16 BBY
Outer Rim
Aboard the Stark Harrow
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Sixth Week of Deployment
If you didn't know about ships, especially imperial ships like the one I stood on, then let me fill you in.
The Imperial Gozanti Class Assault Cruiser wasn't a bad ship by qualitative military standards. It was good in its own right to perform its designed tasks and even those miscellaneous, but to be more detailed it was a light carrier vessel first and foremost, before anything else, as this was its main job.
And this version that I stood on was nearly 64 meters long. Its predecessor the domestically produced commercial version introduced around 34 BBY proved to be one of CEC'S (Corellian Engineering Corporation) major success stories as it was utilized by a many factions across the galaxy, no surprise there though. It was affordable, easy to use, and came with reliable features, easily modifiable and a good reliable engine.
And with that being said, both legal and illegal elements sought it out dearly. One could also see the civilian Gozanti Class Cruiser in all walks of life, wherever you go no matter what part of the galaxy. It was as common as a Toyota corolla, or a Toyota Hilux the Taliban version.
And Imperial versions such as this one was upgraded with a reinforced hull, a twin dorsal canon and equipped with more powerful repulsorlift engines which allowed its four ventral magnetic docking claws to carry a cargo of four All Terrain Defense Pods At-Dp), two All Terrain Armored Transports (At-At), or four All Terrain Scout Transports (At-St). That or it could carry four TIE fighter series craft . And not to get mixed up with the other Imperial Gozanti Class Cruiser which was similar in appearance but less armed and armored with a less powerful engine and less sensors.
And the Empire being the cheapskate it was had commissioned a wide range of other versions that were employed for specified tasks. Some for intelligence, mapping and charting, surveys, communications, and Radar and detection.
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Outer Rim
Rhel Sector
Rhelgis System
"The missions have grown into a rather dull and repetitive affair wouldn't you say?" Elam said from beside him, as they stared through the transparisteel window at the lights of the hyperspace tunnel. Something that was prohibited by universal navigational laws, as it caused hyperspace madness if one stared too long at the swirling, distorted patterns of light during faster-than-light travel.
It was described as a form of psychosis resulting from viewing the higher-dimensional universe, leading many to avoid looking through viewports.
"I didn't remember asking you anything Ensign Tenit," I said professionally to keep up face.
Fraternizing with superiors were frowned upon and could lead to disciplinary actions. But alas; I wasn't one to really obey all rules.
But it wouldn't do well to act unprofessional nor all too casual in public view. We had standards to uphold after all as graduates from his majesty's royal academy.
We could socially converse here and there; but that much was to a limited degree especially while on the bridge and even though Milhorn was a easy going guy, he didn't tolerate nonsense. Plus I didn't want to bring old habits here nor would I want Elam nor Raith to do the same.
"I could have you signed off to Mimban or Dizon Fray if this is too…. "boring" for you", I jested rather seriously, and to that his smirk immediately vanished replaced by worry.
The look in his eyes told me all I needed to know. I reached out with the force and I read his mind.
He was cursing me, lmao! And all very creatively too as he maintained that calm façade.
As a commissioned officer I did have the means to sign him away, but it had to be reviewed and signed under proper reasons to send any to a war ridden planet as there was always a need for canon fodder in certain zones as attrition rates were very high on the more intense sides of the galaxy. And indiscipline wasn't something tolerated by the armed forces especially the navy.
"I hate when you jape like this", he addressed me, frown still present.
"And who says I'm jesting?" I added with a soundless cackle which made him frown deeper.
I chuckled then.
"We are to soon leave hyperspace sir , I shall return to my station", He silently nodded as if saluting though the annoyance on his face was never gone.
I was surely gonna hear a mouthful from him when we were away from the public eye.
"Good choice ensign", I said as I watched him return to the weapon station with his other fellows.
The pleasures of being an officer; you could torment your underlings. It was quite fun. Now one could understand how people of higher ranks felt doing this.
"Dropping out of hyperspace now sir", Came Dile's voice.
The cruiser lurched to a stop like a vehicle being braked to an immediate stop. If it wasn't for the inertial compensators and the many other advanced technologies, then we would've have been splattered in fine paste ten times over.
And with the swirling tunnel of hyperspace gone they were once again acquainted with the void of space and a green jewel of a planet.
He could hear the pilot and navigational crew chattering off navigational information. But he'd care not to listen keener.
Planet Rhelgim or GHV-4631179 by imperial charts was a semi jungle planet. No oceans, but numerous lakes and rivers. Its Population was small for a planet of its size, which was designated as intermediate with a diameter of 16000 km, with 221 Million inhabitants. 77% of which were human.
This world had specialized in heavy agriculture, ore mining along with small scale fuel production and refinement , it also offered ship repair services with orbital and ground stations being a common sight.
Rhelgim and its system sat along a fractured trade spur, one of those routes that had once been vital during the Republic and had since decayed into a shadow corridor for smugglers and pirates. The worlds here were not rebellious per say, but a many including this one lacked attention and investors any resource rich world would need.
And due to these prominent, yet relatively resolvable issues, had made the inhabitants of the system grumble and disillusioned with republic and now imperial rule. Its people were dissatisfied with the inept imperial polices, and also with the tribute tax they were relegated to pay, all of these bottlenecks did little to no good for their economies. In truth the system and sector had fallen under, ill considered, hasty and a rather lacking economic policy that did more harm that good for long term development , and that long term has already begin and the world was feeling its effects.
Typical imperial tactics.
This cheaper , easier and far more profitable for us no doubt, until it wasn't and this was another of the many issues of the empire, we overlooked the bigger picture.
But I wont.
I did my research, a bit of reading,… well a lot of reading. And more planning.
Something promising could start here. Something of his own fruition.
The empire had its goals and he had his own. He had been scouting and observing outer rim planets, resource rich worlds that could become something more, something that could generate more profit for himself. And all it would need is investors , demand which was always infinite especially within this imperial era and cheap means for supplication of these resources. But the latter would prove the hardest, it wasn't the case that the empire didn't want these resources, it was mainly the fact that it was too far from major hyper lane routes which made constant and consistent transport expensive. It took us two days to get here on a class 3 hyperdrive, so imagine a large hulking transport barge. And so to the empire it was unacceptable and also impractical. They could also get these same resources cheaper and faster four sectors away from the Vis Sector which was located to the east bordering the Xappyh sector, which held the Free trade Subsector along the the Hydian way.
The old republic carried out extraction and transport as they had no other choice as they were at war, and the Separatist had the means of cheaper logistics to extract and transport resources from outer rim worlds and systems like these. The Chinese came to mind when ever the separatist were mentioned. Or was it America. Probably both.
Cheap labor to earn the greatest profits.
'Hmm?'
Perhaps a thought for another time.
Nevertheless with proper investments, planning, logistics and the right connections there were definitely ways to extract profit here through mining and fuel.
The agricultural industry less soo. Major companies already dominated here and they'd not like competition, but why waste energy and resources within this category, he'd focus on mineral and fuel resources.
He could already see the vision coming into play, but easier said than done though, he needed to speak to the Governor, establish some form of meeting if possible and get in touch with local mining companies while also keeping this secret.
"We have Rhelgim Security Command on line 2 sir", His chief communications officer paced quickly to his side .
He could've just projected his voice he would've heard well enough the bridge wasn't necessarily large.
"I'll take it", I said to him as I made my way to their station.
Captain Milhorn allowed me to handle the exchange and I'd do so. The man resting or whatever he might've been doing in his chambers but he should've been alerted a not too long ago before we dropped out of hyperspace.
But until he arrived I had command of the bridge. A task he trusted me with since my third week here. If not me then Dile if I was unavailable and was taking my own rest.
"Rhelgim Security Command, this is Lieutenant Menno Coehorn of the Imperial Naval Vessel Star Harrow," I said evenly.
"We are responding to reports of increased pirate activity in your system, we are here to provide assistance, routine screening and capture or eradication of these elements if present. Please confirm?"
"This is Commander Izen Hark of the Rhelgim Security Command, I bid you welcome Stark Harrow. Confirm transponder code and proceed to orbital station three at coordinates KZ43673", came the reply of the older voice.
"Acknowledged Commander",
"Transponder code relayed sir", Chief Kaze said turning to him to nod as he looked away from his adjutant's screen.
"We haven't seen a naval patrol ship in a month." His voice came again.
"Just standard protocol and orders commander", I responded over the computer like it was a call.
" Well.....There can never be too much security so we… appreciate the assistance lieutenant we have been fighting against so small pirate crews, and we've seen a many success but a many still have hidden themselves in the system", Hark Pronounces.
"One of our ore shipments had been hijacked enroute from Madja's moon , a asteroid mining complex. Its pilots killed and shipment stolen",
"I see… well I we shall discuss the necessary details upon boarding the station we endeavor to see this disease wrought out and neutered and cooperation for our joint effortson regional security", I said.
"Will do, Lieutenant Coehorn. I shall inform the admiralty and the Governor in the mean time. Till then', The man bid his farewell before the connection disconnected.
"Shall I have a squadron of naval troopers ready for you and the Captain's departure?" Dile stepped to my side to ask.
"Indeed, and make sure trooper Vattier is among this escort , he has proven himself rather capable" I added.
The man nodded.
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