[h3][center][b][color=green]Admiral Hennir Karlomman[/color][/b][/center][/h3]

[b][indent]Planet Thanos. Togoria System. Taldot Sector. Mid Rim[/indent]
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It was already late at night, the Admiral's day had been filled with a litany of meetings and inspections on orbital and ground facilities. With the imminent departure of Punisher Batte Group, Karlomman wanted to make sure everything within his command was ready for the campaign. He had spent the last week travelling all across the sector, conferring with the army of lesser officers under his command. The bulk of his forces would soon be engaging in offensive operations, not only his ships must be ready, but the "home front" must also be equally secured.

Even now, in the late hours of the night, officially retired to his chambers, the Admiral still continued to work. Accompanied by his personal aide, Lt. Karmillian, and the just returned Commodore Zilaxis. The three of them sitting around the luxurious fireplace on opulent silk covered chairs. The room used to belong to the late governor, it took three weeks to get rid of all the useless finery and frivolous decorations back when Admiral Karlomman had him arrested and took control of Taldot.

The situation reminded him of his youth actually, those cozy winter nights sitting by the fireplace with his father and brothers, discussing the affairs of the Galaxy. He shook those thoughts away as fast as they came, however. This was no time to get emotional. Karlomman forced himself to pay attention to the Commodore as he finished:

"And according to General Zorban, the new field divisions should be ready to be deployed by the end of the week. But due to the number of transports being taken alongside for [i]Flying Justice[/i], it will take at least a couple of months to get them out of the staging areas and into their planned positions."

"I've read the reports, Commodore." Admiral Karlomman replied, looking straight into the ugly mess of scars and cybernetics that is Zilaxis' face. "What do our own sources say?"

"They confirm the official reports. The divisions field the equipment we've paid for and the conscripts are gathered in the expected numbers. Zorban so far has done nothing that could imply betrayal."

"And what about the ideological fortitude of these new formations?" Admiral Karlomman inquired further.

"The recruits are as motivated as can be expected on the average." The Commodore replied, his cybernetic eyes shining. "But I can corroborate that the officers, as a rule, are true believers of our cause. The downside is that the bulk of them have just gotten out of the academies and are lacking in actual field experience."

"I do not expect them to face any serious combat." Admiral Karlomman replied, turning back to look at the fire. "But we need boots on the ground to suppress any would be rebels while the Stortroopers and Imperial Armies under my command bring order and justice to the Lantillian Sector." He paused, turning towards Lt. Karmillian. "Have I received the latest reports from the shipyards, Lieutenant?"

"Yes, sir." He cleared his throat. "Production proceeds at the expected levels now that the last of the pirates and Rebels within Taldot have been dealt with. However, our analysts believe we might soon start facing some funding issues."

"I am aware of that Lieutenant." Admiral Karlomman replied coldly. "With the Rebels in control of Uyter and Lantillies deserting us, we are cut off from the Perlemian Trade Route. The Ruling Council is also not helping matters by refusing to grant my repeated requests for more funds and forces. Which is why I am undertaking this offensive into Lantillies. The sector must be brought back into the fold and Merek utterly destroyed so that we may restore a direct line with the Imperial Centre."

"And if the Rebels attack us while you're busy in Lantillies, sir?" The Lieutenant asked.

"I do not believe that there's a real chance of that happening. But if I am proven wrong, the forces I'm leaving behind are more than enough to stop the Rebels from taking over Taldot before I can bring back Punishment to destroy them."

"And if we aren't able to disentangle ourselves from Lantillies fast enough?" Commodore Zalmaxis challenged, if he still had them, one of his eyebrows would probably be quirked and his mouth curled into a smirk.

"We will." Admiral Karlomman replied with confidence. "There's no indication the Rebels have any major concentration of forces in the sector. Or at least nothing that could make our victory impossible. As for Merek, he's just another overambitious traitor. Once I give him a couple of decisive beatings, his forces will start disintegrating and his fellow traitors will fall upon him like vultures." He leaned back in his chair. "I'm not saying it will be a cakewalk, but there's no reason to believe that our chances of triumph are slim. Besides, we must take the initiative now. Sitting in place would only make us vulnerable while the Rebels and traitors grow in strength around us."

"It's quite a gamble, sir." The Commodore leaned back on his own chair. "But the reasoning is sound."

"I don't remember needing your approval for anything, Commodore." Admiral Karlomman snapped. "I am the ranking officer here and what I say goes. I listen to your advice because I value your input, but do not presume to judge me."

The Commodore didn't flinch at the outburst, five years was more than enough time to get used to the flaws and quirks of his commanding officer. So, the Commodore simply made his excuses and dismissed himself. There was no use in continuing anything when the Admiral got into one of his moods.

And as the Commodore left for his own quarters, which were conveniently located nearby, Admiral Karlomman turned his glare towards the Lieutenant. 

"I believe we are done here, Lieutenant."

"Actually, sir." Karmillian replied, shifting in his seat, nervousness written all over his features. "There's the question of your private messages..."

"Oh...of course." Admrial Karlomman forced himself to calm down. The Lieutenant wasn't at fault for his bad mood, he was just doing his job. He couldn't let his emotions get hold of him that easy. "I've read them, no need to recite them for me, Lieutenant." He paused again. "Write to my wife and tell her she's free to buy whatever she sees fit for the twins, she has done an adequate job all these years, there's no point in changing that. Send the twins the usual note about the importance of my duties. I also want you to write a complaint in my name to their Academy in the Centre, the Empire is in no position to be giving week-long leave to cadets, no matter if its their birthday or if their father is an Admiral. If anything they should be pushing them twice as hard to replace the losses we've suffered so far."

The Lieutenant silently typed down the notes on his datapad before being dismissed. He withdrew from the room quickly and soon the Admiral was left alone. That is, until the man-sized portrait of Emperor Palpatine shifted to the left, revealing a secret passage. And out walked Deputy Director Derpent, looking as if she had last slept before Yavin IV, as usual.

"Thought you would never get rid of them." She groaned as he dropped down on one of the chairs.

"This would have been so much easier if we met on working hours." 

"Well, here's what I have." She said, producing a data chip from her coat pocket and ignoring the Admiral. "Feel free to let your own people follow the leads and check the info, but it will be a waste of time. They will just find out that I'm telling the truth now. Just as I have always been."

"You don't trust anyone, Director." Admiral Karlomman replied, taking the chip from her hand. "I don't see why you expect people to extend you the courtesy."

"Have I ever given you false information to work on, Admiral? Have I ever given you cause to doubt my loyalty to the Imperial cause?"

"Are we done here?" The Admiral asked, ignoring the question.

Deputy Director Derpent left without a word.