9AFE/10BBY
Nuiri Sector
Noryath System
Planet Noryan
Noryan Imperial Base
"The empire takes and drains the freedom and joy from every crevice it can find. You are a slave to your masters of oppression," The rebel says without regret.
"All of us are slaves one way or another, and I prefer to be a slave with power, than a slave with none," Titus stated nonchalantly.
"And if you think the empire is your enemy you are a fool!" He continued
"Then that I shall be, but you can't change the fact of what you are! And that is an oppressor!" He retorted.
Titus's brow raised at his remark, it was always the same with these political dissidents, and they always labelled the imperial state with the same words , some being: oppressors, fascists, tyrants, murderers, thieves, and even worse descriptions he restrained himself from saying etc
They weren't too off on the description if he was being honest. But he never witnessed the empire do anything out of lone cruelty so far …. and no doubt he one day will but for now.
This state was just a massive machine still undergoing construction that still needed resources and maintenance to its ever expanding domain."Opportunistic core ward parasites, and selfish tyrants who care nothing for those of us in the outer rim. Destroying and corrupting all that was once good," The old rebel scowls.
'Well we definitely did that here he couldn't deny that , and Moff Lyjan was to be blamed for the bad governance of the sector' he agreed mentally.
What Lyjan did wrong was ruining a prosperous Agricultural industry to create a mining one.
The high demand for minerals and metals by the Imperial government and the galaxy had driven prices up over the past few years and the Nuiri sector was heavily laden with such valuable resources.
Lyjan being the shrewd moff he was, created numerous factories and mines to harness such resources, even at the detriment of the sector's Agricultural industry.
"Blame not the empire for all you've suffered, if anything your local government who was happy to sell you all out for profit. Have you not watched the holo news? Your senator doesn't truly care about your wellbeing. Your Prime Minister cares little for you all. Yet still he's on his way to possibly be re elected. So tell me this how do you desire to fight your so called invaders yet still your true enemies are your neighbors."
The man was silent. The angry look in his eyes abated a little.
"You don't truly wish for resistance or rebellion , you just want payback for what was taken from you as many do. Your comrade over there though on the other hand is a different story. So I say this to you, help me and I'll help you"
"You expect me to help you imperial?" The man scorned.
"To trust your kind?"He added mockingly.
"To have faith in those who have destroyed this world and tainted the foundation of its economy."
"No but your daughter surely does, she knows you're alive, she knows what you are and what you've done. I guess faking your death years ago to protect her from us didn't go so well"
The man rustled in his chains trying to break free to attack his captor.
"Fear not,Ms Chani unlike you is a proper citizen, and I am not a man who would blame a child for the sins of their father. "
"I thus extend this offer to you once more: if you provide me with information, I will not only be forgiving but also make sure that your daughter is shielded from imperial persecution and scrutiny. Be aware that our intelligence colleagues are observing her even as we speak, and they are not as understanding as I am,"Titus said.
The father was now considering his daughter or the revolt; it was a big choice. However, the choice between family and rebellion shouldn't have to be made.
He already placed the rebellion over his family, was he thinking of doing it again.
— — — — — —
It had now turned into a month of finding and destroying the local rebel forces that plagued the Nuiri Sector.
Grand Moff Tarkin and Moff Lyjan had been pleased with the progress made so far . The leader Desaad was not yet found but the results of Titus's work showed. Less harassment by local rebel forces on imperial sites, a decrease in rebel activity sector wide. All a result of subterfuge, silent tactics , assassinations, and political repression.
The rebels had become less and less active. Executions and trials had become the fate of those he captured.Silent trials by local judges , the executions were carried out in the same fashion. He had the local Judiciary carry out the sentences of these terrorists and so fingers wouldn't be pointed to the empire.
He had encouraged and taken advantage of the one thing rebel factions hardly possessed… unity.
With all their ideals of a better life free from imperial oversight, all of them had different ideas of going about it.There were no honor among thieves and though not far off, the rebels weren't so different. Resources were few and hard to get by , tensions ran high and paranoia further divided those that didn't fall under Desaad's leadership.
If desaad wanted to hide let him hide but everything would be torn down around him , his allies would lose faith in his leadership and question their resolve and fight against the empire. Hopefully one day they could kill each other though that might be wishful thinking.
— — — —-
Imperial Star Destroyer
Vanguard
"Sir" The olive gray clad officer called out as he now paced beside his younger counterpart.
Other Imperial personnel stepped aside quickly as the Commander of the Vanguard, and the vanguard's army compliment commander marched down the grey metallic hall at pace.
"Major Gar" ,Titus answered without slowing.
"The prisoner has given up their base on Nilon 4, my scouts on the planet have confirmed its validity," the grim army commander reports.
"This is good news captain Gar! This would surely shine some more light on Nilon 4's insurgency, I have no doubt its leadership lies elsewhere but we might have much to gain from that base's capture. Prepare a commando unit and some technicians for departure. Have Captain Manzin take charge of the mission since Captain Kelse is occupied on Tigrit's moon ."
Captain kelse of the Imperial Army was Major Gar's second in command and right hand man , then there was Captain Manzin who was a senior Stormtrooper officer and commander of the Stormtrooper Division aboard the Vanguard
"But sir, I …
"Your presence is needed elsewhere major",
Gar tried to protest but was silenced.
"I will be departing to the Quell System later for a staff meeting to report to Grand Moff Tarkin, the regional governors, the sector fleet officers and Moff Lyjan of course will be present. So I would much appreciate your valuable input there," he stopped in his tracks to say, to which Gar followed.
The man looked on surprised, before changing his expression immediately to the grim stalwart storm trooper commander he was.
Ranus Gar was a major in the empire's military, a former captain in the republic's clone wars era but was sorely overlooked like many within the imperial military. The man was efficient as a war veteran could be.
He was a tactician and military genius in the field of combat and normally employed unorthodox tactics which were not necessarily favored by imperial oversight. As such he had been given 4 summary court martials for breaking protocol, but yet here he was serving loyally and faithfully. Gar was one of the best officers he had on the vanguard and indeed as older man in his early fifties his advise on matters were always taken in kind by Titus.
"Well that would be an honor sir," Gar said in thanks.
He was not a man that cared much for promotions through nepotism, as such he made himself valuable and proved his ability and skills through action.
"No thanks are needed major, going forward the desire to have your aid and skills as one of my trusted advisors not only will be needed for what obstacles we are to face in the future."
Young but he knew how to play at politics. If you were an officer of the imperial military and a commander of a Star destroyer at that , you needed to know how play the great game and know how to make friends.
— — — —
Titus's Office / Study
"The engineer, have you decided on what is to become of him?" Rommel questions before taking a sip of the red kattadan wine.
"I have , he is of value beyond measure. I cannot have ISB willing to condemn such a valuable person due to a way ward son of his being a part of a rebellion" Titus admitted before leaning back in his chair.
"I intend to convince the father to use his talents for the empire in exchange we'll have his son freed and all charges of sedition against him dropped."
"The ISB would not have it.Its their prisoner and you know how they are with their prisoners although we aren't too far different in some regards," Rommel responded.
"They will release him into my custody, as I will be taking this matter to the ears of Governor Tarkin. Dr Edred's research and projects could lead to massive advances in the imperial military. One which we should be aiming to be at the helm at,"Titus said to his wayward friend slowly nodded in contemplation.
"This Amplified mobility Platform could find its uses in all walks of life and daily application not only military. If we were to bring this to Grand Moff Tarkin and expound it's value then we might find ourselves being aptly rewarded. Perhaps then you'll be closer to even getting your wish of being governor of your home planet, perhaps even more" Titus added taking advantage of Rommel's ambition.
Though his counterpart was wise enough to understand his motive behind his words, he knew deep down he wasn't wrong. Rommel was ambitious, and for good reason. More than ever he was trying to gain enough power to return to his home planet to change its grisly fate. Plus he didn't only study for four years in Geo and Galactic politics to only be a mere lieutenant, to him navigation was only a likable hobby while doing his duty as one of the Vanguard's senior navigators.
"And you're sure of Edred's commitment? The man was not keen on imperial policies nor our interests," Dilon Rommel advised his friend.
"He is a businessman you know, and it is a logical stance to take since his company has lost numerous valuable clients to the imperial occupation over the years," The Aurellion heir clarifies.
" And suppose pardoning his way ward son is not enough to gain his support what then?" The outer rim native questioned with a raised brow.
"Then we lead by profit, offer him a deal that even a blind man would not refuse."
"What deal could a mere commodore of the imperial navy provide, perhaps if you were a Moff or a governor, but as commodore what can you offer to be so extravagant," Rommel mocks in question.
"Not as a commodore , but as a representative from the MINOC Corporation. I will rally the aid from MINOC and Edred would not refuse."