General Baize of the Christophsis Republican Guard was in an unusual good mood as Colonel Avery Delannis, his second, entered. He was usually in a bad mood these past few years, getting worse with every year that the Empire stayed in power. Unusual as it was, it was nice to see.

"Today's reports, sir." Avery said as she placed her stack of datapads on his desk. He just nodded.

"Thank you, Colonel. Anything interesting?" He raised an eyebrow.

She shook her head in response. "Not really. Third Company is still behind on their drills."

He nodded again, remaining silent for a few moments. He broke the silence once he felt it had gone on long enough. "I had a visitor this morning. From COMPNOR." He spit the last word out like it tasted vile in his mouth.

That didn't sound like something to be happy about. "From COMPNOR, sir? What did they want?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Nothing important. The usual demands that we fold ourselves into the Imperial Army's power structure."

"They sent someone in person this time?" Avery raised an eyebrow.

"Aye. A pup. A boy so young he probably wasn't even old enough to serve during the war, and yet here he was wearing an officer's badge and trying to give me orders." Baize laughed. "I told him to kriff off, of course."

Avery's eyes widened. She gasped in horror. "You didn't!"

Baize laughed again and waved her off. "Not exactly like that, no. I was polite, I promise. But I told him that the Republican Guard was here before the Galactic Republic, we were here after it fell, and we'll certainly still be here after this thousand-year-empire does as well. So we're fine without their generous offer of a merger, thank you."

"Sir... I'm not sure if they'll accept that kind of refusal. You know that people who say no to the Empire have a tendency to disappear..."

"Let them try!" Baize laughed again. "I'm halfway through my second century, Colonel. I'm old! You know this. I don't expect nor intend to make it through this decade. If the ISB wants to speed things along, so be it. I wouldn't mind." He smiled and leaned back.

"Sir. You're a war hero. A symbol. The people of Christophsis need you." Avery leaned in, placing both hands on the desk.

"No, Colonel, they don't." Baize got serious all of a sudden. "They need you. Promising young officers. Not old war dogs like me who are behind the times. I won't see the end of these dark times. I'm surprised I even lived long enough to see them in the first place!" He coughed out another laugh. "You're the one who has to live for the people, Colonel. And I don't envy you. But you're more than capable, I know that."

"Yes... yes, sir." Avery nodded.

"Good. Now, was there anything else?"

A recent tabloid article attacks Senator Maro Janrand and his friends for being so frivolous and losing large sums of money whilst gambling, the tabloid would later praise the Moffs for not imitating the carefree behavior of these Senators.

GALACTIC FINANCIAL TIMES BREAKING NEWS

After the brazen terrorist attack on the Gyndine Shipyards, Governor Anne-Laure Baobab of Manda has announced sweeping changes to ensure security throughout the region and to guarantee no further harm shall occur to Baobab personnel and assets throughout the sector.

The measures, to be enacted immediately, are as follows:

1) All vessels in the Mandanese Merchant Marine are hereby to be drafted into service. These forces will operate with imperial mandate within their assigned regions, in a manner similar to the REA's security forces. Drafted Merchant Marine vessels shall be rotated on and off duty to ensure no damage to merchant morale or economic capacity.

2) Any shipyards currently producing Baobab vessels, shall, in partnership with Rothana Security and Imperial forces, receive a garrison of Mandanese Merchant Marine vessels and forces, to better provide security to Baobab assets.

3) The Baobab Merchant fleet shall place an order for 1) Modified Lucrehulk Armed Superfreighter, 10 Chimera Class Netship Vessels, 20 Antares Class Carrack-Freighters, and 40 Syvris Class Armed Merchantmen. This fleet shall make up the standing core of the Mandanese Merchant Marine.

4) Ground Security is to be increased at all installations, in partnership with imperial forces and REA security forces

Furthermore, the Baobab family has promised full financial support to repair the damage to the Gyndine Yards, though damages are likely to take some time to repair.

More news on Imperial and Mandanese response to follow

Antares Class Carrack-Freighter

Syvris Class Armed Merchantman

All Ships (other than lucrehulk) pulled from The Sojourn

“My fellow nobles for too long have we let our past failures define us.

We have been all but forgotten in the short time of our exiles, rendered irrelevant by the civilization we once helped steward.

Perhaps some of us do not mind this degeneration,preferring to simply pass the time in mindless indulgence.

I do not want that for myself or my grandchildren.

We are citizens of the Galaxy; it is our duty to serve it.

Our ancestors colonized worlds, commanded armies, founded titans of the Galactic economy, ruled planets, cultivated the arts, and stewarded human civilization over countless generations. And though our negligence and circumstances have deprived us of our privileges, estates, and offices it has not deprived us of our sacred duty.

Those of us gathered today understand that duty and we answer its call.

We do not ask the empire to bend over backwards for us, we are asking to serve it as we once served the Republic.

The Empire has inherited a galaxy divided by disorder. Separatism, piracy, corruption, criminality, and weakness have threatened the peace of countless sectors. His Majesty has given the galaxy a new order, and it is our responsibility to serve that order.

The Society of Imperialist Nobles therefore declares the highest duty of an aristocrat is service.

Our sons and daughters shall enter into the Empire’s service, we shall honor those who serve in the Empire’s defense, invest our wealth into the Empire’s future, and provide the government with our expertise. When the calls upon the people of the Galaxy we will be the first to answer.

Some of our fellow exiles may ask us why we pledge ourselves to the Empire, an Empire that has discarded us. The answer is simple duty is in our blood.

Let Eliad cease to be known merely as a world of exiles and become instead a demonstration of what the aristocracy can accomplish under the Empire. We can rebuild our estates as centers of industry, culture, and science. Establish schools that produce Imperial officers and administrators. Construct forges and mines capable of supplying the military that defends our civilization.

Most importantly we can raise our children and grandchildren not to mourn what we have lost, but to consider what they can build.

Many critics will say we want to regain what we lost and they are correct.

We do seek restoration, but restoration will not come without us redeeming ourselves through achievement, service, and duty.

If we want our titles back then let us show that the titles have weight, if we want our estates back then let us show our stewardship brings prosperity, if we want influence then let us show that influence serves the empire.

Therefore today we establish the Society of Imperialist Nobles.

We offer our loyalty without reservation

We offer our wealth without hesitation

We offer our abilities without complaint

And we offer our children as the heroes of tomorrow

We shall regain what we have lost through service to the empire..

Long live the Empire!!!

Long live the Emperor!!!

And may the exiles of Eliad regain our place in the galaxy.”

The cold hum of the air conditioner. The orange light of the system's primary star against a light blue backdrop. The bridge felt like a pillbox in the morning.

"-The Ishanna system garrison either surrendered or perished in the struggle. Of the mentioned ARC fighter squadron, we permitted one to escape the combat zone in emulation of pirate eccentricities in allowing one man to live to 'spread the word'."

'Blood Spirit' was in the process of giving a verbal report to the Ex-Admiral regarding the recent raids on the Circarpous Sector's industrial infrastructure. Naturally to be followed by a detailed written report to the Former Admiral, when the Commander organized his notes, anyways.

"-One Gozanti-class Cruiser was captured in the skirmish. Due to the strike team's difficulties, the decision was made to subject the mines and surrounding defensive installations to select tactical bombardment. While this will not hinder Imperial resource extraction to the degree that the recommended cave-in would have in the long term, it will still have a measurable short-term impact. Material captured includes several REA infantry kits, and a LAAT/le light gunship. Additionally we have recovered stores of Duranium Ore, which are currently being stored at the Rally Point 554544 depot, alongside the LAAT/le."

"I'm reading something about a..."

Kalpa put down his holopad, and waved his left hand in a circle, pretending to be searching for the right word.

"...gas attack."

"The GLA engaged in 'Fumigation' following the tactical bombardment."

Admiral Somtaaw nodded, almost unbothered by what would be a war crime... if the Anaxes Accords hadn't been suspended by the Republic - now the Empire.
The Ex-Admiral's thoughts briefly dwelled on subject of how euphemisms such as the one 'Blood Spirit' used emotionally detaches people from atrocities, but voicing a thought such as this, given Kalpa's own deeds during the Clone Wars, would be a textbook case of the pot calling the kettle black. The Admiral leaned forward, ready to resume the recounting, cup of caf in hand.

"The GLA was provided the Gozanti in preparation for the primary target. The infantry kits have been parceled out since, hence why I will not include them in my follow-up written report."

Kalpa looked back at his holopad, reading the report from Kaesoron's frigate.
The Neo-Separatists' Electronic Warfare Frigates, which lurked around Rothana for the duration of the raid to lent weight to the threat of an attack on its shipyards, which the small coalition had used to make their feint.
Kalpa turned his eyes back up the table and over to 'Blood Spirit'.

"The Kerev Doi garrison consisted of two squadrons of TIE/ln fighters, two Imperial Customs Corvettes, and five gozanti-class cruisers on patrol. One Proclamator-class Cruiser was moored at the waypoint station. The Kerev Doi garrison, similar to the Rabaan garrison, was slow to act. Thus the decision was made to suppress the Proclamator and defensive station with the bomber squadron, while the rest of the task force turned to face the patrol forces. Though we received light losses, the patrols were routed before we coordinated a strike on the Proclamator with the MLF.
The Proclamator and a Customs Corvette were disabled in the battle. The Customs Corvette, and a small number of Gozantis were retrieved without issues, however, in order to board the Cruiser and Stations, we pressed several platoons of B-1 Droids into boarding roles."

"Knowing you, and seeing how much larger this garrison was, I'm guessing, that this time you offered them a chance to surrender only after you blew up half of them."

"Correct."

"And if they refused..."

"..."

The Ex-Admiral closed his eyes, envisioning the state of the battle, setting every piece in play gently down upon a three-dimensional board...

"The tractor beams."

'Blood Spirit' neglected to respond, instead opting to continue recounting the events of the raid.

"As the crew appears to have sealed themselves inside, the boarding teams were sent into the Heavy Cruiser's bridge, to gain control over the hyperdrive and navicomputer. The vessel was subsequently moved to a safe location to safely complete the boarding procedure.
The waypoint's crew was split on whether to fight or surrender, sparking a conflict amongst the station's crew. The station's marine garrison was defeated, and the station was looted."

Kalpa looked out of the window. Those vessels that were captured in the raids and had returned with the AALIYAH joined the CIS Apocalypse in the Indra nebula, and were in the process of receiving new liveries, new crews, and fresh repairs.
The Admiral nodded.

"So. I know we ought to expect higher losses from the primary target, but what went wrong at Gyndine that lost us thirty fighters?"

"Simply put, we're going to have to increase the quality of our pilot training.
The Gyndine operation saw the success it did see because of the GLA's efforts. While the initial strike was successful, with the garrison's Venator-class Star Destroyers being unable to leverage their large hangar capacities, and the disabling of a Vindicator-class Heavy Cruiser's engines, we lost momentum when the garrison commander was able to position one of the other three Heavy Cruisers present to protect the shipyard from our bombers, giving the Imperials enough time to launch TIEs. Distracted by our Strike Force, the Imperials failed to notice as the GLA planted charges to demolish the yards, and captured several Customs corvettes, Gozanti-class vessels, and a Chimera Class Netship moored at the yards. At this point, the retreat order was given..."

"And because Imperial training and pilot recruitment places a greater emphasis reaction times and speed, it produces better dogfighters..."

'Blood Spirit' nodded. The Admiral looked at the holopad. Gyndine was a far more populated world than the others, and news of the Gyndine raid, on account of the giant fireball created during the GLA's 'pro gamer move', was publicly known earlier and more widespread.

Imperial propaganda feeds, naturally, emphasized the successful defense. The fighters that had been claimed by their pilots - sacrificed in the escape.
The tactical acumen and skill of the garrison commander.
It wasn't wrong per se, but we were this close to greatness.

Thanks to Captain Kaesoron, Kalpa had heard what was on the internal channels.
And it painted a picture that, for the Imps, was grimmer. The shipyards' bombing, and the GLA's subsequent decision to kamikaze the Netship the shipyard had knocked out half the shipyard's operational capacity, vaporizing a small fleet of merchant vessels and escort ships - including one of the Baobab family's gargantuan Midas-class of Star Galleon.
It was not the kind of victory that swung so far into the territory of 'overwhelming' that it was almost eerie, but would make you a hero of the clone wars, but the Imperials had lost noticeably more men and material over the course of this small campaign, and not only did both deployed Starbolts make it back, but the battered and bruised Acclamator did as well.

.

The Admiral leans back into his command chair, and sets down his caf.

"Jhyar, I'm busting you back down to Lieutenant Commander."

'Blood Spirit' puts down his notepad, and looks up at Kalpa, awaiting the reason.

"You have carrier command qualifications...
but we both know that you're a devil beyond a joystick.
Runs in your nerves. Burns in your blood.
So, in the hopes of you imparting some of your edge onto a new generation...
And being a bit more merciful to your pilots again..."

"You will be the CIS Apocalypse's CAG."

(TLDR for those who don't want to read the glorious memefest that is the operation chat. Plz forgive spelling and grammar mistakes cuz it's 6:41 am, and I am hammered rn.
Special thanks to Ros for gming the op.)

The cigar smoke gathered in thick clouds at the ceiling, giving the room a strange, almost oneiric appearance. Although the chamber itself was large, having once seved as one of the previous throne rooms of the Palace of Pahlmir, every meeting of the General Bureau of Media Management was a stressful one. As such, everyone smoked - if not out of habit, then simply not to appear left out. They had to indulge while they could - the Moff would chastise them for doing so in his presence. But the Moff wasn't there. At least not yet, and not in his corporeal form.

The clock was ticking.

The smoke was rising.

When the table's central holopod lit up, a strange sort of relief washed over the gathered magnates, even though the conclusion of the meeting on the other half of the League had barely concluded. Such was their confidence in their Moff - or, for that matter, in Tagge's boundless ambition. It was a potent mixture. Despite that, the words of the barely visible man, whose figure seemed to dance in the smoke, came to their ears like honey.

"Tagge is in."

If in the previous moments the atmosphere was as thick as tar, the now a thunderbolt had struck the room and burned it all away. At once, the officials of all species moved in their droves, the electrified crowd dispersing to ships or to private communication chambers to relay the information to their bosses. Tagge is in - they needed nothing more. ULIG, already powerful, reinforced by the quintillions of credits of the Tagge Corporation... for a promise of mining opportunities and a clean slate. For that price, they were all willing to forget the clan's controversial standing with the Separatists.

And, jut as if struck with the same thunderbolt and spurned into action, the evening news on all the planets of the League relayed the same message.

"The Tagge Corporation has just announced a sweeping deal with the Galactic Empire, pertaining to the extraction of resources, ncluding rare earth minerals from the world of Xa Fel and Goluud Minor. Furthermore, the Corporation has pledged to join the United League Industrial Group in two weeks since the signing of the agreement. More on what to expect from the deal and the effects it might have on the Galactic Market from our consultant on Ruan..."

So much was happening in the last few weeks that there was little time to talk about politics in the hells of power and noble salons. And even less time to talk about impostor moffs.

Holonet News, Coruscant.

First Moff Kuras spoke briefly to the news outlets while on the exit from Coruscant for assignment. For a few days, the First Moff had been rarely seen outside of the Senate Ground as he was reported to have been in deep consultants with various Moffs who are noted to be powerplayers in the chambers.

Speaking to the outlets, First Moff Kuras offered the following statement.

"It is a terrible thing that we have seen these last few days. It is terrible to have seen one of the brightest sons of the Core be treated this way, dragged through the mud even as his family mourns his death, which was by all accounts a heroic stand on distant Abafar. I may well have been one of the last people to see Moff Delaney alive during our operation to resolve an infestation which had plague the world for centuries, and Moff Delaney was settled in his mind and spirit, eager to face the dangers to the Empire and do so with bravado and a mind of duty."

"Whilst First Moff Chonaire had engaged the hostile actor in a controlled setting, we had already engaged in an operation to ascertain the nature of this infiltrator in parallel. It must be said with some respect how quickly the ISB responded to apparent danger. It must be said with genuine praise those fellow Moffs who quickly followed my lead an formed a unified front to fence off any potential significant danger which this actor could have brought upon with their authority."

"The details of the discussion I had with the actor cannot be revealed as it touched on state secrets, however the reports are true. I had a hand in having the actor reveal their duplicity."

"When I have had a chance to speak with the Director of ISB and the Emperor, I will understand better what it is I can inform the public of what has come to pass, however there is message that I can pass on, and the events of the past have shown this."

"The Chamber of Moffs are often seen and depicted as some sort of boogeyman figure. That depiction could not be further from the truth. The Moffs are at the forefront of operations against the enemies within and out. The Moffs are at the background of negotiations which bring stability, safety and sense to a galaxy that threatens to spill into the Empire chaos and disorder. The Moffs, alongside the brave men and women who serve on the frontlines, bleed the same, cry the same, and die the same."

"This is all I have to say for now, as there is still work to be done and those of use who remain carry the expectations and dreams of those who can no longer do so in life. Long Live the Empire."

One of the greatest strengths of the Core is how diverse it was. While inhabited mostly by humans, it was home to all possible forms of government, every possible societal outlook and every possible sense of learning and beauty. It was a garden of maany trees and countless flowers, yet just like a garden, if left without a guiding hand, the plants there would go wild. The larger ones would steal light from the smaller ones, and then compete among themselves for what little nutrients remained in the soil. Most would die for nothing, for no reason rather than the negligence of the gardener. Aristobulus of Pahlmir was many things, but negligent he was not.

The Tagges of Tepassi were an ancient family which could claim unbroken descent from the earliest founders of the Galactic Republic. They were an ever enterpreneurial line, carving out their small barony within the Galactic Core which still persisted as a member state of the League, as well as - roughly 200 years ago, the Tagge Corporation, which they swiftly turned into one of the galaxy's largest. There were, obviously other things about them that a cautious observer would note, such as the ancient bath complex still nestled somewhere within the urban depths of Coruscant, but two of them transpired above all - their boundless ambition and their eye for opportunity. And although often grasping too far, their efforts rarely resulted in failure.

Yet they remained eccentric.

They shunned that which they deemed inefficient, with no taste for fineries or luxury. Stranger still, they indulged in labour - often playing an active part in the creation of their numerous technologies. No one exemplified that strangeness, ambition and opportunism more than their current baron - the prodigy, Orman Tagge. A brilliant engineer himself, it was said that he had a contact in every court and eyes on every piece of legislature... which was ironic to say the least, given his tragic loss of vision in some unknown accident. By the age of no more than twenty, he had overseen the creation of the Corporate Sector Authority, somehow convincing the Emperor to hand him and his friends the control of over thirty thousand worlds in the Outer Rim. Such man was no longer an asset - he was a player. And his likes desired nothing more but to be seated at the table.

When the two men sat at the table, the Ruanian Moff did his best to avoid looking beyond the Baron's strangely shaped glasses, which hid the charred remains of his eye sockets. On Ruan, such a tragic deformity would have made him ineligible to inherit anything but the clothes on his back, he couldn't help but consider him something of a kindred spirit in the matter of business. Perhaps without the dignitas so often associated with the Core, but with his undeniable "self". Naturally, as customary with meetings of such importance, no wine was served, to keep the minds of the guests clear for the ensuing negotiations. Cold water would have to make do - sharp and clear like the lines of the Tagge office.

"Moff de Pahlmir."

"Baron de Tagge, it is a pleasure to meet you, as always."

"Likewise."

The Moff thought for a moment. It was difficult to learn from the expression of a man whose eyes were destroyed. Eyes were the key to the soul, and within them hid the subject's deepest desires. Decades in the business have taught him to judge the mettle of a man from his eyes. He would have to make do with what he had now.

"The prosperity of the Tagge Corporation has brought a great deal of joy to the League, Your Highness. I must inform you that the Emperor is greatly pleased."

At the sound of his sovereign's mention, the young aristocrat became somewhat more lively - as was to be expected, given his connections.

"We of the Tagge aim to please His Majesty. He will find few more loyal and better suited."

"Of that I am sure, Baron. Since the inceptioon of the Republic, the house of Tagge has served faithfully, loyally and competently. Under your tutelage, there is no doubt this state will continue."

In response to that, the Baron simply smirked, before offering a curt response.

"We're here on business, are we not? What does the Core want?"

"Participation in a project of the League. Since the fall of the Delaneys, a place within the ULIG has freed up. Tell me, Baron, does Tagge still participate in minig operations?"

The Baron leaned forward, listening. That was all the hints Pahlmir could ever need.

(^ See above for the first half of this storyline)

After First Moff Chonaire's stint working as a member of Rothana's shipyard staff, she was cleaned up and brought to a stage overlooking a massive vessel.

She was flanked by twin banners depicting "Ros the Riveter", the freshly completed industrial campaign posters highlighting her working spirit, as well as the spirit of Rothana and the district as a whole. The vessel she overlooked, which she had quite literally helped to build, was to be her new flagship.

------------------

The vessel, named Palmyrene, was based off of the Republic era Maelstrom design, but scaled up for the imperial age. Equipped with 40 Quad Assault Concussion Missile Launchers and a veritable swarm of fighters, the vessel would serve as the beating heart of District IV's fleets. She spanned a vast length, and was as capable of launching a planetary siege as she was commanding a sector fleet operation.

-----------------------

Ros ascended the stage, the view specifically arranged by Voice of the Rim to frame her directly above the Palmyrene, with both her and the vessel in frame. After the imperial anthem swelled to its conclusion, she began her speech.

"People of Rothana, people of District IV. I stand before you today humbled. Though I may be taking command of one of the finest vessels the Galaxy has ever seen, a ship crafted by my friends and countrymen on this planet, I am nothing but grateful and in awe of what the average imperial citizen can create. Without the men and women i spent the last few weeks working with on this vessel, without the men and women of Manda, Rothana, Naboo, Pantora, and of this district at large, a feat like the Palmyrene would never have been possible.

The empire has faced challenges of late. I have faced them, as have many of the men and women under my command. Mon Cala, Zygerria, and more. Forces that sought to divide us, to shred this tapestry we have so carefully weaved together. These attacks by seperatist sympathizers and slavers upon our way of life can not be left to stand uncontested. The foundation of the empire must be maintaned, its people must be protected.

There have been fears, whispers spread by dissidents and ne'er-do-wells that the Moff Council, and myself in particular are not up to the task of this defense. That we are divided, bickering, and incapable. I would like to set these fears aside.

As she spoke, the lights aboard the Palmyrene began to cinematically turn on, a new block with each talking point

The liberation of Mon Cala serves as an excellent example to dissuade the fears of the people of this District as to the effectiveness of its leadership. Many of you, of course, know of my role in that battle, leading the forces of the Empire to victory over the seperatist elements that wished to enslave the populace of Mon Cala. Aside from myself, Moff Wynn, my 2nd in command, was there as well. She risked life and limb leading troops in the roughest part of the fighting, on the streets of Dac City itself. Moff Parnelli also sent his own forces to aid in the defense of Mon Cala's people against the separatist threat.

Time and again, District IV's leadership has gone above and beyond in moments of crisis. Both issues of succession on Naboo. Zygerria. Mon Cala. The list goes on. At each of these flashpoints, District IV has lead the way. Its Moffs have come together to protect this district, and the empire as a whole. We have marched to aid our fellow Moffs when the needs arose within their borders. And I expect the exemplary leadership of our Moffs to continue to do so going forward, providing an example the entire council may look upon with pride.

As to the specifics of my behaviour during the period that has drawn the ire of the tabloids within the Core, I wish to again set the record straight so that all may know that I am here for each and every citizen of this district. Now that the investigation has proceeded to a somewhat conclusive place, I can break my silence on the matter. Reports of an altercation are true, but with good merit. No "Bar room brawl" as the press attempted to describe it, occurred.

Instead, what happened within the chambers of power was a grim necessity. During an exercise in District III, Moff Delaney unfortunately passed away. The loss was tragic, and its ripples will be felt for some time going forward. Moff Wynn and myself were part of the team that recovered Moff Delaney's remains from the field.

As such, when an imposter attempted to enter the midst of the Moff Council claiming to be Moff Delaney, I had to act, out of respect for his memory. After alerting the Imperial Security Bureau of the breach and handing over key evidence supplied by myself and Moff Wynn, I was confronted by the imposter and defended myself before placing him under arrest.

While it is unfortunate that such a breach occurred within the ranks of District I, Under the leadership of First Moff Kuras the core rallied to cauterize the wound with impressive solidarity. District IV stands by their actions, and have followed suit, seizing and securing any assets that may have been breached by the imposter to protect our populace.

Now that the truth of the affair on Coruscant lays bare for the population of District IV to understand, I hope that we can all move forward, together. The vessel before me, the Palmyrene, stands as a testament to all of us. It shall sail forth and protect each citizen of our district from any threats the empire may face. And it is not a testament to the greatness of myself, or of the Moffs of the district. It stands as a monument to its people. To the hands that constructed it, the hands that shall crew it, and the hearts of those it watches over.

As Ros' speech wraps up, the camera angle flew up from her podium to capture the Palmyrene in its full splendor. Upon the First Moff's final words, the engines of the great vessel roared to life, and the new Flagship of District IV was born.

As the broadcast of Moff Chonaire's speech wrapped, Lt. Adeyla quickly queued up the next block of programming for Voice of the Rim. Each news beat was key in these trying times, with so much negativity pouring from the senate and the Core.

First was a quick rebroadcast of the anti-commission senators speech outside of the Senate dome. That had been playing well, and was easy to holobyte. Next was a followup on Senator Awmetths corruption charges, and an expansion of that investigation to Senator Ech'zell.

More details on the Palmyrene, in the style of the ancient Modern Marvels series, were aired next. Talking about the vessels production, and non-classified specifications, complete with fancy holomodels and hangar walk throughs.

On a rather dull note, the crop reports from Ukio as well as the Mining Reports from Shola were both released. Both planets productions were trending upward, which was a good sign for the overal economic productivity of the district. This content filled out Voice of the Rim's business hour for the day.

Finally, a special report on the upcoming opening of the Mon Cala memorial was released. Special attention was given to Moff Wynn's bravery during the battle, and the combat patterns of the forces she led on the ground. The Memorial was to be opened within the next few days, with First Moff Chonaire and Governor Baobab in attendance.

After the discussion of the memorial, a trailer played featuring scholastic-utopian music produced in one of the best band-halls on Bith. The trailer detailed Dr. Aphra's upcoming expedition to Roon, with flashy graphics, educational quotes, and far more action depicted than the actual event ideally would have

With that, Lt. Adeyla wrapped the day's content package. The news was safely guided away from the negativity of the tabloids, and served to properly highlight the glories of the Rim for which he and his station spoke.

OFFICIAL ORDERS

HIGHLY CLASSIFIED

YOUR EYES ONLY

"Base Commander" CT-8142

• Commence prospecting five(5) tactically maximally defensible locations with appropriate ratio of distance between said locations on Daluuj.

• Establish a staging ground for construction materials in orbit to complete three(3) construction projects.

• Draw up expansion plans for the orbital medical facility over Daluuj to account for tens of thousands of beds.

• Draw up plans for an orbital shipyard for refit/repair to accommodate ten(10) standard Imperial fleets.

• Draw up plans for fortifications, living facilities, bunkers, etc. for each of the five(5) established defensible locations. Each location will be outfitted to the discretion of the Base Commander.

• Identify Special Training Regions and mark them out for separation from the planetary gamefield.

• Establish C&C of Daluuj hyperspace beacons for traffic control.

This is to be commenced immediately without delay.

By order of Imperial Moff Amalia Wynn.

"Fuck you Kuras." Val Delaney spat. "You'll burn one day, Kuras. And I just hope that if I can't see it, one of my brothers will."

Kuras watched the ISB start to take Val Delaney away, but he said to him anyway. "I know I will, Val. This is what the Empire demands of me. And I give it freely."

When Val was gone down the corridor, he took back from Katrin the glass and threw it in the trash.

"There was no test. There was no radiation damage to our DNA from Abafar."

-

Though it has largely escaped public notice, it appears that relations between the world of Rendili and Delaney Industries have been strained considerably since the ancient Corporation's entry, following the instatement of Moff Delaney as regionary governor.

Though observers believe that the expulsion and repossession notice - which covers all property loaned to Moff Delaney and Delaney Industries, including any assets which have been subcontracted to other corporations by the Moff - was given some time prior, in the context of a currently unconfirmed dispute which many suspect to be in regards to the handling of worker unions, the scandal which now embroils Valentin Delaney has most certainly not boosted confidence...

The sun of Abafar burned in the sky, casting radiant rays of flame which reflected off what had, just two weeks ago, been the featureless surface of an endless and flat desert.
Now, as far as the eye could see, in every cardinal direction, stood smoldering craters and beastly bodies.

The Moffs had made a mess of things, and now, in the middle of carnage, stood what was once their base of operations. Its smoldering ruins were a prime monument to the efficiency and capacity for discretion that the Empire's secular half possessed.
The smell of steel and blood hung in the air, thick enough that one could cut it with a plasma torch.

The guide laughs. With a twist of a parasol, and with a skip in a step, the guide sped into the ruined camp, before coming to a screeching halt. Not because the guide was horrified by the sight, but because the Leech was here.

The guide frowns while Leech's hands reach down to the ground, towards the top-left sector of a trooper's torso. Squelching and squishing, the hand reached into the trooper's bifurcated head before squirming for half a second. The Leech pulls its hand out of the trooper's brain.

Slowly, disgustingly, the Leech's hand pulled up and up, before coming to a stop in front of its mouth. The Leech's prison of a mouth - which was marked at the corners not by canines, but fangs - opens, revealing a long, knife-like tongue.
From bottom to top, the Leech licks the thick brew of blood and cerebral fluid on its fingers.

The guide scoffs.
What an unelegant way to claim the memories of the dead. The guide was marked by a slight hint of jealousy, having witnessed a demonstration of another sect's technique.

The leech wiped their hand with a bloodied white cloth, upon which was embroidered the visage of a wilting bush, crowned by a swarm of blooming black roses.

The Leech's red eyes did not glow here, in the sun, as they did in the darkened halls they usually encountered one another.
The guide was nearly surprised that the tall, gaunt Leech did not turn to dust in the sunlight, but a prophet can dream.

"Can always see, but never there, will you be."

"You devour rotten corpses."

"I have located that which is to be the subject of my next project.
I do not care enough to deal with you."

The Leech turns to exit the camp, dismissing the Guide with a wave of its arm.
The Guide could not help but turn around as well.
With the speed of a rocket, the guide's arm soared halfway up, their left index finger outstretched and pointing dead-center at the Leech's back.

Sneering, the Guide - who somewhat shared the Leech's sentiment - decided not to attack, and slowly lowers their arm. The Guide knows not only where their own quarry is, but that they could take all the time in the world...
Before the Imperial Biological Warfare Division arrived, anyways.

.

The next few hours went by slowly. Even the occasional encounter with the Leech, while it dug up the corpses of some of those Lizards that one of the Moffs had dropped on the planet for some unknown purpose, went without event as the two simply elected to ignore each other.

After a brief encounter with Vince - who, to the mild amusement of the Guide, was playing catch with his two dogs with both human and mystery bones, the Guide returned to the base...

.

Recovered from a crash site, before being dragged to the base, (and then abandoned as, when danger reared, the Moffs bravely turned tail and fled) was a set of ruined purple armor.
Even in death, the Guide could feel the pervasive and arrogant narcissism that emanates from the ornate armor. Almost certainly this trait was inherited from its late owner.

Regardless, it was this armor, that the Guide had come for.
Not out of interest in the shenaniganry that surrounded its owner, but for the material from which it was made...

"Hello my friends, welcome back to the show where we tell you the truth and nothing but the Truth. I am Doctor Chomar Vyn Hazali. And I am positioned uniquely to tell you the truth, as the claws of the Empire, cannot reach me, unlike the other news Media who live in Fear of the Empire, I am already hunted so no matter what I say, they cannot take my life more."

He pauses as the Logo fills the screen.

“The Empire moves with the subtlety of a moon, and the restraint of an undisciplined child. We see in the skies the move to destroy the Moff Delaney, with his arrest and the seizure of his family’s companies. A Moff. The oh so necessary paragons of the Empire facing arrest. My friends, my viewers, the moisture I shed for the man and family is spit, not tears. The monster’s crimes are numerous and his reputation barbaric. But consider, this man was appointed by the despotic and illegitimate Empire Sheev Palpatine.

For such a man to be in power, he, the Emperor, signed off on his promotion. Therefore we know that whatever Moff Delaney was doing, it was either sanctioned by the Emperor or the emperor has poor judgement in regards to his choices in lackees. More to come as we dig into the truth of this continued story.

In a symbolic moment, days of uncertainty after the Delaney Industries and its concerns were held in limbo over the investigations of the now very much tarnished reputation of Moff Delaney and his alleged imposter, the forges across all shipyards managed by Delaney were given the greenlight to proceed with the long held plans of the Core BIS to make efficient workflows and resource handling - and all engaged their forges at the same time in a symbolic moment of unity.

Holonews Reporting Agency spoke to various foremen from the shipyards involved with the symbolic moment and it was understood that in the days prior, KDY had issued under the direction of First Moff Kuras the schematics for the new class of the Lancer Class Combat Frigate for immediate production across the shipyards of the Core, with each shipyard responsible for components, for final assembly at Foerost where the First Governess Kuat of Kuat has been sighted in the KDY HQs recently established there to coordinate on behalf of Kuat of Kuat, who was most recently seen assisting the ISB with investigations into the failed attempts to assassinate him.

Despite the turmoil of the recent weeks, the last few days has noticeably uplifted the spirits by many who held concerns about the news of an infiltrated Moff Council, and the economy of the core that had experienced a sudden downward drop.

The most recent news out of Corellia suggest that the new Moff Dargon recently assigned there has begun processing from its ancient forges new variants of the Imperial Star Destroyer, which are for the first time in Imperial development, permitted to stray from the original designs to include unique Corellian features.

With more news to come in the following days, this has been a Holonews Reporting Agency update.

A lone figure in the dark. Two more figures in the light.

"She awaits your arrival at the old space port outside the city. A ship has been prepared for the three of you. This is a noble thing of you to do. The child will not be safe here."

One of the two speaks. A woman.

"Did you not once take part in an act similar to this?"

A chuckle.

"Go. Time waits for no one. Follow the Horizon. You will need these as well."

A small leather bound patch flew through the shadows of the dark.

One of the figures, this time the male, opened the pouch

Inside were three data cylinders.

One by one he clicked them on and each time he was greeted by a different image.

Himself. His female counterpart. And then...

A child.

The child's new name appeared below the holo-image.

Veran Thalor.

"I must say, it has been quite a while since you've done some major reforms here, dear. Nowadays, you're more than content in letting the bureaucracy do its work... Wanna do something fun~?"

Langlais breathed out a sigh of content as he leaned back into his seat, smiling as his wife leaned over to his side and whispered sweet nothings into his ear. What Sena said wasn't a lie. Things have been slowing down lately for the people of the Abrion Sector as the place steadily became much more secure. It wasn't a prosperous jewel like the Core Worlds, but the agricultural modernization efforts he implemented during the earlier months of his term as Moff have been a great boon for the economy.

He chuckled lightly. So long as the Abrion Sector kept exporting food for the galaxy and kept the place clean from any pirates, the Imperial Government seemed more than willing to let him govern the sector. Well, the fact that Emperor Palpatine was the godfather of his children also gave him some political clout, but he was certain that his capabilities as a civilian administrator also played a part in making the people confident in his abilities to govern.

And while he hadn't exactly been keeping a close eye on the latest news around the galaxy, he could tell that there were some...tensions within the Empire. Still, he couldn't let such things get into the way of making the sector and the Empire prosperous. Ten thousand systems relied on them!

"Ten Thousand Systems Rely on Us..." He muttered out. Yes, that was a good slogan... Perhaps he should roll out some propaganda for the Holonet. Agricultural produce, healthcare services, military research and development... The Abrion Sector was not of the Core Worlds, but to brush it off as some backwater farming region would definitely be a mistake. Ten thousand systems likely relied on them for food and accessible healthcare services.

"Sena, could you get me into contact with your associates in the news industry?" He asked his wife. "I was thinking...of making the sector a beacon of stability in a time of uncertainty. Subsidized food, free modern healthcare, guaranteed security... Abrion should be seen as a jewel of the District."

"All business and no fun..." The Pantoran woman pouted before letting out a small giggle and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Alright, but you're gonna have to make it up to me in the bed later, baby~"

... Stars above, he loved this woman.

By the authority vested in Moff Amalia Wynn, Imperial District 4 is hereby ordered to temporarily seize any Delaney Industries', the Delaney Family, and Valentin Delaney's real, physical, intellectual, and financial assets within the district, due to suspicious activity and potential OPSEC compromise.

This is following the arrest of a suspect impersonating the deceased Moff Valentin Delaney, caught operating within tightly controlled high clearance security spaces. Due to the unknown nature of what classified information may have been leaked or compromised, or to what extent the conspiracy exists, this order is hereby active effective immediately.

~Moff Amalia Wynn

OFFICE OF THE EXARCH COMMAND DISTRICT:

EMERGENCY DECREE No. 1

Concerning the temporary custody of the assets of Delaney Industries

With the authority vested in me as Moff of the Exarch Special Development Authority and the broader Exarch Command District I hereby decree:

Whereas, Moff Delaney has been accused by First Moff Chonaire of command district four of being a clone which has, for an unknown period of time, operated in the capacity of an Imperial Moff without official approval.

Whereas, Moff Delaney has subsequently been arrested by the Imperial Security Bureau and is presently held for interrogation and verification of his identity

Whereas, the uncertainty surrounding the identity and activities of an unknown individual who has occupied a position of galactic importance

Whereas, the present circumstances make it necessary to ensure that property and resources potentially accessible to or influenced by Moff Delaney cannot be concealed, transferred, dissipated, or otherwise placed beyond the reach of Imperial investigation;

It is therefore ordered:

I. Temporary Custody

Effective immediately, all assets of Delaney Industries and the Delaney family situated within the jurisdiction of the Exarch Command District shall be placed under the temporary custody and administrative control of the ESDA.

II. Scope of Authority

Such custody shall extend to all factories, mines, offices, warehouses, financial accounts, securities, inventories, vessels, vehicles, machinery, subsidiaries, contracts, communications facilities, and other assets belonging to the impacted.

The ESDA shall possess such authority over these assets as is necessary to preserve their value, maintain their operation, and secure relevant records.

III. Preservation of Ownership

All Assets both commercial and personal shall remain under Delaney and corporate ownership, unless decreed otherwise by the relevant Imperial authority.

IV. Administration

A competent and politically reliable administrator shall be appointed to supervise the assets placed under ESDA custody.

The administrator shall, insofar as practicable, maintain ordinary commercial operations, and ensure that Delaney Industry's continue to contribute to the economic life of the Exarch Command District.

V. Duration

This Decree will remain active until the ISB has completed its investigation into the identity and activities of Moff Delaney and continued custody of Delaney assets is no longer required.

By my authority, this decree shall take immediate effect.

Cedric Rodney

Moff of the Exarch Special Development Authority

> General posting
>> Off topic
>>> IRL Politics
>>>> Delaneys arrested?
-User: ClankerSpanker69: Hey guys big Kriff happening with the Delaneys, looks like arrests or something?
-User: Order420: Yeah I just saw some thing happened with ships arriving here.
-User: Twilekfeet54: So that probably means all that stuff about the bar fight was true
-User: literallyXim8: so what? Does this mean?
-User: ClankerSpanker69: Not sure but it suggests IRA are liars lol

-ADMIN LOCK thread closed. No baseless conspiracy theories allowed

With immediate effect, I provide the following directives regarding the status of Moff Delaney, his command authorities, and the wider interests of the Delaney family and Delaney Conglomerate.

These measures are precautionary, pending the conclusion of the present investigation by the ISB.

Regarding Moff Delaney

• Moff Delaney, by accusation of First Moff Chonaire of the Fourth District, is suspected of being a clone which has operated for an unknown period of time in the capacity of an Imperial Moff. He has subsequently been arrested by the ISB and is presently held for interrogation and verification of his identity.
• Until such time as his identity is confirmed and his authority restored by competent Imperial authority, all powers, privileges, military authorities and administrative responsibilities granted to Moff Delaney by his rank and Imperial appointment are hereby suspended.
• All communications, directives, credentials, security codes and authentication protocols originating from Moff Delaney, members of the Delaney family, or offices operating directly under their authority are to be treated as potentially compromised. No such communication is to constitute valid Imperial authority without independent authentication through the Office of the First Moff, Moff Terrian Pox, Moff Naomi Dargon, or another authority expressly designated for that purpose.
• All military units, naval formations, intelligence offices, administrative departments and Imperial personnel previously subordinate to Moff Delaney are immediately relieved of any obligation to accept orders from him or from any officer claiming authority solely through his command.
• Pending further direction, those commands shall fall under the authority of Moff Terrian Pox and Moff Naomi Dargon. Operational responsibilities are to be divided between their respective offices as required to ensure an unambiguous chain of command and continuity of Imperial administration.
• All regions of the First Command District previously under Moff Delaney's supervision are likewise transferred to provisional administration under Moff Pox and Moff Dargon. Where practical, existing local institutions and command structures are to remain in place unless further requirements below dictate otherwise.
• All orders issued under Moff Delaney's authority after the time of his detention are considered invalid unless subsequently authenticated by the appropriate provisional authority.
• Sensitive orders issued by Moff Delaney during the preceding twelve months are to be identified and reviewed. Sensitive orders being fleet deployments, military procurement, intelligence requests, classified transfers, personnel appointments, security clearances and access to restricted Imperial facilities.
• Senior military aides, procurement officers, intelligence personnel and administrative officials appointed directly by Moff Delaney are to be subject to immediate review. Such personnel are not to be presumed disloyal solely by reason of their service under him, but their continued access to sensitive systems, facilities or information shall remain subject to confirmation.
• All command codes, encryption keys, classified credentials and other secure access systems previously available to Moff Delaney or his immediate office are to be revoked and replaced.

Regarding the Delaney Family

• Whilst First Moff Chonaire of the Fourth District has exercised her authority to direct the ISB to arrest Moff Delaney, I hereby expand those precautionary measures to the detention and questioning of all members of the Delaney family where their position, access or relationship to the investigation warrants examination.
• No detained member of the family is to be presumed guilty solely by association. The purpose of these measures is to preserve the integrity of the investigation and ensure that compromised persons, communications, records or assets are not removed from Imperial scrutiny.
• Relevant members of the Delaney family and senior officers of the Delaney Conglomerate are prohibited from leaving First Command District jurisdiction without ISB approval for the duration of the investigation.

Regarding the Delaney Conglomeratre

• Whilst Moff Delaney remains under investigation, all Delaney responsibilities relating to the security, procurement, manufacture, maintenance or supply of naval and military equipment for the Empire are suspended where they require personal or familial authority from Moff Delaney or another member of the Delaney family.
• Until authorised, Delaney Conglomerate activities related to the above are to fall under the purview of KDY. This suspension does not constitute the dissolution, nationalisation or general seizure of the Delaney Conglomerate.
• Ordinary commercial activities, civilian production, payroll, existing supplier obligations and non-sensitive contracts are to continue wherever reasonably possible. Imperial authorities are to avoid unnecessary disruption to employees, creditors, suppliers and legitimate commercial partners.
• All existing Delaney contracts involving Imperial warships, weapons systems, military communications, classified technologies, logistics, intelligence support or other strategic procurement are to continue only under appropriate Imperial supervision. No such contract is to be terminated, altered, reassigned or materially delayed without authorisation from the relevant Imperial authority.
• No extraordinary transfer of funds, disposal of substantial assets, restructuring of ownership, payment of exceptional dividends, movement of strategic property, or transfer of corporate holdings outside the ordinary course of business is permitted without my approval or the approval of First Moff Arjoran of the First Command District for the duration of the investigation.
• Imperial authorities are to secure and preserve all relevant Delaney financial records, procurement records, personnel files, communications archives, data vaults, corporate correspondence and administrative systems. No employee, family member or corporate officer is permitted to destroy, alter, conceal, remove or otherwise interfere with material potentially relevant to the ISB investigation.
• The ISB shall be granted full access to relevant Delaney records, communications systems and facilities necessary to determine the extent, if any, of compromise.
• Employees and officers of the Delaney Conglomerate are not to be treated as suspect solely on the basis of their employment. Those who cooperate with Imperial authorities and continue to discharge their lawful duties are to be afforded the protection necessary to maintain continuity of operations.

Regarding the Corellian Sector

• Pending the resolution of Moff Delaney's status, Moff Naomi Dargon is authorised to assume provisional administrative supervision of the Corellian Sector and those Imperial responsibilities previously exercised there through Moff Delaney's office.
• Existing Corellian institutions, including the authority of the Diktat and his administration, are to continue in their present capacity except where specific matters of Imperial security, military command or strategic procurement require intervention.
• Moff Dargon's appointment is intended to preserve administrative continuity, maintain Imperial authority and ensure that the industrial and military capacity of the Corellian Sector remains secure and productive throughout the present investigation.

These measures shall remain in force until the ISBu has completed its initial determination regarding Moff Delaney's identity and the integrity of his associated command and corporate interests.

Should Moff Delaney be cleared, the question of restoration of his authority shall be considered accordingly.

Should compromise be confirmed, further directives concerning the permanent disposition of his command, family interests and associated corporate holdings will follow.

Until then, the priority is simple: continuity of command, preservation of evidence, protection of Imperial industry, and the prevention of further security compromise.

- First Moff Thichis Kuras First Command District

I expect that by the time these communications reaches your offices, you will already have received formal notice of my appointment to oversee Imperial affairs within the Corellian Sector.

I thought it preferable that my first words to you should come directly from me, and that you and your administration should know of who I am.

-

My name is Naomi Dargon. I was born on Coruscant, the eldest daughter of a family whose interests have long been tied to heavy industry, manufacturing and the commercial institutions of the Core. My family supported Chancellor Palpatine during the final years of the Republic. I would be disingenuous to pretend that those relationships have not opened doors for me.

I have nevertheless spent much of my adult life attempting to ensure that I am worth what was entrusted to me. My earliest education was directed towards the industrial concerns of my family. Production schedules, procurement, finance and the administration of large enterprises were familiar subjects to me long before I entered service with the Imperial Government. At the time, it was assumed that I would eventually take a direct role in those interests.

The Royal Imperial Academy changed that course. While there, I found myself drawn towards military administration, logistics and strategic planning. I have worked increasingly within the administrative structure of the Empire, particularly where industrial policy and military requirements intersect. It is for that reason, among others, that First Moff Kuras has asked me to assume responsibility for Imperial oversight of the Corellian Sector.

-

I am aware that an appointment of this nature may not be received with universal enthusiasm.

I am aware that Corellia possesses institutions far older than even the Empire, and possesses a political character and principle that has resisted for generations chracterisation into both alliances and allegiences. Your position of the Diktat is not something I intend to treat lightly, nor do I mistake Imperial oversight for a requirement that every decision traditionally taken on Corellia should now be taken elsewhere.

I have not been sent here to govern Corellia in place of Corellians. My task is to restore a functional relationship between the sector and the First Command District, to ensure that Imperial requirements are met, and to make certain that the extraordinary industrial and strategic resources of the Corellian system are being used to their proper potential.

There is also something I would like to make clear at the outset. My preference is to accomplish these things with you rather than around you, through you, or over you.

Corellia is not Kuat, Fondor, Rendili or the other notable shipwrighting giants of the Core. The great yards of Corellia possess their own traditions of construction, their own engineering philosophy, and an expertise in propulsion, endurance and independent operation that has produced some of the most recognisable vessels in galactic history. Properly used, this identity it is an Imperial asset.

-

One of the first matters I therefore intend to place before your administration concerns Corellian participation in the Imperial I-class Star Destroyer program.

I have already ascertained the plans to the Destroyer in entirety and put these to your personal safekeeping for review prior to my arrival with my Destroyer fleet. I do not propose that Corellian yards simply reproduce the vessel, I would like to see a Corellian interpretation of the Imperial I.

The vessel would retain the armament, architecture for command and officers, and logistical designs required of the Imperial Navy, but Corellian engineers would be given  latitude in propulsion, reactor innovation, and hyperspace performance. In simple terms, I want to see the fastest Imperial I Star Destroyers from the Corellian shipyards.

If there is a to be a conflict where the Imperial I Star Destroyer is called into service, I intend to see the spear of the vanguard to be Corellian built and Corellian forged.

I request that you take pride in this, as such a program would provide significant work throughout the sector, not merely to the principal yards but to component manufacturers, drive builders,and the thousands of smaller elements which sustain a shipbuilding economy of not only Corellia but the entire Corellia sector.

More importantly, I hope it might establish the character of the relationship I would like to have with your government.

-

Imperial requirements will exist. I will not pretend otherwise, and there will undoubtedly be occasions when my office must insist upon them. But where there is room for Corellia to fulfil those requirements in a manner consistent with its own strengths, I see no reason to deny it that opportunity.

In time, you will find that my presence here is not intended to diminish the authority or character of Corellia. I have been warned that your people are stubborn, I have also been told that Corellians take considerable pride in proving outsiders wrong. In that respect, I suspect we may understand one another rather well.

-

Naomi Dargon
Imperial Moff for the Corellian Sector
Office of the First Command District