16 BBY
It is three years since the ascension of the New Order and the Galactic Empire spans from Coruscant to Raxus, Muunilist to Eriadu, Corellia to Bonadan. From the Core to the Galactic Rim. Yet, the peripheries of the Galaxy are still hotbeds of violence and chaos. Even with the successes of the Ciutric Offensive, crushing of the Syr Myrthian Insurrection, victory in the Five Veils, and many more to the Empire's banner have not yet granted the satisfaction that the Imperial leadership craves. Total victory, complete control, and it has shown itself multiple times. From the initial Imperial failure to take Tervissis in the Listehol campaign to the ongoing large-scale fighting in the Western Reaches. The Empire is stuck fighting Republican diehards in the Grand Republic Reclamation Fleet, Separatist hold outs, and increasing resistance in far flung systems to Imperial rule. The Empire itself responding with a ballooning military to the increasing dissatisfaction of a minority of Senators, to the increasingly totalitarian rule of Imperial governors taking ever more direct measures to maintain the integrity of their territories. The Galaxy is at a crossroads...
Coruscant, Imperial City, Imperial Center
"Tervissis still resists us as a bastion of the defunct Confederacy," remarked a man with the rank plaque and pins of a High General.
"Would it be defunct if there were still worlds fighting in the belief of separatism, Rendulon?" The person who spoke to the High General by name wore a navy uniform with the rank insignia of a High Admiral.
"High Admiral Valens," a third person at the starkly lit table in a room surrounded by white walls spoke politely, this third person wearing the white uniform and black cap of the Imperial Security Bureau, "need I remind such esteemed officers that the Confederacy is gone. These are but mere rebels, allied with slavers and cartels, their friends are terrorists and nothing more."
"Careful," remarked Valens, "the word rebel is a powerful word in such a time."
The ISB officers nodded, keenly aware that even though the Security Bureau had purview of all but whatever the Emperor wanted to keep secret, still abided by his rank of Colonel. Heeding the superior officer's word with a slight gesture of his hands on the polished mirror smooth table.
The High Admiral turned to Rendulon, ignoring the other dozen officers at the table who remained silent and pensive at the discussion, "Tervissis may wait. Admiral Sevove will be attached to operations to secure the Corellian Hyperlane and dislodge the GRRF from Milagro."
Rendulon responded, "Is not Sevove tasked to Crimson Dagger Command? The Moff there will not like this."
"Iron Lance Command is without a Moff effective four days ago. Imperial Intelligence and the Security Bureau should be aware of it. Crimson Dagger Command's Moff Jania Quillan will be temporarily assuming the Portfolio of Iron Lance's Command."
Both men and most of the officers in the room slowly looked down at their datapads as a new docket was uploaded with a wave of Valen's hand. It was a long report detailing the death of an Imperial Moff in a suspected raid by Separatist sympathizers on a backwater world during a spot inspection of new bases to oversee resource extraction destined for Kuat. Faces held frowns or stony silene at the news. Others had eyes widen at the fact an Imperial Moff was killed. The only universal notion among everyone in the room being that this would be hushed. Nothing on the holonet and anything else fervently denied.
The ISB Colonel scanned through several lines of the report before slowly looking back up, "And on whose authority is this occurring?"
"High Command agreed to it during a closed session earlier this morning. The Emperor's Ruling Council put their seal on the order." Valens divulged a slim paper file which detailed as such complete with Imperial data gene-ciphers.
"And is the 55th Squadron sufficient reinforcement?"
"Unlikely, but we cannot make an obvious re-allocation of resources as we prioritize targets. The Western Reaches campaign is still to receive priority in all Imperial reinforcements. This endeavor will be more subtle as a way to force the remnants of this militant seditionist rabble off the Hyperlane. At which point they and Tervissis will be targets for renewed efforts to pacify those sectors. Adjourned."
Rising from his seat Valens nodded to his compatriots before leaving the room with the other Naval Officers present. Leaving the ISB Colonel and High General Rendulon to look at each other in silence.
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Priority Transcript:
Moff Quillen, in accordance with new issued directives from Imperial High Command and policy from the Imperial Ruling Council. You have been appointed the temporary command of the Sectors comprising Iron Lance Command. 55th Squadron from Crimson Dagger will also be transferred there to assist in the persecution of Separatist and Insurrectionist forces centred on the Milagro system. Calling themselves the Grand Republican Reclamation Fleet or GRRF.
Execute this directive immediately. It is the Emperor's Will.
High Admiral Valens, Imperial High Command