Chp-60: Schemes Galore
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Minda System, Ugea, Rolling Greens
They walked through the city, observing the thriving marketplaces and well-kept roads.
They saw the miles and miles of farmland stretching out from the city, stopping only at the base of the mountains that surrounded the valley. On some mountain sides, terrace farms could be seen.
As they traveled throughout the city, they saw much. Not just the markets, but the refineries. Once just a single complex, they had grown much to accommodate the influx of grains.
Towering vertical farming complexes could be seen in a ring around the city, with more in construction. A necessary step, considering the fact that there was little room for the city to expand outwards without demolishing farmland.
As the agent watched the people, they witnessed not just joy or happiness, but calm. The kind of calm that could only exist in a place where one didn't fear their neighbors.
Where they didn't fear the police that roamed the streets.
Where they cheered when the AT-ST's paraded around.
And the agent?
They hated it. Hated that these people were happy, jovial, content even, when their people were never given the chance.
What right do the people of Minda have to act like this when the galaxy suffers? What right does the Empire have to burn their cities to ash and bomb their people to dust then turn around and give these people paradise!?
It took everything they had to unclench their fist and keep a neutral face, lest they be seen as suspicious.
They instead turned their mind towards targets. Which would be best for the next string of attacks.
The rail lines? They ran from the city's spaceport in all directions, some over the mountains, some through them. Not a bad idea, but it takes many explosives to damage a large amount of rail. It needed to be something more compact.
The farms? Farmland was stretched wide, so there would need to be a lot of fire, or a plague. Though there was no doubt that such a farming-centric place had many laws and protections against both.
Maybe the vertical farms? More centralized, though there seemed to be nearly a hundred of the buildings with more in construction.
The solar farm? It was still under construction, with the pattern clearly showing it would cover the upper slopes of the mountains all around the valley, serving as a cheap source of energy. Especially considering that they could be manufactured locally for a low price. However, even at this early stage of construction, the target was already very spread out.
They needed something centralized. Something that would disrupt the economy, yes, but also something that would cause fear. Anger. If people suffered, and they would, then they would hate. First, the Hand, an understandable reaction for those clouded by anger. But then, the Empire would show its incompetence, and the people would turn.
So, the targets would be twofold.
First, the spaceport. Smaller than the Accordian port, and therefore less secure. Within sat the junction for the many, many train lines that ran from the city. Hitting both would disrupt trade and cost the city millions.
Second, the water purification system. Much of the water needed to sustain the massive farms that filled the valley was purified through a large purification plant that sat on the edge of the city. If destroyed, it would leave thousands of farmers without the water needed for their crops. And with the Shubeon continent's summer at full blast, many crops were sure to wither and die. And that's if they just destroyed it. If they contaminated it?
The effects would be devastating.
The nameless, faceless agent smiled. They had their targets. Now, they would recon them more closely, then report back to the Third Finger, their direct superior.
They didn't know who the Third was, nor the other four Fingers. They didn't even know who the other Agents were, neither name nor face nor numbers. Only that there were five Fingers, and one Hand. The Hand that they all lifted to crush their enemies.
Their smile widened. Minda was their first public operation. Their first true battle against the Empire after years of smaller attacks and skirmishes.
Soon, the Empire would fall. And they would know what it means to suffer.
-
Ife Veers
Edin System, Gladiator-II-Class Star Destroyer Theorem
A quiet anger flowed through her veins, though she kept her composure even if alone.
It wouldn't do lose control, even in private.
She instead evaluated the situation. Minda had been attacked, and she hadn't been there to defend it. Even if the attacks were mostly ground side, she could've offered more direct support, deployed the Stormtroopers under her command, done something.
Though it could've also backfired. After all, if she was there, she could be held responsible for letting the rebels through.
Regardless, what really angered her was the newest arrival. Shal Mola, the Governor's older sister and Captain of the ISD Heavy Judgement.
Apparently, from what she heard, Shal had been disgraced. The Governor must've used his own connections to get her a spot here. Not prestigious, but safer than other assignments, and without a Governor that might go behind her back.
Now, Veers was Shal's superior by order of rank. However, the ISD she commanded combined with some years more experience in better postings made Ife the junior in many other respects.
It irked her something fierce.
So here she was, brewing in her quarters, considering her next move.
Her plan had always been to use Mindas growth in order to catapult her career. Her anti-piracy campaigns were a success, and the more Minda, and now Edin, grew, the more likely she was going to be recognized for her success.
It also opened doors for networking, which would be invaluable.
Her next step had been to clean up Edin as much as possible and return to Minda to protect the new shipyards. The first three berths had arrived a day after the attacks, and while not active yet, when they went into production she wanted to be there. Not just to get her hands on her own ships, but to network.
After all, once the yards were fully online, it would draw business. People from around the sector would come flocking for work.
And with them, those with power. Flocking to see the newest shiny toy, and figure out how they could profit from it. These kinds of people are the ones that had the connections to help her rise if she played her cards right.
Now? Captain Mola would be guarding the yards. An ISD, being far more impressive than her Gladiator, would be seen as the superior choice, leaving her with fewer reasons to transfer back to Minda.
But what to do about this all? She could try to bypass the Governor entirely, appeal to the Moff. After all, she defeated the Crowns, and has been protecting the system for longer, while Shal is new to the area and already disgraced by Highcom.
But would the Moff bother? Why would he care? To him, Shal or Ife, it doesn't matter, and choosing would be a waste of his time. Incentives? None that she could currently provide.
So, the Governor. She would have to not just prove her worth, but somehow undermine Shal at the same time. It would be difficult, as the two are family, but maybe?
As she mused, a ping appeared on her terminal. It was from Sabrir.
The Guild Director and Vice(formerly Interim) Governor of Edin, Darna Sabrir had been Veers's best ally in the fight against piracy, and ensuring the Edin system grew well.
Now, she was sending a message that had nothing to do with either of those. It was an offer.
It seemed that Sabrir was starting a company. Apparently, being both Vice-Governor and Guild Director left her with quite a bit of personal cash, cash she wanted to use to create a personal business.
At first, Ife wanted to laugh. A company? What use did she have for a company?
But as she read further into the very detailed overview, the gears started to turn.
The company, Pathline Inc., was a logistics company. The kind that moves cargo across the galaxy, the kind that every planet of any real significance sees thousands every day. Even Minda had at least a hundred operating in or around the system. Even Edin had logistics companies plying their trade around.
The difference? It was subtle, but Darna hinted at an advantage. As both Guild Director and Vice-Governor, she had connections, especially mercantile ones. The kinds that allow for a finger on the pulse of the market are usually only afforded by far richer companies.
This wasn't just an advantage for the company, but a boon for Minda. Darna wanted this to be an Imperial company, one that made Imperial logistics better, faster, smoother. One that paid a larger portion of profits to the Empire. One that expanded for the Empire's benefit. And by Empire, she meant Minda.
Reading between the lines, she saw the message. If Minda grew, so did both Darna and Ife's opportunities. An alliance of sorts.
Veers could give the company a sense of Imperial legitimacy, and even assign ships under her command to escort cargo vessels.
It was a longer term investment, undoubtedly, but if it worked, if this company could bring noticeable growth to Minda and profit to the Empire, it could be a way up.
The document contained a number of different things in it, like payment plans and routes and more. Plans for in house medical and security services, plans for possible future expansions into other sectors and other types of businesses. The kinds of diversification that ensure that failure in one place doesn't mean failure everywhere.
Did Ife understand all of it? No, she wasn't trained in reading commercial contracts. She was, however, adept at seeing opportunity. If she helped found this company, invested in it, involved herself in it, especially in the more public roles?
Lowering her hands to the keyboard, she began to type. For years her bank account had been filled with credits she rarely felt the need to use outside of creature comforts and some small investments. Now? It was time to put that money to use.
Her dreams were one step closer.
-
Hi there folks! I wanted to toss this out here.
Fun fact about Veers that I'm not sure I ever talked about, but I named her without knowing about General Veers. In fact, her last name was Veer. After someone commented about the similarities, I saw an opportunity for some shenanigans and family drama, plus a chance to create some motivation.
Feedback and commentary appreciated.
Thanks for reading!
-Freefaller
