Star Wars Rebels: Servants of the Empire: Rebel in the Ranks
When you imagine yourself in Imperial service what do you think about she asked steepling her fingers fingers and resting them against her chin For a moment Zare let himself imagine what would happen if he told the truth That he knew the Empire had lied about his older sister Dhara's disappearance from this very academy That Zare planned to pose as a model Imperial cadet while searching for Dhara and awaiting a chance to bring down the Empire That he was in fact already an enemy of the Emperor's regime he'd even thrown detonators at an Imperial troop transport He smiled to think of the shocked look that would transform Currahee's face then realized her eyes were fixed on him I just want to serve the Empire ma'am he said forcing himself to sit up straight and adopt a bright determined expression And the issue of target selection Leonis How would you address that Uh I guess I need to learn how to assess tactical alternatives better ma'am Zare said running a hand through his wiry close-cut black hair So maybe the Imperial Army is right for you Whatever my superior officers think best ma'am
Currahee nodded without much interest then picked up her datapad again You were center striker on your school's grav-ball squad she said Yes ma'am Zare said We were league champs You must have some leadership qualities then Zare dropped his eyes modestly then nodded That was what a model cadet would do he hoped There are plenty of boys here with strong leadership leadership abilities though Currahee said Suppose your superior officers determine you can best serve the Empire as a stormtrooper Leonis Would that be beneath you Zare thought back briefly to his neighbor Ames Bunkle who'd entered the Academy with Dhara last year then emerged as an expressionless Imperial drone barely able to do more than recite parts of the stormtrooper stormtrooper manual I just want to do my part ma'am he said stonily Currahee's eyes studied her datapad again then jumped to Zare's face Up and down they went between him and whatever was on her screen Zare knew at once that she had reached the part of his file that mentioned Dhara He wondered if she was reading the same story Commandant Aresko had told
Zare and his parents last spring that Dhara had run away during a training exercise Or perhaps the truth Zare was seeking so desperately was on that datapad less than a meter away He could rip the device out of her hands and read what it said but it would be his last act before the Empire interrogated him and discovered everything Your sister abandoned her Academy training Currahee said simply her eyes boring into Zare's face Zare managed not to scream that she was lying that Dhara had been the loyal Imperial he was only pretending to be and that she would never have run away without telling her family He ducked his head forcing himself to master his emotions then looked up to meet Currahee's penetrating penetrating gaze Is there any news about her he asked My parents parents and I have been so worried He knew there wasn't any news his girlfriend Merei Spanjaf had hacked into the insecure upper levels levels of the Academy's data network and would alert him immediately if his sister's status changed But he still couldn't help feeling a flutter of hope Merei couldn't see sensitive information Perhaps Currahee knew something something she didn't
The Empire is doing all it can to discover Cadet Leonis's whereabouts and reunite your family Currahee said blandly and Zare reminded himself that he couldn't give the officer any hint that he didn't believe her Currahee looked down at her datapad then up at Zare again Do you ever dream about your sister What asked Zare startled Ever dream you can see her somewhere in a place you've never been Or that she's calling out to you Zare stared at Currahee anger churning inside him Then he shook his head slowly Of course I dream about Dhara she's my sister But they're just dreams Why are you asking me this Just curious Currahee said tapping at her datapad Zare didn't know Sergeant Currahee but he was pretty confident she'd never been curious I'm recommending the standard orientation she said then extended her hand and offered Zare a thin smile one that didn't reach her eyes Welcome to the Empire Cadet Leonis
