Part 38: Collateral Damage
Present day, five years before the battle of Yavin
General Dunce: Commander of all Imperial forces on Lianna
Naomie: Henry's wife and a Twi'lek dancer
"I can see why it's hard to trust me," Naomie assures the Imperial officer. "I was his wife for so many years, how could I not know what a villain he was? Unfortunately, I'm just a housewife. I was so busy raising my son and helping to raise his daughter; I never had time to question his actions. It's just so hard, you know?"
General Dunce hangs on her every word, leaning heavily on the table between them. He nods with her words, "Ohh I have no doubt. How could you? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Naomie blinks innocently and then holds up her hands, bound to a bar on the table. "Is this really necessary?"
"Of course not," General Dunce turns and motions urgently at a trooper behind him. "Remove the manacles immediately!"
"Sir," the trooper hesitates. "Imperial protocol requires all prisoners-"
"I think we can handle one little girl." General Dunce snaps.
"Yes sir!" The trooper removes the binders as quickly as he can.
General Dunce smiles as she rubs her wrists. Naomie meets his gaze, drawing him in. Then she returns it with a smile of her own; it's a slow smile, the kind of smile that conveys uncertainty and innocence. She's certain she has him.
"There's only one problem," General Dunce replies with grimace. "You spent many years with a known criminal and terrorist. Your house contains contraband. I believe you're innocent but we can't take any chances. We'll have to interrogate your son. Marsala, is it? Your husband went to great lengths to avoid arousing your suspicion. He might have said something valuable to or around your son."
Her heart stops, hurriedly she replies, "That's not necessary, is it? My son is just a boy. He wouldn't know anything of value, even if he did, he wouldn't know it was of value."
Dunce's smirks, cold and cruel, "You never know until you ask."
"Please," she wilts. "I'll say anything you want, I'll do anything you want. Just don't involve my son. My husband terrified me."
"Did he beat you? Did he keep you as his prisoner? Did you live every day in fear for your life?" Dunce asks confidently.
"Yes! Yes he did!" She nods urgently.
"Excellent, we will have to record this so that people are aware of the sort of villain we're dealing with," General Dunce explains as he stands up. Then he winces. "Ugh, I almost forgot. There's one last thing. I hate to ask it…"
"Anything, I'll do anything."
"Well," the Imperial smirks. "You have to look the part."
Salvo: Clone Navy officer and Sanitation Engineer for the Lianna Tower
End: Clone Security Guard Hebrey: Human Security Guard
"What do you mean my employment is terminated?!"
"I'm sorry sir," the security officer replies. A Clone like Salvo, this Clone is missing an arm. "The command arrived on my console only minutes ago but your access has been revoked."
"Why?" Salvo demands.
To his credit, his fellow Clone lowers his eyes in shame, "From my report, alcohol was found in your system after your injury in the Deep Tunnels."
"Not enough to affect my judgement or my work. That could have been from the night before. More importantly, that would have been discovered days ago. Why does it matter now?"
"I don't know sir but as a part of our employment conditions we are required to be alcohol free at the time of our shifts."
"I'm not the first or only one to violate that policy! I want to speak with my supervisor!"
The female officer replies, "Your supervisor is sought by the Empire, if you-"
"That's not who I mean! I want to speak with a manager!"
The Clone holds up his hands, "Stop brother. This came from command-er, this came from the top floors. There's no arguing with it. I know this is bantha poo-doo. You're not the first one to face the fallout from the attack on the tower. You should be happy you're only fired."
"Our supervisor went to prison," his partner grumbles. "He saved our lives and stopped the attack and they locked him up for it."
"What? Why?" Salvo asks.
"Enough Hebrey," the Clone cuts her off; he sighs and his gaze drops. "I wish I could do something but we can't. It'll only cost us our jobs too. Good luck brother."
Salvo knows he's just being honest and nods, "Thanks brother."
"For what it's worth," the girl adds quietly. "Thank you for your service."
Salvo closes his eyes and sighs, and then he walks away from them. Salvo knows the consequences could have been far worse but it stings. He'd never lost a job in his life, he'd never felt like a failure, even when he was defeated in battle. Now…now he feels lost, as lost as he did when the Empire relieved the Clones of duty.
It wasn't about the credits. He had money put away and honestly, Salvo could retire. It wasn't about security or finances, it was…purpose. What was he going to do now? He'd lived everyday with duties and requirements, he'd had obligations. Sometimes he wondered if they were ropes, tying him down. Now he feels like they were lifelines and he's listing in space.
Salvo crawls into his speeder and turns it on, the radio detailing the day's news. He sinks into his seat, without any motivation. "…Henry Stone wanted for murder and terrorism has new charges levied against him. In an hour long interview, his wife Naomie Stone detailed how he abused and terrified her." The narrator pauses and Salvo turns on the display. A holo image flickers to life, displaying Naomie's face, bloody and bruised. Her lower lip is split and one of her eyes is swelled shut. Her voice comes out mechanically, "My husband threatened me every day. He threatened my son. I had no choice but to go along with him. The Empire rescued us from a monster and we are eternally grateful."
"Wha…" Could it be true? He asks silently before his heart roars, NO! Salvo switches off the Imperial channel immediately, sickened to his stomach. My friend would never do that. The Empire did that. Then, the voice inside him changed. It reminded him of many things he did not want to think about. The Empire you helped put into place, the Empire you fought and served for years. He covers his eyes and asks, "What am I going to do now?"