Post by Badger on Sept 5, 2006 17:04:37 GMT -5
[shadow=purple,left,300]The Born Leader
Katie B.
A special I.A.W. Project[/shadow]
This is a special dedication to a former {EW} member, now leader of =SS=, Katie B.
[glow=blue,2,300]Introduction:[/glow]
Cloaked in the mesmerizing metropolis of Coruscant, a young woman sat in a local pub. After being disowned by her parents, she had grown up in the slums of the city. She ordered a drink and slowly slouched in her chair. Her once-beautiful, brown hair was stained and frizzled as she stared blankly ahead.
“Some life.” She thought.
Alien musicians twinkled on their instruments in the background. She had been brought up by the gangsters of the streets. Toughened by her life, she was resilient to emotion. She sat, drooling over her existence.
Then someone new entered the pub.
He was tall, lean, and neatly dressed in an Alderaan outfit. He went over to the bartender and ordered a juri juice. The bartender told him that he would have to share a seat, due to the fact that it was a busy hour.
He complied, took his drink, and strolled over to...
She was mildly surprised that the handsome man sat down at her table. They stared at each other, eyes searching. The man blushed and smiled briefly, but then spoke:
'My name's Palpatine, what's yours?'
The young woman answered nervously. 'Katie B.'
[glow=red,2,300]The Beginnings[/glow]
With the conversation started, they began to talk a little more comfortably.
“So what does the “B” in your name stand for?” Palpatine asked curiously.
Katie laughed softly, "I don’t know you well enough to tell you that one.”
After a bit more talking, Palpatine bought Katie a drink. As she went to take a drink of her fruity juri juice, Palpatine decided to ask a more serious question.
“Why are you here by yourself looking like that? A young lady like you should be treated better.” He commented.
“Actually, I’m here with my brother. He just got done with a battle. I was with him collecting battle data. It explains my hair.” said Katie. She then returned a blank stare.
“Then why do you look so depressed?” asked Palpatine but instantly regretted that he had asked her such a poignant question.
Katie looked around before she spoke, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her. “Well you see my brother is a great warrior. I’m always with him in battle, but at a safe distance.” said Katie as she paused to take a quick sip of her drink. “Through all this, I watched them fight and collected battle data. I then suggested that maybe I should help him fight in a few battles. He laughed in my face. He said girls can’t fight in battles. But since I secretly target practice with a battle rifle, I offered to show him I can, but he scoffed at the idea.”
Katie then stopped and took another sip of her drink. She didn’t want to continue, and Palpatine noticed. He then suggested an idea.
"Do you have a simulation device?" Palpatine asked.
“My brother does.” She replied.
“Do you know how to use it?” He said with a little more excitement.
“Heck yes I do! I’ve seen him use it countless times, but I’ve never had a chance to use it.” Katie said.
Palpatine then handed her a piece of paper and got up to leave.
“What’s this?” She said with a confused look on her face.
“It’s the time and place to meet me. I want to test you. If you’re good, I can let you join the clan I’m in, the {EW} clan.
“How do you expect me to get the simulation device and sneak out?” demanded Katie.
“I think you’ll be able to figure that out.” Palpatine said with a grin and a sly wink. He then put money on the table to pay for the drinks.
“There’s extra there if you want another drink.” Palpatine said as he left the bar. Katie watched him leave with a raised eyebrow. Her brother then returned.
“Who was that?” Her brother asked as he sat down.
“No one, Nick.” Katie grumbled as she finished her drink.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, Nick had to leave early for a battle. As he was rushing to get ready, Katie slipped the simulation device into her pack. Her brother then left, not even noticing that it was gone. Katie walked to the location specified on the paper.
Only occasionally had she walked through the main street of Coruscant. Someone offered her some death sticks, but she didn’t feel like them now.
When she found it, she entered the building. It was a very small, broken down bar. Sitting at a table was the handsome Palpatine.
“Right on time.” laughed Palpatine as he stood up.
“Yeah, I make sure I don’t keep people waiting.” said Katie as she took out the simulation device. She turned it on, and it asked for a password. Katie had memorized the password, and punched it in. It accepted, and then asked to be inserted into the appropriate socket.
“Shall we start?” asked Palpatine, who was ready.
“Yeah, let’s start this.” said Katie. They both entered the sleek machine and prepared to do the test.
The following day, {EW} members were gathered in a deserted arena that was part of the slums of Coruscant. They had gathered to train and test each other. Among the members were Badger, K.A.L., Lunch, Goblin, Pilot (now Mandalore), Mouse, and Spitfire.
Another person was there named Wickwire. He wasn’t in the {EW} clan at the time, but he was good friends with all of the clan. Besides that, he was highly skilled, usually even giving the leaders of {EW} a run for their money, so they had allowed him to train with them.
Back behind a corner, Katie stared at them in amazement. She couldn’t believe the moves they were doing. She looked back on the note that Palpatine gave her after her test. It said in bold letters:
“MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM I SENT YOU.”
With a deep breath, Katie walked towards the {EW} members; with a full training uniform identical to the same the {EW} members were wearing; they were a gift from Palpatine.
“Hey man, what’s going on?” said Goblin said as the pretty girl walked up to them.
“I’m no guy!” responded Katie in an irritated voice.
“Goblin, watch your manners.” said Wickwire as he walked up to them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. If I may ask, what’s your name?”
“Katie.” replied Katie with a more sincere sounding voice. “Um…Palpatine told me to come here. Is this a bad time?”
Wickwire laughed, “No it’s a grand time. We’re training right now. I’m sure we wouldn’t mind another person to help us in Gladiator.”
“Gladiator?” questioned Katie with a puzzled look on her face.
“You’ll learn soon. Let me show you to the {EW} clan. I’m not in {EW}, but I’m very good friends with them."
“Excuse me, but what is your name?” Katie asked very politely as they walked back to them middle arena.
“Oh yeah, I’m sorry, my name is Wickwire.” He said.
As they neared the middle, some of the {EW} yelled toward them.
“C’mon Wick! It’s your turn!” shouted K.A.L.
“Hey, who is that chic that’s with ‘im?” Badger whispered as Wickwire and Katie entered the building.
“This is Katie. She said Palp sent her.” Wickwire said.
“Yeah Palp said he found someone good yesterday to me.” said Lunch with excitement.
“So, what’s your name?” said Mouse as she came up from behind everyone else. A strike of happiness hit Katie as she was relieved to see that another female was there.
“My name is Katie. Glad to meet you.”
“Hey Katie!” said everyone at the same time.
“You want to play Gladiator Katie?” Wickwire asked.
“I’ve never heard of Gladiator.” Katie said with a nervous look on her face.
“Ah, don’t worry. I’ll tell ya’ everything you need to know about Gladiator.” said Badger. He then took Katie to the observation booth and started telling her the rules.
After another round of fighting, Katie understood everything about Gladiator. She was ready to fight. Katie’s first opponent was Wickwire.
They put on their repellent armor and helmets. The lasers they used were charged at a constant ¼ power strike so it would only bruise the opponent. The thermals were a newly developed kind made of an explosive gas that would blow the opponent off the ground, but would not harm him/her. The missiles used the same principle as the ‘thermals’.
“You’re going to win you know.” Katie said as she prepared to battle.
“Don’t worry about who wins. This is for fun.” Wickwire said as he got ready. “But if you want, I can tone it down a bit.”
“Please do.” said Katie as the beginning shot was fired. Wickwire rushed her, but not aggressively. Katie began to shoot at him, but missed. She threw a grenade, catching Wickwire off-guard. She turned and shot at him, but he seemed to dodge it. Then with a quick trigger pull, Wickwire launched a rocket, hitting Katie dead-on. She flew back, hitting the ground hard.
“Wickwire wins!” The loudspeaker blared.
Wickwire ran up to Katie. “Are you alright?” Wickwire asked with concern.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” replied Katie dazedly as Wickwire helped her up. They both went back to the observation booth to watch the next match. While observing the next match, Katie whispered into Wickwire’s ear. “I didn’t even touch you with my gun. Do you think I’m even good enough to participate?”
“Oh you got me, don’t worry. Look here.” Wickwire said as he lifted is arm up. There was a fresh blaster wound right under his armpit.
“I’m so sorry! The suit doesn’t have much shielding there.” Katie gasped.
“Nothing a little bacta can cure. Don’t worry about it.” Wickwire assured.
They watched a few more matches, and then Katie volunteered. She faced Goblin. Goblin went defensive immediately once he shot the starting bolt. Katie, however ran right towards him and started shooting. This caught Goblin off-guard, and he struggled to counter it, but Katie had already had a huge advantage. With three well aimed shots to the head area, Goblin lost his balance and fell to the ground, slightly unconscious.
“Katie wins!”
“I won!?” Katie said with shock on her face.
“Dang, I couldn’t even put up a fight. Good match Katie.” Goblin said with slightly slurred words due to the beating he’d just received.
“Thanks.” Katie said cheerfully. After about thirty minutes of Gladiator, they decided to go back to base.
“Um, can I join {EW}?” Katie asked with an eager face.
“Sure Katie.” replied Badger. “You showed good skill,” then he added softly, “more than me, definitely.”
“Thank you, but I want to be better than I am right now…” Katie replied. Then she blushed once she realized what Badger had said quietly.
“None of us have time. You will have to do self training.” K.A.L. said as he gathered his equipment.
“Hey Badger, what if I trained her?” asked Wickwire. Wickwire had watched Katie fight with great interest. He could see the potential in her. All she needed was training in technique and tactics. Wickwire had trained many people in his lifetime, so he felt confidant Katie would improve under his instruction.
“Yeah that sounds fine, Wick.” He then looked at his watch. He shouted in a more ‘masculine’ voice: “Hoi! {EW}! We gotta’ go now.”
While the {EW} left, Katie and Wickwire chatted some more. “So you think you can handle me?” Katie said as she looked at Wickwire.
“Yeah, I think I can.” laughed Wickwire.
Katie went home, to find her brother back from his battle. “How was it Nick?” asked Katie as she closed the door.
“We won, but it was close.” said Nick nonchalantly as he tended to his wounds. Katie looked around nervously, but then found courage to speak.
“Nick, um…I joined a clan today.” Katie said as she started storing her gear in a box.
“You what?” screamed Nick as he got up. “You can’t be in battles, you’re a girl.”
“That’s it Nick! Come over here!” demanded Katie as she went to the simulation room. Nick followed regretfully, mumbling. Katie entered the room and starting fighting the simulation bots.
She took down the first one with a direct hit in the face. The second began firing in a sporadic ‘ai’ like way.
She rolled to the floor, and curved around the bot. She brought the gun into its mechanical back and fired four shots. Sparks flew everywhere, and metal dripped to the floor.
The third threw a thermal, so she dove over the detonator, shooting as she flew in the air.
Nick watched in utter astonishment. As she shot the last one down, she tore of her helmet, letting her hair fall.
“Now what do you say!” demanded Katie. There was a quick silence, and then Nick spoke.
“I never knew you could do that. You put my words to shame. I would be honored if you would join my band.”
“Nah, I’m with {EW}. I’m getting trained at the moment, so maybe I’ll beat you someday.” said Katie with a grin on her face.
Over the next few weeks, Katie received training from Wickwire. She improved at a startling rate. Wickwire had to increase the challenges constantly. One day, Badger, Katie, and Wickwire were having a friendly battle in the bustling Mos Eisly Spaceport during a weekend excursion.
“Why don’t you join {EW} Wick?” Katie asked.
“I never did tell you why, huh?” Wickwire said. “Alright this is why.”
Wickwire then explained to Katie that he sworn in 1.0 that he would never join a clan. He droned on and on about his theological reasons while Katie listened intently, trying to think of ways to make him reconsider.
“Wait, wasn’t that for only in Galaxy 1.0? We’re in Galaxy 1.3. You can join now, right?”
Wickwire considered this.
“You know what, she’s right Wick.” Badger jumped into the conversation. Wickwire thought more. Finally he decided.
“Alright, I’ll join.”
“YAY!” yelled Katie as she jumped up and down with excitement. Some of the locals looked at her strangely as they passed. The eccentric girl laughed nervously while she blushed.
About a week after Wickwire joined, Katie began to climb the rungs on the ladder of {EW}. She had joined the Infantry Squad. Caz, who was the leader of the squad at the time, was amazed with her skill. She soon became the second best in the squad. But being one of the only two girls in the clan, Katie felt she had something to prove. She could be seen constantly training with the self-training exercises Wickwire had given her.
“Amazing isn’t it?” Squirrel asked Badger as they stood at a window watching Katie.
“Yes it is. She is improving at a bloody blistering rate.” replied Badger as he looked on with great interest. Squirrel laughed.
“What are you two doing?” asked Wickwire as he walked up to Squirrel and Badger.
“Just watching Katie.” said Squirrel. He stammered, coughed, and rephrased it. “I mean, we’re just watching her train.”
“She’s doing remarkably well.” said Wickwire with a smile on his face. “She’s my best student, and that’s for sure.”
Soon after, Katie came out, sweat dripping from her hair and rolling on her face. It was easily noticeable, because the sweat glistened from the light being emitted into the hallway.
“Hey guys.” said Katie breathlessly.
“Hey Katie, can you come with me real quick?” asked Wickwire.
“Yeah, just let me change into clean clothes first.” said Katie as she closed the door to the training room. Badger and Squirrel left quickly after saying goodbye.
“Ok, I’ll be in the garden.” replied Wickwire as we walked toward the garden.
Very soon, Katie walked into the garden. She was cleaned up and looked very attractive after she had wiped all the dust off her face.
“So Wick, what is it that you need to tell me?” asked Katie as she sat down next to Wickwire.
“Katie, you have progressed extremely well, but I no longer can train you.” said Wickwire as he turned his head. “Yes…” he thought, “She is very pretty.”
He was warped back into reality when Katie responded.
“Why?” asked Katie with a sad look on her face. “There’s so much more I need to learn from you.”
“I am being pressured by a few people. I have spent a lot of time training you, but my demolition squad duties are becoming more and more. I’m sorry.” said Wickwire.
“Don’t be. I understand fully.” Katie said, trying to reassure Wickwire.
“Thank you. I know you will be able to learn more on your own…” He paused. “…I see a great future for you Katie.” replied Wickwire with a grin.
Katie B.
A special I.A.W. Project[/shadow]
This is a special dedication to a former {EW} member, now leader of =SS=, Katie B.
[glow=blue,2,300]Introduction:[/glow]
Cloaked in the mesmerizing metropolis of Coruscant, a young woman sat in a local pub. After being disowned by her parents, she had grown up in the slums of the city. She ordered a drink and slowly slouched in her chair. Her once-beautiful, brown hair was stained and frizzled as she stared blankly ahead.
“Some life.” She thought.
Alien musicians twinkled on their instruments in the background. She had been brought up by the gangsters of the streets. Toughened by her life, she was resilient to emotion. She sat, drooling over her existence.
Then someone new entered the pub.
He was tall, lean, and neatly dressed in an Alderaan outfit. He went over to the bartender and ordered a juri juice. The bartender told him that he would have to share a seat, due to the fact that it was a busy hour.
He complied, took his drink, and strolled over to...
She was mildly surprised that the handsome man sat down at her table. They stared at each other, eyes searching. The man blushed and smiled briefly, but then spoke:
'My name's Palpatine, what's yours?'
The young woman answered nervously. 'Katie B.'
[glow=red,2,300]The Beginnings[/glow]
With the conversation started, they began to talk a little more comfortably.
“So what does the “B” in your name stand for?” Palpatine asked curiously.
Katie laughed softly, "I don’t know you well enough to tell you that one.”
After a bit more talking, Palpatine bought Katie a drink. As she went to take a drink of her fruity juri juice, Palpatine decided to ask a more serious question.
“Why are you here by yourself looking like that? A young lady like you should be treated better.” He commented.
“Actually, I’m here with my brother. He just got done with a battle. I was with him collecting battle data. It explains my hair.” said Katie. She then returned a blank stare.
“Then why do you look so depressed?” asked Palpatine but instantly regretted that he had asked her such a poignant question.
Katie looked around before she spoke, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her. “Well you see my brother is a great warrior. I’m always with him in battle, but at a safe distance.” said Katie as she paused to take a quick sip of her drink. “Through all this, I watched them fight and collected battle data. I then suggested that maybe I should help him fight in a few battles. He laughed in my face. He said girls can’t fight in battles. But since I secretly target practice with a battle rifle, I offered to show him I can, but he scoffed at the idea.”
Katie then stopped and took another sip of her drink. She didn’t want to continue, and Palpatine noticed. He then suggested an idea.
"Do you have a simulation device?" Palpatine asked.
“My brother does.” She replied.
“Do you know how to use it?” He said with a little more excitement.
“Heck yes I do! I’ve seen him use it countless times, but I’ve never had a chance to use it.” Katie said.
Palpatine then handed her a piece of paper and got up to leave.
“What’s this?” She said with a confused look on her face.
“It’s the time and place to meet me. I want to test you. If you’re good, I can let you join the clan I’m in, the {EW} clan.
“How do you expect me to get the simulation device and sneak out?” demanded Katie.
“I think you’ll be able to figure that out.” Palpatine said with a grin and a sly wink. He then put money on the table to pay for the drinks.
“There’s extra there if you want another drink.” Palpatine said as he left the bar. Katie watched him leave with a raised eyebrow. Her brother then returned.
“Who was that?” Her brother asked as he sat down.
“No one, Nick.” Katie grumbled as she finished her drink.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, Nick had to leave early for a battle. As he was rushing to get ready, Katie slipped the simulation device into her pack. Her brother then left, not even noticing that it was gone. Katie walked to the location specified on the paper.
Only occasionally had she walked through the main street of Coruscant. Someone offered her some death sticks, but she didn’t feel like them now.
When she found it, she entered the building. It was a very small, broken down bar. Sitting at a table was the handsome Palpatine.
“Right on time.” laughed Palpatine as he stood up.
“Yeah, I make sure I don’t keep people waiting.” said Katie as she took out the simulation device. She turned it on, and it asked for a password. Katie had memorized the password, and punched it in. It accepted, and then asked to be inserted into the appropriate socket.
“Shall we start?” asked Palpatine, who was ready.
“Yeah, let’s start this.” said Katie. They both entered the sleek machine and prepared to do the test.
The following day, {EW} members were gathered in a deserted arena that was part of the slums of Coruscant. They had gathered to train and test each other. Among the members were Badger, K.A.L., Lunch, Goblin, Pilot (now Mandalore), Mouse, and Spitfire.
Another person was there named Wickwire. He wasn’t in the {EW} clan at the time, but he was good friends with all of the clan. Besides that, he was highly skilled, usually even giving the leaders of {EW} a run for their money, so they had allowed him to train with them.
Back behind a corner, Katie stared at them in amazement. She couldn’t believe the moves they were doing. She looked back on the note that Palpatine gave her after her test. It said in bold letters:
“MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM I SENT YOU.”
With a deep breath, Katie walked towards the {EW} members; with a full training uniform identical to the same the {EW} members were wearing; they were a gift from Palpatine.
“Hey man, what’s going on?” said Goblin said as the pretty girl walked up to them.
“I’m no guy!” responded Katie in an irritated voice.
“Goblin, watch your manners.” said Wickwire as he walked up to them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. If I may ask, what’s your name?”
“Katie.” replied Katie with a more sincere sounding voice. “Um…Palpatine told me to come here. Is this a bad time?”
Wickwire laughed, “No it’s a grand time. We’re training right now. I’m sure we wouldn’t mind another person to help us in Gladiator.”
“Gladiator?” questioned Katie with a puzzled look on her face.
“You’ll learn soon. Let me show you to the {EW} clan. I’m not in {EW}, but I’m very good friends with them."
“Excuse me, but what is your name?” Katie asked very politely as they walked back to them middle arena.
“Oh yeah, I’m sorry, my name is Wickwire.” He said.
As they neared the middle, some of the {EW} yelled toward them.
“C’mon Wick! It’s your turn!” shouted K.A.L.
“Hey, who is that chic that’s with ‘im?” Badger whispered as Wickwire and Katie entered the building.
“This is Katie. She said Palp sent her.” Wickwire said.
“Yeah Palp said he found someone good yesterday to me.” said Lunch with excitement.
“So, what’s your name?” said Mouse as she came up from behind everyone else. A strike of happiness hit Katie as she was relieved to see that another female was there.
“My name is Katie. Glad to meet you.”
“Hey Katie!” said everyone at the same time.
“You want to play Gladiator Katie?” Wickwire asked.
“I’ve never heard of Gladiator.” Katie said with a nervous look on her face.
“Ah, don’t worry. I’ll tell ya’ everything you need to know about Gladiator.” said Badger. He then took Katie to the observation booth and started telling her the rules.
After another round of fighting, Katie understood everything about Gladiator. She was ready to fight. Katie’s first opponent was Wickwire.
They put on their repellent armor and helmets. The lasers they used were charged at a constant ¼ power strike so it would only bruise the opponent. The thermals were a newly developed kind made of an explosive gas that would blow the opponent off the ground, but would not harm him/her. The missiles used the same principle as the ‘thermals’.
“You’re going to win you know.” Katie said as she prepared to battle.
“Don’t worry about who wins. This is for fun.” Wickwire said as he got ready. “But if you want, I can tone it down a bit.”
“Please do.” said Katie as the beginning shot was fired. Wickwire rushed her, but not aggressively. Katie began to shoot at him, but missed. She threw a grenade, catching Wickwire off-guard. She turned and shot at him, but he seemed to dodge it. Then with a quick trigger pull, Wickwire launched a rocket, hitting Katie dead-on. She flew back, hitting the ground hard.
“Wickwire wins!” The loudspeaker blared.
Wickwire ran up to Katie. “Are you alright?” Wickwire asked with concern.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” replied Katie dazedly as Wickwire helped her up. They both went back to the observation booth to watch the next match. While observing the next match, Katie whispered into Wickwire’s ear. “I didn’t even touch you with my gun. Do you think I’m even good enough to participate?”
“Oh you got me, don’t worry. Look here.” Wickwire said as he lifted is arm up. There was a fresh blaster wound right under his armpit.
“I’m so sorry! The suit doesn’t have much shielding there.” Katie gasped.
“Nothing a little bacta can cure. Don’t worry about it.” Wickwire assured.
They watched a few more matches, and then Katie volunteered. She faced Goblin. Goblin went defensive immediately once he shot the starting bolt. Katie, however ran right towards him and started shooting. This caught Goblin off-guard, and he struggled to counter it, but Katie had already had a huge advantage. With three well aimed shots to the head area, Goblin lost his balance and fell to the ground, slightly unconscious.
“Katie wins!”
“I won!?” Katie said with shock on her face.
“Dang, I couldn’t even put up a fight. Good match Katie.” Goblin said with slightly slurred words due to the beating he’d just received.
“Thanks.” Katie said cheerfully. After about thirty minutes of Gladiator, they decided to go back to base.
“Um, can I join {EW}?” Katie asked with an eager face.
“Sure Katie.” replied Badger. “You showed good skill,” then he added softly, “more than me, definitely.”
“Thank you, but I want to be better than I am right now…” Katie replied. Then she blushed once she realized what Badger had said quietly.
“None of us have time. You will have to do self training.” K.A.L. said as he gathered his equipment.
“Hey Badger, what if I trained her?” asked Wickwire. Wickwire had watched Katie fight with great interest. He could see the potential in her. All she needed was training in technique and tactics. Wickwire had trained many people in his lifetime, so he felt confidant Katie would improve under his instruction.
“Yeah that sounds fine, Wick.” He then looked at his watch. He shouted in a more ‘masculine’ voice: “Hoi! {EW}! We gotta’ go now.”
While the {EW} left, Katie and Wickwire chatted some more. “So you think you can handle me?” Katie said as she looked at Wickwire.
“Yeah, I think I can.” laughed Wickwire.
Katie went home, to find her brother back from his battle. “How was it Nick?” asked Katie as she closed the door.
“We won, but it was close.” said Nick nonchalantly as he tended to his wounds. Katie looked around nervously, but then found courage to speak.
“Nick, um…I joined a clan today.” Katie said as she started storing her gear in a box.
“You what?” screamed Nick as he got up. “You can’t be in battles, you’re a girl.”
“That’s it Nick! Come over here!” demanded Katie as she went to the simulation room. Nick followed regretfully, mumbling. Katie entered the room and starting fighting the simulation bots.
She took down the first one with a direct hit in the face. The second began firing in a sporadic ‘ai’ like way.
She rolled to the floor, and curved around the bot. She brought the gun into its mechanical back and fired four shots. Sparks flew everywhere, and metal dripped to the floor.
The third threw a thermal, so she dove over the detonator, shooting as she flew in the air.
Nick watched in utter astonishment. As she shot the last one down, she tore of her helmet, letting her hair fall.
“Now what do you say!” demanded Katie. There was a quick silence, and then Nick spoke.
“I never knew you could do that. You put my words to shame. I would be honored if you would join my band.”
“Nah, I’m with {EW}. I’m getting trained at the moment, so maybe I’ll beat you someday.” said Katie with a grin on her face.
Over the next few weeks, Katie received training from Wickwire. She improved at a startling rate. Wickwire had to increase the challenges constantly. One day, Badger, Katie, and Wickwire were having a friendly battle in the bustling Mos Eisly Spaceport during a weekend excursion.
“Why don’t you join {EW} Wick?” Katie asked.
“I never did tell you why, huh?” Wickwire said. “Alright this is why.”
Wickwire then explained to Katie that he sworn in 1.0 that he would never join a clan. He droned on and on about his theological reasons while Katie listened intently, trying to think of ways to make him reconsider.
“Wait, wasn’t that for only in Galaxy 1.0? We’re in Galaxy 1.3. You can join now, right?”
Wickwire considered this.
“You know what, she’s right Wick.” Badger jumped into the conversation. Wickwire thought more. Finally he decided.
“Alright, I’ll join.”
“YAY!” yelled Katie as she jumped up and down with excitement. Some of the locals looked at her strangely as they passed. The eccentric girl laughed nervously while she blushed.
About a week after Wickwire joined, Katie began to climb the rungs on the ladder of {EW}. She had joined the Infantry Squad. Caz, who was the leader of the squad at the time, was amazed with her skill. She soon became the second best in the squad. But being one of the only two girls in the clan, Katie felt she had something to prove. She could be seen constantly training with the self-training exercises Wickwire had given her.
“Amazing isn’t it?” Squirrel asked Badger as they stood at a window watching Katie.
“Yes it is. She is improving at a bloody blistering rate.” replied Badger as he looked on with great interest. Squirrel laughed.
“What are you two doing?” asked Wickwire as he walked up to Squirrel and Badger.
“Just watching Katie.” said Squirrel. He stammered, coughed, and rephrased it. “I mean, we’re just watching her train.”
“She’s doing remarkably well.” said Wickwire with a smile on his face. “She’s my best student, and that’s for sure.”
Soon after, Katie came out, sweat dripping from her hair and rolling on her face. It was easily noticeable, because the sweat glistened from the light being emitted into the hallway.
“Hey guys.” said Katie breathlessly.
“Hey Katie, can you come with me real quick?” asked Wickwire.
“Yeah, just let me change into clean clothes first.” said Katie as she closed the door to the training room. Badger and Squirrel left quickly after saying goodbye.
“Ok, I’ll be in the garden.” replied Wickwire as we walked toward the garden.
Very soon, Katie walked into the garden. She was cleaned up and looked very attractive after she had wiped all the dust off her face.
“So Wick, what is it that you need to tell me?” asked Katie as she sat down next to Wickwire.
“Katie, you have progressed extremely well, but I no longer can train you.” said Wickwire as he turned his head. “Yes…” he thought, “She is very pretty.”
He was warped back into reality when Katie responded.
“Why?” asked Katie with a sad look on her face. “There’s so much more I need to learn from you.”
“I am being pressured by a few people. I have spent a lot of time training you, but my demolition squad duties are becoming more and more. I’m sorry.” said Wickwire.
“Don’t be. I understand fully.” Katie said, trying to reassure Wickwire.
“Thank you. I know you will be able to learn more on your own…” He paused. “…I see a great future for you Katie.” replied Wickwire with a grin.
