Fandom High School

"Well, next week is exams," Zayne said. "And that means this week's topic is pretty obvious. After you've been on the run for weeks, months, maybe years, hopefully there comes a time when you're finally able to prove that you're innocent. Or that you're the rightful monarch. Or you're able to overthrow the corrupt law that's been chasing you. If these are current issues in your life, I sincerely hope that I've at least given you some insight into how to deal with your struggle personally, if not in the greater scheme of things."

( FREEDOM! )

"You have to be able to trust people. That's a big thing in general every day life, but when you're relying on a few people to help you stay out of prison, it becomes a much bigger thing," Zayne said. "But when everything is heightened like that, you can't trust people implicitly without good reason."

( Trust )

"So, we're going to do something that I hope you find fun today. Just... maybe not too fun," Zayne said. They were in a normal classroom again, and there was a small device on Zayne's desk. Any students familiar with Jedi designs might think it looked like a particularly ancient holographic projector.

"Early on in my life as a fugitive, right after I turned myself in the first time and my friends rescued me, we were able to take advantage of our starship and some incidental chaos... by which I mean rioting caused by planetary unrest because I got away... twice... Anyway, we used that to put some distance and about a week's worth of time between me and my Masters. But we needed some more time. We needed to scare them off from even considering coming after us. We needed to make a serious threat."

( Making Threats )

Class was in the Danger Shop today. Zayne and the students were standing on a platform on a skyscraper in what certainly looked to be an alien planet of some sort. But aside from an ocean in the distance, it didn't look like there was anything here but city as far as they eye could see.

"Okay, everyone. Today's class was an inevitability from the time this class started. And since you could probably use something fun two days after break, I think it was about time," Zayne said. "So today we're going to have some fun with high speed chases."

"Really, being chased was my immediate present and future back when I first saw what my teachers did to my classmates. They chased me through our school building until I got to my swoop bike and led them on a chase through the city. We tore through the sky, some buildings, down garbage chutes... It was pretty intense. And it all happened here in this city."

"Well, a few square blocks of it and some nice backgrounds in the distance," Zayne amended. "But this is roughly what Taris looks like. It's the planet I grew up and trained as a Jedi on. And if there's one thing Taris is known for, it's swoop bikes. If you're not familiar with them, they're like motorcycles here on Earth, but they fly. And there are some right behind you." Zayne pressed a button on the shop remote and a swoop appeared for everyone in the class.

"I may have made the point several times that I was always a terrible student. But to make up for that, I've also always been a great swoop rider. So I'm going to run you through some of the basics of piloting a swoop, then let you have some fun around the few blocks I was able to make in the shop. Three basic tips right away? Be mindful of your surroundings, try not to crash unless you really mean it, and remember that you're not going to get hurt here. But you really could if you were doing this for real."

"Oh, and if you have a good handle for what you're doing halfway through class, I'll let you race a partner to start to get a feel for the chase itself."

The class may have gotten the impression that something was up when Zayne sent a message to meet in the gym and wear old - but not necessarily workout - clothes. When they arrived, they would find the track with hurdles, chairs, and garbage cans filled with soft debris scattered around.

"Glad you could make it, everyone," he said with a grin. "As you might imagine, part of living life on the run is, on occasion, running. And you're not going to get ideal conditions for it, either, which is why you're in regular clothes and there's debris all over the track."

"I'm going to ask you to do at least three laps, more if you want. First a warm up lap to get a feel for where everything is in the name of safety and planning. Then a lap were someone's chasing you. Finally, a lap where you're chasing someone else. The goals are simple. Do a full lap without being tagged with two hands. Or, when you're trying to catch the other person, do so before they cross the finish line. You don't have to run straight. Feel free to run off into a slant to go over or barrel through an obstacle to slow your pursuer down."

"A few rules. The runners will get a 10 second head start. Except for the Jedi. I want to see what they can do with only a couple seconds. Sorry, guys," Zayne said. "It's two-hand touch. The pursuer needs to get both hands on the runner to count them as being caught. And you have to stay on the track, completing one full lap. And no fighting. If you push, punch, or do anything else of the sort, you lose."

"For this kind of class, I can only give a couple tips. First, get familiar with your surroundings as quickly as possible. Try to think at least one move ahead of what you're doing, but don't let the planning keep you from knowing what's going on around you. Go ahead and use your environment. And remember: no matter what the odds look like, your pursuer has to react to you. Even if they're good at trying to herd you, all they have to work with is what you give them."

"Good luck and have some fun."

Zayne's class was taking place in the Danger Shop this week. It was programmed to look, sound, and even smell like a vile hive of scum and villainy... Well, maybe not EXACTLY like that since Zayne had never been to Tatooine. But it was clearly a place where lowlifes spent time.

Congratulations, lowlifes!

( In which you hide in plain sight )

"Hey, everyone, welcome back," Zayne said. "Now that we're past the 'why' of my former status as a fugitive, we can start to get into more interesting things. Today I want to talk about friendships when you're on the run."

"Unfortunately, we have to start with a couple uncomfortable truths. When you're accused of a crime and run, it's going to convince a lot of people that you did it. That probably includes at least some people you know and love. And it's understandable," Zayne said. "If the authorities they've trusted all their lives say you did something and all they know is that you ran away, it's going to be tough for them to side with you. It hurts, but it happens. And maybe worse, even if they believe you, you might be putting them at risk if you rely on them. My Dad believed in my innocence, but then he ended up getting kidnapped as bait for me. Even if they're prepared to help you, they're probably not prepared for what that really means and what kind of danger they'll be in."

"So it's probably a good idea to make some friends on the wrong side of the law if you're there anyway. In some ways, it seems kind of like you're putting together a criminal crew. And... well, that's because that's exactly what it is," Zayne said. "It's part of the life if you want your best shot at surviving."

( The Crew )