PIETT AT THE ACADMEY
Written and submitted by Aaron Wee

Silence gripped the assembled young men. The cadets were assembled in neat rows, each being given a number. Over the hyper-comm system, the voice of an Imperial officer rang out through the ranks of these brave soon-to-be warriors.

"We will board the transports in an orderly fashion. No talking, and pick up the pace. Let's move!"

Piett in his prime (then again, he always is), was in Row 3. Strains of the Imperial March were barely audible over the loud humming of the waiting transports.

"Row 1! March!"

Exhilaration coursed through the veins of the feverish Piett. I made it! Piett thought This is it. My life begins anew. I'm here. I'm part of the Empire. Piett imagined the smiling faces of his mother and father and although they weren't here now, he knew they were watching, and are proud.

"Row 2! March!"

He watched anxiously as the first 2 rows marched up the Star Walker and the Exile.

"Row 3! March!"

Piett smartly turned and followed the man ahead of him towards the Blizzard. Piett struggled to suppress a smile. His whole life
he had just seen his father serve the occasional customer from behind the counter, but now he was alive, he now can begin to serve the Empire, the Empire which brought him life and happiness.

His feet touched the hard durasteel ramp. There was no turning back now. The future lay inviting, waiting for him to jump in and seize the chance to go on the wildest trip of his life, the awakening. Awakening from the years he spent at home with holo-classes relayed to his house from Correlia or Ghorman or Bakura or Coruscant, all theory no practice.

He risked a faint smile. The urge to scream was unbearable. The forward sparkled like a star cluster in front of him. There didn't seem to be any other alternative......

Several years later.......
 

"Cadet Piett! Congratulations. You have graduated with flying colors. The Emperor will be pleased!" The words of Sergeant Chilmon rang in the newly promoted Ensign Piett's ears. Piett's thoughts drifted back to the Blizzard. And he could control the urge to scream no longer. Well, anyway, he had done it.