The bridge hummed with activity as the Vesperia pulled out of over Tatooine. Captain Kiell energetically directed preparations across not just this ship, but the others in Task Force Vesperous. This was the job that Admiral Sabel was supposed to do, but he was coordinating the ground forces with General Veers. This would be the largest operation she had ever participated in.
It had been a mere two years since the end of the Galactic Civil War, and in that time Captain Vana Kiell had been promoted from deck officer to Senior Captain. In the old Empire, she would never have been promoted so high. While misogynism hadn't entirely been eliminated from the new order, many changes were already notable. The Supreme Commander valued skill over sex or species. With his removal of the old xenophobic laws, hundreds of thousands of non-humans joined the Empire, eager to prove their worth to the Galaxy. As with all drastic changes of the sort, change was slow. Yet already there were aliens serving on the Vesperia, an Imperial II-Class Star Dreadnaught. Her comms officer, Qar Yme, was a Twi'lek for instance.
And with this new operation, thousands more would be able to experience the new freedoms and opportunities of the Galactic Empire. Having consolidated his hold on the galaxy - minus a few warlords and the so-called 'Second Rebel Alliance' - Supreme Commander Thrawn had turned his eyes towards pacifying the Outer Rim. A task not accomplished by the Old Republic, Sith Empire or even the First Galactic Empire. Jabba's death had caused a power vacuum that had left chaos on Tatooine. The new crime lord, Bib Fortuna, held a tenuous rule. It was time to rid the galaxy of such scum.
Admiral Sabel marched onto the bridge. The years were showing, but he still held the authority and demeanour of one twenty years younger than him. Lieutenant Ffann handed him a status report before hurrying off. He walked up to the viewport and gazed out at the disgusting system in front of him before abruptly turning around.
"Signal the task force," he barked, "begin the invasion."
The comms officer returned an affirmative and sent out the transmission. Captain Kiell joined the Admiral at the front of the bridge as the TIE squadrons were released. She allowed herself but a moment to appreciate the fighters before returning her full attention to her duties. The Admiral turned to her with a smile.
"Never did I even dream I would be leading the Liberation of Tatooine. By Vader, this is a glorious day."
"I wholeheartedly agree sir," responded Kiell, "Tatooine is a symbol of corruption. Taming it will send a message to the galaxy."
The junior comms officer shouted from across the bridge,
"TIEs report no resistance, the spaceway's are clear!"
Sabel spun around and approached the holoprojector towards the back of the bridge, leaving Kiell to supervise the operation.
"Veers, you may launch. Good luck, my friend."
"Thank you, sir. But who needs luck when we have the 501st legion?"