It's Nothing Personal, Or Is It?”
Mount Dahkan
Aeotheran
Orian System
Malisane looked round the room, his eyes focusing on Deckard Kaelen First Minister of of the Aeotheran government. “I am displeased with this unrest in the outer sectors Minister,” he said coldly, “production targets are down. This will not be tolerated.”
The usually confident and placid official looked nervously back at the heavily scarred Sith. “I agree Governor,” he replied, “the Aeotheran Security Force are working to contain it, however production has spread across the planet faster than we are able to adapt our security patrols, we have limited resources.”
“I do not want to hear excuses Minister,” Malisane replied, “when we established the government it was designed to work together, to balance profit with stability. You have an entire bureaucracy designed to work together to achieve that aim. If it is imbalanced that is your failing and your subordinates.”
“I understand Governor,” the man replied.
Malisane turned to the female officer in the room. “Commander Miros, you will assign a battalion to assist the ASF. You will also meet with their officers and make it clear what is expected of them. Any who do not give you confidence you may remove.”
“Yes Governor.” she replied coldly.
Malisane turned to the final person present. “Commodore, what is our fleet status?”
Commodore Krill clicked a button and figures appeared in front of them. “We have near maximum personnel Governor,” he replied, “and all ships have reported as operational. We have had to reassign Task Force Besh from Inos to Aeotheran to plug the gap in our planetary security caused by the loss of the skyhook.”
The Sith scowled. “I understand. What our our fleet facilities?”
Krill shrugged. “Again, we have had to move our resupply and repairs functions to the main clan bases until we establish a permanent solution. This has delayed operations somewhat.”
“Very well,” Malisane replied, “anything else?”
“No Governor, you will receive a formal report.”
“Then you are dismissed.”
A short while later Malisane stood on the balcony of his quarters, looking out across the snow surrounding the mountain the Dakhan house had made their home. He was unusually pensive. Recent events had bothered him. On the face of it getting away from the bureaucracy of running the House and its planet had been a welcome break, and away from the usual members he had just been another fighter amongst the pirates and the members of the other clans. It had been good.
However the fact so many of his clan had taken up with the Severians, who were dubious allies at least based on recent history, still bothered him. There had been justifications from others, especially in the Summit, and some had seemed as genuinely sad he had joined the Tenixir as others had been pleased he was not going to be with them. It bothered him though. The Clan had no business supporting those who had betrayed the Brotherhood in the past and would again when it suited them.
The loss of Marakith was also irritating. When he had been persuaded to return the skyhook a year earlier he had never intended it to be a permanent solution. After all that had happened to it the station had not been what it was, and confidential engineers reports cast doubt it could be maintained much longer than a year or so before it became mothballed. It more bothered him that having recaptured, the Orian system had once again so nearly fallen. And one of their most secure facilities had been taken. This was despite the Clan fleet being stronger than it ever had been. Perhaps the leadership ought to be focusing on that rather than shoring up supposed allies?
He turned as he heard a beep at his door. He walked through the balcony doors and into the sparsely decorated room. “Enter.”
His Aedile entered. Adept Sanginius Entar had been working with the Sith for a year and to be honest there was no closeness between them. Malisane respected that the former Consul had stepped up when the position had been vacant but that was all. For the best part Malisane was content for the Adept to partly look after the members and partly carry out his duties for the Shadow Academy on Nesolat. As far as he could tell the Aedile was happy Malisane was not often around and left the running of the house and planet to himself and the military and civilian officials.
“Was there something Adept?”
Sanguinius shook his head. “Nothing of importance, Quaestor,” he replied, “all members have returned safely from Dandoran. We have no casualties or major injuries.”
“That is satisfactory,” Malisane replied, “was there anything else?”
“No not as such,” the Elder replied, “I am due to return to Nesolat in the morning. I was planning on attending the meeting with the Senior Staff before I turn in though, I thought I would check in with you first.”
“I have attended to it Aedile,” Malisane replied, “they have departed for their duties."
Sanguinius raised an eyebrow, “You attended it?”
Malisane met the elders gaze. “I did. Is that a problem Aedile?”
The passive Elder shook his head. “No, you usually show no interest though.”
The Quaestor shrugged. “I am looking to take care of more. Things are going well here on Aeotheran, but they can improve. And you have your many duties with the Shadow Academy and Regents office. We will have to see about lightening your load here.”
Sanguinius looked unusually nonplussed. “Very well. We will see how that goes, I suppose.”
“Good,” Malisane replied calmly, “then I will not detain you. If you see Malik tell him I want to see him.”
Sanguinius nodded and left.
A short while later the other Adept entered the room. “You wished to see me Malisane?”
“Yes Malik,” he replied. In truth he was no closer to the Neti that he was to the others in the House, but he had been not close to him for much longer. “I have the assignments for Sapphire Squadron.” He produced a datapad.
The experienced elder looked them over slowly, and then his eyes raised up to meet the Quaestor's. “This is just routine surveillance and crew motivational training,” he replied.
“And?”
“It is hardly work for our members. And reasonably experienced ASF agent or personnel advisor could carry these out.”
“It is good to keep our members busy Malik,” Malisane countered.
“It will take up much of their time and take them away from the Mountain or their other homes. It will be greatly unpopular.”
“Perhaps,” Malisane replied, “but being a member of Sapphire Squadron brings many privileges and authority for its members. If necessary remind them of that.”
The Neti did not scowl or even change his placid features. He merely studied the Sith coldly. “As you wish, Quaestor.”
Malisane nodded. “That is all sorted then.”
“Was there anything else?” Malik asked.
“Yes,” the Sith replied,” Commodore Krill informs me is has been necessary to pull our forces back from Inos to strengthen them here. With recent events with the Sigmas and the Unchained we should not turn our back on that area and get caught out again. I would like you to take the Satyr and do a routine patrol. See if you can sense anything that may be of concern to us. Take your time there is a lot of territory to cover.”
The Neti's features finally cracked. “You want me to do that? A patrol?”
Malisane nodded. “Yes. No one else in the House or perhaps even the Clan has your unique abilities. I would trust no one more. I have ordered the cruiser to prepare to depart in the morning. They will be waiting for you.”
Malik looked directly into the Sith's eyes, and Malisane felt the Neti's mind brush against his own. “Very well, it will be as you wish.” He gave a stiff bow and left.
Malisane waited for him to go and then touched the communicator on his desk. “Get me Commander Miros on a secure channel.”
There was a pause and a hologram appeared showing the the cold features of the officer in charge of the House's ground forces” “Yes Governor?” she asked with a salute.
“I have some surveillance targets for you Commander,” Malisane told her, “I will send you details and the methods I want using.”