Trial by Fire

[Lord Zedd]

A short vacation had been nice after such an abrupt introduction to the Omniverse, but it was unfortunately time to get back to work.

Knox sat at a table in a Tier One station on an early morning, encumbered by his bulky stormtrooper armor. It had been awhile since he’d worn it, so he felt a little more burdened than usual by the heavy suit. It was supposed to protect him, but he surely didn’t have much confidence in it. The memories of being shot were still fresh in his mind, and even though he was assured it was able to resist many types of attacks, he was pretty sure the Vorticons of Tier Seven weren’t the only ones to figure out a way through the Imperial armor.

His helmet sat on the table before him, along with the other three belonging to his usual squad, each of which were equally excited to be there. Cade was hunched over, dozed off due to the long wait too early in the morning. Laci was texting and scrolling through her smartphone, but Grace was intently watching Knox’s previously wounded arm. Despite the bacta infusion, Knox had a bit of a shake in the healed appendage. His friends had all noticed it, but he was hopeful that it was nothing. That was at least what he was telling them. He grabbed it with his other hand to try and stabilize it upon noticing the attention it was drawing.

Thankfully, Sergeant Sull entered the room, looking at the four of them as he walked. They all looked up, after Laci jabbed Cade to wake him up. They each noticed that his same stormtrooper armor managed to look a little more professional, somehow. He definitely had a presentable quality about him.

“Morning, everybody,” Sull broke the silence as he entered, stopping by the edge of the table.

The only response he received was a collection of murmurs. It was enough for him. After all, he had good news for the group.

“After we gear you up, you’ll all head home to pack your swimsuits and sunglasses,” Sull ordered. “You’re being sent to Costa Del Sol for a little while.”

“The beach?” Laci perked up first, sitting up a little straighter. “Like, the Vasty Deep?”

“That’s right,” Sull smiled warmly.

“...Aren’t they currently being fucked up, right now?” Cade asked, not sharing the blonde stormtrooper’s excitement.  He'd seen the news about the state of affairs. “Like, badly?”

“Should feel just like Tier Seven,” Knox chipped in with wistful sarcasm.

“We’re all going, with multiple units,” Sull interjected. “We’re not going to fight the war for the Deep, we’re filling in the back line while they fight the war, themselves.”

Knox and Cade looked to each other and shrugged.

“Basic patrol actually doesn’t sound terrible, after Zedd,” Knox commented.

Grace found herself nodding in agreement.

“Good,” Sull continued. “Head to the armory and get your new gear, then head back and pack everything you need. Be ready to cross the Nexus by 17:00. Any questions? No? Good.”

Grace and Cade both went to raise their hands, but Sull had already turned and left.

“I can think of worse places to be,” Laci said as they stood and reclaimed their helmets.

“Really? ‘Encroaching digital darkness’ ranks near the bottom of my list,” Knox replied.

“With any luck, we won’t be anywhere near it all,” Laci retorted.

“...Now you’ve done it,” Grace spoke up.

The other three had to laugh. Hopefully they hadn’t tempted fate too badly.

The four stormtroopers took their time getting outfitted for new armor, their weapons upgraded, and acquiring various other gear they needed for their trip. After that, they returned to their apartments and began packing up personal items, as well as making sure everything was good to go for their indeterminate time away.

Before long, the day had passed, and they were moving towards the Vasty Deep with the rest of the reinforcements.