Njmok I I I, Zoloch Sector

Admiral William Johnson stared at the numerous reports arrayed on his desk. The invasion was proceeding spectacularly, with the Grostme, Hecan, Conder, Jkilia, Njmok, Fygilla, Vamos, Kleas, Asrsa, Jkenna, Skddja, and Unfrond systems all controlled by either Earth or the Free Confederacy. Their orbit was fully controlled by either of the two parties, and the ground was either partially or fully controlled by both groups. Several pockets of Imperial resistance on the various planets that were conquered, but most had already been dealt with and the remaining had no chance to survive in the long run.

So far six Imperial Star Destroyers had been either destroyed or captured in the campaign, with several older classes of Star Destroyers also neutralized. This was half of the large assets in the sector. Dozens of smaller escorts had also been destroyed or captured, cruisers, frigates, corvettes, patrol craft and logistics and support ships. Not yet half of the sector's ships, but still not an insignificant number.

Losses on Earth and the Free Confederacy's side were minimal. Between the two factions less than two dozen escorts and less than a hundred fighters had been lost to enemy action. The largest, a Destroyer (not to be confused with a Star Destroyer) had been rammed by an fatally wounded Imperial Frigate in a last ditch attempt to cause damage to the enemy. This rate of losses could easily be sustained.

Now the road to Garnizon I I was wide open. Johnson would be leading the charge with the same troops and ships he had taken Jkenna. While the force at Garnizon was stronger, as it was the capital of the sector and held the command facilities for operations in the area, it was still under strength. Only three Imperial Star Destroyers, a rarer Tector Star Destroyer that sacrificed it's hanger deck for more firepower and two older Victory I I Star Destroyers made up the active heavy assets protecting the planet (the Titanius, the first ship that the revenge had attacked several months ago was being repaired but had little combat capabilities) ship that had been. It also held eight cruisers, 20 frigates and 36 corvettes and systems patrol craft. To back this up, there were two large Golan Space Defense Platforms in orbit, supported by a large orbital drydock and command center. There were also a myriad of smaller installations throughout the system, ranging from unarmed or lightly armed to having dozens of large guns installed on them.

This was still the largest force they had encountered yet, but it could be broken. The fleet would have been larger if the second expedition against Earth had never been attempted, but that was neither here nor there. Johnson still had a superior force, though one that was less so when compared to the one he was up against.

The door chimed and Captain Drofa Haffard stepped in. He was carrying another tablet that probably held more reports on it. Can't you just send it to me. Johnson thought to himself.

"Admiral the Free Confederacy has successfully overrun the Saod System." He said.

"Good, that brings us to about half of the systems with a noticeable Imperial presence if I'm correct." Johnson said. "The drones in the Garnizon system have not noticed any changes in the Imperial disposition I assume."

"All of the ships that were there before have been accounted for. I believe we are ready to proceed." Haffard replied.

"Is there an update on Major Petrova and the uprising there." Johnson asked.

"The Empire has made only minimal counter attacks against her location, all of which have been repealed. They are dealing with planet wide uprisings and attacks against their forces by people of all kinds. Captain Takawida has reported a similar situation appearing on Zoloch Prime, but progress of the uprisings and the Imperial response appear to be going over all more slowly." Haffard said.

"Good, tell Major Petrova that we will be there soon. She should get support from more ground troops then." Johnson paused. "I want to leave for Garnizon in an hour. Have all of the fleet notified so they can begin last minute preparations."

Ghralia VI, Ghralia Sector

Moff Vincent Kleen heard the door chime as he sat on the glamorous observation balcony of his large estate. It showed a view of a beautiful waterfall that ran down from Lathesis Mountain Range far above and that eventually traveled further downstream to create a source of hydroelectric power for several of the planet's major cities.

Kleen himself had grown up privileged as the only son of a banker and the commander of the local defense forces. While his family had money, Kleen had not been spoiled as many other children in his position would be, as his parents wanted him to develop on his own without the influence of big money.

This influenced his attitude on the great wealth he would eventually inherit; he didn't spend it flagrantly like other members of the upper class would. It also forced him to develop a strong work ethic that would get him the grades needed to enter the Anaxes Collage.

He had followed in the footsteps of his father and eventually joined the plenary defense forces seven years after the Naboo Crisis. When the Clone Wars broke out, he had helped hold the world against Speerstist Incursions despite all odds and made sure the world didn't fall to them. As time went on he eventually rose in rank to Captain, with his command being an old Dreadnaught Heavy Cruiser. After the Empire came to power he was transferred to the Ghralia Sector Fleet when the planetary defense forces were disbanded.

He had slowly and methodically risen through the ranks of the sector forces, becoming an Admiral and eventually the commander of all space based forces in the sector. A few years later he acceded to the position of Moff of the entire sector through some political backstabbing after the previous Moff died of a heart attack. By now he had solidified his power and eliminated all political rivals in the sector.

Rebel activity hadn't been very significant in this sector, despite being in the outer rim, an area that was known for such activity. Most of the activity had been due to a few scattered groups of pirates and some assets of the free confederacy. They had recently significantly reduced their activity in the region, even though they mostly operated within the Zoloch Sector.

"Come in." He said. This had better be important.

One of his aides appeared, a young lieutenant. "Sir, there is a priory one message from the Zoloch Sector. They are under attack by rebel forces. You need to see this." He said despite his tone of voice being somewhat out of line.

Kleen read the same report Gondra had read hours earlier. He was not really surprised that it was happening, but not on the scale it was. Moff Flag and his lapdog, Picot were both incompetent fouls who had lost half of thei to ill fated expeditions into unknown space or to rebel attacks. It had left the sector less defendined, it was absolutely no surprise what happened next.

The appearance of Earth was very surprising. He had heard some rumors about these people, but hadn't paid much attention to it. A skeptical part of him wondered if it was even true, or just made up to disguise some other reason the fleet disappeared. In both the unknown regions and wild space there were supposedly secret Imperial fleets and facilities, though if this was actually the case was unknown.

But even if this planet did in fact exist, it's choice to attack the Empire was unexpected. Why would they do that? It would put a regional target on their backs, but based on the fact that the Empire was mostly concerned about the growing threat of the rebel alliance it made more sense.

The Free Confederacy's disappearance from the Ghrailia Sector now also made a lot more sense than previously. But the size of their forces was most unexpected. The fact that they had access to a Subjugator Class Heavy Cruiser would have been fascinating in other circumstances but concerning here. Unless the Mon Cala were in the business of building dreadnoughts or the alliance had somehow captured an Imperial Assertor or Bellator Class it was probably the largest ship in rebel hands within the entire galaxy.

He decided to wait for a bit. The Sector would not fall immediately, though much sooner than many might anticipate. But if he could intervene and help push back these attacks, it would give more influence to him within the region. Especially since the Zoloch Sector had lost more than half of its fleet and many key members of its leadership. He might even be able to annex some land into his sector within the long term. He would be facing a determined enemy and likely face losses, but if he could gain more influence within the region it would be absolutely worth it.

"Make sure the sector's senior officers see this, especially Admiral Erebrus." He said to the aide, referring to the Admiral in charge of the sector's fleet.

"Yes sir." The aide replied, exiting the room.

This crisis at the border might present some challenges and potentially be harmful to him, but could also be used to his advantage to grow his power.

In every crisis there was opportunity. And Kleen would be taking advantage of this new opportunity.