Perox/Short Story

Perox

Short Story

44 BBY

Rathium Perox sat down in Chancellor Finis Valorum's office. He could see the view of midday Coruscant outside, with various airspeeders peppering the sky. "What is it you've called me here for, Judicial Perox?" ''Judicial. ''Rathium hated that word. He felt that the Galactic Republic needed a military. A true fighting force. But all it had at the moment were Judicials and Jedi. Both equally ineffective, in Perox's opinion. "I've come to make a major suggestion. A change to the Republic." Valorum's eyes squinted. "What do you mean?" "Well," said Perox, lifting one finger, "I propose that the Galactic Republic creates an army. Militarism is strong in my family, Chancellor, and in my opinion, our government needs to be prepared for any possible attack. Judicials do no good in defending against a trained fighting force." "The Republic is not a military," said Valorum, who now seemed agitated with Rathium, "And if a trained fighting force attacks, as you claim it will, the Jedi Order is always here." Perox was mad now. "The Jedi haven't fought in any significant war since whatever happened 1,000 years ago. I'm not paying one damned credit to support them." "Judicial Rathium," Valorum said, "I want you to remove yourself from my office now. The Republic will never become a military, and you cannot change that, no matter how radical your beliefs are." As Perox left, the word radical shook him. What was wrong with a military? Valorum was a coward. A fool.

32 BBY

"And now," said the young woman on the viewscreen, ''"Our biggest news story of the day. Queen Amidala of Naboo ordered for a Vote of No Confidence on Chancellor Valorum earlier today, following Valorum's lack of majority support in the Senate. One nominee for the Supreme Chancellor position, Sheev..." ''Rathium stopped listening after that. Valorum was finally out of office. The coward was out. "Maybe now we'll have a Chancellor that can make the Republic feel strong." said Rathium. His wife walked in the room, three-year old in arms. "How's Stryker?" asked Rathium. "Would be better if you helped." she said. Their marriage had been on the brink ever since Stryker was born three years ago. Rathium got up, and walked towards his wife, still holding Stryker. "I'll take him," Perox said, "And you can finally relax." he said. His wife sighed. "Thanks, honey." she kissed him on the cheek and went to lay down in bed. Rathium was now alone, holding Stryker. "You're going to grow up to be a great commander one day." he said while looking into the child's eyes.

24 BBY

"I didn't do anything!" Stryker yelled. He was eleven now. The same age Rathium's father disciplined him. Rathium smacked Stryker on the arm again, harder this time. "Yes you did!" yelled Rathium, "You stole the Torlev boy's datapad, and smashed it on the ground!" Rathium smacked him on the arm again. "He started it!" yelled Stryker in between hits. Then, Rathium's wife entered the house. The door opened. She dropped her handbag, looking at the marks on Stryker's arm. Rathium had been doing this for two years straight, without her ever finding out. All of this was discipline for the military. Rathium knew that, and Stryker would when he was older, but all discipline ended when she walked in. "What the hell are you doing to him?!" she yelled, running towards Stryker. She pushed him back towards the door. She stepped to Rathium. "You want him to be unruly when he's older?!" yelled Rathium. "No, but clearly you are!" And that was the last straw. Rathium's wife took Stryker, and Rathium now lived on his own.

22 BBY

It was 4 months after the Battle of Geonosis, and the Redemption was now hovering above Bastatha. Battle droids and Clones shot at each other without mercy. But Lieutenant Rathium Perox didn't have to worry about that. Instead, he had to worry about the droid fighters attacking his ship. The Venator-class starcruiser could take a beating, but not for much longer. Rathium was standing on the bridge, walking in and out of stations, monitoring computers. "Update on the ship's status!" Rathium yelled. "We have 10% of our shields left, sir." Rathium turned around. It was a Clone. His voice was the same as all others. Rathium nodded at the soldier, and turned around, speaking into his comm. "When is the rest of the fleet going to arrive?!" asked Perox. "3 minutes and counting, Lieutenant." said the Clone's voice over the comm. "Lieutenant Perox, we have 1 minute left before we blow!" yelled a voice on the bridge. Perox's hand trembled. He threw his comm on the ground, smashing it under his foot. "Dammit, dammit, dammit!" he yelled, loud enough for all of the bridge crew to hear. He calmed again. "Republic ships incoming!" yelled a voice among the bridge. Perox looked outside. Republic Gunships were arriving. They shot down Separatist fighters and droids on the surface. He looked to the ground. Clones were pushing on the droids, with their new tanks. The Battle of Bastatha was won.

19 BBY

Rathium showed up at his local Imperial recruitment center, freshly opened up 10 hours ago. The man at the desk recognized him. "Lieutenant Perox, signing up for the Empire, are we?" asked the young man, "Always nice to see familiar faces return for more."

17 BBY

''Captain Perox. ''It sounded so... new to Rathium. He walked the halls of the Imperial Star Destroyer. He was 50 now, but that didn't stop him from doing his duty for the galaxy. A door opened in front of him. The bridge. It looked similar to how it did in the Clone Wars. Perox walked forward. He could see his commander at the head of the bridge. "Admiral Vindiak," said Perox, "Reporting for duty, sir." Vindiak turned around. The man was older than Perox. About 60 or 65, it looked like. "Right on time." Vindiak said in his usual monotone voice. "Are you ready to do your job for the Empire as a Captain?" asked the Admiral. "Yes," said Rathium, "Ready to serve the Galactic Empire."

The End