"So what's the deal with the new guy?"

Poe Dameron, Head of Science, leaned back in his chair and sighed. Much as he liked the energy and enthusiasm of Michael Finlay - Finn to his colleagues - as an addition to his team, the man's relentless demand for answers could get wearing.

"I don't know." He shrugged, and took a sip of coffee, checking his watch. Ten minutes until the end of recess. "All I do know is that we have a new Vice Principal arriving, and he is it."

"And no-one's ever seen him? Just seems strange." Finn shrugged.

"Why?"

"That Skywalker would hire someone for this job without even telling us."

"Skywalker is Executive Principal. He doesn't have to tell us anything."

"But he usually does," Finn argued, his own coffee cooling in its mug as he focused his eyes on the other man's face. "He normally holds meetings and tells us everything, and this guy is just going to show up?"

Poe sighed, and took a swallow of his own lukewarm beverage. "I can't answer. All I do know is that we have to trust him. He's always made good decisions in the past-"

He broke off as the door to the Staff lounge swung open, and a young woman entered. Dressed in dark brown slacks and a white shirt, her hair swept up, she nodded, pleasantly. "Good morning!"

"Good morning Rey," Poe answered graciously. "How're you settling in?"

"Fine, thank you. Although I'm still getting used to driving on the other side of the road - and the heat." She shook her head. "I can't get used to this relentless sunshine here. At home its usually grey, rain, grey...and bit more rain."

Poe smiled. "Well, its good to know things are OK."

"No, everything's fine." She swallowed as she moved over to the photocopier. "But I've been told I've got a new line manager from tomorrow. The Vice Principal. Apparently he's going to be in charge of English and Languages."

Poe looked at Finn. "Really? Bet Hux will be thrilled at that."

Finn tried hard not to smile. Hux, the Head of Foreign Languages, was notorious for his sharp tongue and refusal to be ordered about. Skywalker had handled him with gentle persuasion, due to his recognising Hux's good results, but Finn was willing to bet the new arrival wouldn't be quite so easy going.

"Well, its all a learning curve." Poe shrugged, and put down his now empty mug. "Right, time to go and deal with Tenth graders, who no doubt will not have completed last night's assignment."

Rey smiled. "Enjoy!"

Poe stood up. "I'll take that as a sign of pure British politeness...or maybe your famous sarcasm." Turning, he began to walk towards the door. "Finn...you have the lovely Eleventh grade..."

"Oh, yeah, be right there!" Quickly, the other man put his mug down and hurried to leave, waving at Rey. She smiled. Even after only a couple of days, she was beginning to feel welcome. She lifted the lid of the copier, and retrieved her papers. Shuffling them into her folder, she turned and began to head back to the English Faculty.

"Right. Now, this class we will be focusing on atoms - I do hope you're paying attention at the front! - and -"

Poe blinked. He'd turned to the right side of the lab, which consisted of a wall of windows facing into the halls. Standing at one of the windows was a tall man whom he'd never seen before. He frowned slightly. He could have sworn the man had shrugged, turned, and walked away. Putting it out of his mind, he returned to his explanation.

"I have the files for you, they're on your desk."

"Thank you."

Annette Phasma smiled as she turned away from her boss. Being told she would be the PA to the new Vice Principal had come as a surprise, but she felt that after two years working on the front desk in the School Reception, she was ready for a new challenge. "Coffee?"

"No, thank you. But could you email..." he paused, and looked at the list he held in his hand "Hux, and ask him to come to my office at half two?"

"Of course." Turning, the tall, gracious woman walked into her adjoining office, leaving Ren to seat himself.

He twisted his chair, looking at the paperwork spread over his desk. A new position, Vice Principal - and in a school were there was a family connection. But he shrugged. The connection was so tenuous as to be almost meaningless, and it had very little impact on him. He shifted through the papers, and then blinked. A smile appeared on his face. He pressed the button on his desk intercom.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Annette. Would you ask Rey - she's in the English Faculty - to come up here straight away?"

"I believe she's teaching."

"Not a problem. Ask her to come."