I was almost regretting my decisions of the previous night. I had just fallen out of my bunk, a half empty bottle of water clutched tightly in my hand and about seven empty bottles of beer alongside an empty bottle of whiskey littering my floor. My head was pounding and my throat was horse, but I really didn’t care. The negotiations had failed.

  There had been a terrorist attack on Coruscant around the same time Senator Mina Bonteri suddenly and tragically died. Allegedly to either Count Dooku or Republic Commandos. I was leaning more towards Dooku, but it may just be my bias speaking. I had managed to get through my rotation, but after that I locked myself in my quarters and went on a solo bender. I take a look around. Looks like I even locked R4 out. She’ll be mad about that.

  I sigh and slowly get up. I slowly nurse my bottle of water, I suppose my drunken self at least tried to preserve myself for this morning. I unlock my door for R4 to barge in whirring and whistling in distress while running her chassis into my shins.

  “FUCK!” I bark as I jump up, grabbing my hurt shin while realizing I’ve lost my balance. I try to hop on my uninjured leg to balance myself again, but end up falling on my ass anyway.

  “Fuckin’ good morning to ya too.” I moan.

  More whistles and beeps and slowly I understand what she’s saying.

  “I have a meeting?” I ask.

  Confirmation, a time and a … position? No an office.

  “Fuck, that’s today? What’s the time? How long do I have?”

  She whines at me. Ten minutes. Fuck. I throw on a clean uniform and clasp on my slugthrower. I know I’m forgetting something important, but I can’t think of what it is. I rush down the hall in a jog and make it to my departing shuttle with R4 trailing behind me. Once the shuttle takes off I realize what I forgot and slam my palm against my forehead. My damn officer’s cap.

  The shuttle lands on one of the platforms of a nice tropical city. It was one of the cities that had a larger human district. They were mostly from Rendili and Sluis Van, but it was interesting to see their architectural adjustments to the typical Mon Calamari styles of the world. It was honestly quite pretty and made me wish I had more time to take in more the city and its beauty. My head is still thrumming in a dull pain as the bright suns’ rays are thrown at me. It makes me really wish I still had my officer’s cap.

  Despite it all, I am received by a couple guards and a Quarren secretary who lead me towards one o the government towers. I enter the cylindrical skyscraper and enjoy the elevator ride to the highest level. I adjust my officer’s badge and grab a datapad R4 is handing me with a thank you. I glance down at the datapad and take a tad longer than usual to decipher my previous notes, now with added commentaries from R4 on the sides.

  “You know R4, while your commentary is quite interesting calling me an idiot in my notes does not help me, neither does calling my work stupid nor bringing up my health in my notes for anti-Separatist partisans and how they keep getting supplies.” I say.

  I receive glances from the guards and secretary while R4 cackles and whistles about me being too uptight about my notes. I sigh as we finally leave the elevator. A short walk through a hallway and the imposing doors are opened to reveal Chief Nossar Ri of the Quarren. I give a short bow followed by a salute.

  “Commodore, a pleasure. I hear you have finished your preliminary investigation of the Separatist war material?” The Quarren asks while offering me a place to sit at the table.

  I sit down as I answer: “Yes, sir. We believe that repeated shipments have been made to the World of Dac to support remnants of the Quarren Isolationist League and similarly aligned Mon Calamari groups. We currently believe that any human participants are likely outliers as most of the Sluis Vani who may have harbored loyalty to their world of origin are refugees and Republic Loyalists.”

  “Are you certain it is the Isolationist League?” The Chief prods.

  “They are aligned with the Separatists. Mintooine is quite close and their primary stronghold, as is their secondary stronghold at Pammant. It would not be unlikely that a cell or two of their organization still exists on Dac. There was also Admiral Merai. Though he died in the first battle for Kamino it would not be entirely unlikely for similarly minded Mon Calamari to side with the Separatist Alliance.” I answer.

  “So you have found out that a party is receiving the droids, but you have no clue who that party is.” The Quarren deduces.

  He wasn’t wrong: “Yes, sir.”

  “So this meeting was a waste of time.” The Quarren politician presses.

  “I am officially informing your government that they have a Separatist aligned party on their world.” I deflect.

  “This could have easily been done in a memo.”

  “I am not disputing this, however I wish to stress the importance of this. If Dac falls to the advance of the Separatists, be this advance from an invasion or revolt, the entire north eastern Slice is doomed to fall. It will not matter that we have secured Munto Codru and Baros. Our supply depot at Toong’l will be threatened and likely abandoned. The blockade on Targonn will likely fail even before the Jedi arrives with their trenchdiggers and Clones. It will force us to set up fortified positions at Iego and increase our attempts to break the Perlimian Trade Route and when the Separatists undeniably fail in their pitiful revolt the revolt’s leaders will be punished alongside the remaining fools that started this damn war, your honor.” I say, trying to calm myself after the rant.

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  The Chief stares at me. Hands folded into one another as he considers what I have just said. He stands up from the table and I follow him as he gestures towards one of the windows.

  “Commodore. I understand your feelings. I too am unhappy about the failure in negotiations between the Confederacy and the Republic. I am impressed by your dedication to the Republic alongside your belief in her inevitable victory. I am not as certain in said victory. You said it yourself, if Dac falls the entire north eastern Slice will fall alongside her within a few months. Yet I, like our King Yos Kolina, must first and foremost concentrate on our people.” The Quarren says, his eyes locked on the oceans surrounding the island city.

  “That may be so, sir, but I, just like you and King Kolina, have a responsibility to the Republic. I will do what I can to ensure Dac will not be seized by subterfuge, revolt or invasion, but I can only do so much with the resources I have on hand. I have been requesting permanent reinforcements since my first day of command. Nine Hells if it weren’t for your cooperation I would not have even half of the military successes I do.” I say.

  “I will talk with my King and see what we can do to assist you in your endeavors.” The Quarren decides, one of his tentacles twitching and his eyes still locked at the ocean.

  “I will not be requesting a conscription of the Dac Merchant Fleet, neither the polity's nor the world's.” I offer.

  “And I am incredibly grateful for that.” The Quarren says, his shoulders sagging slightly in relief.

  “I will be heading to Targonn to oversee the invasion alongside a Jedi. I hope to bring back a regiment of Volunteers, former miners I believe, they should be able to assist in the further fortification of Munto Codru and Baros.” I say.

  “Will the Jedi be staying here?”

  “No, sir. High Command is aware of the importance of Dac, an importance I have pressed them on repeatedly. However they are also aware that a loyal Dac will be able to throw off anything the Separatists can realistically throw at us without rerouting their defensive fleets along the Perlimian and Hydian Way.” I answer.

  “I suppose you will continue on despite the lack of reinforcements.”

  “Of course, sir. I have done so up until now. The Navy’s honor cannot be tarnished and I will not let something like High Command ignoring my requests demoralize me. I will not leave Dac unless there is no other option.” I answer.

  “Then I hope it will never come to it.” The Quarren replies.

  “Of course, sir. I hope you will thoroughly investigate the Separatist supporters of your world.” I say.

  “Of course. You may leave, Commodore Dericote.” The Quarren says, still gazing out at the ocean.

  I snap a salute and leave the skyscraper, R4 trailing behind me. I think I like Chief Nossar Ri. He may be a politician, but I was a military officer. We both had to fight through a horde of our fellows to rise as far as we have. He seems to genuinely care for his people and his world. I cannot say I do not respect him for it. I step out of the building and march back to my shuttle. I suppose I needed to finish up our supplies for the end of the Dictator-Forever.

  “Exiting in three, two, one.”

  Realspace embraces us as we enter the Targonn system. We were joyfully greeted by the Buckler, Lucky Kelp and Prince’s Duty. We had arrived about a day ahead of the Jedi and their ground forces were supposed to arrive. The entire 97th was assembled in the Targonn system, the transport Peltas loaded with extra munitions for turbolasers, armor and infantry alongside spare boarding shields and replacement blasters.

  “Sir, Senior Captain Strom is requesting you.” I hear Sargent Slas say.

  “Put him through.” I order. A moment later my friend’s hologram is depicted.

  “Faxe, a pleasure to see you again.” I start.

  “Breaking procedure Thraken? You must have missed me.” My friend replies.

  “A tad. Have there been any attempts to break the blockade?”

  “No, they have fired a turbolaser salvo or two towards us from surface batteries near their capital and along the southern mountain chains, but their ordnance appears as flimsy and inaccurate as their ships. There were no attempted breakout from below or hostile naval action. We have held off from any bombardments, but continued pelting them with propaganda and blocked any requests for aid.” He replies.

  “Very well. We’ll hold our current position until the Jedi arrives. Hopefully we can end this before anything happens at Dac.”

  “Of course, sir.” The Senior Captain responds. He snaps a salute as the transmission goes out. I stare down at the world.

  “Alright,” I start, “bring the Little Revenge into high orbit. Move the supply ships away from the jump point and keep the Dagger and Avarice with them. Put the Falchion, Teardrop and Buckler on patrol between high orbit, the jump point and our supply ships, I want at least two from Bastard squadron and two from Little squadron to join in the patrols, usual rotations, we’ll stuff the rest of them in the hangar. Meanwhile let’s remind our dear Dictator-Forever of the might of the Republic’s most honorable Navy.”

  I watch as the squadron moves into the three formations, following my orders in good order. The Little Revenge approaches high orbit of Targonn, the Lucky Kelp and Prince’s Duty coming alongside us. We come above the capitol and I glance down at the surface. The current regime would not outlive the month if I had anything to say about it.

  “Put me through.” I order. It takes a moment, but Sargent Slas eventually gives me the all clear.

  I clear my throat before speaking: “People of Targonn. This is your last opportunity. Your leader and his loyalists have betrayed your trust. Within the month your world will fall to the Republic. Within the month your people will be placed in the care of a new regime. Move away from the capitol, move into the countryside. We will assist in the rebuilding effort of your world. Your taxes will be lessened under us. We will be by your side as we rebuild your world. However you must forgive us for what we must do to grant you liberation from Dictator-Forever Craw. May the Maker preserve you and Long live the Republic. Begin Base Delta One, eight salvos on the capitol complex, Junior Captain. Cut the transmission.”

  The Little Revenge adjusts her position. Then the first salvo of blue fire soars towards the world below. The atmosphere weakens the blasts, then the next volley soars towards the world below, then the next and the next. The entire bombardment takes a minute. It’s disgusting, seeing the fires on the tactical display.

  “Sir, enemy shields still holding, but they appear weaker. The surrounding infrastructure has been severely damaged from our rogue shots.” I hear Mi-Kus say.

  “Let’s prepare possible landing zones. Three volleys each should do to prepare them. By the time the Jedi are here we will be able to present multiple options for the attack on the capitol.” I order, my gaze focuses on the tactical display and my mouth turned down in disgust. I don’t think I could stomach doing this to a civilian center.

  I watch as the first random field of plains is turned into smoldering craters in preparation for landings. We move along to a small grouping of hills which we level, I can’t say I am happy about it, hills are usually a good place to look for ancient trash dumps, often invaluable to build up the pre-historical and early history of a people. War takes precedent. Finally a couple more empty fields are turned into craters.

  “Sir, unknown vessels coming from hyperspace.” I hear from Sargent Welder, sitting at his station.

  “Move the patrol to our transports, prepare to launch fighters, bring us about.” I order, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  Finally four ships exit hyperspace, a Venator, three Acclamators and a Pelta. I sigh in relief and approach the tactical display.

  “Hail our guests.” I order. It doesn’t take long until the holoprojector changes from the tactical display to that of a tall Losat.

  I snap a quick salute before greeting my newest superior: “Sir, I am Commodore Dericote of the 97th Outer Rim Squadron, the 347th Outer Rim Section and the Little Revenge. I must say I am pleased that this campaign can finally begin.”

  The Losat looks down at me, his piercing green eyes disturbing me slightly: “Commodore, I am Jedi Master Jaro Tapal. I bring with me the 13th Clone Battalion and the 1st Halla Sector Volunteer Regiment. They are stationed aboard the ships with me, assigned the designation of the 121st Mid Rim Section. I would be pleased if you joined me on the Albedo Brave.”

  “Of course, General Tapal. I will be there momentarily.” I say finishing off with a salute. The General nods and the holotransmission cuts out.

  http://www.swgalaxymap.com/ for being a wonderful tool for both this map and this fic in general.