[Episode V - NR][O12 - Gyndine - NR3F] Revenge for Dex - The Sleemo Seven (IV)

The Demagogue

The Sleemo crew returned to Gyndine to find it buried under even heavier snowfall, and under an even tighter Imperial grip. Their recent attacks on high-ranking Imperial commanders had led the local forces to begin patrolling the streets with greater determination, with the Gyndine people bearing the brunt of the Remnant anger.

This mission was personal. Moff Haldrin Voss, "The Demagogue", had styled himself after Wilhuff Tarkin, embracing the late Grand Moff's cruelty as both doctrine and ambition. His legacy was cemented on Dulathia, where he ordered the deployment of a mass-casualty weapon designed to preserve infrastructure while annihilating populations. The devastation was immense.

Dex Madsen's family had been among the dead. This had led him to abandon the Rebellion to seek revenge- only to be captured before he could succeed.

Now, the remaining members of the Sleemo Seven would finish what he started.

---

Kessa pulled her fur collar tight over her ears as the cold wind whipped through the canal. She didn't like this plan. Assaulting a heavily defended imperial fortress was something for Republic shock troopers, and not for a handful of ex-Rebels.

To her right, Kavren leaned against the canal wall, his grip locked around his blaster. Even through his gloves, she could picture his knuckles whitening. Dex and Kavren had been close, after all.

Despite her gripes, Cade's plan seemed simple enough: lure the Moff out, poison him, and avoid a direct assault. There were a lot of variables at play though, which meant a lot of things could go wrong.

---

Haldrin Voss stood in the biting wind, his irritation simmering beneath professional composure. Snow clung to his uniform as troopers held position around him, their faces raw from the cold.

He didn't appreciate being made to wait outside the palace for Governor Essada's summons. Still, there was something satisfying in the display of Imperial strength.

The Empire's fall had left him scrambling, but Gyndine presented new opportunity. By currying favor with Essada, he could position himself for eventual control. Remove the governor at the right moment- the planet, and its military, would be his.

For now, he would play the loyal subordinate.

"Cheeses! Sausages! Cider!"

The call drifted through the storm. A rickety cart approached the barricade. Haldrin frowned. The accent had none of the distinctively thick Gyndine sound.

He stepped forward. "Sir, you should remain behind the barricade," a trooper warned.

Haldrin smiled confidently. "I think I'm quite safe among the rabble- especially with all of you protecting me."

The vendor's thick black mustache stood in stark contrast to the snow. "Perhaps a taste of local fare, commander? No charge."

Haldrin leaned in, catching the pungent aroma of Gyndine's signature green cheese. He recoiled immediately. Disgusting.

"Then maybe a hot cider?" the vendor offered smoothly. Haldrin accepted the cup and took a long drink. Warmth spread quickly to his chest. Maybe too warm, and too quickly...

"Your accent," he said, studying the man. "Offworlder?"

"Very observant," the vendor replied. "I've come to love Gyndine. Its people. Its culture." Haldrin took another drink. Heat surged through him now, rising to his face.

"Where, exactly-" He doubled over, coughing violently.

The cup slipped from his grasp, clattering in the snow as green-flecked bile stained the ground.

"Sir?" a trooper called out.

Haldrin's body locked, and his limbs turned to lead. "What... have you done..." he rasped, collapsing.

The vendor knelt beside him, peeling away the false mustache. "I've come from the fields of Reytha, Haldrin Voss," Cade said quietly. "And before you die, you should know- this is for Dulathia..." He paused, "and for Dex."

---

Through the blinding snow, the troopers could barely make out the scene. That was until the shout came.

"For Reytha! For Dex!"

"Something's wrong... open fire!" the sergeant barked. Blaster fire tore through the storm, red bolts illuminating the Moff's lifeless body.

Cade charged forward, grenade raised.

--- 

Cade didn't slow or hesitate. He hurled the grenade into the center of the firing line, already knowing he was too close, and far too exposed.

It didn't matter, this was all worth it to bring the fight to the Empire directly.

"Get down, Cade!" Tarnov shouted. Then the explosion swallowed everything.

A chain reaction ignited the troopers' munitions, fire ripping through the barricade. Tarnov threw himself over Ryla, shielding her as shrapnel tore past.

---

Cackling flames and distant alarms were the only sounds that pierced the storm.

The checkpoint was gone, blackened armor and shattered weapons littering the ground. The palace gates smoldered but stood true.

Tarnov knelt beside Cade's body, staring into unmoving eyes.

Kessa's voice cut through the haze. "It was a terrible plan." Two of their comrades were gone now.

Tarnov closed his eyes briefly, then rose. "But it worked."

Alarms continued to blare from inside the palace. "We need to get out of here," Ryla said. "We're standing outside a garrison."

Kessa nodded, her gaze lingering on Cade, and the fallen Demagogue. The cost was rising, and it was getting harder to believe the mission was worth it.

--- 

The Sleemo crew were now five.

Their mission would now take them to the lava fields of Sarapin. Their target: The Doctor.

---

I hope everyone likes the build and the story here! I've noticed when I tackle these larger builds, it can be a bit tricky to keep everything cohesive and have fun moments and details sprinkled throughout, though I like that I was able to work in some techniques, keep a visual through-line from my first Gyndine build, and leave some room for story beats. 

As always, I'd appreciate any and all comments, critiques and notes!