Episode II - Full Stop - Part 4

Captain Sarcune kept one eye on the timer, and one on his bridge. He held his hands behind his back and stood up straight, showing no emotion. The crew of the Absolute was busy, making battle-station prep for a conflict they weren’t sure was coming.

Sarcune played back in his mind the conversation he’d had with high command. The holo-image of Governor Tarkin was projected large in the command-room; a purposeful show of power, mandated by Imperial code. Sarcune and his first mate stood before the looming blue ghost, knowing full well that Tarkin looked down on them from his own side of the conversation. Sarcune was not intimidated by the charade, but remained respectful of Tarkin. He’d met the man once, after the end of the Clone Wars. All the captains of the Imperial Navy had, before being dispatched throughout the galaxy to bring the new order of Emperor Palpatine. Sarcune had been struck by the man’s ability to cut to the chase. He didn’t mince words, and Sarcune respected that. But there was something missing from Tarkin, and Sarcune discovered what it was soon enough. Tarkin saw only the game, not the players. As long as the game was won, to Tarkin, all the players were expendable.

“Report, Captain Sarcune,” said Tarkin, his gaunt features sharp, even in hologram.

“Governor Tarkin, as you know, we’ve responded to a distress call. The frigate Bold Born was apparently attacked on the edge of deep space, along an old hyperlane,” said Sarcune. “Unfortunately, it was only after sending a rescue team did we discover that the Bold Born’s distress was a result of an attack, and the forces involved are as-yet unknown. We believe they have attacked our rescue team, and are jamming our communications with them. We are preparing to jump to the coordinates, and are girding for a fight. I believe we’re stepping into a trap.”

“Indeed,” said Tarkin. “I agree with your assessment, Captain. When will you move in?”

“Within ten minutes, Admiral.”

“Very good. I await your after action report, Captain.”

“And if it is a trap? If we are overwhelmed?”

“Then I imagine I will receive no report, Captain,” sneered Tarkin, crossing his arms across his chest. “Or are you asking for something else? Reinforcements, perhaps?”

“If the Governor deems fit,” answered Sarcune.

“I do not,” said Tarkin. “You are a part of the Imperial Navy, and the Absolute is an Imperial Star Destroyer, provided, even recently, with the latest in Imperial technology and resources which I suggest you use. If you cannot handle some Outer-Rim renegades with your formidable forces, be certain, you will be avenged. But I will not commit extra resources to an as-yet undetermined threat. Now, do you believe you cannot handle this threat on your own?”

Sarcune’s lip twitched imperceptibly. Tarkin’s rolled r’s betrayed his core-world heritage to Sarcune, as did his pride. “No, Admiral. I believe the Absolute is more than capable.”

Tarkin dropped his arms. “Very good, Captain. I agree with that assessment as well, otherwise you would have been relieved of command long ago. Is there anything else?”

“No, Governor,” answered Sarcune. “Not at this time.”

“Very well, Captain,” said Tarkin, and without so much as a wink, the hologram went down.

Sarcune remembered the promises he made to the Republic when accepting his commission as Captain of the Absolute. He had vowed to protect the unified worlds against all threats, both from without and within. He’d renewed his commitments to the whole of the Galactic Senate, when the war had concluded, and Palpatine had declared the Republic an Empire. The government may have changed, but the people were the same. The need for protection and defense was still clear. Sarcune remembered his vows as he prepared to rescue his men, and took shallow comfort in the notion that today, his mission was clear. Tomorrow would worry about itself.

He turned to his first-mate. “Make sure all flights are on stand-by. I want to launch a sortie as soon as we drop out of hyperspace.”

***

Solay Vardis oversaw the pilot prep. With the absence of Kain and Dolan, Captain Sarcune had named her acting Wing Commander. There were twenty pilots assigned to the Absolute, including Bardox, Krix and Tallsun, the three new men who had arrived with the new TIE fighters. Vardis addressed them all in the ready room.

“When the Absolute comes out of Hyperspace, two wings will launch, with one at ready. Wing Alpha will consist of Jan, Fedar and Cole in the V-19s. Wing Beta will be Junto, Lars and myself. Junto and Lars, you’ll each be in the Y-Wings. I’ll take one of the new TIEs. Bardox, Krix and Tallsun, you’ll be on standby in your TIEs as Wing Gamma.”

“How come you get all the fun?” asked Junto. “Those two Y-Wings are ready for the scrap heap.” Lars laughed in agreement.

“Because, I’ve flown a TIE, and they’re more than you can handle, Junto,” shot back Vardis. “Anyway, you need the shields. I don’t.”

“I resent that,” scowled Junto.

“The rest of you are also on ready alert. We don’t know what we’re up against. It could be nothing, but we’re going in guns hot. The deck crews have been instructed to have all fighters ready for launch, so you’d best be prepared if and when the call comes down from the old man. Any questions?”

“I have one, acting Wing Commander Vardis.” It was Bardox. He stood in the back of the room, Krix and Tallsun standing on either side of him. Vardis noted that the three of them always flew in formation, even when they weren’t in their ships. She also noted the emphasis the tall blond man had put on the word ‘acting’.

“Go ahead. Bardox, was it?” said Vardis.

Bardox sneered. “Yes. Why aren’t all the pilots going out in the TIEs? They are the newest ships of the fleet, approved by the Emperor himself.”

“Because, Mr. Bardox, the men have not yet become accustomed to the new TIEs.” Replied Vardis.

“Did they not participate in the prescribed training regimens before the ships were delivered?”

“They did,” said Vardis, “Of course they did. We all did.”

“Then why, acting Wing Commander Vardis, are we not following the lead of the Emperor? Why are we holding to any of the old ways? Why keep to relics of the past when we face a bold new future?” The rest of the room shuffled uneasily. Some of the newer pilots shook their head in agreement. Vardis’ cheeks flushed red.

“It’s not a political choice – It’s a practical one,” came a voice from the back of the room. It was Captain Sarcune. “We serve the Empire by fighting well, fighting intelligently, and remembering our history. These pilots have history with these ships. Not everything new is better by virtue of its newness.”

“Indeed,” answered Bardox, bowing his head slightly. “And not everything old is better, simply by virtue of its longevity.”

“True,” said Sarcune. “Any fool can age. It takes a special kind of fool to grow old while willfully disregarding acquired wisdom. How old are you, by the way?”

Bardox’ answer was interrupted by a klaxon. The Absolute was about to jump to hyperspace.

Sarcune addressed the room.“Pilots, we are bringing back our own. Remember your training, and watch out for one another. Wing Commander Vardis, I leave it to you.” With that the Captain turned and left the ready room.

“You heard the Captain,” said Vardis. “Let’s do this…”

“For the Empire!” shouted Fedar.

“For the Empire!” echoed Bardox, Krix and Tallsun in unison.

“For the Empire,” said Vardis.