[19 BBY]

[Executive Security Solutions City-ship/Capital-class Warship Stormcrow {II}, Sululluub Asteroid Field, Sullust System, Brema Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

"Moved again?"

"Moved again, Fourth fleet being moved up to setup shop here when we move on" I agreed with Shesagora as we sat in meeting via tight-beam hologram; an extended meeting, with senior Fleet Captains like Yulen also present, along with Ventress as one of my aide-de-camps. The command structure was really only being solidified on the fly, just like the overall command structure of GAR-South, the various political associations and even simple things like how everything was to be paid for. Just like the rest of the galaxy, but they weren't our area of command.

Wars were not cheap, and while we'd made every effort to prepare ourselves, down to those of our forces that'd been trapped in the Core starting to drift in each day, the larger chaos needed to be organised badly. The sad truth was that I'd signed up with a quasi-democratic, quasi-authoritarian, quasi-military run, 'alliance' that ran on the basic principles of the Galactic Republic. The same basic setup perhaps, but the background things, like taxation, who could live where, and who was the legal official, all had to be hammered out. Sure much of the groundwork had already been done, but the chaos in the greater Republic was a problem here as well, and not everyone was enamoured of the Eriadu based mini-Senate.

"So, where we off too then Boss?"

I nodded back to Yulen's avatar "Back to Javin, back to our old home sectors. We're taking up what was our role as Nineteenth Sector Army, though we're Third Sector Army now I think. Basically we're to prevent any advances up the Corellian Trade Spine, and generally ensure the various Sectors are all on side with the Senate and Acting Supreme Chancellor. Also, spies indicate the Confederates have moved back into Bomis Koori, and we're to drive them out"

We'd done some damage earlier in the war, and Anakin had knocked out the droid armies there with Kenobi, but it seemed the Confederates were attempting to restore it as a forward base. It was unfortunate, but not unexpected as the rolling Republic offensives in recent months had driven the weakened enemy forces there back...and now that pressure was gone. Something I made them aware of, though Jurdan and Shesagora already knew after sitting in on the briefing from Grand Moff, and Acting Supreme Chancellor, Tarkin earlier "Not the easiest task, if technically a quiet region, as there are Clone crewed warships gone rogue, and not everyone is enthused about the current leadership changes"

General Geen was taking position on the opposite side of us in our 'alliance's' operating area, basing out of Ryloth, with the large First Fleet facing the Hutts and large Confederate forces there. He, along with General Kota and his militia, had the fun task of finding and taking Rothana alongside all the joys of hammering that particular operational area into some degree of order. They would the newly formed Sixth Fleet, with Yanthis's group taking up position as Fifth Fleet covering Farstine-Enarc-Naboo to their flank, and weaker Seventh Fleet covering the old Fifteenth Sector Army's former areas of responsibility, the Spice Terminus essentially, under Gideon Tarkin.

"Yes, there are a few I imagine, what with the minor disagreements on Coruscant earlier..." Shesagora agreed drolly, the old pirate's avatar grinning "...but, yes, this isn't going to be an easy assignments me lads. There ain't quiet Sectors right now, and we need the lot of you to dig deep, and remember we'll all hang together if we lose this conflict. It's not going to be maundering through Seppie territory, having nice easy supplies from the Republic forces out of Eriadu, or every enemy being a nice obvious droid to shoot"

In truth I'd expected us to be told to thrust up in Confederate territory after Indupar, or be shifted to Ryloth as an active operational theatre near the Hutts, but apparently not. Recruitment needed to be boosted, taxes needed to be formalised, and a major hyperlane to fight over, and so I suspect the Tarkin's were making the best of limited options and available officers. The ORSF weren't extensive enough to take up position everywhere after all, and were instead concentrating around Sullust, Eriadu, back towards Mustafar. Since we'd been granted a share in the droid ship foundries at Mustafar I was, mostly, fine with that...we'd never hold it ourselves after all.

Jurdan's hologram nodded "Yes, piracy is likely going to be a problem with things going as they are"

'True' I thought nodding as well "Very much so, assuming warships don't go rogue, or we start seeing groups driven into the edges of Unknown Regions return or try raiding. So we'll have to try re-establish communications, and patrols, with outer worlds alongside everything else where needed. Now that means everyone needs to be their best, and any contacts you might have, however...well, let's go with less than entirely legal, or unsavoury, let us know and see what we can do. Change is in the air, and if we have to make a few illegal businessmen into legal ones so be it"

"Yeah, what Daron said..." Shesagora agreed "...we're in an odd situation of being the legal authorities for the foreseeable future, bit more than usual anyway, so we need star-charts, smugglers lanes locations, and more importantly to seen as the biggest, baddest gang around in the eyes of some, less civilized, sentients..."

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[19 BBY]

[Senate Buildings, formerly Planetary Governor's Residence, Kuat, Kuat System, Kuat Sector, The Core]

"Thank you my friends for your kind support and bravery in these dark days. I assure you that we will have victory, the Republic restored!" Darth Sidious's mask assured the assembled Senators as he departed the feast masquerading as a formal meeting. He would call it a success at least, if tedious to endure the snobbishness of Kuat's Great Houses and certain Core world Senators. Events had gone well away the Grand Plan's better outcomes, but he still lived and still had power; and most importantly the Jedi Temple and other threats were irradiated ash thanks to his dead Master's contingency plans.

Rage filled him at the failure...but also exhilaration he had not felt since his youth pod-racing and doing other such sports. Yes he had ravaged the Jedi, turned the Galaxy against them, but he'd been caught by surprise that that elements of the military had felt secure enough to attempt to overthrow him. That, more than anything, fanned the anger feeding the Dark Side within him even as he maintained the guise of Sheev Palpatine, kind, firm, defender of the Republic and Democracy. It was actually rather amusing in its own way as he did not have to hide his nature as a Sith anymore...any nobody cared!

'Well, the Jedi care, but they are most dead thankfully' he mused striding through the halls as his Guard followed, ever watchful. In the first flickers of the Coup Darth Sidious could admit to himself he had panicked for a moment; things had gone to plan, yet not, and failing a clean sweep of the Jedi was a disaster as they would be relentless now. Thankfully his powerful intellect and self-control had returned as he got aboard his personal shuttle and escaped to a waiting, loyal, Star Destroyer and managed to fight clear of Coruscant. Personally he suspected Mother Talzin, and Maul for telling her things, were behind his reduced ability to see into the future, but that wasn't everything in the end.

Sadly he could do little to handle that problem, the same as being unable to deal with that damned tiny green troll who'd reappeared on Kashyyyk. The Separatists were currently his best option to deal with both, but his influence there had waned...kriffing Dooku and his incompetence...and only indirect influence remained. It was convenient at least that Jango Fett lived as his and the Death Watch's brutal mini-war within the galactic war was likely all that was keeping Maul's little coalition off Darth Sidous's back while he reorganised. Revenge would be sweet when he got the chance, but Maul was an irritant currently compared to the more significant danger of this 'Provisional Government' the GAR traitors had established, and the large Separatist fleets at Neimodia and Balmorra.

"Supreme Chancellor, your meeting went well I hope"

He nodded in reply to his advisor as he stepped through the doors into the command room after walking through the bunker's hallways "Indeed Mas, as well as one could hope. Now, the situation at hand, events in my absence?"

"Arkania has officially declared for you Supreme Chancellor, and the Nouane Allied Region has announced its neutrality in the conflict. The usual story; loyal to the Republic, subverted a number of forces unwilling to fighting other Republic forces and seems to have mercenaries"

"All within the past few hours? Excellent news indeed my friend" Darth Sidious murmured as the security doors sealed behind him. It was the long game now sadly, and ensuring the traitors on Coruscant did not rally overwhelming support, nor the Corellians, or the Separatists, was vital now "And Admiral Dodonna?"

They were 'alone' now so, so some minor degree of openness was possible "Reports the situation remains in hand my Lord. No more efforts to breakthrough Sarapin have occurred since the repulse of the attack two days ago, the Admiral will brief you later as you requested, but assured me plans continue to prevent easy linking of Coruscant and the forces at Rendili"

"Hmm, yes, acceptable" Darth Sidious murmured coming up to stare at the Galaxy map, rage flaring at so many areas beyond his control "Now if the Separatist would deal with Grandmaster Yoda it was an almost tolerable week. For now though we shall announce a change in policy, to go with our continued denial that our forces had anything to do with this Order Sixty-Six business"

"My Lord?"

"Full amnesty, and training, for any Padawans or Younglings that escaped this...terrible purge due to the actions of traitors within the Jedi Order..." he replied studying the map, watching the many enemies. All the false Sith must die, the Jedi must die, but unfortunately there were more Force User survivors than he would have liked, and too many building their own powerbases. Maul had abandoned the Rule of Two, the Nightsisters were active it seemed, General Stormcrow served the Tarkins, and far too many Jedi yet lived; Dark Side minions were needed to serve as cannon fodder in the coming wars to reunify the Galaxy under his rule. Not only that but Darth Imperious yet lived...or undeaded?...with Master Shaak Ti in tow.

'No, No, I need some Dark Acolytes to throw into battle to bleed while my Inquisition is created, and I claim my Apprentice' he thought to himself controlling the rage, making it useful for later. They'd all burn, die screaming for mercy they would receive, and he would laugh, and laugh, and laugh as the Lightning surged from his fingers into his enemies. Yes it frustrating, yes it was a disaster, but nothing would stop a Dark Lord of the Sith, and then the Galaxy would bow down to him...

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