Soldier's Meeting

Setting

One year before the Battle of Yavin (34:4:27) on the planet Brentaal (Imperial Garrison base).

Characters

Sergeant Valo Revan and Major Dagon Tong.

Training was conducted on base daily for the most part. The bureaucrats did not do much of it, they simply stuck to their desks. And Major Dagon Tong hoped that this new Sergeant, and his merry band of men would be taking advantage of the live fire training rooms. Dangerous, but ultimately the best thing for getting troops conditioned to at least the atmosphere on planet. It also had its advantages because the training rooms were designed as close quarters battle simulations, using stereotypical Brentaal architecture, room layout, and decoration. The major stood on the second floor observation deck, dressed as he was during the meeting, more a mercenary than an officer in the Imperial COMPNOR, smoking a cigarillo.

The hiss of blasters filled the live fire training room. Sergeant Valo Revan stood there like the god of thunder. His granite face was impassive as the Stormtrooper squad ran through a series of drills to familiarize the group with the arid environment. Mock targets would occasionally appear. And the Stormtroopers dispatched them with ease. He was dressed in his battle armor, a utility belt swung around his waist which held most of his equipment to kill the Emperor's enemies. He glanced upwards towards the observation deck spotted the Major and his damned outfit. In his opinion the man's attire set a bad example for the men. " Simulation end," the computer whined as the last of the targets were dispatched and Valo directed his men to grab some chow. Then headed up towards the observation deck, assuming the Major wanted to have a chat with the Noncommissioned Officer.

Dagon turned his dead, flat brown eyes to the NCO, his lack of emotion or professional dress not with standing, he maintained a demeanor that was hard to describe. Coolly confident seemed applicable. He waited until the Stormtroopers had departed the training room before he spoke, "Sergeant Revan. Good to see you aren't one of the new breed of NCOs."

"New breed of NCOs, sir?" Valo inquired innocently but knew full well of what the man was talking about. The helmet was tucked underneath a strong arm as he let the question slip past before moving onto another one, "Sir, I trust my men and I will be put to use soon?"

"That depends on you Sergeant," the words passed through the major's lips as he turned his eyes fully on the man, his eyes locked on the man for a moment as if he were trying to discern something before he spoke, "Define an innocent for me Sergeant. In your own words."

The Sergeant was still at attention seeing that the Major had not put him at ease just yet. He paused mulling over the question. "An innocent in my opinion are loyal subjects of the Emperor...," he said giving that short answer. Valo was not a man of words, he was a killer.

"And what would your reaction be if ordered to kill some of those loyal subjects of the Emperor?" Tong had left him at attention, and planned on leaving the Stormtrooper there until he answered the question.

"Sacrifices are needed for the greater good of the Empire. If some of the Emperor's benevolent subjects need be sacrificed to achieve that greater good, then so be it," Sergeant Valo Revan answered.

 Dagon gave a nod before he spoke again, "At ease Sergeant." He put the cigarillo back to his lips, and with it clenched in his teeth, he spoke again, "You've tried to bore holes through me with your eyes on two different occasions since we've met. Why?"

"Sir," Valo said coming to a parade rest, "To be frank sir I despise your code of dress. It irks me every time I look at you that I find myself staring."

"I suppose you think that it's unprofessional, a bad example, and takes away from my combat capabilities as well," Dagon stated. He did not smile but there was just a hint of amusement in his voice when he spoke, "Pull up the training programs for midlevel Brentaal nobles and politicians. Have your men training in the office scenarios. They will need it shortly."

"Sir, yes, sir," Valo said bobbing his head. Those own thoughts churned in his head. He had a vague idea of what they were going to do ... pretty much dress up as rebels and kill some Empire sympathizers so that the rebels got the blame. Not a bad plan at all.

"And you yourself might want to put aside your uniform for a day or so, leave base, and have a drink at The Speakeasy. That will prove all but invaluable I'm sure," Tong's cold voice was rather matter of fact as he spoke, obviously not telling the man of the bar just as courtesy. He nodded again and turned to go on with his few duties of the day.

"The Speakeasy? I've heard the shows are great, sir," Valo said. Assuming that he was dismissed,  he headed down to start his men back up on training.