“Commodore,” <font color="#AE4848">came the communications officer,</font> “a transmission from our perimeter guard. They indicate that it as a transmission coming for outside our comm. block.”

“Put it on audio,” <font color="#AE4848">Commodore Lenacie ordered with confidence. It was his time to shine, and he wasn’t going to end up like his disgraceful colleague.</font>

“This is Fleet Admiral Blackblade. Mourning the loss of the Emperor, I request a full cessation of hostilities.

“This is an unconditional surrender. TRE is granting-territorial concessions to ensure the peace is maintained. Also, Jileeak will cease to function…

“As for GDI...”


<font color="#AE4848">The Admiral’s mood swung, from a one of loss and remorse, to one of hatred and fury.</font>


“GDI is the cause of these problems... it will most likely be scrapped. And as such we expect no external interference if and when Rogue Imperial High command do decide to do this.

“TNO will gain any access whatsoever-

“While negotiations take place, I request that all fighters return to their hangars-As should all ships ensure no further conflict.”

“Well then,” <font color="#AE4848">Lenacie stood on the command deck, stunned,</font> “This is a most unexpected turn of events…”

“What now sir?” <font color="#AE4848">rang out from the crew pit, breaking Lenacie’s trance.</font>

“Uh,” <font color="#AE4848">sputtered Lenacie, still gazing dumbfounded out at the battlefield,</font> “Inform the Rear Admiral of this turn of events. Tactical, have Groups Alpha and the fighters clearing the minefield continue. I want a status on how much they have cleared. Have Group Beta and the starfighters assigned there pull back, but remain ready to attack.”

“Aye sir,” <font color="#AE4848">came tactical,</font> “Orders issued.”

<font color="#AE4848">Lenacie heard the swoosh of the Rear Admiral’s ready room door, and the clicking of his boots behind him. Lifting up and placing the toe of his right boot on the floor behind, Lenacie spun around and snapped a salute to Rear Admiral Jaiprenl.</font>

“ADMIRAL ON THE BRIDGE,” <font color="#AE4848">came the command from Lenacie. The entire crew stood and saluted. Jaiprenl simply nodded and the crew resumed its duties.</font>

“Report Commodore,” <font color="#AE4848">Jaiprenl requested as he approached Lenacie, coming up upon his left shoulder.</font>

“A transmission coming from outside the system was relayed to us by our CIP Crops,” <font color="#AE4848">Lenacie began. As Jaiprenl walked passed him he turned, putting the Admiral on his right, to keep up.</font> “Orders were issued for Alpha Group to continue as ordered, and Beta Group to stand down for the moment, but keeping their weapons ready in case the Rogue Imperial forces do not comply.”

“How’s the minefield clearing progressing?” <font color="#AE4848">came the Admiral’s gruff voice.</font>

“We’re still waiting for…”

“The minefield is at forty percent Admiral,” <font color="#AE4848">came from the tactical station on the right of the two officers.</font>

“Excellent,” <font color="#AE4848">Jaiprenl said firmly, a stone cold gaze remaining on the tactical officer that issued that report. Jaiprenl had a way to strike fear and respect in his crew, regardless of age.</font> “Have group Quito pull in. Inform them to ready the troop, and prepare for landing. Have them assist in what ever manner they can to ensure that the minefield is clear.”

“Aye sir.”

“And now we wait for the enemy’s response,” <font color="#AE4848">a solemn note coming from Jaiprenl.

35 minutes later…</font>

“Admiral!” <font color="#AE4848">rang out the ecstatic communications officer,</font> “Rouge Imperial forces are indicating surrender!”

“Victory!” <font color="#AE4848">Jaiprenl threw a fist in the air, eliciting a cheer from the crew.</font>

“Wait a minute,” <font color="#AE4848">came tactical,</font> “Several ships are breaking away form the main mass. General Kaine’s forward flank, and Group Beta are opening fire upon them.”

“Let General Kaine worry about them,” <font color="#AE4848">said Jaiprenl coming from the aft of the bridge,</font> “How’s the minefield?”

“Ninety-five percent Admiral.”

“Excellent. Have Group Quito being landing their troops.”

<font color="#AE4848">Group Quito...

The group of mighty Victory-Class Star Destroyers pulled in the atmosphere of Togoria. Line Captian Finus, the group's commander, watched the hull light up form the friction of reentry heated up the hull. He licked his lips thinking of the coming victory.

Several missile silos began to open fire upon the invasion forces, but were being quickly targeted by surgical turbolaser blasts. He lanched TIE Bomber squadrons to finish off any remaining ground personnel and components that may have survived. AT-AT barges, drop ships, and assault shuttles began their graceful descend to the surface. The group of Victory-Class Star Destroyers, continued to provide heavy cover for the assault force, firing at the first set of Rouge Imperial garrision they were about to encounter.

The bridge of the Judgment…</font>

“Yes General Kaine,” <font color="#AE4848">Jaiprenl said with a smile,</font> “Group Quito has begun neutralizing the ground forces on Togoria. I recommend having the military forces stored on your ships supplement the current invasion force. With 60,000 troops per garrison, and the Emperor knows what for artillery and assault vehicles, they’ll need the support.”

“One step ahead of you Rear Admiral,” <font color="#AE4848">Kaine nodded,</font> “Our troops have begun their landing. I will be joining them planet side as soon as all enemy ships are confirmed deserted and we have a working Command Center established.”

“Understood sir,” <font color="#AE4848">Jaiprenl said as the transmission was ended and the General's face faded from view.</font>

OOC: Again, posting on behalf of Mr. Kaine...


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> 256th..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Admiral Jaiprenl had done a remarkable job with the mines as Kaine's ships started to follow the evacuees of the Rogue Empire's defending ships.


The Circumference Groups had doubled back and surprised the defenders by appearing on their rear flank. Had the shooting continued, they would have made short work of the Rogues.


The system was bottled at both the Chandrilla Route and Averam Route thus cutting the Rogue Empire's major hyperlane route for both civilians and military units.


As long as the Abolishers remained in place, the lane....that golden thread into the heart of the Rogue Empire, was cut.


All that lay left to do was to anchor the knife....


...to take Togoria.



Kaine had jumped the gun by dropping bombers, fighters and landing transports into the mix of evacuees from the defending ships that lay dead in space.

The evacuees could do nothing for their ejection pods were unarmed and planetary defenders would hesitate to fire on Imperial ships in the midst of their helpless comrades.


But Admiral Jaiprenl was not too far behind for his main concern (and rightly so) was the mines.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> 40% clear..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The Empire had gained a foothold as the mighty landing platforms touched down. The crew of the Rogue Fleet had fled from the presence of the massive buildup of the Imperial military presence.


General Kaine's command shuttle descended inbetween the shadows of two AT-AT's.


As his ships secured the perimeter of his drop point, he knew Jaiprenl's forces would also be securing their own location.


"Tell me what I need to know, Major." Kaine said without preamble as he entered the prefab temporary command post.


"Intelligence estimates fifty plus bases entrenched on this world. The Galactus is running a tactical scan of the planet to identify them all but it will take a few orbits."


"Engage more Star Destroyers to cover the planet in less time." Kaine said immediately. Have the Circumference Group secure the dead Rogue Ships and send specialized boarding parties to see what we can extract out of their navigation, library and computer systems anything of use."


"You think Director Isard will find something valuable?"

Kaine managed a grimace. "Isard always finds something valuable. That's why she's at where she's at."

"But we have time running against us. By now, Chau's Fleet will have engaged at Yaga Minor and from that transmission, it seems Grand Admiral Hyfe and Admiral Drakiss' forces were triumphant at Hoth."

"But?" The Major continued, as a Corporal came in handing the man a datapad on their deployment.

"I expected more resistance. If not here, then definitely at Hoth. They were constructing a Death Star! That's not a small construction site to leave unguarded."

"With the Rogues, who knows.."

"No one is that inept. No, I think this ties in to what has happened to "Fearsons".


"Yes, the Rogue Admiral never elaborated on that bit did he?"


"Well, enough specuation. Are the bombers softening the ground for us?"


"As you ordered, General. However.."


"However?"


"Well, Sir, the bombing pattern is rather curious."


"It is set in such a way that it damages planetary communications. We cut off portions of the whole and absorb the enemy."


"Knock them down to size, then?"

"Yes. Most of the time, it's not the enemy that defeats a person as much as it is that person's own fears."


"Fears, Sir?"


"Watch and learn. Have the Galactus transmit this over the bombing interference. I want them to hear me but not be able to respond."


"Aye Sir." the Major responded in a confused manner. "I have Captain Sveli of the Galactus. You're on."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "This is General Simon Kaine. To the inhabitants and citizens of the defunct faction, the Rogue Empire, I greet you. By now you will have received word of your government's surrender to the Empire.

All military bases are hereby ordered to be abandoned and soldiers to disband.

Extensive scans are being conducted of Togoria so we shall have all your installation's locations shortly.

I am giving one standard hour for you to comply. Any bases that have not complied with this order will be considered hostile and dealt with harshly.

We are in a state of war with the Rogue Empire and this planet will come under Martial Jurisdiction of the Imperial Office of Intergalactic Affairs and the New Order's Military High Command.

Disarm yourselves and return to your families.

The one hour time limit starts now."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



Turning his attention to the communications unit linked to the Galactus, Kaine started, "Captain Sveli, have the bombers continue their runs and ready the Star Destroyers main guns. Do you remember what we did on Sotel with the enemy in the desert?"


"Only with smaller guns."


"Not this time, Captain."


"Acknowledged, Sir. We shall be ready."


The Major had begun to focus on the organization of the ground forces for the review of his General when something began to burst over the static and interference the bombers were creating.


"General...we are getting something but it's hard to make out.."


"Captain Sveli?" Kaine spoke into his comm unit.


"We see them General. The airways just lit up with signals. They must be trying to find someone in charge to make their decisions."


"It will be tough with the interference but not impossible." the Major commented.


"I don't want to stop them from talking to each other, Major." Kaine said. "Captain Sveli, pinpoint the origins of the signals and have the fleet insert their location on the tactical maps. Focus sensors on those locations. Best guess would be those are military installations trying to tap their chain of command for instructions. That transmission from Admiral Blackblade was genuine."


"Sir! We are getting a signal directed at us."


"Let's hear it, soldier and pinpoint it's origin."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "To the invading Imperial Army.


Your threats mean nothing to us. We stand willing and able to defend our soil from any attack by a foreign power. We will not surrender to --"<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Sveli." Kaine simply said into his comm unit as the Rogue leader was getting warmed up.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...standard hour to comply by withdrawing your troops.......>click< >click<... "<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


And the comm signal burst into static.


The Major was going to comment on the lucky timing of the enemy's power failure when he heard shouts outside. The commotion was enough to raise the the curiousity of the Major as he tore his eyes away from Kaine and moved outside.


Mushrooming up in the far far distance was a small cloud of destruction.


The fleet had homed in on the signal of the defiant leader and had silenced his courageous, if stupid, boasts.


As he walked back inside, he noticed the communications system setup for another annoucement by the General.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "As of now, Togoria is now protected by the Empire. Any voice out of harmony with Imperial interests will be considered traitorous and expunged.

Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, you are, in essence, citizens of the New Order.
Act as such and you will be treated fairly as is due a citizen.

You now have 30 minutes to disarm."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Kaine ended his transmission and the Major marvelled. "You cut their time in half."


"Actually, by about fifteen minutes." Kaine replied. "You see, Major. We do not have the time to waste with the outclassed, outgunned or inferior."


"But perhaps a more diplomatic course could ensure..." the Major said tentatively.


A cold smile came across Simon's lips. "If we were liberating this planet as we did with Muunilist or Carida, then yes, I would agree. But we are not liberating Togoria. We are taking a hostile planet from a hostile government that we are currently at war with. Our methods must be extreme. When you attempt to take something from someone at gun point, what reaction will you get?"


"Defiance."


"Yes, defiance. But as soon as you see that defiance, you slap them down. You cower them before such defiance is turned into action. Then their fears do the rest.


By giving them time, I fueled their confidence and they ate it up declaring their defiance hoping to sway the planet."


"Then we slapped them down."


"Yes. Had we done so after they acted, it would have made them martyrs. Now, they are just fools who couldn't see the warnings before their face."


"And now that everyone is properly cowed?" the Major asked.


"Sir!" interrupted a voice. "We are getting surrenders!"

"Sir! Galactus reports scanning evacuations of military installations."

"Cover them with Imperial fighters!" Kaine barked out before turning to the Major, and grinned a feral grin. "Now, we get their wallet."





<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Shrouds Patrol Group finished their run as TIE Devils and Fighters surrounded the shipyards of the planet. The fleet had begun to shut down the yards temporarily with their ion cannons.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




Admiral Jaiprenl's forces....

“Sir, sensors read all rogue ships are deserted.”

“Excellent, have the engineering crews launch,” said Jaiprenl. “I want those computer cores intact. They will be of some use to us yet.”

The whining of Lambda-Class Shuttles engines filled the hanger bay of every ship in Sentinel II. Each shuttle was filled with eight members of the Naval Engineering Crops and a dozen Imperial Stormtroopers. All make the trip silently, for there was not much to talk about while in transit. Most knew what to expect. For the most part, this was standard operating procedure, restore basic electrical power, life support systems, main sublight systems, main the deflector shields, and main hyperdrive systems. One deviation was the retreavial of the computer cores.

Rear Admiral Jaiprenl had special plans for them…

The shuttle pilots were of first class skill; they landed their crafts unaided by the customary tractor beam assistance. With two shuttles per Rogue Imperial ship, the two groups of engineers and stromtroops divided into four teams, each consisting of four engineers and six troopers. The four teams move about the ship slowly, until one team was able to resort power to the ship, then each went about their assigned tasks.

On board a Rogue Imperial Dreadnaught…

Maldok Kindar’s team was in charge of restore the ships main sublight engines. Maldok walked about the engine room, looking high above him. Something wasn’t right about the way this engine system was set up. He scratched his bread, neck still cranked skyward as he walked toward his fellow team members that were running the diagnostic test, and attempting to restore the system.

“Hey Jameson… take a look at the ceiling here,” Maldok start to say.

“Power activated,” came from further down the catwalk.

The powerful engines of the Dreadnaught roared to life, filling the engine room with deafening noise. As Maldok began to cover his ears, a shrill whistle became apparent.

The bridge of the Judgment…

A bright flash filled the viewports on the bridge. Admiral Jaiprenl and Commodore Lenacie raced to the forward to see what had happened.

“REPORT!” Shouted Jaiprenl. The crew scrambled to comply.

“It appears on of the enemy ships has exploded.”

“Damn their Rogue Imperial blood,” sneered Jaiprenl. “Begin shooting down at any escape left in our fire range. I want one for every man we lost.”

Turbolaser blots leapt from the Judgment’s batteries towards targets not visible from the bridge. The tiny flashes of light indicating success were apparent against Togoria’s night side. Jaiprenl stared out at the targets, knowing justice was being served.

“What’s the report from planet side?” the Admiral quizzed his crew as he turned from the viewports.

“General Kaine is reporting success sir,” came one. “The capital city of Degaera Prime is currently under siege.”

“Excellent,” hissed Jaiprenl, “How are the surviving engineering crews fairing?”

Commodore Lenacie stepped forward, “Only three quarters are reporting complete success so far Admiral. Most ships are reading operational life support and sublight engines.”

“Issue an order stating that once the computer cores have been successfully recovered, to distribute them among the ships, the largest ships taking precedent,” Jaiprenl said to Lenacie. The Commodore quickly made his way to the comm. station.

“Sir,” Lenacie shouted from his position, “General Kaine is reporting victory sir. Degaera Prime has fallen.”

“Ready my shuttle,” the Admiral began as he walked forward, towards the turbolift. “Commodore, join me as soon as your orders have been issued.”

“Aye sir.”

Degaera Prime, Togoria

Admiral Jaiprenl’s shuttle landed on the planet’s capital building. He walked out into the night with his executive officer closely in tow, with the winds whipping about their bodies. Once inside, they quickly began to warm. Jaiprenl’s cheeks were still flushed with color when he met General Kaine in one of the building’s numerous grand, conference rooms.

“Ah, Rear Admiral Jaiprenl,” Kaine said with a warm tone as he began to walk towards the two officers.

“General Kaine,” Jaiprenl said, extending his hand. “Uncontested I assume?” he questioned as they shook hands.

“Minor resistance was encountered,” he began rather solemnly, however it degraded into amusement before he finished his statement. “But the name of the 256th will yet strike fear into the hearts of the enemy.”

“As will Sentinel’s second division,” Jaiprenl smiled, returning the humor.

“Togoria is firmly ours,” Kaine started as he walked to the head of the conference table, where one of his majors stood. “There are a few resistant pockets of former Rogue Imperial soldiers, but nothing that won’t be resolved by the time we leave. Only minor causalities on our side. How were things on your front?”

“I’ve afraid not so lucky General,” Japrienl began, folding his hands behind his back. “We’ve recovered three quarter of the enemies computer cores, and they’re been distributed among our ships. But we lost two groups of engineers. One of the enemy ships appeared to be booby-trapped. Exact chain of events is still unclear, and might remain so; the ship was atomized. I ordered 40 escape pods to be shot down, one for every man lost.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Rear Admiral,” Kaine said, dipping his head. “The Rogue villains will pay further.”

“Aye they will,” nodded Jaiprenl.

“Major, finish up here. I’ll be returning to the Galactus,” he said to his subordinate.

Marschal Willam T'deria, Kommandant, Togoria Army Garrison.



The transmission from Fleet Admiral Blackblade could inspire only one thought and emotion. The thought that the comminque had been false. The emotion if the opposit was true was pure and unbridled rage:

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Traitor!!!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The Jutraalian Grand Inquisitor, an aristocrat named del Forza, a nobleman who had risen from obscrity to hold the highest Inquisitoriate position in the Empire, had spoke to the contrary regarding their military situation. While not all of the transmissions had made it to the besieged planet intact, enough had to give the troops what they needed:

The Will to Resist.

The small, three ship squadron stationed dropped two wings of TIE fighters to add to the defense, then leapt from the system when clear of the gravity wells.

It was of no matter, though. Victory or defeat for Togoria would come on the ground.

The outcome was hindered however, for the Jutraalians, as they had no shield protecting them from bombardment; only immensely thick bunkers and reinforced duracrete and steel fortresses could save them.

Togoria had been preparing for war: every planet in the Empire had. Togoria's was somewhat less along than its commander would have liked. Around tenf the fifteen major cities, there were networks of field foritifaction, makig sklled use of terrain and materiale.

Devaan was the most well protected, as it also housed not only a thriving space port, but garrison command-above and below ground. The city was almost twenty kilometers from one side to the other, with eighteen million people in beween. On two sides it was met by water...the other to gave way to sloping savannahs. The city itself was changd in that every person with some credits not needed for food had built a shelter in their yard or fitted a basement with extra struts.

Outside was completely different. Stretching from bay to bay wer kilometers of earthworks. Massive trenches ten meters wide and five meers into the ground ringed he city. From their wood and steel and rock reinforced walls were tunnels and bunkers for explosives and ammunition. On their forward walls were firing steps for troopers with blaster rifles and bunkrs fore and aft for repeating blasters.

Throughout the lines were the severed heads of AT ATs, mounted on turntables, their guns abe to point anywhere. Near them were light twin laser emplacements, aimed into the sky for any aerial threat that may present itself. In a pinch, they could be leveled, fired over open sights, and dispatch an entire platoon of unarmored infantry in seconds.

Each city that was deemed "neccessary for defense and planetary retainment" had a garrison of one hundred and fifty thousand: eight divisions of infantry, and thirty thousand gunners. More were support troops, engineers, and mobile assault fore crewmen, for each Division had a regiment of heavy assault vehicles, grouped together inside their defensive pockets to pinch off any breech.

A million more were in Armies for rapid defensive action. The remainder were all on laert as guards and outpost soldiers.

They were the ones who stood the smallest chance for survival.



The situation on the ground was not bad: that is to say it had not yet been ble to go bad, as there were no Imperial troops on the planet.

That would soon change. Every weapon that could reach high atmosphere was charging.

When the few former naval heavy turbolasers emplacedarond key targets were reay, their fired their deadly bolts at the descending Victory-class Star Destroyers.

The Defense of Togoria had begun.

Force:

Devaan: Fifteenth Jutraalian Army
T'mar: Seventh
Aldera: Thirty-first
Gintaak: Forty-eighth
Yadeel: Twentieth
New Fraal City: Eleventh
Raam: Ninth
Huruuhl: Twenty-second
Dramman: Fourtenth
Yigeerian: Thirty-Ninth

Armies of Assault:
Seventieth Heavy Assault
First Strike Group
Fifth Light Armrored Infantry Corps
Twentieth Army Group: (23rd, 25th, and 28th Armies)

And five mobile corps.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Defense of Togoria had begun.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



Unfortunately it had begun too late. Togoria was now an Imperial held, Imperial occupied planet and as such, it's citizens would be dealt with the same.



The forces that struggled to fight were no longer Rogue (whatever their uniforms said) but dissident Imperial Citizens.


And someone would be hardpressed to find something that the Empire hated more than rebellion.


..and with good reason.


A few craft tried to launch fighters into Togoria but as the planet was surrounded by the 256th and 2nd Sentinel Division of General Kaine and Admiral Jaiprenl, such launching (no matter how small) did not go unnoticed.

The Imperials, surprisingly, let them through and the ships that housed them attempted to avoid gravity wells that simply were not there [the gravity wells were outside the system]. As they launched, the abolisher fields enveloped them before they even reached the interdiction fields and were crushed.


Gordon Sveli, Captain of the Galactus noted the irritation of his soldiers at allowing the small squadron of fighters through.

"They have reached the surface, Sir!" one of them nearly spit out in disgust. Almost so that Sveli nearly laughed.

"Hmmm... and where would a fighter squadron land?" he asked to the bridge crew in general.


"A.. port..a spaceport. A refuiling station."


"Yes.. exactly! And with the military installations mapped and evacuated of soldiers... that leaves the?"


"Civilian areas still housing troops!"

"Sir! Sensors picking up heat blooms in defense guns.."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Rebellion!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"And now they have pinpointed the port where their friends are. Target main guns and fire.."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> And blinding light came down upon Devaan spaceport rendering it to ash.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



"I’ll be returning to the Galactus..."


No sooner were the words out of General Kaine's mouth when reports started flowing in of an slow developing rebellion of the Imperial planet Togoria.


"They would be calling it 'defense', no doubt." the Major replied as he called up the tactical board indicating the Imperial units occupying Degaera Prime, Capital City of Togoria as well as elsewhere on the planet.


"These movements seem to suggest that they believe there are no imperial units on Togoria."

"Then their intelligence gathering leaves much to be desired." Kaine quipped out.

"Captain Sveli has fired on Devaan City.... Spaceport it looks like."

"Smart."

"Sir, turbolaser batteries are charging... it looks like some shots are being taken against the VSD's."


"They are ignoring the bombers we have in play. Redirect them and target those turbolasers."



The bombers halted their systematic bombing of sometimes seemingly <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> nothing<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, to attack and destroy turbolasers attempting to show some type of defiance to their new masters.


The planetary guns were silenced.


Another benefit to the extensive bombing done on the Togorian landscape by the small craft was the destruction of underground earthworks.

Most of the outside tunnels were evacuated but not so with those surrounding "rebelling" cities.


Take the example of Devaan City, before their so-called air of defiance. Not only did the bombing bring a level of fear into the city, not only were communications interfered with temporarily, it also, surprisingly crumbled most of their underground tunnel system.

Massive trenches ten meters wide and five meers into the ground were affected. From their wood and steel and rock reinforced walls were tunnels and bunkers for explosives and ammunition. These reinforced walls were no match for the bombs that followed the Galactus' destruction of the city's spaceport.

The explosive armory was hit and explosions were sent down the tunnel line and the ground collapsed.

The Imperials were surprised at the level of tunnelling, but such surprise turned to grim determination.

This was the next indication that there would be immediate rebellion. A bomber went down amid the starting of hostilities and it's payload exploded within the city.


When Admiral Jaiprenl signaled that he had reached his ship, Kaine, drumming his fingers on his chair as the situation presented itself, knew that this fight would get ugly.


The fact that Togoria was now a part of the Empire suddenly became a wartime liability.

He sighed and signaled for plantary transmission.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "This is General Kaine of the the Imperial Army, to the citizens of the the Empire and the Imperial world of Togoria.

You were abandoned by your former allegiance, the Rogue Empire. I realize many who fought under that banner may feel betrayed at their cowardly actions. But displaying cowardly actions in return will not help your situation.

Whether you like it or not, you are a taken asset and you are now Imperial by right of war. We have offered you concessions and have been merciful in not allowing the standard executions to take place.

In the face of such merciful actions, rebellion has broken out. I urge all citizens to flee from the rebel strongholds or you will be counted among them and dealt with accordingly. The armies of the Rogue Empire are broken, and as they are not obeying the actions of their government, they are no more than terrorists.

We do not, and will not, deal with terrorists (no matter their number).

The Empire will continue to protect those lawful citizens of Togoria and will strive hard to bring order to Togoria as quickly as possible.

To the rebels: We would have let you live in peace. Your leaders are blinding you and you will now pay the price."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The transmission ended and Kaine turned to signal the fleet in orbit. "Jam the enemy transmissions and cut off all civilian transmissions except those controlled by the Empire. Captain Sveli,"


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "Sir?"<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Have the fleet charge their guns once more and target the rebel strongholds."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Already done, Sir.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Bring down the heavies. We are going to need them now."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Yes Sir. Bombers returning to their ships for reloading.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Maintain the rounds continuous, Captain."

Reports were coming in pieces. What was arriving spelled doom for those soldiers still alive. Planetary defensive installations had been silenced by Imperial bombers, though their casualties were unknown before the surface to air batteries around them were pounded into submission.

Every assault army that had been planned to revitalize the defense and drive the Imperials from the world were either scattered or eliminated.

Most of the painstakingly built over the last months were tossed about as if the gods had took the ground in their hands and batted in from side to side. Cities behind the fortifications were in ruins, most of their civilian populations thankfully scattered into the countryside.

What had remained had all but ceased to exist.

Out of a garrison of one hundred and fifty thousand in Devaan, just over fifty thousand remained. Out of their two brigades of armored support, less than fifty vehciles, tanks walkers and speeders, were still combatant.

Bodies dotted the landscape and craters all else.

The Imperials considered this world theirs.

It would not truly be so until every last Jutraalian soldier was killed in the line of duty. For many, this was their home, and they would die before dishonoring it through surrender.

For the others, honor simply deemed death. Gloriously.

Four of the cities that had been heavily defended were left with a garrison that could mount an effective defense. Wth the rubble about them, bombardment and strafing would not kill but a dozen. An attack would be the only way to uproot the staunch defenders.

And fight they would. To the death.

One full light infantry battalion had been detached from the city of Devaan into the country where Imperial troops were reported to be gathering. They would arrive and wreak havoc in their staging area. They would be caught unawares, they could not see them coming. The composition of the mountains and thei knowledge of the terrain would preclude detection.

Until it was too late.

The cities themselves would be defended to the utmost. Every nook and cranny until the last soldier fell to the ground and the Banner torn from its post.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Imperial world of Togoria<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



"Sensors show massive movements around certain cities. Civilians are fleeing, Sir!"


Captain Gordon Sveli grinned at Kaine's sly move. "Transmit the data to the Daegara Prime. The General will be most pleased."



*

The fixed tactical command Kaine used was an old commuications station before the Empire came to Daegara Prime.

The heavy ground units from the fleet had been released and now they moved to secure the province. With the fleet overhead and the sky blanketed with fighters and bombers heading down and out over the horizon to carry out the business of crushing rebellion, Kaine knew his position was solid.

However, this did not hold true to his more mobile forces out gathering information on rebel held locations.


There were other minor forces providing coordinating efforts with the defunct planetary government.

The transition into Imperial doctrine would not happen overnight and Kaine had to think ahead.

Some smaller groups might be caught unawares by the rebels which is why his fleet began to launch probes into orbit aimed directly at the world that was proving hostile.


"Sir! Transission from the Galactus! It worked!" cried an offcer and Kaine grinned a self satisfied grin.

The Imperial forces knew that rebellion was brewing but they did not know where. The fighters the Rogues had tried to drop off led the Imperials to Devaan but so far, only the defense structures and the spaceport had been hit.


But even so, the orbital bombardment had been devestating though necessary.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Empire's policy on rebellion was strictly adhered too.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


But, other than Devaan, the Imperials did not necessarily know which cities to target.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The civilians know....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

With his transmission, the civilian activity that picked up told him the answer that Togoria's civilian folk knew..


..the location of the rebels.


For if the Imperials were to rain down fire from the sky again, the people knew they had to be as far away from the soldiers as possible.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Got you..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"Locations?" he barked out.

"T'mar, Aldera, Gintaak, Yadeel, New Fraal City, Raam, Huruuhl,
Dramman, and Yigeerian, Sir!"



"Have the fleet target them and wait till the civilians are safely away before pounding the cities to dust. Any who remain, their fates on their head."

"As you say, General."

"Tighten the flight pattern of the fighters and focus some probes over those cities!"

The civilians had fled... well, most did. Those too stubbornly loyal to the Rogues would soon see the error of their way.


"FIRE!" Kaine shouted and the judgement of Palpatine's children came down upon the rebels with unbridled fury.

And moreso as Kaine took each rebelling group as a personal slight.





What was left was rubble as the great engines of destruction in orbit silenced.


"Sir! Admiral Jaiprenl's group reports all the enemy mines taken care of!"


"Good work Tym!" Kaine quietly spoke. The Sentinel's 2nd Division Admiral had amazed the General with not only his precision to detail but how he led his men. He couldn't have asked for a better partner in the attack.


"The heavy artillery are moving into position, though some companies are straggling."


"Track them! They will be easy pickings if not with the main body."


"There is still some resistance left?"

"Yes." Sighed Kaine. He'd expected it but still hated the prospect of what he had to do next.


"We have to go in after them and finish the rebel zealots."



Then his eye lit up.


"I have an idea..."