The ice planet of Cato Neimoidia. The Star Wars copy of the Alps. The entire planet is like the Alps. The true dream for any skier.
It had taken us 3 days to reach Cato Neimoidia. If we traveled through 1 major hyperspace lane the entire time it would have taken 2 days tops. However, sadly Cato Neimoidia doesn't have large hyperspace lanes going through it.
We had switched between 5 hyperspace lanes to reach Cato Neimoidia, an annoying and time-consuming flight.
But soon enough Cato Neimoidia came within sight. It was a magnificent blue planet. It had multiple grey dots, signaling Mountains, but also grasslands. However, the majority of it was blue oceans with white clouds. But something else caught my attention. Something called Lukrehulk-Class Battleship. 10 of them, being stationed at the only entrance to the system, the hyperlanes. Although they were called Battleships they seemed more similar to a large space station
However, the special parts of Cato Neimoidia remained in between these Mountains. Large cities were connected by 2 Mountains. They were called the Bridge cities, however, they looked much more like large hammocks with a city on them.
That's when we got a transmission coming through the Swiftwind.
"This is the Cato Neimoidia defensive fleet, please identify yourself?" A voice came over the comms.
"This is CR90 Corvette-37623 of the Thyferra Fleet. Follow me is an escort of 2 Corvettes and 12 Z-95 Headhunters. We are here on a business meeting with the Trade Federation." The Pilot said into the comms.
"Hold your position while we authenticate your ship and meeting." A voice came back and immediately after we all stopped.
3 minutes later the same voice returned.
"You have been granted access. You will be met at the Nexarum Prime. The capital of Cato Neimoidia." The voice sounded and the Pilot quickly restarted our previous path, and we picked up speed.
Once we reached the atmosphere, we spent a lot of time Navigating through the Mountains and cities. Nexarum Prime was not situated at the top of the Planet and you therefore needed to travel a bit even after exiting hyperspace. However, we weren't just allowed to travel with a small-sized Task Force. We had a starfighter escort of 30 Vulture Droids.
And soon enough we came within sight of the capital city. It was completely stunning. Before the Trade Federation, the locals weren't unified and fought for economic dominance on Cato Neimoidia. To showcase wealth, they built these cities. And this was the largest I've seen. It wasn't held on by 2 mountains. No there were 4 Mountains. Perfectly aligning themselves to create a square. And between hang a large city, it looked like 2 mountain cities simply crossed over each other, but the middle was combined.
"CR90 Corvette-37623, please head towards the palace landing platform, Deputy Viceroy Hath Monchar will be waiting for you. The rest of your escort will be required to land on Hangar 1032 and 1031." A robot droid said. I suspect that it was one of the Vulture droids escorting us.
"Understood." My pilot said as he fled down for a landing at the big platform.
"Alright, Alexander. Same procedure as last time but have 5 guards follow me." I said as I turned around and left the cockpit. However this time only 2 Royal Guards stood there, Jon and Robb. They followed me as I headed to my quarters. I had some information to retrieve.
It took us 2 minutes to reach it, the everlasting bonus of a small ship. Once I arrived I picked up a Datapad. It included multiple things I wanted my ships to be manufactured with.
Equipped with my trusted Datapad I exited my room and went towards the exit tube. It was situated right beside my room and as such it took barely a minute to reach it.
When I exited the Corvette, a sight I've seen before greeted me. Mainly my guard's formation. They had formed up the same as on Coruscant. In 2 lines surrounding me. At the edge stood Alexander with 2 guards.
3 meters away from Alexander and the end of the formation stood the 3 representatives from the Trade Federation.
However, I only recognized two of them. Nute Gunray. He stood behind the right shoulder of some other Neimoidian. Meanwhile, Lott Dodd stood behind the unknown guy on his right.
The usual happened as I walked through our formation and Alexander stepped to the side.
Nute Gunray and his fellow had 4 B1 Battle Droid guards. However, there were 50 others spaced around the Hangar. And probably thousands through the palace I was looking at.
That's when I confronted the 2 men in front of me.
"Greetings, I am Count Thalron Veridian, of House Veridian, ruler and Senator of Thyferra." I said with a smile as I kept my hands behind my back.
The unknown guy spoke up.
"I am Hath Monchar, deputy Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Sadly the Viceroy couldn't be here due to business at Scipio. Behind me is Senator Lott Dodd, representing us in the Senate, and Governor Nute Gunray of Cato Neimoidia." He said as he smiled. However, it became one of those disgusting ones due to his species.
"I see, the luck truly isn't on my side. Not being allowed to witness the famous Viceroy, but no matter. Each of you has your own excellent reputation. I am sorry I came here without notifying you. But I would hope some of my Senate colleagues notified you for me?" I said, trying to please their pride and arrogance.
"Aah, truly you have a way with your words. And yes, you are correct, Count. Every single one of the 4 senate powers has notified us. Bringing wishes, terms, demands, and even payments in return for our cooperation with you." This time Lott Dodd said in his usual deep and ugly voice.
"I see, well shall we discuss it further inside?" I said, trying to move our discussion inside. Where I could properly begin the dealings.
"Yes, yes. We better get inside." Nute Gunray said as all 4 of us began walking. The 9 guards followed behind us.
The walk through the palace was eventful. There were servants from across the Galaxy. From Twi'lek to Togruta to Mon Calamari. The corridors were gigantic, I couldn't even reach the floor even if I placed 10 of me on top of each other at some places.
Once we entered, we got refreshments as we headed to the Office. If my memory is correct the design was indeed quite like Lott Dotts palace which is shown in the Clone Wars series.
And soon enough we arrived. His office was quite similar to that of the Chancellor. With one large chair, then a desk and 3 chairs on the other side of the desk. However, there was also a table with 6 chairs around it. It was a circular table.
And that's where we headed. The 3 Neimoidians sat across from me.
And they opened the Hologram situated in the middle of the table.
"Let's begin." Lott Dott said as he showed us the Munificent.
Holy shit. This was entirely different from what I assumed. It included 20 Light Turbolasers, 2 Ion Canons, 2 Gigantic Long Range Turbolasers, and 20 Point defense cannons. But that was it.
It missed close to 40 Medium-ranged double turbo lasers, 20-point defense canons, and 12 Heavy Flak Canons it also had extremely weak defensive shields, opposite to that of the future Munificent-Class Frigates.
"This here costs 8 million to build. However, it has no space for humans. And that is mainly what we must discuss. After looking through the Munificent we have confirmed that it would require 2000 men to crew it at optimal performance, we will have to reform approximately 15% of the Cargo Space to make it possible for 2000 humans to live here, after reforms approximately 5000 can live there comfortably." Lott Dodd said signaling for me to continue.
"I see. Well, I will be paying a lot more than 8 Million credits, but in return, I would need help customizing it. Firstly, I want to remove about 75% of the Cargo Hold. 25% to go to living quarters. Then create a hangar for transportation ships and 2 squadrons. After looking at the Cargo Bay. These 2 should take approximately 45% of the Cargo Hold. I also want to include more defensive and offensive formations and therefore we need to transfer 10% to power and laser holdings. I also need to remove 10% to create large and powerful deflector shields, the best you can manage. And lastly, I want to use the last 10% to create a vehicle space for speeders and tanks." I said as I waited for their response.
"I see, well most of that can easily be done by us as we create them. The Banking Clan also often requires ships of similar stuff. We would usually charge a lot more for it but we won't. But you need to pay for all parts and the worker's salary. Lastly, we need you to name the gun emplacements that you require and that you pay for them." The Deputy Viceroy spoke while stroking his chin.
"Yes, that is more than acceptable. Well, I will require the placement of 13D DBY-827 Heavy Turbolasers on starboard and portside at the same level as the Heavy Forward Dual Turbolasers. 26 Medium Double Turbolasers under the forward hull, 12 Heavy Flak Canons, and lastly 20 extra point defense canons. And by the way. I wish to buy 4 of them." I said as I looked at my datapad. Each would cost a total of 16 million Credits. 4 million more than that of the CIS-modified one, however, this one had superior firepower to that of the CIS. However, it also had a lot of space modifications and shields that cost a lot of credits as well.
All 3 of them went silent as each of them focused on their datapad. They were checking out every part with their shipwrights, other companies who sell the parts etc.
Nute Gunray was the first to speak.
"Our approximate cost to build one would be 15.800.000 credits." Nute Gunray spoke. He truly was a genius in the area of trade.
"Yes, my conclusions are the same. The cost will be about 15-16 million credits. However, that's without the vehicles and fighters which may cost a bit. Either way it will take approximately 2 months to build 4 of these. It would usually take 2 weeks to a month to produce it due to our skills in mass-productions. But we need to test and build new blueprints. It will therefore take 2 months." The Viceroy spoke.
That's when Nute Gunray spoke again having finished another round of research.
"For both Munificent-Class Frigate it will cost 65 000 000 to build the ship. 800 000 credits in individual pay, work vehicles, and testing. And lastly, it will cost 1 million to come up with the blueprints. However, this is an over assumption. It will be more than enough to refix if we make any error in our short calculation. If we don't use it all by the time it is finished, then we will return the remaining funds to you alongside the ships. We will also notify you when we begin testing or finalizing so you can send a Navala crew. We'll have someone teach them the basics." He continued as he put down his datapad.
"Very well, I shall have it transferred immediately." I said as I picked up my datapad. They were truly useful. I simply went to the InterGalactic Banking app and sent a deposit to the Trade Federation. The Banking Clan made it easy for any large customer to send money over by the press of a button. Though it required your personal code.
After sending the money over I showed it to the deputy viceroy.
"Great, my datapad has also confirmed the transaction. Pleasure doing business with you." He said as he stood up, I did as well. And we shook hands.
As fast as possible I turned around and walked out. When I exited, I realized none of the other 3 guys followed so I assumed they had a meeting.
As I exited, I sent a nod to Alexander before we all began walking out.
We walked at a fast pace. Not quite walk-jogging, which was a sport. But faster than a normal walk.
I honestly just wanted to get out of here and get my ass back to Thyferra. I simply hurried over here because I knew that the longer, I had a ship, the more efficient my men were at using it.
Soon enough I reached my Corvette. As the tube was taking me into the Corvette, I turned on my comms.
"Pilot. Notify the other corvettes to depart from their hangars and meet us in space. Once we're all regrouped head back to Thyferra." I voiced over the comms.
As I finished I cut the line and turned to Alexander.
"Make sure the guys get some training in. They've been resting too much. Jon and Robb, follow me to the Formal conference chamber. I'll talk with Admiral Jason." I said as I began walking towards the mid-ship elevator.
I only needed to take the elevator one floor up. Sadly, there weren't stairs in this ship. At least not between the 4 or something floors.
After 30 seconds I reached the Conference room. Jon and Robb stationed themselves outside as usual as I went to my head chair and sat down.
I pressed a few buttons and the image of Admiral Jason flared up. But I'm pretty sure that isn't a CR90 Corvette he is standing in….
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4 advance chapters at Patrion.
patrion.com/pondsfyre
It really helps me stay motivated by getting a few donation. And maybe if we all are lucky i get grammarly premium and we get some better grammar :)
1 extra chapter for every 3rd patreon.
You also get a shoutout here, so pls do it.
Give me a few suggestions for multiple things:
Love intrest:
I really only though of 1 which is Padme so give me some ideas.
If any of you know any great admirals that isn't related to anything big. Like Judicial Admirals or potential Admirals for the Empire. Or Starfighter pilots or commanders who live during this time, maybe from empire or rebels. Or really anything. I barely know anything from legends or comics. Or even before the clone wars so any suggestion, information, anything helps.
A money depositary, fleet just flying through space randomly ( not katana ) or any planets he should take over. Im listening.