The ISD Aurora, commodore Marbec's office, the Pantora system.
''Good, I knew you would succeed commodore.'' The emperor says. ''I live to serve, your majesty.'' ''You will be rewarded for your loyal service. They have signed their planet over to the Empire and to you, governor Marbec.'' ''This is the opposite of what I had expected. I thought I would remove the pirate threat from the sectors here, claim Pantora for the Empire and get my promotion to admiral. But now this governor of Pantora?'' I think to myself; I am lost in thought until I realize that the emperor is expecting a reply. ''I am truly honored my emperor, but I am also confused. I didn't except the governorship of Pantora, I feel like I could be of better service to the Empire if I remain in the navy.'' I say choosing my words carefully as not to anger the emperor. ''Quite the contrary my friend, Pantora needs guidance. It is clear that there will be opposition to this annexation, and I need a strong leader to quell any rebellions that might surface here. I also know that this is not a very prestigious position certainly for an imperial commodore, but I can ensure you that if you complete this task you will rise to higher heights of power than you could ever reach in the navy. Ever since you served back in the republic, I knew your capabilities, prove them here on Pantora and you service will be rewarded.'' The Emperor pauses for a moment while I think about what he just said. ''Governor Marbec, it has a nice ring sure but governor of Pantora a backward planet that has just signed away their independence and is ready to rebel against what they see as a foreign oppressor. But if the emperor commands it, I will obey.'' ''I know that this is not what you wanted for completing your mission, so I will give you an additional gift. You can keep the Aurora as your personal ship and flagship of the Pantoran planetary fleet. I hope you will quickly settle in your new position; we will speak again soon enough.'' The emperor says, I bow my head and he cuts the connection.
I open my handheld comm and summon captain Thatch, not long thereafter he enters my office. ''You wanted to see me, sir?'' he asks. ''Yes captain, I just had an enlightening conversation with the emperor. He wants me to take the governor position of Pantora. He also has given the Aurora permission to stay here as my ship and flagship of the new planetary fleet.'' I reply. ''That's not quite what I expected to happen, did the emperor give a reason to appoint you as governor?'' ''He said that he thought this was the best choice for the Empire and for my own career, though he remained vague about how it would be beneficial. But it doesn't matter the emperor wants it and I will obey, tomorrow I will go down there let them sign and assume my new position.'' I say before standing up and motioning Thatch to follow me while I walk out of my office. ''I am going to sleep, you should too, I want you to accompany my tomorrow.'' I walk away and take the turbo lift to my person quarters.
The next day.
"Sergeant Tarwin, your division will come with commodore Marbec and me. We expect that everything is going to go well but be on your guard at all times.'' Thatch says to the sergeant as he and his men accompany us in my personal shuttle as we head once again back to the Pantoran surface, but this time we were going to stay. The emperor has a plan for Pantora and neither the Pantoran's nor even its yet to be appointed governor know it.
The shuttle lands on the same landing pad as it did yesterday just beside the Pantoran assembly. This time however we are not greeted by a unhappy chairmen, an angry senator and armed guards, no this time we are greeted by the entire Pantoran assembly including senator and chairman who sit on a raised platform in front of what seems the entire population of the capital city and anyone else who could be bother to make the trip.
At first this sight overwhelmed me. ''If we get a riot because of the announcement I do not believe I, Thatch or the stormtroopers will survive.'' I think to myself, but I quickly return to my senses as I see that chairman Papanoida and senator Chuchi have stood up to greet me. '' Commodore, we are ready to make it official even though I would have rather seen things happen differently.'' He says while we shake hand, before he can let go off my hand, I pull him closer and whisper into his ear. ''We both know it is best for you people, so I truly hope nothing is going to happen with the huge crowd that I didn't expect.'' Afterwards I let him go and move towards the microphone booth that is just in front of the seats for the senator and now also Thatch.
''Honored members of the assembly and people of Pantora, I commodore Lucas Marbec from the Imperial Star Destroyer Aurora am here to present an agreement that the Empire and you honored assembly have come upon. Effective immediately Pantora will be fully integrated into the Empire.'' I see some surprised faces in the crowd, while I also see my stormtroopers patrolling next to the crowd. ''I of course understand that this might come as a big surprise for many of you, but the assembly and the Empire have decided that it is best for Pantora and you its people that you join our great Empire. I can promise all of you that there has been plenty of debate by your chosen representatives if they should agree upon this, and I can also tell you that this decision was almost unanimously agreed upon by the assembly. This of course means that there will be some changes in how the planet is governed and in your daily lives, I am here to explain most of these things and to finalize this historic agreement. Firstly, the position of chairman will cease to exist and will be replaced by the new imperial governor more on that later.'' The faces that first showed surprise now show confusion and maybe even a hint of anger. ''Also, from now on Imperial law applies on Pantora, of course if there will be made exceptions if this better suits Pantora. Secondly for Pantora's protection there will be a planetary fleet stationed in the system, this fleet will be headed by the ISD Aurora. The Aurora will be aided by several support ships that will arrive in the coming days. Thirdly a mobile Imperial Complex is on route, this building will in time house the governor his staff and all other imperial personal stationed on Pantora. The complex may in time be replaced by more permanent structures.
''Now coming back to the imperial governor, as you might know he will become the new head of the planetary government taking over all authority and responsibilities of the chairman, though in appreciation of his years of service chairman Papanoida is given a permanent seat in the assembly, continuing. This governor will also be appointed by the imperial governor and can only be legally removed by either the emperor himself or by decree of the imperial senate.'' The few angry people in the crowd are only getting angry, but luckily, I am not the only one who notices this. Sergeant Tarwin has already pointed his men in the direction of the maybe troublemakers. ''The Imperial government has already appointed a governor and I would like to invite delegate Papanoida to announce this governor.'' ''I hope they will accept it more if he announces that I am the new governor.''
Papanoida stands up and moves towards the speaking platform, I grab him gently by his arm and whisper again into his ear. ''I wasn't expecting this either.'' I say before handing him the datapad which contains my official appointing as governor.
Papanoida quickly reads through the datapad and begins the announcement. ''People of Pantora, it is the will and decree of our Emperor Palpatine and the Imperial government that effective immediately commodore Lucas Marbec commander of the second detachment of the seventh fleet will assume the position of governor of the Pantora system.''
The troublemakers have gone from angry to outraged. ''TREASON AGAINST PANTORA.'' Shouts one of them, other shout in agreement. I quickly walk to the speaking platform. ''This meeting is over, changes presented here will go in effect immediately.''
Two of the stormtroopers flank me as I along with Thatch, Papanoida and Chuchi back inside the nearby assembly building. Outside what were a few troublemakers have grown to what you could call a riot.
''Tarwin and three troopers are still out there commod- I mean governor.'' Thatch says. ''It seems the Pantoran people are not as happy to accept the Empire's proposal as you were.'' I say while facing Papanoida and Chuchi. ''What will happen now, governor?'' Chuchi asks. ''Within the following days imperial personnel and equipment will arrive to finalize the imperial presence on Pantora. From now on I will be using your former office Papanoida, you will be given an office that 'fits' your new position.'' ''Yes, governor.'' Comes the reply.
''Governor, I would like 'permission' to leave to prepare for the upcoming assembly meeting?'' Chuchi asks but saying the word permission with a tone that sounds like she doesn't think I could stop here otherwise. ''Though it is still sometime until the meeting, but you are of course free to organize your own agenda however you want.'' I reply. ''There is already a riot outside no need to give her more fuel to rage against the Empire. With the imperial senate coming out of recess in a few months I am sure she will rage against us there, let's make sure she has no actual reason to go against us.''
After Chuchi, Papanoida also decided to quickly leave. Leaving Thatch and me alone with the two stormtroopers. ''After this whole riot situation is dealt with, I will return to the Aurora to collect my belongings. I also want all stormtrooper stationed on the Aurora to come back down with me, as long as new permanent imperial forces arrive I might need them to quell more 'uprisings' I don't want my first week as governor to end with complete anarchy.'' ''Yes, your excellency.''
''You trooper.'' I say while nodding towards the trooper on my right. ''Find delegate Cho and bring him to my new office.'' ''Yes, sir.'' The troopers before moving towards the office area for all normal delegates. ''You will come with me.'' I say to the trooper to my left. ''Thatch keep an eye on the situation outside and come to me when it's clear to depart for the Aurora.'' He only nods.
We walk towards and enter my new office. It still has all the belongs and artifact from Papanoida, but I can work around that for now. Not long after the trooper returns with delegate Cho. I stand up to greet him.
''Delegate Cho, thank you for coming I have somethings I would like to discuss with you.'' ''Of course, governor, I am here to serve.'' He replies while we sit down. ''As you saw outside today there are people here that don't really agree with the new imperial government on Pantora, so I need people that know the planet and its people but who is also a supporter of the new government. So that why I want to name you first minister of Pantora.'' I see a hint of surprise on his face. ''Your excellency I am honored you would consider me for this important position. I would be my pleasure to serve you this way.'' I reply before bowing his head towards me. ''Very well, you are hereby tasked with finding other Pantorans that are sympathetic towards the Empire and are willing to serve its goals on Pantora.'' ''I will, governor.'' He says before we stand up, I shake his hand and he walks out of the office and is almost immediately followed by Captain Thatch.
''Governor, the riot has been stopped and over a dozen arrests have been made, as soon as new judges arrive with knowledge of imperial law they will be tried according to its law.'' ''Thank you, I am ready to return to the Aurora. Notify sergeant Tarwin about this.'' We leave the office and make our way back to the shuttle. As we pass the square where the meeting to place, I see that what was a nice and clean square has turned into what looks like a garbage belt. On our way to the shuttle we are joined by Tarwin and three stormtroopers. We enter the shuttle and depart for the Aurora.
As we enter its shuttle bay and I stop sergeant Tarwin before he can return with his men to their barracks. ''Sergeant, you have served me ever since I took command of the Aurora, I trust you and I want to offer you a position and a promotion. The position is the head of my security, and the long overdue promotion is making you a captain. I hope you will accept.'' ''Of course, sir, it would be an honor to keep you safe.'' He replies. ''Very well, I will contact imperial high command so that they can finalize your promotion.'' I say to Tarwin before he leaves.
''Today was not an easy day, the first of many hard days. My task is to pacify a planet that has just been ignited. I don't know why the emperor wanted to send me here I just hope that I will still be alive at the end of this.''
Thank you for reading, and I will see you next time.