{"id":1445,"date":"2025-08-15T00:58:33","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T00:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ordcantrell.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/15\/the-rum-the-ghost-and-the-gavel\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T00:58:33","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T00:58:33","slug":"the-rum-the-ghost-and-the-gavel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ordcantrell.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/15\/the-rum-the-ghost-and-the-gavel\/","title":{"rendered":"THE RUM, THE GHOST, AND THE GAVEL"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The Rum, The Ghost, and The Gavel<\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Journal Entry \u2014 Captain Krodo Rask, Hyperspace Drift, Week 3<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

I awoke in a cold sweat, the stars still smeared across the viewport like spilled spice. The rum had fermented in my blood, and the dream \u2014 if it was a dream \u2014 had already begun to rot in my memory. But I remember enough. I must write record what it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Act I: Blood and Ghosts<\/h2>\n

Brichael Skarn, Lieutenant of the ISB, appeared in my quarters without knocking. Said he had a job. Said the Empire needed me. Said Thragg Craghorn was a threat to galactic order.<\/p>\n

I found Craghorn in a swamp on Ord Vaxal, muttering to frogs. Subdued him with a stun baton and a firm insult. Skarn ordered me to extract his blood. I did. Then he said, \u201cKill him.\u201d<\/p>\n

I did.<\/p>\n

Craghorn\u2019s body vanished. His voice lingered. A Force ghost, shimmering and smug. He named Rivain Dumat his successor. The Jedi Order was dead, he said. Long live the Knights of Ren.<\/p>\n

I drank more rum.<\/p>\n

Act II: The Hutt and the Hangman<\/h2>\n

Skarn sent me after Hondo Walker \u2014 the ugliest Hutt in the Outer Rim. I found him in a bathhouse on Nar Shaddaa, surrounded by mirrors and lies.<\/p>\n

I killed him. Hung his bloated carcass from a speeder crane above the promenade. The message was clear: the Empire shows no mercy.<\/p>\n

Skarn was promoted by Noah Hatfield to Colonel, now commanding the Starkiller Division of Imperial Intelligence. He promoted me to Deputy Junior Officer. I asked what that meant. He said, \u201cIt means you\u2019re useful.\u201d<\/p>\n

I drank more rum.<\/p>\n

Act III: The Jedi and the Ewok<\/h2>\n

Skarn tasked me with investigating Hatfield\u2019s final mission and a man named Anubis Hothyck. I enlisted Mador Anami \u2014 a JO defector turned Assistant to the Deputy Junior Officer. He brought snacks.<\/p>\n

We uncovered that Hatfield died in space combat against Simkins \u2014 a Jedi infiltrator hiding within the Galactic Empire. We also discovered that Hothyck seeks the companionship of an Ewok named Bramble. I did not ask why.<\/p>\n

Skarn promoted me again. Special Agent. Authority to commandeer Star Destroyers and command Stormtrooper units. I asked for a cape. He said no.<\/p>\n

I drank more rum.<\/p>\n

Act IV: The Court and the Chaos<\/h2>\n

My next mission: capture Lizard Burnttoes. I did. Read him his rights. He asked for a lawyer.<\/p>\n

Enter Tel von Sydow of Tusk Bros Legal Partners. Judge Wyatt Holiday presiding. They contacted Skarn to discuss proceedings. I was assigned Bailiff of the Court. I assigned Mador as Assistant to the Bailiff. Burnttoes was placed in our custody.<\/p>\n

I flew to Coruscant to prepare court security. Jorn Stones shot me down over the capital. Status: unknown.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Mador was attacked by Black Sun operatives. Burnttoes escaped. Skarn now faces charges of conspiracy, abuse of power, and excessive use of acronyms.<\/p>\n

I drank more rum.<\/p>\n

Act V: The Whistleblower<\/h2>\n

In a twist worthy of a holodrama, I was revealed as a surprise witness. A whistleblower. I exposed Skarn\u2019s lies, his corruption, his obsession with titles.<\/p>\n

The courtroom gasped. Tel von Sydow wept. Wyatt Holiday ordered a recess.<\/p>\n

And then \u2014 I woke up.<\/p>\n

Final Entry<\/h2>\n

Was it a dream? A vision? A warning? The rum bottle is empty. The stars are still smeared. I remain in hyperspace, drifting between duty and delirium.<\/p>\n

\n

If this journal is found, tell Mador he still owes me snacks.
\nTell Skarn I\u2019m watching.
\nTell the Empire: I remember everything.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Captain Krodo Rask<\/strong>
\nSpecial Agent, Deputy Junior Officer, Bailiff of the Court, Hangman of Nar Shaddaa<\/em>
\nRaider Eternal<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Rum, The Ghost, and The Gavel \u00a0 \u00a0 Journal Entry \u2014 Captain Krodo Rask, Hyperspace Drift, Week 3 I… <\/p>\n

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