Governor's Gambit - Star Wars SI into Imperial Governor

[Knight Sovereign]

So Mola is stuck on Eriadu. That's going to keep her busy for a while. Her new boss Moff Kaine is still salty about not getting a core posting despite being put in control of a good 20% of the galaxy.

Her status as an "Old Guard" will probably allow her to maintain her neutrality when the Kaine-Devian feud kicks into high gear. However that also might make her replaceable if one of their lackeys desires her position.

Click to shrink...

I already left a gif on one of my earlier posts about the general reaction to Mother Mola's fate, so I will try a different one:

 

[Nickjr104]

So I'm guessing, the fighter pilot sister is going to update the admiral sister fighter groups. Then some fool pirates will try to take Eden and the sisters are going to rip them apart so Las can leave them there to be in charge for him.

He probably thinks that with them there he can finish getting his disappearance plans without his sister breathing down his neck.

Then he finds out, his sisters followed his example and made a decent space base for their ships and it's making money as a refueling/trade station

Click to shrink...

i can't wait for a post endor galaxy where Las' sisters get interviewed and talk about how their brotehr inspired them how to handle planets governments. and it starts to create more eyes on him specifically those who weren't already under his direct influence due to distance from minda and their places or hadn't already sent workers who would help them when they return back. mostly going to either midna or his sisters for help in dealing with their civilians.

 

[oscar e Sampedro Lopez]

Thanks for the chapter.
I think the inquisitor will end retiring on the Mc system along everyone else apparently

 

[D72]

Why do I have this horrible feeling that the pureblood Sith will inflict force sensitivity on our poor governor, simply to spite his cat?

Like "Huh, Obi-wan is dead, his midchlorians should go somewhere.

Meanwhile, our protagonist: NO OH GOD NO

Meanwhile, Mugwuffin; MY BBQ SNACKS, YOU MONSTER

Sith: Yes. Monster. Think about it. The old man was dead and the space parasites were up for grabs.
Spinning Vader: KENOBI!!!!!

 

[fallen_one_84]

the Inquisitor almost repeated the Exiles feat of cutting himself off from the force.

Kotor 2's protagonist ended up with a Bond leech/strengthen ability. where he leeched off other force potentials. and made their connection to the "Force" stronger thus making him/her stronger.

pretty much had grandmaster Jedi connection to the force by end game.
hence why she died so easily when she cut off those bonds when she went to search for Revan.
Meetra Surik

 

[D72]

The Exile's ability was much darker than a simple soul leech. The Exile gained EXPERIENCE POINTS! And that made the honestly very dark jedi council turn on them hard. And their turn was their downfall. Kriea laughs with evil joy.

 

[Freefaller]

Chp-49: Public Words, Private Ledger

The stage was set. The podium raised.

The crowd angry.

As they should be. After all, it's been less than a week since Alderaan went kaboom, and only a few days after the DS1 went the same way.

They aren't yelling, screaming or protesting, thankfully. But there's a definite energy in the crowd. Through my connection to Mugwuffin, I can sense it.

A tension.

Even the reporters were quiet. The atmosphere kept their spirits down, their fire quenched. They knew it was far from the time for excitement.

While across the galaxy, people rise up with dreams of freedom and liberty in their hearts, here on Minda people wait.

Poised.

It's there, make no mistake. Many of the people here are those who have suffered under Imperial rule. They found peace here, where the Empire's symbols don't mean oppression.

But they know all too well what those symbols really mean.

As I walk up to the podium, I don't do so in my classic Imperial wear.

The black overcoat I love to wear is gone. The thin strips of armor plating I had taken to wearing for protective purposes is gone.

I stand before the crowd in a simple grey Imperial uniform. My helmet is nowhere to be seen.

My security stays to the side, out of sight. The Heavy LECA models hidden in a transport nearby, just in case.

Even Mugwuffin is absent from my shoulders, staying back near Myr'thos, who stands with their arms crossed, absolutely bored. It helps that their bored stance makes them look like a professional bodyguard, not that the crowd could see them. Perks of a Sith upbringing, I guess. Ignore the trauma.

The people before me want an explanation. Why did billions die? Why was a weapon made to kill billions in the first place?

Why should they not overthrow me?

I decided to start with the basics.

"We all know why we're here. I won't play mind games with you people, not now."

I take a deep breath.

"Alderaan was destroyed by the battlestation known as the Death Star, a planet killer weapon."

The sea of eyes still judged. There was more to say. I would survive this. No matter what.

"Said Death Star was commanded by Grand Moff Willuf Tarkin. Alderaan was confirmed to have rebel elements integrated into its higher command structure. This does not justify the actions of the Grand Moff."

I make sure to throw my gaze around the crowd, making eye contact with as many people as I can. From the children with their naive eyes to the clone veterans and their scars of wars long past.

I continue.

"Furthermore, it has been confirmed by my own superiors that the Grand Moff disobeyed a direct order from the Emperor when destroying Alderaan. This makes Ex-Grand Moff Willuf Tarkin a traitor. If he lives, he will be found. He will pay."

"Any further questions or concerns should be forwarded to the office of the Myto Sectors Moff, Moff Hiral, as this is all the information I have been given."

It's at this point that I want to leave, cause I've said everything I needed to say. But this was an emotional game as much as a political one.

"The Mindan Galactic Museum will be hosting a competition for the design of an Alderaanian Memorial. Good day, and godspeed."

It was then that I left. No questions, no comments, nothing. Just the somber tones that signalled the death of billions.

Getting back into the shuttle, I sighed. That was scary. Not in the way that many things had been during my time in this universe, but still.

The threat of being overthrown had always been this far off, looming thing. Like climate change. You know it's a threat, and you work to combat it, but it never feels close.

But standing there? Looking into the eyes of people who I know damn well would mob my tower and kill me if given enough cause?

It scared me. And I couldn't even blame them! If I was in their position, I'd do the same goddamn thing.

Better to die standing than live kneeling, after all.

Frankly speaking, I was just glad that Moff Hiral's office got back to me and the hundred other governors pinging his office for the official stance as fast as they did. Apparently, while the Emperor is still making his choice in regards to Alderaan, Tarkin pissed him off enough with the whole debacle to get himself posthumously fired and considered a traitor.

So, I ran with that. My statement was meant more for Minda and Edin, and won't really make it far from here.

Regardless, as the shuttle took off, I started reading through reports.

Oioro had gotten back to me with that report on Rothana Heavy Engineering.

As I suspected, they weren't getting jack shit in contracts from the Empire. They bred some animals for use as mounts in hazardous environments and produced a few ground vehicles, but are otherwise destitute.

KDY was probably losing money keeping those facilities operating. And even if they weren't, it wouldn't be long before they did.

This is especially true when you consider the fact that the planet Rothana is at the very edge of the galaxy, placed in a spot where only knowledge of specific hyperspace routes would allow you to access it. This was to distance it from the corporate politics of the Core.

Now, it was another cash drain. Though routes weren't easy to navigate, requiring better ships, hyperdrives and pilots.

Rothana was a wound that wouldn't stop bleeding, which is great for me.

See, things are just going to get worse. And by worse, I mean big time worse.

I uplifted Minda because I needed proof for mommy Mola that I was being a good boy and all that, so she would take her eyes off of me and let me fake my death in peace.

Thing is, now that she hasn't shown, and my window of opportunity has passed, Minda is…*gulp*...valuable.

Based on the most recent rankings, Minda is the 2nd largest economy in the Sector, with Dubrillion leading that front in tropical retreats for the wealthy.

If I recall correctly, it was also the site of a prototype laser for the DS2. Bad stuff.

Regardless, Minda, and by extension Edin are certain to be made to expand production. By which I mean the Moff is going to tell me to do it then be surprised when I fail whatever insane standards he sets.

Well, I say that but I've yet to meet the new Moff, so I can't really say that for certain. But it's a safe bet, all things considered.

However, if I manage to acquire RHE? Well, shipyards are of massive import to the Empire, no? Wouldn't it be better to have these shipyards in the Myto sector?

Wouldn't it make you look better to your boss if these shipyards are successful?

You get the gist of it. I let the Moff take all the credit for the shipyards, and in return the quota's stay reasonable. I'm not even bribing him! If Minda operates shipyards, then suddenly the morale of the workers is more important than ever.

If a mining operation goes kaboom, it sucks and is costly, but the veins of ore will still be there.

A shipyard? That's the kind of thing that goes kaboom and never returns. Not without serious investment.

At least, that's how I'll spin it. It also opens up a bunch of new jobs, since I'll only really be taking the shipyards, hiring the core employee's, and selling most of the factories and such. I'm not even going to be buying the rights to the designs. Sure, RHE makes the Acclamator, but KDY knows that.

And if their negotiators are any good, which they should be considering the company's age, they'll know the real deal is in the designs.

So, I'll buy up the shipyards, have them towed piecemeal over here, and boom! New jobs, protection from shitty quotas, the whole works.

It'll be costly, billions of credits. Negotiations can whittle that down, but I'll still be looking at a price tag of at least 10 billion. Possible given time and the right investments, but at least a year.

And that's not to mention the huge logistical challenge of shipping the multiple kilometer long structures and needed equipment all the way from Rothana to Minda. It's quite a distance.

Even if you consider that the Rothana yards are comparatively small to the KDY or Fondor yards, they are still massive(you know what else is massive?).

However, considering how much the Moff could benefit from this, I have no doubt he would be willing to lend a hand. After all, what are some credits in comparison to political clout?

And even if he donates little, this whole thing would be an undeniably money sink. An excusable money sink. After all, I'm not spending the budget on frivolous things, I'm spending it on shipyards that will serve the Empire. It's just so expensive that I can't afford to reasonably produce more for the quota without diverting time and money from this incredibly important project! What a shame

A perfect, if longer term plan. I could probably embezzle a shit ton of money through it as well. Gotta have that nest egg for later, right? Literally zero flaws imaginable in this plan.

Save for the rebels. Fuckin rebels.

See, I realized that at this point, I'm going to need to start making some sacrifices. The rebels are just smart enough to realize how bad new shipyards could be, and might attack me. For all their righteous fury, they're spread thin in regards to real military power, and have far larger targets.

The Empire, on the other hand, can make my life worse in a million more ways, recent death knell or not.

So, I'm forced to compromise. The shipyards aren't the largest, not by a long shot, but they will expand the current shipbuilding capabilities on Minda by an order of magnitude at least.

That's a target. Not great. But I'll have to deal. Again, not great. But, as the wise man always says.

It is what it is.

This is the motto I chant to myself as the shuttle lands, and I start the trek to my office to get more work done, and start planning my spiel to the Moff. Sipping on the hot chocolate Oioro made for me.

Fuckin spy and her fuckin killer hot coco.

I sigh.

It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is…
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi there folks! It is what it is!

Feedback and commentary appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

-Freefaller

 

[Dorumakk]

Ha ha I recognise that spiral...

 

[Simonbob]

Making a deal with the rebels?

Huh.

Playing both sides, to live a bit longer. Yeah, he's going to get a lot of rep for all this kind of thing.

 

[Knight Sovereign]

Even if you consider that the Rothana yards are comparatively small to the KDY or Fondor yards, they are still massive (you know what else is massive?).

Click to shrink...

(I apologize in advance for the sheer absurdity of this meme, but the call was too strong for me to ignore)

 

[Battle_Unit_3]

It do be like that sometimes

 

[AldariSiradla]

It is what it is, Governor Mola.
It is what it is.

Looks like it's time to become valuable.
Valuable enough to not get burned.
But not too much that some idiot gets jealous.

Hopefully the acquisition of RHE would be good.
Technology and infrastructure will go a long way after all.

 

[sxeron10]

It is what it is, Governor Mola.
It is what it is.

Looks like it's time to become valuable.
Valuable enough to not get burned.
But not too much that some idiot gets jealous.

Hopefully the acquisition of RHE would be good.
Technology and infrastructure will go a long way after all.

Click to shrink...

At the end of the day, it's that precarious balance that needs to be held in standard lest he becomes the target of both.

And with how successful Las is doing that, it might just work.

 

[Alenco98]

Chp-49: Public Words, Private Ledger

The stage was set. The podium raised.

The crowd angry.

As they should be. After all, it's been less than a week since Alderaan went kaboom, and only a few days after the DS1 went the same way.

They aren't yelling, screaming or protesting, thankfully. But there's a definite energy in the crowd. Through my connection to Mugwuffin, I can sense it.

A tension.

Even the reporters were quiet. The atmosphere kept their spirits down, their fire quenched. They knew it was far from the time for excitement.

While across the galaxy, people rise up with dreams of freedom and liberty in their hearts, here on Minda people wait.

Poised.

It's there, make no mistake. Many of the people here are those who have suffered under Imperial rule. They found peace here, where the Empire's symbols don't mean oppression.

But they know all too well what those symbols really mean.

As I walk up to the podium, I don't do so in my classic Imperial wear.

The black overcoat I love to wear is gone. The thin strips of armor plating I had taken to wearing for protective purposes is gone.

I stand before the crowd in a simple grey Imperial uniform. My helmet is nowhere to be seen.

My security stays to the side, out of sight. The Heavy LECA models hidden in a transport nearby, just in case.

Even Mugwuffin is absent from my shoulders, staying back near Myr'thos, who stands with their arms crossed, absolutely bored. It helps that their bored stance makes them look like a professional bodyguard, not that the crowd could see them. Perks of a Sith upbringing, I guess. Ignore the trauma.

The people before me want an explanation. Why did billions die? Why was a weapon made to kill billions in the first place?

Why should they not overthrow me?

I decided to start with the basics.

"We all know why we're here. I won't play mind games with you people, not now."

I take a deep breath.

"Alderaan was destroyed by the battlestation known as the Death Star, a planet killer weapon."

The sea of eyes still judged. There was more to say. I would survive this. No matter what.

"Said Death Star was commanded by Grand Moff Willuf Tarkin. Alderaan was confirmed to have rebel elements integrated into its higher command structure. This does not justify the actions of the Grand Moff."

I make sure to throw my gaze around the crowd, making eye contact with as many people as I can. From the children with their naive eyes to the clone veterans and their scars of wars long past.

I continue.

"Furthermore, it has been confirmed by my own superiors that the Grand Moff disobeyed a direct order from the Emperor when destroying Alderaan. This makes Ex-Grand Moff Willuf Tarkin a traitor. If he lives, he will be found. He will pay."

"Any further questions or concerns should be forwarded to the office of the Myto Sectors Moff, Moff Hiral, as this is all the information I have been given."

It's at this point that I want to leave, cause I've said everything I needed to say. But this was an emotional game as much as a political one.

"The Mindan Galactic Museum will be hosting a competition for the design of an Alderaanian Memorial. Good day, and godspeed."

It was then that I left. No questions, no comments, nothing. Just the somber tones that signalled the death of billions.

Getting back into the shuttle, I sighed. That was scary. Not in the way that many things had been during my time in this universe, but still.

The threat of being overthrown had always been this far off, looming thing. Like climate change. You know it's a threat, and you work to combat it, but it never feels close.

But standing there? Looking into the eyes of people who I know damn well would mob my tower and kill me if given enough cause?

It scared me. And I couldn't even blame them! If I was in their position, I'd do the same goddamn thing.

Better to die standing than live kneeling, after all.

Frankly speaking, I was just glad that Moff Hiral's office got back to me and the hundred other governors pinging his office for the official stance as fast as they did. Apparently, while the Emperor is still making his choice in regards to Alderaan, Tarkin pissed him off enough with the whole debacle to get himself posthumously fired and considered a traitor.

So, I ran with that. My statement was meant more for Minda and Edin, and won't really make it far from here.

Regardless, as the shuttle took off, I started reading through reports.

Oioro had gotten back to me with that report on Rothana Heavy Engineering.

As I suspected, they weren't getting jack shit in contracts from the Empire. They bred some animals for use as mounts in hazardous environments and produced a few ground vehicles, but are otherwise destitute.

KDY was probably losing money keeping those facilities operating. And even if they weren't, it wouldn't be long before they did.

This is especially true when you consider the fact that the planet Rothana is at the very edge of the galaxy, placed in a spot where only knowledge of specific hyperspace routes would allow you to access it. This was to distance it from the corporate politics of the Core.

Now, it was another cash drain. Though routes weren't easy to navigate, requiring better ships, hyperdrives and pilots.

Rothana was a wound that wouldn't stop bleeding, which is great for me.

See, things are just going to get worse. And by worse, I mean big time worse.

I uplifted Minda because I needed proof for mommy Mola that I was being a good boy and all that, so she would take her eyes off of me and let me fake my death in peace.

Thing is, now that she hasn't shown, and my window of opportunity has passed, Minda is…*gulp*...valuable.

Based on the most recent rankings, Minda is the 2nd largest economy in the Sector, with Dubrillion leading that front in tropical retreats for the wealthy.

If I recall correctly, it was also the site of a prototype laser for the DS2. Bad stuff.

Regardless, Minda, and by extension Edin are certain to be made to expand production. By which I mean the Moff is going to tell me to do it then be surprised when I fail whatever insane standards he sets.

Well, I say that but I've yet to meet the new Moff, so I can't really say that for certain. But it's a safe bet, all things considered.

However, if I manage to acquire RHE? Well, shipyards are of massive import to the Empire, no? Wouldn't it be better to have these shipyards in the Myto sector?

Wouldn't it make you look better to your boss if these shipyards are successful?

You get the gist of it. I let the Moff take all the credit for the shipyards, and in return the quota's stay reasonable. I'm not even bribing him! If Minda operates shipyards, then suddenly the morale of the workers is more important than ever.

If a mining operation goes kaboom, it sucks and is costly, but the veins of ore will still be there.

A shipyard? That's the kind of thing that goes kaboom and never returns. Not without serious investment.

At least, that's how I'll spin it. It also opens up a bunch of new jobs, since I'll only really be taking the shipyards, hiring the core employee's, and selling most of the factories and such. I'm not even going to be buying the rights to the designs. Sure, RHE makes the Acclamator, but KDY knows that.

And if their negotiators are any good, which they should be considering the company's age, they'll know the real deal is in the designs.

So, I'll buy up the shipyards, have them towed piecemeal over here, and boom! New jobs, protection from shitty quotas, the whole works.

It'll be costly, billions of credits. Negotiations can whittle that down, but I'll still be looking at a price tag of at least 10 billion. Possible given time and the right investments, but at least a year.

And that's not to mention the huge logistical challenge of shipping the multiple kilometer long structures and needed equipment all the way from Rothana to Minda. It's quite a distance.

Even if you consider that the Rothana yards are comparatively small to the KDY or Fondor yards, they are still massive(you know what else is massive?).

However, considering how much the Moff could benefit from this, I have no doubt he would be willing to lend a hand. After all, what are some credits in comparison to political clout?

And even if he donates little, this whole thing would be an undeniably money sink. An excusable money sink. After all, I'm not spending the budget on frivolous things, I'm spending it on shipyards that will serve the Empire. It's just so expensive that I can't afford to reasonably produce more for the quota without diverting time and money from this incredibly important project! What a shame

A perfect, if longer term plan. I could probably embezzle a shit ton of money through it as well. Gotta have that nest egg for later, right? Literally zero flaws imaginable in this plan.

Save for the rebels. Fuckin rebels.

See, I realized that at this point, I'm going to need to start making some sacrifices. The rebels are just smart enough to realize how bad new shipyards could be, and might attack me. For all their righteous fury, they're spread thin in regards to real military power, and have far larger targets.

The Empire, on the other hand, can make my life worse in a million more ways, recent death knell or not.

So, I'm forced to compromise. The shipyards aren't the largest, not by a long shot, but they will expand the current shipbuilding capabilities on Minda by an order of magnitude at least.

That's a target. Not great. But I'll have to deal. Again, not great. But, as the wise man always says.

It is what it is.

This is the motto I chant to myself as the shuttle lands, and I start the trek to my office to get more work done, and start planning my spiel to the Moff. Sipping on the hot chocolate Oioro made for me.

Fuckin spy and her fuckin killer hot coco.

I sigh.

It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is…
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi there folks! It is what it is!

Feedback and commentary appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

-Freefaller

Click to shrink...

Vader and the emperor might look at Mola and go shit why didn't we think of this? Imagine the emperor messaging Mola and thanking him for his effective messaging.

 

[Fearless444]

Thanks for the chapter

 

[OblivionFan007]

It Is what It Is.

 

[Ryan Ma]

Grand Moff Willuf Tarkin

Click to shrink...

*Wilhuff Tarkin, actually.

Also, did the empire ever refer to the Death Star as such to its citizenry? From what I could gather, it was an informal or internal nickname for Imperial High Command. Did the citizens of the Empire ever know the name of the battle station (if so, wow did they hate subtlety), or was it only referred to as DS-1 Mobile Space Station / Battle station?

Thanks for the chapter, really enjoying your work so far!

 

[Vlaadd17]

Why rebels would want to destroy shipyard, big towed across the galaxy shipyard at that? If i were rebel it would be a number one heist priority to me.

Like destroying it would be cool too, but stealing it to facilitate their own ships production? They will probably jump on it once it leaves the rothana system.

 

[Solconbur]

Vader and the emperor might look at Mola and go shit why didn't we think of this? Imagine the emperor messaging Mola and thanking him for his effective messaging.

Click to shrink...

One, you can trim down your quote, make it more succinct.

Two... I second thought my actual reply, because Vader doesn't do speeches.

 

[Yacov]

The black overcoat I love to wear is gone. The thin strips of armor plating I had taken to wearing for protective purposes is gone.

I stand before the crowd in a simple grey Imperial uniform. My helmet is nowhere to be seen.

Click to shrink...

Las never got his face fixed did he? I wonder if this is the first time a lot of citizens have seen his post-explosion scars?

Even Mugwuffin is absent from my shoulders, staying back near Myr'thos, who stands with their arms crossed, absolutely bored. It helps that their bored stance makes them look like a professional bodyguard, not that the crowd could see them. Perks of a Sith upbringing, I guess. Ignore the trauma.

Click to shrink...

Most of the older Jedi who spent enough time in the library to know what Sith look like are dead at this point. Anakin would be considered an old force user in comparison to the others left. Palpatine might recognize what Myr'thos is, but honestly he was more interested in politics and scheming so he might have ignored Plegius' lessons on them.

"The Mindan Galactic Museum will be hosting a competition for the design of an Alderaanian Memorial. Good day, and godspeed."

Click to shrink...

Give something to pour their grief into, good call. Maybe offer visas to Alderaanian communities across the galaxy. Especially once the riots in those communities start.

But standing there? Looking into the eyes of people who I know damn well would mob my tower and kill me if given enough cause?

It scared me. And I couldn't even blame them! If I was in their position, I'd do the same goddamn thing.

Click to shrink...

Las once again vastly underestimating how much his people love him. They may hate the Empire at this moment, but they believe he is good people. Like blaming the government, but still backing your town mayor.

So, I ran with that. My statement was meant more for Minda and Edin, and won't really make it far from here.

Click to shrink...

Yeah it is not like Minda is a (relative) tech giant with products reaching multiple nearby sectors.

Based on the most recent rankings, Minda is the 2nd largest economy in the Sector, with Dubrillion leading that front in tropical retreats for the wealthy.

Click to shrink...

Considering the galaxy is about to descend into war, guess whose economy is more designed to weather that? Resort Worlds tend to profit more during peacetime, while Factory Worlds get those sick wartime contracts.

You get the gist of it. I let the Moff take all the credit for the shipyards, and in return the quota's stay reasonable. I'm not even bribing him! If Minda operates shipyards, then suddenly the morale of the workers is more important than ever.

Click to shrink...

Protecting your people's rights and prosperity by making them more valuable, Las is such a caring governor that understands sentient capital.

At least, that's how I'll spin it. It also opens up a bunch of new jobs, since I'll only really be taking the shipyards, hiring the core employee's, and selling most of the factories and such. I'm not even going to be buying the rights to the designs. Sure, RHE makes the Acclamator, but KDY knows that.

And if their negotiators are any good, which they should be considering the company's age, they'll know the real deal is in the designs.

Click to shrink...

I mean, those core employees are also the ones who produce the Empire's Walkers like the AT series. Getting those guys and integrating them into the LECA program would pay off massively.

At the very least try to get the rights to the designs of the JJ-e5 Power cell. If those things can power the AT-DP, it should probably help R&D on making a more mass producible walker as well. Should be cheap to produce too given AT-DPs were 50,000 a pop.

Even if you consider that the Rothana yards are comparatively small to the KDY or Fondor yards, they are still massive(you know what else is massive?).

Click to shrink...

For reference, Minda would be able to produce cruisers with those shipyards. Given Las' contracts with CEC, Minda could go from making Light Freighters to making Gozantis by themselves.

 

[Mistroz]

excellent chapter.

 

[Yacov]

Omake: Copycat Governor

POV Governor Gedes, planet Kabo, Myto Sector, 1 ABY

"Lord Governor, are you sure this is a wise course of action?"

Secretary Tis sniveled in that same grating tone he always does. Honestly if he wasn't so good at filing out forms Gedes would have left him overseeing the Outlands Bantha farms.

"Absolutely my dear Tis. The Mindan Model states all military buildups are precipitated by seizure of assets from the enemies of the Empire."

Ah the Mindan Model. That little planet had become a rising star in the sector. Studying their form of government while Gedes was taking his well earned vacation on Dubrillion had given him so many ideas.

"But the director of the local SoroSuub branch had no evidence of dissidence. Won't arresting him and seizing these warehouses cause problems?"

Another reason Gedes kept Tis around. His small headedness let Gede's brilliance shine all the more.

"Of course not Tis. I recently received a report from the ISB that director Fleb's niece has joined the Rebels in the Galactic South. A grievous sin for any self respecting Imperial family."

Gedes couldn't help but grin as further crates were brought out of the warehouse. He gazed at them like a Jawa at a scrap pile.

"This is obviously evidence that the director has rebel sympathies and planned to distribute these supplies to Rebel cells. Now we will be using them for a far more noble purpose."

Deny Gedes' requests for reinforcements will they? Pfah, nothing had changed in Dubrillion, even after the Moff was replaced. Well wait until they see what he can do with this. A new army to enforce the Empire's will. His will.

——

"Loyal Imperials of Kabo! Hear me!"

Rows of Mk 45 Protective Vests turned their attention towards Gedes. It was much easier procuring them when he only had to worry about one body type. They glistened almost like new to his eyes.

"The Rebels have grown bold since Yavin! They see in the destruction of one station as the death of the Empire! Now they circle like vermin upon a corpse! Will you allow that!?"

"NO!"

Rows of blasters raised in defiance. The front rows of modern OK-98s and QuickSnap 36Ts did well to hide the motley collection of E-5s and a few M-300s further back. Gedes could swear there was a Blaster Spear in the mix.

"This new phase of the New Order demands a new citizen. One willing to chase these Rebels into the holes and caves they haunch in! Are you those citizens!?"

"YES MY LORD GOVERNOR!"

The gathered fists raised into the air. Soft hands of the cities molded into fists to crush Gedes' enemies. On each forearm a band displaying an armband with the Imperial Cog painted brown.

Governor Las had the right idea. Some issues needed to be solved at the local level with local forces. However, that doesn't mean his private army of Guild mercenaries was perfect.

"That's right! You are greater than Minda's Lucre Force, scrambling for gold and fame! You are the beating of the Empire! The purist of blood that shall wash clean this world of rebels and dissidents!"

"YEAH!""HAAA!""Death to the Alien!"

Even the engines in the back roared to his words. X-34 landspeeders with Z-6 Rotary Blaster bolted on accompanied by packs of Starhawks to run down routing Rebels.

"On this day I see the heralds of a new age on Kabo! I name you the People's Purity Guard! May we never be stained!"

"MAY WE NEVER BE STAINED!"

——

"But Lord Governor how will you pay for this?"

Gedes grinned as he now could further show off his genius.

"Simple Tis. You know how we have struggled with collecting those new taxes in the Outlands?"

Tis cocked his head as if this wasn't a simple math problem.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with paying for this force?"

"Well one other thing I have learned from studying the Mindan Model is the power of delegation."

Not that Gedes would give power to the common sentient. That would be madness. How Governor Las expects his realm to remain stable with such placation is beyond him.

"The issue is the Imperial government in Kabo currently lacks the administrative capacity to enforce these taxes. So why don't we just get someone else to do it?

We will divide the PPG based on strongmen leaders, and have them auction for the right to enforce taxes on a province for the year. Paying up front if they win the bid of course."

Tis nodded as if following along. Like he could understand Gedes' brilliant innovation to the Mindan Model.

"Okay but why would these leaders pay for the right to collect taxes?"

"That's the best part. When they collect enough to pay off their bid, these leaders can keep the excess for themselves. This will inevitably be used to maintain their power bases and Bam! Self paying armies while the Empire gets guaranteed income."

The Mindan Model is truly a work of genius, and with the addition of Gede's Tax Farming innovation, it shall allow Gede and Kabo to reach and even surpass Minda's rise to prominence! Perhaps they will even start calling it the Kabone Model instead!

——

The prompt for this was asking myself how an Imperial Governor would try to follow Las' example, but poorly with zero build up and a more "corrupt Imperial" mindset.

Also I wanted to try my hand at designing a pro-Imperial Paramilitary Force made up of civilian arms, nationalized stockpiles, and old army surplus.

Cross posted on SB and SV

 

[Watching]

At least, that's how I'll spin it. It also opens up a bunch of new jobs, since I'll only really be taking the shipyards, hiring the core employee's, and selling most of the factories and such. I'm not even going to be buying the rights to the designs. Sure, RHE makes the Acclamator, but KDY knows that.

Click to shrink...

I thought RHE's was basically a R&D subsidiary for Kuat, I mean they have like 1 ship design that we know of and a ton of ground and air vehicles.

 

[readsalot]

Fuckin spy and her fuckin killer hot coco.

I sigh.

It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is. It is what it is…

Click to shrink...

Poor guy Is stressed out, at least the spy makes great hot chocolate, silver lining

 

[Civil Reader]

"That's the best part. When they collect enough to pay off their bid, these leaders can keep the excess for themselves. This will inevitably be used to maintain their power bases and Bam! Self paying armies while the Empire gets guaranteed income."

Click to shrink...

Self paying armies are all well and good, as long as they are loyal. By not being the one who pays them the Imperials would lose one of The Most Fundamental controls on their army. They follow the money.

The prompt for this was asking myself how an Imperial Governor would try to follow Las' example, but poorly with zero build up and a more "corrupt Imperial" mindset.

Click to shrink...

I think you did it excellently.

 

[oscar e Sampedro Lopez]

Thanks for the chapter. Great story as always.
MC need to get laid, too stresed

 

[Orphiex]

If only Las realized that he'll basically be handing the shipyards to the Rebels in the first place. After all, the team at the Refit & Repair station in Minda already do a lot of work with ships, right? They've got the needed experience, right? They're the logical choice to run the new shipyards, right?

The Rebels are going to dedicate a lot of effort to prevent any damage to those shipyards. Of course, if the Empire finds out…

 

[LordEdric]

Thanks for the chapter. Great story as always.
MC need to get laid, too stresed

Click to shrink...

It would be funny if his sisters, and secretaries both think the same thing and try to get him to sleep with women they think would be good for him. So one slap stick rim com episode later, Laz is in bed with a few Imperial officers, a few random friends of friends, and some Twililk dancers from some club they visited in a drunken haze. Then half of them end up pregnant, we all know what sight we are on

 

[Yacov]

Self paying armies are all well and good, as long as they are loyal. By not being the one who pays them the Imperials would lose one of The Most Fundamental controls on their army. They follow the money.

Click to shrink...

Funnily enough for how inefficient Gedes' Tax Farming System is, at least it is a Tax System that can run independent from the Imperial Bureaucracy. One of the biggest hurdles I imagine a lot of minor Imperial Governors face is how to keep the lights on and their (relatively) high tech military garrison supplied once the central bureaucracy collapses.

Devolving Kabo into a (let's face it) Bandit Warlord Semi-Feudal Confederation is actually one of the more stable transfers of power. Without outside interference, Gedes can stay in power for quite a while as long as he feeds his quasi-vassals a diet of ideology and political power while maintaining his power base in the cities.

 

[Balmung]

Self paying armies are all well and good, as long as they are loyal. By not being the one who pays them the Imperials would lose one of The Most Fundamental controls on their army. They follow the money.

Click to shrink...

Or you do a British India and in their tax farming shenanigans the warlords cause a mass famine/genocide with how much they take from the population