You step out onto the training field and squint momentarily as the sunlight hits your face. When your eyes adjust, you look around you and see the trappings common to military campuses - stout buildings with fluttering flags, a paved parade square, and heavily armed battlements. The training field itself is meticulously maintained grass that could easily act as a landing field for dozens of fighters and transports. The horizon is clear of all but trees and the ominous weapons turrets that ring the walls.

The cadets of the Taldryan Military Institute see you, tensing to attention as they notice your battle armour. They are hurriedly ordered off the field by their officers and rush into the safety of the closest buildings. You see the guards in the battlements re-direct their attention from the exterior of the campus to you, but they know not to interfere in the affairs of Jedi.

Without the bustle of the cadets and the barked orders of their officers, the air grows still and even the sounds of animals quiets. You walk to the center of the training field and wait for your opponent

Andrelious wasn’t quite sure what to expect. He was freshly arrived on Karufr, and had almost immediately been sent by his new Consul to the Military Institute. He suspected it had something to do with his new assignment as part of the Harbingers team, and so after leaving Kooki and his twins at their temporary lodgings, did as the Cantor asked. The facility had been welcoming, if a little cautious: Andrelious was notorious for having shot down many of Taldryan’s pilots.

Having entered the training field, the Warlord was impressed with how efficient everything was. Taldryan clearly expected a lot from their military, and that expectation reflected brilliantly as he watched a couple of soldiers practice unarmed combat on each other. As he continued to observe, he noticed another dark Jedi nearby. He approached them, sensing that they had a firm grip on the Force, even if they weren’t among Taldryan’s many Elders.

“Greetings. I am Andrel..” the ex-Arconan began.

“I know who you are. You’re Andrelious Inahj. You’re an Arconan,” the younger Human responded.

“That’s Mimosa-Inahj. And not anymore. I have defected,” Andrelious shot back.

“Don’t give me that. You’re probably here on some kind of spying mission!” the Taldryanite continued, activating his lightsaber.

“You must be Aiden Dru. Consul Cantor warned me about you,” the Warlord hissed, his own lightsaber drawn and ready.

“Very perceptive. I’d almost like to believe you were here as a friend,” Dru answered.

“I will prove myself, Dru. I am part of your Clan now. I suggest you accept that,” Andrelious warned, pointing his crimson blade towards his fellow Sith’s temples.

“Go away, Arconan!” Aiden commanded, raising his free arm. Calling on the Force, he threw Mimosa-Inahj high in the air. The Warrior watched as his opponent across the training field, moving to intercept as he landed. Andrelious crashed to the ground with a loud thud, having managed to adjust his trajectory so as to avoid severe injury. The older Human climbed to his feet just in time to parry away a furiously fast attack from his enemy.

Andrelious hadn’t met Aiden Dru before, but was quickly discovering a lot about his new clanmate. He fought with purpose, relying mostly on speed, and was already testing the Warlord with a series of incredibly agile slashes. The former Imperial was finding these fast blows a little difficult to deal with, but as he adjusted his style, began to handle them far more effectively, even able to test the younger Sith’s defences with a few attacks of his own.

“Back down, boy! Don’t make me add you to my many Taldryan casualties!” Andrelious snarled as another attack flashed fast his defences, forcing him to step backwards. He quickly recovered and counter attacked, forcing a saber lock and pushing as hard as he could. Dru pushed, too, but found the Warlord’s blade moving closer and closer to his body.

With a roar, Dru became even faster, his eyes flickering crimson as the fury of the dark side coursed through him. He pulled out of the saber lock, immediately re-engaging Andrelious with a blow that was so quick that the Warlord, even with the help of the Force, was barely able to stop it from removing his left arm. These fast attacks continued to trouble the ex-Arconan, giving him no time to try to find Dru’s weaknesses.

“I warned you to back down,” the older Sith snapped, pointing the fingers on his left hand towards his enemy. With little more than a split-second of concentration, Andrelious produced a small amount of electricity, enough to stun Dru as it hit him. To Mimosa-Inahj’s surprise, the attack, though painful, didn’t appear to bother the Warrior, who just grinned back at his opponent. If the attack had hurt, Dru certainly wasn’t showing it as he again went on the offensive, trying to use his extra six inches of height to attack Andrelious from above.

“You will die here, Arconan.” Aiden declared with a chuckle.

Andrelious stared back at his opponent. Dru was apparently enjoying himself.