Galaxy of War: The Revenge of Felucians/Part 2

Exhausted, Dvarebb sat down on a box close to the walls and tried to count how many soldiers had survived. Before the natives assault the garrison was composed by a platoon; now, there was only a dozen men. They still had a pair of AT-ST who survived being in a warehouse, but their forces were, however, reduced drastically

Furthermore the Lieutenant Hallot had been wounded heavily and although the support of medical droids he left his men after less than ten minutes agony. So the command passed to the Sergeant Udd, a young man just promoted and still inexperienced.

He immediately asked reinforcements and in response they told him that they would arrive in a pair of day; Udd tried to protest, but his superiors were irremovable and Dvarebb saw with his eyes the new officer attempting to receive support in the next hours.

The stormtrooper knew that it would be useless to keep trying and that if the high rank officers had decided something, that thing had to be done. Though Bly, the Commander of 327th Star Corps, had always been an officer rather tied to his men and normally he would never denied aid. What if the rise of the Empire has changed him?

“Soldier, go to help the others, as you’re one of the few still able to move”. It was Udd to talk, and Dvarebb shook from fear.

Udd continued: “They call you Dvarebb, right?”

“Yes, sir”.

“I’ve heard good things about you, and I know you’re a veteran of many battles. Because of the critical situation, I promote you to the rank of sergent”, and while saying it Udd pinned something on his data pad.

“Thank you, sir. It’s an honor”.

“I know you deserve this rank more than I do. Afterall, I’ve fighted just here, on Felucia, and so there isn’t a reason for which I should be your commander. But the military ranking is made so”.

The new leutenant whispered and Dvarebb remained silent, not knowing what to say. “Go to help your companions, Dvarebb, and try to push up their morale before that they end up in depression”.

Dvarebb nodded in agreement and, acting like a real sergeant, he ran the work of his troops helping to salvage the possible.

An hour later al the soldiers were exhausted and couldn’t wait to sleep. However, someone wuld have to guard, but no one would be able to do it in those conditions.

Wanting to make an example for his men, Dvarebb offered himself to do the guard, and, although a bit embarassed, the soldiers didn’t have to say.

“Then he and I will be watching till dawn” Udd said smiling. “Tomorrow there will be work, and moreover we have to improve the defenses. But now, go”.

The circle of men swarmed toward the tents prepared for the night a few minutes before for the night, and the two officers stood still for a while. Then they went up on the walls and there they watched over for a couple of hours, till the sun started rising.

They had a chance to exchange a few words while walking, and Dvarebb understood the respect the sergeant felt for him. But in that situation the respect had little importance: what mattered was to be able to rearrange everything before anyone else attacks. And they would have made it, he was sure.