Star Wars Rebels: Servants of the Empire: Imperial Justice
expected for fifteen year olds new to the rigors of military military training But now a ten kilometer predawn run was nothing special the cadets hadn't even muttered objections as Currahee rousted them from their bunks in the Academy barracks to run along the road that cut through Lothal's hills Does the sarge always yell like that asked Kabak a newcomer to Zare's Unit Aurek with close cropped black hair Pretty much Zare said with a shrug And we yell back Lots of yelling in the Imperial Army Better step it up though you and Rykoff both You don't want to give Curry a real reason to yell Kabak and Rykoff nodded glanced at each other nervously and picked up the pace Both had recently transferred from other academies on Lothal They didn't know that Currahee's yelling was now mostly for show The squad's weak cadets had been weeded out long before and those who remained were both physically physically and mentally tough Zare hoped that was true of the two newcomers as well for their sakes A fine day to be alive ladies and gentlemen called Lieutenant Chiron breezing by the cadets As always the slim handsome officer looked like he was barely sweating 4
You know what would make this early morning stroll even better Chiron asked Sir no sir Zare yelled along with the cadets Killing a few traitors growled the fourth member of Unit Aurek the sallow grim faced Nazhros Oleg You're a lot of fun Oleg Zare said If you find any traitors while we're out for a jog in the Easthills let us know Kabak and Rykoff laughed but Oleg offered Zare a sardonic smile You'd be surprised where the enemies of the Empire are hiding he said Before Zare could demand to know what he meant Chiron began to sing and Zare instinctively raised his voice in the booming cadences of the song he'd learned on many a morning run From the razor cliffs of Mittoblade To the fire mounts of Seffi We will fight our Empire's battles In space on land and sea We will strive for right and order And to keep galactic peace On the day we claim our place In our Empire's Army 5
Zare found himself grinning as he flew along the road It was a crisp cool morning Autumn would soon yield to winter on Lothal with the grasslands fading to pale green and then yellow He was in the best shape of his life and he'd earned the respect of his instructors instructors and his fellow cadets well except for Oleg But then Oleg's dislike could be considered another badge of honor The cadets reached the top of the hill that marked the highest point in the Easthills and they hooted happily happily from then on they'd be running downhill Chiron grinned at Zare who touched his knuckles to his forehead forehead as the cadets began to sing the final verse A salute to you from these cadets Assembled here to serve In many a fight we'll show our might And never lose our nerve Oh we'll lay them low from Old Lettow To distant Gardaji Our every story told for the glory Of our Empire's Army Cadets Sound off Currahee bellowed Huzzah Zare yelled back with the others I can't hear you 6
Zare started to yell but the sound died in his throat as he rounded the bend He should have been looking out over the Lothal plains toward the spires of Capital City the grasses below him undulating like the surface of a great ocean broken by scattered hillocks resembling islands But that familiar view was gone For nearly a kilometer the grasses had been burned away and the land ripped open Massive construction droids clawed at the dirt with metal pillars rising into the air behind them Welding droids zipped back and forth on repulsorlifts their torches brilliant sparks of light Zare stopped short and Oleg nearly collided with him squawking in protest What you're seeing is a new BlasTech weapons lab Chiron said gliding around Zare with his usual annoying grace It'll open by spring The Emperor has chosen Lothal for another key defense facility which means more jobs and industry for the planet Chiron smiled and ran off Smoke drifted over the cadets It was acrid and Zare coughed his eyes watering Is this nap time Leonis demanded Currahee Ma'am no ma'am muttered Zare running to catch up with the others And to think a moment earlier he'd been happy The 7
