And The Last Red Blossom Trembled...

[Dromund Kaas]

Imperial Center - 0800

The morning came swift over the spires and skyscrapers of the capital city of Dromund Kaas. Already, the denizens of the metropolis, the largest in the nation, were busy with their work of the day. Standing in his own private office, peering down as if he were god on an ant hill, overlooking his hapless creations, Grand Moff Rycus Kilran studied the scene below. It had been three years since the end of the War on Democracy and since then he'd undertaken many reforms that both shook imperial society to the core, and strengthened it as a result. The first of which, was the re-introduction of limited elections. The public responded favorably to the addition of state sponsored candidates, and local city elections. The sector elections, which were subsequently repealed by decree, were a farce. Requiring thousands of signatures to enter the ballot, local opposition remained low to a degree.

Hardly warranting even the facade of democracy, really. he thought to himself. Since that time, several market reforms had only served to strengthen and hasten the recovery of the imperial economy. Growing markets in medicine, arms manufacturing and retail drove the effort to propel Dromund Kaas to heights of wealth not seen at even pre-wartime levels. Jobs were being fostered and created, homes were being built, and the dreams of a people were being realized, all thanks to the autocracy he'd founded, promoted and defended with the blood of comrades and enemies. The people were happy...most of them.

There were still a small, subversive element of democratic forces that were forced underground after the siege of Belsavis. Belsavis, once serving as a bastion of improper democratic behavior, thought and theory contrary to imperial decree, had been razed to the ground in a three month long operation dubbed "Boddenplate". The result was the confiscation of hundreds of books, pamphlets and material that had mislead thousands of local citizens into believing that democratic values could instill proper behavior and promote the ideals of the nation better than National Autocracy. The ringleaders were promptly arrested, and placed on trial. Executed for crimes against the state, the Grand Moff had embarked to stamp out further democratic sedition by implementing limited reforms, and leading the way to create a new intelligence service, entitled, the Commission for the Preservation of the New Order, or COMPNOR.

And since then, our enemies have declined, and our strength has risen.. he thought again, as he moved away from the window. Stepping over to his desk, he took his seat. The desk was entirely made of a dark granite. It was constructed of materials from the southern sectors of the country, and mined within the oversector itself. He was proud of his desk. Some even said he valued it more than any other possession, or object.

Looking at the day's briefing, he stared at the words on the paper.

Imperial Briefing on Local Protests in Mandel Sector

- Local dissidents were found to be leading protest against roll back of austerity measures; security forces deployed, with minimal loss of life (read 3 dead, 12 wounded). Vizier Tarkin declined to comment to local HoloNet associate, but send word to the capital of the impending protest. His lack of foresight and aggressive handling until after the situation has been dealt with. A minimum fine of $5.000 credits has been implemented to each household within the city. Revenue to be generated shall exceed no less than $3.7 million credits.

- Military conscription reform proceeds on schedule, ahead of plans to encircle last rebel stronghold in Mandel Sector....


Stopping there, he reminded himself he needed to head out to that area to personally oversee the last operation in his protracted war against the rebels that sought to remove him from power, and enact a democracy in Dromund Kaas. They were the natural by product of "Boddenplate", and since then the government had been stamping out fire after fire, always seeking to corner and rout their forces whenever possible. They had finally succeeded in surrounding the rebels in the Mandel Sector city of Balmorra, and were on the verge of finishing the minor conflict soon. All that was needed was the go ahead from him.

Jotting down some notes, he hit the intercomm to connect him to his secretary.

"Janice, prepare my personal transport; I am heading out to Mandel..."

 

[Dromund Kaas]

The camp was ablaze with activity. Motor vehicles, tanks, soldiers and various other armored vehicles were moving and coming to and fro as the day went on. All of the Imperial High Command was clustered in a main tent near the center of the camp. Discussing strategy amongst themselves, they all stopped and gave an honored salute to Rycus as he entered.

"Please, continue gentlemen." They all resumed their postures and continued debating amongst themselves. The issue of the day, was how to end this pointless civil "war" as fast and efficiently as possible. The majority of the population centers in the country were under nominal Imperial control and the support of the people along with it. The rebels had this last city of Balmorra, and about twenty thousand souls inhabiting it.

The two main plans were a massive armored invasion of the city from all sides, given that the city was encircled completely. However, objections from the Imperial Air Force had forced a reconsideration of that strategy, in favor of a more combined arms battleplan.

"As we were discussing, sir, we believe that a combined air and land attack is the best strategy at this time. Hitting several of these logistical sites and ammo caches will knock out their capacity to resist and the army can move in afterwards." said Marshall Chatos, the leading military planner for the ground forces.

Rycus stroked his chin and contemplated the scene before him. in theory it was a solid plan and would likely account for all of the rebels, putting an end to the war once and for all. Reforms and reconstruction could take place from there. However, fallout was certainly a key factor in this decision.

"What are the long term ramifications of this battle? Do the locals support us in the outlying towns and rural areas? Will we have to revisit this scene ten years from now?" he said, shifting in his seat.

The local political officer piped up,

"Sir, the majority of the local citizens are loyal Imperialists in nature. Most of the discontent population has either turned themselves in, or are fighting with the rebels in the city. What rebels are left will be rounded up as the Army moves in and pacifies the city itself."

Nodding at the satisfactory answer, Rycus stood and shook the hands of the three generals and the political officer before speaking.

"Make it happen. i want this war over with, so the nation can move forward without further disruptions from these democrats."

they all agreed, and runners were sent to various places in the camp as Rycus retired to his own personal tent. He would obviously be staying for the duration of the battle, but he preferred to take some down time as the initial strikes began.

....

Balmorra - 1100

A pair of Ar-115's streaked over the city as the first of the bombs landed on key roads and infrastructure landmarks to mark the beginning of the battle. Sirens were screaming, along with the bloodied civilians and rebel soldiers that were injured in the first blasts. Targeting both military and political structures, the aircraft began to fly sorties and pound at the city relentlessly. The air campaign was slated to continue for at least another four hours...
​

 

[Dromund Kaas]

Kaas City, Parliament - 0800 The Next Morning

As soon as the vote had closed, everyone in the parliament chambers knew that the oversector had died that morning. The vote had, naturally, passed without major obstruction. The Imperial Reformation Act, which would introduce the most sweeping and radical structural changes since the formation of the country, would have to be fast tracked in c ertain areas to comply with the demand for semi-representative governance at the local and state levels. The President (read former Grand Moff) had pushed this through, even as he moved to stamp out subversive communist rebels in the southern city of Balmorra. The military was wrapping up that operation with a round of airstrikes, and by this point in time, a land incursion to proceed thereafter. The parliament's battle had just ended in a decisive victory not only for the new government to come, but for the people. The long battle to decide the future of the nation had come to an end, and the real work to improve the quality of life and service for the people of Dromund Kaas could begin....