I was relaxing on the bridge of the Little Revenge as I looked over my newest briefings. I take a sip of my caf as I take a quick glance over towards Mon Cala. It was nice being above a familiar planet again. Many of the repairs were done and the portion of the Open Circle Fleet, alongside now Vice Admiral Wessex, were heading back to the more active theaters, though I did feel bad for the man. Getting a promotion for the death of your commanding officer was never fun. General Kenobi dying to some two-bit bounty hunter also seemed kinda depressing. I didn’t dislike Kenobi, he was certainly better than Skywalker, but that certainly didn’t mean I wished either of them harm.

  On the bright side I had gotten my first certain look on the newest squadrons within the command. The first was a bit of a disappointment, another Rapid Response Squadron, the 497th this time, commanded by a Commodore Pixis from Anaxes, consisting of two MedStars, half a dozen Acclamator ones, twenty Peltas, half of which were armed for combat, two Arquitenses and twelve corvettes, CR90s mostly. Hardly a bad assembly of ships, but not overly useful for any of the probes High command had demanded of me, not unless I wished to further gut our supply lines.

  The other squadron, the Jedi lead squadron, looked more impressive, though for some reason I couldn’t seem to access any of the ships’ names, identification codes, or the names of their commanding officers. It was … concerning. Very concerning even. The 433rd Outer Rim Squadron had five Venators, divided into two sections for some reason, three Acclamators, two Arquitenses, four DP20s, eight CR90s, two Consulars. two Sphyrna class Hammerheads and two IPV-1s. It was certainly enough to force us all the way from Baros to Mon Cala herself if we couldn’t muster in time. The only reason I wasn’t currently scrambling fighters, arguing with his majesty the King and preparing for battle was that High General Windu had informed me they would be coming.

  I was also relaxed, because despite the lacking information on the reports, my sensor buoys had successfully identified multiple ships among them. Nothing more up to date than their transfer orders, but that was enough to assuage my anxiety for the moment. Worst case scenario I had almost the entire Mon Cala Merchant Fleet behind me.

  “We’ve detected Cronau radiation, sir.” Welder reports.

  “Prepare comms channel and double check our systems.” I order calmly, handing over the datapad to R4, which she places within her chassis.

  “Ships exiting hyperspace. Bastards finally put their transponders on. I’ve got … sorry, sir. I’ve got three Venators and four DP20s of the 99th Battleship Section, detached and under the command of Senior Captain Ylusis of Gyndine and the 433rd Outer Rim Squadron’s two Venators, five cruisers, twelve corvettes and two IPV-1 pickets.” Welder reports.

  “Didn’t know the 99th was getting reinforced.” I mutter, though it certainly explained the permission I had been granted to promote Senior Captain Praut, the commanding officer of the 99th and Captain of the Arkania, to Commodore. I had wondered about that, but happily pinned the new badge onto them a few days ago while their ship was undergoing repairs.

  “Sir incoming transmission from the lead Venator.” Lieutenant Slas says.

  “Put ‘em up.” I order, before moving towards the holoprojector. Soon enough a Clone Commander’s hologram stands before me. It’s hard to see the colors right through the blue tint, but I’d lean towards a yellow or green.

  “Vice Admiral Dericote. I am requesting permission for a shuttle to dock on behalf of my General.”

  “Oh very well. I assume your General would like my presence in the hangar bay?” I ask.

  “Very much so, sir.” The Clone says, his tone mischievous.

  “Very well. Have the shuttle land within the hangar bay of the Little Revenge post haste. I shall greet the General there.” I say before spinning on my heel and marching out the door, R4 on my tail, “Slas, you have the bridge until either I return or Mi-Kus shows up, prepare a detachment of arms-men and one of Hope Company’s platoons to greet the General alongside any officers and pilots not busy with anything important.”

  “Very good, sir.” The Mon Cala says, removing herself from her usual station to take head of the bridge. Maybe she would do well as Captain some day. Worth a discussion at the very least.

  R4 hands me a datapad to skim over as we march down the hallway towards the elevators. We’ll need another shipment of turbolaser shells soon enough or else risk our reserve. Preparations for securing the rest of the Ash Worlds Sector seemed to be progressing well. I’ll probably have Commodore Abelard take the lead on it again, maybe send a detachment of the 120th to support him. I’ll need to gauge his opinion on it first. Better ask before assuming, even with a position of authority over someone.

  I step into the elevator, nodding at one of the arms-men as I do. Should probably run some boarding drills again soon. Maker knows my crews are experts on it by now, but better not let skills rust. I continue reading the report as the arms-men leave at the barracks level. We need to stock up on the usual rations and supplies for emergency repairs, Mintooine had taken a chunk out of those specifically. I should probably also make sure to get a double shipment of caf, especially if we were supposed to attack multiple systems to our north and east.

  I step out of the elevator to see the engineers finish moving the fighters of Little Squadron out of the way and an angry Lieutenant Commander Solo marching towards me with haste. I wonder for a moment what I did, before rolling my eyes at myself. I had indirectly moved her fighters, she’ll be mad no matter what.

  “Dericote!” She snarls at me.

  “Lieutenant Commander, a pleasure as always.” I say as I continue walking towards the area the shuttle would be landing. My drinking buddy and fighter Commander following in beside me.

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  “Why did you order to move my fighter! I was busy working on her and don’t quote regs at me about modifying her!”

  “I would never, I know better than to try, Solo.” I say, “As for moving your precious Little One, we are expecting a General to visit us any minute now.”

  “Jedi?” She asks.

  “Seems so.” I answer.

  “Well ain’t that rosy.” She mutters.

  “Certainly one way to look at it.” I say.

  She looks down at herself, as do I. Her uniform is filthy, a mixture of oil, coolant and what I’m pretty sure is mustard marring the dress uniform. Weird, I don’t remember getting a shipment of mustard in our rations.

  “Not a word.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it, though I do believe I require a second lead officer to assist me and … oh dear, looks like you’re the only one available.” I say in mock despair.

  “If this is another one of your attempts to get me to stop working on my fighter while in dress uniform, you will be disappointed.” Solo threatens.

  “Me, try and manipulate you? I’d never.” I say mockingly, a smirk clear on my face. Looks like the ensemble of troopers and other personnel are lining up as we finish our march to the front of the line.

  “Shut it.”

  “Do, at the very least, adjust your rank plaque. I’ve told you before how annoying it is to ask you to fix it.” I sigh. She rolls her eyes at me, but adjusts its positioning slightly so that her pips are straight, “Thank you.”

  “Shut up, sir.” She spits.

  “Don’t think I will Commander.” I answer as the Nu class shuttle squeezes into the hangar.

  “We get attacked now, we’re kinda fucked.” Solo mutters.

  “Wonderful insight, Hege. Your paranoia, as always, is what validates my own.”

  “Glad to be of service, sir.”

  The shuttle finishes landing and us two shipyard born officers snap to attention as the ramp begins its slow descent. I do catch Solo giving an exasperated sigh at the dramatics I very much wished to emulate. Still I suppress the urge despite the fucking fanfare I have to endure with the new rank plaque on my breast.

  Finally the ramp finishes lowering and out steps a tall Lasat in blue and white, while a brown and orange blur races towards me before skidding to a stop just ahead of me. I blink once in mild confusion for a moment, my mind failing to process what’s in front of me until Solo clears her throat.

  A few rapid blinks later before I respond: “General Tapal, Padawan Kestis, a pleasure to see you once more and on my own ship on top of that.”

  I’m pretty sure Kestis is vibrating as General Tapal finishes descending the ramps and offers me a hand to shake, which I do take. The Lasat finally begins talking as the handshake ends: “It is good to see you once more, Admiral. I am looking forward to working with you again.”

  “As am I. May I present Lieutenant Commander Solo, my fighter lead and attache from the Starfighter Corps.” I offer.

  Solo snaps a salute: “Sir.”

  “A pleasure.” Tapal says.

  “If you’d be willing to follow me, I believe we can discuss further moves on the bridge.” I offer.

  “Not the ready room?” Tapal asks.

  “I work better at the helm.” I explain.

  “Lead the way.” Tapal requests.

  I turn, Solo falling in beside me, Tapal and Kestis behind us. I can tell from the steps of the Padawan that he is itching to run again. Does the kid not have a walking pace? I turn my head towards Solo as I speak: “You may return to your usual duties, if you wish.”

  “Thank ya, sir.” The Corellian pilot says, peeling off towards her Starchaser as we leave the assembled crew and enter the elevator.

  The doors close and I punch in the master codes to make it quick.

  “So, any new questions Padawan Kestis?” I ask, a smile on my face as I recall the first time we had shared an elevator.

  “How are you?” The boy asks.

  “Quite well all things considered. When I started my command I never dreamed that I would be Vice Admiral, let alone have so little fear for the safety of the command.” I say.

  “Any new wounds?” The kid asks, concern in his voice.

  “Lost an arm and a small one from a flying mouse droid.” I admit.

  The kid’s eyes widen in shock: "When did you loose an arm!?"

  “A traitor got the jump on me.” I answer. The kid didn't need to know who, the devil didn't deserve mention.

  "How the kark does that happen?" The kid asks incredulously.

  "Padawan." Tapal admonishes.

  "It is fine. Seems an appropriate response given the situation." I counter as i remove my glove from my mechanical hand, "To answer your question, little Jedi. The enemy was faster than I was and got me while I wasn't in my right mind."

  "That should be a warning to your continued lack in a sleep schedule." Tapal says trying to turn it into a lesson.

  I chuckle lightly. It sounds like one of those stories ma' would say. That she knew someone who didn't go to bed on time and lost their arm. It was funny in a morbid kind of way: "Yes, better head your Master young Jedi. But I think we should leave it at that, I am more than my arm. At least I would hope so."

  Kestis seems unconvinced. He soon enough continues with his questions: “How did you really win at Mon Cala?”

  “Determination, mines, reinforcements and a lovely dose of luck.” I answer, was he trying to suss out where I had lost my arm?

  “What about Pammant and Mintooine?”

  “Enemy incompetence, superior localized firepower, aggression and in the case of Mintooine, taking the enemy’s terrain advantage and making it mine.” I say, as the doors open and we march towards the bridge.

  “Wh-”

  “I believe we have time for any more questions later, Padawan mine.” Tapal interrupts.

  Kestis pouts a little before nodding. We finally march onto the bridge, where I tap R4 to set up the regional command’s map for us. Lieutenant Slas nods to me, before returning to her usual station as I begin to inspect our current position.

  “We have multiple targets to work at in the coming weeks. I have instructed Commodore Abelard of the 419th O.R. Squadron to begin securing contested worlds around Cophrigin, mainly the Balshebr and Astigone systems as they only have light Sep forces which he should be able to defeat without suffering losses. Meanwhile I’ve detached my battlegroup’s 1382nd O.R. Section to support him with seizing Byss and attempting to convince the Abyssin to become producers of energy for export instead of falling back on their more problematic industry.” I begin to explain. Slavery was such a poor export after all, never mind the moral implications.

  “Do you believe your Commodore will be able to convince them?” Tapal asks skeptically as he looks over the worlds I’ve mentioned so far.

  “Hard to say, but we’ve luckily scheduled his arrival just after their ‘burning period’ so they may be more willing to accept our offer.” I concede.

  “I suppose it will matter little, as long as we have a garrison in orbit the world should remain loyal.” Tapal offers.

  “My thoughts exactly.” I say before marking the four possible targets for raids. I was hesitant to even consider Dellalt as the first target, but it was a dangerous staging point for a Sep fleet to cut off our norther supply routes to the Ash Worlds. I should be able to stomach a raid on the world which … launched my career, as long as I don’t have time to think too much about it.

  “I will be conducting some raids during the meantime. Most likely focusing my efforts at Dellalt, Telaris and Mullan.” I say.

  “So where would you have our squadron?” Tapal asks, rubbing at his beard as he considers the possibilities.

  “I would certainly feel better if your squadron would accompany my 97th O.R. Squadron when we raid Dellalt. It will probably be a bit overkill, but it is the southern gateway to the Tion Cluster and I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

  “After that?” Tapal asks.

  “Your squadron ain’t half bad, but I don’t think I’d risk sending it at anything more fortified than a large border system.” I mutter to myself, “If you could secure Turkana, Refnar and Shaylin some time after the raid at Dellalt it would be practical. None of the worlds should have any large Sep garrisons, hells, I don’t even think Refnar is on most maps, but securing them, mining hyperspace egress points and deploying sensor buoys would be a good way to further our northern cordon.”

  “I do not wish to question your wisdom, Admiral, but I do not believe that is a fitting duty for a Jedi.” Tapal councils.

  I tilt my head slightly and tap a few times against my holster. I take a second look at the map before nodding: “Then after securing Turkana, Refnar and Shaylin, I would ask you to probe Pakuuni. If the world us susceptible to seizure, without heavy casualties, I would have you seize it.”

  “That we can do.” The General says, stroking his beard as he does. Is it even a beard with his fur? Thought for another time.

  “Then let me brief you on my current plan for Dellalt.” I say, quickly replacing the regional map with one of the Dellalt system, “We’ll start where my career truly began.”