One of the more odd things about living outside Bestine was the heavy Imperial presence throughout the area. It wasn’t uncommon at all to see troops from the doorstep of our home.
I was quite nervous the first time I was stopped and asked to submit to a scan. The Captain ran up to me as if I was going to try to make a break for it… with a dozen blasters at the ready?! To be surrounded by the group of them, all starring at me through darkened helmets was frightening.
The scan was soon finished and they moved on.
With so many troops around, it wasn’t long till I was used to such scans. I would even make small talk with the troops as they conducted their work. After all, it was good for business. Just don’t tell Bermuda 
I was working in my office in city hall when my desk rattled slightly and the familiar sound of a ship flying low overhead passed . I couldn’t help but smile to myself. Kiwon was home.
I went out to greet her. I could tell something wasn’t quite right and she wasted no time relaying the bad news.
“You’re not going to like this, Bee. Regional governor is making a sweep. He wants the sector clear of all Rebel activity and I can’t keep them outta here this time.”, she confided.
I asked her to do what she could to help them complete their sweep while keeping all Moneta’s citizens safe. She understood exactly what I was asking of her and she did a wonderful job handling the situation. She directed the troops to inspect various sites and it wasn’t long before they were satisfied Moneta was secure.
Once the troops had moved on, life in Moneta quickly went back to normal. Neighbors who have diverging alliances behind closed doors exchange pleasantries in the town square, share resources and frequent one another’s businesses.
I admit that I often go about the business of my day successfully avoiding having to confront the reality of this terrible conflict. I know I’m not alone in this. My fellow citizens and I pass by troops all the time and, on occasion, even witness a skirmish. But we all go about our business as if none of it exists. It’s simply to much to consider the many hundreds of people on both sides, each actively involved in plotting the demise of the other.
This war has already gone on too long and claimed more lives than I can fathom. But this most recent intrusion makes me wonder if perhaps the worst is still yet to come…
