James Delgardo has been found guilty by the Senate Guard, the very group he wants desperately to remain a member off. Now he finds he must complete a punishment that is not what he had expected. Edited August 6, 2013 by Dondinas

Chapter one

 

"So which bit of "last chance" don't you get Jim ?"

Major Warbonnet, commanding officer of Havoc Squad, was sat in a small cell with his long time friend Jim Delgardo, Smuggler, slicer, conman, an all round Scoundrel.

"I know, sometimes I get an idea and I just don't think. If they kick me out the Guard then they kick me out. Just glad I didn't get you involved."

The Senate Guard, a shadowy paramilitary organisation that recruited the best the Republic had to offer, Jedi, Military, civilian specialists. Self funding they did covert and overt actions that would benefit the Republic against anyone. Although not part of the Republic Senate, they did get a certain amount of leeway in the use of personal, so the absence of a Jedi Knight or a Special Forces Trooper would not raise too many questions.

Jim Delgardo had fallen foul of the Senate Guards regulations a few time before. The last time he had been caught slicing into the restricted archive he had received a final warning. One more time and he was to be removed from the Senate Guards. Although technically a criminal in some Republic worlds, Jim enjoyed being a member.

"I think this time they are gonna throw the book at you, and why Radipole ? Why would anyone try to sneak into his quarters ?"

"I've heard he has some really old stuff in there, stuff no one else knew about, about the Guards itself. I wanted to know what. I wasn't going to steal anything, that's not my style. You know that right ? War, you do know that don't you."

"Yes I know, your a lot of things, but an out right thief, no. Like it or not, your too much of a good man to do that. But Radipole ? The mans a legend in Special Forces. If he'd caught you your voice would be a lot higher than it is now, if you could still talk. That's one tough old bas....."

"Guys, the court martial is back in, best not keep them waiting."

Standing just the other side of the force field that was the door to the cell was the Jedi Knight Stephannan and the Trooper Modninzo. Both men were armed, but as a show of friendship and respect for a fellow member they had not drawn their weapons.

Jim got to his feet, holding a set of binders in his hand he said,

"Do I have to put these back on ?"

Stephannan looked at the Smuggler and shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't mind, it's not as if your going to run off any where. What d'ya reckon Mod ?"

"If it was up to me, I wouldn't bother, but the mood Vuzen is in, I'm afraid so Jim. I am not gonna take the blame when he looses it. Sorry Pal."

Warbonnet took the binders and put them on his friend, loosely.

"Do it properly."

Warbonnet squeezed the ratchet tighter.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Right lets get this show on the road. Don't want to keep my audience waiting."

Once the force field was lowered Jim and Warbonnet stepped out of the cell into the main room of the Detention centre. Modninzo and Stephannan formed up on either side of him with Warbonnt behind. They then made their way to the to the briefing room that was being used as a court. They all marched in perfect step, except for Jim Delgardo, who with a broad smile put all his effort in keeping out of step with the others.

 

Jim looked at the five people who sat at the long table in front of him. Vuzen, Jedi Knight and the present Leader of the Senate Guards. T his left sat another Jedi Knight, Guard General Mahadere, next to him was Guard General Avonrea, she was a Jedi Consular. To the right of Vuzen was Guard General Kaydanaa, a Jedi Knight who had presided over Warbonnet's final trail to join the Senate Guard. Next to her was Guard General Radipole. No civilians Jim noted, oh well he thought, play it by ear. He gave them a slight smile and what he hoped was his honest innocent face.

Vuzen spoke.

"James Delgardo, by a unanimous vote, you have been found guilty of all the charges laid before this court. Before sentence is passed, do you have anything to say ?"

Jim turned his head and looked at Warbonnet, who looked back with a "please don't make this any worse than it is look".

"I can only apologise for my actions, and I accept what ever punishment this court gives."

Vuzen stood.

"Very gracious I'm sure. Very well. This court sentence's you to be removed from the Senate Guard, your name will be struck from the the roll, you will not be granted access to any Senate Guard information, equipment or property. This is to be carried out."

He paused for a moment and looked down the table to Radipole.

"After a final report from Guard General Radipole. The outcome of that report will determine wether the sentence is to be suspended or not. Until then you are demoted to Probationary Member, you may not leave the Senate Guard Base. If at any time you do try or wish to leave, the full sentence will be carried out. Any questions ?"

"Errr, no. Thank you."

"Court dismissed."

Behind him, Jim heard the door open, all the senior officers at the table left, except Radipole who remained seated. When only the three of them were left in the room Radipole moved his chair back slightly and put his feet on the table.

"Warbonnet, why are you still here ?"

"I err, I don't really know Sir, just waiting for Delgardo Sir."

"Well you won't be seeing him for a little while, so if you want to kiss good bye do it now, if not don't be here."

"Sir, yes Sir. Good luck Jim, I'll see you when I see you."

Warbonnet then carried out a textbook about turn and left the room.

Jim looked at Radipole, he in turn just looked right back. Jim who was used to being in control when he dealt with people felt very much on the back step. He wanted to remain in the Senate Guards. Why he wasn't sure, maybe it gave him a sense of belonging to something, something important.

"Boy, I don't really care why, you done it and got caught. Done, gone, in the past."

"Jim, my name is Jim. Err, Sir."

"Boy I know your name, for someone as smart as you are, you sure act dumb. And don't Sir me. Call me Rad."

This was not making Jim feel any easier. Go along with it and hope for the best.

"OK Rad, how are we going to do this, what's next ?"

"That's better Boy. Report to my quarters first thing in the morning, we'll start then."

"OK, what time."

"Boy I just told you ! First thing."

"Well what time is that ?"

"Let me put it like this, if I'm awake, your late, OK."

Radipole got up and moved towards the door, he stopped and turned to Jim,

"Boy, I like you, but you don't use your head, you've got no understanding of the big picture. I can understand that, in your job it's all about you and the here and now. Well I'm gonna try to remedy that. There are two ways this is going down, my way which will be the hard way, or, well actually there is only that way, or the exit. See you in the morning."

Then he left. Jim thought to him self if heading straight to his ship and leaving would be the best thing to do. That would be a failure in his book, a failed job.

James Delgardo did not like to fail in any job he started.

Chapter Two.

 

 

Delgardo walked along the silent corridor. The echo from his boots his only company. No one was up at this hour, no one was stupid enough. That made him chuckle to him self. Except him, he was up because he was stupid, stupid enough to get caught. He still wondered how, the security systems they had here looked nothing special, but they quite obviously are or he would not be making his way to Radipole's quarters at this time in the morning. Morning, he thought, it's not morning, it's still half way through the night.

Rounding the last bend he saw Radipole's door. Stopping before it he entered the access code Radipole had given him, to save him having to slice his way in, he had said with a smile. Amazing how someone else's smile can ruin your day.

The door slid open silently, it was still dark in there. Ha, got you, he thought and entered, the door sliding shut behind him. He looked around the room, he never got the chance for a proper look last time. Two doors leading to other rooms, basic but functional furniture, a few ornaments, nothing special. There, what was that about. On a wall, next to one of the doors, was a heavy armour breastplate, looked like Trooper issue. Cocking his head to one side he listened for any sign that Radpole was up and about, silence. Good the old man was probably fast asleep dreaming about, what ever old soldiers dream about. Moving closer he could see it was a breastplate, but right by the spot where it would cover the heart was a hole, no, it was just the the right of the heart, painful, but probably not lethal if treated straight away. Reaching up he ran a finger over the damaged section, no not a hole, it was a slice, a blade or sword ?

"Boy, you are a Batha's hair away from finding out what happens to Smugglers after they die."

The voice had been whispered in his ear, Jim had not heard anything to alert him. How good was this guy ! Lowering his hand he turned his head. Radpole was stood right next to him, less than a foot away, very good, that's how good.

"I was just looking, that's all."

"You got an eyeball in that finger Boy ?"

"No."

"Then don't touch what ain't yours. Anyway, your late."

"How early do you want me here !"

"Told you, first thing, young lad like you should have no problems getting up, or is that it Boy, can't get up ?"

Jim looked at him deadpan.

"I ain't got no problems getting up."

"Good, in that case if your late again, your doing it deliberately, so you won't complain when you get punished."

How did he get trapped into that ! More to this guy than meets the eye.

"So, Rad, I'm here, so what now ?"

"Have you had breakfast yet ?"

Things seemed to be looking up at last.

With a smile he said,

"No, not yet."

"Good, you won't have anything to throw up. Follow me."

"What d'ya mean, throw up, where are we going ?"

"Morning physical training, do it every morning, for as long as I can remember, and if I'm sweating your sweating."

"Whoa, I'm not a soldier, I don't go in for stuff like that."

"OK, fine, I'll let Vuzen know quit, you didn't want to stay in the Senate Guards, it was too hard for you."

"I didn't say that."

"I told you boy, the only way was my way. No close that hole the noise is coming from and follow me, or collect your gear get to your ship and bug out off here and don't look back. Either way I'm going to the training yard and I WILL sleep tonight, wether your here or not."

With that he grabbed a large bag sat by his feet and made his way to the towards the way out.

"Don't forget to close the door behind you Boy."

He said over his shoulder as he left the room. Jim Delgardo, paused for a second before following him out into the corridor, closing the door he set of at a slow job to catch up with Radpole.

"Best stay with you Rad, old fella like you might not make it all the way without help."

"We'll see you needs the help in an hour or two Boy."

 

 

Two hours later.

"In through the nose and out through the mouth, you need to control your breathing. If you don't, your just gonna....... Don't worry about it, I'll get a cleaner Droid to mop that up."

Jim Delgardo was on his hands and knees, what occupied his mind the most at the moment was not that his bones and muscles felt like jelly, nor was it the fact that he was soaked head to toe in sweat and double vision he had wasn't even a passing concern. No, what was on his mind the most was that even though he had eaten nothing this morning, he could still throw up so much.

Why the running ? We have speeders. Why the exercises ? We have droids for heavy lifting, and we can walk around obstacles, no need to climb ropes and blocks and jump and lift and, he started to throw up again.

The main exercise yard, a large enclosed area with in the Senate Guard Mothership, was starting to fill up, Jedi doing their own physical techniques or practicing with their lightsaber forms, either alone or in twos and threes. Troopers and civilians also were working out or jogging around the perimeter.

Warbonnet, who had been running in full heavy armour stopped by his friend and Radipole. He nodded a hello to the senior Trooper and looked down at Jim. Taking a canteen of water from his belt kit he offered it to him,

"Jim, take a sip, you'll feel a bit better."

Delgardo took a sip and then coughed it up back through his nose. Both Radipole and Warbonnet laughed.

"Boy, you might find that a bit easier if you stand."

"Hnnn."

Was all Jim could manage. Using what little energy he had left, and using Warbonnet at a climbing aid, he pulled himself to his feet.

"Remember Jim, sips, and you need to control,your breathing. Trust me, it helps."

"Fknofof."

Came back a muffled garbled reply, but he did sip the water.

"How's he doing Rad ? I have told him he needs to work on his fitness."

"I've seen worse, can't remember when, but I'm sure I have. He'll be fine. I've not killed anyone through physical training."

Jim looked at him, colour was slowly beginning to come back to his face. They all moved to one side as a cleaner droid started to clean Jim's mess.

"Days early Rad, you got time yet."

Radipole slapped him on the back, setting of another coughing fit.

"See, you feeling better already. Few months of this and you might even be at recruit level."

"Months !"

"Keep the canteen Jim, give it back later, when you've washed it out. Catch you later Rad. And Jim, stick at it, it's worth it in the long run."

"War, please shoot me, no shoot him first, then shoot me."

Radipole snorted and slapped his back again bringing another coughing fit.

"Glad you still got your sense of humour, right go get cleaned up, get some food inside you too, me back at my quarters in an hour."

He then left Jim looking at his back. He had done everything Jim had done, but he had done it in the heavy armour that was now back in the bag he carried. Stims, got to be Stims. He looked over at Warbonnet, who was making his way over to the weights area.

"War," he shouted,"I wasn't joking, shoot him !"

Warbonnet looked over his shoulder and smiled.

"Stick with it Jim, stick with it."

Chapter Three.

 

 

Jim Delgardo was far from happy. Was all this worth it he thought. He wanted to remain a member of Senate Guard, but he didn't like what he was having to go through to retain his membership. For the last five days he been up "first thing" to take part in Special Forces Trooper physical training, then after breakfast weapon drills, as if he needed to know how to break down and clean a blaster rifle or auto cannon. Afternoons were spend on the range, here at least he was allowed to use his own blaster pistol. OK, his marksmanship had improved, slightly. But cleaning armour after that ! He didn't wear armour ! This was the task that frustrated him the most. It was also what he was doing at this moment. Radipole was cleaning some too. That was something else that really annoyed him too, every thing that he had to do, Radipole did also, just quicker and better. He had thought about quitting every day for the last five days, he knew he wouldn't, but he still thought about it

He looked up to see if Rad was watching him again. He noticed that he did that a lot, all part of the report he was writing about wether he was to stay a member or to be booted out. He was looking. Jim quickly looked back down.

"Your sighing more than a lovestruck teenage girl. You falling for me or something ?"

"In your dreams old man. Just a bit boring, all the armour cleaning."

"You rather we went for a run ? I'm good with that."

"No ! No, I'm OK with the polishing."

"Your getting better at it, your learning, and that's good. Not just this either, weapon skills, marksmanship, and fitness. Less than a week and even that's getting better, you've not thrown up for the last two mornings. Can't tell how happy the cleaner droids are about that. Your thinking, improvising too."

"What do you mean by that ?"

Little alarm bells started to go off in Jim's head.

"Well, after the second morning you said to meet you at the exercise hall, smart move, you've not been late since then, there before me."

"Guess your training is paying off."

"Maybe, or the motion scanner you placed in the hall aimed at my door and that your quarters are closer to the hall than mine might have had something to do with it."

"You noticed."

Jim placed the piece of armour and the cleaning cloth on the table.

"So that's me out then. I suppose cheating doesn't sit well with you ?"

"Cheating ? Who said anything about cheating ? Boy if you were a Jedi, yer, maybe it wouldn't look so good, but your not. You used your head to solve a problem, you improvised. I like that."

"So I'm still in the game ?"

"Untill I say other wise. Now unless you've finished get cleaning."

Jim set back to the cleaning, most of the armour was already done. Once the last had been cleaned, inspected, polished and put away Jim sat back with a sigh.

"Good job Boy, like I said your getting better. How do you like being in Senate Guard ?"

"It's good, I like the feeling of belonging to something, that family feeling, I know what I did was wrong, but, well sometimes.... I don't know."

"Spit it out Boy, what ? You feel like your not fully accepted ? Not fully trusted ?"

"Well if your asking you know that's what I feel, and I must be right in feeling it, but why ?"

"It's not you, it's what you do."

"Well if my skills aren't needed why accept me in the first place ? And why all this ?"

"Settle down Boy, if you were not wanted you would have been forgotten already. What do you know about Senate Guard history ?"

"Just what I've been told, why ?"

"Sit back and let your Uncle Rad tell you a story."

"Fine, but I'm not sitting on your lap."