Pax Empirica/Chapter 1: Servant of the Empire

Chapter I. Servant of the Empire

Another one down.

The holographic target disapated once the laser bolt from his pistol shot through it. Since being stationed on Argovia, Corporal Steele found nothing to do but practice shooting at a range outside of Argovas City, the capital. The Mid Rim planet was mainly covered in wetlands and swamps. However, it had a considerable amount of minerals. The mining corporations moved in, and the Empire stationd a garrison on the planet. He did not understand why he had been chosen for this assignment. He fought well during several battles against the Rebel Alliance, proving himself to be a good marksman and speeder bike jockey. He expected promotions and a posting to Death Squadron, the personal unit of Lord Vader.

But no.

Rather, Hansor Steele found himself stationed on this backwater planet. He supposed he should be somewhat thankful, because at least now he wouldn't be getting shot at. But Hansor was just about ready to jump in front of a shooting blaster if it meant he could get out of here.

Despite the lazy, laid back atmosphere, he couldn't help but wear his armor all the time and carry his blaster pistol on him. His superior, Sergeant Garek Tokai, was probably off drunk in some bar. The southern half of Argovas City had various casinos, bars, and other entertainment centers. Garek frequently spent his time there, and had gotten into several fights, to Hansor's annoyance. It was he who had to go get his ass out of the predicament. And while it was sometimes entertaining, he felt that it was outside the job description of an Imperial scout trooper.

But, after eliminating another target, Hansor realized he really was getting bored of this too now. Seeing nothing else to do, he thought he might as well just see what his friend and superior was up to. Hansor pulled out his comm link.

"Garek, where the hell are you?"

Vam Selid looked around the streets as he passed through them. An intelligence officer scans his surroundings constantly, categorizing everything in his mind for the time he may need it. So far, everything appears to be just as his briefing officer had told him. And just as he was told, the few Imperials he had seen have been not paying attention. Some were playing cards, a few were just talking with each other, ignoring the people around them. One was even intoxicated, outside a bar. This will be easier than he thought.

Selid walked into a cafe nearby, and sat down at a corner table. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, Selid pulled out his comm link.

"Margan, how are things?" Fellow intelligence agent Margan was in the northern section, specifically, near the Imperial sensor array. One of their targets.

"Everything is looking good so far," he replied. "Looks like security is not a very high priority for the garrison."

"Indeed. How are the others?"

"The others that I've communicated with reported the same things in their sectors."

"Good. I think it is time. Tell everyone to proceed to the safehouse on the south side."

Hansor was now riding his Aratech speeder bike through the crowded southern streets of the city. Normally this would have been difficult, but Hansor was a good speeder pilot. He grew up racing swoops in the underlevels of Imperial City, back on Coruscant. Something which came in useful now.

Garek reported that he was at a cantina in the southern district called the Drunken Bantha. He was on his way there right now. Hansor guided his speeder through the streets, getting stares from the various residents that he passed. The Empire still attracted attention from the locals, who were surprised at its presence. However, they did not pose any trouble.

Halting his speeder outside the cantina, he parked it outside the front entrance, near several others. The Drunken Banatha was a well sized metal building with an open entrance. Hansor, checking to make sure his pistol was where he had placed it, walked in. As if going through the streets did not attract enough attention. It must be a pretty strange sight to see an Imperial scout trooper walk into a random bar. Not surprisingly, he got quite more than a few curious looks.

Finally, he came up to Garek near one of the back tables. Not suprisingly, the sergeant had a Twi'lek dancer with him. Upon seeing Hansor approach, Garek motioned for the dancer to leave. After she was out of earshot, he spoke.

"So, what brings you here?"

Hansor sat down across from him. "Oh, you know, boredom."

Garek nodded. As Hansor glanced around the bar, he noticed a number of people—a Human, a Rodian, and a Twi'lek—entering the bar. They had blasters holstered on their sides. The Rodian spotted him, and said something to his comrades. After the group sat down nearby, every once in a while, one of the trio would give a glance their way.

Well, that was definitely interesting.

Garek looked at Hansor. "Well, if you wa—"

The sergeant was interrupted by his comm link. A voice crackled on the other end.

"Sergeant Tokai?"

He picked it up. "Yes?"

"This is Lieutenant Kelmont. We may have a situation. We need you to get to the sensor array."

"Alright, on our way."

Before the two scouts could stand up, Hansor motioned to Garek in the direction of the trio of mysterious bar patrons.

"They came in a few minutes ago. Have been looking at us this entire time."

Garek looked over at them, then back at Hansor. "Those guys have come armed. But then again, who wouldn't come armed to a bar? But nonetheless, seems like we may have trouble."

The pair stood up and began walking towards the exit. Not suprisingly, the trio got up and started walking towards them.

"Just try to get to the door," said Garek.

After they got a few meters away, the trio pulled out blasters and aimed at them. Garek and Hansor swung around, facing them. The scout troopers let off several shots before any one of the trio could even react. Garek's laser hit the Rodian in the stomach, causing him to fall to the floor, dead. Hansor's shots found their mark as well, hitting the Human and the Twi'lek, in the head and the chest, respectively. They both let out screams of agony as they dropped their weapons and crumpled on the ground.

The bar patrons stared at the pair. It was completely silent. Garek just looked over at them and said, "go back to your drinks."

Most of them just returned to what they were doing as the scout troopers left the building.