Governor's Gambit - Star Wars SI into Imperial Governor

[Watching]

Honestly, the biggest issue is that no one is going to hire him period.
Why bother hiring infantry at all its not even going to be worth the transportation costs.

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Ehhh... No? He could just start off as a security guard company, pretty sure people would hire them over a guy with an assault mech to guard the insides of say, a museum or office building in the middle of a big city crowded city full of narrow streets.
It also says hes just not using mechs? Theres plenty of other stuff he could field like power armor, tanks, aircraft, ships, ect.

 

[al103]

Honestly, the biggest issue is that no one is going to hire him period.
Why bother hiring infantry at all its not even going to be worth the transportation costs.

Click to shrink...

There are canonical armor specialist mercenaries, ASF specialist mercenaries and special forces specialist mercenaries. Not only successful, but even famous. So MC don't even have to show that, he just need to repeat that success.

 

[Introverted]

There are canonical armor specialist mercenaries, ASF specialist mercenaries and special forces specialist mercenaries. Not only successful, but even famous. So MC don't even have to show that, he just need to repeat that success.

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Not infantry.

Quite bluntly no one is stupid enough to waste money on an unproven infantry whose background is some guy made a drunken bet.

 

[Frater Astrotechnicus]

Not infantry.

Quite bluntly no one is stupid enough to waste money on an unproven infantry whose background is some guy made a drunken bet.

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There absolutely are mercenary infantry units of only to fill the need of corporate security
also towed guns are a thing so they aren't as toothless as you'd expect

 

[oscar e Sampedro Lopez]

Good luck with the new story

 

[Rustic]

The Human Element (Literally) is set in Battletech, and follows another OC/SI as his pride gets the better of him, and he decides he's going to prove that a mercenary company can be fully successful without ever using a mech. All the while bungling up the politics, cultures and conventions of the Inner Sphere and beyond.


-Freefaller

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Alright, I try it but if I don't instantly like it. I will read past the title.

 

[NinjaMAster]

Saw this in a different chat on a different site, and I had to bring it here.

Spoiler: Behold

Isn't it just... perfect?

 

[AdrianXIV]

Isn't it just... perfect?

Click to shrink...

It should be HEN-TIEF (or HEN-TIE/F)

 

[Yacov]

Omake: Auxiliary Matters of Least Concern

POV: Bria Cur, Imperial Auxiliary Private, Imperial excavation site H-745, Vantaen, Myto Sector

"I spy with my little eye… something blue!"

Corporal Curti groaned at Bria's challenge. This was her favorite challenge back during her indenture aboard the Cramped Hindquarters. She had joined the advanced trade vessel to see the stars like other Shaull. A fellow crew mate taught her this challenge to help keep her eyesight keen on long voyages. It was harder to stay active and trained on a ship than when she was back on her homeworld.

"Let me guess, the blue grass all around our outpost?"

Drat, Private Pelto was always so good at this challenge. Was he reading her thoughts somehow? Bria heard some especially capable Imperials could do that from the gossip among the Auxiliaries, but she didn't put much stock in it. Why would Private Pelto be in the Auxiliaries if he had such a potent ability?

"Aaarrrgghh! I am sick of standing around doing nothing! I am a loyal Imperial citizen who joined to defend her home! Why am I stuck in the middle of nowhere!?"

Bria flinched as Corporal Curti threw her blast helmet on the floor. Poor Corporal Curti did not take it well when she heard about the HoloNet going down and the possibility of it being enemy action. She was always so passionate about their work. Bria had spied the Imzig staying up late reading through protocols while they were being shipped to Vantaen. She probably expected to be out in an Arbiter, combating pirates every other day and being showered in the applause of rescued civilians. Not to be left in the middle of a barely settled region spending days keeping watch over near empty plains.

"You are here because some crusty old fop in the Imperial Archeological Division claims to have uncovered "the find of the century" at the ruins a few kilometers behind us. He didn't have the political capital to pull a detachment of Stormtroopers for security detail from IMSDP like he wanted, so got our company instead."

Although Private Pelto's explanation was a bit mean to Professor Blarmsmorth and his invaluable work, it was accurate. After their battalion gathered up we were immediately assigned to the Imperial Military Secondment Deployment Pool. IMSDP was a designation for Imperial units to be put on standby and be available for planetary governments, Governors, or high ranking Imperial officials to request a deployment of seconded troops to protect interests valuable to the Empire. Bria was honored at the speech where Professor Blarmsmorth announced that small part she and her company would play in such a grand discovery. She even got to help in the initial digging with her entrenching tool before her squad was sent to man this outpost.

"Of course you are fine with this Pelto. You only joined the Auxiliaries for pay and food. Well some of us joined for more than steady pay and rations. Some of us want to defend our families from the chaos that keeps haunting the Sector."

Okay now Corporal Curti was lashing out. They all had received much from the Empire. If the Empire hadn't intervened when Bria's former captain tried to "uphold" her indenture after the ship was damaged beyond repair, she would still be "indentured" to the man today. Luckily the local Imperials got very upset with him when he tried to convince her that was how things were done. Corporal Curti disparaging the gratitude they felt was stepping over a line.

"Corporal Curti I understand you are upset at not being able to draw blood to those that endanger your kin, but we are doing important work here. Professor Blarmsmorth's discovery was important enough to the Empire that someone was going to get sent. If the job has to be done, better it be us so our better trained and armed comrades can take the fight to the enemy."

Bria is sure their commander Major Scham would also want to get into the fight. She still remembers the Major's inspiring tale he gave when her company left of how he defeated a whole Rebel platoon single-handedly. A war hero who had fought in a hundred battles for the Empire must be raring to lead their battalion into fray. If the Empire was willing to send someone as capable as him to lead us mere Auxiliaries, then they must have the situation well in hand.

"Look I may not be as patriotic as you two, but Bria has the right attitude. Just because we can't see the impact we are making, doesn't mean we aren't making a difference. While I am mostly in this Auxiliary gig for the pay and to get out of the slums, I don't want the Sector to fall either. Can't exactly spend my Imperial Credits if there is no Empire in the area to say they are worth anything. We are all invested in the Empire's success in our own way."

As Private Pelto continues to try to calm down Corporal Curti, Bria notices movement in the corner. She sees a fanged maw open up a meter from Corporal Curti's exposed neck. Too close to trust the shoddy accuracy of her CDEF rifle. With a practiced motion she takes out her knife and throws it straight into the eye of the creature. The feathery reptile is left impaled into the wall of the outpost hanging limply with a slight sway. The sudden instance of violence snaps her two fellow Auxiliaries out of their conversation.

"See. Like Private Pelto said. We are keeping watch over this place for potential dangers to the Empire. We are the eyes of the Empire in its most distant corners so its heavier hands can roam freely. Now who wants to check in back at base to see if this beast is edible? The rest of our squad will be back from patrol with the X-34 and the speeder bike soon and some fresh meat stew should be just the thing to cheer everyone up."

Bria had already taken out her knife and begun butchering and skinning the beast with habitual ease. The motions reminded of those massiffs she killed and skinned back when some pirates attacked the Cramped Hindquarters. Just like then they should not let good skin and meat go to waste. Imagine her squad's faces when Bria waves them in for some fresh food. She'll have to wash her hands and face of the blood before the cooking begins. They all needed some relaxation to unwind. Maybe when they get some leave time Bria will invite the two on a trip to Tantooine. She heard from the squad that they have great water parks there. Oooh they could make it a beach trip! She has never been on one of those before.

——

Imperial Auxiliary Battalion Order of Battle and Doctrine Reviewby General Gras Umbra

IAB Order of Battle

Type: Light Infantry

Sub-type: Low-cost screening unit

Troop numbers (excluding support personnel and droids):

• 650 per battalion
• 149 per company
• 36 per platoon
• 9 per squad

Standard Auxiliary trooper equipment load-out:

• Blast vest
• Blast helmet
• CDEF rifle
• Entrenching tool
• Comlink
• Small backpack for food, water, ammo, and other miscellaneous supplies

Company level sub weapons:

• 3 BlasTech light repeating blasters
• 2 "Light Sport" hunter hunting blasters for snipers
• A small amount of anti-vehicle grenades

Battalion level sub weapons:

• 4 short range mortars
• 8 BlasTech light repeating blasters
• 2 light blaster cannon emplacements

Company vehicle pool

• 4 open top or fabric top cargo speeders for transporting troops and equipment
• 1 speeder truck as a command vehicle
• 2 civilian speeder bikes for recon
• 1 X-34 landspeeder for patrol
• 1 towed anti-air blaster turret

Battalion vehicle pool

• 2 shuttles for rapid or priority transport
• 2 speeder trucks for battalion command transport
• 12 open top or fabric top cargo speeders for logistics and company level relocation.
• 4 military speeder bikes
• 1 two man Imperial scout walker
• 1 Ferdana Light Tank

Typical IAB deployment

The typical Imperial Auxiliary Battalion is a light infantry battalion. The highest level of organization is kept to the battalion level due to anonymous and signed reports of concerns from Imperial Officers of the possibility of mass defection. Keeping their level of organization artificially limited was a compromise so they can be outmaneuvered by regiment level tactics from other Imperial formations should the worst occur. IABs are primarily used for screening or picket deployments where they assigned to defend areas as large as a planetary region under low levels of threat.

IABs are expected to operate independently in the area of operation with minimum resupply once deployed unless given orders by a higher ranking commander. Due to the spread out nature of their areas of operation, IABs are often split up and dispersed across the area typically at the company level. These areas are often sparsely populated with little to no room for quartering a company. When a company has to be deployed to a new area, a platoon is shipped via shuttle to secure the area and prepare for the company's arrival. The rest of the company arrives by speeder transport supplemented by the battalion's vehicle pool.

Once the entire company arrives, they select or are selected a position for their main base and begin digging in. Trenches are dug, fencing was set up, prefabs are assembled, and towers are raised to ensure their base is as secure as they can make it. Each Imperial Auxiliary is provided an entrenching tool to assist in the fortification process. Minimal droid and utility vehicle assistance is provided due the low supply priority of IABs.

With a base of operations established the IAB will begin running patrols by foot, landspeeder, or speeder bike. Periphery outposts may be established and assigned a squad to provide more passive and static watch over an area. An IAB's main focus is maintaining defensive positions and reporting any threats that come their way. Offensive actions are only encouraged to be undertaken if there is a large advantage in manpower and firepower.

A company of Imperial Auxiliaries can be expected to withstand an assault from light forces of lesser numbers on the defensive. Should a force of equal strength be encountered, the company shall report to the battalion command and aid shall be sent to reinforce the company. This aid can come in the many forms. Additional Auxiliaries may be sent from another company to provide extra numbers. Vehicles may be dispatched such as the two man Imperial scout walker and military speeder bikes driven by crews from the battalion command's security platoon to provide mobility, reconnaissance, and firepower in poor terrain. If the situation is particularly dire, battalion command can send the battalion's sole Ferdana Light Tank to provide anti armor capability and armored support.

Should an enemy force exceed an Auxiliary Battalion's capacity to defend in local or total, the battalion should contact nearby Imperial forces on the planet to request support. IABs are typically deployed alongside Imperial Army formations that are assigned to more important areas of the planet, so this aid should be sufficient for most threats outside of a planetary invasion. Should a planetary invasion or similar threat occur, the battalion shall contact the highest ranking Imperial Officer they can contact and subordinate themselves to their wider battle plan posthaste. Even if it should normally take them outside their assigned area of operation or engage in operations normally outside their normal activities.

Finally it has come to the author's attention that some commanders have begun to refer to a company of Auxiliaries by the term "pocket sand". While this may be accurate to how some commanders utilize IABs under their command for distractions and feints to disrupt enemy reconnaissance, the term itself is seen as derogatory. It is the recommendation of the author that a directive from Command be issued to discourage the use of the term.

——

A look into how the Imperial Auxiliaries are doing. They might be inexperienced and brittle, but at least they are taking up assignments so the stormtroopers don't have to. Despite her naive nature, rose-tinted worldview, and ignorance of the concept of sarcasm, Bria is correct in seeing the value of essentially being bodies to take up space. Seriously there are so many times stormtroopers get deployed to some random ruin or excavation with nothing militarily valuable anywhere nearby. A lot of the time there isn't even some force artifact or especially dangerous defenses to protect the archeologists from, they are just needed so a protagonist has something recognizably evil to dispatch when they show up.

The IMSDP was a designation I came up with to integrate these often frivolous assignments into the Imperial Military structure. The designation is a way to earmark reserve formations in a Sector to be dispatched piecemeal on mook duty assignments for self-important Officials. Mainly so these idiots don't try to pull a company of soldiers on active duty to go comb a barren desert or something. Not like it would be a bad concept to have in theory. A planet or Imperial Asset worried about a potential imminent threat or someone who discovered a valuable technology or resource deposit can call up the Empire to request an Imperial garrison or escort (or an addition to an existing one), and the Empire has a ready pool of troops to draw from. Would also be useful post-Endor for some old fashioned protection-selling to bring errant worlds back into the Imperial fold.

As for the IAB Order of Battle, oh boy did the Empire screw these unfortunate sentients over when it comes to armaments for cost and ideological reasons. Here's an example of just how poorly equipped the IABs are. If you take all of an IAB's sub weapons, (weapons stronger or more specialized than their standard rifle), an Auxiliary Battalion can equip just over 1 sub weapon per platoon. The typical Imperial Army formation on paper at this time has at least 1 sub weapon per squad. Things get even worse when you compare the vehicles since a majority of vehicles the IABs are using are just civilian vehicles without weapons or significant armor. At least the doctrine they use gives them some slack and the instruction to scream for help whenever something vaguely threatening and organized comes their way.

Crossposted on SB and SV

 

[Freefaller]

Chp-114

Las

Ten minutes.

I'd called using an emergency line, and they put me on hold for ten minutes.

"Oh! Moff Mola, is that you? What a surprise! I heard your holonet was down..."
Moff Ecressys's voice was smooth, almost warm with concern.

But I could feel it, a texture to his being. Like a film of slime, thing and sticky, covering what appeared to be almost a person, but not quite

"I appreciate the concern, Moff Ecressys. These are dark times for the Myto Sector, and the road to recovery is long." I rubbed my eyes, making my exhaustion clear. It helped that my headache pounded on, and for a quick second I caught his expression shift.

Like a vulture catching wind of a corpse. Good.

"Truly awful, my friend. Do you have a plan for recovery?" His smile was wider now, almost grandfatherly. Not quite as good as Palpatine, though.

"We're doing what we can, but trade has been massively disrupted. We can scarcely keep our lanes safe, much less move cargo. It will take weeks, if not months to reactivate the entire network." My voice came out a little scratchier that time, an intentional affectation. I took a sip of coco as though to soothe my throat.

His eyes shone, even while a frown overtook his face and he wrung his hands.

"Truly horrible. Tell me, is there anything I can do to help? The Velcar sector is more than open to assist you..."

In the background of the holo, a figure appeared. Not for long, just a second, and I saw few details, far away as they were.

But I did catch one thing. A slave collar, not unlike the ones I'd seen on thousands of people when the Slaver Coalition had still been around.

A bile seemed to rise in my throat, and I took a longer chug of my coco to chase it away. Could I do this? I'd know, for every second of every day of my life, where that medicine would come from.

An alert on my terminal screen. The death count was done.

5000 people. That was the minimum.

I had no other choice.

"I hate to inconvenience you, but it would be a great help. The factories are closing and warehouses are empty. But worst of all, our sector lacks adequate medical production, and we have a great need for life saving medicine. What we have will not last, and people will die."

I knew what people said about me. They looked at a job well done and whispered about a bleeding heart. They saw no political ambitions and thought I was either a knife in the dark or a fool elevated for ease of control.

And the best way to lie to someone was to play into their preconceived notions of who you are.

"Why, the Velcar sector can certainly help. We have plenty of local medicinal production. I'd be glad to send shipments of medicine, and more to the Myto Sector. Though, I must admit the merchants of my sector would want…compensation."

He wasn't even being subtle about it.

"The sector isn't in the greatest shape. I'm not sure how much compensation we might be able to give…but its for the good of the Empire, so we will make do."

From there, the discussion devolved into a trade deal. He made increasingly exorbitant demands, and I accepted most but not all. After all, by letting him have a few bigger wins, he'd ignore the smaller things.

Ultimately, the deal hashed out as such. For the duration of the holonet blackout, Velcar merchants selling high-priority goods such as medical supplies would be paid double the market rate for the supplies, face neither tariffs or fees of any kind for any other goods they traded, and be given all the premium Guild benefits.

For a prospecting merchant, it was the perfect opportunity. So long as they were selling medical supplies, they could gain all the benefits of a premium, top of the line Guild member. Meaning it would be far easier to get a company up and running and establish contracts.

Of course, the actual crisis wouldn't last more than a week. And in that week, well, the Guild would be in panic mode, and wouldn't have all that much time to process Velcar merchant paperwork, now would they.

Once the conversation was over, I slumped back into my seat. My brain no longer seemed to be beating my skull with a hammer, downgrading instead to a baseball bat.

"Roius" I said, hand on my comm unit. "I got the medical supplies. Velcar sector merchants. I'll send the list of benefits they get."

"...Understood, sir."

"And spread the word, discreetly, to port masters dealing with them. I want a full report on how they conduct business. Every detail you can find."

"Of course, sir. Shall I also send up comparative documents on Guild merchant practices?"

"Yes please. And once they're done terrorizing that ISB agent, ask Myr'thos if they've got a concoction for headaches."

"Considering they had one that induced hyper-rapid hair growth, I'm sure they have something, sir."

"Good, thanks. Anything else to report?"

"We've established communications with Akahista. The Governor is quite displeased we drew forces to reinforce the trade lanes."

Akahista. What a pain in my ass, that planet. Ostensibly just a normal Imperial planet, in reality it holds The Hub, a central supercomputer that helps coordinate the entire Imperial Navy. It has two rulers, the Governor beholden to me, and an Admiral beholden to the Emperor.

We had no authority over the Admiral's forces, but could call on the Governor's oversized fleet to help squash piracy in a pinch. Unfortunately, that rat bastard had political power, and would be a pain in my ass in the days to come.

For now, I just wanted this damned headache to end.

–

Yo, what's popping. Shorter chapter than I'm usually cool tossing out these days, but I needed to get back into the flow of writing Las once more. I've been quite preoccupied with my Battletech fic, nearly a chapter a day with a wildly different protagonist so I decided to move slowly when writing Las once more.

Next chapter will be longer, some ~5k words as I've been trying to hit.

Keep it breezy, steezy.
-Freefaller

 

[GrimmKenway8646]

For now, I just wanted this damned headache to end.

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At least Vader gets to choke out the people that piss him off. Poor Las is far away from his red stress balls.

 

[PersonablePlatypus]

Of course, the actual crisis wouldn't last more than a week. And in that week, well, the Guild would be in panic mode, and wouldn't have all that much time to process Velcar merchant paperwork, now would they.

Click to shrink...

Did I read that right? Velcar merchants got a semi permanent elite tier guild backed exemption for all matters medical ?

… that seems highly irresponsible.

 

[ActionJHW]

Looks more and more like it was imperial sabotage. Sadly Las is a bit predictable considering he puts his people ahead of the usual political games, so a competent rival could both profit from his crisis and use the fact that he drew defensive forces from important federal military installations as a sign of incompetence and putting himself above the emperor.

 

[bloodyparty]

Did I read that right? Velcar merchants got a semi permanent elite tier guild backed exemption for all matters medical ?

… that seems highly irresponsible.

Click to shrink...

Why would it be permanent? In the end las is innerly saying the crisis will be resolved soon and he'll have the paperwork for the benefits delayed so they'll never go in effect?

 

[PersonablePlatypus]

Why would it be permanent? In the end las is innerly saying the crisis will be resolved soon and he'll have the paperwork for the benefits delayed so they'll never go in effect?

Click to shrink...

That answers my question if I read that correct sufficiently, thank you kind stranger!

 

[Mistroz]

Excellent chapter.

 

[Heidao]

Well, this crisis proved the perfect time to give his sector a proper shakedown run, to see how it handles thing from all angles. Any other sector would've probably seen mass deaths along with riots, and their respective moffs vanishing in fear.

5k dead as the best low end estimate, is already impressive in itself. It already shows the level of developed infrastructure in terms of medical and healthcare coverage he has across his worlds, and these deaths would likely be from cases of rare conditions that would've required more specialized care and low supply medications.

Still though, while every moff saw an opportunity to fleece or snub him during this crisis, it also tells who to cut off or who needs disappearing later. They think he'll be crippled for months at his word, and while they come swarming to feast at his sides, they don't see in their greed that it's a decoy, and he's nearby watching their conduct.

For he knows the Empire is set to fall, and they won't be around long to cash in their debts

 

[Yacov]

"We're doing what we can, but trade has been massively disrupted. We can scarcely keep our lanes safe, much less move cargo. It will take weeks, if not months to reactivate the entire network." My voice came out a little scratchier that time, an intentional affectation. I took a sip of coco as though to soothe my throat.

Click to shrink...

Wow that is a good sob story. It helps Las is genuinely concerned for his people, helps sell the exaggeration better.

In the background of the holo, a figure appeared. Not for long, just a second, and I saw few details, far away as they were.

But I did catch one thing. A slave collar, not unlike the ones I'd seen on thousands of people when the Slaver Coalition had still been around.

Click to shrink...

And like that Moff Ecressys is firmly in the temporary partner category. Come on Las, your power can't reach this far yet, so grin and stomach it.

An alert on my terminal screen. The death count was done.

5000 people. That was the minimum.

I had no other choice.

Click to shrink...

Las: "5000 deaths! What a tragedy for my Sector!"

Other Moffs: "5000? Those are rookie numbers. Watch as I enslave some inconsequential species on a world to build a vanity project out of tens of thousands of dead slaves!"

The rest of the galaxy: points at a little thing called the Galatic Civil War they have been having.

Ultimately, the deal hashed out as such. For the duration of the holonet blackout, Velcar merchants selling high-priority goods such as medical supplies would be paid double the market rate for the supplies, face neither tariffs or fees of any kind for any other goods they traded, and be given all the premium Guild benefits.

Click to shrink...

"For the duration of the HoloNet blackout" is the key phrase here. Ecressys is assuming he can milk this for months, while the HoloNet will be up in a week and some change, depending on how "HoloNet blackout" is defined in the contract.

 

[Heidao]

"For the duration of the HoloNet blackout" is the key phrase here. Ecressys is assuming he can milk this for months, while the HoloNet will be up in a week and some change, depending on how "HoloNet blackout" is defined in the contract.

Click to shrink...

And this why I love this story, Las went from an isekai'd dude out of his depth, to a skilled and cunning moff running on good morals and ethics, becoming the envy and enemy to many of his peers.

This also means that if the moff understood that it means under the continued blackout, he might actually be cleverly stupid enough to gamble on sabotage, either by proxies or worse his own merchants and guard escorts. Never knowing the system had been back online already and the patrols are no longer blind.

 

[oscar e Sampedro Lopez]

Thanks for the chapter. Good story as always

 

[Heidao]

This is an opportunity to entrap Moff Ecressys, if the fool knows he's getting double the market price for medical supplies, he might call the other moffs that snubbed Las for all they can send for as high as possibly 30% so he could profit at the double cost.

He might even be dumb enough to do it with loans or promises of IOUs to them. Then when they're all dangerously low on their own local supply, and he's stuck with a glut of them in his stores.

Las strikes

"Problem solved, thanks for the help, prices are back to normal"

He's caught with the bag and a ton of debt in his hands

 

[PepeDeLosPalotes]

Tftc

 

[Blackenedthorn]

"For the duration of the HoloNet blackout" is the key phrase here. Ecressys is assuming he can milk this for months, while the HoloNet will be up in a week and some change, depending on how "HoloNet blackout" is defined in the contract.

Click to shrink...

I feel like this Slimo "Colleague" is the type to hire mercenaries or pirates to make certain the blackout lasts longer, especially if he learns they're days not weeks away from coming back online.

 

[Rustic]

Okay just reread chapter 113 before delving into chapter 114 glad to see you pushed another chapter out.
I understand why you wrote a short chapter. I would like to point out that 114 could easy be added to 113. As for the idea on the chapter. I think these emergency communication should be automatically recorded. Then silently passed around behind las back. With a note after dealing with other moffs las took migraine medication. Before getting back to work. A silent distribution of this little tidbit that never gets out on the news. Yet everyone slowly finds out about.

Also I really do want to see that Hutt who is not corrupt. In charge of something incredibly important. While having like thirty sexy twilek girls running around his office in secretary outfits and body guard positions. So when ever his cousins call him. He face times with wealth displayed. Making his criminal cousins jealous.

 

[AdrianXIV]

Also I really do want to see that Hutt who is not corrupt. In charge of something incredibly important. While having like thirty sexy twilek girls running around his office in secretary outfits and body guard positions

Click to shrink...

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Blotus

There is no mentions of what species his aides had, but it's possible that some of them were Twi'leks

 

[Rustic]

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Blotus

There is no mentions of what species his aides had, but it's possible that some of them were Twi'leks

Click to shrink...

Nice however freefaller introduced a younger hutt in a earlier chapter for his secretary position before settling down for the cyborg. I wanted to see that hutt advance.

 

[Heidao]

Nice however freefaller introduced a younger hutt in a earlier chapter for his secretary position before settling down for the cyborg. I wanted to see that hutt advance.

Click to shrink...

Hmm, there is an appeal for a joke of approaching a big throne room to meet the Hutt, and the room is decorated (Probably by our dear Muun friend) and it's just the reception room to request meeting Las

 

[Agmmagm]

doesnt he have competent officers and decent spy network? how do they allow internet to taken down and no idea whats happening? tftc

 

[paxus22]

did mugwuffins tail flip the switch by accident?

or was it.. no feed me bbq snacks?? welll..... no net for you muhaahah.. hmm bbqqqqq

 

[Yacov]

Omake: Elipur Speederwalker

Production Information

Manufacturer: Minda Imperial R&D

Model: L1-PR "Elipur" Speederwalker

Type: Speeder bike/Walker

Cost: 55,000 Credits new

Technical Information

Max Speed:

• 70 kph (walker)
• 280 kph (speeder bike)

Hull: lightly and sparsely armored

Armament:

• 2 light blaster cannons

Sensor system: limited

Other Systems:

• Transformation system (non-combat)

Crew: 1 Pilot

Cargo: 10 kg

Consumables: 2 days

——

Usage

Availability: Limited production run of prototypes

Role:

• Long mixed terrain patrols
• Scouting
• Exploration

Affiliation:

• Imperial scouting forces in the Myto Sector

——

Description

"We have combined all the strengths of speeder bikes and walkers! Now nothing can stop us!"

"Except any weapon heavier than infantry weapons. Or someone with good aim with an infantry weapon." - Conversation at the Minda R&D celebration party following the completion of the first Elipur Speederwalker.

The L1-PR (Layout 1 Prototype) Speederwalker nicknamed the Elipur is an experimental vehicle produced by Minda R&D. An attempt to combine the speed of a speeder bike and the terrain maneuverability of a walker in one vehicle. Initial testing has proven the design is viable, if still able to benefit from some refinement.

Design

"No no, see here? We put the legs on the back, and they can deploy to walk around."

"Hard to make it out with the brandy stains, but I think I get it." - R&D scientists discuss the initial blueprints for the Elipur Prototype.

The impetus for the Elipur's creation was an incident where a Minda R&D scientist witnessed a Shekelesh gunship land in a spaceport before trundling along on its legs during one of his vacation days. It got him thinking if walker functionality could be added to spaceships, why couldn't it be added to something smaller like a speeder? After a trip to the cantina later that night, the Elipur project was proposed the next day with some alcohol-stained initial designs written on napkins.

The flagship component of the Elipur is its transformation system. This system allows the Elipur to switch from a speeder bike configuration to a walker configuration as needed in order to prioritize speed or rough terrain capability as needed. First the Elipur comes to a full stop to prepare to switch modes. When the TS is engaged in speeder bike mode the legs unfold from the rear of the vehicle and plant themselves on the ground. A small repulsor jump is done to boost up the body before settling into its walker configuration. When the TS is engaged in walker mode, the legs bend to allow the body to plant itself on the ground. The legs then fold into the rear before the repulsorlift is fully engaged to allow the Elipur to move in speeder bike mode. The TS' simplicity had allowed for a quick turnaround time from drawing board to working prototype for the Elipur.

In order to test the transformation system as throughly as possible, various accommodations have been made to the Elipur's design. The legs of the walker mode have been increased in size in order to ensure stability and ease of testing while in walker mode. Weight reductions were implemented in the form of less armor and a smaller, uncomplicated control system. The walker and speeder controls both use handlebars and sensor and electronic equipment is kept to a minimum despite the Elipur's scouting designation. The TS itself was designed to favor reliability and consistency over speed of switching between modes. Armaments were kept light to dedicate more power and chassis space to the TS while still allowing for some self defense capability.

Cost wise the Elipur comes in at significantly more costly than a AT-RT while costing less than a full on AT-ST. This was expected given the Elipur was a prototype and required non-standard parts by design. The Elipur is slower in walker mode and far less armed than the most other walkers such as AT-RT. Still the ability to travel long distances at over 200 kph is argued to be a potentially acceptable trade off. In terms of speeder bikes the Elipur is a bit on the slow end which limits its potential as a pursuit vehicle against speeder based forces.

Performance Review

"Well it doesn't actively kill the testers when they use it, so already better than a lot of prototypes. It just aids the enemy doing so with its slow transformation time." - Opinion of the commander of a scouting force assigned an Elipur for field testing.

The short turnaround from design blueprint to working model left the designers of the Elipur admittedly a bit over enthusiastic. They quickly did a limited production run to make a batch before rubber stamping their approval for field testing. These testing units were then sent out to scouting forces across the Sector to evaluate their performance. Reviews say the Elipur served adequately as a scout vehicle. However numerous areas of concern were brought up before any tester would recommend going into full production.

For one, the Elipur's main feature, its transformation system, takes a painfully slow 45 seconds to complete switching between modes. This is an eternity in combat and makes drivers incredibly stressed about their vulnerability during the process. Drivers were reluctant to transform even in relatively safety due to not wanting to be vulnerable outside of their main base. Multiple Elipurs being deployed on the same patrol helped alleviate that reluctance. Although it lengthened their patrol times as drivers would only transform one at a time while the other Elipurs guarded its vulnerable sibling.

These concerns were not heightened by the lackluster armor strength and coverage of the driver. Outside some coverage on front prow protecting the mid and lower torso, the driver is completely exposed to potential enemy fire. While there have been no fatalities, fears are constant of drivers being shot out from their seats in walker mode should Elipurs be brought into battle.

These fears of enemy fire are far less in speeder bike mode where speed is seen as armor. Although being slower than most other speeder bikes raises its own concerns among testers. This is exasperated by the Elipur's relatively poor handling. The bulky legs of the walker mode are stored in the back of the speeder mode. This leads to weight imbalance and drag at high speed and turns, which causes drivers to be more hesitant to engage in high speed maneuvers compared to other speeder bikes.

Technicians servicing the Elipurs pointed out their own areas of improvement, primarily concerning the transformation system. The TS is a relatively novel use of existing technology so most technicians understand the theory behind it. However even that level of novelty brings unfamiliarity. That unfamiliarity combined with debris occasionally having a habit of being caught in the system mid-transformation has led to increased maintenance times as technicians try to figure out how to repair and maintain this new system. Every time a driver breaks or stresses an Elipur in a new way out in the field, technicians not only have to figure out how to fix it, they have to fill out reports on their methods back to R&D so they can be inserted into new updates for the Elipur's technical manuals.

All these performance issues are well within the estimated levels for testing prototypes in the field. The Elipur was designed to prove a concept, not be the most optimal of vehicles. Most testers have agreed that the Elipur had at least met that low bar. The fact the Elipur can function in the field is already an achievement according to testers given how other "working" prototypes performed in that metric.

Conclusion and avenues for improvement

"Look I get the Elipur is not the most impressive vehicle. However not every prototype has to be an ultra high spec wonder weapon flash in the pan like the TIE Defender. That's what refinement and iterative design is meant for." - R&D scientist advocating for further funding to continue research into speederwalker technology.

Overall the Elipur is currently a passable scouting vehicle with multi terrain function. As a combat vehicle it is lacking, although it may work on lightly armed and unskilled infantry. Scouting forces that have received prototypes say the concept works, but it is obvious that there is room for improvement. Currently R&D has two options for improvement should funding be provided.

One option is to focus on limiting weight and improving the speed of the transformation system. This will make the new design geared entirely towards scouting and movement while minimizing combat potential. Focus on limiting weight should reduce the cost of individual units and allow the new design to be deployed to scouting formations to ensure the enemy has little terrain they can hide in. This reduction in cost should allow this new design to be converted for civilian and law enforcement use once the transformation system is no longer labeled a military secret.

The other option is to bulk the armor, armament, and hull of the new design into the mass of a small landspeeder. This would give the new design durability more suitable for combat roles. The reinforced hull will allow the new design to have front and side armor to protect the driver regardless of which mode it is in. It would however increase the costs of the new design which would impact the feasibility of mass production. While the transformation system will still leave the new design vulnerable when switching modes, outside of that vulnerability the new design should be equivalent of a light combat vehicle. A quicker and more maneuverable walker design compared to our AT-ST while still not being as technically complicated as the LECAs.

Either way, Minda R&D will register the Elipur as a sufficient proof of concept design. We at the lab hope to be allowed to further improve the concept in the future.

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This is my attempt at making a realistic prototype and testing unit in Star Wars. I added a bit of a scientist report tone with this one for fun. Speederwalkers I think are new to Star Wars. However with stuff like the Vulture and the Shekelesh being able to go from ship flying to walking on the ground, I feel the pieces of technology are already there to make something like this. Of course just because they are there doesn't mean combining them for the first time isn't going to lead to some initial problems. Still I think the Elipur is good foundation for speederwalkers, even if it is not an optimal speederwalker itself.

The inspiration for this one is the GTF-13M, a snow bike that can transform into a walker from the Lost Planet game series. Lost Planet has some good designs for "down to earth" walkers.

Crossposted on SB and SV