Governor's Gambit - Star Wars SI into Imperial Governor

[OrderedOrb]

I was thinking more Godfather movie references for a crime family.

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That actually IS part of the reference. Don Corleone started out by using an olive oild.business as a front. I think kt was a front for bootlegging in particular. It's been a long time simce I've seen tbe Godfather franchise though.

 

[Mistroz]

excellent chapter.

 

[Morkail]

Considering the kind of crazy crap our own corporations get away with, ones who can set up based on planets that basically no one will ever visit? I can easily imagine all kinds of horror story's

 

[Shiro345]

now i know this is the last thing las wants but i think some public executions or hard labor are in order.

 

[xscraid]

Just when I thought I was out...they pulled me back in!

 

[Yacov]

No, instead I'm forced to call her because she doesn't want to give up being both Guild Director and Vice-Governor.

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And those are just the jobs Las knows about. Does he know about the Web yet? SWEEP is still in the works I think?

They were found carrying many metric tons of cargo that wasn't on their manifest. Logging equipment, mining equipment, and a shit ton of parts for easy to assemble prefab structures.

So, they were arrested and interrogated, as one does to smugglers.

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Imagine getting a smuggling charge over mining and logging equipment. Although with the Scarred Hand still at large, they are lucky a Supporting Terrorism charge wasn't tacked on for good measure. Mining charges and IEDs are close enough to count.

The personnel that were interrogated revealed that the company had started expanding their holdings, and were in the process of extracting resources. Resources that they had no right to extract, as they were all Imperial property.

To put it plainly, Corleone had fucked up big time. They flagrantly violated Imperial Law, and were at my mercy.

If nothing else, this would serve as an example to other larger companies as to what happens when they try to take advantage of mine and the Guild's generous personalities.

In short order, I sent two messages.

One was to have all Corleone assets in the Minda and Edin systems blockaded, and all high-ranking members arrested immediately.

Troops were to move on the Minda-1 facilities and take control.

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New military base on Minda-1 get! Intentionally giving the Corpos enough rope to hang themselves and then seizing all their hard work when they run afoul of regulations. What a genius pre-planned strategy by the Governor!

For all intents and purposes, the Guild was now official. The successor Darna chose would have to be approved by his office, but I doubted there would be any trouble there. Moff Hiral was giving me, and by extension Minda, favorable treatment.

Minda would have a lot of power within the Guild, though still beholden to the Moff, of course. A good outcome, all things considered, which allowed me to stay in some control of the Guild while allowing the system to grow throughout the Myto sector.

The message I sent to the Guild was in regards to this whole kerfuffle. Darna would likely handle it, as I doubt she's picked out a successor. Even if she has, it would take a while longer before they were officially chosen.

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Yeah with the Guild expanding outside Las' domain, a more "acceptable" choice for leader is probably warranted. This shake up with the Guild leadership was inevitable as it grew.

I am not just talking about the alien thing. Concentrating all the Guild leadership positions around Las' inner circle would probably cause concern among the other member systems. A bone has to be thrown to the non-Mindan faction growing in the Guild.

For now, the Guild would investigate Corleone Industries, and bar them from the Guild if they were found guilty.

Of course, this is a minor punishment, and the company's best case scenario. Worst case? The company is forcefully disbanded, assets seized, leaders executed.

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That might seem like a harsh punishment (and it is). However, Corleone likely wasn't just planning to smuggle things into Minda, but they also probably intended smuggle things out of Minda as well.

If Corleone tried to sell the resources they illegally extracted from Minda-1 to the Guild, inspectors would probably discover where it came from. Guild inspectors probably were taught how to identify products coming from each planet in Minda and Minda-1 especially in preparation for extraction permits being made available.

So the only way Corleone would turn a profit on their resources would be if they sold them to third parties outside the system. This would result in Corleone being guilty of stealing resources from the Mindan system, not complying with inspection laws, stealing money from the Mindan Imperial government by not paying export duties and taxes on the sale, and running an illegal smuggling ring as well.

Yeah to say Corleone is screwed in the eyes of Imperial law is a severe understatement.

I sent a quick message to Grant, asking her what was going on and if I could help. If anyone knew what was happening, it was her.

Hopefully, I could intervene before she decided the only path forward was a shit ton of murder.

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Las, Grant is going to interpret that as an order to put the fear of the Empire into the ISB agent's goons and Reverse Frankensteinering anyone who objects.

It was when they arrived at the final cell that things truly changed.

Within lay not the emptiness of the previous cells, but a being. Fairly tall, green skinned, with prehensile feet and rough, handmade clothes. They looked up at the troopers from where they sat and strained against their chains, anger clearly filling their hearts.

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Oh goody, now there's a slavery charge. As if Minda didn't have enough incentive to drop the hammer on Corleone. Corleone really sounds like once of those colonial companies that got up to some ugly business in the 1800s.

Suggestions for this would be great, though following the same guidelines as the cruisers. Imperial, preferably canon/legends though I'm not opposed to fanart, and not super old or some ship from the future that R&D magics up out of nothing.

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I'd vote against the Lancer for being too slow and the Star Galleon for costing as much as half a Gladiator.

For recommendations, the Imperial-II and the Victory-II if you want to go full Dorrito. The Interceptor frigate is CEC, cheap, and decent with is two turbolasers and missiles so it's a contender. Sienar Fleet Systems Light Frigate has a faster hyperdrive, and is equipped with an ion cannon and four heavy lasers.

The Vengeance class frigate is technically an Imperial design, although the cloaking would probably be replaced with shields. The CC-9600 is a CEC design for a line frigate that drops the interdictor role of its predecessors if Las can swing it.

Joke answer would be the Tapani-class assault frigate at a modest price of 1.6 Billion credits.

 

[NaraRias]

I thought Darna's information network was going to locate this "burning hand" group. But that seems to have been dropped to insert the ISB douche? Especially after the attack it just seems weird that the Governor's people aren't trying as a first priority to solve this themselves.

 

[OriginalTaste]

Not gonna lie, last chapters feel kind of frustrating with the pile up of all minor inconveniences happening, Darna's network barely showing success, ISB dude doing jack shit, etc.. I get where Las is coming from, but it still feels like it's all about to be set on fire unless something good happens

 

[paxus22]

what's the chances yet another former rebel is promoted to take darna's old job? or operative of the web?

 

[DoomLordSteve]

The Carrack light cruiser is a frigate despite being called a light cruiser. By far your best option.

 

[Nikoli]

@Freefaller

You know. You could do a bit with the ISB agents. Make it a running gag. Like so.

Stormtrooper observes ISB Agent overreacting to people going about their daily lives and the Agent orders his escorts to open fire. Stormtroopers have a private conversation on their internal coms and stun said Agent. Agent is sent to Psychiatric hospital for a nervous breakdown and held incommunicado. Forced through therapy and medication for his hyperactive paranoia. Eventually becomes a socially adjusted intelligence agent who decides to stick around, forgets to contact his superiors.

ISB HQ does not hear from their agent send another. Rinse and Repeat.

Some years later when the Empire collapses you now have a very large socially adjusted Intelligence agents that for some reason think you are the best hope for the people, God Emperor of the Galaxy, and are fanatically loyal to seeing you at the head of the New Constitutional Monarchy/Empire, with local publicly elected representatives based on a meritocracy.

 

[averagejoe32]

Especially after the attack it just seems weird that the Governor's people aren't trying as a first priority to solve this themselves.

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What you makes you think they stopped looking? It's just the hand is a tiny group of people operating in cells across a system. If Las's people had found them in the space of couple days you'd have to ask how were they even a threat to begin with.

 

[paxus22]

im just waiting for the webs higher ups to have a meeting and we find a tinker ,tailor, soldier and a spy show up to discuss the hand lol

 

[Dalgoun]

Very excited to see some diplomacy with the natives. It got glossed over with Midna's natives ending up being chill, getting their own reserves, and giving our favorite imperial governor a knife. Him actually getting the whet his political chops against a very adversarial group (given the whole kidnapping and slavery thing) will be cool to see and great practice.

 

[Yacov]

Omake: Biggums The Clone

POV: Veggie the ex-Clone Trooper, Ugea, Accordia.

"Alright a bit closer, a biiiit cloooser, and there! You can set it down now Biggums."

When management informed Veggie that a new clone was joining the company, he was expecting one with four limbs. Biggums blew that expectation out of the water.

"That was the last pallet of building materials in the yellow area boss. Anything else on the docket?"

A normal sentient might have been intimidated with Biggums looming over them. However, Veggie was a sergeant back in the War, so he knew how to show the new guy the ropes. Must have not spent much time out of the tank for how quickly he was learning.

"No, that was the last of what needed to be moved today. Take your fifteen while I look up if there is anything more than needs to be moved."

Veggie checked his PAD as he watched the clone slither his way towards the shade. Biggums had really helped move the schedule along since they no longer had to wait for a LECA to do the heavy lifting.

"Alright Biggums! Looks like we have to wait for the guys from shipping to come before we can move on to the next phase. When you are done with that break, meet me at my office."

No work was good and bad news. Good news was they get to leave early. Bad news was Veggie is going to have help the new guy get his Resettlement forms in order. How could troopers write perfect reports and request forms, yet struggle so much with civil bureaucracy?

"Sure thing boss! I am going to have much lunch now so I got the energy to get through the flimsiwork."

Watching Biggums take out his lunch boa the size of a small crate made Veggie grateful the Clone Trooper Resettlement Program on Minda came with food subsidies. Clone Troopers already had a sped up metabolism, but Biggums was eating for a whole squad all on his own.

"You all right there Veggie? Having trouble getting the monster to eat his veggies? Worried he might stick you in those big gums of his?"

Veggie turned to his brother Snicker with a disapproving glare. Some back talk was allowed now that they were out of the army, but it had limits.

"I'll have no talk like that Snicker. We clones have to stick together. If we don't, then someone with a grudge against the Cartels will take one look at Biggums and try to use him to work out hurt feelings."

Still some part of Veggie's mind got where Snicker was coming from. He knew academically that the Long Necks cloned more than just humans. However, what unhinged cabal thought it was a good idea to make Hutt Clone Troopers?

——
This Omake was inspired by the wackier science the Galactic Empire got up to. Palpatine must have been really desperate for a new body for the Imperial scientists in the Hutt Clone Trooper program to get as far as it did before the project got shelved on Hivebase-1. Still better than the Seducer Droid built to seduce droids.

Crossposted on SB and SV

 

[TheEldritchKnight]

This is actually pretty interesting. What are the chances of this getting thrown are way because of are clone initiatives and Eriadu. Knowing of are connection to Commandant Mola, wants to dump this project to an out of the way system. To clean up their budget a bit after the scandal with Tarkin. Maybe we would get the research info and equipment on the project that we can chuck at RnD. We can probably use the equipment for multiple different things if we can reverse engineer the equipment in house for Minda. Maybe even help are Clone Troopers with their degradation problems with their genetics.

Possibly even help some of the Clone's who want a different appearance and that their children won't have the same problem as them. Also with the amount of them on planet that will definitely have problems of children's of clones accidentally marrying and having kids with other clones. Just the sheer amount of them would make it an eventuallity. So being able to scramble the genes a bit so that they are fourth or fifth cousins would be a serious peace of mind for them.

 

[RedDeadShyguy]

I thought clones didnt pass on the aging aspect to the children, as in the clones genetics were recessive.

 

[Rakdos92]

I thought clones didnt pass on the aging aspect to the children, as in the clones genetics were recessive.

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That's... the problem, isn't it? Like, if the child of a clone got with another child of a clone, then that speed-up aging is passed on to their respective child which would more likely than not cause that newborn to mature at a higher rate. Which is bad.

At minimum, the planet would need to roll out an app like the one in Iceland where people checked if and how closely related they are. It's just not feasible. Better to encourage clones to undergo gene therapy and live a longer life.

 

[Vengeful-Astartes]

Might have to arrange a accident for the ISB agent.

 

[paxus22]

Might have to arrange a accident for the ISB agent.

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death by hand? death by web/ death by imperial /death by civi stampede? so many options? or the good ol he tripped I promise.

 

[Freefaller]

Chp-64: Kailin

Abraxas Thorne
Minda System, Ugea, Accordia

There were many streets in the city of Accordia. 1,758, to be precise. Of those, 1,382 were named streets, boulevards, roads and thoroughfares. The remaining 376 were unnamed alleys, side streets, and sky-bridges.

Like the ones that crisscrossed the rows of buildings in the Kailin District. A dense urban crisscross of a marketplace, where day and night people hawked their wares.

As high as five stories above street level the market stretched. Such a densely packed marketplace was very likely prone to higher levels of crime simply due to the nature of the environment.

Around the district sat many smaller enforcer stations, situated in the densest areas of the markets to ensure a swift response to any potential crimes.

This would not be enough, however. The market was too dense, too crowded. There needed to be a larger effect, a larger presence that deterred crime simply by existing.

City-planners foresaw this outcome, and planned the district around it. As the district grew, an Imperial building, a sharp spire of brutalist authority was built in the center of the district, watching over the markets and docking a few LAAT/le's just in case.

Yet, the people were not bothered. An odd outcome considering other such cases throughout the Empire.

Thorne looked down at the market place. Kailin, the people called this district, officially named after the street the markets started on.

Which, in turn, was named after Kailin. The Unbroken Path. A spiritual concept of the native near-human Tula, representing the honor of the spoken word and written contract, just as the animals they hunt honor their migratory patterns.

The markets built around the street started in an attempt to take advantage of this. After all, they were markets of Kailin street, and they honored their word.

Now, it was far larger. And the honor the district was named after was still there to some extent, if weakened by sheer size and time.

Thorne's pitch black eyes swept across the district, scanning for any irregularities.

As he did this, he mentally reviewed what he had learned so far about the Minda system.

Like the market place, it sported an incredible rate of growth, attributed to an abundance of resources and an open immigration policy that focused on drawing immigrants here for manual labor.

This was not an unusual premise throughout the Empire. What was unusual was what came next.

The Governor focused on increasing the quality of the citizens, not just the quantity. Educational programs in the Outer Rim that featured a curriculum of more than just propaganda was rare, but the results spoke for themselves.

But that's not all, is it? Other variables interfered. The Guild, which was now spreading, pushed local markets upwards. It gave work to the immigrants, and led to more and more interest from other companies. The system grew and grew, infrastructure projects allowing for more growth, leading to a rare amount of prosperity in a sector so devoid of it.

What was truly odd, however, was the morale of the people. Thorne had seen many different populaces throughout his 15 years as an agent. The slave revolts, the valleys filled with slums and more. Oftentimes, the prosperity was either already there, or manufactured through suffering.

Not the most effective solution, but for an Empire of over a million worlds, it was efficient enough.

Yet, here, the Empire was popular. Stormtroopers were not avoided in the streets, and people cheered when large Imperial ships flew by the city. An investigation into the populace revealed a loyalty score of 78%. Far higher than average.

However, there was more. This investigation also revealed that many of the citizens directly or indirectly mentioned or credited the Governor for their feelings regarding the Empire and their lives in the Minda system. The Governor had raised this system up to its current standard, so it was logical that the people would see him as the one to praise for all the good he had done. Effective, undeniably. Dangerous? Maybe.

However, the Governor was unlikely to act on these feelings. Thorne's psych profile on the man was still growing, but already explained key parts of the man's personality. Las Mola was a meticulous man, who spent most of his time in his office doing work. Effective. The Minda and Edin systems had regularly exceeded quotas, even if now they are greatly reduced.

Mola's personal effects were mostly minimalistic. The private tram car they had ridden in had shown signs of dust on the lights and under the table. Clear indicators of a lack of use. The man's uniform was crisp and simple, with his coat following the same aesthetic, likely only used during the current colder months.

The organization of the Guild, and its ruthless crackdowns on companies that got too arrogant, that took up too much of the market space, that broke its rules.

The meritocracy of his bureaucracy that favored competence over species or gender.

The lack of slavery to promote economic growth.

It all pointed towards a goal oriented person. The kind of person that got things done, and didn't play games about it.

Effective. Efficient. Yet, not as Imperial as Thorne would like. Not as tight a grip as was Imperial standard. Still, Thorne saw in the Governor the type of people the Empire needed.

The Moff likely saw some of that as well, if colored in the lens of his ambition. If the Moff succeeded in his goals, and he was poised to do so within the next year or so, then the Governor was likely his successor as Moff.

Assuming the Governor survived the jungle of upper Imperial politics, that is. If he could not, then he was not worthy of Thorne's respect.

Turning away from the window, he addressed the Major who had been standing at attention for the past 3 minutes and 12 seconds. He had been aware of his arrival for some time, but let the man wait. Patience was a virtue, and showcased the resolve needed to be a part of Thorne's operations. Those who could not wait would fall as quickly as they acted.

"Major."

"Sir. Our troopers have discovered rebel activity in the city of Rolling Greens."

That was quick. Too quick. It had only been two weeks. This far exceeded normal operation times. Sloppiness? Maybe, but inconsistent with the previous attack. Not enough data.

"Report."

"A squad received collaborated with local enforcers in response to reports of suspicious activity near the water treatment plant. There they found multiple suspected rebels attempting to breach the compound. A firefight ensued, and all but one of the rebels died. The remaining rebels escaped. A search has already been ordered."

Water purification. Needed for a farming city such as Rolling Greens. Vital infrastructure. The previous attack focused on key personnel in the capital city. Used droids as fodder. Making up for low numbers? Likely. Lost at Accordia, refocusing efforts. Now, targeting infrastructure. Public pain perhaps? Inconsistent with standard Rebel Alliance tactics. Not looking to garner public support.

Fear then. A slow death, bleeding Ugea for all to see. Not efficient, but ruthless. Brutal.

Predictable.

"Contact local forces, have them reinforce Rolling Greens for now. Move our troops to Augir and Durandum. Focus surveillance on vital infrastructure. But don't make it obvious. Let them think there's an opening. And inform the troops to keep their weapons on stun."

They would likely pull from Rolling Greens now that they had been caught trying to get in. The fact that they didn't use droids this time around was odd. Why risk limited personnel? Regardless, they wanted destruction.

Augir held much of the local ore refineries and Durandum was home to the majority of the planet's electronic production. Both were vital industries, the destruction of which would be felt system wide.

As the Major snapped off a salute and started barking orders into his comm, Thorne turned back to the window.

Minda was an interesting case. Almost interesting enough to be glad he was stuck as an Agent.

Almost.

-

TK-472 Ragna Olfir
Minda-2, Imperial Stronghold

Ragna nursed a drink in his hand and silently cursed his luck.

His new assignment to Minda-2 was, as he expected, above his paygrade.

Still, it was nice to have an NCO's club. Not as nice as the Officers Lounge, but it was a step above the regular mess hall.

Ragna stared deep into the murky waters of whatever swill he was drinking as he fell backwards into his own mind, the noise of the bar washing away as his memories came clawing back up.

The landing had been fine, the raid had been as standard as it could be, better even! They had LECA support, which was normally quite rare. Especially during the Edin clean up. LECA's had been in shorter supply at the time, built one by one in the labs he heard. Now, they had a small factory and everything.

Still, it had all been by the books. As standard an operation as it could be. With the added bonus of no resistance.

Then, the cells. The frakking cells. Corleone just had to be keeping some natives in a cell. And, as Ragna came to learn, not just any jungle barbarian.

No, they had somehow gotten their hands on these peoples equivalent of a princess. One that was set to marry quite soon.

Which, of course, caused a whole lot of political drama between the natives. Ragna had a friend working as a secretary for one of the higher ups, and they spilled quite a bunch. Nothing sensitive, of course, but the kind of stuff that normally never gets down to the grunts.

The princess had been set to marry a wealthy noble of some kind from, get this, a nation. Not a clan. Not a city state. A nation. A full on, multiple cities, working economy, nation!

Not very big, from what they could tell. The world was mostly inhospitable to larger groups, with clans stagnating in population around 900 to 1000 at the highest. But, up north, where it was far too cold for the jungle and its horrors to spread, there were many volcanoes. And around these volcanoes was lush, arable land that catered well towards civilization.

So, the princess was not set to marry another clan of a few hundred, but a nation of nearly half a million souls. And she got kidnapped by the Corleones before it could happen. Leading to a lot of internal strife and politicking.

A real holodrama if he'd ever heard one.

When Ragna had spotted the native in that cell, he had known things were bound to go down hill.

He just wished he wasn't stuck smack dab in the middle of it all. Especially when he had to patrol outside. Jungle heat was no joke.

It was around then that he started to come up from his little fugue, the internal clock beat into him by bootcamp telling him he had to get to bed now or it would be a pain by morning.

Surfacing from his thoughts, the sounds of the world came back to him. Other NCO's chatting, bartender cleaning some cups, the holoprojector playing the Governor's latest speech.

"…these terrorists will be found, and will face the full might of Imperial Justice!"

As the crowd cheered in the background of the shot, Ragna paid his tab and left.

Sleep called to him, and the cot he had been issued sounded like heaven right about now.

He needed to be his best after all. The Governor was set to arrive soon, and his battalion would be escorting the delegation.

-

Hi there folks! Wanted to step away from Las for a second, get some alt-povs up and dive a little into some of the different stuff. Thorne was kinda hard to write at first, but I read through Vectors Set by TheCapybara, which is incredible, and got some good ideas on how the prose works. They write about the political tension, games and general vibe of the ISB and upper echelons of the Imperial Military so well it's scary.

Also, because I don't really know how it works, how do conventional militaries adapt to a dense jungle environment? Cause I doubt the Imperial Army, or even the Stormtroopers are fit for such a dense battlefield. There won't be a war per se, but conflict is expected at one point or another and I want to understand how that might go down better before I get to writing it. Any ideas or info is greatly appreciated.

As always, feedback and commentary is appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

-Freefaller

 

[Sanguine]

"Governor, what is your secret for your systems growth and loyalty?"

"Uh, I'm not a slaving racist?"

"Fascinating. We've never thought of that in the Core!"

"Yeah...yeah I know."

 

[ShitLordSupreme]

Oh poor las, if he actually gets made moff i think hes gonna cry. Like alot.

 

[Eniotna]

Oh poor las, if he actually gets made moff i think hes gonna cry. Like alot.

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Wait until he reaches Grand Moff by sheer competence ( and imposter syndrome), it will be hilarious when his mother has to take orders from him.

 

[webxro]

Oh poor las, if he actually gets made moff i think hes gonna cry. Like alot.

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If it happens in a live broadcast the people will say that they are tears of joy.

 

[readsalot]

He needed to be his best after all. The Governor was set to arrive soon, and his battalion would be escorting the delegation.

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Hmm if the Governor can get the natives on his side they will be quite the asset, especially as they have survived and thrived under harsh environment.

Looking forward to the next chapter

 

[readsalot]

Wait until he reaches Grand Moff by sheer competence ( and imposter syndrome), it will be hilarious when his mother has to take orders from him.

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Oh I would love to see that, it would be perfect, throw her into some low level desk role and give her mountain loads of paper work to do

 

[Alorim]

A princess? The amount of women around him just keep increasing lmao

 

[Blackenedthorn]

If it happens in a live broadcast the people will say that they are tears of joy.

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He becomes Moff and after a period of time, he's the most popular Moff in yhe brief history of the Empire. So popular the Imperial Remnant names him the Intirm Grand Moff following the featuring, look at the tesrs of joy he sheds as he is yet again promoted to serve the Empire.

You know, I'd love an Omake of this where Las takes over Minda just after the establishment of the Empire and Emperor takes great pleasure in foiling his most successful Governor's plans of retirement or escape. Imagine Palpatine finding greate joy in keeping Las employed under him, not because he invented the PDA which had greatly reduced his paperwork loaf or the various programs that made his workload even lighter but because the suffering of a man trapped in employment and watching every avenue of escape vanish was a dish best served with Mindan Hot Chocolate (he can quit drinking it anytime! He swears)

 

[Simonbob]

Also, because I don't really know how it works, how do conventional militaries adapt to a dense jungle environment? Cause I doubt the Imperial Army, or even the Stormtroopers are fit for such a dense battlefield. There won't be a war per se, but conflict is expected at one point or another and I want to understand how that might go down better before I get to writing it. Any ideas or info is greatly appreciated.

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Generally? Badly.

The problems are humidity, the perfect envrions for stuff to get into your gear, diseases, the difficulty of both cutting roads and clear bases, and keeping them clear....

You can get all sorts of tech into a jungle, if you work at it. Keeping it, and those using it, running? Much, much harder.


Star wars has forcefeields, though. If they have some sort of steralization field, perhaps....