Governor's Gambit - Star Wars SI into Imperial Governor

[Freefaller]

Who the fuck is this guy? Has he appeared before or is he just some rando created to show a "street-level" POV?

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So, one thing I do is during Interludes I'll include the POV of throwaway street level characters to show the events of the wider empire, or the effects of what Las is doing. This is one of them.

 

[Freefaller]

I can't wait to see the Harrower class/closs equivalent to it. Hope to see some images of this ship. When swtor trailer came out, featuring the harrower class, I instantly fell in love with that ship, soo badass.

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Yeah over on space battles there was one guy who kept asking for the Harrower class any time ship discussion came up so I said if he could write an argumentative essay on why the Harrower should be included then I'd find a way to include it. and he did just that. so here we are.

 

[readsalot]

Yeah over on space battles there was one guy who kept asking for the Harrower class any time ship discussion came up so I said if he could write an argumentative essay on why the Harrower should be included then I'd find a way to include it. and he did just that. so here we are.

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Hahahaha
That's brilliant, my thanks to that guy
Out of curiosity did he post that on SB or just sent it privately? At most if I had to say on that topic is that: it's awesome bruah you gotta do it!!!

 

[Yacov]

If Jir would only explain to her children where she came from, what she did to give them their starts in life but no all she did was bark orders.

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Shame is a powerful motivation to keep quiet. Jir probably thought talking about her old life would be admitting weakness. A look at who she was outside this dominating persona she built for herself.

She claims this new persona is not the "survivalist mindset" of when she was in the Underlevels, but we can see how the paranoia and the need to protect strength to intimidate everyone from that time got built into how she acted now.

Yeah over on space battles there was one guy who kept asking for the Harrower class any time ship discussion came up so I said if he could write an argumentative essay on why the Harrower should be included then I'd find a way to include it. and he did just that. so here we are.

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Never underestimate the lengths some forum members will go. I have seen some quest plans with more math work put into it than some university algebra and statistics exams.

 

[AmericanNumbers]

One of my pet star wars theory is that the force is personally offended by the republic trying to muzzle it and life thru bureaucracy and the Jedi and it's interesting that our protagonist is setting up a much freer form of living while actively having a dark sider bodyguard and a wild force user pet. Need to bring in some light siders to get the full balance.

 

[Wratus]

Also, the next chapter will have some R&D stuff, and the long awaited Harrower-Class that some have been clamoring for. It won't really be the Harrower class, not truly, but as close as one can get realistically. It's not going to be built yet, just a concept and all, but its set up and all that for later down the line.

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YEEEESSSSSSSS finally we get what I guess is the Harrower II-class, since the original while would be good if one just retrofitted it with more modern components and weapons, it would make more sense if say the same R&D personnel that found and submitted schematics for the Starfighter from the same era, where to find the original Harrower-class Dreadnaught schematics and start to modernize and rework it into a upgraded design.

 

[Watching]

the next chapter will have some R&D stuff, and the long awaited Harrower-Class that some have been clamoring for

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Yay, the long awaited R&D stuff is next!

Hang on, why are we bringing back and modernizing an old republic era battlecruiser? Did we run out of fan art of imperial ships to steal from devianart?

He's a dead man walking, is what. Slave-trading kriff-shitter.

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Ehh… it could just be exotic animal smuggling and poaching.

 

[saylin021]

I mostly just feel pity for Jir Mola.

She reminds me of some immigrant parents, where they do everything in their power to give their kids better prospects due to how they themselves grew up, without realizing that they're destroying themselves and their family.

And like she said, she did succeed. All of her children are highly competent, successful, and important. Her family is what success looked like to her as a child, because that trauma never really leaves.

But it's hollow since it came at the expense of love and family.

So yeah, I just feel kinda sad for her and her whole life.

 

[Freefaller]

Hahahaha
That's brilliant, my thanks to that guy
Out of curiosity did he post that on SB or just sent it privately? At most if I had to say on that topic is that: it's awesome bruah you gotta do it!!!

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It's posted on the SB version of the story, under the Informational Tab. Its labelled Harrower Mafia Thesis, and its in 3 parts.

 

[AldariSiradla]

The ghosts of the Force say it thus...
"Cope and seethe!"

Looks like our dear Moff needs to clean house, again.
Bloody molds and weeds and pests popping up, our dear Moff Mola will have ORDER, dammit!

 

[Mistroz]

Excellent chapter.

 

[noblej7]

Harrower and gladiator have similar enough appearance you can just upsize the harrower I guess for an imitation. The Secutor class is designed to be a replacement for the Venator but never got much made compared to the Imperial class that the military leadership preferred. It could carry 144 starfighters at 2200 meters it's larger than an ISD but lightly armed for its size as it priorized being a carrier. A harrower imitation could essentially take the middle ground between the Secutor and gladiator class being more in line with a Venator but with updated tech and a visual design of the cut middle of the pointed section of the triangle.

Spoiler

Secutor images:

Reference gladiator at 600 meters already in the story. So a custom harrower class imitation you indicated in last chapter could be about Venator sized but wider like a sector and more focused on carrier role to keep costs lower. Probably escorted by gladiators since they were designed to help escort Venators when not handling remote areas as a capital ship.

Edit:
harrowers were 800 meters so it could be smaller than a Venator class to avoid too much cost and bad PR for being too much like a venator

 

[kano547]

If Jir would only explain to her children where she came from, what she did to give them their starts in life

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Nothing that she could have possibly went through would justify raising children that genuinely, and apparently accurately, believe that their mother would murder them without a second thought if they don't live their lives the way she wants them to.

 

[Wratus]

Well at least I know that we have big enough shipyard slips to construct a full size Harrower-class cuz I just cheeked the sizes of the Acclamator I-class and the Onager-class Star Destroyer, since we bought and transported the slips from Rothana Heavy Engineering and they where capable of constructing these two ship types in em.

Acclamator I-class Assault Ship
Length: 752 meters (2,467 ft 2 in)
Width: 460 meters (1,509 ft 2 in )
Hight/depth: 183 meters (600 ft 5 in) (in flight)
Role: Planetary assault vessel

Onager-class Star Destroyer
Length: 1.288 meters (4225.72 ft)
Width: Approximately 430 meters (1410.76 ft) for the main hull and 900 meters (2952.76 ft) for the hammerhead bow section.
Hight/depth: 150 meters (492.13 ft)
Role: Planetary siege vessel

As we can see these two vessel types aren't actually small so and then we have the

Harrower-class Dreadnaught/Heavy Cruiser
Length: 800 meters (2624.67 ft)
Width: 433 meters (1420.60 ft)
Hight/depth: 151 meters (495.41 ft)
Role: Capital ship, warship

I'm including these just for fun since I was already at this... Long live the Empire.

Terminus-class Destroyer (Cruiser)
Length: 500 meters (1640.42 ft) to 600 meters (1968.50 ft)
Width: 150 meters (492.13 ft) to 220 meters (721.78 ft)
Hight/depth: No information available on my end
Role: Capital ship(Darth Marr used one as his flagship), patrol, escort and frontline vessel.

Gage-class Transport
Length, width and hight/depth is not listed on wookiepedia but it's described as smaller than the Terminus-class. If we go by Star Wars rpg sites it's length is 425 meters (1394.36 ft)
Primary role is to transport troops and starfighters to battlefields with less emphasis on firepower.
Capacity: Approximately 1,000 troops and 12 starfighters (standard); can be reconfigured to 2,000 troops or 24 starfighters.

So as we can see the standard Harrower is about on the same size as a Acclamator, but some sources claim that there where longer variants of the Harrower with a length up to 1.100 meters (3608.92 ft) and then there where the smaller BSX-5 Dreadnaught with a length of 600 meters (1968.50 ft).
Now @Freefaller I read on SB that you felt that creating a full modernized standard Harrower wouldn't be possible at the moment in the story so it would have a reduced size, but if we go by the BSX-5 variant the reduced size really nerfs it's carrying capacity but that can just be cuz the only ship of that variant we have seen in the game is the Dominator which was the flagship of Darth Jadus, and it's entirely possible that it just didn't have full complement of starfighters, bombers and shuttles when it's encountered and thus the wiki doesn't know it's full carrying capacity.

But hey at least the good news is that the Mindan Shipyards can in fact construct Star Destroyer sized ships since they did construct the Onager-class when under Rothana Heavy Engineering. And if the question on how one or a few of our R&D guys have schematics of either incomplete or complete Reconstituted Sith Empire(RSE) hardware such as starfighters, bombers, shuttles and starships both large and small comes up, the answer can actually be really simple. The Myto sector as far as I can tell was right on the border with Imperial controlled space during the Great Galactic War leading up to the Treaty of Coruscant, I don't know how many planets in the Myto sector and it's neighbouring sectors where Imperial or Republic held after the treaty, but it wouldn't surprise me if some of em where Imperial and had intact enough ruins with barely functioning databases from that time period. So maybe a few of our guys are from one of those worlds or are from former RSE heartland worlds if you will that still had maybe not fully intact databases from the RSE, but good enough for these guys to have been able to extract tangible and functional data and ended up moving to Minda cuz Laz promised at the start pretty much unrestricted to a point R&D and they wanted to recreate the tech from the RSE times.

 

[Yacov]

Omake: Echo Chamber in the Dark

POV: Initiate Qworo, Noocratic Philosophic Front base, Fogoru, Myto sector

"Tell me my student, how go our preparations?"

Initiate Qworo remained bowed to his Pedagogue, Grand Tutor Flintriso. A glimpse of the turquoise cloth of an Initiate still a source of pride. Months of searching had brought him to this now elusive breed of Fogorun. The once revered class of scholar-rulers on the planet driven to near extinction after the Empire declared the Teachings a threat to security and order. Pedagogues were cast out from their Hallowed Halls of Wisdom with the coming of the Empire.

Yet enlightenment cannot be so easily snuffed out. While the purges ravaged the cities as the Offworld Devils sought to impose their will, the Empire's destructiveness worked against them. In the their rush to smother the flame of wisdom, they failed to learn of a series of hidden retreats in the mountains for the Pedagogues' contemplation. Physical copies of the Teachings and even the rare Pedagogue were obscured from the Empire ever dim eye by those that remained faithful. These compounds were cut off from the world and its modern luxuries like the HoloNet and the planetary power grid. Their households of dedicated and pious servants served as the fertile soil from which the NPF has sprouted.

"They progress greatly my Pedagogue. The unenlightened Imperials grow ever more distracted by the pirate menace. We have been able to secure a shipment of detonite for our school under their lax customs officials."

Truly the Great Work favors our cause. The schools of the NPF had managed to secure stockpiles of chepatite in the past. Perfect to deliver correction to the Imperials' foot soldiers via explosive micro-rockets. However their walkers and repulsorcraft remained frustratingly out of reach. Now with detonite we may seed the roads and fortifications with explosive devices which will blossom into their destruction.

"Good, good. The time of the Grand Lesson draws ever closer. For too long have the Empire and their collaborators have taken Fogoru down an unwise path. It pains the world and us to see the stewardship we Pedagogues were entrusted with be conducted so poorly. Yet for the sake of the Grand Lesson, we have stayed our hands."

Qworo still remembers the day the Philosopher Elder Council was disbanded. The once masters of Fogoru dragged out in chains as dusty scrolls and ancient datapads were burned in great bonfires littering the capital's plazas. His mother stared at the fires from the rooftop and wept throughout the whole night.

Any hope of the Imperials possessing wisdom died in their first decree. That their sacred world of learning and wisdom dedicate itself to the base practice of pulling resources from the earth as a mining world. Not only were the Offworld Devils seeking to suppress the enlightenment of the Teachings, they sought to defile and plunder our sacred lands for the sake of building more of their demonic void vessels. His Pedagogue had taught all in his school that nothing good ever descended from the inky blackness above. No matter how much the Imperials claimed we were one species.

Being given the same classification as the lesser worlds around Fogoru caused many of his peers to tear their cloaks and protest in the streets. Only for the Empire to send these enlightened souls as the first wave to the mines. Their only crime rightfully expressing offense at being equated to the unenlightened savages that lived in ignorance around them. Qworo could only hope to emulate a tenth of the courage they had demonstrated in their martyrdom.

"Your words are the Great Work's message my Pedagogue. Even the uneducated masses driven far from the cities see the wisdom of NPF's cause. Overseers in the mines are blinded by met quotas and a lack of disorder. The unwise collaborators attempting to impose Imperial control only care for sating their indulgences like the fools they are. Never suspecting that there might be extra mined ore that now fills our coffers."

It pained Qworo how the Grand Lesson would be funded by the oppression of the enlightened. Yet do not the Teachings say suffering is a teacher of its own? It was one aspect of Imperial ideology that the Teachings could consider wise. For how would the unenlightened be brought out of their comfortable ignorance without pain? And should those unenlightened still resist or seek to betray us to the unwise? The Imperials were quite tolerant of workplace accidents in the mines.

For as his Pedagogue has preached, the Grand Lesson will not be for the Offworld Devils alone, but to all who reside on Fogoru. Correction is to be delivered upon Devil and unwise, treacherous collaborator and faithless bystander, from elder to babe, until all learn the wisdom of the Grand Lesson. Those that endure will flock back to the Teachings' embrace as the NPF demonstrates the power and righteousness of its cause.

"Yes the other Pedagogues have sent me messages of similar sentiments. Those that wish to join our school may be given the traditional flensing of the finger and be initiated. Our stores of arms are plentiful enough that they may yet play an active role in the Grand Lesson."

A smile crossed Qworo's lips at the fortune of their school. While they did not have the Tibanna gas to outfit their initiates with blasters, the more traditional slugthrower was easier to source. An Offworld Devil from Czerka Arms showed a twinkling of enlightenment by granting us to access to many 6-2Aug2 hunting rifles. Where the retreat's craftsmen once spent days crafting exquisite metal tea bowls for ceremonies, now they just as zealously dedicate their minds and bodies to produce bullets and spare parts in preparation for the Grand Lesson.

"The day the Grand Lesson can commence grows ever closer. I would gladly give my life to ensure the future where you and the other Pedagogues sit on the restored Philosopher Elder Council to dispense enlightened rule to Fogoru once more! Please use me body and soul my Pedagogue!"

A ghost of a smile finally passed his Pedagogue's lips. These decades of hiding and planning must have been so hard on him. This retreat in the mountains must pale in comparison of the Halls of Wisdom he once resided in. The thought of everything finally coming together must bring joy a thousandfold compared to what Qworo feels.

"You truly are enlightened Initiate Qworo. Once the local Imperial garrison falls, the unenlightened collaborators will crumble as their weak wills will be unable to keep their regime alive unsupported. From there we will have time to reeducate the people of Fogoru and reinforce the world while the Empire's navy is still distracted.

Picture it Qworo. My school shall be ascendant in the Philosopher Elder Council as the Noocracy is reinstated. Enlightenment will spread as the wisest will determine what course Forogu will take. The throngs shall be submerged back into the enlightenment of the Teachings as Fogoru's proper stewards reclaim their mantle once more.

Our world shall be safeguarded forevermore. An Initiate with a slugthrower behind every tree and at every street corner to protect our society from its enemies. Those the Council deem unwise being bound with the Fetters of Fatuity and driven to the darkest corners of society. Mayhaps we may find a use for those mines once all those Offworld Devils are driven back into the inky blackness. No longer will they taint our sacred planet with their demonic void vessels as landing areas will be lined with detonite before a single Devil can set foot on our blessed soil."

Qworo could see it. The vision his Pedagogue wished to instill into this humble initiate. A utopia based on the Teachings with no Republic or Empire to degrade their people. Encasing their world against the forces who wish to pollute it and purging it of the rot within. Truly this what the schools strived for in pursing the Great Work.

"I understand my Pedagogue. I eagerly await the day this vision becomes a reality. The Empire cannot be driven off Fogoru soon enough."

——
This Omake was an attempt to make a minor local antagonist group that could escalate to the point that the new Moff might have to step in. The hardest part was coming up with a kind of group that hasn't rebelled against the Empire a dozen times already. There are bound to be groups within the sector who hate the Empire and see the current destabilization as a chance to stage an uprising while their back is turned even if the Rebel Alliance is not involving itself.

The NPF are meant to demonstrate what can happen when there is no outside voice, like the Rebel Alliance advocating a Hearts and Minds strategy, to moderate discussion. Views can spiral into extremism when everything is being discussed in an Echo Chamber, hence the name of the Omake. Qworo exemplifies this by showing how being locked in an isolated compound filled with fanatics for over a decade with minimized outside contact can shift your view of the world and your place in it.

Crossposted on SB and SV

 

[Andrew1993]

Eh ngl im pretty ambivalent on harrower never really fell in love with it, its just a meh ship for me, the ship i fell in love with was the centurion at least for the old republic stuff, fav modern ship is def the Venator, a fast well shielded carrier with a fair punch in the main batteries is just awesome

 

[Freefaller]

Snip

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So, the slips of the MARD are 2km by 1km, iirc. as for the Harrower expy, its not going to be the Harrower itself, as though they got schematics. its just going to be a ship that looks a lot like a Harrower but is called something else. I was thinking some sort of mix between a Gladiator and Victory would end up as a Harrower of sorts.

 

[noblej7]

So, the slips of the MARD are 2km by 1km, iirc. as for the Harrower expy, its not going to be the Harrower itself, as though they got schematics. its just going to be a ship that looks a lot like a Harrower but is called something else. I was thinking some sort of mix between a Gladiator and Victory would end up as a Harrower of sorts.

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Victory is in a similar length class as the harrower was. Although if you want something to take the lead more in line with imperial star destroyer without actually using one as the flagship you can use the star destroyer at home:
Procursator-Class Star Destroyer:The Procursator-Class was
commissioned just before the fall of the Empire to operate as a cheaper alternative to
the Imperial-Class for a role as a command ship for smaller flotillas of vessels. This ship
is often underestimated, and commonly considered as simply a cheap imitation of an
ISD, which is why many opposing forces are caught off guard by the sheer amount of
weaponry bristling across its 1200 meter hull, consisting of 3 heavy triple turbolaser
batteries, 9 heavy dual turbolaser battery, 4 heavy twin ion cannons, 20 turbolasers, 20
ion cannons, 8 quad laser cannons, and 4 proton torpedo tubes, as well as a
complement of 24 starfighter

Spoiler

 

[krahe]

A classic example of people high on "better to be feared than loved" getting shafted the moment when fearful gain even a little power over them

 

[Heidao]

Flashes of her past doesn't help her

If anything, she's just a step above Raven Branwen

 

[The Overlord]

1.9 ABY
Jir Mola
Accordia

Rage. Shock. Shame. A million and one emotions had run roughshod through Jir's mind as she'd been escorted out of the Moffs office.

They'd been there as she was given some civilian clothes, a bank account, and her severance by a clerk.

And they were there as she went through the near automatic motions of renting a cheap apartment in one of the city's newest megabuildings.

Discharged. Removed from the family. The only real connection left being her legal marriage to Dornun.

For the first time in decades, Jir Mola wanted to cry. She'd done everything she could, fighting tooth and nail to remove herself from the underbelly of Coruscant to a military office, gotten married to a member of a dying aristocratic family, and made it into the circle of contacts of one of the most powerful men in the Empire.

Jir, in her mind, had done everything right. She'd built a foundation from nothing. It was her children who were supposed to raise a mighty dynasty from that foundation.

And in a sense, they still were. Jir doubted any of them would give up their positions of power now. Except, she would no longer be involved.

A part of Jir didn't care. She'd accomplished her goal. Her family's legacy would be secure. Her daughters had each proven themselves exceptionally capable in their respective fields of work, and her son had surprised her with his supposed talent at administrating and ruling. Working together they would raise a dynasty.

For all intents and purposes, Jir should be content. Happy, even. But she wasn't.

As she looked around her new apartment. It was nearly empty, devoid of most amenities. She could've chosen a larger place, even had it furnished. She was discharged honorably, despite everything, and as such the Mindan government afforded her more perks. She qualified for a variety of loans, housing options opened up before her, and more.

Yet, she had defaulted. All the way back to the survivalist mindset she'd sworn to leave behind in the darkness of Coruscant's lower levels.

It had taken her years to unlearn countless habits. Learning to walk down the center of a hallway instead of hugging the edges and checking every corner. Learning not to flinch at the groan of metal, fearing that the ceiling above or the floor below would give way. Eating every meal like it was her last.

But here she was. Treating every credit she had as though she would run out the next day. Finding the cheapest apartment she could in a short time. Even her food was cheap. Some imitation Nabooan noodles that were clearly made with no real Nabooan ingredients, sold by a vendor who seemed to only barely pass sanitation inspections.

It disgusted her. Looking down at the empty take out box, she resisted the urge to throw it across the room. But that rage remained. And from it grew indignation.

Jir, before she had gotten the name of Mola, had dragged herself from hell into the heavens. And she would do it again. But this time, quicker. Better. With decades of experience, she knew the game. Knew people.

And one day, she would stand face to face with her family once more. Prove to them that her methods do work.

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LMAO their is so much misunderstanding here by big momma on what went wrong, its not your methods being right or wrong that were the problem, at least not in so far as gaining and useing power, its that you treated your entire family, your 'legacy' like Hutt Shit and expected LOYALTY at your lowest point possible when everyone else in the family is in a bigger position of strength then ever, and under no means obligated to even help. Hell you probably would have got that help from one of the daughters but you treated the son so poorly, and got unlucky he actually became a MOFF on his own merits he was able to DO something about all the abuse you sent their way XD.

 

[LordEdric]

Momma Mola really doesn't understand people, like if your treat your family like tools their whole life, there is no reason for their loyalty

 

[Freefaller]

Chp-92

1.9 ABY

Relief. That was the primary emotion flowing through my veins at the moment. Sheer and utter relief.

And a degree of satisfaction as well, if I was being honest.

For years, Jir Mola had been a distant terror. A silent obstacle that guided my choices from the start. And for just as long, I'd be terrified of her.

After all, all of the real Las Mola's memories told me nothing but horror stories. Of a gaze that could freeze people in place. Of expectations so overwhelming they seemed to drive the air from my lungs. An all consuming pressure that made one feel as though there was no escape.

And I'd believed those memories. While they weren't mine, they were more than enough to deduce that her threat was very real. And for years I'd stayed scared.

Eventually, that fear became the standard for my life. Even after Tarkin died, even after my role as Governor granted me enough influence that she could never touch me, it remained. Because in my mind, Jir Mola and the Empire were one and the same.

A beast overhead, more than willing to bite my head off as soon as I made a mistake.

But looking her in the eyes? Seeing the rank emblazoned on her uniform? It put everything into perspective.

I was living in someone else's fear. I fear the Empire, yes, but Jir Mola? She is nothing, least of all my mother.

Realistically, this changed nothing for me. I still had to keep up appearances. My escape plan still had to be prepared for when the Empire went down.

But there was a weight off my chest. As though a part of my burden had been lifted. As though I could breathe a little easier.

And so, it was with this lighter attitude that I walked into the R&D lab.

Director Yop led the way, the Lepi excited to show off the advances they'd been making. The Minda system was more profitable than ever, what with an increasing population and more trade meaning more taxes.

The Verndari on Vylos would likely start producing profit given some time. Of course, considering the entire species numbered around 300 million or so planet wide, it would be quite alot.

Although, to be honest, the entire situation on Vylos was quite unbalanced. The places the Empire initially landed on got the best deals. But on other continents, with much larger nations? Suffice it to say it took some Imperial warships time to demonstrate the military difference by turning a few mountains into rubble. And as such, the population was far more fearful, making integration difficult.

Still, progress remained slow but steady. My insistence on doing things peacefully instead of just killing everyone in sight and extracting the resources was not beneficial in the short term, but in the long term meant everyone got to get out both alive and wealthier.

"And here, sir, is our ship redesign lab, where we redesign the vessels so they use fewer proprietary parts to fit with the supply chain." Said the Director as we passed the lab.

Through the window I saw the projection of what seemed to be a dissected Arquitens-class, with multiple parts being highlighted as 'logistically abundant'. Considering how common the ship type was, I could see why the team was taking parts from the design.


"Through here, we have the TIE team. They're on break right now, but last I checked they were working on a new standard TIE variant with inbuilt shields and missiles. An upgrade from the normal TIE, and slightly better than those that have been retrofitted."

Inside this lab, they don't have a projection, they simply have an entire TIE fighter sitting in there. I don't know how the hell they got one in there, but I don't really care to find out.

"And finally, we have the newest ship design team." Yop said as we found our way to the newest lab.

"Sector Admiral Veers has commissioned us to design a new variant of the Gladiator better suited to deal with the conditions of the Outer Rim without being as big of a drain as an ISD while also maintaining versatility."

As we enter the lab, I can see the hologram of the proposed ship shining above. It seemed to stretch around 200 meters longer than the Gladiator, and sported a larger amount of weapons.
At the same time, the projected statistics put its total potential starfighter count at 92. In regards to this, I'd actually had a conversation with Ife some days ago about this very matter. After all, I'd been the one to greenlight her request and connection to the R&D labs.

In Ife's opinion, there were no real threats in the sector that would require the firepower or intimidation factor of walkers like the AT-AT and AT-ST, and that by instead using smaller armored vehicles like repulsorlift tanks and a few of the cheaper AT-DP's for walker versatility, one could increase the amount of fighters and gunships on board and increase the ships effective range of power projection.

"Wonderful work, Director. I presume you are working closely with logistics personnel to make this new design variant as easy on the supply chains as possible?"

He nodded. "Correct, sir. The Logistics Office sent specialists out to the labs to get deep into the details. As it stands, the design is on track to be made mostly of common Imperial ship parts, with only the frame and shell being of anything near a custom design. With our experience in using common parts, alongside working with preexisting blueprints from the Victory-Class and Gladiator-Class, we're on schedule to have a production ready design in 9 months at a minimum, but most likely around 12 to 14."

My eyebrows shot up. "Just a year? For an entire warship? I knew the labs were capable of great speed, considering the LECA's and the TIE variants, but this is a warship. Are you certain that this timeline won't create potential safety problems?"

The Director shook his head, large ears flopping around. "I thank you for the concern, sir, but this isn't anything particularly new to us. It's simply a larger scale version of what our teams have done previously."

I nod, eyes roving back to the design. It was a ship that would be perfect for the sector's future needs. Big enough to fight any pirates, small enough that it wasn't a huge logistical burden. Capable of projecting power through hyperspace capable fighters while also being more armed and armored than the base Gladiator. These things would be vital to patrolling the sector's hyperlanes in the future. And the quicker they were finished, while keeping up safety standards, the better.

"Is there anything that can be done to quicken the process while keeping within safety standards? These ships will be vital to replace the aging sector defense fleets patrol groups, and the faster they are finished the better. If there is anything you need, just ask."

Now it was Yops turn to raise his eyebrows, but soon enough he fell deep into thought.

"Hmmm…as it stands, more personnel wouldn't help. It would take far too long to train them, so it would only help if they had been hired months before the project started. However, better simulators would be invaluable, as they would allow us to stress test the design quicker and easier without having to make multiple prototypes. It would likely cut down the time by around a month, I'd say."

I nod. "You'll have it then. Send a message to acquisitions, I'll have my approval sent as well. As for new hires, that'll likely be handled by the new Governor when they come into office."

The Director perked up at that, looking at me as we walked back to the elevator out of the lab.

"I'd almost forgotten about that. Say, sir, who have you chosen? Just about everyone is curious."

"Well, I've yet to choose, though I've narrowed it down to just a few candidates. The choice will be finalized in the coming weeks."

Eventually, I left the labs. Taking a look at the time, I noticed the R&D meeting had ended early, and I had a solid hour before any other commitments took up my time.

So, I returned to my office, made a cup of hot chocolate, and got back to researching for my little pet project, that paper on the workings and failings of the Empire. Treason, sure, but treason none would ever see but me.

It helped that it worked as practice for research. Always useful.

–

1.9 ABY
Mandalore Sector

The leader of Clan Tralis looked upon the datapad, expression unreadable behind his mask. This was a thing he was glad for, because he doubted his clan would be pleased to see the turmoil marring his features.

Turning to the clan itself, its 100 or so members gathered in their hall's main room, he spoke.

"Mandalore is lost." He stated simply, watching the crowd. Most nodded in silence, as this was a known fact to the Clan Tralis had avoided the worst of the Imperial occupation by the simple virtue of being too small for the Empire to truly care.

"Our Clan lives, for now. The Empire will one day turn its hungry eyes on even us." That got more of a reaction. Their size had been their safety, and none enjoyed knowing it was not to last.

"However, an opportunity has arisen before us. A Sector, in the New Territories of the galactic north has sent word. The Moff of the sector is issuing large scale mercenary contracts to Mandalorian clans to assist in combating piracy."

That was when the reactions really erupted. Murmurs of discontent, members looking sideways at each other, all of them wondering, questioning. His next words froze them.

"The Moff is offering immunity to seizure of personal beskar in his sector as part of the payment. And long term, legal contracts."

Here, he finally took off his helmet, staring each and every member in the eyes.

"Mandalore is dead. But Clan Tralis need not follow. This is the one opportunity we have to find any semblance of peace amongst the stars. Not just for us, but for those who follow. So that we may one day be able to pass on our armor."

At that, he sat down in his chair once more. This wasn't a choice he could make alone, not truly.

"I ask all of those in favor of this plan to please raise your hands. I wish to put this choice to a vote. I would not ask you all to follow me into the unknown without asking if you wished it at all."

At first, there was nothing. Silent looks and whispered conversations. But slowly, hands went up. By the end, none kept their hand down.

And he felt relieved. Because no matter what happened to Clan Tralis, no matter the fate that awaited them, they rode onwards together.

–

Yo. For those wondering about the link to the Harrower-Class redesign, its because of a reader on Spacebattles who loves the ship so much he wrote a three part thesis on it, and so I decided to include it in the story. I don't know what to call it though, nor what its armaments or complement will truly look like, though I think a more starfighter heavy complement makes sense because, realistically, you don't need heavy walkers and ground forces to fight pirates in the Outer Rim.

Also, the 92 starfighter thing was taken from the Harrower-Class statistics.

As for that bit at the end, that's the follow up to Las's choice to send word to the Mandalore sector to get more Mandalorian mercs in the sector to help with the pirate problem. Clan Tralis is not the only clan that will be migrating, of that you can be sure.

May you get hella bread, fellow earthlings.
-Freefaller

 

[readsalot]

Yo. For those wondering about the link to the Harrower-Class redesign

Click to shrink...

Woop Woop the Harrower is back baby
Hmm still not a fan of the empire era bridge but meh it's back

Glad to see that one weight of Las shoulders is gone. Now all that's left is the empire, surviving its fall, faking his death and fucking off to be a spacer. (Which is what I would do, fuck getting involved in the Plot )

Hmmm I want him to publish that book. The results/views to it would be hilarious to read.

Looking forward to the new one

 

[Nisiris]

In way, i pity mommy Mola, even if be wrong methods, she tried to give her children what she thought was best as street rat, not understanding that her children aren't street rats too thanks to her, but because of it, they didn't develop the same outlook as she, plus her horrible communication was just oil into fire.

And gosh, the moment mc runs, there will be sector wide manhunt just tu put him back into that chair..

Nice ship, though I have question, do star fighters have missiles?

 

[AldariSiradla]

Moff Mola's gonna get a nice looking ship.
How very historical.
Oh yes, very storied design~

Ah...
Nice.
Mando clan incoming, welcome!
Honest contracts, good pay, and a place that's not gonna rob you blind~
You'll love it here, you armor wearing sillies, you~

 

[Introverted]

Honest contracts, good pay, and a place that's not gonna rob you blind~
You'll love it here, you armor wearing sillies, you~

Click to shrink...

And when the empire does their Purge of Mandalore shtick its another enclave of cultures the Empire physically blew up to be added to his Sector.

 

[cmrdpm]

So, I returned to my office, made a cup of hot chocolate, and got back to researching for my little pet project, that paper on the workings and failings of the Empire. Treason, sure, but treason none would ever see but me.

Click to shrink...

Oh no, Chekhov's somehow managed to get ahold of a printing press! I can't wait for the document to leak and Mola to accidentally declare for the rebellion.

 

[UndeadLord22]

Remove that stupidass bigtarget of a Imperial-style bridge, and we're good.

 

[Valof]

Oh no, Chekhov's somehow managed to get ahold of a printing press! I can't wait for the document to leak and Mola to accidentally declare for the rebellion.

Click to shrink...

Or a Manifesto for a New and Better Empire