As the Supreme Commander walked up to his subordinate he was greeted by a salute. “What’s going on Admiral?” Sularen inquired. “Lola Sayu. The High Republic has struck the Citadel on Lola Sayu.” Hamilton responded. “Most likely to rescue their Ambassador.” he added. “Any word from the Director?” Sularen further asked. “No sir. We’ve lost all contact with the facility.” the Admiral responded once more.
Sularen sighed as the Admiral gave his second response. He knew that Chancellor Vexx was stubborn but he hadn’t anticipated for the High Republic to resort to force this quickly. With all contact with the Citadel having been lost, Sularen had to assume the worst-case scenario had occurred. The Ambassador of Corellia, Cynan Obaith had been successfully extracted by the Republic.
It also didn’t help that the Mandalorian Empire was pinning the blame on their conflict with the Diarchy on the Imperial Confederation, on top of the ongoing conflict between the Confederation and the Sith which had been escalated thanks to the Imperials second offensive against the Thandon Star Cluster. Knowing the relationship between the Mand’alor and the Sith Empress, it wouldn’t be long before both powers would try to take advantage of the situation to further undermine the Confederation.
However while others would see the current situation as unfavorable for the Confederation, Sularen still saw opportunity. This crisis over Corellia was the Confederation’s final chance to prove its worth to a galaxy that continued to doubt it since its very inception. A chance to undermine the galactic order that was slowly consolidating around a tri-polar system dominated by the Republic, the Mandalorians and the Sith.
But this time they would have to do things the right way, with precision and careful calculation rather than overwhelming blunt force as they had done with their offensives against the Thandon Star Cluster. No longer would the Imperial Confederation serve as a mere pushover for the galaxy to mock and insult behind their backs, it would take its rightful place as a dominant force to be reckoned with.
As such Sularen turned to face Admiral Hamilton and with a serious tone spoke once more. “Ready the Armada, Admiral. If Chancellor Vexx wants to test our mettle then we’ll make her understand that we’re a force beyond reckoning.” There would be no negotiation, no compromise, only escalation until either the High Republic bent or broke. This was the will of Imperialism, and Sularen would execute it with flawless precision.
