Legend of Valin Tusk

Aboard the ISDII Hammer, the name Valin Tusk describes a near mythical character. Though legendary, Valin is no mere story. Veteran pilots will happily enthral awestruck cadets with tales of their experience with the man.

The story goes that he was a hardened barkeep by trade. Though the planet that he called home seemed to change each time that he was asked, Valin Tusk eventually found a career as the Epsilon Squadron steward and barkeep.

For many years he served in that role, preparing pilots for battle, and aiding in their recovery with strong spirits and good company.

At some point around 18 ABY, Valin, with the aid of several Epsilon pilots, developed the drink now known as Epsi-Cola. Shortly thereafter, Valin Tusk vanished, seeking the “final ingredient” for Epsi-Cola. In his absence, the recipe -sans final ingredient was passed to the Epsilon Commander.

The recipe is a closely guarded secret which passed from Commander to Commander.

It eventually reached the desk of Coranel Both who has been instrumental in developing the drink into the galaxy wide phenomenon that it is today. But the question of Valin Tusk’s whereabouts still stands. At the behest of Epsilon Squadron Commander Nova Discordia, a definitive report of the Legend of Valin Tusk was assembled.

The following report was assembled through interviews with ISDII Hammer veterans, archived information, intercepted deep space communication signals, and a healthy dose of speculation:

In the weeks and months following its creation, Epsi-Cola quickly became a favourite drink within the Epsilon Squadron cantina. In fact, crew members from all around the ISDII Hammer visited to sample this bold new beverage.

However, its originator, Valin Tusk, felt something amiss with the drink. The pilots he served were happy, and any other steward would be content, but Tusk sought perfection. Records state that he handed off all knowledge about the production of Epsi-Cola to the Epsilon Squadron Commander before packing up a shuttle and leaving with the mention of finding “the final ingredient”.

His shuttle was headed to the galactic west, giving rise to rumours that he was headed for the Unknown Regions.

Valin Tusk did head towards the Unknown Regions, at least to begin. He reasoned that the final piece in his Epsi-Cola concoction would lie beyond the mapped bounds of civilization. This first leg of his journey would be remembered as Tusk’s favourite.

Between short hyperspace jumps Tusk found himself in contact with all sorts of galactic citizens. From local space voyagers, to massive trade convoys, and even the occasional fellow Imperial Remnant. It is even rumoured that Tusk came into contact with the odd scientific exploration of the New Republic.