CHAPTER 12 - WORDS OF TREASON

IMPERIAL MILITARY BASE - ALDERAAN

18 HOURS BEFORE THE DESTRUCTION OF ALDERAAN

"You know, there was no need to accompany me." Said Lieutenant Coleena Schtern with mild irritation as the two stormtroopers escorted her along the dull grey corridors of the imperial military base. "I could have found my own way there."

The stormtroopers didn't answer. All Schtern heard was the sound of the stormtrooper boots echoing down the corridor. It was a sound that Schtern had heard many times before. Normally it filled her with a sense of power and satisfaction. But at this moment, all she felt was irritation.

Unlike the two troopers flanking her, Schtern was not wearing the regular white stormtrooper combat armour. Instead, she wore the black fabric uniform of a stormtrooper lieutenant. However, although Schtern outranked the two troopers escorting her, she had no authority over them. They were the personal bodyguard of Captain Rodano. These stormtroopers would only obey Rodano's orders and no one else's.

After a few seconds without reply, Schtern assumed that the stormtroopers would not answer. But eventually, the stormtrooper on Schtern's right spoke in the standard male voice generated by the synthesiser in her helmet.

"The captain wishes to see you without delay."

Schtern resisted the temptation to answer with a jibe or show her feelings of irritation with a sigh or a scowl. Instead, she continued walking briskly between the two stormtroopers, eyes front and her face a stony impassive mask.

The three soldiers turned left at an intersection, and soon arrived at a blast door guarded by another armoured stormtrooper. The guard at the door, turned to the intercom at the side of the door and spoke into it.

"Lieutenant Schtern has arrived, sir."

"Good. Send her in." Replied the voice of Captain Victoria Rodano from the other side of the door. "I will see her alone."

"Yes, sir." Replied the stormtrooper.

The door sished open. The stormtroopers stood aside to let Schtern pass between them.

"Welcome to my humble abode, lieutenant." Captain Rodano smiled warmly at Schtern as she walked through the doorway. Rodano was wearing the casual shirt and pants of an off-duty officer. The type of clothing officers wear in the mess while relaxing with their peers.

Schtern brought herself to attention and saluted formally. Rodano casually saluted back.

"At ease, lieutenant." Said Rodano. "Relax. This is not a formal meeting."

"Yes, captain." Replied Schtern a little uneasy. She still found it difficult to treat officers with anything but complete deference, even though she was now one herself.

"Welcome to the quarters of the commanding officer?" Rodano waved her hand over the room behind her inviting Schtern to have a good look.

Schtern found herself in a finely furnished room with brightly covered wallpaper and floor coverings. Along the walls, there were various paintings of different types and sizes. Some depicted life on Alderaan, some portrayed life in the imperial military and others were portaits of great imperial leaders.

In the centre of the room a plush couch and some comfortable looking chairs surrounded a table which could serve both as a place to take refreshments or as a holo-projector for entertainment. By one of the walls, an antique drinks cabinet was on display. On another wall, a large fireplace sculpted from local stone took pride of place. Schtern could not help herself flinch as she looked upon the large portrait of the Emperor above the fireplace, the fiery gaze of his red eyes seeming to dominate every area of the room.

"I have to admit, I have never been in a commanding officer's quarters before. At least, not as an invited guest." Schtern said gazing around the room."I obviously wasn't pretty enough for the officers I served under."

Rodano laughed. "Or perhaps you were too pretty. In my experience, most commanding officers were more interested in their clones rather than their female subordinates."

"That's true." A subtle smile appeared on Schtern's lips. "At least that was one advantage of being female stormtrooper. We rarely had to worry about being seduced by our superior officers."

"Speak for yourself, lieutenant." Rodano said smiling.

Schtern returned a forced smile. Then there followed a moment of brief awkward silence. Both women looked at each other a moment, before Schtern lowered her head and turned her gaze to the floor.

"Why do we not go and sit down, lieutenant?" Rodano beckoned Schtern towards the sitting area in the centre of the room. "Please take a seat, lieutenant. Make yourself comfortable."

Schtern dutifully sat in a comfortable burgundy armchair with large arm rests. Rodano went over to a drinks cabinet. She took out a bottle of clear liquid and two glasses. She placed them on the table in front of Schtern, before taking a seat on a long cream coloured couch.

Rodano poured some of the liquid out of the bottle into the two glasses.

"You know, this water is sourced from the blue mountains in the highlands to the west of Alderaan Capitol." Said Rodano. "It is the most expensive mineral water in Alderaan."

Schtern looked at the glass of water in front of her. Then she raised her eyes to Rodano, her face a mask of impassibility.

"Please take your glass, lieutenant." Said Rodano dryly. "It would be a shame to waste it, especially as it will no longer be available from tomorrow."

Schtern dutifully picked up her glass. Rodano raised hers to make a toast."

"To the Emperor." Said Rodano.

Schtern clearly tensed at mention of the Emperor. She remained silent, continuing to sit impassively with the glass in her hand.

"To the Empire and to victory." Said Rodano looking intently at Schtern.

Schtern relaxed slightly. She nodded to Rodano and lifted her glass. "To the Empire and victory." Schtern said, before emptying the contents in one gulp.

Rodano smiled and took a long sip from her glass. She put the glass down, crossed her legs and leaned back in the couch. The two women looked at each other for a moment in silence.

"You are probably wondering why I asked you here, lieutenant." Said Rodano. "After all, I could have arranged to meet you in the command centre. I'm sure you think it would have been more appropriate rather than to invite you to my private quarters."

"Yes, captain." Replied Schtern.

"And you are wondering why I asked Lorana and Kezia to escort you here." Continued Rodano.

"Yes, captain." Schtern smirked at hearing the first names of the two female stormtroopers who had accompanied her.

"I need to talk to you about something, lieutenant. Something of concern that has come to my attention."

Schtern frowned. "Is there a problem, captain?"

Rodano paused a moment before replying. "I don't know, lieutenant. That is why I asked you here. To find out."

Schtern's eyes narrowed. "Are you unhappy with our preparations for the mission, captain?"

"No, it's not that." Rodano shook her head. "I have read the reports which you and your NCOs have submitted. Everything looks in order."

"Then may I ask what your concern is, captain?"

Rodano picked up her glass. "Before we continue, I need you to do something for me, lieutenant."

"Yes, of course, captain. I am at you complete disposal."

Rodano took a sip from her glass of water. Schtern sat in silence and waited for Rodano to continue.

"I am going to ask you something. I need you to be completely honest and frank with me, lieutenant." Rodano looked intently at Schtern. "I want you to talk open and freely. Do you understand?"

Schtern briefly narrowed her eyes in an expression of curiosity before answering affirmatively. "Yes, captain. I understand."

Rodano looked intently at Schtern. The two women's gaze met for a few seconds. Schtern was again the first to look away.

"Are you loyal to the Emperor, lieutenant?"

Schtern looked back up at Rodano and frowned in apparent confusion.

"Why do you ask, captain?"

Schtern realised it was a mistake to ask that question as soon as she said it. It was an act of disobedience to respond to a question from a superior officer with another question. Schtern expected to be immediately reprimanded. Under normal circumstances an imperial officer would have reacted with fury to Schtern's act of disobedience. But these were not normal circumstances.

Instead of getting angry, Rodano continued to look at Schtern impassively. Then to Schtern's surprise, Rodano answered her question.

"I have received reports that you no longer speak of the Emperor when addressing your subordinates, Lieutenant." Said Rodano. "This is of great concern. As you know, any act or inaction that denies the infallible greatness of the Emperor is regarded as an act of treason punishable by death."

Schtern realised immediately that she was in big trouble. Stormtrooper commanders always invoked the name of the Emperor to motivate their subordinates. The Emperor was an integral part of a stormtrooper's life and his very reason to be. Insulting the Emperor was a crime punishable by death for a stormtrooper. Schtern had never openly insulted or disdained the Emperor in her life. But wilfully failing to acknowledge absolute devotion to the Emperor by words or deeds was also considered a heinous crime and an act of treason. Schtern new that she had committed that crime. A week before, she had vowed to herself in secret that she would never praise or invoke the Emperor's name ever again. And she had resolutely kept that vow. It was clear that someone had brought Schtern's apparent neglect to the attention of Rodano.

Schtern wondered who would have reported on her. She doubted that it could be anyone under Corianna's command as contact was forbidden between their two units. Schtern wondered if it was one of the NCOs or troopers under her own command. But she didn't want to believe it.

"I know you will be wondering if your own troopers have betrayed you." Said Rodano, as if she had read Schtern's thoughts. "You do not need to worry, lieutenant. I received my information from my own bodyguards and the security cameras. Your troopers are loyal to you, lieutenant. Almost too loyal."

Schtern was not perturbed by the fact that Rodano was spying on her. Stormtroopers were constantly monitored both on and off duty. But Rodano's inference that her own troopers may be 'too' loyal to her individually did irritate her. Especially as the captain's own bodyguards were no more than a group of fanatical acolytes who were unquestioningly devoted to Rodano.

Despite Schtern's annoyance at Rodano's hypocracy, she said nothing. That would have been an insubordination too far. Instead, Schtern sat in silence and waited for Rodano to continue.

"So lieutenant." Said Schtern. "Are you still loyal to the Emperor? And this time I expect a direct and honest answer. The success of this mission on Alderaan depends on your answer. I don't want to hear an evasive response. I don't want to hear further questions. I want a yes or a no. That is an order, lieutenant."

Schtern sat in silence for a moment and pondered how she should respond. An evasive response was out of the question. She considered lying and declaring her unconditional devotion to the will of the Emperor. But she could not. She would not. She refused to dishonour herself and her platoon by lying to her commanding officer. She had too much respect for herself, for her own troopers and for Rodano to do that.

Schtern knew that she risked death and dishonour for what she would say next. But like a true stormtrooper of the Galactic Empire, she marched forward into the fire. She would not falter. She would not lie. She would tell the truth to her commanding officer and face the consequences, whatever they may be.

"No." Replied Schtern.

"No?" Rodano frowned. "Please clarify your response, lieutenant."

Schtern swallowed hard before answering again. "No. I am not loyal to the Emperor."

The whole room seemed to freeze, as if time itself had stopped. Both women sat staring at each other in cold silence as if they had both been turned to stone.

Schtern had half expected Rodano to fly into a rage and call in her bodyguards to detain or even summarily execute her. That is what most imperial officers would have done without hesitation at hearing Schtern's vile and treasonous admission. But Rodano did no such thing. Instead she crossed her legs and said one word."

"Why?"

Schtern was shocked by Rodano's reaction. Loyal imperial servants did not wish to hear words of disloyalty to the Emperor. They were even less interested in hearing why someone would deny the Emperor's infallible wisdom.

"Do you really wish to know, captain?" Schtern said softly.

"Yes, captain. And I expect you to answer with frankness and honesty."

Schtern signed and nodded. "Alright, captain. As you wish."

Schtern closed her eyes to gather her thoughts for a moment before continuing.

"The Emperor has betrayed us all." Schtern opened her eyes and looked down to the floor. "He sends us all to our deaths for no good cause. He despises us and wants every one of the troopers in this company dead because of only one reason. Because we are women."

Schtern wasn't sure how Rodano would react to the accusation. Most typical officers would have responded with cold fury, simply declaring that no one should doubt the infallible will of the Emperor. But Rodano was not a typical imperial officer.

"How can you be so sure of that, lieutenant?" Asked Rodano.

"The stormtrooper corps answers only to the Emperor." Answered Schtern. "In such a critical mission he must have approved our deployment. He knows we are an all-female unit and he knows we will die here. He wants to gather us together to eliminate us all in one go. That is why we are here."

"As you well know, lieutenant, it is not unusual for stormtroopers to be sent on missions of low-survivability." Said Rodano. "This mission is no different."

"But why us?" Schtern's eyes flared as she looked up at Rodano. "Why send a new all-female unit on such a critical mission? Surely, if the mission was so important he could have sent one of his best units. And if it is not important, then why send stormtroopers at all. He could send anyone. He could send units of the imperial army or even a penal regiment. But instead he sends us to our deaths."

"And we shall die with honour and glory."

"Honour and glory?" Schtern stood up and screwed her face up in disgust. "The mission is top secret. No one will even know we were on Alderaan when all this is finished. Where is the glory when no one will ever hear what we did? And when have you even ever heard of stormtroopers being sent on secret missions? We are the face of the Empire. We wear our armour to be seen, respected and feared. We attack from the front in plain sight. We do not strike from the shadows and disguise ourselves as rebels. That is the tactics of assassins, pirates and cowards. Yet that is what we must do."

Schtern started to pace back and forward. Caught up in her discourse, she didn't look at Rodano who continued to sit impassively on her couch.

"And he made us fight and kill our own fellow stormtroopers." Schtern spat with fury, referring to the raid she and other troopers had carried out on an imperial ship a week before. "We had to go on that damned ship dressed in rebel livery and execute good imperial citizens and servants like they were trash. How could a man who cares for his soldiers and citizens order that?"

"But you can't be sure that the Emperor ordered the attack on Kuron's ship." Said Rodano. "Any Grand-Admiral or Grand-Moff could have sanctioned that."

"No, I can't accept that, captain." Schtern shook her head." Andryl Kuron was a high ranking diplomat and the Emperor's nephew. And we had to kill imperial stormtroopers to complete the mission. The Emperor must have known about the raid and sanctioned it. No imperial officer could authorise an attack on imperial stormtroopers without the Emperor's approval. I'm sure of it."

Schtern stopped pacing and turned her eyes to Rodano again.

"The Emperor sent us to kill our own men in a secret raid and now he sends us on a secret suicide mission." Schtern sneered with disgust. "He has no respect for us." Schtern threw out her arm and pointed behind her. "Each and every woman on this base is willing to give her life for him. They love him and are devoted to him. But he treats them like worthless toys he can play with and throw away. I cannot be loyal to man who treats our sisters like that. He doesn't deserve it."

Schtern walked over to the portrait of the Emperor hanging above the fireplace. With an expression of pure hatred and scorn etched on her face, Schtern pointed at the portrait.

"That man is nothing more than a vain, arrogant and selfish tyrant." Hissed Schtern bitterly. "He is no God. And he is not infallible."

"That is enough, lieutenant." Said Rodano, sitting motionless on the couch.

"He is a vile insane old man who is unfit to lead the Empire." Schtern sneered at the portrait of the Emperor with disgust.

"That is enough!" This time Rodano spoke louder. But Schtern did not seem to hear her.

"He is a traitor to his people and the spirit of the Empire. He is nothing more than a vile murderous bastard. He is scum!"

Rodano shot bolt upright and glared furiously at Schtern. "I said that is enough, lieutenant!" Rodano's voice rang out loud and clear.

Schtern turned to face Rodano, anger and hatred still flaring in her eyes.

"Return to you seat, lieutenant!" Rodano glared at Schtern. "That is an order. I shall hear no more about the Emperor."

Suddenly realising what she had just done, Schtern stood still in horrified silence.

"I ordered you to return to your seat, lieutenant." Repeated Rodano.

"Yes, captain." Her head bowed in sorrow and shame, Schtern returned obediently to her seat.

The two women sat in silence again. Schtern looked down at the carpeted floor, still too ashamed to look up at her captain. Schtern realised that it was all over for her. She had lost control of her emotions and failed the women she served with. Although, Schtern no longer believed in the Emperor, the women under her command did. They were still devoted to him. Schtern felt she had no right to scorn their faith in him, even if she didn't feel it herself. Not only that, but the honour of a stormtrooper unit depended on the words and actions of its commanding officer. By her treasonous words, Schtern had not only dishonoured herself; she had also dishonoured and disrespected every woman in her platoon.

Schtern realised there was only one course of action she could take. She herself was irremediably dishonoured. But she could still restore the honour of her platoon. She took out her blaster pistol and held it in front of Rodano with the barrel pointed to the ceiling. Rodano looked at the blaster impassively, neither fear nor alarm showing on her face.

Schtern realised that she could shoot Rodano dead right now. Rodano would not do anything to stop her. And why would she? Like all the women on that base, Rodano was already dead. It suddenly occurred to Schtern that the guards had made no attempt to disarm her before she entered Rodano's quarters. Rodano had deliberately allowed Schtern to retain her blaster despite knowing where their conversation would lead. Schtern wondered if the reason for that decision was confidence or fatalistic indifference.

Rodano looked to the blaster pistol and then back to Schtern, calmly waiting to see what Schtern would do.

Schtern got down on one knee, bowed her head and offered the butt of the blaster to Rodano, the barrel aimed at her own heart.

"I have failed you, captain." Schtern spoke with sorrow in her voice. "My words of treason are not worthy of an imperial officer or an imperial stormtrooper. I have dishonoured my commanding officer and my fellow stormtroopers. I have no choice but to resign my commission and offer you my life."

Rodano looked at the blaster pistol pointed at Schtern's heart. Schtern's life and honour were in her hands. She could take the gun and shoot Schtern herself. She could require Schtern to take her own life. Or she could call the guards to detain Schtern for later execution. But Rodano did none of these things. Instead, she asked a question.

"Do you believe the Emperor's decision to destroy Alderaan is a mistake?" Rodano spoke calmly.

Schtern hesitated for a moment, surprised by the question. Then she looked up at Rodano, her hand still offering the blaster pistol. "No. I mean I don't know. I can't say if destroying the planet is the right decision or not. But the rebels must be stopped. They are building an army to oppose the Empire and will plunge the whole galaxy into war and chaos. Their army must be destroyed and their leaders punished. We must make an example of them. We must crush this insidious rebellion once and for all."

"And are you still loyal to the Galactic Empire?" Asked Rodano.

Schtern frowned, feeling insulted by the question. "Of course, captain. I am, and always will be, a loyal soldier of the Galactic Empire and those who serve her. I am loyal to the Empire, I am loyal to our sister troopers and I am loyal to you, captain."

Schtern looked deeply into Rodano's eyes. It was Rodano's turn to look down, as if she was embarrassed.

"You must know that, captain." Continued Schtern. "I may have lost faith in the Emperor. But I am still devoted to the Galactic Empire. If you have been listening to what I say to our sister troopers in my platoon, you will know that to be true. There are many great men like Lord Vader, General Tagge and Major Denlin who strive to make the Empire flourish and prosper. I can see what the Empire could become with their wise and just leadership. And if we have to destroy a planet of rebels to safeguard the Empire and it's citizens, then so be it. I shall not mourn the loss of these traitors who threaten peace and security in the galaxy."

Rodano put her hands on the blaster pistol which Schtern was still holding in font of her.

"I have only one more question, lieutenant." Rodano looked intently into Schtern's eyes.

"Yes, captain." Schtern looked up at Rodano, the light of the artificial fireplace sparkling in her eyes. "I will answer honestly and directly, whatever the consequences."

"Can I depend on you?"

Schtern smiled tenderly at Rodano. "Of course, you can depend on me, captain. I shall always endeavour to complete our final mission successfully. I will never willingly fail you or our sisters. I would die rather than dishonour or fail you."

Rodano took the blaster pistol from Schtern's hands and contemplated it for a moment.

"I believe you, lieutenant." Rodano handed the blaster back to Schtern handle first. "I should have you executed. But it is a luxury we cannot afford. I therefore reject your resignation offer. You shall lead your troops into battle as originally planned."

Schtern returned the blaster to her holster. Still kneeling, she bowed her head in deference to Rodano. "I shall not fail you captain. We shall take and hold the space port tomorrow. I promise you. We shall fight and die for the Galactic Empire. And tomorrow the rebellion will die in the ashes of Alderaan."

"Good! That's settled then." Rodano nodded gravely. "We shall speak of this no more. You may return to your barracks. I am sure you have preparations to make."

"Yes, captain. Thank you, captain."

The two women stood up and walked towards the exit.

"I hear you have instructed the troopers to refer to you as ma'am." Rodano gave Schtern a sideways glance. "That is contrary to regulations."

"Do you wish me to cease the practice, captain? I shall of course do so if ordered."

"No, lieutenant." Schtern shook her head. "I told all officers to organise their units as they see fit. You are not the only one breaking regulations, believe me. Your preparations are going well. I shall not give orders to disrupt that. Only the success of the mission matters."

"Yes, captain."

"And I hear you had the troopers singing and dancing before you came here." Rodano smiled with curiosity as she spoke.

"Just a few imperial anthems, captain. I just wanted them to live as normal girls just once before they die." Said Schtern. "To have a taste of the life they never had. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yes, lieutenant." Rodano's eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment. She looked blankly in front of her, as if she was gazing into another world. "I believe I know exactly what you mean."

When the two women reached the door, Schtern turned to face Rodano with a serious expression on her face.

"Why did you let me live, captain? Any other officer would have shot me on the spot or detained me for a dishonourable execution after my words today. Why did you you spare me?"

Rodano smiled and placed her right hand on Schtern's right shoulder.

"Because I have faith in you, lieutenant. I need my best officer to lead the attack on that spaceport. You are the best officer and soldier in this company, Coleen. I believe you can lead your platoon to glory and honour. If I give command to anyone else, I do not believe the mission will succeed. And the only thing that matters, is achieving our mission objectives. That is all that counts."

"I understand, captain."

A melancholic expression came over Rodano's features. "The truth is that you are the most experienced soldier in the whole company, Lieutenant. By rights, you should be the commander of this company, not me."

Schtern suddenly noticed that Rodano appeared to look jaded, fragile and vulnerable. This was a shock to Schtern as she had always seen Rodano as strong and decisive. For the first time since the founding of the company a few weeks before, Schtern realised that Rodano must be operating under almost unsupportable levels of stress. Only a few weeks before, Rodano was a lowly stormtrooper sergeant. Now she was a company commander tasked with carrying out a near-impossible mission in which all those under her command were doomed to die.

Schtern began to understand how difficult things must be for Rodano. Schtern had her loyal NCOs to support and assist her. But Rodano was all alone. Being a commander could be a lonely job at the best of times. But when that commander had to deceive many of her own troopers and lead them to their deaths, the crushing loneliness and guilt must be almost unbearable. Like all stormtroopers, Rodano was conditioned to bear great stress and hardship. But she was not trained or conditioned to deal with the current circumstances.

"No, captain." Schtern laughed softly and shook her head. "The Empire teaches us that each being has its rightful place." Schtern tenderly placed her right hand on Rodano's left shoulder. "We have both demonstrated today that we are both in our rightful place. I would never make as good a commander as you are. I am honoured to serve under you, captain. And I mean that sincerely."

Rodano didn't speak. She just nodded her head in acknowledgement. Rodano activated the door control and the door sished open. Schtern saluted and brought herself to attention. Rodano saluted in return.

Schtern left the commander's quarters and headed back towards her platoon barracks. As a loyal imperial stormtrooper, she had always been committed to ensuring that her part of the mission on Alderaan would be carried out to the best of her abilities. But after the faith that Rodano had shown in her, Schtern was even more determined than ever to ensure that the mission would be a success.

Schtern understood that Rodano should have ordered her execution. By order of the Emperor, Stormtrooper doctrine required that any sign of treason or disloyalty to the Emperor must be rooted out and eliminated. But Rodano had willingly disregarded the orders of the Emperor for the sake of the mission. In effect, Rodano was as guilty of treason as Schtern herself. Schtern smiled to herself, marvelling at the strength, determination and loyalty of the woman who led them.

Walking briskly along the dull grey corridor, Schtern found herself more determined than ever to lead her dear sister troopers to glory and honour in the name of the Galactic Empire she loved. She would not let Rodano down. She would ensure that not one rebel leader would escape through the private spaceport of Alderaan. She vowed that every last one would die in the destruction of Alderaan. Then, at last, the rebellion that threatened her beloved Empire would de finally and definitively crushed forever.