[3 BBY]
[Command Bridge, Command Deck, V-series, Vigilant-class Star Destroyer All Seeing Eye, Taskforce Vigilant Wanderer, Imperial Fight Fleet, in hyperspace Koda Spur, near Cerea, Mid Rim, United Federal Empire]

'Ever marching to war, even when there is no war' I thought to myself, emerging from my Ready Room out unto the bridge of the taskforce flagship. It was a new vessel, and even then it was unusual compared to every other V-series as the handful of the Vigilant-class were dedicated command and control, or, well general fleet and operational support, vessels rather than direct combatants. Oh it could fight, it had the turbolasers, as well as the odd feature of railguns, but only to a weak level versus the gunboat-style V-series it looked like, while also only having a fraction of the small craft of a carrier variant. No, it's true strength was in mirror my own Stormcrow, in that it had vast power generation along with various databanks of truly arcane nature.

All of which was reflected in the larger nature of the bridge I emerged out unto, a three-floor affair filled with operators and analysts inside the heavily shielded and armoured bridge. It had to be, relative to over vessels, owing to high-energy state generation systems that fed all the information the ships sensors were drawing in and computing. The upper platform, with safety railings unlike some dreadful early designs I'd seen (based on old Republic designs), gave a good view of all the two lower levels by moving to the sides, even as the data flowed up to the large command 'table' I approached. Holo-displays showed the route we were on, the status of the taskforce, as well as the long range contact detected – even down to the 'vanguard' droid tug serving as warning of any hyperspace disruptions ahead.

'My own fault for pushing for developing that tech…and the whole Lord of Deep Raiding' I thought to myself with weary bemusement. Sometimes we created our own problems!

"Admiral on Deck!"

"At ease" I answered the young, and somewhat eager to prove herself twi'lek, Captain Koyi Komad and crew. I hadn't served with her till now, but she was of that rare breed of being fleet intelligence that was capable of combat command operations. Supposedly. That I would have to judge, but the Ryloth native had much of the qualifications having attended university in the droid-run Tapani Freeworlds, with courses in hyperspace phsyics and then so-called xeno-studies...an odd combination good for current tasks "Status?"

Ending her salute the pink-skinned twi'lek nodded, standing at attention "All systems green Admiral, we are currently on schedule along our traverse route"

"Excellent" I murmured, motioning at Tionne to approach the command table, along with Captain Komad and Ambassador, technically Princess, Isplourrdacartha Estillo of Eiattu Six. Personally I'd have preferred a more senior diplomat, and one more closely allied with the Emperor's party, but the ambassador's family had required the Empire to put down rebel aristocracy so her loyalty to the government was firm at least. She was also had received military training in the Imperial Starfighter Corps and had earned the military rank fairly to my understanding "Now, let us get to the matter at hand"

"Fleet operational security, or other issues Admiral?"

"Yes Ambassador, both one would say" I answered, hands on the sides of the command table, shifting the images to the route, or at least the next legs of it "We are soon to go comms-dark outside of planned check in locations and coded transmits. That increases dangers in some regards, especially out on the frontier, and depending upon allies also to have their operational security maintained"

"You do not believe they will leak such things?"

I shook my head, largely agreeing with her tone that it was something unlikely "No, I do not, but I am paid to be paranoia in such matters. Especially with the nature of this mission. The New Republic would consider this mission a direct insult for instance"

Ambassador Estillo nodded, for it was very true "With current events…yes, recovering such a major secret project of the old Republic would strike at the very foundations of their new government. It would have done so for Mon Mothma's too of course, but even moreso for the new regime"

"Indeed, let alone our now allies aided in destroying that project…" and the officer who did it was now a Commodore in the Imperial Fleet. We didn't think the New Republic wanted a war yet, as neither did we, but the situation was fluid enough, and Coruscant crazy enough, that miscalculations could result in galactic war before we wanted it, or hoped it could be avoided somehow "Hmm, problematic let us say. There is also the nature of our efforts into ascertaining the danger of the Far Outsiders reported by the Chiss and recorded from the Grysk. So there are multiple Top Secret level operations with us I stress once again"

'Because I don't want issue with diplomatic staff' went unsaid, the young ambassador giving a nod of understanding at the unspoken request "Of course Admiral Stormcrow. My staff shall be too busy with cultural studies to prove troublesome I can assure you"

I gave a nod, tapping the displays "From my position gaining rapid access to the wreck site is vital, for time is limited as assigned to us by the emperor. My mission in that regards is relatively simple; exchange embassies and information, secure the site, secure the data-vaults, and ensure the mission begins salvage operations before returning to Imperial territory. That includes the handover of warships. The Unknown Regions are very dangerous, I should know, having served along the frontier for a decade now…and our links to the Chiss Ascendency are along two still barely explored routes. So, I warn we shall be maintaining a high alert status for much of the transit"

All three gave a nod of assent, though it shouldn't be too bad as there was mandatory relaxation time built into that, and the Vigilant-class had various amenities suited for an ambassadorial and long-term mission Star Destroyer. But it was best to make such concerns clear now, rather than encounter misunderstandings when I would not have time to deal with them. This was a rapid movement transit, through hostile territory, and on a mission that concerned me; danger abounded, and I suspect part of my pushiness was irritation at such rapid separation from my family again. I shook my head "Then there are some cultural issues that impact us"

The ambassador frowned "Such as?"

"The Chiss do not have a first strike policy as a matter of culture" it was why one of their best officers was in our fleet, rather than theirs "A positive in our favour about not being betrayed, but problematic should certain enemies seek to attack us. The Chiss will react to such an event, but they will not pre-empt it. Even if they are aware of such troubles in advance"

Culture was, as it always was, a vital thing to consider in military matters, even if many forgot it. It was too easy to assume from a supremist point-of-view 'everyone is like me' or that 'every right thinking person thinks the same' , and then cause disastrous problems from that. It was especially true here, as the Chiss were an Unknown Regions species and not, till recently, engaged much with the wider galaxy. That and I'd more dealings with them, and various species they dealt with, over the last decade – even down to the issues that our joint mission against the coming Vong had run into a times. From stupid fights over honour insults given because language could imply things, different things, between differing parties. Hells, there was trouble enough at times between my House Guard and some of their fellow Imperial military!

Captain Komad gave a faint frown "That could be an issue as you say Sir. Would that extend to warning us of threats?"

I sighed "I do not know for sure, because telling us might be akin to beginning such a battle. From my understanding of the battles-data given to us…well, I'd lean towards no, they are not that extreme, but it is not a guarantee. As such, we plan accordingly"

Because it did say problematic things about the levels of Vong activity that the Chiss Ascendency already considered themselves at war with the 'Far Outsiders' that were the Yuuzhan Vong. Based on the information given to us…I expected they'd run into more than they were telling us in fact. Of course I knew more than I was telling them, or my own side, till I had proof, so I couldn't really fault them for such caution. This whole meeting, in my mind, was in gaining that extra information along with recovering whatever data was in the Outbound Flight. Even the design specs of the massive ark itself, already lost to us and the other successor states, would be a boon of great help, even if not directly to military matters.

"I'd assume then you wish regular briefings of soldiers involved in direct interaction with the Chiss?" the ambassador asked, and I nodded in agreement before she continued "A reasonable precaution. I and my staff will rotate on a schedule to warn of any gestures or language to watch for, and to avoid, during the handover negotiations"

"Thank you Ambassador, such help is much appreciated" was my response to her offer, one I'd have asked for if she had not put it forward "My own time, and my Apprentice's, will be held towards operational matters, along with hyperspace navigation I'm afraid, which limits time to do so myself"

It was needed in these regions after all, and that was myself and Tionne, otherwise the fleet would be months taking a more cautious travel route and methodology. Oh, I might have gone for others, but mission secrecy was mission secrecy, and so here we were. I leaned over the displays, reaching out with the Force to what, only two decades ago would have been considered a powerful fleet, and began to plot our way forward…