[2 BBY]
[Secondary Spaceport, Ord Mantell, Bright Jewel System, Bright Jewel Sector, Mid Rim Territories, New Republic Allied Region]

Captain (Junior Grade) Han Solo, CorcSec, or, as he was in his role right now; Junior Executive (Starship Captain Level) Corellian Engineering Corporation stepped off his ship, the Millenium Falcon. His friend Lando's former vessel before the man had bolted for the United Federal Empire's darker pastures almost as soon as word of the Restorationist-Progressionist Coalition's election victory had come in. Despite all the paperwork with him, both in chip and paper format, Han kept his blaster visible and within easy reach. Officially he was here transporting his friend, and fellow yes-sir-totally-not-a-spy Mako Spince, thanks to Mako's father's role as Senator still within the Loyal Opposition.

'The Loyal Opposition getting little benefit from that loyalty and opposition' he thought darkly, looking around the bustling spaceport that had once been the hub of military opposition to Coruscant 'While this band of traitorous backstabbers reap the rewards of their traitorous backstabber-y'

"Don't frown at it all" his friend, and fellow totally-not-CorSec officer, Bey murmured "It's a good thing remember? Profit to be made from all this…apparently not crimes against Galactic Sentient Rights"

'Anymore' Han thought, forcing a nod to indicate he'd heard the warning, shifting to a more professionally pleasant look after all. It was just all…bringing up bad memories, even if the situation wasn't quite the same in truth. Not beyond profiters making profit off the suffering of others, all while shouting to the heavens about helping those they were making suffer. It was really kriffing bad that the Corellian Underworld was proving better as people than the Republic's official government after all!

'Of course, don't pretend you are somehow clean. None of this would work without our presence, even if they'd like to tell us to kriff off' was the other depressing thought process. Because the 'Mindslow Retarded Policies, written by Mindslow Retards, for Mindslow Retards' as his Uncle called the New Republic's economic policies…were a huge hit in the Core. Of course they were, for wealth was pouring in, liftstyles restored to all those on the middle and upper lower classes of society. All of which worked because Corellians and others, even the Hutts despite being shut out violent, arrived in the gaps to make a profit where the incompetence and idiocy of the New Republics Restoration Programmes were brought to bear.

For the New Republic Restoration Authority was intent upon, and large had, implement a centrally planned economy for the 'Restored Territories' that needed 'Re-education and Re-Progressing' according to them and their political masters. A horde of young, energetic, zealous, idiots from various Coruscanti linked universities had been sent out to 'civilize' the 'uncivilized' as Han had been told multiple kriffing times. Further proving to him that those rich kriffers and their lackies that attended fancy universities and schools and collegiums were all tyrants, exploiters, and hypocrites at heart. Everything he'd seen on the trip here so far, well, Han hid it well he hoped as he walked into the Cantina, flanked by Bey.

Guest Workers were present of course, because slavery was strictly illegal in the New Republic. Which was why the stressed looking togruta woman that greeted them work a tracking and shock collar, because it helped 'track her debt figures' or something. Another sign of the New Republic helping people by spreading around and making everyone equal…equally miserable it felt like to Han as he and Bey were guided to seats while the news spoke of the great victory at Fondor. Traitors rebellion crushed and the droid sneak attack smashed in shipyard apparently, despite massive Imperial betrayal and interference. Han suspected differently, but it wasn't like there was much information to argue otherwise, other than they'd blundered into war with the Imperials. Making most of the government's supporters happy and pushing them up in the polls at finally 'standing up' to the Imperial Oppressors and Thieves.

Their meeting contact, with guard, turned up after a few minutes, an older near human woman with a scarred human man walking beside her as they took seats across Han and Bey "Captain"

"Major" Han greeted with a nod, finger tapping the table "Greetings from Corellia"

"I could care less about greetings. You have the agreed upon supplies?"

"Yes, all supplied by CEC, on agreed terms for…the benefit of the workers" Han felt disgusted at himself saying it as he did, but that was the job "More important, is our….supply run in place"

"Yes. To the exact amount" the New Republic Army officer nodded, taking out a chip from her jacket pocket, sliding it across to Han as he took his own, and they exchanged to scan. Neither side said another as Han pulled out his dataslate, placing in the chip and seeing that, yes, the 'cargo' was in place. Authorisations and everything else in place to make it official like. Things wouldn't function properly here if not for people like Han trading to fill in the gaps caused by the economic idiocy of the centralised authorities on Coruscant. All while helping CorSec keep an eye on the insanity taking place out here, and, if a few not-slaves were not-freed then it wasn't an entirely bad thing either as he thanked the Major and, after a drink to sell the conversation, headed back to collect his passengers…


[2 BBY]
[Imperial Military Planetary Defence Headquarters, Pandath City, Taanab, Yaanab System Perlemian Trade Route, Inner Rim, United Federal Empire]

Rahm Kota, Admiral of the United Federal Empire, and Imperial Jedi Grandmaster, frowned at tactical displays and logistical charters once more, feeling too old for such bantha poodoo. He was in charge of the Imperial Sixth Fleet, which, on organisation charts, existed, but it wasn't quite a fighting force on the level of the last war just yet. Or, rather, part of it was, and maybe better, but the majority of the newly created fleet was only coming together and unfit for offensive operations. Instead it was a defensive fleet, and just in time as this entire region of space was threatened from both sides of the Perelemian hyperroute;- from the New Republic Navy at Vurdon Ka, and the Confederate Navy now at Lantilles gates.

Both seeking to press ever further forward, and then, eventually, diving the Empire's additions of the Trade Federation rimward of their holdings around the Noune Allied Region. Isolating Noune would be a devastating blow of course, as it was both highly developed, a mini-UFE in many ways, and also totally loyal. Allowing it to be cut was deemed unacceptable then, for isolation meant it's eventual fall in the face of the sheer numbers of the Republican war machine. Something that made operations relatively straightforward here; - but not easy as the intention to gradually build up Sixth Fleet had gone out the airlock the moment the galaxy descended into yet another galactic war!

"The situation is less than desirable?"

Rahm gave a nod of agreement to Depa Bilaba as she entered the room, having met with High Inquisitor Morne, just as Rahm had yesterday. Depa was here after 'returning to active' as the Empire viewed it, as a Successor to the Galactic Republic, and the situation about these Far Outsiders demanded more investigation from someone who'd once been on the Council proper "No, but we knew that before I took up the role of Fleet Admiral once again. Confederates are playing much more aggressive than expected, and I'm quite sure now we're going to lose Chazwa to the NRN no matter what we do"

Depa walked forward, almost seeming to glide so in her robes, looking at the displays that were so consuming Rahm's day "Bracca and Derra? After Fondor?"

"Second were at Fondor, Third Fleet is on the line, and maybe Fifth, you how they are" Rahm responded with a shake of his head "Not sure what Maarisa and Daron are playing, just that neither are going to be reinforcing me here. Our old enemy, now loyal Imperial, Mar Tuuk has taken elements of the Trade Defence Fleet on the offensive towards Kattada so that is easing some pressure, but…."

He tapped at the northern sectors, Depa's gaze following, studying a moment before she spoke "Confederates are pushing into Phindar and Celanon regions? What is their obsession with the Mandalorians?"

"That they can't seem to kill them off despite trying very hard to do so over the years" he said with a bemused, tired, sigh "Though I suspect this time its tied in with the Republicans likely going to move on Corsin and the surrounding sectors to try drive us completely off the Hydian Way"

"How confident are you in holding it?"

"Quite confident in fact" he answered, earning a surprised glance "Most of the remaining exile fleets are concentrated there, and back by Nouanese fleet elements, and whatever counts as strong system defences for the northern galactic time. Long-term….that's a greater concern, but, for now, it should hold. The plan being we shall mobilised by that stage"

"And all while watching for the hidden danger of these invisible foes" Depa frowned at the displays "The bad days come again"

"No, we were worse off in those early days, even with another hidden foe. This one, at the very least, we know is hostile and isn't hiding behind our ranks to stab us in the back" Rahm could only reply with a dark chuckle, though he did feel far too much like no time had passed in these two decades of late "Your opinion of Celeste's findings?"

"I agree it should be released, even to our foes, in time. Though I doubt they'll believe us. The powers displayed at Sernpidal, and what occurred to Daron's fleet before that, are very concerning. That the Emperor considers allowing us share such information, and query, Master Yoda says much of the threat. Damnable though that those monsters on Coruscant have ruined any chance at a united effort"

Rahm shrugged "It is why I voiced opposition to any such information reveal to our foes….for now at the very least. The New Republic cannot be trust, and the Confederates can only be trusted to attack us more for seeing weakness, and seeking to restore lost glory as they think it"

"Perhaps" his fellow Jedi Master murmured, hands under her robes sleeves "A disagreement to discuss later, it might be best to focus upon the sneaking myself to Kashyyyk. While it no longer matters from our position, it is considered important that Kashyyyk stay neutral in the conflict. For the here and now at least"

Rahm Kota nodded. That was just another task to add to the list…