Two weeks prior to Exodus Day

"Now!"

The crack of a fist against bone rattled the air around the open space, and a scrawny looking Neimoidian toppled to the ground. A bruise had already begun to grow on his green cheek, turning blue and then purple as the young Zeltron standing above him cracked the knuckles on his fist. Several of the bystanders, dressed in simple tunics and breeches with the appropriate gloves and gauntlets, snickered loudly as the Neimoidian's face turned the same color of his injury.

"That's enough."

The gaggle of students abruptly shut up as their Zabrak mentor weaved through them, his presence alone making the hairs stand upright on their heads and the back of their necks. Dressed just as simply as those he was teaching, Cethgus Entar curled his lower lip at the sight of the Neimoidian, still on the ground. He leveled a large index finger at him.

"Up."

The Neimoidian struggled to his feet and stumbled over to stand beside the rest of his class, though the students did not laugh this time. Cethgus approached the Zeltron, perusing the red face and the shaved head. The victorious fighter seemed confident, almost too much. The Exarch would fix that.

"Now," he growled, "can anyone tell me what happened here?"

A young Human raised her hand timidly. She shrank from the tattooed visage as Cethgus's eyes bore down upon her.

"Evori turned into his punch and struck in a straight line."

"Correct." The word was hot on Cethgus's tongue. "A simple execution of basic Hapan combat." He could sense the presence of a familiar visitor just nearby.

Evori, the Zeltron, let a small smirk dance on his lips. Cethgus's eyes flashed as the muscular Zabrak turned on him.

"Wipe that smile off your face. You can hardly give yourself credit for knowing rudimentary tactics," he snarled. "You're like all the others here, except for the runt you beat the snot out of."

A loud but nervous guffaw erupted from another student, followed by a strange choking noise as all the saliva seemed to evaporate from his throat. Cethgus faced the entire class now, his dark face glistening with perspiration. He raised his head and acknowledged the silent man standing a few yards away.

"You all will be fighting soon enough," he said, "and should any of you fail to impress, I assure you that it will be more humiliating to yourselves than it will ever be to me. Dismissed."

The students scurried off in all directions as the Headmaster strode over. His metal jaw gleamed in the sparse light in the yard, and Cethgus nodded curtly in replacement of a bow.

"Walk with me?"

The Zabrak calmly obliged, as the two traversed the grass and made their way onto more solid ground.

"You seem to be handling the trainees quite well," Taigikori commented. "No coddling."

"I'd be a fool to coddle any of those weaklings, so the pleasure's all mine," Cethgus grunted. "Did you have something else to say?"

"The Dark Council is rather frantic lately," said the Headmaster, "more so than usual. The arrival of our new Deputy Grand Master has caused quite a stir, and Lord Muz...well, he has busied himself quite a bit."

"Think he has something else up his sleeve for the Brotherhood?"

"I don't doubt it, what with Exodus Day upcoming..."

"Ah, yes," Cethgus muttered. "Exodus Day."

Neither of them had to say anymore on the matter. They simply walked together without a word, well aware of the challenge Muz would lay forth for those strong enough to take it head on.

Report time! God I'm awful at these things. Anywho.The above fiction really sums up how the Academy runs fictionally. It's just one example among many that the Academy isn't just a computer console somewhere on Korriban. I hope you all get a sense of what we do a little better, and appreciate some home grown fiction. Onto important things. Big report this time, with the announcement of a Sacremental Award, another new course, staff appointments, and the future of the Academy itself.

Lots of awesome changes being released, with Exodus Day behind us. Let me congratulate Arcona and Naga Sadow on becoming Clans once more, Orv on his SL, and everyone on their Seals of Loyality. Oh, and go kick some ass in the 2011 Indy Games!

---

-Last month, my Praetor, Ronovi was awarded a Ruby Scepter for her efforts that span Brotherhood wide. She's been there for me at a time when I needed a Praetor the most. After a trial and horrible error with my first, she took up the mantle with uncanny ease. I've tasked her with being the Director of Shadow Academy fiction, which has in turn had her pen been used in pre-Vendetta fiction enjoyed by the masses. Her most recent work with the future Jedi, Liu Van Dae, got more than a few heads to turn at the way she writes her characters. I'm not one to fluff up a recc with useless air to make it appear more than it is, but know this: Ronovi is my right hand, and has a say in every Shadow Academy doing. Some are still secret, so I can't disclose her full works until they've gone public. An outstanding educator, she's there to pick up the slack when other Professors fall behind, she's also an amazing friend to most of the staff. On top of it all she writes Shadow Academy exams for featuring within the organization itself. I know I did the right thing when picking her as my Praetor, as we're no doubt looking at the future first female Headmaster. It is for these reasons that I recommend that my Praetor be awarded with the Ruby Scepter. Congratulations.

-Oh look, another course! This month we're releasing a detailed piece called "Racies and Species", a course than spans a large handful of Aliens in the Star Wars Universe. It's one of our longer courses, so make sure you save your exam answers to a Word or email document before submitting! This new course is featured under the Department of General History, and is available to take as of this afternoon. Clicky the link below if you're up for it.

Racies and Species

-After receiving a handful of complaints about the awarding of Scrolls of Foundation for completion of Training Days, I've decided to discontinue the process. Several key points were brought up that addressed the fact that SoFs should be kept as a SA Staff and Master/Student only award. I'll award all SoFs for Training Days completed up until April 1st 2011.

-Don't forget to CC my Praetor, Ronovi, on all SA related emails, especially degree requests. Degree requests that do NOT have my Praetor CC'd, will be thrown in the trash.

-No Shadow Academy Competition this month, so that members may fully concentrate on the IGs.

-Projects: Fremoc and I will be putting our noggins together for the integration of The Old Republic MMO into the much anticipated Grind Path. Fremoc and I have worked awesomely in the past, as he served as one of my QUAs during my tenure as CNS PCON, so I have no doubts about our abilities on this specific topic.

-Degree Overhaul: I'm going to be updating and looking at adding more degrees to our arsenal, as some of them are in need of some exam transfers. The Degree system is something that we'd like to keep fresh and inventive as a key Brotherhood milestone.

-Internal Review: The Shadow Academy is a living being, and should not be aloud to stagnate. With this, we'll be looking at ways to modernize the feel and function of every day Shadow Academy activities. I've dubbed this project "Operation Spring Cleaning", an understatement for what I'd like to accomplish. Look for advancements in our layout, exam submitting, course organization, and much more as the months go on.

That's it for this month, TTFN.

*Summary: -IGs ongoing -Racies and Species released -Ronovi awarded Ruby Scepter -Spring Cleaning -GJWX around the corner *

His Excellency, Taigikori Aybara Dupar Headmaster of the Brotherhood