Static in the Sand [S8 - Sriluur - BSB]

The small Imperial relay station on Sriluur stood alone in the vast desert, little more than a battered comms tower and a cramped control panel sheltered beneath a makeshift canopy. The two troopers stationed there fanned themselves uselessly against the relentless heat, their helmets discarded in a growing pile of sand. With nothing but static crackling through the comms feed and occasional reports from nearby Hutt caravans, the station felt abandoned by the galaxy at large. Corporal Heks, slouched over the control panel, muttered curses at the equipment while his partner leaned against the comms tower, scanning the endless dunes for signs of trouble. It wasn’t much of a post, but the Empire’s orders were clear: ensure communications with Hutt allies remained uninterrupted. Yet, as a distant plume of dust rose on the horizon, Heks felt an unease settle over him on Sriluur, trouble rarely announced itself before arriving.