Imperial Poverty - Part 1 - Coruscant Days

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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . . .

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   My name is irrelevant because I am irrelevant. I was raised in the dirty, violent, Poverty stricken under-levels of the city-wide planet of Imperial Center, formally known as Coruscant.

   Since a very young age, I longed to escape this hell pit and live on the surface, where there's happiness and opportunities to be had, and you can actually see the sun!

   I often wonder how such grotesque Poverty could exist in a galaxy so advanced in just about every way, especially in a place which happens to be the most diverse, technologically advanced, and cultured planet in the known galaxy.

   I guess it's a matter too complicated for me to grasp.

   I'm on my own in this land of thieves and the underprivileged. My mother died of some kind of mouth infection when I was 15 standard years old. I never knew my father. I'm now 18 standard years old and already, I can see and feel the effects of living in Poverty ravaging all aspects of my being.

   My situation is hopeless. . .

   When I heard the news that the Jedi had attempted to take over the government, but had ultimately failed, and now a new Galactic Empire had been established, I thought nothing of it because it was doubtful there would be any change.

   How foolish I was. . .

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   The day my life changed forever was like any other day.

   I set out on my daily routine of simply trying to survive when something unusually strange caught my eye. . . A group of grey uniformed men were putting up what looked to be propaganda posters.

   A large crowd of onlookers had started to form around them, uttering words of disdain or applause.

   Out of curiosity, I pushed through the crowed and asked one of the uniformed men what exactly they were up to.

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   "Want to join the Imperial army son? And get out of this wretched hive?" the cocky Imperial officer inquired. 

   I never imagined myself as a soldier. I didn't think I was cut out for such a profession. I was weak; lack of nutrition, proper hygiene, adequate sleep, as well as a plethora of other struggles and disadvantages had taken there tolls, but I did have one advantage, I was young. My existence would surely be short lived if I didn't make drastic changes, so out of desperation for a new and better life I said, "yes."

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Imperial Poverty - Part 2 - The Academy

   My time at the academy was a blur.  

   It just so happened that that the majority of my fellow cadets came from the wealthier regions of their respective planets. Many of their fathers were military men, so it made sense that their sons would follow suit. 

   I was always singled out for various traits that identified me as being part of the lower class. For example, my use of "poor person identifying" slang words that would always slip out at the wrong time was a dead give-away. My yellowed and cavity ridden teeth didn't help much either. The galactic sludge they called "food" in the under-levels really took its toll. . .

   Not every cadet was my enemy though. I befriended Majim.

 

   He came from a wealthy family on the planet of Sorenno, but he displayed no arrogance or disdain towards me. We became best friends and he would defend me whenever the rest of the lot saw fit to ridicule me for whatever reason they saw to exploit that particular day.

 In my time at the academy, I learned a lot and discovered I had a knack for all things combat related, as well as a talent for strategy. Perhaps because I had to fight and watch my back everyday just to survive back. . . "home."

   I was 2 years into my academy training when Majim and I were called upon by our combat instructor.

   "Cadets Lain Galek and Majim Woorz, front and center immediately." the combat instructor said in a neutral tone.

   As my friend and I walked in front of the other cadets, I heard the typical sly, stupid remarks being uttered.

   "Looks like the dirty bottom dweller is in trouble. . . again!" 

   "He's probably getting discharged because he can't wash off the smell of the slime pit he hatched from. It's about damn time!"

   And the classic, "I don't know why Majim even talks to him, he's nothing but bottom feeder scum."

   I of course ignored such immature comments.

   "Cadet Galek and Cadet Woorz, on behalf of the Emperor and myself, I would like to formally congratulate the both of you."

   "Thank you sir, but may I inquire why?" Majim asked.

   "You both are to graduate early. This afternoon in fact! Your skills are far more advanced than any of us have anticipated. You are to be deployed to the Wookie home world of Kashyyyk within the week. Your respective talents will be useful to that campaign. Congratulations, Corporal Woorz and Corporal Galek!"

   Corporal? I've already been promoted to corporal?!"

   Its was very difficult to hold back my excitement, but I could still get away with a smile behind my helmet.

   "You will be instructed by Captain Ligann when you arrive on Kashyyyk. Now go prepare for your ceremony."

   "Yes sir!" we both said enthusiastically.

 "Let these fine young men serve as an inspiration to you all. Even a poor boy from Imperial Center, level 1142, can become something great! Dismissed."

   Later that day. . .

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   "Before you leave for Kashyyyk, you must undergo a full health evaluation. Also, you will need some new teeth, judging by the sorry state yours are in. Any respectable corporal of the Imperial Army needs to look presentable, in all aspects of his person." the combat instructor explained.

   "But my teeth just need a little cleaning is all, not some kind of veneers." I countered.

   "It would seem that way, but our initial medical scans when you first entered into the academy revealed that you might be carrying the same infection as the one that killed your mother, we can take nothing to chance."

   "Understood, sir."

   How he knew what my mother died from was beyond me. Nothing escapes the Empire I suppose.

   When we finally departed for Kashyyyk I could feel my spirits rising. I was finally going to make a name for myself and bring glory to a just cause!

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Imperial Poverty - Part 3 - Kashyyyk

   That's me, Corporal Lain Galek of the Imperial Army. I never thought I'd have a "title."

   The battle against the endless amounts of mud and dense vegetation on Kashyyyk was a massive struggle in itself.

 

   Majim and I worked tirelessly day by day, much to the appreciation of our superiors. Even though we were just two Imperial officers in an army of millions, we felt like the most essential component to the cause. It was great to finally feel slight positivity and pride in myself.

   The savage indigenous population known as "Wookies," had power, strength, and stamina, but it was the Empire's view that the hairy beasts were grossly inferior to humans. Thus, that was my view as well.

   However, I sometimes found myself questioning the orders of my superiors (not directly of course) on the often unnecessarily harsh treatment of the Wookies. 

   They are to become slaves of the Empire, all of them. I almost felt sorry for these creatures. At one point I wasn't much different than them. For I was a slave to hunger, to sickness, to heartache, to a system that could care less about me and the rest of the population living in Poverty. 

   That is, until the Empire came along. They took a poor boy from the streets of Coruscant, excuse me, Imperial Center, and turned him into a combat ready and useful tool. 

   Even if I am a pawn in a larger game, I am content.

   Three months into Lain's deployment to Kashyyyk. . .

   "Corporal Galek! You are to report to the front immediately, the blasted Wookies have managed to amass a sizeable army and are preparing to make an assault our base!" Captian Ligann shouted in my direction.

   Majim had been standing right next to me, so I had to ask why he wasn't to be called to the front as well.

   "Corporal Woorz has his duties and you have yours, now get moving soldier!" the captain demanded.

   "Yes sir!" I complied.

   Before I could leave the observatory deck, Majim grabbed my shoulder.

   "You want to know the real reason they aren't allowing me to go to the front?" Majim asked visibly uncomfortable.

   "Why. . ." I asked cautiously.

   "My father made it clear before I went to the academy that I am not to engage in too dangerous of situations if it isn't absolutely necessary. My family is a very powerful and important asset to the Empire because of our wealth and influence. The only reason I was promoted to corporal so quickly is because of that fact. You are a much better soldier than I could ever dream of being. You earned your rank. I have not."

   The truth stung, but I couldn't say much, I had a job to do.

   "We can discuss this when I get back. . ." I said.

   "Let's hope you actually do my friend. One day you can visit my home. Perhaps my family will be generous enough to provide the necessary means for you to live a comfortable life away from all. . . this."

   "Thank you Majim, but I am happy with what I have now. I like to work for things."

   "I understand."

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   I left shortly after. The situation at the beach was not promising. Thousands of Wookies were pouring out of the jungle at ever increasing numbers. 

   I was assigned to lead a small group of men, at the front of our defensive line.

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   Everything happened in an instant. The Wookies began charging at incredible speeds, with a ferocity like no other. We remained steady and held our ground, but they managed to break through our defensive barriers. 

   We were surrounded.

   I could hear the agonizing cries of my comrades in ever direction. The sight of torn off limbs was enough to make many a good trooper vomit in their helmet or faint. 

   I was reasonably safe as there were many storm troopers in front of me. 

   And then it hit me. . . Literally.

   An ancient, seemingly futile and low-tech weapon, known as an arrow. It protruded out my back as if it was always meant to be there. I dropped to my knees. As the intense battle ensued all around me, I could no longer hear anything, as if my ears drums had exploded with the impact.

   Perhaps it is fitting that I die at such a young age, as so many beings in the Coruscant under-levels do and will always do. 

   I will never find love. I will never grow old. I will never find true happiness. But I am content. 

   It seems Poverty has been by my side this whole time. Its evil, greedy self followed me on this journey to success, to reclaim me because it is my master and I am its slave. . .

   No, not any more. The world around me turns to blackness, and I am free.

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   Fin.