Hangar 9, Coruscant

Qrow landed his ship. The hangar was mostly deserted, except for some other ships that had occupied it due to the services it provided. "Storage", "secret rendezvous", and parking. He stepped outside to breathe. What was he gonna do with his friend's daughter? He was a smuggler, a criminal, scum as the Imperials would call him. How could he take care of Ruby with his profession?

He went back inside the starship and sat down on the pilot's seat. The 2-year old was in the passenger compartment. She was sleeping soundly. He decided to think on what to do with her.

"What am I gonna do with you, Ruby? I'm not a salaryman. I can't let them find you with me. Who knows what they'll do to you..." He said to himself. It then dawned onto him that it was inevitable if took care of her. She'd become like him. A criminal.

He stood up, walked over to her, and picked her up. He finally decided on the best option...put her in an orphanage. It was something that he didn't want to do. However, she would be under the Empire's radar. They wouldn't hunt her down. It was best that she be part of the Empire than be an enemy of the Empire. He walked out the ship with the sleeping child and after some time, he arrived at an orphanage. He carefully placed her in the adoption hatch. He filled in the holographic form. Her name, her age. That was all he knew of her.

"I'm sorry that I won't be taking care of you, Ruby, but it's better this way. I'm sure your mom would understand." He shed a tear as he was about to close the hatch.

"May the Force be with you and guide you always, little one."

He closed it and left. It was time he set up shop on another planet again.

The Royal Imperial Academy of Coruscant, Years later...

A shuttle landed on a platform. In it was a group of applicants for the Imperial Academy. One of them was a young girl named Ruby Rose. Most of the passengers were her friends from the orphanage she was brought up in. During her time there, Ruby was widely known as a very kind-hearted and idealistic, albeit naive, person. She was also quite an odd girl, due to her interest in many things that are mostly considered "for boys". It was unsurprising that many of her friends were male. They treated her like a sister, a tomboyish one.

She was nervous and excited. Same could be said for the the others on the ship. The pilots ordered everyone out. They were greeted by the sight of the Galactic City. It's spires reaching into the sky. The sun was blocked by a passing Star Destroyer, which dwarfed the buildings. They were all amazed by the view. Their attention was quickly taken by an Imperial officer after a few seconds.

"Welcome to the Royal Imperial Academy of Coruscant," the officer proclaimed in a somewhat smug-sounding British accent (as per se for every Imperial officer). "I am Lieutenant Avros. I will be your temporary guide until all of you are...acquainted with how this academy functions. Due to your status as orphans brought up under the government's public welfare, you will not be required to enter preparation school. You will be immediately given basic training for service in the Imperial Military, and subsequently evaluated for clearance into any of the three branches: Army, Navy and Stormtrooper Corps. Unlike the normal recruits, you will be given the privilege of choosing which branch to join or to serve the merchant marines."

Everyone started to whisper and mumble amongst themselves. Avros rolled his eyes.

"Rookies..." He thought. "ATTEN-TION!"

Everyone stood at attention, in a perfect rectangular position.

"Impressive. I see that your orphanage trained you all well in obeying orders and military drill basics," Avros commended. "Now all of you. Single file and follow me. You have permission to speak amongst yourselves as a reward."

They followed him into the academy. As Ruby was looking around, she was tapped from behind by a friend of hers, Aruin.

"My goodness, this place is so beautiful Rubes! I can't wait to see inside!"

"Me too! What are you signing up for?" she asked him.

"Probably Army. I don't think I'm cut out for the Stormtrooper Corps. How 'bout you, Ruby?"

She scratched her head, "I was actually going to join the Stormtroopers..."

"What?!" He exclaimed, softly. "Don't they only accept men?"

"Actually they have girls too. You just can't tell most of the time."

"Well I've noticed some of them looking quite thinner than normal, but I just thought that their armor was just a bit too small... Anyway, why you joining them?"

"I...just want to help the Empire be rid of its problems in any way I can. The rebels have been been a huge problem for a while, so I want to do my part and-" Ruby said with an aura of optimism.

"I know that's not why. What? You want to get your hands on that fancy armor now don'tcha?" Aruin said.

"Haha. No, that's not it... I dunno. I just felt that it was my fate and duty to join 'em. If I do get in though, I hope I get to see Lord Vader."

"All that effort just to see him? You idolize him a lot."

"Well...just look at him! He's so awesome!"

"What about those incidents where he...y'know..."

"Those guys had it coming to them. I swear that I shall serve with best of my capabilities if I get accepted."

"What if you don't?"

"Then I'll just join you in the Army."

Unaware to them, Avros was listening.

"Just to see Lord Vader, she'd join the Stormtrooper Corps? What an interesting girl..." He thought as they all walked in perfect line inside the academy.

"She has loyalty. I'll give her that, but it won't be enough to become a Stormtrooper. But her potential...it must be evaluated first."

And so, as the line of new recruits walked into the futuristic, gray-colored halls of the Academy, the story begins...