To say I was livid was an understatement. After finishing the conversation with Chief Nossar Ri I had calmly sent a preliminary report in to High command requesting permission to abandon the system and to be assigned to the delegation the Republic would send, pending local request, something almost certain to happen. I also sent in a request to move my squadron to Munto Codru for a faster reaction time as compared to the logistically safer Toong’l or Baros and their more difficult hyperspace lanes. This had also been accepted.

  Then I calmly walked to my room after throwing the command of the bridge at one of the strategic Adjutants. I close the door right behind me and lock it. Deep breath in ...

  "Fuck it." I mutter before punching the wall.

  "Fuck this." I say and storm over to the liquor cabinet.

  "What lizardshit!" I bark as I pour myself a couple fingers and begin sipping it, the burn calming me slightly.

  "What am I supposed to do?" I mutter as i pour myself another shot and down it shortly after.

  "What can I do?" I mutter as I repeat my previous action.

  I'm gonna end up killing someone. I pour another shot, only to find the bottle empty.

  "Fuck this. Fuck all of this." I mutter as I stand up from my desk, bottle still in hand. I march over to the liquor cabinet and grab a different bottle. This was going to be a fun night.

  "Fuck my life." Absolute disgrace. Fuck the glass. I take a swig of the liquor, it stings and I suppress a cough. Shit was this the moonshine? Ah fuck it.

  My limited squadron had arrived to Munto Codru and I had apparently gotten black out drunk and smashed more than a couple bottles against my door. I regretted it the next morning when I was cleaning up shards of glass while hungover, but damn it all anyway. I had two Dreadnoughts, one of which was still commanded by Junior Captain Pryce despite my efforts to re-assign her to a more appropriate ship, a light cruiser in Dac’s Revenge, two frigates in the twin MC30cs and the Munto Codru garrison consisting of an undermanned Acclamator and her supporting ground forces consisting of local militias.

  Luckily the Republic had finally deemed it necessary to send us proper reinforcements. The 99th Battleship Section under Commodore Molim was being sent to Dac alongside two additional sections worth of reinforcements. Though they would be temporarily stationed at Toong’l and Targonn until the succession crisis was over.

  The Republic gave me the all clear to begin supervising the talks about succession on Dac about a week after we left Dac and a couple days after the request had been approved by committee. I assembled my formal uniforms alongside a wetsuit and as many bottles of Corellian whiskey and ale as I could fit into my suitcases. R4 trailing behind me as I boarded the repaired Lucky Kelp, which would bring me to Dac, before returning to Munto Codru.

  Maybe I could nip this succession crisis in the bud? If it went on too long the Separatists wouldn’t even need to start an insurrection, the world would go neutral without a strong and supported government in place. I snarl slightly as I give the order to jump to hyperspace.

  The ship returns to realspace and I exchanged nods with Junior Captain Ocka Lix. My temper has calmed slightly. The burning fire turning ice cold. I remain standing at the viewport of the bridge as I look over the world that has caused me so much Maker forsaken stress. Eventually the Junior Captain approaches me from the right.

  “Sir, I would asks that whatever happens below not all Quarren support the actions of our leadership and neither do the Mon Calamari. We have happily enjoyed peace between our races for hundreds of years. We do not want another civil war.” The Quarren says.

  I turn around and place a hand on his shoulder: “I will try my hardest. We will try to prevent any conflict. If worse comes to worse the fact that your people have you and your fellow Quarren in the Navy will help.”

  “How can you be certain of that, sir?” The Captain asks.

  “Because I am hoping the same thing will give Fondor the benefit of the doubt.” I respond as I leave the bridge and board a shuttle heading for the surface, R4 as usual trailing behind me. The shuttle lands on Archipelago City near the Capitol. I descend to see a bunch of the Human, Mon Calamari and Quarren residents of the city looking at me in curiosity. I suppose that after requesting the Republic armed forces to disengage from their world it would be odd to have a Republic naval officer land on one of the larger surface cities.

  I walk through the streets the quiet of the city unnerving me. I adjust my officer’s cap as I walk. I’m maybe a couple hundred meters away from my hotel when something socks me on the side of the head. I stumble slightly before raising my right hand to touch my face. I grab the substance and take a look at it. A wet, stinky fish. Someone had chucked a rotting fish at me. Who would even keep a rotting fish in the first place? I wipe the fish off my face and try to the same thing to my gloved hand. After a moment of R4 giggling at my unfortunate fate I simply remove the glove, keeping it inside out and tucking it between my uniform and belt.

  I continue marching down the street. I hear a wet thud behind me and I assume another fish was thrown at me. I sigh and keep marching until I reach the hotel. I get into my rooms easily enough and immediately shower and change into another uniform. R4 hands me a datapad with a preliminary itinerary.

  First I would be meeting with Captain Gial Ackbar, the official who requested the Republic presence, for an early dinner in a couple hours. I had a meeting with the other delegates via holotransmission around midnight. Tomorrow there’s a meeting of Parliament I have been invited to and I should go to. Another dinner meeting with Ackbar, and Senator Meena Tills.

  Day after that a meeting with Chief Nossar Ri and the Separatist ambassador in the capitol, no meal provided. That did not bode well. The other delegates should arrive around then, so late lunch meeting with them at the hotel. First meeting with Prince Lee-Char the day after followed by another Parliament meeting. One last meeting with Chief Nossar Ri after that, lunch provided, how nice. Any meetings after that would need to be scheduled short term.

  Would it be rude to have already started drinking before the dinner? Probably, it was definitely unprofessional, but after the shitty week I’ve had I was willing to do it. I open one of the bottles of Corellian whiskey and pour myself a shot. I add some water from the tap and start nursing the drink to R4’s chagrin.

  After finishing my drink I end up downing a couple glasses of water to try and limit the effect before the meeting. I check the clock and leave punctually with R4 trailing behind me. I get into a taxi which ferries me to a small upscale restaurant that is not overly to my liking. I get out and generously tip the driver, not like I was personally paying for any of my meals while talking with dignitaries. I walk into the restaurant and am guided to the table.

  The table is empty and I start looking over the menu, the wall is to my side and I sit at the chair which gives me the best look towards the kitchens. I remove my cap, placing it upon my lap and pull my fresh gloves off stuffing them between my uniform and belt. I order an imported carafe of white wine and pour myself a glass after shooing the waiter off. It smells fresh and is wonderfully dry. This would do well alone, though I suppose a meal with it wouldn’t hurt.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  I start reading through a datapad R4 handed me. It entailed the most recent report. The 10th Hala Volunteer Regiment just finished training and is about a day and a half away from Munto Codru where it will be supplied. A small divergence from the original plan I suppose, but annoying none the less. I take another sip. Looks as if Tarkin survived the ordeal at Lola Sayu, took a couple days for the mission success to be filtered down to me. Though Master Even Piell seems to have perished in combat alongside an ARC and a couple other Clones. I frown at that, my mistake caused this. I felt the salt rub into the wound as I took another sip of my wine, the taste minutely improving my mood.

  I check my watch, looks like dinner wasn’t going to be early, but quite on time. The carafe is empty, the last pour in my glass and I’ve more or less finished up my paperwork for the last week while sitting in the restaurant. Nothing I would get court martialed for doing in a civilian area, I made sure to do that before I left the Lucky Kelp. Just as the sun starts to set, about an hour after I left the Hotel, Captain Ackbar enters the restaurant and moves over to my table. I stand and snap a salute, though not perfect, primarily due to my lack of gloves and officer’s cap, it is overall acceptable. The Captain returns my given respect with a bow and we booth sit down.

  “Commodore, it is a pleasure to finally meet your person.” The Captain of the Royal Guard says.

  “Pleasure is all mine, Captain. I am sorry I required such a time commitment.” I say in snide insult.

  “I am quite sorry about that, however his majesty the Crown Prince requested to join us.”

  “Ah, that wouldn’t do. He is scheduled for when it is most proper. I have met him before, though I must admit I find Chief Nossar Ri more amicable.” I say.

  “Chief Nossar Ri is worth respect, his recent politics are not. He requested a Separatist delegate only a few days after I requested a Republic presence.” The Captain complains.

  “Was it the Chief himself or one of his men, no lackies, one of his lackies?” I ask

  “Does it matter much, Commodore?”

  “I believe it does. I have had a very enjoyable working relationship with the honorable Chief, I find it unlikely he would request a Separatist delegation himself.” I answer.

  “We do not know. What we do know is that the primary delegate is a certain Commander Riff Tamson. A Karkarodon in the Separatist army. He has been gathering more and more Isolationist League sympathizers alongside a few more centrist Quarren and Separatist Mon Calamari. This is rapidly evolving from a succession crisis into a civil war.”

  I almost drop my glass of wine as he says that: “Are we not being a tad presumptive? It seems we are missing quite a few steps in between a relatively minor succession dispute and a full blown civil war.”

  The Captain scoffs: “There are demands to appoint Chief Nossar Ri as King of all Mon Cala.”

  “Is the position not hereditary?” I ask, confused.

  “The King may be chosen from two hereditary families, that of our Prince and that of Chief Nossar Ri.” The Captain says.

  “That certainly changes things.” I mutter as the waiter interrupts the conversation. We order a bottle of wine. I order a Quarren dish, while Ackbar chooses a Mon Cala dish. I wonder if he is picking up on my message, for his is overly clear. The man's loyalty may be the death of the Captain.

  The waiter leaves and I pick up the conversation from where it was dropped: “I must say, this seems uncharacteristic for Chief Ri. He did seem very interested in a Regency, but seizing the throne fully did not seem to be a card in his hand.”

  “The Quarren have wanted one of their kind on the throne for quite some time.”

  “Yes, but despite the inherent prestige Chief Ri is very much loyal to his world. The Republic has promised us further reinforcements. They have promised multiple additional sections to the area! They have promised a redeployment of the 99th Battleship Section to be permanently stationed at Dac to help defend against a Separatist incursion, certainly he knows that, it was in my report … the report I sent in after the damn succession crisis … Fuck.” I say.

  “You have a meeting with him, yes?” Ackbar asks.

  “In two days, around eleven the morning after the meeting with you and Senator Tills.” I say.

  “You could very well catch him for an informal talk before or after the Parliamentary meeting.” The Mon Calamari suggests, grabbing at a hope for peace.

  “I will be doing just that. In which case I should slow down.” I say gesturing at my empty glass.

  That gets a chuckle out of the Mon Calamari and we continue the discussion on basics and procedure throughout dinner. I suppose if it all goes to hell I’ll have some more people on the ride down.

  I return to the hotel only mildly intoxicated. I had about half an hour to sober up as much as possible. Damn this dignitary work, if they drink this much on the regular and meetings just after it’s no wonder the Senate never seems to do anything productive.

  I chug down as much water as possible and make sure there aren’t any obvious stains on my uniform. After receiving an all clear from R4 I can relax a little before the meeting starts. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I ever received a report on who the formal delegates were.

  Right on time a hologram appears from the miniature projector in the room. I adjust my officer’s cap as it finishes decrypting through the isolation. A moment later a rather short woman and tall man appear in front of me. I recognize General Skywalker immediately and snap a salute at attention.

  “At ease, Commodore.” The woman says and I follow her request.

  R4 is tapping my leg and I look down to see her trying to hand me a datapad. I take it from her hand and start reading. Ah, the report on my fellow delegates, fashionably late. Senator Padmé Amidala and General Skywalker. Well then.

  “Senator, General, am I correct in understanding you will be arriving in approximately two days?” I ask.

  “That is about right, Commodore. I have read through your preliminary briefing. Is there any additional information?” The Senator asks.

  “I have finished a productive meeting with Captain Gial Ackbar of the Royal Guard. He was the official that requested Republic presence in observing the proceedings. It appears to be worse than we feared. There are Quarren elements pushing to have the honorable Chief Nossar Ri elected as the next King of Dac. He appears to be at least mildly swayed by the prospect, though this seems to be a recent development as he seemed more interested in a regency for the young Prince Lee-Char as last I spoke with him.” I say.

  “That does not bode well.” The Senator says.

  “However after the discussion with Captain Ackbar I believe it not only possible but hopefully likely that Chief Nossaar Ri may be persuaded by the reinforcements heading our ways. Though annoyingly it seems he missed my last report on the imminent arrival of the 99th Battleship Section arriving alongside more reinforcements. I believe without his honor the coalescing Separatist aligned groups will falter, though I suspect interference by the Separatist delegate Commander Riff Tamson, though that is only a suspicion.” I continue.

  “Typical Separatist trying to muddy the waters.” Skywalker says.

  “I hope to intercept the honorable Chief before or after the Parliamentary meeting tomorrow. I cannot guarantee anything, but I am quietly optimistic.” I say. A glance between the two delegates across from me, subtle but quite clear. Where had I seen something like that before?

  “Do you think it likely it will end in civil war?” The Senator asks eventually.

  “I am hopeful, but I am not counting on good luck, Senator. I have my entire squadron on standby in the Munto Codru system, alongside the remnants of the 409th Outer Rim Section and the Unit of Acclamator Guard Hound. We have enough troops and supplies to begin preliminary supporting actions the moment any potential civil war goes hot. My primary concern is the Merchant Fleet. I do not know how they will react to a civil war. They are majority Mon Calamari, but the Quarren membership is quite close to forty percent and almost exclusive to more than a few ships. I am not one for stereotypes, Captain Ackbar has said that multiple Mon Calamari are also siding with Chief Nossar Ri’s bid for the throne, but I am uncertain how it will end up.” I say.

  “This is very informative, but not very useful. We should be prioritizing the fights under water, if at all.” General Skywalker says.

  I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes at that: “Typical Jedi mindset, I have only ever found one among your order who has not immediately made this assumption. I suppose General Koon is indisposed if they are sending a Knight on a mission of this importance to the war effort.”

  The General snarls and the Senator places her hand against his crossed arms as she speaks: “I would ask you to explain what you said before I find it necessary to file a formal complaint, Commodore.”

  “Of course, for a recent example, as seen by the first battle at Ringo Vinda, seizing the shipyards forced a surrender planetside by the local militias and planetary government. If the shipyards are seized the planet must surrender for the fear of being made useless without them. Ringo Vinda has no profitable exports other than ships and machine parts, all of which are produced in the Ring, it certainly didn't help that their government was in a civil war over which side to join, but that simply brings the example closer to our situation. Another example, Fondor is a dustball with only machine part and minuscule ceremonial foodstuff exports from the surface. Dac has cultural exports and foodstuffs exports, all of which are only possible through her extensive dockyards and artisan ship production. Seize the shipyards, seize the dockyards and mine the jump points and they will not starve, but they will not live at their current standard.”

  “That seems quite cruel.” The Senator says.

  “It is the largest indignity which can befall a shipyard world. It is why they boast large and imposing planetary defense batteries, dozens if not hundreds of ships for patrolling and defense, skilled ground forces and extensive orbital defense grids. It is not cruel, but the primary necessity of seizing a major shipyard world.” I say.

  “This is all premature anyway.” The Senator says, diverting the conversation to something which unnerved her less, “What allies do we have so far?”

  “Mayor Raddus of Nystullum and I have a cordial relationship, Captain Ackbar also since he was the one to request the Republic delegation. I have ordered my subordinates to subtly press their Dac originating crew to either separate themselves from the conflict or to try and convince friends and relatives to join the growing, pro Republic or Mon Calamari monarchical militias. I would assume Senator Tills will be aligned to us, though we will only truly know tomorrow. Other than that no one definite.” I answer.

  “We should try to convince more members of Parliament then. Do you think yourself capable of attempting such?” The Senator asks.

  I consider the request a moment before answering: “I am unsure, Senator. I would attempt an informal meeting with Chief Nossar Ri before risking trying to break off his supporters from his grasp. We still do not know who sent in the request for a Separatist delegate.”

  “ Very well. We should arrive in two days. May the force be with you.” The Senator says.

  I snap a salute as I answer: “And may the Maker preserve you.”

  The hologram fades away leaving me alone with R4. I sigh, remove my uniform and go to sleep.