Dantooine:

Kara wearily pulled herself into the Shadow Blade, exhaustion threatening to overcome her. Her stomach was in knots. She knew the troops would be eager for more details about Seevor. Thane threw himself into his seat, waiting for the usual mission debrief with disgust on his face, before realising that none would come. The last of the fourteen troopers clambered aboard the Blade and the ramp closed with a hydraulic hiss. Everybody was waiting, most staring at the hull. There was no missing Seevor's absence.

After some awkward moments of silence, Kara realised everyone was watching her. Thane wasn't ready to speak. Kara took a deep breath. 'Commander Seevor is dead. He was shot from behind by rebel scum.'

There was more silence.

'Thane, Seevor and myself were at the top of the tower. We defeated them but were unable to secure the map. However, we know where it is. They sent the data to Kijimi. Clips has the coordinates' said Kara, looking to Clips who gave a little nod.

'It was then, that Seevor was shot.' She felt tears welling up. 'That man was like a Father to me.'

'What happened to the rebel?' asked Diano.

Before Kara could respond, Thane interjected, 'I killed him.' Kara nodded, meeting Thane's eyes and for a second, Kara felt understanding pass between them.

Kara looked back to the rest of the team. 'We are going to go after them and make Seevor proud. He's gone now, but we are his legacy.' Kara gave a determined smile. 'We're going to avenge Seevor. For the Empire!'

'For the Empire!' chorused her comrades.

'Now, we head to Kijimi' said Kara, firmly. Clips went to the cockpit, and the team dispersed to their quarters. Kara stood up, taking a deep breath. Before she could go anywhere, Kings approached her.

'I salute you Kara. A true loy'list to the Emperor.' Before Kara could respond Kings had walked away. Kara took a deep breath and walked to her quarters. Kara was the only female on the Phantom Order, and had her own quarters in the Shadow Blade.

The Shadow Blade was the headquarters and transport of the Phantom Order. It was black and triangular in shape, tapering to a cockpit and weapons station. The wings were similar in shape to a TIE bomber and protruded from the back of the ship. It had advanced weaponry, shielding and cloaking. It had three landing struts underneath as well as an entry ramp that led into the ship's hull. Amidships were the crew quarters. The back had the armoury and the docking bay. Inside of the docking bay was the Phantom Fighter, a TIE-fighter variant that could be launched out of the Shadow Blade.

Kara pulled her armour plates off. Underneath, was a tight, black jumpsuit, covering her entire body up to her neck. She stored her armour under a floor panel, knowing that she would have to retrieve a new helmet and assault rifle from the armoury. Her private quarters were compact, with a small bed on one side, and a small crate contained all she owned.

She sat down on her bed, sipping water from her canteen before laying down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The ship lurched upwards, and Kara's stomach did a somersault. They were taking off, preparing to jump to light speed. She felt the urge to find a way to commemorate Seevor but she knew they had to pick up the trail before it went cold. For the Empire. Sinking into her bed, her mind raced through the day's events.

Kara woke before she knew she had slept, rubbing her eyes and getting up. She was no longer in her jumpsuit, but in the tattered cloth of her childhood. Her eyes took a moment longer to adjust and she was she was back in the Foundling's home. She realised with a start she could hear blaster fire streaking all around her. The roof exploded in a shower of sparks. Screaming, Kara dived out of the way and found herself in the middle of a street. Blue and red lasers flickered across the sky. The Clone Wars had begun. She had to get away. Find a safe place. The Republic Guard.

'Kara.'

Kara jerked upright, blinking the sleep from her eyes, as she realised someone was knocking on the vibrasteel door. 'What is it?' she asked, pretending she hadn't fallen asleep.

'Kara, are you okay? Brock said he heard you shouting.' It was Reeve. There was concern in his voice.

'I'm fine' snapped Kara, standing up. She was back aboard the Shadow Blade, and she quickly shook the memories from her mind.

'Wolfe has something. We're meeting in the hold again.' Kara heard his footsteps become faint and got up from her bed. Her door slid open smoothly and she stepped into the corridor, heading back to the hold. The hold was the only room large enough for everyone. She walked down the ramp and past the entry to the cockpit. Before she could reach the hold, she heard voices. She hurried down and saw the team discussing something. Not everyone, though. Thane was staring out the viewport, his whole being rigid with anger. She watched him clench and unclench his gloved hands.

'What's going on?' Kara demanded. Everyone went silent the second they realised Kara was in the room.

Wolfe held up a hand-held hologram base, 'Kara, you need to see this.' Everyone watched silently as Wolfe activated the hologram, eager to watch the hologram again. A figure burst out of it. The flickering blue light depicted Seevor's broad figure, clad not in his familiar armour, but the dress uniform of an Imperial Commander. The holo-projector emitted his stern voice, exactly as Kara remembered it, from only a few hours prior.

'Greetings, Phantom Order. If you are watching this, then I am either dead or captured. I sincerely hope it was the former.' Kara watched intently. It was like seeing the ghost of her leader.

'What is this?' Kara interrupted. Wolfe deactivated the hologram and Seevor froze mid-gesture.

'We found this among Seevor's possessions' Wolfe responded.

Kara nodded.

Wolfe let the hologram continue, and Seevor spoke. 'I must give my condolences to you all. I could have wanted nothing more from my team. I hope that my service to the Emperor is remembered and that I have fulfilled my duty to the Phantom Order. I send you this message, regarding the command of the Phantom Order. It is my responsibility to choose my successor.'

Kara glanced at Thane. Who would take his Father's place?

Seevor's image seemed to look straight at her. 'I hereby appoint Kara Kinata.'

Kara stared in shock.

Murmurs and gasps broke out among her crew members. Wolfe looked at Kara. 'Kara, do you accept?' The hold was silent. All eyes were on Kara. 'Why would Seevor choose me?' It didn't make sense. Thane and Kara were the newest members of the Phantom Order. Kara looked at Thane, and the understanding he'd had in his eyes earlier had gone without a trace. Kara had known him long enough to see he was silently fuming.

Kara had once again come out on top, beating Thane. Even his own Father had chosen her over him. She felt herself sympathizing with Thane and she understood his hatred for her. Temporarily, she thought about abdicating but then Thane spoke.

'What's so special about Kara?' he groaned, laying stress on her name. 'She's the one who nearly got herself killed out there.'

Wolfe ignored Thane and Kara was grateful for it, 'Kara, do you accept?' She looked back to Thane and stared into his bright blue eyes.

Kara looked around her and saw she was in a vast white hall, standing in her cadet armour with hundreds of others. She stood to attention, listening to Moff Kerkado deliver his speech. Every cadet's eyes were fixed on the silver-haired veteran of the Clone Wars.

'Most of you have spent your years training with the Republic Academy in various forms of guard and warfare, and only been at the Imperial Academy for a year. You have had a difficult journey, I have no doubt and been pushed to the limits, physically and mentally.' Kerkado sounded sarcastic, but Kara wasn't sure if it was just her imagination. She stopped focusing on Moff Kerkado, looking around the hall. She turned her head slightly, her eyes looking to see Thane, two rows behind her. He was listening to Kerkado with unwavering attention. Kara could sense the speech reaching its climax and looked back to him.

'Today you will join the ranks of the Imperial Military. You will swear your allegiance to the Emperor and join the heroes of the galaxy.'

The cadets cheered.

'For the Empire!' yelled Kerkado. Hundreds of young troopers echoed his call. Kara raised her arm in salute, barely noticing. She was too nervous about what she knew was to come. After the cheers had died down, Kerkado continued. 'Today, I would like to commend two cadets, who have received high marks in all areas.'

Kara spun her head around and caught Thane's eyes. Thane looked at her and glowered. Kara snarled at him, before turning to face Kerkado.

'The first person with honour marks, is Dek Forte. Congratulations' There was silence. Kara swallowed hard. Kerkado had only spoken of two. If Thane topped Kara, she knew she'd never hear the end of it. Her hands were clenched, her forehead slick with sweat. 'With slightly higher marks, I'd like to commend Thane Roe.' Kara let out a breath, her eyes brimming with tears. She knew Thane would be gloating inside.

'I would like to mention one more cadet who received perfect marks in all areas.' All the anticipation that had left her came back in an instant. The sweat resurfaced and all was still as she waited. 'Kara Kinata.'

Kara had never felt such honour.

'Kara, do you accept command of the Phantom Order?'

'I accept.'