>>5877811====
The Y’bith began to shake. He continued to speak with the pudgy deputy for a while as you stood in silence. Suddenly and without warning, Baron Daru stood up from his desk. He took the paper and flung it angrily at the commissariat’s face.
“Fine! Our fighters will refuel on hydrazine!”
Baron Daru looked around. There were several more staff in the room, standing idly. He roared at them: “Do not just stand there like imbeciles! Get out! Do you all have not work to do?”
Evidently, the Y’bith detested humans as much as troopers detested the commissariats.
Daru’s tone changed. His sarcastic voice had a nasal, brittle quality to it. The Y’bith strode over to you slowly with an uneven, cripple-like gait. Despite his twisted posture, Baron Daru towered over you. He glared, then looked away. He spoke slowly.
“Our fighters have to fly on hydrazine. Fine. There is no more hydrogen. This siege is doing a number on us, sergeant. Each day, the Seventh Fleet has to give up a little more ground, then a little more. Then a little more. After we run out of hydrazine, shall we melt fistfuls of ice from this wretched moon and call it fuel?”
Baron Daru’s voice softened. He looked at you.
“Humans are too stubborn for their own good. You all do not know when to give up.” Daru sniffed. “But,” he admitted solemnly, “perhaps that is worthy of admiration. Her Grace has the optimism of the doomed.”
You think, what about the Y’bith? Why does a non-human continue to side with the Empire?
Something about Baron Daru’s inflection had cooled.
“Your operating number?” Daru asked impatiently.
‘SS-1777, my lord.’
“I see that the old sergeant sends his protege.”
You know what the Intendant-General meant. Your operating number was your dead sergeant’s. It is now yours.
Curtly, Daru says: “Sergeant, I take it that you haven’t eaten yet?”
‘No, lord.’
“Well then - when you head out, make use of my kitchens! I shall inform your company commissariat to double your platoon’s rations.”
You ask about the dehydrated protein and carbohydrate rations.
“My god - is that what you want?” He made a guttural laugh. “Her Grace spoke about increasing the food for two days. That shall do the troops good, after that nasty attack this morning. It’s almost afternoon.”
Everyone would get to eat fresh food for the first time in a while. That alone was something.
“Return tomorrow, SS-1777. I will give you the details regarding an errand for components for our battery ships. The machines on this moon are rich with them. Go!”
>>[LETTER. Open the bulletin copy the Sith had given you a while ago as you walk.]>[PROCEED. The letter can wait. You put it safely in your pocket. Head to your platoon’s bivouac to meet them.] 