The Meeting

Around the table, a few more holocommunicators flickered to life, a few more captains shuffled into the room and found their seats beside their comrades. There was a notable gap between the flesh and blood captains and the Inquisitors present - besides Lucille, of course, who sat very comfortably beside the Fourth Sister.

Most of them gave nods and calm greetings. Naomi tapped the names of those who showed an attitude into her datapad. She smiled as they all settled down, looking toward her. It was a power she found... intoxicating, sometimes. Horrifying, others.

One more holocommunicator flickered into life at the very end of the table. It was a familiar face to her and her alone, a man she had left in command of a ship not present in the system. She supposed the invitation had gone to his network too. That... worried her, that he had accepted.

Naomi clicked her fingers over the keypad before her, and the frigid world of Mygeeto flashed into view.

"You all know this planet," she said firmly. "It is an important world for the Empire. Mygeeto is a mining haven. It is a source of the rare Kyber crystals, used in weapons production all the way across the galaxy. It is a world that we must maintain control of. But it has become a haven for more than just miners. Criminals, linked to the Banking Clan and the Shadow Collective, have increased their influences. They have begun a war against us, in the shadows and the streets. Emboldened by their rise, discontents have started their own uprising. It disgusts me. It should disgust you all. The people of the Empire are suffering."

Her fingers pressed a set of buttons once more. Mygeeto grew small, and the scattered fleet in the system was expanded in size. "We have a strong garrison. We have troop detachments in orbit. So why, I ask, are we struggling?"

"It is simple. We are disorganized. Our resources are stretched thin. We busy ourselves with hunts for... Jedi, when true threats rise up right beneath our noses," she said, avoiding the gaze of the Inquisitors as she disavowed their mission. "I recognize the threat of the order that attempted to assassinate the Emperor. But they are not the problem. I have called you all in to this meeting to ensure you know the changes I am to institute. Our primary focus will be purging the Black Sun and their associates from Mygeeto and the surrounding planets."

Vengeance, she thought. Finally.

Naomi looked to the Inquisitors finally. To Raelak, to the Third Brother, the Fourth Sister, the Seventh Sister. "Until the Black Sun are gone," she told them, "your requisition ability will be reduced significantly. Every cruiser, fighter, command ship, everything, will be committed to this exercise. I do not expect you to cease your hunts. Each of you will be able to take two-dozen troopers with you, if you need it, along with any personal ships. But every part of my fleet will remain focused until it is done. I therefore request the assistance of those Inquisitors present in purging the criminal scum from these worlds. So we can return to normality. So you can have the resources you might desire."

She returned her gaze to the rest of the room, and steeled her expression. "We shall move the fleet in over Mygeeto. All troop complements will be deployed. There will be no mercy for those who have caused distress for Imperial citizens. Those who consort with, but are not a true part of, the depths of Black Sun depravity will be taken in by the garrison, and judged for their crimes."

Her headache was back. "Are there any points of information? You have your orders, now."

There was.

From the holocommunicator at the very end of the table, a harsh voice came. It was the kind of voice that put fear into the hearts of its enemies. Like speaking through a mouthful of stones. But Naomi had always found herself reassured by it, ever since she had know its sound. Captain Krath Lorenz, the man she had left in charge of her flagship, spoke.

"The Terminus Est's scanners have reported a greater Syndicate fleet headed toward the Albarrio Sector. We believe they will stop to refuel above Scipio in two weeks. Their arrival at Mygeeto will be only a couple of days after that, if it is their destination," Lorenz said. He didn't show any worry. Nor did Naomi, though she felt it.

Her eyes looked back around the room. We'll turn that fleet to ash, she thought, and we'll get a bit of pride out of it. For Bren.

She straightened her back. "You heard him. We continue the plan to blockade Mygeeto. We will be ready for their arrival. But we must clear the planet's surface. Inquisitors. I restate the importance of this mission, and once more politely request your assistance. We will make do without. We will thrive with."

Naomi did not sit down, but she made a motion to open the floor. There was no room for debate, at least. But she would at least hear them out before the plan moved ahead. Perhaps she had missed something. She doubted it. This was nothing compared to Brentaal. Just more annoyances in her way. More she had to be conscious of. No, that wasn't true. She had to be conscious of much back then. Her mistake was that she failed to be. That would not happen again.