Post by 10Tickler on Feb 19, 2009 13:52:16 GMT -5
Faction: Republic
Department: Special Operations
Rank: PFC
Name: Ellemaiare Redja
Race: Devaronian
Age: 22
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 132 lbs
Appearance:
Face/Hair: Link
Ellemaiare has Shaved most of her hair in an effect to Keep her Femininity while at the same time having the composure of a Soldier. The smaller darker spots on her face are similar to Freckles, while the Larger circular discolorations on her forehead are the Vestiges of the Horns that Males of her species still possess. Her eyes are a Light Blue-Grey
Traditional Formal Dress: Link
This is the Traditional Dress of the Region of Devaron where Ellemaiare was born. This Style of Clothing is used during Festivals, Celebrations and for weddings, in which the Design is usually Much more Extravagant.
Usually, Ellemaiare wears something Comfy, not caring about Fashion and Detesting Form-Fitting clothing. When not in BDUs, she can often be found in Sweats and an old shirt.
Birth place: Devaron
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 6
Intelligence: 5
Speed: 7
Leadership: 4
Unarmed: 6
Melee Weapons: 6
Ranged Weapons: 6
Alignment: +2
Department: Special Operations
Rank: PFC
Name: Ellemaiare Redja
Race: Devaronian
Age: 22
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 132 lbs
Appearance:
Face/Hair: Link
Ellemaiare has Shaved most of her hair in an effect to Keep her Femininity while at the same time having the composure of a Soldier. The smaller darker spots on her face are similar to Freckles, while the Larger circular discolorations on her forehead are the Vestiges of the Horns that Males of her species still possess. Her eyes are a Light Blue-Grey
Traditional Formal Dress: Link
This is the Traditional Dress of the Region of Devaron where Ellemaiare was born. This Style of Clothing is used during Festivals, Celebrations and for weddings, in which the Design is usually Much more Extravagant.
Usually, Ellemaiare wears something Comfy, not caring about Fashion and Detesting Form-Fitting clothing. When not in BDUs, she can often be found in Sweats and an old shirt.
Birth place: Devaron
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 6
Intelligence: 5
Speed: 7
Leadership: 4
Unarmed: 6
Melee Weapons: 6
Ranged Weapons: 6
Alignment: +2
Bio:
Birth-3
Devaron is a river planet. This does not mean that it's All Rivers, but merely that it's Surface is Criss-crossed by thousands, no hundreds of thousands of Rivers, Cutting through Valleys and Mountains, Hills and Plains, Carving Canyons and Creating Sheer Cliff faces. It was on a Riverboat, headed to one of the larger population centers of the Planet that Ellemaiare Redja was born, The Planet's star Hidden from her view by sheer cliffs that rose almost a thousand feet into the sky.
As is usual for The Devaronians, it was without her father Present that Ellemaiare was born, her mother having kicked him back into space after the mating season was over. He had sent money however, and Quite a lot of it. It seemed that he was doing well casting his luck among the stars, and The Elder Redja Female was more then happy to let him. At least he wasn't causing trouble at home.
As things happen, her Pregnancy wasn't Overly difficult, her Cravings not unusual, and at 4:15 in the afternoon, Gathis Redja gave birth to an absolutely amazing (in her eyes at least) Daughter, a Baby Girl with Freckles splashed across her brow and hair that was fairly light in the Front, yet grew darker in the back. Taking the Girl into her arms, Gathis named her Ellemaiare, meaning Sunlight, for her daughter's skin was lighter then her own.
Growing up on Devaron was easy for the Young girl, as she was pampered by her Mother and Aunts, and always attended to, never to want for anything, always surrounded by love and soft, pretty clothes. Because of the constant attention, and because of her personality, Ellemaiare was a VERY vocal infant, and when she wanted something, you would know by the way that she would come to you and tug and babble in your Direction.
She was a Quick learner, and mastered Sitting up on her own and Crawling within six months. Following that, she learned to walk and started to speak words that were garbled and shortened, but recognizable at one year old.
Quickly after that, she began to speak more intelligibly, Making requests for favored sweets, toys and Games. When her father got a message from Gathis, it was unexpected, but as it turned out, it was a Holorecording of Gathis and Ellemaiare, saying hello and wishing him luck in space. He treasured it for his entire life.
By two years old, Ellemaiare was speaking in basic sentences, still in her native toungue, and her mother took her everywhere she went, proudly displaying her Daughter to her friends and Family. It was this way that Ellemaiare learned the Terrain of her Home planet, and throughout the years, she would explore more and more on her own.
However, that's neither here in her story, nor now. Fore following Two years of age, her third year approached, and passed rapidly. By this time, Ellemaiare was Following the Normal path of Childhood Development in physical, mental and social senses quite well, having gained a rather haughty attitude towards the men and boys that she knew. It was her mother's Behavior that taught her that, but it was the norm on Devaron.
4-7
When year four rolled around finally, Gathis spared no expense in getting her daughter a Good Education, Going as far as Hiring a Tutor, a Female Devaronian named Fyorin who had traveled the stars as a Senator for several years, Representing Devaron. So while learning under the woman's tutelage, Practicing Basic, Mathematics and Local history, Her free time was spent with the rather liberal woman, exploring.
From her first steps off the beaten path, Ellemaiare was enchanted, enthralled with the Liberating freedom of exploration, the scents in the forest air, the sounds of nature around her. It was amazing, and with encouragement from Fyorin, she began to explore in her own house as well.
On one such jaunt, into the old House's Cellars, The Five-year old girl discovered something interesting, stored in an old crate. It was a Military Uniform, one with her mother's name on it, as well as several smaller packages, then when opened, their contents shone in what little light there was. Inside of the Packages, were several medals, one of which showing that her mother had been a Master Pathfinder, the Scouts of the Devaronian Homeguard. Later that night, when Ellemaiare asked her mother, Gathis regaled the child with grand stories about her life as a Scout before she had gotten married and into Political service.
7-16
Fueled onward by her mother's tales of Scouting and the glory of War, Ellemaiare enrolled in a Youth program that would help her to build her skills in forestcraft, and throughout her teenage years, as she developed in a womanly way, so too did her skills develop, becoming quite skilled at Tracking, silent movement and Covering great distances in shorter periods then it would take most people.
As Ellemaiare rose in rank in the program, she began to take on the role of a sort of Tutor to the Younger members, a move that made the higher ups take note. By the time that she was thirteen, she was leading a small squad on her own, gaining the trust of it's other three members, and together, they made a small name for themselves in the Youth Program, and Earning Ellemaiare a Scholarship to a prestigious Military Academy. Her beaming Mother supporting this, She accepted the Free Ride through What amounted to her last years of Highschool, and another two years of College.
Life in the Academy was hard, for a teenager, alone save for one or two other Scholarship winners. The Halls were tight-packed with Older students, and the teachers expected a lot from her. She wasn't the best at some of the Subjects, such as math, but Ellemaiare was able to slip through with passing grades, sometimes barely at best.
It didn't help that she was no longer on her Home Planet. The Academy was actually located on a Small Moon, off of Onderon, where the older students could travel for Leave on weekends. Far from Deveron, Ellemaiare could feel a longing for her Home planet for several years, then it suddenly seemed to end, as though an Umbilical cord was cut. Having lost the nagging sensation, She started to preform better in school, and was soon in the top ten of the High School students at the academy.
Prodded along by her mother's words of encouragement, as well as her Advisor's own ideas as to how to secure herself a better chance at Rapid enlistment, and following such advice, Ellemaiare took on extra duties at the academy, including working with the Staff to assist in planning and executing events, as well as assisting with other odd duties around the building. This build up a reputation for the Girl, the young woman, around campus, as someone who strove to please as best as possible, and when the time came for an inspection by the top Brass, they were impressed.
16-18
As impressed as Brass might have been, one can do nothing about age. As she was still Sixteen, there would be two years before she could enter any sort of actual Service beyond the Academy. Sadly for her, she'd have to wait, no if's ands or buts involved. She decided to use this time to advance her skills, becoming somewhat proficient in the use of CQC weapons, Rifles and her own fists, showing a greater speed than strength, but learning and adapting because of it. While it might take her a few strikes where a larger classmate would only require one, hers were delivered upon the Training droid's sensors with rapidity.
In order to take advantage of her natural disposition towards speed, rather than strength, she began to train with light weights around her biceps and forearms, toning the muscles further. Running was done daily at the Academy, and then her legs too were weighted down. Daily, she continued to train, all the while learning more advanced skills in Forestcraft, Tracking and Cartography.
The strain, however, seemed to begin to take it's toll on the girl, and as she approached her eighteenth birthday, she became irritable, stressing out over minor things. She had been assigned a Trainee Squad for Daily activities, PT and other assorted duties, and they noticed her stress levels rising first and most dramatically. "Her" squad requested of the Higherups that Elle be given some sort of assistance, and as a result, she was taken from the Roster, her position given to another classmate of hers. It was a Devastating blow, but one that she eventually realized was for the best. Her companions in the squad had only cared for her wellbeing, and leading the Squad, being responsible for them had only made her worry constantly.
Ellemaiare learned that day that she wasn't the type to lead, but to follow. Given the right commander, one with not only the intelligence to back his orders up, but also the Charisma to deliver them meaningfully to his troops...she figured she'd be willing to go to hell and make sure everyone around her came back with her.
18-Current
Or: Talented Scouting
It was during the Summer of her Eighteenth year, during a Training Exercise, designed to showcase a Graduate's abilities to their Family, to the Top Brass of the Academy, and to whatever distinguished Visitors might have happened to be there, that an Admiral in the Republic made Elle's Acquaintance. After the Graduation Ceremony, where Elle graduated 15th out of 75, he took a moment to carry on a Conversation with the girl, whom he found not only respectful, but mindful of Social status, political Niceties and generally a well-bred girl. Charmed by her abilities during the exercise, as well as her presence off the field, the Admiral approached her with a choice. Enlistment in the Ranks of the Republic Forces, or to stay with her people, serving them.
What child, what woman would dare turn down such an offer? From basic Planetary exploration and Homeplanet defense, to galactic service? Not only that, but with her Training, specialization and all, SpecOps was more than a dream, but a Defined probability, and a high one at that. Still, she had doubts, and begging the Admiral's pardon, excused herself. Her mother was here, and she needed to talk to someone who could offer better, unbiased guidance.
Elle's mother had aged well over the years, becoming quite distinguished in her years. Listening to her daughter's problems, she couldn't help but smile. For some odd reason, it seemed that her Daughter had inherited her father's insatiable appetite for Exploration, for seeing everything and always doing something. It was with that thought in her mind that she encouraged her daughter to Enlist, to join the Republic. The party, that night, was fantastic.
It was early the next morning, with several other Graduates that Ellemaiare Redja embarked on her next great adventure. The Shuttle that carried them to the Massive Republic Frigate above was a small one, but...it was a rush, leaving the atmosphere above the Academy, feeling every bump, it was pure electricity in Elle's veins. Sheer, unadulterated exhilaration.
Then they were aboard the ship.
Life wasn't much different on the Republic Vessel, named the Radiant. Up every morning at 4:30, Bunks Cleaned and made by 5, according to the Ship's Chronometer. It was here that they were introduced to the man who would be taking their training into his own hands, Master Sergeant Kirrk. He was a Tough man, training these children, barely out of Grade school in his opinion, to become the elite killing machines of the Republic Army's Special Forces. The Devaronian and other assorted students under him were nothing special, their grades were worthless and frankly, none of their skills impressed him.
Master Sergeant Kirrk had seen a lot in his time, and he knew, each and every one of the Trainees assigned to him would hate his guts now. Later, though...that was what he always waited for. He never treated anyone with any sort of Favor. Every trainee would swear that Kirrk had it out for them. He did. Even though these recruits were raw, unpolished and completely worthless now, he had a duty to them, and to the Republic to bring out the best in them. It would be him who recommended duty stations, if only due to the time he would spend observing them.
Elle, and all the other students only had to prove that they could make the grade to themselves. Kirrk always looked for that, Self-Confidence in the face of the adversity know to recruits that had passed his standards as "Kirrk's Hell," A training Facility on Kuat.
It was a short trip, thanks to the wonders of Hyperspace, but by the time they got there, Ellemaiare had changed drastically. On her home planet, her layer of fur would have made for excellent camouflage, here? Not as much. It was gone, her Coat, pretty much everything, save for a thin stubble atop of her head. Luckily enough for her, the Medbay aboard the Radiant was quite used to students who had too much hair and didn't care to bother. Her skin had been lasered smooth.
Kuat, at least above and around the Planet, was a breathtaking Sight. The Shipyards themselves a bustling hub of constant activity. Ships constantly leaving, arriving, cargo loaded and unloaded, and shuttles filled with people and goods headed to the Planet's surface. It was on the Surface of the Planet that the recruits got their first taste of true hell, however.
The meals? Tasteless. The Schedule? Brutal. Up before the sun, Cleaning, cooking, Running a few kilometers before breakfast. Training the body, the mind and testing the spirit of each recruit. By the time Dusk fell, the soldiers in training would be worn down, having had a day filled with movement, heat, Weapons assembly and Dis-assembly, not to mention, rigorous Firing Range work. Their stance, their aim, even how they breathed, it all had to be perfect. If one recruit couldn't quite grasp an idea, they would all be kept there until all of them understood, were able to utilize and could quote the theory behind it right back to Kirrk.
Some of the slower students...weren't all that popular.
After the First few months, once he believed that the Recruits were ready, prepared for the next phase, the next step in their training. Simulated Combat Situations Courses. SCSC. These areas, outside of the Camp itself, were designed for realism, to test a Recruit's ability to handle pressure on the field of battle itself. There were various settings that the Republic had created, all in an effort to force preparation upon those called to defend the Republic against external foes, internal traitors and those who carried out seditious actions against the People of the Republic herself.
The First Simulated Combat arena was actually aboard a large, Decommissioned Frigate, and...wasn't played out as a Test.
Instead, the Recruits were split into teams, told that there was an emergency above. Republic Forces were unable to respond quickly enough so they had been called on to assist. Handed rifles, the Students were not informed of the lack of actual charge in the packs, instead each weapon carrying stunning rounds.
The first attempt to take the ship ended in miserable failure.
Neither team wanted to work with the other, and within the teams themselves, dissension amongst the ranks made getting anywhere at all nothing short of impossible. Both teams were swiftly eliminated, felled by stun-set blasters. It was with sheer disgust in his face that he revealed to the Recruits how badly they had failed.
Complete Disaster, they were told, A Lack of Cohesive movement. The only one who'd been willing to follow orders had been Ellemaiare, and she wasn't even willing to command in any way. In order to promote teamwork and a sense of Familiarity with moving in Squad formation, they would from that point on be Together, each second of the cycle spent working together, eating, sleeping, living and breathing the same.
Elle just sighed. Her entire squad was male, save for her, not prone to wanting to listen and prideful. She was a scout, by training and by assignment. If anything, a Solo operator...but one a team couldn't live without. Unfortunately, aboard the ship, the two teams had split almost instantly, hadn't kept communications open, and without any clearly defined objectives, had fallen quickly to the Stun bolts of the simulated enemies.
So they lived together, they trained together. Learned each other's quirks and habits, what made them strong, and what could be seen as a weakness. They worked to help one another when they needed it, but for the most part, Ellemaiare Kept herself distant emotionally. These men were nothing more than training partners, to connect more fully would be a weakness later on, she rationalized. The next exercise, an Urban one, went far better the next month, and each of the teams continued to improve.
More time passed, Training in the field and in the classroom all the same, studying advanced tactics and Field commands, as well as the Rank structure of the Republic. The training Center was one for recruits with some amount of training, so unlike basic, they didn't receive the beginner's rifle or sidearm training, but instead were instructed in CQC, the usage of weight ratios and attack vectors to their advantage. Smaller than the rest of her Squadmates, Ellemaiare paid attention, knowing that she'd need speed and cunning if ever in a serious fight, her strength just not up to par with that of most soldiers.
More time training passed, and so did the recruits, their Final Evaluation being two part, a Written exam on the theories behind the tactics used in Modern Combat, and a Physical Exam that tested their Strength, Endurance and reflexes in a situation that would be common in a combat situation.
These tests, aside from proving that they had the skills required to serve, also were used to indicate which duty station they would be assigned to, which unit they would be incorporated into. Ellemaiare was picked to join a Newer Company, the 178th Airborn Division. A H.A.L.O. Squad, who's stated mission objectives was suppression and Advanced Tactical Warfare. It was with a Salute, and a Handshake that Elle said her farewells to Kirrk, respecting him for his efforts, understanding what he was trying to do with the training.
And so, Elle found herself training again, with a new squad, the Leader a brash Sergeant named Damien J. Meesha. Deep inside, the Devaronian, a Girl who'd grown up exploring the woods and rivers of her home planet, felt like she had found a new family, a home even.
Birth-3
Devaron is a river planet. This does not mean that it's All Rivers, but merely that it's Surface is Criss-crossed by thousands, no hundreds of thousands of Rivers, Cutting through Valleys and Mountains, Hills and Plains, Carving Canyons and Creating Sheer Cliff faces. It was on a Riverboat, headed to one of the larger population centers of the Planet that Ellemaiare Redja was born, The Planet's star Hidden from her view by sheer cliffs that rose almost a thousand feet into the sky.
As is usual for The Devaronians, it was without her father Present that Ellemaiare was born, her mother having kicked him back into space after the mating season was over. He had sent money however, and Quite a lot of it. It seemed that he was doing well casting his luck among the stars, and The Elder Redja Female was more then happy to let him. At least he wasn't causing trouble at home.
As things happen, her Pregnancy wasn't Overly difficult, her Cravings not unusual, and at 4:15 in the afternoon, Gathis Redja gave birth to an absolutely amazing (in her eyes at least) Daughter, a Baby Girl with Freckles splashed across her brow and hair that was fairly light in the Front, yet grew darker in the back. Taking the Girl into her arms, Gathis named her Ellemaiare, meaning Sunlight, for her daughter's skin was lighter then her own.
Growing up on Devaron was easy for the Young girl, as she was pampered by her Mother and Aunts, and always attended to, never to want for anything, always surrounded by love and soft, pretty clothes. Because of the constant attention, and because of her personality, Ellemaiare was a VERY vocal infant, and when she wanted something, you would know by the way that she would come to you and tug and babble in your Direction.
She was a Quick learner, and mastered Sitting up on her own and Crawling within six months. Following that, she learned to walk and started to speak words that were garbled and shortened, but recognizable at one year old.
Quickly after that, she began to speak more intelligibly, Making requests for favored sweets, toys and Games. When her father got a message from Gathis, it was unexpected, but as it turned out, it was a Holorecording of Gathis and Ellemaiare, saying hello and wishing him luck in space. He treasured it for his entire life.
By two years old, Ellemaiare was speaking in basic sentences, still in her native toungue, and her mother took her everywhere she went, proudly displaying her Daughter to her friends and Family. It was this way that Ellemaiare learned the Terrain of her Home planet, and throughout the years, she would explore more and more on her own.
However, that's neither here in her story, nor now. Fore following Two years of age, her third year approached, and passed rapidly. By this time, Ellemaiare was Following the Normal path of Childhood Development in physical, mental and social senses quite well, having gained a rather haughty attitude towards the men and boys that she knew. It was her mother's Behavior that taught her that, but it was the norm on Devaron.
4-7
When year four rolled around finally, Gathis spared no expense in getting her daughter a Good Education, Going as far as Hiring a Tutor, a Female Devaronian named Fyorin who had traveled the stars as a Senator for several years, Representing Devaron. So while learning under the woman's tutelage, Practicing Basic, Mathematics and Local history, Her free time was spent with the rather liberal woman, exploring.
From her first steps off the beaten path, Ellemaiare was enchanted, enthralled with the Liberating freedom of exploration, the scents in the forest air, the sounds of nature around her. It was amazing, and with encouragement from Fyorin, she began to explore in her own house as well.
On one such jaunt, into the old House's Cellars, The Five-year old girl discovered something interesting, stored in an old crate. It was a Military Uniform, one with her mother's name on it, as well as several smaller packages, then when opened, their contents shone in what little light there was. Inside of the Packages, were several medals, one of which showing that her mother had been a Master Pathfinder, the Scouts of the Devaronian Homeguard. Later that night, when Ellemaiare asked her mother, Gathis regaled the child with grand stories about her life as a Scout before she had gotten married and into Political service.
7-16
Fueled onward by her mother's tales of Scouting and the glory of War, Ellemaiare enrolled in a Youth program that would help her to build her skills in forestcraft, and throughout her teenage years, as she developed in a womanly way, so too did her skills develop, becoming quite skilled at Tracking, silent movement and Covering great distances in shorter periods then it would take most people.
As Ellemaiare rose in rank in the program, she began to take on the role of a sort of Tutor to the Younger members, a move that made the higher ups take note. By the time that she was thirteen, she was leading a small squad on her own, gaining the trust of it's other three members, and together, they made a small name for themselves in the Youth Program, and Earning Ellemaiare a Scholarship to a prestigious Military Academy. Her beaming Mother supporting this, She accepted the Free Ride through What amounted to her last years of Highschool, and another two years of College.
Life in the Academy was hard, for a teenager, alone save for one or two other Scholarship winners. The Halls were tight-packed with Older students, and the teachers expected a lot from her. She wasn't the best at some of the Subjects, such as math, but Ellemaiare was able to slip through with passing grades, sometimes barely at best.
It didn't help that she was no longer on her Home Planet. The Academy was actually located on a Small Moon, off of Onderon, where the older students could travel for Leave on weekends. Far from Deveron, Ellemaiare could feel a longing for her Home planet for several years, then it suddenly seemed to end, as though an Umbilical cord was cut. Having lost the nagging sensation, She started to preform better in school, and was soon in the top ten of the High School students at the academy.
Prodded along by her mother's words of encouragement, as well as her Advisor's own ideas as to how to secure herself a better chance at Rapid enlistment, and following such advice, Ellemaiare took on extra duties at the academy, including working with the Staff to assist in planning and executing events, as well as assisting with other odd duties around the building. This build up a reputation for the Girl, the young woman, around campus, as someone who strove to please as best as possible, and when the time came for an inspection by the top Brass, they were impressed.
16-18
As impressed as Brass might have been, one can do nothing about age. As she was still Sixteen, there would be two years before she could enter any sort of actual Service beyond the Academy. Sadly for her, she'd have to wait, no if's ands or buts involved. She decided to use this time to advance her skills, becoming somewhat proficient in the use of CQC weapons, Rifles and her own fists, showing a greater speed than strength, but learning and adapting because of it. While it might take her a few strikes where a larger classmate would only require one, hers were delivered upon the Training droid's sensors with rapidity.
In order to take advantage of her natural disposition towards speed, rather than strength, she began to train with light weights around her biceps and forearms, toning the muscles further. Running was done daily at the Academy, and then her legs too were weighted down. Daily, she continued to train, all the while learning more advanced skills in Forestcraft, Tracking and Cartography.
The strain, however, seemed to begin to take it's toll on the girl, and as she approached her eighteenth birthday, she became irritable, stressing out over minor things. She had been assigned a Trainee Squad for Daily activities, PT and other assorted duties, and they noticed her stress levels rising first and most dramatically. "Her" squad requested of the Higherups that Elle be given some sort of assistance, and as a result, she was taken from the Roster, her position given to another classmate of hers. It was a Devastating blow, but one that she eventually realized was for the best. Her companions in the squad had only cared for her wellbeing, and leading the Squad, being responsible for them had only made her worry constantly.
Ellemaiare learned that day that she wasn't the type to lead, but to follow. Given the right commander, one with not only the intelligence to back his orders up, but also the Charisma to deliver them meaningfully to his troops...she figured she'd be willing to go to hell and make sure everyone around her came back with her.
18-Current
Or: Talented Scouting
It was during the Summer of her Eighteenth year, during a Training Exercise, designed to showcase a Graduate's abilities to their Family, to the Top Brass of the Academy, and to whatever distinguished Visitors might have happened to be there, that an Admiral in the Republic made Elle's Acquaintance. After the Graduation Ceremony, where Elle graduated 15th out of 75, he took a moment to carry on a Conversation with the girl, whom he found not only respectful, but mindful of Social status, political Niceties and generally a well-bred girl. Charmed by her abilities during the exercise, as well as her presence off the field, the Admiral approached her with a choice. Enlistment in the Ranks of the Republic Forces, or to stay with her people, serving them.
What child, what woman would dare turn down such an offer? From basic Planetary exploration and Homeplanet defense, to galactic service? Not only that, but with her Training, specialization and all, SpecOps was more than a dream, but a Defined probability, and a high one at that. Still, she had doubts, and begging the Admiral's pardon, excused herself. Her mother was here, and she needed to talk to someone who could offer better, unbiased guidance.
Elle's mother had aged well over the years, becoming quite distinguished in her years. Listening to her daughter's problems, she couldn't help but smile. For some odd reason, it seemed that her Daughter had inherited her father's insatiable appetite for Exploration, for seeing everything and always doing something. It was with that thought in her mind that she encouraged her daughter to Enlist, to join the Republic. The party, that night, was fantastic.
It was early the next morning, with several other Graduates that Ellemaiare Redja embarked on her next great adventure. The Shuttle that carried them to the Massive Republic Frigate above was a small one, but...it was a rush, leaving the atmosphere above the Academy, feeling every bump, it was pure electricity in Elle's veins. Sheer, unadulterated exhilaration.
Then they were aboard the ship.
Life wasn't much different on the Republic Vessel, named the Radiant. Up every morning at 4:30, Bunks Cleaned and made by 5, according to the Ship's Chronometer. It was here that they were introduced to the man who would be taking their training into his own hands, Master Sergeant Kirrk. He was a Tough man, training these children, barely out of Grade school in his opinion, to become the elite killing machines of the Republic Army's Special Forces. The Devaronian and other assorted students under him were nothing special, their grades were worthless and frankly, none of their skills impressed him.
Master Sergeant Kirrk had seen a lot in his time, and he knew, each and every one of the Trainees assigned to him would hate his guts now. Later, though...that was what he always waited for. He never treated anyone with any sort of Favor. Every trainee would swear that Kirrk had it out for them. He did. Even though these recruits were raw, unpolished and completely worthless now, he had a duty to them, and to the Republic to bring out the best in them. It would be him who recommended duty stations, if only due to the time he would spend observing them.
Elle, and all the other students only had to prove that they could make the grade to themselves. Kirrk always looked for that, Self-Confidence in the face of the adversity know to recruits that had passed his standards as "Kirrk's Hell," A training Facility on Kuat.
It was a short trip, thanks to the wonders of Hyperspace, but by the time they got there, Ellemaiare had changed drastically. On her home planet, her layer of fur would have made for excellent camouflage, here? Not as much. It was gone, her Coat, pretty much everything, save for a thin stubble atop of her head. Luckily enough for her, the Medbay aboard the Radiant was quite used to students who had too much hair and didn't care to bother. Her skin had been lasered smooth.
Kuat, at least above and around the Planet, was a breathtaking Sight. The Shipyards themselves a bustling hub of constant activity. Ships constantly leaving, arriving, cargo loaded and unloaded, and shuttles filled with people and goods headed to the Planet's surface. It was on the Surface of the Planet that the recruits got their first taste of true hell, however.
The meals? Tasteless. The Schedule? Brutal. Up before the sun, Cleaning, cooking, Running a few kilometers before breakfast. Training the body, the mind and testing the spirit of each recruit. By the time Dusk fell, the soldiers in training would be worn down, having had a day filled with movement, heat, Weapons assembly and Dis-assembly, not to mention, rigorous Firing Range work. Their stance, their aim, even how they breathed, it all had to be perfect. If one recruit couldn't quite grasp an idea, they would all be kept there until all of them understood, were able to utilize and could quote the theory behind it right back to Kirrk.
Some of the slower students...weren't all that popular.
After the First few months, once he believed that the Recruits were ready, prepared for the next phase, the next step in their training. Simulated Combat Situations Courses. SCSC. These areas, outside of the Camp itself, were designed for realism, to test a Recruit's ability to handle pressure on the field of battle itself. There were various settings that the Republic had created, all in an effort to force preparation upon those called to defend the Republic against external foes, internal traitors and those who carried out seditious actions against the People of the Republic herself.
The First Simulated Combat arena was actually aboard a large, Decommissioned Frigate, and...wasn't played out as a Test.
Instead, the Recruits were split into teams, told that there was an emergency above. Republic Forces were unable to respond quickly enough so they had been called on to assist. Handed rifles, the Students were not informed of the lack of actual charge in the packs, instead each weapon carrying stunning rounds.
The first attempt to take the ship ended in miserable failure.
Neither team wanted to work with the other, and within the teams themselves, dissension amongst the ranks made getting anywhere at all nothing short of impossible. Both teams were swiftly eliminated, felled by stun-set blasters. It was with sheer disgust in his face that he revealed to the Recruits how badly they had failed.
Complete Disaster, they were told, A Lack of Cohesive movement. The only one who'd been willing to follow orders had been Ellemaiare, and she wasn't even willing to command in any way. In order to promote teamwork and a sense of Familiarity with moving in Squad formation, they would from that point on be Together, each second of the cycle spent working together, eating, sleeping, living and breathing the same.
Elle just sighed. Her entire squad was male, save for her, not prone to wanting to listen and prideful. She was a scout, by training and by assignment. If anything, a Solo operator...but one a team couldn't live without. Unfortunately, aboard the ship, the two teams had split almost instantly, hadn't kept communications open, and without any clearly defined objectives, had fallen quickly to the Stun bolts of the simulated enemies.
So they lived together, they trained together. Learned each other's quirks and habits, what made them strong, and what could be seen as a weakness. They worked to help one another when they needed it, but for the most part, Ellemaiare Kept herself distant emotionally. These men were nothing more than training partners, to connect more fully would be a weakness later on, she rationalized. The next exercise, an Urban one, went far better the next month, and each of the teams continued to improve.
More time passed, Training in the field and in the classroom all the same, studying advanced tactics and Field commands, as well as the Rank structure of the Republic. The training Center was one for recruits with some amount of training, so unlike basic, they didn't receive the beginner's rifle or sidearm training, but instead were instructed in CQC, the usage of weight ratios and attack vectors to their advantage. Smaller than the rest of her Squadmates, Ellemaiare paid attention, knowing that she'd need speed and cunning if ever in a serious fight, her strength just not up to par with that of most soldiers.
More time training passed, and so did the recruits, their Final Evaluation being two part, a Written exam on the theories behind the tactics used in Modern Combat, and a Physical Exam that tested their Strength, Endurance and reflexes in a situation that would be common in a combat situation.
These tests, aside from proving that they had the skills required to serve, also were used to indicate which duty station they would be assigned to, which unit they would be incorporated into. Ellemaiare was picked to join a Newer Company, the 178th Airborn Division. A H.A.L.O. Squad, who's stated mission objectives was suppression and Advanced Tactical Warfare. It was with a Salute, and a Handshake that Elle said her farewells to Kirrk, respecting him for his efforts, understanding what he was trying to do with the training.
And so, Elle found herself training again, with a new squad, the Leader a brash Sergeant named Damien J. Meesha. Deep inside, the Devaronian, a Girl who'd grown up exploring the woods and rivers of her home planet, felt like she had found a new family, a home even.
