Chp-51: The Alderaanian Scar
In the very top of the Imperial Tower on Accordia, I sat at my desk utterly fucking tired.
To be fair, I had been tired throughout my entire tenure as Governor, and will likely continue to be so until I can make my grand escape.
4 years from now.
Fuck me.
Regardless, I sat in a chair I had made just uncomfortable enough to keep me awake, but not so uncomfortable that I couldn't sit in it for a long time. On my desk sat my terminal, on which was a series of reports detailing the failings of some Governor a couple sectors over, but still in the Bright Jewel Oversector.
This Governor had been caught embezzling money from his planet's defense fleet, and was deemed unfit for his duty. He was tossed in prison, and his secretary was given the position.
Now, why am I reading these reports? Well, it's because I'm trying to learn to read between the lines. I've focused so heavily on the economic and industrial factors, that I've become essentially politically stunted. I had some ability, but it mostly stemmed from my self preservation instinct rather than any real political skill.
So, I sat here, trying to discern the truth behind the incident. There were many factors to consider, after all.
The Governor had run his system well, meeting quota consistently and missing little. It was a small agricultural world after all, so little was expected in the first place.
Not only that, but the defense fleet was small. Two Arquitens and a few Gozantis made up the entire fleet.
Suffice to say, a backwater. Then, out of the blue, evidence of corruption just springs up? And the sector Moff takes it seriously?
Now that is suspicious. Apparently it took little time before the Governor was in prison. Like, a week tops.
From what I can tell by the limited information, the secretary had some sort of connection to the Moff, and used it to get himself the position. But why take up the position of secretary in the first place? Seems odd. He could've just been Governor from the start.
Unless he got the secretary job then found out the Moff didn't like this Governor. Used his position to frame the Governor, and got rewarded.
I lean back and sigh. The info is limited, as is my capacity to care about the plights of others. So, I swipe the reports away and pull up the deluge of daily reports from around both Minda and Edin.
Sale of TIE variants had increased a surprising amount, to the point that I was almost considering expanding operations. Almost being the key word here. With the whole Rothana business coming up, it would cause undue strain.
And oh boy, the Rothana situation is weighing heavily on my mind. It's the big catch of the season, and I gotta get it. If I don't, I have a very stressful few years ahead of me.
But, since I'd rather avoid having to deal with the negotiations, I sent Oioro to do it for me. This gets a spy out of my midst for a little while, and gives me leverage in the negotiations. Oioro, after all, is the one that did the majority of the negotiating for the Rendili and CEC contracts. She is a beast in the boardroom.
Is it weird that I find that strangely attractive? No? Moving on.
Grant was found. She was just sorta vibing in the Mindan training center. And by vibing, I mean absolutely demolishing the training droids we've got set up over there. Some old, highly advanced Commando droids from that first Seppie wreck we found. Can't use em as soldiers, optics are bad, but as training material?
First class.
Honestly, it was only their armor that ensured they weren't scrapped completely. Never knew human hands could dent fucking cortosis plating. Yeah, the super-rare near blaster proof cortosis.
Dented.
Made me question if she was using steroids, but she's much too prideful for that kind of thing. That, and the fact that every cadet she caught using them got the shit beaten out of them on the training mat…while they were on the roids.
So, my reasons for fearing her are plain to see. Thing is, Alderaan just went kaboom. I wasn't planning to do anything with her originally, cause I was planning to just fake my death.
However, as is clear, I am still here. On Minda. Working.
I think God hates me. Or is it the Force?
Regardless, I now have to address her clear mental issues regarding this. So, I had her summoned up to my office.
I also have Myr'thos stand outside, for now. Powerful as they are, I don't want her feeling like this is a really intense situation. Might set her off.
As she walks into the room, I immediately notice some small details about her, a skill picked up from the past two years of paranoia.
She has fairly well hidden bags under her eyes, and her hands are twitching.
She salutes. "Governor, Sir!"
"At ease, Commander." I state plainly, thinking about how I might approach this. I can't just charge head first, right? That seems like suicide.
"The droids will require some…repair, Commander." She winces, but I continue.
"Still, it is impressive what you did. A shining example of your efforts, if nothing else." Shit, I better get on topic, or I'll never get this done.
"Regardless, the fact that you were so absorbed that you failed to respond to multiple calls is…worrying, to say the least."
"I sincerely apologise, Governor!" She blurts out, eyes seeming a little wilder than before, her breathing becoming a tad more erratic.
I raise my hand, eyes closed. Partially because it's, like, really cool to be able to silence people with a hand raise, and partially because I need to think and I can't look at her and not be on the verge of shitting my pants in fear. Like FUCK she's scary. The muscles bulging on her arms could kill me really fast.
Also kinda attractive. What is up with me today?
"Look, Commander…I understand that recent news from the…Core…has impacted all of us in…different ways…" I continue, my speech halting slightly. How do you even start talking about a planetary genocide? Shoulda paid attention in those shitty speech classes in college.
Grant's breath hitches, eyes seeming to vibrate. Have I stepped on a landmine? Should I backpedal!? Fuck, am I about to die!?!?
Her breathing speeds up, her hands clenching and unclenching at a rapid pace. Shit, is this a panic attack? What do I do!? Run!?
No, if she snaps she'll get tossed in a ward. I'd need a new commander!
I pause for a second. A new commander would work, right? The thought immediately runs from my mind. Nah, a new commander might be a spy! Or a political plant! Or just a complete asshole! She may be crazy, but she's competent!
Standing up from my desk, I raise my voice a smidgen, and change my tone into the one I use when giving speeches to soldiers. A little more timber to sound a little more commanding.
"Commander, can you hear me?" I ask, but her eyes are unfocused, her breathing erratic. Odd grunts escape her mouth on occasion, like her mind wants to speak but her body won't respond.
"Grant, are you with me?" Again, no response. Fuckin hell, how do I manage this!? I'll try at least one more time.
"Kaela! Look at me!" I'm louder this time, almost shouting, but it works. Her gaze snaps up to me. In the back of my mind, I realize this is the first time I've called her by her first name. Weird.
"Breathe. Slowly. Just like me, alright?" This time, I keep my voice and tone softer, leading her through the basic yoga exercises I tried once. The strangest things stick with you, huh?
Regardless, she does follow, her eyes seeming to see reality again, her breathing becoming deeper.
"You're here. In the office. On Minda. You're safe, yeah?"
She nods, a shaky thing but it's confirmation that she's alright.
I gesture over to the couch. "Here, take a seat. Do you want anything? Water, a snack, some coco?"
She nods her head slightly at the last one as she sits down, blankly staring down at her own hands.
I quickly make a new cup at my machine, and silently lament the loss of some coco. Alas, it is for a greater cause.
Handing her the cup, I sit down next to her, but give her some space. Partially because she probably needs it, and partially out of fear. Which is something I've been feeling a lot of recently.
That can't be healthy.
She now stares down blankly into the mug, before taking a small sip. Then another. This continues for a good couple minutes until the mug is empty, and her breathing is back to normal.
It's at this point that she realizes that she's just had a major panic attack in front of her superior officer, which is probably the worst place to have one in the Empire.
Immediately, she darts up on shaky legs, mug still in hand.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir! I d-don't know what c-came over me, I-I-I-I ju-just shut down and-"
"Kaela."
She stops talking, looking at me with fear filled eyes. The very first time I've ever seen her feel that.
"You had a panic attack. That is fine. Your home planet was just destroyed. It is a perfectly understandable reaction to such an event. I'm not blaming you for this, alright?"
Kaela seems frozen for a second, before nodding shakily. I continue.
"This is actually what I was calling you up here for. As it stands, you have just undergone a very tumultuous experience, to say the least. As such, I wanted to know how you were feeling."
She seems shocked. I mean, an Imperial officer caring about their subordinates' feelings? Absurd!
Unfortunately for me, it's kind of my job to keep her functional.
"Clearly, you're not fine."
She starts to speak again, but I cut her off.
"Don't worry, I'm not getting rid of you, or transferring you, or anything else. You are, by far, the most competent military commander I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. No, I'm instead telling you to go to therapy."
She quirks her head at me in obvious confusion. I would be confused if I were her as well.
Thing is, among the variety of bonuses that are afforded to the soldiers in my employ is therapy. Not even by Imperial therapists, but actual licensed therapeutic doctors who, through my own checking, aren't hyper nationalistic. No rebel connections, thankfully, just good at their jobs. Darna was the one who found them. Literally the best secretary I could ask for. Oioro ain't got shit on her.
"On top of that, you are to take the next month off as paid vacation."
Here, she tries to protest again. "But, sir! I need to-"
"The only thing you need to do is figure yourself out, Kaela. But, until you've done that, you are at risk of further attacks. That can't happen in the middle of a fight, or a critical moment, and you know that."
By the look on her face, I'm right. Good. Cause I am bullshitting the entire goddamn time.
"Look. I'm not telling you to retire, alright. Just…take some time off. Go to therapy. Get the help you need. And when you're ready, you can come right back. Can't have you at anything less than 100%, alright?"
"...Alright, Governor."
"Good. Now, you'd best get going, as I have a meeting to get to, and you have some therapy sessions to schedule."
Grant simply nodded, and walked off to the doorway as I sat back down at my desk.
Before she leaves, she realizes she's still holding one of my mugs. My custom made, sleek as hell, practically thermos level mugs made of a deep black stone with flecks of purple within. The real nice ones. Cost me like 30 grand for a dozen, but it was so worth it.
"Ah! I-I apologize, I almost-"
"Don't worry, just keep it." I say, waving my hand like it doesn't matter to me. Which it does. A lot. I make very little personal money, so it took like four months to save up for that fucking mug set.
She looked at me strangely, before bowing her head slightly.
"Thank you, sir."
I quirk an eyebrow at her, slightly confused. The fuck?
"What for?"
Now she's looking at me all confused. Which is an odd expression to see on her face.
"F-for the help. And the m-mug."
"It's my job, commander. No need to thank me." Now, thankfully, in order to escape this awkwardness, I have a little button that can simulate the noise of my terminal receiving a call. Which I press.
She gets it, and leaves, leaving me in my office. Alone. Tired.
Out of hot cocoa.
FUCK!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hi there folks! Here with a different chapter, because I wanted to write something but didn't know what it was gonna be. That, and the fact that I wanted to address this loose end. Kaela's shenanigans ain't over yet. But she's on the path of mental stability, one shaky step at a time.
Commentary and feedback appreciated.
Thanks for reading!
-Freefaller