Lunch is an informal thing. A couple Adjutants are sent out of the conference room to get enough ration bars for everyone, which are torn apart by hungry, agitated and frustrated officers. I’m on my fifth cup of caf and praying for R4 to put some liquor into my next one.

  “Alright, so we’ve concluded with the Perlimian Theater and the less endangered theaters of the North Theater and Serenno Theater. I would therefore begin with discussion on the Tion Theater.” Sector General Seerdon says.

  I stand up from my post as I speak: “I believe that the most critical issue with the Tion Theater is its continued contact with the Serenno Theater and the Eastern Theater. Due to Zygeria’s apathy, Mandalore’s likely temporary neutrality and the lawlessness of the Gordian Reach and former Sith Worlds, despite our garrisons and cordon, we cannot ensure a full isolation between the Serenno and Tion Cluster, but it should be much easier to isolate the enemy from its holdings in the east. I would ask that forces be allocated to securing Randon and the surrounding systems and that a battlegroup of this body’s choosing be sent to my command to further attacks against the enemy’s rear.”

  “And where do you suppose we get these ships?” General Romodi asks.

  “I believe the shipyards are still producing ships on a rate higher than we are loosing them, even with their repair duties and civilian production. I am not particularly picky when it comes to the ships at my disposal, though I could certainly use more ships of the line and supply ships.”

  A new speaker joins the fray, an older Zeltron man standing from his seat: “General Zylann, Eastern Theater. I believe it to be prudent to support Admiral Dericote’s plea. Cutting the Separatists into smaller and smaller pieces, which we can isolate and eliminate one by one seems most prudent. We have already done so with the north and here we have a chance to do the same to the Triangle and Tion Cluster.”

  “We could split forces off from Lantillies once the enemy’s been pushed back.” General Rohn offers.

  “How often must I tell you this?” Admiral Z’timin barks, “We must push the enemy back to Ringo Vinda at least and Columex at best!”

  “And I’ve told you, Ringo Vinda is currently a pipe dream and Columex is delusional!” Admiral Dorja barks at his colleague, “Trench will not simply give ground. He will continue with fortifying Jeyell and turn a forward base of operations into a Separatist fortress! We need more ships for a counter attack, especially since victory over Lantillies is not assured!”

  “You’re being defeatist!” Z’timin barks.

  “You’re being delusional!” Dorja barks, “Maybe you can go on a jolly stroll through the enemy’s rear with your ‘Grey Ghost’, but I’ve actually faced Trench head on! We will not win! We will draw at best!”

  “We have gotten off topic.” Seerdon interrupts. Maker, could he be faster with this? This is the fourth time I’ve heard these two bicker about the Perlimian.

  “Admiral Varth, White Cuirass Reserve. As the current expert on the 4th Sector Army’s situation I believe I have some insight on our situation. We are currently gathering forces from more secure worlds to ensure the destruction of all Separatist forces within the Randon system and the Trax Sector. With the current plan we believe it possible to shift forces after a victory in system to other fronts. Be aware, this is not a promise, but the current estimate.” A mustachioed man offers.

  Before another argument can be sparked by Perlimian officers I jump at the opportunity: “I would be thankful for any help provided to my isolated command.”

  “Good.” Seerdon says, “Other than the planned incursions into the Separatists’ rear, is there anything else to report?”

  I ponder the question a moment before answering: “During my transit we lost Dellalt. The system had been stripped of most defenses before our retreat and during said retreat all orbital infrastructure was destroyed alongside some twenty odd Sep cruisers. It may be prudent to occupy the enemy with a siege to ensure they cannot make an attack on the shipyards of the Calamari Sector.”

  “So you want even more ships and resources for a nigh pointless siege while stout Lantillies is at risk?” Dorja asks.

  “We all want more ships, you especially. I am simply stating my requests blankly instead of shooting down every request for reinforcements other than my own.” I counter.

  “We will have to retake Dellalt sooner than later.” A Jedi says.

  “Names and theaters, please.” Seerdon admonishes.

  “Apologies, Knight Forte, no current theater assigned.” The stocky human adds.

  “Of course he’s right, but we must consider the timing. Admiral Dericote, do you believe it possible for your current forces to retake and hold Dellalt?” Admiral Varth asks

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “No.” I answer simply.

  “Then the man will need more vessels for what we are demanding of him!” Varth explains simply, “We are stripping forces from the Core to support Lantillies and to secure Randon. By the time the sieges at Foerost and the Neimoidian purse worlds are concluded ship production should have made up for any lost security. I will council Sector General Praji on what forces can be sent to Admiral Dericote after we’ve secured Randon and some of the surrounding systems.”

  “I thank you for your support.” I reply.

  Tarkin’s voice interrupts the end of this phase of discussion: “Apologies, Admiral Dericote. Why do you believe a simple siege will satisfy the front at Dellalt?”

  “Sieges are a drain on resources, but slow ones. The enemy will consolidate forces there, allowing the attack into the enemy’s industrial heartland. However a siege can also cause complacency, if we seize Dellalt fully we could force a counter attack from a large portion of the Tionese defensive fleets. I know the old Tionese Man o' Wars that make up much of the Tionese defense fleets aren't exactly potent, but they exist in a number most dangerous to our operations. A siege can be controlled, moderated, while holding the chokepoints towards Republic space. Current plans involve the seizure of three lesser industrial and production worlds and liberation of multiple prison worlds, followed by attempted seizures of one critical strategic world and two major industrial worlds, a Separatist counter force from Dellalt, aimed at my command’s industrial heart could doom the current plans and delay any possible invasions of the Separatist heartland form my command’s forces. Of course, this is all reliant and dependent on the allocation of resources.” I answer.

  “So perhaps we should attempt similar tactics in other theaters.” Tarkin ponders, “Force the enemy to consolidate resources in a few systems and destroy them in a show of force. After that we can simply mop up whatever is left.”

  I frown. That wasn’t dissimilar to what Fleet Admiral Honor had requested, though a decent bit more extreme. I glance over to Jerjerrod who is looking similarly confused. Was Tarkin watering down his faction’s theorem to make it more appealing?

  “Admiral Jerjerrod, administrative duty. I would like a copy of whatever it is you’re proposing.” Jerjerrod eventually says.

  “With pleasure.” Tarkin responds.

  “We’re getting off topic again!” Seerdon objects, “Is there anything else of note for the Tion Theater?”

  “General Skywalker, Open Circle.” Skywalker jumps up, I sigh as the Jedi starts, “Do we have any good data on our privateer contacts in the region?”

  Seerdon takes over the question for me, thank the Maker: “We have a list of current privateers, both Republic and Separatist in active circulation. You should be able to find the names of the privateers, their former occupation, their guarantors for their letters of marque, the date of receival for their letters of marque as well as the ships sunk under their direction.”

  The Jedi simply nods as the Sector General moves on to the Eastern Theater. Wonder why Skywalker thought to ask that question now? Clearly it had something to do with my operations, but why ask that at this point in time? I frown, whatever that was, I don't like it.

  The current meeting felt rather conspiratorial to be perfectly honest. The briefings and first round of debates had concluded, but now it would all repeat again and again in miniature and lucky me, it looked like one of Isard’s men would be leading the conference on the Tion Theater tomorrow.

  I sigh as I take a drag of my flask, Jerjerrod giving me the stink eye for it as he glances around the smaller conference room the present members of the HONO Clique had nicked.

  “There are multiple concerning points in this theorem.” The older Admiral says to the room packed with various flag officers and Adjutants.

  “Course it is.” I reply, “Tarkin’s paper doesn’t want quick or reasonable sieges, but half a year long slogs of back and forth. Essentially having a dozen battles in a dozen systems commanded by a singular man each instead of a couple hundred battles over an equal number of time. High risk, medium reward. It’s inflexible too.”

  “Not to mention the planned removal or nationalization of the privateers.” Commodore Bush mutters.

  Hornblower nods in agreement: “A group which has proven itself not only in information gathering, counter piracy and convoy raiding, but also in slipping through the lines.”

  “What next? Will Tarkin demand the nationalization of the few merchant cartels, independent freight captains and trader families that survived the Trade Federation, just because some of them are also smugglers?” A Vice Admiral complains, “The only reason my forces weren’t decimated at Romin was because of smugglers giving us the fuel and information needed to avoid an overwhelming Separatist attack!”

  “I fully understand the concern, there were a good couple weeks where my command’s spare electrical parts were sourced from smugglers and merchants with balls of mando iron.” I add.

  “So what, we counter argue this piece of rotten meat?” A young faced Commodore asks.

  “No, we’ll need to draft a formal document of our own.” Jerjerrod says.

  “Don’t we already have one of those?” I ask.

  “We have twenty pages of actual tactics and strategies spread across five different reports totaling some two hundred pages of political droll and pro-Republic propaganda.” Jerjerrod clarifies.

  “Alright, so someone will need to scan through those, compile it, nick whatever we actually like from Tarkin, shred apart the rest and send it out asap to our allies and fence-sitters.” I recommend.

  “You’ll be busy tomorrow being the star of the show for the Tion Theater briefings and discussions.” Jerjerrod mutters.

  “Most of us will be busy with such things.” Commodore Gerra laments.

  “I should be able to make time for it.” Jerjerrod mutters, “But I want some, if not all of you, to look over it tomorrow before breakfast. We’ll council here again at oh-five hundred for final briefings. We’re lucky that all flag officers have some speaking rights in the theater briefings and debates.”

  “That we are, we’ve got too few high ranking officer among us.” I agree.

  “Then get some sleep, tomorrow will be equally busy.” Jerjerrod orders.

  “You heard the man, hop to!” I bark, snapping the few officers not already moving into action. Soon enough only me and Jerjerrod remain in the room. The man starts riffling through datapads while I take another drag of the flask.

  “Need any help tonight?” I ask my senior.

  “No, just be here early tomorrow. I’ll be working through the night to get this done.”

  “You’re a solid man. If I manage to get enough ships together I’m sure I could get you out of exile from the admin office.” I offer.

  The man sighs before answering: “Despite my dislike for it, I am a decent administrator. It’s how I was promoted through the Judicials. See if any young up and comers will take your offer, but I think I will remain in, as you put it, exile.”

  “If that’s what you want.” I reply, “Try not to work yourself into an early grave. I’ll be here half an hour early for a first read.”

  “Good night, Dericote.”

  “Night, Jerjerrod.”

  A handful of hours of sleep later and I was marching back over to the commandeered conference room. Jerjerrod is still there, typing some final notes onto a datapad, with at least seven cups of caf around him.

  “Maker on high. You really pulled an all-nighter.” I mutter in a mix of horror and respect.

  “Don’t look so surprised. I may be getting on in years, but I’ve got at least another two decades before I need to slow down.” The man mutters as he passes me the datapad.

  I scan over it. A slightly different approach to sieges, using them as distractions to secure surrounding territory before pouncing upon the next world suitable for such a form of warfare. Endorsement of privateer and smugglers as information brokers to supplement and add to the various Republic intelligence gathering organizations, that would certainly chip away at Isard’s power base, good. A recommendation for smaller formations over a large front with local maps and at least Class 2.0 Hyperdrives for rapid deployment. Large numbers of raider forces to supplement besieging or besieged units. Not bad.

  “This is good work.” I mutter, passing the datapad back.

  “Good, I think I’ll be taking a short nap after the briefing of our members.”

  “Alright. Want another cup of caf?”

  “No, I’m finally getting tired again.” The older Admiral replies.

  “We should go ahead and spread it out to our members and allies now, then give an hour delay for the neutrals and a final hour for the Tarkins.” I offer.

  “No, better make it two hours for both the neutrals and Tarkins.”

  “Two hours then.” I agree as the first overeager flag officers enter the room.