𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙇'𝙎 𝘼𝘿𝙑𝙊𝘾𝘼𝙏𝙀 • 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙫𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

TEN

   
    
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CHAPTER TEN

A Sense of Pride
        
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THE MISSION ON TAKODANA WAS A SUCCESS, AND I HAD NEVER FELT BETTER.

Though the 'congratulations' and 'good job's were formal and likely ingenuine, it felt good to be recognized for my work.

I didn't tell Noa about Vader taking off his mask in front of me. He knew about the impromptu journey to Naboo, but I made out as though there was a handful of troopers with us and that I barely spoke a word to Vader himself. I wasn't sure why I kept it from him. Perhaps because I knew he'd ask why, and I wouldn't know how to answer that. The simplest thing to do was to forget it ever happened, which was most probably what Vader himself had already done.

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint us, General Damri," Orson Krennic said with a warm smile while shaking my hand. "I'm in half a mind to pull you from Stormtrooper Armory and have you as my underling, instead."

"Thank you, Director," I replied, feeling lit up with validation.

"Let's proceed with the meeting," Vader announced, to which everyone hushed. I took a seat between Krennic and Admiral Sakodi, both of which had shown the most genuine response to my success.

"Takodana has been claimed by the Imperials," General Rivven proudly began once everyone was seated. "Andui has been purged of its Rebel infestation, and a team of Scout troopers have been sent to clean up any outlying survivors."

"Wonderful," Krennic commented, leaning back in his chair.

Rivven gave him a look of disdain, before his glare fell onto me. "While I would much prefer to fall in with the rest of your supporters, General Damri, I have to say that I am abhorred at your actions."

His words made me frown, my stomach dropping as though it was suddenly filled with lead. Most of the others around the meeting table seemingly shared the same confusion, their faces falling at Rivven's harshly spoken rant.

"You went behind your superior's back and gave three Stormtroopers unapproved weapons," He continued, causing realization to hit me.

"I apologize, General Rivven, but the Pikk grenades were a last minute decision," I explained, my hands shaking on my lap. "I would never equip the troopers with anything I wasn't completely confident with." Part of me was expecting Vader to speak up in my defense, since it was his advice which led me to giving my sub-team the bombs. But he remained silent, watching on while Rivven berated me.

Rivven hands were in fists atop the table, his eyes sending daggers right into mine. He was a slim-faced man with hollow cheekbones that were terrifying on a good day, let alone when his outrage was directed right at me. "It was a thoughtless decision, Damri. You risked the lives of 100 Stormtroopers."

"General Damri showed initiative with that risk, and it paid off," Krennic argued, leaning forward in his seat before turning to face me with a small grin. "Those grenades are what won us the fight. You went above and beyond what we expected from you," He assured me, before his gaze turned back to Rivven. "She's one to watch."

Rivven was glowering, his eyebrow twitching as he stared at me. "Yes. She is."

   
    
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Space was fascinating. The way stars would hang effortlessly, twinkling and shining in the abyss of darkness. While it was a pretty view, it wasn't one that I was expecting.