[EpII - M10 - Balmorra - NR3F] Seize The Barracks!

Trooper CTK-430 - a Ralltiiri man formerly known as Tetwin Mig - had been having a good day. Right up until the hatch to the barracks flew open, and Balmorran soldiers poured in.

"On your feet! Hands on your head, fingers locked together! Now!"

One used the barrel of his blaster to knock a trooper away from the barracks desk, while the rest covered the narrow space with their carbines.

CTK-430 leapt off his bunk, smacking his head against the upper rack. A couple creds lay forgotten where he'd been counting his winnings from the weekly pazakk game. Dazed, he glanced around at the other troopers. CTK-7328 was in shock, while CTK-901 glared vibroblades at the Balmorrans.

"Right, you lot, out in the hall. Quickly now!" boomed the Balmorran sergeant.

The Balmorrans formed a gauntlet to the hatch, making swift kicks or prodding with their blasters at any trooper that didn't move quickly enough. CTK-430's eyes stung as a muzzle slammed into his kidney, but he didn't lose his step.

CTK-901, who'd been in the middle of suiting up for a patrol and had most of his armor on, swung a gauntleted fist at the nearest soldier. His target ducked, but not quickly enough, and the glancing blow staggered the Balmorran.

Before CTK-901 could take another step, there was the flat *brapp* of a blaster discharging, and the smell of ozone and burnt flesh filled the room. He toppled back with a neat hole in his forehead. Over him stood the Balmorran sergeant, smoking blaster in hand.

"Anyone else want to be a Hero of the Empire?"

Rebel scum, thought CTK-430. They'd been told the Balmorran Defense Force was a convenient way to keep all the nationalists in one place, without disrupting production on the factory world. The analyst from the Double Eyes had assured them that the Balmorrans would never dare to rise against the Empire. But the Empire is dead.

Explosions rang out in the distance. Sulking quietly as he marched into an unknown future, CTK-430 resolved to seek out the remnant in the Rim he'd heard rumors of.

One way or another, he vowed, I will see these Rebels fall.

Previously: Dinner with Governor Beltane

Next: Speech! Speech!