Author's Note: Salutations everyone, I don't have much to say in this author's note that I have come to bring you another chapter, and that I am excited to finally start getting into the political and militaristic issues of the story, and to finally start working on the plot of the story. We also reached 100 views, and have reached our first favorite and follower, so a dearest thanks to 'Xwhitewolf14' for being the first supporter of the story! Without any more to bring you, I hope you enjoy the chapter.
My last contact with the Director was about three weeks after the luncheon we both shared in the coruscant café. It seems like certain issues have been growing in many of the outer rim territories, and a few mining operations of vast planets whether it is the Empire or subsidized corporations underneath the Empire, taking much need building materials for ships, or some project. In one of the most informative articles, there was something about the beginning of mining for Kyber crystals on certain planets, the most covered planet being Jedha, the holy city for the Guardians of the Whills, and from what many consider the birth place of the force. I can only infer that the recent mining operations on Jedha and the project that the Director has been sharing what little snippets with me are related, if not completely connected.
However; there is little I can dwell on the Director for he is a busy man, much like myself. General Tagge has sent me on assignment with a support fleet again to do a patrol and defend tour near some outer rim planets that reported mysterious disappearances and hijackings of high priority escort cruisers from diplomatic envoys. One of the planets was Tatooine, which was an utter backwater of a planet where the scum and villainy from go to get their hands dirty, or their 'careers' started. In quite an interesting point, unlike many Hutts that prefer to run their operations from Nal Hutta, or Nar Shaddaa, the most infamous crime lord, Jabba seemed to enjoy his palace and base of operations on the desert planet. However; the Imperial Regime seems to at least share some relative interest in the planet, considering a few destroyers patrol the planet, and a garrison has been deployed to the major cities on the planet.
In-fact, most of my stay and orbit around the planet was practically projecting Gozanti and Sentient-Landing Craft for cargo runs, re-supply missions, and old fashioned escort missions to make sure that no rebel or 'hutt' related activity occurred. However; that seems to be the stereotype for most of these missions, whereas more or less it's just thieves and children trying to steal a crate of supplies, or a smuggler creating a diversion trying to get imperial equipment. I had taken a personal liking to decorating my private quarters on the Arquitens however, as I had decorated it with my past affections, or at least the few personal effects I had, and learning what new material I could with the new rank I held. The Arquitens that I ran however, could only do so much against certain infractures carried out by the 'opposing force' as a small band of Weequay, Rodian, and Sullustan thugs had carried out a successful attack on a cargo transport near the port of Mos Elrey.
Good news is that most of the cargo transports from the cargo manifests that I read are just basic blasters ranging from the standard issued E-11's, to something as insignificant as the SE-14C blaster pistols. Either that or they were carrying rations, armor, or credits that were doled out to the soldiers of the imperial embassy and garrison on the planet. I read some reports in the past though that alluded about a resistance cell taking some illegal weapons that were marked for destruction by an Imperial Commissar on Corellia. However, most of the reports that were detailed have either been blacked out or classified to my current rank, so I could only sigh out in frustration and simply just get back to my duties on the bridge.
As the tour was finally coming up to its expiration date and I'd have to report back to General Tagge to be assigned new orders, is when the 'pressure pot' burst in tensions relating to Tatooine. Radicals and protestors that have been protesting and terrorizing the flow of the Imperial 'quarantine' of the planet had finally broke out, and multiple riots happened in many cities, and multiple casualties had been amassed on both sides. As a result, the Star Destroyers deployed their reserves to the planet, and the lower vessels that could be deployed to the ground much quicker and more efficiently than a Star Destroyer were immediately sent in. As a result, my ship was finally going to see action and its first scars for the first time ever since I took over.
We came into the atmosphere fairly quick, and the main crew slowed us down as we became increasingly closer to the surface. From what the transmissions and local chatter throughout the comlinks had been, Mos Eisley, and Mos Espa were the first ones to be quelled, but a multitude of cities across the entire planet had been threatening basic imperial outposts, and stopping production in key factories. As a result, the acting governor of Tatooine had sent all the support ships and the reserve troops accordingly around the planet, and when it came down to my crew and I, we were dispatched to an industrial city on the very southern end of the planet. By the time we had arrived at the city, smoke had been rising up in the air, blaster bolts were sent through the sky, and two hours had past.
Local frequencies from squad leaders had been speaking directly to me as I directed the riot control procedure of the city. There were hardly more than a hundred stormtroopers and probably two field officers that were defending the main outpost from the advancing rioters and offenders. Despite the population of the mob being tenfold compared to the hundred troopers, the presence of the Arquitens that I had nicknamed the 'Habituator' seemed to have dispersed a majority of the crowd that wasn't too dedicated to the cause. Therefore, the remaining garrison exited the outpost with one swift strategical move that I ordered them to execute, and within thirty minutes, the rioting and chaos within the city was put to a halt, and the leaders of them, detained in the outpost for their punishments to come.
The 'esteemed' governor contacted me after I had reported the industrial city's rioters had been disbanded, had he ordered me to move my cruiser over to the infamous city of Anchorhead. This is where the rioting seemed to be at an all-time horrendous amount, as the entire city seemed to be fed up with the Empire. Buildings were being razed to the ground, details creating awful images in soldier's mind about the men on the ground being tied up to four adjacent speeder bikes and be dismembered, to atrocities that rival the some corrupted individuals in the empire. It was also apparent that the small command zones that the troopers had hastily put together and the checkpoint to prevent citizens from leaving had been overturned, and was now under the control of the city's resistance.
These conditions were a perfect time for me to realize the three tie-fighters that had been mounted between the two prongs in the front of my cruiser, and for them to gain air superiority and 'gun-run' certain areas to draw the rioters out. Due to this call however, multiple people on the ground started using turrets to open fire on the belly of my ship, posing a threat to the slowly decreasing shield levels on the ships. Due to this, I commanded that the use of the ship's belly laser cannons be used against the checkpoints and command zones so that the situation can be regained for the fighting troopers. Whether it was the work of the three Tie fighters, or the work of my accurate gunners, most of the turrets being used against the ships were destroyed, and the draining of the shields had ceased.
These 'shenanigans' continued on for an entire day, from the beginning of the assault in the later afternoon, to the current day's early afternoon, when the rebels of Anchorage finally capitulated and multiple landing craft deployed troops to get the situation back under control, and to take whichever rebels to the holding cells of the outpost. Due to all the fighting in Anchorhead, and the a dog-fight that some moisture farmers with their T-16 skyhoppers decided to pick with my cruiser, the 'Habituator' had received its first scorch marks and battle scars, yet not a single man or fighter was lost on my dutiful watch. Later, when I was to report the status of the three battles I had with the governor, and much later with General Tagge, the governor thanked me for the assistance.
Apparently, that would be the last time I would ever hear, or know about the governor of the planet, for an unfortunate event which seemed like a random assassination attempt by a radical local in Mos Espa, was covered up with the real fact that a high up official commanded the retirement of the political leader. I suppose that is why when I get up into a high position within the ranks, I should best try to keep to myself and avoid the wrath of my superiors, and strongly avoid any entanglements with the 'Empire's enforcer' and the Emperor himself. The last thing that my career and life would need is if I proved to be a less than capable officer for either of them, or some authority figure like General Tagge.
Despite the previous statements, I believe that I had formed a decent relationship with General Tagge, considering he stated that I could call him by Cassio on informal events, whether it be delivering a report to his office on his flagship, or talking in private. No matter who you are, if you get someone high up in authority to feel comfortable enough to let you call them by their first name, you are definitely on the right path to wherever you hope to achieve. At any rate, on the success from my mission to Tatooine, and the personal commendation from the now deceased governor, Tagge granted me a small gift for my excellence. It wasn't a promotion nor was it a new vessel to command for that would be premature and rather extreme considering how hard some officers try to rise from being a Bridge Enlistee to a Lieutenant like I was previously. Instead, he chose to elect that I have a permanent domain on Coruscant, and using his political power and sway, I was granted a medium sized suite in one of the skyscraper apartments a few kilometers away from the Imperial Palace.
The offer was a very illustrious one, and I was in no position to refuse the offer as the General needed a favor from the owner of the skyscraper at any rate, and since he considered me a confidant and friend, it was only right for him in his eyes to give me a small token of his good will, despite the fact that this 'small token' was nearly two million credits in real-estate. I requested that I would have permission to visit when everything had been arranged and the like, however; Tagge needed to send me on another protection envoy to the planet of Ryloth due to rumours of a Twi'lek insurgency on the rise, and the local slave masters requesting imperial interference in exchange for loyalty, labor, and credits. Personally, I did not care too much about the idea of slavery, but it still bothered me despite the innumerous legislations passed during the Galactic Republic era prohibiting slavery.
The leader of the growing insurgency was a rather quick one to dispatch of, due to my shrewd persuasion that it would just be put down by the slavers, or if the slavers paid enough, the empire coming in with a massive army and the bloodshed of the man's people possibly coming into play. I also expressed my concerns and deepest sincerities and did not want to seem like an enemy in his eyes, more or less just a messenger trying to avoid seeing something explicit on the Holonet. He seemed to agree with me, and gave me his word that he would stop the insurgency he had fought to build and that he was thankful I came when I did. As a result, the slavers made due on their word to the General, and the insurgency was peacefully put down without a hitch.
The Imperial Senate however, seemed to have quite a field day with me, as multiple senators that are anti-slavery called me a slithering krayt dragon that convinced a weak-willed leader to stop his insurgency just to be put back into shackles by the powerful slaver elites of the planet. They also found some connection to my father that they might as well just pulled out of their arse, for they were spewing and slandering his role as a father and senator in allowing his own son to do an action as lewd as this. Eventually, the Imperial Senate deviated from the matter to the more pressing issues at hand, and soon my story fell into the back of the papers, and everyone seemed to push it to the back of their minds as well. Upon return from Ryloth, and back into the authority of General Tagge, he congratulated me by using a diplomatic means instead of a militaristic one, and said that the suite was definitely a well-placed award for my services to the fleet, and that it made him look better in the eyes of the Joint-Chiefs and other Generals and Admirals in his circle.
The time came again where the Director contacted me again and asked if I would have time to visit him while he was on Coruscant, and upon the approval of the General, and my lack of current assignments except for remaining in the fleet, I diverted my cruiser to Coruscant, and took a taxi over to the same café where he had agreed to meet again. Unlike last time, the Director had beaten me to the café, and instead of sitting in the corner as we had in our last visit, he elected to sit in the window room, overlooking the city sprawls. I entered the room which had four different tables, some booths to just sit at, and the majestic bay view window, only to find it completely vacant of anyone. Orson must've heard the door close behind me, as he quickly turned on his heel and gazed at me.
"I am glad you could come on this day, Praxon. You have no idea how much this means to me, considering how much I've been involved in my work lately."
The Director's demeanor carried a sense of calm yet overworked expression, while he seemed to be unbearably tense. Not to mention his stance seemed to echo those two characteristics with being very uptight, and taut.
"I try to make time for my personal friends, and my social life, not to mention my own personal endeavours. I also appreciate the fact that you came here to speak with me also, considering I'm just a Captain."
He seemed to be quite disappointed in my response and quickly responded, "Rank has nothing to do with our personal interactions, Praxon. I used to be a Captain much like yourself, even when I was working on my current project. I can respect what you are trying to do, because I found myself trying to do the same thing not too long ago, despite the irritable times I was cheated out of my own credit and work."
I nodded my head and thanked him for the inspiring words, in which he replied that it was just an acknowledgement that we both had some similarities when it came to our professions. After his comment about that, he began to talk about his early projects whether it was involving ship-building for the Republic, to architecture, to his passions and interests. He was also sporting his liquor that he had ordered last time, and I brought up the question on how he could bare to stomach the damn stuff, in which he said that he built up toleration from his earlier days of partying in the Republic, and even the occasional party here and there to let off some steam. I took a look outside the windows again and asked if he ever imagined constructing the technology defying buildings and skyscrapers on Coruscant, in which he morbidly joked that he had bigger ambitions than building simple apartment complexes.
Due to my curiosity and the feeling that I was running out of 'talkable' content that I could share with the Director, I elected to ask about the Project that he was currently working on and why he would never talk about it, and why Project Stardust was so hush hush. He replied in the way I inferred he would in which he said he couldn't talk about it that much, and it was not a problem of confidentiality or trust, just the main fact that my rank had implications and if I were to utter it unconsciously somewhere or among someone, there would be a thorough investigation and he could be linked to it. In regards to that, I only asked if the Kyber crystals were at all related to the project, in which the only positive comment I received was that I made a good inference and that I may not be that far from the truth.
He must've also felt that the content was just starting to run to small talk, so to save us the bothersome embarrassment of running out of things to talk about and standing there in silence, I suggested that I take my leave and return to the fleet so that we could go back to our busy work, and that we could arrange something when we get the time again. He agreed with my idea and we both left the café, although I left before him so that I could 'return to favor' for what he did to me last time. Upon returning to the shuttle bay, and taking it back up to my personal vessel, we made the jump to hyperspace back to Tagge's fleet where I picked up my new orders, and had an interesting confrontation with another higher up.
While landing on Tagge's flagship and working my way back up to the bridge, multiple enlistees seemed to be vacant from the bridge and their positions, and as I approached the blast door, two silhouettes were standing at the front of the bridge, and only lieutenants were standing in the map and strategical planning area. I approached one of the lieutenants and asked where General Tagge was, and all he did was simply point to the two men talking. A booming voice was heard throughout the room, and I could distinct that it wasn't the baritone of General Tagge.
"This bickering is pointless, General Tagge. You have received multiple men and new vessels to combat the rebellion uprisings around the outer rim. In cold fact, I have given you those resources so that you might be able to not make the same mistakes in hiring incompetent men, and save precious resources of the Empire."
The tone of the currently speaking man was a very unique one, because besides the booming tone of the man, it held a very cold and unforgiving aura.
"Grand Moff Tarkin, you must realize that the rebel alliance is much better equipped than you think. Let alone with the multiple incursions with the pirates, hutt cartels, and the underworld organizations, my fleet cannot handle these situations."
As soon as General Tagge had uttered the name, a cold and unnerving chill echoed my body, as the voice then became familiar.
"Then perhaps I should select a more capable admiral and tactician than yourself, General Tagge. With Project Stardust almost complete, we need to make sure our fleets do not dissipate into a mocking display for the rebellion. Your cowardice also should be taken account since you have never seemed to lead your own flagship into combat. How do you expect a military commander's men to follow him and be successful without a leader? Considering this, I believe Thrawn has had better results in Outer Rim skirmishes, so perhaps I should just switch you to the Directorate, for at least there you will be useful."
General Tagge is an utterly defeated voice agreed with his superior, and after a whispered response to General Tagge, the Grand Moff made his way down the bridge towards the five of us that had chosen to say and listen to the conversation. As he approached closer and closer, the Grand Moff stopped in-front of the five of us and stated the most compelling and nerve-shattering words I could ever imagine for a weak-willed man.
"It would seem your General has been very lenient in picking who should be a part of his star fleet, let us hope you five do not follow the same mistakes as your superior. I am sure I have made myself clear?"
With little regard or sympathy in his words, he left the bridge with General Tagge looking at us for a few split seconds, before facing the black void of space and commanding us to leave him for now and to come back in half an hour if it is something pressing or of importance. As everyone left the bridge, I followed behind lastly to get a glance at the stance and demeanor of the general. In simple terms, he just suffered the most crushing defeat, not one of military or strategical importance, but one of political and status.
Upon my return to the Habituator, my crew told me that I had received some very important messages while I was waiting for my meeting with Tagge, and I thanked them for the information. While in my office, I pulled up my communications terminal to read some reports from some a very pressing battle that is currently taking place in the Bestine system, and that all available imperial units were asked to aid assistance for they had come under rebel attack. I quickly got out of my chair, and went to the holotransmitter and sent a connection to General Tagge hoping he would pick up on the other side. Within the minute, the General answered and was unfazed by my appearance on the projection.
"I am rather sorry that you had to endure the sight of the Grand Moff, however; it would seem our small victories have gone unnoticed by Tarkin."
I ignored the words that he had said and quickly informed him of the rebel attack in the Bestine system, and asked if I could prove to the Grand Moff that the fleet was more capable then he claims it to be. In an act to save his arse most likely, he granted that I could take two Acclamators, and three other Arquitens, however; he very clearly annunciated that if I failed, he would not tolerate taking away my recently granted spoil, and my position in his fleet. With a headstrong attitude and with durasteel determination, I replied to him that I would not fail. With that, the small fleet that he had assigned me with made the jump to Hyperspace to where we would enter the Bestine system to a very large scale battle already in play.
It would seem the main military fleet of the Rebellion had elected to attack Bestine for the multiple ground factories, and shipyards in orbit to put a halt to the production and war machine for the Empire. The wreckage of two already destroyed Star Destroyers, and several Gozantis scrambled throughout the space battle seemed to display the losses the fleet had sustained. A single oddly shaped oval ship, which I classified as Mon Calamari cruiser, followed by four Mark I Alliance Assault Frigate were obliterating the surrounding frigate shipyards, and the alliance fighters were already engaging the multiple Tie squadrons from the remaining Class-II Cardan Space Station. With my Arquiten cruiser leading the fleet, I commanded all the ship make a defensive line, and do long-range bombardment, while also deploying the squadrons from the Acclamators and the twelve garrisons Tie fighters from the four Arquitens.
The long-range engagement seemed to get the attention of two of the Assault Frigates, and some of the alliance fighters started to break off the space station attack and towards my fleet. I ordered all ships to divert three quarter power to the shields, and keep the rest on turbolasers, and for the Arquitens and Acclamators to begin lock-on procedures with the proton torpedoes. The fighters got to our fleet first, and the fighter garrison from our ships engaged them with relative ease. Due to the unexpected amount of fighters on our side, the A-Wings and X-Wings fell to our might by the time the Heavy Assault ships began to engage us. Our shields were holding and the constant bombardment from our torpedoes for the past minute or so had done enough damage to the hull and the shields, leaving way for our fighters. The Tie Bombers and the Tie Fighters engaged the main batteries and support systems on the craft, and with two minutes, both ships had sustained heavy damage and were completely crippled.
This seemed to draw the attention of the remaining two assault frigates, the main capitol ship, and the remaining fighters away from the Cardan Space Station, and their garrison of fighters. With a hasty communication with the Space Station, I asked for the remaining garrison of fighters to help us by intercepting the en-route fighters and engage them. Whilst the fighting continued on the enemy's route towards us, the shields had recharged; the fighters in fighting condition and the same strategy ready to be implemented. However, I sent the fighters ahead to do what damage they could do with the station's garrison, and by the time the fighting had arrived at our doorsteps, the majority of the rebel fighters had been dealt with, and a surplus of imperial bombers that I still had in my service, I commanded to bombard the capitol ship while we engage the frigates.
With ruthless efficiency, much like the previous derelict frigates, the two that had come to engage us, only simply came to their destruction as they practically blew up near the capitol ship. The added explosive damage from the frigates, the constant bombardment of our now diverted proton torpedoes, and our shields nearly spent, we switched maximum power to all batteries and engaged with a ruthless bombardment on the capitol ship. As a result, the combined effort of all fighters, bombers, and my fleet had utterly annihilated the main cruiser and disabled it. I informed the Space Station to send in Imperial Marines to board the ship, and take this as proof of my work in this system, and with the signing off of my name, I let the power system divert to normal and informed everyone to return to the fleet ASAP.
The return to the fleet with all ships must've impressed the General as he had personally contacted me on the ship's transmitter and had stated that this was a superb accomplishment for the fleet, and that it might help alleviate the inefficiencies that his reputation has of late brought. After the transmission with Tagge, I returned to the Bridge to congratulate my enlistees, and my lieutenant all of their bright work, and cool headedness under the stress and pressure of immeasurable odds. Upon that, I told everyone to go to the galley on the ship and to treat themselves to anything that they wanted to indulge themselves in, and enjoy some much needed rest from the battle. As for me, I returned to my office to finish up what declassified documents I had access too, and with the last detail comfortably in my mind, I retreated to my bed and gently lay on-top of it, glaring at the metallic roof.
Word of the victory spread through-out the General's fleet, and as a result, it also spread to the Holonet from different sources, whether it was crew from the Space Station, to the Admirals underneath the General, to the Bestinian governor congratulated the efforts of Tagge's fleet despite the underpowered ships. Whatever the result of the victory played in certain officer's hands, it warranted a very interesting meeting with General Tagge one afternoon in his private quarters.
"Captain Praxon, you have proved to me that you have remarkable talent in dealing with situations that are well out of understandable knowledge of 'competent' officers. And within the year that you've been in my service, I cannot say anything other than you have saved me from another uncomfortable encounter with the Grand Moff. For that, I am quite thankful and I be-…"
As the General was about to end his statement, the door to his private quarters was opened, and a figure appeared inside the quarters. The grey fading hair, the six foot tallish and lanky physique, and the rank placard with six blue squares, three red squares, and three gold. Those were the only characteristics I needed to identify to know the intimidating figure that had spoken to the General on the bridge not a month ago. As he approached the two of us, his height seemed to change just a bit until he was standing just a few feet away, along with being at eye level with me.
"I believe I owe you an apology, General Tagge. Perhaps not all of your officers are completely incompetent, and some have higher order intelligence and strategy. With officers like those, I would hardly see why you said not too long ago that the rebellion is too well equipped."
The General noticeably shuttered for a second as soon as he saw the Grand Moff, before he responded to the man.
"I still hold my opinion that they are, Grand Moff Tarkin. The forces that the Captain here faced that day were heavily armed assault frigates, and a Mon Calamari capitol ship. This may have only been a single detachment of a fleet, or perhaps it was a larger scale fleet, but it seems apparent, however unlikely, that the outer rim are flocking to sympathies for the rebellion."
The Grand Moff looked at me with a slight gaze of interest before returning to look at the General with a question on the verge of coming off his lips.
"This is the Captain that accomplished the skirmish near Bestine?"
The General simply nodded as the Grand Moff took a step closer towards me, seemingly sizing me up, while examining me.
"Hmm…it is a wonder why you would work underneath the service of General Tagge, considering his track record, and especially a man of talents."
In defense and respect for the General, and knowing full well that betraying one person could lead to very bad repercussions in the long run, I replied with a solemn attitude.
"In the utmost respect, Grand Moff Tarkin, but not many higher ups seemed to take the ball that was thrown for the Royal Academy graduates too seriously, as only six people showed up, two of which included some fairly understanding gentlemen by the names of Director Krennic and General Tagge."
I couldn't tell if my comment had affected the Grand Moff negatively or positively for he stared for a blank second, before replying with the same ruthless attitude he carries.
"Perhaps that is something more superior officers should take to heart, especially when perfectly capable officers are slipping through our fingers from more incompetent…individuals. I do thank you for the information about Director Krennic though; I wasn't aware that he left his project to attend some foolish ball reserved for commissioned officials, especially considering the multiple errors and breaches he has let slip through."
His gaze went over to the General before back to me, and the Grand Moff stated that he was 'glad' to have meet the man who stopped maximum damage from happening to the Bestine system, and said something to Tagge in a whisper before leaving the private quarters with his pompous but very authoritative stance. General Tagge looked at me for a second, before he asked if I would like to come on-board as his Captain, considering my added help could ensure that his previous failures will not happen again, and that a capable associate will help him carry out his statistics and plans. I accepted his offer and within a heartbeat another Captain seemed to take my place on the Arquitens. In conclusion, my second meeting with the Grand Moff had made me realize two things. One, stay on the good side on the Grand Moff, and two, do not ever cross him or fail him.