Infiltration of the Guard
By Cody Barnett and The Second Revan

(Note: This is part three of a four part short story. You can read part one here.)

The cadet moved forward with a confident bounce in his step, the sound of his boots echoing throughout the desolate spaceport. The Galactic City Spaceport had been cleared of all pedestrians and commercial spacecrft. Only a single frigate - the Republic cruiser Glory - remained in the massive complex. A frigate with a special purpose: to ferry six trainees to the Senate Guard Headquarters, located in the heart of Galactic City. Although the six men could have easily walked to the building, the Senate Guard preferred the pomp and circumstance that accompanied the induction ceremony. After all, it was not every day that a Senate Guard was assigned to the Supreme Chancellor's private bodyguard unit.

Ever since the cadet was a child, he had dreamed of entering the Senate Guard. The cadet's father had been a Senate Guardsman - Captain of the Guard, no less. Tragically, the veteran warrior hadn't been able to stop the bomb that decimated the Supreme Chancellor's shuttle. Standing on the hollow ashes of the detonation site, the young man swore to live up to his father's legend, swore to uphold the principles that his father had went to the grave defending. Weeks of isolation and rigorous training molded the young boy into a fierce soldier, a model of a Senate Guardsman. His hard work was finally rewarded at the election of Finis Valorum, who selected the Senate Guard for his personal contingent. The cadet only wished his father were here to witness the pinnacle of his son's career.

Lost in thought, the cadet turned the corner, treading down the dimly lit corridor that connected to the Glory. As the cadet approached the door to the boarding ramp, the young man didn't notice a shadow emerge from the darkness. A thin garrote slipped around the cadet's throat as the trainee prepared to enter his passcode to board. The cadet struggled against the garrote, but the hands gripping each end tightened in response; the cadet found himself overpowered. Before he could cry for help, the thin wire sliced neatly into his neck, severing several vital arteries. The cadet's body thrashed violently as the darkness finally enclosed on the young man forever.

----

Thunderous applause swept the atrium of the Senate Guard Headquarters as recently-elected Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum entered the chamber, flanked by his new bodyguard unit. The lights flashed across the shining blue armor of the Senate Guardsman as they strolled in perfect alignment alongside the Supreme Chancellor, alert even in the heart of the headquarters. The ceremonial blaster rifle associated with the Senate Guard was strung across each Guardsman's shoulder, a firm grip on the handle allowing the owner to swing the weapon into action at a moment's notice.

With a regal nod, Finis Valorum acknowledged the praise from the agency responsible for his protection. "Thank you," he declared, his serene voice echoing throughout the atrium's niches. "Honorable Guardsmen, it is with pleasure that I accept these six valiant men to comprise my personal bodyguard unit. These men were selected for their considerable skill, but most importantly, for their courage, their honor, their bravery. The Office of the Supreme Chancellor remains indebted to these heroic men and women who protect the very foundation of the Republic."

A roar of approval shook the chamber as the Supreme Chancellor continued toward the headquarters's exit. Although the speech was laced with political rhetoric that was sure to draw the law enforcement to Valorum's camp during the re-election cycle, the Supreme Chancellor had a great respect for the Senate Guard. Finis Valorum believed every word.

Grodon Loeb, Director of the Senate Guard, fell in line alongside the Supreme Chancellor as the group marched. "An honor, Supreme Chancellor."

"The honor is mine, Commissioner," Finis Valorum replied. "Your service to the Republic is impeccable." Sunlight spilled on the group as they exited the Senate Guard Headquarters. The Supreme Chancellor's airspeeder was waiting at the entrance. "Come, Commissioner," Valorum beckoned. "I would enjoy your company."

Loeb complied, the tall man ducking to fit into the airspeeder's back seat. Two of the six Guardsmen entered the front of the airspeeder, while the other four boarded accompanying craft that served as the Chancellor's escort.

Inside the airspeeder, Byron Lujj studied a datapad, initially paying no heed to the arrival of Chancellor Valorum or Commissioner Loeb. The Senior Administrative Aide to the Supreme Chancellor was a balding human male, ruthless and fiercely loyal to his boss. Those in the political realm recognized that Lujj was not a person crossed lightly.

Finally, Lujj looked up from the screen, adjusting his spectacles as he greeted the new occupants. "Supreme Chancellor, Commissioner." The diminutive man waited for the Supreme Chancellor to relay directions to the new Captain of the Guard, Kron Kevlar, before depressing the privacy button that shielded the front from the secrets of the back.

"Supreme Chancellor," the aide-de-camp said tersely, as the privacy screen slid into place, "we have a situation."

Valorum's eyebrows arced in surprise. "A situation? I've barely been in office for a few days and we already have a situation?" The Supreme Chancellor gave a small laugh. The humor was lost on Byron Lujj.

"Sir, the Governor of Kalyna-ir has been demanding an audience. Pirate activity in the system has increased, and now the pirate force basically holds the planet hostage. The Governor wants Republic assistance at once."

Commissioner Loeb frowned at the suggestion. "My lord, if my I say so, the situation is too dangerous for your presence. If pirates control a planet, the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic has business there."

"Are you saying the Senate Guard can't provide adequate protection for the Supreme Chancellor?" Lujj taunted.

"No," Loeb rebutted viciously, an icy edge creeping into his basso voice. "The Senate Guard can handle any situation." The Commissioner turned his gaze to the Supreme Chancellor. "You know this, my lord. However, I implore you to consider the gravity of the situation. Surely Jedi ambassadors would better serve the mission than His Excellency the Supreme Chancellor?"

Before Valorum could reply, Byron Lujj shot back, "That would be an insult to the people of Kalyna-ir. Governor Kane specifically requested Chancellor Valorum." The short man looked to his superior. "Chancellor, we can't abandon people of the Republic to pirates. Action must be taken, and a peace summit headed by yourself would make an astounding image for the recently-elected Supreme Chancellor."

Finis Valorum closed his eyes and exhaled forcefully, sinking back into the plush seat. The argument between his subjects hung in the air as the Supreme Chancellor considered his options. Both man waited expectantly, eying each other as only rivals would.

Finally, Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum wearily looked at Grodon Loeb. "Commissioner, the training of your men is about to be put to the test. If the people of Kalyna-ir request my presence to defuse the situation, I cannot deny them the option of peace. We will debark for Kalyna-ir at once."

Loeb's face fell, but his voice remained confident as he replied. "Very well, my lord. My men won't fail you, I promise."

One of the Guardsman eyes glittered in delight. The listening device planted in the back seat of the airspeeder relayed every word to the Guardsman's ear. Chancellor Finis Valorum couldn't image the irony of his words, the Guardsman thought.

To be continued...

Thoughts or comments? Visit the message board thread for this article here.

About the Author
Cody Barnett has been a collector of the game since its beginning in 2002. Due to lack of interest in his community, however, he did not begin playing until he joined the Rebelbasers online community in 2003. He is an avid Star Wars fan and thoroughly enjoys playing the Trading Card Game; likewise, Barnett takes pleasure in helping the continuation of the game he loves. Currently, Cody is the Card Development Chairman and a moderator on the Rebelbase community (under the alias of Grand Moff Nicodemus Fett).

Matthew started playing when he purchased two 'A New Hope' starter sets, and started collecting and playing. He stopped, due to the difficulties in getting cards, especially from the later sets. In 2008, he started playing again, joining Rebelbasers and spends time creating dream cards on Rebelbasers.