Thin columns of smoke rose over the village, the embers of a dozen or so fires still smouldering in the ruins of homes, barns and storehouses. Imperial troopers picked over the remains, pulling bodies, alive and dead, from the wreckage and distributing supplies tot he wounded.
Darth Orllah and Miley stood in what had been the village square. The Sith Lord stood with her arms folded across her chest, her expression one of cold fury as she surveyed the damage. Miley stood a few paces behind her, tears not just from the smoke in the air stinging her eyes as she watched a woman pick through the wreckage of her home.
"Empress!"
The two women turned as a trooper approached them. Since the formation of the New Empire, the soldiers of Port Hassau and all the other united City States had been provided with fresh uniforms to show their allegiance. They now wore dark red trousers and shirts beneath coal black armour and visored helmets. The hexagonal symbol of the New Empire sat over their hearts, whilst the emblem of their home city sat beside it.
"What is it, Captain?" Orllah asked, rage simmering beneath her sharp tone.
"We have found the Village Councillor, Ma'am. He has requested to speak with you."
Orllah nodded curtly. "Take me to him."
Miley followed Orllah and the trooper through the village to the triage centre that they had set up upon their arrival. It was a simple set up. A large provided shelter and a pair of Bacta tanks for the worst of the injured whilst beds had been set up in the shade of the tent for those with only minor injuries. The Councillor sat on one such bed, his arm in a sling. He was an older man with thinning hair and leathery skin. Most people who lived this far from the coast were farmers and the Councillor certainly ahd the appearance of a man who had spent much of his life outside.
"The Councillor, Ma'am," the Captain said as they approached.
"Ah," the old man croaked. "Yes, umm... Greetings, Your Highness. Forgive me... I... I am not sure how I should address you."
Orllah raised a hand and shook her head gently. Her ascension to Empress was still recent and she was understanding enough to realise that not everyone in the outskirts of the city would know the proper protocol for speaking with her.
"You are fine, Councillor," she said, her tone surprisingly kind. "Tell us what happened here."
"Soldiers," he said grimly. "They marched straight into the village and demanded tribute. I told them that we are good people. We pay our taxes, we fulfil our quotas. They had no right to demand more of us."
Orllah raised her eyebrows. "You are a bold one, Councillor. I'm surprised they didn't shoot you for that response."
The Councillor laughed humourlessly. "They did," he said, raising his slung arm with a wince. "Caught a bolt in my shoulder. Reckon they thought I was dead."
"What happened next?" Orllah asked.
"They made more demands but the people refused to give in. Eventually it got ugly and they started shooting the whole place up. They took everything from us and then burned the village for good measure."
Orllah reached down and squeezed the old man's shoulder. "I thank you for your loyalty, Councillor," she said. "The Empire will ensure that you and your people have everything you need to rebuild. One last question. Whose emblem did these soldiers wear?"
"That's the thing," he said glumly. "We thought they were your soldiers."
Orllah's face hardened. "Explain," she said.
"They wore Hassau colours," he said. "Blue and gold. But now, seeing these troopers I do not know who they were..."
"Thank you, Councillor," Orllah said. "Get some rest. Captain? With me."
She turned on her heel and marched away from the triage centre, Miley and the Captain jogging to keep up with her. When they were back in the square Orllah wheeled about, her yellow eyes burning with anger as she addressed the Captain.
"After the transition did we lose any soldiers to desertion?" she asked.
The Captain shook his head. "Not that I'm aware of, Ma'am."
Orllah scowled, the Captain's answer appearing to confirm her own suspicions. "I want a scouting party deployed immediately. They are to find these soldiers and inform me of their location immediately. They are not to engage them under any circumstances. Is that understood, Captain?"
The man saluted. "Perfectly, Ma'am. I'll see to it at once."
Miley watched the Captain hurry off, already barking orders into his comlink. She turned to Orllah and tilted her head. "What are you thinking?" she asked.
"I am thinking," she said slowly, "that Vess has made his first move."
****
Miley followed Orllah through the rocks, doing her best to keep her footing on the uneven surface. She wore a black jumpsuit that clung tightly to the curves of her body and sturdy boots that came up to her knees. A length of red rope criss-crossed her bodysuit in a diamond pattern, ending in a double strand that Orllah had pulled tightly between her legs so that it rubbed pleasantly against her pussy with every step that she took. A ball gag was lodged firmly in her mouth and her collar fitted snuggly around her neck, a leash running from its ring to a clip on Orllah's belt. Her hands were mercifully free, her sleek blaster pistol strapped to her thigh just in case.
They had left the village several hours ago after the scouts had located the rogue soldier's location. They had taken a speeder bike and raced to their coordinates, finding that the soldiers had turned East and entered the vast Savannah known as the Kyger Flats. The Savannah was littered with hiding places from secluded oasis's to large rock formations like the one they were currently sneaking through. They had spied the soldier's camp as night had fallen, their fires visible as small orange glows amongst the darkness of the Flats.
Orllah tugged on Miley's leash, pressing her fingers to her lips and indicating a gap between the rocks. She peered through and nodded as she saw a pair of soldiers taking a piss in the bushes ahead of them.
Carefully Orllah unclipped Miley's leash before leaping silently into the air. She landed catlike behind the two men, her unlit lightsaber in her hand, before activating the blade and stabbing the first through the heart. Before the second man could cry out she had extended her free hand and the man slammed into the cliff wall, his hands flying to his throat as the last of his piss dribbled down his legs.
"Scream and I will show you pain like you have never known," Orllah hissed.
Miley stood, walking out from behind the rocks where she had been hiding to watch the exchange.
"You attacked the village earlier today, didn't you?"
