The Renegade: Episode IV: Vindication

Chapter 29: Unit-56

"Told you Civa shouldn't have been the look out," Besa, formerly known as TK-345, complained sitting on the floor of the holding cell. She fixed her red hair into a bun and leaned her left elbow on her helmet. All of their stormtrooper armor had been painted dark grey. They had added some individual stripes as decorations. Civa, formally TK-454, joked they look like the tie fighter pilots.

"Hey I'm not the one that tripped the alarm, Red!" Civa shot back at Besa who was notorious at being quick but careless.

"Enough you two," Rol said. TK-888 was the one who kept Civa and Besa on their best behavior. But at this point it didn't seem to matter much. He walked across the cell to Harillo who was watching the group of New Republic soldiers sort through their weapons. "Guess we're destined for a labor camp."

"If we're lucky," Harillo said, knowing that things were not looking good for them. "I'm worried about that one there." He motioned over to Jules.

"Why?" Rol asked. He observed Jules.

"Just seems to have a different agenda than the other officer." Harillo said. He saw the other officer approach Jules. It was Lee Tersu.

"Word from command base," Lee said to Jules "Weapons are to be sent to the armory where they will be processed and dismantled by Gascon authorities. They will be given the metals as payment for New Republic assistance."

"I can't stand diplomats." Jules said. She directed the other soldiers to move the weapons. "They've gone too soft on all the Imps, especially the renegade ones."

"I see your point," Lee said looking over at the unit they had arrested. "But many of them joined the alliance. Some were very pivotal in the rebellion. Others just went on their own path."

"You've gone soft as well, Tersu," she said, sneering at him. "I remember you had a ruthless reputation during the war. Any buckethead that crossed your path was as good as dead as well as anyone that helped them escape after Endor."

"Things have changed now," Lee said. It was true. He had been known to be a bit of an extremist as the war escalated. Not long after the Death Star had been destroyed, he had met Jules in the legacy group of the Partisans known as the Dreamers. He joined the group but was infiltrated and eliminated by the Inferno Squad. Jules and him were able to escape together. Since then both had grown a strong hatred for any Imperial Military member. But Jules had been consumed by it and it was beginning to show in her officer duties. "The war is over. We're the New Republic. Rules need to be followed."

"Saw Gerrerra would be very disappointed in you." Jules said. "Did I ever tell you about the time I left a buckethead out in mid space with the trash? Well that's the nicest thing I am going to do with any Imperial I find the Republic let's off too easy."

"Then you're on your own explaining it to Dune 'cus I am not going to take the heat for you again," He grunted.

"Come on," Jules said. "You liked how we blew those death troopers away last month. They had it coming."

"They had kids with them," he said sadly.

"Good. Less younglings to grow up and try to bring back the Empire. Cut your whining, no wonder your wife left you," She said.

Lee slammed his fist on the wall. Jules froze. Lee was angry. She had hit a nerve. Rya had gone some time after he had joined the Dreamers. She felt Lee was becoming too extreme and too much like the Empire they were fighting so hard to bring down. Once the Empire fell the first thing he thought of was her and how much he missed her. But too much time had passed. War had done too much to him. He was not the same person. Best to let her move on with her life. He looked up and saw Harillo staring at him.