Claudius sat across from Vera in the cramped maintenance chamber, the only sound in the room the faint hum of the station's systems and the rhythmic clatter of Vera's fingers on the terminal keyboard. The adrenaline from their chase had worn off, leaving Claudius with a gnawing exhaustion that had nothing to do with physical effort. He watched her work, noticing for the first time the sharp precision of her movements, the calculated calm in her demeanor. She was no ordinary smuggler or rogue agent; something about her seemed… elevated.
As he sat, trying to process the events that had swept him up in this whirlwind, bits of conversation from earlier replayed in his mind. The way she spoke, the words she used—it had all felt so polished, so unlike the language of anyone who had grown up in the rougher districts of the Empire, like he had.
His curiosity finally got the better of him. "You speak differently," Claudius said, leaning forward, trying to catch her eye. "You're not like most people I've met in places like this. Who are you, really?"
Vera's fingers paused over the keys. For a brief moment, she remained still, her back rigid, as if weighing whether to answer. She sighed, leaning back from the terminal and crossing her arms, her piercing gaze finally locking onto Claudius.
"You're sharper than I gave you credit for," she said quietly. "I suppose there's no point in hiding it now. You've earned at least that much."
She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then continued. "My name is Vera Aurelia Valerius. I'm from one of the noble houses of the Empire. House Valerius."
Claudius blinked, the name ringing a distant bell. He had heard of House Valerius—they were one of the oldest and most respected families in the Empire. Their influence spanned across the highest echelons of society, with family members serving as senators, admirals, and advisors to the Emperor himself. But what was a noblewoman like her doing in the slums of Phobos Station, dealing with the Syndicate and risking her life over a data crystal?
"A noble?" Claudius said, disbelief evident in his voice. "Why…? I mean, how did you end up here? And why do you need this data so badly?"
Vera's expression remained cool, but Claudius noticed a flash of bitterness in her eyes. "Noble or not, the rot of corruption spreads even in the highest circles. My family, for all its power and prestige, is losing influence in the military—along with many other old houses. The new generation of officers, those from the wealthiest families, see the Navy and the Academy as their playground, not as the foundation of the Empire's strength. They're weakening us, and if it continues, the Empire will fall apart."
She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "This data," she said, nodding toward the decrypted files on the terminal, "is proof of just how deep the corruption goes. It's a map of illicit dealings, bribes, and political favors that have turned the Imperial Navy into a shadow of what it once was. The Syndicate's involved, of course, as are some of the wealthiest noble houses. If I can get this to the right people, it could expose them. But it's dangerous—too dangerous for most. That's why I needed Draven, and why the Syndicate is after me."
Claudius sat back, his mind reeling. He had always admired the Imperial Navy. For someone like him, it represented the pinnacle of achievement—a way out of poverty, a path to honor and respect. Hearing Vera talk about its decline and corruption felt like a punch to the gut.
"I… I didn't realize it was that bad," Claudius murmured. "I thought the Academy was still a place where you could prove yourself if you were good enough."
Vera laughed, a short, humorless sound. "It used to be. My father graduated from the Academy when it was still the pride of the Empire. But that was a long time ago. Now? It's filled with the spoiled offspring of the richest families—brats who treat it like their personal domain. They throw their weight around, break the rules, and never face consequences. Merit doesn't mean anything anymore. If you're not part of their circle, you're just an obstacle."
Claudius' stomach twisted at her words. "But… you're a noble too. Can't you—"
"I'm a noble, yes, but not the right kind of noble," Vera interrupted, her tone sharp. "My family still believes in duty, in service. We aren't as rich as some of the newer houses, and we don't play their games. That's why we're being edged out. The Academy is just the start—soon the entire Navy will be controlled by the most corrupt and self-serving families, and the Empire will be too weak to defend itself."
Claudius fell silent, absorbing the enormity of what Vera was telling him. His dream of entering the Academy had kept him going for years, pushing him to study, to train, to rise above his circumstances. But now it felt like the ground was shifting beneath him, the institution he had revered crumbling from the inside.
"I still want to go," Claudius said finally, his voice quiet but firm.
Vera's eyes flicked toward him, surprised. "Why?"
"Because… because I have to try," Claudius replied, clenching his fists. "If the Academy is as corrupt as you say, then it needs people who aren't part of that. People who care about what it's supposed to stand for. Maybe I'm naïve, but I believe the Navy can still be saved. I want to be part of that. I want to make a difference."
Vera studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to his surprise, she smiled—a small, almost sad smile.
"You remind me of my father," she said softly. "He used to say the same thing. That one good person could still make a difference."
Claudius met her gaze, his heart steady. "Maybe he was right."
Vera let out a slow breath, nodding. "Maybe. But you'll have to be careful. They won't let someone like you rise easily, especially without connections. You'll need to be smarter, stronger, and faster than any of them—because they'll try to crush you."
"I've been fighting all my life," Claudius said, determination hardening in his voice. "I can handle it."
Vera's eyes softened slightly. "I hope you can. Because once you enter that Academy, you'll be surrounded by enemies."
She turned back to the terminal, her hands moving across the keys as she finished decrypting the files. Claudius watched her, his mind now racing with thoughts of the future. He had come to Phobos hoping for a quick job to earn some credits, but now he was entangled in something far bigger than he had ever imagined. Yet the stakes had never been clearer: the Academy, the Navy, the future of the Empire—it was all in jeopardy.
For the first time in his life, Claudius felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. If he could make it into the Academy, if he could rise above the corruption and politics, maybe he could be the kind of officer the Empire needed. Maybe he could make his dream a reality after all.
But first, they had to survive.
Vera glanced back at him, her expression serious. "We'll head to the Academy together. We both have our reasons to be there."
Claudius nodded, feeling a strange sense of resolve settle over him. Whatever happened next, his path was set.