Birth of a Monster

[Jeron Verity]

Galvens past, the first time that pushed him into his path as of now. Perhaps not the reason why he started the path, but this was the first incident that would lead to a long line of death and loss... but not from war. We explore this time as one recap of the events Galven went through to explain his sorrowful, yet gentlemanly behavior, and why he does what he does. This is not from Galvens point of view, but of Viskis, his highest ranking Stormtrooper, and soon-to-be, best friend.



Faction: Galactic Empire (Remnants)
Location: Victory-class Star Destroyer



As a Stromtrooper, you were told to obey and attune to a strict behavior, which was very hard, considering some of the things you had to do. Today, Viskis was ordered inside of Captain Galvens Office, not for punishment, but to stand witness to an event. Orders had come from above to execute an officer for failure. Viskis knew why, he was there when it happened, and he took command of the unit since the Officer was unresponsive. He didn't blame the man, but he knew the consequences. It was in the heat of a blaster fight with some enemy soldiers, and as the Officer was receiving orders, his front line was suddenly devastated by a few grenades that had been thrown and nobody noticed them until the last second. Viskis was ordered to keep him safe, so he was beside the Officer. The blood of one of the Officers soldiers was smeared across the Officers face and he was frozen stiff. Orders were relaying, asking if he confirmed, but he just stared at the mutilation of his men. Which was when Viskis took over the Comms and said the CO was incapacitated, but it was already too late. The soldiers had over ran their lines, and Viskis had to order a retreat, as they were also taking over their flanks.

Pt. 1

 

[Jeron Verity]

Viskis had never witnessed an execution, nor has he ever been aboard Galvens ship when there was such a failure it required such a thing. Although, it hasn't been long that he's been aboard Galvens ship, one was trained so they could fill any position with all of one's personal experience. He had heard of executions before, but this was his first to be present for. He was the first in Galvens Office, another Stormtrooper to his right, both guarding the doors inside. He had been waiting for a standard hour since the order was given, and the men who were to be meting were preparing themselves, but Galvens Office had to be clear and ready. Then it was the Officer who walked in, he wasn't told he was to be executed, but he knew. He greeted the Stormtroopers silently, with sweat on his face, and fear on his eyes. Although a short time with Galven, Viskis knew that... this was more than an Officer, Galven had trusted acquaintances within his command, he made friends of who he could trust. Just as he was in training with Galven, this Officer had been with Galven since his first vessel. But he had to do it, right?

 

[Jeron Verity]

Viskis watched as the officer started sweating and shaking, he was at one time, at least Viskis thought, a professional. Maybe it was the moment of watching so many men under his command just get slaughtered, or maybe it was the realization of just where he was and what he was doing. Although, for the most part, that didn't entirely matter to Viskis. Viskis took a silent breath and gripped his blaster, taking his time in his thoughts. This was the first time being under the command of a Moff for him, and he didn't know how to exactly prepare for it. But since it wasn't too different since he was given command of his own special division, it was more comfortable, besides the fact of being under the command of a position that doesn't tolerate failure.

But then all thoughts were dispersed as he heard trooper boots stomping outside, which are usually followed by a salute to a higher officer. Moff Galven walked in with an appropriate manner of holding his wrist behind his back, giving a salute to the Officer, as did the Officer gave him a salute back. Things seemed to get tense in the room as Moff Galven gestured to Viskis to lock the door, Viskis moving his hand to the door panel to engage the lock and lockout to the other panel.

"Officer... it is, Fron, correct?" The moff asked the Officer. "Yes, Moff Galven, sir. You requested my presence?"

Viskis watched as the Moff pulled out his chair and sat down.

"Yes, I did. I have received an order from Command, an order I can not refuse."

 

[Jeron Verity]

Viskis watched as the Officer, though professional, couldn't help but break down a little. All he could see was the man shaking, and then noticed him gasp a little, maybe a whimper.

"Get a hold of yourself!" Galven had said.

Which automatically forced Viskis into attention, though still trying to watch. The Officer requested that Galven not kill him, and Galven just shook his head. At that moment he remembered speaking to a few other soldiers. They had said he was being trained to become a Moff, by a Sith? Whether or not that was true, Viskis didn't know and had no way of knowing unless he caught the Sith aboard one day, though the other men said they've seen her. Viskis thought this would all make sense, if the men said he executed people commonly, it would be ordered by a Sith, no Captain or Commander ever actually wants to kill their own men, do they? And Galven had a straight face...


"Trooper...yes, you."

Viskis looked up suddenly, only partially paying attention. "Yes sir?"

"Come stand here," Galven had pointed Viskis beside the Officer. "I'm sorry. This has to be done. There are higher forces at work here, but I won't make you kneel."

"Trooper, aim your weapon at the Officers head."

Viskis took a breath and within his helmet his eyes widened, the man was going to make him shoot the Officer? "Yes sir..." Viskis raised his weapon, aimed at the Officers head. The Officer begged Galven.

Viskis looked over to Galven as the man in charge ignored the Officers pleas. He wasn't smiling, or frowning, but he looked disappointed. As to why, it didn't seem like it was at the officer.

"Fire your weapon, Trooper."

 

[Jeron Verity]

Viskis suddenly felt shock, whether it was from being told to fire on a friendly, told to kill a higher rank, or told by his old barracks friend to kill his friend, it was unknown. Viskis' finger jiggled on the trigger as he was froze, until Galven yelled at him to fire. He straightened up, but he couldn't pull the trigger. So many reasons telling him no, but he couldn't disobey an order, he didn't know what to do.

Galven walked up to him and put his hand on the blaster, lowering, "It's okay soldier, it's okay, don't worry. It's over." Viskis took a sigh of relief but also of fear as the man seemed nearly heartless, changed by the Sith, but what really scared him, was...

Galven took the blaster from Viskis, quickly, aimed at the Officers head and shot him.

Viskis jumped and watched as the man fell dead..

Galven then put a hand on Viskis shoulder, "It's okay. I have plans for the future, but for now we have to follow orders. I have to follow orders. Take the day off, trooper."

Galven released Viskis and called the guards at his door to grab and dispose of the body.

 

[Jeron Verity]

Viskis walked out of Galven's office, watching as some Stormtroopers entered and the door shut, but he wouldn't stand around to watch. He shook himself and took a breath, clutching his weapon close in the proper way and turned to walk. He went down to the Galley to calm down, and have a drink. There were other Stormtroopers there so he decided to sit down with them, they were talking about which alien women were hotter. "Hey guys, got a question. Do you think the Moff is as heartless as everyone says?"

"He's somethin', ever since that Sith woman got her hands on him," spoke up one of the stormtroopers, "Oh yeah, she sure got her hands on him!" They both chuckled. "Sith woman?" Viskis asked, "You know I'm curious about that, I overheard some others talking about that, who is she?"

"You mean who was she, she's dead, gone." "Yeah, the last Moff 'displeased' her, and killed the guy right in front of Galven, I know a Trooper that was standing guard at the time. Apparently we're one of the last sects of the Empire, or the Remnant, whatever we are now. They needed a new Moff, and the only person to train was was a Sith."

"So she put the killer in him? What happened to her?"

"What do you think happened? The same thing that happened to half our fleet, that damn plague, but it must be gone now." "She certainly got him to kill, and he never questioned it. He's been executing execution orders like he was getting a drink at a cantina."

"You know... I knew him once, back in ba--"

"This is Moff Galven, Stormtrooper TS-777, please report to my Office." The ships broadcast sounded

The other Troopers chuckled, "What'd you??" "He bit the big one!"

Viskis shook his head and got up from the sit, "Toss my drink, will ya?" he said passively as he left the Galley, heading towards the Bridge where the Moff's office was. "This is TS-777, heading to the Moff's Office now." By the time he got to the Office, the day seemed to be nearly over, and the next shift was coming out, new guards at the door. "TS-777 reporting to the Moff's Office, requested earlier."

"You check out, go on."

Viskis nodded to the trooper as they opened the door and Viskis entered. Galven was sitting at his desk looking over some things as another Stormtrooper was standing at attention inside the office, both waiting for Viskis.


"Ah, you're back. Sorry about earlier, and sorry for this, but something ran across my mind and I had to check it again. You are Nick Viskis, correct, TS-777? We were once training pals back at the Academy?"

 

[Jeron Verity]

Viskis looked over at Galven, giving another quick glance at the other trooper before straightening himself up in front of the Moff. "Yes sir, just before you branched off to Officer Training" he was prepared to say more, but Galven seemed to have become a very formal, strict, and proper man; therefore, he asked for no more.

"Good, you're a good soldier, loyal to the cause, and you have very good skills. However, there's a problem."

There was a short pause, Viskis taking the lead seeing as how he felt Galven wanted a response from him. "What is the the problem sir?"

"You, you're the problem. Before you were assigned to me, apparently as a Warrant Officer, you weren't that great. Intelligence and Battle Plans don't seem to be your style, do they? You're more of a rogue type, small squad, I think. What do you say?"

Viskis took a breath from under his helmet, clearing his throat. "I feel better in those positions, yes sir." Answering honestly was better than lying...

"Well, it seems being transferred to me didn't help your case, and you couldn't save the men in your command. Regretfully, there was an order given to me, one I'm trying my hardest not to carry out."

 

[Jeron Verity]

"What is the order sir?" Viskis was nervous, he knew he hadn't been much help in Galvens army since he came, but as soon as he was transferred he was dropped into battle zones when he was unprepared. In the end Viskis thought that was all just excuses...

"What do you think it is? I don't exactly have an Admiral or Moff giving me orders at this rate."

Viskis watched as Galven pulled out from the desk and stood, Viskis' eyesight barely looking at the trooper beside him, fearing the worst.

"But I need you, because of your skills, and because I know you. For what I'm about to do, do not question it. You follow and do as I order you? Do you understand?"

Viskis thought for a moment, was the Moff not going to kill him? But what was he going to do... Viskis didn't know, he didn't know anything at this moment, except for one thing... to follow orders. "Yes, Moff Galven."

 

[Jeron Verity]

And as soon as Viskis hailed off the classic yes sir routine, Galven drew his blaster and aimed it at the Stormtrooper beside him. He didn't quickdraw, or immediately kill the Stormtrooper, but what he did, scared Viskis.

"I'm sorry, thank you for your service." Galven said, before pulling the trigger, and killing the Stormtrooper. He walked around the desk to take the Troopers identification, handing it over to Viskis and padded him on the shoulder. "That will be all, TS-474. You are dismissed, please get back to your schedule," Galven said, before ordering the troopers outside his office to pick up the body. "Send the message to command, TS-777 is no longer a problem."


For whatever reason, Viskis was spared, but he didn't stay, in fear he may mess something up. He was alive, and given a second chance. He left the office, passing the other Stormtroopers walking in. Viskis had enough of the day and he needed to rest. He headed straight for his quarters... well, not his. He was TS-474 now, so he went to that troopers bunk. He'd later ask another Trooper to gather the items and leave them to him, but for now, he was stressed, and needed to calm down, to see what the next day held.

 

[Jeron Verity]

The alarm suddenly sounded...

"All hands to their stations."

"This is your Moff. All troopers to your fighters and shuttles."

The loudspeaker had spoke. But that was ignored, at least for Viskis, as a Stromtrooper came running up to him. "TS-474, the Moff needs to see you in the hangar immediately, he says you're part of his escort, hurry up and go!" Less of an order and more of a warning, disappointing the Moff recently was known pathetically as the worst thing you could do. Usually, there'd be punishment. But here, it'd be lucky if you were only punished. Viskis got his underarmor and armor suit on, finishing with his helmet he rushed to the Hangar.

"Hey, where's the moff?"

"Over there," a soldier spoke up, pointing to the opposite end of the hangar where the Moff and other troopers and officers were speaking.

Moff Galven turned to look at him and immediately grabbed his attention. "TS-474, did you have a good rest? Maybe you can finally get onboard and be ready?"

"Yes sir," Viskis nodded with a salute... TS-474.... it was still new to him. The Moff gestured Viskis to get onboard the shuttle and everyone climbed in after him. Sitting down and strapping in, the Moff grabbed everyones attention, and with that, the shuttles took off. "This is not something I could plan for with weeks in advance like I preferably like to, but then again the mission usually is just like this, random and instant. An outpost on one of our outer planets that we still had command of was attacked. My ships were closest to it for support... or, were the only ones within half the galaxy. Anyway, contact was lost four standard days ago. Then it was established today, with garbled communications. Who ever attacked probably knocked out the comms array, and who ever is still in control cobbled together what was left with any spare parts. I am to take control of the situation and the base. That's what happened. Are we ready?"

Viskis turned out to be the commanding officer on board as the other troopers looked at him, and he nodded, "Yes sir," along with other shuttle commanders chiming in over the comms.

Pt. 2

 

[Jeron Verity]

It was not long after they entered the planets atmosphere and made their way to the base. They were prepared to take fire, but it was quiet. Viskis looked out the window at the planet and could only wonder just what was going on, and what would happen after they landed. Quickly, as his thoughts raced through his head, they were about to be answered. The shuttle pilots spoke into their comms to alert the soldiers they were touching down, stating that there were Imperial Soldiers waving and standing guard outside, with others that were not in Stormtrooper armor. As the shuttles landed, Galven's opened up and lowered the ramp down. Viskis followed behind Galven as an Officer from the base walked up to the Moff and saluted. "Greetings sir, I am Officer Welch, who might you be?"

"I am Moff Solomon, please, give me a status update, and who these people are."


Viskis took a stance beside Galven, looking over at the soldiers. He could tell they had Rebellion symbols on their uniforms, and guessed they were either part of a rebellion group, or amateurs that found the gear... probably the latter.

"It appears we still have Rebel troubles, Moff Solomon, they had a good amount of weapons, but they could not take the base."

Viskis looked up to check the outer complex of the fortification, seriously seeming like it went through war, when it was supposedly new by the records he had.

"They could not take the base, but kill the majority of the Imperial garrison here, and what? A handful of soldiers left on both sides? TS-474, check on the Rebels, I need to make a call."

Viskis nodded, walking over to the kneeling Rebel soldiers and inspecting them, guarding them, occasionally glancing at the battle-ridden troopers guarding them. "What, did you wrap them as a present for us?" he asked the men, "It was the best we cou--" suddenly they were interrupted by Galven's voice picking up.


"But Commander, they-- We don't even know if we've questioned them can't we--" Galven was concerned, but it seemed the Commander gave an order he could not refuse. Viskis turned to look up at Galven as he turned to face them. "This base is now under my command, Officer Welch, I'm promoting you to Commanding Officer of the base to keep it in order. TS-474," Viskis was immediately alerted to the addressing, standing properly as he listened, "Yes sir?"

"Stand back."


Viskis had an unnerving feeling as Galven said that, taking a breath and stepping back about 6 or 7 paces. Everyone got quiet and watched him, curious to find out what the Commander ordered.

The moff walked over to the soldiers, and drew his blaster. "By the order of the Galactic Empire, I have been ordered to execute you all.

 

[Jeron Verity]

"Sir, I request an interrogation session with the pris--"

"Hold your tongue, Trooper!" The Moff Shouted at Viskis, "You are a high ranking Stormtrooper, but you do not get to countermand the orders I am given and must carry out. Do not tarnish your rank."

Viskis kept quiet, keeping his stare on Galven. Everyone else had kept their mouths explicitly shut, not even daring to speak up as the Moff became enraged. Viskis had become completely afraid of the man in front of him now, as Galven had killed countless amount of people in front of him. Friends, family, allies, he was supposed to even kill him at one point, and now he was treading on thin ice. "I suppose, no one here, should have expected any less, from the Galactic Empire." Viskis heard Galven say with depression strong in his voice.

And then it happened. Galven turned cold and emotionless, for everyone there it was as if time had slowed. Viskis witnessed Galven clutch his blaster, raising it, and firing off shots to the prisoners skulls. One after another, cold, merciless, cruel and unusual, he was taking these lives life it was his job, as if he was the grim reaper himself, without any remorse. Even for the Officer nearby, Galvens expression frightened him to his core.

Viskis couldn't handle it, and he was about to panic. "Galven!" he screamed, he was nearly ready to have a heart attack.

Galven blinked and everyone looked at the stormtrooper who blatantly disrespected the Moff in front of everyone, then back at Galven. But he held still, and stared at the last surviving prisoner, straight in the eyes. Viskis became confused by this point, as he caught Galven's hand clutching to his chest. Galven coughed, taking a breath and exhaling with a shuttering breath. The kind where you hold back tears.

 

[Jeron Verity]

"Go."

This was what Galven said.

"Run, find a way off this planet, and do not come back."

Galvens final words to the man he was seconds away from killing.



Viskis dropped to his knees as he lost his breath and strength. He wasn't crying, but he couldn't stand anymore. The other troopers, even the ones guarding the troopers, lowered their weapons.

"M-Moff Galven... what... is happening?" The officer asked.

"No matter how much we push, Officer... the Galactic Empire is dying. The old ways aren't enough to keep us upright anymore. We need something new."