Governor's Gambit - Star Wars SI into Imperial Governor

[Rubén Martínez]

Las: I didn't ask for this. This duty was forced on me. But by Jove, no matter how much I hate it, if I'm going to do it, I will do it well.

Somewhere, somewhen, a pigtailed martial artist dressed in a green-accented sailor suit and carrying an oversized skeleton key nodded in commiseration and approval.

 

[Vattensnok]

What goofy 40k fic?

 

[Yacov]

Why? Well, today was the day that the 20th and final berth of the shipyards had been brought online!

With all 20 pumping ships out, the full backlog would be finished within just a few more months. By the start of 2ABY, the full backlog should be finished, and the yard can begin profiting the sector.

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Huuzah! Now that Las is going be Moff, he can use the Mard for his political benefit. No one but the Empire dictates what order you sell to people after all.

They plan on entering the market with a new class of medium hauler, I hear. One meant for the many, many mid-sized companies in the sector, thanks to the Guild. With the benefit of building entirely in-sector, their lower prices and shipping times might just give them the edge they need

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Oooh, a Medium Freighter? Those things can haul hundreds of metric tons at minimum. Maybe even add some of the Separatist design philosophy with rounded edges and pointy antennas.

The second is from Thorne. It confirms much of Darna's information, and also includes reports on suspected rebel elements in the sector. Not many, and what is there seems to be mostly logistical. The plan is to keep an eye out, reinforce the yard, and blow up a few pirates every now and again and call them rebels. Keeps them thinking their hidden and safe, and away from important infrastructure.

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Ah yes, this is probably what you would call "controlled opposition". Train your enemy to stick to non-demolition actions and punish them if they step out of line.

He also included a cheeky little warning that the ISB were looking into me, as the next Moff, and were likely to send someone to meet with me soon, likely not long before the promotion. Calmly, I send an encoded message to Darna and Thorne to keep things on the down low for now.

The ISB may be Imperial, and therefore corrupt and inept, but they were still the ISB, the Emperors janitors, and not to be fucked with. I'd gotten lucky with Thorne. It wouldn't happen again.

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Would an approval message from Thorne be less or more suspicious?

But I decided that this route was safer. That it was safer for me to stick to this path and wait for the Empire to fall, for the galaxy to fall to chaos, before I make my escape. After all, what's one missing Moff in a galaxy on fire?

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It is something very different when said Moff is beloved by the people of his sector.

Regardless, the fact of the matter is that I chose to continue down this path, and that means that for as long as I hold this office, no matter how much I hate it, I will fulfill my duty to the people.

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And just like that Las is already more well intentioned than 95% of Moffs. Wonder how the ISB is going to feel when they investigate him and find out he actually believes that.

So no, I can't roll up to the Moffs chair, sit down, and declare slavery illegal. I'd get shot. Instead, I have to play the long game, and that involves a lot of information gathering, political games, and economic pressure.

Suffice to say, I'm going to make slavery very, very expensive.

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Taxes can allow you to do very funny things to societies. Take the squirrel tax that used to be in the US state of Ohio. It wasn't a tax on squirrels, it was a tax you could pay with squirrels. A species was overrunning the state.

And right now, Poti wanted nothing more than to raise his blaster and hose the two of them down. He'd been a slave, seen the worst the system had to offer, watched his family be destroyed by it. But he couldn't do it. Not now.

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How did this man get hired here? Oh right slavery and laxity tend to go hand in hand.

Still, as the day ended and Poti returned to his barracks, in the back of his mind he hoped that the day would soon come that he could use those thermal detonators he'd buried out in the hills. The people here would be saved.

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Alright, who gave HAVEN thermal detonators? Those things could level buildings if put in the right place.

 

[Mistroz]

excellent chapter.

 

[Rustic]

I mean. Muscle mommy doesn't have to weird unless you make it weird and approach it naturally like the MC getting nervous because sonehow the only red skinned pure blood sith in existence is trying to seduce him for some reason! Must be a plot, a scandal just waiting. Is fraternizing with bodyguards a expressly forbidden rule?.
Just think. We could have had a sith trying to have the MCs kids both for passing down the bloodline and to leverage the children for influence over the MC because that's how she was taught to think about marriage and children. Then we get some character development as she socialized with others and breaks the warped sith perspective on using relationships for nothing but power dynamics. And see the path to wholesomeness occur. Muscle mommy ends up becoming a muscular mommy. And we end up seeing her take bodyguard work much more seriously as she gets possessive over her little slice of heaven.

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While i do find female body builders scary. I have a female friend who is i think 45 with a live in 26 year old daughter both have huge jugs but otherwise look very slender and just good.
So while i am not certain what the term muscle mommy exactly means. it mentally pops up as my female friend then followed by female body builders. Who are rather scary.

 

[HereForWhy]

This dude is gonna be on his death bed of old age, still in charge of Minda, thinking about how he's gonna leave and be a smuggler any day now

 

[Psyckosama]

Yo. I hath returned. Christmas in South America is a special sort of humid hell. But then again, the original plan was to visit LA, and its pouring over there right now. Also, I've been writing for other stories as well. I've decided on a rotation of sorts. As much as I love this story as my first, it's an absolute behemoth to wrangle now, so I figure rotating between this, my other star wars fic, my original work and my new goofy 40k fic, I can keep myself from burning out.

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Christmas in the parts of North America that actually have WINTER isn't much better.

I herd you like ice, so I put some freezing rain on your hail and snow so you can more ice when you deice your ice.

Green Hell or Ragnarok, chose your apocalypse....

*somethingsomethingrainofjaguarssomethingsomething*

 

[Yacov]

Omake: How Do You Do, Fellow Mercenaries?

POV: Guild Administrator Farva, Guild Recruitment Office, late third shift

"Hello sir, how can I help you?"

Desk duty was supposed to be calm in the early morning. That mystical time when the sun had not even fully risen yet. The mercenaries and traders would be sleeping off their hangovers, and the businesspeople would be too busy doing their daily makeup routine in preparation for the day.

"Greetings Ma'am! I am Captain Gron! I heard that this is where you enlist in military contracts! The, uh, private ones I mean."

So why was there a flat faced mammal as dark as black melon giving her a crisp four fingered military salute she doesn't recognize? The helmet held under his arm occasionally gleamed into her eyes due to a rotten angle of the rising sun. The crack of dawn was not a time to deal with this nonsense.

"You are correct sir. This is where mercenary bands register for accepting Guild work. I assume you are here to sign up with the Guild. What name would you like to register your company under?"

The captain snapped to attention. His chest puffed up with air and pride and he began belting out what he probably saw as a long and storied tale.

"Ma'am the Arcetron Guard has been in service as a formation for over eight decades. We have faithfully served to bring order and stability wherever we go. While we may be young for an independent military unit from the Iotran Expanse, our dedication to quality and loyalty is top notch!

Our most recent client was located in the Corporate Sector. We served alongside the Security Division for over two decades combating various pirate bands and criminal syndicates. Our service was applauded and our commendations earned are listed in our records. Unfortunately due to financial constraints, they elected not to renew our contract.

Left without an employer, we began to search for a new chain of command. We heard from some of our brothers and sisters in arms remaining on Muunilinst that the Guild was doing its part to bring order to the Myto sector. We have determined that Myto can become a bastion of long term stability for this section of the Outer Rim. As such we decided to offer our military service in order to support these efforts."

Farva rubbed her temples as the Captain went on and on. She just asked for a name, not an entire biography of the group. She interrupted him before this lasted the rest of her shift.

"That is very impressive, and what specialties will your group be aiming to provide?"

Stumbling slightly, the Captain reoriented his line of thought before snapping back into the perfect picture rendition of a recruitment poster and unleashing another verbal broadside.

"Ma'am! The Arcetron Guard brings over 500 soldiers with it along with the necessary support personnel. Each one has completed their universal conscription time under the Iotran Police Force.

Every serviceperson has completed and maintain their rifleman training with a number being able to act as long-riflemen. I am willing to submit our records and give personal assurance that they have been completing the necessary range hours to maintain their current certifications."

Oh by the void make it stooooop. It is too early to be this loud and energetic. Unfortunately the captain interpreted her suffering as doubt and sought to address his assumptions.

"Worry not Ma'am! Any concerns about our being able to maintain our combat effectiveness are unwarranted. The Arcetron Guard maintains supply lines back to the Expanse for both resupply and reinforcement.

Unfortunately the current offensive by the Rebels has resulted in some delays. While we won't be able to sustain constant charges headlong into lines of repeating blasters, we will still be able to maintain our numbers through the duties you assign us."

Maybe if she asks about something boring he will be quieter. It's her only chance to avoid a migraine.

"And what equipment will these troops be using? We are willing to accommodate you if your equipment is a bit specialized."

There. Equipment specs and logistics are a dull topic. It reminded commanders of all the paperwork they have to do. That should get the Captain to quiet dow-

"I am glad you asked Ma'am! As you can see, every member of the Guard has a uniform consisting of a Tuff1 Combat Jumpsuit and an armored half-vest which they keep in excellent cleanliness down to daily polishing! Each and every soldier carries a StarSlasher Blaster Carbine and studiously maintained their blaster to near perfect condition. Perfect for dealing with destabilizing elements such as pirates and dissidents.

That being said, we would not be adverse to using more local resources. Should the local armorers and quartermasters meet our standards, then we would welcome the chance to reduce our logistical burdens on our homeland. The thought of streamlining our supply chains fills me with joy!"

Logistics was a mistake. Captain Gron is obviously one of those psychopaths that enjoy talking about supply lines. Better plow on through and take the painkillers later.

"Will you be requiring transportation in space or on the ground?"

Gron was somehow beaming even more than the breaking dawn. There was something definitely wrong with him. He looked like a child excited to show a 100% on their school test. Not a look one would expect from a professional killer.

"Ma'am the Arcetron Guard take pride in our mobility capabilities! We are able to fly to any location our client demands of us in the ITSP Jackboot. Our customized AA-9 Freighter-Liner has been reinforced to conduct operations from evacuations, to combat drops, to assisting with allied forces, to full blown beachhead securing.

As for planetside vehicles, the Arcetron Guard boasts a stable of civilian repulsorcraft for logistical support with a squad of X10 Groundcruisers for escort. This does not even include the pride of our two Strikebreakers! They were graciously gifted by the Security Division for our exemplary service in suppressing a particularly chaotic uprising in Duroon and our creative usage of their stun barricades!"

Okaaay. That should cover everything. Now to close it out and get this guy out of my life. He was starting to loom over my counter and clenching his hands when he started talking about the uprising. Which was impressive for someone who didn't break two meters.

"Well your resume is certainly impressive Captain Gron. I will forward to my superiors to process your application. You can look forward to a response in 2-3 business days. Although I am sure with a group's work history it may be even sooner. Now if you'll excuse me, my shift is almost up and I need to pack up."

Finally, an end to this claws on a dinner plate of a conversa…

"Of course Ma'am! To prove how serious we take our duties. Allow me to provide escort out of the building! While we wait let me tell you about my time in the Guard. It all started when I joined a junior cadet academy at my eighth season. Late I know…"

Gron continued to "extol the virtues of the Guard" as she prayed for the first shift to relieve her. Farva really hopes this isn't some elaborate courting ritual. She gets enough of that kind of talk from her parents.

——

I figured with Minda and the Guild's growth it was time for them to start attracting more higher end mercenary groups. Meet the Iotrans: order obsessed military nuts from a homeworld with universal conscription whose army moonlights as PMCs (with an emphasis on the Military part of the acronym) to keep the lights on. It's kinda like the Mandalorians, only without the wacky technology, less industrialization, and no galaxy conquering tendencies.

The Imperial Army would still wipe the floor with them from the resource and tech gap alone. Still, in the eyes of the common galactic citizen, Iotrans probably seem like terrifying killing machines in a fight. Force help any pirates and gangsters they come across. Especially Captain Gron, who you may have noticed is showing a lot of Red Flags amidst all that enthusiasm.

Crossposted on SB and SV

 

[Gobble'n]

PRUNE for a more garden theme felt weird

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And sounds a little genocidal.

 

[Gobble'n]

A battalion has at least 800 or so troops!

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800 people who couldn't hit a tree in a forest full of them.

 

[Yacov]

Happy New Year! To celebrate have this drug I made!

Omake: Hummer

• Design Intent: Create a legal and health improving "street" drug to distribute to those who would otherwise take illicit substances.
• Image: Milk white tablets with Aurebseh letter herf stamped on it.
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Name: Hummer
• Manufacturer: The Plutskin Initiative, a joint venture of Guild affiliated pharmaceutical companies. Primarily based on Minda 2-A in the Myto sector
• Affiliation: IGCPP, Rehab Centers, Charity Organizations
• Modularity: none
• Production: High
• Materials:
• Nutritive milk
• Vaynai Seaweed
• Vitamin supplements

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

• Classification: Commercial Drug
• Method of Consumption: Oral tablets
• Average Life: The length of the experience depends on the dose, usually a few dozen minutes for recreational doses. Very large intakes can lengthen the effect up to several hours. However after that limit it takes several days for the body to process the drug enough to produce the experience again.
• Nutritional Value/Allergies/Side Effects/ Purpose:
• Produces a mild euphoric state.
• Hummer contains large amounts of nutrients and vitamins.
• Suppresses some chemical urges resulting from suffering withdrawal from other drugs.
• Next to no side effects, with those that do occur involving those with lactose intolerance.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Non-addictive
• Incredibly hard to overdose on

STRENGTHS

• Pleasant Hum: Taking Hummer produces a mild euphoric feeling. Users describe it as a pleasant hum in their minds. Using Hummer in the correct doses means the experience is usually enjoyable with minimal chance for a "bad trip".
• Light Touch: Hummer use is designed to be non-addictive. It is no more habit forming than a favorite meal, an ear worm song, or a mild over the counter sleep aid.
• It's Got What You Need: Hummer can double as a nutrition supplement when low on food. Hummer is also designed to fake or suppress withdrawal chemical reactions found in addicts of some harder drugs.

WEAKNESSES

• Hit the Limit: There is an artificially induced ceiling with this drug. Users can only use it for so long until the body needs to flush enough of the drug to produce the experience again.
• Legal Channels: Given the drug's corporate nature, low price, wide availability, and mild effects, black markets don't tend to keep it in stock. Those that do sell it for cheap. Availability and price locked at F-tier when available at a black market. Ability to buy it over the counter on most Guild affiliated worlds.
• Artificial Restrictions: Due to certain limitations introduced during the manufacturing process, attempts to cut other, harder drugs into Hummer frequently prove unsuccessful.

DESCRIPTION

"We have already pulled their production and distribution from the stem. If we chip away at their customer base we remove the nutrients from the soil so their networks may never regrow."- Ithorian speaker at an anti-syndicate conference sponsored by the Plutskin Initiative.

Hummer was built from the ground up to be an anti-syndicate drug. The theory behind its creation was to make a legal and health improving "street" drug. One they could push with Guild and government of the Minda system backing as an alternative to more illicit and dangerous drugs in the underworld. The hope was that if the populace was buying Hummer from legitimate sellers, then that would result in lost revenue for the syndicates while paying for the development with the sales profits.

MANUFACTURING

"For that amount of Credits, you have the seeds and the contact information for the SoroSuub agent Ocean Harvesters uses."- Recording of a Vaynai aristocrat during Operation Garden Contest.

Actually creating this "safe street drug" proved to be a bit of a challange. Despite the many industries in the Minda system, the system itself has little domestic history in the pharmaceutical industry. The solution was to found a joint venture named the Plutskin Initiative in order to develop and manufacture what would become Hummer.

With the organization sorted out, the Plutskin Initiative set out designing a drug that could appeal to the street market while being safe enough for the Empire to legalize. Early on they settled on aiming for a euphoric experience as it was seen as the least dangerous option. The Initiative utilized the Guild's vast knowledge base courtesy of their "sourcing specialists" to search for the perfect ingredients.

Eventually the Initiative settled on a type of seaweed grown on the planet Vaynai in the Chorlian sector. The seaweed was used in the production a medicinal substance called Slick whose euphoric properties led to its use as a recreational drug. Using a combination of "fees" and "sourcing expertise", the Initiative acquired the seeds and growing methods to begin development.

While Slick was a decent use for Vaynai seaweed, the chemists and biologists hired by the Plutskin Initiative felt they could take effects further. The Initiative constructed a research and manufacturing base on the ocean moon of Minda-2A. Efforts from the scientists of the Initiative and assistance from Mindan R&D bore fruit after many months.

This new drug retained a weakened form of the euphoria of its predecessor while being relatively safe to use by most sentients even in large doses. In addition, the newly christened Hummer had a side effect of mimicking the chemical reactions of other drugs. In essence, Hummer would trick the brain with harmless false signals in order to somewhat lessen the effects of withdrawal in addicts. However Hummer use could not completely counter withdrawal symptoms over the long term, so it was registered as an aid, not a treatment.

In order to maximize the health benefits of the drug was encased in a mix of nutritive milk and vitamin supplements. The casing contained enough nutrients to sustain an average sentient on a subsistence level should they be unable to find or buy enough food. Combined with the above withdrawal suppression, it was hoped that users of Hummer would come out of the experience more lucid and aware to seek further treatment of their own volition. This casing gave Hummer a milky white appearance pleasing or at least neutral to most species.

Having a sellable product in hand, the Plutskin Initiative swiftly obtained a production license on the sector level from the local Imperial government. Production was primarily limited by the amount of Vaynai seaweed the Initiative could grown as well as the amount of certain key chemicals being shipping into the manufacturing plant. Hummer became a small, but impactful part of Minda-2A exports.

RECEPTION

"This feels like it shouldn't be legal, but if it works, who cares if it feels like cheating."- Resident at the Rubber Rampart Rehab Center.

When Hummer began being distributed to a system, it was initially sent to rehab centers, clinics, and hospitals. While trial runs in laboratory conditions ensured Hummer met regulatory needs, distributing to these locations allowed for more realistic testing and data collection in the local environment. As a bonus, word of a new "wonder drug" locked behind official channels caused a spike of interest in the sector's drug using population.

After safety was ensured and interest generated, the second phase of the Plutskin Initiative's plan began. The Initiative secured generous grants from planetary governments for "anti-crime programs". Government cooperation was always the intention, so groundwork had already long been laid.

Stockpiles of Hummer were then quickly flooded onto the market at every private businesses and pharmacies that was licensed and trusted. The government grants allowed the Initiative to sell these drugs at a below production price with the government funding making up the difference. The initial interest combined with an impressive marketing campaign led to runs on every location selling Hummer.

This fad also attracted less legal attention. The seeming endless supply and low prices of Hummer hit the planet's local street gangs hard. The Drought of Black Arms was still being felt the gunrunning scene, so this upset of the street drug only served to drive these gangs further into destitution.

Fueled by a mix of insult and desperation, retaliatory strikes were attempted. However most of these attacks were thwarted thanks to government and Initiative cooperation as well as waning gang support from the neighborhoods they once thrived in. The reduction of chemical dependency to the gang's leading to more attempts to speak out by the civilian population.

This disruption of the Underworld was do not go unnoticed by the bigger players. Pirate attacks in the Minda system, still a consistent threat, saw a noticeable shift in targets. While before attacks were mainly focused on convoys and poorly guarded routes, the introduction of Hummer lead to increasing targeting of the area around Minda-2.

Disabled pirate vessels were to found to have bombs, torpedos, and even the occasional chemical weapon in their holds. Suspects told tales of faceless clandestine employers offering large payouts for hitting a freshly settled world. Thankfully Minda's sizable defense fleet along with the Plutskin Initiative's facilities primarily being underwater has prevented most of the damage so far.

ANGEL DEALERS

"Seems like we have angels in our midst. A generous reword for each pair of wings you bring me."- Huralok gangster upon seeing his syndicate's quarterly earnings report.

Selling Hummer was not limited to clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals. The introduction of Hummer to the drug scene has led to a rise of a peculiar group known as Angel Dealers. These sentients then stalk street corners in known syndicate neighborhoods in order to undercut them by selling Hummer at below market rates. Their product came with contact information to local halfway houses, homeless shelters, and charity organizations. The hope was that when the user came down from the euphoria, the rush of nutrients combined with Hummer suppressing withdrawal symptoms would render them lucid and healthy enough to go to one of these groups and get help.

Whether motivated by loss, good intentions, or spite, Angel Dealers saw filing the right paperwork and selling Hummer as a legal way to get back at the syndicates that plagued their communities. They would as a rule not carry weapons and scream for the police whenever something threatened their safety in hopes of getting them arrested. Police departments have been known to stakeout known Angel Dealer locations in hopes to use them as bait for criminals.

Sadly these Angel Dealers would often meet gruesome ends regardless of the precautions they took. Angel Dealers would often be kidnapped off a street corner, attacked in their homes, or stabbed by an addict too far in debt to the syndicates to refuse. Slain Angel Dealers were often regarded as martyrs to the communities they operated in. These crimes were often considered a top priority by anti-drug units, as solving these cases could lead to great publicity for their departments and maybe even leads to local syndicate leadership.

CONCLUSION

"You look real stung out there. Take some Hummer, it'll get you through the day."- Flimsicard Wings charity worker at a homeless shelter

Hummer failed to be silver bullet for the problem of gangs in the Myto sector. There were other rackets for gangs to get into, and eventually governmental apathy slowed the funding for Hummer rollout programs. After Hummer lost its opening popularity, other street drugs still retained a market share in the Underworld. Harder drugs were minimally affected leaving syndicates' profit margins scratched, but not seriously wounded.

That does not mean Hummer was ineffective at its purpose. During the rollout phase, street gangs saw substantial decreases in revenue which was felt even post-rollout according to Underworld economic analysts. Addict populations did decrease on worlds where Hummer was promoted with even hard drug use down a few percentage points.

The Plutskin Initiative cautiously declared Hummer a success as deterrence was the realistic goal rather than outright destroying the drug gangs. Manufacturing was ordered to continue and talks are ongoing for allowing Hummer to be legally sold outside the sector. In the war against gangs and syndicates, Hummer proved to be a strike in a seemingly eternal struggle for the people's bodies and minds.

——

The Minda system. Where the corporations and local communities come together unprompted to fight criminal malicious drug trafficking… with legal benevolent drug trafficking. Just in case Minda wasn't already the most paradoxical and backward system in the galaxy.

Turns out I am a sucker for templates. Found the drug template on starwarsrp.net and decided to see what I could make. Wouldn't be the first time the Empire has gotten in the drug pushing business *coughBlack Holecough*. Although I think this would be the first time it will have done so with genuine benevolent intentions to solve a chronic problem facing the galaxy.

Crossposted on SB and SV