The Military Reduction Act passed with overwhelming support, just as I knew it would. A great political victory for my cause. Now the Republic will be forced to reduce their ships, man power, resources, outposts and combat operations across the galaxy. Their navy will be greatly weakened by this measure, their worlds less safe. An important step in my plan. Even now my own builders are hard at work. Mass producing ships, tie fighters, troop transports, landing craft, walkers and a great many other things for my Empire. My forces grow stronger with each passing moment, while the fools in the New Republic disarm and weaken themselves in the flimsy hope of peace.
So easy to manipulate, so easy to control. I pull all the strings in the Senate, and none of them are the wiser.
Yes, everything is going as planned. The time is growing near I can sense it. Soon it will all be in place, the stage will finally be set. When that day comes I will strike with overwhelming force, I will annihilate all who oppose me, make them cower before the power of a true Sith, and secure my throne with one swift stroke. I can already imagine the looks of shock and horror on their faces, feel their fear in the force, their despair when everything they've built comes crashing down around them. I eagerly anticipate that moment. It has become my driving force, my motivation even more than the power itself. Each day that passes draws closer to that illustrious moment. I know I'm very close now, but there are still steps that need to be taken.
Despite the projected reduction in their fleet, they will still have a presence in the Core, especially around Coruscant. I need to get those defenses out of the way, give my ships time to descend on the capital, and I know exactly how to do it...
I am stirred from my thoughts as the New Republic higher ups shuffle into the office I'm in. Mothma had called a meeting immediately after the vote had ended. Why, I don't know, but I am on guard for any chance to turn it to my advantage.
I smile mockingly as Ackbar and Rieekan enter with their advisers. Ackbar meets my gaze, my grin only widens as I sense his anger over the vote. He looks away in disgust and takes his seat. I chuckle quietly, imagining the look on his fish like face caught in my force choke. I almost do it, just to see his eyes bulge. It's tempting. Soon, but not yet, I remind myself.
The office is almost full when Mothma enters, all chatter going quiet as she sweeps into the room, and moves over to her desk.
"Everyone, thank you for coming. I apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused, but I felt it was necessary in light of recent events. We need to discuss recent developments regarding the continued attacks by Remnant forces on the trade routes. I have just received word of another such attack taking place just two hours ago. This time a group of bulk freighters were targeted. It was a relief shipment from Taris carrying food, water and medical supplies to war torn Malastare. They were pulled out of hyperspace by Imperial interdictor ships on the Hydian Way. The ships and cargo were seized, and the crew taken captive. A nearby Republic Liberty cruiser responded to the distress signal, only to find that they had jumped into hyperspace."
Shouts of anger sound out through the office as the others around me voice their outrage. I sit back in my seat, contemplating. Waiting for her to continue.
"This is the 27th such incident to occur in the last three weeks. Most of the attacks have come on the Kuat to Denon stretch of the Hydian Way, which as we all know is the border of Imperial space. The most common targets in these raids are food and medical supplies, ships and mechanical parts, weaponry, and explosives. There have also been several raids as deep in as the Corellian Run, even on some of the outlying shipyards of Corellia itself. Attacks have also taken place against a series of New Republic defense installations policing this route."
"Are we certain the Imperials are behind this? Pirate attacks happen every day.", Rieekan asks.
"Yes, there have been many witness reports. Several attacks have been foiled by the arrival of New Republic forces. In such cases the personnel have reported seeing Imperial ships and cruisers, even a Star Destroyer on one occasion. We know the Imperials are at work here. What we don't know is who is doing it, and why they are taking such provocative steps. Even with the current uptick, the number of attacks are still small compared to what they were before. Generally, the Imperials do seem to be holding to the treaty. I believe this points to rouge elements acting against their orders, in defiance of the cease fire. The question is which commander is doing this..."
I sit quietly, seething in rage. I know exactlywho is doing this. Admiral Zsinj, the commander I had assigned to oversee that area.
Attacking innocent ships? Taking prisoners? Seizing relief shipments? Not a problem. I am the one that ordered the increase in these attacks, albeit on a limited scale. Nothing to provoke the Republic or jeopardize the reduction act. Just small probes to test the effectiveness of their forces, gauge their response time, and tie their fleet up in a cat and mouse game. The intercepted shipments also help morale of the men and women under my command, and provide them with much needed supplies.
"...and how will we respond?"
And there is the problem. Corellia, next to Coruscant is the most important system in the Core. A major ship building world for the New Republic, and a critical target in the war ahead. I had expressly forbade attacks from taking place inside New Republic territory, especially as far in as Corellia. This whole thing is like a game of chess; attacking and reacting, baiting and manipulating your opponent through acts of deception, setting up the board to achieve the ultimate goal. My goal, with these attacks, is to draw their fleet away from the Core worlds. If my forces are attacking Corellia...
"We must reinforce the garrisons protecting the Corellian shipyards."
Exactly. Which means my job of taking the system just became that much harder. I scowl, enraged by Zsinj's defiance, his incompetence. No one defies me, no one! He is going to pay, he is going to suffer. Yes, I think a visit with the good Admiral is a bit...overdue.
"Obviously the attacks on the Hydian Way are a major concern," Rieekan continues "but we can not tolerate these actions against New Republic worlds, especially Core worlds. Their raids on those shipyards directly threaten the security of our fleet."
"I agree with you General," Mothma replies "Admiral Ackbar, I want you to deploy another battle group to reinforce the Corellian security forces."
"Yes Ma'am, I will see to that at once. Though honestly I am more concerned about the situation on the Hydian Way. Our forces are already stretched thin but with the passing of this 'Military Reduction Act', I will be forced to scale back security operations in these areas. If we continue to reduce the fleet we will be giving pirates, smugglers and Imperials free reign on these lanes."
'Always recognize opportunity when it's presented. Seize it, never let it pass'
"Admiral, most of your fleet is deployed in the Core systems around Coruscant," I point out "With the cease fire agreement such garrisons are not needed. You can use those forces to bolster the security patrols on the trade routes."
"But that would leave those systems unprotected! If those worlds fall the Imperials would have an open door to Coruscant! Princess with all due respect we cannot reduce our forces there, we would be putting Coruscant at risk!" Ackbar responds.
"Our renegade Imperial seems to be targeting the Corellian system. There have been no instances of Imperial forces violating New Republic space outside of that area, not since the cease fire. You have the Core fleet maintaining trivial defensive positions, while you could be putting them to much better use protecting the Hydian Way.", I respond.
I look over at Mothma, narrowing my eyes and focusing with the Dark Side. I reach out with its currents and wrap them around her mind, then use it to bend her mind to my will. I subtly wave my hand, careful to avoid notice.
"We can't..."
"Princess Leia is right Admiral. You are wasting fleet resources needlessly defending these systems. Coruscant is not at risk. You will redeploy these units to the Hydian Way, where they are needed." dance my little puppet, dance!
"This is outrageous!", Ackbar shouts.
Another wave of my hand...
"We are under a signed cease fire treaty with the Remnant, they would not dare to attack Coruscant now. You will be able to more effectively protect the hyper lanes this way."
"Madame, I ask that you reconsider. The Imperials, despite the cease fire and our reduction act, have greatly increased ship production at Kuat, an obviously hostile sign. They have escalated their attacks against merchant and relief shipping. This is a one way cease fire and a one way disarmament. Reducing our forces is bad enough, but to redeploy Core defenses is naive and reckless!"
"That is enough Admiral!" Mothma shouts in a commanding voice, "My decision is final. You will begin redeploying those units immediately."
Ah yes, move your fleet away from the capital. That is exactly what I want. I smile at the thought of a barely defended Coruscant, ripe for the taking.
I am very good at chess.