Beggars can be Scavengers

Posted on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 1:41am by Trooper Barrick "Nomad" Rask & Major Babs Betany

1,646 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Some Like It Hoth
Location: FP-02 then Ship Graveyard
Timeline: Day 2

The familiar drum beat of the cold weather heavy armour boots heralded the arrival of the base commander. This time they seemed to ring out a little quicker than normal, a sense of purpose and urgency given to them by the wearer.

“Rask. You know how to shoot a gun and defend yourself?” The woman asked the question in a matter of fact tone but there was no way to make it less ominous. Especially not as early in the day as it currently was.

The human placed gripped the blaster’s handle that was holstered on his hip. “It is required to complete basic combat and medical training before graduating the naval academy.” Rask blinked. Of course the matter was not about accolades. “Is something wrong?”

“Good then I assume you know how to use one of these.” She passed him one of the rifles she was carrying. “Grab your cold weather gear I need someone familiar with Imp- I mean Imperial ship tech. We need a part for the generator to get it running consistently. The nearest viable ship wreck we can scavenge is an imperial cruiser, so you and me are going shopping in the graveyard.”

Rask took the rifle. He looked at it as though it were a foreign object. He was decent enough at firing one, but he felt more comfortable using a sidearm. “I see. You do understand that a cruiser and a starfighter are completely different vehicles?” He pulled on his jacket then shrugged. “I suppose I still have the upper hand.”

“Are we going on foot? Or should I warm up my fighter?”

“Ships a ship.” She flashed Rask a small smile to show she was in fact teasing him. Maybe there was also a touch of her feeling him out, testing how robust his ego was. “You’re still our expert, and trust me I am aware that’s not ideal.” She then looked up to the fighter before shaking her head.

“We need to conserve the fuel. If we can’t find anything useful then we may need it to expand our search. You up for a walk?”

"It has been a while since I've stretch my legs," Rask said, "And the warmth of the movement would be helpful." Rask made for the cold exit. "It came to my mind recently—" There was a moment where he considered whether he should ask this question or not. He shook his head and continued. "—My posting here is because Republic Command does not trust me still. I had no choice but to come here. I understand the importance of a base on Hoth, but I still wonder..."

He took a moment to see how to phrase it. "Frostpoint is not an ideal posting. Not just for myself, but Republic officers. We have to scavenge just to stay warm. Rations are limited. Amenities are non-existent. It's better than prison. But only just so." Barrick adjusted his rifle. "Are all the officers here stationed against their will?"

“That’s the spirit!” Babs then listened to Rask for a moment before she gestured between Rask and his ship. “Grab your cold weather gear. Even with the walk you will need it.” She then seemed to think for a moment before she gave him a curious look.

“You are actually here because I requested you. Republic Command initially wanted you posted to Tatooine… which, granted right now might have been preferable. But well I have my reasons, and I figured you needed at least one person willing to let you genuinely prove yourself.” She then grinned and looked around. “You want to take a guess as to why you?”

She then began zipping up her cold weather gear so she was ready to face the hostile outside. “As for the others, there’s not a single person here who I didn’t request personally to be on this mission. But everyone has their own reasons for accepting. Some it might be better than prison, others a sense of duty. Only way to know is to ask them.”

Babs looked back to Rask with a bright smile. “Anything you want to ask me?”

Rask, unlike himself, was quiet. He had no retort or complaint. He just thought about it. He never realized that his posting was purposeful. He assumed he was getting dumped like trash. Tatooine would make Rask choose prison again. Snow can melt, whereas sand can not. He shivered thinking about every bite meeting grit. After a few more moments of trudging through the snow, he spoke. "My station here is tactical," he guessed, "I know the Empire, and so it was a decision to get an upper hand."

Rask turned over to the commander. "Even though Republic Intelligence got every piece of information I have, I am still useful on the ground." He thought about how nice it would be to fly in his fighter. The cold nipping wouldn't be nipping at his nose. "That is my supposition, at least."

Babs walked a few paces away at his side. As they moved through the snow she kept her gaze mostly scanning their surroundings but occasionally she would turn to look at him and give a small nod. “Yes, that was certainly part of it. One of the few advantages we have here is information. You, by sheer circumstance know how the Empire operates. That’s invaluable, but it’s not the only reason I picked you.”

Babs went silent for a moment as they created a snow drift, the ship graveyard coming into view. Most of the ships were buried in the snow and ice, but portions could be seen sticking up, like eerie monuments to a battle lost. The Republic had been declared the loosing side in this skirmish, but they had taken their pound of flesh.

“Lots of people might think it’s because you have something to prove. But really, out of everyone on the base, you are the only one who doesn’t need to prove a damn thing. You turned your back on everything you had ever known because it was more important for you to do the right thing. Out here I’m going to need to make tough decisions, and when the time comes I want to make sure I have men and women who will keep me honest. That’s the main reason I picked you Rask. Not for your experience, or for the tactical advantage you provide the base. I picked you for your character.” She then gestures down to the graveyard.

“Now where should we start our shopping trip? Anything take your fancy?” She chuckled and looked out, her eyes assessing the graveyard, although she was more looking for signs of life.

It never occurred to Rask that from the numerous interrogations and interviews, that his profile would have a character assessment attached. The Empire would not care unless it directly impacted their way to manipulate a prisoner. Rask knew he could be prickly, but being chosen because of that sent a chill down his spine. Though, he couldn't tell if the shiver was from the realization or the subzero temperatures.

His shoulder sunk down and his eyes fell to the ground. "Thank you," is all he could mutter. He cleared his voice. He could hear his mother's voice in the wind tell him how disingenuous a simple thanks is. "I never thought I would see the light of day again. The Republic surprised me with allowances that would never be considered if it were the other way around. And under your guidance, I'm sure I will be able to navigate this new world."

"You mentioned a generator. If not already scavenged, there should be one in the auxiliary matrix in that piece of hull. If we had a siphon, we could get more fuel from those downed fighters." A small smile crept across his face at the thought of getting his wings back. He shook it off in hopes that the CO wouldn't see his unprofessionalism. "And if we need rations and other reserves, that small escort ship is a supply line courier."

Babs shrugs off the thanks. She didn't need the man to be grateful, she just needed him to pull his weight and do his job. It would be a bonus if at some point he could come to be glad for the difficult circumstances that led him here but she knew from her own experience the weight of family expectations rarely left you, even when you deliberately went against them. And he had done more than simply go against his family. "You're doing fine Rask, trust your gut. But I'm here if you ever need to talk."

She then claps him on the back, the gesture meant to be supportive, but she often forgot her own strength. "Great, let's start with the generator, we can assess what we need and come back with more people if we need to. Then let's see what rations we can take back to the base. As for the fuel, you can rally a team of people to come back for that. Take the fighter this time if you need to, make sure you top off the tank." She then began to make her way down the steep, snowy decline. The crunch of her boots loud in the quiet surroundings.

Rask wavered at the clap on the back. He smiled and didn't hide it this time. The thought of planetary flying caused a warm to stir in his gut. It was a feeling that even softened the cold that seemed to cut through his lungs. He hasn't flown since before he defected. His eyes followed the Major as she descended the snow dune. "Right. The generator." He snapped back to it, rushing to catch up with her.

 

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