An Officer's Diary

I'm writing this as I am in bed nursing a blaster wound to the Chest. We were just on a simple patrol on Ord Mantell before packing up for Faulnak, and we encounter a sniper. The guys did great as we bounded up to the sniper but he got a lucky shot and pegged me. Woke up on Faulnak being treated. The medics probably saved my life and got me a shorter recovery. Vyen'a was absolutely distraught and caused a scene trying to get me out of the medbay.

It's been a real long time since I even opened this. It's just been sitting at the bottom of my footlocker for the past many months. In that time I was shot up on Hoth and then transfered to a speaking tour on Coruscant promoting War Bonds. I did get to spend more time with Vyen'a which is a big plus.

Then after a few months of that I was transfered again to the 3rd Marine Division and stationed at, guess where, Phoenix's Rest on Faulnak home of The Marran. On top of that, they promoted me to Major. More paperwork but because of my prior training, I'm building up the Deep Reconnaissance Platoon. More desk work and more fieldwork. To put icing on the cake, we are now preparing for a full scale invasion by a Sith lord and his mutated, Force-creature army puttering through space in archaic star cruisers. Fun times.

It has been so busy lately I haven't had time to write in this. Since I last wrote we've been deployed three times I think. I'll have to go through the records to figure out. First stop was Ord Mantell for reequipping and retraining. We have a large number of new troopers in my platoon. Its now a waiting game to see who will be here in a month and who will be transferred or sent home.

We were deployed to a planet I had never heard before, Hasiera. A small world built around mining and drilling for minerals. Reasons are as they always are, the Empire is there and doesn't want to leave and we're sent in to make them leave. You know its going to be a rough deployment when you crash on to the planet. Our gunship took massive AAA fire as we were landing and came in hard. We were sent in to take the guns out. First squad went into the quarry while I went with third squad to provide over-watch. Took out the guns and I nearly had a heart attack when a SAM tank shot at my Vy overhead.

The invasion kept going and every day made it clear how bad SIS underestimated the enemy's strength. More Troopers than you can shake a stick at with a generous helping of Sith. Then came Hira, the capital. We were assaulting the Southern approach and tasked with taking the starport. All was well until the remaining Imperials on the planet all made a bee line for our position. We had to have the entrance destroyed and the rest of us evacuate to a cruiser in orbit. I invariably had my ass chewed out for that.

Now we are on Tatooine. Fighting Imperial trained insurgents. I don't know why they are here. Maybe something from before the war. Regardless, they're here and we are here to eliminate them. We found out the other day just how well trained and armed these insurgents are. A large group, probably platoon strength in size assaulted the FOB. They started the whole thing with BANTHAS. Three of them, one of them exploding right next to us. It wounded Doctor Arnasi pretty bad. Then it just got worse. The insurgents on the other side of the base were able to knock out half a squad and push into the base. We managed to take them out, but damn. These Insurgents aren't your rag tag group of irate farmers. The Imperials have to be training and arming them. This isn't going to be an easy deployment, that is for certain.

Jerax was sitting at his desk on the Hyperion, going over the dossiers of the new transfers to his unit. He fiddled with the ring on his left hand, still getting used to something being on the finger. She was off on a run to some planet he had forgotten, a short run for some supplies. It was an unorthodox proposal in his mind. He was the one who was proposed to, though it changed little in his mind. The two of them were tied together, or soon to be, for the rest of their lives, how ever long they would be.

As the hours ticked by, the documentation Jerax was working seemed to increase in size rather than shrink. He was contemplating the thought of turning in for the night, his personal comm buzzed on his desk. Checking to see if it was his Vyen'a only to find a foreign number. He set it aside, sleep came first, and if it was truly urgent, they would call again. Unsurprisingly the comm rang again from the same caller. Deciding that he would entertain the person on the other end, he answered, "Hello?"

"I know it's late, but is that any way greet your mother?"

"Mom, you're-"

"Alive? I thought you would have more faith in your parents?"

"Well, you guys went off the grid for a while," Jerax replies, relief filling his voice. "I assumed the worst."

"I thought I taught you better than to assume anything. You know your father and I can handle ourselves. We did give the Imps one heck of a going away present." Taryn states, mirth in her voice.

"That's good. Wait, what do you mean, 'going away present?'"

"A story for another time, Jerax. Just know the Imps didn't get away for tracking dirt on my floors."

"Um, okay. So how is-" Jerax stops at a cry on the other end of the line.

"Taryn, who is it you're talking to?" came a gruff, distant, voice.

"Hendrik, it's your son."

"Jerax? Let me see the comm" Hendrik stated as he seemed to approach the comm.

"Uh uh uh, you'll get it when I'm done speaking with Jerax. Until then, the end tables need to be refinished." 

"Yes, dear," replies Hendrik.

"What did the imperials do to the house?" asks Jerax.

"Oh not much dear, just wanted an excuse to get the tables recolored. So, how are you and the lovely young lady?" Taryn inquired.

"Uh... I need the family ring."

There is a brief pause before Taryn exclaims, "Hendrik! Stop working on the end tables, I need you to go clean my ring."

A muffled voice replies, "Why?!"

"You're getting a daughter-in-law."

"Who? Vyen'a? Put it on speaker. I want to talk with Jerax."

"You can speak with him once you... okay, fine. I better be able to use it as a mirror once you're done." "Deal. Hey Jerax, so you're going to propose to Vyen'a?" asked Hendrik.

"Um... well, she already proposed."

"So she proposed to you?" came Jerax's father.

"Yeah. She drug me to the side, got on a knee and proposed. Gave me a ring, too."

"That's fantastic. When are you coming to get the ring?" inquired Taryn.

"When I can. I know you're busy cleaning up there. Don't need you to worry about housing us and rebuilding."

"Nonsense! Your father could always use an extra hand on the house. When you get here, I'll speak with Vyen'a about getting everything ready while you and your father go about restoring the arch and chairs for the wedding ."

"Mom! We're not going to get married that soon. We're just wanting to do this one bit for now. Once we can breathe again, we'll think about tying the knot."

"Alright dear, just don't keep me waiting. You two have your father-son talk. I'm going to inventory the fine dishware. You get here soon, Jerax."

"Don't worry about it too much son, your mother just wants you and Vyen'a to have a nice family like we do." 

Jerax sighs, "I understand. It can be a bit much sometimes."

Hendrik chuckles, "She does it with love. Now how are you lately? They keeping you busy?"

"Too busy. You should see the paperwork they have doing right now."

"Fighting paperwork? Could be worse, could be a captain and fighting paperwork." Hendrik remarks with a chuckle.

"Ugh, don't remind me. Hopefully they'll get me out of this tin can and onto a place where I can do something other than wield the mighty pen."

"Stuck on a cruiser? And you said the Navy life isn't for you."

"Got to get to the battlefield somewhere. So, how did the family lands fare?"

"Better than the rest of Coronet," Hendrik states. "Most of the damage was a few blaster burns here and there."

"I guess the Imps made a visit? I saw what was left of Coronet during my deployment."

"They walked in, but they didn't walk out. So you heeded my advice?"

"I never disobey a direct order, especially from you."

Hendrik chuckles, "Good man. Well I bet it's probably late there. Hope we didn't keep you up, son."

"Don't worry. I'm glad you called."

"I'm glad to hear you're all right. You stay safe and bring your fiancée home soon. It'll mean less of your mother nagging me about grandchildren and more of her nagging you."

"And the reason I want to come home is?" Jerax asks sarcasm in his voice.

"So you're mother doesn't go out and drag you home. You stay safe, son."

It has been a while since I could pick-up pen and flimsi and actually write anything down. We won our last battle, but Vy was hurt. Bad. She is okay now, but I was scared. Afraid I'd loose her. The walker she was in was hit by an RPAT. It ripped it apart. One of of the Jedi that was with us saved her. I owe him so much for saving my Vyen'a. When we got to the ship the Jedi were working feverishly on her. I was in shock. Then they moved her to the tanks. I had taken it as a good sign. I sat there for a few hours. I would have stayed, but I needed to head to my quarters to unpack and return my weapons. Orderlies don't like guns in med-bay. I came back and stayed there until they let her out. I was so thankful she was okay. Now she's back to full health and her bright old self again. Mostly.

She freaked out again about me after the gladiator fights on some God-forsaken planet. She fought as well but only had a minor leg wound. I on the other hand, narrowly defeated my opponent. I collapsed afterwards and apparently was badly wounded. After a small skirmish after the fights we were on the ship and I was tanked for the first time. This is second time I have been badly wounded. The first being on the Chimera with broken ribs from a blaster shot to the chest. Thankfully my body armor stopped most of it. Anyway, she was freaking out. I had been wounded in places I didn't think you could hurt or even existed. So she was very well justified. She  took care of me the following few days. Rarely left my quarters except to get something from the mess hall or the med-bay. Just one of the uncountable reasons why I love this girl.

After I was healed enough, the two of us went to actually enjoy our R&R we've been given. Went to Nar Shadda to a Masquerade party one of our friends was hosting. Had a blast there. Vyen'a dressed up as my sexy slave (Got to love that girl) and I as a Alderaanian noble. Met with the hostesses and then this idiot blurts out that he had some massive bounty on his head to impress some twi'lek Jedi. idiocy does not begin to describe. But to his salvation the barge was mostly empty and the hostesses were not allowed to kick his ass until he left the barge. Was a rather fun night, oh wait. Cannot forget Vyen'a giving Sedryn, a Jedi in the Marran, a proper taste of what a woman can provide. She went up and against his protests, shoved his face into her breasts (Can you say, awesome girlfriend?) and held him there. To say he was broken after that was probably an understatement. All in all it was a blast. good way to use up some of one's R&R.

Now with my R&R coming to an end. It is back to training and missions. The Empire is on the ropes on Corellia and we look to be preparing to help finish them off. I'll be glad to back to Corellia. Can actually make a difference. Have not heard anything from my family, but the Empire probably still controls the Holonet on Corellia. We'll just have to see what comes our way. We always manage to pull through.

It's been a while since i wrote in here and it may be my last. We'll be assaulting the Traitors that fled after a failed coup in a few hours. Our armada against theirs and our land army against theirs. No faction, Empire and Republic working together on both sides. Only difference is they're traitors bent on genocide. 

The screen flickers to life and the image of a man in blue, fumbling with the recording device appears.

"Come on, stay put you stupid thing." The man leans back to show the man's identity, a one Jerax Teral. He's in his dress blues with a guitar in his lap looking at the camera.

"Hey Vy, if you're getting this, I want to let you know that I still love ya. No matter how far you are from me. When you get back, I'll be waiting for you. Clear your head and come back to me. You'll always be wanted."

Jerax looks down at his guitar and strums a few tuning notes before begining to play a slow song. Jerax looks into the camera before singing, "You know I'd fall apart without you I don't know how you do what you do 'Cause everything that don't make sense about me Makes sense when I'm with you."

"Like everything that's green, girl I need you But it's more than one and one makes two Put aside the math and the logic of it You gotta know you're wanted too."

Jerax closes his eyes and looks down to his guitar, getting into the song, "'Cause I wanna wrap you up Wanna kiss your lips I wanna make you feel wanted And I wanna call you mine Wanna hold your hand forever Never let you forget it Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted."

"Anyone can tell you you're pretty," Jerax breathes, "Yeah," before singing, "And you get that all the time, I know you do But your beauty's deeper than the makeup And I wanna show you what I see tonight."

"When I wrap you up When I kiss your lips I wanna make you feel wanted And I wanna call you mine Wanna hold your hand forever Never let you forget it 'Cause baby I wanna make you feel wanted."

"As good as you make me feel I wanna make you feel better Better than your fairy tales Better than your best dreams You're more than everything I need You're all I ever wanted All I ever wanted," Jerax sings as he let's the song fade before coming back,

"And I just wanna wrap you up Wanna kiss your lips I wanna make you feel wanted And I wanna call you mine Wanna hold your hand forever And never let you forget it Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted Baby I wanna make you feel," Jerax pauses, "Wanted."

Jerax strums the end of the song singing, "You'll always, be wanted," ending the song on a chord.

Jerax looks back into the cammera and smiles into the camera, "Vy, come back to me. Just take care of yourself. My arms will always be open for you. Love you forever."

Jerax moves closer to the camera, only his shirt can be seen before the feed flickers off.

The 7th is being called up to assist the Marran on some space station. I have no idea why. It’s short notice and I’m only able to muster a handful of troopers. It’s close quarters so it’ll be brutal. This isn’t a job for us. The only reason I can think of them using us is we’re the only ones available. I can only pray we don’t have any losses or major injuries. It will be brutal.

End Entry 22

Begin Entry 22.5

It was horrible. There were creatures in the darkness. The Jedi call them the Nemesis. Horrific creatures. Armor impervious to all forms of weaponry. On;y hits to the joints will down them. Most that went on board came off injured in someway. The creatures used outdated weapons, staffs and mortars. They rushed us blindly and what we didn’t shoot made it to our lines. Some we took down in hand to hand combat, those that didn’t stabbed those of us before being taken out. And the Mortars, all behind us were wounded by the mortars. It was awful. The Nemesis’ attack stopped and we pulled out after a warning went off. Half of those that went in had wounds of some kind. And Vyen’a. She was hit too.

I was probably too hasty in what I said. I don’t want to leave her. I guess I just need to clear my head and think clearly for once. I took her back to her ship. She can’t stay in that medbay. She hates that. She’s in her bed right now. I’ve been watching her all night. She whimpers every now and then, but she’s probably dreaming. I’m going to make it right when I see her. I want to before we go to Corellia. 

The Entry ends there, but the next page is torn out.

The note

Vyen’a, I’m sorry. I was wrong about what I did that night. I can’t excuse what I did. You certainly didn’t deserve it. If you still want to fix our relationship, then I want to. I want to fix what went wrong and make-up for every wrong I have done to you. I’ll be back tomorrow. We can work things out then if you want to. I still love you, Vy. 

Yours, 

I'm done. I can't take it anymore. I wanted to make this work. She showed up with a necklace from someone else. It was from Ihlrath. A Jedi of all people! She says it was just a friendly gift, but I know that Jedi has the hots for that girl. If he wants her she can have him. If he can put up with her and all the enemies she has then all the power to him. 

I'm not sure what's happened to our relationship. I came back from my meetings and I wend to see Vyen'a. She had a bandaged hand and was glued to the bottle. I knew something was wrong. I kept asking and she refused to tell me. I somewhat am regretting digging. After I got her to tell me, I couldn't believe what I heard. Vyen'a had brought another man to our ship and bed and almost... I was shocked. That isn't the Vyen'a I knew. I know I was gone a little longer, but if she needed me, she should have commed me.

I can't believe it. It isn't possible. Corellia. My home. Invaded. Corellia has been invaded and I can only sit here and do nothing as my friends and family escape to one of our safe-houses and wait.

I know my family can take care of themselves. We wouldn't have been around for a while if we couldn't. I just never thought I'd see the day an Imperial soldier would walk on Corellian soil and not be in cuffs. I can't imagine what atrocities they're committing. Coronet will be nothing but rubble by the time the Empire is finished. 

The worst part is not knowing. All communications with the planet have ceased. It's all gone blank. I managed to get a message from my family, but I couldn't respond. No one knows anything of what's going on there. The whole planet could have been slagged and no one would know. I hate not knowing. I hate waiting. But that's all I can do.

Jerax begins playing his recent missed messages, distressed by the news he has heard. He goes through them all and as he is about to give-up and make a call home, a message from home appears. Jerax immediately begins playing the message.

Before him is a middle aged man in his fifties, he has a rifle over his shoulder and a pistol at his hip. He looks behind him then looks at the camera, "Son, I assume you probably have heard the news and are probably freaking out. Do not worry we're fine. The invasion has been confined to Coronet for the moment. You know as well as I do, that the Empire won't stop there and they'll be marching up our front step. We're packing what we can. Making use of that emergency stockpile we have. We got some help from some... friends you could say."

Hendrik's speach is interupted by the angry tirrade of a woman in the background, "And I told you not to put the grains in that container it will all fall... ugh, Hendrik, get over here and help me pick-up the mess these droids caused!"

"Taryn, I'll help you in a minute. I'm letting Jerax know we're okay.' Hendrik shouts back to his wife.

"Okay, dear. Make it quick though, these droids are proving to be more trouble than they're worth."

"Okay honey." The man looks back to the camera, "Okay, now son. Do not get the bright idea to come here. The place is crawling with Imperials. There are resistance forces forming in the heart of the city. Seems like much of the fighting will be focused in Coronet. We'll be moving what we got by 'the road' to 'Tyrena'. There we'll set up until we see what will happen.  Stay safe, son. If you do get sent here, do not come looking for us. You know we can mange on our own, though if the worse happens to you, you know where to find us. I love you son. Watch your back out there." The man finishes his speech and moves a hand to the camera shutting off the recording.

"Teral here."

"Hello there Jerax. You sound so much like your father." replied Taryn.

"Hi mom."

"I was calling to check up on you and Vyen'a and see how you two are doing."

'We're doing alright. A few hiccups along the way, but it's smoothed itself out."

"So I have heard." Taryn replies calmly.

"Yeah... wait.. you heard? From who?" Jerax asks, stunned.

"A mother never reveals her sources, but I have heard about how you two are doing and alright seems to be a little optomistic."

"Well... we've smoothed most of it out."

"I see... well what have you done to 'smooth it out'"?

"Well... we talked it out and... I don't really feel comfortable-"

"Jerax, we can either talk about this now, or I can come to you and discuss it then. And we can talk with Vyen'a and see-" Tary interupts before being interupted herself.

"No, we can talk now."

"Don't want to talk about this with Vyen'a? I thought I raised you better."

"It's not that. Just... I really don't want my mother to show up."

"Oh, so you don't like your father and I anymore? I see how it is."

"No, no I like you both, mom. I just have an appearance to keep up."

"Oh I know sweetie, I was just giving you a hard time. But we need to talk about what you have done to make things right." Taryn replies, bringing them back to their previous topic.

"Well, we talked about everything. About all that's happened... and... how much we love each other." Jerax replies, a tad bit embarassed.

"Mhmm, I see. So you just talked? Anything about why you said no to Vyen'a?"

"Well, yeah we just talked, and I haven't said anything to why, though I will... how do you know she proposed?"

"A mother's intuition. Now, Jerax, you need to tell her soon. She may have been out of line to even propose, but you need to explain why, and it better be a damn good reason. Also, just talking won't do. Put some effort into this.Do something!A nice dinner would work. Cooked by yourself. Take-out will not work. I have some recipies that I just know she'll love. And suprise her. Don't tell her about it. Take-off early and prepare what I'll send you and everything will smooth itself out. And remember, I will know if you don't do it exactly as I have told you." Taryn orders her son.

"Okay, mom. I'll see if I can't-"

"Don't see if you can, do! I will not have my son do some half-assed dinner. You are a Teral, half-assed isn't anywhere close to good enough for us. You will do as I say and you will enjoy a romantic dinner with Vyen'a or so help me... me showing up will be the least of your concerns." Taryn threatened.

"Yes, mom. I'll go and start making plans immediately."

"Now that's a good boy. Take care and tell Vyen'a I said 'hi'." Taryn replies in an upbeat tone. "Love you, Jerax."

"Love you too, mom."

I'm writing this so in the event I die on this barren wasteland, someone may find me and can let those I care about know my last thoughts.

I am on a moon of Alderaan after having to bail out of my stricken transport. My unit was on a mission to Alderaan when two Imperial fighters attacked. We fought them off until a missile ripped through the cabin and killed our pilot. Then a fighter took out an engine. That is when I ordered my unit to bail out. My Vyen'a was left behind, I pray she survived and is doing well.

I sprained my knee on landing. I grabbed my chute and found a nearby outcroping of rocks and used the rocks to shelter me from the wind. The silk from my chute I am using to make a lean-to and blanket to keep myself warm. I've fired of a few flares but no one has yet to show up. I've turned off any function of my armor that is not neccesary to conserve battery life. I've been working on my sidearm to keep myself focused and awake. It's working but hypothermia is begining to set in. I'm becoming drowsy. I hope they find me soon, but if you're reading this, they didn't.

To my men, you were a great bunch of guys. You were the best soldiers I've been around. I hope you made it off safely and can enjoy yourself. Stay safe, this war is going to be hell. If you guys are still on the planet, Private Talrun has the Emergency Beacon. Use it to call for help.

To my parents, I love you. I am glad you were there. I may have been a pain in the ass sometimes, but you didn't care. You loved me and I am thankful you got me this far. Dad, you helped me and taught me my whole life. You gave me great advice when I needed it and set me straight when I strayed off the path. Mom, sometimes you were overbearing and embarassing. You made me do things I never even wanted to do, but I wouldn't have done such great things or met the love of my life if you didn't push me. I love you mom, and I love you dad.

She's back.

We found Vyen'a last night. I should be happy. But I'm not. I know I should be estatic. But I'm not.

I am glad she's back, but I feel like something has happened between us. And not for the better. I think I really screwed the pooch. Dhen just ripped me apart and how I didn't do what I should have. I don't disagree. I should have been there when we found her. I was, but she didn't know that until we were on the ship. I didn't explain to her why I said no when she proposed.

"Teral here."

"Hey dad, it's Jerax."

"Hello son, how are you doing?"

"I've been better." "Still got your Sergeant on your mind?" Hendrik asked his son.

"No... well somewhat. We got him back." Jerax stated.

"That's great!" Hendrik exclaimed.

"Yeah, he looked beaten and bruised." Jerax informed his father.

"Yeah, the Sith aren't one for niceties. But if he's back, what is troubling you?"

"Vyen'a."

"What happened, son?"

"One of my privates. The one that I told you has been a nuisance since he was transfered her. Well he told Vyen'a that she's the reason that the unit has been having problems, because she is distracting me." Jerax explained.

"And you don't believe him?" Hendrik questioned.

"No, she isn't distracting me. In the field, I am focused on the mission."

"And on base?"

"Well, when we're back at the base, I do shift my focus to her, but she's my girlfriend, of course I would." Jerax stated.

"Anytime where you favored her over anyone else?" Hendrik inquired.

"Well-"

"Well what, son?"

"I mean, there might have been a couple of times. I mean, she got a little hot under the caller when... he got in her face."

"And who is he?"

"The obnoxious private."

"So he feels he's getting the shaft and Vyen'a is getting a pass?"

"I guess."

"Well then maybe he isn't so wrong. Son you need to be objective. She may be your girlfriend, but out in front of your men, you can't treat her as such. If she casues or is is part of scuffle, then you need to reprimand all parties. Then when in private can you treat her as your girl. Tell her it isn't her fault and tell her she was in the right." Hendrik told his son.

"Okay... if there is a next time."

"What happened between you two? You two get in a fight?"

"No, after the fight between her and the private, she got on a transport and left to heaven only knows where."

"She say she was leaving for good?"

"No, but... I just don't know. She basicly proposed to me earlier. It sounded jokingly, but I still said no."

"You explain to her why you said no?"

"No."

"Then you need to do the following things. When she comes back, because she will, tell her you are sorry. And mean it. Tell her you love her. Then you tell her why you said no. It better be a good reason. Right now she probably thinks that you're just stinging her along. You need to let her know you are in it for the long haul even though you aren't yet ready to give her a ring."

"You think she will?" Jerax asked unsure.

"Yes, Jerax, she will come back and you damn well better be the first person she sees. You do what I told you and these issues will not happen again."

"Okay. I'll do that. Thanks."

"You're welcome, now buck up. You need to be strong for your men and her."

"Okay, talk to you later, dad."

"Talk to you soon, son. Stay safe." Jerax's father said before the line clicked off.