Trasemene was a cold world, flat and packed in cold tundra and boreal forests. A sparsely inhabited world of little more than a million Tionese settlers and Sy Myrthians. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, there was also three legions of reactivated battle droids and an armored regiment according to my last briefing on the Sy Myrthian insurrection. Considerable numbers, especially after the droid shut-down order. And yet, with various underground fortresses Trasemene had been ignored as a possible location for a breakthrough.

  After all, a blockade of the world would do nothing but antagonize the locals and an invasion would be incredibly costly. It was that fact why I had decided to simply pass through the system during the planning stages of Operation Silken Tubers and later built up Handooine to be a similar fortress. And so the two worlds mirrored one another in a way. One a Republic fortress won again after two battles and another a Separatist stronghold avoided by both sides, certain in its surface defenses.

  “Exiting hyperspace in five.”

  “Prepare in case of battle.” I order. Just because I was here for negotiations didn’t mean I trusted the slugs here as far as I could throw them.

  Minutes pass until finally realspace returns to reveal the red star and the cold world barely within its habitable zone. I inhale slowly as I gaze at the world below, then the two dead worlds beyond and finally the gas giant beyond. A small system, yet still larger than Raxus. I almost chuckle at that, Raxus was a silly system and I would likely laugh at it if it weren’t for the thousand sailors who had lost their lives there.

  “Sir, Sy Myrthian ships on scope. I have a Providence battleship, four Fantail destroyers and four Munificents.” Commander Welder reports.

  I consider the numbers a moment as the tactical display flares to life, showing the nine Separatist warships some ten hundred thousand kilometers away. Hm, best deploy fighters now and keep them in reserve. The Fantails might fire anti-fighter frags and I’d rather keep fighter losses low now. I shake my head at the intrusive thought. I wasn’t here to defeat an enemy, but to make peace.

  “Hail the Sy Myrthians.” I order calmly.

  “Transmitting.”

  “Ironic, isn’t it, sir?” Mi-Kus says.

  “How come?” I ask.

  “Here we are, about to negotiate with those who we had planned to raid or invade a year or so ago.” My Adjunct Captain says with a tired smile.

  I chuckle at that: “True. And even worse, we may end up defending them from our former comrades.”

  “The horrors of civil war, I suppose.” Mi-Kus says.

  “Though I can’t say I’ll feel bad if I end up facing someone like Tarkin or Rampart on the battlefield.” I muse.

  “I doubt any of us would feel bad about that, sir. Tarkin escaping us is rather disappointing.”

  “Annoying more like. It would have been a lovely offering to the worlds Vader brutalized and Tarkin oppressed if we were able to present their heads on some nice sharp stakes on the onset of our revolt. And yet, you can’t win them all.”

  “Not even you, sir.” Mi-Kus agrees.

  “Transmission accepted. Imminent live holotransmission from the Providence battleship, designation Defiance’s Banner.” Commander Slas says.

  “Front and center, if you please.” I reply as I adjust my officer’s cap slightly and pat down any small creases on my uniform.

  The visage of a Sy Myrthian appears before me, a Sy Myrthian I recognize. Three beards on her chin, stout, white gray skin, with elegant clothing and a disinterested face. I had Senator Toonbuck Toora in front of me, Senator for the Josporo Sector and leader of the Sy Myrthian insurrection. This would either be very good, or very bad.

  I give a small bow of respect as I speak: “Senator Toora, it is an honor to make your acquaintance, though I wish it were under better circumstance.”

  “I happen to agree. You wished to speak with me. What of, Hussar?”

  “I wish for an alliance of our revolts.” I say plainly.

  “Yes, your revolt to restore the Republic, to make a better Republic. I must say your rhetoric could use some work. I will let you know that I am far from impressed. You have what, two battlegroups and a few squadrons? With Admiral Sykes bearing down on you from the north as well. Not particularly good odds for you, Hussar. Certainly not a strong basis for an alliance of equals. Perhaps you wish for me and mine to take you and yours under our wing and protection.”

  “Sykes is an ally and willing subordinate of mine. As are the Mon Calamari and Dorneans. Two master shipbuilders with considerable naval power in good relations to my people’s goals thanks to my unwillingness to impress their defense fleets into service.” I counter.

  “Hm, that gives you slightly better odds, I suppose. Yet that is still only leaves two battlegroups of tested veterans and perhaps three of rookies.”

  “Closer to six battlegroups of veterans if you include the Mon Calamari and Quarren who fought alongside us during the Clone Wars.”

  “I think you are still short two battlegroups, unless the Merchant Fleet at Mon Cala was far larger than reported.”

  “Well I am including the 13th ‘Deathshead’ and 17th ‘Wardens’ Battlegroups.” I say offhandedly.

  “You won over the Cordon Fleet?” The Sy Myrthian asks suspiciously.

  “Benoni and I are in agreement on the situation on Coruscant. If only we had arrived earlier during the coup, it would have ended very differently.” I say, a darkness creeping into my voice as I, for a moment, consider what I would have done to ensure victory.

  “Sir, I’m detecting Cronau radiation from due east.” Commander Welder interrupts.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Kark, adjust ships into a single line, spread out our pickets among the line and prepare to launch strikecraft.” I order rapid fire.

  “Helmsman about face, prepare our Vultures and Cloakshapes for takeoff. Damn you Dericote if this is some kind of Imperial trap!”

  “After I kicked Tarkin and Vader from Mon Cala’s doorstep you think I would invite Imps here?” I ask incredulously.

  “Sir, ships exiting hyperspace. Separatist warships. One Providence battleship, six Recusant lights, eight Munificents, three Diamond missile cruisers and twenty five Captors.” Welder lists rapid fire.

  “Holy shit it’s the Warprofiteer.” I hear Hursk exclaim.

  “The fuck is Hatha doing here!?” I shout, “I thought he was still in the western Gordian Reach.”

  “With that many Captors we won’t have strikecraft superiority.” Mi-Kus cautions.

  “Incoming transmission from Warprofiteer.” Commander Slas interrupts my rapid descent into panic.

  “What?”

  “Communique request from Vice Admiral Hatha of the Separatist Navy’s 108th Battlegroup.”

  “… What?” I repeat myself.

  “It seems even the dreaded Black Hussar doesn’t always land on his feet.” The Sy Myrthian Senator smirks.

  “I resemble that.” I mutter to myself as I finally snap out of my shock, “Commander Slas, link the Vice Admiral up with the current communique, that is unless the esteemed Senator disagrees.”

  “Oh I am most curious as to how a simple Neimoidian pirate can make the man who once believed he could threaten my homeworld shake in his boots.” The Sy Myrthian says with a grin.

  “Connecting.”

  Soon enough the visage of a familiar Neimoidian appears before us, looking about as exhausted as he had looked after Operation Silken Tubers. Seems the war ending had done little for his health and even less for his stress.

  “Fleet Admiral Dericote, Senator Toora, it is a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one, to see you both here when I arrived to negotiate with you two.” The Neimoidian says in greeting.

  “Vice Admiral Hatha, may I ask what you wish to negotiate?”

  “I have a million of my fellow Neimoidians with me alongside a dozen grub hatcheries. I would ask you accept my people as refugees and would be willing to ally myself with the forces present against our mutual enemies.” Hatha throws out, “All that remains is to find out if I will be allying you both or simply one of you.”

  “A fine question. Go on then, Hussar, name your terms.”

  I let out a minute sigh before speaking: “We are willing to share resources and intelligence, incorporate your forces into a combined high command to be headed by a commander elected by their fellow flag officers and planetary representatives for a five year term unless impeached during a time the allied forces aren’t in battle or undergoing a campaign as well as a seat at the table when we hammer out our wartime governmental structure and administration. Though most importantly would be our forces defending your territories as long as you are willing to support us in turn.”

  The Sy Myrthian considers this a moment before speaking: “Reasonable, to a point.”

  “Pragmatic.” Hatha adds.

  “Well?” I ask as the two Separatists consider my offer.

  “I find your terms acceptable, though I have a few stipulations.” Hatha says.

  “Those being?” I ask.

  “I wish the charges for my alleged actions over Balshebr to be dropped, I wish for the ranks of my officers and myself to be upheld and I wish for the people under my protection to be permitted to settle somewhere far away from the front lines. The cultural genocide the Empire has begun to enforce upon us Neimoidians has made the population I have with me some of the only openly Neimoidian civilians in the galaxy.” Hatha requests.

  “Dropping your charges is fine, they were lizardshit anyway. I am willing to support upholding your officers’ ranks, though I would need to council with my fellow flag officers before accepting another Admiral within our ranks. As for the civilians … I cannot promise you much, but I am willing to put in a good word for your people among our allies. I am … hesitant to force the settlement of a people on a world under the control of another.” I reply.

  Hatha sighs deeply before responding: “I suppose that is better than what I can offer my people.”

  “It is a fair offer, if strained due to the lack of resources.” Senator Toora says, “Yet better to consolidate our forces than to be taken apart piecemeal. I too am willing to enter your alliance.”

  “Then it is agreed?” I ask to be sure.

  “It is, Sy Myrth will join your coalition.” Senator Toora says with a nod.

  “You shall have our coin and ships, Admiral.” Hatha adds with a salute.

  I don’t bother stopping the smile from emerging on my face. “Then I hereby welcome you to our revolt. Long live the Republic and down with the Empire.”

  “Down with the Empire.” The two Separatists echo.

  Bail Organa, Royal Consort, Senator of Alderaan and recently father to a pair of twins, watches cautiously as the Coruscant Central News feed begins playing its emergency broadcast announcement. He wasn’t sure exactly what the cause of this was, though he has his suspicions. Dericote had mentioned through a merchant dead-drop that he had a new deadline some two years out, but would he trigger his revolt so soon? It had barely been a full year since the proclamation of the new order and neither Dericote nor Alderaan were anywhere close to ready for a full rebellion. Never mind the issues with his other potential allies.

  Senator Bel Iblis was on the verge of founding his own Rebel group from what Fulcrum had revealed and Mothma had maintained her obstinance in the Senate to smokescreen her funding of some small Rebel Intelligence network, as revealed to him by an Alderaani Agent of General Solomahal that had flipped to Organa’s office after the old General’s death.

  Yet most of the radical members in the Tapani Colonies and Rimma Trade Split’s military leadership had been shipped off to Dericote. On the one hand, it guaranteed Dericote a strong opening hand, on the other, it severely weakened the possible connections Organa could make within the southern Core.

  The Channel suffers a moment of static before the presenter is revealed, holding a piece of flimsy in his hands. He looks nervous, anxious. He likely wouldn’t remain employed at the CCN for much longer if this is his face when the worse comes to worst.

  “Ladies and gentlemen. Breaking news. The Imperial Advisers have just released the following statement. The Fleet Admiral and Brevet Junior Moff of the rimward Tion Cluster and their spinward sectors, Thraken Owen Dericote of Fondor, has committed treason against the Empire. Any and all who aid him, knowingly or otherwise, are to be considered traitors and are to be sentenced according to the severity of their collusion. The world of Mon Cala has also chosen this time to rebel in support of the former Admiral.”

  Seemed the Fleet Admiral had jumped the gun then.

  “This Outer Rim, Separatist sympathizing, warlord has allegedly declared a faux-republic to legitimize his barbarian fiefdom where it is understood he has ordered the imprisonment of various Imperial citizens and the massacre of thousands of loyal Imperial soldiers who have bravely defied the brutal warlord. The so called Hangman of Balshebr, after executing over a thousand civilians for alleged warcrimes, is to be considered highly dangerous and not to be approached unless ordered to by an Imperial officer or official of suitable standing.”

  Already smearing his reputation. And to think not even a month ago they upheld him as a hero who had almost single handedly delivered Raxus and Tion from Separatist oppression. No doubt they would award these achievements to the dead. After all, dead men cannot change their political alignment or speak out against the government.

  “Finally the Emperor himself has decreed a Containment Zone to constrain these traitors, Pirates, Separatists and murderers. Various Outer Rim and Core formations are already rallying to be the first to throw this cowardly warlord back. Moff Tarkin has even promised a substantial reward for his live capture to ensure a proper execution and court martial. This is a developing story, so tune in at the beginning of the next hour when we have various experts to give their opinions on this terrible act of treason by the Black Hussar.”

  So this is how the new war would begin, Organa thinks as the channel goes to a commercial. And he had hoped for just a little more time. The Senator sighs, hopefully his children wouldn’t have to fight this war.

  Surprisingly it was more of a pain to organize and collaborate with the two Separatists’ forces than to get them to agree to combining our efforts. Senator Toora’s Fleet was to continue to hold position until we could properly reorganize our forces while Hatha’s forces joined mine in the return voyage to Mon Cala. Though of course, the Senator had foisted a relation of hers onto my ship to represent the interests of the people of Sy Myrth during the eventual council meeting that would occur to hammer out the deployment of forces and the various administrative decisions we would have to make sooner or later.

  During our transit to friendlier space I received another report. Benoni had successfully arrived at Argai and negotiated an agreement with the Free Dac stronghold. They were willing to join under the same agreement we had offered the Sy Myrthians with the stipulation that we returned control of their shipyards at Pammant and Mintooine, something that I had informed Benoni the Mon Cala were more than willing to accept at this point.

  From there Benoni had taken one of their Commodores as their representative, alongside said Commodore’s squadron of a Providence battleship, half a dozen Recusant lights, two dozen MC30c frigates and various bulk-freighters and transports to return the Mintooine refugees to their homeworld with various industrial materials. They should arrive at Mintooine around the same time Benoni made it to Mon Cala.

  A few hours after that I had finished composing a message for each world within the command and any worlds outside who were willing to risk the Empire’s wrath, to send a representative to Mon Cala. After all, if we couldn’t gain legitimacy through the Senate, we will gain our legitimacy through our previous ranks and the support of the people. What better way to show the support of the people by having them send an ambassador to us to join in the negotiations for the governance of the revolt.

  And so, as mine and Hatha’s joint formation made for Dac, various corvettes joined us, holding within them the representatives of dozens of worlds. I suddenly had the feeling I should thank my lucky stars I had the loyalty of a relatively sparsely populated part of space, with most people concentrated on some forty worlds. Maker knows what I would do otherwise with so many people demanding their voice be heard in a council.

  Though I still wish I had more, after all, more support for my revolt could only be good. I sigh, maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew.

  Movements of the Dericote Revolt Navy elements: