Open RP

[mismanagement]

Hit me.

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[mismanagement]

"Yessir."

Maketh left in a good mood, reassured that the commander would be following a plan she approved of and would indeed note her contributions to the right people when it was done. Perhaps she'd get a promotion out of the deal or just some good will, but it was a job well done either way.

The good will lasted exactly six hours before one of her junior officers shook her awake in a panic because the city is on fire, Minster, please make it stop.

The entire city. Until recently, Maketh hadn't thought it physically possible. She spent the rest of the night trying to coordinate recovery efforts and minimize the damage. In between dealing with tearful cadets and civilians too spooked and soot-covered to remember their place, she called out to her agents and competent soldiers, and piece together a picture of what had happened.

Apparently Krennic hadn't waited to put his plan into motion. Apparently he had a few of his own people feeding him information or had taken the short route and bribed some of Maketh's to give him both the right information and the right situation to exploit it. Either way, the end result was the same. The rebels caught word of a Jedi artifact being transported, made a grab for it in transit, and a firefight ensured. And, coincidentally, ran smack into a group of miners getting rid of industrial waste.

Incredibly volatile industrial waste.

How very unlucky.

Maketh gritted her teeth and dealt with as much damage as she could. The aftermath wasn't good. She'd lost three Academy instructors, a few cadets - one of whom was from a prominent family - and even worse, Agent Kallus had gotten himself shot in the head and confined to the infirmary, leaving her with no competent to remind the civilians who they could and couldn't yell at.

When it was as done as it could be, she stalked over to where the commander was staying, not bothering to change out of her uniform with its various blood and smoke-stains. Someone was going to suffer for this.

Predictably, the death-troopers didn't let her stalk in. Maketh glared at them. "Get him. Now."

[vergeofgreatness]

He watched Lothal burn.

All it had taken was calling in a few favors with some smugglers he had used for other purposes, the rebels were always so predictable in responding. From there, it had only been too easy to make the last of arrangements.

Now it remained to see how the forces on Lothal would react. It was a pity that Agent Kallus had been shot- he had seemed fairly useful and Tarkin would no doubt be put out by this loss.

The city would be a sacrifice and an invitation for the Jedi to come to Lothal. He had allowed one of his smugglers to somehow recover enough information unrelated to the kyber crystals for that purpose before fleeing.

It was almost too easy.

The deathtroopers instantly stepped in her way as soon as Maketh approached, blocking the door. They looked at each other before one spoke into his commlink to the commander.

"Sir, Minister Tua wants to speak with you."

A moment of silence before a voice could be heard over the commlink granting permission, the trooper nodded before gesturing for his comrade to step aside.

"Proceed, Minister."

Krennic stood at the window watching Lothal burn. Blaster shots could be heard as the last of the fights concluded, the heavy thud of the footsteps of walkers chasing down the rest of the rebels and carrying out a demonstration of Imperial power.

"It seems you had a situation on your hands tonight, Minister."

His expression was thoughtful, his brows furrowed. "I hope it is under control."

[mismanagement]

Play the game, soldier

Under better circumstances, Maketh would have taken the time to set the whole thing up on her terms. She would have put on a clean uniform and gathered the proper information so her accusations - ever so politely veiled - would have weight behind them. She stood up straight and forced herself not to bare her teeth at him like goddamn animal.

Be professional. Do your duty to the Emperor.

"Was it your intention to cripple my command structure, or was that a happy accident?" Maketh's voice rose on every word, fury barely contained. If Tarkin wanted Krennic dead at the end of this, Maketh would shoot him herself. "Your nonsense has killed three of my commanders!"

[vergeofgreatness]

"Are you suggesting I organized a rebel attack?" His voice was low, dangerous as he turned to face her. It was the early hours of the morning, the sun hadn't even begun to rise yet but he was in full uniform nonetheless.

"Do you have evidence?" the door shut heavily behind her, the deathtroopers would prevent anyone from entering, even other Imperial troopers and officers. His gaze was sharp, he had covered his trail well but it never hurt to ensure that.

"I believe you told me those under your command were capable. Were you mistaken?"

[mismanagement]

That time, Maketh did bare her teeth in a silent snarl. It was an awful, primitive habit. One of her worst. She'd gotten punished for that in the Academy, thought the mistake had been beaten out of her skull after all these days. Apparently not.

It was by the grace of her ancestors and nothing else that the words she spat next weren't raging profanity. Maketh set her jaw, knowing very well she was a mess, a disgrace to her uniform and stinking of smoke and burning metal, but she held her ground. She lifted her chin and stood at attention. Ready to give her report.

"I apologize, Commander, but your operations will have to be delayed. Governor Tarkin has determined the security of the city and Imperial Academy to be of the highest importance to the Emperor." Maketh stared at Krennic and imagined smashing his skull open with the butt of her pistol. It calmed her somewhat. "The rebel incursion, which was of course beyond your influence in any way, has severely limited my resources. Your operations will simply have to wait until my officers have been replaced."

Maketh didn't smile.

"No need to inform Govenor Tarkin of the situation. I already gave him a full briefing. He sends his deepest regrets for the delay."

[vergeofgreatness]

"Naturally. We cannot have the kyber crystals from falling into rebel control." That would be Tarkin's response but while the Governor would be smug in the knowledge that he halted extraction of the crystals and thus, causing delays in research, Krennic had other plans.

He regarded her calmly, the tightening of his fist the only indication of his true emotions. Tua was devoted to the Empire, there was no doubt, and also showed loyalty to Tarkin. A note for future operations.

"Your loyalty is to be commended. You felt such a passion to the Emperor to break the chain of command, Minister," he said calmly as he turned to look out the window once more. The walkers had finished cornering the rebels and the commlink crackled once more.

"Commander, we have the rebels cornered. Awaiting orders."

Krennic turned to Tua, his lips set in a thin line. "What do you propose we do with the rebels?" he asked calmly.

[mismanagement]

Maketh thinned her mouth but didn't snarl further. It was clear in her mind that Krennic was responsible for this nonsense, a fact made worse because she'd shown him exactly how to do it. She'd get her revenge at a more convenient time. For now she would settle for delaying his plans, however temporarily. "The Governor appreciates your clarity in these difficult times. We must prioritize our duty."

In the meantime, Maketh intended to make life as difficult as possible for Krennic as long as he was stuck on her planet. She had a dozen cadets with a dead classmate and an abundance of time on their hands. Surely they could be pointed in the right direction.

She scowled at him. Maketh disliked stupid questions or comments about her loyalty, which were the only excuses for that question. Despite what her instructors had declared, Maketh knew her duty. She was not soft. "Execute them on sight. And try not to do it in front of the civilians. I don't want them gaining more sympathizers from this mess than they already have."

[vergeofgreatness]

He didn't look away from her as he listened to her answer. "Captain, execute the rebels and clear the area," he said eventually over the commlink. He waited only to get confirmation of the order. From the office, they could hear the sound of the walker firing on the rebels though he didn't look at the window.

"The Governor and I have much to discuss.." He had some choice words for Tarkin and he was sure Tarkin had some words for him. Maketh didn't need to get drawn into that even if she was going to prove to be a useful piece of his plans. "In the meanwhile, you will prepare a report for me. We cannot afford to repeat an incident like this, can we?"

[mismanagement]

"No, commander, we certainly cannot."

Maketh gave him a thin smile that was not at all genuine and imagined - yet again - smashing his head open with the butt of her pistol. The image calmed her slightly. There was work yet to be done. Her revenge would be patient and petty until she found a way to make him truly hurt.

"Oh, and commander? If you wish things to proceed back on schedule, I suggest you call for additional officers to replace the ones the rebels so callously murdered." Maketh shook her head in mock sorrow. "Much as I support your mission, the governor requires my focus to be...elsewhere. You understand, of course."

[vergeofgreatness]

"I trust you will not disappoint." He could start to see why Tarkin had left her in charge in his absence. No doubt she was reporting more than just tonight's incident to him.

"Of course. You are a minister, not a military commander. I believe the governor has been spreading you too thin. That will be remedied immediately." A chance to inspire some loyalty on Lothal, at least. He had some of his own allies in Tarkin's inner circles already but having allies on Lothal to keep things active would be important. "I suggest you get some rest now that clean up has been completed. We both have a long day ahead of us."

[mismanagement]

"My dear commander, I never do."

Just a little reminder that she'd earned her position the old fashioned way - cunning and brute force applied in just the right place. Maketh inclined her head slightly, a respectful gesture that no one could accuse her of faking. She did it exactly as required, like she did everything the Empire required of her.

Still, this was a game and she knew it was far from over. No doubt Krennic still had cards to play as well. It was quite possible he'd taken offense at her tone and intended to have her punished for it.

Fine, Maketh thought. Let him try. Either way she'd get the additional officers she wanted.

"Of course, commander. How thoughtful of you. I'll see myself out."

[vergeofgreatness]

He gave a nod, gesturing that she could go. On cue, the door opened and the death troopers stood at attention, showing her out.

As soon as Tua was heading towards the door he was at his desk - what was formerly Tarkin's- to begin making arrangements. Of course, he took a few moments to check in on Erso, to make sure the research was going as planned and on schedule. Next was a report to Mas Amedda about the simply deplorable state of affairs on Lothal. He received a curt reply that made his lips curl in a smirk but it was also authorization to handle the situation himself while Tarkin was away. He was given assurances that the governor's attention was fully needed elsewhere so until Tarkin was able to return, Lothal was under his control.

A desolate, backwater planet, just what he had always wanted.

The next day he decided that measures were to be taken. Officers were assembled, along with Minister Tua. The death troopers flanked him and he stood with hands clasped before him as he waited for the officers to assemble.

[mismanagement]

Despite the mess, Maketh did find a few hours to shower and sleep. Though still unconscious, Agent Kallus had apparently pulled through and seemed unlikely to die anytime soon, and the rest of her surviving officers - possibly sensing doom - had rallied.

The rebels, to her great annoyance, had escaped once again.

Maketh stood with her back perfectly straight, Aresko and Grint flanking her on either side. They knew very well that their survival depended on her goodwill and as such had remembered their training. The city was no longer burning and the dead had been dealt with.

Now Krennic was going to make some sort of announcement. Hopefully that he would be sending for additional officers like she'd asked. It was about damn time.

Maketh waited patiently, face unreadable.

[vergeofgreatness]

"This is this everyone, Minister?" He knew exactly who was supposed to be here but he was watching the expressions of the officers. Years of disciplined instilled in them by Imperial training fighting against a nervous energy. The death troopers on either side of him certainly made a statement.

"It has come to my attention that the rebels were tipped off as to activities in this facility," he said slowly. The kyber operation as safely protected, that was never in doubt, but these officers were expendable. His new replacements were arriving as they spoke, Mas Amedda had allowed him act immediately without consulting Tarkin.

"Now, who is going to step forward and explain how this could have happened."

[mismanagement]

"Everyone capable of standing."

There were a few other stuck in the infirmary, but they'd be useless until the medics finish their work.

Maketh narrowed her eyes. Of all the things she'd expected him to open with that--

Oh, he was playing a game. As expected, really. He knew very well who had tipped the rebels off and on what authority. This was posturing. Making a point.

She had a sudden feeling of dread, because the men who'd done that were standing right next to her. Aresko cleared his throat uneasily.

[vergeofgreatness]

"Step forward, officer." He gestured for Aresko to come forward. "And you- and you" he gestured to a few of the other officers to come forward. Officers he knew had no implication in the incident aside from following orders but were merely guilty of being particularly loyal to Tarkin.

"We all serve the Empire, giving our service to the Empire for the stability of the galaxy." He paused, looking around and meeting the gaze of several officers. A couple of the ones who had been asked to step forward averted their gazes. He turned to look at Maketh, meeting her gaze for a few moments before he stepped back.

"Well, I will allow a moment for someone to come forward. I will even allow you to speak your piece," he said graciously, a gesture that would be more gracious if there hadn't been death troopers flanking him. He looked at Maketh once more.

"Minister, perhaps you have some light to shed on the matter. I know how diligently you work here." Give her a chance to see if she would put herself before her officers.

[mismanagement]

He had the authority to do something about it. That was Maketh's first thought. The second was that she hadn't put safe-guards in place to prevent any of his scheming, had been too busy with stabilizing the city. An error Krennic had no doubt taken advantage of. She should have seen it coming.

Too late for regrets. She had to endure the moment first.

Maketh narrowed her eyes. "We serve the Empire with all the honor and strength in our possession. I wonder, Commander, if you have written the report detailing this information? For the governor, I mean. He prefers nothing left to chance. And should there be mistakes, anything overlooked--oh, that would be quite unfortunate."

If Krennic was going to do anything to her men, Maketh would make sure she fought him every step of the way. They were fools and incompetent, the worst sorts of officers, but they were hers. And she had a mastery of paperwork nearly unparalleled on Lothal.

[vergeofgreatness]

"The governor has received a full report. The Vizier, however, has given me complete discretion to handle matters on Lothal in his absence." Which meant Tarkin couldn't save any of them now.

"I admire your devotion and loyalty to the Empire, Minister. Something I will certainly include in my report to Coruscant." It was something to keep her striving for, at least, and a message that loyalty to Tarkin was misplaced now.

He looked back at the officers, watching them for a few moments before gesturing to the death troopers. "Clearly matters here are more serious than I or anyone on Coruscant had thought. Those who fail the Empire will be held accountable."

[mismanagement]

They were swiftly approaching a conclusion that Maketh knew, deep down, that she had no power to prevent. The governor and the commander clearly had personal agendas they were pursing against each other, and she had found herself thrown into the fray with neither warning not trustworthy allies.

"We serve on the Emperor," Maketh repeated, eyes hard. "What are your orders, Commander?"

[vergeofgreatness]

The death troopers suddenly took aim at the officers but he held up a gloved hand to stall them just a moment.

"How do we punish failure, Minister?" he asked, each word deliberate. They both knew where this was going and he would make sure she had no doubt as to who was in control there. It wasn't Tarkin.

He turned his gaze back to the officers, impatiently gesturing. "Well? Does no one have anything to say? Really?"

[mismanagement]

Maketh stiffened, but didn't drop her eyes. She met Krennic's gaze head on. Stand your ground, soldier. This was going to happen. She'd exhausted her resources trying to prevent it. All that was left was to take it standing up.

Her officers didn't say a word.

[vergeofgreatness]

"Fire." The word was firm, not shouted but the death troopers were still quick to follow the order. They stepped back before the bodies of the officers hit the ground and Krennic only gave a light tsk of disappointment, shaking his head.

"Such a pity." He turned to Maketh, his gaze even. "You will have your new officers, Minister. They will be arriving today and I expect you will make them feel welcome. They were appointed by the Vizier and I know you are eager to advance your career."

[mismanagement]

Bodies fell. There was a moment when Maketh couldn't breathe, her body would not allow it, and she imagined falling with them. But there was no pain, no sharp heat of a rifle aimed true. She was still alive. There was blood on her face.

Maketh allowed herself a moment to count the dead. More than expected. Almost her entire command. He might have shot Agent Kallus as well if the man hadn't been stuck in the infirmary. Though perhaps that's an accident waiting to happen. She learned all about accidents in the Academy and spent years forgetting them.

Perhaps its time to remember everything.

Things are, in that moment, suddenly quite clear.

Maketh lifts her head. Meets Krennic's eyes straight on.

She smiles for him, polite as you please.

"Of course, commander."

She's going to destroy him.

[vergeofgreatness]

"I will oversee resuming the mining operations. I will hear your report this evening when I am finished."

He wanted this to be a lesson to her and the other officers here that he had control. Tarkin wouldn't save anyone, even if he wanted to. He had no doubt that the governor wouldn't lose sleep over the loss of a few disposable officers just to prove a point.

"Take care of the mess" he gestured at the fallen officers dismissively. As he turned away, the death troopers lingered for a moment to look at Maketh before silently following Krennic.

[mismanagement]

There was no real reason for her to linger there while the bodies were carted away and the blood scrubbed from the platform, but Maketh remained. She had to see. Had to remember. It was important to know the worth of your enemy and what they would do, given the chance. She had been lax, far too soft in her dealings with Krennic, and he had struck. Why not, when she'd given him such a fine opportunity? It was the Imperial way.

What he'd done was effective. Maketh admitted it easily. He'd essentially replaced her entire command with officers who had just watched him enforce his will with Death Troopers. If they'd be loyal to anyone, it would be him. Of course. Officers followed the strongest leader. It had been so in the Academy.

Maketh watched Aresko and Grint dragged away. She'd have to secure something for their families, if they had any. A tragic accident. Blame the rebels. That way they'd get a pension and not a traitor's reputation. It was better to take care of the dead the right way or their families might become a problem later. Revenge was something of a family tradition these days. Maketh still had enough Mandalorian in her to remember that.

Family. Now that was a thought.

The next week was largely uneventful. Krennic's replacements proved themselves effective and Maketh played the part of the dutiful officer. Agent Kallus took charge of the city's defense and things were running smoothly. And if Maketh made a series of off-world communications and arranged for the transfer of credits to some civilians, well, she was only working to secure a future for the dearly departed Taskmaster Grint's young daughter, who had been declared Gifted in her Academy Aptitude Test. After all, the Empire need to work proactively to secure the next generation of talented officers, lest they be seduced to the private sector.

Quietly, Maketh also drained almost her entire personal account and rallied her underworld contacts on Lothal. Several substantial bribes and finder-fees were required but at the end, she found what she was looking for.

The next day, three heavily armored ships dropped out of hyperspace and requested landing clearance. Maketh granted it.

No doubt Krennic's spies would inform him of the fact, but Maketh hadn't tried to hide the arrival. It was rather the point that he found out. He wasn't the only one who could play games.

The ships were carrying a full battalion of armed mercenary, specialized in close-quarter combat. All of them were given Imperial crests, which they applied - somewhat dubiously - to their armor. Their leader - a tall man whose face was still handsome under the scars - greeted her with solemnity. Maketh clasped his arm tight, an intimate gesture. She made sure there were witnesses. All of his troops had thick accidents, unfortunately distinctive, but they were equipped with vocal disruptions and instructed not to interact with anyone before certain introductions were made.

Maketh lead the battalion commander and his two sub-commanders into her office, greeting them kindly. Both of the commanders treated her with grave respect.

Then she left a message for Krennic. Wouldn't he care to join her to discuss recent developments?

She'd even bought wine for the occasion. Good wine, from Coruscant.

She greeted Krennic with a thin smile when he finally did arrive. "Commander. Do come in. There's someone I'd like you to meet."