When I do return to Dac, it’s not to a particularly warm welcome. A meeting with his Majesty Lee-Char, Chief Ri and the entire Mon Cala sphere of influence. I barely had the time to take back the direct command of the 120th. The only upside of the last week was the Republic seizing both Randon and its surrounding systems.

  I march into the, thankfully dry, chamber to see the gathered faces of fifteen planetary leaders, with their aids, secretaries, various other assistants and fellow ministers alongside various owners and stakeholders of the shipyards, drydocks and orbital storage units of the Kingdom of Mon Cala and the other major ship producing polities within the command. The surrounding group was a motley mixture of Quarren and Mon Calamari, with a solid handful of Humans and Dorneans alongside an Aqualish, a Skakoan and a Muun sprinkled into the crowd. Honestly I was almost expecting to see every Governor and businessman in the command, just to spite me.

  “Your Majesty, President S’tok, your honor, Palatines and members of the Nobility of this honored and valued polity, gentlebeings, I thank you for coming to hear my petition.” I say slowly, bowing my head in respect to each of the twelve Governors, his Majesty and his honor. I was still just a bit surprised that every single one of Mon Cala’s well established colonies, former or present, sent their Governors to this conclave.

  “Well the implied threats were more than motivation enough.” Ruisto’s Palatine, a slightly plump Mon Calamari woman says.

  “Any threats which may have been perceived were not intended.” I say calmly, adjusting my officers cap slightly to get the brim just above my hairline. It may look stupid, but I’d rather take stupid than have the thing cover my eyes and make me look like some shady spice-peddler.

  It’s the recently elected Palatine from Pammant who speaks next, a Quarren loyalist who had fought planetside before loosing a leg and settling down in the oceans he’d fought to reclaim: “In all fairness, you did say that this would be a discussion of our recruitment rates, our production rates for Republic warships and the status of our independent customs and merchant fleets. That is a topic of much concern to many present, simply implying the status of the Merchant Fleet is up for discussion implies a change in status.”

  “And I now see the … possible fear I may have brought to you in my … fear of a rapid devolving of the Perlimian front. However your exact fear must be discussed. However I would begin with a bit of a debriefing. About a week ago, Republic forces were defeated at Lantillies. Sector General Therbon has been relegated to desk duty until further notice and Sector General Seerdon is organizing the defenses along the Perlimian while various Admirals attached to booth the 12th and 3rd Sector Armies, as well as forces diverted from the Negs. Said forces are fighting a delaying action, currently holding the enemy at Carcel, half a dozen jumps from Taanab.” I begin to explain, “This is not a reason to panic. I have full trust in my colleagues that they will eventually force the enemy back. However the defeat at Lantillies has … lessened the number of forces which should have been allocated to this command full time.”

  “So we will be left to pick up the slack.” Chief Ri says sadly.

  “It appears so. I however wish to give you all the full picture. After a discussion with General McClellan, the Marshal Administrator of the Greater Kashyyyk Command and his direct underlings, as well as the leaders of the taskforces assigned to seizing multiple worlds within two months time, it was decided that out of all the forces assigned to the Cerulean Spear and all the forces which require internal reorganization, this command will be allocated a single battlegroup and a squadron of logistical ships. It is with this background that you have been assembled here at my request.”

  My glance around the room only confirms what I know. No one here is happy. It was partially why I had only contacted Mon Cala’s circle of present and former colonies and Dornea, I could count on them. Not to say I couldn’t count on any other worlds, but Lothal still had their anti military presence faction in the command and the other worlds are too far out to make a journey like this worth their time. And regrettably, the outer worlds, the worlds on the front line, didn’t have the industrial might Mon Cala and her children did.

  “What exactly is it you are requesting?” King Lee-Char asks, his tone pensive.

  “As a man, born on a shipyard world, the very last thing I want is to force you to give up your defense fleets, it is the very reason I abused the wording in the nationalization law. Fondor has donated a large portion of her fleet, but that is because Fondor is always ready to produce warships. I know Mon Cala and her various children do not usually make ships of war.”

  “And we will continue to only use our surplus shipyards to produce ships we ourselves do not wish to have for our own!” The Old Mon Calamari Palatine of Ruisto says, “Ruisto will never submit to your overreach!”

  “Peace, Palatine Rire.” The King says, “The Admiral has not given us his demands.”

  “Not demands, your majesty, requests.” I correct. Phrasing was important like this.

  “Then what is your request, Admiral?” A Quarren asks, his medallion marking him as the Palatine of the Kirenemonen system.

  “I would request that two thirds of your shipyards, at the very least, be used to produce warships for the Republic exclusively until the end of the war, or a time in which such drastic measures are no longer required, whichever comes first. I am willing to assist in negotiating further license productions, if necessary to increase the types of ships the yards present may produce.”

  Almost immediately the room is filled with a mixture of indignation and belligerence. It takes a solid fifteen seconds for the King to shut everyone up by slamming a gavel onto his desk.

  “You will behave like the leaders of your worlds you are and not like a school of squabbling children!” The young King says, his voice raised to be heard above the cacophony.

  “You demand too much!” Palatine Rire barks at me.

  “Give us more than such loose terms!” A shipyard master shouts from the rear.

  Stolen story; please report.

  “His demands are rather reasonable all things considered.” The President of Dornea says, the elder Dornean man rubbing the tips of his upper lips as he speaks.

  “Reasonable?” Governor Rire asks incredulously, “It is blatant overreach!”

  “All due respect, Palatine,” The Muun in the room says, “I do believe the Admiral is being annoyingly reasonable to us in his demands. He could very well demand we divert up to seventy five percent of the yards to produce warships for the Republic, while still following the letter of Republic law.”

  “Again, these are merely requests.” I try to correct.

  “Well I am curious as to how the Marshal Administrator wishes to pay us.” A man with a Rendili accent ponders angrily.

  “A quarter of the payment upfront with Republic credits, half the total payment as of the completion and naming of the ships and a final quarter as of the crewing of the ship.” I offer.

  A Mon Calamari balks at that, the man’s gravely voice hinting at a smoking habit: “You will not pay for the finished product? How can we be certain you will not find some fault from your crews later actions?”

  “Because the crews will not enter the ships until the ships have been fully paid for.” I try.

  “So this will be pressuring our governments to allow further recruitment of our constituents.” An unimpressed Quarren says, her medallion marking her the Palatine of Eridicion.

  “I believe it will ensure the continued sustainability of our military recruitment rates.” I sidestep. The Quarren had me pegged there.

  An ancient looking Mon Calamari chuckles. Another Palatine, New Heurkea based off his medallion: “I suppose the translation of that is a resound yes.”

  I sigh in defeat as I speak: “I do not wish to put pressure on anyone, but I cannot ensure the safety of the command without further ships. The Separatists know we pose a danger to their industrial and political heartland and have been ramping up their attacks on us. I was promised many more ships than what I will actually have. So I am forced to ask for more from my local producers.”

  “Do you even have the capital for the purchases?” A Mon Cala asks, one of the shipyard owners if memory serves.

  “I have promised a quarter payment in Republic credits, the rest will either be payed in credits, raw materials or warbonds, whichever I am permitted.” I disclose, causing various yard owners to hiss or grumble in dissatisfaction.

  “You will not even pay us half price in credits!?” A Quarren businessman balks.

  “Due to budget constraints, only a quarter of the total price will have the promise of a credit payment. If the budget allows an additional eighth may be paid in credits, however the rest must be paid with bonds or the resources needed to produce further warships.” I admit, I knew for a fact Kuat was being paid fully in credits, while various other shipyards which were producing at the rate I had demanded of those present were getting.

  “Come now, it is our patriotic duty to provide ships to the cause. As long as the Republic is good on her payments I see no trouble here.” A Mon Calamari man says, thumping his chest as he speaks.

  “That’s rich coming from you Kekoll, you’re already building two Dreadnoughts for the Republic and have been paid in full for it!” A different Mon Calamari barks.

  “Just because I was willing to fulfill my patriotic duty to the Republic doesn’t stop me from being a clever businessman, now stop your winging Gru and get with the program!” The previous shipyard owner replies.

  “Gentlebeings, please.” I say, “We can argue all day and night about who will have to take up such contracts, but for now I wish for an agreement on my request.”

  “It is not as if all of us have a choice in the matter.” The Palatine of Pammant says, “Be grateful the Republic hasn’t seized full control of your shipyards as they have with Pammant. We are currently using all our yards to make Republic warships.”

  The room fills with dissatisfied grumbles at that. No one wanted the Republic to take full charge of their production lines. The very idea of such a thing had sparked riots in the past during various Sith wars.

  “So two thirds?” The President of Dornea asks.

  “How exactly you do so is left at your digression. As long as its about two thirds after three months time, I do not care.” I say.

  “And you mentioned possible license productions?” A Dornean shipyard owner asks.

  “Currently the command produces various ships. However most are not exactly allowed to be incorporated into Republic formations. Regretfully this includes the Braha’tok gunship and the various larger MC80 and MC75 ships.” Honestly I was almost certain the only reason they weren’t allowed was Kuati, Corellian and Rendili lobbying.

  “So you will be arguing for license productions of?” The Dornean asks leadingly.

  “Currently we have license productions of Sphyrna class hammerhead corvettes, Gozanti corvettes and Dreadnought heavy cruisers. Pammant also has been permitted to produce Venator class battleship/carriers, primarily because the Republic is holding the yards in trust until the end of the war.” I say, before pausing a moment.

  The yard owners were looking at me calculatingly. They knew they could get the licenses I was offering for a long time. Depending on how long the war runs and the usual lifetime most warships had in use, this could become major money makers for them for years and years to come.

  “I will be arguing in favor of licensing the Pelta, the Arquitens, the Acclamator one, the Acclamator two, the Venator, and the various strikecraft we will need to arm their hangars.” I say, “With the war effort seemingly dire, I am certain Kuat, will be forced to listen, though I cannot guarantee the Venator will be able to be produced anywhere other than Mon Cala and Mintooine due to a mix of security concerns and the comparative lack of influence Dac’s colonies hold in the wider Republic.”

  “What about other ships? The Corellian destroyer has proven to be rather effective.” Someone asks.

  “If it is wished by the majority present, I am willing to add the CD-710 to the list of licensed ships I am requesting.”

  By the looks of the various ship producers there was interest. I sigh as I type the ship into a datapad R4 handed me. I wouldn’t bet on it though. Corellia had enough influence and large enough shipyards to probably argue successfully against a license production of their destroyer.

  “Now, as for recruitment rates.” I say, “Current rates are rather satisfactory. However I fear we will require an additional hundred and two thousand reservists within four months for the Navy and another twenty thousand reservists to supplement and reinforce the current regiments, I’d prefer an additional fifty thousand Navy reservists and another ten thousand GAR reservists, but I am willing to settle with my hard minimum. The reasons for the increased need of reservists is primarily due to the uptick in ship production, the planned offensives within the command and plans to expand the current ground forces within the command from our mobile 53rd Volunteer Corps under Major General Krugwolt, the reservist 227th Division, three garrison brigades and nineteen garrison regiments to two Volunteer Corps, two reservist Divisions, six garrison brigades, one armored brigade and twenty one garrison regiments. In other words, to increase our active Republic ground forces to roughly a hundred and eleven thousand servicemen.”

  “You want another hundred and twenty two thousand reservists on top of that!?” The Palatine of Krinemonen asks.

  “I believe that that will be what is required. I do believe we will be receiving an additional fifty thousand reservists from other departments for our naval reserves and about half of the additional servicemen for the ground forces will be coming from outside of the command due to our designation as a front line command.” I explain, before shifting my tone slightly, “Are you telling me you would have those from the Core send more sons and daughters to defend your worlds than your own worlds are willing to provide?”

  “Don’t try and stoke our national pride Dericote. It will not work.” Palatine Rire says indignantly.

  “I believe we should be able to manage the numbers requested of us, as long as it is not us alone who must bare the burden.” King Lee-Char says, stopping further argument.

  “Of course not. I will be informing all worlds within the command of the new requirements in recruitment.” I say. I’d probably have to make multiple redundant recruitment goals for each significant world and a handful of the more populous lesser worlds under my command’s purview. Otherwise it would probably end up like most group-projects.

  “I believe we have now come to the most … questionable topic.” Chief Ri says as I shrink into myself slightly.

  This would not be fun. I nervously clear my throat before I speak: “Due to the … stress placed upon the command, it may come to pass, that a certain number of ships within already exempt formations may be required once more to fight on the front lines. I do not wish to conscript or nationalize any forces within the command. There were many a prudent reason I did not do so in the past. However if it comes to me requesting additional forces, I would ask for your immediate agreement so that any actions required can be done swiftly.”

  Another round of grumbling from the Governors as I finish. No one wanted this, but the previous cooperation had worked well.

  It’s the Dornean President who stands first: “Dornea will gladly offer up a portion of her forces, if asked. Our … customs fleet has served us well in the past. Be it the Sith Wars of old or the current war of secession, Dornea stands with the Republic.”

  “And let it not be said that after all you have done for us, that Mon Cala would not heed the call.” King Lee-Char says.

  “I thank you all for your cooperation.” I say as one by one the systems agree to offer up their forces in times of need. I hope I’ll never have to call on them.