Artwork is by  pastelpastel.

It had been quite the journey, but the first steps had finally been completed. FE-309 had passed all her tests, and would be moving into her production job soon. She’d know the benefits espoused by the IPM soon enough.

As she practiced her swings for her long-neglected epee, she felt a sense of reclamation. She would never hear people refer to her as FE-309 again, nor would she have to think of herself in that way. For the first time in months, she would simply be Tara, once again. Her own person, with her own destiny.
Tara’s mind would wander, as she tried her old footwork. Many people here had surnames, an uncommon practice in her home country. She’d come to make her own way, but she had more power over that than she expected. A new name?

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she pondered. What kind of name should she take? Should she take one at all? Certainly if she stayed with the IPM and became a researcher someday, she’d want a less personal name to share with people.
She had finished all of her drills when she decided. She’d take the name of her former fencing teacher, old man Tshering. He was the one who pushed her to independence, even if this wasn’t what he had in mind.

Maybe she never would do that name proud. But Tara's destiny and life owed a great debt now to that man, and she didn't want it to be forgotten. The young duelist took a deep breath, and began her sword practice once more.