Chapter 39: > Be me

The shuttle's ramp lowered with a hiss, and the familiar stench of Korriban hit me like a slap, a mix of dust and ancient secrets. Stepping onto the cracked surface, I stretched my arms high above me, feeling every muscle protest the confines of the long journey we'd just endured. Beside me, Sola elegantly walked with the grace of a movie star on the red carpet, while Zenna seemed more like a shadow.

I glanced sideways at Zenna, who drifted away with only a nod, her silence as loud as a tolling bell. It wasn't like her to hold back words, but since we'd dropped the truth bomb on her, she'd clammed up. Not in a cold-shoulder way, but the quiet of someone chewing on a puzzle with pieces that didn't quite fit.

'I imagine she's still processing.'

"Hey," Sola whispered, sidling up to me, a mischievous glint in her hazel eyes. Her hand found mine, sending a jolt up my arm that had nothing to do with the Force. "You look like you need some waking up."

Before I could respond, her lips pressed against mine, an incredibly bold French kiss right in public. It's incredibly embarrassing, but still, the corners of my mouth betrayed me, curving into a half-smile despite the exhaustion clinging to my bones.

Zenna made a very bitter face, and suddenly, I felt very uncomfortable with the smooch. She turned away, disgust written on the rigid line of her shoulders, and walked away.

Sola pulled back, her laughter a melody that danced on the arid breeze. "Gotta go talk to my parents. They called for me earlier," she said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"Of course," I said, my voice low, knowing the weight of family expectations that rested on her shoulders.

"Don't wait up," she teased, her smile lighting up her face in a way that made the harsh landscape momentarily fade. "See you tonight."

"Can't wait," I replied honestly.

'I really hate being away from you.'

Alone now, I looked towards the towering spires of the Academy, feeling the pull of destiny or maybe just the excitement of a shared living space that genuinely felt 50/50.

I casually walked through the thrumming energy of Korriban as everyone seems to be returning from their Life Day break. Everyone whispering about how surprised they are about Artus Prime. Weirdly everyone acts like they had it coming.

The Academy's tower loomed before me, a dark man-made monolith against the crimson sky, and I found my gaze drawn upwards, lost in thought as I walked.

"Hey, watch it!" A voice jolted me back to the present as I collided with a solid form. Instinctively, I reached out a hand to steady the owner of the voice, a woman, and saw a datapad clatter to the ground.

"Fuck, Sorry," I mumbled, already crouching to retrieve the device. She laughed. A clear, unfazed sound that felt out of place among the whispers of power and treachery that seemed to permeate the air itself.

"Clumsy much?" she teased, bending down beside me. Her green eyes sparkled with mischief, almost as if the collision was the most amusing part of her day.

"I guess?" I chuckled, handing her the datapad. My fingers brushed the screen, and I paused. My eyes almost popped out of my head.

"No fucking way."

There it was, the unmistakable layout of space 4chan, the galaxy's cesspool of memes, shit posts, and funny blue texts. I couldn't help but grin. It was the only thing that genuinely felt like my old home in a good way. Along with the Subways and Quiznos franchises, all over the place on Ares II.

"Space 4chan? Didn't expect to find a fellow connoisseur of galactic shit posts here." I quirked an eyebrow, genuinely curious and a little excited to meet someone with similar interests.

"Guilty as charged," the redhead admitted with a smirk. "It's a nice distraction from all the... intensity around here."

"The killing, conniving, and overall treachery?" I asked sarcastically. We stood there for a moment, swapping titles of threads and our favorite memes, reveling in the shared camaraderie of 4chan.

'I bet this bitch can't triforce.' I condescendingly think down her.

"Never would have pegged someone like you to be a comrade in arms." She commented, amusement dancing in her voice like a secret between us.

"Someone like me?" I laughed. "Lady, I spent the first thirteen years of my life trying to convince people Togruta cum is good for your skin."

An awkward air surrounds us.

"Is it not?" Her face was full of betrayal.

"Uhhh, no, no, it totally is." I lie in a panic.

She laughed awkwardly and then gave me a friendly smile that seemed disarmingly out of place amidst Korriban's usual atmosphere of suspicion and dread. "I'm Rana Arkiss, fifth year."

"Vex Eras, first year," I said, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

"Ara Ara, Feel free to call me senpai if you want," she added, with a playful tilt of her head.

The word hit me like a stray blaster bolt.

'Senpai? Ara Ara? Seriously? I fucking hate this version of Star Wars. I curse the god that made Korriban into an anime school hell hole. None of this makes sense. Star Wars isn't supposed to be like this. Where the fuck are the tie fighters!'

I felt like this would go easier if I just played along. Plus, she fucked with keybed loth-cat. "Sure thing... senpai," I managed, the word tasting awkward on my tongue.

"Nice to meet you, Vex," she said, her grin widening. "And don't worry, I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty more of me."

"Looking forward to it, senpai," I lied, hiding my internal cringe behind a practiced facade of indifference.

'No chance I'll see this girl again. The fifth years and first years hardly ever interact.'

"Oh, I'm sure you are, Vex Eras." Her laughter rang out, light and airy, yet it carried a weight that left an unsettling echo in my mind as she walked away.

'I've gotta stop talking to strangers. Even the droids, they're all like this.' I curse the outer god further.

*****

Peeling away layers of clothing and tech from my overstuffed luggage, I scatter them across the bed Sola and I share. The room feels like a sanctum.

'My god, how many firsts have I had here? I should make sure they throw out the bed when we're done with it.'

Suddenly, a distant thud from the suite's entrance jolts me, sending a ripple of curiosity through my tired frame. A sound far louder than Zenna or Sola would make when they walked into the shared living room.

'A new member?'

"Who decides to join the student council halfway into the year?" I mutter under my breath.

I trail out of the bedroom, my footsteps quiet against the cold floor, each step feeling as if I'm about to unearth some grand secret. Rounding the corner, I spot Zenna, her posture relaxed in a way that's rare when she's not alone. Beside her, Rana Arkiss, her red hair a vivid splash of color against the sepia backdrop of our suite lounge.

"Seems like you two are hitting it off," I quip, leaning against the doorframe to watch their interaction unfold.

Zenna offers me a swift nod, her eyes twinkling with that familiar intensity that says she's found something, or someone, of interest. Rana turns towards me with that same conspiratorial grin she had earlier when we bonded over space 4chan.

"Looks like I'll be joining this little enclave of yours," Rana says, gesturing to the surrounding walls as if they're part of some ancient ritual of acceptance. "I'm the newest addition to your student council crew, As a Duchess I felt it would be prudent to get some experience in governing."

'Wait, this means I can actually be friends with her, plus it looks like Zenna's already cool with her.'

"That's hype." I smile, genuinely excited to have a new friend with a shared interest. I wonder if she plays video games, too?

"Hope you don't mind a bit of chaos," Rana teases,

'Yeah, I'm sure you'll be able to surprise me with anything you show me.' I scoff outwardly at this amateur vibe she's giving me.

Her eyes lit up as if she could read my mind through my facial expression alone. "I saw a holovid of a man having sex with a blurg today. Would you like to see it?"

"Oh, shit, for real?" I completely drop my condescending character, as I suddenly feel like she might be more into space 4chan than I am.

'I know I shouldn't want to watch a dude fuck a blurg but that morbid curiosity grabbed onto me like it was my life's current mission.'

"What the hell is wrong with you two." Zenna stared at us like we were freaks.

"You wouldnt get it." Rana and I speak in unison. We started laughing when we noticed.

'This will be a fun dorm in and out of the bedroom now.'

******

Rana Arkiss POV

I lay in bed in my pajama's as comfortable as a godess. "Lyris come out." She stepped out of the shadows in my room. She has always been talented in hiding her presence among other things. However as someone not particulalry talented with the Force I hardly ever understand her tips. I struggle just reflecting blaster bolts.

"Yes, master, how can I help you. Lyris stared at me, awaiting her next order."

"Lyris your hacking seeds bore fruit. I will have to reward you. For now try to keep a close eye on our little Vex. Don't bother trying to watch him in his dorm room, I dont want to get caught spying on the future duchess of Korriban after all." I paused for a minute.

"Oh, and throw out all that custom-ordered Togruta face cream, too.

"Yes, master understood."

'As Lyris melted away I was stick in my own thoughts about how super easy this all was so far.

'The power of that boy in the palm of my hand. I can already feel it.' I laughed as I thought about Vex.

'To think all it took to get behind the veil was a video of a blurg fornicating with some fetishist, but Lyris promised it would.' I smile, thinking about all the preparation that was required for today. 'Even talking to Duke Corde early to set the board in a way that would work best for me.' I laughed again.

This will be an easy conquest.