Over the months since deserting her position in the Empire, the veil had slowly lifted, revealing the much ugly reality that she had been fighting to avoid. The humanity that had been indoctrinated out of her during the harsh training as a Stormtrooper was beginning to return.
She knew they had been expendable, even at the elite level, but she did not expect to be used as a scapegoat by the people she was most loyal to. Under the guise of protecting citizens, on their final fateful mission together, they committed the necessary evil, sacrificing the few to protect millions. They knew the risks and all were willing to die in service of the Empire but Katja couldn't predict the aftermath that would follow. The scrutiny and suspicions that would follow. Their reputation hanging in the balance.
They may have left alive and breathing but they had been sacrificed to save the Empire's face.
It was the catalyst that ended in her seeking political refuge with the Alliance, out of necessity rather than a desire to defect. Initially treating her former enemies with contempt and hostility, she gained some clarity with distance and it became clear that she was the one who had been betrayed. Still, she held complex feelings about her former allies, towards the men and women who served with unwavering loyalty, no different to herself - trapped by the chain of command.
Eventually, she was granted clearance to apply for the GADF, upon the satisfaction that she was no longer a risk and with the compliance of a reintegration programme. Although she had mixed emotions about facing her former allies in battle, she had no desire to join them, nor could she with a charge of desertion and treason on her head.
It would take re-training and starting all over again but she had done that once before.
She knew they had been expendable, even at the elite level, but she did not expect to be used as a scapegoat by the people she was most loyal to. Under the guise of protecting citizens, on their final fateful mission together, they committed the necessary evil, sacrificing the few to protect millions. They knew the risks and all were willing to die in service of the Empire but Katja couldn't predict the aftermath that would follow. The scrutiny and suspicions that would follow. Their reputation hanging in the balance.
They may have left alive and breathing but they had been sacrificed to save the Empire's face.
It was the catalyst that ended in her seeking political refuge with the Alliance, out of necessity rather than a desire to defect. Initially treating her former enemies with contempt and hostility, she gained some clarity with distance and it became clear that she was the one who had been betrayed. Still, she held complex feelings about her former allies, towards the men and women who served with unwavering loyalty, no different to herself - trapped by the chain of command.
Eventually, she was granted clearance to apply for the GADF, upon the satisfaction that she was no longer a risk and with the compliance of a reintegration programme. Although she had mixed emotions about facing her former allies in battle, she had no desire to join them, nor could she with a charge of desertion and treason on her head.
It would take re-training and starting all over again but she had done that once before.
