“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!"
It was never a business that Tulan liked to do- protection details. But Tulan was supposed to be an expert on a broad variety of subjects. Truth be told, he hadn't- up until a few weeks ago, done much of the protection detail. At least, not close protection details. Security work was easy enough. But close protection details were far more complex, had more variables.
It was there that Tulan's expertise shined through. He didn't stubbornly seek to do his own thing. He sought out professionals for advice and training. Mercenaries, bodyguards, former Senate guards- doctrine, training manuals, all were put forth tomake sure that the security team that Tulan had put into place were going to be the best that they could.
But now, on the eve of it all, Tulan felt off. Something was brewing.
Tulan was with the QRF and extraction team, watching intently on the screens and monitoring helmet cameras, periodically managing via radio and commlink to adjust where needed.
And then it all went to shit.
Now
The QRF team stormed down the hall, Tulan leading- orange and white Katarn armor, repainted to match the Imperial insignia. Tulan entered the chamber, ushering those who were still alive. Triage units began to examine the wounded. It was brutal, but it was realistic- there were simply no saving some of those caught in the explosion.
Then, Tulan began to search for one specific survivor. All those inside were valued- comrades, soldiers, politicians. But truth be told, he did value one above the others.
The Imperator.
The Imperator, who had instructed Tulan to hell, and Tulan, who, had emerged on the other side, or barely surviving each time. The Imperator, who had plucked Tulan from a life of imprisonment and retribution from the Alliance. The Imperator sent for Tulan, and Tulan returned his loyalty tenfold.
And now, Tulan and the Commandos he had hand-picked, came upon the doctor working on the Imperator. It did not take Tulan long to search with his eyes alone that the Imperator was gone. A lifeless form, once exhibiting strength, now lay among the bloody mess. Tulan took a moment, reaching up to his helmet, undoing the magnetic seal. Tulan stood over the doctor- and despite his short stature, Tulan had to exhibit strength. And sometimes strength was kindness.
He placed a gloved hand on the shoulder of the Doctor, gently squeezing. Tulan's next words carried with them a weight of sincerity, a sort of grandfatherly approach to kindness and the small gestures that showed the true humanity, the true soul of Tulan. His words were soft, meant only for the Doctor to hear.
"I know you did what you could, son."
Tulan's face was marred, scarred and he could no longer smile, frown on a majority of his face. His expression was with his eyes. They looked solemn. The anger would come later. Tulan only had time for the grief at the moment. Tulan deeply inhaled, reaching in the space between his armor and his undersuit. It was there that many soldiers kept mementos, notebooks, maps- something to have handy at any given moment.
It was there that Tulan kept an Imperial Flag- something that he had regrettably grown to use in his conflicts. He had covered many friends with it, sent sons and daughters back home to mothers and fathers, sent fathers to sons, mothers to daughters, mothers to sons with it covered. Tulan watched his Commandos take pause, as everyone seem to wait on baited breath after the Doctor said the four most damning words in the Imperial's history thus far.
Tulan laid the flag of the New Imperial Order over the body over the Imperator, to both hide his marred figure, to preserve his image of strength, and to honor him one last time. Tulan looked out to the congregation, a familiar feeling of loss creeping over him.
The future frightened Tulan more than anything. Revenge would come later, the why and the how. For now, it only mattered as the swarm of Stormtroopers, medics, and everyone else in the Empire came to aid the damaged and the loss, and to stand bewildered at the thought of an Empire without the Imperator.
Tulan's pale blue eyes glanced over to
Rurik Fel
. Tulan was a soldier, he had no issues following orders- but Tulan did not know where the succession lie at the moment, who was dead and who wasn't. But Tulan looked at the man of iron and flesh, a man hardened by war and choices. Tulan did not know him well on a personal level. But there were few in the galaxy, let alone the Empire, who did not know him by reputation.
Tulan gave him a curt nod, standing next to the Doctor, inhaling deeply, keeping his composure for the moment.
If he could cry, he would've.