The sound of November hobbling into the room stirred Aisha from her slumber. Reaching to her neck she winced at her sore muscles and rose to help the blond but saw that a brunette dressed in a black Imperial flight suit was already assisting the woman walk. Aisha was quick to notice the rank pinned to her collar; twin silver bars. Whoever it was, wasn’t a ground solder, not wearing what she was, and with the flight helmet strapped to the rear of her waist.
The Specialist saluted her obvious superior who looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
“At ease. I’m Captain Terra out of the 8th Carrier Battle Group in the Vasty Deeps. You don’t have to salute me.” Annabelle said as she sat Nova down in a chair next to the comatose Trixie.
Aisha nodded and retook her seat next to the Mistress’ medical equipment, a yawn escaping her mouth.
“Do they know when she’s going to wake up?” Nova said to her medically trained comrade, tears welling up in her eyes.
Aisha smiled softly as Annabelle put a hand on her sisters’ shoulder. “She will. The damage she sustained was extensive to both her respiratory and circulatory system. They’re keeping her sedated while her body finishes what the bacta tank couldn’t repair.”
Captain Terra moved to the foot of the bed and lifted the clipboard that was hanging there from its holder.
“Emperor’s wrath. According to the after-action report she took a direct hit from a high explosive round out of an old Clone Wars era walker? How did your rebel friends get their hands on such tech?”
“We’re still determining that.” Aisha sighed, crossing her arms and leaning back into her chair.
“The two Sith that joined us are headed back with some prisoners to find out.”
“Fuck them.” November said, scratching at her cast with a pencil.
With a flustered sigh, Annabelle swatted her sisters head with the clipboard and placed it back into the holder.
“Your love for this Nova woman is a weakness.” Diablo said, moving past his newly promoted Herald as she stood, in some shadow realm, watching her friends discuss the events that had happened around her comatose body.
“Weakness that can be exploited.” The Terror Lord’s voice echoed as he vanished into the shadows.
“Your failure extends to her. If you fail to find out what I need, your beloved woman will be banished to Yennefer’s care. I know you wouldn’t want that.” His demonic laugh tore through her consciousness.
Trixie’s eyes widened in terror. She had killed Yennefer!
“You think I’d let veteran agents of mine die so easily?”
Diablo’s voice pierced her mind which made the redhead scream, her vitals spiking rapidly, setting off several alarms throughout the room. As nursing staff and the doctor in charge ushered everyone out and began working to keep Beatrix from dying a single hypodermic needle filled with orange liquid appeared before her.
“Inject my blood into your IV and become the warrior and minion I expect you to be. Otherwise…”
Trixie began to experience traumatic flashbacks of her time in the Underverse. Except instead of her being beaten, tortured, and mutilated it was November.
“You will never see her again if you fail my task. Consider this your motivation. I’ll make sure she suffers a fate worse than death or banishment.”
Without hesitation Trixie took hold of the syringe. The heat radiating from it was almost unbearable, but she couldn’t let Nova down. She couldn’t let her squad down. As the Mistress pressed the needle into her IV, her heart stopped. Depressing the plunger, she watched as the orange fluid raced along the clear plastic tubes to her arm where it caused her veins to glow. Immediately her heart restarted, but soon her body was spontaneously combusting. By the time the fire suppression system in the Sulaco was triggered it was far too late. The Sith Warrior’s entire body was engulfed in flames and she was gone.
Trixie shot up from her hospital bed, gagging as she pulled the intubation tube from her throat. Nova jumped in her seat as she was woken from a dead sleep. Quickly moving to help her lover, the blond removed the breathing tube and tape from the redhead’s mouth. Trixie gripped the blondes’ oversized sweatshirt and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Please never leave me!” Beatrix cried into Terra’s shoulder, tears streaming down her face. “I love you too god damn much to exist without you, Terra!”
November was taken aback by her partners sudden outburst of emotion and held her even tighter as the redhead sobbed.
“Shhhh love. You’re okay now.” Terra said, sliding herself onto the bed so she could sit down.
Trixie clung to November’s clothing, burying herself in the woman’s blonde hair that had been tied into a tight pony tail and draped across her left shoulder. The redhead could smell the strawberry shampoo she used whilst fighting to regain control of her emotions.
The marksman peeled her partner away from her bosom and looked her in the eyes. Fresh tears were streaming down Zulenka’s cheeks. She was in severe distress and it broke November’s heart to see her like this.
“Calm, love. The Force is with you.” A feminine voice whispered into Trixie’s mind which had an immediate calming effect.
At that moment one of the Mistress’ irises became bright red.
“Are you okay, Trix?” Nova asked, concerned at the sudden change in pupil color, but before she could address the issue further the redhead had blinked, and her eye had returned to its normal shade of green; tears still streaming down her cheeks.
Wiping her face Beatrix nodded and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Pulling the various needles from both of her arms she stood up and stretched her limbs. Untying the hospital gown, she dropped it to the floor, turning around to face her lover who had been taken aback by her rapid change in composure.
“What the status of Able and Bravo company?” She asked, pulling on a loose fitted t-shirt with an Imperial logo printed on the front.
“Thirty-five percent strength. Replacements will arrive within the week.” The blond replied, taking a moment to recall the figures Chun Li had given her.
The Mistress contorted her face in thought as a knock came at the door. “Enter.” Trixie ordered.
Inside came a lone Royal Guard dressed in his signature red armor, carrying the force pike they were infamous for using.
“November. Go tell Chun Li we have an upcoming operation and to get Easy Company mobilized. Dismissed, Corporal.” The Mistress said, beckoning Terra out from the other side of the bed.
With a reluctant nod the blond sniper made her way passed Trixie, only to be grabbed by the arm and pulled in for a kiss. Zulenka let go of the woman’s arm and let her go relay the information to the Sergeant Major. As soon as she was gone the Royal Guard locked the door and removed a flat disc the size of his palm and about as thick as a tin of mints. A hologram of the Emperor appeared just above it.
“Captain. Tell me you have some news.” Palpatine said.
Dropping to one knee and bowing her head, Trixie replied, “I do.”
“Gooood.”
In the days following Trixie’s release from the Medical Bay, operations were returning to normal. The replacements for the casualties taken across all companies were in the process of being trained and shipped out from the cloning facility on the other end of Tier 1. Nova’s sister had seen to her kin’s recovery and was called back to the Vasty Deeps on urgent business. The departure of her Veritech Fighter was something of an event for the day, because it hadn’t been something much of the hangar crew ever experienced or would ever have the clearance to deal with. It was an aerial superiority fighter from the Diablo War that was mainly used in the Deeps due to its extreme speed and long-distance coverage. So just being in the presence of a pilot and jet that had fought against Diablo and survived made Captain Annabelle something of a celebrity.
Captain Zulenka had received intel on a Rebel Cell on Tier 5 that Palpatine had approved of destroying knowing full well that this was information garnered from Diablo. Trixie and the special forces along with the entirety of ARC Trooper Company E were being shuttled down straight into the middle of the enemy base. Preparations were already under way to ready the LAAT’s for landing under heavy fire. The chosen mission LAAT’s were being stripped of non-vital parts and turrets for speed but strengthened against anti-vehicle rockets with state of the art chaff and point defense systems. Mission details were still being hashed out by High Command and Colonel Skleros, but Trixie and her team were to prepare the hangar for King Bradley in the interim who was on his way for a special visit. The vehicles in the main hangar had been moved temporarily into the bow to make room for the entire Legion to be present for whatever it was Bradley was coming to do. His presentation was to be at 1300 hours exactly, with the entire Legion present, including commanding staff. Colonel Skleros had arrived early in the morning to help coordinate with Sergeant Major Li.
After everything that could be done to prepare had been done, the entire 13th Legion was mustered into the hangar of the Sulaco by Battalion and by Company. On the stage in front of everyone was a podium and behind it sat four chairs. In each chair by order of rank was Trixie, Seventeen, Nova, and Aisha. They were each in their formal military uniform reserved for looking nice in front of high ranking officials. Each of the women had their hair done up into a tight nit regulation bun and fastened. As King Bradley made his way onto the stage the PA system began to play a very imperial themed marching tune. The entire Legion, including everyone on stage, stood to attention and saluted King Bradley as he took his place behind the podium.
“At ease, Thirteen.” The King said, holding up both his hands.
Every Clone Trooper, as if programmed in unison, put both hands to behind their back and widened their stance.
“I have gathered you here to honor some of the Empire’s finest soldiers. For in its hour of need they took the initiative and sought justice for crimes committed against the state.” He said into the microphones, motioning behind him to the special forces team.
“When I first met Captain Zulenka she was an Ensign with everything to prove to the Empire and that she wasn’t a criminal. That day I ordered a stay on her incarceration along with Corporal Terra. I told them both to prove themselves. I’d say they’ve done that and more. Wouldn’t you agree, Thirteen!?”
The last sentence he shouted, raising his hands to the crowd, which caused the entire room to erupt into cheering and shouts of praise for the team who had successfully stopped two full companies of Rebel Soldiers on Tier 2 and avenged the lost members of the Empire at the party. Trixie scanned the room as each of the Clones around her, including hangar personnel and military staff cheered for her and her team. To finally be on the good side of the Empire almost brought tears to her eyes, but the Mistress maintained composure. Righting her posture and fixing her gaze on Bradley, he had turned to take something from his assistant.
“Captain Beatrix Zulenka. In recognition for your heroic action on Tier 2 you are being awarded the Imperial Cross and promoted to Major. Congratulations!” He held out his hand for Trixie to shake, which prompted the newly promoted redhead to step forward and firmly shake the King’s hand.
“Thank you, sir!” She said, saluting him as he handed her a wooden box containing her golden oak leaves.
As she took it from him, he pinned an Imperial Cross to her uniform over her right breast. Standing to attention he saluted her which she did once more in return before taking her seat. Seventeen was the next to be called up. He was promoted from Sergeant Major to First Lieutenant. Nova received a bump to First Sergeant and Aisha was moved to Sergeant. Beatrix wasn’t quite sure if what was going on was real or if it had been another drug induced dream like the ones she had been having while recovering in the bacta tank.
Good, my love. Make them proud. Pride will be one of your strengths.
As another round of thunderous applause shook the hangar the Mistress held her head in pain. Whoever was whispering to her, she knew for certain it wasn’t Diablo. Could it have been that Succubus from the Underverse?
Incorrect.
Nova placed her hand on Trixie’s leg to make sure she was okay which made the newly appointed Major immediately try to hide that anything was wrong. However unbeknownst to her, one of her irises had turned bright red again, which caught Nova’s eye. Once the Mistress blinked it was gone, but the blonde was sure of what she had seen. Something was wrong with her beloved, the woman she cared most about.
November was determined to find out what.
The Specialist saluted her obvious superior who looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
“At ease. I’m Captain Terra out of the 8th Carrier Battle Group in the Vasty Deeps. You don’t have to salute me.” Annabelle said as she sat Nova down in a chair next to the comatose Trixie.
Aisha nodded and retook her seat next to the Mistress’ medical equipment, a yawn escaping her mouth.
“Do they know when she’s going to wake up?” Nova said to her medically trained comrade, tears welling up in her eyes.
Aisha smiled softly as Annabelle put a hand on her sisters’ shoulder. “She will. The damage she sustained was extensive to both her respiratory and circulatory system. They’re keeping her sedated while her body finishes what the bacta tank couldn’t repair.”
Captain Terra moved to the foot of the bed and lifted the clipboard that was hanging there from its holder.
“Emperor’s wrath. According to the after-action report she took a direct hit from a high explosive round out of an old Clone Wars era walker? How did your rebel friends get their hands on such tech?”
“We’re still determining that.” Aisha sighed, crossing her arms and leaning back into her chair.
“The two Sith that joined us are headed back with some prisoners to find out.”
“Fuck them.” November said, scratching at her cast with a pencil.
With a flustered sigh, Annabelle swatted her sisters head with the clipboard and placed it back into the holder.
***
“Your love for this Nova woman is a weakness.” Diablo said, moving past his newly promoted Herald as she stood, in some shadow realm, watching her friends discuss the events that had happened around her comatose body.
“Weakness that can be exploited.” The Terror Lord’s voice echoed as he vanished into the shadows.
“Your failure extends to her. If you fail to find out what I need, your beloved woman will be banished to Yennefer’s care. I know you wouldn’t want that.” His demonic laugh tore through her consciousness.
Trixie’s eyes widened in terror. She had killed Yennefer!
“You think I’d let veteran agents of mine die so easily?”
Diablo’s voice pierced her mind which made the redhead scream, her vitals spiking rapidly, setting off several alarms throughout the room. As nursing staff and the doctor in charge ushered everyone out and began working to keep Beatrix from dying a single hypodermic needle filled with orange liquid appeared before her.
“Inject my blood into your IV and become the warrior and minion I expect you to be. Otherwise…”
Trixie began to experience traumatic flashbacks of her time in the Underverse. Except instead of her being beaten, tortured, and mutilated it was November.
“You will never see her again if you fail my task. Consider this your motivation. I’ll make sure she suffers a fate worse than death or banishment.”
Without hesitation Trixie took hold of the syringe. The heat radiating from it was almost unbearable, but she couldn’t let Nova down. She couldn’t let her squad down. As the Mistress pressed the needle into her IV, her heart stopped. Depressing the plunger, she watched as the orange fluid raced along the clear plastic tubes to her arm where it caused her veins to glow. Immediately her heart restarted, but soon her body was spontaneously combusting. By the time the fire suppression system in the Sulaco was triggered it was far too late. The Sith Warrior’s entire body was engulfed in flames and she was gone.
***
Trixie shot up from her hospital bed, gagging as she pulled the intubation tube from her throat. Nova jumped in her seat as she was woken from a dead sleep. Quickly moving to help her lover, the blond removed the breathing tube and tape from the redhead’s mouth. Trixie gripped the blondes’ oversized sweatshirt and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Please never leave me!” Beatrix cried into Terra’s shoulder, tears streaming down her face. “I love you too god damn much to exist without you, Terra!”
November was taken aback by her partners sudden outburst of emotion and held her even tighter as the redhead sobbed.
“Shhhh love. You’re okay now.” Terra said, sliding herself onto the bed so she could sit down.
Trixie clung to November’s clothing, burying herself in the woman’s blonde hair that had been tied into a tight pony tail and draped across her left shoulder. The redhead could smell the strawberry shampoo she used whilst fighting to regain control of her emotions.
The marksman peeled her partner away from her bosom and looked her in the eyes. Fresh tears were streaming down Zulenka’s cheeks. She was in severe distress and it broke November’s heart to see her like this.
“Calm, love. The Force is with you.” A feminine voice whispered into Trixie’s mind which had an immediate calming effect.
At that moment one of the Mistress’ irises became bright red.
“Are you okay, Trix?” Nova asked, concerned at the sudden change in pupil color, but before she could address the issue further the redhead had blinked, and her eye had returned to its normal shade of green; tears still streaming down her cheeks.
Wiping her face Beatrix nodded and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Pulling the various needles from both of her arms she stood up and stretched her limbs. Untying the hospital gown, she dropped it to the floor, turning around to face her lover who had been taken aback by her rapid change in composure.
“What the status of Able and Bravo company?” She asked, pulling on a loose fitted t-shirt with an Imperial logo printed on the front.
“Thirty-five percent strength. Replacements will arrive within the week.” The blond replied, taking a moment to recall the figures Chun Li had given her.
The Mistress contorted her face in thought as a knock came at the door. “Enter.” Trixie ordered.
Inside came a lone Royal Guard dressed in his signature red armor, carrying the force pike they were infamous for using.
“November. Go tell Chun Li we have an upcoming operation and to get Easy Company mobilized. Dismissed, Corporal.” The Mistress said, beckoning Terra out from the other side of the bed.
With a reluctant nod the blond sniper made her way passed Trixie, only to be grabbed by the arm and pulled in for a kiss. Zulenka let go of the woman’s arm and let her go relay the information to the Sergeant Major. As soon as she was gone the Royal Guard locked the door and removed a flat disc the size of his palm and about as thick as a tin of mints. A hologram of the Emperor appeared just above it.
“Captain. Tell me you have some news.” Palpatine said.
Dropping to one knee and bowing her head, Trixie replied, “I do.”
“Gooood.”
***
In the days following Trixie’s release from the Medical Bay, operations were returning to normal. The replacements for the casualties taken across all companies were in the process of being trained and shipped out from the cloning facility on the other end of Tier 1. Nova’s sister had seen to her kin’s recovery and was called back to the Vasty Deeps on urgent business. The departure of her Veritech Fighter was something of an event for the day, because it hadn’t been something much of the hangar crew ever experienced or would ever have the clearance to deal with. It was an aerial superiority fighter from the Diablo War that was mainly used in the Deeps due to its extreme speed and long-distance coverage. So just being in the presence of a pilot and jet that had fought against Diablo and survived made Captain Annabelle something of a celebrity.
Captain Zulenka had received intel on a Rebel Cell on Tier 5 that Palpatine had approved of destroying knowing full well that this was information garnered from Diablo. Trixie and the special forces along with the entirety of ARC Trooper Company E were being shuttled down straight into the middle of the enemy base. Preparations were already under way to ready the LAAT’s for landing under heavy fire. The chosen mission LAAT’s were being stripped of non-vital parts and turrets for speed but strengthened against anti-vehicle rockets with state of the art chaff and point defense systems. Mission details were still being hashed out by High Command and Colonel Skleros, but Trixie and her team were to prepare the hangar for King Bradley in the interim who was on his way for a special visit. The vehicles in the main hangar had been moved temporarily into the bow to make room for the entire Legion to be present for whatever it was Bradley was coming to do. His presentation was to be at 1300 hours exactly, with the entire Legion present, including commanding staff. Colonel Skleros had arrived early in the morning to help coordinate with Sergeant Major Li.
After everything that could be done to prepare had been done, the entire 13th Legion was mustered into the hangar of the Sulaco by Battalion and by Company. On the stage in front of everyone was a podium and behind it sat four chairs. In each chair by order of rank was Trixie, Seventeen, Nova, and Aisha. They were each in their formal military uniform reserved for looking nice in front of high ranking officials. Each of the women had their hair done up into a tight nit regulation bun and fastened. As King Bradley made his way onto the stage the PA system began to play a very imperial themed marching tune. The entire Legion, including everyone on stage, stood to attention and saluted King Bradley as he took his place behind the podium.
“At ease, Thirteen.” The King said, holding up both his hands.
Every Clone Trooper, as if programmed in unison, put both hands to behind their back and widened their stance.
“I have gathered you here to honor some of the Empire’s finest soldiers. For in its hour of need they took the initiative and sought justice for crimes committed against the state.” He said into the microphones, motioning behind him to the special forces team.
“When I first met Captain Zulenka she was an Ensign with everything to prove to the Empire and that she wasn’t a criminal. That day I ordered a stay on her incarceration along with Corporal Terra. I told them both to prove themselves. I’d say they’ve done that and more. Wouldn’t you agree, Thirteen!?”
The last sentence he shouted, raising his hands to the crowd, which caused the entire room to erupt into cheering and shouts of praise for the team who had successfully stopped two full companies of Rebel Soldiers on Tier 2 and avenged the lost members of the Empire at the party. Trixie scanned the room as each of the Clones around her, including hangar personnel and military staff cheered for her and her team. To finally be on the good side of the Empire almost brought tears to her eyes, but the Mistress maintained composure. Righting her posture and fixing her gaze on Bradley, he had turned to take something from his assistant.
“Captain Beatrix Zulenka. In recognition for your heroic action on Tier 2 you are being awarded the Imperial Cross and promoted to Major. Congratulations!” He held out his hand for Trixie to shake, which prompted the newly promoted redhead to step forward and firmly shake the King’s hand.
“Thank you, sir!” She said, saluting him as he handed her a wooden box containing her golden oak leaves.
As she took it from him, he pinned an Imperial Cross to her uniform over her right breast. Standing to attention he saluted her which she did once more in return before taking her seat. Seventeen was the next to be called up. He was promoted from Sergeant Major to First Lieutenant. Nova received a bump to First Sergeant and Aisha was moved to Sergeant. Beatrix wasn’t quite sure if what was going on was real or if it had been another drug induced dream like the ones she had been having while recovering in the bacta tank.
Good, my love. Make them proud. Pride will be one of your strengths.
As another round of thunderous applause shook the hangar the Mistress held her head in pain. Whoever was whispering to her, she knew for certain it wasn’t Diablo. Could it have been that Succubus from the Underverse?
Incorrect.
Nova placed her hand on Trixie’s leg to make sure she was okay which made the newly appointed Major immediately try to hide that anything was wrong. However unbeknownst to her, one of her irises had turned bright red again, which caught Nova’s eye. Once the Mistress blinked it was gone, but the blonde was sure of what she had seen. Something was wrong with her beloved, the woman she cared most about.
November was determined to find out what.
Quote:Trixie and Seventeen have been awarded the Imperial Cross by King Bradley. They now have access to communications with him directly. Accompanying this is an officer grade blaster pistol. It can be made into a move or be purely aesthetic according to the quest.
Trixie has been promoted to Major
Seventeen has been promoted to First Lieutenant
Nova has been promoted to First Sergeant
Aisha has been promoted to Sergeant
Post Word Count: 2255
Character Count: 12859
![[Image: Imperial_Medal_of_Honor.png]](http://www.cytokineindustries.com/chevereto/images/2018/06/24/Imperial_Medal_of_Honor.png)
![[Image: trixiesig2018.png]](http://www.cytokineindustries.com/chevereto/images/2018/06/12/trixiesig2018.png)