Chapter 14
The path that I’m walking, I must go alone.
I must take the baby steps ‘till I’m full grown, full grown.
Fairy tales don’t always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay.
Field Base Baz Nitch, Naboo
0240 Hours, Thursday
The Imperial landing craft flared out into a slow hover and carefully descended onto the small landing pad. Other than the dark sky, there was little indication that it was nearly 3 in the morning local time. Crews were busy replenishing fuel and ammo in the Lartys, and making last minute adjustments before picking up 1st Sergeant Ravenheart’s team.
Lieutenant Outlaw Sturmwolke noticed Major Jezebel waiting for him, along with her security detail, and a very serious looking Warrant Officer. They were going to question the delivery truck driver right now, it appeared. As soon as he was physically able, the Stormtrooper Lieutenant was off of the craft, heading towards Major Kassel. Outlaw was interested in some news on the other operators that were downrange this morning. As he briskly walked to the Major, her security detail raced to the Larty to nab the prisoner they’d hauled in.
“Lieutenant, I have some news for you,” Jezebel began as Outlaw grew near.
“Okay, that sounds ominous, what’s the news?” the Stormtrooper replied.
“Your girlfriend, she is in protective custody in Theed,” Major Kassel managed not to sound smug.
“Kamiko is in protective custody? For what?” he stammered.
“Kamiko, ha … no … Koyi Lom, the twi’lek, she is being held at the Imperial Garrison in Theed,” Major Kassel reported, amused.
“Why is she being held?” Outlaw asked, relieved and confused all at once.
“Her father is tied to a smuggling ring it seems,” she paused for effect, “the same smuggling ring that was arming our Rebel enemies in the swamps.”
“Fracking terrific,” he cursed, “so, why are you telling me this?”
“I’m not heartless Theo, I am sure she needs to see a friendly face,” Major Kassel offered, “and I would have bet you’d want to see her too. But, it seems you haven’t lost those feelings for that Corellian girl …”
“Okay, enough, Melyssa,” he huffed, exhaling through his nose; “I’m going to Theed then, is that the plan?”
Major Melyssa Kassel was momentarily stunned by the use of her first name by the Lieutenant. He had only referred to her as Major or Jezebel since her short affair with a member of his team had ended. She had initially been very close to the teams as the 220th was first organized. Outlaw felt she was too close, and when he found out a man on his squad was bedding the Major; he became quite vocal in his opposition. The man on his squad broke off the relationship at his Lieutenant’s request. This was when the Major began to pry into the Outlaw’s personal life.
“Yes, go to Theed. They are refueling your bird and you are to go and find out how the Loms are involved,” she finally answered.
The Scout trooper remained standing in front of the Major, in silence, enjoying her discomfort. He knew he hadn’t called her by her first name since the incident on Lok with his squadmate. All of his troopers were instructed not to fraternize with the members of the intelligence officers. The chilling of the personal relationship included referring to the Major by her rank or title, and not her first name as she had requested of the troopers. An intervention by his brother Krienz, a Colonel and the platoon’s CO at the time, had prevented disaster. The order to refrain from fraternization of the two units was ultimately relaxed, but Major Kassel had distanced herself from the teams after that. She did continue to ask the operators to call her by her first name, but Outlaw never would.
“I will be seeing to the questioning of this delivery truck driver, as you were Lieutenant,” she stated through pursed lips.
“Aye Aye Major,” Outlaw replied, swinging his arm briskly into a tight salute.
The junior officer held the salute until the Major returned it, and then he turned on his heels and strode towards the Larty.
“Damn that man,” Major Kassel sighed angrily, turning to tend to her own duties.
Imperial Garrison, Theed
0318 Hours, Thursday
The lights were low in the garrison commander’s office. A pair of couches served as the beds for Lord Lom and his wife, about as comfortable as Imperial office furniture could be. A roll away bed had been mustered for Koyi, only slightly more suitable than her parents current sleeping arrangements. Ironically, her father insisted she have the actual bed, and she was the only one who could not fall asleep. She had sent a barrage of messages to Theodorik, all unanswered.
“Can’t sleep?”
Koyi heard the soft voice, just above a whisper, and leapt up to her feet. Standing in the doorway was Theodorik, all 6’2” of his rugged frame. His face was cast in shadow, a light from behind him reaching into the room, giving him a spectral appearance.
“Theo,” the twi’lek sighed.
Koyi realized that she was relieved to see him, to see that he was not harmed. It was an emotion she hadn’t allowed herself to think about this night. She sighed deeply, admitting to herself that the biggest reason she could not be a military wife, was being in the dark. She was surprised to see him, glad he was okay, but not knowing when he would rush out again, and for how long; that was too much.
“I’ve been sending you messages all night. We sort of got into some trouble,” she breathed, purposely not rising to meet him.
“Sorry for that, my personal device is back at the base,” he replied softly.
She closed her eyes and nodded. Tears began to stream down her face as she attempted to explain her feelings to the trooper.
“Theo, I don’t think I can do this anymore, you and me, us … I mean …” she said finally.
A definitive lump formed in Theodorik’s throat, as ego took charge of his body before common sense could. He breathing became uneven, and words failed him as he took a step into the room. He glanced at the sleeping Lord and Lady, and then back to the eighteen year old, wearing a hurt face.
“Let’s go out here,” he gestured.
She nodded and complied, softly gliding across the floor and into the outer room. Theo exhaled heavily, watching her go, when a thought entered his head. You weren’t going to marry this girl, this is for the best.
“I know,” he sighed.
“What’s that?” the young girl asked, turning back to face him.
Theo shook his head, “I know. Koyi, it’s for the best. It doesn’t make it easy. But you are right.”
“Spirits, that’s the truth, just kissing you, holding you, I am going to miss that,” she admitted.
“But I’m only eighteen, and you’ve made me realize that I can do so much more with my life,” she continued.
“Yeah, I can’t ask you to wait around until I return. You should see as much of this galaxy as you can,” he chuckled.
“Theodorik, you have opened my eyes in so many ways. The times we had together,” she paused, closing her eyes and inhaling sharply, “those thoughts will keep me warm at night, knowing that there are men like you in the galaxy.”
The Stormtrooper’s face crinkled into a smile, warmth building in his cheeks. A single tear rolled down his right cheek, which Koyi promptly wiped away.
“That means a lot to me, that you think of me that way,” he supplied.
“You are a true hero, Theo. And I know that your heart belongs to another, even if I could be with you, you aren’t mine to have,” this time Koyi shed a single teardrop.
“I guess I am pretty transparent when it comes to that, and you know … her …” his voice trailed off.
“I know, Theo. I knew when I saw your face in the elevator that night. Twi’leks read body language better than anyone,” she laughed gently.
“I’m glad we had this time together, as short as it was,” he smiled.
“It was short, wasn’t it? It seemed longer, but I guess when you think about it, huh …” she laughed.
“It was long enough,” he joined her laughter.
“Koyi, I won’t forget you, and hell, why are we talking like this? This isn’t goodbye,” he put on a faux stern expression.
“Not goodbye,” she agreed, nodding.
“I’m going to miss the way your le’ku shake when you nod your head …”
She suddenly bounded into him, and enveloped him in a massive hug.
“Please be careful, and please keep in touch. Tell that fire chick that she better take care of you, I know where she lives.”
Theodorik and Koyi held that embrace for a few moments, and then the two parted, both literally and figuratively. The twi’lek was finally able to sleep a few minutes later, her mind at ease. As he made his way to the elevator, Theodorik kicked himself for not asking about her father or the raid on their pent house.
He admonished his reflection in the polished silver doors, “Women really do knock you off your game, don’t they?”