Revan's Heir: Age of the Empire

Chapter One

"Your simulation will begin in sixty seconds."

The monotone voice of the feminine AI filled the confined space of the testing pod where Allana sat, her hands resting calmly on the armrests of the firmly padded chair. As the screen came to life before her, the image placed her at the helm of a standard class Imperial Star Destroyer. The synthetically generated blackness of space, dotted with distant stars, was accompanied by the roar of TIE Fighter engines. Outside of the pod sat a panel of instructors and high-ranking officials from the Imperial Academy of Carida. From their shared view-screen, they would assess her performance as she participated in the simulation.

Allana drew a deep breath before activating the headset that would allow her to communicate within the simulation, as she knew this would also enable the panel waiting outside to hear her. She intended to display complete and utter confidence, though in reality her nerves were shot from the hours of intense practice and study she had committed herself to in preparation for the crucial exam.

"Preparing simulation parameters," The artificial proctors' voice chimed at the thirty second mark. Allana honed all her focus as the narration continued. "Your fleet consists of two Imperial I class Star Destroyers and ten TIE Fighter squadrons. The opposition fleet consists of one NC-75 cruiser, three Hammerhead Corvettes, and seven squadrons of snub fighters. Your objective is to eliminate the enemy fleet and defend a planetary shield beneath your position."

Allana's mind began to race as the opposing fleet appeared on the screen. On the lower right side, the planetary shield referenced in the hypothetical briefing appeared alongside the second Star Destroyer at her disposal. She immediately recognized that her fleet possessed the advantage in capital ship firepower, as the Empire often did in actual combat.

"Simulation commencing in three...two...one."

As the snub fighters emerged from the opposing cruiser, she noted that they were smaller and more flexible than TIE Fighters. Dispatching her fighter squadrons would rapidly deplete their numbers and leave the capital ships open to counter-attack.

"Destroyer number two, break off and flank from the right side. We will flank from the left and pincer the fleet," Allana commanded. The second Destroyer obeyed, taking its' position off to the right side of the opposing fleet. Her destroyer assumed the position on the opposite side, ensuring the bulk of the enemy fleet was nestled firmly between them.

"Capital ships, focus fire on the NC-75. Scramble all fighter squadrons to take up defensive positions around the Destroyers." The simulation obeyed her command, with TIE fighters closing in to engage the oncoming waves of snub fighters while each of the Star Destroyers commenced firing on the enemy cruiser. The vibrations of fictional blaster fire rocked the testing pod, rattling Allana momentarily. Her stomached tugged nervously for a moment before she witnessed the fiery the explosion of the opposing cruiser. A slight grin of satisfaction appeared on her face as she gave her final order.

"Fighter squadrons, you are free to engage. Capital ships, fire at will."

TIE Fighters pursued the scampering snub fighters as her Destroyers provided cover fire, decimating all of the remaining enemy squadrons. Allana leaned back against the seat and let out a sigh of relief as green text appeared on the screen, accompanied by the voice of the AI proctor.

"Simulation for Allana Amaryllis complete. Par time: five minutes and thirty-seven seconds. Your time: four minutes and twenty-two seconds. You are free to exit the testing pod."

The automatic door hissed as it opened, lifting upward and allowing Allana to emerge. Resisting the urge to jump down, as she often did, she chose to descend the two-step ladder as she felt the eyes of her superiors watching her. When she turned, she was greeted first with a proud smile from Captain Tabor Seitaron, who had been among her favorite instructors at the Imperial Academy of Carida.