[arrival]
        Rhiannon stepped off the bus.  She knew that <planet> was out of
the way, but she never expected that wheeled cars would still be used.
Doubts over her choice of academy started to form, but she dismissed them.
She made her decision, and she was determined to go through with it.
Anything to show her parents that she could take care of herself, without
their interference.  She picked up her suitcase, then wandered across the
parking lot.  Other new cadets congregated, waiting for an instructor.

[...]

        Rhiannon grabbed Dusty by the shoulders and threw her against the
wall.  "Look," Rhiannon growled.  "I don't know how you got into the
Academy, and I don't really care right now.  You just stay out of my way.
Understand?"  She punctutated the question by slamming Dusty into the wall
again.

        Dusty shrugged, her expression still unchanged.  "Whatever you
say, Your Queenship."

        Rhiannon again pushed Dusty into the wall.  "You don't get it, do
you, traitor?  Double-cross me, and you'll wish you'd never returned to the
Empire.  Got it?"

        Dusty looked Rhiannon in the eye.  Several seconds ticked by before
Dusty answered, "You should have closed the blinds.  People could be
getting the wrong impression about us."

        Rhiannon threw Dusty into the wall one last time.  "I'll be
watching you," she warned.  A knock at the door interrupted her.  She
walked over and opened it.  "Commander," she exclaimed.  "Is - is there
something wrong?"

        The Commander stepped inside.  "That's what I was going to ask,
Cadet.  Your neighbours reported banging on the walls."

        "That would have been me, Commander," Dusty said.  Rhiannon glared
at her.  Dusty ignored her roommate.  "Cadet Watanabe complained about the
lack of space, so I tried moving things around.  Cadet Tudor was helping."

        "Is this true, Cadet Tudor?"

        Rhiannon blinked.  "Yes, Commander," she answered, trying to figure
out why Dusty said what she did.

        The Commander cocked an eyebrow, but didn't press the issue.
"Where is Cadet Watanabe?"

        "Probably at the library, sir," Dusty answered.  "It was going to
be a surprise."

        "I trust that there will be no more moving of furniture tonight?"

        "Yes, Commander," Dusty and Rhiannon answered as one.

        "Good."  The Commander turned to leave.  "Good night."

        After the Commander left, Rhiannon sat on her bed, staring at
Dusty.  "I don't understand you."

        "What's to understand?  I'm a traitor."

        "You could have told the Commander what really happened."

        "Why should I?  The problem's between us; it doesn't involve the
Commander or anyone else.  Now, if you're done tossing me against the wall,
I need some fresh air."

        Dusty brushed by Miyami as she returned.  Miyami watched Dusty
leave, then turned to Rhiannon.  "Are you two fighting again?"

        "What again?" Rhiannon answered.  "It's the same fight from lunch."
She lowered his head.  "I'm sorry, Miyami.  I don't normally act this way.
I don't know why I'm fighting with Cadet Tyler like that."

        "Don't blame yourself, Count- er, Rhiannon.  She goes out of her
way to provoke you."

        Rhiannon sighed.  "I know, and I shouldn't be rising to her bait.
There's just something about her that gets to me."

        "You loved your brother."

        "I did.  Gods, I still do.  His death was pointless, and all
because of that - woman's - family.  Miyami, what's wrong?"

        Miyami lowered her eyes.  "I'm sorry.  I shouldn't bother you with
it."

        "We're going to be together for a while.  It's no bother, Miyami."

        "All this talk about your brother reminded me of my boyfriend.  Do
you remember back six months or so, when the Republic invaded <planet2> in
force?"

        "I do.  The Guard was taken by surprise.  There were rumours of
civilian massacres, but no proof."

        "My boyfriend was there.  I haven't heard from him since."

        "Oh, Miyami, I - I didn't know."

        "No-one does.  Not here."

[...]

        Dusty entered the gymnasium.  She booked a sparring ring, then
changed into her gym clothes.  She entered the ring, activating the
holographic system.

        "Three opponents, warm up exercises only," Dusty ordered.  "Slowly
build up difficulty level."

        Three generic opponents appeared in the ring with Dusty.  Dusty
started with simple moves, limbering up, then followed the example of her
holographic partners.  The exercise started slowly, but soon Dusty
developed a rhythm.  She let her mind focus completely on the exercise.
Sweat poured off her forehead, stinging her eyes, but Dusty ignored the
irritation.

        "Cadet Tyler."

        Dusty stopped, mid-stride.  "Commander?"  She quickly went to
attention.

        "End program," the Commander told the holographs.  They promptly
disappeared.  "Stand easy, Cadet."

        Dusty shifted her position, though she didn't relax.  "Commander?"

        "What happened in the dorm?"

        "Cadet Tudor and I were trying to rearrange the furniture."

        "That's why she banged you against the wall?"

        "You saw," Dusty stated flatly.  "I told her she should have closed
the blinds."

        "What happened, Dusty?"

        "Off the record?"

        "If that's the only way I'll get answer."

        "Cadet Tudor's brother was killed two years ago."

        "That's it?  She's taking it out on you now?"

        "He was the pilot killed when I defected."

        "Ah," the Commander said, understanding.  "I see.  That explains
what I saw.  Also explains the two requests for new quarters I've received
from your roommates.  Care to finish the hat trick?"

        "I don't want any favouritism, Commander."

        "