I was back over Mon Cala once more, overseeing operations from my preferred mooring instead of from the Tonng’l administrative station. And yet all isn’t well as I glance the young man up and down. Clean shaven, respectfully at attention and quietly hopeful, though that last part was only clear by looking him in the eyes. He wore the rank plaque of a Rear Admiral and yet …

  “You are Vice Admiral Rampart?” I clarify.

  “Yes, sir and may I say it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The man replies.

  I look him up and down before speaking: “A brevet rank then?”

  That seems to stump the man for a moment: “Y-yes, sir. A brevet rank required for the planned implementation of the chain codes.”

  “Hm.” I grunt as I look over the datapad showing his plans, I could work around this, “Where’d you serve?”

  “Excuse me?” The man in Navy gray asks.

  “You’re in Navy grays, you have the brevet rank of Vice Admiral, his majesty ended the war a few months ago. So I ask again, where’d ya serve?”

  “Southern theater.”

  “Not one of Zsinj’s, they’re better behaved.” I mutter to myself, “A Tarkin then?”

  “No, sir. I’m from Corulag.” Rampart says, baffled.

  “Definitely Tarkin.” I mutter to myself, “So, what’s Tarkin’s deal with you then?”

  “Moff Tarkin has little to do with the implementation of the chain codes-”

  “But he is involved.” I butt in.

  Rampart’s eye twitches: “Yes, sir.”

  I let out a sigh: “Alright, I know Tarkin pretty damn well. If he’s putting his weight behind this it’ll only be a matter of time until his majesty accepts it. But you owe me for not making this a whole lot more difficult Rampart.”

  “Excuse me?” The Vice Admiral squawks.

  “Here’s the deal. Chain codes are fine, even if I think they’ll do more harm than good, the cash exchange is fine, but the transportation ban goes too far. You’ll be hurting everyone’s economies and I won’t have it done in my commands.” I reveal my position.

  Rampart considers it a moment before nodding: “Fine. I can work with that. Do I at least have your full cooperation then?”

  “You’ll have my blessing and I’ll direct you to Colonel Istris’s office if there’s any issues.” I answer.

  “And he is?” Rampart asks.

  “Major General Bvinsk’s second in command. He will see to any issues you may face.” I answer.

  “Very well. Thank you for your cooperation, Fleet Admiral.”

  “Thank you for your understanding and compliance, Vice Admiral” I reply before ushering the man out. He may very well turn out to be a problem. But for now, I needed to act at least somewhat compliant.

  Act compliant and probably start stealing legitimate chaincodes in mass just in case.

  It appears I was more right than I feared when his majesty, King Lee-Char of Mon Cala ordered me to join him planetside for a formal meeting. I mean, technically he requested it, but I could smell an order a lightyear away, part of the job really. I put on my best formal uniform, pinning my rank plaque and old Medallion of Honor to my chest, probably should expect a couple more in the coming year as the bureaucracy finishes making sure everything looks right before awarding me some lesser medals and merits.

  It probably had to do with me easing along the negotiations between the Krinemonen yards and Hoersch-Kessel. The infamous makers of the Munificent and Lucrehulk now owned a tenth of the yards’ production rights and a decently sized piece of land for their new factory in exchange for the people of Krinemonen owning a fifth of the questionably valuable company, to be overseen by the Palatine of the world on its people’s behalf.

  I take a calming breath as I return to my present. The shuttle ride is smooth enough, despite the imminent smackdown I was sure I was about to receive. Deep inhale, deep exhale. A small thump as the shuttle finishes its landing and I get out and stand in front of the ramp, half a dozen Navy Arms-men and two Clone Sergeants as my escorts and Commander Hursk two steps beside me as the ramp descends.

  The Clones, Moss and Ivy, march down first, blaster rifles rested against their arms and sidearms close at hand, followed by my detachment of arms-men. Finally once they’ve made their cordon I descend the ramp, Hursk on my heels. Familiar faces greet me, Chief Ri looking far older than usual and Mayor Raddus looking his usually peeved self.

  “Chief Ri, Mayor Raddus I thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to greet me.” I say with a short bow.

  “Fleet Admiral Dericote, I wish this meeting would be under better circumstances.” Chief Ri replies.

  “I believe we can agree to that.” I reply easily, “May I introduce my Adjutant Commander Hursk?”

  “A pleasure, your honor.” Hursk says as he clicks his heels together in the Lantillian style.

  “Yes, a pleasure.” Chief Ri says easily as Raddus rolls his eyes.

  “You’ll need to leave your men at arms here.” Raddus says gruffly.

  “May I keep the Clones?” I ask.

  Raddus’s eyes narrow in suspicion at the two soldiers as Chief Ri hesitantly answers: “If … you insist, you may.”

  “Excellent, Moss, Ivy, half a step behind the Commander if you please.”

  “Yessir.” The two soldiers reply easily.

  “Then if you would follow us?” Ri requests.

  I nod easily before falling in alongside Chief Ri, Raddus ending up a half step behind the Quarren leader and Hursk a step behind me. It is a surprisingly tense walk through the hallways of the Dac City Palace grounds, maybe I should have taken the arms-men with me instead of the Clones … well it was too late now.

  “His majesty awaits us behind these doors.” Chief Ri says. Gesturing at the large stained glass doors.

  “Please deposit all weapons, or in the case of ceremonial weapons their munitions, into the bin.” A Quarren guard requests, holding out a small bin that I immediately knew would be too small.

  I glance at Chief Ri: “Must I? It will make us late.”

  “Please do as the guardsman says, Fleet Admiral.” The Quarren requests.

  I let out a sigh as I begin. My slugthrower is removed with an unnecessary flourish, her slugs removed in a fluid motion and deposited into the bin before returning the weapon of my ancestors to my holster. I quickly grab the spare slugs from my uniform and deposit them alongside their counterparts. Next I remove the light blaster pistol from my right boot, then the vibroknife from the same boot and place both into the bin. I lift my left boot up and remove the knife from that as I consider the many choices that lead me here. It too falls into the bin as I remove the blaster pistol from between my uniform’s chest flap.

  I glance at the Quarren Chief as Raddus poorly hides his chuckles. Chief Ri raises a brow leading me to sigh as I begin taking off my tunic, my belt stopping it from falling to the floor, instead giving me something which vaguely looked like a skirt. I glance over at Hursk who has already placed his service pistol into his own bin. I return to my task as I quickly roll up one sleeve of my undershirt, unlatching my cybernetic arm and placing it in a quickly nabbed second bin held by another guard. I pull my tunic back on and return to my usual state of dress, the empty part of the sleeve quickly pinned up to my upper arm with practiced ease.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Good enough?” I ask, I still had the hairpin needle and my throwing knife on my right forearm.

  “It should do.” Chief Ri says exasperatedly.

  “Especially since I’m disarmed.” I tease.

  “Yes.” Chief Ri says tersely.

  “Excellent.” I say, “Moss, Ivy, please wait outside on us.”

  “Perhaps your Adjutant should join them?” Chief Ri suggests.

  “I take the further education of my Adjutants very seriously. Too many were thrust into war too early. The standards the Judicials imposed have laxed severely in the Navy over the last three years, a diplomatic meeting should help alleviate this.” I say.

  Hursk bristles at that while Chief Ri seems to soften slightly: “Very well, if you would follow us.”

  The doors open to reveal the Mon Cala court, dozens of Mon Calamari and Quarren, various Humans, a duo of Dorneans, a Skakoan, a Muun, two Aqualish, an Iktotchi, unusual to see one of them so far away from their homeworld, an Abyssin, also rather unusual, probably a bodyguard for one of the industrialists, and a Targonnian. Seems the Targonnian diaspora was growing rapidly. I should see about speaking with Governor Squeak some time soon before someone starts spouting xenophobic slurs at the birdlike people.

  I and Hursk march towards the dais as the herald introduces us: “Presenting, Fleet Admiral of the Imperial Navy, Brevet Junior Moff of the reorganized East Tion Cluster Command and North East Slice Command, Holder of the Medallion of Honor, Defender of Mon Cala, Liberator of Mintooine and Pammant, Black Hussar, Thraken Owen Dericote of Fondor.”

  I give a low bow as the herald continues: “Also presenting, Adjutant Commander of the 120th Battlegroup, Slice Hussar and Adviser, Eriks Hursk of the honored bastion of Lantillies.”

  The Commander follows by giving an excellent bow to the court. Once he finishes we continue our approach to the dais. As the young King bids us closer we finish our approach from what is courteous to the distance which is strictly polite.

  “Fleet Admiral Dericote.” The King begins, “Originally we had called you here to award you for your services to Mon Cala throughout the war. However it has come to the knowledge of our royal presence that the Empire has decided to force new chain codes onto their people. You have also interfered in the economic matters of one of Mon Cala’s colonies, the treasured world of Krinemonen.”

  I wait a moment before speaking, ensuring I wasn’t interrupting the Mon Calamari’s speech: “That is correct, your highness.”

  “That concerns us greatly.” The young King continues, “Mon Cala and her colonies may currently be a member state of the Empire, yet this encroachment is rather disturbing to all of us.”

  “And I understand that well, your highness.” I placate.

  The young King sighs before speaking: “After counseling with my Advisers and Ministers, we have decided to allow these chain codes in our territories and after discussing with the right honorable Palatine of Krinemonen, learning that this trade was consensual, we have also decided to allow this minor interference in her industry. However we wish to know when the wartime control over our shipyards will be lifted. While the interference in this case was benign and perhaps even beneficial, our polity does not need Imperial wartime interference in our yards. Especially since the Emperor himself decreed the war with the Separatist Alliance to be over.”

  “I would also enjoy knowing such information, your highness.” I reply, “Fondor, place of my home and hearth, too still has wartime controls on her shipyards’ production. I shall inquire personally on your behalf, if it pleases the court and his highness, on when the restrictions will be canceled or at the very least reduced when I am called to Coruscant in a few weeks’ time to receive my awards for my continued service.”

  The King tilts his head in consideration before nodding: “It pleases us that you are so concerned with our continued friendship to both your person and your state. However that seems like quite some time to keep us on wartime restrictions.”

  I paddle back: “Then I shall make an imminent inquiry and forward the reply to your highness’ parliament once I receive it. If his imperial majesty decides to continue the restrictions I will attempt to inform his imperial majesty in person of the strain it is causing his people, who are first and foremost, your people.”

  The King considers it a moment, rubbing his chin with his hand before making a decision: “This pleases us.”

  Chief Ri steps forward then from among the crowd of courtiers and Ministers: “I would then petition his royal majesty find a time to award the Fleet Admiral for his protection of Dac, her colonies and their interests.”

  “We agree.” The King says, “Fleet Admiral Dericote, please approach us.”

  I remove my slugthrower and hand it over to Hursk before continuing my approach until I am at the foot of the dais. The King beckons me closer as the Iktotchi moves beside the sovereign of Mon Cala holding a small metal box. The King descends to a step above me, the Iktotchi a step ahead until the final step where the scarred male opens the box to reveal a silver medal depicting crossed Mon Cala style blaster rifles with a ring of pink coral around the medallion attached to a ribbon of ocean blue and black.

  “We hereby present you the honor of the Defender of Mon Cala’s Cross, if you choose to accept it.”

  “It would be an honor.” I reply.

  The King smiles before pinning it beside my Medallion of Honor and giving a generous nod towards my person before shaking my hand. Once he finishes I salute the Mon Calamari and return to beside my Adjutant. The King returns to his dais, the Iktotchi to his former position and the court begins its fluttering of mindless words. Hursk hands back my slugthrower, which I return to my holster with an unnecessary flourish.

  “I hereby adjourn the court, though I request the Fleet Admiral, Chief Ri and Mayor Raddus join me in the sun-room.” The King orders.

  I give a short nod before turning to Hursk: “Mingle on my behalf. Schmooze if you must, but don’t make any promises on my or your own behalf. Don’t get too drunk and stay vigilant, never know who’s an actual ally and who isn’t in the know.”

  “Understood, sir.” Hursk replies, equally quiet in tone.

  "Then good luck."

  I nod to him before joining up with Raddus and heading towards the entrance to the sun-room, The doors almost close on us as we’re halfway through, yet the timing was perfectly timed for making me feel uncomfortable. I glance around the room a moment gauging the surroundings, Large glass windows, currently frosted as to not let anyone see inside. No furniture except for three austere couches and a single table on a sole leg at their center.

  And then there were the occupants. King Lee-Char had removed his ceremonial crown and replaced it with a circlet of durasteel while Chief Ri was quietly speaking with Captain Ackbar. Finally the Iktotchi was standing beside the door, quietly observing the room. I was starting to get suspicious of the scarred individual, something was just … off about him in an uncomfortably familiar way.

  “I have thought your offer over repeatedly, Fleet Admiral.” King Lee Char interrupts my racing thoughts, my head snapping towards the young King.

  “It never hurts to be prepared.” Ackbar reminds.

  “This could be the casus belli the Empire needs to subjugate us fully.” Chief Ri cautions.

  The King raises a hand silencing both advisers before refocusing his attention on me: “You claim … you are preparing against Imperial overreach. You have promised us the return of our shipyards in full. You have not demanded the subjugation of our Merchant Fleet. Yet how do you expect to fight a war against the entire known galaxy without such … necessities.”

  “Because I won’t be fighting the entire known galaxy alone.” I offer, “I’ve got allies in the HONO Clique and in other various branches of the Imperial military. Plans are already forming to return the Empire to the Republic of before the war, though likely with the Army and Navy we have accrued. The plans are already in motion. Networks of informants are being established. Imperial loyalist forces are being re-routed to advantageous positions for any of our possible revolts. With or without your direct assistance, the spark has been lit, all that’s left is to wait and see how long the fire takes to catch.”

  “You still haven’t answered his majesty.” The Iktotchi says.

  “And who exactly are you to speak for his royal majesty?” I ask, the niggling feeling still not going away, “I do not recognize you from his royal court during the Clone Wars and I do not believe there to be a large enough Iktotchi community in his highness’s country to demand your presence in his court, or parliament, as a representative.”

  “That is correct, however Sir Barr is a trusted adviser.” King Lee-Char replies, “And I too am curious about your answer to my questions.”

  I grimace somewhat before answering slowly: “I do not demand the submission of your shipyards, fleets and armies because if we are allied together properly I believe you will be more willing to commit your forces of your own free will and be far more willing than you ever were when I acted as a representative of the Republic.”

  “You should be more honest with his majesty.” The Iktotchi says while rotating his wrist slightly.

  I should … I had already wanted to be honest, but I would be risking a whole lot … I glance over at Raddus, then Chief Ri. Why did this feel so familiar? If I couldn’t trust my allies of some three years who could I? Could I trust Hursk or my strikecraft pilots then? I feel a headache coming on so I remove my officer’s cap and rub the creases out of my forehead.

  “I … also considered a united command for all allied forces under the command of an elected supreme commander with a five year term. Mind you this would be if the current plan failed, but better to have backups upon backups. This would likely only occur if the Empire pushes us too far after the current plan.”

  “You speak of an elected supreme commander? Why not just keep the system of the Clone Wars?” Ackbar asks.

  “Because it would mean a unified command structure for the armed forces of multiple worlds and Republic loyalists from throughout the galaxy. More coordination, less chance of a single world being able to stop an entire maneuver by withholding forces as many did in the beginning of the Clone Wars on Separatist and Republic sides both. It wouldn’t surprise me if I didn’t get elected, but even if one of your own officers was, I would gladly take on a subservient role to them if it meant you would place more of your forces into such an allied, and more importantly united, formation.” I confess, this was rapidly getting into the hypothetical details of the plan I hopefully wouldn’t need to use.

  “You’ve put real thought into this.” Raddus says, a smile on the Mon Calamari’s face.

  “Of fuckin’ course I have!” I exclaim, throwing my arms up, overcompensating for my lack of an arm and almost falling over my self before I manage to right myself, “And did I really need to leave my damn arm out there?”

  “You and I both know that arm is as well armed as the rest of you.” Chief Ri scolds.

  “Never shoulda used the arm-knife to skewer that sausage.” I mutter mutinously as I glare at Raddus, the karking snitch to his government.

  “But you indeed have placed much thought in this.” Ackbar says.

  “I didn’t survive this long by not planning thoroughly.” I answer, “Stacking the deck certainly helps, but planning is what allows me to know all the cards in the first place.”

  “You need to work on your metaphors.” Raddus chides.

  “Well at least half of mine don’t involve fish and the other involve water.” I snipe back at the northern Mon Calamari.

  “But you have to admit blood in the water is now one of your favorites.” Raddus snipes back.

  “This is beyond the topic of discussion.” I shut the avenue of conversation down.

  During the bit of bickering I had noticed Chief Ri and the King quietly discussing something. Had they directed Raddus to press my buttons to make sure I wouldn’t be able to listen in on them? If so, that was rather clever. I should try that some time.

  “I believe.” The young King says hesitantly, “That we are willing to agree to your … proposition.”

  “Excellent.” I reply, “I’ll be sure to keep you in the loop of any goings on.”

  “It was never much of a question.” Chief Ri says, “Republic overreach was bad enough. Imperial overreach appears to be twice as bad so far.”

  “The main … question we were disagreed about was if we should inform you and your allies of … Mon Cala’s true capabilities.” The Young King confesses, “I hope you will forgive us, however our secret shipyards have only activated in the dying weeks of the Republic.”

  I blink in mild confusion. There were secret shipyards? Were they speaking of their expansion of the Krinemonen shipyards within the system’s gas giant? My recent attentions there had brought the unauthorized expansion to my notice. I slowly gather my thoughts before speaking: “This wouldn’t be the illegal expansions in the Krinemonen system would it?”

  “Certainly not.” Chief Ri says, his tentacles curling in his species’ version of an eyeroll.

  “We are speaking of the Shipyards of Hast.” The King says.

  Where?

  “It took us time to finally get enough personnel to actually use everything there.” Ackbar explains.

  “The missing transports.” I realize. In the days leading up to Operation Vengeance there had been a report on seven missing Mon Cala Star Cruisers disappearing around Damendine.

  “Yes, the Home One and her escorting Star Cruisers were all sent to the Shipyards of Hast. The full arsenal should up and running soon.” Chief Ri offers.

  “We’re circling a number of ships there for refitting to proper battleships.” Ackbar explains.

  “What exactly to you mean with proper battleships?” I inquire.

  “Quadrupling the turbolaser armaments and quintupling the ion cannon armaments for the merchant ships mostly.” Raddus explains, “Those new Star Destroyers have scared our more … defensive designers into being proactive.”

  “Are there new designs?” I ask incredulously.

  “No, nothing like that. Too much of a backlog in refitting the current ships.” Captain Ackbar answers.

  “This means dozens if not a hundred ships available for retrofits.” I muse, “How long to retrofit a ship?”

  “About half a month if we have all the weapons ready, a full month if we need to ship them to Hast alongside the ships.” Raddus answers, “And before you ask, we’re able to upgrade five Star Cruisers at a time right now.”

  “Impressive.” I mutter, “Though you won’t be running out of ship hulls any time soon, unless you begin refitting your ships in more … easily reachable shipyards.”

  “Which we will not.” Lee-Char says.

  “Understandably so.” I agree.

  “I would enjoy it if you didn’t let anything on this topic out, even among your friends in the Navy.” Chief Ri requests.

  “I know how Opsec works.” I assure, “My lips are sealed.”

  “Then we can only hope that we will never need them to be unsealed.” The King says.