Ranger sits on his bunk within the Lambda Squadron quarters, staring blankly at the wall. His Commander, COL Gytheran, walks in through the open door.

“Hello Ranger, I’m surprised to see you doing… nothing it seems. You usually are out and about with the other guys, what’s up?”

“Oh nothing, I was just thinking about what I should do during my downtime. We haven’t seen a battle in a while, perhaps we are too good at what we do?”

“You mean squashing the rebel scum and preventing invasions from other wordly alien races? We pretty much assured the galaxy no one would dare interfere with our operations, they would be foolish to even try.”

“Yeah… I would go to the bar and play but I’m not really feeling up to it.”

“Aww I’m sorry to hear man, well listen. Why don't you give your dress uniform a good look over, when was the last time you detailed your medals? You know we have an Imperial Ball coming up soon, it would be a good idea to look presentable.”

“Hey you’re right! We’ve been so busy lately, I don’t remember the last time I even pressed my uniform. I can’t go to the ball with wrinkles!”

“There you go, send your uniform to the cleaners and while you’re waiting for that, polish up those medals. It shouldn’t take you more than thirty minutes to get ready.”

Gytheran turns and begins to walk out the door, turning his head back towards Ranger.

“You’ve got a lot of medals to spruce up, so you better get started, the Ball is tonight.” says Gytheran as he glances at his watch. In about an hour from now actually.”

“Tonight?! Why didn’t you say so sooner!” says Ranger.

“Oh, I thought you knew and were just killing time. Everyone else is ready, meet us at the Grand Hall.”

Ranger leaps from his bunk and stands up, frantically looking for his medal chest. He looks under his bunk and pulls out a small square black imperial storage box, emblazoned with the imperial cog. He grabs hold of the box and sits back on his bunk and unclasps the lock, opening the top portion of the box, revealing its contents.

After three years I have amassed so many of these medals, my service to the Empire truly shows. I can’t wait to display these in front of everyone, he thought. Ranger grabs his datapad and sends for a droid to collect his uniform. Meanwhile, he grabs a clean cloth and begins to shine his medals, looking downwards. He picks up a gold star shaped medal adorned with a green, white, and purple stripe down the center, clasped with a gold bar that reads “Emperor’s Hammer” on a green enamel circle in the middle.

I remember when I first earned the Gold Star of the Empire, I was still in Delta Squadron at the time. It’s been a few years since then, I was awarded this for my efforts in Raise the Flag, it feels so long ago. Someday I’ll earn a gold bar for this award, but who knows, that seems like a long ways away.

Ranger places the gold medal off to the side after giving the medal a good cleaning and looks at the mountain of medals to select the next medal to clean. He picks up a silver star medal, adorned with a blue ribbon with red and white stripes down the center, collapsed with a silver bar that reads “Emperor’s Hammer”, on a raised silver circle. He rubs the cloth over the star and shines it until he can see his reflection.

This one looks clean enough, I have so many of these Silver Star of the Empire ribbons for my service over the years that I was awarded the gold bar device, there has to be over twenty of these ribbons! I’ve been awarded these for the months I was really active in the TIE Corps. Better keep going, I’ve barely scratched the surface. I wonder how long before the laundry droid will show.

Just then the laundry droid enters the quarters, a small square shaped robot with hangers for hands stops in front of Ranger.

“Oh you’re here, that was quick. I am in need of dry cleaning for my uniform, can you have this cleaned up within the hour? I need to wear this tonight for the Ball and I can’t show up looking like a mess!” says Ranger”

“Beep boop beep!” the droid beeps enthusiastically.

“Wonderful, here you go. I’ll be here cleaning my medals while I wait, please don’t take too long okay?”

“Beep!” the droid beeps in confirmation as it grabs the uniform with his hanger hands, turning around and exiting the room.

Alright back to what I was doing, if I can finish before the droid returns I will have enough time before the Ball.

Ranger grabs the next medal from the pile, a bronze star adorned with a red ribbon with multiple blue and white stripes down the center. Unlike the previous medals, this one is a simple bronze star with a bronze clasp.

The Bronze Star of the Empire, huh, I don't have as many of these ribbons unlike the Silver Star but I earned enough to be awarded a gold bar for this medal too. Over the years I was a little too active and the command staff didn’t think these were good enough for a pilot like me. Cleaning…cleaning…so many medals.

He places the shined bronze star next to the Silver and Gold stars, three stars now lay on his bunk. He picks up the next medal out of the pile, in his hands a bronze circular medal hangs from a red and blue ribbon with five white stripes down the center with a bronze clasp that reads “Emperor’s Hammer”. On the emblem is an image of a bronze star overlaid on the imperial cog, which is centered inside a crescent. The outer circle reads “Emperor’s Hammer Strike Fleet Fideliter Constanter”

Huh the Palpatine Crescent, I never really got many of these in my service, you usually get these if you’ve done enough but not enough. Come to think of it, I only ever got these when I was sick but still had the energy to put up a fight. Fideliter Constanter… that means Faithfully Constantly… right? I gotta remember to ask Gytheran about that next time. I wonder why it's called the Palpatine Crescent, did papa palpatine like moons? The death star was a moon some say… anyway, onwards to the next medal.

Ranger places the Palpatine Crescent down next to the stars, the bunk is beginning to look like the night sky. He grabs a silver circle adorned with a blue ribbon with white and green stripes down the center. A silver clasp that reads “Emperor’s Hammer” holds the ribbon in place, with the outer circle having an embossed wording reading “Emperor’s Hammer Strike Fleet Fideliter Constanter”.

Ah the Imperial Security Medal, this one has the same wording as the Palpatine Crescent but it's different enough, the silver really shines when it's polished. I’ve always liked how this medal has the iconic cog window of the TIE Fighter, there's nothing quite like flying a TIE.

He places the silver medal down along with the others and grabs the next medal. A bronze circular medal emblazoned with the imperial cog and similar wording as the previous two. The medal is adorned with a blue, teal, green, and white stripe down the center.

Wow I had forgotten how many of these I have, Gytheran would hand these out like candy whenever we went above and beyond in our duties. I must have over fifty of these Imperial Achievement Ribbons, I need about forty more before I can be awarded the Gold Leaf device. I better polish just the Silver Leaf on the ribbon, we don’t display the whole medal on our uniforms anyway, just the ribbon. It’s a good thing not all of these awards are displayed, I would look like a walking trophy room!

Ranger sorts through the remaining medals and separates out only the medals that need polishing and sets aside the ribbons which will be placed on his uniform.

Okay, that's all the medals polished. Let's see what's left… I still need my flight certification badge, rank pin, what am I forgetting… oh that's right! I can’t forget about these last few items, they’re the most important out of the bunch. I keep these extra safe in this chest… where are they…

He sorts through the chest digging past all the ribbons and medals, he dumps out the pile of ribbons to the side opposite of his polished medals onto the bunk and separates the ribbons from the rank pin and other regalia.

Wait a minute… that’s right, I didn't keep it with the other medals. This one is too prestigious to keep with the others.

Ranger stands up from his bunk and places the empty chest on his bunk as he walks towards his locker besides his bunk. He turns a dial left, then right, and then left again. A clunk is heard as the locker unlocks, he opens the door revealing a ceremonial dagger and a lightsaber. A small box sits beside the weapons with an imperial cog on the box top.

The Grand Order of the Emperor… I remember that day like it was yesterday. The entire TIE Corps was in attendance, every single pilot, officer, and crewman was there all lined up in the Grand Hall. The command staff headed the ceremony with Grand Admiral Rapier at the very center, dressed to the nines in his white officer uniform, all the other command staff were there as well. I was so nervous that day, I had never attended such a large ceremony, much less one where I was the center of attention.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to recognize one of the best pilots within our ranks. Across the galaxy this pilot has proved time and time again of their dedication, their loyalty, and their commitment to the Empire. Throughout our history, we have seen many pilots come and go, while our pilots serve, we honor the fallen and commend those still with us here in the Imperial Navy. There is no other force quite like the Emperor’s Hammer, our might, our resilience, and our strength is what allows us to persevere against all those who oppose us.

Grand Admiral Rapier motions Ranger to the podium where the Grand Admiral stood before him and Ranger faces forward towards the audience. Rapier motions to his staff and he is handed a small, black ceremonial box. He opens the box, revealing a silver necklace adorned with a dagger, bearing the shape of an eagle and a circular imperial cog.

“Ranger has been an outstanding pilot and deserves all the praise in the world for his work. for service above and beyond the call of duty and valor extraordinaire, I am awarding him the Grand Order of the Emperor. ”

Rapier lifts the necklace from its box and turns towards Ranger, presenting the necklace before him. Ranger lowers his head as Rapier places the necklace over his head and round his neck, centering the necklace across his uniform. Rapier then motions to his staff who reveals a silver dagger with the same eagle shaped relief with a wing shaped crossguard, a red striped handle, and deep black scabbard with a silver tip. A pair of leather bound chained clips hang from the scabbard.

“Award of this medal constitutes entrance into a fraternal order, members of which are highly respected in all manners of Imperial functions. Their importance is indicated by this ceremonial dagger, in which they bear during special occasions where only a select few are permitted weaponry; this symbolizes the trust placed in these individuals.”

Rapier takes the dagger and holds it in both hands, he faces towards Ranger and attaches both chained hooks onto his belt, the ceremonial dagger now suspended in a regal fashion. Rapier returns to the podium and motions Ranger to stand off to the side. The crowd erupts into thunderous applause as Ranger takes in the recognition from his peers.

It's been a while since we had a special occasion, the last time I wore this dagger was when I received it from Rapier. What time is it, that droid better get here soon.

Ranger glances at the clock, thirty minutes have passed since the droid was sent off to do his dry cleaning.

“Where is that blasted droid, I still need to set up my uniform!” Ranger says out loud.

“Beep beep boop boop” replied the droid as it rounded the corner through the door.

“Oh good, you’re here. I was beginning to worry you weren’t coming back in time. Thanks for cleaning this for me”.

“Beep beep!” the droid replies excitedly as Ranger takes the uniform from the droid’s hanger hands. The droid scurries away back to the laundry room. Ranger holds the freshly cleaned and pressed uniform in front of him, the golden buttons strewn across the jacket shine brilliantly from the lights above. His shoulders bearing the Lambda Squadron emblem, emblazoned with the Lambda Class Shuttle and green trim, representing Wing I of the ISD II Hammer.

This looks fantastic, now I just need to affix all the awards. It shouldn’t take me long, looks like I will still have time, I might even be early if I hurry.

Ranger attached all his cleaned medals, along with his rank and flight certification pins. He attaches his ceremonial dagger to his belt and places the necklace over his head, facing a mirror, he looks at himself from head to toe.

Okay, everything looks to be in order. Oh wait, I can’t forget about my lightsaber!

Ranger walks towards his locker and grabs his lightsaber stowed within. He attaches the lightsaber to his belt on the right side of his hip, opposite of his dagger, and takes one more look at himself in the mirror.

I’m really glad I built this lightsaber with color coordination in mind. I’ve had this ever since I first built it upon becoming a Knight in the Secret Order. Of all the options to choose from, I decided to go with something that matches my TIE Corps uniform. A sleek durasteel handle, with a black rubber hilt and golden emitter. Every piece symbolized a piece of this uniform.

Gytheran suddenly storms back into the quarters and gets Ranger’s attention.

“Hey! Quit daydreaming, we gotta get going. Come on!” says Gytheran.

“Oh you caught me, I'm just about ready.” replied Ranger as he shuts and locks his locker and puts away his medal chest back under his bunk. He straightens his uniforms and looks towards Gytheran. “Okay, all set, let's go!”

The duo head towards the Grand Hall where they meet up with the remaining Lambda Squadron members. CM ElleOhh, LC Solohan50, MAJ Wolve Excelsior Berkana, LCM asche, LCM Sam Arsio, MAJ Xye, CM scottrick, MAJ DemWookieeCheeks, MAJ KEBLAOMEGA, and CM LPhoenix are all waiting at the entrance.

“Finally you’re ready Ranger, what took you so long?” asked ElleOhh.

“Yeah, we didn’t want to show up without you!” said Wolve.

“Alright guys, let's give them a warm Lambda welcome” says Gytheran as he shoves the double doors open and the squad walks in. All of the officers are dressed in their dress uniforms, displaying all of their medals earned during their service. Lambda walks up to the bar that is set up near the entrance.

“Hey, it's the guys from Lambda! Now it's a party!” said a group of voices. MAJ KEBLAOMEGA did a sick kickflip and everyone cheered and bought him beers. The TIE Corps celebrated, danced, and had a great time at the Ball. Solohan50 began doing his usual ewok dancing on the dance floor and everyone laughed and cheered.