9AFE/10 BBY
Eriadu
Eriadu City
"The Outer Rim has a problem to which you know of. The lack of imperial presence here has allowed this region of the galaxy to be a hotbed for insurrection and dissent. Small separatist hold outs, pirates, smugglers ; all have been deposed from the top of their criminal food chain, replaced by those that have now become the empires number one enemy, Rebels!" The Grand moff finished, as the final word was said with a grim urgency .
"Make no doubt about this commodore, these terrorists are as numerous as the stars within this part of the galaxy," Tarkin iterated, as he squeezed his right palm into a fist.
Titus only nodded, listening keenly to the Moff even though he may exaggerate the numbers, it held truth.
"Numerous they are,yet scattered and uncoordinated."
"They fight amongst themselves as much as they do the empire and in this they give us time to prepare," He said, standing now to look down at the glistening city below from his reinforced viewport.
"And while we prepare and consolidate," He continued, back still turnt.
"Their belief and their resources grow.A belief not in a long gone corrupt institution; but a belief that they can break free from imperial policy and order!" He pronounced.
"They will do anything to achieve this goal, but we will do everything to see that they fail.And soon, very soon, the thought of resistance and opposition against the Empire shall be swept from their minds, only to be a myth of legends. But until then, we are to contain and destroy this threat. Every second they survive and thrive, is a second we fail,"Tarkin finished, his last words relaying the weight of his oration.
"I assume you read the data card that I had sent to you?" The moff asked.
"I did sir," Titus answered swiftly
"And?" The older man asked, now turning to hear his answer.
He observed Titus as best as he could, looking to see any hints of displeasure or frustration, but found none.
He wondered if Titus was looking forward to a core ward assignment, instead of being sent to the frontlines of the Outer-rim. Atleast that was what most imperial officers endeavored and for good reason.
Such assignments brought one higher within the power structure. And as it was known through out the imperial fleet, the closer one was to Coruscant, the better it was in all aspects. Better facilities, higher chances of political support, wealth, comfort,and the idea of being promoted fairly quickly.
Outerrim deployments on the other hand , were normally looked down upon as it held little merit, as being so far away from civilization, at many times it seemed as if they were disconnected from the inner galaxy.
And if not for Titus doing what he did to gain Tarkin's attention he himself would've been sorely overlooked.
"Based on what I've read governor, these rebels have dug in deep, deep into the planet's society. They mix themselves among the normal citizens of the state, while committing their acts of treason. Rooting out such a foe will take time, if not years," He gave his output, even though he briefly looked highly concerned about achieving the objective.
"Years it might take indeed, for most that is, but not for you," Tarkin stated , as if a matter of factly.
Titus swore he saw the man smiling for a second, and it didn't look like a good one.
"You honor me governor," Titus also gave a smile of his own, though forced.
"It was not my intent, you are too modest. You have a great potential, but we have yet to test your limits," Tarkin
Titus felt his throat tighten.
Hearing tarkin mention limits and test was not good per say . This was a clear warning as much as it was a test, failure was not gonna be tolerated.
But when was failure ever tolerated by the psychotic man, he reasoned.
"Lets see how you manage on a larger scale in quelling threats of the empire," The governor prompted.
Titus merely nodded in response.
It was now do or die, he mentally shook him himself.
"I need not remind you that this is not a war but a pacification, wars draw attention and I would not have the local senators harry any complaints about our actions in the Nuiri Sector to the attention of the Imperial Senate." The Grand Moff iterated as he sat back down, now resting his chin on his clasped hands.
" Of course sir", the young Commander nodded .
"The local ISB will be aiding in this endeavor as you know, but rest assured you will have autonomy from their authority going forward."
"Thank you governor, this would definitely smooth things along faster" The young officer gave his thanks.
The ISB was of no surprise in the operation, he knew they would participate even before he read it from the mission overview and the files sent to him. They were everywhere, at least most believed they were . But on that warring rebellious side of the galaxy, they were there alright, watching and waiting to act with deathly precision.
"The objective shall be achieved Governor , I shall not fail" the young man stated assuredly, though deep down he was doubtful of said words.
"Then good hunting to you Commodore," The Governor finished indicating with his hand that he may leave, to which Titus nodded before turning on his heel.
'What a hunt it shall be.' He thought .
Key points to know about the sector he was flung to , was the lack of imperial security .
The sector fleet had been drawn thin in its mission to oversee its territory but there were still holes along its borders. Holes that needed to be filled, as they allowed the insurgents to gain resources , food and other equipment to to perpetrate their actions against the Galactic State.
— — — — — —-
Bridge of the Vanguard
"Captain," Titus called his adjutant who was reviewing coordinates from the nav computers in the crew pit.
"Sir," The older man answered, as he now stood at his side.
"Your orders?" He added.
"Get us under way," He replied , to which the man nodded, before striding away.
Now barking out orders, Captain Bren needed no reminders of their destination.
All commissioned officers were briefed and from there, the info would be passed on to all essential personnel who needed to know before arriving to the system.
Before he knew it, a flash of light entered his field of vision, the ship slightly rocked as it entered into the swirling tunnel of hyperspace.
He stared for seconds, lost in it's beautiful sight.
'For the greater good