From each according to his ability... (II)

"Grand Admiral, sir," Captain Pellaeon announced as he stepped into the cabin. "A dispatch from the Steel Aurora has arrived."

"Perfect timing," I said, looking up from the computer screen. "What does Captain Kalian have to report?"

"No enemy presence detected on Abafar," Pellaeon began to read. "Ground units have landed. The city, its landing zones, and the mines are under our control. Operations are underway to clear the old CIS quarries for Rhydonium extraction. Local residents control small, low-production mines. Lieutenant Colonel Astarion plans to seize them..."

"Unacceptable," I interrupted. "We will not seize assets from the Empire's own planets. The ISB is, as usual, overcomplicating matters. Instruct the lieutenant colonel to cease his actions immediately. It would be far more effective to negotiate with the locals, provide them with the means to mine Rhydonium. Their extraction is our profit and their transportation is our responsibility. A mutually beneficial arrangement."

"Sir," Pellaeon hesitated, coughing into his fist. "We don't have much liquid capital to pay these miners..."

"I'm fully aware of our financial constraints, Captain. But thank you for the reminder. This isn't about spending; it's about efficiency. How long would it take us to procure mining equipment, train our men to use it, and start production? Even if Captain Kalian and Lieutenant Colonel Astarion took the entire planet by force, we'd still face resistance and uprisings. It's far more prudent to buy the Rhydonium from the locals, who are likely extracting it in small quantities, so the cost won't be exorbitant. And besides, our need for Rhydonium isn't just short-term. Send a Star Galleon with the necessary storage and transport equipment to them."

"Understood, sir," Pellaeon saluted. "We've also received a report from the Nemesis. They've arrived at Myrkr. The signal source is confirmed to be Talon Karrde's base."

"Interesting," I remarked. "Any signs of life?"

"The scanners are non-functional in that area," Pellaeon reminded me, his brow furrowing.

"Good that you recall," I quickly praised him, internally chiding myself for the slip. Thrawn never forgets anything! Yet, there it was—a lapse. "Deploy ground units. Order the stormtroopers to act with precision and caution. Surround the base with multiple cordons to ensure our target doesn't slip away if he decides to rethink his role in the Empire's future."

"Yes, sir," Pellaeon acknowledged, saluting again.

"Have the Noghri received their orders?" I inquired.

"Yes," the Chimera's commander confirmed. "Two combat teams are already en route to Hypori."

"And what of our unit dispatched to the Sluissi sector?" I continued, determined to demonstrate to Pellaeon that the sensor failure on Myrkr was a deliberate test of him, not an oversight on my part.

"They will reach their positions in sixteen hours and be ready to launch the attack," he assured me.

"Remind them to synchronize their strike with the assault on Nkllon," I instructed. "We cannot allow the Sluis Van shipyards to send reinforcements to Lando Calrissian when Captain Brandei and the Executor begin their attack. Any updates from the Bilbringi shipyards?"

"Yes, sir," Pellaeon confirmed. "The installation of a prototype cloaking device has begun on the ship, to test the functionality of the entire stealth system. We'll be notified separately once the process is complete."

"Very well," I said. "Has the Ubiqtorate responded to our request?"

"A message arrived stating that a coordinator is prepared to meet with you," Pellaeon reported.

This was an insult. A coordinator was merely a mid-level operative, overseeing agents in specific sectors—a mere intermediary between the field operatives and Imperial Intelligence leadership. Not even the Ubiqtorate itself, which was superior to intelligence command. This was nothing more than a perfunctory response, and it was entirely unacceptable.

"This is unsatisfactory," I said coldly. "Such a blatant display of disrespect cannot be ignored. Do we have details on the ships and crews of the Star Destroyers stationed at Tangrene?"

"Yes, sir," Pellaeon confirmed. "But they... fall under the Ubiqtorate's command..."

"The Armed Forces answer to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief," I snapped. "The Ubiqtorate has overstepped its bounds, as it often does. Send me the details on the Tangrene Defense Fleet. We will address this issue of command unity ourselves."