Chapter 3: Jedha.
(Four Years Later, Two Days Before the Battle Of Yavin)
"TK 3517986, Reporting in. We got some suspicious activity near the old temple, could be rebels." Stated a gruff, older voice.
Commander Cody, wearing his stormtrooper armour with 212th colors, responded to the transmission.
"TK 3517986, this is TK 212, Cody, we're sending you an AT-ST and a squadron of troopers. You are to escort a Kyber Transport to cargo platform 7B, another squadron will investigate the disturbance." Cody ordered.
'So much for a lazy afternoon.' Barry thought with amusement, putting his blaster rifle back together. He had taken it apart to clean every inch of it, making sure to lubricate the barrel and other parts that needed the liquid.
"Understood, returning to checkpoint beta." Replied TK 3517986 before ending the transmission.
"Amidala, you, Kalek and Valun will investigate the report from TK 3517986, a squadron will join you." Cody told him, turning to look at his young friend and recently promoted second lieutenant.
Barry nodded, grabbing his helmet before putting it on his head.
"Understood Sir, don't drink all the vital rations while we're gone." He teased.
Cody chucked. "I only like the caf, your blue milk and chocolate shake is safe from me." He joked, causing Barry to shake his head in amusement.
(An Hour Later)
"This is Second Lieutenant Amidala, we're pinned by rebels and our AT-ST escort is down, requesting immediate reinforcements!" Barry yelled down his helmet comm, dodging a sniper bolt as he threw himself behind a stone wall.
"Valun, toss me another magazine, my rifle is almost out!" shouted Kalek, who was eagerly blasting at the rebels from behind the wreckage of the destroyed AT ST.
"One second, oh kriff-" an explosion cut off Valun's reply as a thermal detonator rolled by his feet and then detonated, sending the now dead Trooper flying into the air.
"VALUN!" Kalek exclaimed, grief evident in his voice. He made the mistake of getting up, eager to get vengeance for his friend and unfortunately, he was shot in the neck.
Barry didn't say a word, for what use would words be for the dead and injured?
He felt a numbing cold rage come over him, and so he got up, and laid down the hate.
Two rebels fell to his precise, perfect shots, but Barry felt no satisfaction or pride.
The 212th trooper rolled across the ground before leaping upwards, firing a whole round off into the tower where the sniper had taken residence.
A single yell was the only reply he got, as well as the thud of a body falling out of the window.
Too engrossed in the cold concentration to notice he had been shot in the side, Barry tossed his now empty blaster away and pulled out his Vibrodagger.
The young man dodged multiple shots, slashing and cutting down more and more rebels, human and alien alike, until no more remained in the area around him.
"This is Commander Cody to all Emperial Forces on Jedha, evacuate immediately! Project StarDust is on approach, I repeat, Project StarDust is on approach!" Exclaimed the clone over the various Emperial channels.
Barry sheathed his dagger and ran up to Kalek, helping him get up so they could run.
Barry then directed them through the various turns and alleys as they headed towards the nearest landing pad.
He ignored the pain in one of his legs, there was now only one goal in his mind.
He had to get Kalek and himself off Jedha, and quick.
Thankfully, a troop transport was just about to take off, but after the pilot noticed them and then the color of their armor, he lowered the boarding ramp again, and allowed Barry to quickly board with Kalek
.
Once seated, Barry winced as the cold anger faded and his side erupted in pain. He grit his teeth, trying not to let out any noise as his side bled and throbbed.
Maybe… he should lay down, yeah that seemed like a good idea.
(Hours later)
Barry awoke to find himself lying on a medical bed, clothed in blue and grey patient clothing. His side was stitched up, and there was a wrapping of bandages around his left leg.
Huh, so it seemed he was hit in his leg too. That explained the pain he felt when he was running.
"Amidala, you gave us quite the scare." A female doctor smiled, finally noticing he was awake.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind, could you tell me where my squad mate is? Corporal Kalek Indrome?" Barry asked, hope in his voice.
The doctor's smile faded, and she sighed sadly. "We tried what we could, but we could not save him, he died while in surgery, I'm so sorry." She replied, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Barry closed his eyes, his fists clenching. Those damn rebels…
"Amidala, Grand Admiral Thrawn would like a word."
(Thrawn's office)
"Amidala, you have my condolences on the passing of your squad. I know what it is like to lose good men." Thrawn stated, his crimson eyes looking into Barry's own Green orbs.
"Thank you sir, I'll try my best to honor them. They were my brothers, am I permitted to know why I am here?" Barry asked respectively.
"I am to give you a promotion, this came down from Lord Vader himself. Welcome to special forces, Commander Naberrie." Thrawn smirked.
Barry froze, shock and amazement evident on his face. If only for a moment. The young man then quickly cleared his features and swallowed the lump in his throat. "T-Thank you sir."
"You will be trained by Iden Versio and her squad, so bring your A game Commander. They will only hold back from killing you, nothing more, nothing less." Thrawn smirked.
Barry nodded. "I will sir, if I may… could I request to say my goodbyes to my former superior and the rest of the 212th?" He asked.
"Of course, in fact I thought you might have wanted that. So I took the liberty of having them be brought aboard, they are currently in Docking Bay three." The Chiss replied.
Barry nodded. "Thank you again Sir."
"I hope we cross paths again. I could use a good soldier like you for the problem we have on Lothal. You are dismissed Commander." Thrawn finally said, going back to reading his data pad.
(End of chapter 3)
