[2 BBY]
[Imperial Occupation Authority, Milagro City, Milagro, Milagro System, Chaykin Sector, Expansion Region, former Confederacy of Independent Systems, United Federal Empire Occupation Zone]

"Nothing?" I asked, though it was more of a rhetorical question as I accepted the data-slate that backed up the statements of various officers over recent hours. In this case from the most senior of the Stormtrooper Corps Assault Divisions commanders "That is curiosity General"

"Indeed Admiral" Stormtrooper General Brendol Hux answered with shake of his head, green-grey helmet held in his hand as we observed the city stretched out before us, along with the shimmer in the skies as repairs to the planetary shields were underway "Corrupt the core, just as it has always been with the Confederates. It was the same when I first fought them under the Republic's banner, and it is the same now"

I…didn't agree with that, not entirely, as the Confederacy, once upon a time, had valid points and still had good people within it…

But, well, the situation here was less than desirable, and certainly wouldn't be a place to argue against the failures of our enemy's societal choices. Milagro should have been a fortress world, as well as a trade hub and yard world….and it was the second, very clearly, but the first and third were very much in doubt now. And not just because of our ferocious assault, something that had been overkill for the defences we had encountered in all truth. Then I'd delayed when I should have pushed on, not recognising the weakness for the actual weakness it was, rather than a prelude to a trap. I sighed, no use crying over spilt milk as they'd say "True General, but Intel missed that fact unfortunately, and does put us in minor trouble for judging strength of enemy formations and fortress worlds because of that"

"Hardly the worst situation Admiral" the human said with a snort "Compared to what was expected, in both foes and losses to them"

'In part, but we've spent years building intel gathering into both Confed and Republican comms, and now we see they've been lying to themselves, not just us' I wanted to say, but nodded, studying the data displayed on the slate before me "Not so much for us, but for second echelon elements if we wish to secure this system. Between myself and Admiral Zsinj….we should be able to interdict hyperlane traffic completely within a week. I want this place to be a fortress, as the Confederates claimed it was, but will be, this time, in deed as well as statement"

"Relief forces?"

"As per operational plans" I answered, paused a moment, and then nodded "A joint Bothan-Trade Feddie taskforce is currently assaulting towards Aridus, so they may be in support, but, ah…"

"Bothans" the man didn't, quite, roll his eyes, not sneer, but it was close and not unjustified "Least the droids will do as they state I suppose, Feddies being Feddies"

"Well, I shan't be dealing with them overmuch if I can avoid it. Federation I mean. Bad blood there" then gave a chuckle "Not that dealing with the Bothans is any better as you stay. Still, assuming it goes ahead, it will ease operational security with supply lines both Spinward and Trailing"

It would also, hopefully, secure us another route to supply Rahm Kota's besieged Sixth Fleet and the Trade Federation fleets currently stalemating the Confederates at Transdosha, and the Republicans at Balmorra and Quellor. Fondor was holding strong, with the war bogging down on most fronts as the New Republic's Second and Fourth Fleet's pulled back after losses, and the Confederacy seemed on the backfoot since the destruction of their Fleet at Kerkoidia by my own and Maarisa Zsinj's combined fleets. The hope was, now, that if we could inflict sufficient pain on the Confederates in the coming days from here, then we could force them to sue for peace. Then it would be just us against the New Republic…which was still a problem, but less so than us against both great powers.

"Spies though Admiral"

I acknowledged that with a nod "Yes, that will be an added security concern. Bothans will Bothan after all. Still, we are in a better position than envisioned prior to launching the operation. Gamor is secured, as is here, and Merren should fall soon now Maarisa has moved to besiege it"

"Concerns?"

I shrugged at the expected question "We aren't sure what Republicans are doing with their Third and Fifth, they've pulled back from Jazbina and Tirahnn. There are indications of building for another significant offensive, but probably not towards Sixth Fleet. If the Confederacy and New Republic acted in unision here, or simply allow those forces pass through Denon…it'd be unpleasant"

I looked at the skies "Hence the repairing and upgrading the less than expected, and now desired, planetary defences"

"Yesterday's joys into day's problems Admiral"

"True General, far too true" I agreed with a snort, then stamping the orders on the data-slate now I'd read them thoroughly. This operation, once it locked down the surround sector, was going to get very active again in the coming days, and that meant so much more death and destruction caused by my hand, and in my name. Such was the galaxy we lived in….

[2 BBY]
[Observation Booth of the Supreme Chancellor, Main Avenue, Rebuilt Market District, Galactic City, Coruscant, Corusca Sector, The Core, The (People's) New Republic]

"….MARCH ON REPUBLICAN MIGHT!"

"FOR THE CORE WORKERS WE FIGHT!"

The Master of Masks wore the mask of Reva Sevander, youngest Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic in living memory. It was the name of her birth, but to a New Jedi, serving the New Republic, such attachments were something used only due to necessity…as was the case with the young and dynamic leader of the Restorationist-Progressionist Coalition. For 'she' felt nothing as the marching boots of millions of soldiers in the uniform of the New Republic Army slammed in unison on the feracrete roads of the capital world, to the cheers of billions upon billions of citizens. It was perilously close to the Dark Side….emotions. Feelings.

But needs must, and the New Jedi Order would use whatever means necessary, allying with those they most, to ensure the New Republic would restore what had been lost. What had been stolen from the honest, decent, citizens of the Core. Even down to the miasma of the Dark Side that covered their world, that was only now, slowly, so very slowly, being sealed away by the rejuvenation of the Jedi Order and rebuilding of a new, untwisted, Jedi Temple. It would be the work of centuries, but the Order, the Master of Masks, would lead that movement, even if it would be the work of generations to bring about. So she raised her hand, smiling a broad, wide, smile she did not feel, in fulfilling the expectations of the vast multitudes watching this celebration across the civilized core. From allies to enemies alike.

Below were the fist of the New Republic, returned from subduing the galactic north, and, once refreshed and resupplied, would return to finish the process. LAATs, in homage to the Grand Army of the Republic, though, why, the Master of Masks was unsure of, but the vermin that had been Palpatine still retained strong support and would take a generation or two to erase his freedoms. The more modern Jubilation Heavy Walkers and lighter Serenity armoured support vehicles were superior to the being called Reva Sevander, as both Master of Masks and the Mask of Supreme Chancellor that she wore. Those would help break less defended worlds, as while polls were high, they needed further victories, and only stalling had been encountered. She held the smile till the privacy filters reactivated, and she sat back down to discuss more important matters as the roaring cacophony of the parade ended in the box.

"Report?"

Her Defence Minister, a Skakoan, Jul Tambor was a curious being, but the Skakoans had come crawling back to the Galactic Republic after their misadventures with the so-called Separatist Cause. That Jul was the grandson of the traitor Wat Tambor had only made placing him on the ticket far more appealing for ensuring adequate restructuring. That and the Skakoans had the ideal cultural views of any non-Core species, and sufficient history, to overlook some mistakes…for now. For the next few generations at least, and they were good at processing the penal populations too, so perhaps all would be forgiven in time by the Master of Masks successors.

For now, he came back with what she'd expected "Confederate forces have fallen back from Phindar and Celanon in the face of Mandalorian counterattacks. Confirmation of the fall of the Gamor-Merrin-Milagro hub is now gathered. Analysis; failure due to overstretch of Confederate Armed Forces"

"As expected" 'Reva Sevander' answered, following the will of the Council, and through them, The Force "We need victories. Can they be achieved?"

"Analysts indicate, affirmative, though not on standard fronts. Operation Reclamation offers the primary means to achieve sufficient victories to achieve a temporary ceasefire as noted in prior agreements" the male came back with as the parade continued, an overflight of X-wings dropping fireworks to light up the skies "Secondary concerns remain"

"An Imperial build-up is, unfortunately, projected to be unavoidable given a period of peace, but the Republic requires such a time as well. Our build-up will be significantly greater in that time period. As long as resources are gathered and victories sufficient to justify a ceasefire achieved"

There was also the pressing issue of the Imperial Northern Network, and…..what exactly it been doing, and observing. Sernpidal had been a shock, and evidence pointed to…something. Something major, and problematic, so the Council, as well the political coalition of parties wished to cut their losses for the moment, as life was already returning to normal on Coruscant, to the levels pre-Separatist Rebellion. There were many problems to be still dealt with, from the incompetence built into the system due to Mon Mothma's regime, to the simple need to integrate and properly secure the still rebellious Galactic North. With the failure to secure Fondor as desired, and the Imperials proving more willing to fight now, it was best to see that the New Republic emerged from this conflict as a winner, even if they had to suffer another power gaining some strength as well

Their time come after all…

The Force was with the New Republic!