[Early 2 BBY]
[Command Bridge, Combat and Control Systems Deck, Refitted Providence-class Dreadnaught Ghost, True Republican Guard Private Military Company, Ord Mantell, Bright Jewel System, Bright Jewel Sector, Mid-Rim, Republic Northern Territories]

Hera Syndulla looked at the wreckage filling the star system before the Ghost, frowning at it, as well as the losses to her vessel's already reduced droid-fighter numbers. Victory. That's they were calling it, and horde of wrecked New Republic starfighters, as well as damage inflicted upon fled Star Destroyers, did support that announcement as her eyes moved over one of the left behind enemy Star Destroyers. One currently being boarded by local forces as the recently arrived reinforcements, her starship included, hunted down any remaining combat capable New Republic Navy units.

'Still some of those' she reminded herself, watching as the Nouane warship squadron ruthlessly corralled, and then annihilated, the remaining non-hyper capable starfighters, light gunships, and such of the NRN. Ones literally abandoned by the New Republic to allow their Star Destroyers and pair of Super Star Destroyers to make their escape easier. The attackers had suffered massive losses amongst their starfighter forces yet didn't seem to have cared overly much about that fact as Hera's eyes watched replay of the combat holos from before their arrival. Wave after wave of Z-95s, all manned by droids, repurposed civilian droids at that, being thrown at the defensive fleets and planetary defences. They must have lost ten to one in numbers she wondered.

"So many dead"

She could only nod her head at Imperial Knight Dume's words, though he was going by Kanan Jarrus for the current mission….the extended, unintended, one as the galactic north was a chaotic mess "They claim we won"

"In technical terms…we did" the Knight admitted, then shaking his head, arms folded across his chest "Though I sense you disagree with that assessment?"

"Doesn't feel like it" she admitted, then nodded, shifting to a more serious tone "In all truthfulness, the battle was won, as the enemy have retreated after suffering heavy losses, including the near complete destruction of their starfighter capacity"

"But"

She sighed at the one word carrying so many questions, yet also answers "But it is a sign of how they intend to fight this war. All these older, un-upgraded, Z-95s? Manned by disposal droids, ones that are massively inferior to even crewing such starfighters with clone warfare era B-1s. I know enough that the NRN has veritable planets worth of both such older starfighters, and of those mass conscripted droids. You'll also note they didn't deploy a single X-wing or modern heavy starfighter to this battle"

That was because they were reports of them striking elsewhere, mostly where the fleets defending Ord Mantell weren't, along with no patrols for the same reason. It was a problem for later, but still a problem that the Academy had covered and wouldn't have worked as well against an Imperial, Federation, or Confederate Sector Command. Against the grand mercenary fleets without a true leader that was GAR-North's successor?

"Those are raiding systems around, likely aiming for depots and currently unprotected trade and logistics convoys. Our allies, ah, our employers I mean, struggle to coordinate more than one focus at a time I'm sure you've noticed?"

Caleb gave a sad snort, a crisp nod "More than I would have liked. The problem is the northern territories are not a State, not like the Empire or New Republic are. Coordination is difficult at the best of times I imagine, and these are not the best of times. And this vessel has lost half its droid-fighters"

"Just over, yes" she agreed, and that was a problem. One they were trying to address by competing with the other vulture-beasts now descending on the battlefield "It's why we're having to try salvage what we can this moment"

"Jury-rigging droid fighter cores into rebuilt Z-95s?"

She winced, just a fraction "If we can, and pilots too…if we can find those. Resupply is available, but this level of combat…"

Hera trailed off. This level of combat, with them at the farthest extremes from the Imperial depots, and not officially part of the Empire, was contrasted with the closeness of the Republicans to their own depots and repair yards. She could already see the medium to long term difficulties that not just her starship, but almost every opposing vessel and fleet was going to suffer;- outside of the most organised mini-states such as Mandalore, Nouane, and Muuninilist. Or the Droid Army pockets such as Mygeeto and Bonadan, but those forces were staying defensive only, just as they had for over a decade now. Seeing what occurred here at Ord Mantell worried her, as it indicated a willingness to shed an ocean of blood and metal across the stars by the New Republic to gain its desires.

"Is unsustainable?"

"In the long run, most likely, yes" she answered with a sigh, turning her gaze to the remains of the battlefield and all the units she'd deployed to try get rescues, as well as semi-useful, wrecks seized "That's going to be in my report at the very least, even if it isn't what we want to hear. We, and others, will have to change tactics I imagine, to deal with this way the NRN is fighting. You are looking concerned?"

"Not over this, though that is a concern" Caleb said with a smile, nodding at the displays of the battlefield's remains, and the planet and orbital platforms beyond "Instead I sense a presence in the Force, and judging from the comms officer it's either a Mandalorian or a Confederate pretending they are not. It might be best if I went to greet them with the security detail when the recovery occurs"

Hera nodded "Yes, that might be best. I'll come with you, as we best avoid….diplomatic issues"

There was a confused situation with the Confederacy after all, as there were elements opposing the New Republic, just as they were, but the Confederates were also at war with Mandalore. Which was an ally of the Empire and could easily turn into a wider war as Imperial and Federation fleets menaced the southern Confederacy to pin down Confederate forces in place. All of which could blow up into a chaotic mess of outright warfare with ease she knew as she headed down into the bowls of the Ghost alongside a security detail and Knight Dume…

[Early 2 BBY]
[Aldera Royal Palace, Alderaan, Alderaan System, The Core, The New Republic]

"It is good to see you Padmé, Anakin" Bail Organa said, sincerely, as he hugged his old friend Padmé, then shaking the hand of her husband, though saddened their children weren't present "Breha has been looking forward to your arrival for days now"

"Thank you for having us Bail" the former Senator, and still political ally, said with a smile on her face, having arrived under heavy security, the ever seeming to increase in size Royal Fleet patrolling in orbit "I'm looking forward to seeing her as well, she is…"

"Ah, at an official event, holo-show in fact, and will be back in a few hours" he answered easily, guiding the pair off the land pad, shields fully active once more. Gone were the days that he could just greet guests without such things, or without the ever-present signs of security that existed now "So, I'm afraid it will be just me till then. Thankfully I have much more free time since leaving the Ministry"

"Same as I, not being a Senator anymore" Padmé agreed, just as falsely, as workload hadn't, truly, declined since their removal from power. The New Republic administration was a monstrosity, but it did hold to the laws of the Core…in the Core at least, so battling them through legal means had consumed the opposition parties ever since Mon had resigned her Chancellorship "Though travel has been hectic"

He nodded "Unfortunate that went wrong"

"Sometimes it does. Sometimes the galaxy seems to conspire against us"

"The Force maybe, I am coming around to it does like to 'play' with us" the 'Hero with No Fear' said after his wife with a sigh, a bemused one "That and giving me mountains and mountains of bureaucratic work"

"Perhaps, though I'm not sure it favours us here in the civilized Core. Not with what rules us now" Bail said, sure that privacy screens were active as they walked. Security was paramount, even here, in his home, now the madness had taken charge of the government of the Republic "Though I'm sure you've heard alternate opinions on your travels"

"Yes, unfortunately, and I cannot fault them. I'd prayed war would not return, but here we walk, and it comes once more. Brought by those we fought to defend" Padmé murmured unhappily "I cannot disagree with Jar Jar's opinions, and his actions"

"I know. That is partly what we'll have to discuss" Bail admitted, as his position as a Shadow Minister of the Opposition granted information yet "Jar Jar has noted to be upon Neimodia, along with diplomats from Nouane and a few other nearby states. Mandalorians too"

Padmé frowned, thinking, her husband though grasping it quickly, sighing as he spoke "They are negotiating something"

"Considering they've already a quasi-alliance. Yes, most likely" Bail admitted with a shake of his head "It is, well, amazing to think upon. The Empire and Federation loathe each other, yet the Republic has managed to unite them in common cause and close alliance"

It was a…frustrating development. In part because he agreed with it, but hating that fact, for it heralded a Great Galactic Civil War on the horizon once again. The Imperials and the Federation were mobilizing for war, their years of development turning into a fearsome war-machine that would oppose the state he, in name, still yet served as Senator. One that the common folk of many worlds of the Core cheered on, even as it committed monstrous action after monstrous action, as wealth and prosperity surged within the Core. The stolen wealth, the blood coin, of the conquered territories was pouring into the Core, paying for social programmes defunded by Mon's government to ensuring peace and dignity for all. Now Utopia would be paid for by the blood of innocents.

Padmé had a pain look "Poor Jar Jar, ever serving our home loyally. I know it pains him so. He's supposed to be retired"

"I don't think we're allowed to that" Bail offered sadly "But what he's doing, exactly, none seem to be sure, save that he is there, and that is causing concerns on Coruscant…"