Star Wars: The Trooper Caught in the Storm

Part 4: Decisions

Benly's boots clicked against the polished floor as he walked as calmly as he could back to his barracks. Trying desperately not to draw the attention of the few troopers still patrolling the halls. He slipped into the room and gave Dan and Saffer about point two seconds to get their act together before he turned on them.

"Benly," Saffer squeaked, "We're so so sorry. What happened? Are you ok?"

Benly walked between them, bumping his shoulder with both as he did so, avoiding their eyes. Dan and Saffer looked at each other nervously before they followed him.

"Benly?" Dan said quietly, "Were you caught?"

Benly stopped at his bunk still saying nothing.

Saffer sighed in a frustrated manner, "Ok, look. We're sorry. We should have listened to you, and we feel so guilty about it...please. What happened?"

Benly landed his hazel eyes on the two guys and kept that burning fire within them, "Yes, I was caught, and now that Viper will hear of it. Yes, I came up with a pathetic excuse for being out, but that will do nothing if they catch us again. So, you have a decision to make." He looked between them, his eyes flashing, "We do this my way. Every order from me gets followed to a T. If You don't, even once. I quit and you two get to face the Viper. On. Your. Own!"

Dan and Saffer shared a look, seeming to have come to a silent agreement in the few moments that their eyes had met.

"Yes sir." Dan barked, "We will do everything you say, we won't step out of line again. We didn't take your warning seriously, and we didn't appreciate the danger you were putting yourself in to help us. You had nothing to worry about before, you are topping the class, and everyone knows it, but you could easily be putting your career, and life on the line."

Benly studied them, looking for even an ounce of something besides sincerity. He couldn't find any. It seemed as if they were genuinely upset and sorry for what they had done and were really going to try and change.

Benly bit his lip, "Ok. Next lesson is in two days at the earliest. Stay away from me until that point so we avoid suspicion. They will already be on my tail, no reason to put them on yours as well. Also, for the next lesson, you need to meet me outside of the armory," He glanced around, "Wait for me to give the word."

"The armory?" Saffer whispered uncertainly, "Benly, that's risky."

Benly smirked and leaned closer to them, a strange look in his eyes, "Not any riskier than the rest of it." With that, he turned and effortlessly pulled himself up onto the bed in the corner and gave them one last look before he lay down, his back to the boys still standing there.

Benly's mind was racing. So many things had gone wrong, yet he didn't have the heart to tell them no. He had a feeling that this wouldn't be the end of his troubles, but as long as they didn't get any worse than that...he was almost sure he could handle it. At least he hoped he could. If not, he would learn the hard way what being unable to say no can do...