[18 BBY]

[Office of the Chancellor of the Republic {Southern Regions}, formerly Governor's Palance, Eriadu, Eriadu System, Seswenna Sector, Outer Rim Territories]

It was raining again Wilhuff Tarkin noted as he stood, looking through the armoured glass balcony windows out unto the skyline of his of home city and homeworld under the rumbling storm. Oh, they could utilise the weather control systems at a significant energy cost to end it….but it suited him he thought to prevent any desire for frivolous things in those in the city. There were too many potential distractions that couldn't be allowed to interfere, and even minor things such as the weather had to be considered to keep minds focused on the tasks at hand. Not that it was a bad view either, lightning flashing a bright blast of momentary illumination to show the skyline and numerous vessels amongst the darkness and gloom of another long night.

"Hoping to gleam insight into matters are we Brother?"

Wilhuff frowned back at Gideon as he glanced back to his right side at Gideon as he entered his office "Very droll Gideon, and how did your meetings progress?"

"As well as can be expected with the Javin Mining Clans, better than hopped with the Mugaari Pira… Alliance. They were receptive to our proposals"

"Hmmm….good, unfortunate that we must stoop so low, but a few balls of barely colonised dirt are certainly worth the cost to solidify our hold on the region"

Gideon gave an amused snort "And useful that it is the territory of the Trade Federation that we are trading away?"

"Our territory, our equipment, to make use of as we must brother, never forget that" Wilhuff replied, hands clasped behind his back as he watched the lightning flash amongst the clouds and storm "We cannot afford dissention of chaos within our ranks, or within vital sectors. I would personally prefer to crush them, but we can only make so many examples to the rebellious or recalcitrant, and fight this war at the same time unfortunately"

"I would argue matters have progressed better than we would expected, even down to recruitment, but it's always been easier to raise a thousand soldiers from amongst millions from the Outer Rim, than from tens of billions living on Core worlds" Gideon replied stoically, stopping and standing at Wilhuff's desk he saw from the reflection in the hardened clear dura-metal "Or at the very least they could be worse. Any recent rebellions have been quickly suppressed across all Sectors, and we have brought the former Separatist territories we've occupied into line either with words or warriors, or both as the case may be"

"As optimistic as ever I see Gideon…" Wilhuff replied simply, shaking his head "…but you forget how fragile all such submission is from them. Only our strength, and their fear, ensures the peace and stability to our corner of the Republic. So we must continue to show strength, even when we are forced by circumstances to compromise"

"I'd say near everyone's position is shaky since the Republic split down the seams after Coruscant, but we are still working hard on the situation Chancellor" Gideon replied seriously, a mild tone of irritation there Wilhuff could tell at the faint criticism he'd given, followed by a sigh "On that note, is there anything I need to know in regards the reorganisation plans?"

Willhuff nodded "Yes, but first; Sit"

Then he turned from the view of the cityscape and dark skies to walk back and sit at his desk. Waiting for Gideon to do as requested before continuing as he took his own seat "I need you to begin organising logistics and organisation charts in coordination with various Moffs, who will then coordinate with their subordinates the roles and powers of Admirals and Generals beneath them. I admit standardising our equipment is more a matter of minimising the difficulties….but we can start with our soldiery, and ensure they have sufficient standards to form a unified Fleet and Army in time. There is some resistance to our co-opting of these forces of course, but doing it slowly over time will bring us to success"

Gideon frowned, nodding "We already have eighteen Moffs, reporting directly to yourself….do you plan more?"

"No, not unless there is a requirement due to Over-Sector reasons, or political ones. In time we can reduce the number, but that at best is years away as we need the military force to hold down the various Over-Sectors, or simply as a means to enable us to coordinate where and what we must. Instead what we must focus on is forming up five mobile fleets for future operations"

Gideon nodded, chin resting on his hand as Wilhuff watched his brother think on the matter "That will be difficult, though it is more a logistical issue, as well as ensure those fleets scattered about are unified into solid formations. What of those Moffs NOT commanding one of these five fleets?"

"Commanding smaller Sector Fleets, or rear area commanders" he replied simply, though the situation would be more complicated than that realistically, having to be dealt with on an Over-Sector to Over-Sector basis most likely "We have mobile fleets in existence of course, but we need to reorganise now, while we have the opportunity, and prepare for future operations against either Vandelhelm, Duckenwell, Rothana, or Bothawui"

His younger brother paused, thinking it over, before nodding "Essentially a Senior and Junior Moff scenario?"

"Indeed, less than desired, but the position of Moff to so many is merely an effort to consolidate all the nonsense we have inherited from the Judiciary Forces and the Republic Navy with ranking conventions, and then dealing with the Jedi General situation and the clone trooper problem. Even reinforcing existing fleets, and consolidating others, will still mean these forces are lesser in strength than equivalent Separatist or Rebel Over-Sector Fleets"

"Who are we considering for these Over-Sector Fleets?"

"Zsinj, Geen, Yanthis, Stormcrow, and Drommel…" Wilhuff paused a moment "…and I shall take personal command of the Reserve Fleet under construction here, at Mustafar, and at Sullust, along with the systems defence forces"

Gideon paused a moment himself, considering, then nodded "Three of our most aggressive commanders, one of which is personally loyal to yourself, just as young Gaen Drommel isn't…somewhat young?"

"Gaen shall suffice, and I shall take charge of his fleet should the situation demand" Wilhuff stated simply linking his fingers together before him and sitting back in his chair. Drommel was too young, but they he had to juggle skill, experience, and loyalty, and the Over-Sector Fleet nearest to Eriadu and Sullust needed someone he could trust, but would also have the skills to react as well. That had been the mistake of far too many Republic engagements; loyalty only, or perceived loyalty alone, over everything was a poor decision in wartime "I would prefer you or Garoche, but both of you are needed elsewhere as you can see"

"Yes, I could do without more work thank you very much" Gideon grumbled "I'll draw up some barebones plans as all but Drommel have fleets in existence, though they are smaller in size than what you are envisioning currently. I'd assume much will depend on negotiations amongst the various factions currently planetside?"

"Indeed Gideon, very much so. Which is why must know what needs to be allocated to field forces of sufficient size, or which Sectors to organise to achieve the desired results. We must move rapidly, before our foes have time to exploit the current disorder due to our advances. Nor is the front, or our rear, truly 'quiet' as some amongst our ranks like to imagine"

"Dealing with pirates, and small enemy raiding forces, is likely to be our lot even should we crush every enemy major fleet by some means"

'Yes, the eternal bane of the Outer Regions, something we shall deal with when time allows' Wilhuff thought, but merely nodded instead of voicing such complaints "No matter, we must prepare for the major engagements of the months ahead, along with hyperlane protection and expanding patrols. A matter that very conveniently brings us to your next task"

Gideon let out a weary sigh and Wilhuff gave the faintest crack of a smile "You did just hear me mention my workload already Chancellor?"

"Oh, indeed I did Gideon….consider this a consolidation of those roles. I have been in talks with several of our Senators, and our Moffs, over certain matters. In part of the situation with the Jedi, but also in the need to protect and expand our taxation operations in the wake of the attempts of Coruscant to usurp what are our rights and responsibilities"

"Ah, yes, those meetings were today. The result?"

"Oh I little intention of simply outlawing the Jedi Gideon, data, actual combat data, shows they are too valuable a resource to simply give up….or would require significant resources, that we do not have, to attempt to do as the Separatists or Coruscant are doing. Surprisingly the fundamentals laid out by our new Grandmaster, and our Moff Stormcrow, were similar in many ways…."

Gideon nodded "But?"

"But very different in outline of solutions. Both put forward that the Jedi Order had been a pillar of the Republic, for centuries since Ruusan, and millennia before that, and that it was merely the degradation that had infected the Republic as a whole at work. Having reviewed the historical records I am inclined to agree, though both had differing solutions to the situation"

"The result?"

"We shall allow the Jedi Order to persist, and bind it our Republic….but no more shall it be the sole authorithy over matters of the Force. They have embraced a dangerous pseudo religious doctrine over a barely understood energy source, one that has seemingly dangerous mental impacts should it be untrained, or if focused improperly as both sides argued, though I favour the Stormcrow's view that it is not just this 'Dark Side' that is the only impactor on the user"

Gideon frowned "They aren't going to be allowed take children I hope? That's proving a disaster outside of worlds that favour the Jedi for historical reasons, or species who view childrearing as an…"

Wilhuff waved him off "Of course not, instead part of your role be in ensuring production of a simple, basic, text for parents to understand the subject. Considering the current situation of the Republic I do agree that something has gone serious wrong with the Jedi Order's training methodology, the same as it went wrong with the Senate and the Judicial Forces…."

He smiled thinly "Which brings us to your overarching role. You shall take control of the newly reformed Judicial Forces"

Gideon blinked "Aren't we calling that the Republic Navy, or Army, now?"

"This will be a separate force, more for patrol and federalised police enforcement operations. Also in dealing with rogue Force-users and supporting local police actions where needed. I shall handle a judiciary, some variation of a Supreme or High Court of the Republic to handle our laws. We shall need experts on pre-Ruusan legal, Old or High Republic, on such matters, as we shall bring them before the Senate and solidify the situation as best we can…"

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