I end up standing on the bridge, datapad in hand and Hondo trying to sneak a peak over my shoulder. Knowing the bastard he was trying to get some intel worth selling to the Seps in case he got caught, or wanted some petty cash. It was honestly hard to tell half the time with the bastard. The Jedi kids were currently occupying part of the hangar, to the dissatisfaction of the Hangar Master and Lieutenant Commander Solo.

  “Incoming transmission, sir.” Lieutenant Slas says.

  “Put it up. I’d recommend taking a couple steps to the side, Hondo.” I say.

  “Don’t mind me.” The pirate says, taking a couple steps away as the holoprojector spits out the images of a handful of people. I recognize the Supreme Chancellor first, beside him stood Fleet Admiral Honor and Director Isard. To Isards side was General Kenobi, while Fleet Admiral Coburn was standing next to Honor. I recognize the clearly recently promoted General Gentis beside Coburn. Looked like a mostly full representation of all military branches and mostly members of the HONO Clique too.

  “Your excellency, sirs and ma’am.” I say in greeting.

  “Vice Admiral Dericote. I am happy to announce your promotion to Admiral of the Republic Navy.” The Supreme Chancellor says.

  “Thank you, your excellency.” I reply.

  “And, due to your expertise in the area and your string of victories, you are to present yourself at the Carida Navy Base to participate for the military conference pertaining to the next phase of the war.” The Chancellor continues.

  “I would be honored.” I say.

  “Excellent.”

  Fleet Admiral Honor takes up the speaking role next: “I would recommend swift travel through Randon. The conference is due in a little less than two weeks time. You will be cutting it short with your arrival.”

  “I am sure I will manage to arrive on time.” I reply.

  The Supreme Chancellor speaks up again: “Wonderful, I believe that is everything on our end. Congratulations Admiral Dericote.”

  “Thank you your excellency. Though I do have something I believe General Kenobi should be made aware of.” The mentioned General raises an eyebrow as I continue, “I believe I have your former Padawan’s Padawan and the missing younglings in my possession. I plan on taking them with me past Randon.”

  “So that is why Ohnaka is with you.”

  “Privateer and intelligence broker Ohnaka picked them up after a Sep raid on their transport. The ship didn’t make it, but all Jedi aboard did. The overall report on the matter should be arriving any moment now, bureaucracy does take its pound of flesh after all.” I reply.

  “Well I am happy to know our errant Younglings will be returned to us.” Kenobi says.

  Fleet Admiral Honor speaks up then: “I’ll be giving you further instructions at a later date, Dericote.”

  “By your leave.” I reply. The hologram goes out a moment later.

  “So. How likely will it be for me to convince you to give me that ship I wanted, Mr. Admiral?” Hondo needles.

  I sigh: “Beat me in a five hundred point game of Glory and I’ll consider it.”

  “Any other players?”

  “If you can convince Solo it’ll be a mark in your favor. I’ll go and badger Mi-Kus and ask the Padawan aboard.” I reply.

  “You sir, drive a wonderful bargain.” Hando says with a predatory smirk.

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  Less than a day later, and a corvette poorer, I was sitting pretty on the bridge of a MedStar, bringing wounded, soldiers on leave and a regiment of redeploying Commenori corewards. This was supposed to be a calm trip, a vacation in all but name, while I prepared my opinions and my task for the conference.

  Fleet Admiral Honor had nominated me as her primary representative for the conference, primarily because Fleet Admiral Zsinj was busy fighting in the Jaso Sector and Fleet Admiral Sentul had quasi-retired to an advisory post at his homeworld of Duro. So as Marshal Administrator I would be the highest ranking member of the HONO Clique present. Lucky me.

  I sigh as I take the report from R4, patting her head as I do. I needed to restock my liquor cabinet while I was in the Core. The day before I left, Solo and I ended up drinking a good quarter of my dwindling supply. I just couldn’t find any good liquor in the Outer Rim due to all the rationing. I knew Lothal had a couple small scale producers, but they had shifted production to medical grade alcohol, which needed to be diluted with something and made whatever you mixed it with taste like shit, not to mention the minor risk of blindness and cancer. Mechanic’s Moonshine was never in high supply, despite their best efforts, the poor overworked fucks just never seemed to quite keep up with the demand. So I’ll need to see about nicking whatever lubricant is available at the conference and buy up as much liquor as possible whenever we stop above a trade hub for transfer and resupply.

  Mind you that didn’t stop myself from taking a good third of my remaining stock with me. I chuckle at the thought, before returning my attention the datapad. Bvinsk wanted me to press the importance of fully taking Randon and retaking Daalang to ensure our supply lines were fully secure. Krugwolt wanted some more armor to supplement our currently infantry heavy ground forces, or if it wasn’t possible to get permission to open more factories to increase our relatively small local production. Commodore Jim had made an offhand comment about Hersch-Kessel being interested in opening a plant for the R-41 in the command, so I would see about getting that approved too while I was in the Core.

  Governor Azadi of Lothal meanwhile was currently heading a coalition of worlds, almost entirely located within the Dominus and Shadola Sector, to lower Republic forces in the region, the front line moving apparently giving them confidence. Meanwhile Mon Cala’s sphere of influence, as well as parts of the Jubilar and Ash Worlds Sectors wanted more Republic forces out of fear of further Separatist incursions.

  Cophrigin especially was vocal about wanting a larger Republic presence. The formerly sparsely inhabited world had grown exponentially with the promise of cheap land, administrative jobs in the defacto sector capitol and the relative protection provided by being Commodore Abelard’s base of operations making the system quite promising. The world definitely needed further defenses, the looted platforms from Dellalt added something to the world’s protection, but not enough. Abelard would also need another section to support his efforts in a Sector as large as the Ash Worlds.

  It would probably also be smart to beg, scheme and … convince anyone who I can for further reinforcements. You can only repair an almost fully destroyed ship so often before something goes wrong. Maybe the Jedi would be willing to supply me further ships, I’ve certainly played nice with Tapal and Tano, even if the Padawan and her charges were unceremoniously dumped on my ship.

  Food for thought.

  The journey was underwhelming and despite my usually better judgment I ended up spending quite a few hours in the medbay playing friendly games of cards with whoever was up and moving in between preparing whatever documents I needed for arguing in the clique’s favor.

  Dellalt also fell back into Sep hands during my time in transit. It wasn’t particularly surprising. The Seps showed up with half a fleet’s worth of ships. The small garrison, after seeing this, did as instructed. They remotely detonated the mining infrastructure within the system and began jamming comms. They made a run for a hyperspace egress point next, then just before jumping, when the Sep’s cruisers and pickets surrounded the world in preparation for an invasion, detonated the shipyards and docks.

  From the Senior Captain’s reports, at least twenty cruisers were heavily damaged, with seven additional ships eventually falling victim to the various gravity wells of the moons or Dellalt proper. It had blunted any possible advance into the Ash Worlds or Mintooine, while costing my men nothing but the explosives used and any goodwill from the citizens of the sole inhabited world in system.

  It gives me a certain level of joy when I think about it. How surprised the enemy commander must have been. You’d think they would know better by now. When I have to loose, I make sure the enemy does too.

  The Venator is spit out of hyperspace. It seemed overkill to use an entire battleship for transport duty from Commenor to Carida, but what did I know. I glance over the ships around us. Dozens of Venators, maybe a hundred corvettes and frigates. Not a good mix for a battle, but enough to threaten any fool ambitious enough to attempt anything this far within the core. I nod to the Captain as I begin my march to the hangar bay.

  R4 and a couple unlucky sailors had already brought my, in all fairness quite light, luggage to the hangar bay, while I observed our exit from hyperspace. Deep breath in, deep breath out. I had little to prove. I had a string of victories ready for my heir’s holster, a thing which would be treasured for generations, like those of the gangsters and warriors of days past.

  I quietly board the shuttle shortly after, R4 on my side. Tano jogging up the ramp just as it begins to close. The Younglings had been sent to Coruscant with a different Jedi when we split paths at Commenor, yet the Padawan remained.

  “Excited?” I ask as the shuttle lifts off.

  “Happy to be back somewhere safe.” She replies.

  “Relish it. Maker knows I haven’t had a good night’s rest since the war started.” I reply.

  “That can’t be healthy.” She says.

  I simply chuckle in response. She had no idea how often I’ve heard that phrase in regards to my person. It doesn’t take long for the shuttle to land and the ramp to descend. I’m greeted by the familiar face of General Skywalker, his Captain Rex and a handful of other Clones, from which I can clearly see both Wildhog and Clover. Tano’s steps are quicker than is strictly polite. I glance around first and finding no deck officer close enough I too simply descend the ramp.

  “General Skywalker, a pleasure as always.” I say. Maker did it feel nice not having to salute him.

  “Admiral. I suppose I should thank you for helping in the return of my errant Padawan.” The General replies.

  “Purely a twist of fate. Ohnaka is quite lucky in finding lost things.” I say, before turning to the two familiar buckets, “Wildhog, Clover, glad to see you both still kicking. Chain has asked me to pass along a message on responsible uses of alcohol, but I can’t really be bothered.”

  “‘S fine, sir. Force knows Chain was always a bit of a stick in the mud when it came to my hobby.” Clover responds happily.

  “Yeah and Chain never stopped me from making bottle ‘naids.” Wildhog adds.

  “Wonderful to hear. General Skywalker, if you would excuse me, I have some luggage to move into my quarters and some more notes to dot down before the council begins.” I say, turning to the Jedi in question.

  “Don’t let me stop you.” The General replies.

  “A pleasure as always,” I say, “Good luck with the new card habit, Tano. Try not to rob my former men for all the chits they’ve scratched together.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be shooting for scamming people who don’t know me.” The kid says cheekily.

  “That’s the best way to do it.” I respond, before marching off.

  I almost don’t overhear Skywalker’s confused tones as I exit the hangar: “Wait, since when do you scam people in card games?”

  I chuckle as the door closes behind me. Wonder where the bar is?