Chapter 3: Gentaa VI's Defection.
I am growing tired of the Imperial status quo, though I shall not be able to admit so at least right now. They do not like friends of those who have defected and already I am being watched by those who would want to see my undoing. So I must make a difficult choice; bow down to those that wish to see my harmonies part of the empire ruthlessly exploited or go my way like a friend of mine had done…
Moff Ysigla Benet, private journal entry
The world of Gentaa VI had always been important to the Empire especially when viewed through the lens of the outer rim. The system it inhabited was bountiful in natural resources of many types and its sprawling surface was occupied by vast factories that churned out equipment needed for the Imperial war effort. In space, a decently large network of space stations and mobile drydocks (for where it was located) helped construct and repair ships that the Galactic Empire needed. And due to its central location, it was the capital of the Kansan Sector which was less of a backwater area than the sectors that were located on the fringe of Imperial Space, such as the Zoloch Sector. Within the region, it was also one of the few sectors that could challenge the economy and industrial capacity of the Tibannas sector, though it was still behind by a fairly large degree in economic output.
Its Moff, Ysigla Benet watched over the planet from her flagship and despite the feeling of pride she felt for it there was a growing sense of dread. She would have to make a difficult choice soon, one that could decide the fate of her sector
The system had rarely been a target for the galaxy's rebel groups owing to its strong defenses both in space and on land, so no attack against it had ever succeeded. It was guarded in space by several Golan and Carden-type Space Stations, which would be formidable opponents to any capital ship that might wish to attack the fleet. That didn't even begin to mention the fleet that guarded it, which was one of the better ones in the general area. One Mandator II Class Dreadnaught, the Summation, served as her flagship and was one of the most powerful ships in the area, which was only matched by a few other dreadnaughts some sectors employed. A Praetor Battlecruiser, the Leenqila, also helped defend the system along with eight Imperial I and II Imperial Star Destroyers and two of the rarer Tector's. Alongside that, there were over 70 smaller vessels under a kilometer long ranging from a few Victory I and two ISDs down to sublight IVP-1 systems patrol craft. On the surface of the planet, hundreds of thousands of Stormtroopers and Imperial Army Troopers were also prepared to defend the world in dozens of divisions. More ad hoc formations were even being mobilized as she watched the world from space.
However the main reason that her sector had rarely come under attack was that while the sector's industry and resource extraction facilities were tempting targets it had a population that was loyal to its leader. She had provided for them, funneling money into the system that gave its citizens more opportunities and better stands of living. If only more sectors had done this the rebellion would have never come close to the threat that it posed today.
There was an issue on the horizon. Should the sector stand with the Empire, war would come to it. Under other circumstances, due to the effective defenses the sector had this wouldn't be an issue. But this world wouldn't be facing some backwater rebel cell armed with a few old clone wars ships. No, they would soon be facing a threat that actually stood a chance at taking the pride of the Gentaa sector.
Earth.
A word that had simply not been known by those within the Empire mere months ago and probably had only rarely been spoken on Coruscant, if at all. Because Earth was just one primitive planet who had managed to fight off token forces the incompetent fools of the Zoloch Sector who hadn't realized that it was under attack until it was too late.
Vincent Kleen of the Ghralia Sector, as well as both Moff Jareen of the Cundre Sector and Moff Kralen of the Query sector had put up strong defenses and launched a counterattack that could have reversed Earth's gains in the sector. But they had faltered due to their demands that Moff Karla Illustrious join them in the attack. They had been concerned that she had instead joined forces with Earth to cripple each of their sector forces. It had been little more than a month since then and now most of the previously mentioned sectors had fallen. And now they were moving on to her's.
Earth was exposing a major flaw within the Empire however, its lack of unity. The Empire was becoming too big to respond effectively to minor threats to it, and knowingly or unknowingly Earth was exploiting it. The Empire could roll over Earth if only a fraction of one percent of its strength was focused on it and the Emperor could make that happen.
But the Emperor, despite his vast powers was only one person and while Lord Vader and the late Governor Tarkin's word also contained that level of power, there were only two people with one of them still alive.
Her thoughts were interrupted as one of her aides approached her.
"Admiral, I am receiving a secure transmission on a non Imperial frequency. It claims to be from the former Moff Illustrious."
"Can you verify it's her?" She asked. Benet had been the one of the former Moff's best friends throughout the years and it had been a saddening shock to her when she had left for these rogue nobodies. But it had also intrigued her that she had done so. Illustrious had shared many of her political beliefs as to how the Empire had been run and their policies had led to their sector's prospering. She must have seen something on Earth and what they were doing.
In the past few months since Illustrious had brought almost her entire sector to the other side of the war, she had been examining Earth and what made it so special. Why it was running across Imperial space with little more than token resistance being effective against it.
As far as she was concerned the humans of Earth had been bred for war. Their entire history was filled with it, but they were not mandalore. They knew that they would tear each other apart if they kept fighting each other, especially as more advanced weapons were developed.
The interstellar space fleet that they had developed had proven quite effective and it appeared to be led by a competent officer core. The commanding officer of the fleet, William Johnson, was likely one of the more competent admirals in the galaxy at this point and he had proven himself against superior foes several times by now on both a tactical and strategic level.
"It appears to be an authentic match to the personal channel that she has with you." The Lieutenant said.
"Give me privacy." She ordered. After he left the room she opened the line and the holographic figure of Karla Illustrious appeared.
"Ysigla, is that you?" She asked. The Karla she knew looked like the one that was staring at her over the holoprojector, looking excellent for her age. She had changed her uniform a bit, though it was roughly comparable to the one she had used as a Moff.
"Yes it's me Karla. If I was in person I wouldn't be sure if I should shoot you or hug you." They both laughed at that joke, temporarily breaking the uneasiness of the situation.
"Ysigla, I know you might be skeptical but I want to give you some important intelligence that my operatives have uncovered. And to explain why I made some of the choices I have and why you should. You don't need to agree, but I would like you to at least please consider what I am proposing." She said.
"I will listen." Ysigla said.
"The intelligence I have come across, which I will send you shortly, indicates that the Moffs that border you are pressuring the executives of Kuat, Sinear, Rendilli, and every other major corporation in your sector to move to other sectors. Several people in the Empire have decided that you do not have a place in the future of the Empire, they believe that you are not controllable by the Empire and since you are a friend of me…" Karla said. "I will send definite proof of this, but assuming that you verify it you will have some questions about the Empire."
"What did I do to deserve this?" Ysigla said.
"You don't do what the Empire wants. Your sector, just like mine, is more loyal to you instead of the Emperor, and for good reason." Klarla said. "What did Palpetine ever do for the people of your sector?"
Ysigla said. "Little, and compared to what the people of my sector have done even less."
"Then why should you answer to him? You would have a point when it comes to economic cooperation but since that is about to dry up then what do you have? All of the surrounding Moffs are self interested power hungry pieces of bantha poodoo who don't care about the people within their sector." Illustrious continued.
"What about my people?" Ysigla asked. "Will they support me?"
"Once the Empire has made its move than yes, almost entirely." Illustrious said. "Ysigla, if you stay on this path you will condemn yourself and your sector to ruin. Earth, the Free Confederacy, and I cannot bypass your sector. War will come to you, but we can avoid it if you join us. Please Ysigla, you've been my most dear friend and it will pain me to face you in combat."
Ysigla though for a moment, torn between what she should to do. But as she looked at Karla's crying face it became clear what she must do.
"I'm with you Karla, I'll put plans into motion now that will kick off when the Emperor makes his move. This sector will no longer live under the boot of the emperor."
"Thank you Ysigla, we can work out details later and I hope to see you soon."
In the next week, as predicted by Illustrious, the various companies announced they would be pulling out of the system and confirmed the intelligence that Illustrois had given her. And a few hours later a team of Imperial intelligence agents tried to assassinate Ysigla. However, she was prepared for the eventuality and had set up a number of guards to protect against it. They easily defeated the attackers who had not been prepared for a protracted fight. One of the assassins cracked and confirmed the intelligence that she had been set. '
With all of this evidence, it was clear that the Empire intended to betray her. Presenting the evidence to her population over the Holonet, she declared independence from the Empire and began planning for an alliance with Illustrious, Earth, and the Free Confederacy, and opened up to the rebel alliance for trade deals that would allow for growth of the sector's mining industry. Some of her sector force and citizens fought against her, but this was a tiny minority compared to the people she had loyal to her.
Most importantly to her, the Kansan sector would not suffer under the boot of the empire. It would take its place among the stars and decide on its own along with those who wanted the same thing.
Or it would die trying.