Author's Notes: First - This story focuses on a male light-side Jedi Knight Outlander, though it is told from the perspective of another character. I wanted to select a narrator from this game that might have a unique perspective. Sergeant Rusk was one of the least-developed companions in the original Star Wars: The Old Republic class campaigns and was basically written as a one-note character. His brief return in Knights of the Fallen Empire probably didn't change that fact much. I decided to try to do something about that: Suppose, for a moment, that there's far more going on upstairs than Rusk lets on? Suppose he's more intelligent, observant and thoughtful than is usually apparent? And that he rarely chooses to express himself not because he doesn't have a point of view, but rather because it usually doesn't matter to him so long as it doesn't affect the mission or his command? I found the idea interesting.

Second, I decided to set this story for some time before the War for Iokath update and its successors, basically because I didn't want the Traitor storyline to distract from the tale I was telling. As it stands, these events take place a couple of months after the conclusion of Knights of the Eternal Throne, so as you might expect, spoiler warning for that release and all previous content.

Finally, just to be clear, this story most certainly does not take place in the same continuity as Theron Shan in Absolute Trust. It might take place as part of the same narrative as the Kira Carsen and the Hero of Tython series, but that's a story for another day. Discerning readers will note that the Alliance Commander – the Outlander – is not given a proper name here. That is intentional.

More notes at the conclusion of the story.

Chapter 1: Listen up, Recruit

Listen up, recruit. I'm Senior Drill Instructor Fideltin Rusk. Welcome to Odessen. Your training to become a soldier of the Eternal Alliance will begin immediately. But first, and I ask this question of all my trainees: Why are you here? What do you hope to achieve by serving in the Alliance?

I see. You want to help save the galaxy. Another 'hero' case. Yes, we have a few of those.

Oh, I see. You want to know what I mean by that, and if that's so common here. Alright. We have a few minutes. And if it helps you become a better soldier for the Alliance, it will be worth it.

You may already know I was a soldier in the Republic army for many years. And a good one, I can confidently say. My superiors gave me an order, and my men and I carried it out at all costs. True, my comrades did not always appreciate my dedication. I was once called a fanatic, a bore and even a simpleton. And those were all the words of a comrade whom I still consider a friend. I've been called much worse, I assure you. I accept all of this. What other people – aside from my superiors – think of me is irrelevant. What other people – aside from those under my command – choose to call me is also irrelevant.

Yes, that does include you, recruit. If you give me any back-talk, I will put you through an obstacle course that will break you.

But back to the story – about ten years ago, I received what would become the greatest honor of my career: I was assigned to the crew of a young Jedi Knight who was on a mission to defeat the Sith Emperor. My transfer to his unit became indefinite, as the Knight helped make his ship into a home for me, with comrades I was proud to serve with besides.

Today, many years later, that same Jedi Knight is now the Commander of the Eternal Alliance. And he has repeated here on Odessen what he did years for me ago on his corvette.

(Incidentally, recruit, if you do ever personally meet the Commander, you might feel compelled to refer to him as the Outlander. He will likely not take offense to being called by that designation. But if do this, recruit, then don't do it where I can overhear you. Those in my charge will show more respect for both the man and his position.)

But back to the old crew. The six of us fought together side by side for several years. Never had I served the Republic better. My comrades – friends – may have each been different, but I never questioned their commitment. Those were good times.

It could not last forever. Just prior to the Eternal Empire's invasion of the known galaxy, we were forced – under orders by the Commander and under protest – to leave him behind in battle when Darth Marr's Imperial frigate came under crippling fire from the Eternal Fleet. Eventually, I came to believe what the rest of the galaxy believed: That he had been killed when the ship exploded. Inevitably, the crew disbanded.

Years past. The Republic surrendered to Zakuul, changing in ways that few welcomed. It became harsher, less democratic and more willing to sacrifice its values in exchange for short term successes against the Sith Empire. These may be fine qualities in the military, ones I could normally appreciate. But they are not desirable traits for the state itself.

Finally, a small mixed group of dissidents – including my old crewmate, the astromech droid T7-O1 – called Teeseven – located and freed the Commander from his carbonite prison on Zakuul. He awoke with no knowledge of what had taken place in his five-year absence. But he persevered, as he always had. With the help of his new allies, he formed the Alliance, a resistance movement of Republic and Imperial expatriates who were unwilling to witness the further subjugation of their homes. Soon, soldiers, warriors and anyone else willing to take up arms from all over the galaxy began signing on.

I am embarrassed to admit that the Commander – as he was now formally known – found me before I learned of his return. In many ways, he was the same champion I remembered. In other ways, I could tell he was haunted not only by the horrors inflicted on the galaxy in his absence, but also by the presence of the Sith Emperor – now calling himself Valkorian – in his mind.

By that point, I was then a Provost-Marshal, commanding the Dead Man's Legion – conscripted criminals forged into a military unit – on Nar Shaddaa at that time, opposing elements of the Black Sun syndicate. Within a few hours of finding me, the Commander had successfully helped us achieve our objectives, beating down the repulsive Houk leading the opposing gang in single combat. I should not have been surprised, of course. The five years away had not dulled his martial abilities in the slightest. If anything, he was even more focused.

There was a time I did not believe that anyone or anything could make me even consider leaving the service of the Galactic Republic. But when the Commander reached out his hand and offered me membership in his new Alliance, I didn't hesitate to accept it. That's how I came to Odessen.

It's true; I am not as close to the Commander as I once was. This is right and proper. His new position as galactic peacekeeper involves responsibilities far more complex than anything he's handled previously. He has better allies to counsel him now on matters of statecraft, diplomacy, and espionage. The Eternal Alliance is a vast and ever-growing organization, and its stated purpose is to bring peace to the entire galaxy. He has trusted advisers who can aid him in that goal. Still, I recognize the bond of personal trust and comradery is still strong between us. He's chosen me to accompany him on several missions, particularly when he went after the Eternal Alliance's feared Star Fortresses.

Looking back on my career, I can say that the greatest warrior in the galaxy trusts me at his side as much as any other. And if he once learned a bit of tactics from this old soldier, I can say my life has been well spent.

Every so often, at the Commander's invitation, I may even join him for a meal or a drink in the base cantina. We reminisce about the old times, sometimes joined by Teeseven. They say that Jedi are not supposed to become sentimental, but then, he never was a traditional Jedi, and no longer identifies himself with the order.

When I look around at all he has built, at all he has achieved, I know I made the right choice to rejoin him. I will do whatever is necessary to serve him and his dream of a peaceful galaxy.

Perhaps even defy him, if that's what he needs me to do.