Untold stories of the troopers

Chapter 2- Looking Forward, Not Back

Trooper TI-1290 stood at his post in the most recently evacuated Rebel base on Hoth. He looked around for small space heater he could activate.No matter what they said, it was STILL cold inside his armor. He shivered as he shifted his weight back and forth, trying to encourage blood flow to his numb limbs. Why couldn't he have signed on as a sand trooper? Or scout trooper? Or a storm trooper? Or even a janitor!! He thought that anything was better than the indecisive climate of Kel Dor. Blistering heat one day, frost the next, he liked the cold cause he liked to bundle up. But the thin snowtrooper armor barely allowed enough room for the light, thin undergarments they were allowed to wear. But it would all be over soon, he was in the middle of his last required term of service. It was almost unheard of for an active duty trooper to make it all 3 terms, since skirmishes with the Rebellion and other groups were a common occurrence. But once he was out Trooper TI-1290 could do whatever he wanted. The rest of the day went on without a hitch, the Empires scientists and engineers studied the Rebels abandoned base for clues as to where they were headed and what their military strategy was. But the Rebels had cleaned out everything up to the last patch up done by a medical droid. But all was not lost. The rebels had left behind several medical droids and weapons and even a few speeders and other supplies that the empire would find useful in someway, perhaps to infiltrate the rebels perhaps? Who knew. But for now it was going to be a pretty basic day for trooper TI-1290. Sweeping rooms for booby traps, clearing out useful equipment and clearing out remaining rebels. After hours of sweeping and clearing and cleaning rooms TI-1290 and his troop received orders to spend the night in the base and they would leave in the morning. Luckily the rebels bunker quarters were still intact, so they set quickly to determining rounds and then the night was on. TI-1290 was on third round so that meant he would be up at 2am standard time. His turn came too quickly he decided as his alarm went off but he got up anyway and marched off to relieve TK-2085, a newbie. TI-1290 didn't really like nor dislike the new troopers. They were all the same. Over enthusiastic, and hotheads. Some turned out ok but most went thru training too fast and died within the first year. But Tk-2085 was different... TI-1290 wouldn't go as far as special but... he would definitely last longer than the others... maybe. TI-1290 donned his armor and walked a crossed the base to his post. When he arrived TK-2085 was in the same position as when he had left him, standing upright and every so often looking to his right and left he almost blended into the snow wall he was so still. TI just said one word.

"Anything?" TK shook his head, then replied. "The leftover tauntauns that they didn't release make a noisy racket though."

TI nodded his agreement and assumed his post, "You're relived for the night. Get a few in before pickup tomorrow." He said. TK remained in position for a brief second then spoke.

"Would it be fine with you, sir, if I stayed up? Can't sleep. You may go back or you can stay sir." TI thought it over and then nodded his approval to the plan. He was about to go on a relaxed patrol to check the other stations when TK spoke up again.

"Sir? If I may ask... why did you join?"
TI contemplated the question for a bit then asked, "What makes you think I joined? I could've been 'drafted' as an infant. Or I could've had a debt to the empire to fulfill. " TK shook his head. "Well whatever it is, I'll share if you share." TI stared straight ahead and was quiet for several minutes. TK was starting to believe he'd never get anything out of the older trooper but then TI startled him by speaking. His tone was dry and monotone. By one could tell he was very passionate about what he spoke of.

"It was 20 years ago. I was 10 years old. The republic had been overthrown by the Empire just two weeks prior. My planet was one of those forced to surrender, or be wiped out. I still remember that day. Gunships that had once carried a hope of sorts now only carried death and punishment. Clone troopers who were once our friends were now just white shells of hollowness. They watched over us day and night for months, watching for signs of rebellion. There weren't many, only a few dozen gunships and a tank or two, but they didn't expect anything. When we had joined the Republic we were neutral. We had no intentions of going to war, but we had to. But now the Empire had its iron grip on us now. For months we all went about our lives under the watchful eyes if the elite white clad imperials. Then one day a notice was put up all around the village. It was asking for volunteers to serve as the new and elite "Stormtroopers". Not many were interested., but a few went. Said it was their duty to serve their new Emperor, and that it was a privilege. But my family stayed out of it. We didn't want to fight. We were just simple farmers, trying to gather a good enough crop to last us they the winter season. But soon no more volunteers came forward. So the Empire came looking for more. They took newborns, toddlers, and even young children. Most men were grabbed too, but the Empire mostly focused on the young. Easier to brainwash I guess. The younger you are less family ties you have. My mother had just given birth during this time. She was afraid the stormtroopers would hear he was there and take him. So we kept him a secret, from everyone. No one came for him. We thought we were safe... until one day they came. Someone had gotten wind of my baby brother and the troopers raided our house. But we had a special hiding place for him. A loose floorboard with a space just big enough for him to fit. The troopers tore our house apart, and when they couldn't find him they rounded up my family in the living room and held us at gunpoint, demanding to know where he was. My father and mother swore they knew nothing about a baby in their home, but the troopers didn't believe them. The head trooper beat my father over and over again, demanding to know what we had done with my brother. But my father still refused to give him up. Finally they got fed up and took firing positions. I hugged my mother tight and closed my eyes. I wished all of them dead. I wanted to kill them myself. We heard the countdown... and then firing... but nothing happened. When the firing stopped I slowly looked up. There, on the ground, was the entire squad, save one. He stood back behind where all the bodies lay, his blaster smoking. We stood there in shock, my father was the first to speak. He simply asked,"why?"

The trooper lowered his blaster and stood there. His black, hollow eyes seemed to stare off into nothingness. He stood silent for a while before he answered.
"The Empire is made of two kind of people. Good. And bad. Both can make a difference. But only one is right. I choose to save you because I felt it to be right. You were innocent in this exchange. And the fight wasn't fair. But in return. I must ask that someone come in replacement of your baby that you may or may not have. I cannot go back empty handed."
He stood there, waiting patiently for us to decide who would go. He was in no hurry. He just stood there and stared at us. No one moved for a minute. But then it was as if something pushed me to get up, so I did... then I walked to him. My parents called out to me but I barely heard. Something propelled me to keep walking until I was directly in front of the trooper. I want scared of him. And he didn't appear to be a monster to me. He was just a soldier. He reached out his hand to me... and I took it. And never looked back."

TK stared at TI, for a long while. He was quiet for a bit, but then he asked one last question.
"Sooo... why did you join...?" TK asked confused. TI told there contemplating the question then he said, "I was compelled to become like the trooper who saved my family. A good man. He was a good soldier as well, with a duty to serve his Emperor. He also showed me that you don't have to be what your stereotype is. And those ambitions have been the things that carried me through my terms."
And with that, the two snowtroopers stood silent at their post. Neither speaking, but they now fully understood each other. And they were content with doing their jobs to the best of their ability for their Empire.