Awkward silence hung in the crowded room. The shock of a dozen white armoured stormtroopers crystallized to one question. One question, asked by a single trooper, but on the lips of them all.
„And now?"
The imperial officer shrugged and for the first time in his long years of duty, his face showed confusion, maybe even perplexity.
„Honestly, I… I don't know. My first thought was, maybe we could hide in the Outer Rim. Or join one of the imperial remnants. Naturally, there still have to be Moffs in controll over whole sectors. After the rebels' final victory, they are probably in desparate need of more armed forces to protect their territories."
One of the troopers shook his head.
„With all sincere respect, Sir – no. The Emperor is dead. His vision of a unified Galaxy has faded with him and every attempt to revitalize it seems like heresy to me."
He stood up and suddenly began to strip off his heavy armour, in unforgivable disregard for all imperial orders. The crude helmet of black and white plastoid was slowly lifted and uncovered a pale, young face.
„For my part, my service is over now. I won't fight for the shattered dream of a dead man."
He glanced at his officer.
„Are you going hinder me, Sir?"
The officer looked around, checked the faces of his men and realized that some of them had put their hands on the powerful E-11 Blasters at their sides. His dark eyes widened. For a moment he seemed painfully torn apart between what he was trained to do and what he desired to do.
Then his strict composure dissolved and with an impression of helplessness he released an unexpected grin.
„No, trooper. I won't hold anyone of you back, if you want to leave our outpost. After all the years, I have been able to count on your loyality and your strength, this would be quite cruel."
The trooper returned his sore smile and paused.
„You know, everybody willing can come with me. I've got a friend on Coruscant. She can help us to make a new start in… in whatever the rebels will turn Palpatine's Empire to. She doesn't judge you, because you wear the white armour. Or have worn, for that matter."
He layed his helmet aside and put his blaster into his private locker, searching for civilian clothes. Then he paused. Looked at the officer and lowered his head.
„She really doesn't care about your past. And I think, she's right. The only thing that matters, is the future."
The officer sighed, his face burrowed in his hands, while the soldiers stood around him in silentness. Long seconds passed, stretched out in the glimmering eternity of the stars their great Empire would never be able to protect again.
Then he stood up and, for the first time ever, layed his hand on the shoulder of the young stormtrooper. His voice was throaty, when he replied:
„I would be glad to join you… my friend. The Emperor is dead. His fleet is scattered and his ultimate weapon destroyed. There is nothing else to do than run."
The trooper made a strange gesture.
„Not run. I would say rebuild. Now is our oppurtunity to make our own ways without the protection and the orders of the Empire. A whole Galaxy awaits us!"
Suddenly, the young man grinned like an infamous smuggler.
„And I'm now really looking forward to it."
