Officers ready for Command assignments and eager
to bloody a few Imperial noses!"
17 "Well, I'm sure," agreed Morn, "North can find worthy positions for
them all!"
18 North looked troubled and his old Teacher could tell. "All right,
Cadet," he inquired, "what's eating you?"
19 "Sir," began North, "I understand your desire for combat positions.
My training facilities are good, but I
have NEVER had Officers as skilled and dedicated as those that serve
under you! I am sending raw kids out into battle, facing seasoned
veterans with little more than their courage and the basic knowledge of
how their ships work. I DESPERATELY need your skills and the skills of
those with you to give these people a fighting chance!"
20 Red Star looked disappointed. He glanced around the command deck
where he sat, and those with him nodded a response to his look. "We
should have realized that, ourselves," The Academy Commandant answered.
"Of course, North! Tell us where to set up. The first thing we'll do is
sharpen the training Officers you have, and then give you some Cadets
worthy of your leadership."
21 He rose and snapped a sharp Imperial salute, which North answered.
In a couple of months North had three Academies, instead of two. They
were turning out Officers of a quality equal, or, better, than anything
The Empire had! It gave The Republic Forces one more important edge.
22 Quickly they prepared for an historic meeting. They had so little
time. North had to make some arrangements in flight. But at the
appointed time their three ships entered system. Within minutes their
counterparts materialized from leap, and took up a heading for the
assigned planet. The Republic's vessels followed suit. Two fell behind
in perfect unison with The Imperial vessels.