[2 BBY]
[Admiral's Ready Room, Command Bridge, Command Deck, House Stormcrow Capital-class Warship Stormcrow, Taskforce Thunderclap, Fifth Fleet, Imperial Navy, in orbit Endor, Endor System, Zuma Sector/Moddell Sector, Outer Rim Territories, United Federal Empire]

The gas giant, Endor, was prominently displayed on the screens around me as I sat with my Apprentice, and three of my senior Commodores, before me. With the world, and its moons, was present the various orbitals either completed or under construction; from repair and refit yards with supply depots, to the already completed defence platforms and shielding systems. One of many such 'hidden', or 'quasi-secret' in reality, bases and yards of the Imperial Navy that had been created, or begun establishment, in the many years since the Fall of the Republic. The Empire of another time and place had used it as a secret construction yard after all, and I saw no reason not to do the same as the system was resource rich, and we had no intention of going planet-side any time soon.

There were hundreds of 'mobile bases' too under the domain of the cast expanse of space that Fifth Fleet protected, using refitted Lucrehulks welded together to form such things often enough, along with mining to fuel that construction. Such things wouldn't have been needed during the days of my youth, under the Galactic Republic, but the Empire had a desperate need for such things two decades ago, and now we were vastly more industrialised. Standardised too…or standardising really, as we'd 'inherited' both the old Republic GAR facilities and depots, but also the former Confederate yards such as Sullust, Sluis Van, and Mustafar to name now vast yards by even Mid-Rim standards. Stolen they'd argue. We'd argue right of conquest.

"You are wondering why you are here I imagine?" I asked as I sat at my desk, back home, yet still struggling to have all the time I wanted with family. Commodore Sato, a human male, gave a nod as he sat across from me, respectful and stoic as always. Not just in stance, but in his Force signature.

"Yes Admiral, though we expect it is to do with recent orders to expedite handovers of older vessels to the Sector Guard, or to the Planetary Militias. The Defence Bill passing through the Senate?"

"You would be correct, partly, Commodore Sato, or, rather Vice Admiral Sato" I said calmly, with an incline of my head to him, and then to the other two "And to you Vice Admirals. It'll be made official by the end of the day, as the Emperor and Imperial Senate want a ceremony, fancy and such, within the next month"

Jun Sato gave a slow nod, frown "Sir? It is an honour, and a…"

I held up my hand to cut him off, and the other pair of newly risen officers "I'm aware of the hardships that come with this role, and the simple truth for us all is; the Fleet's expected to conducted a major expansion within the next standard year to two standard years. High Command has decided, for good reasons, to create a Sixth Fleet, while also expecting expansion of Third, and us in Fifth Fleet"

Paused, gave a snort of bemusement "All while we complete the modernisation programme within planned deadlines"

One of my old crew, and now risen high as well, a fellow Solemite Gardan frowned, then shook his head "In some ways that isn't the worst idea. Any new recruits could be placed on the V-series or newest escorts without difficulty…relative training difficulties at least"

Then frowned more deeply, and I nodded "Speak freely, this an open forum for your opinions"

"We're going to war, aren't we Sir?"

None of the three showed surprise, unease, unhappiness, but not surprise as I nodded, Tionne more saddened, as I answered "Despite what the Senate says, and various news outlets….Yes, yes we are. Not now, or in the short-term, if it can be avoided, but we will be at war with the New Republic within a handful of years in the absolute best case peace efforts-wise. Either events will spiral after some silly incident we cannot predict, or…more likely, they'll strike once they've advanced sufficiently in the galactic north"

Waited, nodded, almost to myself, before continuing, hands together on my desk "We also have a new foe, or an enemy we had been investigating and now confirmed within the Unknown Regions. Which, since that is our area of operations, means we get a budget increase…but also more responsibilities in dealing with the species labelled the Far Outsiders. Data packets are prepared on the slates before you along with other need to know information. But they are for later, this meeting is for your promotions and organisational problem-solving"

That was a large part of the reason for their promotions, even without the expansion of the Fleet, in that I was going to have to readjust fleet formation, and tactics, somewhat in the coming months. Slightly more nodal concentration of heavy fleet units would be needed to successfully engage Vong forces after all, and that meant reducing heavy fleet assets with individual sub-squadrons. With the issue of expansion into Skye and that Sector, along with increased patrol needs, well it was likely going to see a reversal to old light forces, hit and run tactics, for patrols, then nodal rapid response forces.

Because we had a war, multiple ones, on the horizon, and the one with Vong meant we'd have to war-game tactics to deal with the current issues I'd encountered in my battle. That meant reorganising my fleet formations to account for that weakness, as well as prep for engaging and killing New Republic Navy strike squadrons and their X-wing outliers. I had many lovely hours ahead with my new Vice Admirals and their operational theatres preparing for finalisation of the modernisation programmes, along with, now, a major expansion of the Fleet in preparation for a Galactic War….

[From: [Redacted]]
[To: Naval Intelligence Directorate, Raxxus Secundus]
[Re: Strategic Alert Notification]

C/INT and S/INT sources indicate strategic redeployment of Imperial Fifth Fleet underway from primary border region Oversectors to Unknown Region Sector Commands. Associated C/INT, E/INT, and S/INT indicate Imperial Third Fleet being reinforced by elements of Imperial First Fleet from Eriadu in response. Further indicators stress completion of hulls by UFE and earlier than estimated deployment of multiple Star Destroyers and increased recruitment drives to Imperial Starfighter Corps and Imperial Stormtrooper Corps. We expect War Games to be conducted by Imperial: Second and Fifth Fleets within the next six standard cycles, with passage of military procurement legislation to be approved within that timescale.

***This should be considered a possible War Warning***

Current deployment of multiple Imperial Fleets during turnover, and continued concentration of Trade Federation Defence Fleet, and Bothan Grand Fleet, elements, raise increased concerns of defence of Southern Galactic Confederacy Sectors. C/INT, E/INT, S/INT, and D/INT, indicate high level communications between the governments of the UFE, TF, and BGE, under Hutt influence and covert channels. Unknown legislation is being arranged within the UFE and TF according to C/INT and S/INT sources, but accessing this information has proven impossible to date. High operational security has been implemented by known sources, but arrival of the former Imperial Chancellor on Neimodia indicates dangers associated.

*Secondary: Nouane Imperium and several minor northern galactic representatives, senior, have been observed involved in these negotiations within the UFE and TF*