CHAPTER 25 - RICOCHET
The five of us stood in the turbolift as it made its way through the interior of the Death Star. We were in a square formation with Organa standing in the centre, her hands bound in front of her, But by the way she was looking at Corporal Straven, she did not look like the helpless prisoner that she was supposed to be. She reminded me more of a predator ready to pounce on and devour its prey.
I could see Corporal Straven was still fidgeting. To the untrained eye, corporal Straven would give the impression that he was standing motionless like any other stormtrooper on guard. But I could clearly recognise the subtle erratic movements which indicated that Corporal Straven may not be completely in control of his emotions.
I stood on high alert. Yalasa and Timor stood impassively. However, I was also sure that Yalasa was also on high alert. She would be monitoring the situation intently, watching for any sign or movement that may threaten the successful completion of our 4669A prisoner escort mission.
"How long have you been a stormtrooper, Corporal?" Organa stared intently at Corporal Straven. "Ten years? Fifteen years?"
"Silence!" Said Corporal Straven again. But again Organa ignored him. There was nothing we could do to silence her. In fact, order 4669 inferred that we should let the prisoner speak freely while giving the impression that we wanted to keep her silent. The fact that Organa had again guessed our orders significantly complicated matters for us. She knew that we would not stop her speaking because we were not permitted to.
Our commanders probably hoped that Organa would say something that may betray her fellow rebel traitors and conspirators. But in allowing her to speak freely in front of a trooper who proved to be unstable, they could well be inadvertently risking her life, and thus, the successful completion of our mission.
"After all this time of loyal and dedicated service, you are still only a corporal." Continued Organa unperturbed. "You must feel really bitter about all these human recruits coming in to take your place. Occupying roles in the stormtrooper corps that belong to you. Usurping your position as the Emperor's elite. Getting promotions and taking command..."
"That is enough..!" Corporal Straven barked. It was clear to me that Corporal Straven's voice and movements were becoming more agitated. However, although I was concerned that he may be losing control, there was nothing I could do to silence Organa. Corporal Straven was still my commanding NCO. I could not intervene in his exchange with Organa unless he requested me to.
"...leading clone troopers into battle. And now they even let women in. Taking your glory. Stealing your honour." Organa sneered at Corporal Straven as she spoke, pouring as much malice and contempt into her words as she could. "Defying your very reason to exist. Because if a weak women can take you place, why would the Emperor need clones at all."
"The prisoner will be silent!" Corporal Straven pointed at Leia with one hand as he spoke. "Or you will suffer the consequences."
I stood moitionlessly in the guard position, while Yalasa and Timor did the same. We may have looked impassive. but each one of us was ready to intervene at a moments notice. It was clear to me that Corporal Straven was not acting with the discipline and compsure normally expected of an imperial stormtrooper. I knew that Timor and Yalasa would have noticed as well.
We were specially trained to recognise when a stormtrooper was acting strangely. This had two main purposes.
The first purpose was to spot imposters wearing stormtrooper armour. If a non-stormtrooper were to wear our armour, we would realise that the person was an imposter very quickly. We would not be able to identify an imposter from a cursory inspection or when passing in a corridor. But if we spent a few seconds in the presence of an imposter wearing stormtrooper armour, we would realise from his movements, tone of voice and the words used that the person was not a real stormtrooper. Of course, an imposter could easily fool other members of the imperial military such as the imperial army and navy troopers.
The second, and ultimately more important reason, was to recognise unusual behaviour in fellow troopers and commanders which could threaten the successful completion of a mission. In the case of Corporal Straven, I could tell from the subtle movements he made and the slightly agitated tone in his voice that he was losing his self-control. So I kept him under careful observation to ensure that he did not make any sudden movements that could endanger the prisoner.
At that moment, there was nothing I could do except observe the situation and stay alert. Corporal Straven was still in charge of the mission and, so far, had not done anything that contradicted our orders. So until something happened that threatened the mission objective, I was still under Corporal Straven's command and was obliged to follow his orders.
If Organa had shut up there and then, I was sure we could have completed the mission without incident. But of course she didn't. In fact, not only did she continue talking, but she also took a step forward towards Corporal Straven as she spoke.
"You know why the Emperor replaced you with human troopers?" Organa continued with her campaign of provocation. "It is because humans are better soldiers".
"Silence!" Barked Corporal Straven pushing her back with one hand. I could hear the agitation clearly in his voice.
I wondered Organa realised what danger she was in. Indeed, the danger we were all in. I did not know how Corporal Straven would react to Organa's repeated provocations. On one hand, he may continue to retain enough control of himself to complete the mission. On the other hand, he could just snap and try to kill the prisoner. Both were possible.
Given how much Organa seemed to know about stormtrooper protocol and organisation, I was sure that Organa knew that Corporal Straven was acting outside the parameters of standard stormtrooper behaviour. She also must have surely known that provoking Corporal Straven could be dangerous. She must have been aware that she could be risking her life by confronting him so aggressively.
But then I remembered that Organa was a prisoner doomed to certain torture and execution. She had nothing to lose. It occurred to me that Organa was perhaps somehow planning to get hold of Corporal Straven's blaster rifle. Perhaps she hoped to grab it if he pointed it at her. That alarmed me. I had seen before how deadly Leia Organa could be with a sporting pistol. I could easily imagine how devastating she would be if she got hold of an E-11. I was determined to prevent her from getting hold of an E-11 if things went out of control. That would probably involve stunning her.
"Clones are inherently weaker than human troopers." Organa sneered at Corporal Straven, continuing her diatribe of insidious lies. "They lack initiative. They lack imagination. And they are not truly devoted, because they have never truly lived. No wonder so many of you are psychologically unstable..."
"You shall remain silent!" To untrained ear, Corporal Straven's voice would have sounded no different from any other stormtrooper. But I could hear the barely restrained rage in the tone of his voice. I knew that something was going to happen. Still standing silently, I readied myself for action. I could see from subtle shifts in postition and posture, that Yalasa and Timor were getting ready to intervene. We did not have to wait long
"...because you are inherently inferior." Organa glared at Corporal Straven with a vicious triunfal grin on her face. "And that is why the Emperor is doomed to fail. Because feeble-minded weaklings like you are destined to fail him..."
It was then that Corporal Straven snapped. When it happened, Straven did not make a sudden movement to kill the prisoner. He did not even raise his rifle. In fact, at that moment, he did not even set his blaster to kill. He simply said one short phrase. A few short words that would suddenly and irrevocably end his career as an imperial stormtrooper. And ultimately end his life."
"Trooper one, execute the prisoner!" Ordered Corporal Straven
In our squad, all regular troopers are given a number based on their seniority. Yalasa was trooper one, I was trooper two and Timor was trooper three. This was partly for identification and partly to indicate the who was next in command if the troopers found themselves without their officers and NCOs. As trooper one, Yalasa would be in command if something happened to Corporal Straven.
Seniority among regular troopers is based on commendations. Each time we successfully fulfill a mission or perform an act that demonstrates our devotion to the Emperor, we receive commendations. These commendations are counted up to determine our seniority as reguar troopers. Since Yalasa had more commendations than Timor or me, she had been appointed as the most senior trooper after Corporal Straven.
For a moment, everyone stood in silence. Even Organa looked surprised. Probably for the first time since I came across Organa on the Tantive, I saw a her eyes go wide in fear. She obviously had not expected Straven to go that far. She had misjudged him. For a moment, she looked around at us nerviously.
Then Yalasa issued an order through her comm to Timor and me. The three of us immediately entered into action.
Timor moved forward swiftly towards the prisoner. Yalasa raised her E-11 and fired at Organa. Hit by a stun blast, Organa collapsed towards the floor.
Before Organa hit the floor, Timor caught her in his arms. This was to ensure Organa did not injure herself in the fall. Timor dragged her unconscious body to the corner of the turbo lift furtherest away from Straven. Timor lay Organa on the floor in the foetal position. Then he stood in front of Organa in a defensive posture and pointed his blaster towards Straven.
In the meantime, Yalasa had quickly placed herself in front of Straven so that he could not try to shoot the prisoner while Timor dragged her to relative safety. Yalasa now had her blaster pointed at Straven and walked backwards towards the corner where Timor was guarding the unconscious Organa.
While Yalasa and Timor secured Organa, I moved swiftly over to the lift control panel and slammed my gloved hand on the emergency stop icon. I pressed the emergency alarm that all diplomatic lifts were equipped with. Then I too set my blaster to kill and retreated back to where Yalasa and Timor were.
It had all lasted only a few seconds. Now Yalasa, Timor and I were standing in front of the unconscious Organa who was lying in a corner of the turbolift. The three of us had our blasters set to kill and trained on Straven.
"What are you doing?" I could hear the rage in Straven's voice. "I gave a direct order to execute the prisoner."
"You have given an illegal command that contradicts our orders." Replied Yalasa calmly through her helmet. "In accordance with regulations, I am relieving you of command and taking emergency action to safeguard the prisoner as specified by critical priority order 4669A."
"I am your commanding NCO." Straven took a step towards us and raised his blaster. "You will obey my orders in all circumstances."
Under normal circumstances, what Straven said would be true. In nearly all situations we were required to obey our commanding NCO or officer, even if it contradicted our orders. However, there were a small number of orders which could not be countermanded. Order 4669A was one of these orders. Thus, by ordering us to execute the prisoner, Straven had issued an illegal order and had effectively lost his status as our commanding NCO. To us, he was no longer corporal Straven. He was a rogue trooper and a potential enemy.
"You have given an illegal order." Said Yalasa firmly. "You will put down your weapon and surrender yourself, trooper Straven."
If Straven had surrendered himself then, he may have lived. He may even have been able to continue his career serving as an imperial stormtrooper after a program of psychological review and reconditioning. But instead, Straven did the one thing that would cost him his life. An action which could have caused us to fail the mission.
Straven set his blaster to kill. That signed his death sentence. Under order 4669A, if a trooper threatened either the prisoner or his fellow troopers with his blaster set to kill, he would be subject to immediate summary execution.
"Traitors!" Straven screamed as he waved his blaster at us. It was the last word he would ever say.
Yalasa immediatley fired one blaster round striking Straven the stomach. It was a good shot. With Straven having raised his blaster to his shoulder to take aim, it would have been difficult to hit him in the chest. Straven staggered back from the impact, causing his arms to flay out to the sides. Having a good view of his upper body, I also fired one blaster bolt and hit Straven on the left side of the chest.
Normally, we would have gunned down Straven down with automatic fire. But in a turbolift, any shots that missed would likely deflect of the walls several times until they hit one of us or expended its energy. There was a good chance that our armour would protect us from such deflected rounds, Indeed, our stormtrooper armour was especially good at absorbing deflected shots. However, Organa did not have armour and was vulnerable to being killed or badly injured from a deflected shot.
So for that reason, our standard protocol in this situation was for each of us to fire single well-aimed shots, aiming for the most vulnerable areas of the target that were easiest to hit. As trooper one, Yalasa fired first aiming for the stomach. I fired second aiming for the chest. Timor would have fired third. But he didn't have a chance to.
Struck directly through the heart by the blaster bolt, Straven fell back to the floor. But just as he fell, his finger pressed the trigger of his blaster firing four rounds into the enclosed space of the turbolift. Yalasa, Timor and I immediately crouched down in the corner over Organa's unconcsious body, still facing Straven in case he was able to recover and attack us. The idea was to protect Organa with our armoured bodies from the deflected blaster rounds. There was a small chance that a deflected blaster bolt could slip through a gap and hit Organa. But it was more likely that it would hit one of us. And that is exactly what happened.
For a short moment, the four blaster rounds flew at high speed around the turbo-lift, bouncing several times off the metal walls within only a few short seconds. One bolt hit Yalasa in the side. It penetrated her armour, but did not injure her significantly.
Timor was not so fortunate. The second bolt struck him in the helmet and caused him to collapse to the floor. He was clearly injured badly. Although our armour can usually absorb the energy of most deflected blaster rounds, we can still be badly injured or killed by a weakened shot if it strikes us in a vital organ.
The final two rounds eventually lost power and dissipated without causing damage.
After there was silence for a few seconds, Yalasa and I stood up in a status of high alert. We had no time to check on Timor. We had to secure the area and call for back-up.
I went over to Straven and checked his body. As I expected, he was dead. My blaster round had killed him instantly. I reported Straven's death to Yalasa.
Yalasa checked on Organa. She was still alive and unharmed. Then she reported the incident to stormtrooper command by comm. In the meantime, I checked Timor's vital signs through certain sections of his helmet and armour. He was unconscious, but he was breathing and his heart was beating. I decided not to remove his helmet. I would leave that to the medical unit. I did not know if removing his helmet could make his situation worse or even kill him. So I just moved his body into a recovery position for pick-up by the droids and reported his status to Yalasa.
I took possession of Straven's and Timor's E-11 just to ensure Organa didn't suddenly wake up and get hold of one of them. We already had two casualties because of Organa. I certainly wasn't going to give her a chance to cause more today.
Yalasa and I waited in the turbolift for a security squad to relieve us and take possession of Organa's body. We stood in silence in the guard position. Moments later, a stormtrooper commander contacted us through the communication monitor in the tubolift. Yalasa spoke to him and gave him a updated status report. He informed us that a squad was on the way.
Moments later, the turbolift door opened and a squad of ten stormtroopers entered with blasters at the ready. Yalasa and I stood in front of Organa's body and readied our blaster in response. We were still under order 4669A and still required to protect the prisoner.
A captain in stormtrooper armour approached us and provided us with the relevant security codes relieving us of the order. We all lowered our weapons. Two navy troopers entered with a hover-gurney and took Organa away, escorted by another squad of troopers. We left the prone bodies of Timor and Straven guarded by the captain and his troopers. Straven's corpse would be taken to the recovery area as per standard procedure. Timor would be taken to a medical centre dealing with critical injuries.
After exiting the turbolift, we contacted sergeant Klaus by comm. He demanded an immediate report. Yalasa provided a brief status report, confirming what happened in the lift. Sergeant Klaus asked me if I concurred with the report. I confirmed the accuracy of the report provided by Yalasa. He then ordered us to report to to the stormtrooper quarters.
Since we had killed a trooper on a high priority mission, the two of us were suspended from duty until an investigation could be carried out. We would be suspended from active service, but would be permitted to participate in light training. The suspension was neither intended to punish us, nor to keep us detained. We had not failed a mission or disobeyed orders. The object of the suspension was to keep us in the stormtrooper area so that we could be called quickly by the investgators for questionning. We were also prohibited from speaking of the incident until the investigation was over.
Yalasa and I made our way to the our stormtrooper armoury and took off our armour, before reporting to the medical area. Since we had been involved in combat, we were required to be checked over. I had no injuries and so was quickly cleared to leave. The droids treated the minor injury that Yalasa received in her side from the deflected round.
Unlike the investigation involving the death of Captain Terrik on Tatooine, there would be no parade of shame through through the corridors of the stormtrooper quarters. The circumstances were different. This time we had not failed a critical mission. Thus we had not suffered a loss of honour. In fact, we had ensure the success of the mission by killing our NCO.
Yalasa and I went to the mess where we ate in silence. We had nothing to say. I looked at Yalasa's face, still marked by the cuts and bruises of her administrative punishments. She did not look at me. She just looked down at her tray eating. Her face betrayed no emotion, but I knew that inside she was boiling with rage. Because I also felt the same rage. Rage against Organa for her betrayal of the Emperor. Rage that she was still allowed to live despite her crimes. Rage that she had caused the critical injury to Timor and the death of Straven.
In truth, I did not miss Straven. He was a typical arrogant clone. He had made no attempt to associate himself with us since he was assigned to our squad. He had kept himself apart from us and shown his disdain. He had almost caused the death of Yalasa during her administrative punishment. He had failed in his duty to the Emperor and almost caused us to fail a high priority mission. I was angry that Organa had caused the death of a loyal soldier of the Empire. But I did not regret that Straven had died. He had failed the Empire and deserved death.
On the other hand, I found myself missing Timor. He had been injured doing his duty to the Emperor. I did not know if he was dead or alive. I may never find out. The stormtrooper corps did not keep us informed of wounded fellow troopers or permit us to visit them. As far as the stormtrooper corps was concerned, the only people who mattered to us were the Emperor, our commanding officers, the troopers we served with at that moment and the enemy. Everything one else was irrelevant and an unnecessary distraction to carrying out our duties.
It was possible I would never see Timor again. If he died, they would never tell us. If he lived, he could be transferred to another unit or location. On the other hand, if his injury turned out not to be serious, he could return in a couple of days. We just did not know what would happen.
We went to our sleeping quarters and quickly fell asleep in our bunks. Again, they had administered sleeping drugs in our food. That was standard practice during periods of investigation. The next day, we went to the training area in our jump suits and did some light stretching and aerobic exercises. Such exercices are common practice. However, it was the first time that I had been able to do such activity since the Tantive mission.
A few hours into the day, sergeant Klaus turned up and ordered us to follow him to an empty detention room. The three of us stood to attention and waited to be called for questionning about the incident. We would be called in reverse order of rank. I would go first, then Yalasa and finally sergeant Klaus. Since sergeant Klaus was our squad captain, he would also be questionned about the incident, even though he was not present at the time.
Less than half an hour after entering the detention cell, a sergeant-major in the standard black stormtrooper uniform entered and ordered me to accompany him. He led me to an office where our platoon lieutenant, our company captain and another imperial officer were sitting behind a long table. The lieutenant and the captain wore the standard black dress uniforms of the stormtrooper corps. The other officer wore the uniform of a General. I stood to attention in front of them.
The General introduced himself as Moradim Bast. He told me that they would question me about the incident that occurred during our 4669A escort mission. I wondered why such a high ranking officer was involved in investigating the death of a junior NCO. However, it immediately occurred to me that the incident had involve Organa. She was obviously important to the Empire at this moment. And so it was perhaps no surprise that high command had taken an interest.
The questioning was routine and non-confontational The officers asked me what occurred in the turbolift. I confirmed that Straven had given an illegal order. I confirmed that Yalasa had relieved him off command as required by regulations. I confirmed that Yalasa stunned Organa. And I confirmed that both Yalasa and I shot Straven when he set his blaster to kill after ignoring an order to surrender. I described how Timor and Yalasa were wounded by the deflected blaster round as we shielded Organa with our bodies. Finally, I described how we secured the area after Straven was dead.
Afterwards, they asked for some detail on what happened before and after the incident. I described to them how Organa had tried to provoke us with her siditious and insidious lies right from the beginning of the mission. And I described how Straven's behavious became quickly erratic after we entered the turbo lift.
After less than an hour, General Bast told me that my part in the investigation was over and all restrictions on discussing the incident were removed. He told me to return to my sleeping quarters.
When I got back to the sleeping quarters, I passed Timor's empty bunk. I imagined what he would have said if he had been there. He would have sarcastically complimented me on shooting Straven straight through the heart. He would have probably scornfully commented on Organa's assertion that women were the true elite of the imperial stormtrooper corps. He would have boasted about his own heroic actions in shielding Organa from the dozens of blaster rounds that, in Timor's version of the story, would have rained down on her. And he would have infuriated me by taunting me about my supposed rebel heritage which Organa had conferred on me with her malicious lies.
However, even though I know Timor would have enfuriated and embarrassed me, I found myself wishing that Timor was there. We are not supposed to be sentimental about fellow troopers who fall doing their duty. We should feel pride for them. But despite my apparent disdain for Timor, I missed his presence. It occurred to me that I disliked Timor less than I realised. And that I perhaps appreciated his humour more that I previously admitted.
I went to my bunk and started to write up my journal. An hour or so later, Yalasa entered the sleeping quarters after returning from her questionning. She passed my bunk on the way to hers. She stopped and looked at me. I looked back at her. For a few seconds, we just looked into each others eyes. I could see the contained rage behind her eyes. Not rage at me. But at that rebel traitor bitch Organa for whom we been forced to kill a loyal soldier of the Empire. In defence of whom we had lost a fellow squad mate to serious injury.
As we looked upon each other, I thought about telling Yalasa she had done well during the incident. But I stayed silent. I knew she would not appreciate being praised for killing a fellow soldier and successfully defending a traitor. So I said nothing.
But then something unexpected happened. Yalasa smiled at me. A slight melancholic smile appeared on Yalasa's scarred and bruised face. It was possibly the first time Yalasa had ever truly smiled at me. I returned the smile. For a moment we were lost in each other's smile. We were two imperial stormtroopers recognising the qualities in each other. Two fellow troopers who had experienced so much together. Two noble warriors fighting for a worthy cause. Two loyal servants of the Galactic Empire.
Then Yalasa turned away and headed towards her bunk. I watched her go. For a moment, my heart was filled with joy. Then I looked again at Timor's empty bunk. And I remembered that there were two less of us today. And all because of that rebel bitch Organa. It only reminded me what that manipulating traitor had taken away from us. And how dangerous she was for all decent people who were obedient to the Emperor.
A message appeared on my datapad. It informed me that the investigation was over and I was back on active service. Clearly, officers had judged that we had correctly done our duty. It only proved once again that the Empire is fair with those who serve the Emperor well.
Still in a somber mood, I decided to read one of my favourite books on my datapad. It was a collection of speeches made by great men of the Empire. It would lighten my heart and remind me that the talents and wisdom of the Empire's greatest men would easily counter the insidious influence of Organa and her band of rebel murderers. It mainly included speeches from the Emperor, but there were also words of wisdom from other great imperial leaders such as Grand Moff Tarkin, Grand Admiral Batch, General Tagge and Admiral Motti.
When reading a speech from Admiral Motti, I could not help thinking of his sister, Jentessa Motti. I could only imagine what a glorious experience it must be for Miss Motti to be constantly in the presence of such great and noble men. And I reflected how honoured and privileged Miss Motti must feel to be associated with the Empire's greatest leaders. Miss Motti truly is a fortunate young lady.
I read some of the early speeches of the Emperor when he announced the beginning of imperial rule, bringing lasting peace, order and prosperity to the peoples of the galaxy once and for all. I read his words of wisdom in which he warned us against the insidious and duplicitous goals of those who refused to accept the Emperor's benign and wise rule.
Having experienced first hand how Organa had managed to manipulate us into killing a loyal soldier of the Empire, I now fully realised how true the Emperor's words were. It made me feel deeply privileged and honoured that I was permitted to directly participate in the fight against the Emperor's enemies. Against the enemies of peace, order and reason. And it reminded me that our dedication and sacrifice in the name of the Emperor was honourable, necessary and just. It was truly a glorious and noble cause.
Then I turned my attention to one of the Emperor's early speeches in which he put forth his vision and plans for a perfect and just society. Now that the Empire had the Death Star, I knew that it would only be a matter of time before the Emperor would finally make his vision a reality. Soon the Galaxy would be a paradise where the stength, loyalty and obedience were rewarded and honoured. A galaxy where every being knew their place.
When the lights-out alarm sounded, I felt myself re-energised by the words of the Emperor. With renewed optimism in my heart, I went to sleep determined more than ever to serve the Emperor with all my being.
PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT
REVIEW OF JOURNAL - TROOPER LC-9087
On reviewing the evidence from witness statements and turbolift security cameras, the investigation confirms that trooper ZL-1102 (Corporal Straven) did issue an illegal order and threatened the lives of his fellow troopers in breach of high priority order 4669A. The investigation concludes that troopers LC-9087 (the subject) and trooper RC-5342 (aka Yalasa) were correct to open fire on ZL-1102. Likewise, trooper RC-5342 was correct in stunning the prisoner in reaction to an emergency situation. No action should be taken against either LC-9087 or RC-5342. The investigation is now concluded.
It is not clear why General Bast has taken such personal interest in this incident. He has requested that RC-5342 be promoted to corporal again. There is resistance to the promotion from some sections of High Command and the stormtrooper corps.
After studying the evidence available, we have come to the conclusion the clone-troopers seem to be very vulnerable to the negative psychological influence exerted by Leia Organa, to the extent that it can break their conditioning and have a negative affect on their sanity. We thus recommend, that only non-clone troopers should be assigned to guard or escort Leia Organa. Even then, preference should be given to troopers who have demonstrated resistance to Organa's influence. In all cases, any troopers to be assigned to Leia Organa should be subject to a psychological review to ensure that they have sufficient mental stability and strength for the assignment.
With trooper NR-8306 (aka Timor) injured, we recommend only troppers LC-9087 and RC-5342 should be assigned to escort duty with Organa until the other members of the squad can be subjected to a psychological review to judge their suitability. In order to compensate for the lower number of guards, we recommend adjusting the orders to give them more flexibility to deal with Leia Organa's destructive influence.
Author's note: I would like to thank author Ladyofdarkstar for permitting me to mention her OC Jentassa Motti from her Family Ties stories. I fully recommend these stories as they are entertaining, dark and give an insightful vision of the political manoeuvring that goes on at the heart of the Empire.