"Please tell us a little more about yourselves. Any fighting skills?" Aren asked Becky and Kaiyah.

"Oh yes. We're both very efficient in physical combat, and with the force." Kaiyah answered.

"How experienced would you say?" Aren inquired.

"Very experienced, I guess." Kaiyah replied.

"Mhm. If you were sent on a mission to, destroy a mediocrely-guarded Resistance base. . . how do you think you could handle that?"

"Piece of cake. We were kinda smugglers, bounty hunters before we came here."

"What of your families?"

"We keep in contact. Our other life was how we earned our family a living. On that note, how long will I be here?"

Aren didn't know that their families' livings were at risk, and suddenly felt a little guilty.

"Well, the thing is. This is typically the home of those who come and stay here. But with that new information, I can arrange a compromise for your families' sakes."

"Oh..."

"This could've almost been screwed up." Becky interrupted.

"Well, thank you for considering. Curious: why did you ask about the base?"

"We've recently received a notification of a moderate Resistance base in the Mid-Rim, and we need people to go after it. Ephraim can't go alone."

"Oh. This soon?"

"Yes, unless you think you're unprepared?" Aren suggested.

"Well, shouldn't there be a test or something?"

"Indeed. Masters Ora and Dara are just outside; they'll accompany you in the training test." Aren gestured to the door. They got up to leave, then Aren said, "Wait. . . You, Becky. What do you say? Are you on board?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. You may proceed."

Tover entered the room after the others left. "How are we going to keep Exar away? He loves going on missions; especially with Ephraim."

"We give him one thing he's always wanted." Aren replied blankly.

". . . Oh! Is he ready?"

"Definitely. And, I think he means to desert us. If we give him the promotion, he'll want to stay."

"He. . . How long have you known?"

"Since shortly before he came back from his last mission."

"Were you going to do anything about it?"

"I think I just did." Aren replied. "If his thoughts persist, then he may have to be punished."

"Maybe we're not trying hard enough." Tover suggested.

"We're doing all we can. What else can we do?"

Tover simply nodded in understanding.

Exar joined Ephraim as they stood by and watched Ora and Dara train Becky and Kaiyah. "Anything interesting happen so far?" Exar asked.

"They've just proven to be very strong physically, and their deep force connection has also proven them to be very formidable opponents."

"I missed it all didn't I?" Exar deadpanned.

"Not really. Master Jecht hasn't taken them to the mission simulator yet. Then again, there's really nothing to see there except the results when they come out. So you might've kinda missed everything."

Tover entered the training room and stood by the two. "Exar, I need you to come with me."

"Um... ok." He followed Tover outside; before he left, he turned to Ephraim and mouthed the words 'fill me in later.' Ephraim nodded.

Once no one was around, Exar asked, "What is it?"

"I know you know of Ephraim's little secret, and I think it's a little unfair that you don't get a little something too; as you are the next top student."

"I'm not an elementeer though." Exar pointed out.

"No, but that doesn't mean there's nothing left for you."

"What is there?" Exar asked, becoming excitedly suspicious.

"Aren and I have decided to promote you. You're going to be a library guard."

Exar was nearly overtaken by shock and happiness, though shock was only apparent on his face.

-This may not make sense to you; you might question how being a library guard is a higher rank than being one who goes on missions to perform tasks for his home. The library guards are the highly trained professionals who guard the sacred documents that are scarcely known throughout the galaxy. It is a big deal to protect the important documents and secrets held within; being a trained guard, you can prevent any intruders from stealing the knowledge-

'Well I guess I'll be seeing less of them anyway.' Exar figured out. "When do I start?"

"At the end of the day, you will be personally transported to Dathomir II and you will be given a shift schedule, a uniform, and your guard weapon of choice."

Exar smiled, then said, "Thank you sir."

Tover smiled back. "Be prepared to depart by then."

Exar, Ephraim, Becky, and Kaiyah crossed each other in a break room.

"What's up guys? How'd it go?" Exar asked, referring to the mission simulator.

"We passed the tests; we'll be able to go on missions very soon." Kaiyah replied.

"She's really hyped for this." Becky said.

"Well congratulations. It's rare we get gifted students out in the field this soon after they arrive." Ephraim said.

"I think you guys will get your codenames sooner than we did." Exar joked.

"That would be cool." Ephraim agreed, nodding his head. "But there are requirements to get those."

"What are your guys' code names?" Becky asked.

"Mine is 'Erk.' That typically means, like, a despised person. We are despised by the Republic, and we are proud of who we are; so I stand by the name." Ephraim answered.

"Mine is 'Mirtis.' It is an alternate term for 'death.' " Exar replied.

"Wow! I wonder what kind of names we'll get." Kaiyah replied, a little surprised by the name choices. "I guess we'll find out in the future."

Exar remembered his horrifying vision of the possible future from days before, but was brought from his thoughts when Ephraim started another topic.

"I have taken the first step in reaching my elemental power." He blurted.

"You're an elementeer too?" Kaiyah asked, shocked even more.

"Yeah. I told Exar, so i figured you guys could know."

"So we have three elementeers in the room right now?" Becky asked seriously.

"Is that. . . something important?" Ephraim asked.

"Kinda. You should look into it when you can." Becky told him.

"I would, but I'm not allowed access to the library yet."

"Oh! I was just promoted to a library guard today." Exar piped up.

Ephraim's expression darkened slightly, and he looked at Exar. "You. . . what?"

"I uh, think you-"

"Exar, a moment?" Ephraim gestured Exar away from the group. "Think about this." He whispered, "You know how Aren is. This could be a plan to keep you from leaving."

"How would he know?" Exar whispered back.

"Like I said, 'you know how Aren is.' Also, I've done more than you; according to the rules, if anything, I'd have been promoted first." Ephraim replied somewhat sarcastically.

"You do bring a good point." Exar replied. "I'll go along with it; I'll see if I can learn about elementeers, and I'll let you know then, somehow. Then when the time is right, I'll make my move to escape."

Ephraim let out a sad sigh. "That's a plan alright." He mumbled. "I'm gonna miss you."

"Ditto."

"What was that about?" Kaiyah asked as they got back to the group.

"Just going over some sorta-illogical decisions that have been made." Ephraim replied.

"Um. . . Ok."

"So do any of you guys know what your elements are yet?" Exar asked the two girls.

"Not yet. We hope to find out soon." Kaiyah answered.

"It must be awesome, you know. To be 'elementeers.' You guys get to do more with the power you have, and I'm just left here with none of that." Exar said.

"Everyone has something; you need to find yours." Becky told him.

"Now if that was true, the Galactic Civil War of the Old Republic would've been an entirely different story. Heck, everything we know would've been a different story."

"I don't mean specially-enhanced force abilities. Everyone has something to contribute to become better than they were. You just need to find something special about yourself which you can contribute to make you stand out."

. . .

Exar couldn't find the words.

"You might have to get used to that." Kaiyah said.

"Mhm." Exar hummed. "Hey, do you guys have battle armor?"

"We do. You wanna see them?" Kaiyah asked.

"Sure." Ephraim replied.

Becky and Kaiyah brought their armor sets in cases and presented them. They opened the cases, and they saw the sets of armor inside.

"Those are impressive pieces." Ephraim complemented.

"Thanks." Kaiyah said.

"Mandalorian? That's interesting." Exar said.

"Very interesting story behind that." Becky said.

"I don't doubt it. You guys seem like you've had quite the adventures." Exar said.

"You wouldn't believe it."

"Again, I wouldn't doubt it."

Exar refreshed himself in preparation for his departure. In the hours he and Ephraim spent hanging out with the new recruits, he had to act like he had no plan to leave. It hurt him inside that he knew he had to abandon his home, shortly after he made good new friends. All they knew was that he was promoted to library guard, where he'd be there most of the day; they'd see him at nighttimes. They were to soon find out that he will have deserted them.

What they might think about him then crossed his mind. They had befriended him, and he was just going to leave them right after. He wanted to go through with it less than he did before, but still felt strongly that he needed to; it was for his greater good. He needed to find a real life; after his pondering, he knew there was more to his life than murdering Resistance soldiers.

He had figured out that his current life was not about killing; he didn't know then what his calling was. He intended to figure out, and his leaving his home for good was going to be the first step in that journey.

He headed to the docking bay, where many of the soldiers had gathered to congratulate him on his promotion. He met Tover right beside the carrier shuttle, where they shook hands.

"Good luck, Exar. May the force be with you." Tover said.

"Thank you." Exar replied. He then turned around and looked at Ephraim, Kaiyah, and Becky. He approached them and hugged Ephraim. "I'm gonna miss you." He whispered.

Ephraim knew what he meant, then knew that the time was drawing near. "You too." And hugged him tighter.

Exar went and fist bumped Becky and Kaiyah. "I'll see you soon." He said. 'Why did I say that?! I'm probably not going to see any of them for a long time. Maybe ever. Now I feel guilty.'

"You too." They both replied.

"As I go, I will be thinking of all of you." Exar proclaimed to the room. While it flew by most of their heads, Ephraim knew what he really meant. And quite possibly Aren.

Tover guided Exar and his bodyguard onto the shuttle, where Exar would soo lift off. Everyone applauded as his ship left and entered hyperspace.

Everyone was happy for Exar's promotion to Dathomir II; Exar was dreadful, for it was the last time he would ever be in those caves with all his friends.

He didn't deny the few tears that streamed down his face.

He stared out the window from the co-pilot's seat, watching the stars whizzing behind him. He listened to the booms that the ship made due to speed.

He closed his eyes and meditated for a brief moment. He let the force flow through him, and it calmed him down. Once he was calm, he remained in his deep, meditative state. As he delved deeper into the force, he suddenly felt a connection, only not with anyone in particular. He didn't know what he connected with until he found himself surrounded.

'Did I... connect with the stars?'

Exar tried learning more about it, but was pulled from his vision when the ship stopped, and the guard shook him awake.

"You're here, kid." The guard said. Exar beheld Dathomir II.

The ship went down to the orange atomosphere, and Exar witnessed the beauty of the planet. Multi-colored plains and rocks, beautiful skylines. He saw the suns' reflections off some rocks, making them shine like crystals.

"It's beautiful." Exar gasped, in complete awe. "Honestly, there's something familiar about this place."

"All Zabrak soldiers were born here, but raised on Tatooine." The guard said.

"Huh." Exar sighed, hypnotized by the view.

The ship landed on the platform, and Exar finally diverted his view of the tableland, and saw the castle-like structure at the other end of the platform.

Exar and the guard stepped out and were greeted by the current wave of elite guards.

"State your business." The leader said.

The guard handed the chief a datapad and replied, "Promotion. By the order of Aren Mastigar and Tover Celchu, Exar Sunrider here will be your new addition."

The chief guard smiled and laughed a little. He handed the datapad back to the bodyguard and looked at Exar. "Welcome to the team, Sunrider. Come with us." He said.

Exar followed the group as the bodyguard boarded his ship and left.

"Just right inside, to the right." The chief said as they entered the building. They went right and entered a break room. The chief opened the closet in the room, where there were spare guard uniforms. "What size?" He asked.

"Uh, 'Large.' " Exar replied.

The chief got a size-matching uniform and handed it to Exar. Exar took the hangar and looked at the uniform in whole.

"This looks sweet." Exar said.

"It is, and it's unbelievably comfortable. Now, here's your shift schedule." Exar was handed a datapad. "If you'll look into the chest in the closet, there are weapons you can choose. I have other business to attend to at the moment; if you need anything else, I'll be Tobian Celchu."

"Celchu?! No way!" Exar exclaimed, making Tobian laugh. As Tobain started leaving, Exar called after him, "Wait wait! Hold up! Nuh-uh! You can't drop a bomb like that and leave. I wanna know more!"

Tobian just kept laughing. He shrugged, then said, "I got stuff to do. Your tour guide will be here shortly to show you around. Believe me, this place is way bigger than it looks." Then he left; Exar remained jaw-dropped. 'I had no kriffing idea Tover had a brother!'

At the end of the tour, Exar ended up at the library. He looked up above the big door and saw a flat crystal circle. "What's that?" He asked.

"That crystal circle is what allows this door to open. The energy that flows through it is what powers our facility. Though not through that crystal alone; we have more." One of th guards answered.

"We have to use the force to open it." Another said.

Exar watched as they lifted their arms and concentrated, then turned and faced the door as he heard it opening.

Once the doors opened, he looked inside and looked on in wonder at the vast collection of documents and books filled in on the many, many shelves in the great room.

"This is the so-sacred library." Exar said.

"This is what we protect with our lives." A guard added.

Then Exar noticed a flaw. "If this library is so important, then why does it only have one door? Shouldn't there be an emergency exit?"

The guards gestured for Exar to follow them. They stopped at the back of the library, next to a wall. "There is an emergency exit. In case of invasion," The guard delivered a hard punch to the wall, and knocked bricks out of the wall, not leaving a portion of any brick on the wall. A human(oid)-sized hole was in the wall. Exar looked in and saw stairs and pathways. "In case of invasion, we all head here and take as many documents as we can and go through these secret tunnels; and we preserve them in a casing. This path leads to a secret docking bay where we can escape the planet via hyperspace. There is a launching platform that jumpstarts the ship and immediately pushes us into lightspeed."

"Clever. Whoever founded this place really thought of everything." Exar said.

Ephram could sense the force moving, and was nervously anxious for the events to come.