I was shot down in enemy territory. I was the winner of The Belt three years running consecutively. I Earned everything I was given Governor, and I dare to say you as a People of Such a storied history and distinguished Warrior tradition understand that better than anyone else save the Emperor.'' Ionas responds.

''Your Confidence and knowledge speaks well of you Cadet. Commandant Kast, As a Cadet with such a record it is advisable that Cadet Vonreg receive customized training to further hone his talents." Governor Saxon speaks.

''Governor, forgive my insubordination but I'd prefer not to receive special treatment, such a thing is detrimental to The cohesion of a group, and may inadvertently disrupt the routines that advance a student here.'' Says Ionas.

Saxon and Kast exchange glances before Saxon nods his acquiescence.

''Cadet Wren provide Cadet Vonreg with a tour of the Academy before showing him to his assigned bunk." Says Kast.

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''And this is the Flight Simulator. Every Cadet receives three weeks of instruction in here before their practical assessment.'' Cadet Wren speaks.

''At Carida they stuck us in a Zero-gs simulator, combined with the Naturally higher than average gravity you get hit with after stepping out of the Simulator and most of my group struggled to adapt before they flunked out. And most of those were the allegedly most promising students.

''Tell me something, your from the Vonreg Family yet judging by the stance of Governor Saxon your clearly only part human?'' Asks Cadet Wren.

''My mother is Pantoran, a daughter of Baron Papanoida. My father loved mother enough to acknowledge me. And thus despite my Mixed Blood, My father has been trying to make the most of me. You can surely imagine just what it is that I'm talking about.'' Says Ionas remembering his Father's all too frequent talks with The Tagge family about arranging a match between the Lady Domina and him in order to profit off the fact that Pantora was rather conveniently placed smack dab in the middle of the Llanic Spice Run and Five Veils Route.

"Sounds Rough." Despite the lack of being able to see Cadet Wren's Facial Features, it's clear his guide is amused and is being sarcastic.

''Can I see? I'm curious what a Hybrid looks like?'' Asks Cadet Wren.

''Not here, show me to my quarters Cadet. There we'll indulge in revelations.'' Says Ionas as he's curious what gender Cadet Wren is under all that Beskar. Mandalorian Armor - even the Imperial Mandalorian Armor which had Beskar in it - was designed in the way that obscured the wearers gender. And Really the only way one would know there was a woman under the Beskar would be because they had a really prominent chest.

To be completely honest, though he had a strong preference for women he wasn't opposed to men, of course not many people knew that...nor did they need to know that either....

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Ionas wasn't too surprised to find he was in his own private rooms, away from the other Cadets. He didn't particularly mind it though, he valued his solitude and privacy.

Standing there in his private chambers he watched Cadet Wren remove her Helmet.

''Cute.'' He sums up his thoughts of the brown haired Cadet.

''Now you.'' Says Wren with the slightest tint of pink to her cheeks, amounting amounting to the very smallest of blushes.

Despite a residual reluctance to do it, a deals a deal and he slowly removes his helmet.

Reaching out Sabine traces the Markings on his face, the Pantoran Tattoos to symbolize his maternal heritage and the bits of blue in his cheeks.

''I expected more color.'' Cadet Wren remarks.

In response he shrugs off his flightsuit to reveal an ice colored blue tint on his arms, which had significantly detailed Tattoos on them. Mostly Pantoran, but there were a Few Academy Symbols and personal designs there.

The hunger in her eyes is unmistakable.

''Your body is a work of art.'' Says Wren.

''Pantoran's place a premium on color and Tattoos. Each one is placed on our Body because it has a particular Story to tell. I have Academy Symbols from my pre-academic training as well as during said training. But you also have the To realize that this is intrinsically linked to our culture of artistic expression. I may only be a Hybrid but I will honor my heritage.'' Says Ionas.

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(Sabine Wren POV)

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Cadet Vonreg had an expressive side. He Inked his body in memory of his Pantoran Heritage, but still did it in a manner that made it uniquely him.

Sabine would be lying if she said she wasn't curious what else he was hiding under that shirt....in a purely artistically involved mindset of course!

His Arms bore scars that Sabine recognized to be from vibroblades, live ammunition, and improvised Explosive materials. She was just that kind of Mando.

''Who did this?'' Asks Sabine, tracing her fingers across a particularly nasty scar.

''Senior Raithal Instructor took offense to my Pantoran Heritage, had my fellow cadets beat me, before carving his own Vibroblade into my skin as a reminder. Father had it treated, but I kept the scar, so that someday I could carve an exact copy into my abusers.'' Says Vonreg.

''Is such pettiness worth it?'' Asks Sabine.

''Perhaps not, but I swore a Vow to carve one into each Cadet still alive by the time I started. I can't leave it on the shelf.'' Says Cadet Vonreg....