The Lowe Family Estate,
Balmorra,
Before the Battle of Adrathorpe
“The GADF? Why?”
Elena’s Aunt Madelyn sat across the broad wooden desk, framed by the heavy set of curtains that filtered out the last of the evening light, leaving the space of the office lit by a solitary lamp in the corner which cast its golden glow across the rich carpeting, but left the fringes of the room in shadow.
A bead of sweat rolled down Elena’s brow, and she focused on a spot on the desk in front of her, unable to meet the woman’s eye. Madelyn struck an imposing figure in Elena’s life. They had met only a handful of times that she could remember, at reunions and special occasions. Her mother, Karina, did not speak very fondly of the woman.
She opened her mouth to respond, but Madelyn went on.
“Your mother has provided you with a stable life, humble though it is. You have a future. When she and I were young we had no choice but to serve.”
Elena sat up straight. She could hear the dismissal in the woman’s voice, that she thought Elena was just a petulant child who wanted to run away and play soldier. She wasn’t.
“I want something more.” She said firmly, her plain grey eyes meeting the startling green of her aunt’s. “I want to be someone, and do something great in the Alliance, and I’m ready now.”
“Not when you’re eighteen?” Madelyn replied with a pointed look.
“I’m sick of pulling up vegetables while the Maw ransack Alliance worlds!” said Elena heatedly. “That’s why I need your help.”
“And, I assume Karina has no idea about this."
“She wouldn’t approve.” Elena replied tersely.
“Hmm. I can’t imagine she would.” Madelyn rummaged through her desk, retrieving a small piece of card. “You’re lucky in that you were born in the Sith Empire, so I have access to some contacts that could arrange records that would prove you are of age to serve. You’re quite sure about this? There will be no going back after its done.”
“Nothing's gonna stop me, I'm more sure than I’ve ever been about anything."
"Very well then." replied her Aunt.
